Kobe’s Blog

Lake Michigan, originally uploaded by Kobe2005.

…from Chris & Cat’s place

North Pond?, originally uploaded by Kobe2005.

Lovely day indeed. I’m not sure if this is called North Pond. Nice view from Christian and Catherine’s place. I had to take the shot

mellon_s_place2, originally uploaded by Kobe2005.

What a nice day it’s been today. It was a bit hot earlier but then things cooled a bit. Played soccer briefly and had breakfast with Matt B. who’s on vacation from his Geek Corp assignment in Mali. Later in the day, I ended up at Christian and Catherine’s place with Andrew, Andre and Max. We just watched Germany destroy Portugal in the World Cup 3rd Place game and ended up playing Risk. Of course I was the first to be eliminated — Andre and Max ganged up on me. I headed home afterwards to have my first beer in God knows how long! I still wonder why people like it.

For Zidane’s sake, please stop it.

Lately I’ve been privy to conversations fiercely criticizing the French Team. I have friends who wrote them off after their first game against the Swiss. Some even dared mention that they won’t make it past the first round. There have been times when I’ve wondered whether these comments are due to a dislike for the world’s most talented forward - Henry or a preference for umm Freedom Fries.

The truth is I didn’t predict the World Cup would be an Italy vs France final. And I didn’t wish for that. Left to me Ghana’s Black Stars would be featuring on Sunday against the Germans. But that’s just a fantasy and we’ll leave it at that.

The attacks against the French has stemmed from their inability to perform in 2002 and their slow start this year. But a true follower of the tournaments will know that’s all part of the French style. They almost got beaten by England in Euro 2004 in their opener but found a way to get to the knockout stages. They didn’t make it to USA 94 but won in 1998.

Back to my main point. I won’t cry if the French lose on Sunday. I won’t cry if the Italians lose. I’ll be happy for whoever takes the trophy home because at certain times in this tournament, both teams have played some great soccer. But I want to make it clear to the skeptics and haters that Les Bleus totally earned their right to feature here. Hating on the French sounds like the English, out of jealousy, kicking the french after France 98 because they [England] beat them in a game before the World Cup.

If you beat a team like Spain that started in grand style and soon became one of the favorites. If you beat the defending Champions and go on to beat Portugal, a team that had the coach of the previous winners, then you deserve to be in the final. I don’t care if the win was through a penalty. The penalty was legitimate. After Portugal beat England, one of their players said it was a dream come true that they will be playing Brazil in the semi final. Well it’s always bad to speak too soon.

Italy has played some good football. They beat Ghana — although if the referee had given the Asamoah Gyan penalty, it could have been a different story. They struggled against 9 man USA. They got a gift penaly to get to the quarters. They were blessed to meet Ukraine in the Quarter Final. But they played a great game against the host.

The Azzuri deserve to be in the final but if you’re gonna knock France for being lucky or inconsistent or what have you, look at both teams first.

I don’t care who wins on Sunday. But before this French team is disbanded and they start to rebuild, I hope they take one more glory home. One good turn deserves another.

The world’s greatest player will play his last game on Sunday. And for all he’s done for World Soccer, I hope he gets one back for the long road ahead.

So please shut your mouth… for Zidane’s sake!

Before Sunrise, originally uploaded by Kobe2005.

I took this picture last monday through a window in one of the rooms at the Wyndham in Palm Springs, CA. It was at about 5:00AM