Wednesday 31 March 2010

Champions League: Wenger Boys Lifeline

You've got to love Arsene Wenger. He's like a little wizard tinkering away on experiments in football, while all around him cast doubt and criticise. In tonights hugely entertaining match against champions, Barcelona FC, you could say the wizards' boys largely redeemed their creator.

Arsenal managed the improbable by equalling Barcelona's away tally, 2-2. I say improbable because the first half was an onslaught, with only one team hammering away for goals that never came: Barca.
When asked about being outplayed by the Catalan giants for large parts, Wenger returned with this classic:

          "It's not easy, believe me, but you respect it more than when you've been kicked."


Other Results:

Inter Milan 1(Milito 65') - CSK Moscow 0

Champions League: Mourinho's Homecoming

Photo: Times Online, 30 March 2010

I'm no Mystic Meg, but mark my words: the Silver Fox will be coming to England come the end of summer 2010.


At a pre-Champions League press conference ahead of Inter Milan's quarters match against CSK Moscow, Jose Mourinho was at it again, dropping pitch perfect soundbites like stardust and peppering English journo's with the usual pre-match mind games you'd expect. The subject? Italian Football. Jose informed one and all that he was unhappy with Italian football. Ma perche, Jose? 
                               
                                                “Because I do not like it and because it doesn’t like me.”


This is the football mind-fuck equivalent of requesting your P45. These are the moves of a smart guy softening the ground for his eventual departure. Sure, he wants to win the Champions League with Inter. But he clearly won't be staying on to mount another campaign if they should fail this year. 


The popular and obvious bet for a next destination is probably Real Madrid, who have the size, scope and money to facilitate the ambitions of a successful coach like himself. But it's clear that Mourinho's heart lies in England for club football.


                      “I miss English football and English football misses me, there’s no doubt about that"


With a toss up between coaching Manchester United or Real Madrid, all signs would point to Old Trafford. But that job is not up for grabs. Yet. Whereas there are a couple of legitimate possibilities which may arise in the English game, at the right level. Funny to think that for the clubs I'm thinking about, much of this prospect depends on whether those two teams in particular can retain and attain fourth spot in the Premier League.


Interesting times.


Until that time, we'll just have to make do with the occasional flirt 'n' tease dance afforded to footy fans on Champions League nights when Europes best face one another in the prestigious final 8 stage.


Wednesday Matches, 7.30pm GMT kick off


Inter Milan vs CSK Moscow
Arsenal FC vs Barcelona FC

ATP Miami: Lemon Drop Keeps-a-Rollin' into Quarters

 vs 
Photos: Getty Images/Eveready Battery pack

Key Biscayne: Rafa Nadal aka Lemon Drop  won a nervy match against David Ferrer 7-6 6-4. In fact, I'm going to start calling Ferrer "Eveready" because the guy always gives his all and never quits, just like the handy little batteries. 

The match was tighter than the scoreline suggests. In the end, the deal was sealed by a combination of Rafa eventually pulling the trigger (in one game, Nadal had 5 break points before securing the break) and Ferrer lacking aggression in the latter part of the 2nd set. Some of Rafa's ground strokes were unbelievably short, even he seemed relieved to scramble away with the points.

But, a wins a win, especially after tonight's other disappointment - see below post...Man U, still annoyed..

On another note, how much do you love Nike's Lemon Zest outfit Nadal is sporting in Miami? It's bright, positive, perfect. Stick to those tangy and citrus flavours, Rafa. You're juicy, kid; own it.

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Uefa Champions League Mask of Zorro

Bayern Munich beat Manchester United tonight, 2-1, at home in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals. Honestly, that was a pretty lucky result for Man U. The second half was an onslaught of Bayern possession and attack, laced with poor passes and lack of shape from everyone accept Ferdinand, Vidic and Van Der Sar.

Add to that a suspected twisted ankle for Wayne Rooney... Basta con questa partita!

But enough of that. Let's talk about Martin Demichelis, or rather the fetching mask. When did Zorro take up football?

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

St Patrick's Day, i.e. Heavenly Consumption of Guiness Day, is upon us.

I always like this day, mainly because the Irish (whatever your political affiliation) are a good natured people so a celebration to all things paddy generally feels like just that. It doesn't make your average person nicer, like Christmas or the onset of spring brings tolerance and a smile to a Londoner. But still.

I would have forgotten were this less of a light hearted yet important day, coming in amongst an exciting moment in the sports season, otherwise known as MAD MARCH. March is when the best dual gender tennis tourney of the year, Indian Wells, kicks off in California; Formula One starts up again in Bahrain; the Champions League gets to the nitty gritty quarter finals stage with inevitable casualties, Alpine Skiing World Cup winds down in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) and of course all the European  football leagues are at the business end of things.

Happily, St Patrick's Day sits alongside all this and even manages to make a diary date out of socialising, going to the pub and drinking Guiness.

Me: Wanna go to the pub?
Friend: (sighs) It's been a busy week you know, I might leave it...
Me: But it's St Patrick's Day!
Friend: (perks up) Oh yeah! No, alright, let's do it. But it's got to be a proper pub. Proper Guiness

And if you're not a fan of the black stuff, try guiness and condense milk. YUM, trust me.

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Cardio Tennis

We need to have this in London...ok, maybe the rest of you in UK too...

A new exercise craze is borne in the form of 'Cardio Tennis' which combines the basic principles of tennis with a high-intensity cardiovascular workout. In other words, get the physique of a top tennis player without having their skills. Sounds like a fantasists dream!

The workout burns on average 600 pounds per hour of cardio, and will also improve your tennis technique.

If the Woodlands Golf and Country Club  in Columbia Wisconsin can offer these innovative programs, what's happening with David Lloyd, Virgin Active and the like? Capital city should equal capital, novelty fitness, shouldn't it?

Maybe I should move to WIS instead of staying in Europe?

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