Now, let's talk some SOCCER!

Not just yet I won't: kinda amused by your little chit-chat

Ok, I'll be of to the stadium down town to see my local-clubs' opening-game of the new season
(FC Groningen vs RBC Roosendaal, result: 1-0, not beautiful but first points are in the pocket...).

[MOVE]
Yeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeah! The ball is finally rolling again, yippeeeeee!
[/MOVE]
Come on you Green-White Army, pride of the North

Play on!!!

a very happy & eager slammer

 

Holy quacamole!!!

Denmark 4 England 1 (good thing it was a friendly)

Methinks the writing is on the wall!!

I must say that I'm not surprised that Denmark won....only by the margin.

Play on, big ed

 

Exactly my thoughts.

Other 'friendly' (that is to say, if one can ever name such match in such way )

Netherlands vs Germany 2-2 (2-0 @ HT)
1-0 Arjen Robben 3'
2-0 Arjen Robben 47'
2-1 Michael Ballack 49'
2-2 Asimoah 80'

Dutch started fabulous, with genius Robben at front; should have taken a 4-0 lead... when again, they let the Gerries slip away.
We really never learn, do we..
It's a German quality we could benifit from...


Play on,
slam

 

I'm really interested in the 4 teams(or is it 5) that will qualify out of Africa for the World Cup, in paticular Ghana.

2 of my coworkers originate from there and are very excited at the possiblity of their country qualifying for the first time ever for this tournament. Supposedly they have 2 games left (Uganda and i'm not sure of the other) and if they win both they are in and South Africa is out due to goals scored(Ghana has the advantage).

Anyway, my Ghanian coworkers told me that Ghana has won the African Cup on numerous occasions so it would be nice for the people of this little country to experience the thrill of cheering their team on in the World Cup.

Good luck to them.



snowbound

 

yes it was a friendly, and England were being just that - friendly.

they won't be so altruistic in the World Cup Final, wait and see

 

You're kidding, right?? From all I have read about the match it was a humiliation, not merely a thrashing! If altruistic means what I know it to mean, that term would never be used to describe anyone in a Pro match.

I have always enjoyed an England match but since Lineker and Shearer etc. left the scene they have showed little.

Play on, big ed

 

i am abit, but England played two teams, as they always do in friendlies. during the first half, the first team played and the score at half-time was 0-0. the second half the second team played and they were rubbish.

England never do well in friendly matches and are much better in tournaments. the last time they played Denmark was in the World Cup and, i think, the score was 3-0 to England.

all i really want to say is - i think England are better then Denmark.

 

You're right.*



( *That is, if you take a look at this months' FIFA worldranking, which is just one disputable point of view. -as it has been discussed already on a number of occaisions in this thread)

 

Ahhh slammer,

You didn't post that chart w/l'orange circled to make a point, did you? I still find it laughable that the US is rated 6th!! I guess you have to have some kind of a rating system, but if past history means anything, I wouldn't bet the farm on it!

Play on, big ed

 

I always make points. (like l'orange does! )

Me too

There is; look overhere for explanation. I agree; it's a stupid ranking; but hey why would I complain; at least they got us where we belong

The people who thought this up must have been a bunch of mathematic nerds! (sorry, honorouble drs*!!! )
I bet my farm on it they've never even séén a soccer pitch up close!

I will,
regards
slam

*

 

Sneijder seals Ajax success

(Report from UEFA.com: )

AFC Ajax advanced to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, but it was far from straightforward for Danny Blind's men who were forced to come from behind to defeat Brøndby IF 3-1 on the night.
Sneijder double
Having conceded a late goal in Denmark a fortnight ago as they were held to a 2-2 draw, Ajax were heading out of the competition when Johan Elmander gave the visitors the lead on the cusp of half-time. The advantage was short-lived, however, and Ryan Babel equalised five minutes after the restart before a late double from substitute Wesley Sneijder sealed a hard-fought victory.

Rested stars
Sneijder was one of several regular first-team players confined to the bench this evening as Blind again fielded a weakened side. And the gamble soon looked like backfiring as Brøndby enjoyed the brighter start, with Swedish striker Elmander causing havoc for a defence lacking Dutch international Johnny Heitinga.

Brøndby dominate
Elmander shot just wide on 12 minutes and he soon found his range, firing past goalkeeper Hans Vonk on 26 minutes, only to see Hatem Trabelsi, clear off the line. Ajax displayed little attacking intent of their own, Nourdin Boukhari's 39th-minute free-kick providing their first shot, albeit an inaccurate one.

