SPAIN FOOTBALL U-17 | U-19 | PRE - EUROPEAN GROUP DRAW RESULTS

Believe it or not there is more to Spanish Football after the 5-0 victory of Barça over Real Madrid in the Spanish League last night. The sport continues with more & bigger games & tournaments to play.


This afternoon the pre-European u-17 & u-19 Groups were drawn ay the UEFA Headquaters & teams were allocated with the following results for the Spanish National Teams.


In the u-17 category SPAIN was allocated Group 5 were they will play England, Nth Ireland & Belgium. The winner of this Group along with the 6 pre- Euro Groups winners will join hosts Serbia & play the U-17 European Finals during the 3rd & 15th of May 2011.

Spanish U-19 Team 

In the u-19 category SPAIN was put in Group 2 with England, Switzerland & Montenegro. The winners of the 7 pre-euro Groups will join hosts Rumania to play the U-19 European Finals during the 20th of July to 1st of August 2011. Tweet

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VIDEOS | CRISTIANO RONALDO GUARDIOLA | SERGIO RAMOS RED CARD INCIDENTS | FC BARCELONA 5 - REAL MADRID 0 2010

The "shock-wave tremors" continue 12 horas after yesterdays “earthquake” in Barcelona (Camp Nou) after FC BARCELONA won 5 – 0 REAL MADRID in the “Clasico”,the first of season 2010 – 2011. The game was tense, very hard played & with emotions strong with two clear incidents that stand out from the game. Many readers have emailed requesting a post with the VIDEOs of the incidents & I have found theses two "surfing" "Youtube".

The first, the Pep Guardiola & Cristiano Ronaldo “incident” where clear BOTH need to be denounced for a very poor image & unsportsmanlike behaviour:



The Sergio Ramos last moments of the game incident & Red Card were the frustrations, humiliation & impotency got the better of the player to show an “ugly” side of Ramos that one needs to also denounce as un proper of a Football professional. A total loss of self – control situation that can be explained by the circumstances & the “unwritten” rules on the field, but never justified.



There is a risk that both videos may be withdrawn due to possible rights issues with "youtube & the persons who uploaded. If this occurs,  it is beyond SFS control & wishes to excuse itself to the readers.  Tweet

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FC BARCELONA TEAM PHOTO 2010 | EL CLASICO | STARTING 11

Here is the FC BARCELONA starting 11 line-up that faced REAL MADRID tonight in "El Clasico" & won 5 - 0. I suspect that many Barça fans who read Spanish Football Sports would appreciate the team photo for their records. Tonight´s victory marks the 5th straight victory over Real Madrid.

FC Barcelona Team Photo - vs Real Madrid 29th Nov 2010

L to R top: Abidal, Pedro,Busquets, Pique & Valdes
L to R bottom: Messi, Alves, Iniesta, Villa, Xavi & Puyol Tweet

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VIDEO GOAL HIGHLIGHTS "EL CLASICO" FC BARCELONA 5 – REAL MADRID 0 | 29th Nov 2010

The VIDEO of “El Clasico” FC BARCELONA 5 – REAL MADRID 0.

29th of November 2010 – Camp Nou (Barcelona)

The video could be taken off due to rights issues. Please excuse if this happens. Full summary with images on the below post!

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EL CLASICO Nov 29th 2010 RESULT FC BARCELONA 5 - REAL MADRID 0 | FC BARCELONA "SLAUGHTER" REAL MADRID WITH DEVASTATING TOTAL FOOTBALL

The long await match between the two big Spanish Clubs has concluded with a demolition job done by FC BARCELONA over REAL MADRID with an incredible 5 - 0 result that puts Barça to the top of the SPANISH LEAGUE classification table.  It was intense, rough & violent at times which mixed it with some sublime Football performed by the home side. 

Tonight we saw two philosophies of Football , two ways to interpret the game in its essence. The aesthetic, classical & romantic style of touch Football taken to its maximum level with speed against the more practical, means justifies the end & counter - attack method which was put on the shelf & made totally impotent & useless. 

FC Barcelona demonstrated that they are far ahead of any SPANISH FOOTBALL Club at this moment & possibly the "Best Team In The World" with the OK of the other Top Euro Clubs at this moment. For the Barcelona fan their team played like the Gods as they crushed their rival & gave "humble pie" to eat to Real Madrid Coach Mourinho who played "mind games" before the match & even months back. 

FC Barcelona players in ecstasy 

The goal scorers were XAVI ( 9th min), PEDRO (17th m), VILLA ( 55th m), VILLA ( 58th m) & JEFFREN ( 91st m)

Ronaldo pushes Guardiola away

There was a very tense moment mid way the 1ºst half when Guardiola throw the ball away from Cristiano Ronaldo ( to provoke) when he went to to take it to make a throw-in. Ronaldo reacted angrily & pushed Guardiola away which caused the immediate reaction of the Barcelona players with Goalkeeper Valdes running in to physically warn off Ronaldo. It was an all in situation which caused pushing & shoving & yellow cards to Valdes & Ronaldo.

