November 30, 2009

Messi
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s superb second-half volley was enough to give Barcelona victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division’s first ‘El Clasico’ of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table. Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves’ cross.” (ESPN)
Cristiano Ronaldo fluffs lines as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scripts perfect ending
“This time, Iker Casillas wasn’t wearing his Iker Casillas face, the one that says ‘you call that a defence?!’ This time, his defence was a defence. He was, though, wearing the face of an idiot. Up the tunnel and through the plywood door, chapel to the left, dressing room to the right, Dani Alves was wearing the face of a grinning simpleton, all glazed expression and cheeky smiles. Xabi Alonso was wearing the face of the disappointed, doe-eyed and sad, Pepe was wearing the face of Stanley Ipkiss, and Cristiano Ronaldo was wearing the shiny but not particularly happy face of someone who applies too much lotion. It was hard to see what kind of face Carles Puyol was wearing but he was probably smiling behind all that hair.” (Guardian)
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Highlights on 29/11/09
(All About FC Barcelona)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 30, 2009
“This week’s Video Of The Week is the second in the series of “Match Of The Seventies” videos, as hosted by Dennis Waterman. The 1971/72 football season was significant for several different reasons. Brian Clough’s Derby County pipped Leeds United to the Football League championship, evening matches were banned by the government as the energy crisis kicked in and Hereford United knocked Newcastle United out of the FA Cup thanks to Ronnie Radford’s right foot suddenly taking on the properties of a traction engine.” (twohundredpercent)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 29, 2009

Ludolf Backhuysen – The Warship Hollandia in Full Sail
“Liverpool produced a smash and grab Merseyside derby victory to claim fifth place in the Premier League on a day of raw tension at Goodison Park. But they will have sighed with relief after being pounded for almost all of this very local showdown, but somehow emerged with the points. An own goal from Joseph Yobo, deflecting a Javier Mascherano effort past Tim Howard saw Liverpool ahead at the break despite being almost permanently on the back foot as Everton poured forward.” (ESPN)
Everton 0 – 2 Liverpool
“Liverpool took the honours in the Merseyside derby as Javier Mascherano’s deflected first-half shot and Dirk Kuyt’s late strike gave them victory at Everton. The home side dominated for long periods but paid the price for failing to turn possession into goals as Liverpool took full advantage of their rare moments of attacking threat.” (BBC)
Fortune favours laboured Liverpool as Everton lament lack of finishing touch
“It is premature to suggest Liverpool have emerged from their trough, and some might label that a ludicrous assertion on this performance, but the breaks are no longer going against Rafael Benítez. Outplayed for much of the 212th Merseyside derby, they nevertheless emerged with a monumental triumph at Goodison Park. Campaigns have turned on much less.” (Guardian)
Liverpool take smash and grab derby victory
“Liverpool produced a smash and grab Merseyside derby victory to claim fifth place in the Barclays Premier League on a day of raw tension at Goodison Park. But they will have sighed with relief after being pounded for almost all of this very local showdown, but somehow emerged with the points.” (Independent)
Everton 0 Liverpool 2: match report
“Sunderland’s beach ball, Lyon’s offside, Cameron Jerome’s thunderbolt. If Liverpool have had their share of bad luck as their season has disintegrated, they more than made up for it with a priceless derby win against Everton despite being comprehensively outplayed.” (Telegraph)
Dirk Kuyt secures Liverpool victory in Merseyside derby
“Liverpool bounced back from their premature Champions League exit to beat neighbours Everton 2-0 on Sunday, a result which relieved some of the pressure that has been building on manager Rafa Benitez. Javier Mascherano’s long range 12th minute effort, which took a heavy deflection off defender Joseph Yobo, set Liverpool on their way before Dirk Kuyt sealed victory eleven minutes from time.” (TimesOnline)
Liverpool Everton – Recap and Video Highlights – Sunday, November 29, 2009
“One of the top rivalries in the English Premier League resumed as Everton hosted Liverpool. The two clubs are located in Liverpool and have played some great derby matches in recent years. Here’s a recap of the match from Sunday, November 29, 2009 along with video highlights.” (The 90th Minute)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 26, 2009

