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Spanish Football Changes At Barcelona Fc

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After a tough football season 2007-2008, finishing in the third place of “La Liga”, losing to the Manchester United at the UEFA Champions League semifinals and a after a 4-1 drubbing by their arch-rivals Real Madrid, big changes have been announced at the Barcelona FC.

Just a day after the Real Madrid defeat, on May 8 the president of Barcelona Joan Laporta announced the first change: the Dutch Frank Rijkaard, head coach of the club since 2003, would be dismissed a year before ending his contract, however, Laporta praised Rijkaard for his achievements with the team and said that former Bara player and Barcelona B coach Josep Guardiola would be taking his place.

While Rijkaard was in charge, the club won the UEFA Champions League title in the 2005-06 season, the La Liga Championship in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons and the Supercopa de Espaa in 2005 and 2006.

Besides Rijkaard dismiss, there will be many changes in the current team squad. Among the speculations that have wonder around since the beginnings of May, it has been mentioned that the Barcelona football team is going to be revamped. The list of players that would be leaving the club is headed for the Brazilian Ronaldinho, who was in the sight of the AC Milan though the general manager Ariedo Braido has said recently that they would rather the striker Samuel Eto’s, who’s also set to leave Bara as well as the Portuguese-Brazilian Deco.

The French Lilian Thuram and the Brazilian Edmilson would also finish their days with the team because their contracts end this season and they’re not going to be renewed. Brazilian Sylvinho’s contract also ends next June 30, but it’s not clear yet if he will sing again with the club. The Spaniards Santiago Ezquerro and Oleguer Presas and the Icelander Eidur Gudjohsen are also on the list of players that could leave the team.

As well, Barcelona intends to transfer the Mexican Rafael Marquez, who didn’t play much in the season and could be part of the Atletico Madrid; the Italian Gianluca Zambrota could be transferred to Milan and the Frenchman Thierry Henry could be transferred too, though his contract with Barcelona is for three more years and the team could be forced to keep him in the squad.

On the other hand, among the names that have been mentioned to enter the team, coach Gladiola’s first signing was the Malian Seydou Keita, who signed a four years contract with the club on Monday May 26. Barcelona paid 14 million buy-out clause to Sevilla FC for Keita.

The second confirmed signing occurred last Tuesday May 27 with Gerard Piqu, Manchester United’s center back, who expressed being very pleased to be back at Bara as it was his boy-hood club since 1997 until 2004. Piqu signed a four years contract with a buy-out clause of 50 million. That same day the club made Villareal a first offer to buy the Uruguayan Martn Cceres but it was considered not acceptable and was rejected, though Villareal is willing to negotiate, according to the president of the team Fernando Roig. The Arsenal player Byelorussian Alexander Hleb was also contacted by Barcelona and an offer was made, but Hleb is considering his options as this is not the only offer he has received for the next football season.

Amongst other players that may be in the Catalonian team’s sight, although they haven’t been confirmed yet, there are Mallorca’s striker Dani Giza, who left Barcelona in 2003 and has expressed recently that he’s eager to return, Daniel Alves from Sevilla and Valencia’s left-handed midfielder Daniel Silva. As well Guardiola may be interested in the Brazilian striker Juan of the AS Roma, according to the Italian newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport.

How To Win The Football Pools – Key Strategy Elements

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Many pools players contend that the results of UK football pools matches (and Australian pools too) as featured on the pools coupons, are random.

I dont agree. Football teams play broadly to form, though not all results are in line with the form book, which is what makes it work for the football pools companies. How is form measured the last 5 games, 10 games; against better or worse teams? So, you need a performance system to start with.

Many people see roulette as a random gambling game, but of course it isnt, at least from the point of view of the casino. The House i.e. the casino – has a small edge, often defined in law (depending on country).

The fundamental approach to winning at the football pools is to make sure you have and edge that is, the odds of winning are biased (maybe only slightly) in your favour.

