Tottenham release computer mock-ups of their new stadium. Something's not quite right [Run of Play]
Speaking of stadiums, Bayern miffed that Allianz Arena gets blown up in new movie [NYT Goal Blog]
Real value versus Man City value [Kornheiser's Cartel]
Stevie G hates his friends [The Sun]
LA Galaxy made bid for Argentine player, probably as a DP. Either would have to trade for another slot, or they think Becks is leaving [Soccernet]
The Argentine Apertura ended in a three-way tie [Guardian]
Jermaine Pennant's dad sentenced for crack dealing [Guardian]
And, finally:
Listicle! Top 20 Footballers of all time. Who can disagree with such a definitive title? [Listverse]
Finally-er: Don't forget to take part in our CL Draw contest. We may mock you, but we won't bite.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday Backpasses: Naming Rights TBA
Rumor With A View.
Now I don't know about you guys, but part of my daily routine is to read the BBC rumours page. As we get close to the opening of the January transfer window the rumours are in over-drive. I have decided to have a look at todays BBC rumours which are collected from newspapers around the globe, and comment on their ridiculousness or feasability. Lets go!
New Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos wants to bring Aston Villa's Ashley Young to the Bernabeu, but the club fear they may have to pay up to £27m for the in-form winger. The Spanish giants have already enquired about Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and have been told they must pay £18m. (Spanish newspaper Marca)
Hogwash. New managers are linked to every man and his dog. Juande has been given a contract til the summer and it is likely he will be on a short leash. Will they let him spend big after his fiasco at Spurs? Not without a unanimous board vote on the player concerned. Besides, Villa are closer than ever to busting into the big four and they do not need to sell one of, if not their best player. They showed their resolve when Barry wanted to walk for 18 million or so. Marca..You are full of shit..Next.
Blackburn manager Paul Ince's job is hanging by a thread after their run of defeats continued against Wigan on Saturday - and former Rovers boss Graeme Souness is the clear favourite to replace him. (Daily Mirror)
Ince will be called into an emergency meeting on Monday or Tuesday to explain Blackburn's sixth straight defeat. (Daily Express)
Realistic. Blackburn have taken 3 steps back under Ince. Too much too soon. He needed to stay among the concrete cows and roundabouts in Milton Keynes to gain more experience. He may get to face Stoke at the weekend but it's possible that the cord is cut before then. Fail to beat Stoke, should he be in charge, and he will be tearing up one more time in his last press conference as Blackburn boss.
Souness will return on a short-term basis and his backroom staff would include popular Blackburn midfielder Tugay. (Daily Mirror)
Possible. If Ince is sacked then they will look to stop the bleeding fast and maybe sooner than being able to mull over and hand over a long-term deal to someone. Kinnear has shown that a short term gig can work. I can see this as plausible.
The directors at Ewood Park are split over who should succeed Ince, with ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce and former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley also being considered. (Daily Mirror)
Big Sam will take any job going. He is so desperate to get away from his wife after all these months out of football that he would consider managing a pub team. Curbishley has not been able to prove himself at any club except Charlton and a move for him will be a huge gamble. A club the size of Blackburn suits Allardyce but he would obviously prefer Sunderland. More cash will be available to spend.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle is also among the contenders for the Rovers post. (Daily Telegraph)
Absurd. One swallow does not make a summmer and Coyle is having a good year for sure, but enough to save a Premier League club? They will be looking for experience with that task. Also note that Burnleys bitter rivals are Blackburn, making this move highly unlikely and possibly life-threatening!
Former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, ex-Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster and veteran Carlos Alberto Parreira - who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 - lead the host of big-name applicants for the Sunderland job. (Daily Mirror)
I call bullshit. While the above names may have applied, the ship needs to be steered and a manager with language barriers and a list of unfamilair players will not be handed the hopes of 50,000 mackem fans. I am sure they will go for a name with experience of Premier League survival.
Parreira is a shock front-runner for the post at the Stadium of Light but faces stiff competition from Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, ex-Bolton boss Sam Allardyce and former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier. (Daily Star)
Parreira has been at more clubs than Cheryl Tweedy. Six in eight years. He certainly won't be the right man. Now Strachan. That's a rumor that seems to be realistic. Strachan refuses to comment and even walked out of a press conference last week when a reporter asked the question. No denial. Hmmm I can see the wee Scotsman moving south.
Allardyce is keen on the Black Cats job but is yet to be approached by the Wearsiders. (Various)
This is no rumor. Allardyce has been campaigning for this job since Keane walked. I am surprised that he hasn't been arrested for stalking Niall Quinn or taken out an ad in the Sunday papers yet.
Sunderland's caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia could stay in charge until after Christmas as the club continue their search for Roy Keane's successor. (The Times)
This seems realistic. Sbragia has so far seen Sunderland to a 4-0 win over Bolton and been 30 secs away from a draw at Old Trafford. As long as the points are coming, the Sunderland board will be in no rush to replace him.
Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn says Sbragia is a serous contender for the vacant post. (The Times)
Well he is in the right place right now to prove this one. Keep winning and it will be hard to kick him out.
