Source: http://www.soccerblog.com/2012/09/real-madrid-lose-again-this-ti.htm
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Pro Bowl Should Be Replaced, Not Saved
Once upon a time, NFL players cared about playing football in the Pro Bowl. This is what they did yesterday instead. Notice how nobody seemed all that interested in hitting anyone. There was no blitzing, no real blocking (it wasn’t really needed), and no tackling. This might have been the players deciding that they weren’t [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/31/the-pro-bowl-should-be-replaced-not-saved/
Match Comments Post: Rayo Vallecano vs. FC Barcelona
Back to the awesome little Madrid stadium that is Campo de F�tbol de Vallecas �? the one with the wall behind one goal, apartment balconies crammed with fans and, hopefully, with a full set of operating floodlights. Extra security measures have been taken, as well as lots of extra testing, to ensure that the [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/pv0iPJXrAy8/
Match Comments Post: Rayo Vallecano vs. FC Barcelona
Back to the awesome little Madrid stadium that is Campo de F�tbol de Vallecas �? the one with the wall behind one goal, apartment balconies crammed with fans and, hopefully, with a full set of operating floodlights. Extra security measures have been taken, as well as lots of extra testing, to ensure that the [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/pv0iPJXrAy8/
NBC Acquires EPL Rights
Posted in EPL
This news broke last night while I was in the middle of a MLS game (great timing folks!). But it is big news nonetheless for soccer fans in the US. NBC Universal�has acquired the exclusive U.S. media rights to the Premier League through a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2013-14 season.�NBCUniversal becomes the exclusive [...]
The post NBC Acquires EPL Rights appeared first on WVHooligan.com - MLS Blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/2cJfhB48eVg/
Newcastle fans celebrate return of St. James? Park sign with champagne
A little less than a year ago, Newcastle decided that the best way to attract a sponsor was to break from 119 years of tradition and change the name of St. James' Park to Sports Direct Arena. The objective in renaming the stadium after owner Mike Ashley's sporting goods company (with no direct financial benefit to the club) was to show potential sponsors what corporate branding on the stadium looks like, because no one has ever seen that before and photoshop doesn't exist.
So, to the horror of Newcastle fans, the St. James' Park sign was taken down and attempts to spray paint it back on ultimately failed. But with the addition of new sponsor Wonga came the decision to reinstate the St. James' name and on Wednesday, the sign was put back up. A small group of fans was assembled for a photoshoot on Wednesday and they popped champagne in front of the sign.
This is the kind of thing that happens during a long international break.
Join the Dave?s Football Blog Fantasy Premier League, Sponsored by SoccerPro.com
Have we reached the point in our civilization where our favorite football games exist only so we can play our own games on top of them? If the NFL lockout were still going on, would we have missed our fantasy leagues more than the actual league? Maybe, but who cares? Let’s play. Dave?s Football Blog [...]
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Galaxy loan Chad Barrett to Norwegian club
Galaxy forward Chad Barrett has been loaned to Valerenga of the Norwegian Premier League, the team announced Tuesday.
Barrett, 27, trained with the club for a week earlier this month. He will travel to Oslo on Wednesday to join his new team, whose season concludes in November.
In 45 regular-season games with the Galaxy since 2011, Barrett has scored eight goals and eight assists.
This season, Barrett appeared in 18 regular-season games, scoring one goal against Philadelphia on July 4.
CLASICO: Joseph changes the landscape
CARSON -- The Galaxy and Chivas USA face off in one of the most meaningful of SuperClasico showdowns, surely the biggest since the 2009 playoffs, and a rivalry first-timer will be playing the wild-card role.
The measure of Shalrie Joseph's impact in his Chivas debut Sunday night (ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, 8 p.m.) could determine the final regular-season meeting this season, one which could send the Galaxy streaking toward a top-three spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference or leave the Goats within striking distance -- with games in hand -- in the battle for the West's final postseason berth.Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/17702/clasico-joseph-changes-the-landscape
Fabregas and Tevez should get on with it
A summer without a major football tournament is always a difficult one to bear. The only major sporting event to fill your time is Wimbledon, and even the novelty of that wears off after a week. With no matches to satisfy our football fix we have to be content with transfer rumours. The internet has [...]
Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/fabregas-and-tevez-should-get-on-with-it/
Does The Europa League Matter Now?
I’ve written in the past about searching for meaning in trophies, and whether winning a competition — any competition — means more to top-flight clubs than the financial windfall that comes with finishing in a top league position. Fans, of course, want the trophies. Last April, I posed this question to a few Manchester City [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/12/08/does-the-europa-league-matter-now/
Napoli fans refuse to accept players? shirts after Europa League loss
The Napoli fans who traveled to Ukraine for their side's 3-1 Europa League loss to Dnipro were understandably upset after the match. Especially since they felt manager Walter Mazzerri doomed his side to failure by making it policy to focus on Serie A this season and give the reserves a run out in the Europa League. So after the match, the fans expressed their anger by refusing the player's sweaty gifts.
