“Welcome back to the Champions League edition of the forum. The final between Manchester United and Barcelona will be played Wednesday night in Rome. With me to analyze it are some of the finest soccer writers in Europe. We have Ian Hawkey of The Sunday Times, who has a particularly intriguing perspective on this game as a British media journalist who has long been based in Barcelona. We have Santiago Segurola of Marca, the leading sports daily in Spain. We have Erik Bielderman of L’Equipe Magazine in France, and Peter Berlin, the longtime sports editor of the International Herald Tribune.” (NYT – 2), (NYT – 1)

“The winners of Europe’s strongest two leagues square up in the Champions League on Wednesday with the continental title at stake – and the traditional powers in South America are also coming through strongly. Between them, clubs from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have claimed the Copa Libertadores title in all but seven of the first 49 editions. This year, the 50th, the historic big three can boast seven of the eight quarter-finalists, six of them former champions.” (BBC – Tim Vickery)

David Beckham and our dream team of 40+ footballing stars (Mirror)
“The LA Galaxy and England star, currently on loan at Milan, seems very keen to reach the milestone, and if he does he’ll join an exclusive club of players to have played in their fourth decade. Below we’ve come up with a ‘dream team’ of international stars to have played football at club or international level beyond their 40th birthday.”

Marcello Lippi (WorldSoccer)
“Of course, I didn’t want to lose that game but, in the end, given the way the result came about, you can draw a number of conclusions. First, I’m not sure how things would have worked out if our opening goal [by Fabio Grosso], which was a good goal, had been allowed to stand. It would have been a big blast of confidence for some of our younger players.”

Time warp: The Transvaal Professional (Football365)
“In 1962, when the Transvaal Professional Soccer League (TPSL) formed with eleven founder members, the country’s black African footballers finally had the opportunity to play the beautiful game at ‘professional level.'” History: The 1947 tour Down Under

South African games face crucial test (BBC)
“South Africa’s sporting and business infrastructure is facing a ‘crucial 30 days’ which will help determine the success of next year’s football World Cup, which is being held in an African country for the first time.”

An Italian Whirlwind Of Emotion (The Offside)
“The weekend began with the best of intentions as Paolo Maldini headed for his San Siro swansong. But when teams are relegated – or pushed to the very brink of relegation – things tend to go downhill very quickly.”

“Kenneth Mathieson ‘Kenny’ Dalglish MBE (born 4 March 1951 in Dalmarnock, Glasgow) is a former Scottish international football player. He was famous for his successes with Celtic in the 1970s and with the English club Liverpool in the 1970s and 1980s. A prolific goalscorer, he was the first to score 100 league goals in both the English and Scottish leagues. He was placed first in Liverpool’s list of 100 Players Who Shook The Kop.” Wikipedia, Liverpool FC, Hillsborough, King Kenny, YouTube, Dailymotion

“Barcelona suffered a 1-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Osasuna in their last match before Wednesday’s Champions League final against Manchester United in Rome. Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani headed the only goal of the game from a first-half corner to boost the Pamplona side’s chances of Primera Division survival and subject Pep Guardiola’s side to only their second home defeat in the league this season.” (ESPN)
Defeat and Red Card Spoils FC Barcelona’s Title Party (All About FC Barcelona)
Barça 0 Osasuna 1 (FCB News)
FC BARCELONA CELEBRATE LIGA & SPANISH CUP TITLES AT HOME (VIDEO) (SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS)

“Liverpool ended their campaign with a comfortable win in which Sami Hyypia appeared as a substitute late on in his final appearance for the Anfield club. Fernando Torres headed in Dirk Kuyt’s cross for the opener in the first half.” (BBC)
Europe slips through Spurs’ fingers (ESPN)
Rafa’s tribute to ‘idol’ Sami (Liverpool FC)
Sami Hyypia profile: 10 things you need to remember about the departing Liverpool legend (Mirror)
Maths: Rafa Benitez’s latest educational challenge (Telegraph)
Liverpool FC 3 – Tottenham 1: Sami Hyypia bids a tearful farewell to Anfield (Liverpool Daily Post)

“André-Pierre Gignac (born December 5, 1985 in Martigues) is a French professional footballer currently playing for Toulouse in Ligue 1. He is the cousin of Valenciennes-defender Jacques Abardonado and Yohan Mollo, who plays for Monaco.” Wikipedia, ESPN, Guardian, bleacher report, 101 Great Goals

“The season is nearing its apex. We’re clinging to the rock face and praying we can be the first to crawl over the summit. We’re out of one competition, having turned up our worst result of the year to lose 1-3 to Juventus in the second leg of our cup semi. It was the first time we’d lost at home in any competition this season, and it came down to Jacob Larsen, who kept goal like he was committed to an ethic of hospitality.” (The Run of Play)

Forever Is Forgettable (sport is a tv show)
“These magnificent palaces of justice, these incontestable equations, these airless vaults of truth. I’m tired of the league season, with its Wagnerian storylines and its glacial, accumulating march. I’m tired of being told that what happens in the fifth minute in October is as important as what happens in the ninety-sixth minute in May. I want a moment of lyric intensity, where the stakes are known and where the outcome is undeferrable. I don’t just want a knockout game. I want a penalty shootout.”

“Reduce the Champions League final to a battle of its two premier talents and it becomes Lionel Messi against Cristiano Ronaldo. The equation, of course, is more complicated, but the decisive duel may involve Messi. The question of how to halt the Argentine has been posed regularly in a season that has brought 41 goals for club and country.” (ESPN)

The Global Sports Forum: Champions League Edition (NYT)
“Welcome to our regular meeting of the minds on international sport. The occasion for this Global Sports Forum is a grand one: the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on May 27 between last season’s champion Manchester United and Barcelona. With no World Cup finals or European Championship to distract the planet in 2009, this is unquestionably the match of the year, and it is also a reassuring development for those who like their soccer flashy and generally positive.”

Thierry Henry Back In Barcelona Training (Goal)
“Thierry Henry resumed training with the Barcelona first team on Friday morning for the first time since suffering an injury, thus taking an important step towards playing in the Champions League final.”

Iniesta & Henry Looking Good For Champions League Final (SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS)
“All the news from ‘Camp Barça’ indicates that it’s all good. Two vital pieces in the FC BARCELONA line-ups are evolving favourably from their injuries & everything indicates that they will be present, available & roaring to go for Barça at the upcoming 27th of May Champions League Final against MANCHESTER UNITED.”

Xavi: Barca Have Played The Best Football In Europe (Goal)
“Xavi thinks that Barcelona have played the best football in Europe this season and says they deserve to win the Champions League next week. The Catalans meet Manchester United in the final and have the chance to win an historic treble if they do triumph in Rome.”

Messi to overshadow Ronaldo, say the stats (TheGame)
“Champions League finals can often be settled by relative unknowns – put your hands up if you had heard of Juliano Belletti before his late goal beat Arsenal – but many neutrals are hoping that next Wednesday’s match between Barcelona and Manchester United comes down to a battle of skills between the two teams’ great entertainers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Devil’s in the Detail for Barca (rivals)
“The question on everyone’s lips is who is the best footballer in the world – Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? There is much debate, too, about the attacking probing of Barcelona and the lightning-fast counter-attacking of Manchester United, while many experts predict a footballing classic in what has been billed the ‘Dream final’.”

“Rangers lead Celtic by two points going into the final round of Scottish Premier League fixtures, with the Ibrox club travelling to Tannadice to face Dundee United while Celtic host Hearts. A win for Rangers would see them secure their first title in four attempts, but failure to record victory in Tayside could allow Celtic to clinch the championship on either points or goal difference.” (BBC)

Looking to the future (ESPN)
“The fantasy season is winding down for another year but it’s never too early to start planning for next term. The cream has, in general, risen to the top with big names scooping the top points. Pepe Reina, Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nicolas Anelka lead the way in each position proving that you do need to spend your cash on class to challenge, be it in your mini-league or in the overall competition.”

