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AC Milan - Milanfan.com _ Football Discussion _ [RW] Other Leagues 08/09 and 09/10
Posted by: KillerMax Jun 21 2008, 12:27 AM
All talks here...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 7 2008, 04:14 PM
Lillian Thuram was expected to sign with PSG recently, but it's been discovered that he has a cardiac malformation, much like the one hi brother died from, so it is highly unlikely he will play football again from what I've read. A real shame. 
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 8 2008, 11:02 AM
^^ It only popped up now? Wierd... 
I mean his club doctors should have noticed this much earlier. Cardiac conditions don't just start one morning.
So who is PSG's coach? Still Le Guen? And do they have a hope in hell of finishing in the top 4? I mean is the fault with the players?? Or just lousy management?
I guess Ligue 1 is between OM and Lyon.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 12 2008, 01:53 PM
I mean his club doctors should have noticed this much earlier. Cardiac conditions don't just start one morning. So who is PSG's coach? Still Le Guen? And do they have a hope in hell of finishing in the top 4? I mean is the fault with the players?? Or just lousy management?
I guess Ligue 1 is between OM and Lyon.
Don't forget Bordeaux. They were very dangerous last year. Now they have to face the pressure of playing CL matches and league matches which is a important factor. But I really hope OM or even Bordeaux can break the Lyon run.
Anyway, doesn't France and the Ligue 1 deserve a own topic? I know, Lyon bore the hell out of that league, but still...
Posted by: Locke Lamora Jul 12 2008, 02:46 PM
As usual, I'll be rooting for Monaco.
As usual, I'll watch one of there matches.
As usual, they'll get trounced by Lille or something...
Posted by: Portikins Jul 16 2008, 10:49 PM
http://www.realzaragoza.com/r2z/paginas/noticias.php?id=2804
Pablito Aimar suprisingly signed for Benfica. 6.5M/euros.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 17 2008, 08:38 AM
Ahh...the Rui Costa effect is working already. 
They've got Flores as coach right? Go eagles!!
Posted by: Portikins Jul 17 2008, 11:53 AM
They've got Flores as coach right? Go eagles!!
Yes. But I don't think only Aimar will solve their problems.
Anyway, I think you know these 2:
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jul 17 2008, 01:21 PM
Yeah...I know them both. Aimar was one of those really talented players who got stuck with the 'next Maradona' albatross.
And Flores was the best thing to happen to Valencia after Rafa.
Posted by: Portikins Jul 17 2008, 01:52 PM
And Flores was the best thing to happen to Valencia after Rafa.
Actually it's Rui and Pablito in the pic.
Posted by: dst Jul 17 2008, 02:24 PM
Pablito is a delight on the green... but life's unfair... 
Posted by: Habitant Jul 18 2008, 08:38 PM
just stumbled on this. apprently Shaktar Donetsk changed their logo 
pretty ugly if you ask me, looks like a metropolitan gas company 
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Jul 18 2008, 08:50 PM
pretty ugly if you ask me, looks like a metropolitan gas company
Well, a typicall (post)-communist soviet emblem. Nothing new. Just the usuall frightening hard-labor symbol
.
Posted by: Habitant Jul 18 2008, 08:57 PM
.thats what i was wondering, theres the "Hammer and sickle" at the bottom of the crest
Posted by: Locke Lamora Jul 19 2008, 08:28 PM
Damn, Valerenga lost 5-1 to Molde today...
Posted by: Tennie Jul 21 2008, 01:09 PM
You know it's a slow news day in Italy when they run stories about MLS in their transfer threads. Mediaset is reporting that Abel Xavier is ready to leave the LA Galaxy. He has apaprently said that it's due to differences of opinion with Ruud Gullit, who according to him is not very popular with the players. (of note: the Galaxy have scored something like 34 goals but have also conceded 31. very leaky defense).
Posted by: Tennie Jul 22 2008, 12:59 AM
Benfica have loaned Freddy Adu to OM with an option to buy.
They're also supposedly asking Racing about the services of Ebi Smolarek.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Jul 22 2008, 01:41 AM
They're also supposedly asking Racing about the services of Ebi Smolarek.
Smolarek is quality from what I've seen of him, could be a great buy.
Posted by: Habitant Jul 23 2008, 02:40 AM
so the north america is having a CL league next year.
canada will have 1 team enter and well the impact beat out toronto FC 
it's fun cuz i found some highlights of the first league which toronto won (although montreal outplayed them) and they were playing "na na na na goodbye" so it feels great now that those Tw@ts have to eat crow.
btw toronto missed a sitter in the 89th, a real patthetic miss.
Posted by: Tennie Jul 25 2008, 01:14 AM
So the MLS All-Star game is on. It's the All Stars vs. West Ham. At the half, it's All Stars 2 - 1 West Ham.
Ashton got the Hammers goal and Blanco and ...I'm not sure who...got the goals for the All Stars. It's been rather entertaining so far.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 25 2008, 01:45 AM
The All-Stars do quite well. I remember they beat Celtic 2-0 last season, quite a comfortable win too.
Posted by: Tennie Jul 25 2008, 02:18 AM
FT MLS 3 - 2 West Ham. Ashton with both Hammers goals and De Rosaria with the third MLS goal. Decent enough game.
(For Kurt: Angel played the second half and had two good shots on goal).
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 25 2008, 02:21 AM
Yeah, I was surprised to see him come on. He's not been so prolific this year so I didn't even realise he'd been picked in the squad. Good to see him come on though!
EDIT: Did he have a disallowed goal too?
Posted by: Tennie Jul 25 2008, 02:27 AM
He's had all sorts of injuries this year, as I understand it. New York are really struggling. Angel's slowly getting back into form, though. Good couple of goals in the last few games.
Posted by: Tennie Aug 8 2008, 01:48 AM
So, it looks like Rui Costa and new coach Quique Sanchez Flores are really shaking things up with Benfica. A bunch of new players have been brought in, including Javier Balboa, Jose Antonio Reyes, and Pablo Aimar.
Looks like they're really aiming to give Porto a run for their money this year.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Aug 8 2008, 07:00 AM
Yup...good move...good moves...I hope good times are coming back to football. Oh Rui..Rui! 
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Aug 8 2008, 03:34 PM
He kicked ur @ss on ps3
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 10 2008, 09:27 PM
Watching Lyon vs Tolouse. Lyon 3-0 up with 20 minutes to, Benzema has 2, they are so much better than everyone in that league! I just read that they have won the last 7 titles in a row, and these are the only 7 titles they've ever won. I did not know that.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 10 2008, 09:44 PM
I'm watching it too. Lloris is having a very good debut too, right?
You didn't know Lyon was a zero till 2001? Hmhm,..Sonny Anderson was their first big star. They were lucky to become the French No.1 team, cause in that time Marseille still had financial issuses and lost of reputation (remember the last big Marseille generation with Ravanelli, Gallas, Dalmat, Bakayoko, etc.), while Bordeaux, Monaco and PSG went through a crisis.
I'm not particulary happy about Lyon. I like all the other big teams more. PSG and Marseille the most...I hope at least one of those teams will have the strenght to stand up against Lyon and break the spell.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Aug 10 2008, 10:03 PM
As a kid I used to love O Marseille ... The way they say it in slang, it sounded so cool
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 10 2008, 10:13 PM
I allways liked their players, especially Abedi Pele..
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Aug 10 2008, 10:14 PM
I never liked that match
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 10 2008, 10:17 PM
Yep, that's true. We should have won.
Posted by: Tennie Aug 11 2008, 01:00 PM
Marc Overmars (who retired after Euro 2004 due to knee problems) has returned to football. He's signed a 1-year contract with his first club, Dutch 2nd division side Go Ahead Eagles.
Posted by: arivanjj Aug 11 2008, 01:32 PM
... WOW
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Aug 11 2008, 02:02 PM
Nice ... He was a good player back in the day
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 11 2008, 06:44 PM
Yep, I remember him back from the Barcelona days. He really was a good winger..
Posted by: Tennie Aug 11 2008, 11:46 PM
Football is no longer sexy in LA.
Los Angeles Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit has resigned and president and general manager Alexi Lalas has been sacked.
Gullit cited personal reasons for leaving while Lalas has been let go as the club, without a win in seven games, initiates "sweeping changes".
Galaxy bought England midfielder David Beckham to the club with a five-year deal worth £130m in July 2007 and have been under intense scrutiny ever since.
Gullit has been replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Cobi Jones.
With Beckham now fully fit after a series of injuries hampered the start of his career in the United States, Galaxy were supposed to challenge for the MLS Cup title this season.
But they are struggling to make the play-offs after taking only 23 points from 19 games, with Gullit failing to have any real impact on results after admitting difficulties in settling in California.
"In truth, it has proved a lot more difficult than I anticipated for my family to settle in the area and the club has been very supportive and understanding of my decision," said Gullit.
"I would now like to spend some time with my family before considering any other position in football."
Tim Leiweke, president of the AEG Group that owns the Galaxy, said both parties had agreed on mutually-agreeable terms to part company and paid tribute to the Dutchman's contribution.
"Hopefully, he has laid the foundations for future success for the Los Angeles Galaxy," he said.
In the case of Lalas, however, the club chose to dismiss him rather than wait for his contract to expire at the end of the season.
"With Ruud moving on, we believe that this is the right time to make more sweeping changes throughout the organisation," said Leiweke.
"Our commitment continues to be focused on not only winning the MLS Cup this and every season but to build a club capable of competing at the international level.
"This decision is the right one for the organisation, the right one for the players and the right one for our fans."
Gullit took over as Galaxy coach during the close season in November following the departure of Frank Yallop to the San Jose Earthquakes.
The former Holland international brought star credentials with him as the former Newcastle and Feyenoord coach - and one of the world's greatest players in the late 1980's - but he failed to turn around the fortunes of the commercially-driven Galaxy.
It is also thought to have been left frustrated by the limitations imposed by MLS regulations, most notably the salary cap.
Lalas was a highly influential figure at the club, the man who appointed Gullit and oversaw the club's policy of pursuing high-profile names - most notably that of Beckham, who signed for the club from Spanish giants Real Madrid in a landmark move for football in the US.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7555106.stm
The AEG people aren't completely stupid after all. Lalas was a disaster as a club president and Gullit...well, I'll always remember with great fondness watching him play for Milan and the Oranje, but, well, he lost his footballing mojo when he cut off the dreads. He's a fair commentator though.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 12 2008, 12:08 AM
They started off so well too. Ah well, he's hurt his reputation as a manager with this one I think.
