Now, let's talk some SOCCER!

Discussion in 'ten-forward' started by slammer_JvA, May 15, 2004.

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  1. AXIS

    AXIS Registered Member

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    and this
     

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  2. AXIS

    AXIS Registered Member

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    WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2005

    Summer can be the cruelest time in soccer. Players of top European clubs get, maybe, one month on the beach, but it is rest invaded by anxiety.

    While they are away, somebody, somewhere is buying or selling their bodies or their place on the team. It happens to the best because the leading clubs are restlessly playing the market, ruthlessly moving the pieces.

    Hence, when Patrick Vieira for once returned to Arsenal not plotting his own transfer to Real Madrid, he found that Arsenal had agreed for a price to sell him to Juventus.

    He may have looked into the eyes of Arsène Wenger, his manager and mentor for nine successful seasons, and seen that it is fait accompli.

    We can guess what Wenger might have said: "Patrick, you are 29, you still have a strong physique, but your work has not been as committed as before. Go now, and that way we remain the best of friends."

    That is the ruthlessness of team management.

    At Liverpool, the Champions League winner, summer pruning has cut deep. Rafa Benítez, the coach, knew that even the biggest prize in Europe did not disguise inconsistencies in his team. He is wheeling and dealing; his office probably needs a revolving door. Six players have come in. Six players have gone out.

    Jerzy Dudek, the goalie whose instinctive double save on Milan's Andrij Shevchenko proved decisive in Istanbul seven weeks ago, was not even selected on the bench as a new Spanish goalie, José Reina, wore his shirt for Liverpool's first defense of the title last week.

    Turn your back. Take a vacation. Meet your replacement. Dudek insists he will fight for his place, as gutsy sportsmen must.

    But what of AC Milan, the team that won, and lost, that final in Istanbul? At halftime, it was winning, 3-0, and strolling. At full time it had been pulled back to 3-3. After penalties it was vanquished. In just three weeks, Milan fell from potential double champion, of Italy and Europe, to also-ran.

    The inquests still fester. Carlo Ancelotti, the coach, says he does not know what happened in that frenzied six minutes in Istanbul when his team gave up the three-goal advantage.

    But he knows enough to fear for his job if nothing is done to eliminate vulnerability in his squad that has, repeatedly over a year and a half, surrendered seemingly impregnable leads.

    Is the defense too old? It's a reasonable question with Cafu 35, Jaap Stam, 33, Paolo Maldini, remarkably 37, and the reserve Alessandro Costacurta nearing 40.

    Yet analysts, including Daniele Tognaccini, who heads Milan's physical trainers, insist that their condition is exceptional, their class is permanent.

    Even so, Milan made sure that Kakha Kaladze, the reserve left back, did not become yet another player bought by Chelsea this summer. And Marek Jankulovski, a 28-year-old youngster whose quality we have admired with the Czech national team and with Udinese, has arrived at Milanello.

    In midfield, too, there is an addition. Johan Vogel, part of the industrious PSV Eindhoven team that ran Milan to the brink of defeat in the Champions League semifinal, has joined the Milanese. Eindhoven, so clever in finding talents on the cheap, blending them into a unit, and selling them for profit has done it again.

    Three of the Eindhoven midfield quartet have gone. Manchester United bought Park Ji Sung, the effervescent South Korean, and Barcelona took the spirited Mark van Bommel.

    But it is attack where owners of major clubs always look when their teams are almost what they want them to be.

    Milan on Monday paid around €25 million, or $30 million, for Alberto Gilardino, the coveted young striker from Parma.

    That deal has been in the offing since January, and was closed out late on Monday after Adriano Galliani, the negotiator for Milan's owner, Silvio Berlusconi, gave Parma an ultimatum: Agree to the Milan price, which was some $7 million short of what Parma wanted, or there would be no deal.

    At 9 p.m. Monday, Gilardino, a strapping center forward who matches his 23 years of age with 23 goals in each of the past two Serie A seasons, arrived at the Milan headquarters. Later, he announced his gratitude at joining "the best club in the world."

    In time, the attack of Gilardino and Shevchenko could be the deadliest duo in the game. But there was reported to have been a half-hour heated exchange between Coach Ancelotti and Shevchenko at the training ground Monday. It ended in a handshake. It may have had more to do with the fact that the Ukrainian player reported back for training requiring a small operation on a cheek bone that was fractured last season.