Of course, to win the jackpot you have to have 8 draws in a line and there should be only 8 draws on the coupon that week, and, of course, you should be the only one with that winning line that week. The odds on that are hugely long just selecting 8 draws from 16 matches has odds of 451 million to 1.

To manage the odds, we need to pick out the Home and Away certainties. That will reduce the list of potential draws. We use our performance measurement system to help us do that.

Then, plans and perms are important. These are how we enter multiple lines on the weekly entry, offering differing levels of coverage and guarantee. These have to be balanced against your budget and attitude to risk. There strong arguments between people who use plans (less than 100% guarantee), and those who use perms (100% guarantee). You pays your money and takes your choice.

Just as the casino has a long-run edge in roulette, it is important to see winning the UK football pools as a long run profit opportunity. You need to persevere. The one week you didnt do them could have been the week you might have won.

On the other hand, you need to choose your weeks when you are sure the form book applies. Do you think teams have consistent form across both league and Cup competitions? No way.

So, to maximise your long run edge on the pools, dont squander your stake on competitions where there is a lower probability of teams playing to form. Unless, of course, you want to do it for fun! After all, many punters play roulette just for fun, and dont seriously expect to win.

2010 Phil Marks

Football – The Best Players In The World

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The beautiful game of football is played and watched all over the world and is the most popular sport out of all sports.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Averiro, born 5th February 1985 is a Portuguese attacking football player and is considered as one of the worlds best players due to his impressive speed and accuracy. Cristiano Ronaldo first started playing professional football with Spanish club Sporting Lisbon where he trained in the youth team before making his debut for the club in 1999 against Moreirense. Ronaldo also played international football for Portugal youth team which got him noticed by teams all over the world who where all interested in signing the young Portuguese player. After playing for Sporting Lisbon for two seasons Ronaldo caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson who signed the then 18 year old for 12.24 million in 2003. Ronaldo scored his first goal for united in November 2003 against Portsmouth. Cristiano Ronaldo had four successful seasons with Manchester United appearing 292 times and scoring 118 goals. On 26 June 2009, Real Madrid confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo would join the club on 1 July 2009 for a record signing fee of 80 million and a contract worth 13 million per season.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Andres Messi, born 24th June 1987 is an Argentinian attacking football player who plays for Spanish club Barcelona and he is considered to be one of the best football players of his generation. Lionel Messi began playing football at a young age and he was quickly identified by Barcelona. He quickly left Newells Old Boys youth team in 2000 and moved to Europe to play for Barcelona making his debut in the 2004/05 season. Since signing for Barcelona Messi has scored 109 La Liga goals in 162 appearances. Messi has also received many awards since playing for Barcelona such as the UEFA club footballer of the year in 2008 and 2009 and the special young player of the year in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Messi is sponsored by Adidas and he features in their advertisements. He is also featured on the cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2010.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Mark Rooney, born 24th October 1985 is an English attacking football player who plays for Premier League club Manchester United. Wayne Rooney began his career with Everton, joining their youth team at the age of ten and finally making it to their first team. He made his professional debut in 2002 and his first goal made him the youngest goal scorer in Premier League history at the time. After spending two seasons at Everton, he signed for Manchester United on the 31 of August 2004 for 25.6 million. Rooney made his England debut in 2003 and is now one of the most regularly picked players for the national squad. Rooney has also been awarded many honours including young player of the year 2005, fans player of the year 2005-06 and England player of the year in 2008.

This article is my personal view of who I think are the top 3 best football players around the world.

Visit Sports Idols, the UK’s leading distributor in signed sports memorabilia including Wayne Rooney Memorabilia and Manchester United Memorabilia.

