Rafa, Lee & the falling giants

Nadal has done it twice what I always felt was next to impossible. Win French open and Wimbledon on the trot. The man deserves an ovation.And there is another man, at 37 in tennis no longer young, but winning his 12th Grand Slam. Leander Paes might be one of those Indian players with great killer instinct. Infact he was the first Indian player in any sport that I remember to have pumped his fist and played with his heart, guts and hands.The spirit is still there. Makes me feel proud of being an Indian. Saina is doing the same thing. The olympic Gold will be great. Some of the giants have been on a slide. Tiger, Federer and Schumacher on a comeback. It's time fot the next gen. As Germany showed. Brazil and Argentina went out of the world cup in contrasting ways. I am no psychic or an expert, but I dare say I felt Brazil went out by way of arrogance while Argentina, the nerves got beter of them. Brazilian players behaved like they were1-0 down when they were actually leading. They were opposing every whistle of the Japanese referee. It was almost as if they knew they are going to lose this match even after leading. The frustration was evident but hard to explain. They behaved as if the how could a Japanese referee teach the Brazilians how to play right. They lost. While the Argentinians looked tense, too eager to win and just went blank in front of the German goal. I have never seen them hit so many feeble shots at the goal. Maradona surprisingly took the defeat in a dignified manner. He was shattered, and it was a shame that the world's best footballer didnt score a goal. Messi was great but they lost. The Germans look to be like marauders on a run. Very fast. Fit and precise. Who says German footbal is boring. It has been delightful. It would be sad fi they don't lift the cup. I had seen the German team winning in 1990. Matthaus, Klinsmann, Voeller, Brehme and Co. Very clinicial but not so very free flowing. May be Ballack's absence has helped. Stars can sometimes be a liability. So, the table have turned and its 3 European teams and one Latin American. Will the dark horse create history? As for the giants, wait for 2014.