Posts Tagged ‘football’

England Beaten By Spirited And Classy Germans

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

English supporters in this World cup were hoping from great performance from England. But that never happened because England were sent packing in the last 16 by Germany. Not just knocked they were completely thrashed. I saw the game at my local pub and the owner was not happy of the outcome and he broke his antique oak furniture because of a terrible game England played. He told me that furniture was his grand father’s furniture which survived the war and fire in their old house.

 

The story is awesome isn’t it? I believe so yes. Now let’s talk about how in the last 16 England were knocked out. Many say they didn’t really show what they were made off in the whole World cup let alone last 16, which I think is very true. To be perfectly honest England did well in the first half against Germany but were terrible in the second half yes they were unlucky in the first half not to be 2-2 but second half they were awful. They still had a chance in the second half to show how good they are but that didn’t happen. England conceded awful goals and germany just flew past them in the second half.

 

Having saying all that give Germany some credit, even though they have a young team they have tremendous spirits. The German have the belief and the spirit and have shown they can do very well even without top players. Michael Ballack missed the tournament with the injury and Bastian Schweinsteiger has taken the midfield role with ease. The new comers and youngster Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller have had a great tournament so far. Shame Rooney could not star for England but was he injured? I still feel the injury he suffered when playing for Manchester United was still in the back of his mind and was not fully fit. But it was an injury and it makes the difference.

 

Even I felt like breaking my New England furniture and black ash furniture at the poor England’s performance.

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Looking Forward To The 2010 Summer

Friday, June 18th, 2010

After such a harsh and long winter the media are spreading some rumours that the 2010 summer will be a memorable one. For the north European countries that could be translated into less rain, higher temperatures although the countries of southern Europe should expect inferno like temperatures. What is not very known is that during summers where there is a world cup, people travel less and they are quite happy to stay at home with their friends and family. It is, without any doubt, a very big social event and not just a sport one, considering the huge amount of people that will be following it.

This is another reason that raises even higher the expectations of the forthcoming summer. It is going to be the first World Cup taking place in Africa and many sports and non-sports related people are expecting it with great anticipation. Who doesn’t really like the combination of a hot summer with a lot of football and social gatherings?. After such a hard and intense winter all Europeans deserve a great summer, especially as recession doesn’t seem to get out of the way yet.

A typical summer scene would include lots of friends taking their places around the TV in the garden, being absorbed by the commentator’s voice that will be coming out of those portable speakers. The children will be around too, running and making lots of noise while they will be playing with those great outdoor toys, such as a radio controlled helicopter,while at the same time their parents will be enjoying a cold glass of beer straight out of the beer dispenser. And for those who do not enjoy watching sports on television, there is a place by the barbecue.

Will the scientists be right in their forecasts this time or is it going to be another huge disappointment?. Until then let’s keep our fingers crossed!

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Can Michael Owen Make The English Squad For The World Cup?

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Has Michael Owen lost his legs? Do you think he should still command a regular starting place in the England team? Have the many injuries that Michael Owen has suffered throughout his career affected him too much? Has Michael lost some of his passion to the play at the top level of the game? In this article I give my own opinion about these questions, I hope you enjoy the read.

Michael Owen burst onto the international football stage with what can only be described as a wonder goal against Argentina in the World Cup. He sure was fast at this stage of his career and could leave the majority of defenders for dead. The future was very exciting for his club, country and of course for himself.

I have to be truthful with you I am not and never have been involved with professional football. In my working life I am involved with offering Comet Voucher Codes, selling composite front doors and also offering advice on training for foster carers.

Going back to Owen, he played for Liverpool for many years and scored lots and lots and goals. A couple of years ago he moved clubs to Real Madrid. At Madrid he did not in my opinion seem to get much a chance, however his goals to games ratio was still very impressive. During this period Michael started to have a few problems with niggly injuries. For whatever reason this player has been unable to stay free from injury for any great length of time~For whatever reason this player has been unable to stay free from injury for any great length of time}. Last season he moved clubs again with a big money move to Newcastle United. This renewed the famous partnership that he had in the English national team with the one and only Alan Shearer. Owen however has played only a handful of games for his new club due to his fitness levels.

It seems that Owen is now on his way back and think that Michael is way past his best, I think that due to the fact that he is not getting any younger and all of the injuries he has sustained, that he has without doubt lost some of his electric pace. He is however and should remain for a number of years to come a potent and top striker but whether he is still world class remains to be seen.

Michael Owen has never in my opinion let England down. Michael just seems to have that nack of being in the right place at the right time; that is of course what has made him into the World class striker that he once was and what some people still think he is – just ask Sir Alex Ferguson for example. I would prefer to see Michael come off the bench for say the last thirty-five minutes of matches instead of starting the games. I think England should have lanky Peter Crouch with another pacy striker such as Theo Walcott to really rough up and bruise the opposition. Michael could then come on when they are starting to become a bit weary.

I do not think Michael Owen has lost any of his passion or desire to play for club or country. In fact I think the opposite is true. He will be itching to get back to somewhere near his best and will be very determined to help his country to win the World Cup.

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The Standard Of Referees In The Premiership?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

What do you think of the current standard of the football referees in the English Premiership? Do you think a system of video replays should be introduced to help these referees and to stop what are some important mistakes being made? These two questions are things which myself and my friends debate on a regular basis, especially after a few beers.

Do not get me wrong; I am fully aware that I have never been involved in professional football in any shape or form; I am actually involved in various projects to do with stuttering treatment, DVD replication and about training for foster carers.

There was a match a number of seasons ago which sticks in my memory, a bad memory at that. It was a very important match between my favourite team Birmingham City and one of their local rivals Stoke City. The match was of great importance as Birmingham were in real danger of being relegated. The three points for the win would certainly have helped them in their quest to survive.

With only around ten minutes of the match remaining Birmingham were leading a tense match by one goal to nil. At this stage one of the Stoke City footballers clattered into the B’ham City goalkeeper, who had the football firmly in his grasp, over. The ball slipped from his grasp and one of the other Stoke players kicked it into an unguarded net.

It was a mystery to many of the home supporters as to why the referee had not blown up for a free kick to Birmingham, I for one was fuming. I could not believe it and nor could any of the other Blues supporters, when the referee let the goal stand. I am normally quite a calm person but became so angry it was untrue. The next thing that happened was one of the Birmingham fans ran onto the pitch and fully punched this referee in the face. The players were taken off the pitch while order was restored.

I remember thinking at the time that this referee had deserved to be hit, but I later changed my mind, once I had had time to calm down. We are all capable of making a mistake of course.

I personally think that the overall standard of referees in the Premiership is very good and that we should start to get off these peoples back. I would however like each referee to be interviewed after each match in the same way as the football managers are. This would help the fans to understand why the referee made various decisions etc.

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