Aquatics

I'll be honest, I don't really feel like talking about the Orioles or Chargers right now. Both situations are depressing at the moment, and I'm hoping the Chargers can beat the Broncos in Denver. The Penguins don't have much happening right now, so on to other stuff.

Anyway, I made my collegiate coaching debut last night. While the result was less than desirable and only half our starters showed up for the scrimmage, I think it went pretty well. At any rate, I learned a lot from the experience and-

Fuck it, here's a random video.

- Matt

Streak Over

Well that didn't last long.

Anyway, much more importantly, the US men's team is playing for gold on Sunday morning. They face Hungary, the best offense in the tournament. The USA is by far the best defense in the games, but they'll have their work cut out for them this time.

I'd analyze this more but I have a lot to cover.

First, Shawne Merriman is out indefinitely. This is very bad for the Chargers, especially with both Gates and LT on the mend. Healthy, the Chargers are serious contenders in the AFC for not only the conference championship but the Super Bowl. Without these guys, they almost won't win the AFC West.

Second, the O's took a game from the Red Sox. This was huge to me, because I fear the worst when the Red Sox come to town. However, they have not yet swept the O's this year (knock on wood), whereas the O's have a (2-game) sweep of Boston. I was going to give up on my earlier predictions if the Orioles had been swept. But now, they are within realistic striking distance of .500 still. Only 3 games against the Sox, but 6 against the Yankees (who they've dominated) and the Blue Jays (who they've... not dominated), as well as 7 against the (Devil) Rays. It will take a hell of an effort to meet my optimistic prediction of 82-80. They face the Twins, White Sox and Indians as well as their divisional foes.

Cutting this one short, whatever.

- Matt

Water Polo in the Olympics

In case you're part of the vast majority of the American population, you probably haven't been paying attention to the US Water Polo team, either men's or women's. Allow me to enlighten you.

First, the women. They went undefeated in group play (2-0-1) and beat Australia (who beat them for gold in 2000) 9-8 early this morning. The Aussies tied it up at 8 after trailing by 3 going into the fourth quarter. Brenda Villa fired off a man-up shot from about 5 m out to give the Americans the lead they wouldn't lose for the remaining minute. Now, the US women face the Netherlands in the finals, and they are heavily favored to win. Hopefully the girls can get the elusive Olympic gold.

Speaking of elusive gold, guess how long the US men's team has gone without winning the gold? 104 years, when they won all three medals (weird). This year, they have the group B number one seed, and will be playing for a medal regardless of how the first game against Spain/Serbia goes. Hungary will play the winner of Croatia/Montenegro, both of which are probably still considered more likely to win the gold than the US. However, the US men have the number one defense in the Olympics, even though they gave up 11 goals to Italy. Of the other two teams to advance into medal play, the US has only let up 9 goals combined (even though they scored the same total amount). Seems like the 9th best team in the world might be a tad underrated.

Anyway, here's hoping the USA can sweep the water polo medals and be the undisputed aquatic masters of the world. A few quick thoughts:

• Why can't the Orioles beat the Red Sox? Fuck.


• How could the Chargers only score 6 points total against the goddamn St. Louis Rams? Fuck.


• Whits is out until possibly 2009. Fuck. Oh wait, Letang and Goligoski. Cool. Ish.

- Matt

O's and Chargers, Chargers and O's...

Not much to say today. O's got drubbed by some jokes from Texas, Chargers beat some jokes from Texas last night. Sundays are pretty much dead zones for sports until the NFL starts up.

GaySPN is talking some bullcrap about a billion people watching USA vs China basketball. Whatever, I'm sure they can suck LeBron's balls when the NBA season starts in mid-March or whenever. What a bunch of babies and divers. It makes soccer look hardcore. If it were college basketball, we could get stuff like this at least:

Nice.

In real sports news, men's Olympic water polo team beat China 8-4. I didn't get to watch it because I was at the zoo, but I'm sure the US pulled its starters relatively quickly. I wasn't aware China had a water polo team until I looked up the schedule. Chumps. At least under the pool water there isn't any pollution... yet.

I need hockey. I'm already circling preseason game dates on my calendar. Time to job basketball somewhere else. Go O's.

- Matt