The Fiver | The football shakes | Jacob Steinberg
23 MINS AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has Expand
23 MINS AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arrivingFOR GOODNESS SAKE …What with there having been no football for roughly 12 minutes, the memory of Spain's foetuses asserting their dominance by winning the European Under-21 Championship last night quickly fading away, some people have been going dangerously cold turkey. They've had the shakes. They've had the football shakes. There hasn't been any football. No football. Football has not happened yet today and won't happen again until tonight's mouth-watering Mexico-Brazil and Italy-Japan games in some tournament that the Fiver is heroically refusing to pay the slightest bit of attention to even though that's its job when it's not cracking wise. Joe Kinnear hasn't even said anything funny in the last few hours. This is a truly disastrous state of affairs.But as the nation's addicts sat huddled in a corner, shivering and refusing to accept the buildup to Wimbledon, the Lions Collapse
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Afellay to Liverpool or Tottenham and Fer to Everton
3 HRS AGO - Ibrahim Afellay to Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur 14/10/10 – Afellay: “Playing in the Expand
3 HRS AGO - Ibrahim Afellay to Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur 14/10/10 – Afellay: “Playing in the Premier League would be the best for my prestige. I’d like to play for Liverpool or Manchester United – the top level prospect for any player.” 24/10/12 – Afellay: “Arsenal were interested in me in the last few years at PSV and [...] Collapse
Spain 2-1 Uruguay: Del Bosque changes his midfield structure, Uruguay are disorganised
19 HRS AGO - Spain’s level of dominance should have resulted in a much more emphatic victory.
Xabi Alonso Expand
19 HRS AGO - Spain’s level of dominance should have resulted in a much more emphatic victory.
Xabi Alonso is unavailable for the Confederations Cup because of injury, and in his absence Vicente del Bosque changed the structure of his side, using Sergio Busquets as the sole holder, moving Xavi Hernandez into the role he plays at Barcelona, and introducing [...] Collapse
Spain vs Italy, Under-21 European Championship Final: Open Thread
23 HRS AGO - The final of the under-21 European Championship kicks off today with two brilliant sides facing Expand
23 HRS AGO - The final of the under-21 European Championship kicks off today with two brilliant sides facing each other in the final in Israel. Spain, who have been a joy to watch this tournament — especially Isco, who has been a revelation — faces … Continue reading →Spain vs Italy, Under-21 European Championship Final: Open Thread is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Why A Move For Nani Away From Manchester United Is The Best Move
1 DAY AGO - The impending departure of Nani from Manchester United evokes more questions than answers. Expand
1 DAY AGO - The impending departure of Nani from Manchester United evokes more questions than answers. Undoubtedly talented, arguably the most skilful member of the present United squad, Nani is an enigma. His departure from the Premier League is certainly a negative in … Continue reading →Why A Move For Nani Away From Manchester United Is The Best Move is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Serie A World's Team of the Season
1 DAY AGO - The 2012/2013 Serie A has come and gone with Juventus emerging champions for a second consecutive Expand
1 DAY AGO - The 2012/2013 Serie A has come and gone with Juventus emerging champions for a second consecutive time. Many players used the season to raise their stocks and the Serie A World team have come together to pick their very best of performers in the just concluded season.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) : Gigi conceded the least goals this term, 19 goals, but his amazing reflexes and great experience where always present throughout the season. Those that claim Buffon is playing this well because of the amazing defence he commands should watch Juventus’ last three games when Marco Storari manned the posts for the Old Lady of Turin.
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) : This is probably Barzagli’s best ever season in football. Alongside fellow defenders Bonucci and Chellieni, they formed a solid defensive line that conceded the least this season. Assured and possessing a calming presence at the back, he was rarely ever caught out of possession.