From Football Italia:
At the end of the 3-1 reverse at Dnipro, a number of players were ready to throw their shirts into the crowd as a gesture of thanks.
However, the 160 Azzurri fans rejected the jerseys in protest at the performance and the club's Europa League policy.
Napoli's headaches only begin there, though. On Friday, the club was charged with match fixing in a game against Sampdoria on the final day of the 2009/10 season, witch captain Paolo Cannavaro also being charged for failing to report the alleged fix.
2012 MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket Set
Posted in MLS
The playoffs are here! The playoffs are here! The playoffs are here!!! The bracket is now set as we know where each of the 10 teams will begin their playoff run. Which playoff series excites you the most here? For me seeing the Atlantic Cup in the playoffs sounds pretty good. As will a potential [...]
The post 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket Set appeared first on WVHooligan.com - MLS Blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/8j6kK-mcYhQ/
Champions League Comments Post
Forget about the league for a moment: winning tonight will ensure that we sleep gently atop a 5 point lead with 3 matches left to play. By no means will qualification be assured, of course, but the trips to Scotland and Russia will become less foreboding. Especially if Spartak and Benfica can manage a draw [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/Ma09v9s2b6E/
Monday, October 29, 2012
15 Year Old Aleksandr Litvinenko Scores Rainbow Flick Volley?.(Video)
He may only be 15 years old, but this young fellah knows how to score them. as he uses a beautiful rainbow flick to put the ball on his toe and drive it into the top corner of the net… Pure class… Posted by: Matthew Wall, editor, soccerprose.com
DT Exclusive: Chelsea decide their own wicked punishment for John Terry
Chelsea captain John Terry has apologized and decided not to appeal the four match ban and �220,000 fine for being found guilty of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand in the FA's inquiry following the not guilty verdict of his criminal trial for the same offense. Chelsea, meanwhile, announced that they have conducted their own investigation into the matter and will "take further disciplinary action" against Terry in addition to the FA's punishment. The following is a transcript of the moment Terry learned what the club's punishment would be from chief executive Ron Gourlay.
Terry: Hi, boss. You wanted to see me?
Gourlay: Yes John. Please sit down. We appreciate your apology on the Anton Ferdinand matter, but I'm afraid the club will have to punish you internally in addition to what the FA decided.
Terry: Well, what are you going to do? I'm missing four big matches and the fine they gave me is already massive.
Gourlay: No, it won't be anything like that, John. You see, Mr. Abramovich has been working on this matter himself for some time now. He set up a top secret, state of the art lab in Siberia just for this.
Terry: A lab? I don't understand. What is he going to do?
Gourlay: [presses button desk] Bring him in, please.
[A man who looks exactly like John Terry walks into Gourlay's office.]
Terry: My God -- Mr. Abramovich cloned me?!
Gourlay: Not exactly. John, this is John Terry. He is identical to you in many ways, but he is actually the public's perception of John Terry. Your punishment is to live with him for 24 hours without�interruption.
Terry: Why does he keep wanting me to shake his hand?
Gourlay: Because no one else will.
Terry: Well, 24 hours doesn't sound so bad. If this is what Mr. Abramovich wants, I'm fine with it.
PPJT: I slept with your wife. She's probably pregnant now. You're a black c***. Did you call me a black c***?!
Terry: What? No.
PPJT: Your son won a spelling competition at school, but I took credit for it. Then he cried. You'll have to pay for a bunch of therapy for him.
Terry: You leave my family out of this!
Gourlay: John...
PPJT: Let's be friends. Look, I got these KKK hats for us to wear together.
Terry: Stop trying to shake my hand!
PPJT: The Titanic sinks at the end of the movie Titanic. I liked 9/11.
Terry: Is this some kind of wind up, Ron?
Gourlay: No, John. This is your punishment. Everytime a situation like this arises, the club will make you hang out with the Public's Perception of John Terry. Of course, if these situations stop happening, PPJT will become more tolerable.
PPJT: This was all my idea. I had it before I even existed. Yes! I win! I just photoshopped myself into the Bible.
Gourlay: Do you see, John? Do you see?
Terry: I...don't get it.
Gourlay: It's really not that difficult. Mr. Abramovich won't be happy about this, but he's busy trying to kill his other creation -- the public's perception of Ashley Cole. It has already wiped out half of Russia and refuses to stop insulting the FA on Twitter.
PPJT: I baked a Hitler cake if anybody wants some.
Odds against U.S., but Azteca win is the aim
MEXICO CITY -- El Tri has never lost to the United States in 20 meetings at Estadio Azteca, they're soaring following their under-23 team's gold-medal triumph at the London Olympics, the last competitive meeting between CONCACAF's powers was a full-on rout, and they've got a strong, representative side ready to take on a young, incomplete American team in what could be a full house at North America's most iconic soccer venue.
