Posts Tagged ‘ Barcelona ’

German Football Announces Itself With A Bang

File:Heineken UEFA champions league tapestry.jpg

What have they been putting in the water in Germany this week, and where can we get our hands on some of that clearly magical substance?

It’s been another funny old week in European football. During Bayern Munich’s 4-0 humbling of Barcelona on Tuesday night, one of the commentators on TV3 said something to the effect that of all those who would be delighted with the Catalan’s rude awakening, chief amongst them would surely be Real Madrid. Fast forward 24 hours and Los Blancos and their supporters are undoubtedly a little quieter, having been on the receiving end of a 4-1 hiding of their own. It’s hard to believe that the two defeated Spanish sides are home to the top two players in the world.

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2013
04/25
CATEGORY
Football
Sport
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Catalans Face Tough Test To Topple Milan

AC Milan's Muntari scores against Barcelona during their Champions League soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan

Despite having most of the possession and the status of favourites among the many journalists and pundits who wrote Milan off, against the Italians last night Barcelona quite often seemed bereft of ideas. The entire Milan team worked as one solid unit, keeping the midfield packed and stifling Barcelona’s play while the enlarged defence worked supremely hard to ensure their opposition couldn’t simply pass their way in. Barcelona were reduced to a very un-Barcelona like approach in taking shots from distance – Iniesta came close while Messi blew a free kick far over the crossbar, Xavi following up with an effort a little closer. Aside from that there was little else Barcelona could do. Read more

2013
02/21
CATEGORY
Sport
Football
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Pep’s German Test

pepThe news that Pep Guardiola has been confirmed as Bayern Munich’s next manager has surprised many, particularly those in the media who were sure a job somewhere in England was on the cards. But underneath, the move to the dominant German side seems like another shrewd move from a calculating manager.

You can see why Guardiola was attracted to the club. The most successful team in Germany, Bayern Munich are certainly one of the powerhouses of European football and the European pedigree is there, with the club having won three back to back European titles between 1974 and 1976 and once more in 2001 while they reached the finals most recently in 2010 and 2012. This is a winning side, and Guardiola can ease himself back into the football world with a project already destined to pick up trophies, domestically at the very least. And like Barcelona, the club is membership based with more than 185,000 members. Similar to the Catalonians, football is only one facet; the club has other departments for chess, gymnastics, bowling, basketball and table tennis. On the regular team sheet feature some very impressive names; Manuel Neuer, Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger to name but a few. What would many managers around the world give to have just one or two of those players in their squads? An impressive modern stadium, top quality training facilities, youth development programmes and a sizeable budget which allows for growth and development all combine to present Guardiola the chance to turn back the clock in Munich and allow the players and fans to experience the golden years of the 1960s and 70s once more.

“There aren’t many clubs within European football that have the stability and structure that Bayern Munich has in place. People look at the glamour of the Premier League and its global appeal but I think he probably saw the structure in place at the club, the success of the club and quality of the players,” said former Bayern midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, speaking to the BBC. “The facilities and the stadiums are better than anywhere in the world, I would guess. I think he’s probably looked at all aspects and, in my opinion rightfully so, thought that’s the best destination for him.”

A move to EPL was clearly never on the cards. The timing was just all wrong. Moving to Chelsea would have been a mistake; if he didn’t deliver Barcelona style football and the accompanying list of honours, there’s no doubt the former midfielder would have joined the growing list of managers booted out by the dictatorial Russian Abramovich who is clearly trying to prove at his time with Chelsea that he is largely ignorant on the subject of football, and will go to any lengths to subject his managers to this ignorance (for example, the forced playing of his £50 million toy, Fernando Torres). Managerial power, it seems, is an ignored afterthought and Abramovich is like the customer – always right, especially when he’s wrong. As for Manchester United, the setting would have been different; Alex Ferguson has long enjoyed autonomy at the club, and rightly so, given his success, and it’s hard to argue that Guardiola wouldn’t have enjoyed a similar status. But Ferguson, despite his advancing years, seems intent on remaining in the job for at least another year or two to come, displaying the same hunger and desire to win as when he arrived from Aberdeen all those years ago and so the timing simply wasn’t right. Meanwhile Manchester City seem to represent everything Barcelona and Bayern are not – a team that doesn’t always act like a team, rather a group of overpaid individuals, many of whom appear to be playing blue not for the glory, but the cheque at the end of the week. Sure the money is there for development should the right manager come in but its seems Guardiola was looking for a certain type of club with certain values, like Barcelona, like Manchester United, like Bayern Munich. Outside of those three, it’s hard to imagine any other club he might entertain thoughts of joining, realistically. Arsenal included.

