UEFA U-21 Final - England v. Germany...
Whatever you do, don't mention the war.
6.30.2009
6.29.2009
Confederations Cup - Brazil v. USA...
I told the lads yesterday before we locked horns in the Grimsby Derby - "be like the Americans, not in the first second half, the first half". The Yanks took the game to the South Americans for large parts of the half and showed little of the respect they showed earlier in the competition and got their rewards. The second goal on the fast break was literally a page from the Samba playbook. Kaka and co were rattled and on the ropes. All that was needed was the killer knockout blow. Dunga's mid-match talk must have been a proper hair-dryer and suddenly the world's best stormed back and pinned the USA in their own half for what must have seemed an eternity to Tim Howard and the back four - wave after wave of shock and awe in the form of Robinho, Elano, Fabiano, and Kaka. What a nightmare. In the end, they just proved too much.
Quote of the Day...
Barcelona star Xavi: We wouldn't want Ron here | The Sun |Sport|Football: "'I wouldn't want him here.
'At Barca, we do not have room for players who fill gossip magazines.
'We are hard workers and sportsmen but he, on the other hand, is uncontrollable.
'We have a lot of desire to continue winning.
'The best player in the world is Lionel Messi and there's no chance he will switch allegiance.
'We also have Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o. With that kind of luxury we are capable of doing anything.
'This group has a strong mentality and why shouldn't we dream about winning the treble again?'"
Barca's midfield maestro Xavi sounds out on Ronaldo, via Sun Sport...
6.28.2009
6.25.2009
6.24.2009
Quote of the Day...
Robinho begs boss to sign Samuel Eto'o The Sun SportFootball: "'If Eto'o comes too he will add even more talent to the squad.
We need four top-quality forwards because the season is so tough in England.
I hope the club keep signing players with that quality. If so, we will be almost unbeatable. A player like Santa Cruz is more than welcome and I've heard a deal for Carlos will be sorted very soon.
That would be great because Tevez is a world-class talent and I would be happy to play alongside him."
City and Brazil forward Robinho insists Mark Hughes can create Manchester's own Fab Four with himself, Tevez, Santa Cruz and Eto'o, via Sun Sport...
6.23.2009
Gameday 5 Recap - GFC v. Rai Internationals...
I always struggle with the late games. 815 on a Sunday night is really no time to be playing football. I'm still digesting dinner, I'm winding down from a busy weekend of standing in the rain coaching 13 year old girls, I'm really just about ready for bed if I'm honest. So whether I liked it or not, I still had to drive way the hell out to Heritage Green and get to work. Might as well make the best of it.
That seemed to be the theme of the night as Grimsby FC looked to shrug off the disappointment of last week's draw. Rai Internationals were up and I can't say I know much about them. Thistle kicked the crap out of them the week prior so I was hoping to add to their Grimsby-themed misery.
That seemed to be the theme of the night as Grimsby FC looked to shrug off the disappointment of last week's draw. Rai Internationals were up and I can't say I know much about them. Thistle kicked the crap out of them the week prior so I was hoping to add to their Grimsby-themed misery.
Starting XI...
Shawn Giles
Duane Serge Ollie Peter
Alex Eric Marcel Andy
Me
Off the bench...
Evan
Walter
Freddie
Dave
Ollie Resovac and the decidedly effervescent Evan Smith pocketed their first goals of the season to cement the win. Ollie's was a first half screamer from the top of the box with the aid of a clever screen by Giles Hunter. The second goal from Evan, who could have had two more, saw the midfielder take matters into his own hands - using Shawn Din's run as a dummy - to fire low into the left side of the Rai goal.
Two-nil the final. Rai's only really threatening move of the match came via a corner late into the second half with a header onto the post. They did have a couple of shots on target in the first half but nothing that couldn't be dealt with.
All in all a good match to watch despite the dodgy refereeing. We seemed to be more relaxed than last week, more fluidity to our movement off the ball and that's what I like to see. Wingers Duane Arnold and Pete Buskermolen caused havoc along the sidelines, Ollie and Serge operated the middle third with class and style and made few if any mistakes. Shawn, Giles, Dave and the aforementioned Evan Smith had their best appearances yet.
Man of the Match this week will be tough. Eric Paron and Marcel Blom were once again tough as nails to crack down. Evan's efforts and weekly favorite Duane will also be in the running.
Next week cometh the Grimsby Derby. Our cross-town rivals will be looking to extend their fine form with another scalp. I'm predicting a draw. Heritage #2 at 630. Stay tuned.
al
One to Watch - Douglas Costa...
