news about football probably According to the Uruguay international's representative, the Spurs are the only side to have made a concrete offer although he did acknowledge there have been That talks with Liverpool.
Despite Ramirez's decision to reject a move to north London, Oscar Betancourt did keep the door open for a future switch, suggesting That the sale of Real Madrid target of Luka Modric Could fund a move.
"The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, WHO Offered 16 million euros," Betancourt of toll Calciomercato. "But the deal did not go Because the Spurs Offered through a wage too low to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.
"Their offer Tottenham Could raise if They sell Modric and in case the deal That Could be done, otherwise Ramirez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more.
"Inter? They are interested in the player, but can not afford a cash offer similar to the English clubs. Nerazzurri would wish to include some players in the deal, but only wants cash Bologna, also Because of the arrangement with Penarol [Ramirez's former club] WHO receive a percentage if the player is sold. "
and so from this news may be less comfortable yes because I lack experience about writing thank you for reading
Showing posts with label Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Monday, 2 January 2012
Donovan headed back to Everton on loan
United States and LA Galaxy star attacker Landon Donovan is on the verge of securing a two-month return to Everton FC of the Barclays Premier League, the Liverpool-based club confirmed via their website on Thursday.
According to the club, an "agreement in principle" is in place for Donovan's second stint at Everton, his first coming during the winter of 2010.
Paperwork is still to be completed on a deal reached between Major League Soccer, LA Galaxy and Everton, one which parties had been working on in Liverpool over the last 72 hours. The agreement would have Donovan in England shortly after Christmas, returning to the MLS champions after the Toffees' February 25 match at rival Liverpool.
The first game for which Donovan would be eligible is January 4, when Everton faces Bolton Wanderers.
"I am delighted that we have managed to get Landon back," Everton manager David Moyes told the club website. "He will give us some good experience over January and February."
"His season has just finished and like last time we need him to hit the ground running because the games come thick and fast at this time of year."
During his early 2010 loan spell with Everton, Donovan scored twice in 13 appearances, giving performances strong enough to garner interest from the club a year later. Donovan instead chose to rest in the winter of 2011, but after completing a championship-winning season in MLS, the four-time US Soccer Athlete of the Year has chosen to leave for a second stint in England.
"The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up," Donovan told EvertonFC.com.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Everton in 2010 and I'm hopeful that we can experience similar success this time around."
From :
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/landon-donovan-everton-loan-2011-2012-english-premier-league-121511
According to the club, an "agreement in principle" is in place for Donovan's second stint at Everton, his first coming during the winter of 2010.
Paperwork is still to be completed on a deal reached between Major League Soccer, LA Galaxy and Everton, one which parties had been working on in Liverpool over the last 72 hours. The agreement would have Donovan in England shortly after Christmas, returning to the MLS champions after the Toffees' February 25 match at rival Liverpool.
The first game for which Donovan would be eligible is January 4, when Everton faces Bolton Wanderers.
"I am delighted that we have managed to get Landon back," Everton manager David Moyes told the club website. "He will give us some good experience over January and February."
"His season has just finished and like last time we need him to hit the ground running because the games come thick and fast at this time of year."
During his early 2010 loan spell with Everton, Donovan scored twice in 13 appearances, giving performances strong enough to garner interest from the club a year later. Donovan instead chose to rest in the winter of 2011, but after completing a championship-winning season in MLS, the four-time US Soccer Athlete of the Year has chosen to leave for a second stint in England.
"The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up," Donovan told EvertonFC.com.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Everton in 2010 and I'm hopeful that we can experience similar success this time around."
From :
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/usa/story/landon-donovan-everton-loan-2011-2012-english-premier-league-121511
Wow LeBron James proposes to longtime girlfriend
The new year is already off to a hot start for Miami Heat forward LeBron James, who rang in 2012 by proposing to longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson at his 27th birthday party Saturday night in Miami.
Brinson and James are high-school sweethearts, dating back to James’ days as a standout at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. Brinson is the mother of James' two kids, LeBron, Jr., 7, and Bryce, 4.
James turned 27 on Friday, and in addition to the engagement, Saturday night’s bash also featured the kind of extravagant birthday cake that you’d expect at a party thrown by King James, a a towering rum cake adorned with edible 18-carat lions and Swarovski crystals.
In photos from the event, James is wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and black glasses, and Brinson is wearing a black dress.
A witness told the New York Post that James "got down on one knee and proposed" to his high school sweetheart, putting a large pear-shaped diamond on her ring finger.
"It was real cool," James said. "It was an opportunity for me with my personal life, so it was good. My girl, she's very excited."
The swanky party was hosted by Heat teammate Dwayne Wade and his girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union.
"He was just trying to catch her off guard," Wade said of James. "Obviously, they've been together for a while, and I'm sure they had many discussions about the possibility of marriage. So, I thought he did a good job of catching her when she least expected it."
Heat power forward Chris Bosh and actress Queen Latifah were also among the 60 friends and family members at the shindig.
Shortly after 1 a.m. ET, Heat owner Micky Arison sent a tweet congratulating his star player on the engagement, writing, “Congrats to Lebron. @KingJames and Savannah so happy 4 u guys.”