Manchester City will have to pay £18m to capture Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz because of a clause in the Paraguayan striker's contract. (Daily Mirror)
Count on it. Hughes signed Santa-Cruz for Blackburn and he is a huge fan. Man City have money to burn and this one is a cert.
Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has hinted that striker Adriano will be allowed to leave the San Siro in the transfer window - sparking rumours of a possible swap deal for Chelsea front-man Didier Drogba. (The Sun)
Don't see it. Adriano is only 26, a Brazilian international regular and a goal machine. Sure Chelsea would be interested but this is a bum deal for Inter and this nonsense only stems from Mourinho being a Drogba admirer. Drogba is 32 years old and starting to look injury prone. Adriano is 6 years younger, yet to hit his prime and has 47 goals in 114 for Inter and 29 in 49 apperances for Brazil. Inter swap him for a Didier Drogba at the tail end of his career and they should change their name to 'Stupid FC'.
Middlesbrough will demand Wales international left-back Gareth Bale from Tottenham as part of a £15m deal for Stewart Downing, who has become Spurs manager Harry Redknapp's top January target. (Daily Mirror)
This is very plausible. Boro have been reluctant to sell Downing in the past and the offer of a young replacement with promise and some hard cash may finally be enough to prize away their winger. Bale has not featured much since joining Spurs from Southampton, currently riding the bench and he is certainly surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane.
Celtic are set to scupper Birmingham's hopes of signing highly rated Hungarian winger Szabolcs Huszti but Everton, Bolton and Blackburn are also watching the Hannover star. (Daily Mail)
Possible. He will certainly earn more money in Scotland than at Hanover. This guy has an eye for goal from midfield and I can see why he is attracting attention from bigger clubs. Blackburn fire Ince and you can count them out.
Manchester United are set to pull out of a deal for Partizan Belgrade's Serbian winger Zoran Tosic in a row over his personal terms. (Daily Mirror)
Can a guy from Partizan really be that picky? Are United interested in a guy that plays in Ronaldo's position? Hmmm. CoughBUUUULLLLLLSHITCough. They may be looking for depth and Tosic is apparently quite versatile, but I don't see it happening in January. Man U have more than enough players that occupy an attacking wing role.
Everton are keen on Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake but Molineux boss Mick McCarthy says the Championship leaders will not be selling any of their stars. (The Guardian)
Everyone is interested in Ebanks-Blake and if the price is right he will be off. It's not a secret that Everton are in the market for a striker this January and Ebanks-Blake is a stud. Everton are also linked with a number of other forwards, but this is very plausible. Ebanks-Blake has 14 goals already this season and he is getting better by the week. He is only 22 and that means he won't come cheap. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy says that his stars are not for sale. Everyone has a price. We shall see.
Tottenham have made an £8m offer for Bordeaux striker Fernando Cavenaghi. (Daily Mirror)
The Argentinean has a good strike rate and could be a good addition to Spurs but I can see Arry going back to Pompey to bring Defoe home or nab himself a graffe.
West Ham midfielder Nigel Quashie wants to turn his loan stint at Birmingham into a permanent move. (The Sun)
No shit. A guy left on the shelf and towards the end of his career wants to play?
Bolton are weighing up a bid of about £3m for Hearts defender Christophe Berra. (Daily Record)
In the last year Berra has been close to moving to many teams, if you believe the papers. He wants to move to England and his agent is making a noise. That said, he has be linked with Bolton on numerous occasions. Very possible.
Derby boss Paul Jewell hopes to sell striker Emmanuel Villa to raise funds for new signings. (Daily Mirror)
Really? He wants to sell a flop and replace him? Lazy old Mirror. This is common knowledge. The Argentinean forward has scored 4 goals since joining Derby last season and he hasn't settled into English football at all. He's outta here.
The Rams have not received any enquiries about former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, who has been out of favour at Pride Park since August. (Daily Star)
Robbie Savage anyone?
One, big mouthed, old, aggresive Afghan hound for sale. No takers? Not surprised. Savage will be appearing at a League Two side near you some time soon.
Newcastle striker Michael Owen will open talks about a new deal with the Magpies on Tuesday. (The Sun)
I am sure he will sniff around a bit but there are not so many buyers for a crocked, well used motor with a few gears msiing. Owen has life left in him but not at a club better than Newcastle or at one with European aspirations. I see him signing a new deal.
Norwich defender John Kennedy's career is under threat after being carried off during the 2-0 loss at Reading. The 25-year-old, who is on loan from Celtic, has previously spent long spells on the sidelines due to knee injuries. (Various)
He hasn't even had a scan yet! Kennedy is very injury prone but these reports are well ahead of themselves. Kennedy has a history with the crocked knee in question and IF it is the knee, he will certainly be back off to Celtic. Norwich borrowed him until January and while an extension would be possible, Glenn Roeder will want a player who can sustain a run in the team and not one who spends more time on the treatment table than Kieran Dyer.
That was fun. I may do that again.
-Bigus.
Shrek Is Let Off the Hook for Stamping on an Aaaaaalborg Player
Okay, maybe we just needed an excuse to publish more Shrek pictures, but UEFA has let one Wayne Rooney off the hook for aggressively stamping accidentally stepping on an Aaaaaaalborg player last week.
