A Big Day for Basel

Well, at least for FC Basel supporters (which I imagine is the majority of the city, particularly after today). In addition to dealing with the chaos following recent winter weather, the whole of Europe is also deeply immersed in the final stages of the UEFA Champions League (click the preceding words to be directed to the UCL homepage or, if you are unfamiliar with UEFA, skim this Wikipedia entry for some background info). Currently sitting six points clear at the top of the table, FC Basel is a perennial favorite in Swiss Super League (Switzerland’s domestic soccer league, akin to the MLS). This year the club has also demonstrated their skill during Continental play. Having finished second in Group C (including an impressive 1-0 victory over giants Manchester United), earlier today FC Basel added another notch to their European campaign.

Thanks to an 86th minute miracle goal from substitute Valentin Stocker, FC Basel pulled off a major upset against German powerhouse FC Bayern München. Considering that here have already been some great articles written about the outcome and significance of the match, so I won’t rehash the play-by-play here. Click appropriately if interested in match recap, photos, commentary from Bayern München president Uli Hoeness, or a “fairytale” news update from FC Basel.

Arguably this year’s Cinderella story (having recently drubbed Chelsea 3-1, Napoli is also a strong  contender for underdog team of the tournament), it will be exciting to see how far into the tournament FC Basel can extend their run. Their good form and impressive results are doubly (at least, if not more so) exciting given our close relationship with University Basel and high likelihood of an academic visit to St. Jakob-Park (the scene of today 1-0 victory and most often referred to as “Joggeli” by Baslers) during this May’s Global Perspectives Program. Routinely optimistic for FC Basel, I must acknowledge Bayern München’s run of 11 wins in 12 UEFA Champions League home matches. This might bring an abrupt halt to FC Basel’s UCL campaign. Still though, with one home-goal in their account, things could turn out quite positively after the second-leg match.

Be sure to tune in on 13 March 2012 (20:45 CET) and cheer loudly as FC Basel travels to Fußball Arena München to face FC Bayern München for their Round of 16 second-leg match.

definitely in the top five

Excellent view of the latest ever goal (120'+2') in Women's World Cup History

During the past few weeks, my work schedule and associated productivity has varied with the schedule of the FIFA 2011 Women's World Cup. Now moving into the final week of the WWC, the matches are less frequent (allowing more time for work), but more important (requiring more attentive focus). Coupled with the combative and crash-filled early stages of le Tour de France (go here for free live streaming video of every stage) and a thus far uneventful Copa America (free live matches on YouTube), it's been an ongoing effort to

So here's a quick recap of one of the most captivating matches I've had the pleasure to watch.

National anthems play, coin flips, whistle blows, 74 seconds elapse, USA GOOOOOOAAAAAAL (courtesy of a Daiane own goal)!

Brazil 0 - USA 1

The first half was largely a game of possession, but not without chances for both teams. Twenty minutes into the second half Marta plays the ball to herself with a nifty move over Buehler's head. With one player attempting to score and the other desperate to prevent such a feat and both in pursuit of the ball their legs tangle and bodies collide.

65' clash of swift offense and stalwart defense

Buehler is sent off for a professional foul (i.e. fouling an opponent with intent, usually to prevent scoring) and Brazil is awarded a penalty kick. After an incredible (not to mention completely legal) save by American goalkeeper Hope Solo (fantastic name by the way), the referee granted Brazil the ultimate mulligan. Either a result of encroachment or (allegedly, but definitely not) illegal goalkeeper movement, referee Jacqui Melksham awarded another penalty kick. This time Marta had no trouble converting from the penalty spot

Brazil 1 - USA 1

Now with ten players, the USA seemed to coalesce and played an impressive remaining 20 minutes to force extra time. Barely into the first half of the extra session Marta scored with a deft touch (albeit via a feed from an arguably offside Maurine) inside the USA 6 yard box.

Brazil 2 - USA 1

 

Never surrendering hope, the USWNT played with pose and vigor throughout the remainder of extra time. Just when time and opportunity were about to expire (see comments and video below regarding Erika and added time in extra time), Abby Wambach rose to met a Megan Rapinoe cross with power and precision (see opening photo).

Brazil 2 - USA 2

Sixty seconds later, the extra session resulted in a deadlock and the match would therefore be decided by penalties. Taking the first two penalties (due to illegal movement from the Brazilian keeper -- she continued to move substantially off her line way too early throughout the entire penalty session), Shannon Boxx scored for the US. Cristiane followed with a flawless and cool-under-pressure penalty kick. Level after the first round, here's how things progressed.

Lloyd -- shot, score.

Marta -- shot, score.

Wambach -- shot, score.

Daiane -- shot, save. SAVE!

Rapinoe -- shot, score.

Francielle -- shot, score.

Kreiger -- shot, score. SCORE!

Brazil 2 (3) - USA 2 (5)

After a gifted first goal, unbelievable penalty retake, suspicious second goal, and miraculous equalizer, the USA wins! Now gather your breath, we're onto the semifinals. Video highlights below.

