As a Wimbledon fan, it's not easy to recall the opening day of the 1996/97 season, when I sat slumped in disbelief as Davey Becks put away Manchester Utd's third goal of the afternoon from his own half. In the Spanish second league division tie between Elche and Almeria, unpronounceable midfielder Xumetra pulled a Beckham of his own with a tremendous long-range lob over the Almeria keeper.

Chasing the Big Leagues Real Valladolid and the contenders (Spain Segunda) is a post from: Just Football

Just Football's Tales from Tier Two series, in association with @tiertwofooty, continues now as we continue with Spain's Liga Adelante. First we assessed the promotion chances of Deportivo La Coruña in Spain's Segunda Division:

Real Valladolid

Real Valladolid have been in and around the top six all season in Spain's Segunda Division following a run of just 2 defeats in 22 games since kicking off the season with a 3-0 win at Gimnastic Tarragona.

Arsene Wenger goes in to today's FA Cup clash knowing that realistically it is the only trophy that can end our seven-year silverwear drought. That's probably why he is set to start RVP up front against Alex McLeish's men at the Emirates.

But as you would ecpect given the lack of success at the club of late, AW is also eyeing new talent for the future.

By Chris Wright

Not a bad way to start the morning: Almeria target man Henok Goitom's insane overhead-kick against Sabadell in the Spanish second tier on Sunday evening, a goal which was outstanding for two reasons.

Firstly for the technique, agility, spacial awareness and immaculate execution on show and secondly (and Spanish football fans will back me up on this one) for the fact that Goitom usually doesn't display any of these traits and is generally completely useless in front of goal.

Pablo Hernandez scored a goal to remember for the rest of his life against Rapid Vienna
Pablo is a very skillful player who didn't make it much to the national team, but got very nice skills and memories to remember with his club, something like this goal vs. Almeria, however, I prefer a goal that he didn't score against Barcelona with the same style:
and my favorites come with this type of "Dennis Bergkamp" skills:

LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid 2011 Highlights 1-4 Goals Score Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid 2011 Highlights 1-4 Goals Score Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid 2011 Score:- LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid 1-4 ( Cristman/ Callejon, Joselu, Ronaldo, Benzema) 16th July, 2011- World Football Challenge Real Madrid comfortably beat Los Angeles Galaxy 4-1 [.

spanish soccer valencia Football Club ALMERIA, recently relegated to the Spanish 2º Division League, has announced today that they have transferred Argentine Forward PABLO PIATTI to Liga Club VALENCIA CF. Valencia pays approximately 7.5M€ for a fine class player that they will have for the next 5 years.

After a brilliant season last year, Francesco Guidolin steered Udinese to 4th place and a place in the Champions league qualifying stage, with this a lot is expected in the coming term. With all the success, vultures have swarmed Udine and are looking at their best players. The very talented forward Alexis Sanchez is turning heads with both Manchester United and Manchester City interested, along.

Il concerto è stato annullato, ufficialmente, per "motivi tecnici". Parliamo di quello che, in Almeria aspettava Shakira (nome d'arte di Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) e i componenti del suo entourage. Ma, dietro la motivazione "tecnica" potrebbe esserci, invece, uno "stato interessante". Infatti, si vocifera che la causa reale dell'annullamento sia la dolce attesa di un [.

Veljko Paunovic has been signed by the Philadelphia Union, according to the website The Mata-dor Confidential.

The 33-year-old Serbian striker was on trial with the Union last week, when he played with the Union's reserve team. Paunovic did not particularly impress onlookers at the Reserve League game against DC United, though his play wasn't poor.

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So that was how the season ended for Real Madrid. Sadly, it's another bridesmaid finish for us with the eternal rival taking all the plaudits and the bigger one, among the 2 domestic titles that were up for grabs at the start of the season. Nevermind that the Copa Del Rey trophy pre-Sergio Ramos looks far more elegant to the gangly and grotesque-looking La Liga trophy (complete with studs) – winning La Liga is still the ultimate proof that Barcelona this season were the better team.

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So that was how the season ended for Real Madrid. Sadly, it's another bridesmaid finish for us with the eternal rival taking all the plaudits and the bigger one, among the 2 domestic titles that were up for grabs at the start of the season. Nevermind that the Copa Del Rey trophy pre-Sergio Ramos looks far more elegant to the gangly and grotesque-looking La Liga trophy (complete with studs) – winning La Liga is still the ultimate proof that Barcelona this season were the better team.