6+5 Rule Is ‘No Problem’ for President of Spain’s La Liga (NYT)
“The president of Spain’s La Liga, contrary to the view of many of his counterparts in top European leagues, supports FIFA’s controversial plan to impose the so-called 6+5 rule.”

2009 Confederations Cup FAQ (Road to 2010 World Cup Final)
“We’re 26 days from the start of FIFA’s 2010 World Cup dry run in South Africa, the 2009 Confederations Cup. Like many of you, I have no idea what the Confederations Cup is. Let’s spend the next 26 days previewing the Cup, answering questions and becoming Confederations Cup experts!”

Walker to Wilkins, Beckham to Baker – Five of the best and worst Englishmen in Italy (SoccerLens)
“It’s somewhat rare these days to see an Englishman trying his luck in Europe’s top leagues, especially in the tactical cauldron that is Serie A. In fairness, for many, life seemingly begins and ends with the Premier League where visions of a move abroad are often distorted by what many perceive as the ‘greatest league in the world’.”

Pro Vercelli: Fortune Comes in Threes (The Run of Play)
“Mid-March, and we’re still alive in three competitions. We’re in the semifinals of the Coppa Italia, where we hold a 2-1 lead over Juventus after the away leg thanks to goals by Rubino and Galli at the Delle Alpi.”

Uefa Cup final photos (BBC)

“Carles Puyol i Saforcada (born 13 April 1978 in La Pobla de Segur, Lleida, Catalonia) is a Spanish football defender who plays for Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.” Wikipedia, YouTube, (1)

“IN the end, Liverpool have achieved pretty much the best outcome they could have hoped for this season – even though the wait to end the title drought goes on. Yes, people will point to the seven home draws which, if they had been turned into wins might just have given them that extra little nudge over the line ahead of Manchester United.” (Liverpool Banter)

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool May Break Club Transfer Record This Summer (Goal)
“Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already turned his sights to next season, and how he can improve the squad that ran Manchester United so close in this season’s race for the Premier League title, revealing that big money might well be spent in an attempt to overhaul their rivals from the other end of the East Lancs Road.”

Xabi Alonso’s agent refuses to dismiss Real Madrid deal – Liverpool FC latest (Liverpool Daily Post)
“XABI ALONSO’S agent, Inaki Ibanez, has refused to rule out a summer move to Real Madrid for one of Liverpool’s players of the season. But the player himself insists he wants his long-term future to remain at Anfield.”

Fernando Torres faces Atletico Madrid – Liverpool FC latest (Liverpool Echo)
“FERNANDO TORRES finally looks set for an emotional reunion with Atletico Madrid after Liverpool lined up a pre-season friendly against his former club. Injury denied Torres the opportunity to play against Atletico when Liverpool met the La Liga outfit in a pair of matches in the group stages of this season’s Champions League, with both games ending in draws.”

Steven Cohen: The bleat goes on (This Is Anfield)
“JUST over two and a half years ago (November 2006), Kelvin MacKenzie (editor of The S*n in 1989) was giving a speech when he suddenly referred to his infamous front page ‘The Truth’ story by saying that he would not make any apology for ‘telling it like it was.’ He also said, in reference to his decision to publish the fabricated story, ‘I was not sorry then and I’m not sorry now.’”

Lucas in pledge to beef up (This is Anfield)
“Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva will spend more time this summer improving his physical presence on the pitch to catch-up with the tougher English Premier League.”

“If there are any safe seats in the fast and feckless world of soccer team management, they are occupied by Alex Ferguson and Josep Guardiola. Their clubs, Manchester United and Barcelona, are already multiple trophy winners this season. Both teams combine style with success, but when they meet in Rome next Wednesday, only one can carry off the sport’s ultimate club prize, the Champions League cup.” (NYT)

Wolfsburg deserve debut success (ESPN)
“On 90 minutes and 57 seconds of the Hoffenheim versus Bayern Munich game on Saturday, with the score tied at 2-2, referee Michael Weiner already had the whistle between his lips to end the game. But he didn’t blow it yet because Mark van Bommel had run into an inside right position with lots of space and time.”

Super Mario’s Naivete Annoys Ibra (NYT)
“Inter Milan celebrated into the wee hours of the morning Sunday, despite the fact that the team had a game later that day against Siena.”

Newcastle is in relegation peril (Total Soccer)
“As the English Premier League heads into its final week of the season, the question is not who will win the title. That was pretty much wrapped up by Manchester United weeks ago.”

‘I Am Not a Man. I Am Cantona’ (NYT)
“The fiery Frenchman Eric Cantona never lifted le Coupe du Monde as a soccer player, but he may be hoisting the Palme d’Or for his participation in a new film showing at the Cannes Film Festival.”

Dikgacoi issues SA clarion call (Football365)
“South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi says the hosts of the Confederations Cup are aiming to progress to ‘the semi-finals and final’ of the tournament. “

“He is renowned for his work-rate in his primary position as a forward, but now he is more often deployed as a winger for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.” Wikipedia, Liverpool FC, YouTune

“There haven’t been too many Italians that have made that considerably bold step leap of moving from the proverbial comfort zone of Serie A to the Premier League.” (SoccerLens)

How football conquered Brazil (BBC – Tim Vickery)
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the military figure who, when advised to take cover, declined with the famous last words: ‘They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…’ Thankfully, making predictions about football is not usually so hazardous, although it can make fools of the mighty.”

My teams of the season (BBC)
“It’s that time of the year when anyone and everyone seems to feel entitled to hand out their own football awards to whoever has caught their eye, sold the tastiest pie, preserved the most stone-age loo or even won a cup or two.”

Fast forwards should give Dunga pause for thought (Telegraph – Robert Shaw)
“Brazil coach Dunga is under familiar pressures ahead of Thursday’s announcement of the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers with Uruguay and Paraguay and the Confederations Cup. If previous form is anything to go by from the PR-averse Dunga there will be few surprises in the 23-man squad and perhaps disappointment at a missed chance to experiment.”

Top Coach Willing to Rebuild Lone Star—-Waiting for offers from Liberia (The Liberian Journal)
“The ever-growing soccer talents in Liberia and the inability to harness them win or make significant impact in competitions has been one area that has kept top Moroccan-born coach, Youssef Darbaki, wondering why.”

“Guardiola decided to rest majority of first team players against Real Mallorca. The makeshift side had three Barca B team members – Xavi Torres, Oier Olazabal and Pedro. Barca went ahead with a goal from Eto in the tenth minute but wasted a flurry of chances to end the game, especially Eto. In the end it came back to haunt Barca as goals from Arango and Santana in the 73rd and 77th minute sealed a home win for the Mallorca side.” (All About FC Barcelona)
Barca Player Ratings against Mallorca 17/05/09 (All About FC Barcelona)
La Liga: Mallorca spoil Barcelona’s title party (ESPN)
Barcelona Could Have Won The League Without Me – Pep Guardiola (Goal)

Brian Clough
“Seven Deadly Sins of Football” (Guardian)

“Liverpool secured second place in the Premier League with a comfortable victory over battling West Brom, who were relegated at The Hawthorns. A dire mistake by Baggies defender Shelton Martis let in Steven Gerrard to simply stride forward and put Liverpool 1-0 up on the half way line, after a bright start from the hosts.” (This Is Anfield)
Carra’s Arbeloa rant for Pepe (This Is Anfield)
West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Liverpool (ESPN)
Liverpool strike twice
and West Bromwich go down (Guardian)
West Brom 0 Liverpool 2 (Sun)
West Brom 0-2 Liverpool (BBC)
Benitez withholds Ferguson praise (BBC)
Premier League (BBC)

“Back in the days when England’s footballers spent as much time in the pub as they did on the pitch, when football shorts the world over were tight enough to cut off circulation to the legs and it was quite normal for top-class players to sport facial hair, every four years something remarkable used to happen for football fans.” (bleacher report)

Alan Hansen’s column (BBC)
“Manchester United’s third successive Premier League triumph has left their closest rivals once again pondering a familiar question – how do we break the Old Trafford stranglehold on the title?”

