June 23rd, 2008
You are currently browsing the articles from TOP FootBall Player written on June 23rd, 2008.
No, we are not going anywhere. Unlike most of the favored teams in the Euros, we will continue on. For the record, I say Russia clinches it next Sunday.
Speaking of Russia, Arshavin does not want to play there, or in Germany or England. Only Spain will do [Telegraph]
Paul Ince is a man on the move in English managerial circles [Soccernet]
Plymouth Argyle appoint Japanese president. I have no idea why [This is Plymouth]
Setanta’s WAG XI. Phwoar! [Setanta]
The Sun says goodbye to the female fans of eliminated countries. Dutch Angel girl makes an appearance at #11 [The Sun]
The Fan’s Attic sets someone straight [Deadspin]
Tune in tomorrow for some real eulogies–for the departed quarterfinal teams.
Written by Darkvader on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Backpasses and ĂĽ75.
Russia 3-1 Netherlands (aet)
Another semi-final, another surprise result. The Netherlands, who had been the team of the tournament up until now, are out, and Russia have been upgraded from dark horses to genuine contenders. Guus Hiddink has further enhanced his reputation as someone who can produce the improbable, but a lot of the credit also has to go to Andrei Arshavin, who was once again pulling the strings for Russia and befuddling their opponents.
It wasn’t all about Arshavin, though; the whole team has improved remarkably since the defeat against Spain in their opening game, picking up steam with a their comprehensive victory over Sweden. And they came out to win this one from the outset, forcing the Netherlands back by simply outplaying them. The Dutch team were supposed to be the favourites, but there was none of the caution from Russia that you might have expected. Although the Netherlands did manage to work themselves into the game more as the first half went on, they were still second best heading into half-time.
Marco van Basten attempted to invigorate his team by bringing on Robin van Persie for Dirk Kuyt, and the substitution did have an impact, as he created a couple of good chances. But it was Russia who scored in the 55th minute, as Sergei Semak’s cross was volleyed into the net by Roman Pavlyuchenko, giving Edwin van der Sar no time to react.
That meant that the Netherlands had to really go all out in the search for a goal, but I think they don’t react well to being allowed lots of possession rather than counter-attacking. They were mostly reduced to long-range shots as the Russian defence held firm, while it was Russia pulling them apart on the counter. Finally, in the 86th minute, Ruud van Nistelrooy found the equalizer, heading the ball in from Wesley Sneijder’s free kick to send the game into extra-time.
That extra-time could have gone much differently had it not been for an unusual refereeing decision: Denis Kolodin was initially shown a second yellow card for a foul on Sneijder, but the referee then consulted with the linesman and decided that the ball had gone out of play first — it hadn’t — and took the card back. Probably the wrong decision; but on the other hand, with the way Russia were playing, they might well have won even with only 10 men.
They were certainly the better team throughout extra time as it was. The Netherlands needed to build on the momentum of that late equalizer, but Russia just kept attacking, and the longer it went on, the more they were likely to win. And in the 112th minute, Dmitriy Torbinskiy popped up with the winning goal, a cross from — who else? — Arshavin that went over van der Sar and was tipped in at the far post. Arshavin killed the game off with a third goal a few minutes later, running onto a throw-in, getting behind the defenders and sending the ball through van der Sar’s legs. (I feel a bit bad for Van der Sar; he’d kept his team in the game up till then and his defenders were pretty much useless.)
Anyway, it’s nice to see an underdog team winning games like this — rather than, you know, pulling a Greece — but at the same time I’m a bit disappointed that the Netherlands are out. Partly because I’m wondering who will take up the mantle of wearing the tightest shirts at the tournament, now that both they and Portugal have been eliminated.
Bad hair of the day award: Another prize for man-of-the-match Andrei Arshavin. 27 years old and he still looks like his mother cuts his hair with a bowl and a pair of kitchen shears.
Written by Jen on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Euro 2008 and Netherlands and Russia and magical Guus Hiddink.
UF would like to take the opportunity during this lull in Euro 2008 to say thanks to all of the visitors that have been coming to the site–new and old. And commenters, we love the comments so thanks for taking the time to comment as well. We have had a large growth in the number of visitors and we hope that we have provided the coverage you want. UF strives to cover the good and bad of the footballing/soccering/futboling world and have a laugh with it as well. We hope that has happened.
We’ve been liveblogging the shit out of Euro 2008 and offering up other tasty jelly-coated morsels for two weeks now. I may only speak for myself, but I have to say I am a bit tired now. It has all been worth it though. After the conclusion of Euro 2008, we’ll be back to our regular selves and hope you all stick around for the fun.
We plan on offering some more introspective and in-depth pieces during the summer period along with our usual fare. And then, before we know it, the league seasons will begin anew. If you have anything in particular that you would like to see covered a bit more, feel free to drop us a line at unprofessionalfoul[at]gmail[dot]com. Your tips and links are also appreciated.
Again, thanks for stopping by, we hope you have enjoyed it and will continue to return.
UPDATE: Apparently, this post reads like a eulogy. Just so you know fair readers, UF is not going anywhere except right into the stratosphere of popularity thanks to your patronage. So, thanks for visiting but don’t fucking leave. It’s not last call just yet. And, we at UF are all drunks so it never is really last call for us.
Written by Darkvader on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Thank You and The Fan's Attic.
I posted an article about
Samir Nasri signing for Arsenal. The title was EXCLUSIVE:
Nasri signs for Arsenal.
It wasn't an exclusive so I apologise for the head-line being slightly misleading. I was excited by the news and didn't really think about the title at the time of writing.
