The European football thread

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

The fans of the Washington Senators rioted at their last game of the 1971 MLB season when they had already said they were moving to Arlington to become the Texas Rangers. They entered the playing surface at RFK Stadium (after holding up abusive banners to the owner at the time, Robert Short, during the game) during the 9th inning as the Senators were heading towards a victory over the New York Yankees, ripping up the bases and turf. The game was forfeited by Washington after the umpires called it off for the players' safety.

Thanks sdpm, fair while back though 71, I mean how many teams have moved and changed names and stadium names since then.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Have there ever been protests and such in American sports because of a move, name change or ownership change ?

New York fans were pissed when the Jets and Giants moved to Jersey and still called themselves New York. Canadian fans were pissed when Winnipeg and Quebec City moved to American Cities. Seattle fans were rissed when the Pilots moved to Milwaukee after a single season.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by bababui

Canadian fans were pissed when Winnipeg and Quebec City moved to American Cities.

Especially when they moved to that well known cold city - Phoenix.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Especially when they moved to that well known cold city - Phoenix.

I'm an historical guy when it comes to sport and imo and I know people will get upset but hockey should not be played in any city where it doesn't snow, baseball (runs for cover) should only be played in America as far as the MLB is concerned and there should be no DH, football (NFL) should not and I repeat NOT be played on anything but natural grass as should any other outdoor sport come to that.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

I'm an historical guy when it comes to sport and imo and I know people will get upset but hockey should not be played in any city where it doesn't snow, baseball (runs for cover) should only be played in America as far as the MLB is concerned and there should be no DH, football (NFL) should not and I repeat NOT be played on anything but natural grass as should any other outdoor sport come to that.

I agree with you on points 1 and 4, but I disagree with points 2 and 3. Take that as you wish.

[magnet]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

So who's your pick then magnet?

I'll go on the limb and say Celtic.

[rudel.dietrich]

Bayern in my pick

[ukhotstove]

Tough call really, going of form so far it's wide open you could actually see some top teams like Barcelona, Man Utd, Arsenal and Porto going out. All the teams are tough at home even the likes of CSKA and Shaktar I mean could you imagine going to those places in early next year, don't know how they work the next round of the draw apart from first plays second but could you get games like Madrid v Barca or Chelsea v Man Utd ? so you could end up with some other big teams out.

If I had to put money on one I'd put it on Chelsea and my dark horse would be Valencia but I would never bet against Celtic as like I said before if they can keep that away leg close they can beat anybody at home.

[zoraster]

Originally Posted by bababui

Im suprised there hasnt been more outrage of the exicution of the Russian ex-pat on UK soil by the KGB.

Why? One of the KGB is dead. It isn’t the first time, and isn’t the last time a spy gets assassinated on our territory (and it certainly didn’t have the panache of the famous umbrella assassination back when I could still call myself young )You can draw up an exceptionally long list of people from numerous organisations and nations who would want him dead so even if you felt outrage as yet you would currently have nowhere to target it. A murder investigation is under way, and that is where it ends for the time being. One of the KGB is dead. Who cares if it is on our soil? He chose to join the KGB in the Soviet era and that is all I need to know I’m not going to demand my government turn his murder into an international incident. I’d rather it hadn’t happened, and I hope the perpetrator ends up in prison but I’m less bothered by this than just about any other murder that happens in Blighty.

What does interest me is the spin being put on this in our media. Quite apart from the rush to finger the Russian government despite the current total absence of evidence there is a significant PR campaign underway. Take the language as case in point; Litvinenko is being referred to as former FSB, spy or simply Russian. His suspected murderers are being called KGB. Now the KGB doesn’t exist and hasn’t existed for many a year, and if you want to use the label to reference the rebranded organisations why the hell are you calling Litvinenko former FSB rather than KGB? The only individual involved in this incident who we actually know was part of the odious Soviet KGB is Litvinenko himself. Of course that does rather take the edge of the story. It speaks volumes about the agenda when poor Litvinenko is labelled former FSB while nasty Putin is called former KGB in the same article.

