WOW. This is going to be a big big week of sports. Not only do we have the continuing sagas of the NBA and NHL Finals going on, the biggest sporting even in the entire world will begin this week as well. As much as Americans will hate to admit it, the real game of football (or what we call soccer) is the biggest sport in the world. Yeah our football and baseball are bigger here but by far the most followed sport in the world is soccer. The FIFA World Cup is the biggest tournament on the biggest stage that will bring nations together in ways nothing else can.
This year’s tournament is being held in South Africa and will be kicked off (sorry couldn’t help myself) with the hosting country taking on Mexico on June 11. From then on, everything will be soccer, soccer, soccer. The other championships will be decided shortly and there won’t be anything to talk about besides these matches. For the next month you will hear your coworkers and friends talking about it and people actually taking an interest in the game of soccer again. But trust me, it won’t last long. Every four years the average person is turned into a soccer expert and suddenly everyone wants to play again. Unfortunatly it will only be fleeting and the U.S. won’t get fully emerged into the world phenomenon that is football…er, soccer.
Top Picks
This week my picks aren’t in any particular order. How can you decide a top thing when there are such great series to watch!?
2010 FIFA World Cup – England vs. USA – June 12 @ 1:30 pm
Yeah they are the country most related to us. Yeah they are one of our biggest allies in world politics. But none of that matters right now. The most coveted trophy in the world is at stake and probably even more revered; national pride is on the line. The U.S. and England don’t get to play each other in sports often and especially with so much at stake so this will be one to remember. The U.S. team worked hard through the qualifying tournament to get where they are and now they want to show the rest of the world the they are can play with the best. England created the game and yet has only one World Cup title in history so you can bet they will be looking to make a statement and get some momentum early on. Let’s see if the bloody Yanks can once again be the underdog against the mighty Brits and come out on top. Everyone will be talking about it so you’ll want to make sure you were watching.
NBA Finals – Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers – June 8 (9 pm), 10 (9 pm) & 13 (8 pm)
The Lakers came out strong in Game 1 and kept the Celtics at bay. The Celtics responded by coming out in Game 2 and raining three-point baskets all night. They stole a game on the Laker’s homecourt and now may not have to come back to Los Angeles until next year. If they can win the next three games that are in Boston, the Celtics win the Finals and show the Lakers that 2008 was no fluke. But Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will come back fighting and all they need to do is win just one game in Boston to force the series to return to Los Angeles for the final two games. These teams have given legendary performances in the past and this one looks to be no different. The most competetive guys in the league are playing against each other and with all the history, pride is on the line and they will stop at nothing to win. Kobe Bryant isn’t going to just sit back and watch his team fade away, he is going to fight. But will Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo be able to stand up to it. Only time will tell and this series must be watched because it will be remembered every time the rivalry is brought up for decades to come.
NHL Stanley Cup Finals – Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks – June 9 @ 8 pm & June 11 @ 8 pm (if necessary)
The Flyers were able to fight their way back and even up the series at two games a piece but the Blackhawks scored early and scored often on Sunday night to gain a 3-2 series lead. The Flyers have their backs to the wall and must win the next two games or their Cinderella story will end sadly. They battled against long odds to make it this far but it will all be for nothing if they can’t reach the ultimate goal. The Blackhawks can smell victory and will be coming out fiercly to put the Flyers away because they do not want to go into a Game 7 situation. A Game 7 is what sports fans dream of but they are a nightmare for any team that is favored in the series. In a Game 7 anything could happen and literally blood, sweat and tears will be left on the ice because after that game there is either a long cold offseason lamenting what could have been or a sweet and beautiful offseason filled with parades and champagne. Both teams want it, who has more heart to get there though. Watch and find out and if there is a Game 7, stop what you’re doing and watch because it will be fantastic.
Quick Picks
- Baseball is in action too but it is just a sideshow to the big games this week. Check out the schedule and then check out the standings to see where your team is. But with all else that is going on, I won’t blame you if you don’t get a glimpse of baseball for a while. There is still a long season ahead anyway.
