Sunday, October 31, 2010
It is true that ancient Macedonia was not....
FYROM - A COUNTRY WITH A BORROWED IDENTITY
It is true that ancient Macedonia was not....
SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE 2010 - 2011 ROUND 9 SATURDAY RESULTS | RONALDO vs MESSI
I am currently out of town on a long weekend break & have managed to find a “Wi-fi” zone in a beat-out track bar- cafe. I have asked for a good strong cafe while I post a bit about Spanish Football & the fantastic three matches played yesterday of Round 9.
In a quick summary fashion, here are the results & scorers:
REAL ZARAGOZA 1 (Lazaro) – VALENCIA CF 1 (Lazaro own goal)
HERCULES 1 ( Trezeguet
FC BARCELONA 2010 | IBRAHIM AFELLAY - JAVIER PASTORE SOUNDING
Friday, October 29, 2010
The 24 year old PSV EINDHOVEN attacking midfielder IBRAHIM AFELLAY is sounding more & more as a possible “2011 Winter Transfer Market” operation with direction Spain. Earlier the player was sounding as a possible Atletico de Madrid signing, but Spanish giant FC BARCELONA has entered the picture in a very serious manner. The Dutch player finishes contract this year & will be a free agent as of
ENZO ZIDANE | LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ?
Remember this player?
Recognize the player in the dark out?
Apart that both wear ( wore ) the REAL MADRID CF uniform, they share DNA. The youngster is called ENZO ZIDANE ( born France, mother Spanish origin), is 15 years old & is causing a mini tug of war between the French Football Federation & the Spanish Football Federation. The son of French Football legend ZINEDINE ZIDANE is on the
2010 - 2011 SPANISH CUP RESULTS - 1º LEG THURSDAY MATCHES
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The last three games of the 1º leg of the SPANISH CUP season 2010 -2011 ( the last 32 teams stage) concluded tonight with the following results & scorers
Gurpegui for At Bilbao
Second Division Club ( & last years Real Madrid killers ) ALCORCON lost 0 - 1 to ATHLETIC DE BILBAO thanks to the 54th min goal scored by defender GURPEGUI. Bilbao go into the 2ºleg with a valuable away goal.
OSASUNA
FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID CF "EL CLASICO" 2010 - 2011 | WHICH DATE ? DON´T KNOW - YET!
I am getting plenty of emails from SFS readers asking me for the date of the FC Barcelona – Real Madrid “Clasico”: the first of the two big games in the Spanish Football – League season. In theory, it’s the weekend of the 27th of November & this 2010 – 2011 season the first game is at “Camp Nou”, the home ground of FC Barcelona.
Ronaldo - Messi will meet in this years "Clasico"
However there
REAL MADRID PHOTO | SEASON 2010 - 2011 | IDEAL STARTING 11
Everytime I check the blog stats, I see that the search for ( & download ) the REAL MADRID PHOTO is amongst the most popular. I am amazed at the amount of visits that are received from around the World in search of the latest image of the Spanish Soccer Team.
To keep the hungry fans happy, I have found this very latest picture of the REAL MADRID TEAM PHOTO season 2010 - 2011. The special
2010 - 2011 SPANISH CUP RESULTS 1º LEG WEDNESDAY MATCHES
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A huge night of SPANISH CUP action with 11 games scheduled & still three games are down for tomorrow night before this 1º leg gets finished. Some interesting results, as with the characteristics of this competition, there have been some surprises. Here is a quick summary of the Wednesday night Spanish Cup results along with the goalscorers.
Sevilla FC celebrate a goal against Real Union
Prospects for resolving the name issue -- presentation by Dr. E. Kofos at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose-Roth Seminar (Skopje 20.10.2010)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The first mistake we, the contemporaries, have made in dealing with the “name issue” was to ignore his advice. And naturally we failed.
The traditional “Macedonian Question”-- traced from the last decades of the
19th century to the mid-20th century-- was a contest mainly over territories, and as such an issue of regional and international security. During the latter part of the 20th century, up to this day, it has evolved, mainly, as an issue of identities.
Claims over territories have been dealt by wars, uprisings, persistent insecurity. On the other hand, contested identities, are hard to decipher, particularly by outsiders, who tend to underestimate, or denigrate them as “incomprehensible” or “nuisances”. Thus, our failure to decipher the different identities, hidden behind identical names, was our second error.
So let us try, today, to define the various elements of the problem.
There are three groups of identities that require clear definition before proceeding to resolve the “name issue”: .....
