Great Atlantic Travel and Tour Company Blog

It's already that time where we say good bye to the year it was and welcome the new one with all the hopes and dreams imaginable. 2011 was certainly a sports year like no other. The Penn State fiasco and unceremoniously departure of Joe Pa certainly seems to be the standout story of the year, but we were given so much more to be proud of. The US Women Soccer Team had us glued to the TV set and not just because Hope Solo is smoking hot. Once again the ladies excelled where the national men's team couldn't and made a miraculous run to the final where there was nothing left in the tank losing the final in penalty kicks. Good seemed to triumph evil in the NBA as Dirk and the Mavericks finally hoisted the trophy over Lebron and the Miami Heat in an entertaining Finals, although I'm not sure the Heat can be stopped this year. In the UFC Jon Bones Jones took the world by storm introducing new fans to the sport and seems like 5 years of dominance is on the horizon. The Green Bay Packers went a full year without losing until overlooking the Kansas City Chiefs, yet the NFL story of the year is obviously Saint Timothy Tebow and his 2 minutes of excellence every game. The Boston Red Sox had an epic collapse while the St Louis Cardinals made a playoff run for the ages and won a compelling World Series before Albert Pujols ran to the money in Anaheim. Such a great year for sports and surely 2012 will bring us just as many memories.

Top 2011 Events Sold

1 - 2011 Rugby World Cup

2 - Super Bowl XLVI in Dallas - Packers vs Steelers
3 - Kentucky Derby and Oaks
4 - The Masters
5 - Redskins vs Cowboys

Top 2012 Sports New Years Resolutions

1 - Washington Redskins a first round, top 5 QB that can lead them for the next decade. Just to be precise, lead them to wins and not interceptions and a 5^th straight losing season.

2 - Alexander Ovechkin - Remember how to be the best player in the NHL and actually be worth a damn in the playoffs. Bring the Cup to DC

3 - Washington Nationals - Be a better, more impressive version of the Tampa Bay Rays who came out of nowhere to be competitive year in and year out. This is the year for it to all come together.

4 - Lebron James - Man up and quit bitching.

5 - US Olympians -dominate the medal count at this year's Olympics

Sports on the Tube this Weekend

ODU vs #8 Missouri (Friday 7PM, ESPN U) - UPSET ALERT!! The Monarchs welcome undefeated Missouri into the Ted. Go Big Blue. Prediction - ODU 65, Missouri 61

UFC Lesnar vs Overeem (Friday 10PM, PPV) - Two gigantic animals look to pound each others faces in and become the #1 contender to Junior Dos Santos Heavyweight Championship. So excited about this fight. I predict a 2^nd round submission of all things in favor of Lesnar.

Cowboys vs Giants (Sunday 8PM NBC) - The last playoff spot and NFC East comes down to this matchup between the two rivals. Can room and Garrett choke away another game or has Coughlin's time nearly expired? Both teams suck and winner will be knocked out by next week. Prediction - Giants 24, Cowboys 13

Broncos vs Chiefs (Sunday 4PM CBS) - Can Timmy Terrific somehow complete the resurrection of the Broncos season and win the AFC West or will former bronco starter Kyle Orton make the Broncos rue the day they cut him for Tebow? Tebow has Lindsay Vonn and God so I predict Broncos 17, Chiefs 13.

Happy New Years!!

With the New Year just around the corner comes the realization that we are already nearly 2 and half years away from one of the most anticipated international sporting events ever. That of course is the FIFA World Cup in Brazil scheduled to take place June 13- July 13, 2014. This qualification should be like no other after the dismissal of coach Bob Bradley and the hiring of world renown coach/motivator Jurgen Klinsmann who made his name by reviving the Germany national team and leading them to a stellar 3^rd place finish when they hosted the 2006 World Cup. Also led by standouts Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Tim Howard in their prime, Klinsmann is looking to add a shot of youth and speed to the team in hopes of topping the CONCACAF qualifying round. The U.S. Men's National Team will begin their journey towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup next June when they begin play in Group A of Semifinal Round qualifying in CONCACAF. A ong with the U.S., Group A is comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Guatemala and Jamaica. Each opponent will meet twice, once at home and once away, in round robin play. The USA's opening match in group play will take place on June 8, 2012, against first-time semifinalists Antigua and Barbuda. Four days later, the U.S. will play away against Guatemala. Can't wait till 2014? Who can blame you? Great Atlantic Travel also has packages available to the fast approaching UEFA Euro Cup 2012 this June.

Sports On the Tube Tonight

Champs Sports Bowl - Notre Dame vs Florida St (ESPN, 5:30) - This bowl game puts two of the most legendary college football programs against each other in what should be a pretty competitive game. After a few years of struggling, both teams made an appearance in the top 10 this year and have made a nice rebound under their head coaches who were both hired in 2010. Prediction: Hampton Roads native EJ Manuel will lead his Seminoles over Notre Dame 28-17.

Valero Alamo Bowl - Baylor vs Washington (ESPN 9PM) - Heisman Trophy Winner Robert Griffith III leads his high octane offense of Baylor Bears to nearby San Antonio where they will play the Washington Huskies. I don't know anything about the Huskies since Jake Locker left, but I'm just concerned with seeing RG3. As one of the most athletic, fastest, and freakish QB to come out since Michael Vick, this kid has his head on straight and is a great top 5 prospect in the NFL. He is so pinpoint accurate that he has almost as few incompletions as interceptions. He would look great in Redskins burgundy and gold. Prediction - Baylor 59, Washington 27

NHL - Flyers vs Penguins (Versus 7:30) - These two in state rivals are close to the top of the Eastern Conference and have bad blood each time they play. Mix in the fact that long time Penguins Jarmir Jagr and Max Talbot come to Pittsburgh in Flyers orange and this is a cant miss game. I hate both teams but Flyers need some momemtum heading into the Winter Classic. Prediction - Flyers 3, Pittsburgh 1

Although Bowl season officially started last week, we are finally getting to the good ones. Today brings us the Military Bowl from Washington DC where Air Force will go up against Toledo. Also, Texas looks to finally reach their potential this year in the last game of the year at the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl from San Diego against Cal. These games will be entertaining, but will be nothing compared to the great set of BCS Bowl games quickly approaching. Most noticeably the Rose Bowl which puts Russell Wilson and the Wisconsin Badgers against the fast paced, awesome to watch Oregon Ducks. Whether interested in a less expensive bowl game like Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta or any of the BCS bowls, plenty of great seats at even better value are available last minute.

Sports on TV Tonight

Flyers-Rangers 24/7 Episode 3: HBO at 9PM. Behind the scenes as the two rivals prepare to go at it outside in the Winter Classic on Monday, at the Phillies Citizens Bank Ballpark.

Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers: Versus 7:30PM. No love lost here as it is a rematch of the playoffs from round 1 of last year. Both teams are currently in a funk and look to get going as the backup goalies get the nod in hopes of a change of momentum.

Georgetown vs Louisville: ESPN2 7PM. 2 Big East Powerhouses off to a strong start look to get the upper hand on the conference as both teams have traded competitive, hard fought wins in recent years.