Other NBA stars (and their wives) got in on the action too, as tweets of congratulations came in from L.A. Clippers point guard Chris Paul and La La Vazquez, the wife of New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, among others.
James isn’t the first member of the Big Three to put a ring on it in 2011. Bosh married Adrienne Williams in June at an extravagant wedding at Miami's Fontainebleau Hotel — an event that required the NBA to make an exception allowing team executives and players to mingle during the lockout.
Now that Bosh and James are done giving out rings, fans in Miami are holding out hope that they can team up with Wade to bring a different ring to South Florida.
They’re off to a good start. The Heat are unbeaten through five games, and James is averaging 29.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.
From :
http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/01/01/12/LeBron-proposes-to-longtime-girlfriend-B/landing_heat.html?blockID=637448&feedID=3934
Brinson and James are high-school sweethearts, dating back to James’ days as a standout at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. Brinson is the mother of James' two kids, LeBron, Jr., 7, and Bryce, 4.
James turned 27 on Friday, and in addition to the engagement, Saturday night’s bash also featured the kind of extravagant birthday cake that you’d expect at a party thrown by King James, a a towering rum cake adorned with edible 18-carat lions and Swarovski crystals.
In photos from the event, James is wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and black glasses, and Brinson is wearing a black dress.
A witness told the New York Post that James "got down on one knee and proposed" to his high school sweetheart, putting a large pear-shaped diamond on her ring finger.
"It was real cool," James said. "It was an opportunity for me with my personal life, so it was good. My girl, she's very excited."
The swanky party was hosted by Heat teammate Dwayne Wade and his girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union.
"He was just trying to catch her off guard," Wade said of James. "Obviously, they've been together for a while, and I'm sure they had many discussions about the possibility of marriage. So, I thought he did a good job of catching her when she least expected it."
Heat power forward Chris Bosh and actress Queen Latifah were also among the 60 friends and family members at the shindig.
Shortly after 1 a.m. ET, Heat owner Micky Arison sent a tweet congratulating his star player on the engagement, writing, “Congrats to Lebron. @KingJames and Savannah so happy 4 u guys.”
Other NBA stars (and their wives) got in on the action too, as tweets of congratulations came in from L.A. Clippers point guard Chris Paul and La La Vazquez, the wife of New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, among others.
James isn’t the first member of the Big Three to put a ring on it in 2011. Bosh married Adrienne Williams in June at an extravagant wedding at Miami's Fontainebleau Hotel — an event that required the NBA to make an exception allowing team executives and players to mingle during the lockout.
Now that Bosh and James are done giving out rings, fans in Miami are holding out hope that they can team up with Wade to bring a different ring to South Florida.
They’re off to a good start. The Heat are unbeaten through five games, and James is averaging 29.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.
From :
http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/01/01/12/LeBron-proposes-to-longtime-girlfriend-B/landing_heat.html?blockID=637448&feedID=3934
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
South America catching up to Brazil, Argentina?
Jorge Sampaoli’s Universidad de Chile extended their unbeaten run to an astonishing 35 matches last week as they beat LDU de Quito of Ecuador to lift the Copa Sudamericana, the club’s first ever continental crown. The final was, for only the second time in the competition’s 10-year history, notable in the absence of a finalist from either of South America’s traditional big hitters, Argentina and Brazil; with Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) and Vasco da Gama (Brazil) both having exited at the semi-final stage.
It has since been mooted that we may be seeing the beginnings of a power shift in South American football, with the gap between the big two and the rest decreasing. It’s an argument that’s tough to quantify, with each variable inherently leading us to another. Of the last 16 in this year’s Sudamericana, half of the club’s were from Brazil and Argentina (4 from each nation) due to the increasingly convoluted format of the competition, but only three progressed to the quarter-finals.
The Sudamericana in itself, however, seems an inappropriate yardstick - not least because the competition is given vastly differing levels of significance by its competitors. Vasco elected to play mainly reserve sides away from home in the competition, prioritizing a bigger prize in the form of their domestic league title. Thanks to the archaic state championships that run for four months of the year in Brazil, leaving the nation’s biggest clubs mainly turning out against part-timers, the Brazilian domestic league squeezes 38 rounds into just seven months. That left Vasco facing seven games in 24 days whilst attempting to negotiate their way past Bolivian club Aurora in the quarters.
Both Velez and Vasco were quite clearly prioritizing their leagues. Despite Boca Juniors having all but sealed the title by the halfway stage of Argentina’s Apertura, Velez coach Ricardo Gareca was still certain as to where his priorities lay. “We have to see how we end the local championship,” he said following his side’s quarter final first leg, “and then see if we can move forward in the Copa Sudamericana.”
“To me, [the Sudamericana] will school us for the Libertadores” said Vasco’s Dede. The Libertadores is now number one on every South American club’s list of priorities, so it perhaps provides a better measurement of the disparity between the ten CONMEBOL nations. Historically, the dominance of Brazil and Argentina over the Libertadores is plain to see. Of the eight clubs to have lifted the trophy more than three times, five are Argentinian or Brazilian. This year’s was the 52nd edition of the competition, 37 of those are split between the Brazil and Argentina. You have to go back 20 years to the last final that wasn’t contested by a club from either nation, when Colo Colo grabbed Chile’s first and only ever Libertadores crown by beating Olimpia of Parguay.