Gonzalo Rodriguez (Fiorentina) : Signed Collapse
Clubs for Scotland's new Lowland League decided
1 DAY AGO - Restructuring of pyramid continues
18 June ~ The 12 clubs chosen to compete in Scotland's new Expand
1 DAY AGO - Restructuring of pyramid continues
18 June ~ The 12 clubs chosen to compete in Scotland's new Lowland League were finalised by the Scottish FA (SFA) on Monday. Three clubs, Preston Athletic and Spartans from the East of Scotland and Threave Rovers from the South of Scotland, were already assured a place in the new league because they hold SFA national club licences. The remaining nine places were decided at a specially convened meeting held to determine the make up of the new base level on the Scottish League ladder. Collapse
Alex Ferguson’s first Manchester United team-sheet set to go up for auction
1 DAY AGO - Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United may seem a lifetime ago amidst Expand
1 DAY AGO - Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United may seem a lifetime ago amidst football’s rapidly developing soap opera, but marks of his legacy still remain. Typically, this means that people are looking to cash in on his retirement, and there is certainly big money to be made on any memorabilia Fergie-related. One Oxford United fan has [...] Collapse
Away grounds - The Dell
1 DAY AGO - UNLIKE my previous articles on Hillsborough and Villa Park, The Dell, Expand
1 DAY AGO - UNLIKE my previous articles on Hillsborough and Villa Park, The Dell, Southampton was a ground where Arsenal enjoyed many good victories over the years.
The old facade to the Main Stand at The Dell
My abiding memory of my trips to the south coast is probably the weather. It always seemed to be sunny down there. It helped that more often than not we would play them in either the autumn or spring so it always seemed to be warm, which was just as well too as the away end was uncovered for many years.
The ground itself always struck me as being unfinished. The main home end behind the goal, the Milton Road Stand, was a lop-sided affair and the rest of the ground looked like it had seen better days. The away end in particular was basic to say the least, Collapse
Confederations Cup 2013 And Its Importance
1 DAY AGO - So 2014 has the World Cup and 2012 had the Euro. I guess that means 2013 will be devoid of Expand
1 DAY AGO - So 2014 has the World Cup and 2012 had the Euro. I guess that means 2013 will be devoid of big-time international soccer excitement, right? Wrong! 2013 is the year of the Confederations Cup, an eight-team competition held in Brazil. It’s good and important for a lot of reasons.
A TOURNAMENT GROWS IN SIGNIFICANCE:
The Confederations Cup is more of an intercontinental competition than international. Six of the eight teams that are competing here have earned their berth by winning their respective continent’s confederation championship. The only exceptions being the World Cup winner and the host country. That’s how the Confederations Cup is contested.
The idea of having a soccer competition of the best of the continents was an idea that evolved over 21 years. Actually the first attempt at such a competition came not with the participation of FIFA. It came through the royal family of Saudi Arabia through a competition called the King Fahd Cup. The first King Collapse
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Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson’s Sterling Wide Play Critical to American Success in June
52 MINS AGO - Wingers Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson both played an important role in the perfect qualifying haul Expand
52 MINS AGO - Wingers Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson both played an important role in the perfect qualifying haul for the United States in June. The United States won all four June matches including a spectacular 4-3 victory in Washington against Germany to … Continue reading →Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson’s Sterling Wide Play Critical to American Success in June is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
WHEN O MENGÁO RULED THE WORLD
7 HRS AGO - In any club’s Golden Age there’s usually one particular season when
everything just comes Expand
7 HRS AGO - In any club’s Golden Age there’s usually one particular season when
everything just comes together. 2013 was the year it all clicked into
place for Bayern Munich. Manchester United had 1999. For Clube de
Regatas do Flamengo their zenith was 1981. Collapse
Italy 2-1 Mexico: Italy excel down the left flank
19 HRS AGO - Italy dominated for the majority of the match, and Mario Balotelli was a fitting Expand
19 HRS AGO - Italy dominated for the majority of the match, and Mario Balotelli was a fitting matchwinner.
Cesare Prandelli selected a 4-3-2-1 system, using Juventus duo Claudio Marchisio and Emanuele Giaccherini behind lone striker Balotelli.
Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre used a standard 4-2-3-1 system, playing Giovani dos Santos behind Javier Hernandez.
Mexico had some bright moments, particularly [...] Collapse
US Soccer Legend Eric Wynalda Co-Authoring a “Worst to First” Story in Atlanta
1 DAY AGO - The Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) are close to completing an Expand
1 DAY AGO - The Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) are close to completing an incredible feat. They currently sit atop the NASL Spring Season standings with just three matches remaining. A year ago at this time they sat anchored … Continue reading →US Soccer Legend Eric Wynalda Co-Authoring a “Worst to First” Story in Atlanta is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
How will Chelsea evolve under Mourinho once again?
1 DAY AGO - Brutal football is not that popular in Spain. Realistically, the title was back at the Bernabeu. Expand
1 DAY AGO - Brutal football is not that popular in Spain. Realistically, the title was back at the Bernabeu. Never a favourite at Madrid, Jose Mourinho could still class his three years leading the Los Bloncos a success, adding La Liga title, Super Cup and Copa Del Rey to his already more-than-impressive CV.
Continuous fallout with reporters, players and even the club president implies it was only a matter of time for Mourinho to return to the UK. Disastrous season at Bernabeu and the managerial chaos at Chelsea certainly paved the way for Mourinho's long-awaited reunion with Roman Abramovich. On 3rd of June, the Special One is finally back at Stamford Bridge.
Things have changed since he last departed. His most respected rival has retired, but competition has only become more intense. The chequebook at Etihad Stadium is ever growing, so is the ambition of Tottenham and Everton. Liverpool is eager to rejoin the race, which has always featured Arsenal and Manchester United. Nonetheless, Collapse
Questions of Corruption in Monaco?
1 DAY AGO - Football has become very attractive to the rich and to business men who are looking for a hobby or Expand
1 DAY AGO - Football has become very attractive to the rich and to business men who are looking for a hobby or more importantly looking for added exposure. These clubs give these men ‘something to enjoy’ and although fans of clubs like Chelsea, Man City and PSG find it hard to see the issues with the immense money that their new owners have invested in the club, it does appear football has become a playground for the rich to have fun.
Yet is there something more going on?! This summer AS Monaco, the newly promoted Ligue 1 side have spent £135m already on new players. There are reports that they are willing to pay what is required to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to France, with Hulk also being rumoured to be a target. It is hard not to look at the situation in Monaco with a cynical eye. As this article will address, football’s vast wealth has enticed men whose intentions may not be football related.
Monaco's private agency
We like to think football is just about what happens on Collapse
Tahiti score against Nigeria in FIFA Confederations Cup – Unbridled joy ensues
1 DAY AGO - Using the word ‘minnow’ to describe Tahiti’s participation in FIFA’s Expand
1 DAY AGO - Using the word ‘minnow’ to describe Tahiti’s participation in FIFA’s Confederation Cup doesn’t even come close to describe their status. This is a country that had one professional player and lost their last fixture to New Caledonia. And, for large periods of their opening match against Nigeria, that showed. Time and time again they were [...] Collapse
Make or Break for Newcastle United
1 DAY AGO -
Fans of Newcastle United face a summer of uncertainty this year as the future of several Expand
1 DAY AGO -
Fans of Newcastle United face a summer of uncertainty this year as the future of several players at the club is unknown. In addition, it is also unknown whether Alan Pardew will be given a large transfer budget to add the necessary reinforcements to his squad.
Since taking over the club, Mike Ashley and his board have been targeting financial stability and continued presence in the Premier League is one of the integral elements of this. Many fans have questioned Ashley’s ambition to push his club further on, with a large proportion of transfer outlays reliant on the incoming fees received for former players. After a very disappointing league finish last season, it appears that Newcastle United may look to trim fringe players from an already thin squad to free up some more space on the wage bill.
