Will keep the stories coming in during 2011 & with your support it will be better. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year. See you back after the "hang-over" :O) Cheers
SPANISH FOOTBALL SPORTS BLOG WISHES A HAPPY 2011 TO EVERYONE
To all the readers & visitors of Spanish Football Sports Blog, thank you for your support during 2010. My views, manners & ways may not serve & be in accord with everyone but at least I try to keep many people in far away shores & who can´t read Spanish up to date with all the Big Spanish Football & Sports news.
Will keep the stories coming in during 2011 & with your support it will be better. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year. See you back after the "hang-over" :O) Cheers
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Will keep the stories coming in during 2011 & with your support it will be better. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year. See you back after the "hang-over" :O) Cheers
SPAIN | 2010 THE BIGGEST HISTORICAL YEAR IN SPANISH SPORTS
2010 has been a spectacular year for SPANISH SPORTS. There has been many moments with great & grand victories in team & individual competitions. For Spanish Football Sports Blog there has been three magical moments that comes immediately to mind: in Football the FIFA World Cup victory & World Championship in South Africa, in Tennis Rafael Nadal with his 3 Grand Slam victories (French, Wimbledon & US Open) & in MotoGp with all three catagories - 125cc, Moto 2 & Moto Gp - being won by Spanish riders & in particular Jorge Lorenzo who becomes the 2º Spaniard in its History to take the title.
Out of all the 2010 achievements obviously on a collective level the SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM takes the prize & on an individual level RAFAEL NADAL. Lets finish off the year with 3 VIDEOS to give tribute to Spanish Sports & the three great moments of the year.
A Tribute to the SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM:
Thanks to PAU GASOL (NBA Champ 2010 ), ALBERTO CONTADOR ( Tour de France - Cycling) ...etc & etc. Tweet
Out of all the 2010 achievements obviously on a collective level the SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM takes the prize & on an individual level RAFAEL NADAL. Lets finish off the year with 3 VIDEOS to give tribute to Spanish Sports & the three great moments of the year.
A Tribute to the SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM:
RAFAEL NADAL wins the only title missing from his long list - 2010 US OPEN
JORGE LORENZO secures the 2010 Moto GP World Championship in Sepang.
Special mention to Spanish Moto 2 Champ TONI ELIAS & 125cc World Champ
MARQUEZ only with 17 years of age.
Special mention to Spanish Moto 2 Champ TONI ELIAS & 125cc World Champ
MARQUEZ only with 17 years of age.
Thanks to PAU GASOL (NBA Champ 2010 ), ALBERTO CONTADOR ( Tour de France - Cycling) ...etc & etc. Tweet
ACB SPANISH BASKETBALL | REGAL BARCELONA 95 - REAL MADRID 75
Big night of ACB SPANISH BASKETBALL action with REAL MADRID travelling to BARCELONA for the big Spanish Basketball Derby. Real Madrid went into this game as ACB Table leader & full of confidence to attempt to win in a traditional doom stadium & thus find revenge for past defeats.
The end result was a FC (REGAL) BARCELONA demolition job with a 95 - 75 win over Real Madrid that puts Barça sharing Top spot on the ACB ladder with their arch rivals & once again gives the Madrid team a good old whipping that will leave a "scar".
This 20 point defeat may have a psychological effect over Real Madrid who are clear way below the level needed to match Regal Barcelona. Juan Carlos Navarro played a cracker for Barça along with Lakovic, while the name to note from Real Madrid was Fischer.
Seems 2010 will go down as a bad year for Real Madrid when it comes to head to head clashes in different Sporting events with Barça. We all remember the 5- 0 Barça win in Football, yesterdays Barça´s 1-2 Final win in the XV International Football U-12 title & tonight in Basketball. Will 2011 be the same story?
Here are some brief details of the match with individual scores & the partials:
95 - REGAL BARCELONA (28+21+25+21):Rubio (2), Navarro (14), Grimau (13), Lorbek (13), Perovic (8) -starting team-, Sada (6), Lakovic (17), Vázquez (8), Inglés (-), Anderson (-), Morris (12) & Ndong (2).
75 - REAL MADRID (15+19+21+20):Prigioni (-), Llull (10), Suárez (3), Reyes (11), Fischer (11) -starting team-, Tomic (8), Velickovic (6), Garbajosa (-), Tucker (13), Rodríguez (13) & Mirotic (-). Tweet
The end result was a FC (REGAL) BARCELONA demolition job with a 95 - 75 win over Real Madrid that puts Barça sharing Top spot on the ACB ladder with their arch rivals & once again gives the Madrid team a good old whipping that will leave a "scar".
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| Navarro shots over Real Madrid player |
This 20 point defeat may have a psychological effect over Real Madrid who are clear way below the level needed to match Regal Barcelona. Juan Carlos Navarro played a cracker for Barça along with Lakovic, while the name to note from Real Madrid was Fischer.
Seems 2010 will go down as a bad year for Real Madrid when it comes to head to head clashes in different Sporting events with Barça. We all remember the 5- 0 Barça win in Football, yesterdays Barça´s 1-2 Final win in the XV International Football U-12 title & tonight in Basketball. Will 2011 be the same story?
Here are some brief details of the match with individual scores & the partials:
95 - REGAL BARCELONA (28+21+25+21):Rubio (2), Navarro (14), Grimau (13), Lorbek (13), Perovic (8) -starting team-, Sada (6), Lakovic (17), Vázquez (8), Inglés (-), Anderson (-), Morris (12) & Ndong (2).
75 - REAL MADRID (15+19+21+20):Prigioni (-), Llull (10), Suárez (3), Reyes (11), Fischer (11) -starting team-, Tomic (8), Velickovic (6), Garbajosa (-), Tucker (13), Rodríguez (13) & Mirotic (-). Tweet
ATLETICO DE MADRID PRESENTS NEW SIGNING ELIAS
Thought our Brazilian readers & global ATLETICO DE MADRID fans may be interested in seeing the new signing ELIAS MENDES from Corinthians with the Atletico shirt on. Although the players is already training with the squad the Club presented their new midfielder to the national media this afternoon.
One wonders if Elias has a sense of humour when he commented that both Roberto Carlos & Ronaldo ( ex - Real Madrid stars) recommended that he sign with Atletico.
To finish off & staying with the signings rumours. The talk is that Atletico is talking with Osasuna player JuanFran & Valencia CF winger Vicente. Stay tuned! Tweet
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| Elias presented as Atletico player |
To finish off & staying with the signings rumours. The talk is that Atletico is talking with Osasuna player JuanFran & Valencia CF winger Vicente. Stay tuned! Tweet
REAL MADRID | DANI PAREJO TO RETURN NEXT SEASON
DANI PAREJO was literally born, raised & educated at REAL MADRID. A young promise that has risen through all the junior sides of the Spanish National Team the player simply had too many "A" Internationals ahead of him at Madrid. The solution was to transfer the young man to GETAFE with a first buy-back option, to allow their promise to continue playing & gaining experience in the Spanish League. The player has evolved & matured as expected & is a key player at Getafe.
Thus I was glad to read today in Spanish Sports daily "AS" that REAL MADRID has decided that it is time to bring back the "prodigal" son & will exercise the buy-back option of 2M€+extras. Coach Mourinho wishes Parejo to be the "back-up" player for Xabi Alonso for the players attacking touch Football, were as Khedira & Lass are more defensively orientated.
The player will incorporate himself to Real Madrid at the end of the season, according to the Spanish paper. Tweet
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| Parejo at Getafe |
Thus I was glad to read today in Spanish Sports daily "AS" that REAL MADRID has decided that it is time to bring back the "prodigal" son & will exercise the buy-back option of 2M€+extras. Coach Mourinho wishes Parejo to be the "back-up" player for Xabi Alonso for the players attacking touch Football, were as Khedira & Lass are more defensively orientated.
