Jon Super/AP
Liverpool are in Spain preparing for tonight’s daunting Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, knowing that a victory would arguably be the most unlikely triumph in the club’s history. Brendan Rodgers’ side are in extremely poor form, both domestically and in Europe, while Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded team are scoring goals for fun and are the current champions of Europe. They key question is: has there ever been a game the Reds were less likely to win since the competition’s inception in 1992?
The 2005 Champions League Final is probably a good place to start. AC Milan, managed by Ancelotti at the time, had a ridiculous amount of talent in their side, whether it be Cafu and Paolo Maldini at the back, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Kaka in midfield or the brilliant Andriy Shevchenko up front. Not many gave Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool much hope,...
Liverpool are in Spain preparing for tonight’s daunting Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, knowing that a victory would arguably be the most unlikely triumph in the club’s history. Brendan Rodgers’ side are in extremely poor form, both domestically and in Europe, while Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded team are scoring goals for fun and are the current champions of Europe. They key question is: has there ever been a game the Reds were less likely to win since the competition’s inception in 1992?
The 2005 Champions League Final is probably a good place to start. AC Milan, managed by Ancelotti at the time, had a ridiculous amount of talent in their side, whether it be Cafu and Paolo Maldini at the back, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Kaka in midfield or the brilliant Andriy Shevchenko up front. Not many gave Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool much hope,...
- 11/4/2014
- by Henry Jackson
- Obsessed with Film
Owen Humphreys/Pa Archive
For a club lacking in recent trophies, Newcastle United have many memories of European football – both good and bad. The following 10 are a celebration of the great floodlit nights and sporadic moments of brief hope. In 16 seasons of European participation, the Magpies have reached one final, one semi-final and two quarter-finals, with Alan Shearer top scorer with 30 and the mighty Shola Ameobi next with 15 goals. Trips to Hungary, Bulgaria, Sweden, Serbia and Russia haven’t fazed the Toon Army, who always travel in their thousands to cheer their heroes.
It’s not always been good, though. That penalty shootout against Partizan Belgrade still haunts many fans, who believe it was the beginning of the end for Sir Bobby Robson’s wonderful team. After a summer of inactivity, Robson’s men did the hard work by winning 1-0 in Belgrade but lost at St James’ Park. That night was a turning point.
For a club lacking in recent trophies, Newcastle United have many memories of European football – both good and bad. The following 10 are a celebration of the great floodlit nights and sporadic moments of brief hope. In 16 seasons of European participation, the Magpies have reached one final, one semi-final and two quarter-finals, with Alan Shearer top scorer with 30 and the mighty Shola Ameobi next with 15 goals. Trips to Hungary, Bulgaria, Sweden, Serbia and Russia haven’t fazed the Toon Army, who always travel in their thousands to cheer their heroes.
It’s not always been good, though. That penalty shootout against Partizan Belgrade still haunts many fans, who believe it was the beginning of the end for Sir Bobby Robson’s wonderful team. After a summer of inactivity, Robson’s men did the hard work by winning 1-0 in Belgrade but lost at St James’ Park. That night was a turning point.
- 10/12/2014
- by Marc Jobling
- Obsessed with Film
Bolton Wanderers currently lie 43rd in the English Football League pyramid. It has been a sad descent for a club who Sam Allardyce had punching above their weight at the top end of the Premier League for most of the 00s, even enjoying a couple of European nights at the Reebok Stadium, and tasting a day out at a Carling Cup final in 2004.
An admiral aspect of Bolton Wanderers under Allardyce was that they never wilted or backed down under a challenge. This backbone and grit that the former Limerick City boss had instilled within the side ran right through the club, from their on-pitch showings against the Premier League’s elite, to their dealings in the transfer market, where they tried to acquire the best players possible.
It didn’t matter how big their profile was, or how many medals they had acquired throughout their career – Bolton felt no...
An admiral aspect of Bolton Wanderers under Allardyce was that they never wilted or backed down under a challenge. This backbone and grit that the former Limerick City boss had instilled within the side ran right through the club, from their on-pitch showings against the Premier League’s elite, to their dealings in the transfer market, where they tried to acquire the best players possible.
It didn’t matter how big their profile was, or how many medals they had acquired throughout their career – Bolton felt no...
