tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16643288548651955832009-07-12T21:42:37.934+01:00"I'm a firm believer that if the other side scores first you have to score twice to win." Howard WilkinsonJust-Football:http://www.blogger.com/profile/01584594025438449317just-football@live.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1664328854865195583.post-9291223410703436802009-07-08T18:48:00.000+01:002009-07-08T18:49:21.324+01:00

'I would swap all my medals, everything I won in Europe, everything I have ever won until this day, just to win this trophy.'-Juan Sebastien VeronThe 50th edition of the Copa Libertadores reaches it's conclusion tonight with the first leg of the final between Cruzeiro and Estudiantes. Yes, for only the 12th time in Libertadores history it is Brazil vs Argentina in the final. Cruzeiro are looking

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by JO'FFirst things first, let's have a show of hands. Hands up those of you who didn't watch Cristiano Ronaldo's unveiling at Real Madrid. And by that I mean any of it, not a single second. Higher please so we can all see. Ok, you...you, is that a hand up there at the back? Right. Well I can tell you right now that you're in the minority.The extravagant first showing of the world football's most

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by Tom MallowsAfter the rather farcical attempt to lure Kaka to Eastlands in January, Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has lowered his sights a little this summer, but he has still formed the nucleus of what could be a very, very good side.If you consider Robinho and Shaun Wright Phillips are already at the club, add Roque Santa Cruz and (potentially) Carlos Tevez and Samuel Eto’o into the mix

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Kjetil Rekdal downs the mighty Brazil by Chris RockThere was quite a hot "discussion" between Aalesund manager and legendary former Norwegian international Kjetil Rekdal and Brann's former Leeds United clogger Eirik Bakke at the end of the Norwegian Tippeligaen match between Brann Bergen and Aalesund FK recently, which was played at the Brann Stadion in Bergen. More of that, and a video of

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This thought first came into my head some months ago when I saw The Onion's sarcastic preview of an 'English soccer game', spotted by Brian Phillips over at the excellent Run of Play:English Soccer Game - ESPN2 2pm EDT/1pm CDT You're just trying to look smart. Wait, are you wearing a scarf indoors? Ooooohh Heineken, ooooohhh. Pr*ck.Now I realise The Onion is based on satire but the cynical

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It nearly happened. USA came so close to shaking up football's natural order in this 2009 instalment of the Confederations Cup. They ended Spain's long unbeaten run, a feat nobody thought possible (I saw a price of 16/1 on Betfair pre-match) and went 2-0 up against Brazil in the final. But ultimately, whether through a lack of quality or belief, tiredness or simply inexperience, Bob Bradley's

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I still remember the 26th of June 2003. It was the summer holidays after my first year of university. The sun shone brightly, which isn't necessarily a given during English summers, the girls were out sunning themselves, showing off just enough to pique the imagination, and the mood was carefree. My friends and I spent the time idly wiling away the hours; kickabouts in the park, crossbar

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Who likes football boots? As regular readers will know, Just-Football was invited to a special football session with sports apparel manufacturers Under Armour last month, at which we managed to get an exclusive interview with Fulham's Bobby Zamora. Well, further to that event we are now able to give you an exclusive insight into Under Armour the company. Greg Zalinsky examines UA as it prepares

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Just-Football is delighted to welcome aboard new columnist James S. who for his first team debut analyses Real Madrid, their unique financial situation and their illustrious position in world football. Where do they get all that money?Barcelona may have just completed a historic treble but the hot topic of conversation in Spain's La Liga right now is: what are Real Madrid going do to ensure this

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As the 2009 Confederations Cup enters it's final stages, here's a look at some of the best football photography from the action in South Africa with our Just-Football Photo, Shoot special. First up: the fans...The ever controversial vuvuzela blares out at the opening game, South Africa vs Iraq in JohannesburgThe day before it all begins, fans gather in Newtown, Johannesburg to celebrate with a

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Abiel Tabor (right) lifts the Nigerian title hours before his murderThe ongoing troubles in the Niger Delta region of Bayelsa State, Nigeria were tragically underlined this week with the murder of Abiel Tabor, Bayelsa United's championship winning captain.Tabor was on his way home from celebrating with his team-mates after helping guide Bayelsa United to their first ever domestic league title,