The player will incorporate himself to Real Madrid at the end of the season, according to the Spanish paper. Tweet
SPANISH TENNIS | RAFAEL NADAL NAMED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR BY "L´EQUIPE"
Spanish Sports has had an incredible 2010 & now the individual Spanish Sportsman involved in the various disciplines are being recognized for their efforts. French media network "L´Equipe" ( web, magazine & TV ) has named 24 year old Spanish Tennis player RAFAEL NADAL "Champion of Champions" - "Best Sportsman of the Year" - for 2010. This is in recognition for his three Tennis Grand Slam victories - French, Wimbledon & US Open - in a marvellous year for the Spaniard.
Congratulations to Rafa! Tweet
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| Nadal wins Wimbledon 2010 |
Congratulations to Rafa! Tweet
FC BARCELONA WINS THE XV FOOTBALL 7 - U/12 - INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
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| FC Barcelona Champions U -12 |
FC BARCELONA proclaimed itself Champions of the XV Football 7 International Youth Tournament (12 year olds) after defeating REAL MADRID CF in the FINAL & in the penalty shoot-out. The Tournament was played in the Canary Islands & grouped the finest Youth Clubs from Spain & Europe.
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| Real Madrid U-12 Runners Up |
Real Madrid played better during the 40 mins (two half’s of 20 min) with 3 posts & was very unlucky not to score. Part of the credit also goes out to CRISTIAN the FC Barcelona keeper who made some great saves & was voted the Goalie of the Tournament. Real Madrid player CEDENILLA was award the “Player of the Tournament” a competition that also featured LUCA ZIDANE goalie for Real Madrid who made some great saves & stopped important penalties.
It was in the shoot-out that Real Madrid’s bad luck with the goal continued with misses that included another post & a more accurate Barça who manage to take the title with a 1 – 2 result..
Villareal finished in 3ºrd place after defeating Sevilla FC 1- 0 & the Villareal forward JOSUE won the “Golden Boot” with his 4 goals.
As you can see FC Barcelona continue dominating Real Madrid even in the junior level :O)
Here is a brief summary of players:
Real Madrid: Luca Zidane, Josete, Sotillos, Cedenilla, Jaime Sierra, Manu, & Antonio. Also played Óscar.
Barcelona: Cristian, Ramón, Adriá, Oriol, Aleñá, Georgios & Javi Ruiz. Also played Morer, Olmo, Joan & Piñol.
Penalties: Cedenilla, miss. Aleñá, miss. Óscar, miss. Olmo, gol. Sotillos gol. Oriol, gol.
Real Madrid 1 – FC Barcelona 2 Penalty shoot-out Tweet
REAL MADRID - INTER MILAN | KAKA IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE
Did not wish to get into this but the persistent rumours have made it that I would like to inform the global REAL MADRID fans that KAKA is NOT going anywhere fast. Yes, there has been news from Italy that INTER MILAN wanted the Brazilian on loan for the rest of the season & even a transfer was mentioned at some point by some Italian media source. Yes, the rumours are that Inter was sending "spies" to watch how Kaka performs coming out of injury for next weeks Liga & Spanish cup matches. However, lets get back some common sense & calm ourselves down before allowing this story to go on further.
1. The Kaka rumour helped Inter create a "smoke-screen" to deviate attention from local tiffosi while it solved its Coaching crisis & Benitez sacking.
2. Kaka has been out of action 6 months, we dont even know how he will comeback , although we are confident that he will be a value asset for Real Madrid in coming months
3. Kaka cost Real Madrid around 68M€, they aren´t going to sell at a loss & Inter hasn´t the money.
4. Has anyone asked Kaka? The man hasn´t said a word since all these rumours appeared.
5. New Inter Milan Coach Leonardo has just said today at his official presentation that Kaka will NOT leave Real Madrid without beforehand doing big things at the Spanish Club.
So, Kaka isn´t going nowhere this season. Real Madrid fans stay cool. Tweet
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| Kaka source:Ap |
1. The Kaka rumour helped Inter create a "smoke-screen" to deviate attention from local tiffosi while it solved its Coaching crisis & Benitez sacking.
2. Kaka has been out of action 6 months, we dont even know how he will comeback , although we are confident that he will be a value asset for Real Madrid in coming months
3. Kaka cost Real Madrid around 68M€, they aren´t going to sell at a loss & Inter hasn´t the money.
4. Has anyone asked Kaka? The man hasn´t said a word since all these rumours appeared.
5. New Inter Milan Coach Leonardo has just said today at his official presentation that Kaka will NOT leave Real Madrid without beforehand doing big things at the Spanish Club.
So, Kaka isn´t going nowhere this season. Real Madrid fans stay cool. Tweet
VIDEO | BENJAMIN AGUERO MARADONA SHOWS HE HAS FOOTBALL IN HIS DNA
Seeing we are in the Christmas festive season. Here is a human story that is related to Spanish Football & Atletico de Madrid. Argentine star SERGIO AGUERO has placed on his official web site a video of his son BENJAMIN AGUERO MARADONA in action.
As you can see clearly in the video young Benjamin has the DNA of grandfather DIEGO MARADONA & his dads from the fancy footwork shown.
"Para compartir con todos" from Sergio Aguero on Vimeo
A "deadly" right foot & some classy ways that will serve if the kid decides to carry on with the family profession. Tweet
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| Benjamin with dad Sergio Aguero |
"Para compartir con todos" from Sergio Aguero on Vimeo
A "deadly" right foot & some classy ways that will serve if the kid decides to carry on with the family profession. Tweet
UNITED STATES SPORTS ACADEMY NAMES DAVID VILLA SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Interesting news from the United States where the US Sports Academy has awarded FC BARCELONA forward & Spanish International DAVID VILLA the "Best Sportsman in the World" for 2010, tipping in second place Spanish Tennis ace RAFAEL NADAL
The votes came in via the webs of NBC Sports & USA Today which prized the performance of David Villa during this years World Cup with his goals & contribution towards the Spanish Football Team to win the World Championship.
Tweet
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| David Villa |
SPANISH FOOTBALL | WINTER TRANSFER MARKET 2011
Back posting after a brief Christmas Break were I hope that you have had some wonderful days of relax, family warmth & lots of presents. The Spanish Football scene is relatively quiet as the Spanish League is enjoying their Xmas Break with news being generated by the rumours of new incorporations as of January 2011
The winter “Transfer Market” kicks in the 3rd of January 2011, date that new players can be registered in the Spanish League. There are lots of rumours on players movements but what is certain is that the economic crisis is playing a role & the signing market is not so buoyant as past years. The only team that is really going serious this “Winter Market” is Malaga FC who has already 2 shut & is negotiating 4 more that are close to being official in terms of a loan &/or buy.
Here are some names that we expect to see in La Liga as of next week:
MALAGA FC : confirmed are De Michelis (loan Bayern Munich) – Maresca
Negotiating the loan of Asenjo (At Madrid) & the signing of Camacho (At Madrid)
Negotiating the signing of José Angel (Sporting Gijon)
Negotiating Julio Baptista (AC Roma)
FC BARCELONA – signed Afelley
AT MADRID – signed Elias (Corinthians)
No doubt more names will be appearing & being made official in the next coming days. Stay tuned Tweet
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| Affeley presented as new Barça player |
The winter “Transfer Market” kicks in the 3rd of January 2011, date that new players can be registered in the Spanish League. There are lots of rumours on players movements but what is certain is that the economic crisis is playing a role & the signing market is not so buoyant as past years. The only team that is really going serious this “Winter Market” is Malaga FC who has already 2 shut & is negotiating 4 more that are close to being official in terms of a loan &/or buy.
