What's your Football Story?
Featuring: The Socceroos, A-League and International football. Player interviews, opinion/analysis, with a focus on the absurd, humorous and sublime acts that occur on and off the pitch.
John Davidson joins by FaceTime from the UK to dissect the Socceroos performances against Germany (yay!) and FYR Macedonia (zzz!). Plus our regular A-League round up, and Kev sits too close to the mic for the first few minutes.
I'm on latest @FourFourTwoOz Podcast! Listen as the pod team get the result of this morning's Germany-Socceroos game hopelessly wrong. Also I chat to Marcelo Carrusca and Roy Krishna, plus we broadcast IN STEREO with a brand new mic! http://au.fourfourtwo.com/podcasts/442FM_10x16.mp3
My yarn @FourFourTwoOz with Perth Glory striker Andy Keogh. The international Irish attacker says lack of infrastructure is all that's holding A League back.
Here is Part Two of the full Josep Gombau interview. Part of this interview appeared on the Fox Sports website on August the 13th 2014. Here is the link here
In Part Two Gombau talks: World Cup tactics, what his vision for the A-League All Stars vs Juventus game was.
What former Barcelona and Spanish international and now Technical Director of Adelaide United Guillermo Amor can bring to the club.
And how his seven years coaching youth teams at FC Barcelona influenced his coaching career.
9) In a recent interview you said you admired the German way of playing at the World Cup, particularly how they combined a passing game and being strong in defence, what other trends do you see in world football in terms of playing style?
There are a lot of styles, and every style is good, just you need to follow what I mean. In football you speak with an Englishman maybe he like the long ball, the second ball.
In the World Cup I like Germany because the treatment that they have with the ball was amazing, and after they combined this treatment with aggressive defence. and honestly now I am studying this.
For me in Barcelona we try this treatment with the ball was amazing, but never aggressive in defence because we think attack attack attack and they combine this defensive with attacking but also when we lose the ball we are strong and it’s something for to make an analysis, it’s the way that I like.
Because football is when you have ball try to have a good treatment with the ball and when you don’t have ball be strong and try to make the other team lose possession as soon as possible
11) What will the Foxtel All Stars vs Juventus game achieve for Australian football and you personally?
For me it’s a challenge, but not like a personal for a coach, it’s a challenge for all the country. These kinds of games put Australia in sight of the World in football and I have this responsibility to try and do a good game to try and get a result.
The result is not win or lose, the result is to be competitive, is the game will be nice, will play a good football, and to show the A-League is strong and the league is good.
This challenge that we have is important, this is what I like.
But not personal because in the end like a coach just to be in this game to make me a big name and also in Europe is speaking about this game, Josep is coaching there.
But this is not the way. The way what I want to try and to put Australia and the A-League in a good way. But also for the players because the players get to get a good image, if they get a good image will show that this league is strong the clubs in Europe can show more attention to this league or they can have good offers in the future.
It’s a way to show off Australian football, or the football here around the world.
12) You brought former Barcelona and Spanish footballer Guillermo Amor for the game against Malaga tell us what he brought to Adelaide?
He can bring a lot of things. In the beginning he come, he is the kind of person he need to get confidence. At the beginning he come and he just look around and not speak a lot.
But now he starts to work seriously he bring to us a lot of tactical stuff. He’s a player that played a lot of games and knows the movements perfectly and we want to work with Adelaide this 3 4 3 just to play with three defenders, attack more, he can bring a lot of things to us for me it’s a pleasure that Guillermo is here with us.
13) Do you think more Spanish coaches will follow your trail to Australia?
I think it’s not easy. Here there are good coaches, I become the fist team coach. It’s not easy to get this position with just ten teams. It’s difficult.
We are lucky and I’m proud to have my position at Adelaide United. I know how difficult it is to have this job.
14) Can you tell us what kind of person away from football?
Away from football I think I’m a friendly person. A person that always is worried for the other people the family the people that is around me.
I try always to help the people that are close with me. I’m a person that invests so much time with football it’s my life and sometimes I don’t share my time with my family because I am always thinking in football but this is the way that I am.
15) Who has been the biggest influence on your coaching career so far.
My biggest influence is not a person, it’s a style, my time in FC Barcelona.
When I was there for me it’s the best university of football in the world and I stay seven years working there.
It’s not one man or two mans or three mans, it’s the style, what you share with the other coaches of course it’s the people you work with
Luis Enrique now is the coach, I work with Pep Guardiola and now he is at Bayern Munich.
