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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)

Croatia was realy missing Olić against Spain and Italy.

They played pretty disciplined and IMO should have gotten that penalty kick against Spain.

Sad that Bilić is leaving, he was a pretty good coach who new his stuff.

 
I am not a huge Edu fan, so I would welcome this if it ever comes to pass. If people are not familiar with this player, think a younger, more mobile version of Beckerman. He is small for a dm but his nickname is honey badger so that should give a feel for his grit.

What if Osvaldo Alonso played for the US national team? Suddenly that just might be a possibility.The Seattle Sounders midfielder spoke to the media on Tuesday about the news that he received his US citizenship last week, and that there’s a chance he could get his chance to play for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's side.Of course there's a logjam at the holding midfielder spot right now, and there's an issue because Alonso played for his native Cuba in the 2007 Gold Cup before defecting, but as head coach Sigi Schmid says, Alonso’s new US citizenship “opens up new doors for him and new options.""I'm not allowed to play anymore with Cuba, so I think I'll have the opportunity to play with the U.S. national team," Alonso said. "If the opportunity comes, it's something I want to do. I'm very happy for that."
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Juventus is preparing for the Champions League grind as it looks like they have added Udinese stars Kwadwo Asamoah (ghana) and Mauricio Isla (chile) as well as Sebastian Giovinco (italy) who had 15 goals and 16 assists with Parma last year. Asamoah looks like depth alongside Vidal and Marchisio. Isla can also help there as well as at right wingback/mid. Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.

 
'The Z Machine said:
'boubucarow said:
Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.
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I was impressed by his play at times. Good play on the wing IMO.
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Juventus switched between a 4-1-4-1 with attacking wingers and a 3-5-2 with attacking wing backs last season (like Italy in the first two matches). Giovinco would play as a winger in the first formation or as the deep lying striker in the other. They certainly needed to add some depth for the extra matches next season.
 
'NewlyRetired said:
I am not a huge Edu fan, so I would welcome this if it ever comes to pass. If people are not familiar with this player, think a younger, more mobile version of Beckerman. He is small for a dm but his nickname is honey badger so that should give a feel for his grit.

What if Osvaldo Alonso played for the US national team? Suddenly that just might be a possibility.The Seattle Sounders midfielder spoke to the media on Tuesday about the news that he received his US citizenship last week, and that there’s a chance he could get his chance to play for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's side.Of course there's a logjam at the holding midfielder spot right now, and there's an issue because Alonso played for his native Cuba in the 2007 Gold Cup before defecting, but as head coach Sigi Schmid says, Alonso’s new US citizenship “opens up new doors for him and new options.""I'm not allowed to play anymore with Cuba, so I think I'll have the opportunity to play with the U.S. national team," Alonso said. "If the opportunity comes, it's something I want to do. I'm very happy for that."
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Click to expand...
I'm a big fan of Alonso, what I've seen of him. A bit of a hot-head, but I guess that goes with the DM territory. Solid skills, tactically sound, great vision and passer of the ball. Remains to be seen how he'd blend with the current group of MFs and Center backs.And I haven't written Edu completely off- he still flashes enough of a complete game at times that gives me hope. But his touch has been terrible the last several games and his positioning has been... strange... in realtino to Bradley/Jones- when that's historically a strong-suit for him.
 
Not any huge surprise, but here it is...

BEIJING -- One month after sealing Chelsea's victory in the European Champions League final, Didier Drogba signed with Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract that reportedly will make him China's highest-paid player.

Shanghai confirmed the signing on Wednesday, and Drogba said on his website he will join the Chinese Super League team in the country's financial hub next month.

No details were given on Shanghai's offer, although local media reported the club was willing to pay as much as $15 million per year.

"I studied all the offers I've received in recent weeks and I feel that going to Shanghai Shenhua is the right direction for me now," Drogba said in his online statement. "I'm looking forward to this new challenge, to discover a new culture and I am very enthusiastic about the development of the Chinese football league."

On its website adorned with pictures of Drogba against a background of Shanghai skyscrapers, the club lauded the 34-year-old former Chelsea striker as the most dominant player to join a CSL team.

"You can see from the online response, the fans are crazy about him," Shanghai spokesman Ma Yue told The Associated Press.

"There has never been a foreign player who has stirred up such a reaction in China. It means a lot to Chinese football and will be of immense help in spreading the CSL brand."