What hope could the U.
Football Is Still What We Make It
The�best thing�about�football is that we can play it any way we want it. This is also the worst thing about football. That’s because fans have this nasty tendency to prattle on about the superiority of their chosen football code like it’s their team. “Our football is the real football!”, they shout as loudly as possible, [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/08/09/football-is-still-what-we-make-it/
Examining the 10 Playoff Teams
Posted in MLS
We may not know where each team will be seeded in this year’s playoffs just yet but we do know a thing or two about each squad. We know how they’ve gotten this far and how well they’ve done to achieve reaching the playoffs after a long season. In MLS it is typically about how [...]
The post Examining the 10 Playoff Teams appeared first on WVHooligan.com - MLS Blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/reJZbfu47tc/
Mid-Table and Still Mattering: Rayo Vallecano ? Barcelona
Hello. It’s been a little while since we really had a chance to talk. Life has been busy and all of that stuff you’re not interested in. Last week there was some hullabaloo in Galicia that got a lot of people in a tizzy, but all I really remember is that Jordia Alba scored two [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/AfeeKTJunV8/
Polish legend says his 8-year-old grandson moves better than Andy Carroll
Ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Poland, former Juventus player and Polish legend Zbigniew Boniek decided it was the perfect time to show he can still take shots better than Andy Carroll can.
From the Telegraph:
"My [eight-year-old] grandson Mateo moves better on the pitch than Andy Carroll," said Boniek. "Mateo is very good at golf and tennis. He has better co-ordination."
Well, OK then. Either Boniek is trying to get Liverpool to buy his grandson for �35 million or he really doesn't think very much of Andy Carroll. Maybe this is just his roundabout way of suggesting that Carroll take up golf and tennis?
Whatever the case may be, Boniek has an impressive mustache and Andy Carroll has no mustache at all. Advantage: Boniek.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
French Ligue 1 ? Match Predictions ? 27 October 2012
Below are predictions for all the French Ligue 1 matches on October 27, 2012. Lille v Valenciennes, 11:00 AM (USA EST) 1-1 draw AS Nancy Lorraine v Paris Saint-Germain, 2:00...
Source: http://www.the90thminute.com/soccer/2012/10/french-ligue-1-match-predictions-27-october-2012/
DTotD: Argentine goalkeeper sent off for kicking ball at ball boy
Boca Unidos' 39-year-old goalkeeper Gaston Sessa was shown a red card for kicking a ball at the ball boy's face during a second division match. Sessa, who has a reputation for being a "butcher" because of his history of violence, apparently wasn't pleased with the way the ball boy rolled a new ball to him. So, he kicked it back in the kid's face.
The ball boy seemed to take it in stride, but as Sessa was about to take his goal kick, the boy went down in dramatic fashion. Sessa was not amused. He also wasn't on the pitch much longer.
This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events.
Video via 101gg
Player Stats: Chelsea v Manchester United
Player Stats: Chelsea v Manchester United - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Chelsea and Manchester United occupy the top two slots in the Premier League this season, and Sunday game already looks like a potential turning point in the title race Despite a disappointing Champions League outing in the week, Chelsea?s Premier League form has been dominant. Last weekend they dispatched Spurs 4-2, with goals from Gary...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/H_9kdjxrtlk/
Panathinaikos? Giourkas Seitaridis scores for Lazio with back pass into his own empty net
Lazio traveled to Athens to play Panathinaikos in the Europa League on Thursday and they probably didn't expect the level of hospitality they received in the 25th minute of the match.
Panathinaikos keeper Orestis Karnezis chased down an errant attempt to clear out on the far side of the box and passed to defender Giourkas Seitaridis. Seitaridis then passed it right back to his side's own goal, which proved to be a problem since Karnezis wasn't there to defend it and thus the ball rolled right in to give Lazio a 1-0 lead.
Maybe Seitaridis spotted a phantom teammate or maybe he just forgot who passed him the ball, but the result was like some kind of glitch out of FIFA 13. Lazio took its gifted lead into halftime, which gave Seitaridis' teammates a good 15 minutes to repeatedly ask him what he was thinking.
Video via 101gg
Galaxy brand keeps on growing
CARSON, Calif. -- The mission had been accomplished long before the teams even took the field Tuesday night.
The final score was irrelevant to the larger goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy, which, if you must know, played to a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League in front of a near sellout crowd at the Home Depot Center.
As nice as it was to see an undermanned Galaxy team (playing without David Beckham and Landon Donovan) hold their own against a Tottenham side, which finished fourth in the English Premier League last season, the Galaxy’s goal have always been larger than one game, one player and one country.Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/17688/galaxy-brand-keeps-on-growing
Terrence Boyd on his way out of Borussia Dortmund?s reserves and to? Austria?s Rapid
If you trust Google translator, it is safe to assume US international Terrence Boyd appears to be on his way to Austria‘s top team Rapid Wien According to Rapid’s website and Google, Boyd’s services have been secured by the team. �This move means that Boyd will no longer play for�Borussia Dortmund?s reserves.