    Such spats trigger rumors, and rumors attract the ever acquisitive Chelsea, whose Russian paymaster, Roman Abramovich, has several times let Shevchenko know, in the language they share, that he has only to say the word and he can change from Milan red to Chelsea blue.

    The price is nothing to Abramovich, whose team on Monday acquired Shaun Wright-Phillips for a cool $57 million in transfer fee and salary. Wright-Phillips, a bright Pimpernel of a player, is another challenger on the wings, where Chelsea has Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Joe Cole in an expensive line for two places.

    "Competition for the shirt," says Wright-Phillips, age 23, "is no problem."

    Competition for honors is the drive. On the Milan Web site this week, Gennaro Gattuso, the warrior of the team's midfield, revealed that he had begun his vacation with sleepless nights, swollen eyes, and bitter recriminations after Istanbul.

    He broods about things being said, notably by Liverpool's French left back Djimi Traore, that "offended our professionalism, our shirt, our club and our fans."

    Gattuso spent his holiday in Miami with his club captain, Maldini.

    "The captain impressed me," said Gattuso. "He's not that talkative, but when he looks in your eyes, you immediately understand where he wants to arrive. He is charged up, he wants to bounce back. He has experienced different situations in his career, but never a game as that against Liverpool. And he doesn't want to hang up his boots with such a defeat on his shoulders."

    One way or another, you can feel the pain.



    ................................................

    http://www.iht.com/pages/index.php (front page of paper)

    http://www.iht.com/pages/sports/index.php (sports section)
     
  3. big ed

    big ed Registered Member

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    Yeah...Milan may have lost the games but they lost more to the unpredictable twist of fate rather than to a superior team. "Thats Football"!!

    Cafu, Stam, And Maldini may be long in the tooth but they can play on my team anyday. They may be losing a step or two but you have to get by them first!! Not an easy or pleasant task!

    Two quality teams...must win match...tied into injury time...somebody scores...It dosen't get any better than that!!!! (hate shootouts)

    Play on, big ed
     
  4. AXIS

    AXIS Registered Member

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    How did you know Inter won?!

    TIM TROPHY, DERBY LINE UPS
    7/20/2005

    TRIESTE - Below are the official line-ups for the derby between Milan and Inter in the Tim Trophy:

    MILAN: Eleftheropoulos; Cafu, Stam, Nesta, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Rui Costa, Serginho; Vieri. Coach: Ancelotti.

    INTER: Julio Cesar; Ze Maria, Cordoba, Materazzi, Wome; Stankovic, Pizarro, C.Zanetti, Solari; Cruz, Martins. Coach: Mancini.

    MILAN 4-5 INTER ON PENALTIES
    7/20/2005

    TRIESTE - The first mini game of the Tim Trophy between Milan and Inter ended in a 5-4 win on penalties for the Nerazzurri who earn 2 points in the table, while the Rossoneri got just one. This is the oucome of the penalty shoot out: Seedorf (M)(goal); Arrieta (I)(off); Rui Costa (M)(goal); Julio Cesar (I)(goal); Serginho (M)(post); Materazzi (I)(goal); Costacurta (M)(goal); Martins (I)(goal); Ardemagni (M)(goal); Solari (I)(goal); Ambrosini (M)(off); Wome (I)(goal).

    MILAN 2-1 JUVENTUS
    7/20/2005

    TRIESTE - Milan won the second mini game of the Tim Trophy, as they defeated 2-1 Juventus. Christian Vieri converted a penalty to break the deadlock for the Rossoneri. Manuel Rui Costa doubled the lead before the Turin outfit pulled one behind through David Trezeguet's goal. Milan finished on 4 points in the table.

    From juventus.com:

    UVENTUS-MILAN 1-2

    MARCATORI: 11' Vieri (rig.), 25' Rui Costa, 39' Trezeguet

    JUVENTUS (4-4-2):Chimenti; Zebina, Thuram, Cannavaro, Chiellini; Olivera, Tacchinardi (25' Giannichedda), Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovic (25' Zalayeta), Trezeguet.
    All. Capello.

    MILAN (4-3-2-1): Fiori; Cafù, Costacurta, Nesta (40' Marzorati), Simic; Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf (34' Gattuso); Rui Costa, Serginho (31' Kaladze); Vieri (45' Ardemagni).
    All. Ancelotti.