I work with Guillermo Amor and now he is here with us (at Adelaide United) and I share with them a lot of time.
But this not the persons, for me it’s the club FC Barcelona
16) What is your main motivating to succeed?
Now when you are a father and you have kids they are all for you. and in this moment of course my wife my parents. But in the end my kids. because they know they need you and you need to be there and you have to work hard to try to bring to them the best that you can.
Even though the World Cup is over, if you squint hard enough, you can still see it's illuminating presence in the rear view mirror.
So let's do a World Cup review of all the moments that we came to know and love, the ones we mocked and ridiculed, and the times we applauded.
The Award for Bravery ( in the face of defeat, even though no-one gave the team a chance, and it sure sucked losing, but what the hell, a narrow loss still felt like a victory.)
Obviously the award goes to the Socceroos. Australians love to romanticise international losses. Gallipoli is an example.
The Socceroos World Cup campaign has parallels with the landing at Gallipoli; mostly Australian young men, out of position and under heavy constant fire.
The Aussies narrow 3-2 loss to Holland was heartbreaking, but the way the team took the cold sword to the belly was inspirational for all the little kiddies (who were all probably fast asleep during the game).
The Netherlands game was football porn. From Arjen Robben's opening goal, to Tim Cahill's spectacular volleying equaliser.
The Aussies led for a brief time, but just like in a porn film the Socceroos were fucked by a black guy's penetrating shot.
Had it, Lost It, Team of of the Tournament The Unifying Theory of Life, from the character Sick Boy in the film Trainspotting is the inspiration behind this award.
"At one point you've got it, then you lose it. The it's gone forever. All walks of life. George Best, for example. Had it, lost it.
And Hot Dog! We have a wiener! Nice one Spain! The 2010 World Cup Champions couldn't recover from the Holland spanking in the first game.
Most Kreas (Meathead) Team To qualify as the Kreas team of the World Cup, the qualification process is as follows.
Number of Kreas moments: this includes acts like hogging, diving and needless violence.
The Uruguayansare worthy winners of this award.
Uruguay had all the qualifying attributes in one player - Luis Suarez. His World Cup rap sheet is impressive.
Accused of diving. Guilty!
Accused of hogging. Guilty!
Accused of needless violence. Guilty!
Ahh the bite that was heard around the world. CRUNCH. Tearing the kreas (meat) out of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder meant that Luis Suarez probably had the 2014 World Cup's most defining moment.
It wasn't just Luis Suarez being a Kreas, his teammate Maxi Periera also got involved in some Kreas action, kicking out at Costa Rican attacker Joel Cambell in the group phase.
Oh Shit! we Farked it Up
There were a few contenders for this award. It was a strong selection of teams. Brazil, Italy, Spain, England, Portugal.
Sure all the nominees Italy, Spain, England and Portugal didn't even get out of the group stage.
But it doesn't compare to Brazil's history making 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi final.
It was the biggest semi-final fark up in World Cup history; as was my prediction of a Brazil win against Germany.
The Am I Bovvered?
The award goes to England. Well done England!
Garnering one point in the group stage was your lowest ever return in your World Cup history.
It was also the first time you have been eliminated from the group stage since 1958.
Overrated
It's a toss up between Russian Manager Fabio Capello and Spanish Striker Diego Costa.
And we have a tie!
Capello, the highest paid manger in Brazil, has only won one of his seven World Cup games that he has coached.
Chelsea paid a whopping $58 million transfer fee to sign Costa from Atlecio Madrid.
They will hope he performs better than he did at the World Cup for Spain, as he only had one shot on target in 126 minutes of action.
Congratulations to both recipients, very overrated.
Underrated
For me there is only one winner. It goes to Costa Rican goal keeper Keylor Navas.
Navas is a freak. With Navas in goals, Costa Rica beat England, Italy, Uruguay and knocked out Greece. All those teams ranked in the top 12.
Navas saved 21 shots out of 23. That's an impressive 91% of shots saved. Ground Hog Day "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?"
That Ground Hog day movie quote applies both to Mexico and Chile.
Poor Mexico, they can't get past the round of 16. Los Manitos have been knocked out at that stage during their last six World Cups.
Meanwhile Chile can't beat Brazil at a World Cup. La Roja haven't beaten the Seleção in four games and have been knocked out by Brazil in the round of 16 during their last three World Cup appearances.