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by Tom MallowsIt was always going to be a traumatic summer at St James' Park. The wounds of relegation from the Premier League will take a long time to heal. But in order to aid the recovery process decisive action from the board downwards can give Newcastle United's players renewed vigour ahead of the Championship season.Closure from the last campaign, new additions, several departures, putting

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A few announcements to draw your attention to this evening.Firstly, many congratulations to James Sullivan, winner of our 'Guess the opening day fixture list' competition. James correctly called Bolton vs Sunderland as an opening day Premier League 2009/2010 fixture, and since nobody else including myself could guess any other fixture, Mr. Sullivan you are the winner. And no-one can really even

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(UPDATE - 27/6/09 - to read the full English 2009/2010 fixture list follow this link.)One of the greatest days of the year takes place on Wednesday 17th June 2009. No, Christmas Day hasn't been moved forward a few months, neither is Apple releasing it's latest shiny new product. It is fixture list day in England.I don't know about you, but I love fixture list day. It is the day when fans across

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Just-Football's six part series looking at the winners and losers in 2008/2009 across European football's major domestic leagues continues now with Part 4 - analysing the winners and losers in Holland. NB - for parts 1 (England), 2 (France) and 3 (Germany) follow the links by clicking the name of the country. Do also look out for Parts 5 and 6 later this week. So without further ado let's take a

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I don't know about you, but I'm excited about this year's Confederations Cup. I look at it in theatre terms. It is like the final dress rehearsal before the real thing. You've learnt your lines, got your costumes ready and are set for centre stage. This is the chance for you to go out into the spotlight and show the world everything you've been working on and preparing, but with the safety net of

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"It will be a very interesting season: we have two different models. One model is you build a team with cheques and money. And another model is the one we have, where we have a trajectory, where we are mature, and identified with our culture. Of the players we have in our first team, more than 50 percent come from our youth teams. We think that it makes our club sustainable. Like I told you, they

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Grafite gets Wolfsburg's party started (Reuters)Our look at the Winners and Losers from 2008/2009 across Europe's major leagues continues now on Just-Football. Part 1 assessed the English Premier League, Part 2 Le Championnat in France. Next up, Deutschland.WINNERSVfl Wolfsburg71 years after the city of Wolfsburg was founded in order to house autoworkers building the now famous Volkswagen Beetle

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Someone fetch me that countdown clock. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is now exactly one year away. 365 days until the world's greatest spectacle arrives on the continent of Africa for the first time. And, as proved by this giant shirt, the excitement and anticipation is steadily reaching fever pitch.

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Gourcuff et al celebrate Bordeaux's titleContinuing on from Part 1 of our 2008/2009 Winners and Losers series, we present to you Part 2, in which we assess the triumphant and troubled across the Channel in France. It was a season of change in the French Ligue Une this season, with new champions crowned for the first time in eight years. So come May, which clubs were celebrating and which were

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Argentina are now fourth in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification group for South America. Not only that, but their lead above Ecuador in fifth is now just 2 points. And with four extremely tricky games remaining (except Peru at home, banker 3 points surely?), Diego Maradona and his men now have to face the very real possibility of missing out on the World Cup in South Africa next year. Certainly

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Starting today and running all this week, Just-Football will be taking a look back around the top European leagues and assessing the winners and losers from the 2008/2009 season. Who impressed? Who underachieved? Stay tuned as we profile those clubs heading into the summer break feeling pretty damn good about themselves, and those whose personnel will forever sport a look of thinly disguised

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Guten Abend to one and to all.As most of you will already have noticed, lately we have been running a poll asking for you to cast your vote on FC Barcelona's best player during the Champions League final in Rome.When the voting closed a few days ago however we were left with a tie, both Xavi and Lionel Messi amassing an equal share of the vote. Subsequently we have re-opened the poll for a

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by Tom MallowsAs Phil Neville and his players looked on ruefully while John Terry lifted the cup for Chelsea they could proudly reflect on a memorable season, but one which had just one game too many. Injuries, fatigue and that lack of extra quality told for Everton in the end, as they were deservedly beaten by a Chelsea side determined to give interim boss Guus Hiddink a happy send-off.It could

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Fulham striker Bobby Zamora talks to Just-Football about his new role at Craven Cottage, West Ham, rumours of a move abroad and why East London is the place to be.It is a warm, light, early summer's day in the leafy suburbs of South West London, but within the confines of the Wandle Recreation Centre the mood is tense. Where earlier this group of young apprentices and trainee footballers were

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