All in situation - Ronaldo & Valdes

This very tense moment seemed to lift Real Madrid already 2-0 down & they began playing their best Football. To such an extent that a clear penalty on Ronaldo by Valdes was not called. If it had been given Real Madrid may have scored & changed the course of the game. But this is pure speculation & no one here can tell the future. But it wouldn´t have made much difference even if Real Madrid fans are certain that it would have changed things

Xavi scores first goal

Real Madrid started the second half with Lass Diarra on for Ozil to secure the midfield as Xavi & Iniesta were on a riot, but it did little. FC Barcelona took TOTAL control of the ball in the 2ºhalf & danced Real Madrid to their tune; it was humiliating to watch from outside Barcelona. Even myself , an Atletico de Madrid follower,  was embarrassed to watch & that is telling you something important. 

Pedro got in the act from a Villa pass

DAVID VILLA showed the World who he really is & why he is concerned one of the Best Strikers on the Planet. He must have reminded Real Madrid President Florentino Perez that he should have made a bigger offer to Valencia two seasons ago instead of Karim Benzema who was invisible tonight. 

Villa scored twice

The game finished with a humiliating 5th goal from youngster Jeffren who had just came on from a Bojan pass to "kill of" the wounded Real Madrid team.

The end of the game finished very ugly with Real Madrid player SERGIO RAMOS losing his head after a violent tackle on Lionel Messi, that saw him react by pushing to the ground Spanish National squad Team-mate Puyol & then taking his frustration out on Xavi & Pique as he walked off after his Red Card. Gerard Pique reacted putting up his hand to show 5 fingers ( 5 goals ) to the crowd, a gesture that could have been also saved.

Various lesson & observations from my part to finish off with:

1. FC Barcelona are "light years" ahead of Real Madrid
2. FC Barcelona style of Football is rapid, effective & extremely deadly. A message to all the opponents who will meet them this season. They are now more than favourites.
3. Real Madrid leave Camp Nou humiliated, almost "mortally" wounded & psychologically affected so much so that this could lead to a downward negative "spiral" if not treated urgently.
4. Karim Benzema is a "lost case" & will suffer. The fact is that the young man is not up to the level required to played at Real Madrid,  & given his World stage "golden opportunity" he failed disappointingly tonight to now see his future at the Club in danger.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo tried but it is obvious that he has a character "issue" that needs to be solve as the opposition look to find this weakness & exploit it.
6. The FIFA Golden Ball Winner 2010 must be either Iniesta or Xavi.
7. The younger Real Madrid players "without Clasico" experience - Di Maria & Ozil - choked.
A big learning lesson for them both.
8. Jose Mourinho was put in his place tonight by Guardiola. That is , second place & the "magical aura" of Mourinho has disappeared tonight like smoke. I wonder when the "Special One" will be "Special" again.

& lastly 9. FC Barcelona has more than 50% of the Spanish League title in its pocket. 


I am sure Real Madrid will recover & may win their revenge back in Madrid latter in the season, plus even win a title this season. But tonight they leave Camp Nou wounded & psychologically devastated. They were ravished by a Lion & almost "slaughtered" for this 2010-2011 season. They will no doubt be licking their wound for weeks & even months.

Next Saturday they play Valencia CF at home, let see what happens here! Tweet

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EL CLASICO 29th NOV 2010 | FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID | HIGUAIN FALLS ( OR NOT ) & STARTING 11 SPECULATIONS | MIND GAMES

The very latest news may now throw dirt over the post below. All day REAL MADRID has been filtering that GONZALO HIGUAIN had been left out due to a lingering back problem to which he hasn´t  recovered in time to play tonights "Clasico" against FC BARCELONA. In fact, media had announced earlier that Mourinho had announced in his tactical meeting with his players this afternoon that Karim Benzema would take the place of Higuain.

The very, very latest is that Gonzalo Higuain has not been discarded 100% & will be tested during the teams warm-up at the "Camp Nou". This last piece of news is being interpreted as a Mourinho tactic to mislead & play on how Barça may line -up tonight. Will Higuain play? Thus will Mascherano play instead of Pedro. Will Benzema play? Thus will  Pedro play instead of Mascherano. Will Benzema play & Higuain be on the bench? I THINK IT WILL BE THE LATTER...