- the identity of the land
- the identities of peoples connected with this land
- the identity of heritage
a. The first “Macedonia”--historic Macedonia—refers to the Macedonian kingdom in king Philip’s times ,i.e. the 4th century, b.C. Vaguely speaking, it comprised most of present day Hellenic Macedonia, plus a southern belt of the present Republika Makedonija. Over two millennia, the land of historic Macedonia, under different rulers, underwent many territorial changes. In Byzantine times, the administrastive region, “Thema Makedonias”, identified mainly the Thracian regions of the empire, all the way to the Black Sea! In Ottoman times it disappeared completely as an administrative name.
b. The name “Macedonia”, re-emerged immediately after the Balkan wars, in 1913, as “Geniki Dioikisi Makedonias” (General Administration of Macedonia), i.e. an administrative region of the Kingdom of Greece. It covered most of the historic Macedonian regions in king Philip’s time. Today it is sub-divided into three peripheries.(“Dytiki Makedonia, Kentriki Makedonia, Anatoliki Makedonia-Thraki), recognized as regions by the European Union.
c. Thirty years later, in 1944, a second region in southern Balkans emerged, administratively identified also as “Macedonia”; it was the “People’s Republic of Macedonia”, a federative component of the PFR of Yugoslavia. It is the same region which, in late 1991, as a result of the dissolution of the Yugoslav federation, was transformed into an independent state. It is currently identified by its constitutional name, “Republika Makedonija”, and by the international temporary appellation, “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. As such, it is referred as the tatkovina (fatherland) of the citizens of this country
d. There is, however, a fourth “Macedonia”, which is projected in maps and historical literature, mainly in this country, and is generally viewed also as the “tatkovina” of the “ethnic Macedonians”. Within its “geographic and ethnic boundaries” it comprises Hellenic Macedonia, Republika Makedonija and the smaller Pirin region of Bulgaria.
Let us now turn to the second group of identities, the noun “Macedonians”.
(a)“Macedonians” (Makedones) -- is the historic name by which the Greek-speaking people of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, identified themselves;
(b) “Macedonians” (Makedones), is the regional/cultural name of the inhabitants of the Greek administrative region “Makedonia” in northern Greece.
(c) “Macedonians” (Makedontsi) is the legal appellation (citizenship) of all the citizens of Republika Makedonija
(d) “Macedonians” (Makedontsi) are called the self-identified Slav- or ethnic- Macedonians (wherever they come from).
(e) “Macedonians” (Makedontsi), is the regional name of ethnic Bulgarians originating from a Macedonian region.
The reason I have expounded on these various Macedonia and Macedonians identities is to offer you the key to enter the labyrinth of our “name issue”. Keep in mind that each one of these names has bequeathed its own “Macedonian” derivatives to a variety of recipients. Initially, an incredible confusion emerged as to “who was what”. Soon, bitter antagonisms made their appearance on an international scale, seeking to convince outsiders that by means of their own brands of “Macedonia/Macedonian” they themselves were the rightful holders of the title deeds to the land, the peoples and the historical/cultural heritage of Macedonia. Contenders accuse each “other”, in harsh terms, for “usurpation” of their identity. A quick tour of dozens of sites and blogs on the Internet tells the sad story
The third group of identities refers to the Macedonian derivatives
To add to the confusion, the derivatives from the nouns Macedonia and Macedonians) are used by all kinds of “Macedonians” to describe or define a variety of identities touching on such contested issues as, Macedonian historical events and personalities, Macedonian traditions, Macedonian culture, Macedonian language, Macedonian origin, Macedonian ethnicity, Macedonian citizenship, and Macedonian products of all kinds.
Such conflicting claims lead to the question: Who are the “owners”, the “suitors” or, even the “usupers” of these identities?
As already stated, the core of the controversy over the names “Macedonia” and “Macedonians” are claims for title deeds to the Macedonian land, its peoples and their historical/cultural heritage.
The Greeks, today, do not raise claims over lands outside their borders. They perceive, however, the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient Macedonian kingdom as a basic ingredient of their Hellenic identity, in the same way they view the Greek city-states of the south of classical antiquity.
This explains the vast popular reaction among Greeks against the recognition of a new independent state in their neighbourhood, bearing the name “Macedonia” and using Ancient Macedonian symbols (the “Sun of Vergina”) in their national flag. Recent initiatives in this country, which have come to be known as ”antiquizatsia”, certainly have embroiled the “name issue” with elements touching sensitive chords of the Greeks, particularly the Makedones.
A second issue of identity contest, with undertones of territorial claims, emerges by the extended use—particularly in schools and in government publications-- of the map of a “united” Macedonia, portraying diachronically the alleged “geographical and ethnic boundaries” of the “tatkovina” of the Makedontsi. More disturbing to the Greeks is that Greek Macedonia, is referred as the “Egejski del na Makedonija pod Grcja” (the Aegean part of Macedonia under Greece”, (A similar treatment is reserved for the Bulgarian part which is identified as “Pirinska del na Makedonija pod Balgarija” (The Pirin part of Macedonia under Bulgaria). Strangely enough, the third part which in the past was identified as Vardarska Makedonija, is simply identified as Republika Makedonija. As both the map of the Republic and of the wider “geographical/ethnic” map, transcending three states, are identified as “Macedonia”, and indeed, as the “tatkovina” of the Makedontsi, the inference is clear that the two parts in Greece and Bulgaria are “unjustly” under foreign rule.