Your requisite rhetorical question: Would it have been the same result if it had been a Man U player who was stepped on?
(photo credit: NY Times)
Dear Red Scouse: We Will Grind You Under Our Boots on Sunday. And Then Donate to Charity.
As most of you are aware, the majority of us here at UF are either Liverpool or Arsenal supporters (shenanigans of The Likely Lad and Autoglass notwithstanding). So this Sunday represents a big opportunity for both sides. Liverpool can continue to cement their place at the top of the table with a win, while Arsenal could potentially move back into fourth (sigh) by beating the league leaders.
Of course we Gunners would like to engage in a 7-0 beating at the Emirates, but the true point of the match is to demonstrate that we are morally superior in every way (after all, we never burgled Almunia's house, now did we?). And how do we do that?
Every year Arsenal take on a "Charity of the Season", and this year that charity is the Teenage Cancer Trust. As part of their continuing "Be a Gooner, Be a Giver" campaign, the club hope to raise £300,000 (approximately $460,000) for the cause. Going a long way toward that goal are the matchday salaries of the entire club for their tilt against Liverpool this Sunday at the Emirates. In addition, many of the Gunners took part in a promotional film where they put on skits directed by some of the cancer patients.
In a touching moment, when Wenger, Almunia and Fabregas went to visit the cancer ward they found that young Jack Chester, a former Arsenal trainee for 3 years, was one of the patients. The aspiring goalkeeper can even see the Emirates from the cancer ward on the 12th floor of the hospital, and he has said that he hopes to be able to one day play footy again.
So, while we get all riled up and text-message each other nasty thoughts on Sunday, we should remember that sometimes it is about more than just the game.
The Next Great Soccer Underwear Model?
I don't know what Mirko Vucinic is playing at but, I do think he might be angling to be the next Freddy Ljungberg or David Beckham. Vucinic hit the gamewinner for Roma against Cagliari at the death this weekend. After scoring, Vucinic channeled his inner "Frank the Tank" stripping off his uni and shorts racing towards the quad.
Although, for some reason Vucinic was wearing a second uni, but no second set of shorts. Of note, check out Francesco Totti's beauty of a goal as well.
See all the tighty whitey splendor in the video below.
[H/T 101 Great Goals]
Your Weekly Ibrahimovic Goal Highlight
Inter Milan defeated Chievo 4-2 this weekend in Serie A play and Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided what seems like his weekly dose of sublime soccer skill. Ibrah scored the second of his brace with a one-time rocket from 18 into the upper right corner to salt away the victory in the late stages. Not his greatest but certainly a cracker of a shot.
Just one question: Is it Mourinho?
[H/T 101 Great Goals]
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Ligue 1 Weekend Review
Although the most anticipated match-up of the weekend was the Lyon v. Marseille tilt, it is Bordeaux who get the best result, picking up an important 3 points to move into 3rd place in Ligue 1. Overall, the weekend featured quite a bit of scoring (and an unusually high number of 3-1 results) but ended with a nil-nil draw in the battle for 1st place.
Saturday, December 13th:
Auxerre 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain - In a very even match, it was the early pace and pressure of Sessegnon that made the difference. In the 5th minute a free-kick from Rothen was flicked to the post by Armand for a waiting (and unmarked) Sessegnon to open the scoring. In the 13th minute Lejeune missed a chance to equalize, and in the 22nd minute Sessegnon put PSG up 2-0 after beating 2 defenders. Auxerre had the better pressure in the second-half, with Quercia forcing a save from PSG GK Landreau in the 60th minute and Niculae hitting the crossbar just 1 minute later. That pressure paid off in the 86th minute when Traore took down Oliech in the 6-yard box, with Hengbart slotting home the resulting PK, but Auxerre were unable to score the equalizer.
Le Mans 1-3 Bordeaux - Despite getting more shots on target, Le Mans found themselves on the wrong end of a strong score. The majority of the action was in the second-half, which started early when Gervinho had his shot blocked in the 48th minute. Bordeaux opened the scoring in the 59th minute when Cavenaghi's shot took a slight deflection off a defender and went into the goal. Helstad responded in the 67th minute with a brilliant run, beating 2 defenders and a difficult angle on the shot for the equalizer. Chalme then put Bordeaux back ahead in the 76th minute with a cheeky long-range lob over Le Mans GK Pele. Jussie finished off the scoring in the 94th minute (that's just rubbing it in) when he latched onto a long clearance from Chamakh and fired it home.
Nancy 2-0 Grenoble - Nancy dominated the match, taking more shots and winning 5 corners (to 0 for Grenoble), and the pressure showed in the score. They started early, as Hadji headed his shot barely over the crossbar in the 3rd minute. Akrour responded in the 8th minute, forcing a save from Nancy GK Bracigliano, but after that it was the Berenguer show. The first goal came in the 17th minute when Feret finished off a nice cross from Zerka into the bottom-right corner. Just minutes later Berenguer put a rocket of a free-kick just wide of the post. In the 28th minute, Djedje looked for the equalizer, but Bracigliano was there for another save. 1 minute later Berenguer sent a header just wide, and right before the half he sent another screaming shot barely wide again. In the 56th minute Grenoble just missed equalizing again, as Robin hit the bar, and Dia put the game away in the 66th minute after another well-delivered pass from Zerka.
