The Centennial Of The Christmas Soccer Truce

((HT: CNN/Masters))

It's one of the great legends of this day...

100 years ago, the western front was where the battle was the fiercest in World War I- for more reasons than just the weaponry this time of year. In what was referred to as "No Man's Land" in Belgium, it has been told that British and German soldiers laid down their arms on the day the War was promised to end and played a spontaneous match of soccer.

And we're talking hundreds per side...

It has been romanticized and retold- even making it to the Sainsbury's Chocolates ad campaign for this holiday season


The question, though, has always been: Did this happen...???

There has been eyewitness reference to it, but one professor says the whole event has been blown up to match the tale. Mark Connelly, Professor of Modern British History at the Center for War, Propaganda and Society at the UK's University of Kent gives the whole thing a "Yeah, but" mentality.

"I think it highly likely that someone, somewhere did bring out a ball and a bit of a kick about took place, but that is a long, long way from saying it definitely happened and that it was anything like a formal match rather than just men tapping a ball about a bit," Connelly told CNN.
"There is a huge difference between a truce and fraternization and we have tended to put the two together."

Here's how Fox Sports addressed the story in their "Rise As One" series...
Although, the HQ strenuously objects to beer bottles being held in a war memorial
((HT: Budweiser))


An educational program has been brought about by the Football Association (the FA) and the Premier League to continue the education of youth in the theatre. There have been annual tournaments in Belgium at Ypres, ad campaigns on their own, and educational packets to make sure the stories are not lost and the importance of remembering history is always retained.

And that's the larger message, we think...

Never forget a sacrifice and recall the bravery of those who served and continue to serve to this day...

Learn more about the Christmas Truce below...
((HT: The History Channel))

FIFA's Next Problem: Concussions

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As we all know, Germany needed extra time to beat Argentina in the final in Rio on Sunday.

But short of the political irresponsibility that the governing body is ignoring in picking their home nations, the new issue that the folks are not talking about when they need to discuss it is the concussions problem.

14 minutes after being taken off the pitch and being examined by his own physios, German defender Christoph Kramer collapsed on the turf and had to be stretchered off in the final against Argentina.

Kramer joined Mascherano, Zabaleta, and Pereira in playing after getting concussed- and there are those trumpeting the idea that this kind of machismo has to stop...

And quick...

Here's the discussion in "Last Call" that includes Taylor Twellman- whose career was cut short by multiple concussions.

Brazil Dismantled At Home By Germany, Scolari Apologizes

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Five goals in 29 minutes... and, really, after the first goal Brazil's weaknesses were exposed. The absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva not being around on offense and the back line being caught repeatedly in transition and not being able to match Germany's offensive prowess created an awful result for Brazil.

A 7-1 loss that could have been worse if Ozil hadn't pulled up in the 90th minute.
Here's Ian and Macca


And analysis from Mike, Alexi, Gilberto, and Michael


The 7-1 loss equals their worst-ever defeat- 6-0 to Uruguay back in 1920.
And the HQ wouldn't be surprised is Scolari was asked to retire when all this is done.

But the best personification of the day came from Deadspin where Good Ol' JR called the goals- it's a must watch

And Scolari apologized in his post-match- from the London Telegraph newspaper article by Jeremy Wilson:

"Who is responsible when the team plays?" Scolari said. "I am. It's me. Who decided the tactics, I did. So the person responsible is me. If I were to think of my life as a player, as a coach, as a teacher, this was the worst day of my life. I'll be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat Brazil have ever had."

Brazil And Germany Through To The Semis

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

It was a day for chalk in the quarter-finals in Brazil...

Germany seemed like old Germany- suffocating on defense and relentless on offense in their 1-0 win over a confused France squad.
Mats Hummels' 13th-minute header was the difference


In the nightcap, host Brazil ended the run of Colombia with an early strike and a jaw dropping, top-spin free kick from David Silva


Two larger questions for the Selecao in the semis are around the lack of a Thiago Silva and the injury Neymar sustained late in the second half on a questionable challenge where one of the world's best took a high-speed knee to the middle of his back.

Julio Cesar also had a knee-to-knee contact in the box that led to his yellow card and subsequent PK goal by James, but his status seems more stable at present.

Group of Death Recap: USMNT Can Thank Ronaldo Later (Plus Free Swinging In Ghana)

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

As it turns out, the Germany 4-0 blowout of Portugal was the decider that sent Germany and the United States on and sent Portugal and the Ghanaians home.

This is one of those times that a 1-0 loss is a win as the US moves on to play, probably, Holland


And here's how Ronaldo put the Portuguese in front of Ghana for good...


But, the incident that will make everyone remember that particular match comes from something worse than a cup-check
((HT: Jack Conness' Vine))

Pepe Is Gone-Gone For USA Match

((HT: Clay's Vine))

Because of this... another classless outburst on the pitch


And Germany is rolling in the second half against Portugal, 3-0.

The larger question has to be around just how long will Cristiano Ronaldo be on the pitch and how much will he be saved for the USA match- the next one on their schedule...???

Tim And Sid Get A Guy Off Work For Portugal-Germany

((HT: Sportsnet))

FOSG Tim and Sid, for those of you who don't know, host an afternoon drive-time simulcast on Sportsnet360 and the Fan radio network.

They were holding a contest for listeners to see if they could call a boss and get their worker off to watch a particular Brazil-based soccer match.

Tim and Sid got such a request and tried to make it happen

Here's the exchange

Goal From 70 Meters Out Gives Red Bull Wings

((HT: Star Football Live TVV))

It's the season of friendlies overseas as we get closer to the beginning of football season...
Or soccer season... whichever you prefer...

And Red Bull Salzburg was playing Schalke 04 when Martin Hinteregger shot this laser...


Not bad from your own defensive end...

Baletlli did it: Italy slides by Germany and heads to Euro finals

Mario Balotelli

Well, it certainly didn't lack for entertainment value. And it had more scoring than the other semi-final too.

Italy beat Germany 2-1 Thursday afternoon to reach the Euro 2012 Finals against Spain. Oh, the game will be played in Ukraine for those curious.

Your star of the game: Mario Balotelli with 2 goals for Italy. Quite honestly, the storyline started on his goal in the 20th minute and ended when he scored again 16 minutes later.

And the game was relatively controversy free...so it had that going for it. Though Balotelli did create a bit of a stir after his second goal when he took off his shirt. That in soccer is cause for a Yellow Card.

It winds down, but doesn't finish what has been a highly entertaining couple of weeks. The soccer played in the tourney has been top-notch and thanks to ESPN, the games have been running in the afternoons and have drawn pretty good ratings.

It would be nice to see this kind of soccer take off here in the states, and it is showing signs of happening with the TV ratings improving and in fact exploding when Team USA plays.

We can only hope it is a precursor of things to come.

Here's the second goal, which broke Germany's back...
((HT: UEFA/youtube))