Here are some names that we expect to see in La Liga as of next week:
MALAGA FC : confirmed are De Michelis (loan Bayern Munich) – Maresca
Negotiating the loan of Asenjo (At Madrid) & the signing of Camacho (At Madrid)
Negotiating the signing of José Angel (Sporting Gijon)
Negotiating Julio Baptista (AC Roma)
FC BARCELONA – signed Afelley
AT MADRID – signed Elias (Corinthians)
No doubt more names will be appearing & being made official in the next coming days. Stay tuned Tweet
SPANISH CUP 2010 - 2011 | WEDNESDAY NIGHT GAMES RESULTS | BIG SCORES HAT-TRICKS FROM BENZEMA CRISTIANO RONALDO ULLOA
Big night of SPANISH CUP action with the remaining five games scheduled with goals galore, multiple hat-tricks & a grand way for Spanish Soccer to go on its Xmas break. Here are quick summaries of the games, the results & the scorers.
REAL MADRID won 8 - 0 LEVANTE to assure its pass to the next stage of the Spanish Cup & calm the waters at the Club after a tense couple of days. Suffice to say that apart from KARIM BENZEMA ( 6th, 31st & 68th min) & CRISTIANO RONALDO ( 44th , 71st & 73rd min) who both scored HAT-TRICKS, OZIL ( 9th min ) & PEDRO LEON ( 89th min) also got some cake as well. Levante attempted to stop Real Madrid in the second half with very rough tactics boarding on the absurd, but they could not stop the other significant Real players like Di Maria, Marcelo, Xabi etc who contributed to "bury" the visitors.
The Real Madrid youngster Morata came on towards the end & nearly scored.
Exciting game between ALMERIA & MALLORCA with the former winning 4 - 3 with Almeria forward ULLOA getting a HAT-TRICK ( 6th, 28th & 72nd min). The other scorer for Almeria was UCHE in the 65th min, with DE GUZMAN in the 28th, CASADESUS in the 44th & WEBO in the 88th min all scoring for Mallorca. A great match with the elimination still right open.
Controversial match with some uneasy & doubtful decisions, added to some strong playing attitudes that gave ATLETICO DE MADRID a 1 - 0 victory over RCD ESPANYOL with the former down to 10 men from the 41st min (red card to Reyes for an aggression) . The goal scorer was SIMAO via a very doubtful penalty in the 32nd min which was his last goal for Atletico & in Spanish Football as he leaves for Turkey & Besitkas. lastly young Atletico goalie De Gea put in an outstanding performance to keep the scoreline 1 - 0 with his team with 10 men!
BETIS lost 1-2 to Madrid Club GETAFE in the pouring rain. A great spectacle of a match with goals from MOLINA in the 87th min via a penalty for Betis to pull one back, apart from the earlier Getafe goals from MIKU in the 26th min & RIOS in the 36th min. Great comeback effort from Betis to keep them alive as they drastically improved in the second half & were justly rewarded.
Big scoring match between SEVILLA FC & MALAGA which included a 2ºhalf turn around by the home side to win 5 - 3. Sevilla FC opened the scoring via ALFARO in the 11th min but collapsed to a string of Malaga goals that almost "killed" them off via RONDON ( 19th & 26th min) & QUINCY in the 41st min, with a reaction from NEGREDO in the 31st min scoring the Sevilla important second. Sevilla FC then bit the bullet in the 2º half to enforce their presence on the field with two goals from ROMARIC in the 66th & 80th min & CAPEL in the 82th min to turn things right around & triumph. Great match of Football to watch.
SPANISH FOOTBALL goes on its Christmas Braek until the 2nd of January 2011 Tweet
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| Benzema hat-trick man |
REAL MADRID won 8 - 0 LEVANTE to assure its pass to the next stage of the Spanish Cup & calm the waters at the Club after a tense couple of days. Suffice to say that apart from KARIM BENZEMA ( 6th, 31st & 68th min) & CRISTIANO RONALDO ( 44th , 71st & 73rd min) who both scored HAT-TRICKS, OZIL ( 9th min ) & PEDRO LEON ( 89th min) also got some cake as well. Levante attempted to stop Real Madrid in the second half with very rough tactics boarding on the absurd, but they could not stop the other significant Real players like Di Maria, Marcelo, Xabi etc who contributed to "bury" the visitors.
The Real Madrid youngster Morata came on towards the end & nearly scored.
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| Ulloa Hat-Trick man |
Exciting game between ALMERIA & MALLORCA with the former winning 4 - 3 with Almeria forward ULLOA getting a HAT-TRICK ( 6th, 28th & 72nd min). The other scorer for Almeria was UCHE in the 65th min, with DE GUZMAN in the 28th, CASADESUS in the 44th & WEBO in the 88th min all scoring for Mallorca. A great match with the elimination still right open.
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| Simao scores his last goal with Atletico |
Controversial match with some uneasy & doubtful decisions, added to some strong playing attitudes that gave ATLETICO DE MADRID a 1 - 0 victory over RCD ESPANYOL with the former down to 10 men from the 41st min (red card to Reyes for an aggression) . The goal scorer was SIMAO via a very doubtful penalty in the 32nd min which was his last goal for Atletico & in Spanish Football as he leaves for Turkey & Besitkas. lastly young Atletico goalie De Gea put in an outstanding performance to keep the scoreline 1 - 0 with his team with 10 men!
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| Betis - Getafe in the rain |
BETIS lost 1-2 to Madrid Club GETAFE in the pouring rain. A great spectacle of a match with goals from MOLINA in the 87th min via a penalty for Betis to pull one back, apart from the earlier Getafe goals from MIKU in the 26th min & RIOS in the 36th min. Great comeback effort from Betis to keep them alive as they drastically improved in the second half & were justly rewarded.
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| Sevilla FC Alfaro scorers |
Big scoring match between SEVILLA FC & MALAGA which included a 2ºhalf turn around by the home side to win 5 - 3. Sevilla FC opened the scoring via ALFARO in the 11th min but collapsed to a string of Malaga goals that almost "killed" them off via RONDON ( 19th & 26th min) & QUINCY in the 41st min, with a reaction from NEGREDO in the 31st min scoring the Sevilla important second. Sevilla FC then bit the bullet in the 2º half to enforce their presence on the field with two goals from ROMARIC in the 66th & 80th min & CAPEL in the 82th min to turn things right around & triumph. Great match of Football to watch.
SPANISH FOOTBALL goes on its Christmas Braek until the 2nd of January 2011 Tweet
MALAGA FC | BAYERN MUNICH DEFENDER MARTIN DEMICHELIS ON LOAN UNTIL JUNE 2011
Having a look today through Spanish Sports daily "AS" I was taken back to see that BAYERN MUNICH & Argentine International defender MARTIN DEMICHELIS will be a MALAGA player after Christmas. The 30 year old come as a LOAN until the end of June 2011 & then Malaga has a 3M€ option to keep the defender with a buy if they choose to exercise the option.
The player is not having minutes at Bayern as he is not counting at all for Coach Van Gaal. Apparently, the players representative will be at the Malaga Spanish Cup match tonight to fine-tune the details before shutting the deal.
An interesting option for Malaga who are going through a rough patch & will find this player/defender of value. Tweet
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| Demichelis for Bayern Munich |
The player is not having minutes at Bayern as he is not counting at all for Coach Van Gaal. Apparently, the players representative will be at the Malaga Spanish Cup match tonight to fine-tune the details before shutting the deal.
An interesting option for Malaga who are going through a rough patch & will find this player/defender of value. Tweet
SPANISH CUP 2010 - 2011 | TUESDAY NIGHT GAMES RESULTS | FC BARCELONA AT BILBAO VALENCIA CF VILLAREAL DEPOR CORDOBA
SPANISH CUP action tonight with three matches that all gave the same result. Here is a quick summary of the away leg games, the results & scorers.