Selecting A Name For World Cup 2014?s Official Armadillo
The potential names for the Official Armadillo of World Cup 2014 have been announced. Unless you speak Portuguese, you’ll be voting on which one is the most fun to say – clearly it’s Amujibi. And so it shall be. Though Brazilians seem rather unhappy with their pu pu platter of potential monikers.
FIFA says the three [...]
FIFA says the three [...]
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Your 2011 Premier League Fantasy Champion Is?
Joe Plumber, manager of N’gog we trust 4evra. So long as you don’t leave Andy Carroll to Jonny Evans, ya know? For finishing top of a table with more than 200 entries, Joe will receive a $100 gift certificate to SoccerPro.com, which has licensed jerseys for all the big European clubs and MLS clubs, plus [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/05/23/your-2011-premier-league-fantasy-champion-is/
Polish legend says his 8-year-old grandson moves better than Andy Carroll
Ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Poland, former Juventus player and Polish legend Zbigniew Boniek decided it was the perfect time to show he can still take shots better than Andy Carroll can.
From the Telegraph:
"My [eight-year-old] grandson Mateo moves better on the pitch than Andy Carroll," said Boniek. "Mateo is very good at golf and tennis. He has better co-ordination."
Well, OK then. Either Boniek is trying to get Liverpool to buy his grandson for �35 million or he really doesn't think very much of Andy Carroll. Maybe this is just his roundabout way of suggesting that Carroll take up golf and tennis?
Whatever the case may be, Boniek has an impressive mustache and Andy Carroll has no mustache at all. Advantage: Boniek.
Polish legend says his 8-year-old grandson moves better than Andy Carroll
Ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Poland, former Juventus player and Polish legend Zbigniew Boniek decided it was the perfect time to show he can still take shots better than Andy Carroll can.
From the Telegraph:
"My [eight-year-old] grandson Mateo moves better on the pitch than Andy Carroll," said Boniek. "Mateo is very good at golf and tennis. He has better co-ordination."
Well, OK then. Either Boniek is trying to get Liverpool to buy his grandson for �35 million or he really doesn't think very much of Andy Carroll. Maybe this is just his roundabout way of suggesting that Carroll take up golf and tennis?
Whatever the case may be, Boniek has an impressive mustache and Andy Carroll has no mustache at all. Advantage: Boniek.
Adidas Condivo 12 Training Pants Review ? Black
The cold weather seems as though it is finally here to stay. That means that you?ll have to bundle up a little more if you are playing soccer outdoors. A perfect thing to wear while you train is the Adidas Condivo 12 training pants. These pants are stylish and will help keep you warm in…
Source: http://soccerprose.com/product-reviews/adidas-condivo-12-training-pants-review-black/
The Beginner?s Guide to Aussie Rules, 2011 Edition
So the NFL lockout proved inevitable, the NFL Players Association has decertified, and everyone’s dug in for a long, ugly legal battle that nobody really wants to read about, even though the fate of the 2011 NFL season hangs in the balance. Whatever shall we do without football? Simple. We shall turn our attention… to [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/03/21/the-beginners-guide-to-aussie-rules-2011-edition/
Villas-Boas has a chance at revenge
This weekend will provide soccer fans with a very enticing game to watch: Chelsea at Tottenham. Not only does this match feature two of the top teams in the English Premier League, it also is the first time Andres Villas-Boas will manage against his former club. Chelsea sacked Villas-Boas last season after a disappointing start…
Source: http://soccerprose.com/epl/villas-boas-has-a-chance-at-revenge/
Friday, October 26, 2012
Brothels become shirt sponsors for struggling Greek club
Like most everything else in Greece, football clubs have been hit hard by the economic crisis, but one of the world's few recession proof industries has decided to help one open-minded amateur club in Larissa.
From the AP:
Players on a cash-strapped Greek soccer team now wear pink practice jerseys with the logos "Villa Erotica'' and "Soula's House of History,'' two bordellos it recruited as sponsors after drastic government spending cuts left the country's sports clubs facing ruin.
Other teams have also turned to unconventional financing. One has a deal with a local funeral home and others have wooed kebab shops, a jam factory and producers of Greece's trademark feta cheese.
But the amateur Voukefalas club - whose players include pizza delivery guys, students, waiters and a bartender - has raised eyebrows with its flamboyant sponsorship choice.
Owner of Soula's House of History, Soula Alevridou, has paid over ?1,000 to put her business' name on Voukefalas' pink shirts, but league organizers are trying to ban the club from wearing them during matches on the grounds that the sponsorship is inappropriate for young fans even though prostitution is legal in Greece. This is a complaint much larger clubs with alcoholic beverage and gambling sponsors have gotten around by keeping the offending logos off the kids sized shirts they sell.