Sochaux 2-2 Caen - In a thoroughly entertaining match, Sochaux domainted statistically (9 shots on goal; 63%-27% possession) but didn't rescure the 1 point until very late in the match. In the 14th minute Savidan headed the ball just wide of the Sochaux goal, but not much later the scoring was opened when an Adnane corner-kick was spilled by Sochaux GK Richert to the feet of Nivet, who fed Gomis for the easy finish. It wasn't until the 35th minute that Sochaux threatened, with Perquis forcing a save from Caen GK Plante. The 2nd goal of the match came in the 69th minute when Nivet fed Gomis for another easy finish, securing the "Goal-scorer to get carded" award for this week with a brace. Sochaux gaffer Francis Gillot brought on Privat in the 73rd minute, and the decision paid dividends almost immediately as Privat pounced on poorly-punched clearance from Caen GK Plante for the finish. The draw was complete in the 89th minute when Privat latched onto an Isbay free-kick with an amazing finish (around the 2-minute mark in the clip).
Toulouse 3-1 Saint-Etienne - Toulouse came out early, with Gignac catching Saint-Etienne GK Janot completely flat-footed in the 5th minute. After some minor pressure from both sides, Saint-Etienne equalized in the 37th minute when Machado's free-kick hit the post and then hit the back of the net. Didot put Toulouse back on top in first-half stoppage time as a poor clearance from Janot was sent back in immediately and caught the GK by surprise. Gignac finished his brace in the 55th minute, beating Janot (who had a nightmare performance) at the near post. Gignac also had 2 chances at completing his hat-trick, but was unable to capitalize.
Valenciennes 3-1 Monaco - Relegation-bound Valenciennes bossed Monaco all over the pitch, forcing the principality club into 24 fouls and only 1 shot on goal. Monaco GK Ruffier was busy all day, and early as he made quick saves on Audel and Pujol in the opening stages. Things looked better for Monaco when Pino put in his first Ligue 1 goal in the 23rd minute, but Valenciennes equalized just 6 minutes later through a wonderful free-kick from Sanchez-Moreno. The rest of the match was one-sided, as Audel's volley hit the post in the 36th minute and Belmadi's volley in the 41st minute resulted in the lead for his club. Pino did manage to hit the crossbar for Monaco, but the end came in the 59th minute when a Danic cross was headed in by Pujol. Danic almost got his second assist towards the end of the match, but Audel's header was well-saved by the well-tested Ruffier. Freddy Adu watch: On the bench, but 0 minutes of playing time. Really, Jean Petit? Your club is down 3-1 after 60 minutes, and you can't give Freddy some run out for the final half-hour in an attempt to spark something?
Rennes 0-0 Nantes - Despite holding Nantes to 0 shots on goal and holding 63% of the possession, Rennes found itself only able to take 1 point from this match. Rennes missed a chance to move within 1 point of Ligue 1 leaders Lyon, but apparently Nantes were motivated to get the 1 point to move them out of the relegation zone. The basement club almost opened the scoring early, but Bagayoko's header went wide in the 1st minute and a free-kick from N'Daw in the 4th minute hit the post. Rennes' best chance came in the 35th minute when Nantes GK Heurtebis spilled a Cheyrou free-kick, but Ekoko put the follow-up well over the crossbar. Ultimately, neither side could produce enough pressure to make the breakthrough and they had to share the points.
Sunday, December 14th:
Le Havre 1-3 Lorient - Despite giving up 13 corner-kicks, Lorient had the better match, taking all 3 points. The first legitimate chance of the match came for Le Havre in the 24th minute, but Dieuze's shot was well-saved by Lorient GK Audard. In the 30th minute Le Havre GK Revault made an excellent double-save, first stopping Gameiro's header and then getting in front of the follow-up from Abriel. Lorient finally broke through in the 41st minute, with a streaking shot from Mansouri deflecting into the net off a defender. They doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Gameiro beat the offside trap and dribbled around Revault to put the ball into the empty net. Dieuze pulled 1 back for Le Havre in the 67th minute with a vicious volley off a Gillet cross, but Vohirua secured the points for Lorient minutes later when he lobbed Revault.
Nice 0-1 Lille - Lille took 20 shots in the match, but they only needed their first for the win. In the 8th minute Bastos got on the end of an Obraniak cross for the clean finish and the only goal of the match. He had an opportunity for the brace in the 11th minute, but the shot was well-saved by Nice GK Ospina. The driving rain in the second-half ensured a more defensive match, and the only good opportunity for Nice to equalize came in the 70th minute when Fae had his shot well-saved by Lille GK Malicki.