United are said to be very interested in the Gremio youngster, but are they £20 million worth of interested?
Confederations Cup - Brazil v. Italy...
How embarassing. I counted at least 3 'mama mia's' in the commentary. That's never good.
6.20.2009
Quote of the Day...
Carlos Tevez will leave Man Utd | The Sun |Sport|Football: "'The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.
'Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.
'The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future.'"
So that's that then. So long Carlitos, via Sun Sport...
6.18.2009
Gameday #4 - GFC 0 Endzone 0...
Beautiful day for a football match last Sunday. Too bad the football didn't match the weather though. Without a ref to officiate, the two teams assembled decided to have a kickabout for half an hour to salvage at least a little practice time on such a glorious afternoon.
After 15 minutes of play, GFC looked relaxed and flowing - thoroughly in control. But once a ref did show, all that went out the window as we began an abbreviated match that ended pretty much the way it started. Loose passing, loose marking and little pressure on the opponents goal = goalless snoozefest.
Nil-nil and an opportunity lost.
815 at Heritage #1 v. Rai Internationals this Sunday. Stay tuned...
Gueseppi Rossi - Judas??
You see this sort of thing all the time in modern sports. Talented players leaving the land of their birth to play for countries that were home to their parents. So much of a hate figure Villareal's Gueseppi Rossi (born in New Jersey) has become, there is a Facebook page dedicated to his defection. The question is, what's to blame - young athelete's leaving home chasing the the almighty dollar or the home country's sporting infrastructure that lacks in producing world class talent?
Goal 3. Fail...
I still haven't seen Goal Part's Uno and Duo but they must be better than this. I figure, with little effort and a Goal 3-sized budget of apparently $3, we could chronicle the rise of a young and talented Grimsby Thistle midfielder, moving through the ranks to eventually play with his dream team...Grimsby FC...
6.17.2009
6.16.2009
6.15.2009
Quote of the Day...
Manchester City To Offer Carlos Tevez £140,000 A Week - Report - Goal.com: "City will apparently be able to pay the £25.5 million his 'owners' demand in one instalment, something which Liverpool can certainly not do at the moment. They can also afford to offer the player a salary of £140,000 a week after tax, a reported 75 per cent increase on his current salary, something that few clubs can match."
Mark Hughes is apparently offering one Mr. Carlito Tevez a bucket of cash to cross town, via Goal.com...
Supergolazo! David Villa...
Speaking of spending that Ronaldo money, the paper's have it today that at £45M offer has been sent Valencia's way for the services of this man. Would his signature mean the end of the Tevez chase?
6.14.2009
How to spend that Ronaldo money...
Yup. Target #1. He's not quite as handsome as the preening Portuguese winker but I doubt very highly that he's as much of a prat either.
6.11.2009
Quote of the Day...
Ronaldo scores with Paris Hilton in LA night club | The Sun |Showbiz|Bizarre: "'They were sucking each other's faces off like their plane was going down.
'At one point Ronaldo had a bottle between his legs and Paris was stroking it. It was very racy.'"
C-Ron and Paris Hilton? Never saw that one coming, via Sun Sport...
Remi Gaillard...
Assuming the vid's legit, this dude's ability to drop a ball into whatever container is available, and then walk away from it nonchalantly, is astounding.
Quote of the Day...
Man United accept Real Madrid's £80m Cristiano Ronaldo bid | The Sun |Sport|Football: "'Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
'At Cristiano's request — who has again expressed his desire to leave — and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.
'Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30. The club will not comment until further notice.'"
Another done deal? If you believe what you read, the long-running saga is about to come to an abrupt end, via Sun Sport...
6.10.2009
6.09.2009
Quote of the Day...
Kaka: David Beckham told me to join Real Madrid The Sun SportFootball: "'I spoke to some friends, like Beckham, who has already played for Real.
'He said it's a fantastic place to play there.
'I spoke to him this past week and he kept helping me, he said I made a positive choice for my career's growth.
'I wanted this move to be announced sooner.
'For me it's a relief that it has been announced now, although I have always be 100 per cent focussed on the national side.
'I've been weighing up the offer from Real Madrid a lot. It's an important project for me to continue growing in my career.
'I'm not going to Real Madrid for money, as I had other offers.
'But I knew I would only leave Milan to play for Real Madrid."
Done deal, via Sun Sport...
6.08.2009
Gameday #3 - GFC v. Krajina...
I have bunnies.
This is Frank, he brings us chocolate at easter...
