Village Idiot

I don't want to hijack the thread more with this so I'll just post this Barça training one, if only for the girly laughs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWd6ycUxPjw

Again, he's just a squid man, I doubt he keeps up with the current balance of power in international football Best thing I can think of is that he tended to go for the German box due to it always being there and him knowing that the food inside was good. That doesn't explain him nailing the defeats but maybe he got confused since the Serb, Spanish and German flags probably look alike if you're color-blind (but then so would Holland and Argentina)

To be frank Spanish players are rarely featured in this kind of videos, although you do see some fine trickery on the pitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOnh2CNuLWU 7 I never see English players showboating like that. Is it frowned upon?

A few players whinged about boredom, getting used to tournaments early on in their careers will help them. I thought what Mesut Ozil said brilliant "if you find the greatest tournament on earth boring, then you probably shouldn't be there." Özil is the new Zlatan. Same Balkanic face, fun comebacks, same tricks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLi3fMpRFQo

Great movie.

Every time I change my avatar it takes a while to show up.

I haven't seen him play, but apparently has had an incredible season with Villarreal B, and has been one of the top players of that division. He will be with the main squad this season.

He just scored the winning goal of a WC, he's the most popular man in Spain right now.

To be honest I think Newcastle should go for Tuncay. I think he's a very good player and the kind creative forward they can use.

Assulin was a great prospect two years ago, but has had a couple bad seasons and to be honest when I have watched him he's been pants. Lots of trickery but no end product and always running into blind alleys. Surprised he doesn't have a team though. Arsenal, Chelsea, even Madrid... were sniffing around him a year ago. Maybe he's waiting for a big club offer that probably won't arrive.

Andrés Iniesta has restarted posting on Facebook again

Obinna was immense for Málaga this season, gutted if he ends up at Stoke.

Yes, for Germany - England http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74PWmVHwqPY

Torres out for two months. Man, what has happened to him? Spotless fitness record until last year.

We "nearly signed" Zidane, Beckham, Di Stéfano... Real "nearly signed" Pelé, etc...

The color pallette of these balls just reminded me of this... http://www.rickdangerous.co.uk/cga20a.png CGA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepp_Blatter Wikipedia's article cites the RSA government page as its source for the name.

He's always been the soul of the dressing room. Casillas also said that he told him which way Cardozo would take that pen against Paraguay. So that's some contribution...

A Manc friend of mine has sent me this after seeing it on one of their forums... http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/orders_list.asp?show=482 Is that really Blatter's full name?

That tackle was as reckless as you can get. Intent doesn't really have much to do as the disregard for the opposition's safety. I really doubt any player actually intends not to hit the ball when making a tackle (Shawcross on Ramsey for example).

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l59yn3aLyu1qcdnwqo1_500.jpg Messi

Cesc and Puyol enjoying their beers after the game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmvZPDA8TMI

Geordie b******s, what are you doing to me?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=102204&cc=5901 8 goals from midfield last season. Canny.