Sports Betting Tips and Game Handicapping Picks » UEFA Cup

England plans big for the World Cup

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:45:43 +0000

The World Cup, which is played every four years, never fails to capture the imagination of the English people.

And after failing to qualify for Euro 2008, it has been a long four years for England fans to wait and remember what it feels like to get behind their team in a major international competition. Now that England is in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, English football fans couldn’t be any happier.

England head to South Africa confident, having easily secured their place for this year’s World Cup. And for the first time in quite a long time, English fans can finally look forward to the World Cup with a sense of optimism.

With players such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard ranking amongst the best in the world, together with the other members of the talented England squad, Fabio Cappello could well be the man to guide England to World Cup glory for the first time since 1966.

The draw for the 2010 World Cup took place in Cape Town and with the way the countries have been drawn, it looks like lady luck is really smiling on England. They got a great draw coming up against USA, Slovenia and Algeria in Group C, making the English team as the clear favorites to win the group.

Looking back at England’s history in the World Cup, England has entered all 14 post-war competitions. They qualified through play in the preliminary competition on nine occasions (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998 and 2002), as host country once (1966) and as reigning champions once (1970).

England have had only moderate success in the World Cup, and that is perhaps a fair indication of their standing in the world game. They won the tournament once, in 1966, when it was held on their own soil and they played all their matches on their home ground, Wembley Stadium, an advantage extended to no other team in World Cup history.

Their 4-2 extra-time victory against...

Man-U to win all Five Titles in Soccer?

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:09:30 +0000

Why are we asking?

Well, since the Manchester United Red Devils just won the Carling Cup, defeating Tottenham in a 4-1 penalty shootout after the teams played to a scoreless draw through regulation and extra time, we are.

You see, United is trying to win five trophies this season, something that has never been done. They won the Club World Cup title back in December and now with the Carling Cup title, they are nearly halfway to the goal. They have a comfortable lead in the 2009 English Premier League and Man-U winning the Premiership again is very possible indeed.

Aside from playing strong in the Premiership, the Red Devils are also in good shape in the 2009 UEFA Champions League, not to mention the fact that they are into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

‘’We’re not going to get carried away with it,'’ Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. ‘’We’ll keep our feet on the ground. A deflected shot goes off someone’s backside at Fulham on Wednesday and you’re out of the cup. Today proved that. Without Ben Foster, we’d have lost that.'’

United goalkeeper Ben Foster was brilliant for United in the victory, making big stops on Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent during the match. United also had chances to win before the shootout as Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez hit the post in injury time.

United is so deep that Ferguson chose to rest starting goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in this match even though van der Sar has not given up a goal in the Premier League since November.

‘’Tottenham are good opponents and they probably had better chances in the match,'’ Ferguson said. ‘’But Ben Foster made two or three good saves.'’

The future definitely looks good for...

David Beckham debuts for AC Milan

Jeffdstuff — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:39:17 +0000

This ''David Beckham debut'' sure was better than the last one.

After making his highly anticipated debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy nearly two years ago, David Beckham was in the middle of yet another debut for an international football team and this time, he was with AC Milan, surprising football fans on how his ‘’new debut'’ turned out this time around.

You see, the last time David Beckham made his debut for a football team, it was with the Los Angeles Galaxy, fresh from his transfer from Real Madrid to the MLS. That one was more of a cameo appearance than a full-time playing appearance really, as Becks only played for 21 minutes as the L.A. Galaxy lost to D.C. United, 1-nil.

This time though, David Beckham was on the pitch for 89 minutes with AC Milan. He was solid too as he came up with probably one of the best performances he’s ever had since leaving Real Madrid for California.

AC Milan ended up with a 2-2 draw against AS Roma.

Beckham sure was fantastic. Although it does not compare with the performances he once had early in his career with Manchester United and Real Madrid, he was solid nevertheless. Hell, the guy was so good that he elicited boos from the AS Roma crowd as he exited the pitch in the 89th minute.

‘’I felt good in the game, very strong and I enjoyed it,'’ Beckham said. ‘’I enjoyed playing with these players and in this city.'’

AC Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti initially said it would be difficult to start the former Man-U and Real Madrid star since the guy was inactive for the last two months. STILL, he had him lining up in his traditional spot on the right wing, leaving Mathieu Flamini and Massimo Ambrosini on the bench to...

Premier League Teams Dealing with Injuries

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:25:38 +0000

Many Soccer Betting Premier League teams are dealing with injuries heading into this weekend’s action. Chelsea is at the top of the standings with their unbeaten start but they will be missing a number of key players in Sunday’s match against Aston Villa. In their Wednesday Champions League match with FCR Cluj they [...]

Spain’s Pain ends after winning Euro 2008

Jeffdstuff — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:29:43 +0000

Yes, Spain just became the new Euro 2008 champions.

The 2008 UEFA European Football Championships have just ended with Spain winning it all to end 44 years of underachievement. They beat Germany 1-0, in Vienna last Sunday despite of Spain’s, as well as the tournament’s leading scorer, David Villa, playing with an injury.

In the end, Villa hurting was not a factor as it was Fernando Torres who was able to lead Spain to the title after scoring the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute. The German side, more specifically Michael Ballack, did everything that they could to even things up. Unfortunately for them, Spain simply held on.