A killing by a foreign gvt on British soil. I never thought I would live to see the day that Brits would passivly accept this

Been happening for decades Bab. It is called national maturity, something the US badly needs to learn. Case in point can you imagine what would have happened if we had reacted in typical US fashion when a member of the royal family was assassinated by US funded terrorists? Do you truly think it would be better if the populace had been demanding reprisals against the US, or if we had the maturity to distinguish between a nation and members of that nation? An awfully high proportion of the US populace not only demand action come what may they also seem willing to go off half-cocked. The real worry for me is our younger generations seem to be slipping into the American model rather than vice versa.

Lets get back to the umbrella murder for a moment. We could have used that as a reason to turn the cold war hot. Instead we let it pass and the next year Gorbachev was appointed to the Politburo, something that almost certainly wouldn’t have happened in a more hostile climate given Gorbachev’s already sympathetic views towards the West. Now that is cheating by using hindsight, but it does illustrate the premise. Taking action just for the sake of petty vengeance or to sate your bruised national ego is counter-productive at best and downright criminal at worst. It perpetuates the cycle of hostility and violence and doesn’t change anything. A more pragmatic approach is a must if you truly want to advance concepts such as freedom, safety and security, both for your population and the planet as a whole.


Anyway this is getting wildly off topic, and is getting dangerously close to my areas of professional activity where I can wax on for many an hour

[LFC1892]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Don't forget Australia HAVE to win England don't, Aussie's can keep on batting for all I care just means less time for them to bowl England out.

Was just trying to bait you a little after seeing England have trouble scoring 157 all out, then Aus scoring 1/202 on the same pitch....I agree though,Eng will get better, but Harmison really seems like he doesnt give a cr*p right now.

But as to your "less time to bowl England out"...I dont think we'll need 2 full days to take 10 wickets...Strauss and Bell are already gone.

Anyway, heres to a good Ashes series....and some more Old Enemy banter

[LFC1892]

Back to the subject at hand.....

Rooney signs new United deal - PA Sport



Photo AAP


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Wayne Rooney has signed a lucrative contract extension with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.

The Red Devils have confirmed the news on the eve of their crunch Premiership showdown with Chelsea.

Although the 21-year-old's previous deal was not due to expire until 2010, United have been quick to recognise the enormous contribution Rooney has made since he joined from Everton two years ago.

As the finest young English talent to emerge in decades, Rooney is vital to United's chances of remaining at the forefront of the game, both at home and abroad and the new contract will catapult him among United's top earners.

While he may not have scored a European goal since his sensational debut-day hat-trick against Fenerbahce, he has been prolific at club level, netting his second hat-trick at Bolton last month.

So far, he has netted 40 goals in 105 appearances for the Red Devils, with his recent strike in England's friendly draw with the Netherlands last week was his 12th in 36 games for his country.

In extending his commitment to the Old Trafford outfit, Rooney has also shot down any lingering suspicion of resentment, either against Sir Alex Ferguson for his public expressions of worry over the striker's fitness ahead of the World Cup, or team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for his part in the Croxteth-born star's dismissal in the quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

That negotiations between United and Rooney's trusted advisor Paul Stretford only began two months ago emphasises the willingness of both parties to get the deal done.

And, having already secured Ronaldo to a long-term contract until 2010, Ferguson feels he already has the platform to build a team that will contest for major honours for quite a while yet.

"Obviously, I think for everyone at the club, it is great news that Wayne has committed his future to Manchester United," he said.

"It reflects our intention to build a team to stay together."

"Cristiano Ronaldo signed a new contract last year and we have other exciting young talent here too."

"We see Wayne and Cristiano emerging as the best players in the world. They have their best years in front of them and we will all be lucky to witness that."

So far, Rooney only has a Carling Cup winner's medal to show for his efforts since joining United.

However, he knows victory against Chelsea would take United take six points clear at the Premiership summit, which would be a perfect way to celebrate his new deal.

"I am made up to sign a new two-year extension," said Rooney.

"It is something I have always wanted. There is so much I want to achieve with this club, starting, hopefully, with the Premiership this season."

"It is an exciting time at the moment and I am relishing the challenge that goes with it."

"The team is developing with a mixture of experience and youth and I am just glad I play my part in it."