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So that was how the season ended for Real Madrid. Sadly, it's another bridesmaid finish for us with the eternal rival taking all the plaudits and the bigger one, among the 2 domestic titles that were up for grabs at the start of the season. Nevermind that the Copa Del Rey trophy pre-Sergio Ramos looks far more elegant to the gangly and grotesque-looking La Liga trophy (complete with studs) – winning La Liga is still the ultimate proof that Barcelona this season were the better team.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke the single-season Primera Division scoring record and Emmanuel Adebayor struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid signed off their campaign with an emphatic home 8-1 win over relegated Almeria. But the night was not so good for 1999-00 La Liga champions Deportivo who filled the last relegation place after they lost 2-0 to Valencia.

In the end, some will be left crying. This, my friends is football and even teams like Deportivo la Coruna had to learn the hard way following their 0-2 loss to the Valencians last night. Los Turcos have been relegated from La Liga, and will face a painful season in second flight with Almeria and Hercules.

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new La Liga single-season scoring record with his 39th and 40th of the campaign for Real Madrid against Almeria.

He notched his first after four minutes and his second on 77 as Real thumped their already-relegated opponents 8-1.

His double meant he moved two clear of the previous mark, which he jointly held with Real's Hugo Sanchez and Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke an old-standing La Liga goal record after bagging is 40th league goal of the season as Real Madrid smashed bottom side Almeria 8-1.

The Portuguese superstar surpassed the likes of Lionel Messi, the Brazilian Ronaldo and former record holders Hugo Sanchez and Telmo Zarra to become the most prolific goalscorer in La Liga history.

A 53 Goal Season: An amazing feat but would it have been possible in any other League or if he was playing for any other team? During Real Madrid‘s 8-1 domination of Almeria on Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record set for most goals in a Primera Division season set by Madrid player Hugo Sanchez [.

Real Madrid vs Almeria 2011 21 May, 2011- Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid- 21/5/11 Final score:- Real Madrid vs Almeria 8-1 ( Cristiano Ronaldo*2, Karim Benzema*2, Emmanuel Adebayor*3, Joselu Sanmartin) Real Madrid crush Almeria 8-1 in their last league game of the season as Cristiano Ronaldo breaks the record for most league goals in a season in [.

MADRID — Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo broke the La Liga goal-scoring record with his 39th and 40th league goals of the season as Real Madrid hammered relegated Almeria 8-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Ronaldo poked home from close range on four minutes for his record-breaking goal to overtake the previous best of 38 [.

Saturday La Liga on GolTV: Malaga - Barcelona at noon, Real Sociedad - Getafe at 4pm, and Levante - Real Zaragoza at 8pm. On ESPN Deportes: Real Madrid - Almeria at 2pm. Ligue 1 on Fox Soccer Channel: PSG - Lille at 3pm and the same time for Lyon - Caen on Fox Soccer Plus. MLS on Galavision: Philadelphia - Chicago at 8pm.

The Philadelphia Union have brought in former Serbian international striker Veljko Paunovic on trial. In a rare show of transparency, the Union openly announced the name of the 34-year-old at today's Reserve League match against DC United, the first time during the 2011 season that head coach Piotr Nowak has let one of his possible discovery claims be known to the public.

Liga: Manca ancora qualche verdetto Di Pietro Colella La penultima giornata della Liga non ha ancora sentenziato definitivamente gli ultimi verdetti come la qualificazione in Europa League e lotta per evitare la retrocessione in "segunda division".L'Almeria saluta in maniera dignitosa la Liga vincendo tra le mura amiche contro il Real Maiorca che dovr vincere la prossima per essere sicuro di

Valencia ensured third place in La Liga and an automatic berth in next season's Champions League when they drew 0-0 at home to city neighbours Levante and nearest rivals Villarreal lost 3-1 at home to Real Madrid.

With one match remaining, Valencia have 68 points, six ahead of Villarreal, who are assured of fourth and go into the qualifying round for Europe's elite club competition.

Debate continues to rage as to whether or not Pep Guardiola's class of 2010/2011 are in fact the best football side ever....Rolly investigates.

The stats themselves, courtesy of FC Barcelona.net do much to give weight to this claim. Such a subjective term can only demand statistical evidence from which a conclusion can be garnered.

Liga: Il miracolo di Pellegrini! Di Pietro Colella La 35esima della Liga offre, negli anticipi del sabato, ben sette partite: Getafe-Almeria, Valencia-Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao-Levante, Sporting Gijon-Deportivo La Coruna, Hercules-Racing Santander, Atletico Madrid-Malaga e Siviglia-Real Madrid.Il Getafe di Michel vince per 2-0 condannando matematicamente gli andalusi alla retrocessione (

La Liga Lowdown, Jornada 34: Thrills at the bottom as the big boys lose out is a post from: Just Football

Barcelona lost. Real Madrid lost. When was the last time you heard that after a weekend in La Liga? Well, let me tell you: 2009. It's been two years since they both succumbed to defeat in the same round of games, so Saturday's events came as a bit of a shock.