Lyon 0-0 Marseille - In the much-hyped match-up between 2 giants of French football, the resulting nil-nil draw cut kept Lyon's lead at the top from 4 points to 2 points at 3 points. The match was fairly even, but relatively slow, with more yellow cards distributed (a veritable who's who of cards going to Toulalan and Grosso for Lyon, and Zubar, Ben Arfa, and Zenden for Marseille) than shots on goal. Marseille suffered from the absence of Niang, as the striker had 8 goals in his previous 8 matches against Lyon. The first shot on goal came in the 28th minute when a well-taken Juninho free-kick was saved by Marseille GK Mandanda. The theme continued throughout the match, as Juninho had 2 more free-kicks saved by Mandanda in the 36th and 60th minutes. Marseille's first good chance came in the 33rd minute when a volley from Valbuena was stopped by Lyon GK Lloris. In the 42nd minute Govou hit the post, and that was the end of the action until late in the second-half. Samassa hit the crossbar in the 85th minute, and Kallstrom forced a final save from Mandanda in the 90th minute. The only other thing of note was that Ben Arfa, making his first return after moving to Marseille from Lyon during the summer transfer, was whistled by the Lyon fans when he was substituted in the 81st minute.
So, after matchday 18 the top of the table looks like this: (1) Lyon, with 35 points on a 10-5-3 record and a +10 goal differential; (2) Marseille, with 32 points on an 8-8-2 record and a +12 goal differential; (3) Bordeaux, with 32 points on a 9-5-4 record and a +11 goal differential; and (4) Paris Saint-Germain, with 32 points on a 10-2-6 record and a +7 goal differential. Almost half-way through the season and things are tightening up at the top! Lyon has a fight on their hands if they want to take their 8th straight Ligue 1 title.
College Cup Final Liveblog
Live from Frisco, Texas, it's the final of the NCAA Men's soccer championship, Maryland versus North Carolina. I'm not sure what it says that college soccer's marquee event follows bull riding on the Worldwide Leader, but such is the world we live in.
Maryland (22-3-0) found their way to the final by beating St. John's, 1-0, with a free-kick goal from Graham Zusi in Overtime. Carolina (15-7-1) earned their berth by knocking off the #1 seed, Wake Forest, in another 1-0 game.
So, what are the chances this one ends with only one goal? Or even goes to PK's?
Guess we'll find out.
One way or another, the ACC is repeating as Champs this year, after Wake won it last year.
PREGAME: We get to see the goals from Friday night's Semi's. It's Harkes and JPC on the mic. I'm sure Harkesy will give us plenty of ammo today. (and f**k Sheffield Wednesday)
1''" Maryland in white tops, red shorts, white socks. Carolina in their lame ass baby blues. Kick-off for Carolina goes almost straight out of touch.
I'm switching to Countdown Clock-mode. Stupid, sexy college soccer.
42": A sunny say in Texas, which might explain why the stadium is practically empty. That or b/c it's college soccer.
41": Maryland's stud GK is only a freshman. The chances he stays four years? Rafa Benitez says there is no chance.
38": The referee's shirt could make one of our kit reviews. Good god, I just got eye-raped. Honestly, possession is back and forth. And I'm in for 90 minutes? UGH.
36": Carolina has a crack at goal, but it's wide left.
35": Maryland plays with the ball in the box (huh-huh), and lofts a ball back-post, but it's claimed by the 'keeper.
34": Yellow card for Carolina for a handball in the midfield. This looks a lot like my recreational men's final two weeks ago.
30": The game is open, but not super tight. A good bit of hoofing it up the field. Worst. Liveblog. Ever.
27": A scrum in the Maryland box after a Carolina corner. But no goal. Dirk Kuyt approves.
25": Maryland are showing signs of culture in the Carolina box, but nothing deadly. The Carolina keeper is down and the clock stops. Really.
Carolina GK is up, but now MD's semi-final goal-scorer is getting a new tape job.
24": For the third time out of what will likely be 43 times, JP mentions that if Carolina wins, it will be the first time in soccer that a school has won championships the same year in the same sport.
23": Carolina's upfield passing is more the 'Hoof and Hope' type.
21": A MD corner (the 2nd consecutive) almost sneaks in backpost, but it's snuffed out for another corner. Maryland takes a crack from outside the box, but it's too crowded.
18": TIME-OUT!! MD look the stronger of the two teams, but they're not exactly outclassing UNC.
adidas would like to remind you that 'Impossible is Nothing'.
18": MARYLAND GOAL. But, it's offsides. Came from a nice one-two, then a thru-ball into the box. That's how you come out of a time-out!
15": The 'crowd' tries to get a chant going, but it lasts about 10 seconds. Carolina then makes a mess of a routine clearance, but Maryland can't capitalize as the GK fumbles and UNC eventually clears.
13": Harkes really hasn't said anything dumb. Think he saves it for the USMNT broadcasts?
12": MD's Zeus plays Hall through, but he can't quite make the stretch properly in the box. Carolina survives. I feel a Terp goal coming.
10": Maryland is certainly fond of playing the ball up field to heads... but they consistantly win them, so I suppose it works. Maryland shoots from 25 out, it flashes wide.
8": Harkes isn't a big fan of the sub rule. Way to take a stance, John.
8": Zeus takes a free kick from 35 yards out. GK can only fist it as that ball had some pace on it.
4": The Terps have had the lion's share of dangerous possession this half. Interestingly, UNC has fouled 8 times, MD only once.
Yes, this game SUCKS. And honestly, so does my liveblog. But....