    ARBITRO: Morganti di Ascoli Piceno.

    From Inter.it:

    TIM TROPHY STAYS PUT
    Thursday, 21 July 2005 01:28:17

    TRIESTE - After beating AC Milan 5-4 on penalties, Inter edged Juventus 1-0 at the Nereo Rocco Stadium in Trieste to win their fourth TIM Trophy in as many years thanks to Obafemi Martins' goal two minutes from time.

    INTER 1-0 JUVENTUS

    Scorer: Martins 43

    INTER: Carini, Zé Maria , Cordoba, Materazzi, Wome, Karagounis ( Martins 2:cool:, Stankovic (Belaid 46), Pizarro, C.Zanetti, Solari (Momentè 44), Cruz (Arrieta 37)

    Coach: Roberto Mancini

    JUVENTUS: Chimenti, Pessotto, Tudor, Kovac, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Vieira, Blasi, Del Piero, Mutu, Ibrahimovic (Zalayeta 30)
    Coach: Fabio Capello

    Referee: Pieri (Lucca)

    Booked: Vieira, Mutu


    BTW, I noticed a rather unfortunate headline on the Juve site:
    Cannavaro: “Un test positivo”

    It seems he's just talking about fitness, but given the Neoton video, Juve's choice of words could be improved. But then, I'm sure they didn't realize it, as they don't have much of a sense of humor.
     
  5. AXIS

    AXIS Registered Member

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    Milan Tour (U.S.A. 2005)

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Milan have left for the USA to take part in a prestigious mini-tournament, the 2005 World Series of Football. Just days after playing in the TIM Trophy against Juventus and Inter, the Rossoneri are set to face another major force, in Chelsea. Milan take on the English champions at the Gillette Stadium in Boston on July 24. There will be plenty of stars on the pitch including Hernan Crespo, now back in the Blues jersey.
    Following the Chelsea game, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will travel to Chicago on Wednesday, July 27 to play the Chicago Fire, with Alberto Gilardino liklely to make his official Milan debut. The new striker will arrive in the States on Monday along with Paolo Maldini. The final game is once again against Jose Mourinho’s Blues, on July 31 in New York.
    Just before leaving for States, Manuel Rui Costa spoke to the journalists present at Milan’s Malpensa airport. The Portuguese playmaker said: 'This trip to America gives you the possibility to play more games to prepare for what will be a very tough season. What really counts is our fitness and athletic form will improve day by day through training and tests. Then it is fundamental, as I already said after the Tim Trophy, that the group finds the right spirit straightaway. Are Chelsea prestigious opposition? Of course, as Juve and Inter were in Trieste. These teams will be competitors in the upcoming campaign as well.’
    As for coming up against Hernan Crespo, Rui said: 'We are really sorry he was not able to remain at Milan, but this is football as well. Sometimes a player’s will is not enough. I hope he will feel at ease and do well in London as well.'
    Rui also commented on what Ancelotti said about a possible change of position for one of the midfielders. He said: 'I don’t know if I’m the one involved.'

    Apart from preparing for a new campaign, Milan will use the trip to reinforce the club brand in a country in which football is not widely followed. It is no coincidence that the club will use the occasion to unveil the new shirt which will take place ahead of the final game against Chelsea. The players will then wear the shirt in the game. America is an important market for the Rossoneri and the feedback has been positive as the brand becomes better known on the other side of the ocean. The partnership with Warner Bros and AOL, American on Line will further increase awareness amongst Americans which in turn will further the standing of Italy abroad.
     
  6. AXIS

    AXIS Registered Member

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    3 decades, 3 owngoals per game, jersey #3: The Legend

    3 decades, 3 owngoals per game, jersey #3: The Legend

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Paolo MALDINI
    3 | Milan AC Defender
    Altezza: 1.86m. Peso: 83.00kg. Nazionalità: Italia
    Data di nascita: 26/06/1968 a Milan
    First appearence: Udinese - Milan : 1-1 le 20/01/1985

