Day 8 in 100 words or less The competitive group C played out their second games and it became evidently clear that Colombia are the class of that bunch as they beat Ivory Coast, while Japan and Greece played out a 0-0 stalemate. Brook Lopez Bucks Jersey . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. England 1-2 Uruguay After every major international tournament, UEFA releases a technical report that focuses on many things including the tactical trends and the direction the game is going. Roy Hodgson was part of that committee after 1996, and up to becoming England manager, as a match analyst. After Euro 2012 he spoke at length about possession, midfield domination, the importance of finding space, getting full backs high, starting transitions from the attack and seemed to have a very good idea of where the game was headed. However, no matter how many words he spoke, he couldnt shake the reputation of being a cautious coach. After his team lost 2-1 to Italy, Hodgson was praised in the press for picking youngsters with pace who were brave to attack. The issue with this was that it was all based around counter-attacking. The moment the opposition got the lead, and therefore defended deeper, England couldnt break them down. Next up was Uruguay on Thursday. This was a perfect test of England and Hodgsons credentials. Uruguay are not a team that has success based on possession. They defeated teams in South Africa on the counter, defending deep with two banks and letting their front two do the damage. It was the same in Copa America 2011, when they famously beat Argentina at home with 10-men, on the way to lifting the trophy. England had a dangerous opponent staring them down, without question, but also one that would let them have the ball. With it, England were clueless. Slow in possession, poor in positioning and unconvincing in their movement. With the Hodgson handbrake on, they leisurely played their way through the first-half until they were knocked to the ground with a sucker punch. Counter attack…in behind Steven Gerrard, out to Edinson Cavani, whose majestic ball was headed home by Luis Suarez. Who else? England spent 36 minutes behind, before Wayne Rooneys late run in the box ended his goal scoring streak, and it was during this time that it was evidently clear that Hodgson remains a significant problem for England. Sure, it is clear this England team is very average but there was no reason for them to be average and outnumbered in central midfield. For one, the fact that their defenders are average speaks to the need for more protection. After playing Denmark in March it seemed he would play 4-3-3. It would be a shape that could solve many problems. Wayne Rooney, not trusted to play as a 10, could have gone up top and Gerrard, badly in need of support around him, would be more comfortable. Centre-backs could then split and full backs could be progressive. Instead, the full backs were very poor, aside from Glen Johnsons one assist, and the centre-backs were not much better, clearly not helping Gerrard as Suarez smashed home the winner. You could go through each player and say he wasnt good enough, but the style certainly didnt help them. As the club game evolves into a progressive, attack-minded style, with no midfield superiority and intelligence, England were left looking like a team decades behind, once again. Despite being humbled by old enemies in Suarez and Mario Balotelli inside a week, the pain isnt over for the English and when Italy defeats Costa Rica on Friday the nation will likely spend the next three days convincing themselves that their next destination could be the last 16. The truth is, no matter when England are put out of their misery, they will not have learned a great deal about their players. Many already knew their limitations. We just didnt expect their own manager to highlight them for us. Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast Colombia were not great, but a couple of their players were and that was enough. In Abel Aguilar and Carlos Sanchez, they have two holders who are positionally very good because the centre-backs behind them sit deep, giving them plenty of work to do. Colombias back six is very organized even though Pablo Armero is clearly the weak link at left back. Mario Yepes, sitting deep with most attacks in front of him, was superb. In front of them all, though, are four positions who have now all been good, in periods at this World Cup. Victor Ibarbo and Teo Gutierrez were quiet against Ivory Coast but good against Greece, Juan Cuadrado has been excellent in both games and James Rodriguez has been sensational in both. The front four are lethal in their speed when they attack and are a joy to watch. Ibarbo was replaced by the lovely young playmaker, Juan Quintero, and he came inside more and gave the side another ball treasurer in and around Rodriguez. The Monaco man, however, was on a different level to anyone. He chased a seemingly lost cause to play in an uncomfortable ball to handle for the Ivorian defence and from that subsequent corner he headed home a thunderbolt. He was involved in the transition on the second goal, also, but Didier Zokoras misplaced pass allowed Colombia - through Quintero - to double their lead. Ivory Coast responded well and for the second successive game were the better side as the match went into its final quarter. Gervinhos individual effort meant the scoreline - at least - reflected how close the match was. It was another absorbing contest highlighted by good young players coming to the fore again, led by Rodriguez of course. Greece 0-0 Japan There are very different ways to get what you want out of a football match. Greece, who were woeful with 11 players, went down a man in the first half and it was then that they knew what to do. Japan couldnt break them down despite having 75% and Greece grew into the game. They were better with ten men than when they had 11 and now have a shot, one opportunity at making the last 16 in their final game against Ivory Coast. As for Japan, it appears their World Cup is over and they simply never recovered from the second half meltdown against Serge Auriers crosses. Man of the day