Former England international, Manchester United, and Leeds United defender Brian Greenhoff dies at age 60. He is well before my time being interested in the game but I am keen on learning the long history of this most Beautiful Game.
Any picks for this Saturday's UEFA Final? I'm going to be bold and say Dortmund in a stunner, 2-1.
That would be good. - it seems that in Germany Bayern are the equivalent of Manchester united. Their own fans want them to win; everyone else is rooting for Dortmund.
A Bayern defeat would mean three UEFA Final losses in four years. I thought that they have played with great fire all season because of last year's loss. I find it doubtful that they would lose yet again and to their bitter rival, but I'm going with Dortmund anyway. lol
A Bayern defeat would mean three UEFA Final losses in four years. I thought that they have played with great fire all season because of last year's loss. I find it doubtful that they would lose yet again and to their bitter rival, but I'm going with Dortmund anyway. lol
Fully agreed. Rooting for Dortmund, too, but the final score will be:
Excellent match and special notice of the referee who didn't try and influence the game's outcome. The penalty was obvious and finally Iron Rabbit comes up big for his team in a championship.
Yes, an absorbing and engrossing game. Dortmund seemed to run out of steam after a blistering first 20 minutes. Bayern grew in stature and can now take their place amongst the European Elite! That's right sports fans...the only other teams who OWN a European Cup ...Real Madrid, Milan and Liverpool !!!
I think it was a great final. Or course I regret the outcome, but it was a deserved win for Munich. Thank god no travesty like last year's final. Just Ribéry showed a literally ugly face tonight.
I don't (closely) follow the Bundesliga but I was surprised that Mario Gomez wasn't in the match until literally the last minute. I guess the "other" Mario--Mandzukic-- did alright, though. I'm also surprised Claudio Pizarro didn't play.
I don't (closely) follow the Bundesliga but I was surprised that Mario Gomez wasn't in the match until literally the last minute. I guess the "other" Mario--Mandzukic-- did alright, though. I'm also surprised Claudio Pizarro didn't play.
Mandzukic was able to overtake Gomez as Munich's striker #1 during Gomez' period of injury in the first 2 months (or so) of the season. When Gomez was fit again, Heynckes just wouldn't change the winning formula, so both Gomez and Pizarro only got playing time when Mandzukic wasn't available to play.
Except for Bundesliga season 2011/12, Gomez has struggled to get much recognition in Munich ever since he came there. The general criticism raised against him is that he's sort of an old school striker – not doing much other than waiting for passes in front of the rest of the team. Euro 96 winner Mehmet Scholl notoriously ridiculed Gomez during the early matches of Euro 2012 when he claimed that he was worried that Gomez would "lie sore" (like a bed-ridden person) on the field if someone wouldn't come to turn him over. Both Mandzukic and Pizarro are seen as more "playing" strikers, willing to help out in defending and more proactively fighting to win themselves the ball.
Thanks for the lowdown on Gomez, Urs. I thought he was totally flat in last year's final, but he impressed in other matches I've seen him in. It also seems like Bayern sent many a long volley up the pitch for Robben or Mandzukic to take to goal. IIRC they did that numerous times yesterday.
By the way, what exactly was that pre-match "battle" with all the people dressed in Bayern and BVB colors in a warlike action thing?
Since it's going to be a long Summer, I thought I'd mention this bookseller I found on eBay. I was impressed with the service and the sheer number of books on The Beautiful Game. I am amazed at the books published on seemingly arcane subjects--for example-- "1905-1915 Birth of the Blues - Chelsea FC - The First Decade 1905-1915." There are numerous other books on seemingly obscure football clubs--at least to this relative newbie--but I am quite impressed with the massive bibliography. Anyone here ever order from them? Service was fast to the US.
Interesting that they use the term "Soccer", though. Being a UK outfit. Hmmm.
I may buy one of the books on that site, Jim, (No Glossing Over It) so thanks for the heads up. In turn, I found this on the BBC website - very interesting...
So it's Crystal Palace to the Premier League after defeating Watford 1-0. It'll be nice not to have to say the less-than-beautiful name "Watford" for at least an entire year.
So it's Crystal Palace to the Premier League after defeating Watford 1-0. It'll be nice not to have to say the less-than-beautiful name "Watford" for at least an entire year.
But with some irony, Watford is overall quite a nice place whereas the area of London where Palace can be found was a reet dump last time I was there.
I really hope Manchester United will loan Zaha back to Crystal Palace. It would be interesting to see what he and the rest of that side could do. The chance of a one year up and then out is highly probable, but in watching the playoff Monday, it was clear that Zaha was by far the best player on the pitch and an exciting and talented player.
lol 