According to the AP, Voukefalas require about ?10,000 a year to break even and Alevridou, who believes they need a better midfield, has promised more money. Her decision to sponsor Voukefalas seems to be purely out of a sense of civic duty, though. As she says, her business isn't one that require much advertising.
"It's not the kind of business that needs promotion,'' she said, dressed all in white and flanked by two young women in dark leggings at a recent game. "It's a word-of-mouth kind of thing.''
Voukefalas has lost four straight matches, but Ms. Alevridou promises the players a "special time" at her establishments if they win. I'm assuming that means they would get to play FIFA 13 with the prostitutes.
Nottingham Forest?s Billy Sharp celebrates goal by eating fan?s hot dog
Billy Sharp scored the first goal in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw at Blackpool -- an action that apparently made him a bit hungry. After scoring in the 25th minute, Sharp did a power slide towards a group of Forest supporters at Bloomfield Road. Some of the fans rushed up against the divider between the stand and the pitch and one of them was holding a hot dog.
That hot dog caught Sharp's fancy, so he asked if he could have a bite and the fan handed it over. Sharp then took his bite and moved on, as the fan was presumably fine with losing the remainder of his hot dog if it meant helping to fuel the scorer for the rest of the match.
Sharp's goal would remain the difference until Blackpool scored in the 70th and 75th minutes and substitute Dexter Blackstock saved a point for Forest by making it 2-2 in added time.
Video via 101gg
U.S. advance to final round of World Cup qualifying with win that?s finally convincing
A third straight win put the handwringing and doomsday warnings to rest (at least, momentarily) and helped the U.S to finish atop their group in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualification with a 3-1 win against Guatemala. It was the first time the U.S. won a match in this stage by more than one goal since the opener against Antigua and Barbuda and it finally gave them a performance to be proud of as they head into the final round of qualification.
Of course, this being the U.S., the performance was not without its flaws. Just five minutes into the game, another defensive lapse led to a Carlos Ruiz goal for Guatemala, but the U.S. response was uncharacteristically quick. Carlos Bocanegra made it 1-1 in the 10th minute off a corner kick and Clint Dempsey poked in the go-ahead goal while sliding sideways in the 17th minute. This pleased manager Jurgen Klinsmann to the point of uppercuts (end of the video below)...
From that point on, the U.S. maintained control and attacked the goal the way Klinsmann has been promising since he first took over. Dempsey scored again in the 36th minute and though that would be the final addition the scoresheet, the U.S. looked dangerous all the way up to the final whistle (with possible exception to the moment when Dempsey was booked for diving late in the game).
Multi-goal games have been troublingly rare under Klinsmann, but this one could provide a bit of momentum as they go into the final stage of qualification. It also shows that the giant Clint Dempsey head pictured above is likely the key to the team's success.
UPDATE: The teams joining the U.S. in the�hexagonal�stage are Jamaica, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
New Era for Inter as Gasperini Takes Charge
Inter Milan have named the man who will attempt to reclaim the Champions League crown they relinquished last season. Former Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini has been handed the role of manager, becoming the fourth man to take the reins in just a year after Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Leonardo. Former Brazilian midfielder Leonardo [...]
Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/italian-serie-a/new-era-for-inter-as-gasperini-takes-charge/
Prospective Leeds Utd owner compares club to Pamela Anderson
Thanks to various endeavors of financial mismanagement, Leeds has suffered a tempestuous ride over the past few years, and have struggled to recover from slipping into the third tier of English football in 2007.
Promising to bring the Yorkshire club back to the Premier League promised land, however, is Middle East consortium Gulf Finance House, which is close to taking the club off of Ken Bates' hands. The Bahrain consortium's �50m takeover bid is being headed up by David Haigh, a Leeds fan who literally�just saw Brian May at a Tory conference.
Aging rock star sightings aside, the prospective Leeds chairman has attempted to bring some allure to his acquisition by comparing the club to something glamorous and exciting. Well, something that would have been�glamorous�and exciting in 1996. Haigh is quoted by The Sun:
"Leeds is like a young Pamela Anderson. It's in great shape, with superb assets and a great future ahead of her."
While Pam is an international icon, the analogy doesn't quite seem to fit a club looking forward to a return to success. What great future did she have ahead of her? Barb Wire? Kid Rock? The Bulgarian version of Big Brother?
Perhaps it would be better to compare Leeds to Elizabeth Berkley: popular a few decades ago (Saved by the Bell), guilty of a huge drop-off in quality (Showgirls), a reputation for being "dirty" (Showgirls again) and keen to capitalize on the success of the past with an ambitious new project (whatever�this is).
Nottingham Forest?s Billy Sharp celebrates goal by eating fan?s hot dog
Billy Sharp scored the first goal in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw at Blackpool -- an action that apparently made him a bit hungry. After scoring in the 25th minute, Sharp did a power slide towards a group of Forest supporters at Bloomfield Road. Some of the fans rushed up against the divider between the stand and the pitch and one of them was holding a hot dog.
