Apologies to my loyal readers for a slight hiatus in the blog. Soccer has such a short "off-season," particularly in years when major tournaments take place in the Summer, so we had to use July as a bit of a break. But we're back, and ready to kick off the European seasons in the next few weeks, and of course we are looking especially forward to the '08/'09 EPL campaign (it is the most popoular league in the world for a reason).
We'll have a comprehensive preview of the English Premier League season prior to the Aug 16 season kickoff. We'll also take a look at the other big European leagues, the Champions League, UEFA Cup, and World Cup qualifiers. We'll also examine MLS a little more closely this year, as the league tries to continue its (albeit, small) upward swing in popularity.
So get ready for another exciting, riveting, engaging season of global football, and hopefully you'll tune in to TGF regularly and continue to post your comments and add to the discussion.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Ronaldinho to AC Milan
SI.com reports that Ronaldinho will be joining AC Milan today, ending months of speculation surrounding the Brazilian megastar's future. It was clear he was departing Barcelona, and by extension, La Liga altogether, but the mystery was whether he would end up in England or Italy.
Now we have our answer, and Milan suddenly looks a lot brighter for the '08/'09 season with Alexander Hleb and Ronaldinho joining Kaka in the Rossoneri midfield.
One thing is certain: Ronaldinho will be wearing the red and black of Milan next season, and will look pretty cool in his new kit.
Now we have our answer, and Milan suddenly looks a lot brighter for the '08/'09 season with Alexander Hleb and Ronaldinho joining Kaka in the Rossoneri midfield.
One thing is certain: Ronaldinho will be wearing the red and black of Milan next season, and will look pretty cool in his new kit.
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Reign of Spain
Congratulations to Spain!
Espana ended their 44 year interational drought by knocking off perennial finalists and juggernaut Germany, 1-0 in Vienna in front of record television audiences around the world. Fernando Torres scored the game's only goal in the 33rd minute in spectacular fashion, and Spain built from there and pressed the Germans for the remainder of the time. Germany were never in it, and Spain should really have had two or three goals, their best chance coming when Marcos Senna failed to touch in a beautiful headed cross into an open net inthe 80th.
Spain are deserving champions, and deserve to finally eliminate their reputations as international underachievers. The Spanish have long been among the more individually talented sides in the world, and it was more a matter of time than a matter of underachievement that explained their lack of big tournament results in the past four and a half decades.
Luis Aragones, often maligned and sometimes deservedly so, particularly for his racial epithets flung at the likes of Thierry Henry and others, retires from international duty in perfect fashion, earning his figurative ride off into the sunset by adeptly preparing and adroitly managing the most impressive team at the Euros.
One of the best effects this title will have on the nation of Spain will be its uniting force. Spain has long been a fractious country, whose footballing loyalties have been divided among regions at the expense of national unity and pride. No more. Everyone from Madrid to Granada, Salamanca to Sevilla, Valencia to Barcelona will revel equally in this joyous feat for Spain. One of the truly beautiful aspects of international football is its ability to glavanize entire populations, and to captivate national audiences as their own countries pursue global glory. It is a rare and difficult accomplishment, but when it happens, there is nothing better for the people.
The Beautiful Game is also the People's Game, for that reason.
Espana ended their 44 year interational drought by knocking off perennial finalists and juggernaut Germany, 1-0 in Vienna in front of record television audiences around the world. Fernando Torres scored the game's only goal in the 33rd minute in spectacular fashion, and Spain built from there and pressed the Germans for the remainder of the time. Germany were never in it, and Spain should really have had two or three goals, their best chance coming when Marcos Senna failed to touch in a beautiful headed cross into an open net inthe 80th.
Spain are deserving champions, and deserve to finally eliminate their reputations as international underachievers. The Spanish have long been among the more individually talented sides in the world, and it was more a matter of time than a matter of underachievement that explained their lack of big tournament results in the past four and a half decades.
Luis Aragones, often maligned and sometimes deservedly so, particularly for his racial epithets flung at the likes of Thierry Henry and others, retires from international duty in perfect fashion, earning his figurative ride off into the sunset by adeptly preparing and adroitly managing the most impressive team at the Euros.