- 10/4/2014
- by Michael Ramsay
- Obsessed with Film
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aerial_view_of_Arrowhead_Stadium_08-31-2013.jpg
In England, we often feel that our football stadiums are amongst the loudest in the world.
Anfield is known for its fabled Spion Kop and their chorus of You’ll never walk alone prior to kick off on one of their famous European nights.
Stoke City, since gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2008 have made the Britannia Stadium arguably the loudest stadium in the country and that atmosphere is often the reason for some of their most famous league wins over recent years.
But how do these stadiums rank in comparison to the mega stadiums of the NFL, the arenas of the NBA or even other football stadiums around Europe?
Here, I run through the top five loudest sports stadiums in the world based on Guinness world record attempts, both completed and unsuccessful.
The post 5 Loudest...
In England, we often feel that our football stadiums are amongst the loudest in the world.
Anfield is known for its fabled Spion Kop and their chorus of You’ll never walk alone prior to kick off on one of their famous European nights.
Stoke City, since gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2008 have made the Britannia Stadium arguably the loudest stadium in the country and that atmosphere is often the reason for some of their most famous league wins over recent years.
But how do these stadiums rank in comparison to the mega stadiums of the NFL, the arenas of the NBA or even other football stadiums around Europe?
Here, I run through the top five loudest sports stadiums in the world based on Guinness world record attempts, both completed and unsuccessful.
The post 5 Loudest...
- 1/7/2014
- by Michael O'Brien
- Obsessed with Film
Coulda – woulda – shoulda…didn’t…Another heart-breaking night in Paradise. I presume you’ve seen the game; if you haven’t, don’t bother.
Over the weekend, I was up in Lake Tahoe, where I completed the Emerald Bay half-marathon - in my Hoops. A good omen, I thought. I awoke this morning thinking Messi the Messiah is injured. Hallelujah! The drive down to the pub was a series of green lights – no yellows or reds. Another great sign. After being kicked out of the League Cup last week – to Morton – with a whimper, I knew the players would bring it for Barcelona and be firing on all cylinders. I always think if the wee teams we played wore Barca, Milan or Man U jerseys, we would win every game! Anyway, this morning, I had faith. Celtic Park on European nights is something that everyone should experience; the fans become the 12th man – or tonight,...
Over the weekend, I was up in Lake Tahoe, where I completed the Emerald Bay half-marathon - in my Hoops. A good omen, I thought. I awoke this morning thinking Messi the Messiah is injured. Hallelujah! The drive down to the pub was a series of green lights – no yellows or reds. Another great sign. After being kicked out of the League Cup last week – to Morton – with a whimper, I knew the players would bring it for Barcelona and be firing on all cylinders. I always think if the wee teams we played wore Barca, Milan or Man U jerseys, we would win every game! Anyway, this morning, I had faith. Celtic Park on European nights is something that everyone should experience; the fans become the 12th man – or tonight,...
- 10/2/2013
- by Yvonne McLeod
- Obsessed with Film
So near but yet so far. What a heart-breaking result. It is one of the cruelest defeats I have witnessed.
I was born into a Celtic-daft family just outside of Glasgow. Loving Celtic is in my DNA along with double strands of faith, passion and hope. Celtic fans are the life-blood of the club; our collective energy is the 12th man on game-day. The atmosphere at Celtic Park on European nights is magical, intoxicating and exhilarating. Now, I live in Los Angeles and catch the games at Joxer Daly’s, home to the L.A. Celtic Supporter’s club, where everyone is always welcome.
Today, the pub was packed, we had the Celtic game on the huge screen while the bank of tellies over the bar played host to all the other Champion’s League games; making the most noise, after us, were the Barcelona fans. Well done Calatans, some...
I was born into a Celtic-daft family just outside of Glasgow. Loving Celtic is in my DNA along with double strands of faith, passion and hope. Celtic fans are the life-blood of the club; our collective energy is the 12th man on game-day. The atmosphere at Celtic Park on European nights is magical, intoxicating and exhilarating. Now, I live in Los Angeles and catch the games at Joxer Daly’s, home to the L.A. Celtic Supporter’s club, where everyone is always welcome.