Five great UEFA Cup Finals (ESPN)
“When one of Werder Bremen or Shakhtar Donestsk lift the vase-like trophy in Istanbul on Wednesday they will become the last ever winners of the UEFA Cup. The trophy’s history has been convoluted since it replaced the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, itself a curio that once saw teams selected from cities, giving rise to a London XI competing in the final of the first version, which itself lasted three years.”

Perez dreams of Galácticos return to the Bernabéu (SoccerLens)
“Los Galacticos. The mere mention of the two words together conjure up memories of watching some of the world’s great names in the sport — Beckham, Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo and Owen — stepping onto the same pitch wearing the same kit and playing together in a match that wasn’t a friendly for charity.”

Gonzalez: We haven’t given up (FIFA)
“Any overseas player who receives acclaim for his performances in the ultra-competitive Argentinian league deserves considerable respect, and Cesar Gonzalez definitely falls into this category. Currently blazing a trail with Huracan, the attacking midfielder is also putting his experience and talent to good use for Venezuela, who he still hopes he can help qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.”

Goal.com Special: Fields Of Their Dreams (Goal)
“In the summer of 2008 in South Africa, two hundred fifty-six kids, boys and girls, aged from 13 – 19, on sixteen teams, were participating in a two-day football tournament. The games were played in a village hours away from major cities, in a remote area of the country.”

“Michael Laudrup (born 15 June 1964 in Frederiksberg) is a Danish former professional football player. His most prominent run of football came with Spanish club FC Barcelona, with whom he won four straight La Liga championships.” Wikipedia, 123Football, YouTube

“What a paradox the Serie A has become. While it is always healthy to look away from what goes on off the pitch in order to avoid embarrassment and the whiff of dodgy dealings that rarely obey to the principle of doing the best for the game, action on the pitch itself has often been delightful and entertaining.” (ESPN)

Assuaging the politicians (ESPN)
“Last year the UK’s Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, challenged the Premier League to ”reassess its relationship with money” after shining an official light on a variety of uncomfortable issues from debt levels and foreign ownership, to the need for a greater competitive balance across the league and improved opportunities for English players.”

Sail On, Sailor b/w Typical Boys (The Run of Play)
“Maybe it’s just natural to feel sympathy for these slighted creatures. To see the anguish on their faces as the referee penalises them for reasons they can’t fathom; to see the disbelief register on their tormented visages as a penalty appeal is dismissed; to see one slam the turf with open palms, enraged that the contact that sent him to the floor was not deemed sufficient for censure…Fair breaks your heart, doesn’t it?”

Negative Environment Can Breed Postive Results (A Cultured Left Foot)
“Every dog has it’s day, so they say. Arsene seemingly got bitten yesterday by those who support the club. Gunnerblog put a good proviso against anything that is said.”

Q. & A.: ‘Outcasts United’ Author Warren St. John (NYT)
“Update | MAY 14, 9:16 a.m. See the comments section below for Warren St. John’s responses to readers’ questions. More to come. In 2006, Warren St. John reported the article, “Refugees Find Hostility and Hope on Soccer Field,” for the New York Times.”

The Forgotten Story Of … Spain 4-3 England (Guardian)
“The problem when you invent the game is that everything thereafter is in some way decline, yet English football seems forever locked in a battle to recapture a golden age that, if it existed at all, had probably ended before the First World War.”

“FC Barcelona ended their two year droght of silverware with an emphatic win against Athletic Bilbao at the Mestalla. Yesterday’s triump also ends a eleven year wait for the “Copa Del Rey” title. The last time FC Barcelona won the cup Guardiola was a team member and it might be destiny that this has to be his first title as FC Barcelona coach.” (All About FC Barcelona)
Yaya Toure helps Barca to win Cup (BBC)
Spain: Barca primed to claim second trophy (ESPN)
One title closer to the treble (ESPN)
Why Athletic Bilbao Can Win the Copa Del Rey (SoccerLens)
One title in bag, two to go as Barca rout Bilbao (Guardian)
Ath Bilbao – Barcelona (1-4) Copa del Rey (Mighty Football)

“Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been crowned the Football Writers’ Player of the Year, beating PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs to the prestigious award.” (This is Anfield)

Managers need to learn history lessons (ESPN)
“When former Liverpool boss, and one of Europe’s most highly respected coaches, Gerard Houllier was asked if players were taking on managerial roles too soon, he retorted: ‘Would a manager of a big company put somebody without experience into a key position in his company? No, he would not, but they do in football.'”

A very cloudy crystal ball (Yanks Abroad)
“The sun is close to setting on one of the more memorable and unpredictable German campaigns of recent memory. In contrast to the usual status quo with Bayern already crowned champions and the best of the rest duking it out for the remaining Champions League and UEFA Cup…pardon…Europa League places, no less than four [?] teams find themselves within a fingertip of lifting the trophy, separated by just a couple points.”

Gordon Brown: Holding true to my Raith (The Independent)
“Since 2005, the constituency I have proudly represented has been named ‘Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath’; but in football terms, that stands for ‘The Rovers’ and ‘The Blue Brazil’. Football has always been at the very centre of local life in the Fife towns and villages in which I grew up, and now represent as an MP.”

Akon to Record World Cup 2010 Anthem (World Cup Blog)
“We’re about thirteen months away from World Cup 2010, so it’s time to start filling in a few details. Details like the official World Cup 2010 anthem, which will apparently be provided by American R&B singer/songwriter/producer Akon.”

Silva’s agent confirms interest in Liverpool target (ESPN)
“David Silva’s agent has fuelled rumours that Liverpool have revived their bid to sign the Valencia star after he confirmed that a number of clubs had made enquiries.”

“Michael James Owen (born 14 December 1979) is an English football forward who currently plays for and captains English Premier League club Newcastle United. He is currently the fourth-highest scorer for the England national team with forty goals.” Wikipedia, Micheal Owen, Michael Owen Fan Forum, YouTube, Google, (1)

“More than any other footballer he seems to have sprung from the serious imagination of a child. The world he belongs to is not the rough, touchy, deceiving world of grown-up risks and chances but a world of lucid justice and simplicity.” (The Run of Play)

The last look at the weekend (ESPN)
“Few of us like Monday but The Fifth Official does, for it brings with it a chance for him to point the finger and laugh. Here he pulls out the pretty, the puzzling and the downright pig-ugly from a five-star weekend.”

Barcelona Tired of Seeing Red (GOAL)
“Red, one of Barcelona’s signature colors, is not likely Eric Abidal’s favorite. Abidal, a Barcelona defender, has been sent off in two consecutive games: on Wednesday in the Champions League semifinal against Chelsea and in Sunday’s La Liga match against Villarreal after the fullback bowled over Nihat Kahveci in the penalty area.”

Soccer: I get a kick out of you (The Times)
“A museum in São Paolo shows how the history of soccer in Brazil mirrors the country’s political emancipation, writes Bareng-Batho Kortjaas.”

Still something like a phenomenon (SI – Tim Vickery)
“Ronaldo is coming home. It might be this Sunday when his Corinthians travels to face Botafogo in the Brazilian Championship. Or we might have to wait until the following Wednesday and the second leg of the Brazilian Cup quarterfinals away to Fluminense. Either way, the great striker will be returning to his home city of Rio de Janeiro.”

Liverpool to sign Eredivisie star Pranjic, Celtic target Newcastle’s Owen, Barcelona star Xavi staying put, and more (SoccerLens)
“Another day, another several notable names linked with moves as the start of the summer transfer window edges closer by the day. Which rumors are worth buying, and which would should you throw out with the weekend trash?”

