Five Things That Happen at World Cups

 

Like night follows day, death and taxes, rain in Manchester and regretting eating a McDonald's a matter of minutes after consuming it, every time the hoopla that is the World Cup rolls around the world over (except in the Fatherland of course, where their confidence in their national team sensibly never wavers) without fail journalists, pundits and general footballing know-it-alls go out of their way to write off the Germans - EVERY... SINGLE... TIME. And like a riled up snake the Germans always, always snap back and prove all those foolish soothsayers wrong. Let's look at the stats: In the last seven tournaments they've made the quarter-finals at the very least, finishing runners-up three times and winners twice. Yet as the reams of build up coverage were spewed out in the build up to the start of the current tournament - they were at it again, maddeningly writing the chances of the formidable German team off - do they not understand succeeding at a major football tournament is intrinsic to their genetic make-up. So what happens next? They go and thump Australia 4-0 with easily the best performance of the group stage so far. Rest assured when 2014 rolls around, the hot-air blowers will be at it again mind!
2). An unknown striker takes the tournament by storm, is signed for an over-inflated fee, subsequently flopping
The World Cup - the greatest sporting stage you can take to. Your chance to stamp your authority on the tournament, grab the headlines, put your name in lights etc, etc. But perhaps the biggest spin-off garnered from making a splash at the festival of football is landing a lucrative move into the big-time, i.e. a post-tournament transfer. As, with the world's media, scouting network and managerial eyes all trained on every pass, shot and tackle, it's your chance to well and truly put yourself in the shop window with a view to a big money move to a top European team. At the last World Cup in Germany, the hosts unveiled a goal-scoring gem in Lukas Podolski. As well as scoring three goals the Polish-born forward waltzed off with the Young Player of the Tournament award before joining up with his new teammates at Bayern Munich. Sadly this move didn't work out well for the striker and he rejoined Köln in 2009 (he kept banging them in for Germany though). The reason? Another expensive World Cup flop, Italian Luca Toni.
The towering striker's two goals also secured him a move to Bayern. He too flopped and was loaned to Roma. In 2002 it was the turn of the Senegal players to shine, in particular El Hadj Diouf and Salif Diao. Both were snapped up by Liverpool's then manager Gerard Houllier but after an impressive tournament, both soon fell out of favour and were shipped off to mighty football giants Bolton and Portsmouth respectively. This was small fry compared to the USA '94 though, which was positively littered with soon-to-be big money flops. From Ukrainian Oleg 'I scored five goals in a game, dontchaknow' Salenko, whose exploits won him a short-lived move to Valencia, Tomas Brolin - who followed up his exploits in Euro '92 with another three goals in America and eventually wound up as bloated as his salary at Leeds United to Daniel Amokachi. The bulky Nigerian powerhouse netted twice in the tournament convincing Everton to splash out him, his two-year stint was relatively uneventful though and he was soon shipped off to Besiktas. So keep 'em peeled footy fans and see if you can spot World Cup 2010's future flops-in-the-making!
3). England's preparations are rocked by a late big name injury
For England fans this is depressingly recurrent theme of the build up to every major tournament. With everything going to plan, confidence and excitement building and predictions of finals being made spouted by the public and media alike, a training ground tackle, Premier League foul or Gazza-shaped mishap will throw a World Cup-shaped spanner in the works, jeopardising everything. From Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan's injury struggles in Spain '82 to the loss of captain Bryan Robson in Mexico '86 and Italia '90 (the latter, it was subsequently revealed was the result of some bedroom tomfoolery involving Paul 'daft as a brush' Gascoigne, a bed post and the midfielder's unprotected foot) to David Beckham's metatarsal in 2002 (Uri Geller promising to heal it on GMTV anybody?) and Michael Owen's horrific pitch side breakdown in 2006.