Posted by: Tennie Aug 12 2008, 12:11 AM
Kurt, you didn't have to listen to the megalomaniacal ravings of Lalas. Be very happy you were spared.
The two of them leaving is the best thing for the Galaxy -- which pleases me because as much as I dislike the Galaxy (they're rivals of a sort to my hometown team, DC United) it gets embarrassing to see the league being made a laughing stock because of Lalas. Gullit--- great player, good pundit, should enjoy time with family instead of coaching.
Posted by: Giancarlo Aug 12 2008, 12:16 AM
The two of them leaving is the best thing for the Galaxy -- which pleases me because as much as I dislike the Galaxy (they're rivals of a sort to my hometown team, DC United) it gets embarrassing to see the league being made a laughing stock because of Lalas. Gullit--- great player, good pundit, should enjoy time with family instead of coaching.
Oh god. Don't even bring up Lalas. I live here in Los Angeles (just here to go to university). The guy... he was an embarrassment. Him and Guilit. I mean no disrespect to Gullit, but he's a better player than coach. Some players are like that. They may have been great players, but crappy coaches.
Lalas was the biggest joke though... I can't really stand the Galaxy. And one thing I wanted to say to Lalas is this "If you had such big balls why not fly the Galaxy over to Milan and have a friendly game?"
The fact is the Galaxy is a pub team and always will be one. They can bring in Beckham, but that doesn't help anything... I've seen them defend (or lack of)... the party is over here.
Posted by: Tennie Aug 12 2008, 12:30 AM
Giancarlo, the way I explain the Galaxy to people who haven't been subjected to them is that it's Donovan, Beckham and 9 red-shirts.
I think it's a pretty good explanation and honestly I feel sorry for the guys on the team not named Donovan and Beckham.
That said, as a quasi-fan of DC United, Donovan and Beckham are the sources of some creatively naughty chants from Barra Brava and the Screaming Eagles (the two groups in DC most approximating ultras). I'd quote them here but I'd have to bleep out the whole thing.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 12 2008, 12:44 AM
Both Donovan and Becks are very ME, ME, ME! players.. but in my opinion they're probably the best individuals in the MLS, that's my opinion anyways. Of course they're both behind Angel, but that's too obvious to even need be said.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Aug 12 2008, 05:56 AM
^^
Yep..oh yeah...total concurrence. Angel is the shite. Angel- What a cute name for the striker from hell. Pfffft!!
Posted by: Tennie Aug 20 2008, 11:07 PM
(from uefa.com)
Valenciennes FC defender David Sommeil has been taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack during a training session with the French club.
An official statement from the Ligue 1 side said the 34-year-old centre-back "has been admitted to intensive care at Valenciennes Hospital" with no further details being given of his condition. The SM Caen academy graduate returned to the French top flight two years ago after a spell in England with Manchester City FC and Sheffield United FC. Sommeil, who played 19 league games for Valenciennes last season, also counts FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Stade Rennais FC and Olympique de Marseille among his former teams.
Posted by: acid911 Aug 20 2008, 11:49 PM
Bad news just keeps flowing in.
The season hasn't even started in most leagues. Hope he gets well soon.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 21 2008, 05:06 AM
Oh dear.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 21 2008, 11:29 AM
I hope he get's better..
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 30 2008, 07:01 PM
Tuttomercato is linking Veloso with Tottenham. Any better informations on that one Porty?
Posted by: Portikins Aug 31 2008, 10:00 PM
I don't think so.
Posted by: misha Sep 1 2008, 03:32 AM
Anyone saw the big Glasgow derby? Rangers trashed Celtic 4:2
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 1 2008, 09:34 AM
Whoa.. I like Celtic, but i've never seen them play. I used them for a season in Fifa.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 1 2008, 12:53 PM
Yep, you're typical Old Firm derby, 6 goals, tonnes of yellow cards and two sendings off, great stuff!
Posted by: misha Sep 2 2008, 03:00 AM
A goal after 3 seconds in Ukraine second division this week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbxEdQoGeBg
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 2 2008, 08:45 AM
^^
Can't see youtube at work..but what did they do...backpass all the way to the goalkeeper who dodged the ball?
Posted by: acid911 Sep 2 2008, 11:28 AM
No Rapidshare. No Youtube.
You work in an iron mine, captain? I'd half expect 'The Black Pearl' to be fitted with high speed internet with no blocking of websites.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 2 2008, 11:58 AM
Not my fault...all the crewmembers kept looking for porno...
Posted by: acid911 Sep 2 2008, 01:42 PM
No wonder 'The Black Pearl' is the most sought after ship in the world. Hey captain, can I drop a resume or CV type of thingy? Sounds like a cool place to work. People looking for porno at Youtube. Sheesh!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 2 2008, 05:41 PM
Let's get back on topic..
Anyone noticed Marseille's games lately? I watched them 3 times up till now and must say I'm impressed. Their defense is manybe the biggest issue as they look occasionaly very week. But other then that - Eric Gerets (their head coach) is using something similar Van Basten did this year with Holland. 30-20 minutes from time, when they allready lead with 1 goal, he takes out a midfielder and sends in a striker. Usually after that Zenden enters. And his system does work, even better then MvB's. I'm curious to see if they can compete with Lyon and Bordeaux. Up till now they are the most efficient Ligue 1 team,..
Posted by: zdrossoneri Sep 5 2008, 10:49 AM
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=850022
Posted by: morgoth Sep 5 2008, 12:05 PM
Anyone noticed Marseille's games lately? I watched them 3 times up till now and must say I'm impressed. Their defense is manybe the biggest issue as they look occasionaly very week. But other then that - Eric Gerets (their head coach) is using something similar Van Basten did this year with Holland. 30-20 minutes from time, when they allready lead with 1 goal, he takes out a midfielder and sends in a striker. Usually after that Zenden enters. And his system does work, even better then MvB's. I'm curious to see if they can compete with Lyon and Bordeaux. Up till now they are the most efficient Ligue 1 team,..
They are Filipo, Gerets is a good coach in my opinion he brought some seriousness to the club They have a stable and talented group, as you said I'm curious to see if they'll keep up like this (usually there's always some thing to blow every thing off in Marseille). Gerets biggest deal was to get rid of Cissé!
Posted by: vahid Sep 17 2008, 05:52 PM
I can't believe it Rivaldo is in Iran as a Quruvchi Tashkent player in Asia Champions League.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 18 2008, 05:47 AM
It's Budyonkor Tashkent now...
Posted by: dst Sep 18 2008, 12:19 PM
I never liked him. I'm happy to see him disgrace himself (by playing solely for the money)!
Posted by: Darunia Sep 20 2008, 07:11 PM
Grenoble - Bourdeaux 52 min... Bordeaux down to 9 players still 0-0. Don't think Gourcuff will get much space now =/
Posted by: Portikins Sep 28 2008, 12:39 PM
Benfica 2-0 Sporting Lisbon
Rui Costa team won yesterday the first derby of the season. After the draw with Porto 3 weeks ago in Luz (1-1), now they've played very well and deserved the victory. Reyes was the MOTM (scored a nice goal, the 1st one). The 2nd goal was 3min after the 1st from Sidnei's header.
Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjCYC4-jf0Q
Sidnei is said to be one of the best young stars from South America. He's 19 and Benfica paid 6M/euros for half of his rights. From what I've saw he's very very good.
Sporting still leads the league with 1 more point over Porto and Benfica but next week it's Sporting-Porto, another big clash.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 28 2008, 12:59 PM
Congrats Rui! They have quite a decent looking side now, do Benfica.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 2 2008, 05:27 PM
Two alleged leaders of a Russian mob were among 13 people nabbed in Spain over claims £32MILLION was paid so Zenit would win the trophy.
Zenit beat the Ibrox side, skippered by Barry Ferguson 2-0 in the final in Manchester in May.
It’s alleged the mob also fixed the Russian side’s 5-1 semi-final aggregate win over German giants Bayern Munich.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1758365.ece
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Oct 2 2008, 05:30 PM
It's the Sun. They're about as reliable as the Sun rising in the West. Stereotyping Russians I guess...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 2 2008, 06:10 PM
It's all over the net, The Sun was just where I read it, so that's the one I posted. It's hardly like the Sun to stick up for a Scottish team either.
Posted by: MizNelson Nov 9 2008, 11:36 AM
If anyone's interested, Corinthians were promoted back to the Campeonato Brasileiro top division.
Posted by: dst Nov 9 2008, 11:38 AM
Oh so they were not in the top division...
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 9 2008, 12:39 PM
The Norwegian cup final will be played today, Stabæk vs Vålerenga.
Stabæk have swept all before them in the domestic league and are brimming with confidence, Vålerenga have had another miserable season and ended up 10th in the league.
Cue verbal war between the Vålerenga fans and Ingebrigt Steen Jensen (Norway's Silvio Berlusconi)...
Posted by: KillerMax Nov 9 2008, 05:12 PM
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 22 2008, 09:48 PM
Noone seems to be interested but PSG and Lyon are playing a very good match. Current standing - PSG leading by one goal, playing very good, compact football.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 22 2008, 10:58 PM
So, PSG - Lyon 1:0 FT, Giuly goal.
Posted by: acid911 Nov 23 2008, 06:21 AM
Thanks, Fill. I strongly dislike French but I can't but help think that their league is half decent.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 30 2008, 07:14 PM
Once again, Lyon drop points. This time the managed a tie. Interesting...I hope OM can manage to reduce the difference and put extra pressure on them.
In other leagues: Ajax played 1-1 with arch rival Utrecht. Urbi Emanuelson and Oleguer played excellent. We should maybe consider Emanuelson.
Posted by: Tennie Dec 8 2008, 01:07 AM
A cookie to Rui Costa.
Benfica punished Maritimo 6-0 today and have gone first in the Portuguese liga for the first time in ages. Goals were by Reyes, Luisao, Nuno Gomes (2) and David Suazo (2).
Posted by: LaPalma Dec 8 2008, 01:15 AM
Your Croatian hitman Ivan Klasnic scored then two vital goals against Lyon. Really miss him in the Bundesliga.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 8 2008, 01:35 AM
Lyon is in a sort of crisis I belive. I hope OM can get use of that. I watched the OM-Nice game. Once more, Marseille impressed me. There defense is maybe a big problem and they really would need another routinee CB, but man they switch fast to attack. Gerets makes wonders there! Zenden, Valbuena, Ben Arfa, Ziani...oh they just combine marvelous.
Klasnic finally did it! I'm so happy for him. Rumors are that he could return to the Bundesliga soon. Seems like HSV and Gladbach are interested in a loan deal.