VALENCIA held out an "unrecognizable" VILLAREAL & threw everything at them in attack but only managed to finish with a 0 - 0 draw result. Valencia was the better team & even hit the "wood-work" apart from "suffocating" the visitors with waves of attacks...but not effective. Valencia will be disappointed & Villareal waiting for them eagerly in the return leg.
The CORDOBA - DEPORTIVO A CORUÑA match should have been cancelled as it poured down with water & turned the pitch into a swimming pool. This conditioned the encounter & Football was not pretty to watch. RIKI put Deportivo ahead in the 17th min via a penalty & a terrible Depor keeper mistake allowed the equalizer for Cordoba via PEPE DIAZ in the 70th min.
ATHLETIC DE BILBAO managed to pull a 0 - 0 draw from FC BARCELONA in a match that saw Bilbao put a "bus" in front of their goal & keep out Barça. Barça Coach Guardiola even brought in Xavi, Messi & Villa in the 2º half to open up the Basque defence but they could not. Pique missed a sitter that most are still asking what happened. The 2º leg match is served & promises to be a great clash at Bilbao. Tweet
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| Mata hits the wood-work |
VALENCIA held out an "unrecognizable" VILLAREAL & threw everything at them in attack but only managed to finish with a 0 - 0 draw result. Valencia was the better team & even hit the "wood-work" apart from "suffocating" the visitors with waves of attacks...but not effective. Valencia will be disappointed & Villareal waiting for them eagerly in the return leg.
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| Cordoba - Deportivo |
The CORDOBA - DEPORTIVO A CORUÑA match should have been cancelled as it poured down with water & turned the pitch into a swimming pool. This conditioned the encounter & Football was not pretty to watch. RIKI put Deportivo ahead in the 17th min via a penalty & a terrible Depor keeper mistake allowed the equalizer for Cordoba via PEPE DIAZ in the 70th min.
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| Iniesta for FC Barcelona |
ATHLETIC DE BILBAO managed to pull a 0 - 0 draw from FC BARCELONA in a match that saw Bilbao put a "bus" in front of their goal & keep out Barça. Barça Coach Guardiola even brought in Xavi, Messi & Villa in the 2º half to open up the Basque defence but they could not. Pique missed a sitter that most are still asking what happened. The 2º leg match is served & promises to be a great clash at Bilbao. Tweet
REAL MADRID CF | MOURINHO vs VALDANO | THE AFTER SHOCKS OF A 5 - 0 DEFEAT AT BARCELONA
Hi guys. I realize that the apparent big story in SPANISH FOOTBALL is the José Mourinho Press Confrenece outburst last Sunday & that you maybe expecting a comment on this Blog.
The Real Madrid Coach slammed the Club for not "defending" the team & himself against what he sees as blatant bias from the Spanish referees & Football Authorities. He stated that he doesn´t feel backed by the Club Directives & that he was alway the person in the front-line; he even publicly called a urgent meeting with President Perez What the comments "really" unearthed was a Institutional - In-house conflict between himself & Club Director General Jorge Valdano, a sort of "power-battle" that is ripping the Club & putting President Florentino Perez in a very tight & awkward position.
I am not going to add much further to this "Mourinho episode", as I already did this with a post days back , see this link REAL MADRID CF . There I made the comments that the 5 - 0 defeat at FC Barcelona would have serious after-shocks & that it had untapped accumulating pressure within the Club. There is a "struggle" for authority, the signing of a new forward, dressing room issues & debate with the methods employed & philosophy of the Club.
Some journalists even suspect this is all a Mourinho tactic to deviate attention to the pathetic play exhibited against Sevilla on Sunday & the apparent dressing room split between Casillas & Ronaldo. Others all see the shadow of Football Manager Jorges Mendes in there somehow as he is influencing the Club too much as he is the manager of Mourinho, Ronaldo, Carvalho, Di Maria & Pepe, the last in very tense contract renewal negotiations.
Suffice to say that Real Madrid has a Spanish Cup match tomorrow against Levante & then takes a break for Christmas, & this last element will be the saviour. The week break will calm spirits & avoid a total "nuclear explosion" at the Club...for the moment. The ONLY thing that will keep things in place is the "gravitational - magnetic force" called winning. If in Febuary 2011 Real Madrid get knocked out of Champions by Lyon - imagine- I don´t even wish to predict the results within the Club. Tweet
The Real Madrid Coach slammed the Club for not "defending" the team & himself against what he sees as blatant bias from the Spanish referees & Football Authorities. He stated that he doesn´t feel backed by the Club Directives & that he was alway the person in the front-line; he even publicly called a urgent meeting with President Perez What the comments "really" unearthed was a Institutional - In-house conflict between himself & Club Director General Jorge Valdano, a sort of "power-battle" that is ripping the Club & putting President Florentino Perez in a very tight & awkward position.
I am not going to add much further to this "Mourinho episode", as I already did this with a post days back , see this link REAL MADRID CF . There I made the comments that the 5 - 0 defeat at FC Barcelona would have serious after-shocks & that it had untapped accumulating pressure within the Club. There is a "struggle" for authority, the signing of a new forward, dressing room issues & debate with the methods employed & philosophy of the Club.
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| Valdano-Mourinho |
Some journalists even suspect this is all a Mourinho tactic to deviate attention to the pathetic play exhibited against Sevilla on Sunday & the apparent dressing room split between Casillas & Ronaldo. Others all see the shadow of Football Manager Jorges Mendes in there somehow as he is influencing the Club too much as he is the manager of Mourinho, Ronaldo, Carvalho, Di Maria & Pepe, the last in very tense contract renewal negotiations.
Suffice to say that Real Madrid has a Spanish Cup match tomorrow against Levante & then takes a break for Christmas, & this last element will be the saviour. The week break will calm spirits & avoid a total "nuclear explosion" at the Club...for the moment. The ONLY thing that will keep things in place is the "gravitational - magnetic force" called winning. If in Febuary 2011 Real Madrid get knocked out of Champions by Lyon - imagine- I don´t even wish to predict the results within the Club. Tweet
SPANISH FOOTBALL | 2010 - 2011 SPANISH LEAGUE - LA LIGA | ROUND 16 | MONDAY NIGHT RESULT | RACING 0 HERCULES 0
The Spanish League concluded Round 16 & 2010 with the Monday night game between RACING DE SANTANDER & HERCULES FC with a final result of 0 - 0. Not much to add here except two sides relatively conservative with a balanced spread of chances that both didn´t take adavantage of & take the full 3 points. In fact, the draw was the just result.
Spanish Football goes into SPANISH CUP mode the next couple of days with tomorrow putting teams like FC BARCELONA up against AT.BILBAO. Be sure to surf into SFS tomorrow night for the summary round-up of Spanish Cup results & scorers. Tweet
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| Racing - Hercules conclude the Spanish League for 2010. |
Spanish Football goes into SPANISH CUP mode the next couple of days with tomorrow putting teams like FC BARCELONA up against AT.BILBAO. Be sure to surf into SFS tomorrow night for the summary round-up of Spanish Cup results & scorers. Tweet
SPANISH HANDBALL | CIUDAD REAL 34 FC BARCELONA 31 | ASOBAL CUP 2010 FINAL
I agree SPANISH HANDBALL doesn´t get the exposure it should, I am the first to criticise, but Football is so big & dominates so much the local scene that this happens. Plus the blog is a personal "hobby" with limited time in my hands & unfortunately for Handball fans I have to sway to what the majority wish to read. But Spanish has the strongest League & most of the Best Players in Europe assuring the quality & maximum level.