The Coach who looks like he's here to fix the pipes.
The award clearly goes to Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari.
Not one for suiting and booting, Scolari looked more like a Plumber than an international manager.
Worst Chant
This one was easy. The award goes to the USA. Even though funny man Will Ferrell added some celebrity to it, the USA's - "I believe! That we will win" was a weak and cringe worthy chant.
It didn't have any witty lines, it didn't share the melody of a famous song, it was arrogant, dumb and simple (should I be a bit prejudice/racist and say it's a perfect representation of the US population?
No I won't as there are some really cool Seppo's out there (umm my family), but c'mon guys, you can do way better!)
Best Chant
C'mon you should know it by now.
"Brasil decime que se siente" "Brazil tell me how it feels like"
It's the Argentina chant. It's ticks all the boxes of a great football chant. It's witty, it mocks their rivals Brazil it's got history and it uses the melody of a well known song.
It's sung to the tune of Credence Clear Water's Bad Moon Rising.
Here is the crowd singing it with English subtitles.
Here are the Argentine players singing it in their dressing rooms after a win.
So that's all folks, thanks for sharing this World Cup with me.
How embarrassment Brazil! You lost 7-1 in your home World Cup. I really don't think it's a good idea if you guys host World Cups anymore - it just doesn't seem to end well.
How World Cup 2014 embarrassment for me! My prediction of Brazil beating Germany in the World Cup semi final wasn't even Klose!
Forget that 200 million Brazilians were in tears for 81 mins (Muller scored in the 11th minute). Forget that the commentator's commentator Martin Tyler was taking the piss with five minutes to go with hilarious repartee like "there is five minutes left and Brazil only need seven more goals".
Forget that Brazilian football has been shamed and humiliated and a subject of world wide mockery.
Forget that efficient, pragmatic, humourless Germany were the ones playing Joga Bonito football and eased up on the Brazilians in the second half so as not to cause them further embarrassment.
I'm the one, readers who should be ashamed at my performance. I'm the one, who sat in a darkened room for two days hiding out of embarrassment. I'm the one, who should be pointing my fingers in the sky on my haunches, looking up at the heavens and asking - Whoa happened?
Because readers, I'm the one, who picked Brazil to beat ze Germans without a second of thought.
In my previous piece I said that the Germans weren't that impressive. I thought they peaked too early after they beat Portugal 4-0 in their opening World Cup game.
I've been taking long hard looks in the mirror wondering if I should ever pick up a pen again. I have disgraced all of Bloggerdome. I have sullied the great oracle with whom I fear shall never grace me again with her knowing wisdom and insight.
I keep on watching the game over and over again, when it gets to Oscar's consolation goal I rewind it, then play it again seven times in a row, so in some different realm or alternative universe the score ends up a respectable seven all and it goes into extra time and Martin Tyler says - " In all my years I have never seen such an amazing comeback!"
There are so many flies on the Brazilian team at the moment and those associated with them. They're like a tray of meat sitting topless on a hot summer's day at Gunnamatta Bay, Cronulla (you Wogs and ethnics know what I'm talking about!).
It's OK for the likes of Sideshow David Luiz and his teammates to be crying like babies. I'm sure once they start pre-season training at their various G8 clubs they'll be ok.
But what about me, Dear Readers? How can I be taken seriously again? Dear Readers, I beseech you!
How can I bounce back from such a prediction humiliation?
Before the game I felt confident picking Brazil. No Neymar, No Thiago Silva, what could possibly go wrong?
I felt confident like David Luiz did prancing in midfield carefree, with the wind blowing in his hair, patriotic tears streaming down his face as another German skipped and hopped past him with nothing but acres of space and a return pass in their mind's eye.
Brazil's shame is my shame.
I felt real sorry for Brazil's coach Papou Luiz Felipe Scolari. He must have had that similar feeling that millions of Soccer Mums and Dads around the world feel when they look upon their uncoordinated children on the sideline, as they are getting smashed by superior players and better coached teams.
His heart bleeding for his children but at the same time his cheeks puffing with pride.
'My boys may be unco's but at least they are participating."
The Final
"Never bet on the fairy-tale" Jeff from Newtown
So the dream match up between Brazil - Argentina, Neymar- Messi, Pele's Ego vs Mardonna's Mentalness is no more.