“Diego Maradona – Marco Van Basten – Zinedine Zidane – Saeed Owairan – Pele – Archie Gemmill – Carlos Alberto – Ferenc Puskas – Diego Maradona – Lionel Messi…” (World Soccer)

The Sad Underside of Global Game’s Untold Riches (NYT)
“May is the month of triumph and despair in Europe. The two outstanding teams on the Continent, Manchester United and Barcelona, are closing in on their domestic league titles and will meet in the final of the Champions League in Rome on May 27.”

Mauritius joins Southern African countries gearing up for 2010 (FIFA)
“Mauritius has teamed up with the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ to join Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and hosts South Africa in a top line-up of accommodation providers.”

Mexico Turns Its Back on South America (NYT)
“The latest victims of the outbreak of swine flu are two of the most-revered things in Mexico — soccer and the country’s international reputation. One is tangible, the other a sensitive state of mind.”

Jose ends illustrious Ahly career (BBC)
“Manuel Jose has brought an end to his illustrious coaching career with Egyptian giants Al Ahly after six years in charge.”>

Low-key start to Brazilian champ (BBC – Tim Vickery)
“The biggest criticism that I could make of the organisation of Brazilian football is as follows – on the opening weekend of the national championship, the leading star in the entire competition was rested.”

African goals in Europe: 09-10 May (BBC)
“After a season blighted by injury Senegal’s Diomansy Kamara celebrated his first league start of the season with two goals for Fulham in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.”

Nigeria: Our Continental Flagbearers (allAfrica)
“The splendid showing of our flagbearers in Africa’s club competitions last week, has again demonstrated that if properly managed and motivated, Nigerian clubs have what it takes to hold their own against the best on the continent.”

Iran line up three friendlies (AFC)
“Iran will prepare for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against DPR Korea next month with friendlies against Syria, Vietnam and China, the ISNA news agency reported.”

“It is not yet Barcelona’s title. When Daniel Alves curled home a free-kick on the stroke of half-time to put them 3-1 ahead of Villarreal, it seemed the race was at an end, only for the visitors to claw back the deficit as the match drew to an apparently celebratory close.” (Guardian)
Barcelona and Manchester United appeal Champions League suspensions (Guardian)
La Liga: Barca made to wait after late equaliser (ESPN)
Barca’s Champions League hopes hit by Iniesta blow (ESPN)
Barca to contest Abidal red card (BBC)
Last gasp leveller denies Barca title (FourFourTwo)
Villarreal delays Barca’s title celebrations (SI)

“Steven Gerrard scored twice against West Ham as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win to move top of the Barclays Premier League and keep alive their slim title hopes. With Manchester United playing later in the weekend, Rafael Benitez’s men overtook them on goal difference but time has almost run out and they only have two matches left.” (ESPN)
West Ham 0-3 Liverpool (BBC)
West Ham United v Liverpool – as it happened (Guardian)
Liverpool back on top of Premier League (Telegraph)
Premier League: In pictures (Telegraph)
Gerrard steers Reds top (This Is Anfield)

“Sami Tuomas Hyypiä (born 7 October 1973) is a Finnish footballer who plays in the centre back position. Currently, he plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League and is the captain of the Finland national football team.” Wikipedia

More tributes come in for Sami (This Is Anfield)
“Former Liverpool players Kenny Dalglish and Phil Thompson have begun what will probably be the first of many tributes for defender Sami Hyypia, who will leave the club at the end of this season.”

Liverpool FC Pictures (ECHO)
“WITH the news that defensive stalwart Sami Hyypia is to leave Liverpool after ten years of magnificent service, we pay tribute by looking back at his distinguished career in pictures”

Sami Hyypia: Leaving Liverpool (EPL TALK)
“There won’t be a sympathy vote PFA award for Sami Hyypia as he ends his ten year career with Liverpool FC, but for Reds supporters his legend will remain as large as the 6′4 Finn himself.”

Sami Hyypia Bio Send To Friend (ESPN)
“Hyypia’s performances for Liverpool since joining the club from Willem II earned him a reputation as one of the Premier Leagues best defenders but as his contract draws to a close under the reign of Rafa Benitez he has become more of a peripheral, if still influential, player.”

DailyMotion

YouTube

“Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola i Sala (born 18 January 1971 in Santpedor, Barcelona, Catalonia) is a former Spanish football midfielder and current FC Barcelona manager.” Wikipedia, ESPN, Josep Guardiola – The Boy from Santpedor

“Uefa has played down fears of fan violence at this month’s Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona in Rome, a location dubbed ‘Stab City’ by some critics because of the level of knife-related crime in the Italian capital.” (BBC)

Swine flu plays havoc with Copa Libertadores (BBC – Tim Vickery)
“The group phase of the Copa Libertadores has come to an end – and two of the results have left the South American Federation with a problem to solve. By the skin of their teeth, two Mexican sides made it through to the knockout stages. Chivas Guadalajara needed a draw away to Everton of Chile. They were hanging on grimly at the end, but got the 1-1 they needed.”

Olsen: Pride and glory (FIFA)
“In football terms, Morten Olsen is Mr. Denmark. Nineteen years’ service as player and nine as coach have left the 59-year-old’s name synonymous with his national team, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Joe Strummer’s Team (in Song) in UEFA Cup Final (GOAL)
“John Graham Mellor, who took the self-conscious name Joe Strummer and helped to change popular music history for the better as a member of the Clash, may be happily looking down from his lofty perch in punk-rock heaven today: one of his teams, Shakhtar Donetsk, has advanced to the final of the UEFA Cup.”

Dropping Benni – it’s just a punishment (iol)
“Let’s hope sincerely that Thursday’s decision to omit Benni McCarthy from the Confederations Cup squad doesn’t come back to haunt Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana and his puppet-masters at the South African Football Association.”

Doping agency’s ‘whereabouts rule’ irks FIFA (CBC)
“Another bust-up is brewing between the World Anti-Doping Agency and FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. This time it is over WADA’s insistence that players make themselves available for random out-of-competition testing for one hour a day, 365 days a year. FIFA thinks that is asking too much.”

Corinthians’ Party Out of Bounds (GOAL)
“Corinthians captured its 31st São Paulo state championship in Brazil on Sunday. Ronaldo and the club played to a 1-1 draw with Santos (winning the home-and-away series, 4-2 on aggregate). Then the pyrotechnics started … and quickly got out of hand.”

“Who’s whinging now? Not the Catalans, that’s for sure. They’re far too busy hammering away at the O key, preparing odes to joy, giving thanks for happiness “in times of crisis, decadence and flu”, wiping away the tears from their cheeks and the debris from the Ramblas, launching into songs of praise and, most of all, proclaiming a new dawn of justice in the world.” (Guardian)

Chelsea’s fury at referee ends their European challenge on sickening note (Guardian – Richard Williams )
“Barcelona, touted as the most attractive side in Europe, had one shot on target all night. Unfortunately it came in the 93rd minute, and it broke Chelsea’s hearts. And given the penalty decisions that had not gone the London side’s way in the preceding 92 minutes, perhaps it was no surprise when the shock of Andrés Iniesta’s winning goal provoked scenes that tarnished the European Cup.”

Barcelona the beautiful show their flaws as Lionel Messi again fails to match the hype (Guardian – Paul Hayward)
“The beautiful team did it the ugly way, with an unconvincing performance, a man sent off, a string of controversial penalty decisions that went their way and an undignified goal celebration when Andrés Iniesta’s equaliser provided Barcelona’s lone moment of glory three minutes into added time.”

Chelsea condemn reported referee death threats (The Independent)
“Police are monitoring the home of Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after his decisions in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final clash between Chelsea and Barcelona triggered an outpouring of anger on the internet.”

Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack could face Uefa punishment (Times Online)
“Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack could face bans from European competition after Uefa confirmed it would look into the players’ behaviour in the aftermath of Chelsea’s heartbreaking Champions League semi-final exit last night.”

