So now the world cup is over. There were these low, stupid and disgusting moments. There were these moments when all of us, great couch coaches that we are, were left scratching our heads as to what was going on the field with the players and coaches. We can argue how players play so well for their clubs but fail for their countries. BTW that to me is obvious given that they play for their club and the teammates there all year round, day in and day out but only start really getting ready for the world cup finals maybe only a month before. Some playing for foreign clubs return to their country only for that month. So let's not debate that. Actually I agree the bad moments in this world cup were probably in the majority but forget all that, this world cup did have its gems, it had a great changing of guards and it had its brilliant moments. I for one am going to look at what went well and not at how some of the players, coaches and teams, well, sucked and screwed up. You expected them to do well given their caliber and club record and past performance??? Well, too bad they dashed your hopes :)

This world cup as usual threw up its hard working and dedicated players like Pirlo (ITA), Gerrard (ENG), Cannavaro (ITA), Kaka (BRA), Cafu (BRA) etc who turn up to play every match for the love of the game and not worry about the money from the club vs the country. Zidane played well in the 2nd phase but his name is sadly missing due to the head butting incident but ya, he was good. It has thrown up loads of new talented players like Lahm (GER), obviously Messi (ARG), Tevez (ARG), Schweinsteiger (GER), Rebery (FRA), Podolski (GER), Van Persie (NED) etc. These are the players that I will follow and look forward to seeing them in action. Who cares about the C. Ronaldos etc etc. Not interested in them! :)

The names I listed above are not complete, there were players from less powerful football-ing nations who showed lot of speed, talent and grit. Maybe they played so well because they had nothing to lose, but yes lots of them were really good...

Now on to the Le Tour. You want a sport where everyone gives 100% all the time and that too, most of the times, for someone else? Go see the Tour de France...
Do you know who was the most popular sports figure in Germany in 2003? Michael Schumacher? Nope...Jan Ulrich, the leader of the T-Mobile cycling team. Sad that he was pulled out just before the start of this tour due to a doping allegation. Hope he clears his name...