Here's my list:
Soccer: Spain - Only because of them being the latest national team that has won a championship (Euro 2008). Wanted to throw Brazil in here, but we'll find that out after the world cup is finished.
Hockey: Canada - Gold Medal 2010 Olympics, best players in the NHL, most trophy winners (Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Hart Trophy, Norris, etc). Look at how many Canadian Olympians are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals right now. Both captains are Canadian Olympians as well. This was a very easy pick.
Baseball: USA - Although the USA hasn't fared well in international competition, they do have the best players in the MLB. Too bad we couldn't see a tournament where all the baseball powers send in their absolute best players.
Basketball: USA - 2008 Olympic Gold Medal, although I think the gap between the USA and some European teams is shrinking fast. Spain gave the USA a serious run in Beijing which showed the world the Dream Team days are over.
Sure, you can add sports like rugby, cricket, Nascar (LOL), and track and field in here if you'd like, but these are the mainstream sports that are the most popular globally.
Also, it was senseless to include American football (NFL) because only one country in the world actually plays it seriously, although the same thing can be said to a lesser degree about baseball, which is nearly non-existent in Europe.
Those are my 2 cents, let's hear yours.
Soccer: Spain - Only because of them being the latest national team that has won a championship (Euro 2008). Wanted to throw Brazil in here, but we'll find that out after the world cup is finished.
Hockey: Canada - Gold Medal 2010 Olympics, best players in the NHL, most trophy winners (Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Hart Trophy, Norris, etc). Look at how many Canadian Olympians are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals right now. Both captains are Canadian Olympians as well. This was a very easy pick.
Baseball: USA - Although the USA hasn't fared well in international competition, they do have the best players in the MLB. Too bad we couldn't see a tournament where all the baseball powers send in their absolute best players.
Basketball: USA - 2008 Olympic Gold Medal, although I think the gap between the USA and some European teams is shrinking fast. Spain gave the USA a serious run in Beijing which showed the world the Dream Team days are over.
Sure, you can add sports like rugby, cricket, Nascar (LOL), and track and field in here if you'd like, but these are the mainstream sports that are the most popular globally.
Also, it was senseless to include American football (NFL) because only one country in the world actually plays it seriously, although the same thing can be said to a lesser degree about baseball, which is nearly non-existent in Europe.
Those are my 2 cents, let's hear yours.