Posted by: dst Dec 8 2008, 02:22 AM
Greek league highlights...
Pablo Garcia (has played for Real Madrid in the past) quite blatantly punches Diogo (new Brazilian star of Olympiacos, Arsenal wanted him (not that much apparently), Chelsea are scouting him) in the stomach in Olympiacos Vs PAOK.PAOK I'd say is the equivalent of Lazio in Greek football.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnk_DSoj-3E (the song speaks about a stab )
The Uruguayan was deified on the team's return to Salonica... PAOK fans are just crazy... they are in a league of their own. Stupid hooligans they are but so "off" it's hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ObreNR6lws
---
A player tackles a fan that has entered the field... and gets a straight red!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XwtGKKXdQA
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 8 2008, 02:30 AM
Na,na,na... correct me if I'm wrong, but the guy has some Milan past, right? He's one of the former Milan uru-guys?
Posted by: dst Dec 8 2008, 02:40 AM
He does according to wikipedia and I feel there's a hole in my memory, I cannot remember him with the Milan shirt at all!
Posted by: LaPalma Dec 8 2008, 02:46 AM
*trying to be funny* Maybe he ate it all the time? (No...it ain't working)
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 8 2008, 10:12 AM
Naah, I don't blame you guys not remember him. I think he had the number 55 or 56, and played say 3-4 times in 2000. It was the chaotic Zaccheroni era. But he didn't last till Ancelotti, even Terim I think...
Posted by: MizNelson Dec 20 2008, 10:08 PM
My favorite football story of the week. I found the bolded part particularly amusing, given the subject of the article.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentine soccer player Gaston Aguirre killed a pigeon with a single shot - right off his foot. "I kicked the ball and, poor pigeon," the San Lorenzo defender said. "Now I will be remembered as the pigeon killer."
Aguirre hit the bird in the 2-1 victory against Tigre in a three-team round-robin for the Argentine league title.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 27 2008, 02:52 PM
Rangers 0-1 Celtic. Scott McDonald 10 minutes into the 2nd half. Great game so far.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 28 2009, 11:36 PM
Celtic just beat Dundee United 11-10 on penalties to go to the Cup final, making it a Glasgow derby cup final, interesting!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 1 2009, 07:59 PM
Some updates:
- Eredivisie 08/09
Very interesting - AZ Alkmaar lead the league with 9 points advantage, Van Basten's Ajax are behind on second.
Ajax lost to Heerenveen at home 0:1, scorer Danijel Pranjic. I don't usually brag but the guy is still young, plays mostly LM or LB and scored so far 13 goals in the league. He also scored against us in the UEFA cup.
- Le Championat 08/09
Marseille get the needed striker - they signed Wiltord and Brandao (Shakhtar)
This is the most interesting title race in the past 8 years. Lyon never dropped so many points, and the competition was not that hard for years - Bordeaux (yes, with the incredible Gourcuff), Marseille and PSG are all very near.
Posted by: dst Feb 4 2009, 12:03 AM
Ituano Vs Santos... Kléber hits the post 4 times in 13 minutes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTm6QlOsjxY
Posted by: acid911 Feb 4 2009, 03:32 PM
Brazilian league is weird.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 8 2009, 07:08 PM
Vitesse - Ajax Amsterdam 4:1
4 matches, 1 point won.
Marco van Basten's Ajax days seem to come to an end..
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 8 2009, 08:45 PM
Big derby to start soon...
OM face Gourcuff's Bordeaux. Big test for both Lyon followers. Will watch the game carefully and report especially about Gourcuff...
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 8 2009, 10:18 PM
HT OM-Bordeaux 0:0
60' OM score from a curious Chamakh own goal. Gourcuff so far marked out by M'Bambi...
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 8 2009, 10:54 PM
(enjoy talking with myself)
FT O. Marseille - Bordeaux G. 1:0
- Marseille overall better, if considered that both Niang and Ben Arfa are out
- Gourcuff not bad at the beginning; marked very well by M'Bami and Taiwo; his biggest problem is his speed - compared to a not so fast M'Bami; average match
- Mandanda with a very good performance
Bordeaux finally beaten.
Posted by: acid911 Feb 8 2009, 11:41 PM
So they are 4 points adrift from the top, then, Bordeaux. 
What was Chamakh doing back there, he's a forward!? I didn't have time to catch the full match, but saw brief moments of it.
Posted by: acid911 Feb 8 2009, 11:44 PM
Oh, and good to see you keeping an eye out for Gourcuff performances, Sim. I don't think his place is in the French league, though, he'll move to some bigger club when the time is right. Establish himself for a couple of years, and then go big.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 9 2009, 12:26 AM
As far as I'm concerned, Gourcuff will wether move back to Milan or stay in France, Bordeaux, or even Lyon or Marseille.
Don't know what Chamakh had in mind but he scored a brilliant header.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 10 2009, 07:43 AM
Sim...about Kuffkuff, any noticeable improvements? Like his workrate? Defensive work? Of course if he plays very advanced, his defending won't be much to talk about but...
Posted by: acid911 Feb 10 2009, 07:57 AM
What good is it, really?
There would still be issues raised about how French league cannot be compared to Serie A, and a guy like Gourcuff can't cut it with Milan. The only young player who got a fair run under Carlo was Gilardino - in the wrong system for a player of his type, but still a fair run.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 10 2009, 08:06 AM
You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Well, who the hell else are you talkin' to? You talkin' to me? Well, I'm the only one here. Who the f@ck do you think you're talkin' to? Oh yeah? Huh? OK. [Whips out gun] Huh? 
They call him MISTER Ancelotti!!
I wanted to know where the French kid would fit in tactically. I'm making my personal Milan formation to end all Milan formations...AND it will have R80 and Kaka in the same lineup.
Posted by: Zed.D Feb 10 2009, 09:03 AM
Gourcuff was very good at stealing the ball from the opponent. but if want a defensive/attacking midfielder, Gourcuff's not the one! Fabregas is.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 10 2009, 11:46 AM
So it's settled,we'll sell Kuffkuff and get the Fab boy.
Posted by: acid911 Feb 10 2009, 11:50 AM
I wish you were Galliani.
Or Mr. B. Or Carlo. Heck, even Leonardo or Braida. I really wish!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 10 2009, 01:22 PM
No whoa..you got the wrong person.
If it were upto me., we'd sell Kuffkuff, and land Dhorasoo on a free and proudly proclaim how we have a Brazillian-French core that harks back to the days of Papin. Besides using Vikash Dhorasoo also gives us marketting pathways into India and Mauritius. I might land Sunil Chettri or Bhaichung Bhutia as our Pippo replacements. I'd also come out in a statement saying Benzema ain't got nothing on Bhaichung.
But I would fix that CB problem. Maybe get someone cheap from the Scottish League.
I got the best interests of the club at heart, obviously. So you guys will all vote for me right?
Posted by: acid911 Feb 10 2009, 01:25 PM
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 10 2009, 05:43 PM
Well, it was non-existant. He created a few actions, took some by himself, his free-kicks are still not under control (means in 10 minutes he's able to hit a Beckham-like ball and afterwards a Phil Neville-like)...but to be fair, from what I've see M'Bami is a good DM and Taiwo did his share too.
His defensive work...no,...not really.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 10 2009, 05:48 PM
Still inconsistent then?? So is it the 'big fish in a small pond' thing that is working in his favour?
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Feb 10 2009, 05:53 PM
Not sure. Blanc created a good team. But honestly...Marseille is one of the few very good french teams Bordeaux has to face, so, you never can actually say. I'd be watching more of the french league now, so I'll be reporting of Ku-ku more often..
Posted by: acid911 Feb 10 2009, 06:48 PM
Good luck and Godspeed.
Posted by: dst Feb 16 2009, 12:56 AM
Two great goals from Greek football.
Last week, in the Greek league, a beautiful goal scored by a young gun, Papasterianos (do NOT worry if you can't pronounce it).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rtpJHgz8_g
And this... from the Cup game between PAOK and Olympiacos... an awfully classy goal by Sérgio Conceição (former inter, Lazio and Parma player). I don't think the keeper is at fault for this, in my opinion it's just perfectly executed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05_Ae_xatWo&feature=related
Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 16 2009, 01:06 AM
Old Firm Derby was this morning, finished 0-0, first time in over a decade this has happened. Celtic are 2 points clear at the top still.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 16 2009, 01:08 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05_Ae_xatWo&feature=related
Conceicao..
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 15 2009, 12:35 PM
dst: I was just looking at betfair and noticed something in the Greek league.. £22k worth have bets have been made on the Panathinaikos game, £44k on the Olympiakos.. but £260k on the Ergotelis game. Is it possible there's been a fix or something, like both teams needing a draw? There's an awful lot of money on it for a team I've never heard of.
Posted by: dst Mar 15 2009, 03:55 PM
Both teams are clear off the relegation zone and cannot achieve much better than mid-table. The Greek league is corrupted but I have not heard anything about it. Ergotelis are possibly the cleanest team in the league and such bets most times are mistaken but... we'll see.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 15 2009, 04:27 PM
It finished and wasn't a draw. I think it was maybe a tip off from someone working in betfair in order to make people bet on the draw or something, because the amount of money bet on the game was otherwise inexplainable.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 17 2009, 01:49 PM
An Iraqi football player has been shot dead by a spectator as he was about to score an equalising goal.
The shooting happened in the last minute of a game between two local rivals on Sunday, police say.
The striker was shot in the head during the match in the city of Hilla, according to local security officials.
The game was being played between Sinjar and Buhayra. The suspected killer has been arrested as police carry out an investigation.
This is just crazy..
On a lighter note, Celtic beat Rangers in the League Cup Final on Sunday. It was goalless after 90 minutes, then Darren O'Dae scored after about 45 seconds on extra-time for Celtic. In the dying seconds, Celtic broke through 1-on-1 with the keeper, only for Kirk Broadfoot to take out the Celtic man from behind, resulting in a red card and a penalty. Aiden McGeady scored the penalty to give Celtic the 2-0 win.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 17 2009, 01:53 PM
It's been some time since Celtic beat Rangers right?
So since I don't know SPL too well, what are the unique factors about each team. This way, I know who to support. Right now I'm inclined to Rangers coz of the Rino connection.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 17 2009, 02:43 PM
So since I don't know SPL too well, what are the unique factors about each team. This way, I know who to support. Right now I'm inclined to Rangers coz of the Rino connection.