Thus, apart from the historical/cultural debate, the territorial issue, involving indirect claims to foreign lands, as conveyed to new generations of students in this country, certainly is one of the serious obstacles to a sincere and lasting rapprochement between the two countries.
Prospects for resolving the issue
I will not delve into the current efforts for finding a solution, for the simple reason that I am unaware of the current stage of diplomatic negotiations; if any. I could share with you, however, certain opinions which could show us paths for finding an exit from the problem, provided, of course, there is a will to find a solution.
Following Antisthenis advice, we have come to the conclusion that there are more than one “Macedonia” and a variety of “Macedonians”, which affect the identity of various derivatives. With strong arguments, both sides claim exclusivity of rights for their own Macedonian brands. To commence:
- Step number one: We put aside direct or indirect tactics for exclusiveness of the Macedonian name and adopt the principle of “non-monopolization”.
- Step number two: Negotiations will target at a definitive, final, not a temporary or partial solution.
- The constitutional name, which will replace the current one as well as the temporary international appellation, will use the Macedonian name; a Macedonian name with a prefix which will describe or identify clearly the region over which this country exercises legal jurisdiction (I will not venture names, but I recall that UN mediator Nimetz has referred, among others, North, Gorna, Vardarska).
- The new state name will apply to all uses (internal, bilateral, international)
- The legal derivatives (citizenship), naturally, will follow the state name.
- The corresponding ethnic or regional Macedonian identities in neighbouring countries will be mutually respected. In international languages, to avoid confusion, they will be used in untransliterated form—for example, “Vardarska Makedonija”, “Elliniki Makedonia”, “makedonsko vino”, “makedonikos halvas”.
- Similar will be the treatment of Macedonian derivatives in international use.
- The parties will respect the bona fide cultural heritage of each other and special clarifications will be made on this issue in relevant international documents.
I am not naïve to believe that such proposals will rally politicians and the public to endorse them overnight. Although my previous attempt in this direction, was received with certain skepticism, I was encouraged by certain positive comments and suggestions, including some from this country.
This is the reason why I have accepted your kind invitation to present my personal assessment for the “prospects for a solution of the name issues”. Provided there is a will, a solution will be found. Hopefully, in my life time…
2010 - 2011 SPANISH CUP 1º LEG TUESDAY RESULTS | REAL MURCIA 0 REAL MADRID 0 | CEUTA 0 FC BARCELONA 2
The "big" Spanish League Teams began their particular attempt at winning the 2010-2011 SPANISH CUP with the start of the 1º leg games of the last 32 teams stage. Two matches tonight were played, with the bulk happening tomorrow & three on Thursday night that gives the Spanish fans plenty of Football this week.
Benzema against Real Murcia - Spanish Cup
REAL MADRID travelled to REAL MURCIA (
FIFA - FRANCE FOOTBALL WORLD PLAYER 2010 | 7 SPANISH PLAYERS IN FINAL 23 CANDIDATES LIST
FIFA , along with "new" partners FRANCE FOOTBALL MAGAZINE, have handed in their final list of 23 World Football Players who are candidates for this years 2010 FIFA - FRANCE FOOTBALL World Player Award. The winner will be announced th 10th of January 2011 & there are 7 Spanish National Football Team players on the list of 23 given today.
The seven Spanish candidates are Andres Iniesta, Xavi,
SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 -2011 | ROUND 8 | SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS
Sunday, October 24, 2010
SPANISH FOOTBALL via its SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - celebrated 6 games tonight of Round 8 with plenty of action, excitement & goals. Tomorrow the last game of the Round will be played between Real Sociedad & Deportivo.
Boateng scores for Getafe
GETAFE poured on the magic onto an "unknown" & outplayed REAL SPORTING DE GIJON with a 3 - 0 victory. BOATENG opened the scoring in the 8th min, followed
INDOOR SOCCER | SPAIN DEFEATS BRAZIL 2 -1 TO WIN GRAND PRIX CUP 2010
SPAIN defeated BRAZIL 2 - 1 in the Final of the INDOOR SOCCER INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX tournament celebrated in the city of Anapolis in Brazil. The goals for Spain came thanks to RAFA USIN & ORTIZ, with FERNANDINHO scoring for Barzil.
Spain in action against Brazil
This tournament has been organized by the Brazilian Indoor Soccer Federation since 2004 & it has alwyas been won by the local
SPANISH FOOTBALL | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA | ROUND 8 | SATURDAY GAMES RESULT | VIDEO REAL MADRID 6-1 RONALDO (4 GOALS)
Hi Guys , back from my business trip & I can finally begin updating SFS Blog readers. Here is a brief post on yesterdays three games played of the SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - Round 8. SPANISH FOOTBALL was given a treat last night with plenty of goals & some wonderful Football from the already known stars.