Whatever the final decision is we are fully immersed in Football Mind Games! This is contributing "positively" to thicken the "El Clasico" atmosphere & lifting expectations further in this already highly anticipated clash of Giants. With less than 2 hours to go ...who cares just get on with it :O)

With so much guessing, speculation & unknowns I thinks a video is appropriate to calm the nerves of all World Football fans. Whatever happens , Spanish Football Sports will post a full summary with result & scorers ( if not a 0 -0 score) around 23.30 Sp time. Here is John Lennon who perfectly sums it all up:




LATEST (20.20 sp time)...from Camp Nou...BENZEMA in for Higuain. Believe it or not :O)...may the better team win! Tweet

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EL CLASICO 29th NOV 2010 | FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID | HIGUAIN FALLS & STARTING 11 SPECULATIONS

The latest news just in from Barcelona is that REAL MADRID forward GONZALO HIGUAIN has not recovered in time for the big FC BARCELONA clash tonight. According to Spanish Sports daily "Marca" the Argentine has been ruled out for "EL CLASICO" & thus opens up speculation on who will take his place. The natural tendency is to think that Frenchman Karim Benzema will come in, however there are other theories.

Gonzalo Higuain : courtesy As

I am suspecting that Mourinho knew before travelling to Barcelona last night that Higuain was doubtful, but that did´nt stop him announcing the "Gala 11" as posted below. The idea of putting an extra midfielder in place of a forward to strengthen the centre to attempt to contain the Barça player makers - Xavi & Iniesta - has always been present in the Mourinho strategy. With the injury of Higuain, Mourinho has the opportunity to "bluff" with Benzema to finish putting in Lass Diarra into the "Starting 11". The idea would then be that Real Madrid will  attempt to "suffocate" the Barça midfield players & use its counter-attacking speed & precision to put under pressure a "slower" Barça defence. 

The new REAL MADRID starting 11 could now look like this :
Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo, Khedira, X Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil, Lass Diarra or Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo.


FC BARCELONA starting 11 line up is being speculated to be:
Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Villa & Pedro

I have a sinking feeling that the line-ups will change on both sides before 21.00 as both Coaches - Guardiola & Mourinho - will be taking their "mind games" right up to the kick - off time. Stay tuned!

LATEST - According to news just in Higuain is being tested & is serious DOUBT , the chosen player to take the place of Higuain is KARIM BENZEMA. Plus at Camp Barça there is talk ( speculation) that Mascherano may come in instead of Pedro. Lots of rumours & speculation being created & circulating as natural before a match of this dimension. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 - 2011 | ROUND 13 | SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Busy afternoon of Spanish Football with six games of Round 13 played as part of the Spanish League - La Liga. Here are the results & the scorers of this afternoon-evening Soccer action.

Trezeguet scored for Hercules

HERCULES got back into a winning groove with a 3-1 victory over LEVANTE. The scorers for the home team were VALDES (twice - 39th m & 67th m) with a great match & TREZEGUET (62nd m). RUBEN put in a consolation goal for Levante in the 40th min.

Real Sociedad won away to Gijon

Alarm bells at REAL SPORTING DE GIJON with a disastrous defence & another loss, this time 1 - 3 to REAL SOCIEDAD. The home team started well with a very early goal from GREGORY in the 2nd min, but that was all the good for the afternoon. Real Sociedad reacted quickly with a goal from PRIETO in the 11th min & with good play ( & Sporting mistakes) added another via ZURUTUZA in the 45th min & ARANBURU in the 90th min. Sporting needs to get its act together & soon.

Munitis escapes a tackle

RACING DE SANTANDER stopped the winning streak of DEPORTIVO with a 1-0 win thanks to the 60th min goal by ROSENBERG. Racing needed this victory like water & their Coach can breathe for another week.

Webo scores again this week for Mallorca

Mallorca under Coach Laudrup is showing fine Football as they put in another victory 2 - 0 over MALAGA who are in trouble with their play & ladder position. WEBO put Mallorca ahead in the 50th min & CASTRO put in the second four minutes later. New Malaga Coach Pellegrini ( ex-Real Madrid) has a lot of work ahead  to better the Malaga play & future.

At Bilbao win in the last moment against Osasuna

Intense match between ATHLETIC BILBAO & OSASUNA with lots of chances & side to side action that gave the victory to the home team in the very last minute. In fact the winner came in extra-time via GURPEGUI in the 92nd min. Final result 1- 0

Soldado scored twice for Valencia CF

VALENCIA CF defeated ALMERIA 2-1 thanks to some excellent play & two great goals from SOLDADO in the 26th & 57th min. Almeria with a new Coach attempted to improve their image towards the end & were rewarded in the 89th min with a consolation goal from ULLOA.

Tomorrow the last match of Round 13, "El Clasico", the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid game. A real nation stopper. Tweet

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TENNIS 2010 | ROGER FEDERER DEFEATS RAFAEL NADAL FOR HIS FIFTH MASTERS

It just could not be, Spanish Tennis World Nº1 & ace RAFAEL NADAL was defeated by ROGER FEDERER 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in a very convincing victory for the now five time MASTER of MASTERS. 