HALFTIME: They're having on-field introductions with all sorts of recognizable names. They introduce a coach of the '50th Anniversary' team and somebody off-camera says "WHO?!"
45": AND WE'RE BACK!
And the clock countdowns from 45 AGAIN. Ugh, this is killing me.
43": Carolina dribbles the ball into the MD box but flatly refuses to shoot.
40": Maryland is wearing Under Armor uniforms, which isn't accidental. The guy who founded the company is a former Maryland football player (American version).
37": Maryland looks sloppier. Unfortunately, this game isn't getting any better. I'd be interested to know how much time the ball has spent in the air, at a level of 20 feet or above.
27": Sorry, had to fix the HTML. Shockingly, I missed NOTHING.
25": I think this game is going to PK's. Granted, there's 25 minutes left, plus OT, but.. That said, Carolina is giving MD problems right now.
24": And on cue, Zeus finishes for Maryland from inside the box. The ball comes in from the right, Hall has his first-time shot saved and Zeus puts the rebound in. 1-0 Maryland.
How will Carolina respond?
21": TIMEOUT!!
Apparently, I've been misspelling Zusi. Not like the God. Oh well.
20": For you kids at home, the definition of a pro is 'being responsible'. So says Papa Harkes. Carolina's Callahan dribbles into the box, but a kick-save keeps Maryland ahead. UNC is coming.
16": Back and forth we go, knocking the ball up into the air. Volleyball-esque.
12": Maryland isn't even pretending to be interested in possession. Each time they get the ball, they settle and knock it up the pitch.
11": Maryland CK McMath is down. And there's a scrum around a UNC player. Looks like he just got clipped.
McMath is up. Carolina's #20, Wiliams, got a yellow for his troubles.
7": Carolina is trying to add pressure and Maryland is coping.
So, if MD hangs on, will they be burning couches on Route 1 tonight? Methinks it's unlikely.
4": Carolina's #8 is jawing at the ref and actually just touched him in an aggressive manner. How Chelsea-esque of him.
FINAL: Maryland wins, giving it's seniors a 2nd championship. Soak it in, Terp fans, because it's going to be a long basketball season.
Lazy Sunday, with a liveblog assist
You thinking what I'm thinking?
Spartak London!
Man, it's happening.
Not much on the slate today, although the last time we said that we got Villa v. Everton, so low volume doesn't mean low quality. Juventus and Milan square off with second place at stake for one (or both with a draw). Similarly Villarreal can jump into second in La Liga with a win over fourth place Sevilla.
Newcastle is about to finish off Portsmouth and, as I type this, Chievo Verona pulls one back from Inter. And because we're the only people checking the scores, Yasuhito Endo's 23rd minute goal held up as Gamba Osaka topped United in the Club World Cup (and a rematch of the AFC Champions League final). Unfortunately it was only Adelaide United. Without looking at anything for reference we think that leaves Osaka, Pachuca, Quito and Manchester United.
Play along in the comments if you have no life. Not judging. We apparently don't either (especially as we're about to liveblog this thing, courtesy of LB. Sad git).
Yep, why not join the game 25 minutes in to liveblog the festivities? Spartak have looked good thus far, but Upson, Noble and Parker are more than up for the task. Heck, just two weeks ago they had to contain the might and fury of Steven Gerrard, so dealing with Lampard, Deco and Ballack should be no big thing.
With Mike Riley as ref, you can be assured of controversy. This is shaping up quite well thus far.
STARTING LINEUPS:
Spartak London: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Deco, Ballack, Lampard, Joe Cole, Anelka.
Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Drogba, Bridge, Ferreira, Kalou, Belletti.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, Davenport, Ilunga, Collison, Parker, Noble, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole.
Subs: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Mullins, Faubert, Tristan, Di Michele, Sears.
27 mins: Another attack from Spartak ends up with a corner off Ilunga. Spartak's passing has been sharp, but the tackling in the middle from the Hammers is ferocious. Lamps tries a shot from 30 yards, but it's resoundingly blocked and deflected out for a throw. Ball comes in again and Upson clears their lines.
Zola did get a good reception at the beginning. One wonders if they'll be as warm to him at the end if the result is anything other than a Spartak win.
Andy Gray does point out that for all the possession and build-up, Spartak haven't had a clear shot on goal yet. For half an hour in, the Hammers must be ecstatic.
30 mins: Ilunga gets a sniff of space in the Spartak box, and Joe Cole tracks back to knock it out for a corner. It's boomed in but easily cleared by Ashley Cole. A bit of ping-pong in the midfield sees the ball lumped forward to Noble, but he's 5 yards offside.
31 mins: Bright first half-hour for both sides. West Ham are finding some confidence in midfield, and Ilunga the volleyball specialist (see: last three weeks) has found some room out on the left. Some neat interplay between Deco and Anelka breaks to Bosingwa on the right wing. His trickery under pressure from Behrami finds Joe Cole in the middle, but they can't get a shot off.
Bosingwa has a crack from 30 yards but it drifts wide of the post. West Ham breathe again, and Green takes the goal-kick.
