WORLD CUP 2014: NETHERLANDS TO STOP VALIANT COSTA RICA

The last of the quarterfinals, between Netherlands and Costa Rica, seems to be a no-brainer: the Dutch should advance and should do it fully controlling the match. Even though this Dutch team, except for Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder, and Huntelaar, does not have any major stars, all Dutch players present high level of highly utilitarian technical skills, and all are astute tactically. Luis Van Gaal did what no Dutch coach in 40 last years attempted to do: he gave up on typical Dutch total football (which is characterized by offensive style of play, executed by all players no matter whether they are forwards, midfielders or defenders). Instead, Van Gaal relies on tight defense, executed by block of seven defending players and on counterattacks, executed by his two offensive forwards (usually Robben and Van Persie) and by Wesley Sneijder, who is supposed to link the defense with the two loosely roaming forwards. Obviously, Van Gaal is heavily criticized, particularly by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, who besides being the biggest star epitomizing total football of 1970-s, fathered by Rinus Michels, is also known for total football's development, as the coach of FC Barcelona in early 1990-s. Van Gaal, however replied to his critics that he does not have much time to execute his offensive kind of football within the confines of time allotted to the national team, so he instead concentrated on quickest way of achieving the results with the material he has at his disposal. And since he has Arjen Robben, the perfect counterattacking type of a football player (quick and very effective dribbler, with a good shot), the way of play for this Dutch team was born. There is not much one can say about Costa Rica. Majority of their players plough their football in solid European clubs (Danish, Swedish, Dutch, German, English, Spanish or Italian) yet none of them play for the giants of European football. They are tall, great runners, who are wisely led by their best player Bryan Ruiz, and beautifully utilize empty spaces in their counterattacks. However, with this Dutch team, which uses so many defensive players, and closes spaces so well, I do not give the COsta Rican team much of a chance, unless the weather in Salvador would give them a helping hand: hot and humid day would raise their chances considerably. 

Janusz Andrzejewski is an attorney based in New York City, writing on legal and other important community topics. You can contact him by telephone (212) 634-4250) or through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

WORLD CUP 2014: WILL LEO MESSI BE ENOUGH TO DEFEAT CREATIVE AND WELL-BALANCED BELGIUM?

Argentina is my sentimental favorite in this tournament. Not because of the football (soccer) they play, but because I am of the opinion that Leo Messi like no other player deserves to win his World Cup. Belgium, before the start of World Cup 2014, were and are my dark horse. If they beat Argentina, I believe they would make it to the final as they have more depth than Holland this year (Holland have one of the weakest squads in their recent history, yet their coach, Luis Van Gaal wisely gave up the offensive football the Dutch are known for and stuck to tight defense with rapid counterattacking bursts) and they have Eden Hazard who can unlock all defenses, that is if he does not disappear from the game. For Argentina to win, Leo Messi has to get more support from Gago in centre of midfield, and from Di Maria on the left flank, to open spaces for the little genius. Up to now, Messi had to both create and score, and he can't do it all single-handedly, even though until now he did, except for some Di Maria's help offered in the match against Switzerland.
Belgium have a better keeper in Thibaut Courtois, who despite being only 22 year old, is right now no. 2 keeper in the world, right behind Neuer of Germany, whereas Argentian keeper, Sergio Romero, currently on loan to Monaco from Sampdoria Genoa, has been erratic in his performances despite the fact that while playing earlier for AZ Alkmaar he posted many clean sheets. Defensive four of Belgium appear to be stronger than Argentina's. Yet, both teams have week links in defense, Belgium in Van Buyten, who isn't very mobile, and Argentina in De Michelis who although a good passer, has been prone to mistakes while aggressively pushed by powerful forwards in English Premier League. Apparently Argentina will field in defense Zabaleta, Garay, De Michelis (instead of Fernandez) and Rojo, whereas Belgium will stick with Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten and Verthongen.
Argentina will play probably in 4-3-3 system whereas Belgians will continue with 4-5-1. In midfield Argentina will have Mascherano, Gago and Di Maria roaming the flanks, whereas Messi, Lavezzi and Higuain should form the attack, with a possibility that Higuain might lose his spot to Aguero if he is fit. Belgians in midfield should have Witsel and Fellaini as two holding players, with Mertens and Hazard on the flanks, and Kevin de Bruyne playing behind the lone striker. This lone striker should be Origi, yet one cannot exclude that Mark Wilmots would not start Lukaku as Belgium coach has a penchant for starting substitutes who did well in a preceding match. In conclusion, Belgium has a better team yet Argentina has Leo Messi. If the latter would get some support from Gago and DiMaria, and I believe this time around the support will come, I would have put my money on Argentina.

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

WORLD CUP 2014: COLOMBIA ON A MISSION, BRAZIL ITS VICTIM?

