You might remember at the end of August that I took a look at the money being awarded for the Champions League and UEFA Cup last season. While rooting around on the UEFA website today I found the October 2009 copy of UEFA Direct (PDF), which is UEFA’s bi-monthly magazine relating to various goings on [...]
Archive for November, 2009
Taking another look at the money distributed in UEFA Competitions
Posted in Financials, tagged Champions League, Europa League, Finance, UEFA on November 30, 2009 | 4 Comments »
Football Cup Primer: The Europa League
Posted in Europa League, Football Cup Primer, tagged Europa League, Football Cup Primer, UEFA Cup on November 30, 2009 | 4 Comments »
If you’re a college basketball program, your ultimate goal is to receive a bid for the NCAA Tournament. You’re playing all season just for that berth, and you want to get in. Small schools want in, big schools need in; it’s part of what defines your season’s success. And while only one school can ultimately [...]
Cheesesteaks for Everyone!
Posted in Commentary, General, Introductions, MLS, News, Off and Running, Off the Pitch on November 30, 2009 | 4 Comments »
On November 25th MLS held its expansion draft to provide Philadelphia Union with a nucleus of players. Expansion drafts are tricky- every player selected is a player that, for one reason or another, somebody else doesn’t want. Piotr Nowak and his staff now have to take these players and hope to add a “designated player” [...]
“The moral of the story is not to listen to those who tell you not to play the violin but stick to the tambourine.” – Jose Mourinho
Posted in Weekend Open Thread, tagged Derby Day, Sunday open thread on November 29, 2009 | 2 Comments »
It’s Derby Day. No, not the Rams of lovely Derby County. Today is a day for local wars between sides that would sooner leap into a roaring fire than lose against today’s opponent. The vitriol will be felt in places like North London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Barcelona and Piraeus. Important to remember is just how much [...]
“We are a good, average team.” – Franz Beckenbauer
Posted in Weekend Open Thread, tagged Saturday open thread, two yellows on November 28, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Today feels like the calm before tomorrow’s maelstrom. With Arsenal-Chelsea and Barcelona-Real Madrid back to back tomorrow starting at 11AM EST, today feels like the appetizer. Still, though, there are some interesting contests on the docket. Portsmouth and their new gaffer, Avram Grant, take on Manchester United. United certainly will be wanting all three points [...]
Your Weekend Preview: Turkey Hangover Edition
Posted in Argentine Primera Division, English Premier League, La Liga, Ross County, Scottish Football League, Serie A, South America, Weekend Preview on November 27, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Ross County F.C. v. Berwick Rangers F.C. (Saturday) After a week off, the Staggies return this weekend with a third round Scottish Cup match against Berwick Rangers. County did well in the draw for this round of the cup as Berwick currently sit twenty-one places below County and the match will be played at Victoria [...]
Happy Thanksgiving from Avoiding the Drop
Posted in General, tagged Nihat, Thanksgiving on November 26, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers, and happy Thursday to our non-American readers. We’ll be free from content today, but back tomorrow same as it ever was. Thanksgiving is a truly great American holiday, one that I’ve come to love and cherish since I’ve been here. It’s a uniquely “family” holiday that doesn’t revolve around [...]
Last Call: We’re sort of already on Vacation
Posted in Last Call, tagged Last Call on November 25, 2009 | 57 Comments »
I’m not sure about the rest of you, but we’ve kinda taken the week off around here in anticipation of thanksgiving tomorrow. Sure there have been games, but we’ve all been busy prepping for the holiday in various ways. I’ve been sick, and the rest of the guys have been doing whatever they do for [...]
And the winner is…the Final Four
Posted in Awards, Commentary, General, Handbags, USMNT, Whimsy on November 30, 2009 | 9 Comments »
So, it’s come to this. Four players. Unfulfilled expectations. The scorn of the commentors. What more could an American international hope for?
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