Instead we probably have the next best thing. Argentina - Germany, a repeat of 1986 and the 1990 World Cup finals.
It's at these World Cups that most of my Generation the X's fell in love with football.
Will it be a goal fest like 86?, Or a drab stinker like 1990?
Can Argentina find some energy after almost being Dutched to football death?
The Argentine penalty takers must have loved walking towards the box seeing only one Dutch goal keeper's outfit and not having to contend with seven orange shirts in front of it.
The Dutch almost Mourinho'd it with their defensive structure. Messi was quiet but can you blame him?
Poor Messi he must be sick of being chased around at this World Cup like some sort of fugitive. If Messi drove a White Ford Bronco there would be a phalanx of police cars accompanying him. (that's an OJ Simpson reference for you Generation Me's)
So Messi to beat seven German players and win the World Cup one nil in the last minute? That would be some cool symmetry. But don't bet on me predicting that!
It's a Sign o' the Times. The antics of certain players and teams during the Quarter Finals of the 2014 Brazil World Cup has produced a darkness over the later stages of the tournament. Its shadow threatens to occupy the illuminating glow of the record breaking goal count and attacking football that the world went nuts for in the Group games and Round of 16 matches.
There is still some light at the end of tunnel though, with the prospect of a dream Argentina - Brazil final. Unfortunately that has been sullied by Colombian defender Mr Zuniga, when he broke Neymar's back and 200 million Brazilian hearts.
What a shame the dream final between the South American rivals (and most neutral football fans around the world have craved) , will be missing the main draw cards of Messi vs Neymar. The football world has been robbed of a grand spectacle because of one cruel cynical action.
But perhaps I should listen to the strange random man I encountered on the bustling streets of Kingsgrove last Friday. A random man approached me and said: "don't judge, everyone makes mistakes, sorry I broke your heart". Tell that to the 200 Brazilians random man! Who I told three times- "It's OK I forgive you!", but still wouldn't leave me alone.
Sadly cynicism in sport is nothing new - winning at all costs is part of modern football. After all there are reports that kicking your opponent off the park occurred when Noah, his sons and some of the more talented monkeys played five a side in the Ark to keep fit in the mornings and afternoons.
Side Show Bob's (David Luiz) free kick brought some of the magic of the Group Stages back.
Perhaps instead of knockout games the whole World Cup could be a group stage?
The magic spray and Luiz's right footed, side foot, free kick kept the dark forces at bay for once.
Now with Neymar gone who will the Brazilians call on to step up against Germany? Only one of the most talented squads left in world football of course!
If home advantage and death threats isn't enough of a powerful motivational force to win the World Cup then nothing is. The home nation is still the favourites for the title in my opinion. They are still finding ways to win games without playing their best football.
If the Yellow, Green and Blue shirted ones can stop crying and play without fear of losing, the Seleção can still win the World Cup. They still have artists that can unlock defences.
But first Brazil have to get through the semi final. Playing a European team in Germany would suit the Brazilians much more than playing Colombia. The Germans haven't been that crash hot perhaps they peaked too early when they thrashed Portugal 4-0.
Plus Germany just love that third/fourth playoff game so much. Why ruin a good thing by playing in a World Cup final and potentially winning the World Cup for the first time in 24 years?
The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer
You should check this excellent article I found from the website Thescore.ie. It examines the painful memory of Holland losing the 1974 World Cup. The article says that the tragedy wasn't that Holland lost the World Cup to Germany. The greatest tragedy was that during the final minutes of the game, Holland thumped the ball long into the German area, seeking a miracle by abandoning their "Total Football philosophy."
Here is an interesting take on that game:
"July 7th, 1974 was a death knell for the freedom of expression that formed through the 60s. For the Dutch, their Summer of Love didn’t end on Altamont Speedway in 1969 but at Munich’s Olympic Stadium four and a half years later. Both incidents signaled the end of a counter-culture. Both incidents signaled the end of optimism, open-mindedness and new-wave. Both incidents signaled the start of pragmatism, cynicism and suspicion of anything different."
The article also quotes David Winner who wrote the book Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer. Winner tells the website that there is an undeniable cultural and social overlap that exists in society and football. He says the Dutch team of 1974 were a reflection of the zeitgeist.
So what are the current Dutch team a reflection of in terms of cultural and social overlap that exists in society and football?
The cynical actions of World Bankers? The failure of Governments around the world to stop the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? Can we relate the pragmatism and cynicism of modern football with the world's current socioeconomic problems?