“The chauvinistic brand of nationalism that swept across Egypt last week – the violent fringe of which saw riots outside the Algerian embassy in Cairo – really isn’t about the football, despite what Joseph Mayton says in his Cif article yesterday. The spark was a football match, certainly, but Mayton’s contention that depressed Egyptians were simply ‘unable to deal with the fact that even on the football pitch, they cannot achieve success’ does not tell the whole story.” (Guardian)
Egypt-Algeria World Cup violence used to rally support for Mubarak regime
“Street-level clashes between fans that began over a soccer game between Algeria and Egypt last week have escalated into an international diplomatic incident that goes to the core of Egypt’s identity and its waning role as Mideast powerbroker. Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi announced today he would accept an Arab League request to mediate in the escalating conflict between the two states after Algeria beat Egypt for the last African slot in next summer’s World Cup.” (CS Monitor)
Efforts to Defuse Tensions Between Algeria and Egypt
“As readers of The Lede will be aware, North Africa has been facing a new source of strife in recent weeks — soccer. Last Wednesday, after the Egyptian national soccer team lost its World Cup bid to rival Algeria 1-0 in Sudan, 32 police officers and 21 Egyptian fans were reportedly injured in violence. The next day, Egyptian demonstrations outside the Algerian embassy in Cairo turned violent.” (NYT)
Gaddafi ‘to mediate’ in Egypt-Algeria football row >
“Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has agreed to mediate between Algeria and Egypt in an increasingly heated row over football, state media say. Libyan news agency Jana reported that the Arab League had asked Col Gaddafi to intercede between the two nations. Each side accused the other’s fans of violent attacks after last week’s vital World Cup play-off, which Algeria won. Meanwhile, about 150 Egyptian and Algerian academics and intellectuals issued an appeal to defuse the row.” (BBC)
African view: Not just a game
“In our series of viewpoints from African journalists, Zimbabwean filmmaker and journalist Farai Sevenzo asks whether football has not grown too big for its boots. I don’t know about you but my last two weeks have been dominated by sports. Watching it not playing it, because I haven’t become a fitness fanatic nor am I addicted to the gym and I remain resolutely lazy when it comes to kicking up a sweat unless it is for pleasure. But with 198 days and counting down to the Football World Cup in South Africa, the season of inexplicable nationalism and outrageous passion is upon us.” (BBC)
30 seconds with referee Jerome Damon
“Jerome Damon of Cape Town has grown in stature since making his debut as a professional soccer referee in 1996. Now a member of the Caf and Fifa refereeing panels, he has officiated in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, in Tunisia (2004), Egypt (2006) and Ghana last year. A fourth official at the 2006 World Cup, he held centre stage in the World Cup qualifier between Egypt and Algeria at the Cairo Stadium last Saturday.” (TimesLive)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 26, 2009

“The British author Simon Kuper was born in Uganda in 1969 and grew up in London and Leiden, the Netherlands. He is currently a Paris-based sports columnist for The Financial Times. His book “Football Against the Enemy” won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award for 1994. He is also the author of “Ajax, the Dutch, the War.” His most recent book, “Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey — Even Iraq — Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World’s Most Popular Sport,” written with the economist Stefan Syzmanski, was published in the United States in early November.” (NYT)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 26, 2009
“Denmark, Superliga table … 16 of 33 rounds have been played in the competition, which will go into it’s long winter break after matches on 9 December, 2009, to start up again on 14 March, 2010. Denmark is currently ranked 16th, for 2010-11 UEFA competitions. That’s up 3 places from the last ranking, and is indicative of the progress Denmark has been making in football. The Denmark National Football Team’s recent qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is another example of this. The Danish Superliga is currently playing it’s 20th season. Reigning champions are FC Copenhagen (FC Kobenhavn in Danish). FC Copenhagen won the double in ’09, with a 1-0 win over AaB in the Danish Cup final, for their fourth Cup title.” (billsportsmaps)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 25, 2009