Who is in and who is close to the Relegation Zone as of Mon May 1:
Officially Relegated
Arles - Ligue 1
Bari - Serie A
St Pauli in Germany and Almeria in Spain are down for all intents and purposes, but not officially quite yet.
Serie A - 3 games to go (three lowest placed teams relegated)
42 Chievo (-13)
41 Parma (-13)
40 Catania (-14)
37 Cesena (-13)
36 Sampdoria (-12)
- - - - -
35 Lecce (-20)
31 Brescia (-13)
REL-21 Bari (-30)
Bundesliga - 2 games to go (two lowest placed teams relegated, with third lowest in playoff against third highest in 2.

Who is in and who is close to the Relegation Zone as of Mon Apr 25:
Bari in Italy was officially relegated this weekend. Down they go.
Arles has been relegated in France.
Serie A - 4 games to go (three lowest placed teams relegated)
39 Chievo
38 Parma
37 Cesena (-13)
37 Catania (-14)
35 Sampdoria (-12)
- - - - -
35 Lecce (-20)
30 Brescia
REL-21 Bari
Bundesliga - 3 games to go (two lowest placed teams relegated, with third lowest in playoff against third highest in 2.

Let's say hello to Valencia Offside's new blog writer, Dan Corder, who comes to us from South Africa.
Huge Valencia supporter and he's ready to give us his analysis of yesterday's match.

Enjoy Dan's analysis after the jump! AMUNT!!!
Comfortable, at times unconvincing win for Valencia, tonight's victory places more pressure on Villarreal and takes Los Che ever closer to that golden Champions' League Group Stage 3rd place finish.

Barcelona vs Almeria 2011 La Liga- 9/4/11- Camp Nou Final score:- Barcelona vs Almeria 3-1 ( Alcantara, Lionel Messi*2/ Corona) Lionel Messi scores a brace as Barcelona overcome Almeria 3-1 in La Liga after falling behind. Barcelona v Almeria 0-1 ( Corona goal vs Barcelona 50′) Barcelona vs Almeria 1-1 ( Messi penalty vs Almeria [.

Barcelona vs Almeria 2011 La Liga- 9/4/11- Camp Nou Final score:- Barcelona vs Almeria 3-1 ( Alcantara, Lionel Messi*2/ Corona) Lionel Messi scores a brace as Barcelona overcome Almeria 3-1 in La Liga after falling behind. Barcelona v Almeria 0-1 ( Corona goal vs Barcelona 50′) Barcelona vs Almeria 1-1 ( Messi penalty vs Almeria [.

Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid 2011 3/4/2011- Spanish La Liga Final score:- Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid 2-3 ( Sola, Nekounam pen/ Diego Costa*3) Diego Costa's hat trick gives Atletico Madrid a 3-2 win over Osasuna away from home in La Liga on Sunday night. Goal sequence Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid 1-0 ( Kike Sola goal 31′) [.

La Liga Lowdown, Jornada 29: Real Madrid win derby, world keeps turning is a post from: Just Football

Reyes was falling, Diarra was fouling – two predictable features of the latest edition of the Madrid derby. There's another thing that was equally as predictable: Atlético Madrid's failure to beat their local rivals in a derby game once again.

Barcelona vs Getafe Nou Camp, Barcelona- 19/3/11- 19th March 2011 Final score:- Barcelona vs Getafe 2-1 ( Dani Alves, Bojan/ Manu) Barcelona beat Getafe 2-1 at home thanks to goals from Dani Alves and Bojan Krkic. Barcelona v Getafe 1-0 ( Dani Alves goal) Barcelona v Getafe 2-0 ( Bojan goal) Barcelona vs Getafe 2-1 [.

La Liga Lowdown, Jornada 28: Hope at the top as Barcelona slip up at Sevilla is a post from: Just Football

It's time for Real Madrid fans to get slightly excited again, after Sevilla put in a great performance to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Sánchez Pizjuán this weekend.

Sevilla vs Barcelona 13 March, 2011- La Liga- Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Final score:- Sevilla vs Barcelona 1-1 ( Jesus Navas/ Bojan Krkic) Barcelona drop two points in the league as they draw 1-1 with Sevilla away from home. Sevilla v Barcelona 0-1 ( Bojan goal) Sevilla vs Barcelona 1-1 ( Jesus Navas goal) ( Credits [.