So it seems it will be in Munich where we will find out the true nature of his managerial style. His experience outside of the Catalan club is zero, having completed a stint with the Barcelona B team before taking the reins of the senior side. Is manager of Barcelona a true test of a manger’s skills? The answer is no, not really. After all, when you have players like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta on the pitch, they often manage themselves. Sure, tactical acumen is certainly an advantage, as is having the knowledge and skill to work out weaknesses in an opposing team. But more often than not Barcelona pass and pass and pass until the other team gets tired or makes a mistake, a gap opens and someone, often and inevitably Messi, slips through. Other people brought the system of tika-taka play to the club, others embedded it in the Catalan team’s psyche, and others brought through the players which dominate on the pitch today. Things will be a little different at Bayern, who are intimidating yet far more beatable and far less lofty than Barcelona. Who would you rather play, given the choice? Barcelona? Or Bayern? The answer, for now, I think, is rather clear. For now. Whatever happens, it will surely be interesting.

2013
01/21
CATEGORY
Football
Sport
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The Top Five Football Moments of 2012

twSo December 21st came and went, the earth didn’t fold in on itself and the world didn’t end, though if you are an Aston Villa fan, one could be forgiven for thinking that way. But for the rest of us the planet has stubbornly continued to spin and instead of humanity’s untimely doom we look forward to another year of football – hopefully as full of surprises, ecstatic triumphs and memorable moments as its predecessor. And so, in no particular order -

5. Lionel Messi surpasses Gerard Muller

Messi finishes 2012 with a remarkable haul of 91 goals, in the process breaking the 40-year-old record of Gerd Muller who in 1972 scored 85 goals in the calendar year. What can you say about Messi that hasn’t already been repeated infinitely by thousands of misty eyed fans and pundits? This is yet another boundary smashed by the young Argentinean; one which will surely add another stumbling block to the path of Cristiano Ronaldo as he keeps chasing his Barcelona rival for the as yet elusive title of the best player in the world.

4. Manchester City become noisier neighbours

Despite the fact that they had hundreds of millions sunk into the club since their wealthy Arab owners took over, silverware was still proving somewhat elusive for the blue half of Manchester, particularly the Premier League crown which would, amongst other things, force their rivals at Old Trafford to finally reset their infamous banner, counting the years since City last won a trophy. The 2011 FA Cup triumph was only the beginning and City battled hard to take the throne from United, and due to a combination of resilience, a remarkable collapse from the red half of Manchester and some serious last day drama courtesy of a late winner from Sergio Aguero against QPR, the trophy which had eluded the club since 1968 was finally back in their hands.

3. Fabrice Muamba unites football

Everyone’s heart went out to the former Bolton player when he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed during the first half of a cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Bolton’s club doctor later revealed the severity of the situation; Muamba’s heart having stopped for 78 minutes. But two weeks later, pictures emerged of the player sitting up in hospital smiling. Though all Muamba wanted to do was get back on the pitch and start playing again, it wasn’t to be and on the 15th of August 2012 he announced he was retiring from the game, based on the advice of his medical staff. What we can all remember, however, is the reaction from fans and players alike all around the world; an immediate and immense outpouring of concern for the player which united football on a truly global scale.