    It was on very cold afternoon rougly 20 years ago that the son of Cesarethe man that lifted it for the very forst time in Wembley back in 1963 a young defender called Paolo, was called upon by legendary Nils "IL Barone" Liedholm to enter the pitch cause Battistini was injured. Critics believe that young Paolo was favoured upon a number of young players due to his "heavy" surname. Game after game, season after season, playing on the left even though he's a natural right, he becomes a rising star At first he becomes the "new" Cabrini, later he becomes the "new" Facchetti, eventually "only" to become "himself": Paolo Maldini know as "Cuore di Drago" (Dragon Heart) Probably the best defender in the history of the game Certainly the only one that has been able to play indiferently as a fullback or as central defender in such a sublime fashion In his 20 years of football threw 3 decades, he has played close to 900 games for 2 teams only: Italy NT and Milan always setting an example for team mates and admired if not reveared by rivals Always the first to turn up for training sessions, most often than not the last to leave. On the pitch, without wasting web space on his "regal" way of interpreting his role, I like to remember that he has never commited a "nasty" foul, even though he has faced players like Zico, Maradona, Rivaldo, Batistuta, Ronaldo, Zidane, Romario, Stoichkov, Hugo Sanchez, Klinsmann, Careca, Baggio, Totti, Vialli, Mancini, Del Piero just to name a few, always with flair, often having the better. His jersey among rival players, is often asked in advance, cause one day, once retired, that very player will tell his nephews: "I played against Maldini"

    Paolo Maldini as every player, one day will retire from professional Football till then, he should be treated as one of the alltime greats of this fantastic sport on par with other great players of the past. Till that day, as a Milan supporter, I could even bear 3 owngoals per game cause the end result would still be positive, very positive as positive as as any player could even dream in his wildest dream.

    Paolo will still surprise us all. Guranteed

    Grazie Paolo
    -------------------------------------------------------------

    Proud Paolo

    Amy Lawrence
    Sunday May 25, 2003
    The Observer

    Even if Paolo Maldini had only been an average footballer, say, a journeyman in Serie B , he would still have come across as one of those people the gods smiled upon. He is so strikingly handsome that Giorgio Armani picked him out of all Italy's footballers to be his perfect clotheshorse. He is a devoted family man whose wife - an extraordinarily beautiful model, of course - gave him two extraordinarily beautiful sons. He is fabulously wealthy, yet gives the impression of being completely unaffected by fame and fortune, and seldom graces the gossip columns. And on top of all these blessings, Paolo Maldini happens to be one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the game. He is the man every Italian male dreams of being, and every Italian female dreams of being with.
    On Wednesday, Italian football's 'recordman' (he tops appearance lists for club and country as well as possessing a mantelpiece overflowing with medals) will lead out his beloved Milan against Juventus at Old Trafford for the Champions League final against Juventus.

    It will be the sixth time he has played in European club football's showpiece occasion. The previous five took place between 1989 and 1995, when Milan were the dominant force, with the most glamorous faces in football. The Dutch trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard provided spectacular embellishment to a prized Italian defence known as 'Franco Baresi and the Untouchables'. Alongside the legendary sweeper, the blockade consisted of two emerging young stars, Maldini and his great friend Billy Costacurta, and the no-nonsense right-back Mauro Tassotti. Today, Baresi coaches Milan's youngsters and Tassotti is assistant manager. Heaven knows what private thoughts the old survivors Maldini and Costacurta will share as they aim for another European Cup, all these years on.

    Costacurta, in particular, must wonder quite how this has happened considering he was released by Milan last summer. He was doing the tourist routine in New York with his actress and former Miss Italia girlfriend last September when the club called to say they needed him back. Rumour has it that in the early part of the season, captain Maldini looked around the dressing room and felt they were missing some of the old guard's spirit and resolve. Next thing Costacurta's phone was buzzing.

    The contrast between these two long-term pillars of the Milan and Italy defence is an intriguing one. Costacurta, when the time comes to reflect upon his own eventful career, has been by Maldini's side for most of it and has a similarly bulging collection of prizes. And yet Costacurta, neither as charismatic nor as brilliant, is forever in his shadow. It doesn't seem to have grated too much. As he admits: 'I always have to work really hard, whereas Paolo just has so much natural talent.'

    It was always so. Maldini made his debut for Milan at 16, a graduate from the youth team overseen by his father, Cesare. Did he benefit from nepotism?

    'No, quite the opposite. He was much harder on me than the others,' Maldini recalls. That famously cool temperament was necessary when he had to live up to the enormous expectations that came with being Cesare Maldini's boy. Papa was the strong, elegant sweeper with a big personality who captained Milan to their first European Cup triumph in 1963. Papa also went on to manage the Italy side Paolo played in. If it felt odd he didn't show it. He ended up with 126 caps (112 more than Papa).