That hot dog caught Sharp's fancy, so he asked if he could have a bite and the fan handed it over. Sharp then took his bite and moved on, as the fan was presumably fine with losing the remainder of his hot dog if it meant helping to fuel the scorer for the rest of the match.
Sharp's goal would remain the difference until Blackpool scored in the 70th and 75th minutes and substitute Dexter Blackstock saved a point for Forest by making it 2-2 in added time.
Video via 101gg
Young a big miss for Villa
Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has conceded that the club will find it very difficult to find an adequate replacement for Ashley Young. The winger moved to Premier League champions Manchester United earlier this week in a deal believed to be worth around �20 million after joining the Villains in January 2007. Most people with [...]
Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/young-a-big-miss-for-villa/
Over 200 arrests in clashes with police at Dortmund-Schalke derby
About 1,000 police officers at Saturday's Revier derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke used water cannons and pepper spray to combat fans from both sides as they fought them with cobble stones, bits of restaurant furniture and most everything else they could find. The clashes began before the match, which Schalke won 2-1 to give Dortmund its first home loss in over a year, when the extra-large police contingent tried to keep the two sets of rival fans�separated�outside the stadium.
From ESPN:
According to local police reports, a restaurant was gutted by Dortmund followers "with furniture ripped apart and used as missiles against opposition fans and police''. One police car was damaged as mounted police, riot police and agents with dogs were brought in to keep the spectators apart.
Followers of both clubs attacked police who tried to segregate them in the Westphalian city and water cannons and tear gas had to be deployed to keep them at a safe distance. Mounted police were "attacked by Dortmund hooligans with cobble stones'', according to a police report.
The trouble continued during and after the match, resulting in over 200 arrests and eight injured officers.
Here's video of the police clearing a large standoff outside the stadium...
Can Real Madrid reduce Barcelona?s La Liga lead with a win this weekend?
This weekend provides soccer fans with the chance to watch two of the best teams in the world compete in another exciting segment of a classic rivalry. Real Madrid will travel to the Camp Nou on Sunday to face Barcelona. This match is always exciting and the intensity has gone up since Jose Mourinho took…
Over 200 arrests in clashes with police at Dortmund-Schalke derby
About 1,000 police officers at Saturday's Revier derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke used water cannons and pepper spray to combat fans from both sides as they fought them with cobble stones, bits of restaurant furniture and most everything else they could find. The clashes began before the match, which Schalke won 2-1 to give Dortmund its first home loss in over a year, when the extra-large police contingent tried to keep the two sets of rival fans�separated�outside the stadium.
From ESPN:
According to local police reports, a restaurant was gutted by Dortmund followers "with furniture ripped apart and used as missiles against opposition fans and police''. One police car was damaged as mounted police, riot police and agents with dogs were brought in to keep the spectators apart.
Followers of both clubs attacked police who tried to segregate them in the Westphalian city and water cannons and tear gas had to be deployed to keep them at a safe distance. Mounted police were "attacked by Dortmund hooligans with cobble stones'', according to a police report.
The trouble continued during and after the match, resulting in over 200 arrests and eight injured officers.
Here's video of the police clearing a large standoff outside the stadium...
Nottingham Forest?s Billy Sharp celebrates goal by eating fan?s hot dog
Billy Sharp scored the first goal in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw at Blackpool -- an action that apparently made him a bit hungry. After scoring in the 25th minute, Sharp did a power slide towards a group of Forest supporters at Bloomfield Road. Some of the fans rushed up against the divider between the stand and the pitch and one of them was holding a hot dog.
That hot dog caught Sharp's fancy, so he asked if he could have a bite and the fan handed it over. Sharp then took his bite and moved on, as the fan was presumably fine with losing the remainder of his hot dog if it meant helping to fuel the scorer for the rest of the match.
Sharp's goal would remain the difference until Blackpool scored in the 70th and 75th minutes and substitute Dexter Blackstock saved a point for Forest by making it 2-2 in added time.
Video via 101gg
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Fan support, aka ?There?s no ?me? in ?affirmation??
Fan (fan) n.: A person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular sport, art or entertainment form, or famous person. During Sunday’s brilliant, almostthisclosetoawin El Classic, I Tweeted that I had heretofore thought it impossible for me to hate Wrongaldo more, but I was wrong. It wasn’t just the repeat of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/egA2HGHNzZc/
2012 MLS, Week 33: What We Learned
Posted in MLS
http://www.sbnation.com/mls/2012/10/22/3537810/2012-major-league-soccer-week-30-what-we-learned
My weekly post is up over at SBNation.com’s MLS hub. I review what the Quakes have done and how crazy the Eastern Conference playoff seeding will be this week.