2. Abramovich’s dream comes true

2012 was a year for big wins under somewhat surprising conditions, as Manchester City proved in early May and Chelsea highlighted not too long after. The latter stage of the blues’ journey to the Champions League final was quite impressive; beating Barcelona is no easy feat and Chelsea formed a wall around their goal as solid as concrete. Skip forward to the Allianz Arena on the 19th of May 2012 and their opponents were an impressive Bayern Munich side, on home turf, in the Champions League final. Bayern had control for much of the match and it appeared as if it was going to be just another one of those days for the blues, Muller taking the lead in the 83rd minute. Against the run of play, Didier Drogba scored just five minutes later, taking the game first into extra time, then to penalties, where all of Bayern’s hard work was undone, missing two key penalties and handing the initiative back to Chelsea as Drogba, taking his final touch for Chelsea, sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way to finally seal Roman Abramovich’s dreams of European glory.

1. Glory for the Bhoys

It’s not really surprising that Barcelona feature, in one way or another, three times in this list. But once again (sorry Barcelona) it is to highlight the impressive nature of any team which manages to beat their particular brand of flowing football. Mankind loves nothing better than an underdog. It’s why countless films are full of lesser people rising up and overcoming the odds stacked against them, why on shows like Survivor those who seem unlikely to win often receive a lion’s share of the support. These are people we can relate to, people like us, on our level, and we love them for trying for a share of the spoils. Football is no different. Which is why, when Celtic faced off against Barcelona, so many of us were silently or not so silently willing the Bhoys on. The stage had been set perfectly. Their first meeting with the Catalans in October had ended in a 2-1 defeat; Celtic had played with fire and heart, having taken the lead in the 18th minute through Samaras, though an equaliser on the stroke of half time and a late, late goal from Jordi Alba broke Scottish hearts. And in early November they faced Barcelona once more, a day after celebrating their 125th anniversary, and still hurting from a defeat in which they gave so much and took so little. The result, now, is emblazoned in history. But for a 91st minute Messi goal which briefly threatened another bitter disappointment, Celtic were 1-0 up and looking quite equal to arguably the greatest club team in the world, taking everything which was being thrown at them with verve and aplomb, and looking every bit as threatening each time they took their chance to break. And then, from a Fraser Forster kickout, that next bit of European magic happened, as Xavi missed his attempt at putting the ball back in Celtic’s half, as 18-year-old Tony Watt latched on to the ball and fired his way into the back of Victor Valdes’ net and Celtic’s history books. The stuff of legend.

*As with any football list there will be much arguing over what was and wasn’t included and why in particular this list is so very wrong. Please not this is a list rather than the list. Though 100 per cent correct all the same.

2013
01/02
CATEGORY
Features
Football
Sport
Top Fives
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Sex Beast Murphy Tracked Down To Dutch Hideaway

A TV3 documentary has tracked down suspected serial killer Larry Murphy, who has been spotted on the streets of Amsterdam talking to female tourists.

Murphy and a male companion, believed to be a work colleague were filmed several times by a television crew talking to women on the streets of the Dutch capital.

Murphy, who is the main suspect in the disappearance and murder of three women, Annie McCarrick, Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacobs, is classified by Europol as a “dangerous person”, who should be constantly monitored.

The Beast of Baltinglass, a former carpenter has found work in the city and was seen hanging around a bus stop where he chatted with women , possibly tourists, who were looking for directions. Murphy has been living in an Amsterdam suburb, some twenty minutes from the heart of the city.

The 46-year-old is regarded as Ireland’s most sinister criminal although Gardaì have repeatedly failed to connect him and charge him with a series of murders. Murphy was jailed in 2000 for the vicious rape and attempted murder of a young woman in Carlow. He bundled the victim into the boot of a car and Gardai believe was about to kill and bury her when he was surprised by two hunters and fled the scene.

It was the first time he came to the attention of the Gardaì and has never shown any remorse or offered any explanation for the attack.

Crime correspondent Paul Williams has been tracking Murphy’s movements across Europe since he was released from jail in 2010, after serving ten years of a fifteen year sentence for the attempted murder.

“I was involved with an Irish documentary crew who filmed him in Holland several times over the past five months after we learned Murphy had moved there late last year having spent six months in Spain.

The last time he was spotted in Ireland was in June 2011, when he returned here for three weeks while awaiting a replacement passport for one he lost in Barcelona. He had had been working in the Spanish city since his release in August 2010”.