33 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL at the Shed End, and Chelsea's legion start hounding Mike Riley. Terry is first out there -- an innocuous throw-in on the left comes to Noble, who shoulders it down on the touchline and feeds Bellamy at the edge of the 6-yard box. He chests it down and thumps it low to Cech's right and just inside the near post. Chelsea appeal for two handballs, but upon replay, neither was illegal. Spartak London 0, West Ham 1
36 mins: How will the Blues respond? Plenty of midfield possession and the Hammers are continuing to throw two men at any Spartak player who has the ball. This is shaping up to be a frustrating afternoon for the home side, especially as Ashley Cole leaps two-footed at Scott Parker as he's clearing the ball. Yellow card for Ashley, and another breather for the Hammers. Less than 10 minutes to half-time.
38 mins: Bellamy has really started to look dangerous over the last month. His hard work wins a corner. Spartak clear it and try to break, but the Hammers get 9 behind the ball and advantage lost. Davenport clears a deep cross from Bosingwa, and the Hammers defense looks strong.
40 mins: Carlton Cole (the third Cole on the pitch at the moment) gets booked, and the free-kick is headed over by Ballack. Drogba's warming up already...
To answer your question, Spectator, yes, Scolari was in hospital with kidney stones yesterday, although one must think that watching ones team struggle at home to the Hammers and being a goal down against the run of play is far more painful than passing calcium deposits through ones urethra.
42 mins: The pressure continues... deep cross again from the right side that brings Green out to punch it clear. West Ham break but Cole coughs it up and Spartak surge forward again. Real end-to-end stuff at the moment. Joe Cole gets a yard of space cutting in from the left, but his scuffed shot is always heading wide of the post. A break again, and Green hoofs the ball well downfield.
45 mins: The crowd is getting a touch restless. I'd expect Didier to come on to start the second half.
Slight chance for Spartak: a couple of blocked shots break to Anelka who tries a shot from the top of the box, but Upson and Davenport throw themselves in the way, taking the sting off it and Green collects safely.
Bellamy ends up in the book for a trip, and Chelsea's latest romp down the left wing ends up safely in Green's hands again.
HALF TIME: Spartak London 0, West Ham 1
Boos from the crowd as he blows the whistle. Bellamy gets in Riley's grill as they trudge off, moaning about his yellow card, and Lucas Neill diffuses the celebration.
What will Big Phil do in the dressing room? Surely Didier on immediately... any other changes? They've looked rather timid moving forward -- tons of possession, but no real shots on goal. Troubling for Autoglass and Scolari. They need points, especially as everyone else dropped 'em yesterday.
Don't forget to stay tuned at 1pm as Sven liveblogs the NCAA Men's Final (and fulfills our US Soccer content for another month in the process. I kid, I kid.)
--
Drogba on for Ballack. He receives some mild applause as he enters the fray, and it looks like Spartak are going to play a 4-3-3 with Joe Cole playing forward with Didier and Nicolas.
47 mins: My feed is skipping a bit, but the stage is set for a solid 2nd half. The Hammers will likely park the bus, and it's up to Spartak to force a way through. Wouldn't fancy it on the strength of Neill, Upson and Davenport back there, who have been positively epic for West Ham of late. A Spartak corner is headed clear by Carlton Cole, and West Ham try and break. Lampard breaks it up, and the attack begins again.
49 mins: Spartak are passing quickly, but not accurately, and the Hammers break again. Behrami finds Noble, who ends up slowing things down and Collison will just enjoy a game of passing with Upson and get it back to Robert Green. I smell a sending-off in the second half...
51 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL... and I'm sad to report it's Spartak. Anelka is all smiles as Drogba finds Lampard, whose sublime flick frees Anelka to slot it home. We're set for a pulsating 40 minutes... Spartak 1, West Ham 1
55 mins: The crowd is in full song (sorry for being vague, the video is skipping), but West Ham are still finding space moving forward. There are more goals in this one. Spartak open up West Ham down the middle and it needs a last-second tackle to stop Joe Cole. Spartak attack again, and a poor clearing header breaks to Lampard whose half-volley ends up in Green's arms. Didier's presence has completely turned the game around, and in just 10 minutes!
58 mins: Bit of tension as Drogba tumbles to the floor clutching his knee, West Ham don't kick the ball out so he can get treatment, then Spartak break and shoot from which West Ham break again, and NOW Scolari gets aggressive in begging for the Hammers to kick it out. You can't attack and then ask the other team to be sporting. Lampard wellies it miles wide of goal from 30 yards and Didier finally gets the magic spray.
59 mins: Lots of room in the midfield for both teams now. Lampard advances and shoots from 25 yards, blocked easily, and the Hammers manage to get it away. More goals imminent, surely.
60 mins: It's all Spartak now. Bosingwa's had four or five crosses in the last 60 seconds, and West Ham are having troubling getting the ball over the halfway line. It's like watching a hockey team play with a man up, knocking the ball around and dictating play. Joe Cole cuts inside Ilunga and Parker has to lunge in and knock the ball out for a corner. It's easily cleared by Upson and West Ham will try and retain possession for more than 15 seconds.
62 mins: Spartak surge again, but that pairing of Noble and Parker aren't worn out just yet. Don't forget to attack, Zola!
