football !!

Agreed on AC No 9, they need to get young players in and soon. Wasn´t AC´s defence line´s middle age 33-34 years in the Barca game?

It´s also interesting how views change. Some 5-10 years ago a footballer´s career was considered being over when he was 30. Now they just continue on and on. A Finnish sports magazine BTW told that a spokesperson for AC Milan had mentioned that "fortunately Nesta is so young"..Isn´t he 30 or something? have you read that No 9?

OK back to the FA cup final. Liverpool came back and took the trophy, well, West ham had a good opportunity but Gerrard made another great long shot in the overtime. I guess it´s just another trophy for Liverpool so personally I think if West ham had won it´d have made a bigger impact that now with Liverpool. Anyway,Liverpool did what they needed to and took the victory. (Life´s a ****...?) Congrats to Liverpool however!

 

I usually get to two to four AC games a year at the San Siro, accompanied by my wife, street park whatever car we’re driving, and watch the match from the regular terraces. Not only would I not take my wife anywhere dangerous, she wouldn’t go anywhere unsavoury and certainly not go back again.


The Rosso-Nero group are always located at the same end of the stadium, (which has no blind spots), with the visitors group at the opposite end. Yes they are loud, very loud, and their chants can include telling to opposition to f*** off back home. They wave or display huge flags and banners, and let-off red road flares, despite being searched for same on the way in. On occasion, depending on what may have happened in the match, some may find their way onto the pitch.
Rosso Nero

No doubt the police do collar a few from time to time, but I’ve never seen any incidents of brawls either in the massive car-park that surrounds the stadium or in the surrounding streets. There’s always police around but equally I’ve never seen any heavy-handed tactics being employed and generally people are allowed to be noisy and boisterous if they want to be. If you want to sit quietly and clap at the end of a performance better go to La Scala.

I’m sure incidents can be sited, but not more than any major Euro or Scandinavian stadium, and probably less than some. Falling gates in Italy is probably mostly due to windscreen TVs and surround sound so many have at home.

Re Cardiff, the day matches are so the crowd doesn’t empty straight from and back to the pubs and bars. The Millennium Stadium is all-weather. As a matter of course there is always a huge police presence in central Cardiff on Friday and Saturday nights. Cardiff is one of the top weekend trouble spots in the UK, but only one. Perhaps you’ll get to see some of the ‘Police in action’ documentaries they show here?

No.9

 

I hadn’t heard that Kai, sounds like a bit of ‘spin’ to me – they weren’t quoting Blair were they? However, considering AC have an old squad, perhaps you can call Nesta ”young”[/I at 30? Look at the ages of their ‘names’: Seedorf 30; Shevchenko 30 in September; Inzarghi 32; Stam (leaving anyway) 33; Serginho 34; Rui Costa 34; Maldini 37 and Costacurta a whopping 40! Gattuso and Ambrosini are mere babes at 28. Then on one site they list Pirlo as being born in 1999 (1979), making him just 6!

Let’s get King George back, he’s only 39.


Flash, I would say there are totally different ‘way-of-life’ reasons for when matches are played in Britain and Italy. For sure in Italy alcohol has nothing to do with it. For a start, bars are open early morning to late night, sell alcohol anytime and children are allowed. Hence, it’s no big deal for a child to go into a bar and they probably grow up with wine on the table at meal times anyway. Italian children don’t grow-up in a pi**head culture and bars are not seen, or used, as liquid drug dispensaries. If you’re not working, afternoons are a time for siesta, not going to football matches. Re Sundays, its often thought, with Italy being a Catholic country, everything stops on Sunday and everyone hobbles home on their knees after the obligatory church service. In reality, Britain is (and certainly was) far more ‘puritanical’ than Italy. Sunday is a day for getting out and about visiting friends or places, and staying late. A lot is open on a Sunday and many markets, fares and events are specially set for Sunday’s. The ‘deadest’ day is Monday, where, to get over ‘Monday mornings’, most places close Monday’s and many shop owners take all or part of Monday off – there’s sensible for you boyo. Even all hours hypermarkets may not open until 2:00pm or later on a Monday.

No.9

 

True enough, No 9.

 

BIG big game today! Arsenal v. Barcelona in the Champions League Finale. Should be a very exciting game to watch! I think it starts around 2/2:30PM EST (could be wrong - might be closer to 3 or 4). I'm already wearing my Arsenal Jersey. The only bad thing is that i'll be heading to the airport by the time the game starts, so i wont know the results until afternoon on Friday, Australian time, when i arrive. Its going to be a nervous flight (though hopefully when i get to LAX some one will tell me who won). My dad said he would tape the game for me (since he has to drive me to airport) so my fingers are crossed!

ARSENAL ARSENAL ARSENAL!

 

Yes, hopefully both teams try to score and not just defend like in some finals has happened.

I think my main interest in Arsenal team is with Sol Campbell whether he is in shape to play in such a big game, then again Arsene should know what he´s doing.

I do still believe it is Ronaldinho who will make the deciding moves in this game...

 

Well, Sol had a great game din't he Kai. Rondald-D wasn't the winner but overall I though it was a fair result - all goals earned and deserved.

A good 90 minutes worth.

No.9

 

Yes, No 9,

Sol was quite good and a great goal there,too. But Henry was quite exceptional and everytime he got the ball the Barca defence looked quite amateurish really. If Henry had scored during the first two minutes it might have gotten very interesting, indeed.