This time out, the injuries (Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Wayne Rooney) all came recoverably early, so it was sighs of relief all-round when they all made it back in plenty of time. Of course the curse was to strike again though when key holding midfielder Gareth Barry broke down with a ligament injury in the penultimate game of the season and Rio Ferdinand was crocked by Emile Heskey in training - doh! At least there wasn't a metatarsal injury to feverishly worry over this time out though.
4). Speculation that the stadiums won't be ready in time
With the Christmas season out the way and as one year ends and another World Cup year dawns all the media, with little else to write about until squads are named and games commence, can muse over it seems is if the stadiums will be ready or not. February, March, April and May are generally dominated by over-zealous analysis concerning whether or not the host nation will get their act together and finish all the new stadiums that will house all the games during the tournament (except of course in 2006 when it was in Germany, nobody doubted for a nano-second that they'd be ready!).
This time out, the South African FA really got it in the neck on a daily basis, with Sky Sports News et al going to town in their reports. What wasn't really mentioned was they'd already held an extremely successful Rugby World Cup, various high profile cricket competitions and the Confederations football tournament in preparation, but alas it seems because they're a relative footballing outpost they might fall down in the logistics stakes. So far the stadiums and pitches (Wembley take note - lay then pitch and then build the stadium, not vice versa you fools!) have looked magnificent - if a little empty in certain cases. Why leftover tickets weren't handed out to locals for the South Korea v Greece game to fill up the stadium and engender a better atmosphere is anybody guess. Then that's the enigma that is FIFA!
5). The Dutch go out on penalties
If there is one nation who give the English a run for their money for the 'rubbish at penalty shoot-outs' crown it's Holland. In fact so bad are the Oranje in the ultimate challenge of nerve, technique, bottle and more bottle they make England's pitiful track record of messing up at penalties decidedly average. Let first take a look at their roll call of shame before debating their chances this time out. It started in Sweden in 1992 when late Yugoslavia replacements and eventual shock winners Denmark nervelessly dispatched all five of their spot-kicks leaving a living legend (like Italy's Roberto Baggio two years later) to look a fool, namely Marco van Basten. Four years on and it Clarence Seedorf's turn to face the shame, drawing a blank (or should that be blanc?) against the French. And if they thought hosting a competition would provide them with penalty solace they were mistaken, failing miserably against Italy at the quarter-final stage in 2000 with three misses (plus, even more remarkably, two misses during the game to boot!). And their misery isn't just confided to the Euros either with a heart-wrenching loss to future World Cup finalists Brazil in 1998.
They did finally win a penalty shoot-out at Euro 2004, beating Sweden 5-4 to reach the semi-finals. But, as I'm sure you'll agree, it's quite a catalogue of penalty shoot-out slip-ups. So what of South Africa in 2010, well the omens are a little better that's for sure. Thanks to now possessing two players who Robbie Earle would no doubt tag as footballers who 'go cool in hot situations' (who asked you Captain Journeyman?) in Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie - namely expert, reliable spot-kickers - the Flying Dutchmen shouldn't crash and burn quite as easily if the score's still level after 120 minutes (unless they meet their arch nemesis and hotshot penalty kings Germany that is, then they're really in trouble!).

