Now, let's talk some SOCCER!

Hoo boy,

Well, I guess the Fat Lady is finished singing for the qualifiers of WC '06!

Most of the losers, as per the script, blamed the Refs, the pitch, the weather, and Global Warming. The match between the Swiss and the Turks was particularly ugly.

Shame on those who sullie the 'Beautiful Game'

Play on to Germany, big ed

 

Back to clublevel

Hardly dunno why & how, but Ajax managed to progress to the 2nd round of the CL ...Oh well...

Tuesday's results Champions League:

 

Wednesday's results Champions League:

 

Football legend George Best dies

Football legend George Best has died in hospital at the age of 59, after suffering for weeks. ​

Best died in intensive care at 1255 GMT on Friday following "a long and very valiant fight", said a statement from west London's Cromwell Hospital.

For Britain he was Good, Better, Best in football.
But in daily-life he couldn't stay of the bottle: even after a liver-transplant in 2002...

Georgie, the Belfast boy, often named the 5th Beatle, arguably the greatest player never to play at a FIFA World Cup finals may have departed this life, but his legend will always live on.




Rest In Peace, George

slammer

Video: Obituary George Best 1946-2005


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4380332.stm


http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/index/0,2527,111584,00.html?articleid=111584

 

IMO, the best player ever from the UK and one of the best of all time.

I saw Maradona at his peak in Italy over several seasons and IMO, Best was better.

He could head, use either foot, and dribble. Compare him with most modern day footballers who can only use one foot!!!!!! "They were not fit to lace his drinks"

He was around when the tackle from behind was still allowed and when well-known hardmen such as Tommy Smith, Norman Hunter and Chopper Harris were in their prime. Even they could not stop him.


As he said himself " If I had been born ugly you would never have heard of Pele"

Let's hope that Georgie the Belfast boy will be remembered mainly for his soccer skills.

 

Amen!

I've only seen videos of him and he certainly was very gifted. Unfortunately, like so many young players, they achieve stardom long before maturity.

Play on, big ed

 

Soccer gossip:

Guus Hiddink to succeed sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd? ? ?

Hiddink hints at leaving Eindhoven end of season. Apparantly he no longer wants to 'build' on a team, but likes to manage a team again that's already arrived at the top.

KBSradio
"...British media say Manchester United could go after Hiddink after the contract of Sir Alex Ferguson expires next year."


scotsman.com:

"...Far easier would be the prospect of Europe’s hottest coach, Guus Hiddink, coming to Old Trafford. The coach of PSV’s European Cup-winning team of 1988 returned to the club after leading South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals and has won two league titles in the last three years back in Holland. This season’s achievement has been even more impressive as, after losing a whole forward line in Arjen Robben, Mateja Kezman and Dennis Rommedahl, PSV coasted to the title and deserved to beat AC Milan in the Champions League semi-finals. Hiddink is also PSV’s technical director, a role that impresses prospective employers, but with a long-term outlook that he would certainly mention if negotiating was to take place. "

 

Well....the seeding has been done for WC '06! I guess I'll never understand the logic of it. The group draw is this coming Fri.

Can't wait!

Play on, big ed

 

Liverpool 0 Chelski 0 ..... Champs League

Meaningless? I think not!

 

Never Meaningless if you get in the right Crouch

 

The World Will Be Watching Tonight:

[MOVE]
Final Draw
[/MOVE]

​

of the FIFA Worldcup 2006
​

[MOVE]Leipzig, 9 December 20:15 CET[/MOVE]

 

Essien should have been red-carded for his diabolical tackle on Hamann.

This is the second time this season he has carried out an over the ball tackle that could have easily broken someone's leg.

Are referees blind? Another reason to go with the video replays.

 

@ Big ED: the awaited Slammers' forecasts!

It seems only fair to come up with my forecasts today, hours before the final draw of the worldcup 2006.


So finally Ed, you see: I keep my promises!
Here is the long awaited list of my top 8, capable of going all the way, in descending order concerning chances of winning:

1) ARGENTINA (my favourite)
2) ITALY
3) THE NETHERLANDS
4) BRASIL
5) ENGLAND
6) CZECH REPUBLIC
7) GERMANY
8 ) SWEDEN (dark horse)

Forget about Brasil; that's all just psychology of past succes, haunting todays realism. (If you c what I mean). They're in the list because too many teams will ('unnecessary'..) fear them...

Germany is there, not for their qualities, but because obviously as the hosts they will be 'helped' along the way...

France is a no-no, they completely lost any cohesive group spirit.

As for the African nations, I hope for a surpise, but expect it still wont happen this time either.

Mexico, I'm not certain of, they can also be a surprise, but for now I stick with this list.