One of the best effects this title will have on the nation of Spain will be its uniting force. Spain has long been a fractious country, whose footballing loyalties have been divided among regions at the expense of national unity and pride. No more. Everyone from Madrid to Granada, Salamanca to Sevilla, Valencia to Barcelona will revel equally in this joyous feat for Spain. One of the truly beautiful aspects of international football is its ability to glavanize entire populations, and to captivate national audiences as their own countries pursue global glory. It is a rare and difficult accomplishment, but when it happens, there is nothing better for the people.
The Beautiful Game is also the People's Game, for that reason.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Euro Semifinals Preview
We've arrived at the semifinals of Euro '08, and four nations cling to the hope of glory and continental superiority for the next two years.
The mighty Germans, perennial semifinal participants in major international tournaments, succeeded once again in playing efficient and strong football good enough to see them through to the last four. Turkey awaits, the "cinderella" of Euro '08, bruised and battered and with barely eleven players to field for the match. So, Turkey will likely employ the Italian strategy of sitting back and defending in numbers for 90 minutes, hoping to force Germany to strain themselves in the attack and leave themselves vulnerable to the counter as a result. Look for the Germans to keep the bulk of possession and to have some gild-edge chances, one or two of which will find its way through in route to a 2-0 Germany win. Turkey would have to have its unit at full strength to haror hopes of advancing to its first international final, and it's a shame they don't, because they have been without a doubt the story of the tournament. Who knows, maybe they'll defy logic one more time and score on a counter early and force the Germans into a panic....
Our second semifinal carries a higher level of intrigue, in part because it is a rematch of a game already played earlier in the group stage. Spain trounced Russia 4-1 in their opening match of Euro 2008, stamping themselves early on as an in-form team and a team with real aspirations for this tournament. However, closer examination of that game reveals a tighter affair than the 4-1 score would suggest. Russia had some golden opportunites to level the scoring at 1-1 and to cut te 2-0 deficit in half later on. Had those chances been taken, the game would have adopted a different identity, and the Russians could have given a better account of themselves. As it turns out, that first game beatdown was merely a mirage for the Russians, who went on to prove that they are a quality side with lots of potent weapons in attack. Convincing victories over Greece, Sweden, and the Netherlands have propelled the Russians into the semifinal, where, unlike Turkey, they have a healthy arsenal of talent ready to give the Spanish everything they want. Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko have been particularly illuminating in this tournament, and there is lots of talk about Arshavin moving from UEFA Cup champs Zenit St. Petersburg to the English Premier League this summer. The Russians will enter the game extremely confident, while Spain will enter with more of an air of relief, as they must feel exalted and exhausted for finally beating Italy and reaching the semis of a major competition. Spain are technically superior to Russia, but Russia showed against the Netherlands that they are capable of standing up to any established opposition. Russia wins 2-1.
Germany v. Russia in the final...
The mighty Germans, perennial semifinal participants in major international tournaments, succeeded once again in playing efficient and strong football good enough to see them through to the last four. Turkey awaits, the "cinderella" of Euro '08, bruised and battered and with barely eleven players to field for the match. So, Turkey will likely employ the Italian strategy of sitting back and defending in numbers for 90 minutes, hoping to force Germany to strain themselves in the attack and leave themselves vulnerable to the counter as a result. Look for the Germans to keep the bulk of possession and to have some gild-edge chances, one or two of which will find its way through in route to a 2-0 Germany win. Turkey would have to have its unit at full strength to haror hopes of advancing to its first international final, and it's a shame they don't, because they have been without a doubt the story of the tournament. Who knows, maybe they'll defy logic one more time and score on a counter early and force the Germans into a panic....