Lack of Government and Business Planning Making Bird Flu Panic Worse than Threat of Pandemic

Panic and confusion seem to go hand in hand with bird flu. And governments, the media and business leaders appear to be adding to the problems rather than helping the situation. Lack of planning, disorganized information releases, and outright lies to protect economic interests are all in abundant supply.

The situation appears to be the worst in the poorest regions. This is partially because it is more difficult for governments in these areas to distribute information to citizens. Many people in these regions don't have access to television or even radios. But governments overseeing these areas should be able to overcome such issues by placing officials in the field, providing them with timely and accurate information, and letting the citizens in the area know where they can turn for the latest news. It is perfectly clear than nobody is doing this.

As a result, rumors abound in even the most heavily populated areas. Yesterday in Cairo, a rumor that dead birds carrying the H5N1 virus has been deliberately dumped in the city's water supply began to circulate. The result was a citywide panic causing a sell out of bottled water.

In India, there has been virtually no coordination in the release of information between the national, state or local governments. At the same time that one state is saying that bird flu is present and that culling of birds has begun, neighboring states are telling their citizens that bird flu is not present in India or that it is "impossible" for bird flu to affect their particular region. It's as if they want their citizens to believe that there is some magical line that bird flu can't cross.

And businesses are no better. The CEO of the first hatchery in India to be impacted with bird flu told her workers that there was no bird flu in India. She did this after the Indian government had announced that H5N1's presence. And there is now growing evidence that this hatchery actually tried to cover up the outbreak in order to prevent the cancellation of an export contract with Japan.

But the problem is not just present in these regions. Europe has had its share of mishaps too. The Bulgarian government announced that it may have its first case of bird flu. Within hours, they were forced to announce that they had quarantined a man who had no symptoms of the disease because he told his doctor that had come in contact with a dead bird several days earlier.

The press announced that Denmark had bird flu, only to retract that statement within 24 hours.

While European countries have better infrastructure and communication capability than countries in the Middle East and Africa, there is little evidence that they are using their resources wisely to educate their citizens. Both government and business are leaving it to the press to educate the public. This inevitably leads to panicked decision making and misinformation.

It is important to keep in mind that all of these issues surround a disease that at present can only be passed to humans from birds.

Now imagine what will happen if bird flu mutates in a way that it can be passed from person to person. Most of the scientific community working on H5N1 believes that this is a very real possibility within the next eighteen months.

For anyone thinking that the situation in other countries is reminiscent of the Keystone Cops and that it couldn't possibly be as bad when H5N1 arrives in the United States, think again. We only have to look back to Hurricane Katrina, just six months ago, to realize that the chances for the same types of problems to occur here are extremely high.

Katrina demonstrated that our federal, state and local governments are ill equipped to deal with major disasters. Since Katrina, politicians have done a lot of talking about how to fix the problems, but there have been very few substantive changes made to allow for a better national response.

Both consumers and businesses need to be prepared to deal with a situation that could be unlike any they have ever faced. A variety of plans by various government agencies call for quarantining of large geographic areas. In a fluid situation that is rapidly changing, this could very well mean that employees will be stranded at their offices for prolonged periods of time. How are businesses supposed to cope with that? For instance, how do you feed them? Where are they going to sleep? And how are you going to care for them if they become ill?

And if large numbers of employees are stranded at home, how do you keep your business going? Have you given your employees the necessary tools to continue to work?

This may sound like a doomsday scenario, and it could be. Most of the scientific community is in agreement that if H5N1 makes the jump to person to person infections, it will become far less deadly. And not all pandemics are created equally. For instance the 1918 flu pandemic killed 40 million people. But the pandemic in 1968 was little more than a blip on the radar screen for most western nations.

Nobody really knows what will happen if H5N1 becomes contagious. But we do know that even if H5N1 doesn't spark a pandemic now, another flu virus will. And probably within the next ten years. The time to plan for this inevitable event is now.

Jim Malmberg provides consulting services to business in the areas of planning and business development. Believing that bird flu poses a significant risk and a planning challenge for businesses, he established fluFactor ([http://flufactor.blogspot.com]). fluFactor delivers news and information on the spread of the bird flu. The site has a user forum section, and users can also subscribe to receive daily updates by e-mail. the site pays special attention to the economic and business consequences of bird flu outbreaks.

Outstanding Luxury Hotel - Sofitel Old Cataract Chosen as a Most Beautiful Hotel of the World

The August selection for the The Most Beautiful Hotels in the World is the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt. The setting for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile, this historic colonial hotel is possibly the best hotel in all of Egypt. It is and experience, combined with artifact hunting and tomb visiting that should be on the list of every luxury adventure traveler's list.

The Old Cataract Experience

Imagine this scenario: Enter the large high-ceiling lobby and note the blend of Victorian elegance and eastern arabesques. Keep straight on until you reach the terrace. Gaze out at the Egyptian sailing boats called feluccas gliding over the waters of the Nile on either side of Elephantine Island. Feel the warm breeze as you sit down and notice the long-robed porters quietly scuffing down the wide halls. Survey this confluence of the past and the present, of East and West and as the waiter hands you your icy martini or cold lemonade, and contemplate the peacefulness and tranquility of it all. This is the Old Cataract Hotel, welcoming guests to its calming interiors since 1899 and unanimously considered one of the finest hotels in all of Egypt.