64 mins: Scrappy in the midfield and the tackles are coming in thick and fast. Lampard fouls Noble, only for Parker to return the favour. Spartak move forward again. Lampard and Deco link up, but Deco's pass wide to Bosingwa is easily intercepted by Noble.
66 mins: Lamps has a crack from 25 yards, swerving and bouncing in front of Green, but he manages to collect on the rebound. Bellamy breaks but gives it up easily, and now Spartak break. Drogba looks for Anelka but can't get through Lucas Neill. A breather for the Hammers, who get down the left-wing with Ilunga. His cross drifts harmlessly wide for a goal kick.
67 mins: Free-kick for Spartak is floated in. Alex flicks it back into the box, it's half-cleared, and Alex's shot is deflected out for a corner. Lamps swings it in to Drogba, whose volley is well-saved at the near post. Lucas Neill was Drogba's marker, but fell asleep on the job. Deco gets a shot that ends up deflected over for another corner. West Ham try and break through Bellamy.
69 mins: Trouble for Carlton Cole, who bundles Alex down and has a poke at John Terry who is all over him from the ground. Riley calls him over, but no second yellow. He remains on for now.
70 mins: West Ham are still happy to attack, which is good for the entertainment value and good for Spartak on the break. Collison's cross is headed clear, but nothing comes at the other end. Carlton Cole eludes four tackles to spring Bellamy free on the left, and his speculative cross/shot ends up well wide. Still, they're not parking the bus. 20 minutes left. A draw seems like a fair result thus far. The Drogba effect has calmed down, and the last 5 minutes has been all Hammers.
First sub for WHU: Hayden Mullins on, Mark Noble off. One tough tackler for another, and Noble's just coming back from injury.
73 mins: Both sides are cooling off somewhat after the frantic opening to the 2nd half. West Ham attack again, but like Spartak, their final pass is rather woeful.
Deco's deflected shot ends up in Green's hands under pressure from Ashley Cole.
Sub for Chelsea: Joe Cole off, Salomon Kalou on.
77 mins: The crowd is in full voice, but the game is winding down a little. Terry and Bellamy get into a ballyhoo at the Spartak end, and they're still arguing with one another. I pray for a full-on fist fight.
79 mins: More Spartak pressure: Deco wins a corner, Green almost blunders on the corner and forces Parker to leap and head off the line, and then Green saves beautifully from Drogba's shot. Panic averted as Spartak give away a free kick.
Another Chelsea sub: Mikel off, Belletti on. Are they hoping for another 35-yard wonder goal from the defensive midfielder?
80 mins: Can the Hammers hold? (My fucking video feed has frozen again... c'mon c'mon c'mon work, you bastard)
The Hammers surge forward again, and Bellamy's cross gets cleared by Terry, Belletti and Alex as Cole is all alone in the box. West Ham retain possession and whip in another cross from the right, but it's deflected behind for a corner.... Bellamy to take...
... it's easily cleared. A point would be fair for both sides at this point. 8 minutes left plus stoppage time.
84 mins: Kalou heads for goal from the edge of the box, and unsurprisingly, it ends up a mile wide.
85 mins: Bellamy won't stop running nor arguing. He's in some good form, but his speculative run down the left ends in a goal-kick, but not before the tiny Welshman yells at Cech and Alex for reasons we'll never know. As Andy Gray states: "he could start an argument in an empty house." Well played, Mr. Gray. Well played.
Sub for West Ham: Boa Morte on, Collison off.
90 mins + 1: Sorry, my feed went dead and I had to switch. Three minutes of stoppage time left and the Hammers come agonizingly close to a winner. Carlton Cole gets an inch between Alex and scuffs a shot goalbound, but Cech gets down to it low to his right and holds. Spartak break but Drogba can't handle the cross and Green collects. Nervous times for both sides right at the death. Two minutes left.
90 mins + 2: Lamps should have done better with his cross, as it ends up safely in Green's hands. Spartak throw everyone forward and each time, West Ham clear it right back down to Cech. Can they hold?
Spartak are peppering crosses into the box, but Upson and Neill are clearing everything.
Late time-sapping sub for the Hammers: Bellamy off, Di Michele on.
Green clears again and Upson brings it down the left wing. Surely that's it...
... Drogba has space but is blocked by Neill, and as West Ham jog back upfield, Riley blows the whistle.
FULL TIME: Spartak London 1, West Ham 1
A fair result for both sides, and a good result for those teams around Spartak in the EPL hunt. All the Big 4 drew this weekend; whoever said this league was predictable should amend their judgment now.
Stick around for the NCAA Men's Soccer Final, as liveblogged by Sven!
Hot College Cup Live Blog Action!
It's the Terrapins of Maryland versus the Tarheels of North Carolina for the NCAA Men's Championship (Worst. Nature Fight. Ever.) and we're live-blogging it.
Can the Terps add a matching bookend to their 2005 championship?
Can the Tarheel men step out from the shadow of their lovely lady counterparts (albeit, only for a minute)?
Find out at 1pm as we shake off our hangovers, flip the boob tube over to ESPN2 and try to forget that Liverpool has yielded their top spot.
Posts
