Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pavel Nedved-A end of an era
Pavel Nedved today retired from football and this is certainly the end of an era. What more can you say about a man who replaced no one less than the great Zidane at Juventus and was able to fill those huge boots.
Nedved a Checz Republic player shot to fame in Italy.He joined the Italian club Lazio in 1996 from PSV after the Euro 1996. Nedved had driven Czech Republic to the final with his role as their key playmaker. He won Copa Italia in 1997-98 and WEFA Super Cup in 1999 with Lazio. He was transferred to Juve for a fee none less than Euro 41 million which was huge then.He won the Scudetto with Juventus almost regularly infact too easily in the seasons 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05, and 2005-06. He captained Czech from 2000 onwards and continued to be their tallest player in the midfield. Nedved had to sit out 2003 UEFA Champions league finals but was named the European Football of the Year. Followin Juve's relegation due to match fixing allegations it was thought a player of the calibre of Nedved would move away from the maligned club.
He was forced to come out of retirement because of his stature when the Czech qualified for the World Cup for the first time since they became a independent republic after breaking away from Chechslovakia.He retired permanantly after the tournament and even though everyone felt he should not; he stuck to his decision.
He remained but had a tumultous season and was given a one year contract which sparked the discussions of his retirements. Nedved came into negative spotlight in 2007-08 season because of his tackle on the great playmaker Luis Figo. But he continued to be Juve's first choice winger on the left flank.
Nedved's last claim to fame was perhaps the first goal he scored for Juve's seasson in 2008-09 against Florentina. The game against Chelsea which saw Nedved getting injured was his last on the European stage.
Nedved's individual honour role is huge. He was a Serie A player of the year in 2003 and the best midfielder in the Champions League the same year. Perhaps his gretest trophies were Ballon d'or won in 2003 and the Czech Player of the decade in the very same year. He was the Czech player of the year till the year 2008. He won the Golden Foot in 2004.
I salute this maestro who made the ball do things unimaginable and future Hall of Famer. Hope we'll see him coaching and passing his knowledge to the kids and wish him the best for the future.
Nedved a Checz Republic player shot to fame in Italy.He joined the Italian club Lazio in 1996 from PSV after the Euro 1996. Nedved had driven Czech Republic to the final with his role as their key playmaker. He won Copa Italia in 1997-98 and WEFA Super Cup in 1999 with Lazio. He was transferred to Juve for a fee none less than Euro 41 million which was huge then.He won the Scudetto with Juventus almost regularly infact too easily in the seasons 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05, and 2005-06. He captained Czech from 2000 onwards and continued to be their tallest player in the midfield. Nedved had to sit out 2003 UEFA Champions league finals but was named the European Football of the Year. Followin Juve's relegation due to match fixing allegations it was thought a player of the calibre of Nedved would move away from the maligned club.
He was forced to come out of retirement because of his stature when the Czech qualified for the World Cup for the first time since they became a independent republic after breaking away from Chechslovakia.He retired permanantly after the tournament and even though everyone felt he should not; he stuck to his decision.
He remained but had a tumultous season and was given a one year contract which sparked the discussions of his retirements. Nedved came into negative spotlight in 2007-08 season because of his tackle on the great playmaker Luis Figo. But he continued to be Juve's first choice winger on the left flank.
Nedved's last claim to fame was perhaps the first goal he scored for Juve's seasson in 2008-09 against Florentina. The game against Chelsea which saw Nedved getting injured was his last on the European stage.
Nedved's individual honour role is huge. He was a Serie A player of the year in 2003 and the best midfielder in the Champions League the same year. Perhaps his gretest trophies were Ballon d'or won in 2003 and the Czech Player of the decade in the very same year. He was the Czech player of the year till the year 2008. He won the Golden Foot in 2004.
I salute this maestro who made the ball do things unimaginable and future Hall of Famer. Hope we'll see him coaching and passing his knowledge to the kids and wish him the best for the future.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Big 3- Comparing Man Utd, Chealsea, Liverpool
Firstly let me confess I am a Man United fan, been one since I started following EPL, but i'll try to be as objective on my assesment of the man to man strength of the big 3 of the premier league. I was in half a mind to include Arsenal after they had performed well in the first few matches but I feel they don't have the depth and with Fabregas out they are sure to fizzle out.
Now onto the comparison
I would be following the order Chelsea, Man Utd. and Liverpool
1) GK- Petr Cech (Che), Hilario(Che) vs Edwin Van Der Saar, Ben Foster (Man Utd.) vs Pepe Reina, Cavalieri
In this department I don't think liverpool come close and it is a fight to the finish between United and Chelsea. I think purely by going on last season's record of VDS and Ben Foster being better than Hilario; I would say the GK goes to United.
