Friday, October 20, 2006

It's time once again to play...Who is the uglier footballer!!

Today we have Gary Neville (left) representing England and Manchester United and Franck Ribery (right) representing France and Marseille...

This is a pretty good one because they both look so similar. I discount the scar on Franck - it actually makes him prettier. But those teeth! Even though he's the Frenchie he still belongs in the Big Book of British Smiles. I tried to find a shot of Gary N. smiling but failed. Perhaps his smile lurks somewhere deep in the recesses of those eye sockets. Anyway, my vote is for the ManU man. Ribery has a certain cuteness (je ne sais quoi??) that gives Gary today's title.
-Sanford

UEFA Cup: British clubs claim clean sweep in Europe

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=386447&cc=5901

Shevchenko: Worth the wait in goals?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=386346&root=uefachampionsleague&cc=5901

Primera Liga Weekend Preview: All Eyes On The Bernabeu + Current Table

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=150715

Spanish Primera División Table
Club
GPPT
Barcelona616
Valencia613
Atlético Madrid613
FC Sevilla612
Real Madrid611
Deportivo La Coruña611
Real Zaragoza610
Recreativo Huelva610
Getafe610
Villarreal68
Mallorca68
Celta Vigo67
Osasuna67
Levante67
Racing Santander65
Espanyol65
Athletic Bilbao65
Real Betis64
Gimnastic de Tarragona64
Real Sociedad61

Premiership Weekend Preview: Titanic Tussle At Old Trafford + Current Table

Sadly, ManU/Liverpool matches can often be dour affairs. If Liverpool lose, their EPL season will be in big trouble. I expect them to dig in and snatch a draw. As for digging in, all bets are off for how many cards will be flashed in the Blackburn/Bolton clash...

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=150550


English Premiership Table

Club
GP
Pts

Man Utd819
Chelsea819
Bolton817
Portsmouth816
Arsenal714
Aston Villa814
Everton813
Reading813
Blackburn812
Fulham812
Liverpool811
Man City89
Middlesbrough88
Tottenham88
Newcastle87
Sheff Utd86
Wigan75
West Ham85
Watford84
Charlton83

Champions League Best XI of the Week

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=150176

Real Madrid v. Barcelona: What Are The Best Elevens?

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=150391

Gabriele Marcotti Column

Marcotti on whether keepers are too exposed to danger...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AjDUxbxUqdq9Bw6GBZol6L0mw7YF?slug=cnnsi-englishheadgame&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Serie A: Milan aim to close gap against Palermo

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AsJHwS4QXKALRgLNY84iXowmw7YF?slug=reu-italy_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

FA to work with Blackburn over racism claims

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1927278,00.html

Smith determined to thank Liverpool fans

I don't think he'll be thanking the fans who attacked his ambulance as it attempted to get him to the hospital...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprmanutd&prov=afp&type=lgns

Mexico whittle national team candidates down to four

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-mexico&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Lawro's EPL Predictions

Lawro finally had a good week last round. Let's see if he can keep up the momentum...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6050804.stm

Wenger pledges to develop more home-grown players at Arsenal

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1926744,00.html

No plans to rename Villa Park

Good.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1927633,00.html

Thursday, October 19, 2006

CL Wrap: Chelsea, Bayern, Valencia all win again

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=386281&cc=5901

Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona: Drogba dazzles

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=205467&cc=5901

Benitez turns to Manchester United showdown after Bordeaux win

Liverpool head to Old Trafford on Sunday...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=386299&cc=5901

Richard Williams Column

Richard Williams writes that Jose Mourinho's constant and wildy incorrect outbursts have permanently ruined his reputation...

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/10/19/victory_does_little_to_clear_t.html

Kevin Nolan Column

Nolan says it's very rare for players to intentionally try to injure one another. Hmmm...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6061928.stm

Anglo-Turkish ties in UEFA Cup spotlight

http://us.f552.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?DMid=7804_13765035_41087_3478_9219_0_39558_19359_3711914868&YY=48550&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&inc=25&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&box=Draft

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=386153&root=europe&cc=5901

Wright Concerned About Shaun's Lack Of Chances

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=149848

Robinson's blunder let Borat show future of football advertising

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/10/19/how_robinsons_blunder_let_bora.html

Fabregas signs new eight-year deal at Arsenal

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-fabregas&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Henry's "Hand Ball" and his reaction

Here is the goal. Using his hand or arm in this situation would not even offer him an advantage...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe-uAWNlrxQ


And here's Henry facing the press. You rarely see him get so upset. It's interesting that he says that Arsenal are not yet a big club. I'd have to agree. There is no way that call would be made against ManU, Madrid, Juventus, Milan, Barcelona, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQoLEC2Bjbw

Cech Injury

This is the best clip I could find. It's pretty difficult to tell if it was intentional. I don't think it was...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7b9YrZ8244

CSKA Moscow 1-0 Arsenal

Equalizer denied...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=205478&cc=5901

Manchester United 3-0 FC Copenhagen

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=205477&cc=5901

UCL: Winners move closer to knockout round

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=386074&cc=5901

Champions League: Chelsea seek Barca revenge

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=385627&cc=5901

Ambulance staff: Mourinho has got facts wrong

The controversy from Reading vs. Chelsea continues apace...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=386094&cc=5901

Phil Ball in Spain

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=385629&root=europe&cc=5901

Roberto Gotta in Italy: Del Piero's fear of Christmas

Gotta looks at Del Piero and Di Natale...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=385931&root=europe&cc=5901

Preview: Chelsea vs. Barcelona

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AgxINeunsHm.6WKfM7VC3PUmw7YF?slug=reu-championschelsea_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Wednesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1925140,00.html

Wenger fury at ref and pitch

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200607/story/0,,1924912,00.html