I don't think Celtic have beaten Rangers in a cup final for a while, but seeing as they play each other 4 times a season, both teams get their fair share of wins. In the 90s Rangers were even more dominant in Scotland than United were in England, winning 9 straight league titles. Martin O'Neill ended that dominance, winning 3 league titles in 5 years at Celtic!
It's a very religous/political thing. Rangers are seen as the Protestant team, while Celtic are Catholic and it's heavily linked to Northern irish politics of the loyalists (Rangers) and the Republicans (Celtic). Historically Celtic fans are generally Catholics and Rangers fans Protestants. But the most unusual thing for me is that this is 2 Scottish clubs playing in the Scottish league, yet they for some reason base everything around Ireland.. even the flags and colours of the teams. Celtic fans very rarely have Scottish flags, instead they just have green/white/orange or Republic of Ireland flags, while Rangers fans are red/white/blue and have British or Northern Irish flags.. there's hardly any Scottish flags to be seen!
I personally ignore this completely and just support Celtic because I didn't like Rangers winning everything in the 90s.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Mar 18 2009, 05:29 AM
It's a very religous/political thing. Rangers are seen as the Protestant team, while Celtic are Catholic and it's heavily linked to Northern irish politics of the loyalists (Rangers) and the Republicans (Celtic). Historically Celtic fans are generally Catholics and Rangers fans Protestants. But the most unusual thing for me is that this is 2 Scottish clubs playing in the Scottish league, yet they for some reason base everything around Ireland.. even the flags and colours of the teams. Celtic fans very rarely have Scottish flags, instead they just have green/white/orange or Republic of Ireland flags, while Rangers fans are red/white/blue and have British or Northern Irish flags.. there's hardly any Scottish flags to be seen!
I personally ignore this completely and just support Celtic because I didn't like Rangers winning everything in the 90s.
Thanks. So then this means I will have to support the Rangers. To bring balance to the Force.
Posted by: Tennie Apr 24 2009, 09:31 PM
So, PSG and Lyon just played the early game in France. It ended 0-0. This means that before the rest of the league plays, Lyon are in THIRD place, with Bordeaux 1 point ahead and OM 3 points ahead. These 2 teams could widen the gap at the weekend. Looks like for the first time in 7 years, someone other than Lyon might just win the league.
Posted by: gal_kenny Apr 24 2009, 09:53 PM
I know right Lyon had won it like for 7 times in a row...Its hightime someone else did win it!!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Apr 25 2009, 11:54 PM
I hope OM can do it!
Posted by: Tennie May 3 2009, 12:48 AM
Fishdoll gosh. Valenciennes 2 - 0 Lyon.
Lyon are now 7 points behind OM.
Posted by: dst May 3 2009, 11:54 AM
The Greek Cup final was one of the best games I've ever watched. AEK played against Olympiacos and took a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes. Olympiacos made it 2-1 at the very beginning of the second half and equalized later on. AEK scored in the 90th minute and then Oly hit back in the dying seconds. Another 2 goals in overtime. FT 4-4
Olympiacos won on penalties 15-14 (19-18)!!!!!
Posted by: dst May 5 2009, 01:32 PM
Oh God there's a club in the MLS called Earthquakes!!??!? For the sake of everything that's right in this world please ban them from using this name and from thinking names!!!
Also, fine them and give them back the money as charity, that was poor!
Posted by: Tennie May 6 2009, 01:57 PM
Yep, they're in San Jose (which is earthquake country) in California.
In other news, Ajax have sacked Marco Van Basten.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow May 6 2009, 03:32 PM
Sacre Bleu!!!!
Now bring him in as well...as assistant coach to Carlo.
EDIT: He wasn't sacked. He 'resigned under pressure'. There's a difference.
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 6 2009, 10:34 PM
Also, fine them and give them back the money as charity, that was poor!
Oh come on, you're not one of those people are you..
Posted by: dst May 6 2009, 10:41 PM
Those people...
... that hate the San Jose Earthquakes!?!?!?
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 7 2009, 03:34 AM
... that hate the San Jose Earthquakes!?!?!?
Someone that will find anything offensive or wrong.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow May 7 2009, 05:09 AM
Of course. With dst, it doesn't matter what you do, you're racist, homophobic, sex-crazed and uncouth. Anything you say/do will fall into one of those categories AND you will be labeled offensive.
Get used to it.
Posted by: dst May 7 2009, 10:29 AM
No I don't think 'Earthquakes' is offensive or wrong, it's just lame! Do you mean because of what an earthquake is? I would not mind if they were named 'Paedophiles' but it's such a douche name; they could have very well named their team San Jose Bumpers... it sounds equally cool to me.
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 8 2009, 01:52 AM
Ah. From the rest of your post, it seemed like your annoyance with the name 'Earthquakes' came from the fact that people have died due to them..
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 9 2009, 12:32 PM
Rangers-Celtic just kicked-off. 1 point seperates them in the league, GD very similar. Huge game.
FT Rangers 1-0 Celtic. Steven Davis.
Rangers lead by 2 points, Celtic have a +1 GD. 3 games left each.
Posted by: dst May 19 2009, 10:34 AM
Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwjgEcJtAiY goal!
It's a lovely even if over-hit through-ball and the finish is so clever and beautiful. Nice stuff!
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 20 2009, 02:50 AM
It's a lovely even if over-hit through-ball and the finish is so clever and beautiful. Nice stuff!
Nice goal, but the cynic would say that's terrible goalkeeping.
Posted by: dst May 20 2009, 09:46 AM
Yeah it was unexpected and greatly taken but he still should have stopped that.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 20 2009, 02:39 PM
Naah, Gourcuff's goals are miles better...
Posted by: dst May 20 2009, 02:54 PM
Of course! And more important too!
Posted by: Kaka Is Brilliant May 20 2009, 03:52 PM
Yep
Still if the forward didn't outrageously attempt it and then somehow pull it off it wouldn't have happened!
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 26 2009, 05:06 PM
http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2252399.ece/Martin_Jol_to_be_new_Ajax_coach
Posted by: Locke Lamora May 26 2009, 07:15 PM
This is Rune Jarstein, Rosenborg's first choice keeper. And he is completely utterly awful.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2593815/
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 26 2009, 08:12 PM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2593815/
..
Posted by: kurtsimonw May 26 2009, 08:54 PM
Mario Gomes to Bayern for £25m+
Posted by: dst May 26 2009, 10:09 PM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/2593815/
He looks consistently awful!
So I guess the plan when a team plays against Rosenborg is to shoot or cross whenever they cross the midfield?
Good start, they need more.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone May 26 2009, 10:53 PM
And they'll get more. Olic already signed, Zhirkov, Srna, Trochowski, Sneijder- all very likely to join FCB.
Posted by: Locke Lamora May 27 2009, 04:04 PM
So I guess the plan when a team plays against Rosenborg is to shoot or cross whenever they cross the midfield?
Doesn't have to be that complicated, just lump the ball towards somewhere around goal and he'll eventually do the rest. Funny thing is, he's actually quite good at reflex saves, take this one vs Germany and Mario Gomez, for a start:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6rxqMZinjc
Posted by: MizNelson May 28 2009, 04:53 AM
Martin Jol is the new Ajax skipper.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-05-26-2258334223_x.htm
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jul 25 2009, 04:21 PM
Bolivian team Aurora handed a debut to Mauricio Baldivieso in a 1-0 loss to La Paz.
Mauricio came on 10 minutes before the end of game, the coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso, also happens to be the player’s father.
Mauricio had a harsh introduction to the professional game as he picked up an ankle knock from ferocious tackle by La Paz’s Henry Alaca Macondo.
But to the delight of Aurora’s fans, who gave him an ovation, the youngster was able to resume after receiving treatment.
“I am proud – he has a lot of talent,” his father said.
Baldivieso senior, in the stands serving a suspension, was much less happy though with the rough marking by Henry Alaca that left his son in tears, calling the defender a criminal and slamming the referee for not booking him.
Media in Bolivia and neighbouring countries said the previous youngest debutant in South American football was Peruvian Fernando Garcia, who was just short of his 14th birthday in 2001.
This is stupid. Now obviously he only played because his dad is the coach, but it's really not healthy. A kid shouldn't be competing with professionals like this, he probably won't be able to walk by the time he's 20!
Posted by: dst Jul 26 2009, 11:03 AM
This guy is a bigger idiot than Peter Griffin.
Posted by: Tennie Jul 26 2009, 11:08 AM
The guy's since been sacked by his club - because he refused to rule out playing the kid again.
Posted by: dst Aug 26 2009, 05:35 PM
Do you think http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSt13Bc7UQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsport24.gr%2Fhtml%2Fent%2F577%2Fent.311577.asp&feature=player_embedded#t=29 is unfair?
I would certainly not do this but at the same time I can't say it's against fair-play either, I mean, he's given the ball back the play goes on from then on right?
Posted by: han2503 Aug 26 2009, 06:27 PM
I would certainly not do this but at the same time I can't say it's against fair-play either, I mean, he's given the ball back the play goes on from then on right?
Don't care if its fair or not that was absolutely hilarious.
What league is that though?
Posted by: dst Aug 26 2009, 07:43 PM
It's from Australia, I don't know what level.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 26 2009, 08:58 PM
I don't think it's right personally. The whole point of giving them the ball back is so they have their rightful position, you shouldn't be putting them under pressure like that right away.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Aug 30 2009, 11:16 PM
Oh my God..
He had the nerve to complain to the ref about the red card afterwards. I hope he falls over and breaks his legs.
Posted by: han2503 Aug 31 2009, 08:41 PM
Oh my God..
He had the nerve to complain to the ref about the red card afterwards. I hope he falls over and breaks his legs.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 2 2009, 06:03 AM
He was given an 11 game ban yesterday for that Chelsea. Good to see such a huge ban for something so disgraceful.
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 11 2009, 04:46 PM
Ouch!! OUCH!!!!! 
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 11 2009, 11:05 PM
Qutoing yourself FTW.
Why did I put the word Chelsea in there? I presume I meant tackle or foul or attack or something.. but Chelsea!?
Posted by: Danny Sep 11 2009, 11:08 PM
Why did I put the word Chelsea in there? I presume I meant tackle or foul or attack or something.. but Chelsea!?
Your subconscious mind either despises Chelsea so could help itself, or they're now the byword for being banned
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 12 2009, 04:31 AM
Except for Milan...kurt insists on hating any club I like.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 12 2009, 05:32 AM
Liar.
You insist on liking every club I hate.
Posted by: Milano Furtonata Sep 12 2009, 07:09 AM
Oh my God..