The second quarterfinal to be played on Friday, between hosts Brazil and Colombia, is equally intriguing as the one between France and Germany, even though it does not have the same mystic aura and pedigree. It is intriguing because Colombia will take on the hosts, the five-time world champions, known for their "jogo bonito" or beautiful game. I mean, in the past, that is the sad and whole truth. This Brazilian team play as poorly as I can remember Brazil ever played in the past, perhaps in 1990 World Cup in Italy. It is disjointed, it lacks in creativity, even though it boasts having Neymar, Brazilian answer to Leo Messi. Up to now, he was quite good, but answer to Messi he is not, not yet at least. No surprise he shed the boyish tears of relief after the match against Chile. He gets no help whatsoever from other Brazilian offensive minded players. Unless Brazil switches to a higher gear, the match against Colombia will be one bridge too far. I knew about the way Colombia play, and had them prior to the World Cup as one of my favorites to get to the quarterfinals, as I was familiar with exploits of Falcao, and I had watched Cuadrado in Fiorentina, Rodriguez in Monaco, and in Porto before, as well as Jackson Martinez in Porto, Bacca in Sevilla, Zapata and Yepes in AC Milan, before he left for Atalanta. Also, in the second phase of South America's qualification Colombia played even better than Argentina Now, that I have seen how poorly and disjointed the Brazilian team plays, I have to stick with Colombia. Particularly after having seen how deadly the Colombians are in their counterattacks. Brazil will certainly play 4-5-1 system. They have the advantage in defense. Their goalkeeper is more experienced and centre-halfs Thiago Silva and David Luiz, the latter underappreciated in English Premier League, are at their peak. The offensive minded full backs Dani Alves and Marcelo are huge threat offensively but they can be a liability in defensive assignments. In midfield Scolari will play, I reckon, two holding players: Luiz Gustavo and Ramires, or, instead of Ramires, Paulinho, if he is fit and managed to recover the trust of the coach. Hulk and Neymar will play both on the flanks, from which they will cut in to the middle. Fred will play again as the only forward, whereas Oscar will by positioned behind Fred, as a false no. 9. Colombia's goalkeeper Ospina is solid enough, even though he cannot measure up to his Brazilian counterpart, Julio Cesar. Colombian defensive four is composed of experienced defenders playing in Italian Serie A: Zuniga, 38-year-old Yepes, Zapata and Armero, all bursting with experience and cunning acquired in teams such as AC Milan (Zapata, Yepes - tha latter now at Atlanta) or Napoli (Zuniga, Armero). The midfield usually starts with Aguilar, Sanchez, physically strong yet a brilliant dribbler Cuadrado and the playmaker and the biggest star of Colombia at this World Cup, James Rodriguez. However, now when the world suddenly noticed James Rodriguez as the next best player in the world, everybody seem to forget about certain 21-year player of FC Porto, Juan Fernando Quintero, possibly the biggest Colombian talent, having penchant for back heels, nutmegs and defense splitting passes as well as effective free kicks. Another very good midfielder available to coach Jose Pekerman is Freddy Guarin. I believe this midfield will dominate Brazil not only with technical skills but also with power and speed, and will give Colombia the victory. In front, with the biggest until now star, Radamel Falcao being absent with injury, Colombia relies on unheralded Gutierrez and Martinez, while they have also on the bench Adrian Ramos, now of Borussia Dortmund, and returning to fitness Carlos Bacca of FC Sevilla. Riches, riches, riches...I predict Colombia knocking off Brazil from their own World Cup. Brazil, the way they play now, can advance only with another bit of help from the referee and his assistants, as in their first match against Croatia.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney, writing on legal as well as on other community important topics. You can contact him by telephone (212) 634-4250 or through e-mail; janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

