My mission…

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Much like Ron Burgundy thought diversity was an old wooden ship, the soccer populus seems to believe that Group of Death represents the least desirable World Cup group to be placed in for middling soccer countries. False. The Group of Death is a metal band.* Just look at this poster from their Facebook page; the theory checks out…

The Group of Death is actually a soccer inspired rock group. ESPN’s Rob Stone gave them a nice plug, reporting live from NYC soccer bar Nevada Smith’s today during the World Cup draw.. Here’s the description of G.O.D. on Facebook:

The Group of Death is the world’s foremost football (soccer)-inspired heavy metal band. “The Group of Death” is also the nickname given to the toughest group the FIFA World Cup.

All this needs to seem fully legit is some actual tunes, and here it is – check out The Group of Death’s hit single “We Call It Awesome.”

The Group of Death perform a special show tonight at 8 at Nevada Smiths in lower Manhattan.

*The former in the above statement is 100% true, and even casual U.S. soccer fans have to be extremely happy that we didn’t find ourselves in, say, the Ivory Coast or Portugal’s current situation. Happy World Cup Draw Day!

Become a fan of The Group Of Death on Facebook

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Ten years after making the headlines for their one step beyond risque calendar, the Australian U-19 women’s national soccer team, known as The Young Matildas, are back reaffirming their so many steps beyond wholesome young lady approach…

At this past week’s, Women’s Asian Football Confederation Under-19 Soccer Championship in Wuhan, China, a 22-woman brawl erupted between the Matildas and their Chinese opponents – who won 2-1. The fight broke out after the final whistle when a Chinese player pushed one of the Aussies to the ground – believe that moment comes about 55 sec. in.

The AFC has fined the Matildas $5,000, and the team is currently under investigation by Football Federation Australia. The team already stated that they will not appeal the fine, but at least one of the player’s seems to think they’re not to blame (maybe she’s just the Eric Cartman of the team?).

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Even if you’re merely a casual fan of men’s tennis, you should be psyched by Rafael Nadal’s return to court tomorrow. To clarify, by casual, I mean you recall Wimbledon and our looking forward to the U.S. Open at the end of the month.

Based on how Wimbledon went (with Nadal sitting out due to an ailing knee), we could see a pretty decent four man battle – assuming Nadal returns true to form, and Andy Roddick and the could-be newly #2 ranked Andy Murray show up like they did at the All England. Or, it could just go back to the Federer vs. Nadal show, that’s kool and the gang too. Point is, I don’t think anyone expects, or is rooting for, Rafa to come back and be anything less than a top contender. Except maybe his old soccer coach…

In anticipation of Nadal’s first match back, The Telegraph posted 20 Things You Didn’t Know About Rafael Nadal, two of which dealt with his background as a football player in his youth…

3. Rafael himself was a promising footballer, and scored 100 goals in his local junior league.

4. He gave up football aged just 12 because his coach did not like his players playing more than one sport, and would leave him on the bench if he arrived after playing tennis.

Granted the opportune term here is local junior league – I’m sure this wasn’t the Real Madrid Development Program. Speaking of which, the trajectory of the coach from Nadal’s former club probably didn’t ascend much past Mayorca Park & Rec. either.

Also of note, he’s still got skills..

Nadal Begins His Comeback in a Different Tennis World (New York Times)

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I hate when it comes down to whether or not the keeper guesses which way to lunge on a free kick… of course, when you have 9 hours to decide, that problem doesn’t really apply.

The slow motion replay adds some nice insult to injury.

Also, #20 from the Norwegian Tippeligaen side’s work on this play is utterly soothing to watch – jog towards the net, slow up to let the ball go by into the net, arms raised in whimsical glory!

Video: An incredibly soft 45-yard goal from the Norwegian Premier League (The Spoiler)

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Back at my place of business and, unfortunately, a little short on time after a holiday weekend where I thought very little about anything but charcoal heat zones and Blue Point Summer Ale. Not too pressed to pass along something truly unsettling that caught my eye I’m afraid…


(more…)

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This guy had an awesome time taking in a match in Rio de Janeiro.

These stadium stands look more like downtown Hanoi than a sporting event…

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photo credit

The Ting Tings were fantastic opening for MGMT on Sunday, and I think I’m in love with their Dublin lass lead vocalist.

…the other band that opened – Black Moth Super Rainbow – was a super waste of my time. See more Tings Tings after the links:

NBC’s Music Lineup For The Olympics (Awful Announcing)
WARREN SAPP ON DANCING WITH THE STARS? (The World of Isaac)
I Hate It When People Say Things (Fire Joe Morgan)
Border Patrol (And One)
Deco: The Definition Of A Dog (Deuce of Davenport)

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Going to see Pearl Jam tonight at MSG! That’s a big one crossed off the list right there.

• The Idea of Superconferences in College Football (The Big Lead)
• Video Interview with the Refs for the Euro Cup Final (The Guardian)
• Zimbabwe Cricket Tour would be ‘Unwelcome’ in England (The Guardian)
• What are the Worst Covers Ever (Pop Candy)
• Five 80s Toys That Didn’t Kill You, Just Made You Stronger (Deuce of Davenport)
• IFC.com’s Jim Shearer has an Unnatural Love for the Beastie Boys (IFC.com’s Lunchbox)

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