2) Central Defence-Terry, Carvalho vs Ferdinand, Vidic vs Ayala, Carragher
Again in this I thin Utd. are better than the pensioners Vidic, Ferdinand are the best defensive pairing in the globe right now and with either injured Evans has shown he is the man capable of stepping up to the plate
It goes to United
3) Bosingwa, Alex, Ashley Cole, Paulo Ferreira Vs. Evra, Rafael, Neville, Brown vs. Glen Johnson, Agger, Aurelio, Insua
The experience of Alex, Pauola Ferraira beats the young Rafael, and the injured and tired legs of Neville to see Chelsea scoring in the full backs department eventhough Evra is the best in the business.
4)Midfield: Ballack, Essien, Malouda, Zhirkov, Deco, Obi Mikel vs.Giggs, Scholes,Park,Fletcher, Valencia, Gibson vs. Gerrard, Aquilani, Mascherano, Reira
Gerrard is by far the best in the business; Valencia gets beaten by Malouda and Deco, Fletcher right now on current form I think is the best in the EPL when it comes to running all around the central midfield controlling it. Aquilani is ever injured and Giggs still has it in him as shown by the PFA Player of the Year Award. Scholes has lost his shooting so I would think Deco is better. According to me its to close to call and Liverpool loose only because they sold Alonso; if they had'nt i dare say they would have been the best. But the same can be said about United; If Ronaldo was not sold it was not contest. So a tie between United and Chelsea
5) Attacking Midfield:Joe Cole vs. Anderson, Tosic, Nani vs. Yossi Benayun, Ryan Babel
Man Utd. and Liverpool win hands down because of Joe Cole injury, Tosic may develop into a world class play
6)Drogba vs. Rooney vs. Torres
Is there any comparison here, sure Drogba, Torres will score more goals but Rooney will have to score more Man Utd. and will definately supply to Owen and Berbatov
7) Anelka,Kalou Vs. Berbatov, Owen vs. Kuyt, Voronin
Sure Berba will improve this season and Owen may well be the signing of the season but here Chelsea win hands down. Anelka will score more goals than Man Utd. and Liverpool
Man on man Chelsea and Man Utd. beat Liverpool. It is too close too call between Man Utd. and Chelsea. It would be one heck of a season with my thinking that 1 game could seperate the two teams likely the games between the team.
Now onto the comparison
I would be following the order Chelsea, Man Utd. and Liverpool
1) GK- Petr Cech (Che), Hilario(Che) vs Edwin Van Der Saar, Ben Foster (Man Utd.) vs Pepe Reina, Cavalieri
In this department I don't think liverpool come close and it is a fight to the finish between United and Chelsea. I think purely by going on last season's record of VDS and Ben Foster being better than Hilario; I would say the GK goes to United.
2) Central Defence-Terry, Carvalho vs Ferdinand, Vidic vs Ayala, Carragher
Again in this I thin Utd. are better than the pensioners Vidic, Ferdinand are the best defensive pairing in the globe right now and with either injured Evans has shown he is the man capable of stepping up to the plate
It goes to United
3) Bosingwa, Alex, Ashley Cole, Paulo Ferreira Vs. Evra, Rafael, Neville, Brown vs. Glen Johnson, Agger, Aurelio, Insua
The experience of Alex, Pauola Ferraira beats the young Rafael, and the injured and tired legs of Neville to see Chelsea scoring in the full backs department eventhough Evra is the best in the business.
4)Midfield: Ballack, Essien, Malouda, Zhirkov, Deco, Obi Mikel vs.Giggs, Scholes,Park,Fletcher, Valencia, Gibson vs. Gerrard, Aquilani, Mascherano, Reira
Gerrard is by far the best in the business; Valencia gets beaten by Malouda and Deco, Fletcher right now on current form I think is the best in the EPL when it comes to running all around the central midfield controlling it. Aquilani is ever injured and Giggs still has it in him as shown by the PFA Player of the Year Award. Scholes has lost his shooting so I would think Deco is better. According to me its to close to call and Liverpool loose only because they sold Alonso; if they had'nt i dare say they would have been the best. But the same can be said about United; If Ronaldo was not sold it was not contest. So a tie between United and Chelsea
5) Attacking Midfield:Joe Cole vs. Anderson, Tosic, Nani vs. Yossi Benayun, Ryan Babel
Man Utd. and Liverpool win hands down because of Joe Cole injury, Tosic may develop into a world class play
6)Drogba vs. Rooney vs. Torres
Is there any comparison here, sure Drogba, Torres will score more goals but Rooney will have to score more Man Utd. and will definately supply to Owen and Berbatov
7) Anelka,Kalou Vs. Berbatov, Owen vs. Kuyt, Voronin
Sure Berba will improve this season and Owen may well be the signing of the season but here Chelsea win hands down. Anelka will score more goals than Man Utd. and Liverpool
Man on man Chelsea and Man Utd. beat Liverpool. It is too close too call between Man Utd. and Chelsea. It would be one heck of a season with my thinking that 1 game could seperate the two teams likely the games between the team.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Birth of the Spoofer
Little did I know that the musings of my absolutely free mind would be termed as a blogwar. Yes a new term coined in blogosphere "Blogwar". So I am on war with Identity Introspection. So where are my soldier. Alas I have none. And I compete with him on My Dell against his Sony Vaio. Who'll be the Victor.
