Just read an article on probably the top FIFA referee at the World Cup, namely Antonio Daronca, nicknamed the 'Incredible Hulk'.He is from Brazil, and man, these fancy footballers do NOT f**k-around with him. If Brazil are not in the Final, and that seems unlikely, I would like to see Daronca referee it. He is just great, and continually lets those play-acting footballers know exactly who is in-charge. Believe me, he is in-charge! (P.S. I wish he could give that bloody Roy Keane a red card, really do!)
One of my clients met him when he was at villa . They stayed in the same hotel on an away game , the husband wanted an autograph but was to scared to ask so The client went over whilst they were drinking and asked . Roy was Rude as norm so my client who is of the outspoken nature told him how pathetic he was . Bless her
Surprised none of the old boys on here have mentioned the Test match this week. Quite possibly the best game of cricket ever contested in many of our lifetimes. The thrill made possible by a new attitude from the England captain in how he wants to see us play. He has pretty much taken the notion of a draw off the table. What ensued was a game of cricket that had everything, huge totals, some great bowling performances, a stunning second innings one day style run-fest and a thrilling finish that saw England win for only the third time ever in Pakistan.
From ball one to the very last it was Test Match to savour in terms of how we played to how we actually pulled it off. Simply stunning. In terms of the best, it's right up there, pick any of the Tests from the Ashes 2005 series and sits right along them, no problem. Lets hope Stokes and Bazza keep this way of playing for many a Test as they are going to be the most watchable Test side around for man a while now... That's if the ole ticker can keep up with the pace that is...!!
Much prefer the 20 20 a lot faster . I have been to a few tests but i end up slightly enebriated lol. Fair play to the though
Just heard from the missus that German TV have announced that Oliver Bierhoff has been sacked by the German FA Board of Directors (this is before the big meeting tomorrow, Wednesday!). Good riddance, if ever a country needed a change in the position of Manager it was Germany. Good riddance, but I bet he got a huge 'bye-bye' payout?
I believe it was by mutual consent rather than him being booted out Swanny - but I’m sure he knew his goose was cooked. No doubt his bank account will feel the benefit. I don’t believe they should be putting all the blame on him though. Flick has under-performed as coach and many of the players have simply not been good enough. Lack of competition in the Bundesliga is a key contributor in my opinion.
No, I agree, he cannot be blamed for everything. Guess what really got my goat was his lame and careless remark after the Costa Rica game, "How annoying". Just showed how untouchable he thought he was, sitting on his throne. What he got wrong was that the German football fans in general had had enough of him. He can always go back to those haircream advertisement days, if he hasn't lost too much of his thatch since those balmy money-making times?
I See Ergo are still running their ads as sponsors of the national team. A big scandal around them a few years ago - they had a party for their senior managers in Hungary with prostitutes with different coloured armbands. Your level in the company determined which ones you could shag. Truly revolting.
After Spain went out on penalties last night I was feeling quite happy that they had, not because i don't like them, more to do with the way that they want to play the game, 'Death by a 1,000 Passes'. If this style of play is done at a slow pace is boring to watch, dosnt get the fans involved and easy for the opposition to sit in and wait. OK, the Morrocans had to wait until the penalty shoot out, but if it's true that they practised 1,000 penatly kicks before the start of the tournament, then I'd be sacking the coach...!! What is wrong with putting you foot through the ball, being concise in your thoughts, sight, aim, fire...!! Most of the keepers now a days are standing up that extra split second to wait for the kick to be taken, and guess what, they are saving a higher percentage than before. No sh1t Sherlock...!! Anyway, penalty rant over...
I'm sure I've seen this before in a previous World Cup with Spanish goalkeepers. All the opposition player has to do is perform a very slow 'hesitation walz' before taking the penalty, and then firing it straight and true into the net. The Spanish goalkeeper, whoever he is, has already taken off towards one of the posts.
Don't know if my QPR friends, Stick and Bustino, will agree with me, but this Morocco squad continues to astound me. Why, because probably the best player the R's have is Morocco's #13, Ilias Chair. He has sat on the bench for every game, so IMHO those regular squad players have to be damn good. Ilias has played brilliantly for QPR, every game I have watched he has played his heart out. If he has a 'fault', if one can call it that, it is he just tries too hard, and finishes absolutely exhausted at the end of a game. Born in Belgium, but qualifies for Morocco on parentage grounds. How Belgium could have done with Ilias Chair playing for them, after their abject displays in the group stages. He would at the very least have put a bit of spark in the team. Ilias is a darn sight better player than many in that Belgium squad, that's for sure. To finish, and just a thought, maybe Chair is Morocco's 'secret weapon', and is being saved for a shock appearance in their next knock-out game? Who knows! P.S. Don't know how on earth the R's will manage to keep him come the January transfer window?
The way sport works..... England, the T20 Test match Special team, scoring at nearly 8 runs an over in the first Test, currently 180-5 from a pedestrian 5.45 an over...!! Abrar Ahmed seems to be enjoying himself, as he's taken all 5 wickets to fall this morning, 5-70 from 13 overs... We might be very happy to take it to a 5th day at this rate...
The 281 wasn’t a bad total in hindsight. England bowlers got 2 quick wickets but an unbeaten partnership of 56 has moved Pakistan into triple figures at close of play. Finely balanced.
Can’t believe the Dutch tactics in that 1/4 final. Did naff all for 80 mins, went 2-0 down, then adopt Wimbledon Crazy Gang tactics and get it back to 2-2. Have all the momentum for extra time and revert to the tippy tappy pointless bollox that served them so poorly in the first 80 mins. Deserved to get dumped out on pennos.