Perched atop a granite outcrop at the Nile river's edge in Aswan, Egypt, the hotel takes its name from the rivers First Cataract (rapids). The large spacious guest rooms feature antiques, fine Egyptian linens, high ceilings, and most have achingly beautiful Nile views.

The grand restaurant, 1902, one of several at the hotel, was inaugurated for the opening of the first Aswan dam, with Winston Churchill, assorted royalty and dignitaries in attendance. French Continental cuisine is served in a grand colorful Moorish interior. There is also a freshwater swimming pool with terraces overlooking the Nile. The languorous beauty of the Nile will capture you at the Old Cataract, an experience not to be missed.

Luxury experiences for the adventurous from your base at the Old Cataract:

• Take a taxi to the nearby island of Philae. You can bargain for a boat to motor you over to see this fantastic isle which is filled with temples that were moved there to be preserved when the Aswan Dam was created.

• Take a 2-hour plane ride to visit the tremendous Abu Simbel -- gigantic seated figures presiding over a small temple that can be entered.

• Go for a cruise on one of the feluccas, the graceful sail boats that course across the Nile.

Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel

Location: Abtal El Tahrir Street, Aswan, Egypt; arrival is more likely by train or coach; airport one half hour by taxi.

Luxury style: Adventurers who love the whiffs of the Old Cataract's colonial past; dreamers who want nothing more than to watch feluccas drift lazily across the Nile; historians who wish to walk in the shoes of Howard Carter; Agatha Christie fans who wish to glimpse shadows of "Death on the Nile"; actually just about everyone who has had the thought that they would like to see the tombs of the ancient pharaohs as one of their lifetime list accomplishments.

Make Car Run on Water

To make your car run on water may be easier than you think. Anyone can do it. Of course there is no such thing, technically, as free energy. However, with a hydrogen generator, normal water from the tap can be used to create Browns gas on which you can make a car run on water. Of course it is the hydroxy gas which is burnt but it is still fair to say that you are running a vehicle by water.

Currently, virtually all cars with an HHO generator are hybrids. It is still very complex to make car run on water alone. The hydrogen/oxygen generator augments the existing gasoline powered engine, increasing mileage by an average of 100%. It is currently the best way to save gas and reduce environmental pollution. Everyone wants to improve miles per gallon.

How to Make Car Run on Water

The first thing to say is that the HHO generator (or HHO cell) is entirely safe. In fact the whole system is safer than your current gasoline combustion method, which relies on a flammable tank of fuel for its input. A water powered vehicle supplies hydroxy gas on demand. There is no need to store hydrogen on board the car or truck. No warranties are affected by adding an HHO cell.

That is quite different from attempts 10 years ago to store highly flammable hydrogen in a tank within the vehicle. Not only was that dangerous, it was also environmentally unfriendly. Hydrogen produced commercially produces about as much pollution as refining petroleum. An HHO generator on-board a vehicle is quite different. It is self-contained and emits nothing more than water and oxygen as a by-product.

That makes it ideal if you are concerned about carbon emissions. For most people, the main attraction is that it saves gas.

The HHO cell, or generator, is the key element. Once fitted, for less than $500 including labor, you are up and running with a more efficient engine and saving money. Claim back between $2,000 and $50,000 from the Inland Revenue and you are even happier. Just keep your receipts as proof of conversion and it is very easy to do. Government hot-lines have sprung up to make it even easier.

To make car run on water, the hydrogen/oxygen generator splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen to power the engine. A small water tank is necessary, normally containing around 2 liters of tap water. A pump is attached. An in-dash control panel regulates the mix of hydrogen and oxygen within the cell. Normally they will also allow continuous monitoring of what is happening within the generator.

The generator is usually housed within a CPVC cylinder. CPVC withstands very high temperatures and is virtually indestructible. It is pliable, making it easy to work with. Stainless steel or platinum electrodes within the cylinder make car run on water. Orthohydrogen and parahydrogen are produced as a consequence. The first burns as fuel and the second stops knocking, or pre-combustion.

There is a little more to it, but that is basically it. If you want to make car run on water, get an HHO cell fitted and start saving money

Missile Defense System In The US - How Would You Know?

