Viva Espana!

{via}

¡Viva España! Congrats to Spain for pulling off the first World Cup win in their history! It wasn't the best final I've ever seen--there were a ton of missed chances (although some great saves, too, particularly by Casillas) and neither team seemed to be playing at the top of their game. Nerves, I guess. It was also unfortunate for the Dutch that the winning goal came about from a sketchy decision (the free kick taken by Holland's Sneijder only moments before clearly went off a Spanish player, but a goal kick was awarded rather than a corner), but all in all a thrilling win for the Spanish nonetheless. And nice to see good ol' Sepp Blatter shows up to present some teams with their trophy.

The Scene in Madrid - via

My big hope is that one day soon these big tournaments start utilizing goal-line video technology. It's way overdue.

A common sight during the game - Howard Webb, who also refereed the Champions League final that Robben and Sneijder played in, wielding a card. (What is it with these Holland games and tons of yellows?)

Wesley Sneijder's gorgeous girlfriend Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen (who was born on Ibiza and is Spanish on her father's side), wearing an unfortunate hat that does nothing to hide her magnificent mane.

{via}

Iniesta scored the winning goal which, according to his undershirt was dedicated to Daniel Jarque, the 26-year-old soccer player who died last August.

 

Ecstasy for La Furia Roja

Iker Casillas, voted the best goalkeeper of the tournament, spontaneously kissing his girlfriend TV presenter Sara Carbonero, during a post-game interview.

Despite not pulling off this win Sneijder is still my pick for the Ballon d'Or.

Awww. We were debating, but I think there is such a thing as manly tears and then there is OTT unattractive sobbing that should only occur at the death of a relative or puppy. - via

I feel horribly for the Dutch who have now had to suffer this fate three times.

And congrats to Diego Forlán for winning the Golden Ball, he really had an unbelievable tournament, and also to Germany's Thomas Müller for winning the Golden Boot (he also won for best young player.)

{via}

And, seriously, I'm starting to believe in that psychic octopus...

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend and
don't forget to enter the Dear Colleen giveaway!

Photos via gazzetta.it, unless otherwise noted.

Super Femininity

Natalia, Karen and Christy for LV Fall 2010: Perfection.

These ladies--in their 20s, 30s and 40s--were photographed by Steven Meisel and styled by Karl Templer.

{via}

I just wanted to add an arrivederci to the Italian national team who crashed and burned yesterday at the World Cup. I'll always be an Azzurri fan (no matter how terribly they play), but I unfortunately never had much faith in this particular team. Frankly the whole thing is embarrassing. I think when it comes down to it we were missing a good playmaker (with Pirlo being injured and having no one to replace him), were lacking in goal (not sure that would have been fixed even if Buffon hadn't been hurt) and were, well, arrogant. I'm looking forward to some great games coming up and I know next time will be better, because, really, how can it be any worse?

{via}

A clear "WTF just happened?!!?" face

{via}

Today's The Day...The World Cup is Here!

I'll be watching the first game while in New York, but I'll be back in Toronto for Italy's first outing. I can't say I have much confidence in this year's team, but I am hoping for the best. Lippi is one of those coaches who was born lucky and seems to be able to pull wins from nowhere, so I'm just going to go with it.

Look at how the trophy travels in style...

{via}

Naomi is probably a great bodyguard.

The Italian National Team at a retreat a week or so ago.

{via}

Have you caught World Cup fever?

World Cup Countdown

Can I tell you how excited I am for the World Cup this summer? I am also very happy to see that Vanity Fair has a soccer/football/calcio/fútbol feature. While I can think of several other players I would have liked to see featured (and really wish they wouldn't have put Cristiano Ronaldo in his Armanis on the cover), I think they got a nice mix. And several Inter players, too, which is nice (Eto'o, Muntari, Stanković). I'm always happy to see the sport gain more exposure in North America.

Muntari (Ghana/Inter Milan), Landon Donovan (U.S.A./L.A. Galaxy),

Kaká (Brazil/Real Madrid), Eto'o (Cameroon/Inter), Pato (Brazil/AC Milan)

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea)

and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid)

Dolce and Gabbana have also come out

with their latest World Cup underwear ads.

DiNatale, Marchetti, Criscito, Iaquinta, Marchisio

{via}

Remember these from last time around?

Not sure what it is about footballers and underwear.

Tanino Liberatore for Umbro

Anyway, I just hope that Italy can play like the World Champions they are and show people that we're about more than just catenaccio. Will you be watching the World Cup this year and who will you be cheering for?