Vamonos… Andiamo… The Treble? in Berlin!!

We didn’t get “El Clasico” final in the UEFA Champions League, but we got two Classic teams in the final; Juventus – Barcelona. La Vecchia Signora, Juventus FC is back in a Champions League (CL) final after 12 years, hoping to win their third CL title, for many a difficult task taking into consideration that they are about to face probably the best team at this moment, FC Barcelona.

Barcelona,a team that went from creating doubts at the beginning of  the season to now create magic, consider by almost everyone the favorites to lift their fifth Champions League title. What is not in doubt, is that they have the most lethal trident at this moments, Messi, Suarez, and Neymar, the “MSN”. The team is in an incredible form  despite the fact that is the end of the season and when most teams are feeling the toughness of all competitions. Barcelona already won two important titles, La Liga and La Copa Del Rey, a boost of confident and definitely an additional motivation to  win the CL and the desire and difficult “Treble”. – (Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season.- via Wikipedia)

What were the odd that both finalist would be in position to win the Treble?… Juventus also won their local league; Seria A, as well as Coppa Italia which means that they also have the additional motivation to chase the Treble.

Although we can mark some specific differences between both teams, for many, Italian Football (Calcio) has lost a bit of competitiveness which means Juventus reaching the CL final is a slightly bigger accomplishment, despite dominating their league for the past few years they haven’t been able to reach this same stage in previous years, and many Italian teams have struggle in CL waters. Although we can not measure them by those results because we would have to ask what happened with the English Premiere League?, for many maybe the best European league and the most entertaining, but again non Premiere League team reached the semifinals, so everything is up for debate.

What is not for debate is Barcelona’s great form, not only physically but mentally, La Liga was a tough fight during some months and at the end Real Madrid couldn’t keep the pace in the competition, but despite the tiredness that almost all teams face toward the end of the season, they seem to be in better form than the rest, and it doesn’t hurt to have the best version of Messi, the one that can create magic in the field wowing everyone that watch him make the impossible, possible.

Yes two tales but one goal, wining La Orejona, it’s all set up for June 6th, when the best attack will face the classic and most expert defense. The italian defense style is known as a padlock. The question is, if Barcelona will be able to open that padlock, on the other hand it is a 90 minutes match and in football sometimes everything and anything can happen, which  makes it more exciting!!

Let’s hope for an entertaining and fun final, with a  bit of emotion and drama why not!

Who do you think will win the Champions League, Barcelona or Juventus,?… Let me know in the comments or on twitter @MonikJHerrera.

Most probably I’ll be kind of live tweeting on Saturday, twitter is fun during games, if you are on it feel free to say hi!

On another note; It is incredible and a bit nostalgic that this match is going to be the last one in a European League for this two Football Legends, Xavi Hernandez and Andrea Pirlo. A win for New York though, apparently Pirlo has already signed with the NYCFC and Xavi is heading to Qatar after the final.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the match and may your favorite team win!

Pictures, 1, 2,3 and 4th from UEFA.com and last one from Marca.com

El clasico final in Berlin?… to be or not to be?…

How are the chances of having “El Clasico” in the biggest scenario of football clubs, the UEFA Champions league?

We are about to find out, this week we will know which teams will meet in Berlin for the final. The last time I posted about El Clasico, it was the one Barcelona and Real Madrid played in La Liga, it finished with a victory from Barcelona. Although a mix feelings from Real Madrid’s fans, for some the team played with heart, for others a lost is a lost.

The Champions League sometimes can be predictable and sometimes it can surprise us, at this stage the four teams playing the semifinals are European football powerhouses, all have won the title before, some are more favorites than others but any of the four could reach the final.

For the past few CL seasons the idea of a Real Madrid- Barcelona final had been in the air, both teams reached semifinals in the last few season teasing all fans with a possible El Clasico final, but it did not happen, either both were eliminated, or only one of them advanced to the final like what happened with Real Madrid last season.