Rafael Nadal laments a miss shot

It was the first time in his career that Nadal had reached the ATP MASTERS Final (London) & his chance were good beforehand after majestically defeating Andy Murray in the semi-finals. However, the effort & the exhaustive performance took its toll on Nadal 24 hours later as he lacked spring, reflexes & freshness in his game. 

The 1st set saw Federer break Nadal mid-way through with powerful serving & precision shots that tested the reflexes of the Spaniard. But Nadal is a natural born fighter & took his chance when Federer loosed up just enough to give Nadal a glimpse of hope to which he broke Federer & equalled things taking the 2ºset. The 3º set was champagne Tennis from Federer who broke Nadal early & never looked back.

Roger Federer wins ATP Masters 2010.

Roger Federer won with an almost perfect performance that overwhelmed a tired Nadal & showed why he is considered the "Greatest Tennis player in History" to notch up his 5th Masters & finish off the year on the highest note. Nadal will be relatively pleased to have reached the final & no doubt we all will be seeing him back next year once again attempting to win the title that keeps alluding him to date. Congratulations to both! Tweet

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REAL MADRID 2010 | JOSE MOURINHO CONFIRMS THE SAME STARTING 11 FOR FC BARCELONA | EL CLASICO

The atmosphere is building as SPANISH FOOTBALL showcases tomorrow night the first of its two big season clashes of the Spanish League - La Liga, the locally known "El Clasico" between FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID. The Madrid  Club has celebrated its last training session before flying off to the city of Barcelona tonight & Coach José Mourinho has just celebrated a packed "Press Conference" that has cleared for us a number of doubts.

The very first question thrown at Mourinho by reporters was "...who will play tomorrow". The Real Madrid Coach was quick & straight "...the same 11 as always". This reaffirms speculation that both Gonzalo Higuain & Sami Khedira have recovered in time to be available & included in the REAL MADRID STARTING 11 against FC Barcelona. 


Therefore, taking Jose Mourinho´s words to be accurate & barring any last minute unknowns, this will be the Real Madrid side that starts against FC BARCELONA:

Real Madrid 11 line-up photo (season 2010-2011 line-up)

Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo, Khedira, X Alonso, Ozil, Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo & Higuain.


FC Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola will give his Press Conference around 20.00 & will certainly be asked the same question about his starting 11. The only curiosity to know is if Guardiola will put in a defensive player to halt the already given & known Real Madrid "attacking profile" 11. There is speculation from Barcelona that Guardiola may put in Keita in place of attacker Pedro. We will know later tonight. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 - 2011 | ROUND 13 | SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

The Spanish League - La Liga celebrated three games tonight as part of Round 13 with plenty of goals to keep the spirits warm during a very cold Saturday in Spain. Here is a brief summary of results & scorers.

Manu del Moral scores a penalty for Getafe

An extraordinary match with comeback included with SEVILLA FC going down 1 -3 to Madrid Club GETAFE. The home side had things relatively under control & scored in the 29th min via KANOUTE. From here fine until Getafe managed to win a penalty in the 57th min which MANU DEL MORAL converted to equalize. Then Sevilla collapsed, when 2 minutes later MIKU put Getafe ahead & later in the 74th min PEDRO RIOS gave Getafe the third. Sevilla had a goal disallowed but no one can explain the last 20 min crumble by Sevilla. 

Nilmar scores the third for Villareal

REAL ZARAGOZA succumbed to the VILLAREAL´s dominance  0 - 3 in a match to shows again how Villareal has greatly improved from last season & reinforces the great start to the season maintaining top ladder positions. MARCOS SENNA got things going early in the 8th min, followed by a second in the 17th from CAZORLA & in form Brazilian NILMAR scored the third in the 65th min.

Luis Garcia scores penalty for Espanyol

ATLETICO DE MADRID lost in a see-saw game 2 -  3 against RCD ESPANYOL with some controversial decisions included during the 90 min. In fact, in my opinion, Atletico lost because they could not finish off the half a dozen clear opportunities that would have made it all easier, while Espanyol took their chances when they came.

Espanyol got ahead first via a penalty given for hand-ball that was controversial in the 21st min to which LUIS GARCIA scored. Then Atletico reacted & managed to equalize in the 45th min via TIAGO after Atletico missed  goal chances earlier. The 2ºnd half kicked off with both sides attacking with end to end play & VERDU scored for Espanyol in the 54th min under controversial conditions again to see Atletico forward AGUERO equalize in the 65th min from a brilliant Forlan pass. Then in the 75th min Espayol forward OSVALDO scored an absolute "cracker" to put the visitors ahead & give them the 3 points.

