WORLD CUP 2014: WHAT TO DO ABOUT LUIS SUAREZ?

The third round of group stage matches at the World Cup turned out to be quite eventful. On Monday Brazil disposed of Cameroon by the score of 4-1 and advanced from Group A as its winner. Brazilians played their best match so far at this World Cup, however, their opponent was the weakest team, in fact one cannot call Cameroonian players a team, so devoid of any tactical discipline they were at this World Cup. The score was quite flattering to the Brazilians who still did not convince me, and unless they come up with the goods in the next game, they might be eliminated. Their young star, Neymar, bagged two additional goals and he is the current leader in the golden boot ranking with 4 goals in three matches. In the second match in group A, Mexico continued their good and spirited display by beating Croatia 3:1, but they will have to play in the next round the formidable Dutch team. In group B matches, Netherlands had to play without Robin Van Persie against dangerous Chile, yet they were able to prevail 2:0 over the South Americans, thanks to two goals created by Arjen Robben and scored respectively by Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay, both Dutch substitute players. Thus, Netherlands as the winners of group B will meet in next round Mexico whereas Chileans will play the hosts of the tournament: Brazil. My favorites are Netherlands, even though Mexicans will be very tough opponents, and, yes, I think that Chile can and will beat Brazil, based on the current display of form by both teams. Of course, Brazil have the advantage of being the host and the expected help of the referees, like in their first match against Croatia.
Today, in group C, Colombia crushed Japan 3:1 and won the group with maximum of 9 points whereas Greece advanced also, thanks to shock win over full of flair Ivory Coast 2:1, with the controversial penalty converted by Samaras in the injury time. Colombia before the tournaments was one of my 8 favorites to reach the quarterfinals, and even though they do not have Falcao at their disposal at this World Cup, they play impressive blend of physical and technical football and are unstoppable in their counterattacks. If they can continue like this, I see them reaching at least semifinals. In Group D, England was able only to draw with Costa Rica 0:0, who before the game already qualified as the winner of group D. The "English Lions" left the World Cup for the first time without winning any match. In the other match in Group D, Uruguay prevailed over Italy 1:0 thanks to Diego Godin's header, and controversial red card to Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio. This match will be part of the World Cup folklore thanks to scandalous attack of Luis Suarez on Italian defender Chielini, just minutes before Godin's winning goal Suarez appeared to bite Chielini on his left shoulder, and then pretended that he was elbowed by Chielini. The referee, who it appears did not notice the bite,  did not react to the attack and failed to eject Suarez from the pitch. Costa Rica, the winner of group D will play in the next round Greece (I stick with the unglamorous Greek veterans) whereas Uruguay will be doubly unlucky to play Colombia, surely without Luis Suarez, who in all probability will be suspended by FIFA for the biting incident, third one in his career. Even though the tv recordings might not be enough to find Suarez guilty in the court of law for his criminal assault, apparently they are sufficient to FIFA Disciplinary Committee to  ban Suarez after the game, provided the referee did not witness the incident.  What a shame! Uruguay is as good as gone from this World Cup without Suarez in their encounter with Colombia in the next round. He is actually much better and more explosive a player than Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and I rate Suarez currently as no. 2 player in the world, only behind Leo Messi. It appeared that he was about to put his career in the highest gear as Barcelona are interested in acquiring him from Liverpool. Will they be interested in acquiring the genius forward who happens to be a serial biter? What to do about Luis?

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney who writes on legal and other important community topics. You can reach him by telephone at (212) 634-4250 or through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

EURO 2012: NO MAJOR SURPRISES

Euro 2012 reached the decisive stages. Ahead of us the semi-finals between Spain and Portugal in the first pair, and Italy and Germany in the second. I will go with Spain-Germany final (Spain will win it all), although I think Italy migh still go all the way to the final. A couple of weeks ago, I predicted as my semifinalists Spain, Germany, Italy and France. Unfortunately, the French self-destructed in the game against Sweden, and then had to go against the artists of Spain. Tough luck! They were not ready yet for such a tremendous task, notwithstanding that Laurent Blanc did a very good job with this French team. The biggest disappointment of Euro 2012 turned out to be Holland, but they never could be consistent in two major tournaments in a row, particularly that they always have to deal with inner conflicts in their team. The closest they have come to be consistent were the World Cups in 1974 and in 1978, when they ended as runner-ups, but they self-destructed between those two tournaments, in Euro 1976, despite having then the best team on the planet.
England, as always, were a joke. When will the English media realize that English players are not good enough to win anything? In fact, they are mediocre when they have to play without the creative foreigners, who raise the level of play in English Premier League. How anyone can dream of winning a major tournament in international football (or soccer, as it is called in North America), relying only on players who can play good defense, but they are unable to keep possession of the ball and properly pass? The statistics told the whole story of this English team, in each of the four games England was outpassed, outshot, and chased their opponents for 60%-70% of the play time. I will tell them again, get proper coaches for your kids at the ages of 7 or 8 and teach them the basics of controlling the ball and passing it properly around. However, you have to get coaches for your kids from Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Netherlands or Italy, as English coaches themeselves never aquired the proper technical skills. Only then, in 14-16 years from now, the English might have a shot of winning it all. Until then, dream on England, while neutrals are having a laugh, again at your cost. Poland? Well, it was the second youngest team in Euro 2012, only older than Germany. However, without playing any competitive games in almost three years, they were not able yet to mix it up with the best. They need some more competitive games, and the nearest World Cup qualifications against England, Ukraine, Montenegro, et al. will show what they are built off. Provided, they will get an able coach (like talented but inexperienced Fornalik, or veterans: Lenczyk or Kasperczak). The talents of Lewandowski, Blaszczykowski, Piszczek, Wolski, Szczesny or Tyton should blossom at 2014 World Cup. If they qualify, that is!

Janusz Andrzejewski is a new York based attorney, writing on this blog on legal and community important subjects. You can contact him by telephone at (732) 527-2195, or through his website: www.adwokatandrzejewski.com