Having said this, CIUDAD REAL continue dominating the Sport at Club level after winning their sixth ASOBAL CUP against FC BARCELONA 31 - 34. A brilliant second half by Ciudad Real allowed the victory & equals FC Barcelona in titles.
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Having said this, CIUDAD REAL continue dominating the Sport at Club level after winning their sixth ASOBAL CUP against FC BARCELONA 31 - 34. A brilliant second half by Ciudad Real allowed the victory & equals FC Barcelona in titles.
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| Ciudad Real Asobal Cup Champions 2010 |
31. FC BARCELONA:Saric, Noddesbo (3), Juanín García (5, 2 de pen), Nagy (2), Jermenyr (-), Rocas (2) y Sarmiento (8) --siete inicial-- Sorhaindo (-), Ugalde (1), Romero, Rutenka (6), Oneto (2) e Igropulo (2). |
34. RENOVALIA CIUDAD REAL:Sterbik; Källman (4), Guardiola (5), Aguinagalde (5), Abalo (2), Rodríguez (5) y Jurkiewicz (3) --siete inicial-- Parrondo (2), Cañellas (3), Morros (1), Dinart y Lazarov (4, 1 de pen). |
SPANISH FOOTBALL | 2010 - 2011 SPANISH LEAGUE - LA LIGA | ROUND 16 | SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS
SPANISH FOOTBALL & Round 16 Spanish League - La Liga action continued tonight with four intense games. Here is the habitual quick review of all four encounters with the results & the scorers.
ATLETICO DE MADRID visited MALAGA & managed to get away with a 0 - 3 victory. A night of strategy & dead ball situtations which Atletico managed to exploit to the maximum. TIAGO put Atletico ahead in the 22nd min to settle nerves in the 1ºhalf. The 2º half saw the visitors get their second via DOMINGUEZ with a header from a set piece in the 66th min & TIAGO finished things off with a third & his second for the night in the 69th min. A victory to help settle further things at Atletico.
OSASUNA & REAL ZARAGOZA played out a 0 - 0 draw with lots of chances & both goalies earning their money. Could have gone either way until both teams decided to take a point each & not risk.
ALMERIA hosted GETAFE & watched how the game slipped from a possible victory to a 2 - 3 loss. Getafe are getting into the habit of making unbelievable comebacks in the last few games that gives great value for money to spectators. Almeria dominated the first 25 min with two goals from ULCHE ( 7th min) & ULLOA ( 24th min) that put them in the driving seat. From here Getafe commenced their comeback with goals from MORAL in the 29th min, MIKU in the 48th min & the winner BOATENG in the 70th min.
Some questions being asked at Almeria.
A tense & "bad vibe" match with both sides coming in with a dark coloured aura around them. That sensation came to light all through the match with SEVILLA FC very defensive & REAL MADRID without rhythm & lacking someone to steer the team ( Xabi & Marcelo out with suspensions). The game deteriorated gradually as a string of referee mistakes charged the atmosphere with numerous yellow cards in the 1ºhalf that would have a negative result later. Suffice to say that the first half finished with frustration in the air & a players tunnel scuffle between Real Madrid - Sevilla assistants. Very tense!
The 2º half started like the first, with Real Madrid unable to find a way to break the 5 man Sevilla defence & Benzema looking out of place which would lead to a latter substitution. Here we had some action of note: Sevilla forward Negredo missed a sitter, off-sides against Real that weren´t, penalty handball not called to Madrid & a second yellow to CARVALHO ( which was´nt) that left Real Madrid with 10 men in the 69th min.
Amazingly, Real Madrid played better & Di Maria claimed a penalty shortly after & received a yellow card. Things were heated & getting out of hand as the referee was losing control when DI MARIA dazzled Sevilla keeper Palop & scored in the 75th min. Here Mourinho brought out defender ALBIOL to put up a wall to contain things & seal the 3 points. The atmosphere was charged & Sevilla player DEBO decided to take revenge on Di Maria for an earlier incident & received a direct Red Card. For once everybody was hoping that the match finish as soon as possible as things were turning dark. Final result 1 - 0
As said, a strange & "dark" match with some "funny" body language from Real Madrid players - as well as Sevilla players who are going through a rough time with their problems - that suggest things aren´t so bright & shinny within the Clubs.
TOMMORROW - Monday night Round 16 match: Racing Santander vs Hercules FC Tweet
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| Big game from Tiago tonight for Atletico |
ATLETICO DE MADRID visited MALAGA & managed to get away with a 0 - 3 victory. A night of strategy & dead ball situtations which Atletico managed to exploit to the maximum. TIAGO put Atletico ahead in the 22nd min to settle nerves in the 1ºhalf. The 2º half saw the visitors get their second via DOMINGUEZ with a header from a set piece in the 66th min & TIAGO finished things off with a third & his second for the night in the 69th min. A victory to help settle further things at Atletico.
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| Osasuna - Real Zaragoza |
OSASUNA & REAL ZARAGOZA played out a 0 - 0 draw with lots of chances & both goalies earning their money. Could have gone either way until both teams decided to take a point each & not risk.
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| Getafe comeback to win |
ALMERIA hosted GETAFE & watched how the game slipped from a possible victory to a 2 - 3 loss. Getafe are getting into the habit of making unbelievable comebacks in the last few games that gives great value for money to spectators. Almeria dominated the first 25 min with two goals from ULCHE ( 7th min) & ULLOA ( 24th min) that put them in the driving seat. From here Getafe commenced their comeback with goals from MORAL in the 29th min, MIKU in the 48th min & the winner BOATENG in the 70th min.
Some questions being asked at Almeria.
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| Di Maria with the winner |
A tense & "bad vibe" match with both sides coming in with a dark coloured aura around them. That sensation came to light all through the match with SEVILLA FC very defensive & REAL MADRID without rhythm & lacking someone to steer the team ( Xabi & Marcelo out with suspensions). The game deteriorated gradually as a string of referee mistakes charged the atmosphere with numerous yellow cards in the 1ºhalf that would have a negative result later. Suffice to say that the first half finished with frustration in the air & a players tunnel scuffle between Real Madrid - Sevilla assistants. Very tense!
The 2º half started like the first, with Real Madrid unable to find a way to break the 5 man Sevilla defence & Benzema looking out of place which would lead to a latter substitution. Here we had some action of note: Sevilla forward Negredo missed a sitter, off-sides against Real that weren´t, penalty handball not called to Madrid & a second yellow to CARVALHO ( which was´nt) that left Real Madrid with 10 men in the 69th min.
Amazingly, Real Madrid played better & Di Maria claimed a penalty shortly after & received a yellow card. Things were heated & getting out of hand as the referee was losing control when DI MARIA dazzled Sevilla keeper Palop & scored in the 75th min. Here Mourinho brought out defender ALBIOL to put up a wall to contain things & seal the 3 points. The atmosphere was charged & Sevilla player DEBO decided to take revenge on Di Maria for an earlier incident & received a direct Red Card. For once everybody was hoping that the match finish as soon as possible as things were turning dark. Final result 1 - 0
As said, a strange & "dark" match with some "funny" body language from Real Madrid players - as well as Sevilla players who are going through a rough time with their problems - that suggest things aren´t so bright & shinny within the Clubs.
TOMMORROW - Monday night Round 16 match: Racing Santander vs Hercules FC Tweet
LA LIGA - SPANISH LEAGUE - SPANISH FOOTBALL 2010 - 2011 | ROUND 16 | SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS
Spanish Football celebrated five Spanish League - La Liga matches tonight as part of the Round 16 schedule with plenty of goals & action. Here is a quick snap-shot view of the games played, results & scorers.
