Some weeks feel more special than others in world sport. In the last seven days, for example, we had a Champions League final (in which the deal with the devil prevailed), the traditional (and this year’s boring) Monaco GP, another historic duel between Nadal and Djokovic (which may even be the latter) and an incredible NBA “semi-final” between Boston and Miami (and now, “Go Boston, Juca Kfouri”).
Having said all that, let’s talk about something else: Cup.
The Copa atmosphere is in the air. First, because June is World Cup month, or always was, or should be. At the same time, four years ago, Tite’s final lineup had already been announced. And we were less than two weeks away from the opening of the World Cup in Russia.
Even with the Cup being postponed to November, the end of the European season and the current FIFA date with this Thursday’s friendly match between Brazil and a non-South American, in this case, South Korea, created a good heat.
Some post-friendly remarks with a 7-2 to 1 rout. Whoever had to be tested, was tested. Very unlikely that a novelty will appear that has not yet had a chance with Professor Tite.
For Brazilian players who play in the country, forget it. Raphael Veiga, Hulk or any other avenger will not be called. And if Hulk scores 40 goals in the Brazilian, he is top scorer and champion of Libertadores and Copa do Brasil? Will not.
The only player here with a (and good) chance of going to the World Cup is Guilherme Arana. For the Palmeirense Danilo, the possibilities will increase if he is transferred to Europe. At alviverde, the chances are slim with the list of 23.
For Brazilians here, it also testifies against the fact that the World Cup is at the end of the year, which means that everyone will have their tongues out. Those who play in Europe, like almost all of Tite’s team, will be in the first half of the season, excited.
After this Wednesday’s game (2) there must already be a lot of people rooting for Korea to finish second in Group H (with Brazil in first in G), so we could face them in the round of 16. But training is training, game is game and it’s good to remember that it was the Koreans who finished burying Germany in the Russian Cup.
If the attack seems to be going very well and Gabriel Jesus probably stamped his passport, it was a little scary to see the Korean striker turn with some ease against Thiago Silva.
More important than Brazil’s 5-1 was Argentina’s 3-0 against Italy. Even for not going to the World Cup, the Italians took this Finalissima seriously, and had a dance. Not even in the 2014 World Cup, when it was a finalist, did Argentina look as strong as it is now. Perhaps for the first time Messi has a team that doesn’t have to carry it alone.
And more important than Argentina’s 3-0 was Ukraine’s 3-1 against Scotland. Entering the field with all the players wrapped around the flag was already exciting. I get the impression that even the Scots weren’t upset by the defeat—they have pubs. Ukraine is one game away from the Cup, will decide the spot against Wales, in Cardiff, of the star Gareth Bale, the most rested player of the season. Ukrainians have the support of the rest of the world… except Putin.
Stranger Things
Since the new season of “Stranger Things” premiered on Netflix, no coach has been fired in Series A; and the team that is in last place is one of the most praised round after round. Coincidence?
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