Théodore Géricault, The Raft of the Medusa, 1819
“Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League after a bitterly disappointing victory in the Hungarian capital. They needed to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16, but events in Florence ended those dreams with Fiorentina achieving the victory they needed to qualify. David Ngog scored Liverpool’s early winner, but they struggled painfully to produce a convincing display, the damage having been done in two games against Lyon that cost them four points.” (ESPN)
Liverpool’s bread and butter looks stale as their rivals ice the cake
“Move along, there’s nothing of interest here. Apologies for an intro that breaks every rule in the newspaper style book, even if it happens to be true, but I just wanted to pre-empt all the blog fascists who regularly use those words in an attempt to persuade other readers not to bother with a point of view with which they happen to disagree.” (Guardian)
Liverpool deserve more from us, says Javier Mascherano
“Javier Mascherano has claimed Liverpool’s players will not be demoralised by demotion to the second tier of European football but must take responsibility for the club’s damaging early exit from the Champions League. With qualification for next season’s competition essential for Rafael Benítez, the Argentina captain has called on Liverpool to turn the misery of Budapest into a sustained assault on a top-four finish and victory in the Europa League.” (Guardian)
Benitez focused on top-four finish
“Rafael Benitez has confirmed Liverpool will prioritise their bid to make a swift return to the Champions League over a tilt for Europa League glory. Being winners of Europe’s most-prized club trophy in 2005 and finalists in 2007 counts for little now in the wake of an exit in the group stages for the first time in six seasons under Benitez.” (Independent)
Debrecen 0 Liverpool 1: match report
“Liverpool’s supporters were defiant until the bitter end, hoping against hope for news of a miracle in Florence that never came. After hearing that Fiorentina had beaten Lyon, so evicting Rafa Benítez’s side from the Champions League, Liverpool fans chanted “we’ve won it five times’’. Strong past, weak present, uncertain future. Forget the financial cost of this collapse, the millions Liverpool will not make from continued feasting at football’s top table. It is the emotional price that will prove most substantial, the painful realisation that they are now amongst Europe’s also-rans.” (Telegraph)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 24, 2009
“Stowe sent me this ‘100 Greatest Quotes from The Wire’ video on Twitter the other day, and I watched it, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, The Wire,’ because I haven’t seen it in a few years and this sort of brought it all back. Then, for no obvious reason, this video started tugging at my brain after the Thierry Henry handball rocked the core of everything that had a core to rock yesterday. So I watched it again, and oh my God, The Wire, because about 87 of these quotes apply directly to the game and its aftermath.” (Run of Play)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 22, 2009

“Liverpool proved they are not ready to be replaced in the top flight elite by Manchester City just yet as Yossi Benayoun’s equaliser secured a draw at Anfield. Mark Hughes’ men from Eastlands arrived on Merseyside intent on proving they were top four material but they found a Liverpool side in defiant mood despite more injury problems.”
(ESPN)
Manchester City waste the chance to confirm their top-four ambitions
“Manchester City should seek a placenta cure for their lack of ambition when they next visit the besieged Belgrade home of Mariana Kovacevic. A point at Anfield is no disgrace, as Mark Hughes mentioned once or twice afterwards, and but for the deflection that aided Liverpool’s equaliser, his game-plan could have yielded a victory of renewed intent. Even with mitigation, however, this was a glorious opportunity wasted by City.” (Guardian)
Liverpool face a winter of discontent after one win in 10 games
“Their recent run now reads a solitary victory, albeit an epic one over Manchester United, in 10 outings and this week threatens more misery, more darkness. Liverpool are fighting two Champions League campaigns at once, battling to stay in this season’s competition and struggling to qualify for next year’s. Both dreams could effectively be terminated over the next eight days, filling the horizon with black clouds.” (Telegraph)
Liverpool draw little comfort
“A POINT at Anfield would normally be regarded as a fine result, but not now and not for Mark Hughes and Manchester City, who have had more draws than the national lottery in the past few weeks. Both managers had agreed beforehand that this was a “make or break” game, a match capable of propelling their teams into a sustained challenge for the top four in the Premier League. But a sixth successive league draw for City and two more points dropped at home by Liverpool did neither Hughes nor Rafa Benitez any favours.” (TimesOnline)
Tevez cameo ends Rafa’s chances of top billing
“Having untypically and unwisely agreed that this was a ‘make or break’ game, Liverpool’s manager Rafa Benitez was last night left facing the unpalatable fact that his team’s Premier League hopes are broken beyond repair for another season. Worse, one victory in 10 games has not only left them with too much ground to make up on stronger domestic contenders, but on Tuesday they go to Hungary in the Champions’ League knowing that even a win over Debrecen will be irrelevant if Fiorentina beat Lyon.” (Independent)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 20, 2009

