Village Idiot

Spanish rumours of today: - Zigic to Liverpool with Riera heading the other direction in a straight swap deal. - Real Madrid closing in to Silva, although they haven't talked to Mourinho yet and will wait until he takes over. - Marchena another of the players Valencia could be forced to sell, he has come out and said that he might leave. - Sevilla's president said they are going to sign "3 or more" players, most of them in midfield. They are also getting their new manager this week.

Just wait until they start losing to teams from El Salvador and T&T in the Concacaf Champions' League.

I think he'll go to Portugal after Madrid if he's serious about attempting to win a WC with them, so the entire world can go on a jizz about him being the bestestestest ever. Cronaldo will be 29 by 2014 and he's the best player they are going to produce in quite a while (if ever), and he's going to coach him now.

It could've been worse. It could've been "Geordie Nation". That's nothing. http://www.unosaficionados.com/fichas/wp-content/uploads/camiseta_barca_1_2008_2009.jpg We had a cringeworthy motto embroidered in our inside AND the club's anthem lyrics. Beat that. Your home shirt looks allright, although it hinges on it not having a white patch at the back. I hate stripped shirts with patches, it ain't that hard to use a colored font or a border to make the player names readable (like the yellow font on Barça strips). The away shirts look lazy, almost like training tops to be honest.

I was inclined to give the Netherlands dark horse status, until I looked at their defense: Heitinga Ooijer Van der Wiel Gio That's bottom half of the Premier League there. No wonder every game in the Netherlands seems to finish 5-2 For me it's Brazil, they have added a ruthless streak under Dunga that makes them tough as nails, while still able to outclass almost any other side in the tournament. They made England look hopeless in the last friendly. Will piss me off if they win, mind, not because of Spain not doing it, but I'm starting to get bored about Brazil winning WCs.

Brought Saint James Park to 200,000 seats

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7084/capturadepantallacomplepd.jpg

Fucking hell, Sant Andreu missed promotion to Segunda A on penalties, 9-8. I'm so pissed off. First time I follow a game by furiously reloading a forum, we need better coverage, can't believe i can't get live scores or commentary for the promotion to our second tier.

Real Sociedad are also doing their best in order to not get promoted this season, three on the trot without a win. Still 4 points over 4th place (first 3 are promoted). Betis are back in it, though, only missing on third place by goal average.

Cartagena attempted to play dirty in their game against promotion rivals Levante yesterday. After the game ended 2-2 at half time, the locals started the sprinklers only in the half of the pitch Levante were defending. Didn't help them much as they ended up losing 3-5 Now they might also get done by the FA.

That Ipswich side was pretty legendary, our president at the time admired Robson because of it and that's why he ended up at Barça. They should be there if you ever honored Robson with a tournament. Plus I loved "Escape to victory" when I was a kid.

He's been consistently delivering the goods for years and performing against class opposition (I fondly remember his 4 goal barrage against Real Madrid a few years ago, scored against us in his Zaragoza days too), not his fault that big clubs overlooked him until Inter this season.

Obviously you think Milito to be the better player. Of course. EDIT: I don't at all, for those getting angry. In fact, i'm not a massive fan of Milito. He'll never have another season like this one and never has before. I don't know if you mean trophy-wise, but Milito has been averaging 1 in 2 for quite a while, both in the Spanish and Italian leagues... I won't put him in the same bracket as Shearer of course, but he's a very good player. Real Madrid target apparently, but they are linking half of Inter's squad to them so I wouldn't take it too seriously.

Dabo from Saint Étienne been signed by Sevilla on a free.

And Sevilla paid less than 1m for Dani Alves. Damn Brazilian rightbacks!

That's really bitter

700 in play for him, isn't it? Can understand the bitterness. I would cheer against Barça for half that amount In a game of this relative importance? I would just not bring myself to bet against them and save me the moral issue

700 in play for him, isn't it? Can understand the bitterness. I would cheer against Barça for half that amount

From the bits I can grasp, it says he wants to play Ramos in the centre. Headline (correct me if wrong VI) Maicon 'objective number 1' and it cites him as the best full back in the world. And that he's benched Alves for the Canaries? Which I'm assuming is a nickname for Brazil.. "Canarinha" is the name Brazilians give to their national team's shirt IIRC. But yes, that's what the headline says.

Anyhow, Spanish transfer news: - According to a few rags, Real Madrid have offered Raúl the termination of his contract. He'd prefer to stay one more year and then retire, but he'll wait and see what happens with the new manager. - Touré's agent says he's almost certain to sign for Chelsea - Fran Mérida to Atlético seems a done deal, confirmed by his agent. - According to Marca, Mou's new salary at Real Madrid would be €10m net, making him the highest paid manager in the world. @Apitish: yes, that's what it says.

Marca's cover today: http://estaticos01.marca.com/imagenes/2010/05/22/g2205.jpg On the verge of the most important game in decades, Inter is having their manager and players openly courted by the press of the team hosting the final, and they complain about us and Cesc...

Messi is a bit too small, the times were Pep lined up as #9 he was bullied off the ball easily. He's much more of a threat coming from the wing and swapping, confusing defenders. Being in the wing also helps him dropping more deep and orchestrating play earlier.

At first I thought it would be some tabloid filler, but no, there's actual quotes so this is serious.

Meh, it's not like Ronaldinho not being in the squad wasn't expected, but he's still a better pull for the casual football fans than anybody else in the Brazilian squad so they went with him. Love the Cesc, Iniesta, Piqué shot.

Pennant and Diarra, that's it.