World Cup 103: The Final Predictions

By Deb Borges

The opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is less than 24 hours away. South Africa is about to make history as the first African nation to be the host of the world’s biggest tournament. Fans have been arriving by the thousands, the atmosphere in Cape Town and Johannesburg can only be described as electric.

It’s finally here.

The opening match between South Africa and Mexico will take place at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. It will be aired live on ESPN at 10 a.m. on Friday, followed by Uruguay vs. France at 2:30 p.m.

Over the last few weeks I’ve tried to wet your appetites with the first two parts of my preview of the tournament. It’s time for me to lay it all out there and tell you who will advance and why, ending with the final destination of the Cup.

World Cup 102: Breaking Down The Groups, Players

By Deb Borges

We're just a week away.

On June 11 the 2010 World Cup in South Africa kicks off, with 32 teams vying for the most important trophy in global competition.

Will Italy repeat its brilliance from 2006? Can Brazil add a record sixth world title? Is this the year Germany re-establishes its dominance? Or will a legendary futbol-playing nation like Argentina finally get back to the glory days of yesteryear? Perhaps it's finally Spain's turn, or England's opportunity, or Portugal's moment to shine? What about the upstart United States, a team filled with talent but short on traditional success?

Or will it be someone else, a team as of yet unheralded on the world stage?

All of this will be answered over the next month or so.

At Long Last, The Definitive World Cup 2010 Preview Is Here!

By Deb Borges

The following is "World Cup 101," the first installment of a three-part series on the 2010 World Cup. In Part I, we'll have some fun. I'll introduce you to the tournament and what to expect. Then, in the days leading up to the matches in South Africa I will break down the groups and, ultimately, tell you who's taking the trophy home.

World Cup 101: "Hello World"

Attention all fellow diehard American football fanatics: Yes it’s true, there is a sporting event that’s bigger and more popular than the Super Bowl. It’s called the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup. The time has come for you to be educated about the sport those around the world hold dear as the real game of football.

Confessions Of Lingerie Footballer, Part II: 'Bra Support'

By Kiera Massette

Just the name “Lingerie Football League” is catchy, isn’t it? Even if the only word most people hear is ‘lingerie,’ I still got your attention. Well, I guess that’s the idea. Ingenious marketing I call it. Who knew it would get such widely mixed reactions?

Season 2 is barely upon us, more expansion teams have been formed, and already the critics and skeptics have started their rants. One Maryland-based newspaper critic calls the League, "... A crass exploitation of women for the amusement of men.” Hmmm ... exploitation? Well, we’re not strippers or porn stars (nothing against either/or ... you go girls, it’s just not for me) and we aren’t exactly playing powder-puff football. But some of the reactions the league, as well as some of us individual players, have gotten hasn’t been all too supportive lately.

Confessions Of Lingerie Footballer (Part I of hopefully many!)

By Kiera Massette

I did not know what to expect at all after being invited to training camp for the New York Majesty of the Lingerie Football League last spring.

I arrived at the hotel rather late at night after a long drive into the Middle-Of-Nowhere, Penn., and awkwardly walked into a room of girls that looked at me as if I had a third eye on my forehead. I was the rookie. It wasn't the greatest feeling.

NFL OT: Addition By Subtraction Benefits All

By Iain Bartholomew

The overtime debate is probably as old as the concept of overtime itself. The NFL, keen to continue maintaining the league’s position at the head of the American sports table, is discussing proposed changes to the current system in an effort to best implement the value of fairness and promote a positive conclusion to tight matchups.

Opinions vary all over the media. For example, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, an often-heard and largely respected commentator, is pro-reform whilst ESPN’s Mike Sando prefers to retain the current system but suggests possible tweaks to determine starting possession.

The Internet holds an infinite number of suggestions for how to improve overtime so that it is both fair and representative of the game in its format and determination. The one possibility that has received the least, if any, consideration is perhaps the simplest and at the same time most radical – do away with overtime in the regular season altogether.

Hey Rex Hater, SHUT UP!

By Deb Borges

When a Giants fan begins to advertise his or her hatred towards New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, there’s only one word that explains the justification:

jeal·ous 1. Fearful or wary of being supplanted; apprehensive of losing affection or position.

I’m sorry Giants fans, but it’s true. Jealousy is causing you to hate the primary reason the Jets found success this season. Ryan gives you nightmares. And as the definition states, you are afraid that for the first time your precious G-Men aren’t being talked about, and have lost the affection of football fans in New York.

I say be nervous. It's all happening right before your eyes.

Hey Rex, SHUT UP!

By Jeremy Fuchs

Full disclosure: I'm a Giants fan. I run a Giants blog. And I really dislike the Jets.

I was rooting for the Colts, mostly to hear the whining on talk radio from Jets fans. You can give me the "But, it's a New York team!" argument, but I don't buy it. Mets fans were only rooting for the Yanks in the World Series because they hate the Phillies. As a Yankee fan, I would root for the Mets only if they were playing the Red Sox.

But I digress.