VILLAREAL shook off their surprise defeat last week to Getafe & got back into the winning groove with a comfortable 3 - 1 victory over MALORCA. It was CAZORLA who got things going for Villareal with the 11th min opener that was answered by Mallorca with an equalizer in the 27th min by GUZMAN. But the Mallorca resistence finished there as ROSSI again scored with a penalty conversion in the 35th min & later NILMAR put the game in safe hands with another in the 51st min.
LEVANTE gave ATHLETIC DE BILBAO a tough time at home but went down to a JAVI MARTINEZ goal in the 73rd min that they could not pull back. The opener came via GABILONDO for Bilbao in the 9th min & gave signs of the visiting teams intentions, but Levante were not shaken & reacted via CAIDEDO in the 20th min to equalize. The match was evenly balanced until Martinez tipped the balance. Final result 1 -2
Typical Northern Spain Football "sticky" clash between DEPORTIVO & REAL SPORTING DE GIJON with a serious & concentrated performance from both sides who need to accumulate points. Deportivo got ahead early in the 12th min via AYTHAMI that set of a chain of opportunities for both sides that were not converted. In fact, Sporting managed the equalizer in the 88th min via CASTRO that must have disappointed the home side & filled with pride the visitors who did´nt give in at all. Gutsy performance from both & a 1 - 1 draw final result.
The big city of Barcelona derby turned into an anti-climax & another demolition job by FC BARCELONA who won at RCD ESPANYOL 1 - 5 finished the latter unbeaten home run of victories. The current Spanish League Champions are in a "state of grace" & playing at a level that is beyond any other Football team on the planet. Espanyol played well, very well, but they paid dearly for their mistakes as Barça is extremely fine-tuned & you need to be beyond your habitual level to get even close.
The scoreline could have been higher for Barça who started strong & missed some chances, until PEDRO opened the scoring in the 18th min. From here a cascade of goals with XAVI getting into the act in the 29th min, PEDRO again in the 59th min & DAVID VILLA did a double in the 75th min & 83rd min to leave thing clear who is Nº1 in Barcelona, the Spanish League & in World Football. Espanyol scored their only goal thanks to OSVALDO in the 71st min.
Another devastating exhibition of Football from FC Barcelona.
REAL SOCIEDAD suffered from one of the "Iron Laws" of Football:if you don´t take your chances you will lose. That is precisely want happened with VALENCIA CF scoring in the end of both halfs to win 1 - 2.
The home team scored first via a penalty cooly taken by XABI PRIETO in the 23rd min. Real Sociedad then had more chances but missed them to watch how TINO COSTA from Valencia equalized with a fantastic direct free - kick in the 45th min that left the goalie watching.
The 2º half saw Real Sociedad with more opportunities that they did ´nt capitalise & then in the 91st min a terrible defensive mistake allowed ADURIZ to score te winner.
That´s Football!
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| Nilmar back scoring |
VILLAREAL shook off their surprise defeat last week to Getafe & got back into the winning groove with a comfortable 3 - 1 victory over MALORCA. It was CAZORLA who got things going for Villareal with the 11th min opener that was answered by Mallorca with an equalizer in the 27th min by GUZMAN. But the Mallorca resistence finished there as ROSSI again scored with a penalty conversion in the 35th min & later NILMAR put the game in safe hands with another in the 51st min.
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| Javi Martinez gets the winner for Bilbao |
LEVANTE gave ATHLETIC DE BILBAO a tough time at home but went down to a JAVI MARTINEZ goal in the 73rd min that they could not pull back. The opener came via GABILONDO for Bilbao in the 9th min & gave signs of the visiting teams intentions, but Levante were not shaken & reacted via CAIDEDO in the 20th min to equalize. The match was evenly balanced until Martinez tipped the balance. Final result 1 -2
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| Deportivo - Gijon |
Typical Northern Spain Football "sticky" clash between DEPORTIVO & REAL SPORTING DE GIJON with a serious & concentrated performance from both sides who need to accumulate points. Deportivo got ahead early in the 12th min via AYTHAMI that set of a chain of opportunities for both sides that were not converted. In fact, Sporting managed the equalizer in the 88th min via CASTRO that must have disappointed the home side & filled with pride the visitors who did´nt give in at all. Gutsy performance from both & a 1 - 1 draw final result.
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| FC Barcelona on a roll |
The big city of Barcelona derby turned into an anti-climax & another demolition job by FC BARCELONA who won at RCD ESPANYOL 1 - 5 finished the latter unbeaten home run of victories. The current Spanish League Champions are in a "state of grace" & playing at a level that is beyond any other Football team on the planet. Espanyol played well, very well, but they paid dearly for their mistakes as Barça is extremely fine-tuned & you need to be beyond your habitual level to get even close.
The scoreline could have been higher for Barça who started strong & missed some chances, until PEDRO opened the scoring in the 18th min. From here a cascade of goals with XAVI getting into the act in the 29th min, PEDRO again in the 59th min & DAVID VILLA did a double in the 75th min & 83rd min to leave thing clear who is Nº1 in Barcelona, the Spanish League & in World Football. Espanyol scored their only goal thanks to OSVALDO in the 71st min.
Another devastating exhibition of Football from FC Barcelona.
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| A cracker from Valencia CF player Tino Costa |
REAL SOCIEDAD suffered from one of the "Iron Laws" of Football:if you don´t take your chances you will lose. That is precisely want happened with VALENCIA CF scoring in the end of both halfs to win 1 - 2.
The home team scored first via a penalty cooly taken by XABI PRIETO in the 23rd min. Real Sociedad then had more chances but missed them to watch how TINO COSTA from Valencia equalized with a fantastic direct free - kick in the 45th min that left the goalie watching.
The 2º half saw Real Sociedad with more opportunities that they did ´nt capitalise & then in the 91st min a terrible defensive mistake allowed ADURIZ to score te winner.
That´s Football!
Tweet
THE REAL MADRID CHRISTMAS PRESENT | KAKÁ
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| Kaka running today with group at Real Madrid training. |
KAKÁ is the Christmas present that Santa Claus has brought to REAL MADRID CF. The Brazilian is back training with the team & running. The training is light & no risks will be taken as the Club & the Brazilian star wish to come back in 100% conditions. If things keep going as scheduled Kaká will be able to sit on the Real Madrid bench end of January 2011 & may then begin to get the much needed playing minutes to gradually go increasing & back to top form again. Nice to see you back Kaká! Tweet
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - EUROPA LEAGUE 2010-2011 DRAW | 5 SPANISH CLUBS Know their NEXT RIVAL
The last 16 Top European Clubs know their next opponent & their next match in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. The competition enters the "knock-out" stage & the draw has paired some very interesting clashes that begin with the away leg the 15-16 Feb 2011.
The three Spanish Football Teams have a "relative" easier draw than the other Clubs, with the exception of FC Barcelona who will meet a difficult Arsenal FC which will pair up again Cesc Fabregas with his old Club. Real Madrid gets the chance of "revenge" against French team Lyon a team the Spanish giant has not been able to win in the last 6 matches. While Valencia CF will play German Club Schalke 04 which will see the return of Spanish players Raul (ex Real Madrid) & Jurado ( ex Atletico de Madrid) to Spain.
In the EUROPA LEAGUE competition the two Spanish Clubs - Villareal & Sevilla FC - have tough opponents in their games. Villareal meets Italian side Napoles & Sevilla FC will meet Portuguese Club Oporto.
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The three Spanish Football Teams have a "relative" easier draw than the other Clubs, with the exception of FC Barcelona who will meet a difficult Arsenal FC which will pair up again Cesc Fabregas with his old Club. Real Madrid gets the chance of "revenge" against French team Lyon a team the Spanish giant has not been able to win in the last 6 matches. While Valencia CF will play German Club Schalke 04 which will see the return of Spanish players Raul (ex Real Madrid) & Jurado ( ex Atletico de Madrid) to Spain.
