Soccer Thread

[KickAsh]

In surprising international friendly news: Switzerland upsets Germany 5-3, and Bulgaria beats Netherlands 2-1. Both very surprising, maybe the Swiss aren't doomed in Euro 2012 after all.

Newcastle need to sort that £7m release clause in Ba's contract or he may get snapped up by someone. Also like this French "revolution" In the squad, reminds me of Arsenal's Invincibles.

Exactly, I really hope we keep a hold on Ba. Rumors abound that he's unhappy, and he's been strongly linked to Chelsea and PSG, but just yesterday he insisted contract negotiations with Newcastle were still going, so maybe there's still some hope.
I love the French invasion, it's been wonderful, Cabaye and Ben Arfa are great players, and Amalfitano has the potential to be another such steal.
Hopefully they all stay though, unlike the Invincibles.
Here's what I'm really interested in, though: signing Juventus winger Eljero Elia. It would let Ba move back into the middle.

[Celebi_]

Very true. You know what I''ve realized? All fans that are native of Spain love Barca, not just Barca fans, and the general consensus is that Madrid fans are the ones that hate us, right? I've realized that some Madrid fans actually are full of praise for us and acknowledged us as the best team in the world, but because of the rivalry, they can't be open about that in public. So, 97% of Spain loves us, beside Barca fans, we're really to sexy for the rest of the world XD We're well-loved here in Spain.

[~Nicole~]

On another note, what do ya'll think about Kagawa going to United? Do you think he deserves it?

[Celebi_]

Kagawa has appeared 31 times for Borussia Dortmund this term and has scored 13 goals and made 11 assists, I think the question is more- Does United deserve Kagawa?

Hah, but yeah, I think Kagawa does deserve a United move, he has played well this season.

[~Spaceman~]

. So, 97% of Spain loves us, beside Barca fans, we're really to sexy for the rest of the world XD We're well-loved here in Spain.

Actually, Barcelona have been estimated to have support from 25% of the Spanish population whereas Real Madrid have been estimated to have 32%

[Zantera]

It's interesting because even though Barcelona has won many titles these last seasons, I don't feel jealous at all. While I'm happy when Man United wins a trophy, I would still root for them even if they found themselves relegated to Championship, my love for them is much deeper then depending on whether they win titles or not.

Kagawa to United is an interesting rumour. I hope we snatch both him and Hazard.

[J-Myc]

We are just too good for the rest of the world boy, we're to sexy for them. That's why those haters don't like us. I mean, no Liverpool, no Man Utd, no Man City, NO REAL MADRID, won 14 titles in 4 years Madrid only won 2 in 4 years, heck.

I think you'll find that certain people doesn't like Barcelona due to the diving, surrounding of the referee when things don't go your way and attitude the reason why. I think a lot of people will concede that while yes Barcelona do play attractive football, these elements just ruin it for them.

And for Arsenal fans, Barcelona's whole conduct during the whole Fabregas saga will have turned many right off of them and with good reason.

Finally it's amazing how certain Barcelona fans dislike Cristiano Ronaldo for his arrogance when the exact same people essentially do the same thing and act like their team is superior to all others and will not hear of a bad word about them.

[7 tyranitars]

In surprising international friendly news: Switzerland upsets Germany 5-3, and Bulgaria beats Netherlands 2-1. Both very surprising, maybe the Swiss aren't doomed in Euro 2012 after all.


Exactly, I really hope we keep a hold on Ba. Rumors abound that he's unhappy, and he's been strongly linked to Chelsea and PSG, but just yesterday he insisted contract negotiations with Newcastle were still going, so maybe there's still some hope.
I love the French invasion, it's been wonderful, Cabaye and Ben Arfa are great players, and Amalfitano has the potential to be another such steal.
Hopefully they all stay though, unlike the Invincibles.
Here's what I'm really interested in, though: signing Juventus winger Eljero Elia. It would let Ba move back into the middle.

Even though we didn't play that well, bulgaria basicly won because of a penalty and a goal in the last minute :S

Very true. You know what I''ve realized? All fans that are native of Spain love Barca, not just Barca fans, and the general consensus is that Madrid fans are the ones that hate us, right? I've realized that some Madrid fans actually are full of praise for us and acknowledged us as the best team in the world, but because of the rivalry, they can't be open about that in public. So, 97% of Spain loves us, beside Barca fans, we're really to sexy for the rest of the world XD We're well-loved here in Spain.

Actually, Barcelona have been estimated to have support from 25% of the Spanish population whereas Real Madrid have been estimated to have 32%

Lol.

