If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!In the past, playoffs were used to help determine the final qualifiers for the European Championships.
This time, however, qualification for Euro 2008 will be determined solely on group results, as the top two from each of the seven groups automatically qualify for the tournament, and the other two slots go to the joint hosts, Austria and Switzerland.
But, with so many quality teams set to miss out on the competition, it‘s time to think about expanding.
The possible expansion of the tournament to 24 teams for 2012 was discussed earlier this year. It was favored by many (including UEFA President Michel Platini, who‘s also in favor of expanding the Champions League, which is another story entirely), due to the ever-increasing number of UEFA members, but the proposal was rejected by UEFA’s Executive Committee.
There’s a good chance that this idea will not only come up again soon, but also pass the next time around, and for good reason. While the increase in UEFA members is a big selling point, so is the number of teams who have an argument about deserving a place in the competition.
There are a couple of groups where there isn’t any doubt about who the top two teams are, like Group D with the Czech Republic and Germany, but several of the groups are tight going into the final two matches, and there‘s a chance that the likes of yes, the English, and World Cup champions Italy, along with Euro 92 champs Denmark (who‘ve participated in the last six tournaments), or a Scotland side that has been excellent in qualifying, could find themselves out in the cold after next Wednesday.
I’m not saying that the competition should be devalued any by allowing mediocre teams in, because that wouldn’t be the case - all of them aforementioned teams could hold their own in the tournament, to say the least.
If the tournament is indeed expanded to 24 teams, there are multiple ways it could effectively take place.
1) Keep the same format as there is right now, with four teams in each group, and each team playing each other once. The six group winners qualify for the quarters, with the two best second-placed teams advancing as well.
This would be much like the Copa America format, where the two best third-placed teams from the three groups advance to the quarters, along with the top two finishers from each group. The only potential roadblocks are some tiebreaking situations that could get a little tricky, and there‘s a good chance some teams would feel pretty slighted about doing well and barely missing out on advancing.
2) Change the format to four groups of six. Each team would play five group matches, and the top two in each group would move on to the quarters. The one potential snag in this idea is the added number of matches for every team, which might translate into having to start the championships a week or so earlier, or extending them a week or so further.
And then, there’s my idea. My idea is pretty simple - a combination of the current tournament format with the old qualifying format.
If the qualifying breaks down into seven groups once again, then the top two finishers from each group automatically qualify. The next eight best point finishers (not necessarily third-placed teams) also qualify.
But, instead of automatically getting passage into the group stage, those eight teams will square off in a two-legged playoff. This playoff doesn’t have to happen immediately after the end of qualifying, but can either happen in February/March or it can be an official part of the tournament itself, where the four playoffs would be contested in the week before the group stage kicks off, with the winners being placed into a pre-determined group, as the playoff participants would be placed in the seeding pots with the already-qualified teams.
The group stage would consist of four groups of five teams (which means only one extra group match, as opposed to two, with plan #2), and as is the case now, the top two in each group would advance to the quarters.
Each of the ideas have their pros and cons. I do like my idea, but in terms of which one looks more likely to actually be put in place is the first one, where there aren’t any extra matches, or the second one, which is similar to the UEFA Cup group stage.
Do you think the European Championships should be expanded? If you do, which idea do you think would work the best? Or do you have your own clever idea? Comment away!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Women’s Football in England = Slave Labor
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!On Thursday we read that women footballers were paid £40 per day for the five weeks they spent in China representing their country and reaching the quarter finals of the 2007 Women’s World Cup.
That’s £1400 for 5 weeks, £280 per week or to roughly convert that into dollars, around $3k / month.
To give you a better idea, Nemanja Vidic’s 1-week’s worth of wages (under his new contract) are more than the entire amount paid to the England women’s team for their China trip.
The BBC talks about ‘minimum wage’, the hardship suffered by the players who have to support themselves and their families by working overtime to cover for lost wages (setup an online business ladies, let me know if you need help), and the English FA’s stance that they’re pumping more money than ever and that standards will improve soon.
All that is well and good. However, read this (Alex Stone, representing the FA on women’s football):
“We’ve been actually conducting a strategic review of the women’s league since June this year and the findings will be presented to FA board in early 2008.
And one of the key issues to work on for the FA is to find out how we can make that product more attractive to sponsors, broadcasters and people who want to come in and watch the game.
Clearly we hope that the finances we might generate filter through to the players.
Women’s football has made a breakthrough but clearly there’s a long way to go and we know that which is why we’re working incredibly hard to try and change that status quo.”
Once you wade your way past the PR schlitz you read that the money for the players will come through sponsorships. This might seem reasonable until you read this (by the same person):
“The money that goes into women’s football each year from the FA is currently at an all-time high - it’s £4.5m.”
I think out of that money, they could have spent £3000 per person instead of £1400 per person during the World Cup. Double the money, in other words. Is that too difficult to manage? Channeling the funds so that your most precious resources - the current crop of players who are role models and flagbearers for the future generations - can earn decent wages is not rocket science, it’s efficient management.
The Beeb has tried to stay somewhat ‘impartial’ but they’ve picked the wrong time to do so - seeing the numbers, I don’t see how they cannot afford to at least immediately double wages (and why it wasn’t done before). Matching the Americans will take time, but right now the FA aren’t doing enough, and while it’s understandable that money is tight it’s not being used correctly just the same.
Let’s put it this way - If you offered me these wages for the high-intensity work that footballers must do, I’d piss on your grave. The fact that these players are willing to sacrifice personal well-being for the sake of their country says a lot - maybe it’s time that they were compensated for it?
That’s £1400 for 5 weeks, £280 per week or to roughly convert that into dollars, around $3k / month.
To give you a better idea, Nemanja Vidic’s 1-week’s worth of wages (under his new contract) are more than the entire amount paid to the England women’s team for their China trip.
The BBC talks about ‘minimum wage’, the hardship suffered by the players who have to support themselves and their families by working overtime to cover for lost wages (setup an online business ladies, let me know if you need help), and the English FA’s stance that they’re pumping more money than ever and that standards will improve soon.
All that is well and good. However, read this (Alex Stone, representing the FA on women’s football):
“We’ve been actually conducting a strategic review of the women’s league since June this year and the findings will be presented to FA board in early 2008.
And one of the key issues to work on for the FA is to find out how we can make that product more attractive to sponsors, broadcasters and people who want to come in and watch the game.
Clearly we hope that the finances we might generate filter through to the players.
Women’s football has made a breakthrough but clearly there’s a long way to go and we know that which is why we’re working incredibly hard to try and change that status quo.”
Once you wade your way past the PR schlitz you read that the money for the players will come through sponsorships. This might seem reasonable until you read this (by the same person):
“The money that goes into women’s football each year from the FA is currently at an all-time high - it’s £4.5m.”
I think out of that money, they could have spent £3000 per person instead of £1400 per person during the World Cup. Double the money, in other words. Is that too difficult to manage? Channeling the funds so that your most precious resources - the current crop of players who are role models and flagbearers for the future generations - can earn decent wages is not rocket science, it’s efficient management.
The Beeb has tried to stay somewhat ‘impartial’ but they’ve picked the wrong time to do so - seeing the numbers, I don’t see how they cannot afford to at least immediately double wages (and why it wasn’t done before). Matching the Americans will take time, but right now the FA aren’t doing enough, and while it’s understandable that money is tight it’s not being used correctly just the same.
Let’s put it this way - If you offered me these wages for the high-intensity work that footballers must do, I’d piss on your grave. The fact that these players are willing to sacrifice personal well-being for the sake of their country says a lot - maybe it’s time that they were compensated for it?
Match Fixing in Football | UEFA and Interpol investigate
Do you think that the results of football matches can be rigged?
Match fixing in sporting competitions (thanks to the money involved - welcome to the dark side of sports betting) is not as uncommon as one might think, nor is it as simple as some suggest.
Football too has come under scrutiny, with UEFA collaborating with Interpol because of suspicious betting patterns in the preliminary rounds of UEFA club competitions. Uefa has given a 96-page report to Interpol alleging that 15 games in a variety of competitions were fixed - these games are all from lower-profile matches from Champions League, UEFA Cup and Intertoto qualification games.
To quote:
In one case, a second round UEFA Intertoto Cup match, the disciplinary inspector considered the circumstances serious enough to bring the case before the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body.
Uefa have made a statement on the matter, which I advise you to read instead of the hyperbole and useless soundbites coming out of the BBC (this is serious for football, we’ve never seen anything like this before, betting = evil, etc etc).
Contrary to what the BBC claims, no Euro 2008 qualifiers are under investigation.
I’m looking forward to what UEFA / Interpol find - although for the sake of football, I hope they don’t make a PR spectacle out of it like the English police have done with the recent investigations in football corruption.
Match fixing in sporting competitions (thanks to the money involved - welcome to the dark side of sports betting) is not as uncommon as one might think, nor is it as simple as some suggest.
Football too has come under scrutiny, with UEFA collaborating with Interpol because of suspicious betting patterns in the preliminary rounds of UEFA club competitions. Uefa has given a 96-page report to Interpol alleging that 15 games in a variety of competitions were fixed - these games are all from lower-profile matches from Champions League, UEFA Cup and Intertoto qualification games.
To quote:
In one case, a second round UEFA Intertoto Cup match, the disciplinary inspector considered the circumstances serious enough to bring the case before the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body.
Uefa have made a statement on the matter, which I advise you to read instead of the hyperbole and useless soundbites coming out of the BBC (this is serious for football, we’ve never seen anything like this before, betting = evil, etc etc).
Contrary to what the BBC claims, no Euro 2008 qualifiers are under investigation.
I’m looking forward to what UEFA / Interpol find - although for the sake of football, I hope they don’t make a PR spectacle out of it like the English police have done with the recent investigations in football corruption.
Has the English FA Learned From Its Mistakes?
Ever since the sacking of Steve McClaren as the coach of the England national football team, the rumour mill has been in full swing. Several names have been thrown into the pot with Jose Mourinho being pushed to the forefront of gaining the reign of the England horse.
Even Fabio Capello, who cannot speak English and is 61 years of age, hasn’t denied that he would be interested in taking up the challenge of managing of the better national teams in Europe. There have been reports that Jurgen Klinsmann, who is based in the US city of California, has been approached too and people are not ruling out Luiz Felipe Scolari either.
But the otherwise inept English FA have come out of the blocks and have denied that any formal approach has been made to any likely candidates for the English. They have of course admitted that they are searching everywhere for a suitable man with character, talent and stamina to be the next guide of England but they have dismissed of having sent any formal offer letters to anyone.
To quote the head of FA Communications Adrian Bevington:
The FA can confirm no individual has been approached by Brian Barwick or Sir Trevor Brooking with regard to being offered the job of next England manager. There is no formal shortlist and no salaries have been discussed with any individual. We have been very clear that Brian and Trevor will consult with figures across the game - and they are already well into that process - before making any such approach or appointment. We are conscious there is a huge level of interest in this and we are trying to be as transparent as possible. Whilst there is no set time frame we are understandably working on this as our number one priority.
But such a statement would hardly convince the English or the European press who have been going on and on about who the next person to take on the most difficult job in football would be. Everyday one name after the other is splashed across the pages; so much so that such rumours have attained the nadir of a cliché.
That the FA are still searching for the best man to handle the national side implies that they are not in too hurry. And they shouldn’t be either. After all it was their ineptitude and hurry that led them to appoint Steve McClaren as the England coach after the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson immediate to England’s 2006 Germany World Cup quarter-final exit.
The FA appear to have learnt their lessons. Or have they? We shall know after they name the next England coach.
Even Fabio Capello, who cannot speak English and is 61 years of age, hasn’t denied that he would be interested in taking up the challenge of managing of the better national teams in Europe. There have been reports that Jurgen Klinsmann, who is based in the US city of California, has been approached too and people are not ruling out Luiz Felipe Scolari either.
But the otherwise inept English FA have come out of the blocks and have denied that any formal approach has been made to any likely candidates for the English. They have of course admitted that they are searching everywhere for a suitable man with character, talent and stamina to be the next guide of England but they have dismissed of having sent any formal offer letters to anyone.
To quote the head of FA Communications Adrian Bevington:
The FA can confirm no individual has been approached by Brian Barwick or Sir Trevor Brooking with regard to being offered the job of next England manager. There is no formal shortlist and no salaries have been discussed with any individual. We have been very clear that Brian and Trevor will consult with figures across the game - and they are already well into that process - before making any such approach or appointment. We are conscious there is a huge level of interest in this and we are trying to be as transparent as possible. Whilst there is no set time frame we are understandably working on this as our number one priority.
But such a statement would hardly convince the English or the European press who have been going on and on about who the next person to take on the most difficult job in football would be. Everyday one name after the other is splashed across the pages; so much so that such rumours have attained the nadir of a cliché.
That the FA are still searching for the best man to handle the national side implies that they are not in too hurry. And they shouldn’t be either. After all it was their ineptitude and hurry that led them to appoint Steve McClaren as the England coach after the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson immediate to England’s 2006 Germany World Cup quarter-final exit.
The FA appear to have learnt their lessons. Or have they? We shall know after they name the next England coach.
Ballon D’Or 2007 Winner: Kaka
AC Milan’s Brazilian star Kaka (and future christian evangelist) has been named Europe’s footballer of the year after winning France Football magazine’s Golden Ball award.
The 25-year-old was the key figure in AC Milan’s triumphant Champions League campaign this year. His performances in the Serie A were less influential, whereas someone like Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the domestic scene, provoking heated debates over which set of performances deserved more credit (and indeed, in the Kaka v Ronaldo debate, whether morality mattered more than results).
Second place went to Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi placing third.
The prize was voted for by 96 international journalists from a shortlist of 50 players.
In October Kaka was named FIFPro world player of the year, claiming that accolade after 45,000 members of the players’ union voted in the awards.
The 25-year-old was the key figure in AC Milan’s triumphant Champions League campaign this year. His performances in the Serie A were less influential, whereas someone like Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the domestic scene, provoking heated debates over which set of performances deserved more credit (and indeed, in the Kaka v Ronaldo debate, whether morality mattered more than results).
Second place went to Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi placing third.
The prize was voted for by 96 international journalists from a shortlist of 50 players.
In October Kaka was named FIFPro world player of the year, claiming that accolade after 45,000 members of the players’ union voted in the awards.
Are Liverpool Going Into Another Takeover?
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all are under foreign ownership but it is Liverpool who are supposed to have made the best deal. While Malcolm Glazier has shoved Man United to a debt of millions and no one is still not certain when Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich would remove his hand of wealth from the club, Liverpool’s long-term future is secure with the takeover of the club in February last year by American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
Or is it? Suddenly the club is appearing at a crossroad, once again. Hicks has been reported to be contemplating on selling his stake at the club and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum is all to eager to have a second bite at the cherry. The Dubai-based Sheikh exhibited his interest in the club before Gillett and Hicks had launched their own bid and no sooner had the rumors surfaced in the football market that Hicks could be pulling himself away from the ownership of one of the most successful clubs in Europe than the Sheikh’s name has been drafted into the hat for another takeover.
Tom Hicks has of course dismissed all such talks as “absolute rubbish” and has denied any rift with his Liverpool co-owner George Gillett. But the cat has been pulled out of the bag. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was recently quoted as saying that he is not happy with the club and that he needs more funds in the January transfer window to kindle a serious challenge both for the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. And now the notion, however vague and weak, that the partnership between Gillett and Hicks could just break is sending more shockwaves across the red half of Liverpool.
The Dubai Sheikh is said to be worth £7 billion and could easily buy the £1 billion stake that Hicks has at Liverpool. But would it be good for the club both in the short-term and the long-term futures should indeed Liverpool go for another takeover? Gillett and Hicks’ takeover of the club in the middle of last season was criticized by a certain section of the Liverpool fans but they have poured a considerable amount of money in the club in the summer, allowing manager Benitez to splash out a club record of £27 million to lire Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid in the summer plus procuring the likes of Ryan Babel and Andrei Voronin. Would the Sheikh takeover be a better one than the American takeover?
More importantly with foreign takeover offers shipping into England from all corners of the world all the time, is foreign ownership of Premierships club indeed a good thing?
Or is it? Suddenly the club is appearing at a crossroad, once again. Hicks has been reported to be contemplating on selling his stake at the club and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum is all to eager to have a second bite at the cherry. The Dubai-based Sheikh exhibited his interest in the club before Gillett and Hicks had launched their own bid and no sooner had the rumors surfaced in the football market that Hicks could be pulling himself away from the ownership of one of the most successful clubs in Europe than the Sheikh’s name has been drafted into the hat for another takeover.
Tom Hicks has of course dismissed all such talks as “absolute rubbish” and has denied any rift with his Liverpool co-owner George Gillett. But the cat has been pulled out of the bag. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was recently quoted as saying that he is not happy with the club and that he needs more funds in the January transfer window to kindle a serious challenge both for the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. And now the notion, however vague and weak, that the partnership between Gillett and Hicks could just break is sending more shockwaves across the red half of Liverpool.
The Dubai Sheikh is said to be worth £7 billion and could easily buy the £1 billion stake that Hicks has at Liverpool. But would it be good for the club both in the short-term and the long-term futures should indeed Liverpool go for another takeover? Gillett and Hicks’ takeover of the club in the middle of last season was criticized by a certain section of the Liverpool fans but they have poured a considerable amount of money in the club in the summer, allowing manager Benitez to splash out a club record of £27 million to lire Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid in the summer plus procuring the likes of Ryan Babel and Andrei Voronin. Would the Sheikh takeover be a better one than the American takeover?
More importantly with foreign takeover offers shipping into England from all corners of the world all the time, is foreign ownership of Premierships club indeed a good thing?
Football Corruption in the English Premier League: The Story So Far
The recent arrests of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and others have brought the whole investigations scandal of corruption in football back into the frame. The police probe began back on January 11th 2006 after Luton manager Mike Newell highlighted the concerning issue of bungs in football, openly criticising agents and claiming that illegal payments often occur throughout the game.
On January 18th, Newell met with the FA to discuss his claim. By the 24th, the Premier League had officially announced they would be making inquiries into the scandal of bung payments. On March 3rd the former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens was put in charge of the inquiry and his team began their examination of 362 transfers that occurred between the 1st January 2004 to 31st January 2006.
Another claim was made in August by another manager, Alan Curbishley who said he was offered a bung whilst he was in charge at Charlton. On September 19th 2006, the BBC documentary TV series Panorama made an investigation alleging that the then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce took illegal payments. The programme also claimed that Allardyce’s son Craig and several other football agents Peter Harrison, Teni Yerima and Charles Collymore were involved with bungs. Harry Redknapp and his former assistant Kevin Bond (who had since gone to Newcastle) were also brought into the equation of corruption.
The next day, both Bond and Yerima said they would sue the BBC over the accusations made towards them in the Panorama programme. On the 22nd Harrison also announced he would be suing. By the 25th Allardyce revealed he had organised his lawyers to prepare a case against the BBC after his portrayal in the programme. The BBC officials met the FA to find out what evidence it would disclose for their joint inquiry with the Premier League.
The next day on the 26th Newcastle had terminated Bond’s contract. Colin Gordon, the agent for then England manager Steve McClaren, said “tens of millions of pounds has gone out of the game” in dodgy deals and labelled his own profession as the “scum of the earth”. Due to his remarks the Association of Football Agents acted quickly demanding an apology and a retraction to his damaging statement. On the 29th Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson criticised Gordon, and revealed that the agent was banned from dealing with the club to past problems, no doubt when McClaren was in charge.
