The Mouse That Roared

Guess which South American country has won the most Copa America's? If you said Brazil or Argentina, then you'd be wrong. No, the country with the most honours in South America's premiership international tournament, with a total of 15 trophies, is none other than little Uruguay. The nation of only 3.5 million inhabitants has won accolades in the football world at the very highest level as well: they won the very first World Cup back in 1930 and again in 1950. The latter was in Brazil, and they beat the hosts. Legend has it that over 10,000 Brazilians committed suicide the night of the defeat. That shows you what the game means in those parts of the world.

Their latest triumph moves Uruguay up to fifth in the world rankings. In the eyes of some, the future of the team is bright, with plenty of young talent coming through the under 17 and 20's, and solid attacking talent in the form of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez will keep netting the goals for Los Celestes. Seems like there's nothing but blue skies up ahead for the tiny South American nation.

Returning home? What’s the deal?

Returning home? What’s the deal?

With limited time to go until the start of the new English premier league season teams are jostling to sign some big names while certain stars are looking to leave.

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez had a reported “agreement” for a hefty £35+million move to Brazilian club Corinthians, although, that would seem to have fallen through, when last week Officials announced “the impossibility of hiring the Argentine striker".

Tevez has indicated since December that he wants to be closer to his family. Shay Given, City’s ex-reserve goalkeeper (after making his own recent move to Aston Villa) has defended his old captain. Commenting, "I don't think it's mercenary. You've got to respect his decision. He's got two young kids in Argentina and he sees them once every two months so it's very difficult for him."

Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas has also been linked with a £35m move which will also see his return to his boyhood club Barcelona, who have made it clear that they “will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because [they] believe he will improve the team and the squad."

With two of the most influential players in the English league going abroad perhaps Swansea will be in with a fighting chance.

Mphela back to Europe?

Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela is looking to get his killer instinct back with a trial at Glasgow giants Celtic FC. The wantaway striker has been itching for a move since the end of the 2009 Confederations Cup, where he scored what is arguably the goal of the tournament. Recent moves to Dinamo Kiev and Partizan Belgrade both fell through, but the striker is confident he can make an impact in Europe and make up for lackluster showings earlier in his career at French clubs Strasbourg and Reims.

Mphela, who scored the second goal in Bafana Bafana's 2-1 win over France in last years FIFA World Cup, began his career at Jomo Cosmos before trying his luck in France at clubs RC Strabourg and Stade Reims, to limited success. Upon return to South Africa, he teamed up SuperSport United before moving over to current club Mamelodi Sundowns. Here's hoping the strong, pacey 26 year old can reignite his professional and Bafan Bafana career.

Bafata Bafata

Bafana Bafana's all-time leading goalscorer Benny McCarthy is coming home to try and reignite a flagging career. After a miserable stint at West Ham, where vice-chairperson Karen Brady labeled him a “big fat flop,” the 33 year old striker, now in the twilight of his career, returns to his roots to train with Ajax Cape Town. While no permanent move is liable due to his wage demands, he will train with the Cape Town club in hopes of improving his fitness to make one more stab at the big time in Europe.

McCarthy began his playing career playing for former Cape Town clubs Seven Stars and then Cape Town Spurs. His success at the latter led to his transfer to Ajax Amsterdam. He played for Celta Vigo and Porto before securing a move to Blackburn Rovers. An initial success at the club, he eventually fell out of favor and transferred to West Ham United. He struggled with injuries and fitness which led to an early cancellation of his two-and-a-half year contract and subsequent payout of £1.5 million.

Here's hoping the former great will get another stab at the European stage.

Japan Takes the Prize

The game was billed as a David Vs. Goliath type of affair. Is there a female corollary? Anyway, no one gave Japan much of a chance to walk off with this one, given the last 25 odd times these two teams have faced off (3 draws, no victories). But the Japanese Women’s football team has, much like their male counterparts, gone from strength to strength in recent FIFA World Cups. And now they have the bling to prove it.

Japan came from behind twice to force penalties in a game that ended up 2-2 at the end of regular time. Then Japan keeper Ayumi Kaihori produced a, um… woman of the match performance by saving 3 of the USA ladies’ penalty kicks. Defender Saki Kumagai tucked away the winner. Cue ecstatic scenes of celebration.

The Land of the Rising Sun has produced its first FIFA World Cup winners, and they pulled it off with grit, determination and tenacity. Congrats, ladies.

The Fabregas Dillemma

This nonsense has been going on for more than a year now. It began with Fabregas having a Barcelona shirt pulled over his head as Spain celebrated their 2010 FIFA World Cup victory. Then the little hints and comments began. Then comments from such Barca as Gerrard Piquet and Xavi, began to filter out into the press.