As soon as both were placed in different sides and facing different rivals this season some fans and the media started to dream with a final between these two arch rivals, let’s be honest that has a possibility of being one of those great and historic finals, but one thing is to dream about it and another one is the reality of both clubs.

So far Barcelona has half of the ticket to Berlin and most probably is about to get the other half in the next two hours, if Bayern can not pull out a comeback. RealMadrid has a complicated second leg on Wednesday after their 1-2 result in Italy vs Juventus. It’s interesting how many people thought that Real Madrid probably had better chances because Juventus were considered among the four semifinalist the one with fewer options, but at the end football can change from one game to another.

Just look at how things have shifted for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, the first one started the season with many doubts and in the middle of a weird relationship between Luis Enrique and Messi, but apparently all that is water under the bridge now, and they are having an incredible end of the season, the players form and their game have set them a part from the rest, they are probably the favorite, the MSN (Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar) are having the best end of the season. That is what could be called, good timing.

Barcelona- Bayern Munich in the papers was probably the match that everyone expected to be very  close and difficult, and it was for most part of the game during the first leg, but in three minutes Messi changed it all, now Bayern needs maybe not a miracle but close to that.

On the contrary Real Madrid went from the best team at the beginning of the season to be in the edge of a non title season. Iker Casillas is getting some heat from some fans, as well as the BBC (Bale, Benzema and Cristiano) not much love for them, specially for Bale and a little bit for Ronaldo, and since Benzema is injured, he is kind of on the safe. At this point, it all depends of what happens this Wednesday, it seems that they have said goodbye to La Liga after Saturday’s result, and now their only option is the Champions League, but Juventus is a tough rival, specially now that they have the result on their favor, they can defend pretty well that’s the Italian style.

Real Madrid seems to be under trouble waters, facing critics after the latest results, their timing couldn’t be worst, important players injured and others criticized by their fans.

Ancelotti needs to come up with a lineup that would cover the injury problems and the players need to have a good game, one of those magical Champions League nights at the Bernabeu, otherwise the dream of the eleventh (Undecima) will banish pretty fast and tougher times will come. Real Madrid is a club where fans expect victory all the time, that is the way it is. They either make it happen in the Champions League or they are heading to a very long and uncomfortable summer.

What is for sure is that we will be watching, many are praying to the Football gods to have that dream “El Clasico” final but for now let’s enjoy the excitement, nerves and nail biting that are Champions League Semifinals!!

Thank you for reading and let me know if you would like to see a Real Madrid – Barcelona final, or would you prefer other option?

Feel free to leave a comment here or on my twitter; @MonikJHerrera.

Pictures thanks to UEFA.com, noticiasaudio.com, ibetimes.com, bleachreport.net, sport.net, Real Madrid official Facebook. 

Football Sunday!! #ElClasico … y nada mas!!

 

In a few hours the match of matches will kick-off, “El Clasico” is for many the biggest football soccer match around the world – taking out World Cup matches – and is consider the biggest for many reason, the rivalry that goes way back in history including some political issues, the money each team invest in their players, the titles both have won and aspire to win, among other things, but that is not what this match is all about today, is about two of the biggest clubs in Spain with fan all over the world. Even in the most remote places football fans know about “El Clasico” and people wait for this match with excitement.

This year is a tale of one league with two different halves, is interesting to see how things change in a couple of months. The first half of La Liga, Real Madrid was almost unstoppable, they closed 2014 with incredible numbers and on a wining streak, Ronaldo was probably at his best form he was scoring many goals, everything was kind of perfect for them, but the second half of the season is not going according to their script, they are probably in the middle of a crisis stage, a few loses that were not only unexpected but somehow humiliating, including that shocking  second leg match in Champions League vs Schalke 04, were they were close to be eliminated.

