Mea Culpa!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure for today’s match between Germany vs Italy, the dies are biased towards Germany. But, I am sure if I put my bet for Germany it is surely going to loose. So, is the case that has been happening from Quarter Finals. The streak of the bad luck which started from Argentina has continued with England and then for Brazil. It started with Argentina vs Germany match, I being a stench supporter of Argentina made a bet with my friend. I made my calculations thinking that the quality mid field Argentina has it might make it. Though my mind was also divided between 50-50 chance of wining for Argentina. To cross check my bet I checked all the old statistics of Argentina vs Germany and checked the betting rate also in Ladbrokes.com which placed Argentina marginally ahead. But to utter disgust the misfortune happened. Hurt more in ego than financially I thought I wll take my revenge and this time put the bet in favor of England. Seeing the match go to penalty shoot, I was more then sure that I am through with the bet. But, Alasssssss!!!!!! after Ayala of Argentina, Lampard and Gerrard of England, players of highest stature, also missed the penalty, unbelievable. Now was the turn for the last match of the day. Like any disinterested person who believe Brazil is(was, for me now) Numero Uno in football, I also had the belief and made yet another bet. But, aghast!!!!!!! this is not the Brazil I was expecting to see. Their whole attack and mid field looked to me unsynchronized. The way Zidane was dribbling he defied the ageing problem. The biggest shock came to me when Henry struck, I was kept wondering how a player of Henri’s caliber was left unmarked by the Brazil defense. What ever has happened has happened, I am not thinking. But, the male instinct in me refuses to die. Now for the last time I am betting again for tomorrow’s France vs Portugal. This time in favor of France. So, plz people for my salvation pray for France to win. But, if its other way then I hope judging by the past record France don’t put me behind the bars for culpable sabotage.I won’t have anything to say, but Mea Culpa

Mittal-Arcelor

The recent Mittal Arcelor issue has every shade to become next Yash Chopra pot boiler in Bollywood. From start I was following the deal closely, as something inside me was telling me that an Indian has come of age. This time his audacity ceased no bounds. The man, Lakshmi Mittal, showed the temerity to make an attempt for hostile take over for its near rival company, Arcelor. This news itself was shocking and came as bolt from the blue for both Arcelors and common people. Mittal till now was known for takeovers, but only for sick steel companies which he used to turn around. The takeover made Mittal face with immediate repercussions from Arcelor clan. Mittal was sullied, where everything from his quality of products, corporate governance, racial identity was questioned. The man of steel, Mittal , stick to his guns. Mittal made all efforts to see the deal through but the adamancy of Arcelor board was not giving any room for compromise. But the biggest mistake Arcelor then committed was calling in a white knight, Silverstal. (White Knight is a company which is called by a company which is under takeover threat to save it from the take over).But, the man with lots of grey hairs and grey matters in Steel business realized the biggest mistake done by Arcelor board. As the decision was taken unanimously by Arcelor board members without considering other share holders, the major percentage of share holders started sulking. Adding more to it, Silverstal, Russian company was never looked at in the good eyes by Europeans. As Russia has always been known for poor corporate governance and formation of Cartels which hijacks the smooth business. Finding the niche Mittal started taking all the Shareholders in his side and when he had 30% Shareholder backing him he revised the bid to make it look more attractive. Now with major shareholders backing Mittal, Guy Dolle and clan(Arcelor Board) had no other option left but to succumb to Mittal. To make the deal look perfect it was then called the merger of two titans of steel industry. But, to me it was again a takeover by Mittal where he successful pushed out the incumbent management Guy Dolle and clan and took control of world number 2 steel maker. The Mittal with this takeover also gains better credibility in European market and by diluting his stake in the new holding to 45% from 80% in previous company, he answered the critics who have always considered him to run a family business and lack the transperacy in corporate governance. He further gained access to the value added products of Arcelor as his business involved low ended steel. Though it has been a master stroke by Mittal, it has come at the coast of high valuation for Arcelor. But, now the biggest stumble for him ahead is the successful integration of Mittal and Arcelor. Though, my belief is with the mettle and judiciousness of Mittal, it is just wait to time before we see an Indian being equated with Andrew Carnegie, the Steel Baron .