The announcement comes days after a reported visit to Drogba's native Ivory Coast by Shanghai owner Zhu Jun, an online gambling magnate whose fortune already has facilitated the hiring of former Argentina coach Sergio Batista and another former Chelsea player, Nicolas Anelka. Zhu bought the team in 2007.

On his Twitter feed, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said he looked forward to playing against Drogba when they travel to Shanghai on July 25.

Drogba's move to Shanghai had been speculated for months. He was also approached by Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates, coached by Diego Maradona, but its bid was believed to be less than Shanghai's.

Drogba capped his Chelsea career by scoring the tying goal and then the penalty shootout winner in Chelsea's win over Bayern Munich in last month's European Champions League final.

Before his nine years at Chelsea, he had spells at French clubs Le Mans, Guingamp and Marseille.

Chinese soccer has long been dogged by mismanagement and corruption, with the level of performance trailing well behind that of neighbors South Korea and Japan. But rapidly escalating salaries are beginning to attract big-name players while authorities have ramped up measures to stamp out match fixing.

Shanghai sits in 12th place in the 16-team Chinese Super League, 15 points behind leader Guangzhou Evergrande, which itself broke the Chinese transfer spending record to sign Argentine playmaker Dario Conca for $10 million from Fluminense, reportedly making him the third-highest paid player in the world. The league's regular season runs through Nov. 3.
Click to expand...
 
'El Floppo said:
Not any huge surprise, but here it is...

BEIJING -- One month after sealing Chelsea's victory in the European Champions League final, Didier Drogba signed with Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract that reportedly will make him China's highest-paid player.

Shanghai confirmed the signing on Wednesday, and Drogba said on his website he will join the Chinese Super League team in the country's financial hub next month.

No details were given on Shanghai's offer, although local media reported the club was willing to pay as much as $15 million per year.

"I studied all the offers I've received in recent weeks and I feel that going to Shanghai Shenhua is the right direction for me now," Drogba said in his online statement. "I'm looking forward to this new challenge, to discover a new culture and I am very enthusiastic about the development of the Chinese football league."

On its website adorned with pictures of Drogba against a background of Shanghai skyscrapers, the club lauded the 34-year-old former Chelsea striker as the most dominant player to join a CSL team.

"You can see from the online response, the fans are crazy about him," Shanghai spokesman Ma Yue told The Associated Press.

"There has never been a foreign player who has stirred up such a reaction in China. It means a lot to Chinese football and will be of immense help in spreading the CSL brand."

The announcement comes days after a reported visit to Drogba's native Ivory Coast by Shanghai owner Zhu Jun, an online gambling magnate whose fortune already has facilitated the hiring of former Argentina coach Sergio Batista and another former Chelsea player, Nicolas Anelka. Zhu bought the team in 2007.

On his Twitter feed, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said he looked forward to playing against Drogba when they travel to Shanghai on July 25.

Drogba's move to Shanghai had been speculated for months. He was also approached by Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates, coached by Diego Maradona, but its bid was believed to be less than Shanghai's.

Drogba capped his Chelsea career by scoring the tying goal and then the penalty shootout winner in Chelsea's win over Bayern Munich in last month's European Champions League final.

Before his nine years at Chelsea, he had spells at French clubs Le Mans, Guingamp and Marseille.

Chinese soccer has long been dogged by mismanagement and corruption, with the level of performance trailing well behind that of neighbors South Korea and Japan. But rapidly escalating salaries are beginning to attract big-name players while authorities have ramped up measures to stamp out match fixing.

Shanghai sits in 12th place in the 16-team Chinese Super League, 15 points behind leader Guangzhou Evergrande, which itself broke the Chinese transfer spending record to sign Argentine playmaker Dario Conca for $10 million from Fluminense, reportedly making him the third-highest paid player in the world. The league's regular season runs through Nov. 3.
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Good for him, I guess.
 
'boubucarow said:
Juventus is preparing for the Champions League grind as it looks like they have added Udinese stars Kwadwo Asamoah (ghana) and Mauricio Isla (chile) as well as Sebastian Giovinco (italy) who had 15 goals and 16 assists with Parma last year. Asamoah looks like depth alongside Vidal and Marchisio. Isla can also help there as well as at right wingback/mid. Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.
Click to expand...
Think it's safe to say they've completely recovered from the last match-fixing scandal. And just in time for the next one.
 