On the contrary Barcelona went from being a club in crisis during the first half of this season to be a club with a chance to win it all. If we take into consideration the whole Messi vs Luis Enrique drama; do they love each other or not?, that was the question and probably still is sometimes, things didn’t look so favorable for Barça. The turned around came, after  Messi missed a training session that generated many comments but was the key point in the team relationship, a conversation and a commitment to work for the team from all parts, and Messi has responded in the pitch, he is having an incredible second half scoring goals but also influencing Barcelona’s game, he has not only surpass Cristiano Ronaldo in the goal scoring race -30 for CR7 and 32 for Messi- but also he has assist many times his teammates, changing the face of Barcelona. One of the best news for their fans is that in some of the latest matches they have been able to see a glance of that style of game that was so characteristic of their team and was so loved and admired by others.

All build up aside history has told us that no matter how Barcelona or Real Madrid conditions are previous to a Clasico, this matches are a different story, we have seen how sometimes the one that get to this match stronger had ended up looking not so good to put it in a way. The only thing that we know for sure is that this match is not a normal regular La Liga match, is “El Clasico” and just by that, everything or anything can happen. What we all want is a fun and entertaining match, yes history also has taught us that sometimes the expectation is higher than what we see on the pitch, but we can only hope that today is going to be a Clasico to remember.

This might be the match that defines the title race and it could be, there is just one point of difference between both teams and 10 matches to go, but we have also learned that football sometimes gives you many surprises. Do I think one of them will win La Liga, yes I do, I find it hard for the ones coming behind to catch them at the top, but I have seen many end of the season throughout the years so whoever or whichever wins today probably will gain confident to face the end of the season, but we’ll see…

Let’s enjoy and hope that it would be a fun match to watch! Let me know who do you think will win this Clasico, Real Madrid or Barcelona? you can leave a comment here or on my twitter @MonikJHerrera. Probably I will be tweeting during the game, one of my favorite things to do. Ha!

I’m not sharing here stats because you probably have seen them all this week, but I can share two of the moments people remember the most, one was Raul silencing the Camp Nou after scoring goal that tied the match 2-2, that was one of those draw that felt like a victory. The other one is Barcelona wining 5-0, that was painful for all Madridistas but this are two of the many iconic moments El Clasico always leave us.

Thank for reading and let’s see which trident will make the difference, the BBC: Bale, Benzema and Cristiano. Or the MSN: Messi, Suarez and Neymar?

Pictures thanks to @RealMadriden twitter account, worldsoccertalk.com, bleacherreport.com and  spaghettibcn.com

A new Blogging Year!!

Happy New Year!! … in the middle of March, never too late!!

I was part of the Santa crew and then I took some months of, Santa is not an easy boss…ha! I was a very hard-working reindeer, ok I was not a reindeer but it would have been fun though.

Life is really a journey, like a movie with different plots and when you live in another country sometimes the plots often get very interesting and more surprising that what you would have expected and usually the they take more time to resolve as well. What remain constant is the love for sports, and my passion for football soccer, which makes everything’s more normal than what it is sometimes.

Yes adapting to new places and culture takes time, accomplish things  also takes time and well when you live abroad you get a lot of plot twist, but it is all good,  like my fellow Italian will say; piano piano si arriva a lontano… or in English could be; slow but steady!

So here I am starting a new blogging year, so much to catch up, Champions League is good, Chelsea was eliminated by PSG in one of the first surprises at this stage, Real Madrid was close to say good-bye too but was saved by Cristiano Ronaldo and probably the clock, all very dramatic.

Formula One is about to start a new season, it is almost race time!! This season is going to be interesting to see how all the changes and drivers move will impact the competition. Fernando Alonso got injured after a crash, he will miss the first race but he will be back in the following races, which I think after the accident he probably is happy about missing just one race, things could have been a lot worst.

Major League Soccer started their new season and New York City is going to be full of soccer with two teams in the competition, NYCFC and NY Red Bulls, this should be fun. And I am looking forward to see Raul playing for COSMOS too, he is a legend, some of the records players like Cristiano and Messi are breaking right now were or are his.