The Angel of Death, Evelyn De Morgan
“James Richardson welcomes a bumper panel of Paul Doyle, Barry Glendenning, Sean Ingle and Jonathan Wilson to discuss the week’s dramatic World Cup play-offs. The pod start by discussing the reaction in Paris and Dublin to Thierry Henry’s double handball before William Gallas’s goal, before arguing about video technology, Henry’s reputation and what, if anything, Ireland can do now.” (Guardian – James Richardson)
Henry admits replay would be fair“Under-fire France striker Thierry Henry believes a replay of the World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland would “be the fairest solution”. The Republic appealed to have the match replayed after an Henry handball helped France to a 2-1 aggregate victory. But their plea was rejected by Fifa, while the French Football Federation (FFF) will not advocate a rematch.” (BBC)
Thierry Henry: Replay the “fairest solution” for Ireland
“Thierry Henry has conceded that Republic of Ireland “definitely deserve” to qualify for the World Cup finals and has backed calls for a replay, even though FIFA have already ruled out such a scenario.” (ESPN)
Quick Links from Usual Suspects
“I’m working around the clock on something that will change everything, alienate half of you, and blow the minds of the other half, so don’t think I’m neglecting this place, even if actual blocks of text with my name attached have been in short supply lately. I’m here behind the scenes, listening to Annette Hanshaw records in a posture of revolutionary toil.” (Guardian)
James Lawton: Henry has never been an angel. Now he is beyond redemption
“Irish football is entitled to believe it has never seen anything so cynical, so far removed from the spirit of sport, as the devilish hand played by Thierry Henry to deny Giovanni Trapattoni’s team a place in the World Cup finals that would have been so thoroughly deserved. But then how do you draw up a ranking table of deceit when you know how far, how sickeningly, the list of precedents for Henry’s action stretches back – and how feeble has been the reaction of the authorities?” (Independent)
FIFA: No Replay of World Cup Qualifier Between France, Ireland
“FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, said Friday that Wednesday’s World Cup qualifying match between France and Ireland can’t be replayed or the result changed.” (WSJ)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 20, 2009
“Riot police in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, quelled a violent demonstration near the Algerian embassy in the early hours of Friday. Egyptian protesters reportedly hurled firebombs at police protecting the embassy and overturned a police van. Egypt’s interior ministry said 35 people were injured. The clashes stem from Egypt’s defeat by Algeria in a World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday, securing Algeria the last African place for next year’s finals.” (BBC)
Match Of The Midweek: Algeria 1-0 Egypt
“It’s a rivalry that goes back decades. Some say that it’s political, whilst others point at matches from the past that have inflamed sensibilities in a world that seems to consider the art of taking offence to be the next step in the evolutionary chain. Both sides of the divide sees the other as being the absolute opposite without ever seeming to take the similarities between their two nations into account. Football is truly a global game in the twenty-first century, and Algeria versus Egypt has become one of the international games Battle Royales.” (twohundredpercent)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 19, 2009