This year, however, Brazil and Argentina had just one team each at the quarter final stage after the Brazilian clubs’ dreams of the Libertadores title were shattered in what the media dubbed ‘Black Wednesday’. Five of its six clubs would crash out at the round of 16 despite the Brazilian league being at its strongest in decades. The eternal ‘nation of tomorrow’ is in the midst of an economic boom, with government figures estimating that over 30 million people have joined Brazil’s middle classes in the last 10 years. That’s a lot of added disposable incomes, and the leading corporations have taken notice, plunging money into huge sponsorship deals that have aided the returns of the likes of Ronaldinho, Luis Fabiano, Fred and Deco whilst also proving enough to keep youngsters such as Neymar and Lucas Moura at home that little while longer.
It’s possible, though, to read too much into that. Brazilian clubs were probably showed up for being naïve as opposed to any discernable lack of quality, as the most common failing amongst the clubs to fall was an inability to deal with counter-attacking opposition that utilized wide forwards, restricting the forward movement of Brazilian full-backs, and one of two missed enough chances to win three matches. Though one of football’s great tactical innovators, Brazil can be an insular nation, and its clubs will have to be a little more streetwise if they wish to exert any real dominance over the rest of the continent next year.
Unlike Brazil, Argentina does have cause for concern. The short tournament system has undoubtedly spread a culture of short-termism throughout Argentinian soccer, and it is no surprise that Velez - the league's most practically run club - has been its standout performer over the last two years, twice lifting the league title and reaching the semi-finals of both continental competitions.
The emergence of this year’s Sudamericana finalists, 'La U', most likely the continent’s best team at present, and LDU, a club that has written its entire continental history in the last four years, are perhaps more aptly described as variants as opposed to examples of something representative of a major power shift; as are Penarol of Uruguay, deserved Libertadores finalists this year.
Successful clubs anywhere in South America are habitually disbanded as soon as success arrives, with the allure of the increased wage and status offered by a big move too much to turn down. Penarol have since lost coach Diego Aguirre to the Middle East and star forward Alejandro Martinuccio headed to Brazil to join Fluminense. LDU quickly lost Jairo Campos to Brazil, Claudio Bieler to Argentina, and Damian Manso to Mexico following its 2008 Libertadores triumph; La U has already lost its star forward, Eduardo Vargas, who sealed a move to Napoli in Italy’s Serie A less than a week after firing his side to the Sudamericana title.
Player movement at such a rate undoubtedly makes it more difficult for those outside of Brazil and Argentina to compete long term; despite lacking financial muscle, Argentina is well established as a major shop window to Europe and continues to attract players from around the Americas. According to the Professional Footballer Observatory’s 2011 player migration report, Brazil exported 283 players 2010, Argentina 215; of the other CONMEBOL nations, only Colombia and Paraguay made the top 20 (with 71 and 43, respectively).
Other clubs from around the continent will continue to compete, and likely make major impacts on South American competitions, but, for now, it seems Argentina and Brazil will, collectively at least, continue to sit above the rest. If the disparity between domestic leagues is increasing anywhere, then the most striking example is likely Brazil’s continual strides ahead of Argentina.
It has since been mooted that we may be seeing the beginnings of a power shift in South American football, with the gap between the big two and the rest decreasing. It’s an argument that’s tough to quantify, with each variable inherently leading us to another. Of the last 16 in this year’s Sudamericana, half of the club’s were from Brazil and Argentina (4 from each nation) due to the increasingly convoluted format of the competition, but only three progressed to the quarter-finals.
The Sudamericana in itself, however, seems an inappropriate yardstick - not least because the competition is given vastly differing levels of significance by its competitors. Vasco elected to play mainly reserve sides away from home in the competition, prioritizing a bigger prize in the form of their domestic league title. Thanks to the archaic state championships that run for four months of the year in Brazil, leaving the nation’s biggest clubs mainly turning out against part-timers, the Brazilian domestic league squeezes 38 rounds into just seven months. That left Vasco facing seven games in 24 days whilst attempting to negotiate their way past Bolivian club Aurora in the quarters.
Both Velez and Vasco were quite clearly prioritizing their leagues. Despite Boca Juniors having all but sealed the title by the halfway stage of Argentina’s Apertura, Velez coach Ricardo Gareca was still certain as to where his priorities lay. “We have to see how we end the local championship,” he said following his side’s quarter final first leg, “and then see if we can move forward in the Copa Sudamericana.”
“To me, [the Sudamericana] will school us for the Libertadores” said Vasco’s Dede. The Libertadores is now number one on every South American club’s list of priorities, so it perhaps provides a better measurement of the disparity between the ten CONMEBOL nations. Historically, the dominance of Brazil and Argentina over the Libertadores is plain to see. Of the eight clubs to have lifted the trophy more than three times, five are Argentinian or Brazilian. This year’s was the 52nd edition of the competition, 37 of those are split between the Brazil and Argentina. You have to go back 20 years to the last final that wasn’t contested by a club from either nation, when Colo Colo grabbed Chile’s first and only ever Libertadores crown by beating Olimpia of Parguay.