Atletico de Madrid Coach Flores finished the match angry & with a run in with an Espanyol player which highlighted the "heated" decisions & the frustration ( dirty Aguero kick towards the end on a "floored" Espanyol player ) of watching how Atletico missed so many clear chances. Espanyol continue their winning streak maintaining themselves in Top of the ladder (4th - Euro) positions. Tweet

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VIDEO | HOW AMERICAN TV PROMOTES EL CLASICO - FC BARECLONA vs. REAL MADRID

This is how American TV Sports Channel ESPN promotes the big Spanish League - Liga Round 13 clash next Monday between FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID, locally termed "El Clasico":



Not bad at all except ( my opinion) the too obvious stereotype use of the Spanish dance  "Flamenco". However I won´t be too harsh on them as we here would have used a giant Hot Dog or a Hamburger to promote the Superbowl. I hope not too many Americans tune in thinking they are about to witness a real full on Flamenco event :O) Tweet

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SPAIN -PORTUGAL - IBERIAN FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 BID

SPANISH FOOTBALL SPORTS BLOG supports the
IBERIAN 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP BID

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | EL CLASICO 2010 | FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID CF | PRE MATCH OBSERVATIONS

The Spanish League - La Liga moves into Round 13 tomorrow & there is one game that is eclipsing all the rest, the long awaited FC BARCELONA vs REAL MADRID match commonly known in Spanish Soccer as "El Clasico". Barça has won the last 4 clashes & has dominated Spanish Football the last couple of years. Real Madrid has invested huge sums of money on adquiring  the best players on the market along with a Coach that is a proven winner on the field & off the field in order to win back protagonism & attempt to knock Barça from its Nº1 spot. 

FC Barcelona 2010-2011

This time around REAL MADRID appears to be closer than recent years in its plans as they go into Monday nights match as undefeated & leaders of the Spanish League. FC Barcelona has shown "signs" that the "Machine" has had some minor hiccups,  but this could be an illusion as they have managed to resolved things with powerful winning results.

What is clear is that we have before us two teams with two clear playing styles. FC Barcelona has made school of their aesthetically pleasing & artful manner of interpreting Football, with touch ball dominance that sweeps the game from side to side to dance their opponents before jumping in for the "kill". This is a natural tendency thanks to the Clubs vision of the game & a string of "in-house" players like Valdes, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pique, Puyol, Pedro... who have this "vision" implanted in their DNA & live on the field exclusively from the ball. Some have gone as far to suggest that the "key" to defeat Barça is to take the ball away from them, which is fine if only you can figure how to take the ball. A strategic dilemma that has not been solved by almost all of the World Clubs that have faced Barça.

Real Madrid 2010-2011

Real Madrid has been swayed by the circumstances to be much more practical in their approach & have signed a Coach in the name of Jose Mourinho who is a pragmatist & has one single objective: to win at all costs. This ideal is at the extreme of the today "Romanticist" ideals held firm at FC Barcelona where winning is synonymous with artful play & established unwritten standards. Coach Mourinho rationalist pragmatism seems to have found an equilibrium at Real Madrid between their over-powering & ambitious players assembling alongside "hands in the dirt" team workers & building a tight unit were a strong defence is the KEY. This organically has lead Real to promote & effectively practice a deadly counter-attack style Football that is rapid & "mortal". This "new" Real Madrid has solved its past weakness ( the defence) & better exploited its advantage ( speed) into a more vertical playing style that goes straight to the point : the goal square, leaving aside aesthetic & fanciful overindulgence. 

This season that vertical punch has been strengthen with Ozil who touches , glides the ball with incredible vision & quickness of mind, Khedira who has given freedom to Xabi Alonso to wave the orchestra baton, Di Maria who gives pace upfront plus defends & a "re-found" Marcelo who as defender quickly converts himself into another attacker. All this added to the already known & written about other elements have built a side that goes on to meet Barça at Camp Nou this Monday on equal terms. 

Lass Diarra

LASS DIARRA has unwilling come into the picture for two reasons. Firstly, he may have to play from the start if Khedira doesn´t recover in time from a slight muscle pull. Secondly, even if Khedira recovers, there is heavy speculation that Coach Mourinho may decide to "sacrifice" an attacking player - Ozil - for a midfielder (Lass) to strengthen further the midfield to halt the Barça play makers & put forward a more "deadly" counter-attack version to expose the "slower" Barça defence.

Today Mourinho has said he still hasn´t made up his mind to what team will start. I say that there is an element of "mind games" at play here with the aim of keeping Barça Coach Guardiola guessing.