In October 2006, Wigan’s chairman Dave Whelan gave his theory on the messy saga saying all managers should be banned for life, and clubs relegated should they be caught taking bungs. Lord Stevens then announced on the 2nd the inquiry, which had been extended by two months, had now been whittled down to 39 transfers involving eight clubs. He also said that less than half the 150 agents contacted had cooperated, and as a result the FA may use their rules to force them into opening their bank accounts for further examination. In the same month the BBC handed over Panorama evidence they had to the FA.
By December 12th, Lord Stevens presented the report he’d conducted to the Premier League board. A further investigation would have to be made into 17 transfers as eight agents failed to cooperate. In January this year the FA met with Lord Stevens, as they looked to start applying pressure on the eight unnamed agents to make them open their bank account, so that all transactions could be traced. Another report by Lord Stevens was given to the Premier League in March, identifying clubs which broke or ignored the rules in 50 key transfers out of the original 362.
On June 8th it was discovered that a 61 year-old man was arrested in May, suspected of money laundering. Officers made the arrest on May 23rd and bailed him until October. Raids were made in July in Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rangers as well as two homes. By September another man, aged 28, openly rumoured to be Tottenham’s defender Pascal Chimbonda was taken in for police questioning.
The latest untwining to this fine mess comes down to the arrests last week of Harry Redknapp, chief executive Peter Storrie, footballer Amdy Faye (part of one of the transfers under examination), agent Willie McKay and former Portsmouth now Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric. Out of the 17 transfers that had been knuckled down to eight had been refused to be signed off by Lord Stevens and his Quest team. Sylvain Distin, Portsmouth defender, said the arrest of his team’s manager was saddening for the team but for all supporting him. He even went as far as to claim conspiracies surrounding Redknapp’s arrest, which may have happened because of opposition by certain individuals to his possible appointment for the England manager job. In the meantime, the five arrested have been bailed until February. After the arrests last week, seven now remain the police’s main focus so expect more arrests to soon follow.
On January 18th, Newell met with the FA to discuss his claim. By the 24th, the Premier League had officially announced they would be making inquiries into the scandal of bung payments. On March 3rd the former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens was put in charge of the inquiry and his team began their examination of 362 transfers that occurred between the 1st January 2004 to 31st January 2006.
Another claim was made in August by another manager, Alan Curbishley who said he was offered a bung whilst he was in charge at Charlton. On September 19th 2006, the BBC documentary TV series Panorama made an investigation alleging that the then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce took illegal payments. The programme also claimed that Allardyce’s son Craig and several other football agents Peter Harrison, Teni Yerima and Charles Collymore were involved with bungs. Harry Redknapp and his former assistant Kevin Bond (who had since gone to Newcastle) were also brought into the equation of corruption.
The next day, both Bond and Yerima said they would sue the BBC over the accusations made towards them in the Panorama programme. On the 22nd Harrison also announced he would be suing. By the 25th Allardyce revealed he had organised his lawyers to prepare a case against the BBC after his portrayal in the programme. The BBC officials met the FA to find out what evidence it would disclose for their joint inquiry with the Premier League.
The next day on the 26th Newcastle had terminated Bond’s contract. Colin Gordon, the agent for then England manager Steve McClaren, said “tens of millions of pounds has gone out of the game” in dodgy deals and labelled his own profession as the “scum of the earth”. Due to his remarks the Association of Football Agents acted quickly demanding an apology and a retraction to his damaging statement. On the 29th Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson criticised Gordon, and revealed that the agent was banned from dealing with the club to past problems, no doubt when McClaren was in charge.
In October 2006, Wigan’s chairman Dave Whelan gave his theory on the messy saga saying all managers should be banned for life, and clubs relegated should they be caught taking bungs. Lord Stevens then announced on the 2nd the inquiry, which had been extended by two months, had now been whittled down to 39 transfers involving eight clubs. He also said that less than half the 150 agents contacted had cooperated, and as a result the FA may use their rules to force them into opening their bank accounts for further examination. In the same month the BBC handed over Panorama evidence they had to the FA.
By December 12th, Lord Stevens presented the report he’d conducted to the Premier League board. A further investigation would have to be made into 17 transfers as eight agents failed to cooperate. In January this year the FA met with Lord Stevens, as they looked to start applying pressure on the eight unnamed agents to make them open their bank account, so that all transactions could be traced. Another report by Lord Stevens was given to the Premier League in March, identifying clubs which broke or ignored the rules in 50 key transfers out of the original 362.
On June 8th it was discovered that a 61 year-old man was arrested in May, suspected of money laundering. Officers made the arrest on May 23rd and bailed him until October. Raids were made in July in Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rangers as well as two homes. By September another man, aged 28, openly rumoured to be Tottenham’s defender Pascal Chimbonda was taken in for police questioning.
The latest untwining to this fine mess comes down to the arrests last week of Harry Redknapp, chief executive Peter Storrie, footballer Amdy Faye (part of one of the transfers under examination), agent Willie McKay and former Portsmouth now Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric. Out of the 17 transfers that had been knuckled down to eight had been refused to be signed off by Lord Stevens and his Quest team. Sylvain Distin, Portsmouth defender, said the arrest of his team’s manager was saddening for the team but for all supporting him. He even went as far as to claim conspiracies surrounding Redknapp’s arrest, which may have happened because of opposition by certain individuals to his possible appointment for the England manager job. In the meantime, the five arrested have been bailed until February. After the arrests last week, seven now remain the police’s main focus so expect more arrests to soon follow.
British Interest in Fabio Capello now to Include Liverpool and Newcastle
Liverpool
According to the Daily Mirror, Capello was contacted twice already by the Reds club, one time before the Liverpool match against Porto last week, and one time after. With the increasing tensions building up between current Reds manager Rafael Benitez and American bosses George Gillett and Tom Hicks, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to see the “powers that be” at Merseyside scan the market for the Spaniard’s replacement. Although, judging by the very latest news, it seems that a “ceasefire” has been agreed between Benitez and Gillett/Hicks, especially after a large majority of the club’s supporters openly supported the Spanish manager in a demonstration before the match against Porto. Not only that, but several Reds player (above all: Fernando Torres) have declared that if Benitez were to leave Merseyside, they’d be “following him out the door pronto”.
Nevertheless, the future of Benitez at Anfield seems to be hanging by a very thin thread. With managers like José Mourinho unable to coach in the EPL until the end of the year (due to the release clause the Portuguese manager signed, when his contract with Chelsea was terminated), Gillett/Hicks would have no trouble cutting that thread off if the possibility of hiring Capello became substantial.
When asked to comment, Liverpool’s Chief Executive Rick Parry cut speculations short, by stating through Liverpool Echo that “Capello hasn’t contacted us, nor have we contacted him”..
Newcastle
On top of Anfield, Capello seem to be gathering a lot of attention on the side of St. James’ Park. According to the Daily Star, club owner Mike Ashley is believed to be prepared to give the current boss Sam Allardyce until Christmas “to turn things around“, but is putting in a contingency plan in case the club’s dismal form continues and they are forced to give English manager the axe.
The Star commented that “many Toon fans would like to see Alan Shearer as boss, but Ashley plans to send a delegation to Italy to speak to Capello and see if he would be interested if the job does become vacant“. Capello has made it abudantly clear he would love to manage in the Premier League, and has already voiced his interest in the England job..
England
So what about that England job? Well, the current rumours tying Capello with Magpies and Reds should give the English FA a bit of a warning, that if they don’t act soon the Italian coach might slip them from under their fingers. Capello has already received many positive approvals from the “12 Wise Men” that FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick consulted these past weeks. According to the Daily Mail, Barwick should end his “tour” this week, and should announce his decision before Christmas. “By the end of this week Barwick will have spoken to all those he intends to consult, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger included, and officials are not ruling out the possibility of an appointment in the next three weeks. The FA board meet on December 19, by which time Barwick would like to be in a position to make his recommendation” the Mail quoted.
Obviously, all the odds are pointing towards José Mourinho right now, whom Barwick is expected to meet an intermediary of in the next few days. According to a source quoted by the Mail, “Mourinho would be interested in the job were the salary to exceed the £5million a year Sven Goran Eriksson received towards the end of his tenure.
Meanwhile, John Terry has once again expressed his warmest recommendation for the ex-Blues manager. “He’s one that really stands out for me and could make a big difference“, Terry told Sky yesterday. “He’s a great guy tactically, he’s very aware and he understands the game very well. He came in and took us to a new level. I’m lucky to have been able to work with Jose. He’s a fantastic manager and a fantastic guy“.
To the Liverpool and Newcastle fans: What do you think? Would you support the appointment of Capello as manager of your club, or would you rather have him coach England, with the hope that he will finally take the Three Lions to a new level?
According to the Daily Mirror, Capello was contacted twice already by the Reds club, one time before the Liverpool match against Porto last week, and one time after. With the increasing tensions building up between current Reds manager Rafael Benitez and American bosses George Gillett and Tom Hicks, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to see the “powers that be” at Merseyside scan the market for the Spaniard’s replacement. Although, judging by the very latest news, it seems that a “ceasefire” has been agreed between Benitez and Gillett/Hicks, especially after a large majority of the club’s supporters openly supported the Spanish manager in a demonstration before the match against Porto. Not only that, but several Reds player (above all: Fernando Torres) have declared that if Benitez were to leave Merseyside, they’d be “following him out the door pronto”.
Nevertheless, the future of Benitez at Anfield seems to be hanging by a very thin thread. With managers like José Mourinho unable to coach in the EPL until the end of the year (due to the release clause the Portuguese manager signed, when his contract with Chelsea was terminated), Gillett/Hicks would have no trouble cutting that thread off if the possibility of hiring Capello became substantial.
When asked to comment, Liverpool’s Chief Executive Rick Parry cut speculations short, by stating through Liverpool Echo that “Capello hasn’t contacted us, nor have we contacted him”..
Newcastle
On top of Anfield, Capello seem to be gathering a lot of attention on the side of St. James’ Park. According to the Daily Star, club owner Mike Ashley is believed to be prepared to give the current boss Sam Allardyce until Christmas “to turn things around“, but is putting in a contingency plan in case the club’s dismal form continues and they are forced to give English manager the axe.
The Star commented that “many Toon fans would like to see Alan Shearer as boss, but Ashley plans to send a delegation to Italy to speak to Capello and see if he would be interested if the job does become vacant“. Capello has made it abudantly clear he would love to manage in the Premier League, and has already voiced his interest in the England job..
England
So what about that England job? Well, the current rumours tying Capello with Magpies and Reds should give the English FA a bit of a warning, that if they don’t act soon the Italian coach might slip them from under their fingers. Capello has already received many positive approvals from the “12 Wise Men” that FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick consulted these past weeks. According to the Daily Mail, Barwick should end his “tour” this week, and should announce his decision before Christmas. “By the end of this week Barwick will have spoken to all those he intends to consult, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger included, and officials are not ruling out the possibility of an appointment in the next three weeks. The FA board meet on December 19, by which time Barwick would like to be in a position to make his recommendation” the Mail quoted.
Obviously, all the odds are pointing towards José Mourinho right now, whom Barwick is expected to meet an intermediary of in the next few days. According to a source quoted by the Mail, “Mourinho would be interested in the job were the salary to exceed the £5million a year Sven Goran Eriksson received towards the end of his tenure.
Meanwhile, John Terry has once again expressed his warmest recommendation for the ex-Blues manager. “He’s one that really stands out for me and could make a big difference“, Terry told Sky yesterday. “He’s a great guy tactically, he’s very aware and he understands the game very well. He came in and took us to a new level. I’m lucky to have been able to work with Jose. He’s a fantastic manager and a fantastic guy“.
To the Liverpool and Newcastle fans: What do you think? Would you support the appointment of Capello as manager of your club, or would you rather have him coach England, with the hope that he will finally take the Three Lions to a new level?
Tottenham: A Long Road Ahead
Following the friendly at home vs. Torino, and a resounding 2-0 win, a lot seemed right with Spurs. After the summer transfers all of the fans believed there had been some great signings: Gareth Bale, Darren Bent, Kevin Prince-Boateng, and Younes Kaboul were the headliners on a transfer period that had seemed to lead to a continuing push into the top 4. Gareth Bale was deemed the next great left-back in the Premier League, Darren Bent was overpriced, but the fans knew of his class. The Prince was viewed as more of a future player, and Kaboul was viewed as possibly the next Ledley.
Also, it was our 125th year anniversary; we knew something special could happen. Here we are 15 games into the season, and where are Tottenham, who were predicted to have a good season, and qualify for the UEFA Cup or Champions League. They have 12 points, and sitting 16th. How did this happen? How could a team which was so hyped play so poorly?
As a huge Spurs supporter, I was hyped for the season, we were predicted for great things, and Martin Jol was our best manager since Bill Nicholson. We knew Jol wasn’t the smartest tactically, but he always gave us entertaining games; see West Ham v. Tottenham at Upton Park, March 4, 2007. So we had reason to believe not only would we play the best football in the premier league, but we had a chance to be great. Now most Spurs supporters weren’t confident in the defense, and why should we be? Tottenham has given up more goals since the inception of the premier league than anyone. We also knew we’d be without our skipper Ledley King for at least a month or two. However, we haven’t watched any football since May, we were ready to watch a game @ Sunderland.
Little did we know a late goal by Premier League veteran Michael Chopra could start such a downfall such as this. Then Tottenham got outplayed badly by Everton at home. Now, we all knew we still had 36 games left, so there was plenty of time to catch up, and Derby coming to town. A nice 4-0 win over Derby, the confidence appeared to be back.
However, over the next 12 games, 9 points total, a change in managers, and a defense that needs to get some help come January. Since the game against Derby, they were only played off the pitch twice, @ Newcastle, and home to Aston Villa (4-4 dramatic draw on the 125 anniversary night).
Newcastle shredded our defense, and we couldn’t stop them. Villa was up 4-1 before a huge comeback that seemed like all the magic might return to White Hart Lane. Then a late header from Fernando Torres vs. Liverpool stopped their bid for a win. Then before you know it, following a poor performance @ Newcastle, Jol gets sacked after a loss to Getafe in the UEFA Cup.
Juande Ramos was named manager following Clive Allen’s 1 game stint where the team blew yet another game, and lost at home to Blackburn. Jol, our most successful manager since Billy Nick, is gone. Surely wasn’t the outcome everyone thought up before the season.
Early on everyone wasn’t sure about Ramos. Ramos was viewed as a savior though through his tactical decisions and especially his results through his first 4 games; we had 3 clean sheets, and a draw against Boro. Then a game against West Ham when we fell behind 1-0 in the first half, but then got the equalizer in the 2nd half due to a formation change. Then, just when we thought some luck went our way in a penalty, Jermain Defoe steps up, and it was symbolic of our season…he couldn’t finish. Give Green credit for making the save, but in that situation, Defoe has to finish from the spot.
Then, against Aalborg in the UEFA Cup, Tottenham practically guaranteed their spot in the knockout stages, with a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down at the half, to win 3-2. Juande was praised again, and we all believed a turnaround was imminent.
However, there was this past weekend, where Tottenham blew a game against Birmingham City. Spurs found themselves down 1-0 after a questionable penalty was given by referee Phil Dowd to McSheffrey who finished from the spot. It wouldn’t be the last time Dowd had made a questionable call in the game. Spurs found themselves behind at halftime once again, 1-0. However, myself like most Spurs fans felt we have outplayed them all game, and we knew we would at least equalize, if not take the lead. Then sure enough after a Robbie Keane penalty it was 1-1 only 5 minutes in; and then Keane 3 minutes later gives us a lead 2-1 with a great finish.
Most Spurs fans believed that was game over, we had dominated most of the game. Then Berbatov missed a sure header which would’ve put the Lilywhites up 3-1. Then sure enough, Tottenham allow a counter attack equalizer, and a good finish found the game tied again. With most Spurs fans saying “How?” Then Dowd makes the questionable decision to send off Keane on what was a bookable offense, but most were expecting a yellow card. Then in extra time, a fantastic shot from Larsson left the score at 3-2, and Tottenham fans were left wondering, what might have been.
This season has been just heartbreak for me; I have been a Spurs fan for years, and with such high expectations for them to perform like this has been dreadful for all of us Spurs supporters. It appears now the only way Tottenham can find their way back to Europe would be if the table was reversed, or they could qualify for the UEFA again if they win it. Hardly what most thought and Tottenham through 15 games find themselves 18 points off the pace for a Champions League spot. So we already lost out on that, and we find ourselves 18 points away from 5th place, the place we have finished 2 straight years.
Tottenham were worried about finishing in the top 4, however, the worry of mine and most fans, is to win league games, so we can get out of the bottom 5. I’m not worried about Europe at the moment; sure we have a game against Anderlecht on Thursday. However, that’s the least of all our concerns; we would like to qualify, because it would be a giant boost to our team.
The only problem is the next 3 league games: Manchester City (5th place) at home, @ Portsmouth (6th place), and @ Arsenal (league leaders).
It might be until 2008 before another league win, and after no away wins in league play this year, it’s looking less likely to come up in the next few weeks. I will be Tottenham through and through, this season seems to be longer than any other, and unless we pick up the pace, we might be finding ourselves in the Coca Cola Championship. A spot, surely no Spurs fan would ever have believed back in July.
Also, it was our 125th year anniversary; we knew something special could happen. Here we are 15 games into the season, and where are Tottenham, who were predicted to have a good season, and qualify for the UEFA Cup or Champions League. They have 12 points, and sitting 16th. How did this happen? How could a team which was so hyped play so poorly?
As a huge Spurs supporter, I was hyped for the season, we were predicted for great things, and Martin Jol was our best manager since Bill Nicholson. We knew Jol wasn’t the smartest tactically, but he always gave us entertaining games; see West Ham v. Tottenham at Upton Park, March 4, 2007. So we had reason to believe not only would we play the best football in the premier league, but we had a chance to be great. Now most Spurs supporters weren’t confident in the defense, and why should we be? Tottenham has given up more goals since the inception of the premier league than anyone. We also knew we’d be without our skipper Ledley King for at least a month or two. However, we haven’t watched any football since May, we were ready to watch a game @ Sunderland.
Little did we know a late goal by Premier League veteran Michael Chopra could start such a downfall such as this. Then Tottenham got outplayed badly by Everton at home. Now, we all knew we still had 36 games left, so there was plenty of time to catch up, and Derby coming to town. A nice 4-0 win over Derby, the confidence appeared to be back.
However, over the next 12 games, 9 points total, a change in managers, and a defense that needs to get some help come January. Since the game against Derby, they were only played off the pitch twice, @ Newcastle, and home to Aston Villa (4-4 dramatic draw on the 125 anniversary night).
Newcastle shredded our defense, and we couldn’t stop them. Villa was up 4-1 before a huge comeback that seemed like all the magic might return to White Hart Lane. Then a late header from Fernando Torres vs. Liverpool stopped their bid for a win. Then before you know it, following a poor performance @ Newcastle, Jol gets sacked after a loss to Getafe in the UEFA Cup.
Juande Ramos was named manager following Clive Allen’s 1 game stint where the team blew yet another game, and lost at home to Blackburn. Jol, our most successful manager since Billy Nick, is gone. Surely wasn’t the outcome everyone thought up before the season.
Early on everyone wasn’t sure about Ramos. Ramos was viewed as a savior though through his tactical decisions and especially his results through his first 4 games; we had 3 clean sheets, and a draw against Boro. Then a game against West Ham when we fell behind 1-0 in the first half, but then got the equalizer in the 2nd half due to a formation change. Then, just when we thought some luck went our way in a penalty, Jermain Defoe steps up, and it was symbolic of our season…he couldn’t finish. Give Green credit for making the save, but in that situation, Defoe has to finish from the spot.