This year, however, Brazil and Argentina had just one team each at the quarter final stage after the Brazilian clubs’ dreams of the Libertadores title were shattered in what the media dubbed ‘Black Wednesday’. Five of its six clubs would crash out at the round of 16 despite the Brazilian league being at its strongest in decades. The eternal ‘nation of tomorrow’ is in the midst of an economic boom, with government figures estimating that over 30 million people have joined Brazil’s middle classes in the last 10 years. That’s a lot of added disposable incomes, and the leading corporations have taken notice, plunging money into huge sponsorship deals that have aided the returns of the likes of Ronaldinho, Luis Fabiano, Fred and Deco whilst also proving enough to keep youngsters such as Neymar and Lucas Moura at home that little while longer.
It’s possible, though, to read too much into that. Brazilian clubs were probably showed up for being naïve as opposed to any discernable lack of quality, as the most common failing amongst the clubs to fall was an inability to deal with counter-attacking opposition that utilized wide forwards, restricting the forward movement of Brazilian full-backs, and one of two missed enough chances to win three matches. Though one of football’s great tactical innovators, Brazil can be an insular nation, and its clubs will have to be a little more streetwise if they wish to exert any real dominance over the rest of the continent next year.
Unlike Brazil, Argentina does have cause for concern. The short tournament system has undoubtedly spread a culture of short-termism throughout Argentinian soccer, and it is no surprise that Velez - the league's most practically run club - has been its standout performer over the last two years, twice lifting the league title and reaching the semi-finals of both continental competitions.
The emergence of this year’s Sudamericana finalists, 'La U', most likely the continent’s best team at present, and LDU, a club that has written its entire continental history in the last four years, are perhaps more aptly described as variants as opposed to examples of something representative of a major power shift; as are Penarol of Uruguay, deserved Libertadores finalists this year.
Successful clubs anywhere in South America are habitually disbanded as soon as success arrives, with the allure of the increased wage and status offered by a big move too much to turn down. Penarol have since lost coach Diego Aguirre to the Middle East and star forward Alejandro Martinuccio headed to Brazil to join Fluminense. LDU quickly lost Jairo Campos to Brazil, Claudio Bieler to Argentina, and Damian Manso to Mexico following its 2008 Libertadores triumph; La U has already lost its star forward, Eduardo Vargas, who sealed a move to Napoli in Italy’s Serie A less than a week after firing his side to the Sudamericana title.
Player movement at such a rate undoubtedly makes it more difficult for those outside of Brazil and Argentina to compete long term; despite lacking financial muscle, Argentina is well established as a major shop window to Europe and continues to attract players from around the Americas. According to the Professional Footballer Observatory’s 2011 player migration report, Brazil exported 283 players 2010, Argentina 215; of the other CONMEBOL nations, only Colombia and Paraguay made the top 20 (with 71 and 43, respectively).
Other clubs from around the continent will continue to compete, and likely make major impacts on South American competitions, but, for now, it seems Argentina and Brazil will, collectively at least, continue to sit above the rest. If the disparity between domestic leagues is increasing anywhere, then the most striking example is likely Brazil’s continual strides ahead of Argentina.
Rupert Fryer is a freelance soccer journalist and co-founder of SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk. You can follow him on Twitter at @Rupert_Fryer.
From :
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/south-america-leagues-catching-up-to-brazil-argentina-122111
From :
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/latinamerica/story/south-america-leagues-catching-up-to-brazil-argentina-122111
Friday, 18 November 2011
Beckham reflects on U.S. adventure
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – For David Beckham, the most surreal moment of his American adventure didn’t come on a soccer field or at a party, but instead involved the Los Angeles Lakers, Jack Nicholson and a Staples Center restroom.
“It was pretty strange,” Beckham said in an exclusive interview with Yahoo! Sports. “I was watching the Lakers. I was waiting to go to the restroom and Jack Nicholson comes out and he just says, ‘It’s all yours, David.’ I was like, ‘He really knows my name?’ ”
Beckham’s five years in California might be coming to a close, with his contract up at the end of the season. The Galaxy takes on the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup final on Sunday with the chance to win its first title of the Beckham era.
There was a minor fitness scare when the England midfielder skipped Thursday practice, with reasons for the absence ranging from a strained hamstring to a common cold. Beckham offered no more detail than an admission that he did indeed sit out.
However, it is unthinkable that he would miss Sunday’s showdown, which provides the chance to finally add some tangible silverware to what he feels has been a successful pilgrimage off the field.
When Beckham came to the U.S. in January 2007, it was hoped he could elevate interest in the game and provide a boost in media coverage and attendance. Despite a rocky first season that saw the Galaxy struggle miserably and Beckham struggle through injuries, he has for the most part achieved his goal.