The post 2012 MLS, Week 33: What We Learned appeared first on WVHooligan.com - MLS Blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/Bnww77xKjP4/
Xaor?s Corner: Movement Physics
For the first article of the post-FIFA 13 era, I’m focusing on what would be my number one priority for FIFA 14: movement physics. See all previous articles here Since I started writing these blogs last Summer, there is one group of issues which I have mentioned over and over again, but never focused on [...]
The post Xaor’s Corner: Movement Physics appeared first on FIFA Soccer Blog.
Source: http://fifasoccerblog.com/blog/xaors-corner-movement-physics/
Milan fans had a banner demanding ?traitor? Antonio Cassano return defibrillator
Milan have been fined ?8,000 for fan behavior at Sunday's 1-0 Derby della Madonnina loss to 10-man Inter. The offenses that earned the fine included plastic bottles thrown on the pitch and tasteless banners displayed with messages referencing former Milan striker Antonio Cassano's heart surgery last season.
"Cassano traitor, give us back the defibrillator," read one banner (pictured above) of the player who requested a transfer after the sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva and moved from Milan to Inter in a swap deal that also involved Giampaolo Pazzini. Cassano had heart surgery after suffering stroke-like symptoms on Milan's team plane last season and though he later admitted that he thought he might die, he made a tremendous recovery to reclaim a spot on Italy's Euro 2012 squad.
Cassano's heart condition was a theme among Milan supporters' banners on Sunday, though. There was also one that read "Cassano plays with his heart," where the "o" in "cuore" (the Italian word for heart) was a broken heart.
In a time when nothing is too dark for the most bitter and desperate sections of football supporters to call upon, it's not surprising that Milan fans would reference this, but that doesn't make it OK either. Maybe fines like this will help curb this kind of thing or maybe it will limit Silvio Berlusconi to three prostitutes this week.
Who will be next season?s top scorer?
It is 11 years since an Englishman won the Premier League Golden Boot. A home-grown player had won at least a share in the award in every previous Premier League season, so this prize exemplifies the shift in balance of power between native and foreign players more than anything else. This pattern might be about [...]
Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk/premiership/who-will-be-next-seasons-top-scorer/
Iker Casillas wears France shirt to training ahead of World Cup qualifier against France
As Spain prepare to play World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and France, captain Iker Casillas wore a France T-shirt made by mutual sponsor adidas to training on Tuesday. Was it a show of corporate synergy? Some kind of early mind game? Maybe an unusual show of friendship and a statement against the bile and bitterness that can, at times, crush the spirit of athletic competition?
Whatever the case may be, it's probably just a matter of time before Sara Carbonero is blamed for it.
UPDATE: A France shirt is one thing, but what Portugal's Miguel Lopes wore to training is quite another. Wow.
Newcastle vs. Man United: Tougher for United than it looks
Newcastle vs. Man United: Tougher for United than it looks - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Manchester United face a tough away trip to Newcastle on Sunday (4pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1) but look worth a wager at 1.91 with Betfred and Paddy Power to rise to the occasion and come away with all three points. The stats are not so good as far as the Red devils are...
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/8Iubi7dv2pY/
U.S. aims to close gap on Mexico, the world
MEXICO CITY -- The United States hopes its historic victory at Estadio Azteca is a precursor of sorts, but nobody is mistaking it as a shift in the balance within the region's primary rivalry. The gap separating the Americans from Mexico remains intact, and the only questions concern how great is the chasm and what must be done to bridge it.
Mexico's focus on youth development has created a golden generation of players and could signal El Tri's arrival among the truly elite in international soccer.Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/17738/u-s-aims-to-close-gap-on-mexico-the-world
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Frank Lampard?s moment with Kate Middleton
Oh. My. Gravy. Princess Catherine is right in front of me and I can't take my eyes off of her. It's like the royal wedding is happening all over again but on a football pitch and I won an invitation for buying a Princess Diana commemorative plate. I can't believe this is happening. She smells like sausages in heaven.
Ohmygod she is so smart! I have never heard anyone tell a story this informative and enthralling in my entire life of listening to people talk. She should be one of those people who explains things for a living. She could totally do that if she wasn't already so good at princessing. Her hair is so perfect. How does she do it?
She's not making eye contact with Adam Johnson is she? Because he has no idea what she's talking about right now. Until an hour ago he thought her mother's name was "Debbie" but I was like, "No, Adam, it's Carole. Duh." He probably forgot already. Maybe if I just lean into her line of vision she will start smiling at me instead...
Mr. Frank Middleton. Mr. Prince Frank Middleton. Mr. Prince Frank Middleton, Duchessman of Cambridge. We could get a puppy together and name him Cupcake Lampard-Middleton. We can pick out little clothes for him pretend he is real people. Kitier Katba will be so jealous.
Hahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha! She is so funny! I don't usually laugh at people's anecdotes about the quirks of redecorating Kensington Palace but hers was just so perfect. She is so much better than Pippa in every way. Pippa might as well be an accident-prone groundskeeper called Warty Ted. My stomach feels like Beanie Babies.�Maybe if I scratch my chin while I keep laughing really loud she will look at me.
