SOCCER

After four weeks of riveting competition, the World Cup finally came down to just one last game.  It was a battle between the surging Netherlands (dubbed “The Orange” because of their all Orange uniforms) against mighty Spain (a Top three talent who, while in the championship, hasn’t been playing the best soccer throughout this tournament).  When it’s just one match, anything goes.  There is no “favored” team or “logical” choice, it’s simply a contest between two teams that have grinded it out against the world’s best and have earned the right to an “Anything Goes” soccer match.

Many expected this game to be a shootout, thinking that the aggregate score would be over 4.5 goals, but people couldn’t be more wrong.  This game was a defensive stand still.  Both teams brought their A-game, but nobody on either defense wanted to be responsible for losing an entire World Cup for their country.  We’ve already seen defensemen practically get exiled for letting a goal slip by, so you can imagine the kind of lashing one would receive for botching a play in the Final Game.  With that said, the defenses brought their game to another stratosphere.  The game was tied at half.

And, a second half didn’t produce any results either.  We would need two 15-minute overtime sessions to decide the World’s biggest game.  Even then, the teams remained tied at 0-0 after the first OT period.  In the second OT, Spain turned it on and were playing much more aggressive than the Netherlands.  They got a few great shots on goal… but nothing.  Then it was the Netherlands chance, as they capitalized on a few good looks, but strong goal keeping kept it out of the net.  It appeared we were headed to penalty kicks — the worst case scenario given the stakes involved.  But then… it happened.  In the 116th minute, Andres Iniesta had a beautiful breakaway and kicked a goal past the Netherland’s keeper.  The place was electric!!!!  The Netherlands had about 5 more minutes to equalize it, but the miracle goal just didn’t come.  Game… Over!  Spain wins their first World Cup ever, and solidifies its place at the top.   From this point forth, expect to hear “Spain” among the elite soccer nations.  Spain 1, Netherlands 0.

BASEBALL

With the All-Star game approaching, it was time for the “futures” all-star game.  This is where the best of the minor league systems split up into USA vs. The World.  The MLB is composed of myriad nationalities and this game is a chance to see if the future of baseball is more domestic or international.  Well, as of now, it’s domestic, as the USA minor leaguers routed the International Competition.  Hank Conger of the Los Angeles Angels farm system hit a three-run blast to give them a commanding lead, and that’s all they would need to hang on for the win.  USA 8, International 1.