There is an interesting quote used amongst intelligence professionals; "those that know aren't talking and those who are talking don't know" and with that said I have a question for you. You see, there has been a lot of talk out there that our elite national defense systems aren't up to snuff, well, as per the media. Some say this is a bit of political propaganda by those in the defense industry over the "automatic trigger defaults" of sequestration, many scientists and they've been saying this for years believe that our missile defense shield is insufficient.
Indeed I read an interesting piece in the Wall Street Journal on September 13, 2012 titled; "Federal Study Finds Flaws In Missile Interceptors," Adam Entous, which discussed a paper which had just been released, 260 pages worth, about the capability of high-speed ground based missile defense systems and their ability to repel or shoot down an incoming Iranian long-range, Chinese technology or Russian based technology ICBM, which they have the schematics to make, although are still challenged with their rocketry.
Now then, let make a blunt statement. If Iran were to launch a missile attack on the United States, and if any missile ever made it to our shores and landed on our soil - there wouldn't be an Iran anymore. See that point, and you know that the American People would call for immediate forfeiture of that Old Persian Empire forthwith and without reservation or hesitation.
Interestingly enough, the day after that report was released the US did a practice launch of its Patriot Missile defense system, and launched another military satellite into space on just before Central Twilight. So, if anyone thinks the United States doesn't have their act together with regards to rocketry or missile defense, they might want to rethink their delusional mindset if you know what I mean. Please be advised, the United States military and our top defense contractors are not novices.
During the Cold War we had refined our technologies to an incredible degree, can you even imagine what they're like today? It is absolutely inconceivable that our enemies might assume they could attack us successfully using intercontinental ballistic missiles. Not only that, if they tried, and when they failed, there would be hell to pay, and everyone on this planet knows it, should have known it, and there is no excuse for not having that knowledge.
Not only that, but the missile defense shields the United States military is capable of producing can be used to secure any country and any ally from any rogue nation attack. If Iran, North Korea, or any other nation thinks they're going to play games, I can't even conceive of the reciprocal response and what will happen when the US swings that bat, no wonder we speak so softly in international affairs. Unfortunately all that soft talk is making our enemies think we have soft bellies. We don't. And that's all you need to know.

The Greatest Football Player of All Time

 

Football is one of the most popular sports in America today. But do you know who the best football player of all time is? Pele is the best football player of all time for his remarkable performance in his key role in two of Brazil's first three World Cup victories.
Some personal information about him is that Pele's full name is Edson Arantes Do Nascimento. His childhood nickname was "Dico." This great man was born on October 23, 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. He has humble beginnings. As a boy he helped his family's financial condition by cleaning shoes at the local train station. In 1956 at the age of 16, he began playing soccer in Brazilian minor league teams such as Bauru Athletic Club and was coached by the former Brazilian international Waldemar de Brito, who played for Brazil during the 1934 World Cup.
Pele played for the clubs Santos and New York Cosmos and his best position is being striker. He had won 3 World Championships for Brazil, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 2 Copa Libertadores, and a Brazilian Championship for the club Santos and for the club New York Cosmos; he had won the US Championship once. This guy is honored as the IFFHS Player of the Century. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in the year 1993 and named as IOC Athlete of the Century in the year 1999.
There is no doubt that Pele is the best football player of all time because of his significant contributions in the world of football. Ney Blanco de Oliveira, Pele's personal friend for more than 40 years, admires him for being a kind person who has the heart to help other people and organizations that help children around the world. He mentioned that, "Edson is not only the greatest soccer player the world will ever know, but he is also one of the most sensitive, generous and noble human beings that I have ever known." Two of the famous lines from this great person: "I was born for soccer, just as Beethoven was born for music," and, "Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string."

FIFA World Cup - Is Wayne Rooney the World's Best Player?