NYCFC is a new team, David Villa and Mix Diskeruds are some of their stars, they are waiting on Frank Lampard’s arrival around mid season, all playing together for the first time and making Club history, although historic and all playing at Yankee Stadium is going to be a bit tricky, we will see.  NY Red Bulls without Tim Cahill, Thierry Henry  and with a new coach that got everyone by surprise, entered this season with lots of changes, it would be interesting to see how they will adapt, and I do like their stadium is very comfy.

If you have been following me on twitter you know that I  have been very much involved and have followed all things sports related, some more than others but I’ve been present there, but now it is all about sports blogging again!!

Thanks for reading and stopping by all this time, let me know what do you think about what is going on with Real Madrid and if you are ready for a new F1 season?… If you live in NY, what team will you be supporting?? … let it go in the comment areas or let me know on twitter: @MonikjHerrera.

Have a great weekend!

I feel that after this long absent I should leave you with some funny pictures…

Pictures thanks to memesdeportes.com. and google.com

Saturday’s Flashback Soccer!… Congrats to the LA Galaxy! MLS Champions!

Congratulations to the LA Galaxy for their fifth MLS Cup title!!

December is not only the last month of the year but also the month of the Major League Soccer final. This year the LA Galaxy won a very emotional title after Robbie Keane scored the game-wining goal, their fifth in their history, becoming the first and only team to accomplished that impressive milestone, #FirtstoFive was the trending hashtag among their fans. The victory was their third title in four years a very difficult and special achievement, only done before by D.C United, therefore Congratulations for an incredible and fun season for the team and the fans!!

Emotional was indeed taking into consideration that Landon Donovan announced his retirement long ago and all his fans were counting down the days until his last game, and he couldn’t ask for a better send off, wining his seventh and last championship,  retiring as the top player in USA soccer history, he is by far the best player this nation has produced for many reasons, including, accomplishments, character and relevance that he has brought to the sport called soccer,  even some controversial moments will remain as part of his legacy!

A legacy that is mostly positive and has earned him the title and prestige of being called the best US soccer player, a true legend of the sport in this country, and a favorite for all LA Galaxy fans, and the club where he played most of his career.

The LA Galaxy made it to the final by defeating a good Seattle Sounder team to win the western conference, as one of the most accomplished teams in MLS, with ninth MLS Cup finals, a league record, the expectations for the LA Galaxy are always high, whether fans outside Los Angeles like it or not.

On the other side NE Revolution had a tough semifinal against the NY red bulls and  Thierry Henry one of the most accomplish player in MLS history who later announced his retirement from all US soccer, his last game in US soil was intense and entertaining, at the end NE Revolution won the Easter conference title and left the NY Red Bulls and Thierry Henry with a feeling that they gave it all during a second leg match that was  intense and with good quality.

The semifinal might have been tough but they won it, a contrast with their MLS Cup final, the fifth time they reached the final and once again for the fifth time they couldn’t win, that must have been hurtful and difficult to digest, but the good news for them is that football doesn’t give you too much time to grief or feel sorry about, as soon as you finish one season the work for the next one starts.

Next season is just a few months away and it would be interesting. A new season without Landon Donovan nor Thierry Henry and with two new teams,  Orlando City Soccer Club and New York City FC, both have added to their brand new rosters some well-known and accomplished, a bit older but still elite players like David Villa, Frank Lampard and Kaka, they might not be in their prime time anymore, but they might still have some class to show and contribute to the league, only time will tell.

Compelling times for MLS and I am happy to get more involved with this upcoming new season!  The good news for all New Yorkers, now, instead of one they get two teams and maybe a rivalry?… what is for sure is that they get more football. The Red Bulls Arena is a nice and beautiful stadium and now  you can add to your NYC football places the Yankee Stadium, that’s a lot of history that now will include a bit of football or let’s say soccer in their legacy!

Thanks for reading and stopping by, let me know what do you think, who will be the next Donovan? Or no one can replace him as a symbol of U.S soccer? What about the new signed players like Villa, Lampard, etc are they too old to play in MLS,  it will help or make it worst??