“I have definitely achieved what I wanted to off the field,” Beckham said. “I wanted this game and this league to grow, and I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I said back then it wouldn’t happen in one or two years, but in five years a lot has happened. Attendances now rival NBA and NHL – all that in a country where soccer is not the No.1 sport. That is something I am proud to be part of.”
Beckham was unveiled as a Galaxy player in July 2007 at a glittering ceremony at the Home Depot Center attended by a string of celebrities and more than 600 media members from around the world. But he soon cut a lonely and frustrated figure, as the reality of MLS’ lower standard and the deficiencies of his teammates became apparent.
MLS was still relatively unknown then, but growth has been steady, both in terms of standard and recognition. For the past three seasons the Galaxy has claimed the Supporters’ Shield, the title given to the side with the best regular season record. The 36-year-old Beckham frequently gets messages from soccer star friends in England who can access his matches on British television.
Now the aim is to win a trophy, one the Galaxy came to within a whisker of in 2009, but lost the final on penalty kicks to Real Salt Lake. With Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane providing the star power and a fine supporting crew including influential Brazilian midfielder Juninho and young American defender Omar Gonzalez, the side is strongly favored to beat the Dynamo.
Beckham suffered similar frustration during his time at Spanish club Real Madrid, which failed to win La Liga in his first three seasons and finally clinched the trophy in his final match there.
“I think you always feel unfulfilled if you don’t win a trophy,” Beckham said. “No matter where I have played … people asked the same question in my fourth year at Real Madrid and I ended it winning a trophy.
“The last three years have been successful but I want to win the final. Everyone wants to win it. We need to be ready.”
After the game Beckham has a decision to make, and there are two favored options. One would be to remain with the Galaxy for one more season, a second would be to switch to the most vocal and financially generous of his suitors, French club Paris St. Germain, allowing him one final crack at playing in the Champions League.
Given that his body does not recover as quickly as it once did – he played much of this season with a fractured spine – retirement could be an option, although he will surely play for the Great Britain Olympic team in London next summer.
The decision-making process will take in many factors, with his ambition, lifestyle and physical health among them.
“I want to finish this season off first, kick back and relax and think about what the future holds for me,” Beckham said. “Whether it will be to continue to play or continue to play here, who knows? I want to be a champion at the end of this season, and then I will decide what happens in the future.
“The best thing about being here is just the experience of playing in a different country with different players and being part of a soccer nation that is growing. Being part of the Galaxy this year, it’s the most enjoyable year I have had here.
“There are certain things we are able to do here that we couldn’t in Europe, but I love London and I love England. I am a very patriotic person about my country. I have loved living here and will continue to love living here because it is a great place to live. Living in L.A. has been incredible for the family. California, the weather, the climate – something like that is a dream. But who knows what is going to happen.”
Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girls singer Victoria, have settled in well to the California lifestyle and gained high-profile friends. The soccer star regularly exchanges text messages with his friend Kobe Bryant, yet any suggestion that he is more interested in showbiz than soccer would be unfounded.
His performances in 2011 have been energetic and outstanding, and were a major reason why the Galaxy did not lose a home game during the regular season. As a teammate, Beckham has the full support and admiration of his colleagues and his commitment to the team is beyond question.
The days when some Galaxy fans were unsure of his dedication to the club have long passed. At the end of both Beckham’s second and third years in L.A., he went on loan to Italian side AC Milan. That decision, based primarily on his wish to remain in contention for selection to the England national team, did not meet with universal approval, especially when he was injured in Milan and missed most of the 2010 MLS campaign. However, Beckham won over the crowd once more this year, and it is clear that he envisages a bright future for American soccer, one in which he’d like to continue to play a role. He has an option to buy an MLS club at a discount, a move likely to happen before too long.
“I definitely would like to be involved in MLS,” Beckham said. “It has been part of my life. Not just living here but being part of MLS, I have enjoyed it. Everyone knows I have an option of a franchise in the league; it is something I am passionate about moving forward.
“The new franchises, the stadiums just for soccer and expansion teams … it shows a growth in a sport in this country. When you look around the league and you see these youth academies in every MLS team, more home-grown talent coming through, it is all positive.
“If it continues to grow like it is growing, it will be up there with the top leagues in the world. Certain things need to happen: We need to bring top talent to this league at a younger age, like 25. That will happen in time. This league has only been going 16 years, and I am proud to have helped it grow.”
Whether or not Beckham signs off in fairytale fashion Sunday, whether or not it is indeed the end, there is no disputing that he has been part of a success story. The ludicrous predictions back in 2007 that he would make soccer a rival to the NFL were not of his making and were simply impossible.
But American soccer is in a far healthier position at the end of David Beckham’s contract (you know, the one that was supposedly worth $250 million but in reality paid one-eighth of that) than it was at the beginning.
For that, the Beckham era can be regarded with fondness. For that, the Beckham Experiment can be said to have passed its test.