Nominees James Rodriguez – the football world has known about him for some time but a true star is being born in Brazil. Mario Yepes – The 38-year-old didnt have pace when he was 28, but he has always been a good reader of the game and, with everything in front of him, he dominated. Gervinho – a fine individual goal got his team back into the game. Edinson Cavani – played a brilliant ball for Suarez to score his first goal and was a handful for England to deal with all game. Luis Suarez – three weeks ago he had knee surgery, 21 days later he looked back to his best. The winner… • Luis Suarez – Cavanis ball was brilliant, Gerrards back header wasnt, Gary Cahills positioning was questionable but all of those only became major stories because the Liverpool striker scored two brilliant goals, many of which would have been put wide by others. What comes next? Italy vs Costa Rica (12pm/9am), France vs Switzerland (3pm/noon), Ecuador vs Honduras (6pm/3pm). Burning question for tomorrow Will France have enough talent for a young Swiss side and win a game that will help them stay away from Argentina in the next round? Key stat of Day 8 No team has ever progressed through a group at the World Cup or European Championships after losing their opening two matches. Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks Jersey . And he said Sunday that players believe nobody in Sterlings family should be able to own the Los Angeles Clippers if hes gone. D. J. Wilson Bucks Jersey .Y. - Geno Smith still thinks of himself as the New York Jets starting quarterback. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authentic-Khris-Middleton-Bucks-Jersey/ . - PGA Tour rookie Tony Finau shot a 9-under 63 at Del Monte and had a two-stroke lead over Billy Andrade and Lee Janzen of the Champions Tour after Thursdays opening round of the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational.Well that was a rout. Kinda like the Seahawks against the Broncos in the Super Bowl #TooSoon?. In a ruling that was more shocking than the most dramatic Bachelor finale ever, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas not only ruled that Rochelle Shelley Sterling could lawfully sell the Los Angeles Clippers, but that any appeal by Donald Sterling would not block the sale of the team. If the NBA was looking for an ideal outcome, this was it. Impeccable legal execution by the lawyers. The team may now be sold to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion and Donald Sterling will likely be out as owner of the team by mid-August. What was yesterdays ruling about? Remember that Donald Sterling doesnt own the L.A. Clippers in his own personal capacity. The team is actually owned by the Sterling family trust. Inside that trust bucket is Donald and Rochelle Rochelle (Shelleys legal name is Rochelle according to the court documents). When the trust was created, though, Donald was given the decision making power. So if the team were ever to be sold, Donald would need to sign off on it. However, Rochelle could seize control of the trust if she could have Donald declared mentally incompetent by two doctors. And thats precisely what she did at the end of May when neurologist Dr. Meril Platzer and psychiatrist Dr. James Edward Spar found Donald to be mentally incompetent on the basis that he was reportedly suffering from Alzheimers disease. Donald has disputed this finding. In any event, once Donald was declared mentally incompetent, Rochelle grabbed control of the family trust and agreed to sell the team to Ballmer. So the trial in California probate court focused on this key issue: did Rochelle have the legal authority to sell the team? Judge Levanas ruled she did. The Judge then went one step further with a very surprising ruling. The Judge invoked Section 1310(b) of the California Probate Code, which effectively bars Donald from blocking the sale of the team even if he is appealing the Courts decision. Typically when a losing party appeals a decision, the lower court decision is suspended (or stayed). However, iin this case it wont be. George Hill Bucks Jersey. So while Sterlings right to appeal the decision is preserved, the appeal itself wont block the sale of the team. To see Section 1310(b) relied on by the Court was indeed unanticipated since its rarely used. Courts will rely on it only in extraordinary circumstances clearly requiring direction of the Court for sole purpose of preventing imminent injury or loss to person or property. For example, you may see this type of order where the sale price of property could be adversely impacted by delays while someone with medical needs waits on those proceeds to pay for treatment. This was not such a case. However, Rochelle was able to convince the Court that nobody else would pay close to the $2 billion that Ballmer is offering to pay, and if Donald was able to block the sale, a lot of money could be lost if Ballmer elected to walk away. While this is likely not the type of transaction generally contemplated by those who drafted Section 1310(b), the Court agreed that the sale needed to be preserved, thereby paving the way for the sale of the team. Donald does have a couple of lawsuits pending against the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver and Rochelle in different courts. However, even if he is successful in these lawsuits, he will only get a monetary award. He likely wont be getting his team back. Donald could try and get an injunction blocking the sale of the team. He would need to show that he has a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of the case. Based upon the findings of the Court yesterday and the strong arguments the NBA has in favor of removing Sterling, securing an injunction doesnt seem likely. The NBA Constitution provides that punishments may be imposed on an owner who does anything that "adversely" impacts the league. While Donald engaged in a lawful conversation in provate, the NBA would argue that the impact of the conversation adversely impacted the league, with sponsors backing out, players considering boycotting games and fans not buying tickets. Indeed, it looks like the Clippers are taking their talents to Steve Ballmer. ' ' '