Then, against Aalborg in the UEFA Cup, Tottenham practically guaranteed their spot in the knockout stages, with a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down at the half, to win 3-2. Juande was praised again, and we all believed a turnaround was imminent.
However, there was this past weekend, where Tottenham blew a game against Birmingham City. Spurs found themselves down 1-0 after a questionable penalty was given by referee Phil Dowd to McSheffrey who finished from the spot. It wouldn’t be the last time Dowd had made a questionable call in the game. Spurs found themselves behind at halftime once again, 1-0. However, myself like most Spurs fans felt we have outplayed them all game, and we knew we would at least equalize, if not take the lead. Then sure enough after a Robbie Keane penalty it was 1-1 only 5 minutes in; and then Keane 3 minutes later gives us a lead 2-1 with a great finish.
Most Spurs fans believed that was game over, we had dominated most of the game. Then Berbatov missed a sure header which would’ve put the Lilywhites up 3-1. Then sure enough, Tottenham allow a counter attack equalizer, and a good finish found the game tied again. With most Spurs fans saying “How?” Then Dowd makes the questionable decision to send off Keane on what was a bookable offense, but most were expecting a yellow card. Then in extra time, a fantastic shot from Larsson left the score at 3-2, and Tottenham fans were left wondering, what might have been.
This season has been just heartbreak for me; I have been a Spurs fan for years, and with such high expectations for them to perform like this has been dreadful for all of us Spurs supporters. It appears now the only way Tottenham can find their way back to Europe would be if the table was reversed, or they could qualify for the UEFA again if they win it. Hardly what most thought and Tottenham through 15 games find themselves 18 points off the pace for a Champions League spot. So we already lost out on that, and we find ourselves 18 points away from 5th place, the place we have finished 2 straight years.
Tottenham were worried about finishing in the top 4, however, the worry of mine and most fans, is to win league games, so we can get out of the bottom 5. I’m not worried about Europe at the moment; sure we have a game against Anderlecht on Thursday. However, that’s the least of all our concerns; we would like to qualify, because it would be a giant boost to our team.
The only problem is the next 3 league games: Manchester City (5th place) at home, @ Portsmouth (6th place), and @ Arsenal (league leaders).
It might be until 2008 before another league win, and after no away wins in league play this year, it’s looking less likely to come up in the next few weeks. I will be Tottenham through and through, this season seems to be longer than any other, and unless we pick up the pace, we might be finding ourselves in the Coca Cola Championship. A spot, surely no Spurs fan would ever have believed back in July.
Champions League and UEFA Cup Format Changes
22 teams will qualify directly for the UEFA Champions League group stage instead of 16. The six additional clubs will be the third-placed sides from the associations ranked between 1 and 3 in the ranking list, and the champions of countries ranked from 10 to 12.
10 teams will qualify through a double qualifying route – one is reserved for the champions of the associations ranked from 13 to 53, with the exception of Liechtenstein. Five clubs will qualify via this route. The other path is reserved for the non-champions of associations rated between 1 and 15.
The group stages / knock rounds won’t change, although the first knockout round (round of 16) will be split over four weeks instead of two (more TV revenue?) using dates reserved for the Uefa club competitions in February and March.
Real impact of the changes? At the top level, it means that ’settling’ for 4th in the Premier League will probably book you a difficult qualification route against tougher teams than before. At the other end, it will give teams from smaller nations a better shot at participating in the Champions League.
There are also financial restructuring - there will be more coverage of the 3rd qualifying round, and extra time for the round of 16 allows for better TV coverage. Moving the final to Saturday is also a money-making exercise - albeit a great decision that allows more people to watch the game. Add to it the potential expansion of the base of participants and there are ‘democratic’ as well as monetary benefits to Uefa.
Uefa Cup Format ChangesThe UEFA Cup between 2009 and 2012 will feature 48 sides, split into 12 groups of four; the top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout phase and be joined by the eight clubs that finish the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in third place.
The knockout stage, with 32 sides and four rounds, will lead to the final, played in a single match at a neutral venue. The first round – currently knockout – will become part of the qualifying phase.
Simplification, at last!
Only the title-holders will qualify directly for the UEFA Cup group stage, with all other clubs having to qualify. The qualifying process will consist of four rounds, with 37 additional slots compared to the present situation, to accommodate sides that currently qualify for the UEFA Intertoto Cup (from the associations ranked 9 to 15 and 22 to 51, except Liechtenstein). Losing teams in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round and third qualifying round will move into the UEFA Cup fourth qualifying round and group phase respectively.
UEFA Intertoto Cup abolishedUnder the format decisions, the UEFA Intertoto Cup, UEFA’s summer competition which has provided places in the UEFA Cup, will be abolished. No changes have been made to the format of the UEFA Super Cup.
For more information, see this press release (PDF) by Uefa.com, explains things quite well.
La Liga Week 15: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Villareal aim to pull away from the chasing pack
Last week was all about Espanyol Barcelona’s fierce clash with cross-city rivals FC Barcelona and this week the derby focus shifts from the religious temperament of Catalunya to the more volatile and voluptuous Basque country.
It’s a classic Spanish derby with more than a hundred years of history shaping both the teams. When Basque representative Althletic de Bilbao take on Castillan powerhouse Real Madrid at San Mames on Saturday, there will be more than just 3 points at stake. It’s the Basque nation against the Spanish capital, one of the biggest fixtures in Spanish football calendar. Two teams who have never played outside the Spanish top flight, two teams with vastly contrasting fortunes, two teams who value history and pride in equal measure.
Reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid are top of La Liga tree after 14 rounds with 32 points, 4 more than their nearest challengers FC Barcelona and Villarreal whereas Bilbao are sitting petty much comfortably in mid table with 17 points so far. But to state a tortured cliché: when there’s a derby at stake, the form book flies out of the window. Bilbao go into this match on the back of a 3-0 demolition of Valencia but know that a defeat to Real on Saturday and they could very well be looking nervously over their shoulders— the Los Leones are just 4 points clear from the dropzone. Real too bounced back from a disappointing run last weekend when they struck off Racing Santander 3-1 at the Bernabeu with exhibition stuff from Raul. But Bernd Schuster might want to rest a few key players on Saturday to keep them fresh for midweek’s clash with Lazio in the UEFA Champions League at home.
But any slip-up from Real on Saturday and 24 hours later Barcelona could wrestle the initiative. All this week the Catalan giants have been tormented by news reports about a deal been struck between Chelsea and Barca over Ronaldinho and about Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who appears to have taken a fancy towards Barca manager Frank Rijkaard. Although such reports hardly help Barca President Joan Laporta’s cause to maintain stability at the club any easier, Lionel Messi and co would definitely not be bothered by the arrival of Deportivo la Coruna in town. Depor are struggling for goals and struggling for points—the Galician club that was once gracing the dizzy heights of the UEFA Champions League is now flirting with relegation. Depor are third from bottom with 13 points from 14 matches and Miguel Angel Lotina’s team would be hoping for a draw at best at Camp Nou.
Third placed Villarreal are level on points with Barca and too have a relegation threatened team to fight against this weekend. In their 7 away games so far this season, the Andalucians have not have had any win and sacked manager Hector Cuper immediately after last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid. Villarreal too suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Valladolid last weekend but Manuel Pellegrini’s men have enough firepower to over come Betis this time around. Altletico Madid who are fourth in the table, 5 points off the pace, play mid table Getafe.
The darker end of the tunnel witnesses a relegation 6-pointer on Sunday when promoted sides Almeria and Valladolid tussle at the Estadio del Mediterráneo, with only goal difference separating them. A draw wouldn’t help either’s cause to survive in La Liga for another season and both teams come off the back of fantastic victories over top draw teams, Almeria humiliating Sevilla FC 1-0 while Valladolid upsetting Villarreal 2-0.
Speaking of Sevilla, Manolo Jiminez has a heck lot of work to do to escalate his team’s tempo. The two times running UEFA Cup winners are only 12th in the league table and more agonizingly just 3 points ahead o safety. This weekend they confront promoted Real Murcia who have just 1 point fewer than them.
Like Sevilla, Valencia too are underperforming although they have not stooped as low as Sevilla have (point-wise). Out of the Champions League, the Los Che could be fading out of the running for the championship should Ronald Koeman fail to stop the rot. Koeman has been unable to do anything to this exceptional Valencia side except make it worse in terms of result and last week had to survive the humiliation of the mass hanky wave the the Mestalla when they lost to modest Bilbao. With 24 points and no wins in their last two league matches, Koeman’s side are already 8 points behind leaders Real Madrid and have to win away to Osasuna to stay in contention for the Spanish title.
Elsewhere in La Liga this weekend, rock-bottom Levante host increasingly vulnerable looking Recreativo de Huelva, high-flying Racing Santander would be looking to inch closer towards a UEFA Cup spot by defeating Real Mallorca who are 1 place and 3 points below them and Real Zaragoza entertain fifth place Espanyol at La Romarede.
It’s a classic Spanish derby with more than a hundred years of history shaping both the teams. When Basque representative Althletic de Bilbao take on Castillan powerhouse Real Madrid at San Mames on Saturday, there will be more than just 3 points at stake. It’s the Basque nation against the Spanish capital, one of the biggest fixtures in Spanish football calendar. Two teams who have never played outside the Spanish top flight, two teams with vastly contrasting fortunes, two teams who value history and pride in equal measure.
Reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid are top of La Liga tree after 14 rounds with 32 points, 4 more than their nearest challengers FC Barcelona and Villarreal whereas Bilbao are sitting petty much comfortably in mid table with 17 points so far. But to state a tortured cliché: when there’s a derby at stake, the form book flies out of the window. Bilbao go into this match on the back of a 3-0 demolition of Valencia but know that a defeat to Real on Saturday and they could very well be looking nervously over their shoulders— the Los Leones are just 4 points clear from the dropzone. Real too bounced back from a disappointing run last weekend when they struck off Racing Santander 3-1 at the Bernabeu with exhibition stuff from Raul. But Bernd Schuster might want to rest a few key players on Saturday to keep them fresh for midweek’s clash with Lazio in the UEFA Champions League at home.
But any slip-up from Real on Saturday and 24 hours later Barcelona could wrestle the initiative. All this week the Catalan giants have been tormented by news reports about a deal been struck between Chelsea and Barca over Ronaldinho and about Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who appears to have taken a fancy towards Barca manager Frank Rijkaard. Although such reports hardly help Barca President Joan Laporta’s cause to maintain stability at the club any easier, Lionel Messi and co would definitely not be bothered by the arrival of Deportivo la Coruna in town. Depor are struggling for goals and struggling for points—the Galician club that was once gracing the dizzy heights of the UEFA Champions League is now flirting with relegation. Depor are third from bottom with 13 points from 14 matches and Miguel Angel Lotina’s team would be hoping for a draw at best at Camp Nou.
Third placed Villarreal are level on points with Barca and too have a relegation threatened team to fight against this weekend. In their 7 away games so far this season, the Andalucians have not have had any win and sacked manager Hector Cuper immediately after last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid. Villarreal too suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Valladolid last weekend but Manuel Pellegrini’s men have enough firepower to over come Betis this time around. Altletico Madid who are fourth in the table, 5 points off the pace, play mid table Getafe.
The darker end of the tunnel witnesses a relegation 6-pointer on Sunday when promoted sides Almeria and Valladolid tussle at the Estadio del Mediterráneo, with only goal difference separating them. A draw wouldn’t help either’s cause to survive in La Liga for another season and both teams come off the back of fantastic victories over top draw teams, Almeria humiliating Sevilla FC 1-0 while Valladolid upsetting Villarreal 2-0.
Speaking of Sevilla, Manolo Jiminez has a heck lot of work to do to escalate his team’s tempo. The two times running UEFA Cup winners are only 12th in the league table and more agonizingly just 3 points ahead o safety. This weekend they confront promoted Real Murcia who have just 1 point fewer than them.
Like Sevilla, Valencia too are underperforming although they have not stooped as low as Sevilla have (point-wise). Out of the Champions League, the Los Che could be fading out of the running for the championship should Ronald Koeman fail to stop the rot. Koeman has been unable to do anything to this exceptional Valencia side except make it worse in terms of result and last week had to survive the humiliation of the mass hanky wave the the Mestalla when they lost to modest Bilbao. With 24 points and no wins in their last two league matches, Koeman’s side are already 8 points behind leaders Real Madrid and have to win away to Osasuna to stay in contention for the Spanish title.
Elsewhere in La Liga this weekend, rock-bottom Levante host increasingly vulnerable looking Recreativo de Huelva, high-flying Racing Santander would be looking to inch closer towards a UEFA Cup spot by defeating Real Mallorca who are 1 place and 3 points below them and Real Zaragoza entertain fifth place Espanyol at La Romarede.
Ronaldinho’s Barcelona Situation Trapped In a Web of Uncertainty
Ronaldinho hasn’t been anywhere near his best for the best part since the 2006 Germany World Cup and looks more and more likely that he won’t be able to reinvent himself. Yet at 27, Ronaldinho is still one of the best footballers on the planet and certainly one of the priciest. And definitely wanted by English Premier League outfits Chelsea, according to press reports.
But not according to Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis. The Brazilian is in Barcelona at the moment to meet their mother and sister and is not all amused by reports suggesting that a deal has been struck between FC Barcelona and Chelsea. Assis says that his brother Ronaldinho is staying put at Camp Nou, at least till 2010.
This is what the frustrated and disgruntled Assiss had to say about he messy situation:
It is a surprise to me because I have not spoken to anyone. He is very calm and, like a true professional, is used to these things. What I have to say I will say to the club. He is happy because he has had some great times here, but every Wednesday and Sunday a new story comes out.
And the fact that the recent allegation that the two clubs have stuck a deal over the Brazilian international has been thrown by the pro-Madrid sports dailyMarca doesn’t add much credibility to the repot. Yet the alarm bells can hardly be stopped from ringing.
That there’s trouble between the player and the club is certain. Ronaldinho has been missing La Liga games for Barca at regular intervals this season as he did last season and was booed off the pitch by the fans earlier this season. Photos, some would say doctored pictures, illustrate that he is getting fatter along his waist and there have been consistent reports that he missed training sessions for a work-out in the gym.
And more importantly, and maybe even surprisingly, Ronaldinho hasn’t been missed on the pitch at all this season. He has been mediocre at best in the matches that he has featured for Barca so far this season and has been brilliant only occasionally. Instead it’s been Argentine sensational and Diego Maradona contender Lionel Messi who has embraced the Ronaldinho role. The likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry have contributed too and it’s clear that without Ronaldinho Barca won’t struggle.
So is Ronaldinho’s career at the Catalan cathedral over? Is he really heading out of Camp Nou before now? Or are there more twists in the story?
But not according to Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis. The Brazilian is in Barcelona at the moment to meet their mother and sister and is not all amused by reports suggesting that a deal has been struck between FC Barcelona and Chelsea. Assis says that his brother Ronaldinho is staying put at Camp Nou, at least till 2010.
This is what the frustrated and disgruntled Assiss had to say about he messy situation:
It is a surprise to me because I have not spoken to anyone. He is very calm and, like a true professional, is used to these things. What I have to say I will say to the club. He is happy because he has had some great times here, but every Wednesday and Sunday a new story comes out.
And the fact that the recent allegation that the two clubs have stuck a deal over the Brazilian international has been thrown by the pro-Madrid sports dailyMarca doesn’t add much credibility to the repot. Yet the alarm bells can hardly be stopped from ringing.
That there’s trouble between the player and the club is certain. Ronaldinho has been missing La Liga games for Barca at regular intervals this season as he did last season and was booed off the pitch by the fans earlier this season. Photos, some would say doctored pictures, illustrate that he is getting fatter along his waist and there have been consistent reports that he missed training sessions for a work-out in the gym.
And more importantly, and maybe even surprisingly, Ronaldinho hasn’t been missed on the pitch at all this season. He has been mediocre at best in the matches that he has featured for Barca so far this season and has been brilliant only occasionally. Instead it’s been Argentine sensational and Diego Maradona contender Lionel Messi who has embraced the Ronaldinho role. The likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry have contributed too and it’s clear that without Ronaldinho Barca won’t struggle.
So is Ronaldinho’s career at the Catalan cathedral over? Is he really heading out of Camp Nou before now? Or are there more twists in the story?
Champions League Matchday 5 Review: Big victories for Sevilla, Inter, and Roma
While things are a little muddled in Groups A-D, the outlook in the other four groups in the UEFA Champions League is a little more defined, for the most part.
Group EBarcelona were in pole position to qualify, and with their 2-2 draw away to Lyon, not only seal a place in the round of 16 but top spot in Group E.
Lyon, who started Wednesday a point behind Rangers for second, got off to the start they didn’t need, as Andres Iniesta put Barca ahead in just the third minute.
However, the Ligue 1 powers shook off that early haymaker and equalized minutes later through Juninho.
Lionel Messi put Barca on track for the win with a strike on 58, but Juninho would end up snaring Lyon a point, with a little help, scoring from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.
With Lyon only managing a draw, Rangers could have all but booked a place in the knockout round with a win over pointless VFB Stuttgart in Germany on Tuesday. But, they were unable to capitalize, as the Bundesliga side played their part as spoiler to full effect, with Ciprian Marica’s 85th minute strike giving Stuttgart a 3-2 win.
So, heading into Matchday 6, Rangers and Lyon are both on seven points, with Walter Smith’s side having the edge on goal difference (+1 to -2). They will decide who joins Barca in the round of 16 (and who falls into the UEFA Cup) at Ibrox in two weeks’ time, with the goal clear for Rangers - a draw puts them through. As for Lyon, they will have to go for the win, and with the French pushing forward, the Rangers defense will be put to the test by a stout attack, but they will certainly have their own share of chances to put the situation beyond doubt.
Group FIt’s all been decided in Group F, where Manchester United and Roma will go through, and Sporting will take a spot in the UEFA Cup.
United went into Tuesday night as the only side in the competition with a perfect record, and after easily disposing of Dynamo Kiev twice, were looking to keep it going at Old Trafford.
But, after a bright opening start by the home side, it was Sporting who went ahead in the 21st minute. But, the Portuguese side were unable to extend their advantage, which they would rue in the end. Carlos Tevez equalized just after the hour mark, and then, in injury time, Sporting were dealt the lethal blow by someone whose talents they helped nurture. Cristiano Ronaldo has come a long, long way since he came to United in the summer of 2003, and his former side got a first-hand demonstration of the scoring touch he’s developed, as he blasted home a free kick to deliver United a 2-1 win.
The win kept United’s unbeaten, untied start going and sealed top spot in the group. The second spot was sealed by Roma, who, like United, made easy work of Dynamo Kiev, with three goals in the first 36 minutes on the way to a 4-1 victory. Christian Panucci opened the scoring in the fourth, with Mirko Vucinic recording a brace to help seal Roma’s place in the knockout round.
Group GIn Group G, Inter and Fenerbahce faced off with top spot at stake, and after the Turkish side stood firm for more than a half, a trio of goals in the final 35+ minutes handed the Serie A champions a 3-0 victory.
That result sealed qualification and the top spot for Inter. The second spot will be decided by Fenerbahce and PSV, who gave themselves hope going into Matchday 6 with a 1-0 win away to CSKA Moscow.
Fener are still in second with eight points, and remain in the best position to advance with Inter, as they play host to CSKA on the final matchday, whereas the Dutch champions, who have seven points, welcome Inter, who may well be playing a depleted side since they have nothing to play for. PSV will need to take all three points in their clash, but that won’t be good enough unless CSKA can get a result in Turkey.
