Joy to the Argentines
In 1994, Diego Maradona scored his last World Cup goal in a group-stage match against Greece. It was his last because he tested positive for ephedrine before the next round -- a development which surprised no one who watched the mad, bug-eyed intensity of his celebration after the goal. (Maradona, hilariously, claimed the positive test was due to his overconsumption of the sports drink "Rip Fuel.)
Today, against Greece, Maradona celebrated Martin Palermo's second goal by leaping like a newlywed bride into the arms of an assistant, the live camera catching his trousers stretched tightly around his clinging full flanks. The best goal celebration of this tournament by far -- and a fitting reaction from a man who battily but nobly says his only goal in South Africa is not to win but to "give joy to the Argentines." Some are now calling Diego the "Ron Artest of the World Cup," which only makes him more magnificent in my book.
* Final Maradona tidbit of the day (what, only three?): Who Ate All The Pies finds his doppelganger. Yes, it's a debauched and murderous ex-tyrant.
* Argentina is now the first team to qualify with perfect 3-0-0 group stage record. Since 1994, only seven teams have done it: all have reached the quarterfinals, four have made the semis, and two (France in '98 and Brazil in '02) went on to win it all.
* Some anonymous chap requested more France content. I present, then, Kickette on Team France's tragicomic 'Cirque du Malaise.'
Today, against Greece, Maradona celebrated Martin Palermo's second goal by leaping like a newlywed bride into the arms of an assistant, the live camera catching his trousers stretched tightly around his clinging full flanks. The best goal celebration of this tournament by far -- and a fitting reaction from a man who battily but nobly says his only goal in South Africa is not to win but to "give joy to the Argentines." Some are now calling Diego the "Ron Artest of the World Cup," which only makes him more magnificent in my book.
* Final Maradona tidbit of the day (what, only three?): Who Ate All The Pies finds his doppelganger. Yes, it's a debauched and murderous ex-tyrant.
* Argentina is now the first team to qualify with perfect 3-0-0 group stage record. Since 1994, only seven teams have done it: all have reached the quarterfinals, four have made the semis, and two (France in '98 and Brazil in '02) went on to win it all.
* Some anonymous chap requested more France content. I present, then, Kickette on Team France's tragicomic 'Cirque du Malaise.'