Village Idiot

My fault, in all my egomania I usually assume everybody knows where I am from

Spanish clubs have their own club songs. Not ‘cover versions’ of existing tunes but original compositions written just for them. I know that, that's the "anthems" I mention in my post... As said, anthems are hugely popular for home fans and are sung often. Also, it's usually the only song the whole stadium will know, which makes for some really chilling moments when it breaks out spontaneously: There have been several attempts to get "Viva La Vida" (one of Guardiola's favorite songs) up at Camp Nou when I have been there, but it's hard for a bunch of Spaniards to sing an English song without resorting to "lalalalalala" kind of lyrics.

This seems to be a bit of an English/British thing? Can't think of any Spanish club that has adopted a non-football related song in that way at least. All our clubs have anthems though (which are all quite popular in the stands), which I guess sort of gets in the way.

Crespo had some great movement to get to the end of it too. Class play overall.

kaká was immense on that 2007 final, I distinctly remember him making a fool of Riise (IIRC) as he was slide-tackling him on the haflway line with an elegant turn.

0-2 to Real already, was a bit of wishful thinking that they would drop points against Xerez. Huge game for us tomorrow, we don't have a healthy senior defense so we'd need to scrape from the B team to stop the likes of Agüero and Forlán.

Would be surprised if Madrid didn't break Xerez, they are by far the worst team in the league. The pitch is apparently in terrible condition, however.

Domenech somehow seems to always do enough (or more than enough) to keep him in charge though. France were utterly clueless during 2006 qualif, and they got to the final which gave Domenech a wildcard for the next 4 years really. A bit the same now, he managed to qualify them, so they can't really fire him.

Vieira looks like he's 40. He seems to have aged a lot these past few years.

I really dislike Stoke, but would love ManCity win fuck all this season.

Well, if they get a replay and even go to advance in the thing, I think it's good for you.

Surely Jesús Gil would take the prize, though. He even had his own TV show, with him bathing in a jacuzzi and a dancing band of stripper girls. Crook (sentenced several times to prison) and cunt of the highest order. Hilarious though.

Regarding the Rob Lee incident, I'm of the opinion that a foul denying a clear goalscoring opportunity should be always a pen even if it's outside the box.

You won't get a look playing outside Spain if you aren't in a top team, that's a fact. Arteta had a chance in the months leading up to the Confed Cup, but sadly he got injuried. He's unlikely to get a nod before the WC.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=740695&sec=global&cc=5901 I'm not too sure about this. On one hand, I think the penalty+sending off is too harsh and kills games pretty often. However, I can see how this can lead to an increase of these fouls inside the box, which is not a desireable outcome.

Here it goes: I was working in Madrid during the 2006 CL final. Since it was the first final since 1994, I just couldn't not be in Barcelona when it happened in case we won. Absolutely not. So I told my boss (who also was a close friend of Florentino and of course die-hard Real fan) that my grandma was very ill (a semi-lie, she had a chronic condition and visited her anyway), and went to Barcelona midweek. Greatest thing is that we had a work conference while the final was being played, and I had to pretend I was paying attention while talking through the phone. Fucking Sol Campbell scored and I had to bite my tongue. Fortunately we finished before Barça's goals.

I just spotted Co Adriaanse on that list, you should sign him just for his mental training sessions

Some people are starting to ask for Cuéllar to get the Spain callup, but it's unlikely to happen.

More stereotyping! http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/11/john-terry-sepp-blatter-affair

Llambias is Managing Director only, isn't he? And I'm not sure Ashley has done the pintoresque antics people in the list have, only the beer-drinking thing made some noise.

Ridiculous statements! Sven was brilliant at club level, and led England to one of its more successful periods in its history. In 2002, they gave Brazil its hardest test, and they went out on penalties in 2006. Mexico was disasterous, but he's done well everywhere else. I expressly said "international" level. Always thought he's a great club manager (or rather, DoF). I don't think he does anything special for an international side.

Sven's such an overrated international manager. It reminds me of Javi Clemente, broke all the records in qualification coasting against poor opposition, did fuck all when the real thing came around.

As said, if we don't go for Cesc this season he could very well go to Real Madrid if he really wants out of Arsenal, which I can see if they end trophyless yet again. All said, Cesc is probably a square peg for both us and Real. Xavi's going to be 31 next season though.

Silva is much better playing through the middle as AMC/second striker than on the left wing too. But he's a cracking winger of course. I'd have Silva this season, Cesc the next. It would be hard to get both though (both are in Madrid's crosshairs too).

It was a cracking match, very entertaining, pity that there wasn't much in play (Atlético were as good as qualified with 4-0 in the first leg) so it felt a bit "sandbox". Xisco is doing pretty decently when he's played. Atlético has now a shot for their first title in 14 years I think.