Group HIn Group H, Arsenal entered their tie at Sevilla looking to remain unbeaten in all competitions, and struck first in the 11th minute. But, Seydou Keita’s goal 13 minutes later made it 1-1, and in the 34th, Luis Fabiano gave the La Liga side a valuable 2-1 lead.
Arsenal couldn’t find a way back in the game, and with time winding down, their fate was sealed as Freddy Kanoute struck from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to seal a 3-1 win.
With the win, Sevilla go through to the round of 16 and have top spot in the group, with 12 points. Arsenal, who had already sealed their place in the knockout round, are now second on 10.
In the other match in the group, Slavia Prague sealed a place in the UEFA Cup with a 78th minute goal overturning an early deficit and securing a 1-1 draw with Steaua in Romania.
Group EBarcelona were in pole position to qualify, and with their 2-2 draw away to Lyon, not only seal a place in the round of 16 but top spot in Group E.
Lyon, who started Wednesday a point behind Rangers for second, got off to the start they didn’t need, as Andres Iniesta put Barca ahead in just the third minute.
However, the Ligue 1 powers shook off that early haymaker and equalized minutes later through Juninho.
Lionel Messi put Barca on track for the win with a strike on 58, but Juninho would end up snaring Lyon a point, with a little help, scoring from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.
With Lyon only managing a draw, Rangers could have all but booked a place in the knockout round with a win over pointless VFB Stuttgart in Germany on Tuesday. But, they were unable to capitalize, as the Bundesliga side played their part as spoiler to full effect, with Ciprian Marica’s 85th minute strike giving Stuttgart a 3-2 win.
So, heading into Matchday 6, Rangers and Lyon are both on seven points, with Walter Smith’s side having the edge on goal difference (+1 to -2). They will decide who joins Barca in the round of 16 (and who falls into the UEFA Cup) at Ibrox in two weeks’ time, with the goal clear for Rangers - a draw puts them through. As for Lyon, they will have to go for the win, and with the French pushing forward, the Rangers defense will be put to the test by a stout attack, but they will certainly have their own share of chances to put the situation beyond doubt.
Group FIt’s all been decided in Group F, where Manchester United and Roma will go through, and Sporting will take a spot in the UEFA Cup.
United went into Tuesday night as the only side in the competition with a perfect record, and after easily disposing of Dynamo Kiev twice, were looking to keep it going at Old Trafford.
But, after a bright opening start by the home side, it was Sporting who went ahead in the 21st minute. But, the Portuguese side were unable to extend their advantage, which they would rue in the end. Carlos Tevez equalized just after the hour mark, and then, in injury time, Sporting were dealt the lethal blow by someone whose talents they helped nurture. Cristiano Ronaldo has come a long, long way since he came to United in the summer of 2003, and his former side got a first-hand demonstration of the scoring touch he’s developed, as he blasted home a free kick to deliver United a 2-1 win.
The win kept United’s unbeaten, untied start going and sealed top spot in the group. The second spot was sealed by Roma, who, like United, made easy work of Dynamo Kiev, with three goals in the first 36 minutes on the way to a 4-1 victory. Christian Panucci opened the scoring in the fourth, with Mirko Vucinic recording a brace to help seal Roma’s place in the knockout round.
Group GIn Group G, Inter and Fenerbahce faced off with top spot at stake, and after the Turkish side stood firm for more than a half, a trio of goals in the final 35+ minutes handed the Serie A champions a 3-0 victory.
That result sealed qualification and the top spot for Inter. The second spot will be decided by Fenerbahce and PSV, who gave themselves hope going into Matchday 6 with a 1-0 win away to CSKA Moscow.
Fener are still in second with eight points, and remain in the best position to advance with Inter, as they play host to CSKA on the final matchday, whereas the Dutch champions, who have seven points, welcome Inter, who may well be playing a depleted side since they have nothing to play for. PSV will need to take all three points in their clash, but that won’t be good enough unless CSKA can get a result in Turkey.
Group HIn Group H, Arsenal entered their tie at Sevilla looking to remain unbeaten in all competitions, and struck first in the 11th minute. But, Seydou Keita’s goal 13 minutes later made it 1-1, and in the 34th, Luis Fabiano gave the La Liga side a valuable 2-1 lead.
Arsenal couldn’t find a way back in the game, and with time winding down, their fate was sealed as Freddy Kanoute struck from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to seal a 3-1 win.
With the win, Sevilla go through to the round of 16 and have top spot in the group, with 12 points. Arsenal, who had already sealed their place in the knockout round, are now second on 10.
In the other match in the group, Slavia Prague sealed a place in the UEFA Cup with a 78th minute goal overturning an early deficit and securing a 1-1 draw with Steaua in Romania.
An open letter to Sir Alex Ferguson
Dear Sir Alex Ferguson…
(I’m hoping that you run a Google search on you name and come across this letter).
Thank you for this wonderful 2006/2007 season of football that you made possible for so many of us. Many people wrote Manchester United off in the beginning of this season. Yet, You Believed! Your belief made the team achieve the most impossible and un-thinkable. You brought back pride to Old Trafford once again. I now once again enter bars proudly with my Manchester United AIG replica shirt (not that I were ever really ashamed, I now just walk a bit more proud). Thank you!
Manchester United had their highs and lows this season…
With our “highs”, it showed just what a great manager and tactician you are. Manchester United’s good start to the season (Fulham, what a game!), our thrashing of Italian opposition, beating of Liverpool (TWICE!!), our glorious comebacks and most importantly, our Champions trophy are just a few of these highlights. These are admittedly mostly thanks to you.
In fairness, we should therefore assign the “lows” to you as well…our continuous crumbling against “great” opposition, our lackluster performances during games that really mattered (Milan and Chelsea). I understand that the EPL was the main priority this season. But, by getting so far in the other cup competitions, I have to admit that it is very disappointing to see the manner by which we got beaten.
Perhaps we could have gone out with our heads held high and playing more attack-minded during these games…(I cannot remember the last time cup final that Manchester United played not to win, but to draw…it hurts). After beating Roma in fantastic fashion, with the entire world now looking at us, we went and played defensively against Milan. Now this is real humiliation.
(I’m hoping that you run a Google search on you name and come across this letter).
Thank you for this wonderful 2006/2007 season of football that you made possible for so many of us. Many people wrote Manchester United off in the beginning of this season. Yet, You Believed! Your belief made the team achieve the most impossible and un-thinkable. You brought back pride to Old Trafford once again. I now once again enter bars proudly with my Manchester United AIG replica shirt (not that I were ever really ashamed, I now just walk a bit more proud). Thank you!
Manchester United had their highs and lows this season…
With our “highs”, it showed just what a great manager and tactician you are. Manchester United’s good start to the season (Fulham, what a game!), our thrashing of Italian opposition, beating of Liverpool (TWICE!!), our glorious comebacks and most importantly, our Champions trophy are just a few of these highlights. These are admittedly mostly thanks to you.
In fairness, we should therefore assign the “lows” to you as well…our continuous crumbling against “great” opposition, our lackluster performances during games that really mattered (Milan and Chelsea). I understand that the EPL was the main priority this season. But, by getting so far in the other cup competitions, I have to admit that it is very disappointing to see the manner by which we got beaten.
Perhaps we could have gone out with our heads held high and playing more attack-minded during these games…(I cannot remember the last time cup final that Manchester United played not to win, but to draw…it hurts). After beating Roma in fantastic fashion, with the entire world now looking at us, we went and played defensively against Milan. Now this is real humiliation.
Sir Alex Ferguson - Manchester United manager
This page is a tribute/shrine (call it what you may) to our greatest manager of the modern era. Here we attempt to feature quotes, media (in the form of video, audio and pictures) and other things that we haven’t come up with as yet, concerning Sir Alex Ferguson.
We hope to create a good repository of the best of Sir Alex and we will add to this page as and when we come upon new stuff that we feel is worth publishing here.
So keep visiting this page and Red Rants.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s profile:
The Wikipedia page is a great resource and gives us a lot of info on his life. But if you want a more brief version, you can head over to the official website of Manchester United.
Memorable Quotes:
1. “Only true champions come out and show their worth after defeat- and I expect us to do that”(Sir Alex Ferguson after been beaten by Arsenal for a second time in the league 2006 season}
2. “You’re a fuckin’ bottler Incey! You cannae handle the stage, can you? You are a fuckin’ bottler!” (Alex Ferguson to Paul Ince at half-time, Barcelona, 1994.)
3. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football. Bloody hell.”(Alex Ferguson after winning the European Cup on May 26th, 1999.)
4. “I thought the first 45 minutes were the best of my time as a manager.”(Alex Ferguson after United had come back from 2-0 down to beat Juventus 3-2 in Turin, Italy in what was later heralded as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.)
5. “I’m privileged to have followed Sir Matt because all you have to do is to try and maintain the standards that he set so many years ago.”(Alex Ferguson after equalling Sir Matt Busby’s Premiership record)
6. “That’s absolute bollocks, that. Absolute nonsense.”(Sir Alex Ferguson after beating FA Premier League champions Chelsea FC 1-0 on November 6th 2005 when asked if the previous week where Manchester United had endured much criticism was the worst week of his career.)
We hope to create a good repository of the best of Sir Alex and we will add to this page as and when we come upon new stuff that we feel is worth publishing here.
So keep visiting this page and Red Rants.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s profile:
The Wikipedia page is a great resource and gives us a lot of info on his life. But if you want a more brief version, you can head over to the official website of Manchester United.
Memorable Quotes:
1. “Only true champions come out and show their worth after defeat- and I expect us to do that”(Sir Alex Ferguson after been beaten by Arsenal for a second time in the league 2006 season}
2. “You’re a fuckin’ bottler Incey! You cannae handle the stage, can you? You are a fuckin’ bottler!” (Alex Ferguson to Paul Ince at half-time, Barcelona, 1994.)
3. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football. Bloody hell.”(Alex Ferguson after winning the European Cup on May 26th, 1999.)
4. “I thought the first 45 minutes were the best of my time as a manager.”(Alex Ferguson after United had come back from 2-0 down to beat Juventus 3-2 in Turin, Italy in what was later heralded as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.)
5. “I’m privileged to have followed Sir Matt because all you have to do is to try and maintain the standards that he set so many years ago.”(Alex Ferguson after equalling Sir Matt Busby’s Premiership record)
6. “That’s absolute bollocks, that. Absolute nonsense.”(Sir Alex Ferguson after beating FA Premier League champions Chelsea FC 1-0 on November 6th 2005 when asked if the previous week where Manchester United had endured much criticism was the worst week of his career.)
Rooney return, SAF attacked, next Manchester United manager
Will he or won’t he?
With wonderkid Wayne Rooney itching to get back to first-team action there were rumours that he could be brought back, in some role, for the Manchester United v Everton game. Highly unlikely that something like this would happen, what with World Cup 2006 still fresh in SAF’s mind.
Personally I’d rather see him rested and brought back to action AFTER the Chelsea game, but with Manchester United already behind in the points stakes it won’t be enough to get a draw at home and Rooney will be needed. If necessary, he could come off the bench for cameo roles against Sporting and Chelsea next week, but I’d much rather have him in the stands than on the bench or the pitch, at least for now.
Apparently Sir Alex Ferguson was kicked by someone while he was traveling by train. Rumour has it that it was Seba Veron and he was pissed at SAF for ruining his career, but according to the police reports it was a drunk man who thought he was shadow-boxing with a SAF look-alike. Yup, every SAF look-alike I’m going to meet, I’m going to punch them in the groin and then headbutt the next police officer I see, too. Nut.
Red Rants has a piece about the ‘next’ Manchester United manager, and I have to say I’m disappointed in what Sailesh Ganesh has to say. It’s not so much as his dismissal of Jose Mourinho but his reasoning given for his choices. To claim that Reading were the only club apart from Arsenal or Manchester United to play attacking football last season is an insult to several other clubs and not just Chelsea or Everton or Tottenham.
I’ve written about this before on Soccerlens, but for a quick recap:
Mark Hughes, Steve Coppell and Roy Keane are all good managers and worthy of a shot. I’d pick Keano over Sparky but Coppell is a different animal and I’m sure he would do well at any club that he goes to and he’s as good as Sparky, if not better. The only thing holding Keano back is that he’d be managing players he was kicking ball with just a few years ago, and that doesn’t always work out well. I’m not concerned about his experience - everyone starts somewhere, right?
A continental coach won’t be a bad option, provided he was someone who could handle the media and handle the tactical and motivational aspects of managing in the Premier League. Guus Hiddink, Felipe Scolari, Juande Ramos and Marcello Lippi are my picks, but who knows? Quieroz won’t be a bad choice but I’d rather have change than consistency here.
Jose Mourinho would make an excellent Manchester United manager, but I don’t know if Manchester United’s owners (and fans) would accept the sort of battering that Chelsea has attracted due to JM’s presence. Other than that, he is someone who can win plenty of titles with United.
What do you guys think? When should Rooney be brought back and who do you back for the next Manchester United manager?
With wonderkid Wayne Rooney itching to get back to first-team action there were rumours that he could be brought back, in some role, for the Manchester United v Everton game. Highly unlikely that something like this would happen, what with World Cup 2006 still fresh in SAF’s mind.
Personally I’d rather see him rested and brought back to action AFTER the Chelsea game, but with Manchester United already behind in the points stakes it won’t be enough to get a draw at home and Rooney will be needed. If necessary, he could come off the bench for cameo roles against Sporting and Chelsea next week, but I’d much rather have him in the stands than on the bench or the pitch, at least for now.
Apparently Sir Alex Ferguson was kicked by someone while he was traveling by train. Rumour has it that it was Seba Veron and he was pissed at SAF for ruining his career, but according to the police reports it was a drunk man who thought he was shadow-boxing with a SAF look-alike. Yup, every SAF look-alike I’m going to meet, I’m going to punch them in the groin and then headbutt the next police officer I see, too. Nut.
Red Rants has a piece about the ‘next’ Manchester United manager, and I have to say I’m disappointed in what Sailesh Ganesh has to say. It’s not so much as his dismissal of Jose Mourinho but his reasoning given for his choices. To claim that Reading were the only club apart from Arsenal or Manchester United to play attacking football last season is an insult to several other clubs and not just Chelsea or Everton or Tottenham.
I’ve written about this before on Soccerlens, but for a quick recap:
Mark Hughes, Steve Coppell and Roy Keane are all good managers and worthy of a shot. I’d pick Keano over Sparky but Coppell is a different animal and I’m sure he would do well at any club that he goes to and he’s as good as Sparky, if not better. The only thing holding Keano back is that he’d be managing players he was kicking ball with just a few years ago, and that doesn’t always work out well. I’m not concerned about his experience - everyone starts somewhere, right?
A continental coach won’t be a bad option, provided he was someone who could handle the media and handle the tactical and motivational aspects of managing in the Premier League. Guus Hiddink, Felipe Scolari, Juande Ramos and Marcello Lippi are my picks, but who knows? Quieroz won’t be a bad choice but I’d rather have change than consistency here.
Jose Mourinho would make an excellent Manchester United manager, but I don’t know if Manchester United’s owners (and fans) would accept the sort of battering that Chelsea has attracted due to JM’s presence. Other than that, he is someone who can win plenty of titles with United.
What do you guys think? When should Rooney be brought back and who do you back for the next Manchester United manager?
Manchester United Players To Blow Over £100,000 On Girls, Gambling and Booze For Christmas
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!A Christmas party to remember for a lifetime: that’s what the Man Utd players are preparing to cap a pretty successful 2007 year. According to the Daily Mirror, the EPL Champions have in store something big enough “to make the Wags rock back on their designer heels”…
Leading the “organizing committee”, Red Devil center-back Rio Ferdinand is collecting £4,000 from EACH player to organise the lads’ Christmas party and “rounding up 100 ‘gorgeous females’ to keep them company on their drinking, lapdancing and gambling blow out“. The 25 players, who earn tens of thousands a week, seem to have already chipped in a total of £100,000 for the event, and have recruited several trusted girls to hand-pick the beauties to invite to a finale in private surroundings.
Obviously, for those who hadn’t guessed yet: wives and girlfriends are strictly NOT INVITED. Yup, striker Wayne Rooney’s fiancee Coleen McLouglin and the others will be out of sight and can only guess what is going on. Another one barred from attending is Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is believed to have given a reluctant blessing to the knees-up. Indeed, Man Utd do not play again until the following Sunday (when they take on Everton at home) which should give the Red Devils a week to get ready for their next game. Fergie privately warned his boys not to get into any trouble though. Yeah right… booze, gambling, ‘gorgeous females’… what could possibly go wrong?
“The party is for players and invited guests only, strictly no wives, girlfriends or management” said an anonymous United insider. “The lads are employing someone to handpick females to attend. There are strict instructions that only the best-looking girls in Manchester are to be invited“. It also seems that a team of at least 8 security men have been hired, to ensure that guests do not take any mobile phones into the party venue (probably to avoid spicy videos popping up on YouTube the very next day). John Terry is apparently also on the staff list, in case there are any fires to put out.
The festivities will kick off at 12.30pm after the squad finishes training. First stop will be their favourite bar the Living Room, a celebrity haunt in central Manchester. Next is believed to be a trip to the city’s plush new 235 Casino, which they hope to have closed to the public for 3 hours.
After splashing the cash at the roulette and poker tables the players then plan to head to Boutique, a nude lapdancing club worked by beautiful girls. To finish off, the lads will head to an exclusive hotel, the Great John Street (opposite Granada TV) which they have booked it for the entire night from 8pm. The locale has 30 suites, a lounge and cocktail bar, plus a rooftop garden with a hot tub that overlooks the city and the Coronation Street set.
Leading the “organizing committee”, Red Devil center-back Rio Ferdinand is collecting £4,000 from EACH player to organise the lads’ Christmas party and “rounding up 100 ‘gorgeous females’ to keep them company on their drinking, lapdancing and gambling blow out“. The 25 players, who earn tens of thousands a week, seem to have already chipped in a total of £100,000 for the event, and have recruited several trusted girls to hand-pick the beauties to invite to a finale in private surroundings.
Obviously, for those who hadn’t guessed yet: wives and girlfriends are strictly NOT INVITED. Yup, striker Wayne Rooney’s fiancee Coleen McLouglin and the others will be out of sight and can only guess what is going on. Another one barred from attending is Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who is believed to have given a reluctant blessing to the knees-up. Indeed, Man Utd do not play again until the following Sunday (when they take on Everton at home) which should give the Red Devils a week to get ready for their next game. Fergie privately warned his boys not to get into any trouble though. Yeah right… booze, gambling, ‘gorgeous females’… what could possibly go wrong?
“The party is for players and invited guests only, strictly no wives, girlfriends or management” said an anonymous United insider. “The lads are employing someone to handpick females to attend. There are strict instructions that only the best-looking girls in Manchester are to be invited“. It also seems that a team of at least 8 security men have been hired, to ensure that guests do not take any mobile phones into the party venue (probably to avoid spicy videos popping up on YouTube the very next day). John Terry is apparently also on the staff list, in case there are any fires to put out.
The festivities will kick off at 12.30pm after the squad finishes training. First stop will be their favourite bar the Living Room, a celebrity haunt in central Manchester. Next is believed to be a trip to the city’s plush new 235 Casino, which they hope to have closed to the public for 3 hours.