He had the nerve to complain to the ref about the red card afterwards. I hope he falls over and breaks his legs.
ohh , is very bad
i think he never play again
Posted by: dst Sep 15 2009, 04:41 PM
Olympiacos have axed their newest coach after 6 official games 5 of which they won and 1 ended a draw. They have conceded 1 goal. He was axed because the team lost 5-0 in a friendly last week with half of the first team players missing. It's ridiculous how everyone (the fans and the press) reacted to it, they are a big club in Greece but they made it look like the end of the world. He's the first coach I know of that was fired because of a bad defeat in a friendly. He was the 25th coach of the 16 years the current president has been running the club.
Posted by: LaPalma Sep 15 2009, 04:49 PM
I've been told by some German players that Greece is the promised land for mediocre players because you don't have to pay any taxes and don't train very often since it's too warm. That's what they claim at least.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 16 2009, 03:57 AM
Olympiacos have axed their newest coach after 6 official games 5 of which they won and 1 ended a draw. They have conceded 1 goal. He was axed because the team lost 5-0 in a friendly last week with half of the first team players missing. It's ridiculous how everyone (the fans and the press) reacted to it, they are a big club in Greece but they made it look like the end of the world. He's the first coach I know of that was fired because of a bad defeat in a friendly. He was the 25th coach of the 16 years the current president has been running the club.They are after spaletti now
Posted by: Danny Sep 19 2009, 05:56 PM
Guess this would be the thread to discuss the SPL?
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 19 2009, 06:37 PM
Yup.
Sorry! 
We don't have a lot of people who talk the SPL, unless it's about Celtic and Rangers...that mainly comes in the CL/Europa section...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 19 2009, 07:21 PM
The only games I ever make comment on, on here, are the Old Firm games. Though it's been an interesting start to the season, Rangers really getting their share of luck, late penalty to win a game, late penalty savedd to keep a point. Shame it's always the same 2 teams so far ahead (except for Hearts a few years back, but a one off).
Posted by: Tennie Sep 19 2009, 08:01 PM
Fishdoll has a question! Which SPL team is it whose fans bring blow-up sheep to games? Those make Fishdoll giggle.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 19 2009, 09:09 PM
The team scouting me, the Montreal Impact, are going to the Playoffs securing 5th spot
Posted by: Tennie Sep 19 2009, 09:44 PM
Ooo! Montreal. I've seen them play on telly! They did rather well last summer in...what tournament was it? Better than the MLS teams, that much I recall.
Fishdoll wonders which position you play on the pitch, mtl?
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 19 2009, 09:53 PM
Fishdoll wonders which position you play on the pitch, mtl?
most recently they won (last year) the Canadian Danonne Cup for best team in Canada, after having faced a top MLS team (toronto F*C*) and this year toronto raided the montreal squad which meant their backups were forced to starters, which ultimately benefitted me as i was having a great season for my AAA team, so me and my striker were both called in to discuss a potential signing to the youth team, with a slim chance to start first year
i've played all positions except fwd, but i found my best position has been Playmaking holding midfielder where i can retain the defensive responsibilities i've learned for 13 years (i was a LB/RB) and get to make runs and cross
. I must say though, with a stricter coach, i would not be alowed to roam, and ultimately not have been called up to team U-18 quebec 2 years ago
Posted by: Tennie Sep 19 2009, 11:11 PM
Fishdoll gosh!
He crosses fins that you get the contract with Montreal!
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 20 2009, 12:30 AM
He crosses fins that you get the contract with Montreal!
Diavolino gives a thank you hug to fishdoll
Posted by: Tennie Sep 20 2009, 01:05 AM
Fishdoll eyes mtl with concern. It's a man hug sort of hug, right? Fishdoll isn't signing up for the milanfan dating service.....
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 20 2009, 01:12 AM
Fishdoll eyes mtl with concern. It's a man hug sort of hug, right? Fishdoll isn't signing up for the milanfan dating service..... hahahaha nono, don't worry it wasn't diavolino hitting on fishdoll :S it was just thanking for the good luck hehe
Posted by: Danny Sep 20 2009, 05:11 PM
Sorry!
We don't have a lot of people who talk the SPL, unless it's about Celtic and Rangers...that mainly comes in the CL/Europa section...tbf the Bundesliga thread is only 2 pages long
Posted by: Tennie Sep 20 2009, 05:13 PM
Fishdoll hops and hops. What about his question, Danny!?!?!?!?!?
Posted by: Danny Sep 20 2009, 05:14 PM
I wouldn't say Rangers are getting luck - it's hardly lucky to concede a penalty in the dying moments, then have a man sent off. It's not luck that we have an excellent goalkeeper who can save penalties
And we've had 3 sendings off this season, we're playing abysmally in the league, and we dropped another 2 points yesterday with maybe the worst display since Walter Smith returned in January 2007.
And Celtic got the luck today with a last second winner at home to Hearts so they're back on top of the league again.
Posted by: Danny Sep 20 2009, 05:14 PM
Calm down both of you, I'm getting to that...
Posted by: Danny Sep 20 2009, 05:16 PM
The 'sheep' are Aberdeen. Aberdeen is a northern Scottish city/town who have a greater population of woolly jumpers than they do of people, so they're referred to as the sheep. They also have an unwanted reputation of being called 'sheepsh*ggers'. They also completely hate Rangers.
However, I can safely say it wouldn't be them bringing the blow up sheep, unless one or two of them have a sense of humour - it would be various opposition teams taking the Michael out of them.
Posted by: Danny Sep 20 2009, 05:17 PM
Fishdoll eyes mtl with concern. It's a man hug sort of hug, right? Fishdoll isn't signing up for the milanfan dating service..... There's a milanfan dating service?!
Posted by: Tennie Sep 20 2009, 05:22 PM
There's oil platforms or somesuch off of Aberdeen, aren't there? The people I remember meeting from Aberdeen have...very thick accents that are difficult for me to understand (my Scottish friends live in Edinburgh and Livingston, respectively. And are more rugby fans than football fans).
Fishdoll shall henceforth support Aberdeen, the Team of Blow-Up Sheep. (didn't Alex Ferguson coach them once?)
And yes, there's an unofficial milanfan dating service. The official version, according to han, will be part of the next board upgrade.
Posted by: dst Sep 20 2009, 07:37 PM
Il Diavolo for left back!!!
Posted by: Tennie Sep 20 2009, 11:28 PM
Did a slight title edit and stickied this thread.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 20 2009, 11:31 PM
haha what i would give to play for Milan, it would be a dream come true, i would have to change my name to Zdaninho for Milan to sign me
But all seriousness aside, i want to be the home-town kid for montreal and hopefully be there for there MLS promotion and maybe play against the likes of Viera/Henry/Nedved/Beckham/ Zidane/ del piero the possibilities of the oldies are endless
Posted by: Danny Sep 20 2009, 11:54 PM
Yes, North Sea oil is near Aberdeen. My late gran was born in Aberdeen, moved to Glasgow aged less than 10 - but never lost her accent. But it wasn't as thick as the accents you're referring to.
And yeah, Edinburgh and Livingston are more rugby cities/towns than football. Edinburgh is the home of Scottish rugby and Livingston is...Livingston.
(didn't Alex Ferguson coach them once?)Yes, he even won the European Cup Winners' Cup with them.
Has this unofficial service yielded any wedding bells
Posted by: Tennie Sep 21 2009, 12:49 AM
Well, hanna DID do a wedding announcement for R7 and dst, I think. But they called it off at the last minute over the framed photo of Seedorf....
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 22 2009, 12:45 AM
With his 2 goals against Dallas, I hear one Juan Pablo Angel has broken the all-time goals record for New York. Well done to him! 45 goals in 74 games in the states, not bad going.
Posted by: Danny Sep 25 2009, 12:08 PM
I remember him. He's a player I always liked, and I had no idea why you got rid of him.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 25 2009, 06:41 PM
We had Baros, Agbonlahor, Moore and Angel up front at the time. Then we signed Young (as a striker originally) then swapped Baros with Carew, so his chances became limited. We then let him go for first team football. Shame really as the fans never got a goodbye game with him, though he does a blog for the Villa official site and said he'd like to come back for a 'proper goobdbye to the fans'. Hopefully soon!
Posted by: Locke Lamora Sep 26 2009, 03:29 AM
Worst incident I've seen in Norwegian football for a long time. Completely mindless.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3494102/
Posted by: dst Sep 26 2009, 10:32 AM
That's...
What makes it even more amazing is that no one realized what happened. NO ONE! Even that teammate of his that raises his hand couldn't have seen it clearly or he's a jerk for playing on...
Did the linesman see it? Did that douchebag get a red?
Posted by: Locke Lamora Sep 28 2009, 03:27 PM
What makes it even more amazing is that no one realized what happened. NO ONE! Even that teammate of his that raises his hand couldn't have seen it clearly or he's a jerk for playing on...
Did the linesman see it? Did that douchebag get a red?
No, but he got banned for 6 weeks, which would have ruled him out for the Cup Final, but his club didn't make it anyway.
Posted by: Habitant Sep 28 2009, 06:06 PM
i've played all positions except fwd, but i found my best position has been Playmaking holding midfielder where i can retain the defensive responsibilities i've learned for 13 years (i was a LB/RB) and get to make runs and cross
. I must say though, with a stricter coach, i would not be alowed to roam, and ultimately not have been called up to team U-18 quebec 2 years ago good job bro!!
Posted by: Habitant Sep 28 2009, 06:09 PM
But all seriousness aside, i want to be the home-town kid for montreal and hopefully be there for there MLS promotion and maybe play against the likes of Viera/Henry/Nedved/Beckham/ Zidane/ del piero the possibilities of the oldies are endless i'm thinking of getting season tickets when montreal gets their mls franchise. so hopefully by then you'll be playing for them
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 28 2009, 06:53 PM
haha thx for the support, i still don't know if they would sign a kid who has a 17 letter last name which includes a foreign accent on a "c" lol but we'll see
BTW clutch win last night against Charleston
the final four include
1 american team
1 Porto Rican
and 2 Canadian
Posted by: Habitant Sep 28 2009, 07:44 PM
BTW clutch win last night against Charleston
the final four include
1 american team
1 Porto Rican
and 2 Canadian
haha 17? what is it? i'll have to look out for it
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 28 2009, 07:59 PM
It isn't really 17 letters it's a composite slovenian/croatian and italian name with a hyphen which i counted as one
so we are talking lke soulder to shoulder hehe. I was only suppose to get my dad's name but i am the last able to carry both names for the family
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 28 2009, 08:37 PM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3494102/
Nothing wrong with that, football's a contact sport.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Sep 28 2009, 09:18 PM
Yeah, but it's nice if the ball is within, say, 10 metres or so when the contact is made.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 28 2009, 10:10 PM
Has the player that kicked him said anything as to why he did it? There must be a reason, you don't just do something like that.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Sep 28 2009, 11:59 PM
Has the player that kicked him said anything as to why he did it? There must be a reason, you don't just do something like that.
