So our local XI has some issues. Here is a short list of other things to feel a little better about: *Team USA is dominating the basketball court in Vegas at the FIBA Americas Tourney. Top 2 or 3 go to the Olympics. The next few go to Europe for a last-chance qualifier. USA are undefeated through 7, stand 6-0*, win by huge margins, are already qualified for the Semi-finals, and tonight play A Ginobli-less Argentina. If you have seen any of the games, there is plenty of area for improvement as they do somewhat look like a team of individuals still. That will evaporate some as this group progresses in this tournament and goes to the Olympics. Also. team depth is the USA's biggest weapon as they have extended late against everyone. *The result from the game with the last place team from each pool is dropped from Round 1 before the cross-over games, so USA beat the Virgin Islands and is 7-0, but only 6-0 for purposes of Semifinal qualification. *The American Eagles start a hopeful campaign in the Rugby World Cup on Versus in about 2 weeks. I'm assuming they qualified, I honestly don't know. This the 15 on 15 Union version of rugby, not the very entertaining 7s version or the 6-down league version widely enjoyed. If you like sport at it's highest level, this event runs a close second to the soccer World Cup in terms of overflowing Natoinalistic jingoism combined with a very high level of pure sport. Hey, Kop, does Eng-er-land have a shot? Love the Welsh dragon, Fijians, and the Haka, BTW. *The KC Royals: They are winning some games, just took a series with contender Detroit, and are no longer in last place in their own Division. Butler is mashing, as is Gordon. KC's defense continues to progress at a good level. Pitching, a long-time problem is slowly improving. The pen is pretty good. Grenke is becomming a must-see. Team holes are shrinking. The Ozzie Gillen blow up is especially entertaining. If you have little to do tomorrow, why not work a half day and take in the rare split doubleheader at the K? KC v Minny 1:10 start. *Football starts back up with HS and college this weekend. *If you like unmitigated excellence in sport, in volleyball #1 Nebraska just won the annual Coaches Association Invititaion Tournament, crushing 2 ranked teams including #5 UCLA. Huskers hit an unbelievable for the competition level .340 for the weekend. At the high end, add 40 to 50 points and you have a comparible stat to batting average in baseball. .340 is what you do to pre-season cupcakes and conference also-rans, not venerated 1000-win programs like UCLA. NU has the last two NCAA players of the year, a stable full of All-Americans, a setting coach that runs USA National teams, and a bench that could compete to win most conferences nationwide. This in addition to a sold-out schedule and a HD broacast for every game. I could go on at great superlative length, but if you care it's all here: www.huskers.com They haven't done much yet and the Final 4 is not in Omaha this year, but NU does have the opportunity to be one of the very best NCAA teams at any level in any sport. *The outdoor track World Championships are still on Versus daily and nightly. Again, the very best of sport on display, not to mention the very best of atheletes. Me? Well, I also enjoy the Women's events. Smoking hot russian vaulters and scandinavian 400m runners...but that's me. USA winning often doesn't hurt. Pretty much your only annual chance to see the fairly impressive Hammer Throw and 3K Steeplechase also. The schadenfreud moment was an Albanian crashing face-first into a steeplechase hurdle. 7 stitches. Ouch. *Chris Klein with the bike v Pachuca. Pretty good stuff. *UEFA back in full swing *Locally, the Summit League (formerly the Mid-Continent) goes forward with UMKC as a member. I care becasue my North Dakota State Bison joined in all but football and wrestling. You should because UMKC is the only D1 school in KC and this conference is now better than it has been in every sport, even if basketball might be the only thing you pay attention to. *Aussie Rules is entering the Finals (playoffs) soon. Even if you don't have a team (my Sydney Swans are less-than this year), the system is unique. They call it a "double-chance" for the Top seeds. Top 8 teams make it. Top 4 and 5-8 play each other to seeds (1 v 4, 5 v 8 1 at home etc.). If you are in the Top 4 and lose you then must host a winner of a 5-8 game. Loser of 5-8 games are out as are all losers from this point forward. If you hate the abortion that is a two-game playoff, this seems a solution worth a look. The downside is no home game for the 7 and 8 seeds.
Hate to burst your bubble, Dave, but the Royals are playing the Twins in Minnesota. The first game of the DH is a makeup from the day after the bridge collapse.
Yes, we did qualify, though we have less of a shot of winning than any US Soccer World Cup team. Ever. Give me $5 million a year for four years, and we'll be competitive. 7s is entertaining in an indoor soccer sort of way, and to describe League as "widely enjoyed" is to define "widely" as the north of England and a decent amount of Australia. My snarkiness aside, rugby union has serious flaws as a game, but you're right, the RWC is about as good as international competitions get. NAAI BOKKE!
Ugh, I knew this on several levels. All I did was cue up the 'net sched. The game is of course the last of the month, therefore the only highlighted game for the calandar month, and I ass-u-me(d) the highlight was at home. Oops. You can still catch a flight...
Just a little $17M endownment, that's it? The USOC could fund that from their bribe money... I dunno, there is something about a group of guys unlocking a puzzle and accentuating the point with pure speed that should remind one of other things. It is rare to see in quality as many 7's teams pound others into oblivion by 10+ scores. My bad, I thought there was a Euro comp for League code as well as Union. You want sport without flaw, then watch the 100m. You name any other competition/event/sport and I can give you the serious flaws...except of course, doubles volleyball under the old scoring system and maybe Aussie Rules, but I digress ...and that is a conversation worthy of many pints and many evenings. The universal truth is that as the level increases the inherent flaws of any game usually fade into obscurity regardless of sport.
Not this time. They are the current World Champs but have been sucking donkey balls this season. Pick one from Australia, New Zealand or France and you have the winner.
They are one of the top three. France being at home is a huge advantage. Aussies and All Blacks right there with them. Outside shot goes to South Africa.