Sanford's Soccer Net: 2006-11-19

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

The Biting of the Penis

In Simon Hattenstone's article below ("Bravo Bernado, from duffer to dubber"), he mentions the celebration by Francisco Gallardo of Sevilla after Jose Antonio Reyes had scored back in 2001. I remembered seeing this on ESPN (I believe it made Plays of the Week) and am quite glad that YouTube has it available. Enjoy. Oh, and the goal itself ain't half bad...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLiK91U-UpM

Two Fantastic Freekicks

Nakamura:
This one grabbed victory for Celtic over Manchester United in the Champions League. The distance on this makes it so terrific...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx73f75EIyk

Henry:
This one helped Arsenal salvage a draw with Newcastle. His proximity to goal and ability to get it up and down so quickly is what makes it so terrific...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANX6nhcab5Y

Celtic, AC Milan advance in Champions League

Arsenal come from behind to beat Hamburg, ManU fall after Saha penalty failure...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=393307&cc=5901

Manchester United may fall short again

Loss to Celtic reveals same old European problems for ManU...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A17580468?s_fromedit=1

Coleman Admits Dempsey Interest

I think Clint would fit in well at Fulham. He'd have McBride to mentor him a bit and having a young coach like Coleman would be beneficial. He'd also have plenty of opportunities for playing time - Coleman wouldn't let him rot on the bench... -Sanford

http://www.soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Breaking_News/page_131_131402.shtml

Champions League: There for the taking

This season's Champions League is weaker than it has ever been. Can an English side take advantage?

Bravo Bernardo, from duffer to dubber

It is remarkable how much a goal celebration tells us about the scorer...

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/22/bravo_bernardo_from_duffer_to.html

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Totti's Goal vs. Milan

The goal in question begins after the introduction of Aquilani. Be sure to check out his "rabona" that gets the ball to Manchini for the delivery to Totti. Magnifico! -Sanford

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt5RmN9C8X0

Roma 7 - 0 Catania

Perotta's goal (the third) is ridiculous...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3skhRKfL0Pg

Champions League qualification

Already qualified for last 16:
Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Lyon, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid & Valencia

Can qualify on Tuesday:
AC Milan, Celtic, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Manchester United

Can qualify on Wednesday:
Chelsea, Inter Milan, Roma & Werder Bremen

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6100418.stm

Phil Ball in Spain

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393041&root=europe&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Wunderkind Diego back with a bang

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=393091&root=global&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

Deco: 'Our fate is in our own hands'

It says much about Barcelona's immaculate standards that the word 'crisis' has been muttered around the corridors of power at the Nou Camp in recent weeks.

Back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Real Madrid, not to mention a 2-2 draw against Jose Mourinho's Blues last month, would not be considered a catastrophe for any other club in the world, but when you are established as the primary force in club soccer, such high-profile setbacks are hard to accept.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=392998&root=uefachampionsleague&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2&cc=5901

Magnusson gets green light for Hammers takeover

The Icelandic businessman behind the takeover of West Ham has vowed to bring the good times back to the club - and to keep faith with manager Alan Pardew.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=393143&cc=5901

Champions League Matchday 5 Preview: Groups E-H

Arsenal welcome Hamburg, Celtic welcome ManU, Real Madrid and Lyon clash...

http://goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=172481

EPL Talking Points: Pompey In It For The Long Haul

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=173217

Serie A: Team Of The Week

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=172658

EPL: Best Eleven Of The Week

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=172887

Gallas Out Of Hamburg Clash, Doubtful For Porto, Chelsea Games

I really wanted to see him face Chelsea...

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=172739

Birmingham Want Arsenal Trio On Permanent Deals

Birmingham City, up to third in the Foootball League Championship, are keen to sign on permanent deals the three Arsenal loanees who have made such an impact at St Andrews this season.

The Blues will attempt to sign Sebastian Larsson, Nicklas Bendtner and Fabrice Muamba if they succeed in recapturing their Premiership status this season.

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=172401

Tony Cascarino: United Vulnerable in the Air

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,762-2462767,00,00.html

Nike sacks Premiership ball maker over labour fears

Lovely...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1953284,00.html

Sid Lowe in Spain

They really should be title contenders. Instead, Valencia are a shambles - and the tragedy is that it is so painfully predictable.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/20/the_same_old_story_for_valenci.html

James Richardson in Italy

Roma may have given Catania the mother of all hidings, but the Sicilian whipping boys insist such a drubbing just isn't cricket.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/11/21/theres_more_than_one_way_to_sk.html

Monday, November 20, 2006

Sanford's EPL Predictions Results

Not as good a showing for me this week, but it could have been worse.

I got five correct, five incorrect, and got one perfect score. The perfect score was the nil-nil draw between Villa and Wigan. No big surprise there. I was flat-out wrong on the Newcastle/Arsenal match as Newcastle got that early goal and it became a question of whether the Gunners would tie or lose. Regardless, not the shellacking I predicted. I was close on the Chelsea/West Ham game. The Hammers could have nicked a point but Chelsea claimed the deserved win. And although it wasn’t a perfect score, I did get the City/Fulham result right. In the end it was an easy win for Pearce’s lads.

I was surprised and impressed by Everton’s result. I really thought they’d lose but instead Arteta inspired them to an important victory. His goal was lovely and if not for Tugay’s strike, would be goal of the week. And there was no surprise in Reading where the Addicks slumped to another defeat to begin the Reed Reign.

Next week? Manchester United and Chelsea clash on Sunday… Sanford