After splashing the cash at the roulette and poker tables the players then plan to head to Boutique, a nude lapdancing club worked by beautiful girls. To finish off, the lads will head to an exclusive hotel, the Great John Street (opposite Granada TV) which they have booked it for the entire night from 8pm. The locale has 30 suites, a lounge and cocktail bar, plus a rooftop garden with a hot tub that overlooks the city and the Coronation Street set.
Transfer Roundup: Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Inter Milan
Football clubs are gearing up for more action in the transfer market as the season draws nearer to the opening of the January window.
Chelsea are thinking about offering Paulo Ferreira plus money for Valencia player Miguel. Both players play for Portugal and Ferreira has hardly featured for Chelsea this season. Miguel has also become disillusioned with life at the Mestalla since negotiations for an improved contract with Valencia have continually stalled. The 27 year-old is aware of interest coming from English scouts after Chelsea sent some across to watch him play and he has cited an interest in moving to England.
Rangers are one of several clubs monitoring South Korean international Kim Jung-woo. The midfielder starred at the Asian Cup in July and is seeking a fresh challenge after spending the last seasons with Nagoya Grampus Eight. The 25 year-old recently admitted to Junichi Sports that he is thinking of leaving but wants to leave on high note and to impress people in his final home match against Yokohama FC. The other sides watching him include Anderlecht, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Ulsan Hyundai.
As you may be aware already Manchester United are watching Sporting Lisbon’s Miguel Veloso and Sporting’s boss, Paulo Bento is expecting the player to leave in the New Year for a ‘dream’ move to Manchester United. The English League holders have been watching a couple of Sporting’s talented young stars this season, with Joao Moutinho also in the frame. Manchester United have previously plucked young gems from the Portuguese team such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. Although Sir Alex Ferguson is the favourite to bring Veloso to Manchester United there is interest still shown from Real Madrid and Internazionale.
Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has agreed to join Boca Juniors, with whom he spent last season with. The player had fallen out with Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini, the main reason why he went out on loan last year, and since returning to Spain has not featured for the side. The deal is supposed to worth around €9m according to sources close to the Argentine club. Riquelme was also attracting interest from Italian giants Inter.
With the mounting pressure being piled onto Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez reports are suggesting that Liverpool could face a player exodus should he go. Fellow Spaniards Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina could well consider their options, with Alonso already being linked with a move to Atlectico Madrid in January and Torres only joining Liverpool in the summer to work under Benitez.
Leading the exodus though could be Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. A £17m deal is in place for Liverpool to sign him in January having already negotiated a deal with the player’s owner Kia Joorabchian. Should Mascherano leave Anfield favoured destinations include River Plate, Barcelona and Juventus.
Chelsea are thinking about offering Paulo Ferreira plus money for Valencia player Miguel. Both players play for Portugal and Ferreira has hardly featured for Chelsea this season. Miguel has also become disillusioned with life at the Mestalla since negotiations for an improved contract with Valencia have continually stalled. The 27 year-old is aware of interest coming from English scouts after Chelsea sent some across to watch him play and he has cited an interest in moving to England.
Rangers are one of several clubs monitoring South Korean international Kim Jung-woo. The midfielder starred at the Asian Cup in July and is seeking a fresh challenge after spending the last seasons with Nagoya Grampus Eight. The 25 year-old recently admitted to Junichi Sports that he is thinking of leaving but wants to leave on high note and to impress people in his final home match against Yokohama FC. The other sides watching him include Anderlecht, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Ulsan Hyundai.
As you may be aware already Manchester United are watching Sporting Lisbon’s Miguel Veloso and Sporting’s boss, Paulo Bento is expecting the player to leave in the New Year for a ‘dream’ move to Manchester United. The English League holders have been watching a couple of Sporting’s talented young stars this season, with Joao Moutinho also in the frame. Manchester United have previously plucked young gems from the Portuguese team such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. Although Sir Alex Ferguson is the favourite to bring Veloso to Manchester United there is interest still shown from Real Madrid and Internazionale.
Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has agreed to join Boca Juniors, with whom he spent last season with. The player had fallen out with Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini, the main reason why he went out on loan last year, and since returning to Spain has not featured for the side. The deal is supposed to worth around €9m according to sources close to the Argentine club. Riquelme was also attracting interest from Italian giants Inter.
With the mounting pressure being piled onto Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez reports are suggesting that Liverpool could face a player exodus should he go. Fellow Spaniards Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina could well consider their options, with Alonso already being linked with a move to Atlectico Madrid in January and Torres only joining Liverpool in the summer to work under Benitez.
Leading the exodus though could be Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. A £17m deal is in place for Liverpool to sign him in January having already negotiated a deal with the player’s owner Kia Joorabchian. Should Mascherano leave Anfield favoured destinations include River Plate, Barcelona and Juventus.
Jose Mourinho: Why not? A step closer to managing England
Just saw Jose Mourinho on Sky Sports categorically saying "Why not?" to being asked if he wanted to be England manager. He was in Portugal at the time despite rumours that he was in England being interviewed by the FA for the England job. Mourinho as if auditioning for the job also said that the next coach should be supported no matter what and that the FA was doing a great job.
The FA insisted that they have not contacted Mourinho or even drawn up a shortlist which sounds a bit disingenuous and more an attempt at containing rumours.
Lets recap how much things have changed in a year and a half.
During the Sven Goran Erickson transition, there was a constant toss up between Curbishley, Allardyce, McLaren, O'Neill, and Pearce becoming the next England manager. Bookies were constantly changing odds each day. A stark reminder of how the England job is now viewed with most English candidates distancing themselves from the job. The FA shortlist is probably filled with foreign candidates unless Allardyce is kicked out Newcastle, which might push him up the ranks, should he show interest in the job.
I still think there dissension within the FA as sentimental reasons dictate that a homegrown candidate will be infinitely preferable. With xenophobic statements now ping ponging around the soccer establishment of how foreign players have led to a 'meltdown' in English soccer, there is a debate being fueled between nativists and pragmatists as to the future of the English game. Who knew that 200 years ago when English missionaries brought the game to the Brazilian shores that this scenario would be played out in John Bull? Its come full circle.
Whatever comes of the search, the key is to get the best candidate. There is no scope for sentiment and who is to say that an foreign coach will not be successful when results are what counts and not some abstract "Englishness" of the game.
And in another reminder of how strait jacketed English perceptions are, here is Big Phil Scolari.
"That hypocrisy that someone who's born here is a saint and someone born on the other side of the Atlantic is a devil, that doesn't exist.
"It's time to stop that clown show. I'm just like anybody else, I've got two legs, two arms and a head."
It was part of a Beeb article exposing the madcap and bizarre world of Scolari. Some of it is. But the Beed was more concerned about the image, not the game. It just led credence to Scolari's above statement. But you know what, I think Big Phil is lighting up a cigar and having a hearty guffaw. As bizarre and madcap he appears to be, he has always had England's number.
Portugal is in. England is out.
The FA insisted that they have not contacted Mourinho or even drawn up a shortlist which sounds a bit disingenuous and more an attempt at containing rumours.
Lets recap how much things have changed in a year and a half.
During the Sven Goran Erickson transition, there was a constant toss up between Curbishley, Allardyce, McLaren, O'Neill, and Pearce becoming the next England manager. Bookies were constantly changing odds each day. A stark reminder of how the England job is now viewed with most English candidates distancing themselves from the job. The FA shortlist is probably filled with foreign candidates unless Allardyce is kicked out Newcastle, which might push him up the ranks, should he show interest in the job.
I still think there dissension within the FA as sentimental reasons dictate that a homegrown candidate will be infinitely preferable. With xenophobic statements now ping ponging around the soccer establishment of how foreign players have led to a 'meltdown' in English soccer, there is a debate being fueled between nativists and pragmatists as to the future of the English game. Who knew that 200 years ago when English missionaries brought the game to the Brazilian shores that this scenario would be played out in John Bull? Its come full circle.
Whatever comes of the search, the key is to get the best candidate. There is no scope for sentiment and who is to say that an foreign coach will not be successful when results are what counts and not some abstract "Englishness" of the game.
And in another reminder of how strait jacketed English perceptions are, here is Big Phil Scolari.
"That hypocrisy that someone who's born here is a saint and someone born on the other side of the Atlantic is a devil, that doesn't exist.
"It's time to stop that clown show. I'm just like anybody else, I've got two legs, two arms and a head."
It was part of a Beeb article exposing the madcap and bizarre world of Scolari. Some of it is. But the Beed was more concerned about the image, not the game. It just led credence to Scolari's above statement. But you know what, I think Big Phil is lighting up a cigar and having a hearty guffaw. As bizarre and madcap he appears to be, he has always had England's number.
Portugal is in. England is out.
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the Football World Cup or the Soccer World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international football competition contested by the men's national football teams of the member nations of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.
The tournament's final phase, often called the World Cup Finals, is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.[1] The current format of the Finals involves thirty-two national teams competing at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. To determine the participating teams, qualifying rounds take place over the three years preceding the Finals.
In the eighteen tournaments held, only seven nations have won the title. Brazil is the most successful World Cup team, having won the tournament five times. The current World Champions, Italy, follows with four titles, while Germany holds three. The other former champions are Uruguay (who won the inaugural tournament) and Argentina with two titles each, and England and France with one title each.
The most recent World Cup Finals were held between June 9 and July 9, 2006 in Germany, where Italy was crowned champion after beating France in the final, winning the penalty shootout 5-3 after the match finished 1-1 after extra time. Germany placed third after beating Portugal 3-1. The next World Cup Finals will be held in 2010 in South Africa, and the 2014 Finals will be held in Brazil.
Since 1991, FIFA has also organized the FIFA Women's World Cup every four years.
The tournament's final phase, often called the World Cup Finals, is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.[1] The current format of the Finals involves thirty-two national teams competing at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. To determine the participating teams, qualifying rounds take place over the three years preceding the Finals.
In the eighteen tournaments held, only seven nations have won the title. Brazil is the most successful World Cup team, having won the tournament five times. The current World Champions, Italy, follows with four titles, while Germany holds three. The other former champions are Uruguay (who won the inaugural tournament) and Argentina with two titles each, and England and France with one title each.
The most recent World Cup Finals were held between June 9 and July 9, 2006 in Germany, where Italy was crowned champion after beating France in the final, winning the penalty shootout 5-3 after the match finished 1-1 after extra time. Germany placed third after beating Portugal 3-1. The next World Cup Finals will be held in 2010 in South Africa, and the 2014 Finals will be held in Brazil.
Since 1991, FIFA has also organized the FIFA Women's World Cup every four years.
Filippo "Pippo" Inzaghi
Filippo "Pippo" Inzaghi, Cavaliere Ufficiale OMRI[1][2] (born August 9, 1973, in Piacenza) is a World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Italian Serie A club AC Milan and for Italy. He is the all-time leading scorer in official UEFA competition with 63 goals.[3]
The older brother of fellow footballer Simone Inzaghi, "Pippo" got his start playing for hometown club Piacenza Calcio as a teenager in 1991, but made only two appearances before being loaned to Serie C1 side U.C. Albinoleffe, with whom he scored an impressive 13 goals in 21 matches. In 1993, Inzaghi moved to Serie B club Hellas Verona and scored 13 goals in 36 appearances. Upon his return to Piacenza, he netted 15 times in 37 games and proved himself as an exciting young prospect.
Inzaghi made his Serie A debut when he transferred to Parma F.C. in 1995, but scored only twice in 15 matches. He moved on to Atalanta B.C. the following season, finishing as the Capocannoniere (Serie A's top scorer) with 24 goals. However, he was soon on the move once again to his seventh team in seven seasons, this time to Juventus F.C. He formed a formidable attacking partnership along with Alessandro Del Piero and Zinedine Zidane, a tandem which would last for four seasons, marking Inzaghi's longest stint with one team at the time. Juventus won the Scudetto in the 1997-98 season, but lost 1-0 in the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
Despite a solid tally of 57 goals in 120 games for the Bianconeri, Inzaghi was soon benched in favor of David Trézéguet, and he moved to A.C. Milan for the 2001-02 campaign, but suffered a knee injury and missed the first half of the season. Upon his return, he was able to forge a strong goalscoring partnership with Andriy Shevchenko, and he soon racked up an impressive trophy count with the Rossoneri, among them the 2002-03 Champions League (in which Milan defeated his previous team, Juventus, in the final on penalties), along with the 2003 Coppa Italia and the 2003-04 Scudetto.
Inzaghi was finally able to fully recover from persisent knee injuries that had dogged him for two years, as he also regained his predatory goalscoring form by scoring 12 goals in 22 Serie A matches in 2005-06, along with four scores in five CL appearances. On May 23, 2007, in the 2007 Champions League final, he scored both of Milan's goals in their 2-1 defeat of Liverpool F.C. in a rematch of the 2005 final. He said after the match, "It's a dream since I was a child to score twice in the final, and the ones I scored yesterday evening were the most important in my life. It was an unforgettable game. It's something that will stay with me all my life and two goals in the final speaks for itself."
Inzaghi became the first player to score two Champions League hat tricks (both with Juventus) when he netted a treble during a 4-4 group stage draw with Hamburger SV on September 13, 2000; his first was in a 4-1 defeat of Dynamo Kiev during the 1997-98 quarterfinals.
He scored his 62nd career European goal, and 33rd overall for Milan, in a 3-0 CL group stage win over FC Shakhtar Donetsk on November 6, 2007. This achievement put him level with Bayern Munich legend Gerd Müller on UEFA's all-time scoring list. [1] Inzaghi surpassed Müller after netting his 63rd career goal during Milan's final group stage match against Celtic FC on December 4, 2007.[2]
Inzaghi earned his first cap for Italy against Brazil on June 8, 1997, and has since scored 25 goals in 57 appearances. He was called up for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Inzaghi was Italy's top goalscorer during the qualifying rounds of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, but missed the latter due to injury.
His persistent knee and ankle injuries put a halt to his international play for almost two years before his resurgence at the club level, which resulted in his being called up by Italy coach Marcello Lippi for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. Inzaghi made his only appearance in a group stage match against the Czech Republic on June 22, 2006, scoring his one goal in the tournament against Petr Cech in a one-on-one encounter.
He is currently the sixth-highest goalscorer in team history with 25 goals, which ties him with Adolfo Baloncieri and Alessandro Altobelli.
The older brother of fellow footballer Simone Inzaghi, "Pippo" got his start playing for hometown club Piacenza Calcio as a teenager in 1991, but made only two appearances before being loaned to Serie C1 side U.C. Albinoleffe, with whom he scored an impressive 13 goals in 21 matches. In 1993, Inzaghi moved to Serie B club Hellas Verona and scored 13 goals in 36 appearances. Upon his return to Piacenza, he netted 15 times in 37 games and proved himself as an exciting young prospect.
Inzaghi made his Serie A debut when he transferred to Parma F.C. in 1995, but scored only twice in 15 matches. He moved on to Atalanta B.C. the following season, finishing as the Capocannoniere (Serie A's top scorer) with 24 goals. However, he was soon on the move once again to his seventh team in seven seasons, this time to Juventus F.C. He formed a formidable attacking partnership along with Alessandro Del Piero and Zinedine Zidane, a tandem which would last for four seasons, marking Inzaghi's longest stint with one team at the time. Juventus won the Scudetto in the 1997-98 season, but lost 1-0 in the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
Despite a solid tally of 57 goals in 120 games for the Bianconeri, Inzaghi was soon benched in favor of David Trézéguet, and he moved to A.C. Milan for the 2001-02 campaign, but suffered a knee injury and missed the first half of the season. Upon his return, he was able to forge a strong goalscoring partnership with Andriy Shevchenko, and he soon racked up an impressive trophy count with the Rossoneri, among them the 2002-03 Champions League (in which Milan defeated his previous team, Juventus, in the final on penalties), along with the 2003 Coppa Italia and the 2003-04 Scudetto.
Inzaghi was finally able to fully recover from persisent knee injuries that had dogged him for two years, as he also regained his predatory goalscoring form by scoring 12 goals in 22 Serie A matches in 2005-06, along with four scores in five CL appearances. On May 23, 2007, in the 2007 Champions League final, he scored both of Milan's goals in their 2-1 defeat of Liverpool F.C. in a rematch of the 2005 final. He said after the match, "It's a dream since I was a child to score twice in the final, and the ones I scored yesterday evening were the most important in my life. It was an unforgettable game. It's something that will stay with me all my life and two goals in the final speaks for itself."
Inzaghi became the first player to score two Champions League hat tricks (both with Juventus) when he netted a treble during a 4-4 group stage draw with Hamburger SV on September 13, 2000; his first was in a 4-1 defeat of Dynamo Kiev during the 1997-98 quarterfinals.
He scored his 62nd career European goal, and 33rd overall for Milan, in a 3-0 CL group stage win over FC Shakhtar Donetsk on November 6, 2007. This achievement put him level with Bayern Munich legend Gerd Müller on UEFA's all-time scoring list. [1] Inzaghi surpassed Müller after netting his 63rd career goal during Milan's final group stage match against Celtic FC on December 4, 2007.[2]
Inzaghi earned his first cap for Italy against Brazil on June 8, 1997, and has since scored 25 goals in 57 appearances. He was called up for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Inzaghi was Italy's top goalscorer during the qualifying rounds of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, but missed the latter due to injury.
His persistent knee and ankle injuries put a halt to his international play for almost two years before his resurgence at the club level, which resulted in his being called up by Italy coach Marcello Lippi for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. Inzaghi made his only appearance in a group stage match against the Czech Republic on June 22, 2006, scoring his one goal in the tournament against Petr Cech in a one-on-one encounter.
He is currently the sixth-highest goalscorer in team history with 25 goals, which ties him with Adolfo Baloncieri and Alessandro Altobelli.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League (also known as the European Cup, UCL, CE1, C1[1] or CL) is a seasonal club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 1955 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is considered the most prestigious club trophy in the sport.
The UEFA Champions League is separate from the less prestigious UEFA Cup and the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.
The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in a group stage. Eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout rounds, which end with the final match in May.
The current holders of the UEFA Champions League trophy are AC Milan, who beat Liverpool FC 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece on 23 May 2007.
Moscow will host its first European Cup final for the 2007-08 season. 2005-06 Champions League semifinal between Arsenal and Barcelona.Main article: European Cup and Champions League historyThe tournament was inaugurated in 1955, at the suggestion of the French sports journalist and editor of L'Équipe Gabriel Hanot,[2] as a continental competition for winners of the European national football leagues, as the European Champion Clubs' Cup, abbreviated to European Cup.
The competition began in 1955/56 using a two-leg knockout format where the teams would play two matches, one at home and one away, and the team with the highest overall score qualifying for the next round of the competition. Entry was restricted to the teams that won their national league championships, plus the current European Cup holder. This qualification system continued until 1992. In the 1992–93 season, the tournament was renamed to UEFA Champions League and in 1997/98, eligibility was expanded to include not just domestic champions but also the best performing runners up according to UEFA's coefficient ranking list[3]. In UEFA's coefficient system, a team finishing second in the Spanish La Liga would be more deserving of an automatic place in the Champions League than a team finishing first in, for example, Polish Orange Ekstraklasa. As a result, the system was restructured to force "weaker" national champions to qualify for the group stages, while other, "stronger" national runners-up would automatically get places.
Between 1960 and 2004 the winner of the tournament qualified for the now defunct Intercontinental Cup (against the winner of the Copa Libertadores of South America). Since then, with FIFA taking over, the winner automatically qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup with other winners of continental club championships. The Champions League flag is shown on the centre of the pitch before every game in the competitionThe UEFA Champions league is open to the league champions of all UEFA member associations (except Liechtenstein, which has no league competition), as well as to the clubs finishing from second to fourth position in the strongest leagues. Since January 2007 the two lowest-ranked league competitions (currently the Andorra and San Marino leagues) can also represent their domestic champions in the Champions League.