In the EUROPA LEAGUE competition the two Spanish Clubs - Villareal & Sevilla FC - have tough opponents in their games. Villareal meets Italian side Napoles & Sevilla FC will meet Portuguese Club Oporto.
XAVI HERNANDEZ - JOSE MOURINHO - SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM PRIZED BY "WORLD SOCCER" BEST OF 2010
Spanish Interenational & FC BARCELONA midfielder XAVI HERNANDEZ has been chosen by Soccer online Magazine "World Soccer" as the "World Player of the Year". He is joined by REAL MADRID Coach JOSE MOURINHO as the "Manager of The Year" & the SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM as the "Team of the Year"
Here are the final standings:
World Player of the Year
% of votes
1 Xavi (Barcelona & Spain) 25.8
2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) 24.1
3 Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale & Holland) 17.3
4 Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay) 15.8
5 Andres Iniesta (Barcelona & Spain) 10.8
6 Diego Milito (Internazionale & Argentina) 1.2
7 David Villa (Valencia/Barcelona & Spain) 1.1
8 Iker Casillas (Real Madrid & Spain) 0.9
9 Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale & Cameroon) 0.5
10 Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich & Holland) 0.4
Others 2.1
Manager of the Year
1 Jose Mourinho (Internazionale/Real Madrid) 48.3
2 Vicente Del Bosque (Spain) 26.6
3 Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay) 5.2
4 Joachim Low (Germany) 3.3
5 Pep Guardiola (Barcelona) 2.5
6 Harry Redknapp (Tottenham Hotspur) 2.4
7 Bert Van Marwijk (Holland) 2.3
8 Louis Van Gaal (Bayern Munich) 2.2
9 Ricki Herbert (New Zealand) 2.1
10 Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea) 1.9
Others 3.2
Team of the Year
1 Spain 63.3
2 Internazionale 16.5
3 Barcelona 5.3
4 Uruguay 3.5
5 Germany 2.4
6 Holland 2.3
7 Atletico Madrid 1.6
8 Ghana 1.2
9 Bayern Munich 1.1
10 Santos 0.9
Others 1.9 Tweet
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| Xavi Hernandez |
World Player of the Year
% of votes
1 Xavi (Barcelona & Spain) 25.8
2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) 24.1
3 Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale & Holland) 17.3
4 Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay) 15.8
5 Andres Iniesta (Barcelona & Spain) 10.8
6 Diego Milito (Internazionale & Argentina) 1.2
7 David Villa (Valencia/Barcelona & Spain) 1.1
8 Iker Casillas (Real Madrid & Spain) 0.9
9 Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale & Cameroon) 0.5
10 Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich & Holland) 0.4
Others 2.1
Manager of the Year
1 Jose Mourinho (Internazionale/Real Madrid) 48.3
2 Vicente Del Bosque (Spain) 26.6
3 Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay) 5.2
4 Joachim Low (Germany) 3.3
5 Pep Guardiola (Barcelona) 2.5
6 Harry Redknapp (Tottenham Hotspur) 2.4
7 Bert Van Marwijk (Holland) 2.3
8 Louis Van Gaal (Bayern Munich) 2.2
9 Ricki Herbert (New Zealand) 2.1
10 Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea) 1.9
Others 3.2
Team of the Year
1 Spain 63.3
2 Internazionale 16.5
3 Barcelona 5.3
4 Uruguay 3.5
5 Germany 2.4
6 Holland 2.3
7 Atletico Madrid 1.6
8 Ghana 1.2
9 Bayern Munich 1.1
10 Santos 0.9
Others 1.9 Tweet
EUROPA LEAGUE 2010 - 2011 GROUP H RESULT | GETAFE 1 YOUNG BOYS 0
SPANISH FOOTBALL Team GETAFE had already said goodbye to the EUROPA LEAGUE before tonights Group H match against YOUNG BOYS. The Madrid Club utilized the game to give a run to four youngsters from the B team & the result was impressive with a 1 - 0 victory. The goal came in the 14th min via ADRIAN SARDINERO & the win at least smooth somewhat the disappointing exit from Europe for Getafe.
Getafe join Spanish city colleagues Atletico de Madrid who also said goodbye to European competition tonight.
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Getafe join Spanish city colleagues Atletico de Madrid who also said goodbye to European competition tonight.
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| Getafe regain some pride with victory |
EUROPA LEAGUE 2010 - 2011 GROUP B RESULT | BAYERN LEVERKUSEN 1 ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 | ATLETICO SAY GOODBYE TO EUROPE
A miracle was needed if ATLETICO DE MADRID was to continue in this seasons EUROPA LEAGUE. The current Champions needed to win at BAYERN LEVERKUSEN & have Greek team Aris Salonika draw or lose their clash against Rosenborg. In the end the Group B Bayern Leverkusen game with Atletico de Madrid finished in a 1 - 1 draw, while Aris Salonika defeated Rosenborg 2 - 0 thus knocking out the Spanish Club. Bayern & Aris will now go into the tomorrows draw to see who they match up in the next stage of the competition.
The game was played in freezing & snow storm conditions with end to end stuff & looking constantly at the result in Greece. The Germans actually scored first in the 69th min thanks to HELMES & Atletico equalized via FRAN MERIDA in the 72nd min. The result in Greece was a heavy weight & the Spanish Club went out at least fighting.
Atletico de Madrid paided dearly for their bad performance & surprise 2 -3 defeat at home against Aris & now say Good-bye to Europe. Tweet
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| Diego Forlan - Bayern Leverkusen: Europa League |
The game was played in freezing & snow storm conditions with end to end stuff & looking constantly at the result in Greece. The Germans actually scored first in the 69th min thanks to HELMES & Atletico equalized via FRAN MERIDA in the 72nd min. The result in Greece was a heavy weight & the Spanish Club went out at least fighting.
Atletico de Madrid paided dearly for their bad performance & surprise 2 -3 defeat at home against Aris & now say Good-bye to Europe. Tweet
REAL MADRID TENSIONS 2010 | THE QUANTUM PHYSICS OF WINNING - "THE IRON LAW" OF FOOTBALL
We mentioned here that the 5 – 0 defeat of REAL MADRID at the hands of FC BARCELONA would have lasting “after-shocks” & lingering effects. Not only was the loss a setback classification wise, but a heavy blow on the Clubs moral & psychological levels, along with the coming to the surface of some in-house tensions that have been the talk of the press the last few days.
The Club has some visible cracks on its wall on all levels: the players, Coaching & Directives that are being currently sorted out & that some hope that the “Christmas spirit & break” will help further to mend. But there is only one true effective way to put ghosts back in the can, which is, winning again & constantly. This is nothing new to write about or explain to you as the reader, it´s an “Iron Law” of Football.
The first of the “problems” is more psychological than anything else. The "mystical aura" of Coach Mourinho has been dimmed after what he describes as “the biggest defend in his career”. The “Special One”, or the “Messiah” for some at Real Madrid, now radiates out his mortality as he retired into a “shell” to recompose himself. The Team Spiritual leader, the Captain of the RM super-tanker & their ideologist has been absent these last weeks from the “World” which has lowered dressing room spirits & allowed the dreaded phantom of “Doubts” to enter the big picture. True to Coach Mourinho´s pedigree, experience & intelligence we are now slowly seeing the “Average One” gradually return to his more comfortable “Special One” category, something the Club & players are relieved to see, appreciating & desiring to happen as soon as possible.
