We will start off this week with a plug for the Canadian International Player of the Year as selected by Canadian fans at the Voyageurs website. To quote from the press release – “This award recognizes the Canadian international who, through both their club exploits and international play, made the greatest impact in 2007. Last year, Atiba Hutchinson won this award on the strength of several strong UEFA Champions League performances for his club, FC Copenhagen, as well as for his professionalism, and dedication to Canadian soccer.”
You need to register on the Voyageurs message board, in order to cast a vote but the process I am told is fast, easy and free. And for our American friends, remember even if you are a registered Republican, in Canada, we are only allowed to vote once.
The Times looks back at a game that was played fifty years ago and one that we are unlikely to see the likes of again. Bill Shankly speechless?
For those of you who have not come across The Fiver (an occassionally factual daily e mail from the Guardian Unlimited) you can follow the link and discover the winners of their annual year end awards. Any awards that you would like to add?
Last weekend saw Bundesliga teams play their last league games until February 3. Spain (returning January 6), France and Italy (both returning January 12) sign-off this weekend with some great games in prospect.
Lyon might have been a bit slow out the gate this season but a win over second place AS Nancy would give them a very comfortable seven point lead at the half-way mark. And a seventh consecutive league title would be in prospect come the New Year.
Nancy are winless in the last four games but with third place Bordeaux already eight points behind Lyon they look to be the last team with any hope of challenging the perennial champions.
Not surprisingly the attention in Spain will be on the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid match. However, the other Madrid vs. Barcelona weekend match-up between Atletico Madrid and Espanyol doesn’t look bad either.
Atletico has only lost once in their last nine Liga games while Espanyol are undefeated in the last twelve. When you consider that no Spanish side has scored more goals at home than Atletico and likewise Espanyol away then we could be in for another belter o####ame at the Vicente Calderon.
Like Lyon, a win for Real Madrid at the Nou Camp would provide the reigning champs with a seven point cushion at the top. However, there is a great deal more competition in the Spanish league and only the most foolhardy Real Madrid fan would be expecting a stroll to a second straight title come the New Year.
There was an interesting article a couple of weeks ago from Gabriele Marcotti on how Real's summer signing spree that cost around $160M has largely failed to produce any direct results. However, it seems to have reinvigorated some other players.
Raul is a prime example having already scored eight league goals, his best return in the last three seasons with less than half the season gone. Raul’s scoring stats over the last few seasons have mirrored his decreasing effectiveness. Starting with the 1998/99 season and moving forward to 06/07 Raul’s league goals have been 25, 17, 25, 14, 16, 11, 9, 5, and 7.
Any hope that Milan may have had at the start of this season of stopping Inter’s drive for a historic three consecutive Serie A titles seems to have evaporated over the first four months of this season.
Milan – FIFA Club World Champions and UEFA Champions League winners – are a massive twenty-two points behind Inter and even if you give them nine points from their three games in hand the gap is still monstrous. As it presently sits a finish in the top four is a more realistic goal.
Inter have seen injury worries mount in the last few weeks but it has made little difference to what has become a well oiled machine. Second place Roma have rattled off six wins and four draws (22 points from a possible 30) but have seen the gap with Inter grow from three points to seven over that time span.
Argentine forward Julio Cruz has been putting the ball into the net on a consistent basis with nine goals in 12 Serie A appearances and he has scored in his last three appearances. What makes it surprising is that Cruz is doing it at the age of 33 – an age at which most players are seeing production tailing off.
One thing going for Cruz is his lack of “mileage” – less than 400 games in 15 seasons means that the Argentine striker has averaged less than 25 games a season with a high of 33 games for Bologna in the early part of this decade.
Quick free kicks Super subs? Spurs’ Jermaine Defoe has come off the Premiership bench twelve times this season but has only scored once (against Manchester City two weeks ago). But with 14 goals as a substitute Defoe is second in Premiership history to Manchester United’s Solskjaer with 17.
Defoe’s best season as a scoring sub was in 01/02 when he scored six goals after coming on for West Ham. This is Defoe’s 9th season in the Premiership but he has failed to complete ninety minutes in more than half the 207 games that he has played in.
Andy Johnson of Everton has scored all of his three Premiership goals after coming on as a substitute this season – he is without a goal in 8 Premiership starts.
It is a hard sell to Liverpool fans but things are getting better as far as the Premiership is concerned. Going into this weekend Liverpool are 10 points behind the leaders and have a game in hand. Last season the gap was 15 points with an equal number of games played, in 05/06 it was 15 points and Liverpool had two games in hand.