But Alas my innocent little musings has created a monster who wants to take all the spoils for himself. His name "The Unethical Spoofer". Another new term in Blogosphere Spoofer. This thing attacks where you least expect it. Its first blow was hard on Identity. And now it wants to catch me unawares. Next attack would be on Just a few thoughts. Just a few thoughts is prepared. Bring on the Spoofer!!!
But Alas my innocent little musings has created a monster who wants to take all the spoils for himself. His name "The Unethical Spoofer". Another new term in Blogosphere Spoofer. This thing attacks where you least expect it. Its first blow was hard on Identity. And now it wants to catch me unawares. Next attack would be on Just a few thoughts. Just a few thoughts is prepared. Bring on the Spoofer!!!
Musings of an absolutely free mind part 2
I am back to India's version of the City that never sleeps only to realise my classes won't begin for another two days and I am cursing myself why I had to come early since everything that can go wrong has gone wrong.
I loose my phone which I realised I can't do without since it took me 5 hours to get a new one which included 2 hours in the flight. I don't have anything to do. So what do I do? I watch a movie. I see an Australian play Gladiator the nth time. I see a general becoming a slave and then a slave becoming a Gladiator. Then I sleep for like 4 hours. Thinking what to do, I finish the book "The Gift" which seemed to me as being too influenced by "The Christmas Carol" and guess what it is also set during Christmas. Instead of Uncle Scrooge it has Lou and instead of the 3 Christmas ghosts it has Gab. But Celcia Ahern the writer of "PS I Love you" is no Dickens and this is one terrible book. I don't think I'll rate it since I don't want to be harsh on a writer who I think was too inspired to be Dickens but there can't be another Dickens.
My roomie and I discuss whether to attend the sham which is the summer project competition at college tomorrow. He says let's not take panga yaar , lets go for sometime and come back; while I am like "who'll wake up".
While just to while away some time i read Mr. Identity Introspection's blog who has written how beautiful loneliness can be. Clearly meant to be an oxymoron, and no I am not using any vulgar language here, he tries to bring out how much off an absolutely free day did he enjoy. I must say good one.
And now we get the news that the exam which was postponed, will be held, whether we or the prof likes it or not, on Monday. So do you think I should study. Ya well I am planning to on Sunday and if the plan goes through I'll be lucky to open the book on Monday.
Anyways the free mind should stop now else it would go on musing. And yeah the Red Devils lost last night. Another bad start to a new season. Happens all the time irrespective of whether we have CR 7 or not. But people will be like they are out. They won't win a thing. Ha ha the red devils will laugh out loud come June 2010. Champions again. Number 19 here we come. And CR7 will be sorry he ever left.
OK now this free mind should stop working at 100 hp.Keep watching this space.Till next time it is the free mind signing of. Astavalista
I loose my phone which I realised I can't do without since it took me 5 hours to get a new one which included 2 hours in the flight. I don't have anything to do. So what do I do? I watch a movie. I see an Australian play Gladiator the nth time. I see a general becoming a slave and then a slave becoming a Gladiator. Then I sleep for like 4 hours. Thinking what to do, I finish the book "The Gift" which seemed to me as being too influenced by "The Christmas Carol" and guess what it is also set during Christmas. Instead of Uncle Scrooge it has Lou and instead of the 3 Christmas ghosts it has Gab. But Celcia Ahern the writer of "PS I Love you" is no Dickens and this is one terrible book. I don't think I'll rate it since I don't want to be harsh on a writer who I think was too inspired to be Dickens but there can't be another Dickens.
My roomie and I discuss whether to attend the sham which is the summer project competition at college tomorrow. He says let's not take panga yaar , lets go for sometime and come back; while I am like "who'll wake up".
While just to while away some time i read Mr. Identity Introspection's blog who has written how beautiful loneliness can be. Clearly meant to be an oxymoron, and no I am not using any vulgar language here, he tries to bring out how much off an absolutely free day did he enjoy. I must say good one.
And now we get the news that the exam which was postponed, will be held, whether we or the prof likes it or not, on Monday. So do you think I should study. Ya well I am planning to on Sunday and if the plan goes through I'll be lucky to open the book on Monday.
Anyways the free mind should stop now else it would go on musing. And yeah the Red Devils lost last night. Another bad start to a new season. Happens all the time irrespective of whether we have CR 7 or not. But people will be like they are out. They won't win a thing. Ha ha the red devils will laugh out loud come June 2010. Champions again. Number 19 here we come. And CR7 will be sorry he ever left.
OK now this free mind should stop working at 100 hp.Keep watching this space.Till next time it is the free mind signing of. Astavalista
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