The second problem is at the Directive level. Real Madrid General Director Jorge Valdano & Coach Jose Mourinho are not exactly the Best Friends in the World. They have pushed aside past differences in order to work together, & because they are excellent professionals. The 5 – 0 defeat at Barcelona & the injury of Higuain has accentuated the doubts that Mourinho has with the depth of his squad & with Karim Benzema in his capacity as substitute for Higuain. Coach Jose Mourinho wants the Club to sign a forward with guarantees in the upcoming “Winter Transfer Market”, but the Club – Valdano – believes that answers are already present in-house with the youngsters, the recovery of Kaka in January 2011 & that the Club should give Benzema their confidence after costing more the 30M€ to get him over. Both Cocah Mourinho & Jorge Valdano have turned this player solicitation into a mini “power struggle” over who has more influence & sway over President Florentino Perez. Although we have as yet to see the final result & if Mourinho finally gets his player, the turbulent waters will be calmed again if Real Madrid manage to keep winning again, that is, follow the already mentioned “Iron Law” of Football. Once back in the winning groove both personalities will focus on their responsibilities & not on each other.
The third problem is a dressing room situation. Apparently Captain Iker Casillas & Cristiano Ronaldo are not having a good time relationship wise. The situation came to notice when Ronaldo scored his last goal & only Marcelo, Pepe, Carvalho & Di Maria celebrated it with him. The apparent split is due to two main reasons (1) the comments made by Iker Casillas journalist girlfriend Sara Carbonero on Spanish TV that Ronaldo was egoistic & an individual on the field, something that Ronaldo reproached Casillas about; & (2) the call to attention by some heavy-weight players in the dressing room ( Casillas, Ramos, Xabi …etc) to Ronaldo to ease his on-field antics ( provocations, out of tone comments to team-mates & his “party pieces") to concentrate on his Football & be more co-operative. This last aspect isn’t the problem, Ronaldo assumed the “positive constructive criticism”, what is the problem is that the Portuguese star feels that his team-mates have not been supporting him 100% outside the Club with the media & that he feels left alone facing all the latest criticism. This has been apparently all solved in the last days if we are to believe the comments from Casillas & Xabi Alonso on radio saying that things have been solved in-house.
The other dressing room issue is Sergio Ramos. Coach Mourinho is very disappointed with the Spanish International who seems to have his head somewhere else. His terrible performance in the 5 – 0 defeat at FC Barcelona along with his “loss of control” which lead to his famous Red Card has taken the glitz out of the player. Last news is that Mourinho has had a meeting with Ramos to attempt to sort out his “wavering” performances.
Why are we posting all about this today? Because it is possible that most of these tensions already existed ( as with any other Club) before the Barcelona 5 – 0 defeat but that the pre-unbeaten winning streak was serving to put the lid over it all. The humiliating loss at the hand of the arch rivals, the first of the season under the new Mourinho proyect, & its dimension has shaken off the “gravitational force” holding in place the frictions & allowed a mini Big – Bang to occur that is shaking the Club within. This is not a new phenomenon or the last, look at English Football & Chelsea FC with their particular turn of events as they too are under the influence of the need to return to the “Iron Law” of Football.
While winning everything is kept under control, when you begin losing & constantly everything goes out of control. We could be talking today of an institutional crisis & team problems at FC Barcelona if Real Madrid had won 0 – 5 …its just Football & the whimsical day to day, week to week of the Sport that is fuelled by the results. Tweet
The Club has some visible cracks on its wall on all levels: the players, Coaching & Directives that are being currently sorted out & that some hope that the “Christmas spirit & break” will help further to mend. But there is only one true effective way to put ghosts back in the can, which is, winning again & constantly. This is nothing new to write about or explain to you as the reader, it´s an “Iron Law” of Football.
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| José Mourinho |
The first of the “problems” is more psychological than anything else. The "mystical aura" of Coach Mourinho has been dimmed after what he describes as “the biggest defend in his career”. The “Special One”, or the “Messiah” for some at Real Madrid, now radiates out his mortality as he retired into a “shell” to recompose himself. The Team Spiritual leader, the Captain of the RM super-tanker & their ideologist has been absent these last weeks from the “World” which has lowered dressing room spirits & allowed the dreaded phantom of “Doubts” to enter the big picture. True to Coach Mourinho´s pedigree, experience & intelligence we are now slowly seeing the “Average One” gradually return to his more comfortable “Special One” category, something the Club & players are relieved to see, appreciating & desiring to happen as soon as possible.
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| Mourinho - Valdano |
The second problem is at the Directive level. Real Madrid General Director Jorge Valdano & Coach Jose Mourinho are not exactly the Best Friends in the World. They have pushed aside past differences in order to work together, & because they are excellent professionals. The 5 – 0 defeat at Barcelona & the injury of Higuain has accentuated the doubts that Mourinho has with the depth of his squad & with Karim Benzema in his capacity as substitute for Higuain. Coach Jose Mourinho wants the Club to sign a forward with guarantees in the upcoming “Winter Transfer Market”, but the Club – Valdano – believes that answers are already present in-house with the youngsters, the recovery of Kaka in January 2011 & that the Club should give Benzema their confidence after costing more the 30M€ to get him over. Both Cocah Mourinho & Jorge Valdano have turned this player solicitation into a mini “power struggle” over who has more influence & sway over President Florentino Perez. Although we have as yet to see the final result & if Mourinho finally gets his player, the turbulent waters will be calmed again if Real Madrid manage to keep winning again, that is, follow the already mentioned “Iron Law” of Football. Once back in the winning groove both personalities will focus on their responsibilities & not on each other.
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| Casillas - Ronaldo |
The third problem is a dressing room situation. Apparently Captain Iker Casillas & Cristiano Ronaldo are not having a good time relationship wise. The situation came to notice when Ronaldo scored his last goal & only Marcelo, Pepe, Carvalho & Di Maria celebrated it with him. The apparent split is due to two main reasons (1) the comments made by Iker Casillas journalist girlfriend Sara Carbonero on Spanish TV that Ronaldo was egoistic & an individual on the field, something that Ronaldo reproached Casillas about; & (2) the call to attention by some heavy-weight players in the dressing room ( Casillas, Ramos, Xabi …etc) to Ronaldo to ease his on-field antics ( provocations, out of tone comments to team-mates & his “party pieces") to concentrate on his Football & be more co-operative. This last aspect isn’t the problem, Ronaldo assumed the “positive constructive criticism”, what is the problem is that the Portuguese star feels that his team-mates have not been supporting him 100% outside the Club with the media & that he feels left alone facing all the latest criticism. This has been apparently all solved in the last days if we are to believe the comments from Casillas & Xabi Alonso on radio saying that things have been solved in-house.
The other dressing room issue is Sergio Ramos. Coach Mourinho is very disappointed with the Spanish International who seems to have his head somewhere else. His terrible performance in the 5 – 0 defeat at FC Barcelona along with his “loss of control” which lead to his famous Red Card has taken the glitz out of the player. Last news is that Mourinho has had a meeting with Ramos to attempt to sort out his “wavering” performances.
Why are we posting all about this today? Because it is possible that most of these tensions already existed ( as with any other Club) before the Barcelona 5 – 0 defeat but that the pre-unbeaten winning streak was serving to put the lid over it all. The humiliating loss at the hand of the arch rivals, the first of the season under the new Mourinho proyect, & its dimension has shaken off the “gravitational force” holding in place the frictions & allowed a mini Big – Bang to occur that is shaking the Club within. This is not a new phenomenon or the last, look at English Football & Chelsea FC with their particular turn of events as they too are under the influence of the need to return to the “Iron Law” of Football.
While winning everything is kept under control, when you begin losing & constantly everything goes out of control. We could be talking today of an institutional crisis & team problems at FC Barcelona if Real Madrid had won 0 – 5 …its just Football & the whimsical day to day, week to week of the Sport that is fuelled by the results. Tweet
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