I think you'll find that certain people doesn't like Barcelona due to the diving, surrounding of the referee when things don't go your way and attitude the reason why. I think a lot of people will concede that while yes Barcelona do play attractive football, these elements just ruin it for them.

And for Arsenal fans, Barcelona's whole conduct during the whole Fabregas saga will have turned many right off of them and with good reason.

Finally it's amazing how certain Barcelona fans dislike Cristiano Ronaldo for his arrogance when the exact same people essentially do the same thing and act like their team is superior to all others and will not hear of a bad word about them.

This this and this! Spanish players always go cry at the damn ref, it so anoying. Must mean they need the ref to win .

[masukippa]

I support Spurs. I think that confirms my support goes beyond whether we win tophies or not XD

[7 tyranitars]

I support Spurs. I think that confirms my support goes beyond whether we win tophies or not XD

I support a club who is basicly in the Championship equavelant here. So I guese I am save aswell.

[Zantera]

It's interesting because I've been rooting for Man U for almost 15 years now, but when I started rooting for them I had no idea if they were good or not. I just saw the highlights of one of their games, and being a young kid back then I thought their logo was really cool. Players like Beckham, Giggs, Scholes and Keane really made me appreciate the team, and so I've been rooting for them since '97.

[The Benmeister]

Both very surprising, maybe the Swiss aren't doomed in Euro 2012 after all.

You mean the Swiss that didn't qualify from England's group? =D


I'd say Group A is going to be the most interesting group, purely because, on paper, it is the 'weakest' group. It has co-hosts Poland, who have a good set of players (notably from Dortmund), Czech Republic, who can cause anyone problems on their day, Russia, who if you remember got to the semi finals of Euro 2008, and Greece? Well we all know what they did in 2004. Whoever qualifies from there will definitely be the underdogs against the majority of the other qualifiers, I would predict progression for Czech Republic and Russia, but who knows?

Group B is evidently the group of death. Funny how everyone writes off Denmark though, forgetting that they actually qualified top of their group ahead of rivals Portugal, and indeed qualified for the last World Cup and are even in the top ten in the FIFA World Rankings. So don't count them out, lots of good players there too! Also I seem to recall Romania being tipped to be whipping boys in Euro 2008's 'group of death' and ended up finishing above France.

As for Group C, no one should underestimate Croatia. I think they will cause massive problems for the other teams.

[masukippa]

You mean the Swiss that didn't qualify from England's group? =D


I'd say Group A is going to be the most interesting group, purely because, on paper, it is the 'weakest' group. It has co-hosts Poland, who have a good set of players (notably from Dortmund), Czech Republic, who can cause anyone problems on their day, Russia, who if you remember got to the semi finals of Euro 2008, and Greece? Well we all know what they did in 2004. Whoever qualifies from there will definitely be the underdogs against the majority of the other qualifiers, I would predict progression for Czech Republic and Russia, but who knows?

Group B is evidently the group of death. Funny how everyone writes off Denmark though, forgetting that they actually qualified top of their group ahead of rivals Portugal, and indeed qualified for the last World Cup and are even in the top ten in the FIFA World Rankings. So don't count them out, lots of good players there too! Also I seem to recall Romania being tipped to be whipping boys in Euro 2008's 'group of death' and ended up finishing above France.

As for Group C, no one should underestimate Croatia. I think they will cause massive problems for the other teams.

Group C is Ireland's to lose.

[abrar14]

Nice performance by- the lions yesterday

[~Nicole~]

Fabregas is a Barcelonista, he belongs at Barca, he, Leo and Pique were in La Masia together. Arsenal stole him. He's back home now. BTW, BARCA CAN GO AHEAD AND BE RELEGATED TO THE SEGUNDA DIVISION, MY HEART IS WITH FCBARCELONA AND I'LL NEVER STOP SUPPORTING THEM!

[~Spaceman~]

Arsenal clearly didn't steal Fabregas. Barcelona allowed him to leave. The same with Pique to Man United. You can't just steal a clubs players

[DCFan]

I really dislike Football.. everyone talks about it in Scotland

[Rezzo]

I really dislike Football.. everyone talks about it in Scotland

Everyone talks about football in this thread as well so...

[DCFan]

Everyone talks about football in this thread as well so...

Your Right

[~Nicole~]

He doesn't belong at Arsenal, Barca is where Fabregas belongs at, and he said it himself. He also said he loves playing for a club where he can trust his teammates, he couldn't at Arsenal. He even said Barcelona was where he hoped to get at at some point, and before he started playing football he was and still is a Barca fan. What are you guys trying to prove? He belongs at Arsenal? Yeah right.