Babel leveller
Five minute later, the visitors were ahead, when the tenacious Morten Skoubo gained possession in midfield and burst through before feeding Elmander who fired beyond Vonk and into the corner of the net. That proved a stark wake-up call for Ajax, and they were level soon after the re-start, the precocious Babel cutting into the area and rifling a shot past Casper Ankergren at the near post.

Ajax ascendancy
From the on, the Dutch outfit were a different side. Hedwiges Maduro forced a smart save from Ankergren, although the goalkeeper was well beaten moments later but Nigel De Jong missed after good work from Steven Pienaar. It was the 62nd-minute introduction of Sneijder that provided the home side with some cutting edge.

Late strikes
He put Ajax ahead with a powerful shot in the 80th minute, and with Brøndby pressing for a second equaliser, secured victory with two minutes left, sliding the ball home after latching on to Maduro's through ball. The result means Ajax will join compatriots PSV Eindhoven in tomorrow's group stage draw, while the Danish team will have to settle for a place in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

 

UEFA Champions League 2005-2006 ​

Result of the draw (Pdf-download of groups & program)


Slammers' quick analyses:

Some very interesting linkings and matches coming up.
First group that draws attention is group G, where English giants and rivals CHELSEA and last-years winner LIVERPOOL are facing each other again.
Yum-yum!
Furthermore yet another promising draw for my favourite AJAX in group B.
Another meeting with former Ajax-star Dennis Bergkamp and his ARSENAL London. Time for revenge? Tricky Sparta Prague and great unknown FC Thun (SUI)
Chances to get warmed up & proceed to the next round are likely.

Every draw results in at least one so called GROUP of DEATH.
This year I believe it either must be group E (AC MILAN, PSV Eindhoven, Schalke04, Fenerbahçe) or the earlier mentioned group G.

In anticipation of a great competition:
Let the games begin!

Enjoy, and play on!
Slammer

P.S. for a full schedule of the groups, match dates etc you can click the link above to download a PDF-file.
Further reading? See UEFA.com Champions League

 

Groups E to H:

 

i think Chelsea are going to win the cup, they are the favourites in the betting in England.
here is the Barclay's Premiership Table.

 

Ah yes...another favorite! More like the kiss of DEATH!!

Play on!!

 

we shall see.

i just noticed Slam's post with the ring around the Netherlands. i think he was making the point that the table isn't very accurate joke



"And it's super Chelsea, super Chelsea F.C,
We're by far the greatest team,
The world has ever seen" http://dhost.info/kyeu/proxo/forums/images/smiles/drink.gif

 

Nothing like reaching for the stars slammer ole sod!

I don't figure Dennis 'The Menace' Bergkamp to score but he will provide the ball for others as he always does. 3-1 Arsenal

Chelsea vs Liverpool is a toughy. Too much emotion in this one!

Play on, big ed

 

And how many times have I heard that one before?? Are we talking about what is written on paper or what happens on the pitch?

If I had a nickel for every favorite that ended up in the loo I'd be a rich man!!

Rooting for Underdog F. C., big ed

 

you might think i'm being too loud about my liking Chelsea, but i have friends who are Man. U. and Arsenal supporters and have had to put up with all their rubbish in the past, so i think i'm entitled to act this way after what i have put up with.


You are my Chelsea, my only Chelsea
You make me happy when skies are grey
I never noticed how much I loved you
Until you've taken my Chelsea away
La, la, la, la, la... http://dhost.info/kyeu/proxo/forums/images/smiles/drink.gif

 

I love the game!

 

Too loud!!.......Not at all!!

Being a parent of 3 exceptional Football players (twin boys & 1 girl) and also having been a coach (youth to adult level) I have made a lot of noise! The only time I wasn't rooting was when I was Reffing!

Play on, big ed

Ps...Maybe I should have put some in my posts

 

Hey abhi,

Great shot! I wouldn't mind having those guys on my team...sans purses!

Play on, big ed

 

I wont let you have 'em. They are my team!

 

Well Mr Smartypants,

I believe the transfer window is still open so I will be making them offers that they can't refuse. Like, say, some of the ladies whose pictures you so brazenly posted elsewhere.

Plying and buying, big ed

Ps...Was checking out a few Football sites and I noticed that India is beginning to push their youth programs. We can always make room for some more competition!

 

Realising you've got bigger things on your minds right now , but still:

Congratulations to team USA for qualifying for the Worldcup in Germany 2006 as the first team to do so in North & central america.

Perhaps in time you'll all be able to shift your attention again to some entertainment and I hope you'll enjoy watching your team shine together, next summer.

Remember life goes on, restore hope

regards,
slam