They're cute too. They have long ears, twitchy noses, and furry brown fur. And for the second summer in a row, they've decided to make my backyard their backyard. They wander around, usually at night, doing what looks to be a whole lot of not very much. In fact, about the only thing I've ever really seen them do that looked in any way constructive was eat my dandelions. And I've got to tell ya, there ain't nothing short of a newborn baby goo-gooing that's cuter than a cute, twitchy-nosed, furry bunny chewing a dandelion. It's adorable. Having said that, I really have no idea what my bunnies - or any of the world's bunnies for that matter - do for a living.
I do, however, know someone who fancies bunnies far more than I do. That would be Zoe. That would be my cat.
My adopted cat came part and parcel with it's owner. Inseperable both, it's taken me the better part of 5 years to gain the confidence and trust of this animal. When she first moved in, Zoe and I went toe to toe in an epic battle of nerve between man and feline. She wouldn't let me up the stairs - she just wouldn't let me pass. You can really find out alot about yourself when you're face to face with nature's perfect killing machine. She may be only 11 pounds of fluff and whiskers, but she packs a punch that will drop you to her level. Needless to say, I backed my ass very slowly down the stairs from whence I came that night.
Lulling unsuspecting snacks into a false sense of security...
Zoe enjoys the nightlife, Zoe likes to boogie. Except her boogie is the kind of boogie that involves bloodshed. Like I mentioned, Zoe is a killer. In each adorable little paw are several razor sharp (ask me how I know that) blades that do exactly one thing - tear stuff to pieces. These pieces are usually in the form of the local vermin that wander rather unfortunately across her path as the night wears on. They're left out on the patio, usually headless, for mommy and daddy to see. She's a provider and a protector.
And a killer.
Zoe's favorite trick is to hide in her various outposts and stalk the bunnies. Bunnies are bigger game and I imagine an interesting challenge. They're blisteringly quick, but they're not natural predators. Entrenched deep into Zoe's code lie thousands of years of trial and error in the art of the kill. She has binocular vision, she's lightning fast, and scarily agile. The very tools she needs to survive in the wild. Make no mistake, every now and again, another bunny falls.
Now cats aren't the only predatory animals I've had to deal with recently. Playing in two leagues, I get to see much of the same instincts out in front of goal and at close range. Strikers are not much different than those of the feline persuasion. Prima donnas and drama queens with their graceful falls to the earth after just the slightest of defensive interjection, they too possess the tools needed to survive in the wild.
I had three such occasions last night to deal with. Predators wandering through my area, stalking defenders, probing for weakness. Krajina's first goal was an effort that has to be applauded. A hard run to the top of the box was thwarted, only to be revived much to my surprise. A toe-poked finish and I was rooted to the spot. No chance.
Goal number two came from their tall striker, all of 6'5" this guy, a proper target man. Even in double coverage he was causing problems. With his back to goal he got the ball into feet. He spun my central defender and lashed the ball into the top right. I reacted but not well enough. I couldn't get off the ground, I was flat footed - it happened that quickly.
Goal number three, again, facing and moving away from goal, the ball seemed to come from nowhere, either through or just past the defender's legs and into the bottom right corner. I had little time to deal with it.
Three predatory strikes taken as if years of instinctive lessons had been mastered.
Now, keep in mind, we've a couple of predators in the GFC ranks as well. First off, the goals. Walt Basic is a genius. He'll be modest and say he just hit them well but I'd bet my last nickel he was aiming for the back post both times. Two free kicks, both easily 30 yards, both pounded Scud-missile style over the keeper and into the back of the goal. That takes vision on a different level.
Pablo and Serge play the roles of very different predators. They wander the midfield looking for their proverbial bunny. Their's is round and white and moves very quickly too. These guys spent the entire night, running, bumping, tackling and generally making as much trouble as possible for the Krajina midfielders. This attitude infected the team and suddenly just about everyone was getting stuck in. Lead by example, it's the only way to go.
So a loss is a loss but we'll take it together. Full credit to Krajina for the win as we put them under immense pressure in the last few minutes as wave after wave of GFC assault closed them all into a small area. Andy Blood with a last gasp strike just about tied it, only to have it cleared off the line with a suspected hand-ball. As an indication of the pressure level, I was at the halfway line on three different occasions in the final moments.
So best game of the season so far. In the end, Krajina's predators took their chances with aplomb. Epic fight from all involved and two truly epic goals from our left back in his first game of the season. That said, man of the match should be a wrap.
al
Quote of the Day...
Kazakhstan 0 England 4 | The Sun |Sport|Football: "'It was impossible to think we would win six out of six. Now I have to win the seventh! After six games and 18 points, yes, sure, it has gone better than I thought. It's a lot of points and we have played a lot of games away.
