August 19, 2008
- No sign of Everton progressing
The usual new season optimism was in short supply at Everton on Saturday.
Never mind the last-minute defeat by Paul Ince’s Blackburn, that was merely salt in the wounds for a club whose preparations for the 2008/09 campaign could barely have been worse.
After recording sixth and fifth-placed finishes in the previous two seasons, Everton’s hopes of [...]
August 18, 2008
- Are United and Bayern already under pressure?
Manchester United and Bayern Munich opened the defence of their respective league titles with draws, prompting worried looks among supporters.
Normally it would be silly to judge a side on the first match of the season, but in United’s case there was clearly something missing in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle…a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
United fans will [...] - South American rivalry to spice up the Games
Only one thing would give Argentina more pleasure than winning their second Olympic gold and that would be to stop Brazil from winning their first in the process.
The Olympic soccer tournament does not cut much ice in Europe but it is taken much more seriously in South America. Brazil have won the World Cup five times, [...] - South American rivalry to spice up the Games
Only one thing would give Argentina more pleasure than winning their second Olympic gold and that would be to stop Brazil from winning their first in the process.
The Olympic soccer tournament does not cut much ice in Europe but it is taken much more seriously in South America. Brazil have won the World Cup five times, [...]
August 15, 2008
- The Olympics? But I could be watching Stoke City…
I had always thought the height of sporting ecstasy was watching my beloved Stoke City score a goal.
Now I’m at the Olympics in Beijing, well, I think I still do… but I must admit this life-long credo is coming under severe strain.
Take events in the Water Cube. Until now, my best memories of ‘swimming’ had been [...]
August 14, 2008
- Why don’t Englishmen like Lampard want to play abroad?
Frank Lampard’s decision to sign a new contract with Chelsea and shun the advances of Inter Milan was hardly a surprise.
The midfielder made a wise choice if he based the decision on the previous experiences of English players in Italy.
Only David Platt at Sampdoria was really a success. Ian “it’s like living in a foreign country” [...]
August 13, 2008
- My del.icio.us bookmarks for August 5th through August 13th
These are my links for August 5th through August 13th:
La Leopolda Villa - The most expensive home in France - Some one just paid over $500 million for a single house. (…)
August 12, 2008
- Argentina to play Siberia as Batista gets lost in translation
Argentine journalists were startled to learn that their team would be playing a match against Siberia at the Olympic football tournament. At least, that is what the official translation said.
Coach Sergio Batista, speaking ahead of a game against Serbia, looked on it utter bewilderment as one interpreter attempted to translate his answers from Spanish into Chinese and another then tried [...] - Was Hughes right to enter the Man City soap opera?
Manchester United fans once popularised the old Monty Python song ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ as a stadium chant but it is their neighbours at Manchester City for whom those words have become almost a way of life during the past 32 years without a trophy.
It looks like City supporters may [...]
August 11, 2008
- A Ronaldinho revival? Don’t speak too soon
Ronaldinho’s two-goal performance against New Zealand in Sunday’s Olympic Games has already been hailed as some sort of revival after his miserable last season with Barcelona.
The former World Player of the Year showed flashes of his best form in the 5-0 win with plenty of cheeky flicks, shimmies and stepovers. And, of course, he grinned.
“This was a [...]
August 10, 2008
- Argentina could pay high price for Messi deal
Argentina could yet pay a heavy price for the deal which has allowed Lionel Messi to play at the Olympic Games.
A lengthy tug-of-war with Barcelona for Messi’s services ended with the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that Barcelona were not obliged to release him for the Olympics.
However, with Messi already in China and having made [...]
August 8, 2008
- Dunga far from happy despite Brazil win
If there was an Olympic gold medal for whingeing then Dunga, coach of the Brazilian soccer team, would be among the early contenders.
The 1994 World Cup winning captain, who as a player was an example of resilience and dedication to the cause, is not a happy camper.
First, he was complaining about the food — “When [...]
August 6, 2008
- Why Barcelona should let Messi stay in China
Spanish clubs are often cast as villains in South America. One minute they are refusing to release players to play for their respective national teams, the next they are accused of exploiting loopholes in transfer regulations to poach young talent without paying a penny.
Earlier this year, Vasco da Gama angrily accused Real Madrid of trying [...] - Messi likely to miss Olympics
News just out that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled in favour of Barcelona and decided they will not have to release Argentine forward Lionel Messi for the Olympics.
Assuming Barcelona do not have a change of heart, it means one of the biggest-name athletes at the Games will not be taking part. Brazilians [...]
August 5, 2008
- View from the Bird’s Nest
It’s been a little quiet around here lately. That’s because I’m in Beijing covering the Olympics, and I hope you won’t mind a shameless plug for the relaunched Reuters Olympic blog — View from the Bird’s Nest.
From August 8-24 the focus will be on the Beijing Games rather than the football world, although we will of course [...]
August 3, 2008
- Olympic soccer is a serious business — just ask Messi
The Olympic soccer tournament, which starts next Thursday, has enjoyed unprecedented publicity in the run-up to Beijing, unwittingly helped by the belligerent attitude of the European clubs.
In their attempts to avoid releasing Argentina striker Lionel Messi for the Games, Barcelona helped raise the profile of the competition to a level it has rarely enjoyed in the past.
Barcelona [...]
July 31, 2008
- Bentley takes another step towards filling Beckham’s boots
He has the same initials and plays in the same position so David Bentley will hope that his 15million pounds transfer to Tottenham will help him dislodge David Beckham once and for all from the England team.
The 23-year-old has never seemed short of confidence and the midfielder declared that he was ready to step up “to [...]
July 30, 2008
- Messi takes a step closer to Beijing
Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi took a step closer to Beijing on Wednesday when FIFA ruled that clubs are obliged to release players aged 23 or under to play at the Olympics.
Barcelona and Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke, who want to keep Diego and Rafinha out of the Games, will probably fight on in the Court [...]
July 29, 2008
- My del.icio.us bookmarks for July 8th through July 29th
These are my links for July 8th through July 29th:
Luxury Development in Cannes Sold out - location, location, location. The credit crunch does not apply here.
Dubai property investing â?? (…) - Vlog on the pitch - Why is Benitez looking closer to home?
Robbie Keane’s arrival at Liverpool and the long pursuit of Gareth Barry suggest Rafa Benitez is looking more at British Isles players than in the past.
Vlogonthepitch host Owen Wyatt went to his local pub to canvass the opinions of two Liverpool fans.
If Barry does eventually sign, will the new approach from Benitez help Liverpool compete [...]