Football’s great conspiracy theories (Telegraph)
“Chelsea’s tumultuous elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona and Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo has been accompanied by allegations of a Uefa plot to prevent another all-English final. Here are some other great football conspiracy theories.”

Top Five: Didier Drogba meltdowns (Telegraph)
“Didier Drogba’s tirade against referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after Chelsea’s exit to Barcelona was another forgettable ending to a Champions League campaign for the Ivory Coast striker.”

Barcelona’s sting in the tail leaves Chelsea losing their marbles (Guardian – Amy Lawrence)
“The legend of the Lisbon Lions, when Celtic won the 1967 European Cup with an entire team born within a few miles of Glasgow, is the sort of romance confined the sepia stories of footballing ideals long gone from the modern game.”

When It’s Not Just a Game (GOAL)
“It’s just a game after all, but one in which millions of dollars, pounds, euros are at stake and the fans’ and players’ emotional investment is incalculable. Still, two disturbing incidents followed the European Champions League semifinals this week.”

Chelsea lose their heads and their dignity (Reuters Blog)
“Maybe Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo was wrong on all the big decisions in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg — it absolutely does not justify Chelsea’s reaction.”

Bitter recriminations at the Bridge (BBC -Phil McNulty)
“Tom Henning Ovrebo is a psychologist by profession – and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba provided an unpalatable close-up study in human behaviour for the Norwegian referee amid bitter recriminations at Stamford Bridge.”

Penalty decisions mystify Hiddink (BBC)
“Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink cannot understand why referee Tom Ovrebo failed to award “three clear penalties” in their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, and defends Didier Drogba’s post-match tirade against the official.”

Drogba ‘deserves to be punished’ (BBC)
“Chelsea striker Didier Drogba labelled referee Tom Henning Ovrebo a ‘disgrace’ after his side’s Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.”

“Ten-man Barcelona robbed Chelsea of a place in the Champions League final in the cruellest of fashions with a 93rd-minute away goal at Stamford Bridge. A stunning first-half volley from Michael Essien looked to have earned Chelsea victory and set up a repeat of last year’s Champions League final against Manchester United.” (ESPN)
Pique admits fortune after Chelsea penalty claim (ESPN)
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona (agg 1-1) – (BBC)
Barcelona win on the away goals rule (BBC)
Chelsea hearts broken by late, late Iniesta goal for Barcelona (Guardian)
Chelsea v Barca in pictures (Sun)
Video – Chelsea – Barcelona (1-1) (Mighty Football)
Language and Contradictions in The Beautiful Game (Foot Smoke)
No Live Blog Today (The Run of Play)
Chelsea Fan Foiled From 3,000 Miles Away (NYT)
Chelsea UnDone BY Refereeing; Chelsea-1, Barca-1 (All About FC Barcelona)
Barca Player rating against Chelsea on 06/05/09 (All About FC Barcelona)

“José Manuel Reina Páez (born 31 August 1982), commonly known as Pepe Reina or José Reina, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the English Premier League club Liverpool F.C. and the Spain national team.” Wikipedia, LiverpoolFC

Rafa: United will make mistakes in the run-in (ESPN
“Rafael Benitez still expects Manchester United to slip up after Liverpool’s gap-closing 3-0 win over Newcastle and hopes his rivals crumble under the pressure of four crucial games in 12 days.”

Dirk: It’s only a matter of time (LiverpoolFC)
“Dirk Kuyt today assured Liverpool fans it is only a matter of time before their long wait for a 19th League Championship is brought to an end.”

Dossena will stay and fight for Liverpool place (ESPN)
“Italian defender Andrea Dossena is only focused on making his mark at Liverpool despite speculation he could be off-loaded in the summer.”

Xabi a doubt for Hammers trip (This Is Anfield)
“Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is rating the chance that midfielder Xabi Alonso will be fit in time for this Saturday’s Premier League visit to West Ham as doubtful.”

Saturday’s big match preview (West Ham Uniter FC)
“WEST HAM can count themselves a little unlucky having to face Liverpool at Upton Park on Saturday evening. Usually by this time of the season, the Merseysiders already need snookers to win the Premier League title as they are almost always trailing in the wake.”

Rafael Benitez: Robbie Keane experience will not put off new Liverpool signings (Telegraph)
“Keane, who signed for £20 million from Tottenham Hotspur last summer and was sold back at a loss just six months later, failed to dislodge either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres from Benitez’s first-choice attack.”

“Pep Guardiola has named all the available players in the squad which will travel to London. Carles Puyol, who is suspended for the leg will also travel with the squad. The squad announced are Valdés, Jorquera, Pinto, Alves, Víctor Sánchez, Piqué, Cáceres, Abidal, Sylvinho, Touré Yaya, Keita, Busquets, Gudjohnsen, Xavi, Iniesta, Hleb, Bojan, Henry, Eto’o, Messi and Pedro.” (All About FC Barcelona)

“Intelligence and emotion” required, says Guus(ESPN)
“Chelsea’s interim coach Guus Hiddink has called on his players to overcome Barcelona with a combination of ‘intelligence and emotion” in their Champions League showdown at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.”

Sizing up the Libertadores final 16 (SI)
“Who will stop the boys from Brazil? With all five representatives gaining entry into the knockout phase of the 50th edition of the Copa Libertadores, there’s a great chance that a club from Brazil will emerge as South American champions come finals time in July.”

Why the Martyrs matter (BBC)
“It could signify Merthyr Tydfil’s last surviving memory of better days, but the once thriving heartbeat of Britain’s industrial revolution fears for the loss of its football club. The financially-troubled Merthyr Tydfil FC are struggling to pay utility bills with alarming regularity.”

Japan’s future is looking rosy (World Soccer)
“Yuya Osako is a name we are not allowed to mention at the moment. Kashima Antlers manager Oswaldo Oliveira is very strict about this, insisting his teenage striker still has a long way to go and needs to be protected from the media spotlight. Trouble is, it’s getting hard.”

Joey Barton – How do you defend the indefensible? (SoccerLens)
“This must be a first. A story comes out of Newcastle United that ISN’T a shock. Joey Barton suspended by the club “until further notice”, in addition to his three game FA ban, and unlikely to play for the club again — regardless of whether Alan Shearer runs back into the arms of Gary Lineker at the end of the current season.”

“Serie A’s status suffered another blow with the failure of any Italian clubs to make the last eight of this season’s Champions League. Is Italian soccer on the slippery slope of irreversible decline and fall?” (SI)

Honoring the Voice of Dutch Soccer (NYT)
“The Netherlands will come to a halt at 8 p.m. Monday when it observes Remembrance of the Dead (Dodenherdenking in Dutch) in honor of those who have died in wars since the start of World War II.”

Ahead of the season-defining clasico, Real defender Pepe reflects on a moment of madness (World Soccer)
“Real Madrid president Vicente Boluda misjudged the mood of the country when he disputed Pepe’s 10-game ban for a shocking attack on an opponent. When Vicent Boluda called it ‘savage’, most people would have agreed with him but for one rather important thing: he was not talking about what Pepe did.”

Aguirre: I need commitment (FIFA)
“It must feel like déjà vu for newly appointed Mexico coach Javier Aguirre who, just as in 2001, has been charged with dragging El Tri up by the bootstraps and ensuring their place at the next FIFA World Cup finals.”

Swine flu plays havoc with Copa Libertadores (BBC – Tim Vickery)
“The group phase of the Copa Libertadores has come to an end – and two of the results have left the South American Federation with a problem to solve. By the skin of their teeth, two Mexican sides made it through to the knockout stages. Chivas Guadalajara needed a draw away to Everton of Chile. They were hanging on grimly at the end, but got the 1-1 they needed.”

