My mission…

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

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?).

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)

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)

According to The Sun UK, stud midfielder for Manchester United Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira (known simply as “Anderson”) said if he’s able to break his scoreless streak in tomorrow’s match against Barcelona he’ll shed his uniform, trough and all, and streak the field.

The tabloid fodder literally reads, “But I do have a celebration planned — I’m going to strip naked and run round the stadium.”

Since joining Manchester in the Summer of 2007, Anderson has yet to notch an official goal (he’s been held to just two scores, both PKs) and would obviously love to get on the board tomorrow, and I guess give the Romans a show.

And now, a clip from The Full Monty!




…OK, here’s a video of Anderson and Manchester’s 2007/08 run. It starts with Anderson kicking a ball directly at the Chelsea goaltender and him leaping out of the way:

I’ll be back with more tomorrow after I dig out.

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

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)

• 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)