Casillas is the King

What we already knew was confirmed by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) that Iker Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world. Selected editorial staffs and experts from 85 countries from all over the world voted Casillas as the number one with 249 points ahead of 2nd place Gianluigi Buffon with 170 points (clearly a wide margin). After winning two leagues single handedly with Real Madrid and then conquering Europe as the Spanish Captian there was no one better than Saint Casillas. However, I do not need of the IFFHS to tell me that Iker is the best in his postion, for it was something I knew all along. The native son will always be number one in our hearts.

*Here is the IFFHS top 10:

1. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid/Spain) 249 pts.
2. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus/Italy) 170.
3. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United/Holand) 143.
4. Petr Cech (Chelsea/Chech Republic) 108.
5. Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscú/Russia) 23.
6. José Francisco Cevallos (LDU de Quito/Ecuador) 21.
7. Julio César (Inter  Milán/Brazil) 18.
8. José Manuel Reina (Liverpool/Spain) 15.
9. Jens Lehmann (Stuttgart/Germany) 13.
10. Justo Villar (Valladolid Deportivo/Paraguay) 12

Who Said the Azzurri Were Dead?

Just when you thought it was all over for the Italians, they come and win to prove every one wrong. Time after time they have taught the world to never count them out. Like always, when ever the Azzurri find themselves in a difficult situation they always manage to pull through with a smile on their faces. This attitude has given them the ticket to the quarter finals against Spain.

However, as much as i would love to praise their work I think that they are still in debt to their followers and fans. So far the only ones that can be saved from this group phase are Buffon, Panucchi, and De Rossi. Everyone else have been complete flops. For being world champions they have barely shown in it in the tournament. Much more is expected from the Italians, who can still be considered as the favorites to win this year. Holland out classes them in every sense while Romania easily could have eliminated them. If the Azzurri want to continue on their journey to the final, then much will need to be improved. I have much respect for this national side but they are lucky to be alive in this competition. Yet, one makes their own luck and this victory over France could be essential in leading them to the right path.