He says he has no explanation for what he did, and that he doesn't understand why he did it.
It's pretty much the Norse version of what pepe did a few months ago, isn't it?
Posted by: Locke Lamora Sep 29 2009, 12:15 AM
Oh and Rosenborg secured their 21# league title with a 2-0 win against Molde. Molde will face Aalesund in the Cup Final.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Sep 29 2009, 01:27 AM
http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3494102/
in the Quebec U-18 tryouts there was lot of this throughout the cuts...
Posted by: Habitant Oct 3 2009, 03:31 AM
theres always some random dirtiness at all levels.
for example:
the other day at my brothers game (he's a natural left winger/forward), he plays for felix-leclerc high which around AA with some kids who play AAA. During a corner a defender goes sup to my brothers firned and pocked him in the eye right before so he wouldnt be able to see and miss the cross...
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Oct 3 2009, 06:45 AM
for example:
the other day at my brothers game (he's a natural left winger/forward), he plays for felix-leclerc high which around AA with some kids who play AAA. During a corner a defender goes sup to my brothers firned and pocked him in the eye right before so he wouldnt be able to see and miss the cross...
divolino remembers the Felix Leclerc players and how they made him very uneasy in his first ever match for Saint-louis AA. He was 13 and playing against taller/bigger 17 year olds and was battered and mugged every-time he touched the ball
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 3 2009, 04:54 PM
Rangers fight Celtic at Ibrox tomorrow. No doubt it'll be ruined with a football game breaking out, but should be a good watch anyway. C'mon the Bhoys!
Posted by: Tennie Oct 3 2009, 05:00 PM
Fishdoll bah, neither of those teams have fans with blow up sheep. Go Aberdeen!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 19 2009, 01:20 AM
According to the Daily Mail, Henry will look for a new challenge after the World Cup with the 32-year old excited at the prospect of playing football in one of the world's biggest cities in New York.
Following David Beckham's footsteps, Henry is reportedly ready to turn down a chance to return to the Premier League with Manchester City. After watching Arsenal demolish Blackburn 6-2 at the Emirates Stadium and receiving a rousing reception, Henry is reportedly uninterested in an England return.
With reports in England and Spain full of stories regarding Manchester City striker Robinho moving to Barcelona, it is rumoured that the Catalan giants are willing to offer Henry as a make-weight to land the Brazilian as early as January.
However, Henry is reportedly uninterested in the potential move, as the New York Red Bulls are desperate to land the striker. Missing out on this year's MLS play-off's with star Juan Pablo Angel out injured, Henry is the American side's main target in the transfer window.
With friends David Beckham and Freddie Ljungberg already stars in the MLS, Henry is said to be thinking heavily of a North American move after the World Cup this summer.
A partnership of Juan Pablo and Henry? That would be awesome.
Posted by: Tennie Oct 19 2009, 07:45 PM
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/oct/13/forgotten-story-denmark-1980s/print to a very good - but long - article about the Danish NT of the 80s.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 19 2009, 10:27 PM
They had some truly great players around that era, and just after it too. I'm sure all people in England have a soft sport for the '92 Denmark squad.
Posted by: Danny Oct 22 2009, 12:51 AM
Rangers fight Celtic at Ibrox tomorrow. No doubt it'll be ruined with a football game breaking out, but should be a good watch anyway. C'mon the Bhoys!
Belated reply but thought I'd say ha ha ha ha anyway.
If only I'd seen this nearer to when Kenny slipped 2 past Borat.
Posted by: Tennie Oct 22 2009, 01:12 AM
Fishdoll snickers. Borat? Good one!
+1 blow up sheep.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 22 2009, 01:32 AM
If only I'd seen this nearer to when Kenny slipped 2 past Borat.
I don't mind alot of Rangers players, but I really hate Miller. Class and loyalty aren't exactly shown an awful lot in football, but even for a football he lacks them both an awful lot. No doubt he'll be re-joining Celtic soon.
Posted by: Tennie Oct 22 2009, 01:34 AM
Isn't it a little odd for players to switch between the two Glasgow clubs?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 22 2009, 01:36 AM
Danny will have to answer that one. But I do know this is Kenny Milllers 2nd stint at Rangers, he played for Celtic in between, and scored, and celebrated like he was a Celtic fan. What a tool.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Oct 22 2009, 06:38 AM
hahaha what a loser
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 22 2009, 09:09 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQPW2jC_URY&feature=player_embedded
Posted by: dst Oct 23 2009, 06:26 PM
^^ Ha! I was about to post this. Sweet, isn't it?
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Oct 23 2009, 06:41 PM
he's giving stankovic a run for his money hehe
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 7 2009, 11:00 AM
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4628040&categoryid=2378529
This kitty got claws!
Some of these girls look a whole lot better than I imagined they would, awesome.
Posted by: dst Nov 7 2009, 12:33 PM
wtf, that was like 6 or 7 red cards!! Nasty!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 7 2009, 01:12 PM
The girls getting up from the challenges is what surprised me a bit, the men in todays football would have been rolling around on the floor.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 8 2009, 05:13 PM
Just thought I'd add some information about the now finished Norwegian 2009 season (which no-one ever bothers to read).
Champions: Rosenborg.
This is the 21st time the Trondheim club wins the title, and they will be back in the CL where they belong next season.
Runners-up: Molde.
3d place: Stabæk.
The cup final was played today, Aalesund eventually edged out Molde on penalties after a 2-2 draw that saw two goals scored in extra time, Aalesund's equaliser coming 4 minutes from full time. Best final in years. This also means Aalesund manager Kjetil Rekdal keeps his unbeaten streak in cup finals, having never lost one as player or coach (LaPalma might remember Rekdal for his glory days with Monchengladbach and Hertha Berlin. The rest of you may remember him scoring the penalty that saw us beat Brazil in '98 and send us through to the 1/8 finals. If any of you ever reads this, that is).
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 8 2009, 05:16 PM
I've heard of Rosenborg, Molde and Stabek.. but Aalesund? Are they a good side or is it a shock for them to win the Cup?
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 8 2009, 05:46 PM
It's probably the greatest upset this side of the millenium. Aalesund finished 13th in the league, one place and two points above the qualification spot. Lots of credit to fans of both teams, they were a class act today.
I'll get some pictures and videos up, there were some goals scored this season which I think are right up there with the best England, Spain and Italy has to offer. But for now, cup glory:
Aalesund fans creating great atmosphere:
There aren't any good videos showing the best goals of the season yet, but this was easily the worst incident of the season. Fair play? Tell that to Odd Grenland's Peter Kovacs... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIScdVJ8SFU&feature=related
On a second though, this goal was rather decent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCe4yf0BQPI&feature=related
Posted by: dst Nov 8 2009, 05:53 PM
I remember that victory but I can't remember the scorer. I read that through the end! What do I get?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 8 2009, 07:04 PM
Blue and orange, loving the colours.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 8 2009, 07:20 PM
A quick note from earlier today. During the Remembrance Day minutes silence before the Falkirk-Celtic game, a minority of Celtic fans were singing IRA songs during it showing a complete lack of respect. It's very sad really, only to be made sadder that all of these people didn't die in a horrible car crash on their way home. Some people do deserve death.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 8 2009, 07:49 PM
What victory?
Posted by: Tennie Nov 8 2009, 09:22 PM
Fishdoll belatedly +1 cookie to Aalesund. Are they the ones in the pretty orange and blue?
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 8 2009, 09:35 PM
Are they the ones in the pretty orange and blue?Yup.
Posted by: Tennie Nov 8 2009, 09:46 PM
Then Fishdoll +1 more cookie for bright and interesting jerseys!
Posted by: Tennie Nov 8 2009, 10:53 PM
Fishdoll goodness gracious. Just watched the last bit of OM-Lyon. FT 5-5. Unbelievable finish to the game.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 8 2009, 11:50 PM
Two more things about the Cup final, the player who scored Aalesund's final equaliser, Tor Hogne Aarøy is the tallest player in professional football at 2.04 (6 ft 8+1⁄2 in).
Who needs Peter Crouch, eh?
Secondly, kudos to Molde manager Kjell Jonevret for taking the defeat very well, there was a blatant penalty for Molde in the second half that the ref overlooked, and when asked (the interviewer did his best to bait him) about it afterwards he said something along the lines of: "I guess I should take a look at the replay before butchering the ref. All honour to Aalesund, who fought very hard for it."
Posted by: dst Nov 9 2009, 12:49 AM
The one over Brazil.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 9 2009, 01:52 AM
Lyon played Marseille today in a borefest. You'd expect 2 good teams to put on a good game, they only managed 10 goals though in a 5-5 draw. Boooooring.
Posted by: Tennie Nov 9 2009, 02:09 AM
Horrible game, wasn't it? I mean, I nearly fell asleep during the last 15 minutes. Awful. I mean what? all those goals? Meh.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Nov 9 2009, 03:50 AM
I remember when Tennie used to be a nice, level headed, straightforward person. Damn you kurt!
Posted by: Danny Nov 9 2009, 01:31 PM
Word is Middlesbrough are showing an interest.
As for class and loyalty - well, he never left either of the OF to directly join the other. So your loyalty comment is a little incorrect. He's just a footballer who has gone where he'd be paid. He's also one of our best players so I hope we hold onto him.
Posted by: Danny Nov 9 2009, 01:32 PM
Yes. And it doesn't happen.
What does happen is they leave one, play wherever for a while, get good, then the other gets interested.
As far as I know, no OF player, in the reasonably modern era, has ever left for the other half of the OF.
Posted by: Danny Nov 9 2009, 01:33 PM
I despised him and hated us for signing him.
But he's been absolutely brilliant for us and that's more important.