Our second semifinal carries a higher level of intrigue, in part because it is a rematch of a game already played earlier in the group stage. Spain trounced Russia 4-1 in their opening match of Euro 2008, stamping themselves early on as an in-form team and a team with real aspirations for this tournament. However, closer examination of that game reveals a tighter affair than the 4-1 score would suggest. Russia had some golden opportunites to level the scoring at 1-1 and to cut te 2-0 deficit in half later on. Had those chances been taken, the game would have adopted a different identity, and the Russians could have given a better account of themselves. As it turns out, that first game beatdown was merely a mirage for the Russians, who went on to prove that they are a quality side with lots of potent weapons in attack. Convincing victories over Greece, Sweden, and the Netherlands have propelled the Russians into the semifinal, where, unlike Turkey, they have a healthy arsenal of talent ready to give the Spanish everything they want. Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko have been particularly illuminating in this tournament, and there is lots of talk about Arshavin moving from UEFA Cup champs Zenit St. Petersburg to the English Premier League this summer. The Russians will enter the game extremely confident, while Spain will enter with more of an air of relief, as they must feel exalted and exhausted for finally beating Italy and reaching the semis of a major competition. Spain are technically superior to Russia, but Russia showed against the Netherlands that they are capable of standing up to any established opposition. Russia wins 2-1.
Germany v. Russia in the final...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Turkey is Amazing!
Without a doubt, the Turks are the team of the tournament.
Impossible comebacks are becoming almost second-nature to this insanely resilient side who just never quit until the final whistle.
First, they came back against Switzerland in a driving rainstorm and won 2-1 after going a goal down.
Then, with quarterfinal qualification at stake, they shocked the Czech Republic by storming back from a 2-0 deficit through 74 minutes and scoring three goals in 15 minutes to win in unbelievably heroic fashion, 3-2.
Tonight, in Vienna, an entertaining and even match with Croatia suddenly became an instant classic when, after 119 minutes of scoreless football, it appeared the Croats had finally broken Turkish hearts by scoring a header off a somewhat broken play caused by keeper error. With only seconds remaining and Croatia surely through to the semis, Rustu, the second string goalie playing in Demirol's absence and attempting to make up for his gaffe, bombed a desperation free kick the length of the pitch, perfectly placing it just outside the six yard box where a lucky bounce was possible. And a lucky bounce is what they got as it fell to Semih who volleyed it perfectly and with power through a crease of Croatian defenders and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Turkey is amazing, and their miracle run continues on to the semifinal; their first such appearance in Euro Championship history. With injuries, fatigue and suspensions (Arda Turan, Tuncay, Demirol, and Emre will all miss the semifinal) apparently plaguing their chances against the mighty Germans, it would seem time to finally bet against the Turks in their next game. But would you do it? I wouldn't...
Impossible comebacks are becoming almost second-nature to this insanely resilient side who just never quit until the final whistle.
First, they came back against Switzerland in a driving rainstorm and won 2-1 after going a goal down.
Then, with quarterfinal qualification at stake, they shocked the Czech Republic by storming back from a 2-0 deficit through 74 minutes and scoring three goals in 15 minutes to win in unbelievably heroic fashion, 3-2.
Tonight, in Vienna, an entertaining and even match with Croatia suddenly became an instant classic when, after 119 minutes of scoreless football, it appeared the Croats had finally broken Turkish hearts by scoring a header off a somewhat broken play caused by keeper error. With only seconds remaining and Croatia surely through to the semis, Rustu, the second string goalie playing in Demirol's absence and attempting to make up for his gaffe, bombed a desperation free kick the length of the pitch, perfectly placing it just outside the six yard box where a lucky bounce was possible. And a lucky bounce is what they got as it fell to Semih who volleyed it perfectly and with power through a crease of Croatian defenders and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Turkey is amazing, and their miracle run continues on to the semifinal; their first such appearance in Euro Championship history. With injuries, fatigue and suspensions (Arda Turan, Tuncay, Demirol, and Emre will all miss the semifinal) apparently plaguing their chances against the mighty Germans, it would seem time to finally bet against the Turks in their next game. But would you do it? I wouldn't...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Euro 2008 Quarterfinals Preview
Today the last eight of Euro '08 kicks off with the first of four crucial games over the next four days set to determine the semifinal matchups. One of the best aspects of major tournaments like the Euro championships and the World Cup is the constant action. There are virtually no breaks or days off between matches, and the ability to go from a group stage game one day to a knockout stage game the next is a luxury that affords diehard football fans no let-up in excitement. These next four days ought to lift the excitement level exponentially from what we had in the group stage (which itself was very compelling and fun to watch), with four games between eight European powerhouses who each can make a persuasive claim it can win it all.