The 04/05 season saw Liverpool 15 points in arrears (same games played) and a year before that, 16 points worse off than the top of the table Arsenal. In 2002/03 on this date Liverpool sat 5th and were only 5 points behind leaders Arsenal. However, by season end Manchester United were on top while Liverpool maintained the same league position albeit finishing 19 points behind the Champions.
If Villa starts a back four of Mellberg, Knight, Laursen and Bouma against Manchester City this weekend it will be for the 15th straight time in the Premiership. City has an outstanding record against Villa – 3 wins and a draw in their last 4 Premiership visits – in the last ten Premiership meetings against Villa City have 8 wins, a loss and a draw.
Another side that is hoping that history means something are Middlesbrough. Boro have a great home record vs. West Ham – 8 wins, 1 draw and no losses, they’ve scored 20 and conceded only six.
Steve Bruce will hoping for a better holiday period than last season. Twelve months ago Wigan were the only side to lose all four games. The best holiday performers were Manchester United with ten points out of a possible dozen. Next best were Arsenal, Liverpool, Blackburn, Bolton and City each with a point fewer.
Just a plug for my blog -
check out odds / predictions and how the draw will work for the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
I'll likely do serie a and Premier league games
in some game summaries over the weekend.
Best ever player - of the Premier League Teams - none are currently with their sides, many are dead, and one player makes it for TWO teams! An exercise in history.
Bobby - it's tough to credit any team with a definite Scudetto the year they were handed it due to the calciopoli scandal plus investigations into other less than white dealing are continuing.
Heard that song often enough during the 1982 World Cup when England played their group games at San Mames. Probably the only venue the English found themselves welcome in the entire tournament.
Amazingly, they were well treated by and got on well with the locals and managed not to misbehave too badly.
I wonder if that gruesome leg-breaking tackle by the Butcher of Bilbao - Andoni Goicoechea, or Goikoetxea if you prefer- on young 'Dieguito' Maradona is still available on youtube?
----Match ups-----------going through
Porto vs Arsenal------------arsenal
Chelsea vs OL--------------lyon
RM vs Liverpool-------------liverpool
Milan vs Olympiacos-----------milan
Barca vs Roma----------------roma
United vs Schalke-----------united
Inter vs Celtic-------------inter
Sevilla vs Fenerbahce----------fenerbahce
Actual:
Celtic vs Barca
Lyon vs United
Schalke vs Porto
Liverpool vs Inter
Roma vs Real Madrid
Arsenal vs Milan
Olympiacos vs Chelsea
Fenerbahce vs Sevilla
So I only guessed one match up correctly.
I think Barcelona, United, Porto, Inter, Roma, Arsenal, Chelsea and Fenerbahce will be the teams to head into the final 8.
I'm not happy about the draw, Inter were the worst possible team to draw (imo).
Re: Skiing. I've been doing since I was 3. For me, skiing in the east is easier but only because that's what I grew up doing. The powder of the west gave me an ample ####-kicking both times I've been out there, but only because I have "Eastern" skis. In any event, I have a ton of fun no matter where I go, though my favorites are Sugarbush (VT) and Gore (NY)...
flashman: I've been to Tremblant (which is consistently ranked the best in the East). How does le Massiff compare?
rico: I don't mind the snow we've been getting. It reminds me of home (Central NY). It's a bit of a pain, but only if you drive to work rather than taking public transportation.
I almost gagged when I loaded up the soccernet site this morning to check the draw and WHAM right in my face the headline is AC Milan vs Arsenal.
They were my worst case scenario team and there we go. First game is on the 20th of Feb. Not sure the exact dates of the African cup but the very last thing I want going into a tie against AC is to be without Toure.
Porto and Sevilla did well considering who they could of been drawn against. Benzema vs Manure could be amazing. If this kid has a coming out party against them I see no way that Lyon is able to repel the bids to sign him from all the top teams.
Verbal, Sugarbush is my home mountain, I grew up on the other side of the mountain pass. Most underrate and my personal favorite in the east.
Flash, been to St Anne, twice, both times were in November so it was pretty icy, and wasn't a huge fan. Been to Tremblant not a bad mountain. Is La Massif that mountain where you park at the top, and ski towards the St Lawerance?
I don't know about you guys, but man this champions league is going to be sick!!! Looks like I might have to pull some sick days!! Actually i do know, everyone is just as excited as I am!
On paper, a match vs. AC milan might seem a tough draw. but in reality, it's the best Arsenal can hope for.