OUT:
The first two players out the door at Newcastle this summer will be Danny Simpson and long-serving goalkeeper Steve Harper. Both Simpson and Harper were important figures in Collapse
Inter Milan Season Review 2012/2013
1 DAY AGO - When Massimo Moratti announced that Andrea Stramaccioni would continue on as the manager of Expand
1 DAY AGO - When Massimo Moratti announced that Andrea Stramaccioni would continue on as the manager of Internazionale on a permanent basis for the 2012/2013 season, no one could blame the Inter faithful for feeling optimistic. The young manager had a successful spell with Inter’s Primavera the season prior, leading them to the NextGen Series title with impressive displays. But, it was his form since taking over first team affairs from Claudio Ranieri in March 2012 that had the Inter fans in high spirits, winning the Derby della Madonnina and finishing in 6th place in the league, despite a dreadful campaign with the departed manager. The opportunity was earned, and after a summer of movement in personnel both in and out of the club, spirits were high at the San Siro, with no one challenging the view that Inter could be a team to look out for in Serie A’s upcoming season.
The personnel changes which took place in the summer were necessary, not just for Inter. Juventus had won Collapse
Spain 3-1 Uruguay: Match report
1 DAY AGO - Spain marched on to a 3-1 victory over Uruguay to get their Confederations Cup campaign up and Expand
1 DAY AGO - Spain marched on to a 3-1 victory over Uruguay to get their Confederations Cup campaign up and running.
Both Spain goals came in the first half which was dominated by Spain. In the 20th minute Barcelona’s Pedro opened the score with a deflected effort. Then Soldado made it 2-0 to Spain in the 31st minute.
In the 88th minute Luis Suarez scored a superb free-kick that only resulted to be a late consolation goal for the Uruguayans.The World Cup and European champions had set the early pace of the game, as Spain enjoyed a dominating start in the opening minutes.
Spain opened the score when a Xavi corner was headed out by the Uruguayan defence. The ball found it’s way to Pedro whose shot at goal took a big deflection off Diego Lugano and flew past Fernando Muslera.
Spain then made it 2-0 at the half-hour mark. Cesc Fabregas drove through the middle of the pitch then played a lovely through ball to Roberto Soldado with space to control before guiding the ball into the back of Collapse
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Last Chance Saloon for Harry Kewell, Australia’s Golden Boy
2 HRS AGO - Almost a decade ago, the world witnessed one of the rising stars in the English game move to Expand
2 HRS AGO - Almost a decade ago, the world witnessed one of the rising stars in the English game move to Liverpool. His name was Harry Kewell. Fast forward 10 years later, the once sought after and most gifted Australian footballer of his … Continue reading →Last Chance Saloon for Harry Kewell, Australia’s Golden Boy is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Top 10 Players Likely to Leave Their Premier League Clubs This Summer
17 HRS AGO - We’ve already seen several key signings by Premier League clubs this summer with many new Expand
17 HRS AGO - We’ve already seen several key signings by Premier League clubs this summer with many new prospects coming in from La Liga. But in reality, we’re also going to probably see several key players leave their Premier League clubs this summer. … Continue reading →Top 10 Players Likely to Leave Their Premier League Clubs This Summer is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
The Fiver | Award-winning Joe Kinnear's special comedy turn | Ian McCourt
23 HRS AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has Expand
23 HRS AGO - Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arrivingKEBABS, CLOWN SHOES AND LOUD PARPS ON TYNESIDEAfter confirming yesterday that Joe Kinnear was on his way back to Tyneside, the Fiver should have twigged then that Newcastle United Comedy Club would be reopening its doors for the coming season. But it took an interview with SHOUTSport on Monday night, in which the forthcoming headline act tested out his new material on presenters Andy Goldstein and Bobby Gould, to confirm the momentous news."I heard a silly comment of 'what can I attract?' I can open the door to any manager in the world, anyone, that's the difference," honked Kinnear, before putting his signature comic twist on the names of staff and players alike. Shola Ameobi was altered into Shola Amenobee (heehaw!), Yohan Cabaye became Yohan Kebab (snarff!) and best of all Derek Llambias became Derek Llambezee (badumtish!). And that was before he slipped into his clown Collapse