 

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, there's an ongoing debate about who the world's greatest player is. Argentina's Messi is among the most named. There are also those who root for the likes of Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo. Recently, Carlos Tevez, the Manchester City and Argentina striker, and Rooney's former teammate at Man United, created a stir when he said that Rooney is the best he has ever played against, or alongside. In fact, Tevez categorically stated that Rooney is better than his Argentinian teammate, Messi, as well as the Portugal star striker, Christiano Ronaldo.
Early Bird
At 25, Rooney has over a hundred Premier League appearances and 50-plus England caps. When he turned out for Everton, against Arsenal, in his first Premier League appearance, Rooney established a record - since broken - as the youngest ever to play in the EPL. His goal scored in that match against the defending champions, Arsenal, ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten streak. It also made Rooney the youngest ever player to score a goal in the EPL (this record has also been bested, since).
Rooney went on to become the youngest player to earn an England cap - another record, since erased - when he played in a friendly against Australia, in 2003. He became the youngest England player to score an international goal, at Euro 2004. Rooney announced his arrival in tournament action, with a sensational showing that ended, tragically, in the quarter-final against Portugal, when he got injured and was forced to leave the field.
Blazing a Trail
Rooney has spent eight years in football, and has eight trophies to highlight his presence in the football arena, including 3 Premier League titles, and one each in the UEFA Champions League, Community Shield, and Champions Cup. The icing on the cake was the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, in 2008.
He has no dearth of endorsements and has won countless individual prizes, capped by the 2010 PFA Players' Player of the Year award conferred on him, in April, 2010.
Goal-scoring Ability
Statistics don't often tell the whole truth, but they usually give broad indications of any existing trend. In Rooney's case, the trend, if we can call it that, has been overwhelming. Over 145 goals, from about 360 appearances in club football, point to a prolific goal-scoring ability. Rooney's strike rate has only improved in Internationals, where his 55 England caps (as on January, 2010) have resulted in 25 goals.
Comparison with Other Star Strikers
At the beginning of this article, I spoke of Messi and Christiano Ronaldo as being preferred over Rooney, by many, as the best player in the world. How does Rooney's goal scoring compare with these strikers'? As of January 2010, Rooney had 25 goals from 55 Internationals. Messi has 13 goals from 41 matches; Christiano Ronaldo has 22 from 67. Going farther afield, Brazil's Kaka has 26 from 73, and Spain's Xavi (Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008) has 8 from 82 caps. Spain's Fernando Torres, only a year older than Rooney, and who, like the England striker, has represented his country, since 2003, has 23 from 71.
Injury Threat
Injury was Rooney's bane, at both the Euro 2004 and FIFA World Cup 2006 campaigns. Coincidentally, both campaigns ended at the quarter-final stage, and against the same team, Portugal, and by way of penalty kicks. While Rooney sustained an injury during the quarter-final of Euro 2004, at the FIFA World Cup 2006, he went into the tournament with an injury, and the England team management set up a special oxygen tent to help Rooney recover in time for action. Earlier, in March, this year, Rooney twisted his ankle during the EPL. He was back in action, a few weeks later, in the Champions League, where the injury recurred. All of England's fans will be praying for Rooney's fitness at this year's FIFA World Cup.
Partnerships
One player, alone, cannot deliver victory. Where his rivals have scored over Rooney is in the quality of support they have derived from other players, in their respective squads. For instance, Xavi owed much of his success, at Euro 2008, to the support he got from teammates, Torres and Villa.
How effective Rooney is at FIFA World Cup 2010 will depend to a large extent on how well he is supported in the field by the likes of Gerrard, Crouch and Defoe.
Awesome Form
Rooney has been in awesome form, throughout the current season. His 34 goals from 44 appearances for Man U tell their own story. Gary Lineker, himself an accomplished former striker for England, avers that England cannot win without Rooney. Alan Shearer, another England ex-striker, recommends a 4-5-1 formation, with Rooney leading the attack, alone, a strategy that Lineker also endorses.
For England to shine at this World Cup, they must treat Rooney like the jewel he is - with extreme care. On Rooney's part, he must keep his head, and not fall prey to on-field provocations from rivals, as he so infamously did, in the World Cup 2006 quarter-final, against Portugal.
Who is the World's Best?
Chelsea's boss, Ancellotti, will brook no argument. Rooney is the best, he says. This, coming from a man who has been at the receiving end of Rooney's genius in the EPL, is a telling endorsement.