Of course we can! Look at the World Cup bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup and the greed and corruption that exists in FIFA.
The Dutch are so sick of being the Bridesmaid and never the Bride, thet have abondened the ideals of "Total Football". Making this current Holland incarnation the antithesis of the 1974 team.
Just like the movie Bridesmaids, I'm sure Holland Boss Louis Van Gaal would take a shit in the middle of the street wearing a wedding dress if it meant winning the World Cup.
The white socks and sandals wearing, non smiling Dutch coach made a big move substituting the goalkeepers before the penalty shootout against Costa Rica. It was a history making move by Van Gaal. That kind of choice has never been seen at a World Cup before.
Sure the move paid off and Krul guessed correctly on every shot, allowing his mullet two make two amazing saves, but to me it doesn't just justify how he acted.
Take Krul's antics before the Costa Ricans were about to take their penalty shots.
Talk about Neurotic Genius.
Krul's actions seemed to mirror the strange random man that came up to me in Kingsgrove. Like the random on the street (who walked up and down the street) Krul was walking up and down and side to side in his box aimlessly, then would pause so he could talk some unintelligible nonsense to the Costa Ricans (like the strange man did to me) before they took their penalties.
Question marks hang over the second penalty that Krul saved. Is it legal for a goalkeeper to grab the bar and have the net shake right before the penalty taker takes the spot kick? Cheat! Cheat! (allegedly, allegedly)
Everyone knows what Cruyff said after Holland lost the 1974 final – ‘We were very successful in a way because we were acclaimed for our style and everybody said we we were the best team."
No-one will say that about the Dutch if they win the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Pim Verbeek took a gamble on his conservative side and doubled it up. Forget the lone striker Pim technically went with a 442 with Tim Cahill and Richard Garcia up front. But really it was ateam with seven players in defence and three players in attack.
With three defensive midfielders in the side, Harry Kewell Mark Breciano and Josh Kennedy were left on the bench and stayed there.
Pim Verbeek will no doubt cop it from the fans and media for the personal and tactical decisions he made. And so he should, No team in this World Cup will play with such conservative tactics.Three defensive midfielders there to screen the defence were opened up with ease. At times the Germans had the choice of going in behind, wide or through the middle of our ageing defence and did it with ease and with regularity.
Everything that can go wrong did go wrong for the Aussies.. Early in the second half Tim Cahill got sent off for a challenge that did not deserve a red card but the well kempt Mexican referee thought otherwise.
This was a nightmare for any Socceroo fan. After a bright start that led to a Tim Cahill header almost being hooked in from the rebound by Richard Garcia it all turned pear shaped. Germany scores the opener after 10 minutes. Lucas Neill was playing the offside trap by himself. The Fanatics had a chant pre-game that was “Where’s’ your Ballack ?, Where’s your Ballack?”sung to the Basement Jaxx tune “Where’s your head at?” And the answer was the German midfielder Mezet Ozil. He destroyed Australia. The German fans where also heard to sing “Where’s your defence at?”
So 2-0 after 25 minutes the Germans pre-match talk of destroying Australia was not arrogance it was a warning. Brett Emerton was Australia’s best player and Brett Holman who replaced Vince Grella at half time also played ok.
It’s not a hopeless situation but it is close to it. Two goals in the second half made the final score 4-0 to Germany and Australia now face Ghana without Tim Cahill. Ghana played well against Serbia to win 1-0 in the earlier game and newspaper and football pundits will be saying Australia has an uphill battle to make the second round as this result means that Australia will need to beat both Ghana and Serbia.
Ghana was without Sulley Muntari ansd Stepehn Appia from the start of the game against Serbia yet still played very well. They have a team that looks quick and skilful something that the Socceroos are not. The Germans can be considered favourites for the World Cup after that performance while the Socceroos will struggle to score or get a point based on theirs.
But like the cliché goes tomorrow is the next day of the rest of your life, or is it today is the worst day of the rest of your life?, Anyway we got a few days to sulk and point fingers, let’s hope Verbeek and the Socceroos can get their shit together for the next game, no pressure boys it’s only the World Cup and it can’t get any worse can it?