Posted by: Locke Lamora Nov 10 2009, 11:18 AM
This is a (very short) highlights, the Norwegian goals were scored by Flo and Rekdal. Can't remember the Brazilian one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCDqdFpnhWg&feature=related
However, I'd advise you to take a look at this as well, the final minutes of the match (including the penalty) with Norwegian commentators. Who behave... as you'd expect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS4sz6lRBhg
Posted by: dst Nov 10 2009, 11:58 AM
the reaction on the final whistle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Nov 14 2009, 10:08 AM
David "does nothing to help the MLS or LA Galaxy" Beckham last night helped his Galaxy team into the MLS Finals. He hardly played last season due to injury and I believe they were the worst team in the league, now he's playing the majority of the games and.. surprise, surpise, they're awesome.
How many players have won a league title in 3 countries, I really can't think of many? This would make England, Spain and USA for Becks. With a Serie A title to add to that soon (hopefully!).
Posted by: Tennie Dec 3 2009, 03:53 PM
Fishdoll raises a fin and has a question for Danny.
Did Fishdoll understand correctly that Nacho Novo has come under investigation by disciplinary folks for mooning the Aberdeen support at this past weekend's game?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 3 2009, 04:29 PM
I haven't seen it, but he should get away with it for having such a cool name.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2009, 12:12 AM
Did Fishdoll understand correctly that Nacho Novo has come under investigation by disciplinary folks for mooning the Aberdeen support at this past weekend's game?
He stuck a finger up at the creeps too. Aberdeen fans are a vile crowd, they have a hate for us in a way even Celtic don't.
Aberdeen glorify the Ibrox Disaster, in which 67 Rangers fans lost their lives - they sing about it as if it's amusing. They jollify the infamous Simpson tackle where Aberdeen's Neale Simpson effectively ended the career of Ian Durrant of Rangers.
They are a disgusting group of supporters.
So while Nacho's hardly a saint, few Rangers fans would object to rude gestures from him aimed at that lot.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2009, 12:14 AM
Well that much is true.
He's probably the most hated Rangers player by opposition fans. He's our Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage, Diouf.
Posted by: Tennie Dec 11 2009, 01:29 PM
Mediaset, Eurosport, etc etc are reporting that Luciano Spaletti will be the new coach of Zenit St. Petersburg.
Posted by: Tennie Dec 15 2009, 02:18 PM
So, Panathinaikos was playing Iraklis Salonika in the Greek league. Karagounis (ex-cugini) went to take a corner and was pelted with carrots by the opposition fans.
http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/articoli/articolo28761.shtml to mediaset article with embedded video.
dst, is this some arcane Greek custom? Never heard of this happening before.
Posted by: dst Dec 15 2009, 02:50 PM
I did not hear a thing about it. The Greek custom is to throw bottles, keys and coins... this is a first.
By the way (according to Greek sources) Panathinaikos are seriously interested in Kaladze. That would be a dream move for me, I'll get to throw carrots at him every week!!!
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Dec 18 2009, 11:07 PM
I did not hear a thing about it. The Greek custom is to throw bottles, keys and coins... this is a first.By the way (according to Greek sources) Panathinaikos are seriously interested in Kaladze. That would be a dream move for me, I'll get to throw carrots at him every week!!!
hahahahahaha yes!!!!!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 19 2009, 12:38 PM
Barca play Estudiantes later today in the Club World Cup. Come on Barca, keep the trophy in Europe.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Dec 31 2009, 11:37 PM
in north american soccer news, the Vancouver whitecaps are without a league(between MLS and USL), in the year before they get promoted to MLS (montreal gets in the year after), On a personal note i conducted a tryout for some scouts recently at the local (yet gorgeous) soccerplexe, and went to have supper with a scout from, New england (MLS), charleston (USL) and 3 that did not disclose their teams when chatting afterards. just sooo excited i hope to go MLS soon, can't say it competes with Serie A, but what the hell, getting paid for being a calciatore is a dream coming* true
i have 2 meetings in febuary with charlston and new england.
Just wondering, do you guys think it's better to be a small fish in a big pond or the other way around?
Posted by: Tennie Jan 1 2010, 12:07 AM
Fishdoll will cross fins for you, mtl! I think it'd be AWESOME if you were offered a contract and ended up playing in MLS!
As for the big fish debate, I think a lot depends on the individual in question. Gila, for example, is great when he's with teams perceived to be smaller. Not so great when with big ones. (I'd make the same argument for Landon Donovan, but in much less polite terms cos I dislike him).
Also in other 'other league' news, Fishdoll +1 cookie to Danny. I read that one player for your team got FIVE goals in a game?!?
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jan 1 2010, 12:57 AM
i would love to go to a team where i get regular play time, strangely, the Revolution promised i would be the first midfielder of the bench, whereas the Charlston teams has some mid retiring in the eventual future. Not knowing when he will hang them up, my friend/agent (don't say it) said that in situation B they would offer a longer term contract but i'd see the field less. all things considered i would love the oppurtunity to play opposite beckham and ask him about milan players' stories, anecdotes and whatever else would come to mind after-match hehe
Posted by: Tennie Jan 1 2010, 01:48 AM
Well, there's also quality of life and climate stuff to take into account. The Boston area...well, its weather isn't that different from where you are. Charleston is pretty but it's like a sauna from May through September (hot and VERY humid). Fishdoll will want your autograph if you do end up signing for a club though!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 1 2010, 11:57 AM
I think he is now the all-time SPL top scorer too, overtaking Henrik Larsson.
Posted by: Dracoris Jan 1 2010, 10:02 PM
Charleston SC? Thats my hometown. I go to Battery games all the time!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 2 2010, 06:09 PM
Celtic-Rangers tomorrow moorning. Rangers top of the league, 7 points clear, but Celtic have a game in hand. Huge game.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jan 2 2010, 06:42 PM
haha no kidding i've only seen them when they came to montreal a few months ago
If i do end up getting a Charlston offer, i'll get you tickets
.no offense but there's not much hope for a slovenian-italian living in the only french speaking state in north america making quite the social explosion in the conservative south hehe.
Posted by: Danny Jan 2 2010, 08:00 PM
Received a Golden Boot from the league sponsors for his trouble. 7-1 and what's not been mentioned is we were down to 10 men during it.
Quite a night.
Posted by: Danny Jan 2 2010, 08:03 PM
If they win their game in hand, which is no guarantee given their quite atrocious form this season, then the gap is 4 points as things stand.
But if we win tomorrow, it's a sensational 10 point gap which they can only pull back to 7 with said victory.
That all said, we're missing 3 of our big hitters in Bougherra, Miller and Beasley, and there are massive doubts about Novo, Papac and Naismith.
It's a big game, Old Firm matches always are, but there is more pressure on timmy this time.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 2 2010, 08:11 PM
It's a shame that Celtics team is so terrible. I remember under MON, in the days of Larrson, Sutton, Hartson, Petrov, Lubo, Thompson.. awesome stuff. I quite liked the Rangers team back then, Flo, Arveladze, Amoroso, etc.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 3 2010, 02:53 PM
Celtic-Rangers 0-0 at the half. Celtic ben robbed so far, had a perfectly legit goal disallowed and Kyle Lafferty got away with a yellow card for a late, studs up, challenge on Hinkels shin. Samaras and Robson look a class above at the moment.
EDIT: 10 to go and some justice, Scott McDonald gives thee Bhoys the lead.
EDIT 2: Justice un-done, Rangers equalise within seconds.
Posted by: Danny Jan 3 2010, 06:52 PM
EDIT: 10 to go and some justice, Scott McDonald gives thee Bhoys the lead.
EDIT 2: Justice un-done, Rangers equalise within seconds.
Horrible 'performance' from us, we never got going, not helped by the loss of 3 of our key men from recent times.
Absolutely delighted to take a point away from Parkhead.
That said, if Celtic waste all the chances they get, then that's their fault
Posted by: Danny Jan 3 2010, 07:05 PM
That Rangers team cost £72M quid - guys like Van Bronckhorst, Ricksen, Flo, Cannigia, Numan. Cost a ruddy fortune. It outclassed the SPL with ease and but for some stupid errors, would have gone to the last 16 in Europe. Then 2 seasons later MON himself came into Celtic, with a pretty hefty budget for, like you say, the Hartsons, Suttons, Petrovs, Thompsons, etc (Larsson was already there, cost only 700k from Feyenoord under their previous manager Wim Janson) and wrested SPL dominance back to Parkhead.
As an aside, are you aware, completely unrelated, that Celtic have never won a single away match in the group stage of the CL in almost a decade of competing in it? In fact, they've achieved just one solitary point in their travels in that competition.
On the other hand their home record is quite awesome having only ever lost one match at Celtic Park - that was curiously enough to the same team they got their single away point against - Barcelona.
Posted by: Tennie Jan 8 2010, 07:21 PM
(from bbc)
Gunmen have opened fire with machine guns on a bus carrying Togo's football team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, wounding several players.
Officials say the shooting occurred in the Angolan area of Cabinda after the bus crossed from the Republic of Congo. There are reports of serious injuries.
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unhurt, his club Mancheter City said.
Togo's first game is due on Monday in oil-rich Cabinda, where rebels have been fighting for independence.
In a statement, Manchester City said it had spoken with Adebayor, who was "shaken by the terrible events" but "unharmed".
Those injured also include team doctors. The identities of the injured are not known.
Competition officials described the attackers as armed robbers.
Togo striker Thomas Dossevi told France's RMC radio that several players were "in a bad state".
"We were machine-gunned, like dogs," he said. "At the border with Angola - machine-gunned! I don't know why. I thought it was some rebels. We were under the seats of the bus for 20 minutes, trying to get away from the bullets."
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 9 2010, 04:20 PM
Thank God Salifou is okay, Villa's season would practically be over if he was hurt.
Togo are pulling out of the competition and are right to do so. I don't think picking an African country is the best choice of host for a World Cup, even if South Africa is generally a little better for gun crime than alot of the northern countries.
================================================================================
Salifou said he felt lucky to be alive after seeing the bus driver, assistant manager and press officer killed in the shooting.
The Villa midfielder also revealed the team had decided among themselves to pull out of the tournament but were waiting for clearance from their federation to return home.
He said: "I am back at our camp in Cabinda with my team-mates but we all want to go home to Togo. We don't want to compete in the tournament because our assistant manager has been killed and also the press and communications officer. As a team, we have made this decision.
"We must wait, however, so that we can speak to our federation president and some people from CAF and let them know that we don't want to play. No one wants to play. We just want to go home.
"To be honest, I can't sum up how I feel at this moment. My parents keep calling me from Togo every 30 minutes just to make sure I am okay and to see how things are going here.
"But we have made our decision as players. We can't play in these circumstances and we want to leave for home today."
Gunmen in an area plagued by separatist violence used machine guns to open fire on the bus carrying Togo's national team to the African Cup of Nations tournament in Angola.