The number of places in the competition depends on the association's rank in the UEFA coefficients table:
associations ranked 1 to 3 have four positions, associations ranked 4 to 6 have three positions, associations ranked 7 to 15 have two positions, associations ranked 16 or lower have one position. An association's rank also determines the stage at which the clubs enter the competition. For example, the three highest-ranked associations have two places in the group stage (for champions and runners-up) and two in the third qualifying round (for third and fourth-placed teams), whereas the lowest-ranked associations have only one place in the first qualifying round for their champions. Nine highest-ranked associations have at least one automatic place in the group stage.
An additional place in the group stage is reserved for the title-holders, in case they don't qualify via their domestic league. However, an association is limited to sending at most four clubs for a season. This means that if the title-holders come from a league given four positions, but finish out of the top four, it will take the place of the fourth placed team. The fourth placed team will go to the UEFA Cup.
In addition to sporting criteria, any club must be licensed by its national association to participate in the Champions league. To obtain a license, club must meet certain stadium, infrastructure and finance requirements.
There was controversy when Liverpool won the competition in 2004/2005, but finished outside the top four in the Premiership. The Football Association ruled that Everton F.C. (who finished fourth) would get the final spot. However, UEFA came to an agreement that both Merseyside rivals would be allowed to enter the competition with Liverpool starting from the first qualifying round and Everton starting from the third qualifying round. Liverpool became the first team to negotiate all three rounds of qualification and reach the Champions League group phase, a feat matched by Artmedia Bratislava of Slovakia in the same season.
FC Barcelona, Manchester United and FC Porto are the teams that have appeared most often in the group stages: thirteen each. However, each has won the Champions League only once since the group stage was established.
The UEFA Champions League trophy, nicknamed "the big-ears cup".The tournament consists of several stages and begins with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. Different teams start in different rounds, according to their position in domestic league and the UEFA coefficients of their league, while the sixteen top ranked teams spread across the biggest domestic leagues qualify directly.
In the subsequent preliminary round, participating teams are paired, with aggregate winners proceeding into the next round. Qualifying rounds span from mid-July to late August. The losers of the third qualifying round are transferred to the UEFA Cup, while the sixteen winners of the final qualifying round are joined by the sixteen teams who have qualified directly, to participate in the group stage.
Teams are drawn into eight groups of four teams, each team playing every other team in the group twice (home and away). The group stage is played between mid-September and early December. The teams finishing third in their groups are transferred to the UEFA Cup, while the top two teams from every group qualify for the next round. Here the sixteen remaining teams take part in the knock-out stage, which starts in late February and ends with the final match in May.
All qualifying rounds and knock-out ties are two-legged, with each team hosting one match. The team which scores the greater aggregate number of goals qualifies for the next round. The away goals rule applies. Extra time and penalty kicks are used to determine the winner, if necessary. An exception is the final, which is a single match played at a predetermined venue.
The draws are currently structured to ensure that clubs representing the same national association cannot play each other until the quarter-finals. This rule however was lifted for Liverpool's entry in 2006, as England had 5 representatives in the competition. As a result Liverpool were drawn against Chelsea in the group stages. In addition, seeding of the teams according to their UEFA coefficients is used. The competition system has been undergoing changes since the 1991-92 season (see history). The current system was adopted in 2003.
The Champions League final is the most important match of the season in European club football. The stadium to host the final is selected by UEFA two years before the match.
The UEFA Champions League is separate from the less prestigious UEFA Cup and the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.
The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in a group stage. Eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout rounds, which end with the final match in May.
The current holders of the UEFA Champions League trophy are AC Milan, who beat Liverpool FC 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece on 23 May 2007.
Moscow will host its first European Cup final for the 2007-08 season. 2005-06 Champions League semifinal between Arsenal and Barcelona.Main article: European Cup and Champions League historyThe tournament was inaugurated in 1955, at the suggestion of the French sports journalist and editor of L'Équipe Gabriel Hanot,[2] as a continental competition for winners of the European national football leagues, as the European Champion Clubs' Cup, abbreviated to European Cup.
The competition began in 1955/56 using a two-leg knockout format where the teams would play two matches, one at home and one away, and the team with the highest overall score qualifying for the next round of the competition. Entry was restricted to the teams that won their national league championships, plus the current European Cup holder. This qualification system continued until 1992. In the 1992–93 season, the tournament was renamed to UEFA Champions League and in 1997/98, eligibility was expanded to include not just domestic champions but also the best performing runners up according to UEFA's coefficient ranking list[3]. In UEFA's coefficient system, a team finishing second in the Spanish La Liga would be more deserving of an automatic place in the Champions League than a team finishing first in, for example, Polish Orange Ekstraklasa. As a result, the system was restructured to force "weaker" national champions to qualify for the group stages, while other, "stronger" national runners-up would automatically get places.
Between 1960 and 2004 the winner of the tournament qualified for the now defunct Intercontinental Cup (against the winner of the Copa Libertadores of South America). Since then, with FIFA taking over, the winner automatically qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup with other winners of continental club championships. The Champions League flag is shown on the centre of the pitch before every game in the competitionThe UEFA Champions league is open to the league champions of all UEFA member associations (except Liechtenstein, which has no league competition), as well as to the clubs finishing from second to fourth position in the strongest leagues. Since January 2007 the two lowest-ranked league competitions (currently the Andorra and San Marino leagues) can also represent their domestic champions in the Champions League.
The number of places in the competition depends on the association's rank in the UEFA coefficients table:
associations ranked 1 to 3 have four positions, associations ranked 4 to 6 have three positions, associations ranked 7 to 15 have two positions, associations ranked 16 or lower have one position. An association's rank also determines the stage at which the clubs enter the competition. For example, the three highest-ranked associations have two places in the group stage (for champions and runners-up) and two in the third qualifying round (for third and fourth-placed teams), whereas the lowest-ranked associations have only one place in the first qualifying round for their champions. Nine highest-ranked associations have at least one automatic place in the group stage.
An additional place in the group stage is reserved for the title-holders, in case they don't qualify via their domestic league. However, an association is limited to sending at most four clubs for a season. This means that if the title-holders come from a league given four positions, but finish out of the top four, it will take the place of the fourth placed team. The fourth placed team will go to the UEFA Cup.
In addition to sporting criteria, any club must be licensed by its national association to participate in the Champions league. To obtain a license, club must meet certain stadium, infrastructure and finance requirements.
There was controversy when Liverpool won the competition in 2004/2005, but finished outside the top four in the Premiership. The Football Association ruled that Everton F.C. (who finished fourth) would get the final spot. However, UEFA came to an agreement that both Merseyside rivals would be allowed to enter the competition with Liverpool starting from the first qualifying round and Everton starting from the third qualifying round. Liverpool became the first team to negotiate all three rounds of qualification and reach the Champions League group phase, a feat matched by Artmedia Bratislava of Slovakia in the same season.
FC Barcelona, Manchester United and FC Porto are the teams that have appeared most often in the group stages: thirteen each. However, each has won the Champions League only once since the group stage was established.
The UEFA Champions League trophy, nicknamed "the big-ears cup".The tournament consists of several stages and begins with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. Different teams start in different rounds, according to their position in domestic league and the UEFA coefficients of their league, while the sixteen top ranked teams spread across the biggest domestic leagues qualify directly.
In the subsequent preliminary round, participating teams are paired, with aggregate winners proceeding into the next round. Qualifying rounds span from mid-July to late August. The losers of the third qualifying round are transferred to the UEFA Cup, while the sixteen winners of the final qualifying round are joined by the sixteen teams who have qualified directly, to participate in the group stage.
Teams are drawn into eight groups of four teams, each team playing every other team in the group twice (home and away). The group stage is played between mid-September and early December. The teams finishing third in their groups are transferred to the UEFA Cup, while the top two teams from every group qualify for the next round. Here the sixteen remaining teams take part in the knock-out stage, which starts in late February and ends with the final match in May.
All qualifying rounds and knock-out ties are two-legged, with each team hosting one match. The team which scores the greater aggregate number of goals qualifies for the next round. The away goals rule applies. Extra time and penalty kicks are used to determine the winner, if necessary. An exception is the final, which is a single match played at a predetermined venue.
The draws are currently structured to ensure that clubs representing the same national association cannot play each other until the quarter-finals. This rule however was lifted for Liverpool's entry in 2006, as England had 5 representatives in the competition. As a result Liverpool were drawn against Chelsea in the group stages. In addition, seeding of the teams according to their UEFA coefficients is used. The competition system has been undergoing changes since the 1991-92 season (see history). The current system was adopted in 2003.
The Champions League final is the most important match of the season in European club football. The stadium to host the final is selected by UEFA two years before the match.
Historic goal for Inzaghi
MILAN, December 4 (Champions League) - AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi made history with his 63rd goal in UEFA club competitions - but could not stop Celtic joining the Rossoneri in the Champions League second round, courtesy of Benfica's 2-1 win at Shakhtar Donetsk.
Inzaghi broke the deadlock 21 minutes from the end after knocking in Cafu's cross from close range to break the record held by German great Gerd Muller as the top scorer in UEFA competitions.
And although Celtic failed in their bid to get the point they needed - Shakhtar's defeat enabled the Hoops to finish second behind defending champions Milan in Group D.
Gordon Strachan sprung a surprise by dropping Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink from his starting line-up.
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti rested several of his regular players, including Brazilian goalkeeper Dida, with Zeljko Kalac taking his place in goal.
Dida had controversially faked injury at the end of the first game between the sides in Glasgow and was subsequently banned by UEFA - and Ancelotti's decision tonight kept him out of the spotlight.
Celtic looked nervous and jittery in the opening stages and made unforced errors but Milan failed to punish them.
Artur Boruc did well to anticipate Inzaghi who was ready to fire Milan's first goal of the evening early on.
In the 15th minute, Stephen McManus gave away a dangerous free-kick after bringing down Inzaghi just outside the area but Milan wasted a good chance with Clarence Seedorf's effort going straight into the wall.
Celtic were happy to sit back and hit Milan in the counter-attack but lacked the incisive cutting edge to break the Rossoneri defence.
In the 25th minute, Kaka fired wide of the near post and soon after Giuseppe Favalli served Inzaghi inside the area - but his first touch went straight into Boruc's hands.
Ancelotti was forced to make his first substitution on the half-hour mark with Kakha Kaladze replacing the injured Dario Simic.
Jiri Jarosik was the first to test Kalac with his right-footed effort from a central position proving an easy catch for the keeper.
Milan almost broke the deadlock shortly before half-time with Favalli's ball finding Seedorf inside the area - but the Dutchman's powerful strike went high over the crossbar.
Milan picked up where they left off after the restart and Pirlo's curled free-kick fizzed wide of the far post.
Seconds later, Inzaghi's angled effort from inside the box went wide as Milan got closer.
At the other end, Scott McDonald failed to find the finishing touch from Scott Brown's cross from the right.
In the 55th minute Brown missed a golden chance to put Celtic in front when he shot wide after collecting McManus' long ball.
Milan returned the favour shortly after, with Favalli's cross from the left finding an unmarked Inzaghi - but his header went straight to the keeper's hands.
Just past the hour mark, Kaka's left-footed strike went over, and soon after Strachan made his first substitution, with Vennegoor of Hesselink replacing McDonald.
But it failed to spark Celtic as Milan took the lead shortly after.
Kaka's pass served Cafu inside the area, and he squared for Inzaghi to fire past Boruc.
Stunned, Celtic attempted to find the equaliser - but it was Milan who had the upper hand.
Kaka's 25-yard strike forced Boruc to fully stretch to clear.
Strachan made his second substitution with 13 minutes remaining with Maciej Zurawski taking Jarosik's place.
Milan should have doubled their lead 13 minutes from time, but Boruc made spectacular saves to deny Christian Brocchi and Inzaghi.
Shortly after, Brown warmed the hands of Kalac with a stinging drive which the keeper palmed away for a corner.
Celtic should have equalised with two minutes remaining but Vennegoor of Hesselink's header from Brown's cross from the left was off target.
At the death, substitute Evander Sno had to make a goalline clearance from Kaka's strike - and soon after the final whistle meant both sets of players and fans were celebrating qualification.
Inzaghi broke the deadlock 21 minutes from the end after knocking in Cafu's cross from close range to break the record held by German great Gerd Muller as the top scorer in UEFA competitions.
And although Celtic failed in their bid to get the point they needed - Shakhtar's defeat enabled the Hoops to finish second behind defending champions Milan in Group D.
Gordon Strachan sprung a surprise by dropping Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink from his starting line-up.
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti rested several of his regular players, including Brazilian goalkeeper Dida, with Zeljko Kalac taking his place in goal.
Dida had controversially faked injury at the end of the first game between the sides in Glasgow and was subsequently banned by UEFA - and Ancelotti's decision tonight kept him out of the spotlight.
Celtic looked nervous and jittery in the opening stages and made unforced errors but Milan failed to punish them.
Artur Boruc did well to anticipate Inzaghi who was ready to fire Milan's first goal of the evening early on.
In the 15th minute, Stephen McManus gave away a dangerous free-kick after bringing down Inzaghi just outside the area but Milan wasted a good chance with Clarence Seedorf's effort going straight into the wall.
Celtic were happy to sit back and hit Milan in the counter-attack but lacked the incisive cutting edge to break the Rossoneri defence.
In the 25th minute, Kaka fired wide of the near post and soon after Giuseppe Favalli served Inzaghi inside the area - but his first touch went straight into Boruc's hands.
Ancelotti was forced to make his first substitution on the half-hour mark with Kakha Kaladze replacing the injured Dario Simic.
Jiri Jarosik was the first to test Kalac with his right-footed effort from a central position proving an easy catch for the keeper.
Milan almost broke the deadlock shortly before half-time with Favalli's ball finding Seedorf inside the area - but the Dutchman's powerful strike went high over the crossbar.
Milan picked up where they left off after the restart and Pirlo's curled free-kick fizzed wide of the far post.
Seconds later, Inzaghi's angled effort from inside the box went wide as Milan got closer.
At the other end, Scott McDonald failed to find the finishing touch from Scott Brown's cross from the right.
In the 55th minute Brown missed a golden chance to put Celtic in front when he shot wide after collecting McManus' long ball.
Milan returned the favour shortly after, with Favalli's cross from the left finding an unmarked Inzaghi - but his header went straight to the keeper's hands.
Just past the hour mark, Kaka's left-footed strike went over, and soon after Strachan made his first substitution, with Vennegoor of Hesselink replacing McDonald.
But it failed to spark Celtic as Milan took the lead shortly after.
Kaka's pass served Cafu inside the area, and he squared for Inzaghi to fire past Boruc.
Stunned, Celtic attempted to find the equaliser - but it was Milan who had the upper hand.
Kaka's 25-yard strike forced Boruc to fully stretch to clear.
Strachan made his second substitution with 13 minutes remaining with Maciej Zurawski taking Jarosik's place.
Milan should have doubled their lead 13 minutes from time, but Boruc made spectacular saves to deny Christian Brocchi and Inzaghi.
Shortly after, Brown warmed the hands of Kalac with a stinging drive which the keeper palmed away for a corner.
Celtic should have equalised with two minutes remaining but Vennegoor of Hesselink's header from Brown's cross from the left was off target.
At the death, substitute Evander Sno had to make a goalline clearance from Kaka's strike - and soon after the final whistle meant both sets of players and fans were celebrating qualification.
Cricket World Cup
The Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years. According to the ICC, it is the most important tournament and the pinnacle of achievement in the sport.[1][2] The first Cricket World Cup contest was organised in England in 1975. A separate Women's Cricket World Cup has been held every four years since 1973.
The finals of the Cricket World Cup are contested by all ten Test-playing and ODI-playing nations, together with other nations that qualify through the World Cup Qualifier. Australia has been the most successful of the five teams to have won the tournament, taking four titles. The West Indies have won twice, while India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have each won once.
The 2007 Cricket World Cup finals were held between 13 March and 28 April 2007, in the West Indies. The 2007 tournament had sixteen teams competing in a pool stage (played in round-robin format), then a "super 8" stage, followed by semi-finals and a final. Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the final to retain the championship.
Main article: History of the Cricket World Cup
[edit] Before the first Cricket World CupThe first ever international cricket match was played between Canada and the United States, on the 24th and 25th of September 1844. However, the first credited Test match was played in 1877 between Australia and England, and the two teams competed regularly for The Ashes in subsequent years. South Africa was admitted to Test status in 1889.[3] Representative cricket teams were selected to tour each other, resulting in bilateral competition. Cricket was also included as an Olympic sport at the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain defeated France to win the gold medal.[4] This was the only appearance of cricket at the Summer Olympics.
The first multilateral competition at international level was the 1912 Triangular Tournament, a Test cricket tournament played in England between all three Test-playing nations at the time: England, Australia and South Africa. The event was not a success: the summer was exceptionally wet, making play difficult on damp uncovered pitches, and attendances were poor, attributed to a "surfeit of cricket".[5] In subsequent years, international Test cricket has been generally been organised as bilateral series: a multilateral Test tournament was not organised again until the quadrangular Asian Test Championship in 1999.
The number of nations playing Test cricket increased gradually over the years, with the addition of West Indies in 1928, New Zealand in 1930, India in 1932, and Pakistan in 1952, but international cricket continued to be played as bilateral Test matches over three, four or five days.