The first game was REAL ZARAGOZA against FC BARCELONA with the latter winning 0 - 2 thanks to
SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM RECEIVES THE 2010 PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS PRIZE FOR SPORT
Saturday, October 23, 2010
The SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM was yesterday awarded the prestigious "Principe de Asturias Prize" for Sporting acievement 2010, for their outstanding effort in winning the FIFA 2010 World Cup. But more than this the prize was given for the teams demonstration of creating a unique playing style admired by the Football World & above all , human values like honour, dedication, lead by example, team
EUROPA LEAGUE 2010 - 2011 | ATLETICO DE MADRID 3 - ROSENBORG 0 | VIDEO OF GOALS
Friday, October 22, 2010
Here is the VIDEO highlight of yesterdays EUROPA LEAGUE Group B match between ATLETICO DE MADRID - ROSENBORG. Video shows goal from Godin & the mini-revolution caused by SERGIO AGUERO who scored the second after only 2 mins on the ground, plus his assistence for the third by DIEGO COSTA.
We hope the the video will not be take-on off, if so excuse us.
EUROPA LEAGUE 2010 - 2011 GROUP MATCHES | RELATIVELY GOOD NIGHT FOR SPANISH TEAMS
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Busy night for all four SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAMS as they played their EUROPA LEAGUE Group qualifying matches with overall general joy for the Spanish fans. I personally wasn´t able to witness all four matches but managed to keep the pulse of most via TV, radio & a Twitter account, therefore excuse me if some summaries are brief & to the main detail.
Sergio Aguero scores the 2º goal for Atletico
SPANISH GOALKEEPERS CASILLAS - ZUBIZARRETA IN TOP 10 IFFHS LAST 25 YEARS BEST LIST
The FIFA backed International Federation of Football History & Statistics ( IFFHS ) has released their Top 10 list of the "Best Goalkeepers" in the last 25 years. There are two Spanish players on that list with current Spanish National Football Team Captain & Real Madrid goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS in 4ºth place, while ex FC Barcelona & Valencia CF player ZUBIZARRETA is in 7th place.
Iker
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C - D RESULTS | RANGERS 1 VALENCIA CF 1 | FC BARCELONA 2 COPENHAGUE FC 0
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Two Spanish Football Clubs played their Group CHAMPIONS LEAGUE matches tonight, with one away at Scotland & the other here in Spain.
Rangers Edu scores against Valencia CF
VALENCIA CF travelled to meet GLASGOW RANGERS to play their 3 round Group C clash at Ibrox Park. As expected it was a difficult & rough turf to play Football at but they managed to pull a 1 - 1 draw with some luck on their
FIFA WORLD RANKINGS OCTOBER 2010 - SPAIN REMAINS Nº1
FIFA will release its monthly WORLD NATIONAL TEAMS RANKING publicly next November the 17th where SPAIN retains for another month its Nº1 spot. Up to 156 matches were taken into account for the month of October (80 Internationals & 76 Friendly matches), which takes the number up to 641 matches for the year so far in the table calculations.
Here is the Top 10 October 2010 list:
1. Spain
HUMOR - VIDEO | VAN PERSIE THE BOY HITS THE POST
Put a Football heroe, kids & a TV camara together & you get what happens to this poor boy. He literally hits the post - with his head. Arsenal & Dutch International Star Van Persie was obviously affected.
This video simply goes beyond Spanish Football as it is universal :O)
REAL MADRID 2 AC MILAN 0 | RESULT GROUP G CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2010 - 2011
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
REAL MADRID CF practically ensured its qualification onto the next stage of the 2010 - 2011 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE after they defeated 2 - 0 AC MILAN in their Group G match, thus making it three straight wins to secure top spot of the group ladder with 9 points. The result was just as Real Madrid could have scored three - four more clear goals had luck gone their way.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores
FC BARCELONA 2010 | NOLITO - ANOTHER BARÇA SCHOOL PROMISE
FC Barcelona is not only famous for being a huge World Football Club, but also for its youth programme (“La Masia”) & the string of young talented Football players that the Club turns out yearly. The examples are many like Puyol, Valdes, Pique, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Bojan, Jeffran, Thiago, Cesc Fabregas etc. who are already World stars or have made the jump to the Barça 1ºst team squad.