Togo's bus in a convoy from Congo was six miles across the border in Angola when it came under fire.
The region's main separatist group - The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) - has claimed responsibility for the attack. Government ministers have said it was "an act of terrorism" by rogue members.
Rebels have been fighting for independence since 1966 - after refusing to sign a peace deal following a bloody 27-year civil war.
They have kidnapped and killed several soldiers and oil staff in the past few months.
Salifou added: "It was only 15 minutes after we crossed into Angola that the coach came under heavy fire from rebels. The driver of the coach was shot almost immediately and died instantly, so we were just stopped on the road with nowhere to go.
"Our security people saved us. They were in two separate cars, about 10 of them in total and they returned fire. The shooting lasted for half an hour and I could hear the bullets whistling past me. It was like a movie.
"I know I am really lucky. I was in the back of the coach with Emmanuel Adebayor and one of the goalkeepers. A defender who was sat in front of me took two shots in the back.
"The goalkeeper, Obilalé Dodo, one of my best friends, was shot in the chest and stomach area and he has been flown to South Africa to undergo an operation to save his life.
"It was horrific. Everybody was crying. I couldn't stay in control myself and I cried when I saw the injuries to my friend.
"I don't know how anyone could do this. We were looking forward to playing football and to being together as a team. None of us can play football now."
Manager Martin O'Neill revealed he was shocked by news of the shooting.
He added: "I know that there was an incident with the England cricket team not so long ago I think in Sri Lanka, there was certainly a cricketing incident.
"But I wasn't really expecting anything like this at all.
"So as I said he's pretty shaken but he's unhurt and that's the most important thing."
The boss would not be drawn on whether he thinks Togo should pull out of the competition, but hopes to see Salifou return to Villa Park soon.
"That's a decision for them to make [to carry on in Angola] but I'd love to see Moustapha back," he remarked.
"He's a great character and he's very, very popular with the players."
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/FootballNewsDetail/0,,10265~1927868,00.html
Sounds quite frightening really. I'm amazed only 3 died. RIP.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jan 9 2010, 08:32 PM
That aside...I've never known of this Saliphou character as anything other than a reserve.Yet you speak of him as an important player...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 9 2010, 09:14 PM
It's more of a joke than anything. He's known as the Togolese Zidane and he put in a great performance away to Slavia Prague last season. He's barely featured since and it's pretty much a running joke that we don't play him out of fairness to our opponents, because it'd be too easy otherwise.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jan 10 2010, 04:56 AM
Ah ok. I thought I was missing something...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 12 2010, 01:50 AM
Just managed to catch the highlights of the opening ACN game. Angola were 4-0 up with 10 minutes to go against Mali, it finished 4-4.
Posted by: Danny Feb 3 2010, 12:54 PM
HAHAHAHAHA - so the Messiah ROBBIE KEANE (the biggest boyhood Celtic fan since...errr...he changed his mind from being the biggest boyhood Liverpool fan) was unable to stop his new side slumping to yet another defeat at the mighty Kilmarnock.
Rangers might not have signed anyone in the window, but if this is the best Celtic can do, we don't need to
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Feb 3 2010, 05:48 PM
on sadder news i fractured my ankle which means i will have to postpone (hoping their still interested) the Revolution tryout and should be fit in time for the Battery tryout. I only wish the F****** Impact would scout me, this would be alot easier a decision1!!!!!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Feb 3 2010, 05:57 PM
Awww damn!! Dude...out of curiosity..would it totally be in the realm of the weird for you to tryout for one of the English clubs' youth teams. kurt can put in a good word for you.
Of course if you're willing to play in Greece...you're guaranteed first team in Panathinaikos. The name says it all.
Posted by: Fishdoll Feb 3 2010, 06:02 PM
Ohno, poor mtl!
+1 
for a full and speedy recovery!
----
And Danny, did Fox Soccer get the news right -- someone torched DaMarcus Beasley's car?
Posted by: MizNelson Feb 3 2010, 08:42 PM
That would be a yes. F'n Neanderthals.
The incident happened Monday in the Scottish city. Beasley, who plays for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, said Wednesday on Twitter that "someone blew up my car." He added that he was "glad no one got hurt."
Strathclyde Police says it is treating the incident as "willful fireraising" and that inquiries are ongoing.
Rangers has described it as a "disturbing and deplorable incident." The club is currently in first place, 10 points ahead of archrival Glasgow Celtic.
It's not the first time Beasley has faced vandalism or abuse during his career in Europe.
In December 2008, Beasley's car was broken into and ransacked outside his home. It was the fourth in a series of break-ins targeting Rangers players.
Beasley and teammate Maurice Edu have also suffered racial taunts from fans at matches during their careers in Europe.
Posted by: Danny Feb 4 2010, 01:43 PM
Firebombed it, to be exact. Following Celtic's afforementioned defeat to Kilmarnock. Can't prove it's a football related incident, but it's almost certain that it is.
He's being very positive about it, joking about being in the market for a new car.
Some guys can rise above this vile nonsense.
Posted by: Danny Feb 27 2010, 07:00 PM
Rangers Celtic at Ibrox tomorrow. The big one. Again.
We're 7 points clear with 2 games in hand, tomorrow's included, and the build of to this match has been dominated by Allan McGregor's alleged assault, the doubts about Keane, Celtic complaining about the referees against them and other small tidbits.
Suffice to say a nice win tomorrow would shut them up
Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 27 2010, 07:38 PM
Even the hardest Rangers fan would have to admit they were somewhat fortunate in the past 2 Old Firm games regarding some of the decisions. In any case, it should be a cracker as always, bit disappointed I won't get to see it.
Posted by: Danny Feb 27 2010, 08:45 PM
Name one decision which was fortuitous.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Feb 27 2010, 11:25 PM
The disallowed goal on Fortune, he won the ball fairly. The no-penalty on Maloney was even more ridiculous.
Posted by: Danny Mar 1 2010, 01:39 PM
Fraid he didn't. He barged McGregor's arm out the way.
So was the no-penalty on Edu yesterday.
Celtic have formally complained about decisions going against them - funny how they don't complain about the ones which go in their favour.
They are bitter, bitter losers and have absolutely no dignity or class. When stuff goes against us we have a wee moan among the fans and that's it.
Posted by: Danny Mar 13 2010, 02:10 PM
13 points ahead. How bad are Tony Mowbray's Celtic
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 21 2010, 06:01 PM
Very impressive from Rangers today in the Cup Final. Went down to 9 men and won it late on with a goal from Kenny "What is loyalty?" Miller.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 23 2010, 09:54 PM
(Quoted here as to not go OT in the Napoli match thread)
Sorry Mogga, you need Messi, Xavi and Iniesta to get away with the pretty football AND end results.
btw, as an aside, Mowbray's record is worse than the comical Barnes and Dalglish era - one which goes down in folklore for its atrocities in the east end of Glasgow.
I really don't like the guy and it's why I really haven't cared all that much about Celtics failings this season, I just can't stand him.
West Brom were a class above in the Championship because they could cope with the opposition strikers while playing the other team off the park and dominating possession. In the Premier League, against some of the best strikers in World football, is just wasn't going to happen. You also aren't going to get the large amount of posession to make your pretty football happen. The guy is an idiot.
I like how he criticised the way we played last season - constantly - despite us beating them home and away and challenged Arsenal for a Champions League place well into March. While he... got relegated. He's just a bitter man, I think he hated the fact that we kicked their *** all over Birmingham and that you're kicking his *** all over Glasgow.
Posted by: Danny Mar 23 2010, 10:06 PM
Fair dues.
I find him a jester - a laughable buffoon who I can't even bring myself to hate, such is his idiocy and insistence on totally wrecking Celtic through sheer stubbornness. I hated WGS way, way more.
I like how he criticised the way we played last season - constantly - despite us beating them home and away and challenged Arsenal for a Champions League place well into March. While he... got relegated. He's just a bitter man, I think he hated the fact that we kicked their *** all over Birmingham and that you're kicking his *** all over Glasgow.
tbh domestically this Rangers this season has been quite imperious. I mean, Jesus, down to 9 men and we still won the league cup. We have a fantastic manager who I've taken for granted in the past, but have started to really appreciate this term - and he's on a different planet to that joker at the East End who thinks the best way to make your team play better is to literally ship out every player you have and buy in a bunch of average players and loanee deals. Here's a clue Mowbray - when you need to score goals, don't sell your top scorer (and one of the top 3 strikers in the SPL (alongside Boyd and Miller)) to a Championship side for £3.5M.
We were awful in the CL, and there is no shying away from that, but in the league, no one can touch us and it would be a disgrace if we don't win the domestic treble.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 23 2010, 10:10 PM
I think it's highly unlikely that you don't win the treble. What's the news on the takeover I heard about a couple of weeks ago?
Posted by: Danny Mar 23 2010, 10:18 PM
Your guess is as good as mine.
Former QPR director Andrew Ellis is apparently looking over our books and accounts, with a takeover reputed at a cost of £30M or so for the assets, but then there's the £30M debt to be cleared too.
His spokesman for the admin company supposedly doing the deal say it's very likely a deal will be struck within 3 weeks, but that was a week ago.
So it's a case of wait and see.
It's curious really - when Celtic relied on Fergus McCann bailing them out in the 90s when they were up to their eyes in debt, they were also miles behind in the league and falling further. Rangers are incredibly strong on the pitch despite this financial mess we're in, and if this takeover happens it can only lead to further improvement.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 23 2010, 10:21 PM
Where has the Rangers debt come from, I'm just curious? I'm not just taking a shot at Scottish football, but is there just a general lack of money up there that you find yourself with a big loss every year and it's just mounted up?
Posted by: Danny Mar 23 2010, 10:28 PM
It came from signings we couldn't afford to make, with not enough income to fund it.
It's why Lloyds TSB effectively own us - we borrowed from them to bankroll serious spending - and we've ended up in nasty debt.
Just like Chelsea before Abramovich came along - all he had to do was clear 150M debt and Chelsea were his. Rangers need similar, albeit on an understandably smaller scale.
btw, shoot at Scottish football all you like, it's a mess. There's no money in it at all, and I would give my left testicle to join English football at pretty much any level.
Posted by: dst Mar 23 2010, 10:59 PM
I know you're all sad that Kaladze might leave... don't worry... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mui7cTfsZAA&feature=player_embedded you can see his replacement!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Mar 23 2010, 11:32 PM
Nah, we tend to like Brazilians so we would like somebody that could do it with a bit more flair. Something more like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP3jbpcCo2E
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