AC Milan is old. i know, i know, they won the title last year with this old team, but i think they won't repeat that miracle.
they are having problems cracking the top 4 of the italian league at the moment, and to tell you the the truth, man. utd should have eliminated them last year.
as long as cesc and hleb are healthy, they will give a good work out to sedolf and malidini. the only worry is Kaka.
How about the best players of each team, I was surprised that it wasn't George Best for Man U. I will admit my ignorance in not knowing who Duncan Edwards is. Could someone please school me in who he was.
Aberdeen v Bayern Munich
Bolton v Atlético Madrid
SK Brann v Everton
Slavia Prague v Tottenham
Rosenborg v Fiorentina
SportingLisbon v FC Basle
Werder Bremen v Braga
some of the more interesting ties I noticed in the lesser tourny ;)
Atleti vs Anelka to go on and face Sporting or Basle the round after. Not a cake walk thats for sure.
By the time the Atletico play Bolton, Anelka could be playing at United or Chelsea. He apperantly has a clause in his contract that only allows him to move to one of the top four clubs. At least Atleti will be hoping he makes the move. ;)
Another interesting draw is PSV vs Helsingberg. That is of couse, only if Larsson stays and plays...
I think you are taking Milan for granted. It has been 3-4 seasons that someone is writing them off due to age. They are plenty capable of taking anyone on! They focus more on CL then winning the league. They just focus on placing in a CL spot for the following year.
I think this will be a great match up. I think each will win their home games, but I do see Arsenal going through on aggregate.
I think Chelsea more so than United. I think they are a bit worried that in the league with Drogba gone through the end of February they need some help scoring goals. I think playing Shevchenko in the CL will do just fine. He does ok in Europe it is in England where he has not adapted.
I think the problem is even if Chevy does well in the last games before the window opens again it wont be enough. They will be 3 strikers deep until the African cup ends and one of the strikers is Scott Sinclair. If Roman is feeling cheap and they are confident fielding a 4-5-1 with someone behind the main striker they could weather out Jan. I think the stumbling block will be money as Bolton wont let him go for cheap as hes obviously their ticket to stay up in the Prem.
Well do you guys think with the current situation in Valencia that maybe it could finally mean David Villa would be on his way to Chelsea. I know he is cup tied, but I don't think Koeman doesn't want anyone who isn't devoted to the team, and he is currently cleaning house, not inconvievable. The main question is was David Villa wanted by only Mourinho, or also wanted by Abramovich?
TheRealRico - By those who saw him play, Duncan Edwards is widely regarded as the best player England has ever produced bar none. As the 50th anniversary of the Munich grows nearer you will be seeing lots of articles about Duncan Edward. The disaster is a terribly sad story with Edwards death the saddest of all. He fought death for days before succumbing.
The only comparison that I could possibly give you is to take the Arsenal side from Tuesday, imagine that with a couple of exceptions it is English and that the team instead of doing well in the League Cup and that it had already won back to back League Championships, had reached the semi final of the European Cup the year before and had just reached another. Then the team is decimated in an air crash.
Something that has always intrigued me is if Munich had not happened how would it have affected England in 1966. With the United team as its core England might never have seen a need to hire Alf Ramsey. Bobby Moore would not have been made captain of England and might not have even been a regular in the England team.
Your giving me nightmares just thinking about Drogba + Villa. That combo could be so potent even Chelsea no matter how many holding mids they play would look attractive going forward.
Thanks bobby, but I am slightly confused, so are you saying because of the crash you feel that England actually benefited? Or do you think 66 result would have been the same regardless? And do you feel that the effects on the crash have any effect on the current national team?
I usually think transfer rumors are nonsense and things talked about rarely come to fruition, but I am pretty sure they already have Anelka's kit printed, his name is already on a locker, and he is printed in programmes for January on. :)
Wow, Thierry; I'd do some homework on Milan first.
Pirlo (28), Kaka (25), Seedorf (31), Gattuso (29), each have an international trophy collection larger that Arsenal's entire squad and still have a few good years left. The back four seem very solid, and up front, if this Pato kid is half as good as the hype, Milan would appear to be stronger in every department. Man Utd were incredibly over confident going into last season's semi final, and I'm sure Arsenal and their fans will not make the same mistake.
The champions league looks pretty straightforward to me ,after walking over the Greeks ,we'll have Meelarn in the quarters ,Inter in the semis and Barca in the final.
And next year we'll tell Blatter where to stick his world club cup.