In the early 1960s, English county cricket teams began playing a shortened version of cricket which only lasted for one day. Starting in 1962 with a four-team knockout competition known as the Midlands Knock-Out Cup,[6] and continuing with the inaugural Gillette Cup in 1963, one-day cricket grew in popularity in England. A national Sunday League was formed in 1969. The first One-Day International event was played on the fifth day of a rain-aborted Test match between England and Australia at Melbourne in 1971, to fill the time available and as compensation for the frustrated crowd. It was a forty over match with eight balls per over.[7]
The success and popularity of the domestic one-day competitions in England and other parts of the world, as well as the early One-Day Internationals, prompted the ICC to consider organising a Cricket World Cup.[8]
The Prudential Cup trophyThe inaugural Cricket World Cup was hosted in 1975 by England, the only nation able to put forward the resources to stage an event of such magnitude at that time.[9] The first three events were held in England and officially known as the Prudential Cup after the sponsors Prudential plc. The matches consisted of 60 six-ball overs per team, played during the daytime in traditional form, with the players wearing cricket whites and using red cricket balls.[10]
Eight teams participated in the first tournament: Australia, England, the West Indies, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan (the six Test nations at the time), together with Sri Lanka and a composite team from East Africa.[11] One notable omission was South Africa, who were banned from international cricket due to apartheid. The tournament was won by the West Indies, who defeated Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lord's.[11]
The 1979 World Cup saw the introduction of the ICC Trophy competition to select non-Test playing teams for the World Cup,[12] with Sri Lanka and Canada qualifying.[13] West Indies won a second consecutive World Cup tournament, defeating the hosts, England, by 92 runs in the final. At a meeting which followed the World Cup, the International Cricket Conference agreed to make the competition a quadrennial event.[13]
The 1983 event was hosted by England for a third consecutive time. By this time, Sri Lanka had become a Test-playing nation, and Zimbabwe qualified through the ICC Trophy. A fielding circle was introduced, 30 yards away from the stumps. Four fieldsmen needed to be inside it at all times.[14] India, an outsider quoted at 66-1 to win by bookmakers before the competition began, were crowned champions after upsetting the West Indies by 43 runs in the final.[8][15]
The 1987 tournament was held in India and Pakistan, the first time that the competition was held outside England. The games were reduced from 60 to 50 overs per innings, the current standard, because of the shorter daylight hours in the Indian subcontinent compared with England's summer.[16] Australia won the championship by defeating England by 7 runs in the final, the closest margin in World Cup final history.[17][18]
The 1992 World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, introduced many changes to the game, such as coloured clothing, white balls, day/night matches, and an alteration to the fielding restrictions. The South African cricket team participated in the event for the first time, following the fall of the apartheid regime and the end of the international sports boycott.[19] Pakistan overcame a dismal start to emerge as winners, defeating England by 22 runs in the final.[20]
The 1996 championship was held in the Indian subcontinent for a second time, with the inclusion of Sri Lanka as host for some of its group stage matches.[21] In the semi-final, Sri Lanka, heading towards a crushing victory over India at Eden Gardens (Calcutta) after their hosts lost eight wickets while scoring 120 runs in pursuit of 254, were awarded victory by default after riots broke out in protest against the Indian performance.[22] Sri Lanka went on to win their maiden championship by defeating Australia by seven wickets in the final, which was held in Lahore.[23]
In 1999 the event was hosted by England, with some matches also being held in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Netherlands.[24][25] Australia qualified for the semi-finals after reaching their target in their Super 6 match against South Africa off the final over of the match. [26] They then proceeded to the final after a tie in the semi-final (also against South Africa) where a mix-up between South African batsmen Lance Klusener and Allan Donald saw Donald drop his bat and stranded mid-pitch to be run out. In the final, Australia dismissed Pakistan for 132 and then reached the target in less than 20 overs, with eight wickets in hand.[27]
A large crowd of over 10,000 fans welcome the Australian team on completing the first World Cup hat-trick - Martin Place, Sydney.South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya hosted the 2003 World Cup. The number of teams participating in the event increased from twelve to fourteen. Kenya's victories over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, among others — and a forfeit by the New Zealand team, which refused to play in Kenya because of security concerns — enabled Kenya to reach the semi-finals, the best result by an associate. In the final, Australia made 359 runs for the loss of two wickets, the largest ever total in a final, defeating India by 125 runs.[28][29]
In 2007 the tournament was hosted by the West Indies; the Cricket World Cup became the first such tournament to be hosted on all six populated continents.[30] Ireland making their World Cup debut tied with Zimbabwe and defeated Pakistan to progress to the second round, where they went on to defeating Bangladesh to get promoted to the main ODI table.[31] Following their defeat to Ireland, the Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room; it was later found out that he died of heart failure.[32] Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the final by 53 runs (D/L), in farcical light conditions, extending their undefeated run in the World Cup to 29 matches and winning three straight World Cups.[33]
[edit] QualificationMain article: Cricket World Cup qualificationThe Test-playing nations and ODI-playing nations qualify automatically for the World Cup finals, while the other teams have to qualify through a series of preliminary qualifying tournaments.
Qualifying tournaments were introduced for the second World Cup, where two of the eight places in the finals were awarded to the leading teams in the ICC Trophy.[12] The number of teams selected through the ICC Trophy has varied throughout the years; currently, six teams are selected for the Cricket World Cup. The World Cricket League (administered by the International Cricket Council) is the qualification system provided to allow the Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC more opportunities to qualify. In 2009, the name "ICC Trophy" will be changed to "ICC World Cup Qualifier".[34]
Under the current qualifying process, the World Cricket League, all 91 Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC are able to qualify for the World Cup. Associate and Affiliate members must play between two and five stages in the ICC World Cricket League to qualify for the World Cup finals, depending on the Division in which they start the qualifying process.
Process summary in chronological order:
Regional tournaments: Top teams from each regional tournaments will be promoted to a division depending on the teams' rankings according to the ICC and each division's empty spots. Division One: 6 Teams — All qualify for the World Cup Qualifier. Division Three: 8 Teams — Top 2 promoted to Division Two. Division Two: 6 Teams — Top 4 qualify for the World Cup Qualifier. Division Five: 8 Teams — Top 2 promoted to Division Four. Division Four: 5 Teams — Top 2 promoted to Division Three. Division Three (second edition): 6 Teams — Top 2 qualify for the World Cup Qualifier. World Cup Qualifier: 12 Teams — Top 6 are awarded ODI status and qualify for the World Cup.
The captains of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.The format of the Cricket World Cup has changed greatly over the course of its history. Each of the first four tournaments was played by eight teams, divided into two groups of four.[35] There, competition comprised two stages, a group stage and a knock-out stage. The four teams in each group played each other in the round-robin group stage, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals played against each other in the final. With the return of South Africa in 1992 after the ending of the apartheid boycott, nine teams played each other once in the group phase, and the top four teams progressed to the semi-finals.[36] The tournament was further expanded in 1996, with two groups of six teams.[37] The top four teams from each group progressed to quarter-finals and semi-finals.
A new format was used for the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. The teams were split into two pools, with the top three teams in each pool advancing to the Super 6.[38] The "Super 6" teams played the three other teams that advanced from the other group. As they advanced, the teams carried their points forward from previous matches against other teams advancing alongside them, giving them an incentive to perform well in the group stages.[38] The top four teams from the "Super 6" stage progressed to the semi-finals, with winners playing in the final.
The current format, used in the 2007 World Cup, features 16 teams allocated into four groups of four.[39] Within each group, the teams play each other in a round-robin format. Teams earn points for wins and half-points for ties. The top two teams from each group move forward to the Super 8 round. The "Super 8" teams play the other six teams that progressed from the different groups. Teams earned points in the same way as the group stage, but carrying their points forward from previous matches against the other teams who qualified from the same group to the "Super 8" stage.[40] The top four teams from the "Super 8" round advance to the semi-finals, and the winners of the semi-finals play in the final.
The Cricket World Cup trophy which is kept by the ICC.Main article: Cricket World Cup TrophyThe ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy is presented to the winners of the World Cup finals. The current trophy was created for the 1999 championships, and was the first permanent prize in the tournament's history; prior to this, different trophies were made for each World Cup.[41] The trophy was designed and produced in London by a team of craftsmen from Garrard & Co over a period of two months.
The current trophy is made from silver and gild, and features a golden globe held up by three silver columns. The columns, shaped as stumps and bails, represent the three fundamental aspects of cricket: batting, bowling and fielding, while the globe characterises a cricket ball.[42] The trophy is designed with platonic dimensions, so that it can be easily recognised from any angle. It stands 60 cm high and weighs approximately 11 kilograms. The names of the previous winners are engraved on the base of the trophy, with space for a total of twenty inscriptions.
The original trophy is kept by the ICC. A replica, which differs only in the inscriptions, is permanently awarded to the winning team.
The finals of the Cricket World Cup are contested by all ten Test-playing and ODI-playing nations, together with other nations that qualify through the World Cup Qualifier. Australia has been the most successful of the five teams to have won the tournament, taking four titles. The West Indies have won twice, while India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have each won once.
The 2007 Cricket World Cup finals were held between 13 March and 28 April 2007, in the West Indies. The 2007 tournament had sixteen teams competing in a pool stage (played in round-robin format), then a "super 8" stage, followed by semi-finals and a final. Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the final to retain the championship.
Main article: History of the Cricket World Cup
[edit] Before the first Cricket World CupThe first ever international cricket match was played between Canada and the United States, on the 24th and 25th of September 1844. However, the first credited Test match was played in 1877 between Australia and England, and the two teams competed regularly for The Ashes in subsequent years. South Africa was admitted to Test status in 1889.[3] Representative cricket teams were selected to tour each other, resulting in bilateral competition. Cricket was also included as an Olympic sport at the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain defeated France to win the gold medal.[4] This was the only appearance of cricket at the Summer Olympics.
The first multilateral competition at international level was the 1912 Triangular Tournament, a Test cricket tournament played in England between all three Test-playing nations at the time: England, Australia and South Africa. The event was not a success: the summer was exceptionally wet, making play difficult on damp uncovered pitches, and attendances were poor, attributed to a "surfeit of cricket".[5] In subsequent years, international Test cricket has been generally been organised as bilateral series: a multilateral Test tournament was not organised again until the quadrangular Asian Test Championship in 1999.
The number of nations playing Test cricket increased gradually over the years, with the addition of West Indies in 1928, New Zealand in 1930, India in 1932, and Pakistan in 1952, but international cricket continued to be played as bilateral Test matches over three, four or five days.
In the early 1960s, English county cricket teams began playing a shortened version of cricket which only lasted for one day. Starting in 1962 with a four-team knockout competition known as the Midlands Knock-Out Cup,[6] and continuing with the inaugural Gillette Cup in 1963, one-day cricket grew in popularity in England. A national Sunday League was formed in 1969. The first One-Day International event was played on the fifth day of a rain-aborted Test match between England and Australia at Melbourne in 1971, to fill the time available and as compensation for the frustrated crowd. It was a forty over match with eight balls per over.[7]
The success and popularity of the domestic one-day competitions in England and other parts of the world, as well as the early One-Day Internationals, prompted the ICC to consider organising a Cricket World Cup.[8]
The Prudential Cup trophyThe inaugural Cricket World Cup was hosted in 1975 by England, the only nation able to put forward the resources to stage an event of such magnitude at that time.[9] The first three events were held in England and officially known as the Prudential Cup after the sponsors Prudential plc. The matches consisted of 60 six-ball overs per team, played during the daytime in traditional form, with the players wearing cricket whites and using red cricket balls.[10]
Eight teams participated in the first tournament: Australia, England, the West Indies, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan (the six Test nations at the time), together with Sri Lanka and a composite team from East Africa.[11] One notable omission was South Africa, who were banned from international cricket due to apartheid. The tournament was won by the West Indies, who defeated Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lord's.[11]
The 1979 World Cup saw the introduction of the ICC Trophy competition to select non-Test playing teams for the World Cup,[12] with Sri Lanka and Canada qualifying.[13] West Indies won a second consecutive World Cup tournament, defeating the hosts, England, by 92 runs in the final. At a meeting which followed the World Cup, the International Cricket Conference agreed to make the competition a quadrennial event.[13]
The 1983 event was hosted by England for a third consecutive time. By this time, Sri Lanka had become a Test-playing nation, and Zimbabwe qualified through the ICC Trophy. A fielding circle was introduced, 30 yards away from the stumps. Four fieldsmen needed to be inside it at all times.[14] India, an outsider quoted at 66-1 to win by bookmakers before the competition began, were crowned champions after upsetting the West Indies by 43 runs in the final.[8][15]
The 1987 tournament was held in India and Pakistan, the first time that the competition was held outside England. The games were reduced from 60 to 50 overs per innings, the current standard, because of the shorter daylight hours in the Indian subcontinent compared with England's summer.[16] Australia won the championship by defeating England by 7 runs in the final, the closest margin in World Cup final history.[17][18]
The 1992 World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, introduced many changes to the game, such as coloured clothing, white balls, day/night matches, and an alteration to the fielding restrictions. The South African cricket team participated in the event for the first time, following the fall of the apartheid regime and the end of the international sports boycott.[19] Pakistan overcame a dismal start to emerge as winners, defeating England by 22 runs in the final.[20]
The 1996 championship was held in the Indian subcontinent for a second time, with the inclusion of Sri Lanka as host for some of its group stage matches.[21] In the semi-final, Sri Lanka, heading towards a crushing victory over India at Eden Gardens (Calcutta) after their hosts lost eight wickets while scoring 120 runs in pursuit of 254, were awarded victory by default after riots broke out in protest against the Indian performance.[22] Sri Lanka went on to win their maiden championship by defeating Australia by seven wickets in the final, which was held in Lahore.[23]
In 1999 the event was hosted by England, with some matches also being held in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Netherlands.[24][25] Australia qualified for the semi-finals after reaching their target in their Super 6 match against South Africa off the final over of the match. [26] They then proceeded to the final after a tie in the semi-final (also against South Africa) where a mix-up between South African batsmen Lance Klusener and Allan Donald saw Donald drop his bat and stranded mid-pitch to be run out. In the final, Australia dismissed Pakistan for 132 and then reached the target in less than 20 overs, with eight wickets in hand.[27]
A large crowd of over 10,000 fans welcome the Australian team on completing the first World Cup hat-trick - Martin Place, Sydney.South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya hosted the 2003 World Cup. The number of teams participating in the event increased from twelve to fourteen. Kenya's victories over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, among others — and a forfeit by the New Zealand team, which refused to play in Kenya because of security concerns — enabled Kenya to reach the semi-finals, the best result by an associate. In the final, Australia made 359 runs for the loss of two wickets, the largest ever total in a final, defeating India by 125 runs.[28][29]
In 2007 the tournament was hosted by the West Indies; the Cricket World Cup became the first such tournament to be hosted on all six populated continents.[30] Ireland making their World Cup debut tied with Zimbabwe and defeated Pakistan to progress to the second round, where they went on to defeating Bangladesh to get promoted to the main ODI table.[31] Following their defeat to Ireland, the Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room; it was later found out that he died of heart failure.[32] Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the final by 53 runs (D/L), in farcical light conditions, extending their undefeated run in the World Cup to 29 matches and winning three straight World Cups.[33]
[edit] QualificationMain article: Cricket World Cup qualificationThe Test-playing nations and ODI-playing nations qualify automatically for the World Cup finals, while the other teams have to qualify through a series of preliminary qualifying tournaments.
Qualifying tournaments were introduced for the second World Cup, where two of the eight places in the finals were awarded to the leading teams in the ICC Trophy.[12] The number of teams selected through the ICC Trophy has varied throughout the years; currently, six teams are selected for the Cricket World Cup. The World Cricket League (administered by the International Cricket Council) is the qualification system provided to allow the Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC more opportunities to qualify. In 2009, the name "ICC Trophy" will be changed to "ICC World Cup Qualifier".[34]
Under the current qualifying process, the World Cricket League, all 91 Associate and Affiliate members of the ICC are able to qualify for the World Cup. Associate and Affiliate members must play between two and five stages in the ICC World Cricket League to qualify for the World Cup finals, depending on the Division in which they start the qualifying process.
Process summary in chronological order:
Regional tournaments: Top teams from each regional tournaments will be promoted to a division depending on the teams' rankings according to the ICC and each division's empty spots. Division One: 6 Teams — All qualify for the World Cup Qualifier. Division Three: 8 Teams — Top 2 promoted to Division Two. Division Two: 6 Teams — Top 4 qualify for the World Cup Qualifier. Division Five: 8 Teams — Top 2 promoted to Division Four. Division Four: 5 Teams — Top 2 promoted to Division Three. Division Three (second edition): 6 Teams — Top 2 qualify for the World Cup Qualifier. World Cup Qualifier: 12 Teams — Top 6 are awarded ODI status and qualify for the World Cup.
The captains of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.The format of the Cricket World Cup has changed greatly over the course of its history. Each of the first four tournaments was played by eight teams, divided into two groups of four.[35] There, competition comprised two stages, a group stage and a knock-out stage. The four teams in each group played each other in the round-robin group stage, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals played against each other in the final. With the return of South Africa in 1992 after the ending of the apartheid boycott, nine teams played each other once in the group phase, and the top four teams progressed to the semi-finals.[36] The tournament was further expanded in 1996, with two groups of six teams.[37] The top four teams from each group progressed to quarter-finals and semi-finals.
A new format was used for the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. The teams were split into two pools, with the top three teams in each pool advancing to the Super 6.[38] The "Super 6" teams played the three other teams that advanced from the other group. As they advanced, the teams carried their points forward from previous matches against other teams advancing alongside them, giving them an incentive to perform well in the group stages.[38] The top four teams from the "Super 6" stage progressed to the semi-finals, with winners playing in the final.
The current format, used in the 2007 World Cup, features 16 teams allocated into four groups of four.[39] Within each group, the teams play each other in a round-robin format. Teams earn points for wins and half-points for ties. The top two teams from each group move forward to the Super 8 round. The "Super 8" teams play the other six teams that progressed from the different groups. Teams earned points in the same way as the group stage, but carrying their points forward from previous matches against the other teams who qualified from the same group to the "Super 8" stage.[40] The top four teams from the "Super 8" round advance to the semi-finals, and the winners of the semi-finals play in the final.
The Cricket World Cup trophy which is kept by the ICC.Main article: Cricket World Cup TrophyThe ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy is presented to the winners of the World Cup finals. The current trophy was created for the 1999 championships, and was the first permanent prize in the tournament's history; prior to this, different trophies were made for each World Cup.[41] The trophy was designed and produced in London by a team of craftsmen from Garrard & Co over a period of two months.
The current trophy is made from silver and gild, and features a golden globe held up by three silver columns. The columns, shaped as stumps and bails, represent the three fundamental aspects of cricket: batting, bowling and fielding, while the globe characterises a cricket ball.[42] The trophy is designed with platonic dimensions, so that it can be easily recognised from any angle. It stands 60 cm high and weighs approximately 11 kilograms. The names of the previous winners are engraved on the base of the trophy, with space for a total of twenty inscriptions.
The original trophy is kept by the ICC. A replica, which differs only in the inscriptions, is permanently awarded to the winning team.
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar pronunciation (born 24 April 1973) is a peerless record-breaking current Indian cricketer who was rated by Wisden in 2002 as the second greatest Test Cricket and ODI batsman of all time[1] after the legendary Sir Don Bradman and Sir Viv Richards respectively. In 2003 the list was revised and Viv Richards was re-ranked at number 2 behind Sachin Tendulkar making Tendulkar the greatest ODI batsman of all time. Sir Donald Bradman as quoted in his biography "He was most taken in by Tendulkar's technique, compactness and his shot production and had asked his wife to have a look at the Indian as he felt that Tendulkar played like he had. Jessie agreed that they appeared similar. " He holds important batting records such as the leading Test century scorer, leading ODI century and half-century scorer, one of only three batsmen to surpass 11,000 runs in test cricket as well as being the first Indian to do so,[2] and the most career ODI runs and most overall career run tally.
Tendulkar, affectionately called 'The Little Master', or 'The Master Blaster'[3][4] made his international debut in 1989 and is an all-time crowd-favorite. He is the only Indian cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour for his performance in 1997-1998. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsman the game has ever seen.[5][6][7]
[edit] Personal lifeTendulkar was born in a Saraswat Brahmin family in Bombay, now known as Mumbai. His father Ramesh, a Marathi novelist, named him after his favourite music director Sachin Dev Burman. He was encouraged to play cricket by his elder brother Ajit. He has 2 more siblings - brother Nitin and sister Savitai. Nitin's son Rohan, born in 1990, is also a cricketer, representing Mumbai in junior cricket tournaments.
In 1995, Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali (born 13 February 1971), the paediatrician daughter of Gujarati industrialist Anand Mehta. They have two children, Sara (born 12 October 1997) and Arjun (born 23 September 1999).[8]
Tendulkar sponsors 200 under-privileged children every year through Apnalaya, a Mumbai-based NGO associated with his mother-in-law, Annaben Mehta. He is reluctant to speak about this or other charitable activities, choosing to preserve the sanctity of his personal life despite media interest in him.
[edit] Career
[edit] Early days of cricketHe attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir high School where he began his cricketing career under the guidance of his coach and mentor Ramakant Achrekar. During his early days as a schoolboy cricketer he went to the MRF pace academy to train as a pace bowler but was sent back home. The man who turned him back was legendary fast bowler Dennis Lilee who told the young Tendulkar, 'Just focus on your batting'. This simple comment would result in the birth of one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
When Sachin was young, he would practice for hours on the ground with his coach. He would often get bored of practising. So his coach used to put a one-Rupee-coin on the top of the stumps. the bowler who dismissed Sachin would get the coin. If Sachin passed the whole session without getting dismissed, the coach would give him the coin. Sachin says even today that those 13 coins are his most prized possessions.