[LFC1892]

And yet another reason why Argentina(and it's sportsmen) are my least favorite sporting nation. Boo Hoo Tevez, I'll get you a box of tissues.....

Tevez criticised after walk out - Reuters



> West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez looks baffled after being substituted against Sheffield United Photo Getty


Related Stories>>Anelka double sinks Arsenal26 November 2006

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West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez has stormed away from Upton Park after being substituted in the 66th minute of his side's 1-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United.

He was later criticised by manager Alan Pardew, who had replaced Tevez with 40-year-old Teddy Sheringham.

"I'm disappointed at what Carlos did. It was disrespectful to me, the players and the staff. He didn't give me the chance to explain why I did it," Pardew told reporters.

"He has a lot of explaining to do on Monday morning. It's the second time this has happened to me, and I fined that player a week's wages."

Some sections of the home crowd greeted the decision to replace the 22-year-old with boos, before getting to their feet to give the deadline day signing a standing ovation.

Tevez looked baffled by the decision, holding his hands out inquisitively and shaking his head in disappointment. He went straight down the tunnel and then drove away from the ground.

West Ham were bought by an Icelandic consortium earlier this week, raising question marks over the future of Tevez and his Argentine World Cup team mate Javier Mascherano who has not featured since October.

Both arrived from Brazilian club Corinthians in a deal prompted by Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian, who was hoping to buy the London club.

Pardew had said he wanted the duo to stay, despite their less than impressive starts to their West Ham careers.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by GUTIERREZ

And yet another reason why Argentina(and it's sportsmen) are my least favorite sporting nation. Boo Hoo Tevez, I'll get you a box of tissues.....

The whole bringing both of the Argies in stunk from the very first minute, whats the weather prediction for tomorrow they were saying thunderstorms, see Ponting's dropped a clanger again no need to bat and now he's injured. Shane what did your lot make of them going out to bat when they didn't need to ?

[bababui]

I'm an historical guy when it comes to sport and imo and I know people will get upset but hockey should not be played in any city where it doesn't snow, baseball (runs for cover) should only be played in America as far as the MLB is concerned and there should be no DH, football (NFL) should not and I repeat NOT be played on anything but natural grass as should any other outdoor sport come to that.

I disagree with the first three but agree on number 4. In todays mass-media age, physical location is becoming less important. I hope one day baseball is played worldwide.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Tough call really, going of form so far it's wide open you could actually see some top teams like Barcelona, Man Utd, Arsenal and Porto going out. All the teams are tough at home even the likes of CSKA and Shaktar I mean could you imagine going to those places in early next year, don't know how they work the next round of the draw apart from first plays second but could you get games like Madrid v Barca or Chelsea v Man Utd ? so you could end up with some other big teams out.

I would have given you wrong information, as although I thought they had changed the rules last season they clearly haven't from looking at the rules. So I would have been wrong.
So no, teams from the same country can't play each other in the first knockout round, along with teams from the same group, and it must be first vs. second.

[Sdpm100]

dola, after reading a few threads it seems that a number of Galaxy fans would stop watching them if they got renamed in any way, which I'm not surprised and there will be probably be a lot of them, and IMO I think it would be a disaster for the league if they allowed this to happen.
But they've made their bed with the Mexican team, so I guess they've now got to sleep in it.

I thought they had learned from the NASL brilliantly - yet now they are willing to wreck everything. This junk wouldn't be permitted anywhere other than Wales and Singapore - hardly world class leagues that anyone outside those countries particularly care about. I want to be able to defend MLS, but they just seem intent on wrecking their fans.

[bababui]

SDPM..have you ever seen Fawlty Towers? As we speak, there is a documentary on this brilliant show. Sometimes I think Im stupid because I didnt get much of the material about the British class system. I loved this show.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by bababui

SDPM..have you ever seen Fawlty Towers? As we speak, there is a documentary on this brilliant show. Sometimes I think Im stupid because I didnt get much of the material about the British class system. I loved this show.

Yes I have, and it is good.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by bababui

Were those riots or just closing time for the pubs?

Isn't that the same thing there?

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by bababui

Canadian fans were pissed when Winnipeg and Quebec City moved to American Cities.

The sympthon of a greater loathing of the Canadian game slowly being "Americanized"