WORLD CUP 2014: FRANCE V. GERMANY IN REPEAT OF THE CLASSICS OF THE PAST

This World Cup has been so exciting that I did not even notice that only 8 matches separate us from its conclusion. Tomorrow two quarterfinals are to be played, the first one between  France and Germany, and in the second the hosts Brazil are taking on Colombia. On Saturday Argentina led by the great Leo Messi will meet Belgium and the Netherlands will attempt to finish off the modest Costa Rica in the last of the quarterfinals. Here is my prediction for France v. Germany:
Who does not remember the 1982 and 1986 semifinals between these teams, so deeply embedded in the World Cup mystic? Incidentally, the Germans were eventually victorious in both of them, notwithstanding the great French midfield quartet led by Michel Platini. Nowadays, the characteristics of these two teams are quite altered: while Germany have now more creative players who seem to have lost some of that German never die attitude, the French, who in the past relied on gallic flair, now have acquired more power and solidity in defense and midfield. Although Germany seem to have riches of talent, experienced in big tournaments coach and the pedigree, France, as coached astutely by Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup as a player in 1998, are a well balanced team. The defense, as I mentioned already, seems to be quite solid this time around. Goalkeeper Lloris is good on the line, however, he is more awkward when he comes out to high balls, notwithstanding some improvement in this area. Deschamps until now played three of his centre-halfs: Varance, Sakho and Koscielny. It appears that Varane and Koscielny will be paired against the Germans. Both are quite mobile and position themselves quite well, even though Varane is very young for a defender and relatively inexperienced, despite for playing for Real Madrid. Debuchy and Evra, playing as full-backs, are both experienced and solid enough notwithstanding Patrice Evra's decrease in mobility and erratic performance in the last season of English Premier League. In midfield France are so well balanced that I believe no team in this tournament can claim to be better. In two holding positions in midfield Deschamps utilizes Pogba and Matuidi, both powerful players, striking the ball very fiercely, yet at the same time able to creatively pass the ball into spaces in opponents penalty area. In front of them operate Cabaye, technical playmaker, employing sublime passes as well as long balls, and able to shoot from outside of the penalty area. On flanks Deschamps has technical wizard Valbuena and young Griezmann who usually cuts in from the left wing to score often. Griezman plays only when Deschamps utilizes one forward (Benzema), when the coach decides to employ two forwards, Benzema takes Griezman position on the left, whereas Giroud roams in the penalty area as the main forward.
The Germans in Neuer have the best goalkeeper in the world, however, he too often likes to leave the goal line, even the penalty area... The defense is a bit less solid than the French one, particularly if Hummels is absent. Should Hummels be fit, Joachim Low will play Mertesacker and Hummels in the middle, and Boateng and Howedes as full-backs. Both full-backs play usually as centre-hals in Bundesliga, and are quite awkward in going forward. If Hummels is unfit, Mustafi should play as right full-back whereas Boateng would join Mertesacker in the middle of defense. In midfield, it must be again Lahm with Schweinsteiger and Kroos. Each of them is capable of holding the ball as well as playmaking. As the offensive players, it probably will be again Ozil and Goetze on flanks, with Muller roaming in between the way he sees fit. There would be a lot of interchange of positions between theses three. Both teams appear to be quite even but Germans have better and larger bench, with Podolski, Schurle and old fox Klose ready to pounce on the French. The Germans should advance, but in no way I would be surprised if the French did.

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

WORLD CUP 2014: TEAM USA IN FOOTBALL (SOCCER) DID MORE FOR THE IMAGE OF THEIR COUNTRY THAN ALL U.S. FOREIGN POLICY WIZZARDS IN THIS CENTURY

Yesterday at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, the national team of the United States in football (sport known in the US under strange name of soccer) has been eliminated from the World Cup 2014 by national team of Belgium, who edged the Americans 2:1 in overtime. It was rather an amazing match of football. Better technically Belgians, studded with such stars of major European leagues in football as Hazard, Company, Mertens, de Bruyne, Lukaku, Witsel, Mirallas, Fellaini, or Courtois, dominated the 90 minutes of the match as well as the first half of the overtime. In the whole match Belgians outshot team USA 37 to 15 out of which Belgians had 24 shots on target whereas the Americans 8. Tim Howard, the U.S. goalkeeper and its only major international star, pulled out incredible amount of 16 saves, some of them astounding, and kept the American team in the game until the final whistle. That the Americans were able to keep the clean sheet throughout 90 minutes of regular time, boggles the mind of many experts. Their defense was out of this Earth, Alamo-like, if one may use the war terminology, considering the total onslaught conducted by the Belgians in regular 90 minutes of the match. However, the Belgians domination tells also the story of battle lost in midfield, controlled totally by creative and more advanced technically Belgians. It was a matter of rules of probability that American defense at some point had to give in to constant attacks of the unwavering Belgians. Eventually, in 93rd minute, the first half of the overtime, substitute Lukaku found with his pass de Bruyne, who with quick move beat American defender and found an opening, which he immediately took advantage of by beating finally Tim Howard with a low shot. Then, in 105th minute, when American team had to live dangerously and left open spaces while attempting to even the score, De Bruyne repaid Lukaku's earlier service by feeding him on the break; the latter outsmarted Howard with first touch shot under the roof. Everybody thought the game was over at this time, Marc Wilmots, the Belgian coach, even took of the pitch his biggest star, Eden Hazard. Jurgen Klinsmann, the German coach of team USA had other ideas though. He comes from the old style German national football team which often trailing was always able to find a way to win. In those times Gary Lineker uttered the famous line: football is a sport played by 22 players, and at the end, the Germans win. Klinsmann inserted into his squad Julian Green, the young Bayern Munich reserves player, who is earning his living and skills by playing in the lower German league. Now, in the second half of overtime, the game took a different turn. Wave upon wave of valiant American attacks brought a quick result in 107th minute, Julian Green was served nicely with a high ball which he struck with a volley into the Belgian net. 2:1!The American now were unrelenting and uncompromised in their desire to even the score, they threw at the Belgian players everything they had, including the kitchen sink. Perhaps they were not that stylish, the experts might say their technic was a bit crude, but no one can refuse their zest and desire to win, the valiant and open effort, bravery, team spirit and never die attitude. Not denying the glorious performance by Tim Howard, Belgian goalkeeper Courtois had to make a save of the day by denying Clint Dempsey who found himself one on one with the Belgian goalkeeper, after creative free kick executed by the Americans. The Belgians held out and team USA were defeated and eliminated, but they won plaudits from all over the world. I have to say that it was the best USA team's display in a world cup, even if they did not repeat the 2002 accomplishment when they advanced to quarterfinals. This team, under the guidance of Jurgen Klinsmann, who wisely enhanced its cohesion by leaving out Landon Donovan, finally caught the spirit and imagination of the whole world, and did much more for the good image of USA in the world than the foreign policy of the United States under several last presidents. Good job, Mr. Klinsmann, and great spirit and attitude, team USA! Thank you.