Murphy has not lived in Ireland since his release from Arbour Hill prison.

Despite repeated reported sightings of Murphy in Ireland, he has lived exclusively between Holland and Spain since then and has not left the continent.

Dutch police are aware of Murphy’s residency and have visited him on at least one occasion.

An exclusive documentary on Larry Murphy’s new life will air tonight on TV3’s ‘Midweek’ at 10pm.

Photo courtesy of Independent.ie.

2012
11/28
CATEGORY
Irish News
News
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FC Barcelona’s Irish Saviour

The generation of football fans which has grown up with the instantly recognisable and world revered and feared brand of tika-taka football which Barcelona play are familiar with a certain section of Barcelona managers who have strode back and forth in front of the touchline – Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and his successor Tito Vilanova. But rewind roughly 80 years and you would find a less continental name at the helm of a club struggling for their very lives in 1930s during the Spanish Civil war, because the Catalan club and area was associated so much with the Republican cause, and the immense pressure they came under almost caused them to fold.

Born and raised in working class Dublin, Patrick O’Connell used football as a method of escape. He joined Belfast Celtic in the early 1900s before transferring to Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City then Manchester United in May 1914, finishing his career with spells at Dumbarton and Ashlington while enjoying an international career with Ireland including captaining (with a broken arm) the side to a famous 3-0 victory at Ayrsome Park.

In 1922, for unknown reasons, Spain called to O’Connell and he left Irish shores and succeeded Englishman Fred Pentland as the manager of Racing Santander, guiding the side to five regional titles as they became founding members of La Liga in 1928. Between 1929 and 1935 as the world experience the Great Depression, O’Connell managed both Real Oviedo and Real Betis winning several titles with the latter. In the background right-wing tendencies were spreading across Spain and the Catalan region was becoming a focal point for resistance against these views. On the football pitch this manifested itself in the developing rivalry between Catalan Barcelona and the Franco-supported Real Madrid, a fierce and often bitter rivalry that still persists today. In the summer of 1935, O’Connell visited his native Ireland for a holiday and was appointed manager of Barcelona on his return after his successes with Betis hadn’t gone unnoticed. The club had gone into a decline during that decade, alongside the rising hostile political climate and success at the national level consistently evaded them. Things weren’t looking great.

What saved the club was the decision by O’Connell to take up an invitation to tour Mexico and America, for a guaranteed fee of around $15,000, a huge sum during the 1930s, throwing both the club a financial lifeline, and a period of respite and safety for the club’s players, some of whom had left to join forces in opposition to the military uprising, and who were feeling very unsafe. Thanks to O’Connell the tour was a PR success. The money was wired to a bank in Paris to ensure its safety from fascist hands, and the team eventually returned to Spain, consisting just of O’Connell and four other players from the original party which had travelled.  On his return to Spain, O’Connell left the club.

During the war years 1942-1945 O’Connell remained in Spain as the hand guiding Sevilla’s title ambitions, which never came to fruition before finishing his Spanish management career back where it all began at Racing Santander. What happened following his departure from Spain is unknown, all that is clear is that the man who ensured Barcelona’s survival through turbulent times died in obscurity in run-down lodgings in London in 1959. Today, the club still remembers the man who did so much for them; a bust of the man from Dublin sits in the Barca museum, part of their club’s history forever.

2012
11/10
CATEGORY
Features
Football
History
Sport
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A City for Everyone: Barcelona

Arguably one of Europe’s most relaxed cities, Barcelona is trendy and edgy without even realising. With a eclectic blend of punks, hippies, skaters and a haze of tattoos and piercings; Barcelona is a city teeming with the coolest looking people you will probably ever see. What’s more is that the people of this city are friendly, warm and most enjoy the chance to speak English with us tourists, which is never a bad thing. Our Spanish practice normally comes after a few drinks when we think we are fluent. We probably aren’t…  Barcelona is in a different league to the tourist occupied beaches of southern Spain so if this isn’t your thing, come north! This city is a never ending adventure of things to do and people to meet. However, as with most big cities, it is also important to be careful. Pickpockets will be everywhere you go, you just have to be aware of it. Having been robbed in this city myself (two passports, all cards: trauma), it has not stopped me from enjoying it again and again, just with a more alert mind regarding my belongings and the surroundings I am in.