Read More:
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news;_ylt=AssZQkB0WEGb6lh5VS6uYn0mw7YF?slug=ro-rogers_beckham_jack_nicholson_staples_111711
“It was pretty strange,” Beckham said in an exclusive interview with Yahoo! Sports. “I was watching the Lakers. I was waiting to go to the restroom and Jack Nicholson comes out and he just says, ‘It’s all yours, David.’ I was like, ‘He really knows my name?’ ”
Beckham’s five years in California might be coming to a close, with his contract up at the end of the season. The Galaxy takes on the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup final on Sunday with the chance to win its first title of the Beckham era.
There was a minor fitness scare when the England midfielder skipped Thursday practice, with reasons for the absence ranging from a strained hamstring to a common cold. Beckham offered no more detail than an admission that he did indeed sit out.
However, it is unthinkable that he would miss Sunday’s showdown, which provides the chance to finally add some tangible silverware to what he feels has been a successful pilgrimage off the field.
When Beckham came to the U.S. in January 2007, it was hoped he could elevate interest in the game and provide a boost in media coverage and attendance. Despite a rocky first season that saw the Galaxy struggle miserably and Beckham struggle through injuries, he has for the most part achieved his goal.
“I have definitely achieved what I wanted to off the field,” Beckham said. “I wanted this game and this league to grow, and I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I said back then it wouldn’t happen in one or two years, but in five years a lot has happened. Attendances now rival NBA and NHL – all that in a country where soccer is not the No.1 sport. That is something I am proud to be part of.”
Beckham was unveiled as a Galaxy player in July 2007 at a glittering ceremony at the Home Depot Center attended by a string of celebrities and more than 600 media members from around the world. But he soon cut a lonely and frustrated figure, as the reality of MLS’ lower standard and the deficiencies of his teammates became apparent.
MLS was still relatively unknown then, but growth has been steady, both in terms of standard and recognition. For the past three seasons the Galaxy has claimed the Supporters’ Shield, the title given to the side with the best regular season record. The 36-year-old Beckham frequently gets messages from soccer star friends in England who can access his matches on British television.
Now the aim is to win a trophy, one the Galaxy came to within a whisker of in 2009, but lost the final on penalty kicks to Real Salt Lake. With Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane providing the star power and a fine supporting crew including influential Brazilian midfielder Juninho and young American defender Omar Gonzalez, the side is strongly favored to beat the Dynamo.
Beckham suffered similar frustration during his time at Spanish club Real Madrid, which failed to win La Liga in his first three seasons and finally clinched the trophy in his final match there.
“I think you always feel unfulfilled if you don’t win a trophy,” Beckham said. “No matter where I have played … people asked the same question in my fourth year at Real Madrid and I ended it winning a trophy.
“The last three years have been successful but I want to win the final. Everyone wants to win it. We need to be ready.”
After the game Beckham has a decision to make, and there are two favored options. One would be to remain with the Galaxy for one more season, a second would be to switch to the most vocal and financially generous of his suitors, French club Paris St. Germain, allowing him one final crack at playing in the Champions League.
Given that his body does not recover as quickly as it once did – he played much of this season with a fractured spine – retirement could be an option, although he will surely play for the Great Britain Olympic team in London next summer.
The decision-making process will take in many factors, with his ambition, lifestyle and physical health among them.
“I want to finish this season off first, kick back and relax and think about what the future holds for me,” Beckham said. “Whether it will be to continue to play or continue to play here, who knows? I want to be a champion at the end of this season, and then I will decide what happens in the future.
“The best thing about being here is just the experience of playing in a different country with different players and being part of a soccer nation that is growing. Being part of the Galaxy this year, it’s the most enjoyable year I have had here.
“There are certain things we are able to do here that we couldn’t in Europe, but I love London and I love England. I am a very patriotic person about my country. I have loved living here and will continue to love living here because it is a great place to live. Living in L.A. has been incredible for the family. California, the weather, the climate – something like that is a dream. But who knows what is going to happen.”
Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girls singer Victoria, have settled in well to the California lifestyle and gained high-profile friends. The soccer star regularly exchanges text messages with his friend Kobe Bryant, yet any suggestion that he is more interested in showbiz than soccer would be unfounded.
His performances in 2011 have been energetic and outstanding, and were a major reason why the Galaxy did not lose a home game during the regular season. As a teammate, Beckham has the full support and admiration of his colleagues and his commitment to the team is beyond question.
The days when some Galaxy fans were unsure of his dedication to the club have long passed. At the end of both Beckham’s second and third years in L.A., he went on loan to Italian side AC Milan. That decision, based primarily on his wish to remain in contention for selection to the England national team, did not meet with universal approval, especially when he was injured in Milan and missed most of the 2010 MLS campaign. However, Beckham won over the crowd once more this year, and it is clear that he envisages a bright future for American soccer, one in which he’d like to continue to play a role. He has an option to buy an MLS club at a discount, a move likely to happen before too long.
“I definitely would like to be involved in MLS,” Beckham said. “It has been part of my life. Not just living here but being part of MLS, I have enjoyed it. Everyone knows I have an option of a franchise in the league; it is something I am passionate about moving forward.
“The new franchises, the stadiums just for soccer and expansion teams … it shows a growth in a sport in this country. When you look around the league and you see these youth academies in every MLS team, more home-grown talent coming through, it is all positive.