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

DOBRE WIESCI DLA IMIGRANTOW OD PREZYDENTA OBAMY W CIEMNYCH CZASACH DLA REFORMY IMIGRACYJNEJ

Widzac ze Kongres USA nie jest w stanie ruszyc do przodu z glosowaniem nad projektem reformy imigracyjnej, uchwalonym przez Senat ponad rok temu, prezydent Obama oglosil wczoraj ze zamierza dokonac reformy imigracyjnej za pomoca akcji wykonawczej (Executive Action). Nawet jezeli reforma dokonana za pomoca akcji wykonawczej, w formie zarzadzen wykonawczych (Executive Order) prezydenta, moze byc krotkotrwala, bo nastepny prezydent badz sam Kongres moze ja uchylic, przeprowadzenie jej mimo wszystko poprawi los imigrantow w miedzyczasie. W poprzednim tygodniu John Boehner, pelniacy role "Speaker of the House", odpowiednika naszego marszalka sejmu, poinformowal prezydenta Obame, ze Kongres nie zajmie sie glosowaniem nad Projektem Reformy Imigracyjnej, uchwalonym rok wczesniej przez Senat, efektywnie niszczac jakiekolwiek nadzieje na reforme prawa imigracyjnego USA. Miejmy nadzieje, ze prezydent Obama zrobi jak zapowiedzial, i dokona poprawy w systemie imigracyjnym USA, jednoczesnie legalizujac pobyt 11 milionow nielegalnych imigrantow, i ze nastepny Kongres zatwierdzi te zmiany.

Janusz Andrzejewski jest adwokatem praktykujacym w miescie Nowy Jork, piszacym na tematy prawne i inne wazne tematy spoleczne. Mozesz skontaktowac sie z nim telefonicznie (212) 634-4250 badz przez e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

BAD DAY FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND ITS ECONOMY

Judging by the successful nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker to head the European Commission, David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Great Britain has chosen the wrong battle. The European Union states voted 26-2 to appoint the former Prime Minister of Luxembourg to be the next president of the European Commission. It appears that instead of obtaining concession from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr. Cameron has brought Great Britain closer to secession from the European Union. Unfortunately for Mr. Cameron and the United Kingdom, the secession would cost the latter approximately 3 million jobs. David Cameron forced a vote in an attempt to block the selection of Jean-Claude Juncker, seen as a backer of closer political union, which U.K. vehemently opposes. But EU states voted 26-2 to appoint Mr. Juncker to the presidency. Apparently, Mr. Cameron's strategy had "totally failed" and he has been "comprehensively and humiliatingly" outvoted, as per the words of Labour leader, Ed Miliband. Only Great Britain and Hungary voted against the appointment. Another victory for Angela Merkel and the concept of closer political union in EU, another defeat for David Cameron and his model of loose ties binding the members of EU. I have to admit that in light of the United States disengaging itself more and more from the European matters as it switches its attentions to Pacific Ocean countries and starts to deal with growing China economic power, there is not much choice for the Europeans but to bring to a closer union its member states even if those states would cede some of their sovereignty to the EU. In fact, in light of Russia's recent actions and the United States looking toward the Pacific, the European Union should create their own rapid units of military forces to counteract growing might and appetites of Putin's Russia. To me, born in Poland, the country which experienced so much suffering and destruction from both Russia and Germany commencing with the partitions of Poland in the second half of 18th century, through 19th century uprisings and World Wars of the 20th century, until the victory over the communism brought by the Solidarity movement, there is no other way but to embrace a closer EU. The U.K. has a choice, it can always go its own way.

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