    Says Cesare: 'I have never given him any advice. He doesn't need it; he always seems to know what to do. He still surprises me every day with his quest to always improve and to look inside as well. What makes me proud about Paolo? The way he behaves on and off the pitch and the fact that he has always played with Milan.'

    One-club Paolo even took a 30 per cent pay cut this year - 'for the love of Milan' - to sign an extension until 2005. That will take him to the twentieth anniversary of his debut. 'It's a very good thing for football when a player comes through the ranks and stays with a club,' he says. 'The fans can identify with that sort of player.'

    Remarkably, when he began in 1985 against Udinese, Milan were close to bankruptcy and it took the intervention of a media magnate and supporter by the name of Silvio Berlusconi to rescue the club with a £20 million investment.

    How long can Maldini continue? By and large he has had an excellent season, the effects of his international retirement evident in his club form. Inevitably, at 34 there are momentary lapses, particularly against the fleet of foot. In the Champions League semi-final, he was exposed by Inter's speedy Obafemi Martins, in a way that recalled Ahn Jung Hwan's killer blow for South Korea that made Maldini suddenly look old - sadly - as he departed the World Cup stage.

    Fortunately for Milan, Martins' intervention was only a minor inconvenience. Maldini celebrated reaching the final by embracing all of his team-mates, shaking a knowing fist at the Tribune of Honour where Berlusconi sits, and sprinting off the pitch full of beans. It was a striking contrast to two years before, when he strode off solemnly as Italian clubs completed their collective collapse in European football. How proud he is that they - and he - are back.

    Coming into May, he had played more minutes of football for Milan than any other player. He has been invigorated by two things: dedicating his efforts to his club, and the arrival of the exceptional, graceful stopper Alessandro Nesta alongside him. There was a poignant moment during the semi-final against Inter that personified the passing of the defensive baton through the generations. Just above Maldini's head a fan waved a giant flag that said, simply, 'Baresi'. At that point, Maldini passed the ball to Nesta, who looked every inch the Milan cornerstone for the years to come. Having struggled to settle in the early days since his transfer from Lazio, Nesta now looks the part. 'To play next to Maldini is very easy,' he says. 'He is 34 years old now, but plays at the very highest level game after game.'

    He does it naturally. So it was the best left-back in the world turned into one of the most accomplished central defenders - effortlessly. Maldini's impact on the next generation is huge. The ex-Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, in terrific form as the team's energetic ball-winner, is grateful for what he has learnt: 'When I am tired or when I don't fancy training I think about Maldini and Costacurta and that is all I need to rediscover my desire to play football. Paolo has been extremely important for me and my career. He is an example and I have watched him. He doesn't talk that much, it might just be four words in an entire season, but those four words shake you up.'

    And so the legend continues. Cesare will be watching in Manchester to see if his son can emulate his feat of 40 years ago, a European triumph that occurred, so the Milan soothsayers like to remind you, on English soil. 'He hasn't finished yet,' says Cesare of Paolo. 'He will continue to surprise you.'
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    La carriera
    Squadra Campionato Competizioni europee Pres.
    84-85 Milan AC 1 Partite (-)
    85-86 Milan AC 27 Partite 6 Partite (C3)
    86-87 Milan AC 1 Gol, 29 Partite (-)
    87-88 Milan AC 2 Gol, 26 Partite 2 Partite (C3) 4 Partite
    88-89 Milan AC 26 Partite 7 Partite (C1) 10 Partite
    89-90 Milan AC 1 Gol, 30 Partite 8 Partite (C1) 12 Partite
    90-91 Milan AC 4 Gol, 26 Partite 4 Partite (C1) 6 Partite
    91-92 Milan AC 3 Gol, 31 Partite (-) 8 Partite
    92-93 Milan AC 2 Gol, 31 Partite 2 Gol, 7 Partite
    93-94 Milan AC 1 Gol, 30 Partite 11 Partite
    94-95 Milan AC 2 Gol, 29 Partite 11 Partite (C1) 6 Partite
    95-96 Milan AC 3 Gol, 30 Partite 8 Partite (C3) 1 Gol, 7 Partite
    96-97 Milan AC 1 Gol, 26 Partite 6 Partite (C1) 2 Gol, 10 Partite
    97-98 Milan AC 30 Partite (-) 1 Gol, 12 Partite
    98-99 Milan AC 1 Gol, 31 Partite (-) 1 Gol, 9 Partite
    99-00 Milan AC 1 Gol, 27 Partite 6 Partite (C1) 9 Partite
    00-01 Milan AC 1 Gol, 31 Partite 14 Partite (C1) 6 Partite
    01-02 Milan AC 14 Partite 4 Partite (C3) 6 Partite
    02-03 Milan AC 2 Gol, 29 Partite 19 Partite (C1)
    03-04 Milan AC 30 Partite 9 Partite (C1)
    04-05 Milan AC 6 Partite 3 Partite (C1)