Barcelona is owner to some of the most stylish bars in Europe as well as one of the largest nightclubs, Razzmatazz. Situated on the Carrer de Pamplona, this insanely big club has five areas, all with a different style of music on offer. There are relaxed rooms upstairs with easy listening while the warehouse style main room is where the heavy music revelers are to be found as well as some of the biggest names in music. There is a machine that dispenses Burger King burgers (Mmm?!) and there are rumours circulating about a room made of just one massive bed….Be aware that it is almost guaranteed you will get lost in this place and do be careful !

Off the left-hand side off La Rambla there are countless bars, one of my favourites is Nirvana, this bar has a relaxed vibrant atmosphere in a small space. There are extreme sport videos on in the background and they give you free popcorn. What more could you want! Well, if you do want something a bit more stylish then head to the beachfront. Carpe Diem is one of the most beautifully decorated restaurant and bar in the city. There are beds that you can drink your cocktails on that are decadently embellished with Moroccan and oriental inspired cushions, drapes and carpets. A very stylish nightclub comes out to play in the evenings and a view of Barcelona’s beach just strides away doesn’t hurt either. A bit further down the beachfront is Barcelona’s Ice Bar, an expensive experience but it is really worth it. Especially if you visit Barcelona in the crippling August heat! The ice bar itself is a containment inside the main bar, there is a time limit in which you can stay in there which is fine because you can only stand so much anyway. Everything is made of ice – the bar, the walls, and, if you order a spirit, it comes in a block of ice! Coats and hats are provided. It is definitely an experience you will remember. Towards the bottom of La Rambla on the left hand side you will find Bosc de les Fades, or, in my mind, THE FAIRY BAR!!!! This bar is one of the most amazing places, there are trees and a little stream inside the bar and everything looks like a fairytale. Seeing is believing! It is expensive though so maybe just for one or two drinks! They also serve lunch type food and tea/coffee. If nothing you have read so far tickles your fancy head to the the trusty Irish bars dotted around the city, cliche but they are always good fun. The Shamrock situated at the top of La Rambla on one of the right hand side streets (good directions, I know) has a fun and lively atmosphere in the evenings. It is also in the middle of all the vintage retro shops that occupy that area, worth a look.

Restaurants are plenty in Barcelona. Finding the good ones can be a bit tricky and it is worth looking up places before committing to somewhere, spend that holiday money wisely because when you do find something good, you will know. Can Cullerates is known as the oldest restaurants in the city, established in 1786. The decor is traditionally Spanish; white and blue tiles dot the walls, there are high ceilings and the tables are impeccably set. It is beautiful and so is the traditional Spanish fare. Los Caracoles is the place you will pass about five times on a side street and notice the roast chickens on a spit in a window display without realising it is a restaurant. Do not skip it, the place is absolutely massive on the inside and the hum of the all male Spanish waiters and families that occupy every inch of this restaurant will make you feel right at home. The chicken is also amazing. Taller de Tapas is the best tapas restaurant I have experienced in Barcelona – try the chorizo in sizzling cider and you will see for yourself. The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueiria has an entrance on the left side of La Rambla and is a must-see. Skip your hotel breakfast and come down here for a punnet of raspberries and a juice amidst the chaos of market life – cheeses, cured legs of different meats, sweets, fish and fruit create an lively atmosphere you won’t want to miss.

Other than food and drink there are countless things to do in the city. Who knew? For culture junkies head to Parc Guell, situated in the Grácia district of Barcelona which was designed by Gaudi between 1900 and 1914. It is colourful, vibrant and is a great haven from city life. It also has the best views of Barcelona city on offer. Sagrada Família is one you don’t want to go home and say you missed, the sheer size of it as you approach on the bus is mind blowing. Inside, the architecture is beautiful and so worth a trip. The Salvador Dalí Museum is situated in the artist’s hometown of Figueres, about 3 hours north of the city by train. The building itself is renowned as being the largest surrealist object in the world. The museum contains countless astonishing, brilliant and surreal works of art such as the 3d Mae West portrait among countless others.