Mexicans In Europe 4/2-3/09 (World Cup Blog)
“It’s all about scoring this weekend in England…”

Video of the Day – Rafael da Silva (World Cup Blog)

“Alan Shearer’s Newcastle are staring relegation in the face after a 3-0 mauling against Liverpool at Anfield.  And for the former England captain, in temporary charge of the Geordies, there was even the humiliation of hearing the Kop chant: ‘You should have stayed on the telly’ and ‘Alan Shearer, football genius.'” (ESPN)
Lucas Leiva seals it for Liverpool as Newcastle’s plight deepens (Guardian)
Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United (Sport)
Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle (BBC)
Shearer furious with Barton indiscipline (BBC)
Liverpool thrash Newcastle to maintain Premier League title hopes (Times Online)
Liverpool deepen Newcastle’s relegation fears as Joey Barton sees red (Telegraph)
Reds overwhelm Newcastle (This Is Anfield)
Reds win again to keep up pressure (Liverpool FC)

“In one of the most sensational displays away from home, FC Barcelona humiliated Real Madrid by scoring half a dozen goal against the. With the 2-6 victory FC Barcelona has extracted some revenge for the humiliation at the same ground last season.” (All About FC Barcelona)
Barca Player Rating against Real Madrid on 02/05/09 (All About FC Barcelona)
Barcelona Supporters celebrating Teams’ victory against Real Madrid (All About FC Barcelona)
Raul admits pain of Barcelona humiliation (ESPN)
Real Madrid 2 – 6 Barcelona (ESPN)
The Video – Real Madrid (FC Barcelona Blog)
Superb Barca destroy rivals Real (BBC)

“Ian St. John (born 7 June 1938 in Motherwell, Scotland) is a former Scottish footballer. He is now a manager and pundit, who played for Scotland 21 times. In 2008 he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.” Wikipedia, Liverpool FC, LFC History

“I’ve been thinking about Barcelona-Chelsea for the last two days, including during most of the time when I was ostensibly watching the Man Utd-Arsenal match.”
(The Run of Play)

“After a day of throwing brick-bats at each other, both Barca and Chelsea fans have slowly settled with the reality of the situation at Ground zero. Even the Spanish and English media are in the same mood – the article by Kevin McCarra in the Guardian is a prime example of that. Chelsea fans after a night of Euphoria has slowly understood the dangers held in the second leg.” (All About FC Barcelona)

Real Madrid v Barcelona: Preview (ESPN)
“Real Madrid received a major boost on the eve of their Primera Division showdown with arch rivals Barcelona with the unexpected return to fitness of winger Arjen Robben.”

Real coach Ramos: I know Barcelona perfectly (ESPN)
“Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos insists he does not need to take any tips from the way Chelsea nullified Barcelona’s freescoring attack in their Champions League semi-final in midweek.”

“Steven Gerrard thinks back to the time he came incredibly close to leaving Liverpool, when Chelsea’s persuasive overtures so nearly resulted in a British record transfer deal.” (Telegraph)

Liverpool v Newcastle (BBC)
“Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is set to return to the first XI for Sunday’s match having missed the last four games with a groin injury.”

Match Preview: Newcastle (h) – Gerrard returns (The Is Anfield)
“Liverpool entertain relegation threatened Newcastle United at Anfield on Sunday lunchtime, hoping that Middlesbrough can have done them a favour 24 hours earlier when they host Man United.”

Rafael Benitez: Liverpool will keep Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso (Telegraph)
“Comments attributed to Mascherano suggested he would consider his position at the club over the summer, while Benitez remains coy over whether Alonso, arguably the club’s best player this season, will be sacrificed as he seeks to strengthen his squad.”

Rafa: I’ll keep Masch and Xabi (Sun)
“RAFA BENITEZ insists midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano will be at Liverpool next season.
Both players have been linked with moves away from Anfield, with Argentine Mascherano claiming his future is uncertain at the club.”

Defender Agger close to agreeing new Reds deal (ESPN)
“Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is believed to be close to signing a new long-term contract with the club after speculation that he was waiting to buy himself out of the final year of his contract.”

“He’s not about to barrel out of Celtic Park, but it is something that is on his horizon: the Premiership represents unfinished business for Scott McDonald. The Celtic striker, who struck his 18th goal of the season against Aberdeen on Saturday, insists he sees his immediate future in Scotland, but can’t hide an ambition to prove himself south of the border.” (tribalfootball)

Iran’s coach to focus on psychology before vital World Cup games (m&c)
“Iran’s new coach Afshin Qotbi said Thursday he would focus on the psychological rather than technical and tactical status of the national football team before the team’s three remaining World Cup qualification games.”

Silvio Berlusconi: An Italian Mirror (TIME)
“What do Italians make of Silvio Berlusconi? Easy. Most think: ‘He’s one of us.’ He loves his family, his football, his friends, his food. And his money, of course.”

South America: Ronaldo the Comeback Kid (Soccer By Ives)
“It doesn’t seem too long ago when many were calling on Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima to call it quits after suffering a serious knee injury early last year while playing for A.C.Milan, who let his contract expire and released him. The injury was the third such setback he suffered in his illustrious career.”

Brian Ching’s Ultimate XI (GOAL)
“He has surprising skill for a big guy (6 feet 1) and remains in the mix as the United States national team sets its sights on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”

Carmelo Valenica Learns Honesty is Not Always the Best Policy (The Offside)
“Watching the replay (above) it’s pretty obvious that Millonarios striker Carmelo Valenica took a deliberate tumble in the big Colombian derby vs Santa Fe last Sunday. Millonarios equalized from the spot and Santa Fe keeper Agustin Julio was sent off.”

“Sitting at the opposite end of the pitch, there was no way I could see Michael Carrick deserving that penalty. The direction of the ball changed, something all media commentaries have picked up on, meaning Gomes had made a save. But at 2-0 down and our title challenge hanging in the balance I’d happily take it.” (SoccerLens)

Common ground for Argentine duo (FIFA)
“The meeting of Paraguay and Chile in the South American qualifiers on 6 June is one of the most eagerly awaited of Matchday 13. Not only are the two teams major contenders for berths at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, but the showdown in Asuncion will also pit against each other two coaches with a shared history.”

Striker Boyd slams door on Scotland return (ESPN)
“Kris Boyd today slammed the door on a Scotland return under George Burley after the manager once again extended an olive branch to the Rangers striker. Boyd made a dramatic exit from the international stage in October after becoming frustrated with a lack of opportunities under Burley.”

Super Eagles names squad for Ireland, France friendlies (CAF)
“Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has named a 29-man squad for upcoming friendly matches next month. The Super Eagles play The Republic of Ireland in London on Wednesday, May 27 in London and five days later engage France at Saint Etienne.”

“For the first time in this season, FC Barcelona were unable to score a goal at the Camp Nou. A boring but disciplined Chelsea held FC Barcelona to a goal less draw, now they have the advantage of playing the next match at their home. Both the coaches had earlier promised an open encounter but Hiddink realised early that attacking against Barca at Camp Nou can be of dangerous proportion.” (All About FC Barcelona)
FC Barcelona Player Rating against Chelsea on 28/04/09 (All About FC Barcelona)
Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (BBC)
Live – Champions League (BBC)
Power intimidates art as Chelsea hold firm (Guardian)
Chelsea v Barcelona Champions League reactions – Video(Guardian)
Disciplined Chelsea frustrate Barca (ESPN)
Chelsea show defiance of the highest order (Times)
FC Barcelona – Chelsea (0-0) Champions League, Highlights 28.04.09 – Video(Mighty Football)

“Mexican striker Carlos Vela has rejoined the Arsenal squad ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester United after spending a day in quarantine due to fears over the swine flu outbreak. Vela, 20, was told to stay away from the Gunners’ training session following a visit by some friends from Mexico, where more than 150 deaths have been blamed on the virus.” (ESPN)

Young targets South Africa (FIFA)
“Aston Villa winger Ashley Young has set himself the target of getting in England’s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ squad after giving Fabio Capello a reminder of his talent over the weekend.”