    Successi

    1989 Vincitore della Coppa Intercontinentale (Milan AC)
    1990 Vincitore della Coppa Intercontinentale (Milan AC)
    1989 Vainqueur di la Super Coppa Europa (Milan AC)
    1990 Vainqueur di la Super Coppa Europa (Milan AC)
    1994 Vainqueur di la Super Coppa Europa (Milan AC)
    2003 Vainqueur di la Super Coppa Europa (Milan AC)
    1989 Vincitore della Champions League (Milan AC)
    1990 Vincitore della Champions League (Milan AC)
    1994 Vincitore della Champions League (Milan AC)
    2003 Vincitore della Champions League (Milan AC)
    1992 Vainqueur di la Super Coupe d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1993 Vainqueur di la Super Coupe d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1994 Vainqueur di la Super Coupe d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1988 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1992 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1993 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1994 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1996 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    1999 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    2004 Campione d'Italia (Milan AC)
    2003 Vincitore della Coppa Italia (Milan AC)
    1994 Finalista della Coppa del Mondo (Italia)
    2000 Finalista dei Campionati Europei (Italia)
    1993 Finalista della Coppa Intercontinentale (Milan AC)
    1994 Finalista della Coppa Intercontinentale (Milan AC)
    1993 Finalista della Champions League (Milan AC)
    1995 Finalista della Champions League (Milan AC)
    1998 Finalista della Coppa Italia (Milan AC)

    .......to be continued
     

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  7. big ed

    big ed Registered Member

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    Re: 3 decades, 3 owngoals per game, jersey #3: The Legend

    As Mama mia was born in Torre di Santa Maria, Sondrio and Papa mio in Borganovo, Piacenza, I do still have a soft spot for Italian Football. Why talented players like Totti, Pippo, and quite a few others cheat as they do makes me cringe!!! When I sit down to watch a match my expectations are that I will see an entertaining match unmarred by cards for 'stupid' fouls and a constant parade of stretcher bearers. Of course, at the end of the match, the Ref gets all the blame for whatever!! Phooey!!!

    I don't see any Roby Baggios on the horizon!!!

    Play on, big ed
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2005
  8. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    Let's return to the facts:

    Chelsea vs Milan 1-0 (Arjen Robben) ;) :D

    (Friendly in Foxboro, Mass. USA)




    P.S. Still, I ám a big fan of Maldini, a true loyal clubplayer and fantastic defender with great personality.Played 20 seasons for his club. Where else can you still find that today?
     
  9. big ed

    big ed Registered Member

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    Damn slam,

    Don't try to confuse the issue with 'Facts'!

    Is it! Could it be!! It must be!!! Arjie is from behind the Seawall!!!!

    Roby...to....Robby.....hmmmm....hope so!!

    Play on big ed :eek:
     
  10. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    He is. :D :D :D :D
    (To be more specific: from my hometown soil :cool: )
     
  11. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    Arjen Robben was voted Talent of the Year 2003, winning him a Cruijff-court for local youth in his town of birth Bedum (Groningen).

    On July 1st 2005 he officially opened this playground/pitch himself.
    Pass the Talent on, Arjen!
    :)
     

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  12. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    Just to show I'm not all chauvinist, and no coward who only brings good news...

    It's with sadness I inform you of my club Ajax coming in last in their own Amsterdam Tournament... :(
    That alone doesn't mean much, but I am very worried about their play, plus the fact that they didn't manage to score one single goal in 2 matches (= 180 minutes of football!)
    And that, dear soccerfriends, is just an utter disgrace! :mad: SHAME ON YOU

    They better get their act together real quick...
    otherwise I fear this seasons outcome....