The Quarterfinals:
Portugal (1A) v. Germany (2B)
Croatia (1B) v. Turkey (2A)
Netherlands (1C) v. Russia (2D)
Spain (1D) v. Italy (2C)
A knee-jerk response to a quick glance at the quarterfinalists would say that either Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, or Italy will win the title, as they are the biggest names. And one of them probably will win it. My pre-tournament pick Spain is looking good, but I may have to adjust my pick and say that the Netherlands will win Euro '08 after the performances they turned in in the group stage. However, as strong as the perennial powers are, any of the other three "lesser" names in the knockout round - Croatia, Turkey, or Russia - could definitely win the whole thing, especially considering that Greece won it four years ago and you'd be hard pressed to convince anyone that Greece is better than either Croatia, Turkey, or Russia.
The Croats quietly rang up 9 points in the group stage, while Turkey possessed the magic and the merit of being the only team to win a match after falling behind - and they did so twice. Russia, meanwhile, after a first match thumping at the hands of Spain, rebounded to win their next two games in incredibly convincing fashion, exhibiting an attacking flair that has heads turning towards the Russians as a possible sleeper pick in the next round.
Every game looks appetizing and nearly impossible to predict. So difficult to pick in fact, that I will refrain from issuing score guesses and will instead only guess the winners.
(winners in bold)
Portugal v. Germany
Croatia v. Turkey
Netherlands v. Russia
Spain v. Italy
Match reviews and analysis coming at the weekend...
Enjoy the games.
The Quarterfinals:
Portugal (1A) v. Germany (2B)
Croatia (1B) v. Turkey (2A)
Netherlands (1C) v. Russia (2D)
Spain (1D) v. Italy (2C)
A knee-jerk response to a quick glance at the quarterfinalists would say that either Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, or Italy will win the title, as they are the biggest names. And one of them probably will win it. My pre-tournament pick Spain is looking good, but I may have to adjust my pick and say that the Netherlands will win Euro '08 after the performances they turned in in the group stage. However, as strong as the perennial powers are, any of the other three "lesser" names in the knockout round - Croatia, Turkey, or Russia - could definitely win the whole thing, especially considering that Greece won it four years ago and you'd be hard pressed to convince anyone that Greece is better than either Croatia, Turkey, or Russia.
The Croats quietly rang up 9 points in the group stage, while Turkey possessed the magic and the merit of being the only team to win a match after falling behind - and they did so twice. Russia, meanwhile, after a first match thumping at the hands of Spain, rebounded to win their next two games in incredibly convincing fashion, exhibiting an attacking flair that has heads turning towards the Russians as a possible sleeper pick in the next round.
Every game looks appetizing and nearly impossible to predict. So difficult to pick in fact, that I will refrain from issuing score guesses and will instead only guess the winners.
(winners in bold)
Portugal v. Germany
Croatia v. Turkey
Netherlands v. Russia
Spain v. Italy
Match reviews and analysis coming at the weekend...
Enjoy the games.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Euro '08 Best Major Tournament in 22 Years?
....so says Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/06/17/euros/index.html
I tend to agree, though I would argue the '98 and '06 World Cups carried as much intrigue and excitement as this Euro 2008, with perhaps not as much attacking flair. Wahl (a great U.S. soccer writer) argues that tis '08 tournament brings a refreshing return to attacking football and dramatic endings that are so often absent from widely-viewed (and thus widely scrutinized) major soccer events. With every match being televised on cable in the U.S. for the first time ever during the European Championships, scores of curious and skeptical American soccer viewers are being treated to some legitimately compelling sports spectacle, something that will only help grow the game's popularity in America.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/06/17/euros/index.html
I tend to agree, though I would argue the '98 and '06 World Cups carried as much intrigue and excitement as this Euro 2008, with perhaps not as much attacking flair. Wahl (a great U.S. soccer writer) argues that tis '08 tournament brings a refreshing return to attacking football and dramatic endings that are so often absent from widely-viewed (and thus widely scrutinized) major soccer events. With every match being televised on cable in the U.S. for the first time ever during the European Championships, scores of curious and skeptical American soccer viewers are being treated to some legitimately compelling sports spectacle, something that will only help grow the game's popularity in America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)