Antiquities of Provence, Hubert Robert
“Ireland appealed to both France and FIFA on Thursday to replay their World Cup playoff after an obvious handball by Thierry Henry set up the deciding goal. Ireland’s government and football association asked for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw in the second leg at Stade de France to be replayed. France advanced to next year’s World Cup in South Africa 2-1 on aggregate.” (SI)
FAI request France replay
“The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the controversial World Cup play-off defeat to France and have urged world football’s governing body to replay the match. • Maher: Ireland hard done by • Keane blasts FIFA and UEFA • France 1-1 (2-1 agg) Ireland • Ireland fuming over handball • Henry admits handball” (ESPN)
Irish Demand Replay With France
“Ireland appealed to France and football authorities Thursday to replay their World Cup playoff in Paris after an obvious handball by Thierry Henry produced the winning goal. Ireland’s government and football association united in demands for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw in France to be replayed, but Irish coach Giovanni Trapattoni dismissed the prospect as ‘impossible.’ In extra time, Mr. Henry twice handled the ball to prevent it going out of play, then passed to William Gallas in the Irish box for the deciding goal.” (WSJ)
Irish ask Fifa for France replay
“The Football Association of Ireland has lodged a complaint with Fifa asking for their World Cup play-off against France to be replayed. Republic of Ireland were beaten 2-1 on aggregate after France won with goal scored when captain Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up. Fifa insisted its disciplinary code says referees’ decisions “are final”. And the situation took on a political aspect as the Irish and French prime ministers disagreed over the matter.” (BBC)
Irish ‘cheated’ by Henry handball
(BBC)
Don’t be so quick to judge Henry
(SI)
Hand Thierry Henry – Ireland / French 2010
(YouTube)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage
November 19, 2009

“Antar Yahia’s spectacular goal earned Algeria the final African qualifying spot in next summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa. The centre-half volleyed home five minutes before half-time and a solid rearguard effort in the second half kept out Egypt. Emad Meteab had the best chance for Egypt but was denied by impressive Algeria keeper Fawzi Chaouchi. A capacity crowd filled the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan – with 5,000 more fans locked outside the ground.” (ESPN)
Match Of The Midweek: Algeria 1-0 Egypt
“It’s a rivalry that goes back decades. Some say that it’s political, whilst others point at matches from the past that have inflamed sensibilities in a world that seems to consider the art of taking offence to be the next step in the evolutionary chain. Both sides of the divide sees the other as being the absolute opposite without ever seeming to take the similarities between their two nations into account. Football is truly a global game in the twenty-first century, and Algeria versus Egypt has become one of the international games Battle Royales.” (twohundredpercent)
Algeria celebrates victory over Egypt
“I have to admit that I was scared for ten or so minutes after the final whistle blew here in Oran, Algeria last night. I watched Les Verts’ World Cup play-off game with Egypt in a cafe in darkened streets of a city that I don’t know. Anthar Yahia’s 40th minute goal, a Van Basten-esque angled volley, unleashed the country’s wildest celebrations since July 1962 – the month Algeria secured its bloody independence from France. Chairs flew over the road, aerosal sprays flashed into the sky, cars vroomed down the streets backwards and sideways, kids slalomed between klaxoning motorbikes and I had to duck once or twice to avoid the fireworks thrown like confetti.” (WSC)
Algeria battle to victory
“Nicknamed the ‘mother of all matches’, the grudge match that was Algeria vs. Egypt did not contain the sparks of the thrilling final group game; but Algeria won’t care. Beating the back-to-back African champions 1-0 in Sudan, the unfancied Algerian side worked wonders to reach their first World Cup in 23 years and many will suggest that it was well-deserved.” (ESPN)
Yahia sends Algeria to World Cup
“Algeria booked a first trip to the World Cup in 24 years by beating Egypt 1-0 in a tense play-off in Sudan. Centre-back Antar Yahia settled the contest with a stunning first-half volley at an angle eight yards out from Karim Ziani’s punt into the box. Rookie goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi was the night’s other hero as he constantly denied the six-time African champions. The two were forced to go to the one-off play-off in Khartoum after finishing level in Group C.” (BBC)
Algeria beats Egypt in playoff to reach World Cup
“Algeria qualified for its first World Cup in 24 years with a 1-0 win over Egypt on Wednesday, triggering wild celebrations in Algiers. A stunning first-half strike by defender Antar Yahya gave Algeria victory in the playoff match. Yahya’s 39th minute winner came against the run of play when he took advantage of a lapse in concentration by Egypt’s defenders to hit a perfect volley in off the underside of the crossbar with his right foot from an acute angle. (SI)
Leave a Comment » |
Uncategorized |
Permalink
Posted by 1960s: Days of Rage