Mt. Tibidabo is situated near the Parc Guell overlooking the city and has the most adorable vintage style theme park, completed with amazing views and pink candy floss! Barcelona zoo is an ideal day trip for families, it is also situated beside the Parc de le Cituadella which has a lake where little row boats can be rented out, very romantic! Down at the beach catamarans can be booked for a day trip on the calm sea surrounding the city. If you are a beach bum and the idea of a city break does not appeal to you then take RENFE and head north, hopping off at whichever amazing beach takes your fancy!

Barcelona is a city that is perfect for everybody; families, couples, friends, city lovers, beach lovers, food lovers and art/culture lovers. I think Barcelona is overlooked often as a city break in favour of perhaps more romantic cities such as Paris, Rome or Venice and I hope this has proved it shouldn’t be!

2012
09/30
CATEGORY
Travel
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TOWIC – The Only Way Is China

Sheikh Mansour has had a taste of it at Manchester City. To a lesser extent, Roman Abramovich has had a similar lesson at Chelsea. And it’s the same lesson currently being learned the hard way at Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua – buckets of cold hard cash neither entitles nor guarantees you success.

A relatively slow trend is emerging of aging footballers moving to Chinese football from Europe’s top leagues, in search of a last megabucks deal before they retire, or perhaps for the challenge of playing in an emerging league. Didier Drogba, the former Chelsea frontman is the latest acquisition for the would be Chinese giants, signing for Shanghai Shenhua on a two and a half year deal reportedly worth £200,000 a week. Drogba follows in the footsteps of his former Chelsea teammate, Nicolas Anelka, who has been at the Chinese club for some time now, and who has already enjoyed a spell as player-manager. The move of such two high-profile players who have accumulated 154 international caps between them, and who have plied their trade in the joint greatest football league in the world will certainly attract attention to the Chinese Super League. In recent weeks and months, rumours of other relatively top players have circulated concerning Chinese moves – Jimmy Bullard, Yakubu and Ronaldinho to name but a few have all been linked with moves to the summit of Chinese football. Now, whether there is any truth in these reports remains to be seen, however, they at least demonstrate that the Super League is growing in stature, if only in the minds of the press.

It’s hard to know whether to take China’s football attempt seriously. Are these teams playthings for the rich and wealthy or is there a genuine effort underway to transform football within the country? The league as a whole has had somewhat of a tainted past. Gambling and match fixing has been rife, and even more worrying was the corruption resulting in the scandal of 2010. Three former CFA vice-presidents have been arrested, the trials of officials, referees and managers have already begun while the Chinese government has launched a nationwide action to revive the sport. Simon Chadwick, professor of sport business strategy at Coventry University sees Chinese club ownership as a way to gain political influence. “Essentially they are vanity projects,” Chadwick said speaking to CNN.
“There is a Chinese phenomenon known as ‘guanxi,’ which translates literally as ‘special relationship,” he explained. “Buying a club gives an owner good ‘guanxi,’ because it enables you to connect with politicians and other business people. Very often owners buy into clubs for those reasons. If Chinese football is successful globally, it makes China look good and it makes the politicians look good. What buying a club does is give the owners a certain amount of political influence.”

There may indeed be an element of truth in Chadwick’s analysis. By the looks of things, a concerted effort is being made to ensure Chinese football raises itself from the gutter and move onwards towards greater things, for reasons we may not know. While at present the level of football on a club and national basis is relatively dire, a system of youth training facilities are being set up across China. The CFA is beginning to send promising youngsters between the ages of 12 and 18 to countries such as England, France and Spain to receive professional instruction, in the hopes of producing a generation of better educated young stars who will go on to play for the country’s club and national sides. In the Super League, clubs are attempting to win back the fan base. Wealthy owners are signing big names to play on the pitch or manage from the sidelines, lending an air of professionalism to the league, whose integrity has long been suspect thanks to China’s love of gambling and apparent match fixing.