Ok enough questions… Just let me know your though if you want you can do it in the comments or to my twitter @MonikJHerrera

Pictures from; mine, LATimes.com, revolutionsoccer.net, socceryanks.com. NYCFC facebook page.

Ballon d’Or!… The award season is ON… prepare the campaigns?…

We are at the end of the year, the award season is approaching. FIFA just announced their nominations for the prestigious, controversial  at times and very famous Ballon d’Or award.

We all thought this year everything was going to go smoothly with the nominees, well not so fast, things just got a lot interesting to put it in a way and a lot more controversial-ish.

The Nominees for the Best Player of the year are;

As of a few weeks ago, no one would have doubted that Cristiano Ronaldo was the favorite to win his second Ballon d’or, players and media were talking about his incredible year,  that despite his awful World Cup, he won titles with Real Madrid and broke some records in the process.

Everyone has talked about it, but some opinions have generated more headlines than others;

First Xabi Alonso and his comments about Manuel Neuer and later the reports of his apology for any offense that Ronaldo might have taken over his comments.

Most recently Michel Platini, president of the UEFA, who said that the winner should be “a world champion” and not Ronaldo. Words that not only stir the pot but also generated a response from Real Madrid, the team issued a statement in which they outline his impartiality and reminded him that “the Ballon d’Or  is an individual rather than collective prize.”  – Award drama…

Now everyone is talking, from ex- players like Thomas Muller, Lotthar Matthaus to current players like Buffon, Pique, Ramos and the list goes on and on and the opinions varies; who deserve it?, if the World Cup should matter more than club achievements, goals records vs season performances, even their marketing powers or sponsorship influences are part of the conversation.

We haven’t mention Messi, who broke two historic records in less than two weeks and suddenly he is back in the race, he was a world cup finalist with Argentina, but aside from that his year hasn’t been that impressive, at least not for some of the media and football fans, and at times he wasn’t even consider as a possible winner, now he is in the race talk, although the voting process was closed before he broke the records, this just has added more to the drama!

Coach of the Year is another big award that have also created controversy in the past, this year at least most agree with the final three nominees. All have made enough the past year and deserve the award but only one will get it, who?… is yet to be seen, for many the race is between Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti.

The Puska award should be a fun one, James goal was incredible but Van Persie’s was very impressive too, let’s not forget all the fun we had with the memes and it also created a new verb; Vanpersing!!

What is for sure is that we will have to wait to see how the Ballon d’Or drama will unfold, people will keep talking, speculating and most will keep campaigning for their players, for some this should be avoided but that also has become part of the award itself.

The voting process for the 2014 Ballon d’Or ended on Nov. 21st, 2014, with coaches and captains from all FIFA member associations, as well as some media representatives, choosing their three favorites.

Thanks for reading and stopping by!!! Who do you think should win the Ballon d’Or for player of the year?… Which goal was the best one?…. Feel free to share your opinion, you can leave a comment here or on  my twitter @MonikJHerrera.

I leave you with a few but fun vanpersing pictures.

Vanpersing Brazil

Super Vanpersing

Peter Pan and Vanpersing

Pictures via FIFA.com, Gifs via Huffingtonpost.com, Vanpersing pictures via google.com

Sports!… Yes, so Thankful for that! #HappyThanksgiving!

I’ve been living in the United State for a while now, and I was happy to included this celebration in my life, I try  to be thankful each day, even when things are complicated and is hard to find something to be thankful, even then there is always something or someone for what we can say “Thanks”.

I have so much to be thankful for, my family and friends, they are the biggest blessing in my life, but I am also thankful for this space, this blog that have given me the chance to share and talk about sports with you!

Thanks for always stopping by even when I’m on hiatus mode, I am thankful for every one of you that read my posts, like them and the ones that decided to follow me, I really appreciate the support!!

You like my sunglasses?? My favorite ones… ha!!

Now that we are saying our thanks… Let’s say thanks for all sports, specially for Football, for Champions League, La Liga and all international leagues, for World Cups and all tournaments… Well, you get the idea!