'Spartans Rule said:
'boubucarow said:
Juventus is preparing for the Champions League grind as it looks like they have added Udinese stars Kwadwo Asamoah (ghana) and Mauricio Isla (chile) as well as Sebastian Giovinco (italy) who had 15 goals and 16 assists with Parma last year. Asamoah looks like depth alongside Vidal and Marchisio. Isla can also help there as well as at right wingback/mid. Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.
Click to expand...
Think it's safe to say they've completely recovered from the last match-fixing scandal. And just in time for the next one.
Click to expand...
At least this time it appears that the fixing did not involve Juventus so they probably avoiding a drop down to B and relinquishing another title. Of course it does involve their manager and at least one player (when with other teams).
 
'boubucarow said:
'Spartans Rule said:
'boubucarow said:
Juventus is preparing for the Champions League grind as it looks like they have added Udinese stars Kwadwo Asamoah (ghana) and Mauricio Isla (chile) as well as Sebastian Giovinco (italy) who had 15 goals and 16 assists with Parma last year. Asamoah looks like depth alongside Vidal and Marchisio. Isla can also help there as well as at right wingback/mid. Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.
Click to expand...
Think it's safe to say they've completely recovered from the last match-fixing scandal. And just in time for the next one.
Click to expand...
At least this time it appears that the fixing did not involve Juventus so they probably avoiding a drop down to B and relinquishing another title. Of course it does involve their manager and at least one player (when with other teams).
Click to expand...
At some point they have to start issuing life time bans. Maybe even dissolving teams.
 
'Christo said:
'boubucarow said:
'Spartans Rule said:
'boubucarow said:
Juventus is preparing for the Champions League grind as it looks like they have added Udinese stars Kwadwo Asamoah (ghana) and Mauricio Isla (chile) as well as Sebastian Giovinco (italy) who had 15 goals and 16 assists with Parma last year. Asamoah looks like depth alongside Vidal and Marchisio. Isla can also help there as well as at right wingback/mid. Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.
Click to expand...
Think it's safe to say they've completely recovered from the last match-fixing scandal. And just in time for the next one.
Click to expand...
At least this time it appears that the fixing did not involve Juventus so they probably avoiding a drop down to B and relinquishing another title. Of course it does involve their manager and at least one player (when with other teams).
Click to expand...
At some point they have to start issuing life time bans. Maybe even dissolving teams.
Click to expand...
You would think.
 
LA may have a game they can look at now as impetus to turn their season around.

Last night they traveled to the current best team in the league, RSL, and promptly fell behind 2-0.

After two goals and an assist by Landon, LA battled back to a 3-2 win. They have now won back to back games for the first time this year and may be showing signs of life.

 
'boubucarow said:
'Spartans Rule said:
'boubucarow said:
Juventus is preparing for the Champions League grind as it looks like they have added Udinese stars Kwadwo Asamoah (ghana) and Mauricio Isla (chile) as well as Sebastian Giovinco (italy) who had 15 goals and 16 assists with Parma last year. Asamoah looks like depth alongside Vidal and Marchisio. Isla can also help there as well as at right wingback/mid. Giovinco has seen some time in Euro2012 and looks like a creative deep lying striker.
Click to expand...
Think it's safe to say they've completely recovered from the last match-fixing scandal. And just in time for the next one.
Click to expand...
At least this time it appears that the fixing did not involve Juventus so they probably avoiding a drop down to B and relinquishing another title. Of course it does involve their manager and at least one player (when with other teams).
Click to expand...
Call me cynical, but I have a hard time believing that Juventus' coach allegedly took part in match fixing at a prior team, but did nothing of the sort at Juve, who just happened to go an entire season without losing.
 
Lets see if I can do as bad predicting the QF's as I did the group stage.

please share your QF predictions

CR 2 Por 1

Ger 2 Gre 0

Spain 2 France 0

Italy 2 England 1

 
CR 1 - 1 POR - shootout, CR takes it 4-3

GER 3 - 0 GRE - blowout

ESP 2 - 0 FRA - Spain rights the ship and Torres finds the net again

ENG 1 - 2 ITA - Italy shows that they have more talent than ENG, even with Rooney. Balotelli scores along with Giovinco.

