Free Kicks - 7 August 2006

After several weeks of life in hiding, Bryce has returned to the world of Bookable Offense just in time to get the ball rolling with Brian as the new European seasons begin. Today, Bryce will be sharing some of his reflections on the World Cup experience and some thoughts on recent developments in the world of football.

Back from the Depths
It has been a long month since the World Cup final here in Berlin. Here is my advice for anyone going to South Africa in 2010:

1. Don't plan on updating your blog very often. Things are hectic, internet connections aren't always what you're used to, and well, when you're there, that's the important thing. Soak it up, and look for Steve Nash on the day of the final.
   
   
2. Don't break your camera. Better yet, don't break your girlfriend's camera.
   
   
3. Wait to buy your official merchandise until after the tournament ends. Hard to beat 75% off and it only requires staying an extra two weeks. Highly recommended. I'm up to my ears in Goleo gear. They're practically giving the stuff away....
   
   
4. If you get the chance, sell a ticket or two for anything after the group stage. I'm not proud about this one, but selling my ticket to the Germany/Argentina match paid for most of my trip this summer - and it was the cheapest ticket available (55 euros). On a side note, I was offered the chance to trade the same ticket for an England/Portugal ticket, but that would have been impossible for me to sell - it would have been worth twice as much on the street, but I could never have turned down the chance to watch that match. Watching England lose on penalty kicks in person again probably would have made me jump in front of a train anyway, so I did the right thing. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
   
   
5. One out of every three Englishmen you meet on trains has a gigantic England flag that is too large to get through security. I find this fascinating, but I suppose it doesn't constitute advice in any form, so just ignore it.
   
   
6. Definitely make an effort to chat with fans from different countries. Going to Fan Zones (or even better in Germany, beer gardens) and chatting it up with drunken Ukrainians or Angolans is half the fun.
   

I'll leave you with that and get on to some more pressing matters.

Troubleski?
It appears that all might not be right with two-time defending Premiership champions Chelsea, despite another summer of blockbuster signings. While the loss to the MLS All-Stars this weekend might not be a cause for panic, the injury to Joe Cole, the unsettling William Gallas situation, and the ongoing Ashley Cole saga are distractions, if not outright concerns. Hernan Crespo, who was never given a fair shake under Jose Mourinho, has left for Internazionale, and Didier Drogba is rumored to be unsettled at the club. With less than two weeks to go before the start of the Premiership season and the impending closing of the transfer window, Mourinho will need to right his ship in a hurry.

#9 Wanted
Speaking of transfer window issues, what the world is taking Newcastle so long to sign a new striker? Without the injured Michael Owen (lets just assume permanently and not fool ourselves) or the retired Alan Shearer, the Magpies have one out and out striker on their roster, Shola Ameobi. Technically, Albert Luque played some striker in Spain, but if he plays, which is a big if, it will most likely be as a left-sided wing player opposite Damien Duff. Even with a surplus of serviceable midfielders, Newcastle simply can't play with Ameobi as the lone striker forever. Luring a big name player will be more difficult without the draw of Champions League play, so don't be surprised if the Toon end up with less than an A-List striker, despite their obvious need. Here's hoping for an early end to Big Al's retirement....

Bayern Vulnerable?
Not much has been made of the preseason tournament here in Germany that saw Werder Bremen trounce defending Bundesliga champs Bayern Munich in the final, but it might be a bad omen for the defending champs. Losing their best player in recently shorn new Chelsea recruit Michael Ballack leaves a big hole in midfield. Their biggest addition this summer was World Cup young star Lukas Podolski, but with Roy Makaay, Roque Santa Cruz, and Claudio Pizarro among others already on the books, striker was far from a position of need. The pursuit of Ruud van Horsieface made even less sense for the same reason. We'll be able to tell as early as this Friday when Bayern opens the Bundesliga season against Dortmund if they'll be able to keep the good times rolling, or if troubled times are ahead.

Jambos Juice
It would be a crime not to at least get in a word about the hot start for SPL title-contenders Hearts. Not only have they handled their first Champions League qualifying tie with success, but they recently dispatched defending champions Celtic to move to the top of the Scottish table after two weeks. Rangers have already drawn and with the victory over the Hoops, the Jambos are in pole position in league play and are soon off to Athens to continue their European campaign. Here's wishing the lads continued success.

Don't forget to check out Brian's upcoming Fall Fashion Review and our EPL Pre-season Post-season Awards Spectacular.

Until then, stay classy, planet earth.

Pics courtesy karstadquelle.com, yahoo.com, telegraph.co.uk, and kassiesa.com. Now that Bryce is back from the dead, send him (and Brian) an email at mailto:%20bookableoffense@gmail.com.