'We've also scored lots of goals, so I'm happy. The confidence is very important, because we are at the end of the season and it is a time when there can be a lack of focus.'"
Fabio Capello on scoring plenty of goals as England continue their march to the World Cup Finals next year, via Sun Sport...
6.07.2009
Real offer United olive branch | The Sun |Sport|Football
"'If one day there is a chance of Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid, that would be an honour for us.
'But if I had to choose between the friendship with Manchester United and the signing of Ronaldo, I would choose the friendship.
'Plus, I have never said that Cristiano will arrive in June. That is an arrogant and false statement.
'I shall be talking with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill to build bridges.'"
Real's Florentino Perez about moving forward with Manchester United, via Sun Sport...
WC 2010 - England v. Kazakhstan...
6.06.2009
MMA KO of the Year...
Give it a minute or so and POWWWWWWWWW! That poor lad's grandchildren will feel that one.
6.04.2009
Yoga and soccer?
See? I'm not the only idiot wearing funny short pants and chanting at my desk at work. There's at least three of us now - me, an' my pals Claudio and Clint. Hot as she is though, hottie yoga teacher Gwen here wouldn't last 30 seconds in a yoga-type grappling match with my teacher. Virabhadrasana at 10 paces ladies...en guard!
6.03.2009
Quote of the Day...
"AC Milan and Real reckon they have the basis for a deal."
"But there are things in the way, like the commission to be paid to Kaka's father, and with the European elections coming up on Thursday, Berlusconi will not want to lose him just now."
Sid Lowe tells BBC Radio 5 Live that the deal is virtually done. Ricky Kaka to Real Madrid. This then begs the question...what about Ronaldo? Via BBC Sport...
6.02.2009
6.01.2009
Gameday #2 - GFC v. Polk High Recap...
Not what you'd call a classic encounter but a win is a win and we'll take our three points gladly thank you very much. Grimsby FC start the season two wins, no losses with a 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon against a Polk High team not brimming with talent but certainly not hurting for enthusiasm.
The early exchanges all seemed to be in our favor with crisp passing and movement resulting almost immediately in scoring chances - two or three high, wide and handsome tries. The first 10 minutes belonged to the maroon squad but we quickly felt the sting as Polk's first foray into enemy territory left them one goal to the good. A cross from the right not dealt with by the defence allowed their forward in on goal and he powered his shot between my legs. I got a piece of the ball, but not enough as it rolled casually across the goal line.
The early exchanges all seemed to be in our favor with crisp passing and movement resulting almost immediately in scoring chances - two or three high, wide and handsome tries. The first 10 minutes belonged to the maroon squad but we quickly felt the sting as Polk's first foray into enemy territory left them one goal to the good. A cross from the right not dealt with by the defence allowed their forward in on goal and he powered his shot between my legs. I got a piece of the ball, but not enough as it rolled casually across the goal line.
Starting lineup...
Shaun Giles
Duane Pablo Dave Pete
Freddie Eric Marcel Andy
Al
With that single strike, GFC was suddenly left staggering to regain the control we'd shown in the opening moments of the match. Our confidence shaken, Giles Hunter managed to restore parity midway through the half. A scramble in the box and he managed to get a fairly high boot to the ball and hook it past the keeper.
1-1 at the half and with the wind at our backs for the second, we were optimistic but that optimism was quickly erased as Polk proved to be the hungrier of the two teams. Were it not for a lack of killer instinct in the final third, we'd surely have done very well to keep the scoreline as it was. With defenders dropping like flies - one sick, one injured and one hobbled from repeated cracks on the ankle - a two-man break on the Grimsby goal late in the second half was just what they needed to smash the deadlock, a better chance you'll never see to win a game. The shot, fortunately, sailed very high over my crossbar.
It took Duane Arnold's running power to create the opening we needed to decide the match. Buzzing around for most of the match, his final cross of the day was his best and the ensuing chaos it created in front of goal gave rookie Pete Buskermolen his first goal of the campaign.
2-1 the final as the whistle sounded within minutes of the restart. Not a classic win by any stretch, but yes, a win.
In truth GFC seemed flat and uncharacteristically suceptible to attack after that first goal. A lot of careless and misplaced passes, communication issues, a handful of guilt-edged chances gone begging and a lot of tired legs that at this stage of the season provide plenty to worry about.
It gets no better next week either. Krajina will not be so sympathetic. They most certainly will not be as forgiving in front of goal either. They will be looking to break their winless form and exact some revenge for being put out in the semis by GFC a couple of years back. Dollars to donuts they'll remember that day well. It'll be all hands to the pump, make no mistake.
al
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