RealRico - I guess it would be difficult to come up with a better scenario than winnining in 66 but what I was trying to say is that everything would have substantially changed. From the players involved, the manager in charge and perhaps more importantly the long term effect on English football. Most fans would accept that the United side had a very good chance of winning the European Cup even with the Real Madrid team in their prime. That would have put a first British win around 8-9 years ahead of when it actually did happen. That would have had an impact you would think - particularly given United's style of play.
In terms of England - Ramsey's team that emphasized work rate and didn't use wingers might never have seen the field. Maybe England would have become what Holand was in the 70s.
However, it is all speculation and a bit of whimzy.
Thanks for the history lesson Bobby, that is one thing I certainly lack, and will be the first to admit, I don't know much pre 2000. I didn't have cable when I grew up, and only could catch champions league games where I worked out. I didn't get Fox Sports World until 2002. I know I have mentioned it before I think I would have been twice the player I am now, had I had the soccer on tv I have now. I was lucky to catch a soccer game every three months on tv growing up.
What is your opinion on how soccer on tv affects a young players development?
I would put Le Massif ahead of both Tremblant and Ste Anne. More runs, mo' better runs, and less crowds. And yes, it is the place where you ski down towards the St. Lawrence River. And because of the frequent steepness of the runs, often worry you might ski right into it.
But you can't. Wasn't long ago that the lifts at this place consisted of a bunch of old skool buses that loaded waiting skiers at the bottom and drove up a winding road to the top. Very sociable trip, some singing, lots of chatter, pass-around of flasks or wineskins. Like being at a soccer game. Up to date now. Well worth the trip.
Go when Quebec City's winter carnival is on, so you have some urban activity to switch over to. Watch for the annual 'Crashed Ice' event, skaters in hockey pads and helmets racing down a steep, winding, closed track, at night, under lights, running through the old city. Rowdy throngs jamming the trackside stands. Unreal.
And nightclub Chez Dagobert. Great part of the world that knows how to enjoy winter.
Wonder if rumoured sale of D. Bent to W.Ham is prelude to Ramos making espace for Villa?
As a former New Englander, I must throw Sunday River into the mix as great ski locations.
However, I lived in Colorado for five years, and comparing mountains there to New England is like, well, comparing the managerial stylings of Arsene Wenger to that of Stuart Pearce.
And Rico - as a one time Vermonster as well I must say (Middlebury College alum, son) - Our team won the national title this year in men's soccer (division 3, but hey, it's something). Go Panthers!
There are some Duncan Edwards clips posted on YouTube that were featured in the Guardian a while back. Naturally, they don't really do him justice but it's worth a glimpse. An awesome player by all accounts, even though it's natural that the tragic circumstances around his death may have added to a mythology that isn't always justified. I had a looong argument with a relative about the relative merits of Edwards versus Pele, Beckenbauer and Maradona. He claims Edwards was better. I dispute that.
skiers,
You'll be hard pressed to find better skiing than in my part of the continent. Very affordable, too, even with the loonie's rise against the greenback . . .
This is one gooner who respects Milan but is quite happy to play them. Arsenal will present a much different challenge than United, both in going forward and defending. Wenger's insistence on technical ability, pace, on-the-ball composure, athleticism and young legs should bear his side in good stead. It won't be easy though. Nesta is a fantastic defender and his battles with Adebayor will prove fascinating. The other big duel will be seeing whether Flamini and Fabregas can live with Gattuso and Pirlo in the centre of the park. Finally, it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal's pacier defenders can deal with Kaka better than their slower United counterparts.
ag, there was talk to go to Lake Louise a couple seasons back, but we went to Utah instead (it was cheaper, even then). Eh, someday. I'd also like to try Whistler, Jackson Hole, Mad River Glen and Sunday River. Unfortunately, I don't make enough cash and/or don't have the time.
Davard, i'm not comparing West/East as far as quality. But I know Western skiers who have come east and skied like Titus Bramble defends.
DAVARD congrats on the win, I have many connections to Midd College, Johnson State, and Midd did combo soccer camp called Vermont Soccer School. I know David Seward, and not sure when you graduated but Kyle Dezotell was my coach my final year at JSC, a really good guy.
Too keep the skiing thing alive, let me list the places I have been cause I like to brag :-)
Vermont
Jay Peak, Sugarbush, Mad River, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Smugglers Notch, Pico, Killington, Bolton, Okemo
Maine
Sunday River(Sorry Davard but that mtn sucked, not steep enough)
Canada
Mt St Anne, Tremblant, Whistler, Panorama, Lake Louise
Cali
Squaw(Went last year) Hopefully going again in two months. This year my friends have two snowmobiles so I plan on going back country, I can't wait!!!