VIDEO | THE 6 NEW REAL MADRID SIGNINGS FOR SEASON 2010 - 2011
REAL MADRID CF via its "Real Madrid TV Channel" ( thanks for the video) did a special report on the Clubs six new signings for season 2010 - 2011: Sergio Canales, Di Maria, Pedro Leon, Khedira, Ozil & Carvalho. They all speak about their sensations, BUT & unfortunately neither YouTube has the translation button enabled nor is there sub-titles. I ask for forgiveness for this lack of foresight by
REAL MADRID CF | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2010 - 2011 GROUP G | STARTING 11 LINE-UP AGAINST AC MILAN
Monday, October 18, 2010
REAL MADRID CF faces its first real big season 2010 - 2011 challenge & exam when they meet Italian giants AC Milan today (Tuesday) in their Group G Champions League qualifying match. This match will be a good test to see if Coach Mourinho is progressing with his work to put together a "new look" & younger Real Madrid Team to levels in which they can really hope to aspire & become Spanish League &
SPANISH FOOTBALL - SOCCER | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - 2010 2011 | ROUND 7 MONDAY NIGHT GAME RESULT
SPANISH FOOTBALL action tonight with the last game of the SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - Round 7 being played with HERCULES CF hosting VILLAREAL in what turned out to be a rough & tough affair with three red cards.
Trezeguet scores before being sent off
It was a see -saw match all night with chances at both ends. Hercules started well & managed to score first via VALDEZ in the 26th min from a well
DIEGO CASTRO BACK HEEL GOAL VIDEO | SPORTING GIJON SEVILLA FC ROUND 7 SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA
Here is one of the great goals scored yesterday in Round 7 of the SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - by DIEGO CASTRO for REAL SPORTING DE GIJON. A fabulous "back-heel" goal that notched up the teams second in their 2-0 victory over Sevilla FC.
Below is the Video:
SPECTACULAR WINNING GOAL BY DAVID SILVA FOR MANCHESTER CITY AGAINST BLACKPOOL | 2010 VIDEO
Great to see Spanish International & MANCHESTER CITY midfielder DAVID SILVA be protagonist in the 2 - 3 victory over Blackpool in the English Premier League. In fact, Silva came on as substitute in the 65 th min & ended up scoring the winner in World Class fashion & with a must see to believe goal.
David Silva scores against Blackpool
Here is the video of the spectacular goal. This is a
SPANISH FOOTBALL - SOCCER | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA | ROUND 7 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS
Sunday, October 17, 2010
SPANISH FOOTBALL continued today with more Round 7 action of the SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA with some relative low scoring but intense games.
Fernando Llorente scored against Real Zaragoza
ATHLETIC DE BILBAO put REAL ZARAGOZA deeper into their particular "crisis" & cemented them another week in the last place of the Spanish Liga table after losing 2-1.
Bilbao dominated the match outright doing
REAL MADRID | IKER CASILLAS ENTERS TOP 10 ALL TIME PLAYING LIST
Here is an interesting fact concerning REAL MADRID & their Spanish International goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS. The 29 year old is not only considered to be currently the “Best Goalkeeper in the World” but has entered the Top 10 all time historical list of names with most games played at Real Madrid. If things keep going as they are currently, Iker Casillas could overtake 8th placed name Pirri this
SPANISH FOOTBALL - SOCCER | SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - ROUND 7 | SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS
Saturday, October 16, 2010
SPANISH FOOTBALL - SOCCER action tonigth with three great games as part of Round 7 of the SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA competition.
Atletico de Madrid celebrate a goal
ATLETICO DE MADRID made itself a promise before the game to dedicate the match - & attempt a victory - to honour the late Atletico defensive leyend ARTECHE who passed away this week. The locals didn´t let the fans down & won GETAFE 2
Hilary Clinton Defends Greece on the FYROM Name Issue
She indirectly sent another message to....
the Skopian Republic with the option of using the term “Makedonia”, referring to the northern neighborhood. Clinton has strongly supported the Greek “2014 Agenda” for the accession of the whole Balkan network of Serbia, Bosnia, and Kosovo into the E.E.
usa.greekreporter.com/
MESUT OZIL | HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY
Friday, October 15, 2010
REAL MADRID CF & German International midfieder MESUT OZIL celebrates his 22 Birthday on this Friday the 15th of October. From here we wish you a happy day.
Ozil
FOOTBALL STATISTICS | SPANISH PROFESSORS RESEARCH PENALTY SHOOT-OUT VICTORY PROBABILITIES
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Spanish London School of Economics professor Ignacio Palacios-Huerta assures that the team that goes first in a penalty shoot-out has a higher probability of winning the rival. According to a study done with follow Spanish professor José Apesteguia of the University Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona there is a 21% more chance of being victorious.