 
Factoid: England has lost 5 out of 6 times games have gone into pk's. Only time they won was in 1996 against Spain the the QF's.

 
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'The Z Machine said:
CR 1 - 1 POR - shootout, CR takes it 4-3

GER 3 - 0 GRE - blowout

ESP 2 - 0 FRA - Spain rights the ship and Torres finds the net again

ENG 1 - 2 ITA - Italy shows that they have more talent than ENG, even with Rooney. Balotelli scores along with Giovinco.
Click to expand...
Cech went the right way on every PK taken in the UCL final. Not to say he can do that again, but that would give me pause if I were taking kicks against him. Maybe I'd be more willing to shoot high?Portugal wins 2-1 in ET.

Spain and France draw 1-1, Spain wins in PK's.

Germany wins 3-0.

Italy wins 1-0.

 
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about.

After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in.

This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.

Hints:

3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times

3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player

 
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
MullerKlose......?
 
'El Floppo said:
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
MullerKlose......?
Click to expand...
Hmmmm. I'm thinking Raul, but he's still playing- so it's either him or Klose.di Stefano?Platini?eta: Kruyf?
 
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'The Hardline said:
Czech Republic 1 Portugal 2Ger 3 Greece 1Spain 1 France 0Italy 2 England 1
Click to expand...
We have the first 3 predictions exactly the same, but I'll take England 2-1 over Italy.Italy and Portugal games to go to ET but no shootout.Greece score a shock goal against the run of play like 25 minutes in, Germany flounders for a bit, Greece has the upper hand, Germans settle down and get one right before the half and then 2 more early in the second half to seal it.
 
'El Floppo said:
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
MullerKlose......?
Click to expand...
No to both
 
'El Floppo said:
'El Floppo said:
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
MullerKlose......?
Click to expand...
Hmmmm. I'm thinking Raul, but he's still playing- so it's either him or Klose.di Stefano?Platini?eta: Kruyf?
Click to expand...
No to all of these.
 
'GoFishTN said:
Hard decision to be made by the Scottish clubs. Follow the rules and possibly see the league implode, or break them and continue the status quo.

Hearts to vote against Rangers readmission

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has revealed his club are set to vote against a newco Rangers being accepted into the SPL.
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http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1110663/hearts-to-vote-against-rangers-readmission?cc=5901
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A sinking ship the size of Rangers creates a huge undertow.Vladimir Romanov doesn't sound very Scottish.

 
Has Klose scored in this tournament?

edit: no. If he does he'll join Ronaldo and whoever on that list.

 
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'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
Is Henry the active player?
 
Klinsman is one

He scored in '88 Euro, '90 WC, '92 Euro, '94 WC, '96 Euro, and '98 WC - total of 6

 
Last edited by a moderator:
'NewlyRetired said:
'El Floppo said:
'El Floppo said:
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
MullerKlose......?
Click to expand...
Hmmmm. I'm thinking Raul, but he's still playing- so it's either him or Klose.di Stefano?Platini?eta: Kruyf?
Click to expand...
No to all of these.
Click to expand...
Wow- I thought for sure on Muller.Romeneigge? (sp?)Henry?Owen?
 
'Slapdash said:
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
Is Henry the active player?
Click to expand...
Correct! Henry is one of the 4 players and the only non retired player.
 
'El Floppo said:
'NewlyRetired said:
'El Floppo said:
'El Floppo said:
'NewlyRetired said:
Here is some hard trivia that might be fun for people to think about. After Ronaldo scored in his last game, that made 5 different combined World Cups and Euro's that he has scored in. This feat has only previously happened 4 times in history. Name the 4 players.Hints:3 players did it 5 times and 1 player did it 6 times3 players are retired and 1 is still an active player
Click to expand...
MullerKlose......?
Click to expand...
Hmmmm. I'm thinking Raul, but he's still playing- so it's either him or Klose.di Stefano?Platini?eta: Kruyf?
Click to expand...
No to all of these.
Click to expand...
Wow- I thought for sure on Muller.Romeneigge? (sp?)Henry?Owen?
Click to expand...
Yes on Henry, no on the others.
 
In case anyone's curious... per Oddschecker, each team's chances of taking the whole thing down...

Germany - 30%

Spain - 28%

Portugal - 12%

Italy - 10%

England - 10%

France - 7%

Czech Rep - 2%

Greece - 1%

 
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