“If it continues to grow like it is growing, it will be up there with the top leagues in the world. Certain things need to happen: We need to bring top talent to this league at a younger age, like 25. That will happen in time. This league has only been going 16 years, and I am proud to have helped it grow.”
Whether or not Beckham signs off in fairytale fashion Sunday, whether or not it is indeed the end, there is no disputing that he has been part of a success story. The ludicrous predictions back in 2007 that he would make soccer a rival to the NFL were not of his making and were simply impossible.
But American soccer is in a far healthier position at the end of David Beckham’s contract (you know, the one that was supposedly worth $250 million but in reality paid one-eighth of that) than it was at the beginning.
For that, the Beckham era can be regarded with fondness. For that, the Beckham Experiment can be said to have passed its test.
Read More:
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news;_ylt=AssZQkB0WEGb6lh5VS6uYn0mw7YF?slug=ro-rogers_beckham_jack_nicholson_staples_111711
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Psychology Behind Shadow Boxing Exercises
Shadow boxing exercises are an indispensable part of a boxer's training regime. In this article, we will try to understand the psychology behind shadow boxing exercises along with the benefits of the same.
Boxing is a competitive contact sport in which the participants should not only be in great physical shape but should also have a great presence of mind. No wonder boxers have to train so hard. The training regime includes intense workouts where boxers have to work on their general fitness along with boxing-specific movements. The shadow boxing exercises are an integral part of a boxing workout. Unlike a sparring session wherein a boxer attacks or defends against an actual opponent, shadow boxing is a sparring session without an opponent. It is a kind of workout where the boxer tries to simulate a fight. The boxer attacks and defends against an imaginary opponent. The purpose of this technique is to mentally prepare boxers for events where they have to fight very aggressive boxers by the likes of Muhammad Ali. Other boxers who used this boxing technique include Mike Tyson and the late Joe Frazier. Every aspiring boxer knows how helpful this technique is when it comes to overpowering one's opponent in the boxing ring. The use of shadow boxing technique is not just restricted to boxing, it has been incorporated in various styles of martial arts. The famous Hong Kong actor Bruce Lee was also seen practicing shadow boxing in his films. He incorporated this technique in Jeet Kune Do, a form of martial arts that he founded. If you wish to understand the importance of shadow boxing exercises in boxing training, you can go through this write-up on the psychology behind shadow boxing.
How Does Shadow Boxing Help
The psychology behind shadow boxing exercises is to visualize defeating your opponent. Boxing is a sport wherein the boxer needs to be highly motivated. This is a combat sport where one must be physically fit and mentally alert. Training helps the boxers condition themselves, mentally as well as physically. Boxers not only need to have control on their body, they also need to work on their state of mind. A negative self-image can ruin their chances of winning which is why they must have control over their emotions. Under no circumstances should the boxer feel intimidated or appear to be intimidated by the opponent. Imagery is an integral part of boxing training. Boxers must incorporate the method of visualization during the workout session. Shadow boxing as well as punch bag boxing are great methods that can help a boxer improve his/her concentration. It also helps him/her get into a fighting rhythm.
Throwing punches or practicing a sequence of movements repeatedly while maintaining the fighting stance can help the fighter perfect his moves. This definitely improves one's punching speed and is also a great warm-up session for intense boxing-specific workouts. Being a competitive sport, boxers need to create opportunities and land punches that can overpower the opponent. Not only should the boxer have the ability to focus and observe his opponent's body language, he/she should also be able to make the right decisions at the right time. This can come from practice. The imagery or guided visualization during shadow boxing helps the boxer rehearse his strategic moves. To be able to win, one must first think like a winner. Visualizing yourself in the ring and defeating your opponent during these sessions is definitely the best form of motivation.
Shadow Boxing Techniques
To practice shadow boxing exercises, the fighter needs to face a light-colored wall. There is a light source behind the boxer that projects his/her shadow on the wall. The boxer then practices his/her moves and footwork by treating the shadow as his/her opponent or sparring partner. There are two methods that boxers use in the shadow boxing sessions. These are referred to as the short method and the long method. In the long method of shadow boxing, boxers practice straight punches or jabs as they shuffle their feet back and forth. On the other hand, boxers move their body from left to right while practicing short punches or close body shots while practicing the short method. There are a variety of punching techniques that boxers usually use. These include left jab, left straight, right straight, left hook, right hook, uppercut, liver shot, and other shots to the body. Combination drills where you practice a specific combination of some of these punches in a rhythm can certainly help in honing one's boxing skills. Here are some of the common combinations one could try:
* Left Straight, Right Straight: Here you visualize throwing a punch to the left side of your opponent's head, followed by another punch to the right side.
* Left Hook, Right Hook, Left Hook: For the Left Hook, bring your left hand near your chin and bend your hand at an angle of 90 degrees while punching your opponent's face with your fist. Follow the same action with the right hand and repeat the action with your left hand again.
One can also graduate from the simple shadow boxing exercises to an intense form of workout. Take for instance, the 10x10 shadow boxing circuit wherein boxers can practice a 10-punch combination ten times within a minute. Besides developing speed and accuracy, one also needs to develop punching power. Once one has perfected these moves, one can attempt them while fighting one's sparring partner.