Mundo Deportivo cartoon

Barcelona based Sporting paper "Mundo Deportivo" have put this cartoon today which seems to act as bait for Coach Mourinho. The cartoon translated says:
GUARDIOLA: " In front of Real Madrid we´ll do what we do best: play Football"
MOURINHO: "In front of Barcelona I´ll do the only thing we can do: put a Bus" 

Barcelona thinks (or wishes) that Real Madrid will put in Lass Diarra (sacrifice Ozil) from the start to play more defensively & at the counter-attack, that is, with a 4-3-3 system. However we all will have to wait & see, although Madrid based Sports daily "Marca" has put on the cover of today's edition that Real Madrid will play with its star 11 line-up with Ozil & as up till now : the 4-2-3-1 system.

Either way the promise is that Monday nights "Clasico" will be huge, transcendent & super important. The winner will have the Spanish League Title more than 50% in the bag, the winner of the Messi vs Ronaldo clash will have the loser definitely put in his place for months, the Coaches battle - Guardiola vs Mourinho - will give the winner the Nº1 spot & the Team winner an incredible moral boost that could put the loser into a "spiral downturn" for months with very negative effects. 

There can only be one victor unfortunately & may the better team win. But there is already an assure winner: the World Football Fan. Tweet

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FIFA - FIFPRO NAME 10 SPANIARDS IN LIST OF 55 NOMINATED FOR 2010 WORLD XI

The 50,000 Football professionals that make up the FIFPro (World Players Union) along with World governing Football body FIFA have handed in their list of 55 players nominated for the "2010 FIFA FIFPro World XI”. The official announcement of the players that will make up the World Team will be held the 10th of January 2011 alongside the naming of the winning of the “FIFA Golden Ball 2010”.

Spanish National Team players with the 2010 World Cup

In the list of 55 there are 10 Spaniards:
Casillas, Piqué, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Fábregas, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Villa & Torres


Also out of the 55 there are 18 ( non – Spaniards) who play in the Spanish Football League – La Liga.


Here is the full list of nominated players:


Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Rep, Chelsea), Júlio César (Brazil, Inter), Edwin van der Sar (Holland, Manchester United).

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Brazil, Barcelona), Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur), Michel Bastos (Brazil, Olympique Lyon), Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea), Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United), Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern), Lúcio (Brazil, Inter), Maicon (Brazil, Inter), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid), Alessandro Nesta (Italy, Milan), Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (Spain, Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Walter Samuel (Argentina, Inter), John Terry (England, Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Brazil, Milan), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United), Javier Zanetti (Argentina, Inter).

Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina, Inter), Mickael Essien (Ghana, Chelsea), Cesc Fábregas (Spain, Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), Andrés Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Ricardo Kaká (Brazil, Real Madrid), Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea), Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona), Thomas Muller (germany, Bayern), Mesut Ozil (Germany, Real Madrid), Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Milan), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern), Wesley Sneijder (Holland, Inter), Xabi Alonso (Spain, Real Madrid), Xavi (Spain, Barcelona).


Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgary, Manchester United), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Inter), Diego Forlán (Uruguay, Atlético Madrid), Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina, Real Madrid), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Milan), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Diego Milito (Argentina, Inter), Arjen Robben (Holland, Bayern), Ronaldinho (Brazil, Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United), Carlos Tévez (Argentina, Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool), David Villa (Spain, Barcelona). Tweet

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2010 -2011 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C - D RESULTS | VALENCIA 6 - BURSASPOR 1 | PANATHINAIKOS 0 - FC BARCELONA 3

Two Spanish teams participated & finished well in their respective Group C & D CHAMPIONS LEAGUE matches with both winning well & assuring their place in the next stages. 

Juan Mata opens Valencia scoreline

VALENCIA CF steam-rolled BURSASPOR 6 -1 in their Group C game with Valencia CF assuring its place in the next stages of the Champions League independently of it last Group match against Manchester United. Not much to add except that it was a one way street with Valencia the only car in the lane-way.

Roberto Soldado scored twice

The goal scorers were JUAN MATA penalty (16th m), SOLDADO (20th m), ADURIZ  (33rd m), JOAQUIN (37th m), SOLDADO (55th m) & C.DOMINGUEZ (78th m). The only goal for the visitors came from BATALLA in the 69th min.

Pedro Rodriguez scored twice 

FC BARCELONA travelled to Athens & won away 0 - 3 against PANATHINAIKOS in their Group D match that gave,  & now assures,  Barça the top spot of the Group. The Greek side had a golden opportunity when CISSE went one on one with Barça keeper Valdes & had his shot deflected away from danger. The Greeks would pay dearly for this missed opportunity as Barcelona slowly recomposed itself, took control & never looked back. Dani Alves, Adriano, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi & company then put in the 4th & 5th gear & it was good-night Panathinaikos.

PEDRO scored twice tonight with goals in the 26th min & the & 68th min.

Lionel Messi scored again

The other goal for Barcelona came from LIONEL MESSI who put in another goal for his team in the 62nd min. Andres Iniesta played his bit tonight giving the pass in two of the three goals. 

