// March 31st, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Uncategorized
I am very much looking forward to today’s Arsenal-Barca game, although I am dreading the commentary. Whenever there is a blatantly clear narrative to a particular game, the announcers tend to drill it into the ground. I’m sure we’ll hear them drone on and on about how this will be a battle of the possession game, of two teams that love “one-touch football”, blah, blah, blah. A great drinking game for the match would force watchers to chug whenever the terms “pretty passing,” “neat little flick”, “possession battle”, “walk the ball into the net”, and “they don’t have a Plan B” are used. Thank God neither Tommy Smyth nor Ray Hudson are involved in this one. We may, however, be on full Andy Grey alert. I normally happen to like him, but today might be too orgasmic for the big Scot.
// March 30th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Uncategorized
May 26, 1999: one of the greatest soccer moments ever. I was living in Madrid in a shared apartment with a Spaniard and two Brits, one a Leeds fan, the other one of those precious un-allied fervent soccer fans (hard to relate, I know). We didn’t have a lot in common, but nothing brings people together like rooting against Germany. After getting plastered for 90 minutes, United put in benchwarmers Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who promplty won the game. We were still screaming about Sheringham’s equalizer when Ole scored the winner.
Watching Lothar Matthaus cry made me very happy. I know, I’m a bad person. Today I’m a neutral.
// March 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
Juuuust when it looked like Arsenal was going to make it the most exciting Premiership well, ever, really, the Gunners gave up a last minute goal to Birmingham City, keeping them four, instead of one point out of the top spot. (For some readon, you knew that goal was coming.) But still, three teams separated by four points is fun. Spain remained tied at the top (despite Atletico going up 0-1 to Real Madrid, you knew they would lose), and don’t look now, but even Serie A might go down to the wire, although it would have been a lot more interesting had Milan done better than a draw at home to Lazio (you kind of knew they weren’t going to seize the opportunity). But again, three teams separated by three points is good.
Ladies and gentleman, we’ve arrived: the next hundred days will have exciting finishes to Europe’s top three leagues, the Champions League quarterfinals and beyond, and, oh yeah, the World fricking Cup.
(And MLS is back! No, really, I’m excited. I definitely want to check out the new Red Bull stadium, as soon as it warms up.)
We’ve hit the sweet spot of the year — time to sit back and enjoy.
// March 23rd, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Uncategorized
Thanks to everyone for their patience. Basically, we got hacked to bits and Cass spent hours getting us rehosted and blah, blah, blah. If anyone is still reading, we appreciate your patience. As a reward, below is a clip of what Leo Messi did this past weekend, in one of the greatest single game performances I have ever seen. Three great goals, the second of which was so out of this world, it was actually born on a planet called An Impossibly Incredible Series Of Moves Done Only With The Left Foot (it’s a small, faraway planet).
What’s more, after he had scored the hat trick, he made another run from the planet AIISOMDOWTLF, which included the most ridiculous sombrero on a defender who was actually trying to tackle him headfirst (just watch that first defender at the start of the clip). The best part about it, though, is that as soon as Messi gets off the ground and sees that a penalty has been called, he points to Ibrahimovic, who has been in a big goal drought, to take the spot kick. Classy fellow, little Messi.
// March 22nd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized
Sorry for the mess, but much like Maradona in Italia ’90, our site is getting hacked to bits. It’s keeping us from posting any links, clips, etc. We’re changing servers and should be back soon.
// March 10th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Uncategorized
Remember when Samir Nasri was coming up with Marseille, and everyone talked about him as the new Zidane? Same country, both from Marseille with Algerian parents, etc. (The only problem was the hair — Nasri’s shows no signs of thinning, although Zizou was fully coiffed once upon a time.) Nasri then moved to Arsenal, scored a goal or two on his debut, and things seemed to be moving right along. But then he sort of stagnated, and became somewhat unremarkable, possibly because he has been playing with too many other players similar to him (Rosicky, Fabregas, Ramsay, etc.). But last night’s wonder goal made me wonder… and a little research shows he’s still only 22! There’s still time!
Here’s the goal in case you missed it. On your second viewing, just watch the Porto center back #15, whose movements will give you an idea for how fast Nasri is moving.
// March 9th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized
More from Leo Messi:
I had never seen a chip from a free kick, but Barca’s soccer (idiot?) savant noticed that the Almeria keeper couldn’t see the ball through his wall, and succesfully dinked his shot into the corner. Very sneaky, Leo!
In other news, Real Madrid remain unstoppable. I tuned into that game right when Sevilla went up 0-2 on 55 minutes. After watching for about 30 seconds, it became absolutely clear that Madrid would win. Three goals (and three struck posts) later, Madrid had tied Barca at the top of the Spanish league. Like thrilling combacks? Then watch the clip:
Madrid is such an offensive juggernaut, but Barca is still great. So while England is up in arms over a three-way horse race where no team is really playing all that well, I suggest people keep an eye on Spain, where two teams, both playing incredibly, are locked in a real battle of chicken.
// March 1st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized
I watched Real Madrid hammer yet another team yesterday — they won 1-5 away to Tenerife. Despite fielding a team of players you’ve never hear of, Tenerife is actually pretty good. Not that it matters when you play Madrid these days. They have turned themselves into a ridicuous offensive powerhouse. They not only put out a side full of great skill, but everyone is big and strong, too. It’s like Chelsea with more talent. Real Madrid’s front three of Cristiano, Kaka, and Gonzalo Higuain, are just way to much for other teams to handle.
Higuain is their goal scorer and best player — he not only serves as the front of the attack, but he brings Kaka and Cristiano into scoring positions when he plays with his back to goal. Crissy is just a physical specimen. He appears to somehow have gotten stronger and faster (he apparently does 3,000 sit-ups per day — it’s all about core strength!), and he runs rings around defenders. Kaka is great but it’s just hard to shine next to the other two: Higuian seems to score every time he gets the ball, and Crissy makes everyone in the stadium hold their breath. Kaka is great, but next to those two, eh.
One more thing Crissy: he’s not getting any nicer. He alternatively struts and sulks around the field (when he’s not sprinting with the ball at speeds that don’t seem natural). Every ref is ruining his life, and not teammate gets him the ball as well as they should. And here’s one tender moment from last weekend’s game with Villareal. Here the context: Madrid are winning 5-2 at home against Villareal, the game is over, and Madrid win a penalty. Crissy gets the ball and starts walking to the spot. Xabi Alono walks over and asks to take it. Crissy doesn’t want to hand it over. In the end, he concedes, and Xabi takes it. If you read the subtitles that Spanish television have provided, the conversation gets a little tense, but not too bad. But if you actually look at their lips, you can see that it’s not a direct record of what they are saying. I did some of my own lip-reading, and then consulted some Spanish newspapers. And the TV has clearly tried to make Crissy look good. Here’s a real transcript (thanks to Chris S for the link) below the clip:
Xabi: Hey, hand it off to me.
Crissy: No, this one is mine.
Xabi: You’re a liar, you know I’m supposed to take this one. I haven’t scored yet.
Crissy: The next one, I promise.
Xabi: You know that I’m supposed to take this one, because you scored already today.
Crissy: No. I want to be pichichi (top-scorer).
Xabi: Yes, yes, give it to me. I’m supposed to take this one.
Crissy: I can’t believe this…. this is incredible.