Last edited by therealrico on December 21st at 1:34 PM.
Skiing? Round here it is as flat as a pancake so all we have is cross country skiing. Anyway until a couple of days ago it was way too cold to ski or anything else outside. As December arrived so did the big freeze.
As for the CL I shall remain tight lipped and see what happens, or not. I may exhibit a small hoot of pleasure if, perchance, we get through the next round or two. However, based on recent events I think the side needs more than a little time to iron out the creases that cause us to play like club champions one week and club chumpions the next.
Since Skiing have been brought up we will contine - I am a westerner - I went to college in UT and I had friend who was from VT - we went skiing numerous times and she sucked in anything but ice and personally I would not go skiing on harpack/ice. I have converted to backcountry because there is no very many good cheap resorts near me - but UT has plenty - When we go we get to the top and glance over to the tetons and jackson hole and look in amazement at the beauty.
also - Rico - I liked Kirkwood when I was in the Tahoe area - good snow and good verticals - if you are going backcoutry, don't be a an #### and try to highmark a open face!
WYOFC, I can see how if you are skiing it can be difficult to adjust to powder, but I snowboard, so the transition is quite easy.
You will have to give me the definition of highmarking. I definitly don't have any backcountry experience, and would love some advice. I am pretty sure my friends took an avalanche course, so I hope they will be prepared.
I have heard good things about Kirkwood, but doubt I will make it this year, all my friends work at Squaw so I use their passes for some nice free skiing. Last year my week long trip to San Fran, and Tahoe ran me about 400 bucks, 200 of that was the rental car for a day, and includes my plane ticket. I love budget traveling!!!
I like your handle but am confused by your post because it should be clear I'm not underestimating Milan. It's silly to suggest this tie will play out the same way as last year's United-Milan tie any more than it would be to moot that Arsenal-Juventus tie will have any bearing on the results of this tie.
CIAO,
Arsenal will have to display some patience, particularly at home, because Milan will be very difficult to break down and dangerous on the counter with Kaka.
Unlike most English sides, Arsenal are very comfortable on the ball and I suspect Wenger will preach relentlessly to his tots about wearing out some of those older Milan legs by jetting around the ball around at a high pace with plenty of intelligent off-the-ball movement. If Arsenal can get a goal up and force Milan to open up, we'll have one hell of an entertaining tie.
Last edited by albertagooner on December 21st at 2:49 PM.
Gooner:
You are correct. Milan will not like playing Arsenal nearly as much as they do the more traditional playing English sides like Liverool and Man Utd. The Gunners play sound European style football, and are comfortable moving the ball around on the ground. It will be a very intersting battle between hungry youngsters and seasoned veterans, both nonetheless very talented. It will be interesting to see if Pato will have broken into the starting eleven by then given Milan's glaring shortage of quality strikers (who can play 90 minutes).
I watched Pato at this year's world U-20 and the kid is pure quality. Milan must have a wonderful scouting network in Brazil because they seem to spot and buy the diamonds like Pato and Kaka before the other major European clubs get a sniff.
I don't know if Pato will be ready by the time for that particular tie -- I saw a fascinating feature on Milan's training regimen and it might take a young player, even one as talented as Pato, a little time to bed in. I'm pretty sure, though, Pato will be starring on many European nights in the future.
Personally, Arsenal should still fear Ronaldo. He may be fat and out of form now, but who knows where he'll be come February.
I don't think AC Milan has a chance against Arsenal. I think it will be interesting in the first leg, and probably slow. But in the end, I only see Arsenal on top.
I wish that Thierry Henry still played at Arsenal, I still think it was unfortunate he left.
The perfect Saturday could be Sven's, Arsene's and Arry's boys all coming a cropper.
Sunday lunch could be so much more digestible if Blackburn and Everton (washes mouth out with soap) all win.
Such a weekend would surely eclipse last weekend's anti-climax?
If the Arsenal bubble bursts, as Bobby suspects in his gut, could that be accurately termed a fa*t?
Gooner:
Pato is definately a very special talent. He has that burst of speed very similar to Kaka', but is more of a pure striker. From what I read, Milan expect him to get considerable playing time in the second half of the season. He has been given the number 7 jersey, just to heap even more expectation of the 18 year old. Also, he was very impressive for Internacional last season. To be honest I expect good things from this kid this season.
WNMF: It is becoming apparent that even Henry thinks it was unfortunate that he left!!
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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