Gifts To Send Football Fans Into A Frenzy

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Football is one of the biggest industries in the world. It turns over billions of pounds a year and has fans worldwide. People love football; the loyalty to a favourite team, the competition, the anticipation, the signings, the off the pitch drama. However you look at it football is a lifestyle, an addiction and at the very least a keen interest. Men in particular relish a goof football game. If they are lucky enough to get match tickets they round up their friends, lay their jersey out the night before and prepare for a day of team spirit, often fuelled by fast food and beer. Men will brave all the elements just to be at an important game. The roars of the crowds lift spirits and team morale, raising tension to breaking point. For the men watching at home, they usually claim the living room and the biggest screen for themselves, place the beers in the fridge to keep cool and have their friends or family present to accompany them in jumping off the couch and shouting instructions at the professional players or merely bellowing their praise at a score for their team.

If you have a loved one who is football crazy then the obvious gifts for him to buy are of course football themed gifts. If he has always fancied owning shares in a football club then his dream can now come true. By browsing online you will find a list of football clubs who are selling shares as the perfect gifts for men. The will receive regular updates on the team and club and will also be invited to all the AGMs. Make them really feel part of it with this brilliant gift, guaranteed to bring out the green eyed monster in all his mates.

If he would object strongly to being a shareholder in a club he does not support, as his club may not be on the list then why not buy him an experience day football package. Perhaps the most popular option is the chance to avail of a V.I.P. tour of their favourite stadium. He will walk in the footsteps of his favourite players, drink in the atmosphere of the impressive stadium, hear the ghostly roars from the stands, tour the trophy rooms, walk the pitch and even visit the locker rooms! An extra but well appreciated addition is to finish the tour with lunch in one of the executive boxes overlooking the entire stadium. If you purchase this as a package for two he can bring a friend or family member to share in the experience but beware the scrabbling that will ensue to be the chosen one!

Football gifts for him are easy to come by. These massive football clubs produce tons of merchandise every year so if you are feeling the pinch you can pick up team footballs, stationary, sports clothing, posters, mugs, mouse pads….the options are endless! Football merchandise is everywhere so there is no need to break the bank when sticking to the football theme this occasion. So go grab your footie gifts today!

A Coaches Checklist For Youth Flag Football

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Here are our Top 5 Tips to make your season a successful one this year, whether you are a first time coach or a seasoned flag football coach. Your kids will have their best season ever if you follow these simple tips. All it takes is a little preparation.
Good sportsmanship is important:
Teach them to love flag football for the rest of their life by teaching them to have fun and play safely. Drive home that that teamwork and a good attitude are more important than winning. These are traits every coach should remind their team at every practice.
Also remember to practice what you preach. Set an example and dont be that coach that gets in the refs face and screams after a bad call was made. Instead calmly approach the ref and discuss it with him; if he doesnt agree with you, drop it and move on.
Make sure to plan:
Dont waste precious practice time on conditioning. Always be prepared for practice so youll coach your team from one drill or play to the next to minimize standing around time. Keeping them moving from drill to drill will take care of conditioning better than laps around the field and calisthenics.
It is best to always have a few extra drills on standby in case what you had planned on teaching them is not working. If the players do not understand the concept or drill, you are the one explaining it wrong. Try explaining it different way, or move on to the next drill and save it for another day.
Let the kids play!:
Kids learn best and get a confidence boost by running the plays, so dont just talk about the plays, instead have them run them every practice. But move on to more complex plays when the kids have mastered the simpler ones. With the fundamentals under their belts, theyll be able to learn the more complex plays much quicker.
Practice in all kinds of weather:
Keep in mind not every game will be played in 65 and sunny weather, so dont cancel practices if it is raining. Practicing in not so perfect weather means theyll be used to working harder on a muddy field come game day. Tell parents your plan at the beginning of the season so they are not surprised when you dont call off practice at the first hint of rain drops.
Find an assistant:
The best assistant is someone who has a similar coaching philosophy and personality as you. A great flag football coach is not necessarily someone who played flag football in college or the local intramural league so keep that in mind when a selecting an assistant. Ask a close friend, co-worker or relative to ensure a greater chance of coaching success, rather than a random volunteer parent.