Talent alone isn’t always enough (BBC – Tim Vickery)
“In my last column, I announced that I was on my way to Lima to write a piece on the Peruvian game for World Soccer magazine, and invited comments on the matter from readers.”

African goals in Europe: 25-26 April (BBC)
“Here’s the BBC’s weekly round-up of the feats of African footballers across the European leagues.”

The Joy of Six: European Cup semi-finals (Guardian)
“From the violence of Dundee United’s visit to Rome in 1984 to Milan’s evisceration of Real Madrid in 1989, here are six of the most thrilling European Cup semis.”

“Perhaps now Jürgen Klinsmann can return to a more sedate life in Southern California, where he has lived the past few years with his family. The former German international star who took the host nation to a surprising third-place finish place in the 2006 World Cup, was fired Monday as the coach of struggling Bayern Munich after less than a full season in the job.” (NYT), Bayern call time on Klinsmann experiment (Reuters), Klinsmann sacked as manager of Bayern Munich (ESPN)

All smiles in San Martin (BBC – Tim Vickery)
“Much to my regret, I’m just too young for the 1970 World Cup. I was only five and I’m not sure we had a TV at the time – but I do remember the sticker album like it was yesterday. A neighbour a couple of years older was collecting, and he gave me some of his swaps. The first one I received was a Peruvian, Ramon Mifflin if memory serves me right, staring seriously at the camera in that striking white shirt with the red sash.”

Top 12 Goals of the Week – Video (101 Great Goals)
“There were a couple of candidates who made a strong case to claim the schmuck of the week award this week.”

More arrests expected in Poland (World Soccer)
“More Polish football officials are likely to be detained on suspicion of corruption and the country may have to use referees from abroad to ensure the top league can continue, the sports minister has announced.”

Outcasts United: African Refugees in Georgia, And The Coach Who Created A Miraculous Team (The Huffington Post)
“How does a soccer coach find a practice field for her team? Google Earth. But why, in a town that’s not short of parks, is she looking for a field on Google Earth? Because the mayor keeps issuing what seem like illegal orders to deny her team access to any of the lush local fields. And why would he do that?”

“Sometime in December, either Atlante or Cruz Azul will line up against some powerful club from some far-off locale in some far-off venue. That’s because on Wednesday, one of the two Mexican clubs will walk away with the CONCACAF Champions League crown, booking a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup in the process.” (SI)

Dread, Panenka, Cliché, Casquero (The Run of Play)
“The kicker is removed from his usual learnt improvisation and thrust into a situation where he must consciously plot his next move, which will have a consequence far greater than most. Moreover, the extra thinking time allowed by this scenario lulls the taker into contemplating the unknowable variable and the root of the dread—the goalkeeper.”

German Football – The Good, the Bad and the Grafite (SoccerLens)
“Why do we love English football quite so much? We have a Premier League that is consistently contested by just four teams. We have the swanky stadiums but a fundamental lack of fans to fill them. In addition we have clubs being operated by billionaire owners who have little interest in football bar the money that can be squeezed out of it.”

Jozy Altidore: Twitter and Toenails(GOAL)
“I’m back blogging and I’m now on Twitter. Check me out and follow me at JozyAltidore17. I thought it would be a good idea to set something up so I can stay in touch with the fans.”

“A late equaliser from substitute Thierry Henry ensured Barcelona snatched a point in a 2-2 against Valencia on a dramatic night at the Mestalla. Two goals in as many minutes from Hedwiges Maduro and Pablo Hernandez at the end of the first half turned the match on its head after Lionel Messi had given the league leaders the advantage in the 24th minute.” (ESPN)
La Liga: Late Henry goal saves Barca at Valencia (ESPN)
Draw at Mestalla; Valencia-2, Barca-2 (All About FC Barcelona)
Barca Player Rating against Valencia (All About FC Barcelona)

“Michael Kojo Essien … (born December 3, 1982, in Accra) is a Ghanaian footballer nicknamed The Bison due to his formidable strength, competitiveness and combativeness in the midfield area.” Wikipedia, ESPN, YouTube

“Europe is where most of the world’s top players are. When it comes to discussing national teams from outside Europe, that discussion usually focuses on Brazil and Argentina and how they will always contend for a World Cup.” (The London Free Press)

Colombian authorities under fire amid hooligan outbreak (World Soccer)
“The stoning of a team bus left a player in hospital amid calls for firmer action to tackle the growing problem of football violence. Colombia’s football authorities have been criticised for their reaction after Deportivo Cali’s bus was stoned on its way to a match with Millonarios.”

Bulgaria’s Maradona queues for Sundowns job (The Times)
“A Bulgarian football legend wants to bash the bruised and battered Brazilians back into shape. Hristo Stoichkov is among the candidates vying for the Mamelodi Sundowns coaching vacancy. About 30 applicants hope to get the nod from hard-to-please billionaire club president Patrice Motsepe.”

Nigeria in another call-up clanger (BBC)
“Nigeria have bizarrely handed a call-up to Hamburg midfielder Dennis Aogo for World Cup qualifiers even though he is not eligible to play for the country.”

Checking out the lie of the land (The Times)
“World Cup teams search for tournament’s best base camp. World football figures are scouring SA, searching for suitable venues for their countries to set up camp for the 2010 World Cup. With 410 days until the first World Cup on African soil kicks off, only South Africa has qualified for the quadrennial soccer showpiece (by virtue of being hosts).”

Nigeria: The Race to the Gold Vault of Europe (allAfrica)
“As the war to become the kings of club football in Europe rages, a side battle is going on that is no less as hot as the main one, the race to become the owner of the season’s Golden Boot of the championship.”

Al Ahly to play in Wembley Cup (BBC)
“African champions Al Ahly of Egypt will line up in the inaugural Wembley Cup to be staged in England in July. “

“Dirk Kuyt struck twice as title-chasing Liverpool ground out a crucial 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory at Hull. The Reds were given a rigorous test by the relegation-threatened Tigers, who were reduced to 10 men, but held on to keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the table.” (EPSN)
Hull City v Liverpool: Preview (ESPN)
Alonso and Kuyt keep Liverpool’s faint hopes alive as 10-man Hull slide further (Guardian)
Dirk Kuyt’s brace keeps pressure on United (Times Online)
DIRK KUYT struck twice as championship-chasing Liverpool …(Sun)
Reds tame Tigers as chase goes on (SETANTA)
Hull 1-3 Liverpool (BBC)

Messi. “There’s a dearth of quality games this weekend – at least going in – with many leagues already wrapped up or others not asking us before scheduling fixtures (how dare they). However, Spain has come to save the day with the top four teams all taking on one another and three of the four on something of a roll.” (The Offside)

Carlos Bilardo
“Like any activity where good fortune comes into play, football is certainly not free from superstitions. The list of those in the game prone to strange beliefs is a long one, so FIFA.com brings you just a selection of the most bizarre rituals – starting this week with coaches from around the world.” (FIFA)

Milutinovic dreams of Iraq title (AFC)
“Bora Milutinovic, who has made a career of engineering football shocks by taking five different countries to the FIFA World Cup, believes his Iraq side can clinch the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.”

U.N. Ambassadors Kick It Around in N.Y.C. (GOAL)
“For too many people in the United States and around the world, the game of soccer is viewed as a divider, not a uniter. That is not how Jakob Silas Lund, 26, a Columbia University graduate student from Denmark who is working toward a master’s in international affairs and student rights, sees things.”

Revs at the forefront of African scouting in MLS (EPSN)
“Outside of North America, it’s becoming apparent that Africa is producing most of MLS’ new talent. In the past two seasons, the league has tapped into Africa more than ever before.”

Kilbane targets Irish century (FIFA)
“The third is Kevin Kilbane, Republic of Ireland’s left-back, who represented his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ and is hoping to play an instrumental part in taking the boys in green all the way to South Africa 2010.”

