Copa America - 2011 Awards & Brickbats

The Copa America 2011 concluded. Congratulations to the champions Uruguay. The pre-tournament expectations where very high. But the two biggest pre-tournament favourites Brasil and Argentina failed spectacularly. The lack of goals early on meant there were a lot of draws damped the enthusiasm even further. However the tournament did have its high points. Here is a list of the bests & worsts of the Copa America 2011. Our experts Chris (@Chris_Elastico) & Rob (@Santapelota) have talked to Ravi (@aupasubmarino) to give their opinions in the podcast.

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Overall Tournament

1. Best player (outfield)
1. Luis Suarez (Ravi)
   
2. Alvaro Pereira
3. Nestor Ortigoza
4. Estegarribia
5. Cichero
6. Vizcarrondo (All)
   
7. Guarin, armero
8. Cesar Gonzalez
9. Guerrero (Chris, Rob)
   
10. Messi
11. Valdivia
12. Alexis
13. Acasiete
14. Diego Lugano

2. Best coach
1. Cesar Farias - Venezuela (Chris)
   
2. Tata Martino - Paraguay (Rob)
3. Sergio Markarian - Peru (Ravi)
   
4. Washington Tabares - Uruguay

3. Biggest overachiever
1. Peru (all)
   
2. Paraguay
3. venezuela

4. Biggest underachiever
1. Argentina (Chris, Ravi)
   
2. Brazil (Rob)
   
3. Chile
4. Ecuador

5. Most disappointing star
1. Tevez (Chris)
   
2. Mascherano (Ravi, Rob)
   
3. Alves
4. Ganso
5. Neymar, Messi

6. Most entertaining game
1. Venezuela - Paraguay 3-3
2. Chile - Peru 2-1
3. Chile - Venezuela 2-1 QF (Ravi)
   
4. Argentina - Uruguay QF 1-1 penalties (Chris, Rob)
   
5. Brazil - Ecuador - 4-2

7. Who among the suprises will more likely carry this form into WC qualifying
1. Venezuela(all)
2. Peru

What do you think of our selections? Please give yours thoughts in the comments.

Thanks a lot for following us for the Copa America 2011.

Copa America Final - Preview

Ravi(@aupasubmarino) from Forzafutbol sat down with the usual suspects Chris(@chris_elastico) from theelastico.com and Rob (@santapelota) from santapelota.wordpress.com to discuss the semifinals of the Copa America and preview the final between Uruguay and Paraguay.

The final between Uruguay and Paraguay is 9PM CET 3PM ET 12 PT Sunday July 24.

Relax and snack on this short and lively podcast

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In the 2nd part of our podcast to be posted later, we discuss the best and worst of the Copa America 2011

Copa Americal Semifinals Preview

Ravi discussed Copa America with Chris (@chris_elastico) co-editor of theelastico.com and Robert (@santapelota) from santapelota.wordpress.com.
We broke down the two semifinals, gave our predictions and discussed in depth the growing indifference towards the Brazilian national team coinciding with thriving local club competitions in Brazil.
Peru x Uruguay 7/19 21:45 Argentina 17:45 Pacific

Paraguay x Venezuela 7/20 21.45 Argentina 17:45 Pacific

Get yourself ready for the Copa America semfinals through this podcast

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Copa America Quarterfinal Review

Ravi discussed Copa America with Chris (@chris_elastico) co-editor of theelastico.com and Robert (@santapelota) from santapelota.wordpress.com.
We broke down the 4 Quarterfinals results and delved deep into the problems of Argentina and Brasil as well as paid tribute to the 4 semifinalists Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay and Parguay who were underdogs in their respective quarter final games

Sit back and enjoy this epic upset-special podcast.

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La Celeste in La Liga Jornada 6: EuroGeta Returns!

La Celeste in La Liga Jornada 6: EuroGeta Returns!
This weekend La Celeste teams grinded out plenty of draws. Only Coach Martin Lasarte’s Real Sociedad, reborn Sevilla, and EuroGeta were able to bring home all three points. Let’s see how the Uruguayans fared in Jornada 6 of La Liga.
Player of the Round: Pablo Pintos of Getafe had a fine debut. He was very strong in defense and potent in attack. He came in at the 45′ minute and made a difference in the 3-0 win against Hercules.


To read more go here:

La Celeste in La Liga – Week 5 Levante Catenaccio

So far there are no clear cut leaders nor extremely poor teams in La Liga. As we continue to feel the after effects of a World Cup year, I expect to see more injuries, upsets, and unpredictability. This past week was no exception….
Player of the Round: RCD Mallorca’s Chori Castro is returning to form. He was an instrumental part of the 2-0 home win against Martin Lasartre’s lackluster Real Sociedad. Chori was lethal, controlled the left side, and extremely dangerous in attack. His best game of the season so far.
To read more go to: http://www.lacelesteblog.com/?p=3489

Charrúas in La Liga – Week 3 Derby Days!

It’s derby time! Morbo, controversy, tight battles, heated contests, and physical brawls. Gotta love a derby. Well there were technically 3 in this last La Liga round. But there was also Morbo aplenty in the Atlético Madrid v Barça game as well as the Battle of the Reales – Real Sociedad v Real Madrid.
How did the La Celeste boys perform in La Liga de las Estrellas?
Player of the Round: Sevilla’s on loan defender, Martín Caceres. Clearly man of the match in the Andalusian derby win 1-2 against Málaga. He netted a terrific header and game winning goal in the 2nd half. His defensive work was solid and he constantly got into the penalty box to threaten their regional rivals in attack. This guy is out to prove that he can play with the big boys. Consistency is the key, but so far so good.
For more please go to: http://www.lacelesteblog.com/?p=3453

Charruras in La Liga - Week 2

Who said La Liga was boring? (*cough Yorugua cough*) This week, La Liga had everything upsets, goals, morbo, and catenaccio. What did the boys in blue fare? Let’s take a look.

Player of the Round
Diego…NOT. Yes, Diego had a great game with Atlético Madrid. He scored, had an assist, created space, was lovely on the counter. But isn’t it kind of expected? No my Player of the Round goes to long forgotten, comeback kid, Sebastian Eguren with Sporting Gijón. The veteran defender had an incredible game in defense, a true leader of the back line who ensured that his new team kept a clean sheet at home against a weary Espanyol. The pairing with ex Barçelona canterano Botía was solid. 2-0 was all she wrote.

[For more please click]

Week 1 in La Liga- La Celeste Players

After a successful World Cup, several Uruguayans decided to bank on that success and try their luck in Spanish Football. Yorugua already covered the La Liga transfers in a separate post, so I am going to jump right into how the Celeste boys played in Week 1 of La Liga.