Today, the pub was packed, we had the Celtic game on the huge screen while the bank of tellies over the bar played host to all the other Champion’s League games; making the most noise, after us, were the Barcelona fans. Well done Calatans, some...
- 9/19/2013
- by Yvonne McLeod
- Obsessed with Film
The announcement that Tony Pulis’ will be leaving Stoke City imminently seemed to be met with a squirm of discomfort by the footballing community. The majority clearly wanted to take this opportunity to laugh and cheer and dance and hold street parties to celebrate that the Premier League would finally enjoy a respite from this belligerent oaf of a manager, yet felt compelled to suppress their ellation somewhat in order to offer begrudging praise to the man who took an unfashionable Football League club to Wembley, the Mestalla and, year upon year, Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates.
The consensus is that Pulis did a fine job for Stoke and deserves to leave in a blaze of dignity, if not glory.
I’d hate to be Tony Pulis’ wife. For one, he’d refuse to engage in intercourse unless you stood on stilts and put on so much weight that...
The consensus is that Pulis did a fine job for Stoke and deserves to leave in a blaze of dignity, if not glory.
I’d hate to be Tony Pulis’ wife. For one, he’d refuse to engage in intercourse unless you stood on stilts and put on so much weight that...
- 5/22/2013
- by Jack Stevenson
- Obsessed with Film
When Celtic drew Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Barcelona back in August the popular opinion was that the Scottish side would be lucky to escape with a Europa League place. The reputation of the Spl was at its lowest in years – the UEFA coefficient currently ranks it 18th out of the member countries – and it had been almost ten years since Celtic were defeated by Jose Mourinho’s Porto in the UEFA Cup Final. Even the official ITV twitter feed had a dig at the reigning Spl champions, tweeting ‘Bye Bye Celtic’ when the groups were announced.
A 0-0 result against Benfica at Parkhead proved nothing but the next match sparked hope. Gary Hooper opened the scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium before two goals from Emmanuel Emenike set Spartak on the road to an important three points. At the 63 minute mark Juan Insaurralde was shown red and the game was turned on its head.
A 0-0 result against Benfica at Parkhead proved nothing but the next match sparked hope. Gary Hooper opened the scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium before two goals from Emmanuel Emenike set Spartak on the road to an important three points. At the 63 minute mark Juan Insaurralde was shown red and the game was turned on its head.
- 1/27/2013
- by Jamie Callaghan
- Obsessed with Film
The return of Jack Wilshere against Qpr on Saturday must have been a hugely welcome relief for Arsenal fans, who took much pleasure in seeing the talismanic midfielder rack up sixty minutes of first team football after over a year of frustration spent in the gym and on the treatment table. Since the last time Wilshere participated in a Premier League fixture, Arsenal have lost Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, and Robin van Persie, all vital players who took some of the gloss off Arsenal’s panache when they departed for new ventures.
In a post-match interview with the BBC yesterday, Wilshere described his boyhood club as a “new team”, whilst adding that he himself felt like a new player, happy to be up and running again on the immaculately kept green of the Emirates. Wilshere was unsurprisingly buoyant, his eyes gleaming with infantile happiness and contentment after months of hurdling...
In a post-match interview with the BBC yesterday, Wilshere described his boyhood club as a “new team”, whilst adding that he himself felt like a new player, happy to be up and running again on the immaculately kept green of the Emirates. Wilshere was unsurprisingly buoyant, his eyes gleaming with infantile happiness and contentment after months of hurdling...
- 10/29/2012
- by Jack Flahavan
- Obsessed with Film
Italian screenwriter Ennio De Concini has died at the age of 84.
De Concini, who won an Academy Award in 1962 for his film Divorce - Italian Style, passed away on 17 November.
In addition to the comedy, for which he won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, De Concini also worked on films including The Cry, European Nights and Black Sunday.
He also directed films including 1973's Hitler: The Last Ten Days, one of his best-known works, and enjoyed success as a television writer later in his career.
De Concini, who won an Academy Award in 1962 for his film Divorce - Italian Style, passed away on 17 November.
In addition to the comedy, for which he won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, De Concini also worked on films including The Cry, European Nights and Black Sunday.
He also directed films including 1973's Hitler: The Last Ten Days, one of his best-known works, and enjoyed success as a television writer later in his career.
- 12/1/2008
- WENN
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