FC Barcelona now go away with their minds at ease in reference to Champions League & focus back on the Spanish League & next Monday night big clash against Real Madrid.  Tweet

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RED CARDS XABI ALONSO - SERGIO RAMOS VIDEO | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AJAX REAL MADRID 2010

By the massive email request , here is a Video of both Red Cards given to Xabi Alonso & Sergio Ramos yesterday in the Real Madrid - Ajax Champions League match:

Latest is that UEFA will investigate if they were looked for on purpose.

What do you think? Mourinho , Sergio Ramos & Xabi Alonso say that they were unnecessary from the referee. Iker Casillas says he just gave some orders.

As written in the below post on the Spanish Football Sports Blog with the game summary, I knew this would be a grand "Wordwide" talking point.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID EYES SCHALKE 04 MIDFIELDER IVAN RAKITIC

Spanish Sports newpaper daily “AS” highlights today that ATLETICO DE MADRID has a firm eye on 22 year old SCHALKE 04 midfielder IVAN RAKITIC. The Spanish Club has been following the youngster & has the player in its 2011 – 2012 season plans.

Ivan Rakitic

The key here is that the player becomes free at the end of the season – 30th of June 2011– thus allowing Atletico to avoid making an economic investment. The Spanish Club hasn’t as yet made personal contact with Rakitic but, according to the paper, the player is aware if the Spanish Clubs interest. Stay tuned! Tweet

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP G 2010 - 2011 RESULT AJAX OF AMSTERDAM 0 - REAL MADRID 4

REAL MADRID defeated 0 - 4 AJAX OF AMSTERDAM in their Group G CHAMPIONS LEAGUE return leg game. This assures the Spanish Club the top Group position & thus enables them to avoid the "Big Guns" in the next stage after the mini-leagues.

Real Madrid rested habitual players like Khedira, Carvalho & Huguain who did´nt travel & gave Benzema, Leon, Lass & Arbeloa a chance to start from minute zero. The game was fairly even up until the 36th min when Ozil pull a "rabbit out of the hat" with a back pass which BENZEMA found & riffled into the net. 

Karim Benzema

Then a free-kick was awarded in the 43rd min outside the box which Ronaldo fired & hit the wall & in the bounce Spanish defender ARBELOA meet the ball & smashed it long range to beat all the Dutch defenders & the goalkeeper from long - range. A magnificent & aesthetically pleasing goal that the defender will remember for a long time, as we will!

Arbeloa celebrates his goal

The 2º half started with an early warning when Cristiano Ronaldo had a ball stopped by the Ajax goalie that hit the bar. Real Madrid was slowly increasing their ball dominance & game control as Ajax was losing the spring in their heels from the first half. Real Madrid made changes giving Di Maria a run & he minutes later set up CRISTIANO RONALDO in the box who fired home the third in the 70th min.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Eleven minutes later Ozil zig-zagged in the square & was fouled to give Real Madrid a penalty. CRISTIANO RONALDO then took the ball in the 81st min & calmly put in his second & his teams fourth.

However as with most games with Mourinho present there was controversy in the last 10 mins.  Earlier Mourinho had given "mysterious" instructions to 2º Real Madrid goalie Dudek on the bench to which he transmitted to Iker Casillas under the pretext of giving him some water. There both had a conversation while the ball & play was far away in the Ajax square. Minutes later Casillas travelled to midfield & talked to Sergio Ramos. All fine up till here until Xabi Alonso earned himself a 2º yellow card for time wasting & was sent off. Then Sergio Ramos wasted time & earned himself a 2º yellow as well & was sent off with just 1º min left of official time.

We all then caught on that both Xabi & Ramos had been given a yellow earlier & what Mourinho apparently seemed to wish is that they both find a 2º yellow card to serve their punishment against French & other Group team Auxerre were Real Madrid did not risk anything. This way both players serve their punishment & would have a "fresh" ( & clean of yellow card accumulations) cycle when the real business "knock-out" Rounds occur. 

This last apparent strategy from Mourinho - if correct - will cause plenty of debate & talk tonight & in coming days as some believe it is not the "fair way" or "cleanest" way to do things. However, Mourinho has it all very clear, winning is the final aim & the methods justify the end. At least this is how it seemed to us all, the millions watching via TV  & the thousands of fans at the ground. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM COACH VOTES FOR MESSI, RONALDO, SCHWEINSTEIGER FOR 2010 FIFA GOLDEN BALL

Hi punters! I thought you may find interesting to know the three votes given by Spanish National Football Team Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque for the 2010 FIFA Golden Ball Award. As you may already know, a Selector cannot vote for a player of his same country, thus Del Bosque had to pick from outside the Spanish Football Team

Spain Football Team Coach Vicente Del Bosque

His three votes were in this order:

1º - Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona/ Argentina)
2º - Cristiano Ronaldo ( Real Madrid / Portugal)
3º - Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich / Germany) Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 - 2011 | ROUND 12 | GETAFE 1 REAL ZARAGOZA 1

Spanish Football - Liga action tonight with the last scheduled match of Round 12 down between two Clubs that needed desperately a victory. One team had a debut Coach & the other with a direct "threat" of being axed if his team lost tonight. In the end destiny was kind as both shared the points in a draw result.