This year I extend my thank you note for formula one for wining my heart and full attention, as well as other sport that remains in a big side of my brain (a really big side) and made me create this blog!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone in this side of the pond that celebrate this Holiday!!

I am totally ready, I have my specially pants, because this day is all about, Family, friends, in my case some European football, movies later but mostly lots and lots of food!!!  I can even see my #foodcoma in the horizon!

What are you doing for thanksgiving, watching football… the other one, American Football?… I know it’s part of the tradition right? feel free to leave any comment or follow on twitter. @MonikJHerrera

Cheers and hope you have a great day!

Pictures found on  google.com, and the lady with the Football sunglasses that’s me!

Expectations, Curiosities, Handshakes, Dj’s and Blankets… It’s all about Football!

Hello ♥!

The weekend is here, I was waiting for it so bad!…  It’s going to be a busy weekend, most European leagues are back after the International break, so the local battles are back too, lots of games and points to fight or defend and for some records to break. It should be interesting and hopefully fun!

Before submerge into the deep waters of the European league – ohh the ocean, with this cold weather I really miss you- but that’s not the point, back to submerge into the deep waters of every league lets look at some curious, funny and sometimes weird images and moments that this International break left us;

The Messi- Ronaldo show…

Let’s start with the highly anticipated friendly between Argentina and Portugal  at Old Trafford, which for everyone it was a Messi vs Crisstiano Ronaldo match, everyone expected them to play at their best, to challenge each other and to try to prove who is the best of the World… They only played one half and for many they weren’t  that impressive, it was one of those “expectations were higher than reality” kind of moment.

Anyhow what was interesting and funny was to see the incredible attention to every detail, move  or interaction both player had before, during and after the match :0, pictures, photos or analysis of how they look at each others, how strong was the handshake, who smile more, and many more things of that nature, it was just crazy but so enjoyable!!

And this story is to be continued…. 😉

The name game, Casillas or Casilla??

I know this is silly but it’s funny too, if for some reason during the match between Spain and Germany you missed the moment when Iker Casillas was substituted by Kiko Casilla you probably would have thought at some point, wait, what happened?, did the commentators are missing the “s” in Iker’s last name, but then you would have look at the TV and at Spain’s goalkeeper and think he doesn’t look like Casillas at all, unless you are familiar with La Liga which most of you probably are, but for the ones that are not, know that there is an Iker Casillas and a Kiko Casilla (no “s” at the end) and both are goalkeepers. Haa!! It can be confusing at times… Or maybe just anecdotic!

The weird note…

Goes to Xabi Alonso and his comments about Neuer being the best goalkeeper by far that he has ever played with,  emphasis in the “by far”, and how he deserves the Ballon d’or because he won the World Cup with Germany and the whole he is the best goalkeeper, comments that have created a big fuss because he just left Real Madrid and the comments are considered for some a direct attack o lack of support for Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo, of course you can support your new teammate but for many these comments are a little bit out of time or place, but hey he is free to express his opinion I guess, but oh boy he really stir the waters up!

The sad news;

There are many player that get injure during the International break when playing with their national team, so we wish them all a speedy recovery, specially to Luka Modric, he will be out around three-months according to the latest report. Get well soon Luka!

The introduction;

Let me introduce you to the Euro 2016 “Mascot”

Let’s conclude in our side of the pond;

Hard to understand if Mexico players  were getting ready to play or to have a pajama party! haha… They were trying to stay warm in this cold weathers! I like that they are kind of coordinated, and so into plaid! Fashion alert!!

The USA probably needed some blankets after their lost 1-4 vs Ireland, and most probably in need of a serious pajama party after picking the ball up from their goal fourth times! 😦 Ouch!

Let’s closed it with a famous DJ!! David Guetta wearing the Colombia national team jersey, a gift from James with an Instagram messages included!

I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away…

I bet you started to sing… I did! 🙂

By the way if you are planning to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last race of the Formula 1 season and the battle for the championship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg enjoy and I’ll probably be tweeting  during the race, I’ve been following F1 for some years now, but this season I’ve been so involved, that I am nervous  to know who will be the champion :O and I love it!!