Furthermore I'll be rooting for AUSTRALIA, hoping they get the chance of hammering the USA (punishing their arrogant coach Arena ), and surely hope Don Leo can manage a win for TRINIDAD & TOBAGO.

Finally, I am really sad about one absentee..DANMARK They're always a pleasure to watch, and their fans are a colorful, and peaceful crowd of pure joy, like ours. They will be missed...

Don't forget to watch the draw tonight

(it's fun but we really don't care who comes out of it - we'll be ready for anybody! ROARRRRRR )

ENJOY!

slammer

 

Saw the game on TV. It was a horrendous tackle from my view. The antics of Mouriho on the sidelines immediately following the incident are inexcusible.

The Ref ...in his report....said he didn't see it happen! Can happen because all you have to do is glance elsewhere for a split second.

Instant video replay? Nah! If you're going to have that you might as well eliminate all three Refs and officiate the game from a bunch of video screens!

Play on, ED

 

Re: @ Big ED: the awaited Slammers' forecasts!

First off....lets get real....in the seedings. As soon as I saw the US 9th and Holland 10th I became suspect!

Oranje is my 1st pick....Germany at home in familiar surroundings a close second. Brazil can never be discounted. Any of the others would be a big surprise.

Other than that I always enjoy watching the "Minnows" beat the "Big Boys"!

Play on, big ed

Ps....Argentina and Italy (land of my ancestors) are gonna crash!

 

Okay... so we have been drawn in the toughest group... the group of DEATH.

And you know what?

I couldn't have been happier!

[MOVE]BRING 'EM ON[/MOVE]

This is just fantastic, and in one word: MARVELOUS.
If you're in the final stages, you should be no coward, you should be ready for anyone.
So let's have 'em; bring on the Argentines, the beautiful players of Cote d'Ivor, and the Serbs...

Great thing about this poule is they're all teams that play attacking soccer. Super.

We're not afraid. We're no cowards. We come to win the Cup.
So we will prevail.

I am really looking forward to this group stage.

We'll be ready.
No retreat, no surrender.
We want to win the worldcup?
So don't whine, don't complain, be happy to be presented with a fantastic group.
No easy opponents to stumble upon; no, instead be sharp from the start!

Head coach Marco van Basten reaction: "Interesting draw."

No more, no less.

We are going for the Gold. Keep that in mind, rest of the world!



ROAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR


Dutch Lions on the attack!

I love this game!!!


Count your blessings....................... 'till you meet up with us...


CHEERS, FELLOW COUNTRYMEN

HAVE FAITH - 2006 IS OURS...

ROAAAAR

 

Now thats the slammer we all know and love!!! Let it all hang out!!

Seedings....shmeedings!! Groups....smoops!!

I don't give a rat's patoot who wins......I wanna see some good matches!!!

Just beware of the tricky bounces, goal posts, and crossbars.

Play on, big ed

 

Slammer has the right attitude. Bring them on whoever they are.

U play who u play.

A Ghanian friend of mine says the same thing. He is just happy his country is finally in the tournament.


snowbound

 

Yeah! Once we get those easybeats Brazil out of the way we'll be OK!?.....maybe!

 

Goodonya Buckmiester,

All ya need is one wicket more than them and you're on your way!

Play on, Footie ed

 

Arrrrrgh!

Leading story in the sportspage of a local newspaper. Elected State official is trying to get a law passed that would require "all" Soccer players (except Pros)to wear head protection helmet for any contest within the State.

I repeat....arrrrrrgh!

Play on, big ed

 

You'll be right Ed.....you can just grab your crash helmet out of the Weinerbagel!

 

AND I REPEAT: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH !!!

Suggestion to this 'honourable' official would be:
At least TRY to grasp the history, meaning, pride and essence of this sport!
For example by starting all over reading this thread overhere (post 2)

or else click this one:

http://www.soccernova.com/html/soccer_101/world_history.htm#WORLD%20SOCCER%20HISTORY%20TIMELINE

Otherwise (s)he will only confirm the mutual prejudices about each other(s' sports):
The-other-ones are wimps..

Pity
AAARGGHH

 

Over here in the US of A, if a kid wants to go for a ride on a tricycle, 1st they must put on a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and have a cell phone in event of wandering more than 10 ft away from Mommy. Must be shadowed by at least 3 EMTs in case of nose drip!!

When is enough.....enough, ed

 

Ooooh! Guus Hiddink has tabbed Johan Neeskens to be one of his asst. coaches for the Roos. Pretty decent coach from what I hear and one heck of a football player. I saw him play a couple of times when he was w/the NY Cosmos.

Play on, big ed