Real Zaragoza scores against Getafe

GETAFE drew 1 - 1 against REAL ZARAGOZA with the latter down with 10 men after Ponzio received a red card ( 2 x yellow) in the 63rd min. New Zaragoza Coach Aguirre wanted to start well & Getafe Coach Michael had his job on the line as both sides fought it out. Zaragoza got ahead first via BERTOLO in the 23rd min but COLUNGA equalized via a penalty in the 48th min. From here Getafe took control & missed big opportunities to knock out Zaragoza who finished with 10 men on the field & hang on for the draw. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | IKER CASILLAS NEXT "GOLDEN GLOVE" WINNER

Spanish Football International, Captain & REAL MADRID Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS will be the next “Golden Glove” Award winner – prize given to the “Best Goalkeeper in the World”,  coincing with the best performance in the years World Cup. Although the official presentation will be done on the 10th of January 2011 at Zurich when the “FIFA Golden Ball Award” will also be handed,  along with other prizes, the photo sessions were done earlier this month in Madrid. FIFA representatives, a well known sportswear rep & "4-4-2" English Football magazine had Casillas at the Valdebebas training grounds in a photo shot that gives away the “surprise”.

Iker Casillas

The particularity behind this Award is that it is handed every four years coinciding with the World Cup. Past winner have been Barthez, Kahn, Buffon & now Casillas. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 -2011 | ROUND 12 | SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

"Spanish League - La Liga" Round 12 Football action continued this Sunday with six 6 games scheduled. Here are the final results & scorers.

Espanyol scores against Hercules

RCD ESPANYOL are having a fantastic start to the 2010 - 2011 season notching up another victory this time 3 - 0 against HERCULES. Two things to note a) the fantastic game by Espanyol goalie Kameni & b) the red card to Hercules goalie Calatayud that left Hercules with 10 men. However the latter is no excuse as Espanyol deserved their well fought out win. The goal scorers were VERDU (14th m), OSVALDO penalty (80th min) & LUIS GARCIA (90th m).

Aranda controls ball for Osasuna

OSASUNA needed a victory like spring rain & especially their Coach Camacho. The home team defeated REAL SPORTING DE GIJON 1- 0 thanks the the goal by MASOUD in the 53rd min. Some much needed oxygen for Osasuna this week.

Deportivo winning again. 

DEPORTIVO is making a remarkable recovery after being in a deep hole weeks back. They have another victory under their belt this time 3 - 0 over a disappointing MALAGA. The goals came via ADRIAN penalty (22nd min), COLOTTO ( 30th m) & PABLO ALVAREZ (53rd m).

Cisma gets a red card.

LEVANTE managed a needed 3 -1  win over a disappointing RACING DE SANTANDER that went down to 10 men when Cisma received a red card. Goals came via CAICEDO twice ( 23rd & 26th m) & STUANI (42nd m). The only goal for Racing came from LACEN late in the 87th m.

Mallorca wins Sevilla FC away.

SEVILLA FC was beaten at home by REAL MALLORCA 1-2 even though the home side attempted a "comeback". Mallorca got ahead in the 35th m via PEREIRA & the game turned into a real tussle that lifted the excitement levels. Sevilla FC played better & were looking for the equalizer which finally came in the 87th min via LUIS FABIANO after numerous missed opportunities. But 2 mins later WEBO scored the winner for Mallorca that broke the spirits of the home team after a grand attempt to equal things up.

Diego Forlan scores the opener for Atletico

REAL SOCIEDAD lost 2 - 4 to ATLETICO DE MADRID after getting ahead via LLORENTE in the 12th min & dominanting the 1ºst half. Then the last 20 mins went absolutely crazy with end to end play & with a pace that gave the game an enormous plus especially if you were an Atletico fan. The Atletico duo upfront - Forlan - Aguero - teamed well again when Aguero set up DIEGO FORLAN to equalize in the 71st min. Then Forlan returned the favour & SERGIO AGUERO scored the second & the third in the 79th & 82th min. However, Real Sociedad wasn´t giving in & after a terrible Simao mistake DIEGO RIVAS got the ball & scored in the 85th min to give back hope of equalizing to the home team. BUT, a penalty to Reyes in the 95th min allowed SIMAO to make up for his mistake & he scored the fourth for Atletico. What a way to finish off a game! Tweet

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