Friendlies are not always appreciated by players. But for a friendly against England on the holy
pitch of Wembley is special for everyone. Some players dream of playing their once in their life.
Dirk Kuyt will play - if he starts - on Wembley for the second time in four [read more]
Sorry for the absence everyone. Trying to balance school and work is tough, so I had to put a
few things on the back burner including this blog, but I plan on getting back in the swing of
things.
Earlier this week, Paulo Bento announced his first squad of [read more]
After a lengthy break in operations, Cesare Prandelli has once again convened a select band of
the most able players of Italian passporture, for yet another gallant ride into the sunset, this
time against the national selection of Giuseppe Rossiland, more commonly known as the United
States. These two sides are not without history; having shared more than one 90 minute tryst in
recent years, having played each other first at the 2006 world cup; a 1-1 draw overshadowed by a
gruesome foul in which Brian McBride threw his face into Daniele De Rossi's elbow, and second; at
the 2009 confederations cup, when our boys in powder blue triumphed by a score of three goals to
one.
While the United States do not exactly have a reputation for being "friendly" throughout the
world, nonetheless football is not like the real world, so hopefully this one will be friendly.
[read more]
Ronald and Bartina Koeman....
He was tremendously respected as a player. For Ajax, PSV, Barcelona, Oranje, Feyenoord... But as
a coach, many lost that respect. He wanted to be the new Barca coach. He complained that Ajax was
too ambitious. He took the train to Valencia when he was at PSV [read more]
A friendly against Germany should be enough to spark the lads (les gars) to life.
Mexes is back, although playing against Juventus today, he was on the right side of the central
defense. He's gone right back into the AC Milan first 11 after injury, which is encouraging. Blanc
is counting [read more]
Fernando Santos has finally revealed his squad that will travel to Heraklion, Crete to face
Belgium this upcoming Wednesday. The squad features a few of new faces along with the usual
seasoned players.
Two completely new faces will be part of the team headed to Crete. Goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis
is called [read more]
Hello to all Russia fans. This is a quick spur of the moment post as I just received the news
that Andrei Arshavin has been loaned back to Zenit. Apparently this came out of no where as Arsene
Wenger did not expect to see the transfer happen until the summer. [read more]
As we prepare to face off in a friendly against the United States next Wednesday, I thought it
would be wise to touch up on a bit of history of the sport in America, where it almost seems like
the sport's last frontier, despite having the makings of s football superpower early on. We have a
lot of Americans who read this blog, and I know questions have been raised in the past about why
Americans call it soccer, etc.
In the winter break, Luciano Narsigh gave an interview to the VI. "I can reach Oranje" was the
headline. One month later, Bert van Marwijk and his staff picked the winger, with Twente winger Ola
John and AZ midfielder Maher for the preliminary Oranje squad.
Let's look closer at the Heerenveen [read more]
Serie A is on an unprecedented high not seen since the first half of the 21st Century, when
Calcio was the highest ranked co-efficient league in Europe, and Italian sides regularly contested
for the highest honours continentally and internationally. Feared and respected, ties against
Italian sides, national or club, were [read more]
Last week Dick Advocaat announced his squad for the upcoming friendly match against Denmark in
Copenhagen on February 29. The squad retains most of the players that participated in Euro
qualifying. The only new addition is Spartak Moskva's winger Dmitri Kombarov. Recalls include
Aleksandr Kerzhakov returning after an injury last [read more]
With our friendly vs. the United States coming up next Wednesday February 29th (would we have
even had it were it not for leap year this year? Hmmmm.....) I thought it would be fun to look back
at another meeting we had back in 2009.... [read more]
Ola John impresses at FC Twente. Game in game out, the mercurial winger is involved with
dribbles, pinpoint crosses, assists and goals. He scored a beauty last midweek against Steaua
Bukarest, gifting his new/old coach McClaren the away win.
Ola John, Adam Maher and Luciano Narsigh were selected by team manager [read more]
You can't just focus on something else for just one second. Before you know it, there is world
news. Our Oranje might have won that 1978 cup after all!!
And all our 1978 internationals were called and congratulated with their title. Maybe a bit too
early, but the ex-internationals enjoyed [read more]
You can't just focus on something else for just one second. Before you know it, there is world
news. Our Oranje might have won that 1978 cup after all!!
And all our 1978 internationals were called and congratulated with their title. Maybe a bit too
early, but the ex-internationals enjoyed [read more]
[caption id="attachment_4973" align="alignleft" width="333" caption="Gadsby, yesterday."][/caption]
Recently, endless column inches have been dedicated to learned debate over preparations for a
quest to that other side over yonder, resplendent with such beautiful, green grass; namely! -- the
European Championships; known commonly as the Euros, and, on this fair blog, our glorious and most
commonly adopted Italian national team.
They say that superheroes are make believe, but there is one who is very, very, real. In fact,
the only thing make believe about him is who could possibly ever step up and fill his shoes. His
given name is Gianluigi Buffon, but fans of the Azzurri call him Superman. [read more]
On the day after the CL clash with Arsenal ( I'm at the moment oblivious to the result as I can
only watch it delayed...), we look at the remarkable 2011 Clarence Seedorf had... The 35 year old
AC Milan midfielder is the skipper of the team, won the title [read more]
Guess the Squad?
Any ideas who the wildcards for the next Sweden friendly might be? There are a few names out
there for players who are on the edge of making it on to the team. First I will list the regular
squad (w/o injuries). [read more]