While at school, he was involved in unbroken 664-run partnership in a Harris Shield game in 1988 with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli, who also went on to represent India. The destructive pair reduced one bowler to tears and made the rest of the opposition unwilling to continue the game. Sachin scored over 320 in this innings and scored over a thousand runs in the tournament. This was the record partnership in any form of cricket, until 2006 when it was broken by two under-13 batsmen in a match held at Hyderabad in India. When he was 14 Indian batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar gave him a pair of his used ultra light pads. "It was the greatest source of encouragement for me," he said nearly 20 years later after passing Gavaskar's top world record of 34 Test centuries. Recently he surpassed the highest number of half centuries scores in ODI cricket held by Inzamam Ul Haq.
[edit] Domestic careerIn 1988/1989, he scored 100 not-out in his first first-class match for Bombay against Gujarat. At 15 years and 232 days he is the youngest cricketer to score a century on his first-class debut.
Tendulkar is the only player to score a century while making his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut.
[edit] International careerTendulkar is ambidextrous, he bats, bowls and throws with his right hand, but prefers to write with his left hand. He also practices left-handed throws at the nets on a regular basis. Tendulkar played his first Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 under the leadership of Krish Srikkanth. He made just 15 runs, being bowled by Waqar Younis, who also made his debut in that match. Tendulkar followed it up with his maiden Test fifty a few days later at Faisalabad. His One Day International (ODI) debut on December 18 was disappointing. He was dismissed without scoring a run, again by Waqar Younis. The series was followed by a tour of New Zealand in which he fell for 88 in the Second Test. His maiden Test century came in next tour, to England in August 1990 at Old Trafford. Tendulkar further enhanced his development into a world-class batsman during the 1991–1992 tour of Australia that included an unbeaten 148 in Sydney (the first of many battles against Shane Warne who made his debut in the match) and a century on the fast and bouncy track at Perth. He has been Man of the Match 11 times in Test matches and Man of the Series twice, both times in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Tendulkar's performance through the years 1994–1999, coincided with his physical peak, at age 20 through 25. Tendulkar was told to open the batting at Auckland against New Zealand in 1994.[9] He went on to make 82 runs off 49 balls. His first ODI century came on September 9, 1994 against Australia in Sri Lanka at Colombo. It had taken him 79 ODIs to score a century.
Tendulkar's rise continued when he was the leading run scorer at the 1996 Cricket World Cup, topping the batting averages whilst scoring two centuries.
This was the beginning of a period at the top of the batting world, culminating in the Australian tour of India in early 1998, scoring three consecutive centuries. These were characterised by a pre-meditated plan to target Australian spinners Shane Warne and Gavin Robertson, to whom he regularly charged down the pitch to drive over the infield. This technique worked as India beat Australia. Following the series Shane Warne ruefully joked that he was having nightmares about his Indian nemesis.[10]
Indian Captain Mohd. Azharuddin was going through a lean patch and India were playing against Pakistan in Sharjah 1996. Sachin and Navjot Siddhu hit 100's to set a record partnership for the second wicket. Sachin returned back after getting out and found Azhar in two minds to bat out. Sachin boosted Azhar to bat and Azhar unleashed 29 runs in mere 10 balls. It enabled India post a score in excess of 300 runs for the first time. India went on to win that match.
A chronic back problem flared up when Pakistan toured India in 1999, with India losing the historic Test at Chepauk despite a gritty century from Tendulkar himself. Worse was to come as Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, Tendulkar's father, died in the middle of the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Tendulkar flew back to India to attend the final rituals of his father, missing the match against Zimbabwe. However, he returned with a bang to the World cup scoring a century (unbeaten 140 off 101 balls) in his very next match against Kenya in Bristol. He dedicated this century to his father.[11]
Tendulkar, succeeding Mohammad Azharuddin as captain, then led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were comprehensively beaten 3-0[12] by the newly-crowned world champions. After another Test series defeat, this time by a 0-2 margin at home against South Africa, Tendulkar resigned, and Sourav Ganguly took over as captain in 2000.
Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 World Cup, helping India reach the final. While Australia retained the trophy that they had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Series award. The drawn series as India toured Australia in 2003/04 saw Tendulkar making his mark in the last Test of the series, with a double century in Sydney, which was also the last test appearance of one of cricket history's most successful captain Steve Waugh. Tennis elbow then took its toll on Tendulkar, leaving him out of the side for the first two Tests when Australia toured India in 2004. He played a part in the face-saving Indian victory in Mumbai, though Australia had already taken the series 2-1, with the Second Test in Chennai drawn.
Sachin is an integral part of Think-Tank. He's often found discussing with the captain and involved in building strategies. Former Captain, Rahul Dravid publicly acknowledged that it was Sachin, who suggested to promote Irfan Pathan to #3. Pathan's swashbuckling batting did impress every one, but he was later removed from that position, as his bowling started to be less effective and he would need to concentrate more on his bowling.
On 10 December 2005, at Feroz Shah Kotla, he delighted fans with a record-breaking 35th Test century, against the Sri Lankans.
On 6 February 2006, Tendulkar scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. He followed with a run-a-ball 42 in the second ODI against Pakistan on February 11, 2006, and then a 95 in hostile, seaming conditions on 13 February 2006 in Lahore, which set up an Indian victory.
On 19 March 2006, after scoring an unconvincing 1 off 21 balls against England in the first innings of the third Test in his home ground, Wankhede, Tendulkar was booed off the ground by a section of the crowd,[13] the first time that he has ever faced such flak. While cheered on when he came for his second innings, Tendulkar, was the top scorer in the second innings[14] and yet was to end the three-Test series without a single half-century to his credit, and news of a shoulder operation raised more questions about his longevity.
Tendulkar was operated upon for his injured shoulder forcing him to skip the tour of West Indies in 2006.
On 23 May 2006, after deciding not to undergo a scheduled fitness test, he announced he would miss the tour of the Caribbean for the Test series. However, he agreed to play 5 games for Lashings World XI in order to regain fitness for a possible August comeback. He had scored 155, 147(retired), 98, 101(retired) & 105 in the 5 matches for Lashings XI with strike rate of well above 100 and was the top scorer in all the matches.
Also in his first Twenty20 match with international opposition, although unofficial, Tendulkar hit 50 not out off 21 deliveries to blast the International XI to 123 after 10 overs against the Pakistan XI.
However as of July 2006 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the longest-serving international cricketer has overcome his injury problem following a rehabilitation programme and is available for selection.
He then came for the DLF cup in Malaysia and became the only Indian batsman to shine. In his most recent comeback match, against West Indies on 14 September 2006, Tendulkar responded to his critics who believed that his career was inexorably sliding with his 40th ODI century. Though he scored 141*, West Indies won the rain-affected match by the D/L method.
In January 2007 Tendulkar scored a 76-ball century against the West Indies which makes it his 41st ODI century. He reached a hundred on the last ball of the Indian innings. Tendulkar now has 17 more ODI tons than Sanath Jayasuriya who is second on the list of ODI century-makers.[15]
At Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, Tendulkar and the Indian cricket team, led by Rahul Dravid had a dismal campaign. Tendulkar, who was pushed to bat lower down the order by the Coach Greg Chappel had scores of 7 (Bangladesh), 57* (Bermuda) and 0 (Sri Lanka). As a result, former Australian captain Ian Chappell, brother of former Indian coach Greg, called for Tendulkar to retire in his column for Mumbai's Mid Day newspaper[16]
In the subsequent series against Bangladesh, Sachin and Indian Team came back and Sachin was the man of the Series. He proved his class by scoring two consecutive scores of 90+ in the Series against South Africa, which was the second best ODI team[17] at that moment. He was the leading run scorer and was adjudged the Man of the Series. He was the leading run scorer in the Future Cup[18] with an average of 66
On the second day of Nottingham test (July 28, 2007) Sachin became the third cricketer to complete 11000 test runs.[19] In the subsequent One day series against England, Sachin was the leading run scorer from India[20] with an average of 53.42
In the ODI Series against Australia in October 2007 Tendulkar was the leading Indian run scorer with 278 runs. [21]
Wisden named Tendulkar one of the Cricketers of the Year in 1997, the first calendar year in which he scored 1,000 Test runs. He repeated the feat in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it seven times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007. In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year. Sachin Tendulkar has got out 23 times between 90 and 100 in his international career. Recently he got out on 99 against Pakistan in an ODI on 8 Nov 2007 at Mohali to the bowling of Umar Gul caught by Kamran Akmal. After, he got out on 97 against Pakistan in an ODI on 15 Nov 2007 at Gwalior when he was bowled by Umar Gul. In the fourth ODI , he got out on 97 after dragging a delivery from Umar Gul on to his stumps , falling short of another century in ODIs in 2007.
Sachin Tendulkar has been dismissed seven times in 2007 between 90 and 100.
Source Wikipedia.
Tendulkar, affectionately called 'The Little Master', or 'The Master Blaster'[3][4] made his international debut in 1989 and is an all-time crowd-favorite. He is the only Indian cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour for his performance in 1997-1998. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsman the game has ever seen.[5][6][7]
[edit] Personal lifeTendulkar was born in a Saraswat Brahmin family in Bombay, now known as Mumbai. His father Ramesh, a Marathi novelist, named him after his favourite music director Sachin Dev Burman. He was encouraged to play cricket by his elder brother Ajit. He has 2 more siblings - brother Nitin and sister Savitai. Nitin's son Rohan, born in 1990, is also a cricketer, representing Mumbai in junior cricket tournaments.
In 1995, Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali (born 13 February 1971), the paediatrician daughter of Gujarati industrialist Anand Mehta. They have two children, Sara (born 12 October 1997) and Arjun (born 23 September 1999).[8]
Tendulkar sponsors 200 under-privileged children every year through Apnalaya, a Mumbai-based NGO associated with his mother-in-law, Annaben Mehta. He is reluctant to speak about this or other charitable activities, choosing to preserve the sanctity of his personal life despite media interest in him.
[edit] Career
[edit] Early days of cricketHe attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir high School where he began his cricketing career under the guidance of his coach and mentor Ramakant Achrekar. During his early days as a schoolboy cricketer he went to the MRF pace academy to train as a pace bowler but was sent back home. The man who turned him back was legendary fast bowler Dennis Lilee who told the young Tendulkar, 'Just focus on your batting'. This simple comment would result in the birth of one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
When Sachin was young, he would practice for hours on the ground with his coach. He would often get bored of practising. So his coach used to put a one-Rupee-coin on the top of the stumps. the bowler who dismissed Sachin would get the coin. If Sachin passed the whole session without getting dismissed, the coach would give him the coin. Sachin says even today that those 13 coins are his most prized possessions.
While at school, he was involved in unbroken 664-run partnership in a Harris Shield game in 1988 with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli, who also went on to represent India. The destructive pair reduced one bowler to tears and made the rest of the opposition unwilling to continue the game. Sachin scored over 320 in this innings and scored over a thousand runs in the tournament. This was the record partnership in any form of cricket, until 2006 when it was broken by two under-13 batsmen in a match held at Hyderabad in India. When he was 14 Indian batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar gave him a pair of his used ultra light pads. "It was the greatest source of encouragement for me," he said nearly 20 years later after passing Gavaskar's top world record of 34 Test centuries. Recently he surpassed the highest number of half centuries scores in ODI cricket held by Inzamam Ul Haq.
[edit] Domestic careerIn 1988/1989, he scored 100 not-out in his first first-class match for Bombay against Gujarat. At 15 years and 232 days he is the youngest cricketer to score a century on his first-class debut.
Tendulkar is the only player to score a century while making his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut.
[edit] International careerTendulkar is ambidextrous, he bats, bowls and throws with his right hand, but prefers to write with his left hand. He also practices left-handed throws at the nets on a regular basis. Tendulkar played his first Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 under the leadership of Krish Srikkanth. He made just 15 runs, being bowled by Waqar Younis, who also made his debut in that match. Tendulkar followed it up with his maiden Test fifty a few days later at Faisalabad. His One Day International (ODI) debut on December 18 was disappointing. He was dismissed without scoring a run, again by Waqar Younis. The series was followed by a tour of New Zealand in which he fell for 88 in the Second Test. His maiden Test century came in next tour, to England in August 1990 at Old Trafford. Tendulkar further enhanced his development into a world-class batsman during the 1991–1992 tour of Australia that included an unbeaten 148 in Sydney (the first of many battles against Shane Warne who made his debut in the match) and a century on the fast and bouncy track at Perth. He has been Man of the Match 11 times in Test matches and Man of the Series twice, both times in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Tendulkar's performance through the years 1994–1999, coincided with his physical peak, at age 20 through 25. Tendulkar was told to open the batting at Auckland against New Zealand in 1994.[9] He went on to make 82 runs off 49 balls. His first ODI century came on September 9, 1994 against Australia in Sri Lanka at Colombo. It had taken him 79 ODIs to score a century.
Tendulkar's rise continued when he was the leading run scorer at the 1996 Cricket World Cup, topping the batting averages whilst scoring two centuries.
This was the beginning of a period at the top of the batting world, culminating in the Australian tour of India in early 1998, scoring three consecutive centuries. These were characterised by a pre-meditated plan to target Australian spinners Shane Warne and Gavin Robertson, to whom he regularly charged down the pitch to drive over the infield. This technique worked as India beat Australia. Following the series Shane Warne ruefully joked that he was having nightmares about his Indian nemesis.[10]
Indian Captain Mohd. Azharuddin was going through a lean patch and India were playing against Pakistan in Sharjah 1996. Sachin and Navjot Siddhu hit 100's to set a record partnership for the second wicket. Sachin returned back after getting out and found Azhar in two minds to bat out. Sachin boosted Azhar to bat and Azhar unleashed 29 runs in mere 10 balls. It enabled India post a score in excess of 300 runs for the first time. India went on to win that match.
A chronic back problem flared up when Pakistan toured India in 1999, with India losing the historic Test at Chepauk despite a gritty century from Tendulkar himself. Worse was to come as Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, Tendulkar's father, died in the middle of the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Tendulkar flew back to India to attend the final rituals of his father, missing the match against Zimbabwe. However, he returned with a bang to the World cup scoring a century (unbeaten 140 off 101 balls) in his very next match against Kenya in Bristol. He dedicated this century to his father.[11]
Tendulkar, succeeding Mohammad Azharuddin as captain, then led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were comprehensively beaten 3-0[12] by the newly-crowned world champions. After another Test series defeat, this time by a 0-2 margin at home against South Africa, Tendulkar resigned, and Sourav Ganguly took over as captain in 2000.
Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 World Cup, helping India reach the final. While Australia retained the trophy that they had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Series award. The drawn series as India toured Australia in 2003/04 saw Tendulkar making his mark in the last Test of the series, with a double century in Sydney, which was also the last test appearance of one of cricket history's most successful captain Steve Waugh. Tennis elbow then took its toll on Tendulkar, leaving him out of the side for the first two Tests when Australia toured India in 2004. He played a part in the face-saving Indian victory in Mumbai, though Australia had already taken the series 2-1, with the Second Test in Chennai drawn.
Sachin is an integral part of Think-Tank. He's often found discussing with the captain and involved in building strategies. Former Captain, Rahul Dravid publicly acknowledged that it was Sachin, who suggested to promote Irfan Pathan to #3. Pathan's swashbuckling batting did impress every one, but he was later removed from that position, as his bowling started to be less effective and he would need to concentrate more on his bowling.
On 10 December 2005, at Feroz Shah Kotla, he delighted fans with a record-breaking 35th Test century, against the Sri Lankans.
On 6 February 2006, Tendulkar scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. He followed with a run-a-ball 42 in the second ODI against Pakistan on February 11, 2006, and then a 95 in hostile, seaming conditions on 13 February 2006 in Lahore, which set up an Indian victory.
On 19 March 2006, after scoring an unconvincing 1 off 21 balls against England in the first innings of the third Test in his home ground, Wankhede, Tendulkar was booed off the ground by a section of the crowd,[13] the first time that he has ever faced such flak. While cheered on when he came for his second innings, Tendulkar, was the top scorer in the second innings[14] and yet was to end the three-Test series without a single half-century to his credit, and news of a shoulder operation raised more questions about his longevity.
Tendulkar was operated upon for his injured shoulder forcing him to skip the tour of West Indies in 2006.
On 23 May 2006, after deciding not to undergo a scheduled fitness test, he announced he would miss the tour of the Caribbean for the Test series. However, he agreed to play 5 games for Lashings World XI in order to regain fitness for a possible August comeback. He had scored 155, 147(retired), 98, 101(retired) & 105 in the 5 matches for Lashings XI with strike rate of well above 100 and was the top scorer in all the matches.
Also in his first Twenty20 match with international opposition, although unofficial, Tendulkar hit 50 not out off 21 deliveries to blast the International XI to 123 after 10 overs against the Pakistan XI.
However as of July 2006 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the longest-serving international cricketer has overcome his injury problem following a rehabilitation programme and is available for selection.
He then came for the DLF cup in Malaysia and became the only Indian batsman to shine. In his most recent comeback match, against West Indies on 14 September 2006, Tendulkar responded to his critics who believed that his career was inexorably sliding with his 40th ODI century. Though he scored 141*, West Indies won the rain-affected match by the D/L method.
In January 2007 Tendulkar scored a 76-ball century against the West Indies which makes it his 41st ODI century. He reached a hundred on the last ball of the Indian innings. Tendulkar now has 17 more ODI tons than Sanath Jayasuriya who is second on the list of ODI century-makers.[15]
At Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, Tendulkar and the Indian cricket team, led by Rahul Dravid had a dismal campaign. Tendulkar, who was pushed to bat lower down the order by the Coach Greg Chappel had scores of 7 (Bangladesh), 57* (Bermuda) and 0 (Sri Lanka). As a result, former Australian captain Ian Chappell, brother of former Indian coach Greg, called for Tendulkar to retire in his column for Mumbai's Mid Day newspaper[16]
In the subsequent series against Bangladesh, Sachin and Indian Team came back and Sachin was the man of the Series. He proved his class by scoring two consecutive scores of 90+ in the Series against South Africa, which was the second best ODI team[17] at that moment. He was the leading run scorer and was adjudged the Man of the Series. He was the leading run scorer in the Future Cup[18] with an average of 66
On the second day of Nottingham test (July 28, 2007) Sachin became the third cricketer to complete 11000 test runs.[19] In the subsequent One day series against England, Sachin was the leading run scorer from India[20] with an average of 53.42
In the ODI Series against Australia in October 2007 Tendulkar was the leading Indian run scorer with 278 runs. [21]
Wisden named Tendulkar one of the Cricketers of the Year in 1997, the first calendar year in which he scored 1,000 Test runs. He repeated the feat in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it seven times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007. In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year. Sachin Tendulkar has got out 23 times between 90 and 100 in his international career. Recently he got out on 99 against Pakistan in an ODI on 8 Nov 2007 at Mohali to the bowling of Umar Gul caught by Kamran Akmal. After, he got out on 97 against Pakistan in an ODI on 15 Nov 2007 at Gwalior when he was bowled by Umar Gul. In the fourth ODI , he got out on 97 after dragging a delivery from Umar Gul on to his stumps , falling short of another century in ODIs in 2007.
Sachin Tendulkar has been dismissed seven times in 2007 between 90 and 100.
Source Wikipedia.
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