Great substitution in the end for Barca. Larsson gave passes to both goals, then again the Arsenal goalie looked quite slow to react with his feet and at least I think he should have stopped the 2-1 goal which went between his legs.

Must say very soul tearing game for the Arsenal fans. Great defending and great counter attacks but the end result very disappointing.

 

Very sad news for some of the fans as well. Official tickets had been sold to several parties and it seems that 400 Norwegian, 200 Danes, 150 Swedish and 30 Finnish people travelled to Paris but never got to see the match because their tickets had been sold to fans who had paid 4 times the normal price for the tickets.

Now that´s *^`?&%¤%!

 

I am afraid that i dont agree with NFL players being the greatest athletes in the world. Half of the team plays half of the game...soccer athletes usually play all 90 minutes and just as frequently as NFL games (and sometimes twice a week, if they have champions league games). Professional Cyclists (think Tour de France) are the greatest athletes IMO....risking life and limb, racing for a month straight (and thats just the TDF and doesnt include the lesser known races they partake in) and to be able to do what they do is amasing - i'd love to see an NFL player make it up the Alpe d'Huez even on foot!

--------------------
~Mussolini~


well dude, while i'll agree with you that the soccer errr... "Footballers?" could run and play longer. You wouldnt beleive the punishment that is inflicted on the athletes of the NFL. You have to be a badass to last as a linebacker or a runningback.

 

Try getting mixed up whilst watching the Old Firm, then talk about punishment.

 

Quote from an interview between Brian Moore and THE Jimmy Greaves:

"Do you remember when they introduced the Yellow Card - Red Card system Jimmy?"

"Oh yes, I was at Chelsea then. The manager called 'Chopper' Harris over in the dressing-room and asked him if he knew what he was holding? Chopper said of course he did, it was a football, why? The manager said; 'Because Chopper, in future this is what you have to kick!'"

No.9

 

Try watching an NFL game then talk about punishemnt... oh what the hell, neither of them are as tough as boxing.

 

Looks like it's Milan will be saying be bye bye to Shev . AC announced they will/are negotiating with Chelsea about a transfer. Reputed to set a new world record in football.

Re the recent meeting with AC boss Berlusconi, it's a fair bet he wouldn't come up with the additional dosh Shev wanted. Shame to see him go but such is the game. No doubt he'll fit in well at Chelsea and the money will patch over any conflict of a Ukrainian working for a Russian - I mean it will, won't it?

No.9

ps. bet I know someone who's quietly chuffed about the move


[ 26. May 2006, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: No.9 ]

 

Yes, it definitely looks like Shev will go to Chelsea. I think he will score the 20+ goals and set Chelsea for another championship in the Premier league and maybe their desired victory in the Champions´league as well.

 

You want real punishment try Rugby Union. Now there is a game for men.

Shame bout Shevchenko. Should be interesting to see how he copes in the premiership. Anyone watch the Soccer Aid match? Good game. Good to see Maradona on the pitch again.

Ross

 

Hmmmm...from teamtalk.com

The Blues are aiming to complete a British record £35million signing of the 29-year-old in the next three days - but the Italian giants are determined to secure Gallas as part of any deal.

And what about van the man ...Nistelrooy?? Going...going...?

 

Reasonable logic in such a deal Kai, plus I think a factor is that Juve would also like him . Gallas would provide AC with some immediate quality defence in view of the 3 current defence events. Staam and Cafu are leaving and Maldini is not going to appear that much – the boys slowing down in his old age. AC are not ‘desperate’ for defenders, but I can see they want a little more width to maintain their buffer zone.

Longer term they need to work on some of the new boys, like several who are currently playing in the EUFA Under 21’s. Watching Italys’ games on TV, I did notice Mr Maldini Jnr on the touchline paying careful attention. However, he won’t get to see any more as Italy went out to Holland .

No.9

 

Yes, I believe Gallas is/will be a good player, defenitely!

But what do you think about changing Shev to van Nistelrooy? AT least that seems to be alot in the air? Alex Ferguson must have big fish in the hook if he wants to let Ruud go! Of course Louis Saha has been good and Ole Gunnar might make it back plus the young striker promise Rossi on his way but Van has been really deadly in the penalty area and especially in the Champions´ league...Well, I think we´ll see soon, before the games begin on 9th June!

 

I think we will see a lot of changes and new signings at AC Kai. As we worked out before, most of their ’names’ are getting on a bit now – or a lot in some cases. Nistelrooy would fit in well at AC, but, he’s also 30 this year, same as Shev . Great player, but a short term measure.

Without knowing anything of the real talk, it seems Shev is leaving over money, and Ruud because he can’t get on with Ferguson - who said “Not a bad judge” . It probably makes no difference, but I think you get more from a player who isn’t completely driven by money – a bit like blackmail, always want more.

Normally the clubs get their chequebooks out towards the end of the World Cup, as no doubt they will do again – e.g. African and American players. Maybe the names are pushing issues now before the clubs are all spent up!

The TV here continues to on and on about Rooney – will he, won’t he. Occurs to me they keep going on about the England ‘Team’, i.e. 11 men. So if they really are that shallow, a couple of injuries and/or Red Cards and they’re finished???

BTW, London’s Crystal Palace manager, Iain Dowie, negotiated a cheap amicable resignation from Palace, on the grounds his family are 300-400 miles away and he wants to move north and spend more time with them. No sooner does he leave than he signs for London’s Charlton! . Palace are now suing him for compensation aggravated by being lied to. Dowie said he didn’t ‘lie’, he has moved north – 9 miles!

No.9