David Villa scores a penalty for Spain
THE TENSE LUIS FABIANO - SEVILLA FC REALTIONSHIP
"Si no juego, buscaré alguna solución"
(If I don’t play, I will find a solution)
Straight from the mouth of Brazilian International & SEVILLA FC forward LUIS FABIANO. The Brazilian renewed contract with his current Club a month back, but the player is spending more time on the bench than on the playing field. This has turned the spirits of the player in a “dark mood” as he wishes more playing
LIONEL MESSI GOAL AGAINST GETAFE IN SPANISH CUP | THE TYPOGRAPHY VERSION
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Remember this immense goal by LIONEL MESSI against Getafe in the Spanish Cup a few years back? Yes, the one that looked like the Maradona goal in the 1986 World Cup match against England…
A friend has emailed me the below video that he found on the web of the Messi goal in typed form & following the comments of the Catalan commentator. I think its cool, & very different which makes it worth a
ATLETICO DE MADRID INTERESTED IN IBRAHIM AFELLAY OF PSV
According to Spanish Sports paper “AS” Spanish Club ATLETICO DE MADRID has decided to accelerate its attempts to sign 24 year old PSV EINHOVEN midfielder / forward IBRAHIM AFELLAY. Atletico has communicated to PSV its intention to begin negotiations & attempt to have the player shut & tied for this upcoming “Winter Market”. This way the Spanish Club gets a leading edge over other competitors like
ATLETICO DE MADRID | JUAN CARLOS ARTECHE - RIP
The "ATLETICO DE MADRID family" has lost one of its historical & legendary players JUAN CARLOS ARTECHE, at the age of 53, after a long battle with illness. The Central Defender began his career at At. Madrid in 1978 where he played 11 seasons & 308 games (4th in the history of the Club)
JUAN CARLOS ARTECHE
His stats are as follows:
• 28 goals
• 4 x Spanish International player
• 1 Spanish
SCOTLAND 2 SPAIN 3 | RESULT GROUP I EURO 2012 QUALIFYING MATCH
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
SPAIN defeated SCOTLAND 2- 3 in tonight's Group I clash in "Hampden Park" Glasgow to take them straight to the top of their Group ladder. The World Champions were the outstanding & dominating side until the match complicated itself for Spain in the mid 2º half with a meritorious Scottish attempt at comeback & near victory.
DAVID VILLA shots at goal
The first half was a Scottish wall that had
SPANISH U-21 FOOTBALL TEAM QUALIFY FOR EURO 2011 | 2ºLEG RESULT | CROATIA 0 SPAIN 3
Excellent performance by the SPANISH U- 21 FOOTBALL TEAM to defeat CROATIA 0 - 3 away in the 2º leg & take the qualifying tie on 2-5 agg. This gives Spain a direct ticket to the 2011 EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS where they need to finish within the first 5 teams to go directly into the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The "damage" was done in the 2ºhalf when Spain took control & scored their three goals.
EURO 2012 GROUP I QUALIFIER | POSSIBLE SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM STARTING 11 LINE-UP AGAINST SCOTLAND
The SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM plays SCOTLAND tonight in their EURO 2012 Group I qualifier at "Hampden Park" in the Scottish city of Glasgow. Coach Vicente Del Bosque has recovered defender Sergio Ramos after an ankle knock against Lithuania & midfielder Xabi Alonso who suffred the flu. With the inclusion of Xabi Alonso someone has to give way from the "starting 11 that started against
AMAC: Truth must prevail in Macedonian issue
Monday, October 11, 2010
Laura Burgoine and Fotis Kapetopoulos
neoskosmos.com
The Australian Macedonian Advisory Committee's (AMAC) annual function, last Friday, was attended by three generations of Greek Australians. Chairman Con Kouremenos welcomed guests while emphasising the changes in AMAC.
"One third of AMAC's membership comprises of third generation Greek Australians," he said.
He said AMAC is an advisory body which assists in the preservation of the truth in the face of the "falsification of history in the area of Macedonian identity".
Professor John Melville-Jones from the University of Western Australia spoke about the "importance of preserving historical truth in light of attempts to distort Macedonian history."
He relayed how he....
learned Ancient Greek and Latin as a young boy during WWII. After travelling to Greece in the 1960s he became a scholar of Byzantine history.
"What makes Greek culture different to others is its continuity throughout the ages," Prof Melville-Jones said.
He said he felt "sorry" for those from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia because"they are trying to create an identity from what does not exist - they don't want to be Bulgarian, Albanian or Serbian," he said.
Prof Melville-Jones said FYROM activists are "indoctrinated to believe" in the "myth" and that it was "too easy for myths to be accepted".
Marcus Templar from Chicago has conducted extensive research into Macedonian history. He was critical of the "Greek power elites" for not taking a more aggressive stance against a concerted effort by FYROM to "userp Greek history"
Mr Templar criticised the lack of a real Hellenic lobby in the United States and the way various Non Government Organisations, like the Centre of Democracy and Reconciliation in South Eastern Europe, were acting as trojan horses for anti Hellenic campaigns.
He said the "prevailing opinion is that the Slavic population of FYROM feel humiliated by not having an identity" as a result of the internal conflict between Albanians and Serbs.
"It's not a fault of the Greek people that the Slavic people of FYROM cannot adopt a name," he said.
Among the 150 in attendance were Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Planning: Jenny Mikakos, member for the federal seat of Higgins: Kelly O'Dwyer, and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria: Bill Papastergiadis.
