Daily Archives: June 3, 2011

My Danish Season


“Three seasons ago it seemed as if the shift of power in the Danish Superliga had moved away from Copenhagen, with AaB claiming their third title and the new kids on the block FC Midtjylland edging out FCK and Brøndby in second place. The Danish press heralded it as the dawn of a new era in the domestic game. New manager Bruce Rioch led AaB to the Champions League group stages, beating Celtic at home before gaining a very credible draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United. And then it all went horribly wrong. Domestic form went out of the window and by the time the league recommenced after the winter break, Rioch was gone and the title had almost fallen back into the lap of FC Copenhagen.” Stone by Stone

Lionel Messi assures his place in the pantheon of the greats

“‘Lionel is the best player I’ve ever seen, probably the best ever. He made the difference. Messi is unique, a one-off….’ Pep Guardiola looked to be drifting off into predictable territory with his eulogy of Lionel Messi after the UEFA Champions League final but he suddenly slipped into a more sombre note when turning his attentions to Lionel Messi: the human being. ‘….Messi is unique, a one-off,’ he continued. ‘I just hope he doesn’t get fed up. When he doesn’t play well it is because something is wrong with his environment. Let’s hope he can continue playing well.'” The Arsenal Column

Two Seleção friendlies, a farewell to Ronaldo, preparations for Copa América 2011, and the accompanying roster intrigue

“The Brazilian national team will play two friendlies in Brazil over the next week. First, on Saturday in Goiânia, a rematch of the quarter-final game with Holland that ended Brazil’s campaign in last year’s World Cup. And then on the following Tuessday, Ronaldo’s farewell game, against Romania, held at the Pacaembu stadium in São Paulo.” Cult Football

Messi the perfect combination


“It is too soon to know where he is going to end up in the pantheon, but Lionel Messi’s performance on Saturday ensures beyond all doubt that he belongs among the all time greats. Watching him scale the heights has given me particular pleasure because I had the good fortune to be there at the start of the journey, the moment when he first appeared before a mass public.” BBC – Tim Vickery

It’s the Sids 2011! The complete review of the past La Liga season

“Eighteen days in the spring defined and decided the season. Finally, the inevitable happened and the curtain came down on the rest of Spain, leaving Real Madrid and Barcelona to fight it out for absolutely everything. The clásico series felt like the obvious conclusion, two-and-a-half weeks that acted as a microcosm of the season. The best two sides became the only two sides, league, Champions League and Copa del Rey their own private battleground, and as much of the spotlight was shone off the pitch as on it – where there were accusations and acrimony, formal complaints and a complete lack of class. Where it got genuinely pretty horrible. Just as it was always going to.” Guardian

Sing a song of Socrates

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we all know that a good idea instantly becomes better when shared with the World. If you keep a good idea to yourself how can it ever truly blossom? Where would the World be if Thomas Edison had been a selfish fool? Whilst you ponder that question I shall cordially invite you, and any guests that you may wish to bring to join Jamie Cutteridge in an Art Project crossed with a Socrates meet up crossed with a Football Singalong. Intrigued? You better bloody be!” onestepovertoomany