Thank you for reading and stopping by, feel free to leave any comment. What do you think about the whole Xabi Alonso comments situation? or Who is the best Messi or CR7? Ha… Also we can talk on twitter, you can fin me @MonikJHerrera…

Have a great weekend!!

Besitos ♥!

Pictures thanks to As.com, Marca.com. Deportestelemundo.com, Univisiondeportes.com, goal.com and BBCSport.com

Throwback Thursday! (#TBT)… Herzlichen Glückwunsch Champions!!

 Hello hello ♥!

It’s always nice to say Congratulations!!! So, there you have it Germany, Congratulations Champions!!…  Better late than never … I know it only took me like four months to say it but, hey, intentions are everything!!

Just to clear things out, well deserved it, they were the best team throughout the whole tournament and yes I know you are probably saying “Who cares, that’s so last summer news” but in my defense today it’s Thursday so I am so into throwbacks right now. 😉

Although  if you think about it, we are almost at the end of the year and just this week we had the last friendlies and last international matches from all national teams, some of them will say Thank God! Yes I’m looking at you Spain, a year to forget for them, they even closed it with a defeat 0-1 vs the Champions, Germany… hence my congratulations again, talking about finishing with a punch! Well done Germany, so let’s Throwback Thursday (#TBT) to July 13th 2014!

All started at the Maracanã Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an intense match, extra time and just when we all thought we were going to penalties, boom Mario Götze of Germany scored in the 113th minute and then he drop the mic!…. It was over for Argentina and their dream to win a World Cup in their arch rivals home, this is like Batman and the Joker type of love, to put into some kind of weird perspective… 😉

Well, we all enjoy it, some more than others, definitely we realized that Germans actually can celebrate big time, which was surprising for some people, ha!

Congratulations Germany, looking forward to see what this team and this generation of players can accomplish, they already got a big one, the biggest trophy, the one that rules them all, a little LOTR reference never hurts! (My preciousss)

What do you think, can Germany becomes the new Spain meaning playing a specific style, wining all or give us a memorable generation of players like Spain did? ( I know some of them are memorable already but you get what I mean, I hope so… if not just ask me ;/)  Let me know in the comments are or on my twitter @MonikJHerrera , feel free to give any opinion. 😉

Thanks for reading, I know this was old news but I love World Cups and looking back to the latest one is always entertaining and emotional. A hug please…

P.S Thanks for stopping by in my absence, I’m trying to make it happen and that apparently has taken most of my life and energy, but I’m here, not going anywhere and I am back, ready to keep going, with more and bigger plans!! I’m going bananas!!

 

Besitos ♥!

Pictures thanks to; svcathletics.com, Thedailybeast.com, Mirror.uk, cyberscore.me.uk english.alarabiya.net, totallycoolpix.com, rt.com, http://www.dailymail.co.uk, minionslovesbananas.com.

Buckle Up… It’s The World Cup Final!!

Hello hello!!♥

Yes the final is here!! Finally and sadly too we are ready for the last match of this World Cup, I don’t know what I am going to do with my life after this is over…. Ok I do know I will go back to my normal life which ever that is oiii….

Germany vs Argentina!!

Europe vs America kind of thing ;),  they have met two times before in previous finals, 86′ Argentina won, and 90′ Germany won, so this would be their third final and in a couple of hours we will find out which team will win this time!