But in China, football isn’t the majority sport; it’s one with a minority following, due quite substantially to the sport’s bad reputation. And the ordinary fan on the street isn’t the little brother in a poor family, begrudgingly accepting hand-me-downs. “All these players going over there are past their prime and looking for one last big payday which will see them through for the rest of their lives,” agent Rob Shields told CNN. “It’s definitely money motivated.” People want to see genuine football stars in the prime of their careers, motivated by glory and trophies rather than a last huge cheque. “They’re not prepared to accept Europe’s castoffs,” Chadwick maintains. “They don’t want Anelka and Drogba. They want Barrios and Conca, and then the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero. Players who are in their early to mid-20s and reaching the peak, it would be those people who would be much more significant. Then the floodgates will open.”

At present, Shanghai Shenhua currently sits in 12th place in a 16 team league. In stark contrast, at the summit lies Guangzhou Evergrande, another Chinese club which has seen investment in recent years. Prospects for the future must be good, however. As Chinese clubs compete for higher honours and better players the league will gain greater publicity and respect, surely drawing further investment from wealthy businessmen searching for their latest toy or those genuinely interested in the fate and reputation of Chinese football. But what they really need is to put their money towards youth development. “Chinese football clubs are investing very little in grassroots,” said Chadwick. “Investment and spending is heavily skewed towards the professional level and not towards the development of the game.” In the long run it will save them money. Don’t look to Manchester City for your example. Look to Barcelona and the production line that is La Masia, the tiki-taka brand of football which permeates right through to the national team. Spend money, sure, bring in the world-class talents if you can. But as Barcelona and the Spanish national side have found out to their benefit, there’s nothing like home-grown.

2012
06/26
CATEGORY
Football
Sport
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Euro 2012-The Favourites

Euro 2012 is almost upon us. Over 24 days, 16 teams will play 31 games in eight stadiums to earn the right to lift the European Championship Trophy. Over the duration of the tournament, upsets will occur, incidents will happen, controversy is expected, the top attacking players in European Football will go against the top defenders, but only one team will win. Here Irish News Review assesses our top three contenders for the Henri Delaunay trophy.

Spain: 

The first to be looked at and heavy favourites, as expected are Spain. The reigning European and World champions go into this tournament with heavy expectations on their shoulders. Despite missing the injured Barcelona duo Carles Puyol and David Villa, the Spanish squad still contain an exceptional number of talent such as Iker Casillas, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva, Juan Mata, Fernando Llorente and Fernando Torres at their disposal. To say they have the most talented squad would be an understatement.

They have a difficult group on paper, Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland should prove difficult opposition, but Spain having been in this position and come out on top twice, should have more than enough to win the group. The players will expect to be playing teams who keep ten men behind the ball and Euro 2012 should be no different. Both Italy and the Republic of Ireland have defensive mentalities and will attempt to stifle Spain in those games. Even Croatia, normally at team of an attacking nature will surely adopt a more defensive approach when going up against the number one team in the world.

The Spanish nation as well as the players and staff will be expecting a third international trophy in a row; it would take an exceptional team on top of their game to beat the Spanish. Bet against them at your Peril.

Holland: 

The Dutch had their hearts broken two years ago in South Africa, when a late Andres Iniesta goal handed Spain the world Cup at the expense of Holland, leaving the Dutch without an International trophy since 1988. Like Spain they have a number of extremely talented players including Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael Van der Vaart, Klass-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt and Robin Van Persie. Where Holland struggle and where coach Bert Van Marwijk will need to be at his best is turning what is normally a group of individuals into a team. He succeeded at the World Cup, but not without a price, sacrificing their normal attacking football style for a more defensive approach and despite it getting them to the final, they were criticised.

Holland are faced with the most difficult group in the competition, the “group of death” along with Germany, Portugal and Denmark. Despite the obvious difficulties of the group Holland should overcome Denmark and Portugal and then tussle with Germany for position of group winner. It will of course depend on the form of their attacking players and whether they can duplicate their performances of two years previously, but if Van Marwijk can combine their toughness of 2010 with a little more attacking freedom this time around then Holland more than capable of going all the way.