JAN DALDRUP is the German blogger for the excellent World Cup web site http://www.worldcupblog.org/. The March issue of Half Time Heroes focuses on the World Cup favorites Germany Italy and Brazil as the count down to South Africa gets closer. http://germany.worldcupblog.org/
HALF TIME HEROES: After the World Cup draw was announced, some dubbed Group D containing the Socceroos, Germany, Serbia and Ghana has the third group of death. What was your first reaction when you saw the draw?
JAN DALDRUP: I thought that this is a group where Germany can’t afford a slow start into the tournament. Most parts of the team need to click straight away, otherwise Germany could be in for a rude awakening.
HTH: What’s been the reaction by the German management team, do they see the Socceroos as a threat?
JD: The management was relieved that some of the - on paper - big names were drawn into the other groups. But they were also careful to point out that Serbia, Ghana and Australia shouldn’t be underestimated. Australia wasn’t mentioned/singled out in particular though.
HTH: Who do you consider to be your key players and what are your teams main strengths?
JD: Michael Ballack has proven that he is still the one to pull the strings in the center of midfield. Young creative midfielders like Mesut Özil - or potentially Toni Kroos - will also be key to a good tournament for Germany.
A main strength of the team is an offense that can break most defenses both through the center or from the wings with a series of quick passing moves. You can check out the goals against Russia in both WC qualifiers as good examples. Otherwise the team has been a big work-in progress to really single out other qualities. I wouldn’t predict what other qualities the team can bring to the table in time for the tournament.
HTH: Any weaknesses that you care to quietly mention? A dodgy keeper or a suspect defender perhaps?
JD: The fullback positions (minus Philipp Lahm) are still a weak spot. There are enough talented central defenders available, but Jogi Löw has struggled to build a strong defense with them nonetheless so far.
There are still some question marks over who might partner up with Ballack in the center of midfield and a couple of strikers aren’t having the best of times at their clubs or are still coming back from long term injury.
HTH: What do you know about Australian football and are there any players you think your team should keep an eye on?
JD: I don’t follow the Australian league and I only kept an eye on the Asian World Cup qualifiers in terms of results. I haven’t seen Australia play 90 minutes of football since the last World Cup. In other words, I really don’t know a lot. I know that Australia has kept it Dutch in terms of coaching and I could name a few players.
Though, I don’t follow any of the teams/leagues they play in to know whether they are in or out of form etc. In short, Australia will be a surprise package for me.
HTH: How do you think your team will adapt to the conditions in South Africa where teams can expect high altitude, differing weather conditions and those ubiquitous Vuvuzelas that will be blasting for the whole game?
JD: I would be surprised if any of the things you mentioned really caused a problem. Wintry temperatures also won’t affect the team.
HTH: Australian fans have bought tickets in large numbers. What kind of support can your team expect in South Africa?
JD: Initially a rather lukewarm response had been reported, but it seems sales have picked up. I recently read an article that around 7,000 of 21,000 tickets available to German fans had already been sold.
HTH: Are you happy with the coach and the way the team is playing leading in to the world cup and is there anything you would change?
JD: No, I’m neither happy with the coach nor with the way the team is playing. Most of the games have been lacklustre and forgettable affairs, problems in the defense couldn’t be fixed, Jogi Löw’s man management kept being rather underwhelming etc. I have to arrange myself with Jogi Löw’s coaching and decision making, but I have hope that a very strong generation of young players can give a rather dead team the fresh impulses it needs for a successful World Cup.
HTH: Tell us the player in your team that annoys you the most and why?
JD: Heiko Westermann. He is a cool guy and all, but he’s not one to anchor a defence and Jogi Löw for some reason seems to think otherwise.
HTH: The player you like the most?
JD: Miroslav Klose. An experienced, quiet, cool team player who doesn’t just boast an amazing goal record but also sets up almost as many goals for others.
HTH: Lastly please give me a prediction on how your team will progress and also who will be the winner and loser of the World Cup?
JD: I currently find it difficult to predict how Germany will do. With the team that made it through the qualifiers, Germany won’t achieve a lot. With a fresh and revamped side Germany could once again challenge for a top four finish.
Well, Spain or Brazil is probably the easy answer for World Cup winner, and in reality it will probably be a surprise team like France.
I'm on latest Episode of the 442 Podcast:
Here is Part Two of the full Josep Gombau interview. Part of this interview appeared on the Fox Sports website on August the 13th 2014. Here is the link here 
I try always to help the people that are close with me. I’m a person that invests so much time with football it’s my life and sometimes I don’t share my time with my family because I am always thinking in football but this is the way that I am.