    {..sigh..}
    slam

    P.S. Oh btw, winners of the tournament were ARSENAL London; which I hereby like to congratulate! Cheers, Dennis;)
     
  13. iceni60

    iceni60 ( ^o^)

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  14. Icewind

    Icewind Registered Member

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    G'day! I'm Australian
    I'm not really into soccer, but GO CHELSEA!!! :D

    David.
     
  15. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    Below sea-level. Safe and sound behind our dikes:
    Ok, you boys, thanks for reassuring me on such a short notice :)

    August 5:
    AJAX wins first price of the season by claiming the Dutch supercup "Johan Cruijff-Shield"; beating champions PSV well-deserved: 2-1 :D

    Play was much better, especially in 2nd half. Keep up the good work and there's hope again...
    Now let's advance to the Champions league next weeks against Brøndby (Den)


    Play on!
    slam:cool:
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 6, 2005
  16. big ed

    big ed Registered Member

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    Posts:
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    Ye Olde New England

    Aaah...Slammer ole friend,

    I hope the fickle finger of fate dosen't find and finish you off finally. With all of the ups and downs during a season you must be totally wiped at the finish!

    Frantically formenting my '06 FIFA forecast, fig ed :ninja:
     
  17. iceni60

    iceni60 ( ^o^)

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Posts:
    5,116
  18. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

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    Location:
    Below sea-level. Safe and sound behind our dikes:
    Seen my tips at this thread already, fig? :D

    Play on (& on, & on, & on etc)
    slam:cool:
     
  19. slammer_JvA

    slammer_JvA Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2004
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    Location:
    Below sea-level. Safe and sound behind our dikes:
    Dutch league kicks of again :D

    Last night AZ Alkmaar, with new head-coach Louis van Gaal(photo), took first topposition of the Eredivisie by beating newcomers SPARTA Rotterdam 3-0

    Program / Results:
    Fr 12-08-05 20:30 AZ v Sparta 3-0
    Sa13-08-05 19:30 Willem II v RKC Waalwijk 1-2
    Sa13-08-05 19:30 Roda JC v FC Twente 2-0
    Sa13-08-05 19:30 Heracles Almelo v PSV 1-1 :D
    Sa13-08-05 20:00 Vitesse v SC Heerenveen 2-2
    Sa07-01-06 Ajax v ADO Den Haag (~Postponed*~)
    Su14-08-05 14:30 NEC v FC Utrecht
    Su14-08-05 14:30 FC Groningen v RBC Roosendaal
    Su14-08-05 14:30 Feyenoord v NAC Breda



    * Match was forbidden to be played this weekend by Amsterdam mayor due to unsufficient manpower of police force...:doubt:
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 14, 2005
  20. gerardwil

    gerardwil Registered Member

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    4,750
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    EU

    They are busy with SAIL I suppose :ninja:
     
  21. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    8,723
    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    How many officers are required? o_O

    At large sporting events here in Toronto(baseball for instance) there are a small force of officers wondering around. That's all that's needed as not to many riots break out at a ball game. :D

    If anything they have to go around and wake people up as to notify them the game is over and it's time to leave. :p (J/K) ;) :D


    snowbound
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2005
  22. big ed

    big ed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
    Posts:
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    Location:
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    What are those Officers wondering about? Snobirding next winter!!

    Play on, big ed

    PS.....Playing in wooden cleats make those Dutchies pretty mean!
     
  23. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
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    The Big Smoke
    ~sigh~

    Why does ed always find my spelling mistakes? :p

    Ok smartass... :D i meant wandering! :cool:

    BTW, what is this? Snobirding ;)


    bring it on snowbound *puppy*
     
  24. big ed

    big ed Registered Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Ye Olde New England
    Mwuahahahahahahaha!!

    No offense Bounder, in fact, I am sponsoring a "Hans Across Canada' event but, due to a population deficiency, we'll have to recruit a few seals and penguins to get across the Rockies.

    Prof big ed
     
  25. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

    Joined:
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    Posts:
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    Location:
    The Big Smoke
    lol, none taken. ;) :D

    No need for that. Just send about a dozen troops. That oughta do it. :D

    We better not jack Slammer's thread any longer or else he might come back and header both of us into oblivion. ;)


    snowbound
     
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