For a higher quality video go here (for whatever reason ESPN has disabled embedding for the

highlight reel, requiring a bit of a workaround to include the video here)

Scoring Summary

USA – Daiane (own goal) 2'

BRA – Marta (penalty kick) 68'

BRA – Marta 92'

USA – Abby Wambach 120'+2'

Penalty Shootout Summary

U.S. advances 5-3 on PKs

USA – Shannon Boxx--Goal

BRA – Cristiane--Goal

USA – Carli Lloyd--Goal

BRA – Marta--Goal

USA – Abby Wambach--Goal

BRA – Daiane--Saved

USA – Megan Rapinoe--Goal

BRA – Francielle--Goal

USA – Ali Kreiger--Goal

Misconduct Summary

USA – Carli Lloyd (caution) 29'

BRA – Aline (caution) 44'

BRA – Marta (caution) 45'

USA – Rachel Buehler (sent off) 65'

USA – Hope Solo (caution) 67'

USA – Megan Rapinoe (caution) 90'+1'

BRA – Maurine (caution) 112'

USA – Shannon Boxx (caution) 113'

BRA – Erika (caution) 117' (watch the video below for an explanation [even if you don't speak German, the gist of the fake injury and subsequent delay (which it should be noted allowed for the added time in the second half of extra time in which Wambach scored her brilliant header goal -- some may argue that Erika's actions cost Brazil the victory) should be rather apparent when Erika hops off the stretcher promptly after being carted off the pitch] of her yellow card for blatant and egregious delaying tactics)

Oh, and of course there was marathon training -- later in the evening I ran 12.8 miles. Hot, humid, and with extremely low energy, this was a grueling and extremely humbling run. Mind was able to conquer matter for only so long. Here's to hoping for more pep next time.

For more WWC info, checkout the official FIFA website, ESPN Soccernet, and ESPN3.com to watch the remaining matches live (provided that you don't already have access to ESPN/ESPN2 via your cable provider. FYI..."ESPN3 is available nationwide, but you must subscribe to a participating high speed internet service provider." Check out the ESPN3 FAQs for more info). If you have the time/inclination, I encourage you to take a gander at From a Left Wing, a rather insightful blog of soccer, politics, and academics. Blog author Jennifer Doyle offers a great recap of the Brazil v USA match complete with commentary about gender politics, media bias, and the sexualization of soccer.

Upcoming Matches:

France v. USA

Wednesday, 13 July @ 11:30am EDT

Japan v. Sweden

Wednesday, 13 July @ 2:15pm EDT

august, september, october, november, december, january, february redux

If one were curious enough to Wikipedia or  Google (take your pick, similar outcomes) the oft-used term "redux" they would discover its fascinating etymology* (from the Latin reducere or "bring back"), popular, yet misappropriated, synonyms (e.g. remix [borderline acceptance; sometimes used in the music industry (where, let's be honest almost anything is permissible)], reduction, etc.), as well as some interesting pharmaceutical marketing strategies. Perhaps more pertinently, if one were patient enough to follow my intermittent (rounding up on the list of possible adjectives for a more favorable option) blogging, they may be wondering,

"Justin, why such a long and obscure, yet simultaneously straightforward, title? Isn't obvious that you haven't blogged since leaving Kuwait (save for the 12 words [including title] and video you posted last week)?"

To such wonderment I respond with a simple expression of atonement. You placed trust in me to fill your screens with witty monologues, artistic photography, and philosophical contemplation. Alas, I wronged my blogging raison d'être: you, my faithful audience. In the event that anyone is still out there in the vastness of the www wanting and waiting for me to digitally self-publish, rest assured that blogging has resumed. In fact, you know have a new layout, different title, and a great picture of Bernard Hinault leading a rain soaked 1980 Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

And now, without further delay...the six month redux (in pictures).

وداعا ، وداعا الكويت

(bye, bye Kuwait)

Up, Up, and...Away I go to Stand in Line for the Bus

After a few laborious days of landscaping in Wisconsin (with help from Zoe of course), the day of departure finally arrived. What a glorious day...shinning sun, relaxing breakfast, casual last minute packing, delicious lakeside lunch with Emily, minimal traffic...things could not be better. After enjoying some of Alterra's finest, Emily chauffeured me over to Mitchell International Airport. With nearly a full two hours prior to departure, we found a primo parking spot and leisurely strolled into the terminal.Milwaukee's airport is great for a number of reasons, but the low volume of travelers is a tremendous perk. Lines tend to be short and move swiftly. In fact, I was able to walk directly to the front of the line. Little did I know that on this day, the line was so short (nonexistent in fact) because MKE-ORD flights were cancelled due to heavy inbound ORD air traffic (I was to learn later that low lying cloud cover in Chicago was partially to blame for slowing inbound aircraft, thereby increasing traffic density).