Many wonder why the Arsenal manager doesn't just say "enough is enough" and get rid of the whiny bugger. Firstly, to allow these pressures to force his hand and sell the diminutive Spaniard would set a dangerous precedent. If a big enough club unsettles a player and conscripts its top talent to force the other club to sell, then this could become common practice.

Wenger must stick to his guns. On the other hand, Fabregas' contract, something like eight years, is pretty unheard of in the modern game. He signed to Arsenal at a very young age, to demand he see out such a contract is verging on indentured servitude.

Either Fabregas needs a radically altered contract that allows him to see light at the end of the Arsenal tunnel in a year or two's time, or they need to sell him now.

Player Power

The transfer season is ultimately about two things: greed (from players, agents and club owners) and manipulation (ditto). Greed for money, success, trophies and fame, and manipulation to accomplish the former. It is something of a pantomime, part of the human drama encircling the game we all love.

When Luca Modric first arrived at Tottenham's training ground in in the summer of 2008, he was something of an unknown quantity. He has proven his worth in three successive seasons, and is now the subject of a £22 million bid from London rivals Chelsea. Modric claims a prior arrangement was in place that would allow him to discuss moves to a bigger club with  chairman Daniel Levy if one ever happened to come calling. Tottenham say this is not true. Where the truth lies is anyone's guess, and most will feel no sympathy for any of the three parties involved. The majority of us will never see this kind of money bandied about in our lives and most would likely lose respect for the little Croatian if he were to join Chelsea and its merry band of mercenaries. Might as well move to Manchester City.

Stuttering Starts

The two giants of South American football, Brazil and Argentina, got off to stuttering starts in the first round of this year's Copa America. The reason for this is simple: the top stars from both teams play their football in Europe. Just over a year ago they were fighting for honours in the 2010 World Cup, that after long campaigns at the European teams. The players are mentally and physically exhausted.

In their match against Venezuela, Brazil dominated in the first half but dropped off in the second in what became a rather tepid affair. For their part, Argentina, whom coach Sergio Bautista claims is inspired by Barcelona, were anything but calm in possession.

If either Brazil or Argentina are to return to the summit of the beautiful game in South America, they will have to go back to basics: play the game over two halves, keep the ball, don't panic. Neither side looked convincing in their respective first outings. Is there the depth of character in their squads to haul them off their knees and play the game they are capable of playing? It waits to be seen. Early returns suggest this may not be their year.

The Beautiful Game

This isn't normally our style, but when an opportunity to use a headline like this comes up, you grab it. Exquisite passing, majestic headers, deft trapping, gorgeous shots on goal... and now there's even more reason to call football the beautiful game with the 2011 Fifa Women's World Cup on in Germany.

So in the spirit of the beautiful game, we bring you the top five Fifa Women's World Cup Hotties, who also totally kick ass on the field.

5. Cecile Pederson of Norway plays in the forward position. May we be so forward as to say she's not too bad at all.

4. Brazilian defender Erika comes next in our brief list. We think her skill in the tackle comes to play in this decision.

3. Lovely Laure Boulleau of the French National team plays midfield with a grace and fluidity that as almost as easy on the eyes as she is.

2. The great frozen tundra of Canada has bequeathed the lovely Ms Jonelle Filigno, whose pacey moves as a forward have us wondering what else she's fast at.

1. This should really come as no surprise. This is, after all, the country that gave us the Swedish bikini team. Josefine Oqvist takes the cake. Oh my.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Roundup of Weird

There's a lot of football going on right now, some of it amazing, some downright weird.

The Womens World Cup is almost into the quarter finals and these ladies have some serious skill and even more serious fans. If you have any doubt check out US player Heather O'Reilly smashing one in from way outside the box against Columbia. If you liked that long shot, then you'll love this volley from Darlington Nagbe of the MLS. It's a thing of beauty.

Speaking of beauty the top rated Russian women's football club has done a bikini shoot to try and raise the profile of the sport. Insert inappropriate joke here.

And finally it seems Mexico has some off pitch problems after having to send a significant chunk of the squad  home after the hookers they had sent to their hotel robbed them. Not a great start to the Copa America for a team who could conceivably win it. Argentina look shaky, Brazil aren't showing any dominance just yet and most of the games played have been pretty close.  Perhaps they're all holding back so Venezuela can win, and this fan will fulfill a promise and pose naked.

Considering they're the only South American team to have never qualified for the Mens World Cup, we would recommend you don't hold your breath.