It was obvious that the news would be picked up pretty quick so it was far from an exclusive.
But he has signed and that is great news for Arsenal and nice to see another signing for the summer.
Once again, I'm sorry.
Keep it Goonerish.........
Written by Wrighty7 on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.
It is by now trial of strength between the Arsenal and Emmanuel Adebayor. Club has declared the London it incedibile, but the togolese forward is making of all in order changing air.
Written by Darkvader on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.
It is by now trial of strength between the Arsenal and Emmanuel Adebayor. Club has declared the London it incedibile, but the togolese forward is making of all in order changing air. She remains to establish which: that of plain of Milan or that of sea of Barcelona. Catalans who, second the house press, are strafavoriti: or “It marks” that “Sports” have given for fact the agreement with the player. To convince the Arsenal, that chip ax (and does not conclude) the single negotiation if it is begun to discuss from the stratospheric figure of 43 million.
From part its, the togolese does not remain sure to wait for the events passively. Emmanuel has taken to paper and pen and has directly written to its mentor Arsene Wenger, already guilty to have answered to the numerous ones does not telephone carried out in the last days. Thus, hand to the old beloved fax, that it is becoming the object centers them of this negotiation: the letter, addressed directly to the French technician, has been sent for information also to general manager the Ken Friar and to the same Galliani. And in via Turati they have confirmed the arrival of the missiva. Whose contained it recites more or less thus: “Arsene Beloved I have need of parlarti, is an important moment for my career”. Unfortunately for the Milan, to how much it seems, a copy has been sent also to Barcelona, richer expecting.
And then, a lot in order to change, to the Milan does not remain that to watch themselves around, to attend, to study what it succeeds holes from the world of the famous usuals. Spanish Radiomercato advises the rossoneri tifosi to leave to lose Adebayor and to throw an eye to Seville rather, where Luis Fabiano goes towards the expiration (june 2009) and continues to traccheggiare on the offered ones of renews. And from the Europeans, instead, trapelano voices of first, timid survey (with a lot of seeming asked the old friend on purpose Mark Van Basten) of Huntelaar, till now never approached from the Diavolo.Come is changed, in the calciomercato one.
Written by Darkvader on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on ac milan.
Nasri has signed for Arsenal on a four year deal.
He has confirmed it on his own personal website.
http://www.samirnasri.fr/Keep it Goonerish..........
Written by Wrighty7 on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.
I had an immense feeling of pride last night after watching our very own Cesc Fabregas step up to take the decisive fifth penalty in Vienna last night.
It takes a man of great courage and many players have ducked the responsibility down the years. Was there any doubt where the ball would end up? Not in my eyes.
I had a bet on Italy after their thrashing at the hands of Holland in the first game, and as Cesc lined up to take the kick I said to my girlfriend that I couldn’t care less about the bet, I just wanted Cesc to score.
Fabregas showed total calmness and never even flinched at taking the chance to put his country through. This was his moment and he took it.
He didn’t even start the game, but his influence was clear to see when he came on. He played the ball around the park showing Spain what he does for Arsenal every week.
I can’t believe at times he isn’t a regular starter for Spain. In England he is arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premiership and when he came on last night he controlled the midfield and seemed to inject new life into Spain.
The Spanish midfield is very strong, it must be to keep Cesc from starting more regularly. But his day for dominating the Spanish midfield will come.
He has come so far. Its hard to believe how young he is at times. The way he plays the game is a joy to watch and I’m so proud that we Gooners can say that he is ours.
He is flying the Gooner flag high at the Euro’s, Spain now know what we see every week and I hope this catapaults him into starting more for them.
Over the last twelve months the boy has become a man. He can achieve what ever he wants.
Keep it Goonerish…………
Written by Wrighty7 on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.
Michael Ballack Post-Match Interview - Austria
30 MB - 1:55 mins - 2 Mbps - BBC HD
Shareonall
Ballack goal
Ballack 0-1 - 44 MB
Extra replay + Slow motion - 16 MB
Ballack 1-3 - 36 MB
by jano7
Written by Darkvader on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Michael Ballack and videos.
Italy are slow starters, but I always felt that they would find form at the right time to defeat Spain. But that wasn’t the case yesterday as Italy missed Pirlo and Gattuso due to suspension. It was like Chelsea FC missing both Lampard and Makelele for a important match. It showed throughout the game as Italy were struggling to create and major chances apart from the few scattered ones. If there is going to be any award for the best diving performances then most probably the team would be full of Spanish players and Iniesta would be the captain. Villa tried to outshine him in that department but ended up getting booked for the dive..!! It was a pretty boring match to be honest and there is nothing to write about except the result in which Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties to meet Russia in the semi’s.
Coming to Russia, it is really surprising the fact that the arrival of one player back to the team can totally change it. That player is Ashravin. He produced a superb display against the Swedes in the group stage and an even better one against the Dutch to beat them 3-1. Nobody expected the Dutch to go out in the Quarterfinals after their superb performances in the group stages.
Turkey again rode the luck to beat Croatia 3-1 on penalties. Croatia looked to have won the game in 119th minute, but Turkey came back for the second time in the tournament to score in the last kick off the match to take it into penalties.
Micheal Ballack is the only Chelsea player left in the tournament and I am going to support Germany from here on in. Surely the Turks must be out of luck and late goals now. So I expect a Germany, Russia final. Yes, I think that Russia will beat Spain.
Written by Darkvader on June 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.
« Older articles
No newer articles
No, we are not going anywhere. Unlike most of the favored teams in the Euros, we will continue on. For the record, I say Russia clinches it next Sunday.