This was a brief overview on shadow boxing exercises. Shadow boxing is definitely a great technique that prepares a boxer for a fight, mentally as well as physically. A boxer can work on his opponent's weaknesses and try to improve his concentration, speed and punch power. Shadow boxing as a technique can help boxers mentally condition themselves for defeating their opponent.
By Smita Pandit
Published: 11/15/2011
Read More:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/psychology-behind-shadow-boxing-exercises.html
Boxing is a competitive contact sport in which the participants should not only be in great physical shape but should also have a great presence of mind. No wonder boxers have to train so hard. The training regime includes intense workouts where boxers have to work on their general fitness along with boxing-specific movements. The shadow boxing exercises are an integral part of a boxing workout. Unlike a sparring session wherein a boxer attacks or defends against an actual opponent, shadow boxing is a sparring session without an opponent. It is a kind of workout where the boxer tries to simulate a fight. The boxer attacks and defends against an imaginary opponent. The purpose of this technique is to mentally prepare boxers for events where they have to fight very aggressive boxers by the likes of Muhammad Ali. Other boxers who used this boxing technique include Mike Tyson and the late Joe Frazier. Every aspiring boxer knows how helpful this technique is when it comes to overpowering one's opponent in the boxing ring. The use of shadow boxing technique is not just restricted to boxing, it has been incorporated in various styles of martial arts. The famous Hong Kong actor Bruce Lee was also seen practicing shadow boxing in his films. He incorporated this technique in Jeet Kune Do, a form of martial arts that he founded. If you wish to understand the importance of shadow boxing exercises in boxing training, you can go through this write-up on the psychology behind shadow boxing.
How Does Shadow Boxing Help
The psychology behind shadow boxing exercises is to visualize defeating your opponent. Boxing is a sport wherein the boxer needs to be highly motivated. This is a combat sport where one must be physically fit and mentally alert. Training helps the boxers condition themselves, mentally as well as physically. Boxers not only need to have control on their body, they also need to work on their state of mind. A negative self-image can ruin their chances of winning which is why they must have control over their emotions. Under no circumstances should the boxer feel intimidated or appear to be intimidated by the opponent. Imagery is an integral part of boxing training. Boxers must incorporate the method of visualization during the workout session. Shadow boxing as well as punch bag boxing are great methods that can help a boxer improve his/her concentration. It also helps him/her get into a fighting rhythm.
Throwing punches or practicing a sequence of movements repeatedly while maintaining the fighting stance can help the fighter perfect his moves. This definitely improves one's punching speed and is also a great warm-up session for intense boxing-specific workouts. Being a competitive sport, boxers need to create opportunities and land punches that can overpower the opponent. Not only should the boxer have the ability to focus and observe his opponent's body language, he/she should also be able to make the right decisions at the right time. This can come from practice. The imagery or guided visualization during shadow boxing helps the boxer rehearse his strategic moves. To be able to win, one must first think like a winner. Visualizing yourself in the ring and defeating your opponent during these sessions is definitely the best form of motivation.
Shadow Boxing Techniques
To practice shadow boxing exercises, the fighter needs to face a light-colored wall. There is a light source behind the boxer that projects his/her shadow on the wall. The boxer then practices his/her moves and footwork by treating the shadow as his/her opponent or sparring partner. There are two methods that boxers use in the shadow boxing sessions. These are referred to as the short method and the long method. In the long method of shadow boxing, boxers practice straight punches or jabs as they shuffle their feet back and forth. On the other hand, boxers move their body from left to right while practicing short punches or close body shots while practicing the short method. There are a variety of punching techniques that boxers usually use. These include left jab, left straight, right straight, left hook, right hook, uppercut, liver shot, and other shots to the body. Combination drills where you practice a specific combination of some of these punches in a rhythm can certainly help in honing one's boxing skills. Here are some of the common combinations one could try:
* Left Straight, Right Straight: Here you visualize throwing a punch to the left side of your opponent's head, followed by another punch to the right side.
* Left Hook, Right Hook, Left Hook: For the Left Hook, bring your left hand near your chin and bend your hand at an angle of 90 degrees while punching your opponent's face with your fist. Follow the same action with the right hand and repeat the action with your left hand again.
One can also graduate from the simple shadow boxing exercises to an intense form of workout. Take for instance, the 10x10 shadow boxing circuit wherein boxers can practice a 10-punch combination ten times within a minute. Besides developing speed and accuracy, one also needs to develop punching power. Once one has perfected these moves, one can attempt them while fighting one's sparring partner.
This was a brief overview on shadow boxing exercises. Shadow boxing is definitely a great technique that prepares a boxer for a fight, mentally as well as physically. A boxer can work on his opponent's weaknesses and try to improve his concentration, speed and punch power. Shadow boxing as a technique can help boxers mentally condition themselves for defeating their opponent.
By Smita Pandit
Published: 11/15/2011
Read More:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/psychology-behind-shadow-boxing-exercises.html
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