OMG OMG OMG what if she touches my hand right now? I would curtsy for her if I really had to. There are so many cooking shows we could watch together. Her boots must have been made by elves and kittens.
I am never going to wash this smile again.
2012 MLS, Week 33: What To Watch For
Posted in MLS
Breathe it in folks. Fall is surrounding us (even here in Dallas for me!) and playoff soccer is so close you can taste it. There are just two more weeks left in the season and this week could be the biggest of them all as we close in on who will be the last four [...]
The post 2012 MLS, Week 33: What To Watch For appeared first on WVHooligan.com - MLS Blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WVHooligan/~3/NhvqupvfhD4/
The Pro Bowl Should Be Replaced, Not Saved
Once upon a time, NFL players cared about playing football in the Pro Bowl. This is what they did yesterday instead. Notice how nobody seemed all that interested in hitting anyone. There was no blitzing, no real blocking (it wasn’t really needed), and no tackling. This might have been the players deciding that they weren’t [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/01/31/the-pro-bowl-should-be-replaced-not-saved/
Your 2011 Premier League Fantasy Champion Is?
Joe Plumber, manager of N’gog we trust 4evra. So long as you don’t leave Andy Carroll to Jonny Evans, ya know? For finishing top of a table with more than 200 entries, Joe will receive a $100 gift certificate to SoccerPro.com, which has licensed jerseys for all the big European clubs and MLS clubs, plus [...]
Source: http://www.davesfootballblog.com/post/2011/05/23/your-2011-premier-league-fantasy-champion-is/
blitzen awards, the clasico hangover edition.
It’s over? We got through the Clasico and everyone is still alive? Fantastic! And a good result too. A draw against Real Madrid is quite respectable considering our current defensive deficiencies. To celebrate, let’s hand out some awards! Nothing New Under The Sun Award: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Once [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/0YtNWkTd4hg/
England v San Marino: Chance for Baines, Jagielka & Lescott to show their quality?
England v San Marino: Chance for Baines, Jagielka & Lescott to show their quality? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Baines? fantastic start to the season could see him force his way into the England left-back. Terry?s retirement provides hope for Lescott & Jagielka.
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/soccerlens/~3/r0KelhiboQk/
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Power and the Glory: El Clasico
I speak Spanish, not Catalan. A lot of friends would claim I speak neither, that stringing curses together does not constitute fluency. I tell them to [bleep] [bleep] [bleeeeeep]. Other friends just look at me and shake their heads. I have no excuses other than to point at the screen I?m watching and repeat my [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BarcelonaFootballBlog/~3/3WpP-qCZUHI/
Swedish women?s team Kristianstads recreate Baywatch title sequence
In a brief respite from competing in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, women's team Kristianstads DFF have produced their very own Baywatch parody, showcasing their best slow-motion running, Blue Steel pouts and sexy walking away from parked cars (see 1.38).
One of the ladies channeling her inner Yasmin Bleeth on one of Scandinavia's many fine beaches is former USWNT U-23 star Becky Edwards, who is now helping the Swedish side in their quest for a Women's Champions League berth.
Why has Kristianstads produced this video? An attempt to go viral? Because they haven't discovered the Thunder in Paradise title sequence yet? As a means of helping DT out on a slow news day? Who knows. We should just be thankful they didn't do 'Call Me Maybe'.
UPDATE: @coreydesharnais has discovered this isn't Kristianstads' first foray into title sequence pastiche...
England 1, Ukraine 0: Outplayed but Advancing to the Quarter-Finals
England 1 Rooney 48′
Ukraine 0
Much of the English media spent the days leading up to the match talking as though advancement to the knockout rounds was a foregone conclusion, little more than a formality with the only question being whether Roy Hodgson’s side would face off against Spain or Italy in the next round. On [...]
Ukraine 0
Much of the English media spent the days leading up to the match talking as though advancement to the knockout rounds was a foregone conclusion, little more than a formality with the only question being whether Roy Hodgson’s side would face off against Spain or Italy in the next round. On [...]
Polish legend says his 8-year-old grandson moves better than Andy Carroll
Ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Poland, former Juventus player and Polish legend Zbigniew Boniek decided it was the perfect time to show he can still take shots better than Andy Carroll can.
From the Telegraph:
"My [eight-year-old] grandson Mateo moves better on the pitch than Andy Carroll," said Boniek. "Mateo is very good at golf and tennis. He has better co-ordination."
Well, OK then. Either Boniek is trying to get Liverpool to buy his grandson for �35 million or he really doesn't think very much of Andy Carroll. Maybe this is just his roundabout way of suggesting that Carroll take up golf and tennis?
Whatever the case may be, Boniek has an impressive mustache and Andy Carroll has no mustache at all. Advantage: Boniek.
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