REAL MADRID EYES FERNANDO LLORENTE FOR NEXT SEASON? | KARIM BENZEMA ?
It´s not the first time that the news has been put on the front covers of the Spanish Sports papers, last August rumours arose that AT.BILBAO & Spanish International forward FERNANDO LLORENTE was on the REAL MADRID list of future candidates. The news again gets prime-time after a magnificent performance last Friday with two goals for Spain against Lithuania.
Fernando Llorente scores for the
SPANISH SPORTS | JORGE LORENZO MOTO GP TONI ELIAS MOTO 2 WORLD CHAMPIONS 2010 | RAFAEL NADAL WINS TOKYO TENNIS TITLE
Sunday, October 10, 2010
I am currently out of town in the countryside & have at my disposal a primative "Wi-fi" which is very slow; thus it limits my availabilty to stay connected too long. Said this please excuse the shortness of the posts until I get back to the "big smoke".
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Woke up this morning to find that SPANISH SPORTS has two new WORLD CHAMPIONS & that RAFAEL NADAL
EURO U-21 QUALIFIERS | SPAIN 2 CROATIA 1
The SPANISH U-21 NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM a little bit closer to getting to their objective of participation in the next Euro Championships & in the process in the 2012 London Olympic games after defeating CROATIA 2-1 last night.
The youngsters still have a "dangerous" 2ºleg match on Tuesday in Croatia which they must win to keep their hope alive, but yesterdays victory is an important step foward
FC BARCELONA TEAM PHOTO 2010 - 2011 | GALA STARTING 11
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Hi. Managed to find the very lastest FC BARCELONA TEAM PHOTO for season 2010-2011. The below picture is the "Gala starting 11" with Abibal, Pedro, Busquests, Pique, Valdes, Messi, Alves, Iniesta, Villa, Xavi & Puyol.
Hope this satisfies the many requests from the Barça fans around the World. For your info there are Team shots up on Spanish Football Sports Blog posted back weeks & months back.
SPAIN 3 LITHUANIA 1 | 2010 | VIDEO ALL THE GOAL HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, October 8, 2010
All the goal highlights in the Spain 3 Lithuania 1 Group I Euro 2012 qualifier on the below VIDEO:
(lower the volume)
EURO 2012 GROUP I QUALIFIER | SPAIN 3 LITHUANIA 1
The current FIFA World Champions SPAIN defeated LITHUANIA 3-1 in their Group I match tonight which was played in the Spanish city of Salamanca. The SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM went in without important midfielders Xavi who is injured & Xabi Alonso who was a last minute withdrawal due to the flu. However, both were well substituted by Andres Iniesta doing the habitual work of his Club team-mate Xavi &
REAL MADRID | THE FUTURE OF KARIM BENZEMA IN HIS HANDS
The “kid” has enough pressure on his shoulder to now deal with the rumoured offers being received by his Club. REAL MADRID French International KARIM BENZEMA is said to be on the list of players wished by Italian Club JUVENTUS,English giants MANCHESTER UNITED, MANCHESTER CITY & now TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS who have 28M€ to invest on the player in the January 2011 “Winter Market”.
Karim Benzema.
SFS FLASHBACK | VICENTE DEL BOSQUE SPANISH INTERNATIONAL PLAYER SCORES GOAL FOR SPAIN AGAINST CYPRUS 1978| VIDEO
Our younger readers may not know that current SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM Selector & Coach Vicente del Bosque was a well known & successful player for REAL MADRID & a Spanish International. Below is Del Bosque as Captain of the SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM in 1978 just before a EURO 1980 Italy Group qualifier against Cyprus.
Marcelino, Cundi, Miguel Ángel, Villar, Alesanco, Migueli, Heredia, Del Bosque (
SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM 2010 | SERGIO RAMOS
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Just received this picture from Spanish Football Team International defender Sergio Ramos from his Cell Phone. He is next to FC Barcelona defender & Spain Team mate Gerard Pique. Here is Ramos twitter address if interested:
http://twitter.com/SergioRamos
Sergio Ramos with Pique from his mobile.
DUTCH FOOTBALL PLAYER ROYSTON DRENTHE DOES HIS RAP
REAL MADRID Dutch player ROYSTON DRENTHE, currently on loan to Spanish 1st Division Club HERCULES, has another talent apart from playing Football - Soccer; Rap! Spanish TV - RTVE - via its news programme visited Drenthe in the city of Alicante where the player was "hanging out" in the studio of Spanish rapper "Nach" to do some "flow".