Before getting into this final, can we please acknowledge the debacle of Brazil…

Aside from ruin my dream final chances; Brazil vs Argentina, and ruin my predictions, I know who cares!!… I did ;(…  Anyhow, aside from that Oh Em Gee! Were you serious! that match was history in the making I mean I will tell my kids that Brazil was humiliated in their own backyard… say what? Yes that actually happened and I felt so shocked and sooo sad for all Brazilians, there is no excuse they are Brazil for crying out loud, they don’t or should not lose a match 1-7 … but the truth is that they did and it was one of saddest moments, forget about surprising, it was beyond that, if you think I am exaggerating or being dramatic (usually I am) this time Brazil gave us all the drama. Twitter went crazy, Facebook went crazy too, everyone was in total disbelief but at the end the only thing that matters is that we all hope that Brazil will renew, rebuilt or re-organized their football for the good of football and because that country deserve a better Seleção. They breath and live this sport to the maximum, so let’s hope after the storm or in this case the hurricane, things will change and they will be back to be the Brazil we all know and have admired for many years.

 

Let’s move on because we have a bigger drama…. (now I am exaggerating… or maybe not) Is a final so it’s all drama, nerves, and emotions!!

Germany!

The favorites, after the 7-1 vs Brazil, they kind of have that invincible  tag on them, but  a huge part of that was Brazil responsibility or lack of playing something, so let’s not all jump in the invincible tag yet, because yes they have been the more consistent, complete team in all their lines, defense, an incredible midfield and a great attacking, they are A Team and that is their strength, they not only have one or two great players they have like five great ones and the others are not far from that level, they have done a very solid tournaments, with just a few complications, Ghana wasn’t easy for them they only were able to tied 2-2, then vs USA they won but the white, red and blue had a couple of chances to complicate them, and later well Algeria gave them more than one problem so yes, they are not invincible but let’s put it this way they have looked very close to be too good to be true… They have put the good football and have the well deserved favorite title for this final.

Argentina!!

Your have to play the match before to get the trophy, and for that I wouldn’t rule out Argentina… not so fast people… it seems that everyone is ready to give Germany the trophy and the World Cup without even playing the final, I said they are favorites but that’s one thing , being the Champions that a whole 90 minutes or more kind of other thing. Argentina which have grown during this tournament and as much as every one like to say that it’s Messi and 10 more, well it was at the beginning and he even saved and made them advance but what the good about Argentina is that in each match they have had a player that have stepped up, first was Di Maria who was the only one kind of supporting Messi, then Higuain made his appearance with that goal, and we have seen Lavezzi and Enzo Perez stepping up in the latest games, and Mascherano who is the soul of this team, so if you consider that, there is the chance that during the final all  of  them will step up at the same time.

Yes one can argue that they haven’t done what we call a beautiful type of game, and they have played more on the defense side, and probably haven’t been as consistent as Germany but they have grown in this tournament, they have the players to do a good final, and it’s one match and anything can happen, so who knows, maybe Messi will become the World Cup legend everyone is expecting him to be,  and maybe they can give Germany a good fight and why not wining the World Cup… oiii those are big word!!

And they might have a secret player in their line up ;O

It’s going to be a tough match or at least that is what everyone is expecting, we can have a trilling match or a boring one who knows, last World Cup final wasn’t as good as everyone expected so if is better than that one, I would be pleased hehehe…  Let’s pray hehe

My prediction; ahhhh it’s tough, but I will jump…. I  will say Argentina!!!!

(Disclaimer; This might be a bias prediction, I just want the Cup to stay in America, and well I kind of don’t like how everyone have already given Germany the Championship before playing haaa, so for that I would like to see Argentina proving them wrong hehe… I know is pure emotion! )

Hey it’s the World Cup, it’s all about passion and emotions! 🙂

Thanks for reading, let me know in the comments area  who do you think will win the World Cup?  Which team will add another star to their jersey?

Have fun, enjoy this last match and again, may the best one or the one that score more goals win!!

I leave you with this cool video from vine.

And of course a couple of funny pictures, one of the perks of this social media World Cup haha.

Besitos!♥

P.S; I’m usually live twitting during the match, so if you want to follow and join the conversation feel free to do it. @MonikJherrera

 Pictures; I found them on twitter, @Foxsoccer, @Brazuca, @FIFA  @J_Klinsmann and other users… now with twitter is hard to know who create or own the pcitures, if you own any of this please let me know I will credit you or take if down if you want to hehe…