Britains Euro dreams

Only a couple of weeks ago, it looked so likely that Northern Ireland (well geographically they are there) and Scotland have brilliant chances to make it to the Euro 2008. And England was picking up so many crucial 3-0 wins, suddenly many feel that the universe was working alright after all.

Then Spain picked up points, and David Healy can't carry the team on his own, so it was up to England and Scotland.

Well, until last night, it still looks bright for both teams. Until England lost 2-1 to Russia and Scotland lost to Georgia 2-0. Off all countries. No disrespect to Georgia, but after taking all 6 out of 6 points from France and is tipped to knock out either one of the World Cup finalist, losing to Georgia is just well, a nightmare. If Scotland does make it through what seems to be an unlikely task now, 50 years down the road, someone might just make a movie out of this.

England's fortunes were not looking good either. They might be ahead of Russia in the tables, but bear in mind, Russia has one game in hand, and could easily overtake England if they win their last 2 fixtures.

It could be a British-less competition next year.

Flashscore.com

Let me introduce everyone to this amazing site. Its www.flashscore.com. Flash score offers live score updates on soccer matches from all over the world. We are talking about live updates here, so there is no more sitting down waiting for the news, as you can anticipate on all the games that are happening right now!

Live soccer scores available for leagues all round the world, including lesser known leagues like Scandinavia, Singapore or even Chile. This site also features other competitions including the European Cups and International tournaments.

What differs this amazing site from others is that besides up to the second live scores, Flash score offers live odds! Now that is something no other live update site has to offer.

Besides soccer, you can check up on the latest scores on other sports such as hockey, tennis, basketball, baseball and even American Football! Talk about convenience. All updates on one site.

Believe me when I say this. You will want to check this out.

Russia vs England

That fixture is coming up this week. After a really bad start, and a streak of 3-0 wins, one more win will ensure England's qualifications in the Euro 2008 tournament.

The reverse fixture might be won 3-0 in Wembley but going to Russia to play against a Gus Hiddink Russian side is something else. Furthermore it is going to be played on a plastic ground. This plastic ground is similar to the turf surface that some futsal courts offer. I've played on it before, and personally I think its slippery and little bits of black plastics do get into your shoes and annoy the hell out of you. I heard the Russians are going to wet the field as well, and with the freezing weather, it is going to be hard to ignore the fact that the field is something totally different from what most are used to. And I'm not even talking about ball dynamics.

The English team will be without Ashley Cole after picking up an injury in the previous match while John Terry said to return. The six forward starters should be starting once again.

I do feel England's 3-0 streak will end. They will still be favourites to win this one. My predictions, 2-1 to England. Fair result, and no one bullies or praises McClaren. Wins like these are taken for granted by the press.

International week

Once again, club managers relax, or should I say panic (cant stop thinking about which one of their players will come back injured)

Tonight a whole new set of matches continues and Big fries like England, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain are still in danger of not qualifying for the tournament. Lets not forget the European Champions Greece.

Sol Campbell is starting. What a surprise. Why not new blood like Michael Dawson. And Steven Gerrard will Captain tonight.

Germany will be the first team to qualify for the Euro 2008 tournament if they win tonight.

Besides Europe, Other parts of the world will start their World Cup qualifying campaign which includes the South American region Brazil will take on Colombia.

Mr Robinson

Paul Robinson, the man they once said will be THE successor of David Seaman. The man they say will answer England's goalkeeping problems. The man who has great talents in front of him such as Kaboul and Michael Dawson and still concede more goals than any other keeper in the Premiership other than Steven Bywater. If Robinson plays for Derby it could be worse.

Butter fingers Robinson is far from what he is supposed to be. England's no.1. The country have so many goalkeeping prospects with the like of Kirkland, Carson, Ben Foster, and the aging David James pushing for that no.1 spot.


Do you remember this own goal in Croatia?

Personally I think its time for Scott Carson to be the first choice keeper for England. This young lad has done enough to prove that he's ready for the big games. Robinson is a has been even at his age.

Where are the goals?

I was quite a fan of The beautiful game podcast, but they are not doing any podshows this season, and I would like to carry on their legacy on one of my favourite segments on the show called Where are the goals?

I will do this once a week to showcase a player who should be scoring but isn't.

Our first lucky player to be added in this Wall of Shame would be none other than Andriy Shevchenko.

Let me remind everybody again, that Andriy Shevchenko is once, European player of the year, top goal scorer in the Serie A and a 30 million pounds buy for Chelsea.

Lets forget about last season shall we? Cause there is so much to talk about already.

This season in 5 games, Sheva scored 1 goal, not the kind of stats one like himself would like to have. Not only is he not scoring goals, the Ukrainian is playing at a standard many will not believe that he has a 30 million price tag and earns more than most can imagine.

So Andriy Shevchenko, I've got to ask you, Where are the goals?

Sorry guys

Sorry for not updating. I've been very busy, and still busy. Its a busy week. Come back tomorrow. Please? :D

Liverpool 0 Marseille 1

Honestly, what can I say?

I woke up at five thirty and refreshed Livescore.com and found this scoreline.

Liverpool losing in a home game? Everyone expected a win. After a draw with Porto, a win here would be good. And its a home game, we expect to get all 9 out of 9 points in the 3 home games. No excuses really.

I didn't watch the match, so I really can't say much about it. All reports saying that it was Liverpool's worst European night out under Benitez, and stats don't lie, often. Looks like a bad game. So what if the squad was rotated, and Sebastian Leto starting on the left? It doesn't matter, its still a Liverpool squad losing a home game in the group stages.

Liverpool is supposed to be in a group against teams that looked like they will cause a threat but the end story is the other. So far, not too good.

On the bright side, the last time Liverpool lost to a French team, they ended up winning the tournament. And usually 10 points is needed to qualify to the next stage. That means in the next four games, 3 wins are required. As bad as the last 2 games go, 3 wins are highly possible.

On the other UCL matches from last night, I can embarrassedly admit that most of my predictions were wrong.

2 out of 8 matches where correctly predicted. I'm so ashamed.

Man Utd vs Roma

Remember that 7-1 scoreline from a few months back, in the same fixture? I remembered watching the first leg where Roma won by 2-1. I was happy enough to hope for a draw between the two in the next leg then, and when I woke up a little late and saw Man Utd with a 4 goal lead. Then they scored some more.

It doesn't reflect the quality difference between the teams really. If I could conclude on how that happened in the first place as just pure focus. Lets not forget self belief. After 2 goals, Roma was probably shivering inside, wondering what, how and why they are even alive.

This time I assure everyone it will be different. No matter what, there will be no goal fest, at least not like last season's game.

Roma will walk into this game with injuries and bad form (4-1 lost to Inter) while Man Utd will be heading to this one picking up form (even though they played badly) and with fit again players.

On paper, looks like a 2-1 or 2-0 win for United. Not too difficult.

John Terry needs protection

Issit just me or does anyone else not find this title amusing?

What KIND of protection?