Check out the style of the player on this video:
REAL MADRID | 2010 | KAKÁ COULD GO TO INTER MILAN IN THE WINTER MARKET ?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
At first I though it was just plain “bullshit”, however the news that started coming out of Italy some weeks back is now beginning to spread here in the Spanish Sports press & I am now not so sure anymore. The piece in question has appear today out in the Spanish Sports daily “AS” online edition & they reiterate that REAL MADRID Coach José Mourinho has given his OK to sell Brazilian star KAKÁ to
SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM 2010 | PREPARATION FOR UPCOMING EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS AGAINST LITHUANIA - SCOTLAND
The SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM is under concentration with its 21 players in Madrid preparing themselves for the two important EURO 2012 group qualifiers. This Friday night they play Lithuania in the Spanish city of Salamanca & then the squad travels to Scotland to play in the city of Glasgow on Tuesday.
The SPAIN FOOTBALL TEAM has 4 new additions (Valero, Soriano, Aduriz & Pablo Hernandez) to the
SEGIO CANALES MAY GO ON LOAN TO RACING DE SANTANDER IN WINTER MARKET
According to Spanish radio “Onda Cero”, young REAL MADRID & Spanish U-21 International player SERGIO CANALES may see himself back at his old Club Racing de Santander in the Winter Market period. The operation would be a loan & thus guarantee that Canales receives playing time which is something that he is not achieving at this moment with Real Madrid.
Soccer player Sergio Caneles with Real
DAVID VILLA - DWIGHT HOWARD VIDEO SPOT 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
There is a rumour that Spanish International & FC Barcelona forward DAVID VILLA has another day job, or at least he is taking "the piss out" of DWIGHT HOWARD the NBA USA Basketball star player as they exchange jerseys. Funny VIDEO commercial :
THE BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT EVO MORALES KNEES OPPONENT IN FRIENDLY MATCH | VIDEO
This video has nothing to do with Spanish Football nor with Spanish Sports, & thank the Lord. One may think it is Dutch defender DE JONG doing his usual "party piece", but it is none other than the President of Bolivia Evo Morales retaliating to an early tackle that didn´t go down well with the Prez.The game was to celebrate the new artificial ground built in La Paz. Around the 5th min the
REAL MADRID CF | RELIEF AS THE DRY GOAL DROUGHT FINALLY ENDS | REAL MADRID 6 DEPORTIVO 1 VIDEO GOALS
Monday, October 4, 2010
Spanish TV "Cuarto" via its Sports News section televised this afternoon this piece on how REAL MADRID finally broken their "Goal Drought spell" yesterday against Deportivo with a 6 - 1 victory. The news piece is in Spanish BUT it can be intuitively understood, apart from also seeing all the goals from last nights game.To help out in the translation & catch the many ideas in the video, it
SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM | SORIANO, VALERO, ADURIZ PLUS HERNANDEZ CALLED UP FOR INJURIED PLAYERS
SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM Selector & Coach Vicente de Bosque has had to change the original list of Spanish players called up for the upcoming Euro 2012 Group qualifiers against Lithuania & Scotland after three important members suffered injuries in their respective League games this weekend.
FC Barcelona player PEDRO, along with Liverpool FC forward FERNANDO TORRES & Sevilla FC player
SPANISH FOOTBALL | SOCCER - SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 - 2011 | SUNDAY ROUND 6 RESULTS
Sunday, October 3, 2010
SPANISH FOOTBALL action tonight with the 7 remaining matches of Round 6 corresponding to the Spanish League - Liga - competition being played with same surprise results. Here is the summary of the results & the scorers of todays games. New SEVILLA FC Coach Manzano has "revitalized" his team which overran ATLETICO DE MADRID with a convincing 3-1 victory at home. The visitors were totally out
FOOTBALL FINANCE | DAVID VILLA TOP TRANSFER DEAL FOR 2010-2011
An interesting post on Football Finance Portuguese website “futebolfinance” where they give us the Top 25 transfer operations during the last summer for this new 2010-2011 season.
Two observations:
1. Spanish International forward DAVID VILLA was the most expensive transfer operation for season 2010-2011 with a 40M€ move from Valencia CF to FC Barcelona
2. The market was less “inflated” & more
SPANISH FOOTBALL | SOCCER - SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA 2010 - 2011 | SATURDAY ROUND 6 RESULTS
Saturday, October 2, 2010
SPANISH FOOTBALL - SOCCER - action tonight with three matches of Round 6 of the SPANISH LEAGUE - LIGA - with the following results & scorers.
REAL SOCIEDAD was awarded with a 1- 0 victory over ESPANYOL due to their persistence & hard work. In fact it was Espanyol who had all the chances with numerous misses that should have gone in the net, but those failures made them pay dearly in the end
SPANISH FOOTBALL SPORTS BLOG | SOCIAL MEDIA
Friday, October 1, 2010
Hi guys. Slow day here in Spain today with the Spanish Football - Soccer news. The only big thing hitting the Spanish Sports papers are the alleged & supposed "doping" acusations to the three time Spanish Tour De France cyclist Alberto Contador. Something he denies as "food contamination" & that the ICU has to study further with more examinations. Remember, one is innocent until proven guilty.