Sports Highlights

July 17th 1994: On this Day in Sports History… Brazil beats Italy in a shootout to win their 4th world cup. Led by star striker Romario and star defender Jorginho, this winning team is considered one of the best national squads in the history of Brazil.

July 10th 1999: On This Day In Sports History… On this day in 1999, the famous Women’s National soccer team defeated the Chinese in a penalty shootout to win the 1999 Women’s World Cup. An amazing team achieving amazing goals with the help of star players Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy. 

History is Made And A Dynasty is Formed Spain went on to route the Italians on Sunday Afternoon in the Euro 2012 Cup Final. The Spanish become the first team to ever win three major tournaments in a row by winning the 2008 Euro Cup, the 2010 World Cup, and of course this years 2012 Euro Cup again which cements there place in soccer history as arguably one of the greatest teams to ever play the game. Spain got of to a hot start with goals from David Silva in the 14th minute and another one to add some separation from Jordi Alba in the 41’. I don’t believe any man has had their stock rise as much as Alba was able to do during this tournament and his skills have showed dividends as he will be the starting left back at Barcelona in this upcoming season. As Italy ran into some misfortune with injuries and substitutions they were forced to play with 10 men and the game was officially out of hand as garbage goals came from Fernando Torres in the 84’ minute (also winner of the golden boot. WOW.) and Juan Mata was able to finish off a nice pass from Torres with a goal of his own in the 88th minute. Balotelli and Italy just didn’t have enough to compete with this Spanish side as they couldn’t manage to handle the little amount of possession they had and the way the Spaniards work the ball around and quickly recover on defense. On the other hand, this Spanish side has mastered the way you play soccer, it’s picture perfect play all game long and you just know the goals are coming when you’re watching them play. In my opinion, this has got to be the greatest team in soccer history as nobody has ever achieved what they have, and the fact that they can still win trophy’s without some of their top players (Puyol and David Villa) shows how dynamic and skilled this team is and how they can compete at any level with any array of players. They even managed to do it with two different managers, which isn’t a knock on Vincente Del Bosque, but just shows the character and veteran leadership this team has displayed over the years. And it’s not like its ending, this team will be many peoples favorite to win the World Cup in 2014, and how much better could it get if they did it in Brazil to unarguably secure them as the best team of all time, Over Pele’s run in the late 50’s early 60’s. In my mind, they have already achieved the status of best team ever, but this type of hype and suspense that will occur in 2014 can hurt the game of soccer. Congrats to Spain and the entire team, EURO 2012 CHAMPIONS!

BLOOPER OF THE DAY With time running out on the clock, a frustrated David Beckham punts the ball at a sea of San Jose players, earning himself a yellow card and inciting an extremely heated confrontation between the two clubs. This was hilarious, first of all it was a completely ridiculous thing for Beckham to do, but as I watched this video I was amazed how accurate the kick was that he was able to hit his target so far away. He may have ridiculous hair and play in the 18th best league in soccer, but he can still place the ball where he wants it.

July 2nd 1994: On this Day in Sports History… Colombian soccer player Andres Escobar  was shot to death in Medellin, just ten days after scoring an own goal in the World Cup. This is an extremely sad story, one that was masterfully told in the documentary The Two Escobars.

Every Goal From the Euro 2012 Group Stage Since this is our first day off from Euro 2012 action in quite some time, I thought it was only right to want to see every goal that has been scored so far. Some pretty, some scrappy, some game winners but all were meaningful. Enjoy, 60 goals 120 seconds. 

(For more coverage go to espn.com)

Three Lion Belief Wayne Rooney left a major mark on his highly anticipated return last night for England as he scored the only goal of the game vs. host nation, Ukraine in the 48th minute on an easy tap in header from a cross that somehow found its way through the center of the box. It was a fell fought game from the host nation after being so close to advancing, but they now will be forced to watch the rest of the tournament from the stands as their run has come to an end. For England, after such a disaster in the 2010 World Cup when they got run of the field by Germany and they went through major scrutiny with the players and even had a coaching change, winning the group has given the players and English fans something to believe in and the thought that they have a real shot at winning this thing. England will have to shape up a few loose ends and be ready to go for their quarter-final showdown with Italy on Sunday. 

(Go to dailymotion.com for more) 

Swedish Fish Sweden was able to salvage a little respect at the 2012 Euro’s with it’s first win over France 2-0. My new favorite for goal of the tournament was scored by an incredible volley strike from team captain, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the game was secured by Sebastian Larsson off a rebound in the 90’ minute. Although some may argue that France wasn’t playing their hardest or didn’t care as much about this game as time went on it was looking pretty likely they were advancing, this lackluster effort can still come back to haunt them as they are now matched up against the defending champions and tournament favorites, Spain. Should make for a incredible quarter-final game. 

(Go to dailymotion.com for more)

PLAY OF THE DAY The man that’s so crazy you have to cover his mouth after he scores out of fear of what he might do or say. Mario Balotelli definitely had himself the goal of the tournament so far for Italy yesterday afternoon to help Advance Italy to the knockout stages of the Euro’s. Not sure who he was mouthing off to after his goal but it sure was scary and alarming. Gotta love this man and of course, why always me?

Picking Up Where They Left Off The Spaniards continue to show why they are the defending champions and why they are once again the favorites to take home the 2012 Euro Trophy. They have been crowned the winners of Group C after a possession dominated game vs. Croatia ended up in a 1-0 victory for the Spanish side after substitute Cesc Fabregas played a ball over the top which Iniesta then laid out for fellow substitute Jesus Navas to walk into goal with. A typical Spanish goal with precision passing leading to a easy goal. Sad ending for Croatia as they put up an extremely impressive performance vs the world cup champs but just couldn’t hold on for long enough and now will have to watch the rest of the tournament from home. Spain will face the runner up of Group D in the quarter final round. 

(For further coverage got to dailymotion.com)

Why Always Him? The Italians were able to defy the odds yesterday afternoon and advance through Group C with a 2-0 victory over Ireland and with help from Spain’s victory over Croatia. After a error from the Irish that forced a corner kick, the Italians were able to capatalize as Antonio Cassano got his head on the ball to place it in the back of the net to put the Italians up in the 35th minute. As the intensity of the game was continuing to rise, Mario Balotelli, lived up to his why always me reputation finally and finished another corner kick for the Italians in the 90th minute and aruguably had the goal of the tournament so far. The Italians have booked their trip to the quarter finals and will face the winner of Group D.

(For more coverage head to dailymotion.com)