Holland have a lot to prove in international tournaments. With the exception of 1988, the country that gave us total football have usually been the bridesmaid rather than the bride. This squad will be determined to erase the World Cup Final, but can they?

Germany: 

Germany were the surprise package in South Africa in 2010, Joachim Loew had selected a very young side full of potential, who combined and very attack minded philosophy with German efficiency to great effect. Two years later the surprise factor may be gone, but the players in that young German side have evolved into very good players in their own right. Players such as Mezut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Sami Khedira excelled at the World Cup and have established themselves in the first 11 because of it. Those four combined with Lukas Podolski, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Phillip Lahm, Mario Gomez, veteran striker Miroslav Klose and new additions such as Mats Hummels and Mario Gotze make Germany one of the clear favourites for Euro 2012.

Germany joins Holland, Portugal and Denmark in the Euro 2012 “group of death”. Given the quality the Germans posses and their penchant for tournament football, it is fully expected that they will get out of the group.  The only question is in what position. The key fixture in Group B takes place on June 13th when Germany face Holland in the game that more then likely decide the outcome of the group as a whole and will more then likely avoid Spain until the final. Once out of the group, it will be fully expected that Germany will get to at least the semi-finals if not the final itself.

If history has showed anything, it’s you never right off the Germans. The longest they have gone without a trophy is 20 years; it has been 16 years since they last won in 1996. It is doubtful they will have to wait much longer.

2012
06/06
CATEGORY
Football
Sport
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Spotlight On Spain

Ireland’s second game at Euro 2012 is against the current World and European champions, Spain. The game takes place on the 14th June in Gdansk and is seen as a daunting task for Ireland with Spain going into this tournament as favourites to regain their European title. Spain have the chance to be the first team in international football to win three tournaments in a row and nobody would put it past them with the extremely talented group of players they have at their disposal. 

Vincente Del Bosque leads his team into this tournament after easing through qualifying, winning all eight of their games. The Spaniards have won 14 consecutive competitive games in a row which is a joint world record. Their playing style remains the same attacking brand of football that won them their last two trophies and it is an extremely difficult style for some teams to deal with. Many people could be of the opinion that the Barcelona contingent amongst the squad will want to win this tournament even more after a relatively disappointing season by their standards. 

The Barcelona contingent in the Spain squad, however, has been cut by two members due to the absence of their captain Carles Puyol and goal scorer supreme David Villa. Puyol, a hugely influential leader, misses out after undergoing knee surgery and his presence will be missed in the Spanish camp. Villa, who became Spain’s all time record goal scorer during qualifying will not be able to add to his impressive tally this summer. The striker suffered a broken tibia during the Club World Cup in December and failed in his battle to be fit in time to be added to the 23-man squad. 

Previous Meetings: The last time the two sides met was at the 2002 World Cup when Spain knocked Ireland out on penalties in the last sixteen. In twenty-four previous meetings between the two teams, Ireland have only won four times with the Spaniards winning on thirteen occasions and seven games being drawn. Ireland will hope to have more success in their twenty-fifth meeting with Spain and cause an upset which is not unusual for an Irish team to do. 

Strengths: Spain’s style of football is easy on the eye and can prove very hard to deal with it. Their passing game can tire teams out and leads to so many chances. Spain go into this tournament as champions and have proven experience of winning big tournaments. 

Weaknesses: The omission of two key players in the shape of Carles Puyol and David Villa. The Barcelona duo were vital to Spain winning Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010. Fernando Torres’ form is something of a worry for Vincente Del Bosque who will hope the Chelsea striker isn’t there to make up the numbers. His form has improved somewhat lately but he seems to be a shadow of the player who scored the winner against Germany in the Euro 2008 final. 

Key Player : Xavi 

Xavi has the ability to control any game with his endless supply of unbelievably accurate passes. The Barcelona man has seemed to get better with age and will again play a pivotal role in Spain’s quest to regain their European crown. He is a strikers dream to play with as he can find space anywhere and create chances that not many other players could see. Xavi was named as player of the tournament at Euro 2008 and is considered as one of Spain’s greatest ever players.

By Andrew Harte

2012
06/04
CATEGORY
Football
Sport
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