Top 5 Premier League Teams From 1992-2013 Revealed
1 DAY AGO - Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed some phenomenal teams. Some are universally Expand
1 DAY AGO - Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed some phenomenal teams. Some are universally celebrated, but others never garner the attention they truly deserve. Remaining impartial, my breakdown of the top five teams was not decided solely by what the … Continue reading →Top 5 Premier League Teams From 1992-2013 Revealed is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
Another Embarrassing Exit Highlights English Football's Problems
1 DAY AGO - "I don't think the players have done themselves credit, to be honest with you, either individually Expand
1 DAY AGO - "I don't think the players have done themselves credit, to be honest with you, either individually or collectively. You get what you deserve out of football and that's nothing out of this tournament so far" Stuart Pearce in the aftermath of England's 3-1 defeat and exit to NorwayIt was supposed to be the easier side of the draw, England were 'lucky' to miss Spain, Germany, Holland and even Russia. Qualification would be a guarantee. Oh how naive we really are in this country. For the second tournament in a row England will be exiting out the group stage due to poor performances and incompetent management. As The Whitehouse Address discusses, this performance highlights the widening gap between English players and the rest of Europe as well as the clear gap between coaching quality.
A new start for English football
English football is coming to the end of its “Golden Generation”. It has entered that most popular of times, a stage of ‘transition’ Collapse
INFOGRAPHIC: David Beckham – family man
1 DAY AGO - Image source: MoneySupermarket Life Insurance
Warrior create football boot with ‘Gloryholes’ – Is all PR really good PR?
1 DAY AGO - Quite what Warrior are up to at the moment goodness only knows, but they seem to be operating on a Expand
1 DAY AGO - Quite what Warrior are up to at the moment goodness only knows, but they seem to be operating on a ‘all publicity is good publicity’ principle. First we brought you news that they were the company responsible for dread Liverpool away and third kits, and now Liverpool’s players can also wear Warrior boots, which come [...] Collapse
ÖSTERSUNDS FK AND THE UPWARD TRAJECTORY OF GRAHAM POTTER
1 DAY AGO - In
the confused gaggle of bibbed players, he instantly stood out. A shock of blond
floppy hair Expand
1 DAY AGO - In
the confused gaggle of bibbed players, he instantly stood out. A shock of blond
floppy hair charging tirelessly up and down the left wing. With silent, dark
determination, he seemed to be taking the seven aside practice match more
seriously than his jokey, lackadaisical teammates. Collapse
Confederations Cup Team-By-Team Analysis
1 DAY AGO - Some of you may have already read my article on the Confederations Cup tournament. Now I move onto Expand
1 DAY AGO - Some of you may have already read my article on the Confederations Cup tournament. Now I move onto the teams and see how well they stack up for this. All but two teams are winners of their respective country’s continental championship. The two exceptions are Brazil who qualifies as hosts and Italy which was runner-up at Euro but qualified since the winner Spain already qualified as World Cup winner. Here’s how they pare up group by group with their current FIFA ranking in brackets:
GROUP A:
-Brazil (22)- You’d think a country like Brazil with a legacy and depth of talent would enter the competition as the favorites but it’s actually not the case. Brazil first surprised everybody at the 2010 World Cup with a quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands. They surprised soccer fans even more by being ousted in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America. Brazil just wasn’t Brazil. Lately Brazil has been making some changes like bringing back coach Luis Collapse
Win A Real Madrid Home Shirt in A Beautiful Presentation Box
1 DAY AGO - It is that time of the year again folks. Fans and players alike gather around their club to see Expand
1 DAY AGO - It is that time of the year again folks. Fans and players alike gather around their club to see which colours and configurations they will be adorning themselves in throughout the coming season. As Real Madrid launch their new kit … Continue reading →Win A Real Madrid Home Shirt in A Beautiful Presentation Box is a post from World Soccer Talk. Collapse
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