***The Official World Soccer Thread***

Bro, the games are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on ESPN2. 2:30 EST. time.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up...it sounded kinda odd the other way. And thanks alen, I will be watching today!

 

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Here's the vid.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSyAUaL5iqw&feature=related[/media]

 

Gunners facing up to Flamini exit

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits Mathieu Flamini could quit the Emirates Stadium this summer as he continues to stall over a new deal.

The French international's current contract is due to expire in the summer, and he is yet to sign a new deal despite a reported £50,000 a week offer being on the table for over a month.

The Gunners now fear that Flamini may have already agreed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus, and accept that they may be forced to part company with the combative midfielder in the near future.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8063772/Gunners-facing-up-to-Flamini-exit

 

very sad; thank you

Man, that's terrible. The guy body-checked his head right into the wall! I imagine after this they put some kind of padding(more, if they had some already) on those walls.

For me, it's weird; not living in a part of the world where futbol reigns, the only time you hear about such tragedy is when it happens OFF the pitch, and it usually involves a bunch of 'hooligans' in some way...my condolences to his family.

 

Wenger keen to keep top Gunners

Arsene Wenger says his "first target of the summer" will be ensuring key men Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini stay at Arsenal.

The Gunners have faltered over the last two months, as both their Premier League title charge and Champions League hopes ended in bitter disappointment.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8064644/Wenger-keen-to-keep-top-Gunners

 

Yeah sad to see an death like that.

Sorry to go OT but what nationality are you?

Btw, those hooligans are me (european born)

 

Fergie wants United spirit of Turin

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants the Red Devils to invoke the spirit of Turin 1999 when they face Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

United play Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday night, and are favorites to go through to the final in Moscow.

However, Ferguson still feels that his side need a performance reminiscent of the one they produced against Juventus in the semi-final nine years ago, when they came from two goals down to beat the Italians.

Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News: "The Juventus semifinal in 1999 was without doubt our best ever performance in Europe.

"That is exactly what we need now tonight in Barcelona. Juventus was an examination of that side's character and their bottle.

"They went 2-0 down and then went at them and ended up winning well.

"This is exactly the same situation now. We are facing a side whose European record at home is very, very good.

"And it will be a massive pitch which will help Barcelona retain the ball."

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8061912/Fergie-wants-United-spirit-of-Turin

 

UPDATE - RONALDINHO - MILAN TALKS STALLED!

Milan priced out by cost of Ronaldinho?

AC Milan may be backtracking in their attempts to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho after president Silvio Berlusconi admitted the price tag set by the Catalan club is too high.

The Rossoneri appear to be in pole position to acquire the Brazil playmaker but will have to substantially increase their offer if they wish to reach an agreement with Barca over the transfer of the 2006 FIFA Player of the Year.

'We still want him and we know he wants to come to Milan. But Barcelona have asked for a price which we feel is excessive,' Berlusconi told Italian radio station Radio Radio.

'We will continue nonetheless to go forward in the hope of being able to recruit him.'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=528368&cc=5901

 

Berlusconi to step down as Milan president

ROME, April 23 (Reuters) - Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday he would step down as AC Milan president when he starts his third stint as Italian prime minister.

'I will have to give up the presidency of Milan and this pains me. My new role is incompatible,' Berlusconi, who is expected to be sworn in early next month after winning last week's general election, told Italy's Radio Radio station.

The move is unlikely to cause upheaval at the seven-times European champions as vice president Adriano Galliani is in charge of the day-to-day running of the club anyway.

Berlusconi also stepped down as president of Milan while remaining its owner during his last term at the helm of government, between 2001 and 2006.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=528375&cc=5901

 

Blanc Rubbishes Calciopoli: We Have Won 29 Scudetti

Juventus won Serie A on the field of play in both 2005 and 2006, but later had these Scudetti stripped, and were also relegated to Serie B, for their alleged involvement in the Calciopoli crisis.

"The number of Scudetti won by Juve is 29,” Blanc told La7. “And soon we will have a third star on our shirts."

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=670206

 

Born and bred Floridian- but me recent ancestry is Scottish. I've been told I'm Cuban by proxy as I grew up in South Miami/Hialeah during the 80's.
(all my friends were Cuban/Trinidad-ian)


Meh, hooliganism is OK, as long as it's not drunken, uncontrolled hooliganism......wait.....isn't that the definition of a 'hooligan'??

 

Sorry if that question came off wrong, I was asking because very few Americans care about Soccer lol.

 

Nah, I totally get where you're coming from. Growing up around so many Hispanics/South Americans in Miami, it was either beisbol or futbol. So, I collected baseball cards and played soccer. Played left-mid in high school, but it was just for fun. Then I went to the UK, France and Germany in 2000 after I graduated and it was there that I saw the UEFA Euro 2000 Championship. It was everywhere, and the spirit of the people was amazing. France's comeback to tie and then win in stoppage time was exquisitely thrilling; from then on I was hooked. The difference in styles and the flow of the game is to me just as exciting as any football game in the NFL. A lot of times, I don't even care who wins! Naturally, I root for Scotland when the time comes, but as they usually never make it out of the 1st Qualifier, I just go with whomever from game to game.

I know it's weird, but I just like soccer. Eh, I guess I'm not your 'Average American'.

 

Very interesting.

Its not weird at all to me at least, I applaud you for being a big soccer fan as an American. Most of them dont give a rats *** about it and its sad to see because imo, it is the greatest sport in the world as it is played every where.

The atmosphere of fudbal or soccer to some of you is deffinitely amazing. It is something that I think is far ahead of any sport here in the US. I am originally from Bosna which is next to Italy and in Bosna, like every other country but US, fudbal is like religious lol. We are very passionate about our country and our soccer teams which is why you see many riots occuring over there.

 

Henry on the bench.........interesting.

 

Wow Ronaldo missed the PK.

 

Name your prized SOCCER possesions :

I only have one lol its Ronaldinho authentic Barcelona kit (jersey).

 

Thanks!

Yeah I am not familiar with them but I'll take your word for it.

 

Man I hope Barca wins this, I can't stand ManUre.

 

Me? I'm an Arsenal fan lol, I hate ManUre. I picked them to win, 2-1 I believe was my prediction but I hope they lose.

 

Man, has Deco lost his touch or what? He clearly isn't the same player as before.