Keane’s gone to the dogs (BBC)
“Word has it that the real driving force behind Roy Keane’s move to Ipswich was his dogs.”

“If you go to Pro Vercelli’s ‘records’ page in Football Manager 2009, you’ll see that the worst defeat in the club’s history came in a match against Inter on April 24, 1910, which Pro Vercelli lost 10-3. 10-3 is a catastrophic defeat by any standard, but the numbers don’t convey the magnitude of what happened that day. It wasn’t just the biggest defeat in the 124-year history of Pro Vercelli. It was one of the gravest injustices in the history of Italian soccer.” (The Run of Play)

Iran Asks Iranian-American to Salvage Cup Bid (NYT)
“On Wednesday, news reports out of Tehran said Ghotbi, 45, was named coach of Iran’s national soccer team, the third person to be named to the post in a month. Iran is a team in turmoil, struggling to advance from the Asian confederation to next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.” Q. & A. With New Iran Coach Afshin Ghotbi (NYT)

Brian Glanville witnesses some fallible goalkeeping at Wembley (World Soccer)
“With the deepest respect for certain confused colleagues, there were some strange analyses of Chelsea’s Wembley semi final win against the Gunners.”

Rash Tackles and Inconsistent Referees Challenge MLS (SoccerLens)
“There were seven sending offs this past weekend in relatively unimportant MLS match-ups. In the contest between the hapless Galaxy and Chivas USA, the referee red-carded LA’s US international star Gregg Berhalter in his MLS debut for hauling down a player with a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and ejected the Galaxy’s Alan Gordon (dissent) and Chivas’ Paulo Nagamura with two yellow cards apiece.”

The Rooney dummy (uefa)
“Score with a trick from the Manchester United ace…”

Campioni del mondo (ESPN)
“Triumph temporarily took Italian minds off scandal as the Azzurri returned home as World Cup champions on July 10.”

“FC Barcelona restored their lead on top with an emphatic victory over the Andulucian side, Sevilla at home. Barca scored 4 goals within an hour mark to completely rout a sorry looking Sevilla side, who were condemned to their third straight league defeat.” (All About FC Barcelona)
FC Barcelona Player Rating against Sevilla on 22/04/09 (All About FC Barcelona)
Barcelona’s New Record Will Worry Shaky Chelsea Defence (SoccerLens)
Barcelona 4 – 0 Sevilla FC (ESPN)

“Flávio Amado da Silva (born 30 December 1979), better known as Flávio, is an Angolan football forward who currently, as of May 2006, plays for Al Ahly in Egypt. He is a member of the national team, and was called up to the 2006 World Cup, in which he scored Angola’s only goal of the tournament, with a header against Iran to clinch a 1-1 draw.” Wikipedia, football database, YouTube

“With national teams invariably more stable than their club counterparts, supporters can be forgiven for arriving at a new FIFA World Cup expecting to see the same stars who illuminated the previous edition. Yet every global showpiece has its own, unique cast, and while some of Germany 2006’s luminaries will be back for an encore in South Africa, others have passed on top billing to a new generation.” (FIFA)

Simeone takes on his toughest gig (SI – Gregory Sica)
“Five months after his latest coaching disaster, Diego Simeone is about to confront what’s currently the most difficult job in Argentine soccer: manager at San Lorenzo, a club sunk deep into crisis. Simeone’s job will be to pull the team out of the doldrums, and eventually help the Buenos Aires giants return to being one of Argentina’s most successful clubs.”

No New Viewers for the World Cup? (Road to 2010 World Cup Final)
“So you’d think that with more people in the world (isn’t the world population increasing?) and new avenues to watch football (cell phones, etc.), the audience for the 2010 World Cup would be the highest ever.”

Europe’s top ten goalkeepers (Times Online)
“Gabriele Marcotti, in his latest column, argues that the established truism that excellent goalkeeping is essential in knockout competitions has been somewhat undermined this season by some notably ordinary performances from the likes of Petr Cech and Pepe Reina.”

African goals in Europe: 18-19 April (BBC)
“It was a thrilling weekend of football across the European leagues, with African players making a huge impact as usual. Here is BBC Sport’s weekly run-down of Africa’s finest in action.”

Q&A with Yuya Osako (AFC)
“For someone who is turning 19 this May, Yuya Osako’s ball skills belie a level of maturity way beyond his assembled years. It is not every day a teenager, no matter how prodigious the talent at his disposal, gets to see continental action and that too for a storied club like Japanese champions Kashima Antlers.”

“Four goals from Andrey Arshavin put a huge dent in Liverpool’s Barclays Premier League title hopes as Arsenal drew 4-4 at Anfield. The hosts went ahead of Manchester United on goal difference having come from behind three times, starting with Arshavin’s first in the 36th minute.” (ESPN)
Benitez: Manchester United in driving seat (ESPN)
Benitez defiant after title blow (BBC)
Aurelio not giving up on league (BBC)
Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal (BBC)
In pictures: Liverpool v Arsenal (Guardian)
Liverpool – Arsenal (4-4): English Premier League – Highlights – VIDIO (Mighty Football)
Downcast Benitez fears worst (BBC – Phil McNulty)

“Hernán Jorge Crespo (born July 5, 1975 in Florida, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who is currently playing for Internazionale.” Wikipedia, ESPN, The Sport Blog, YouTube, (1)

“Sporting empires, rather like the real thing, tend to fall apart from the inside. Right now, England appears to be the dominant club culture in European soccer, while Italy rules as world champion of nations. Both are wrestling with the beasts within. And Fabio Capello, the Italian who is the highest paid coach in the world, has been hired to try to make England’s national team better than Italy’s.” (NYT)

Mexico scraps plans for friendly vs. Argentina (SI)
“After further discussion, the Mexican Football Federation has scrapped plans for a tune-up match for the national team. Mexico had reportedly been close to lining up a friendly against Argentina, which was supposedly set for May 20 in South America. On Monday, FMF officials insisted that no such match is possible.”

Pro Vercelli: This Longue Durée (The Run of Play)
“Fits and starts this season. We finished second in our Europa League group, which was technically Group L but which lived in my mind as Group V2-Prime, with a record of 2 wins, one draw, and a loss. (Specifics: we beat Falkirk twice; split with Lille, the group winners; and took four points against Villarreal.)”

South Africa ‘safe to visit’ (The World Game)
“One of South Africa’s most prominent law enforcement officers has refuted claims that next year’s World Cup would be ravaged with crime and promised fans visiting the country that they will be safe if they stay within bounds.”

The great entertainers (uefa)
“There was always a danger that after last Tuesday’s thriller at Stamford Bridge, the second leg of Wednesday’s quarter-finals would prove anti-climactic. As it turned out, they were anything but. Cristiano Ronaldo’s wonder goal against FC Porto had pundits puzzling over their superlatives once again, and Arsenal FC’s terrific performance against Villarreal CF laid down a marker that Manchester United FC will do well to match in the semi-finals.”

World Cup 2010: For Official Sponsors Only (World Cup Blog)
“If you think the Premier League is copyright crazy, then wait until you meet FIFA. World football’s governing body is like the Premier League’s bigger, older and ten thousand times more paranoid brother.”

Spanish soccer facing ‘financial disaster(Guardian)
“A financial disaster could engulf Spanish professional soccer unless action is taken to prevent profligate clubs slipping deeper into debt, according to the president of top-flight club Osasuna.”

Worgu struggles to adapt in Sudan (BBC)
“Nigerian striker Stephen Worgu says that he is finding it difficult to adjust to life in Sudan, where he is playing for Khartoum club Al Merreikh.”

Beckham backs new anti-malaria campaign (SOCCERWAY)
“England football star David Beckham and world-class British tennis player Andy Murray joined Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch an anti-malaria campaign on Monday.”