Pressure on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to Succeed Where Giggs Failed for Wales

Ryan Giggs seemed to play forever for Manchester United, yet almost never for Wales. In a 24-year professional career that saw him represent United 963 times, Giggs made just 64 appearances for his national team. To put that into some sort of context, James Milner is already on 49 caps for England—and he only made his debut five years ago. Injury was a contributing factor in Giggs’ limited... 

World Football Notebook Heading into the International Weekend

If winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of the game, at least at international level, then once that summit has been ascended, what exactly is the incentive to continue, to pursue further glory? As a player, of course, there is always another game to play, another competition to win. Trophies are there to be won, then defended, then won again until age will not permit you to do it anymore. For managers,... 

Louis Van Gaal’s Success Puts Pressure on Guus Hiddink to Go Even Further

Robin van Persie may have had no interest in keeping his bronze medal—instead handing it off to a Dutch fan, along with his captain’s armband, moments after he was presented with it—but for coach Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands’ third-place play-off victory was a fitting send-off as he heads for his new role at Manchester United. Van Gaal plans to arrive in England on Wednesday,... 

Lifting World Cup Would Enhance Philipp Lahm’s Legacy More Than Lionel Messi’s

Much of football’s enduring popularity lies in its innate simplicity. Much of football is about glory. Inevitably the glory lies in winning. Winning, unless penalties become involved, is about scoring the most goals. As a result, it is the prolific goalscorer who is always going to be the one who attracts the attention, the headlines, the awards and the endorsements. One can debate endlessly... 

England Deliver Everything but the Right Result in Display Full of Promise

The team we wanted, the performance we wanted…just not quite the result we wanted. England did not do everything right on Saturday—far from it, in fact—but they did far more right than they ever managed in international tournaments of the recent past. Hyperbole is an odd thing to worry about in the aftermath of a painful opening defeat, but this may well have been England’s... 

France vs. Norway: Score, Report and Post-Match Reaction

Fans left the Stade de France on Tuesday with renewed hope for France’s World Cup chances following an encouraging 4-0 friendly victory over Norway. The quality of the opposition—and their lack of any motivation beyond pride—should be taken into account, but Didier Deschamps’s side nevertheless impressed as goals from Paul Pogba, Olivier Giroud (twice) and substitute Loic Remy... 

Germany vs. Poland: International Friendly Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Pre-World Cup friendlies season kicked off in inauspicious fashion on Tuesday evening, as an experimental Germany side drew 0-0 with Poland in a truly dire match in Hamburg. Germany head coach Joachim Loew opted to give his fringe players a run-out, giving those in his provisional 30-man squad considered unlikely to make the final 23-man cut a late chance to impress him and change his thoughts. Unfortunately,... 

Why Is Louis van Gaal Jumping Ship Just as Future Brightens for Netherlands?

Guus Hiddink cannot wait to get started. “I am honoured to return as coach for the Dutch team,” the 67-year-old said last month when it was announced that he would take over as head coach of the Netherlands national team in the summer. Hiddink, returning for his second spell at the helm of his home country, is not the only manager excited by the prospect of coaching De Oranje. Danny... 

Sergio Garcia Fights His Demons: Can the Anti-Tiger Finally Win a Major?

In the first week of April 2013, as both golfers were ramping up their preparations for the first major of the year, Adam Scott and Justin Rose found themselves in the Bahamas at the same time. The pair—born two weeks apart in July 1980—played two practice rounds together, with the younger man, Rose, taking the money on both occasions. The following Sunday, however, it was Scott who was... 

Clint Dempsey Interview: Star Talks to B/R About Fulham, MLS and the World Cup

As soon as the United States had officially clinched their place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Clint Dempsey knew where he wanted to begin his preparations. After his return to Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders was interrupted by a couple of frustrating injuries, Dempsey did not want to spend the offseason resting. He wanted to be playing, and at the highest level possible. For Dempsey,... 

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