Spain was coming into the Euro 2008 final as international heavyweights of football but can’t seem to win any major tournament whatsoever since 1964. Yes, Spaniards were regarded as big chokers when it comes to them playing on that pitch.

After beating Germany, they are no longer regarded as chokers but Euro 2008 champions. How about that eh?

Spain is a nation divided by their regions. Lyrics of their national anthem was not even used for crying out loud. The Spanish side needed to win this tournament and after Fernando Torres did just that for them, Spain was united even for just a few minutes.

‘’Viva Espana'’ sang their fans before the sangria started flowing.

This was billed as a clash of Germany’s efficiency and power versus Spain’s fluidity and creativity which were on display as Russia were swept aside in the semi-finals. The Germans’ drive came from Michael Ballack, with the Chelsea midfielder passed fit despite carrying a calf injury on the eve of the final.

‘Against the odds we will win the trophy’, read one headline from a...

Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid?

Jeffdstuff — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:33:15 +0000

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the brink of becoming the world’s most expensive player if he decides to take on Real Madrid’s generous offer.

Now that Cristiano Ronaldo’s stint in the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship is over after Portugal lost to Germany, he is now looking into a possible move from Old Trafford and the defending Champions League champions Manchester United, to Real Madrid and the Spanish Premiere League.

After failing to lead Portugal deeper into the Euro 2008 tournament, it seems that didn’t hurt his market value so to speak. Real Madrid still wants to land the fiery Portugese striker and after he captured both the English Premiership and the UEFA Champions League titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid is STILL willing to make him the highest paid football player in the world.

Zinedine Zidane, still the highest paid footballer after moving from Juventus to Real Madrid, agrees with his former club. He believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is worthy to break his own record breaking fee and the Portugese’s 3-2 loss to Germany should not slow down his bandwagon.

‘’He has had a great season, a league and Champions League winner, and I think the fact that he and Portugal got knocked out at the quarter-finals doesn’t mean anything because they were up against a great Germany team,'’ retired Zinedine Zidane said.

‘’It doesn’t say anything about the merits during the year. He is not scared of his new Real Madrid engagement and every time they wanted good players they got them. Now it depends on his personal plans, if he wants to...''

Manchester United, 2008 Champions League Champions!

Jeffdstuff — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:33:49 +0000

The Champions League final became one of the most dramatic finishes ever seen on a pitch to decide a championship.

Yes, the conclusion of the 2008 UEFA Champions League final between the Manchester United Red Devils and Chelsea FC is probably one of the most exciting finishes ever seen on the pitch and unfortunately for football fans, only one team can win.

One team did win and this year, Manchester United became champions of all of Europe. The Red Devils, after scoring the first goal of the match, won the Champions League final, winning on penalties 6-5 to beat Chelsea FC after ending regulation and TWO extra periods in a 1-1 deadlock.

It was a very draining game for Chelsea both physically and emotionally too. After Man-U star Cristiano Ronaldo missed his kick on the penalty shootout to decide the Champions League final, Chelsea all of a sudden had the chance to steal the European title away from their rivals from Old Trafford.

Unfortunately for the Blues, their captain John Terry missed his as well, relinquishing the advantage back to the Red Devils. And after Man-U goalie Edwin Van der Sar stopped Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka, the celebration for the Red Devils began.

Ironically, it has been 40 years since Manchester United won the Champions League in Germany with a team rebuilt by Sir Matt Busby from the survivors of that Munich disaster. Eight players lost their lives following the catastrophic events on a snow-filled German runway in February 1958.

40 years later, Man-U was celebrating in Germany again, winning the 2008 UEFA Champions League final and when it was all said and done, football fans realized something they never thought they’d never see again. Manchester United won a magnificent double to conclude this year’s football season.

Things may have been different if...

England VS Estonia in Euro 2008 Qualifiers

Jeffdstuff — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 08:50:43 +0000

David Beckham is still nursing a knee injury and he'll be out for England's fixture against Estonia.

Heading to England's Euro 2008 Qualifier against Estonia this Saturday, David Beckham will be out with yet another injury. Despite that, Steve McClaren is still praising the guy because of his motivation to return and play again for his home country.

England head coach Steve McClaren is praising David Beckham for, according to McClaren, the way the England star is still trying to regain his fitness.

''He's a true patriot and he loves playing for England,'' England coach Steve McClaren said of Beckham for his efforts to be available for the national team's campaign this season. ''That's still his motivation, that's still his mind-set.''

David Beckham is still nursing a right knee injury he sustained playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS soccer. The injury denied Becks for two England European Championship qualifiers last September and will still rule him out of two more fixtures, one against Estonia this Saturday, and another against Russia.

What David Beckham is aiming for now is to be fit in time to lead England to next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria. Back in 2001, Becks did just that, scoring a late free kick against Greece to send the England national team to the...

Can Michael Owen get his starting job back in Newcastle?

Jeffdstuff — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:56:07 +0000

Michael Owen is not Allardyce’s favorite footballer in Newcastle. With the 2007-08 English Premiere League season here, Newcastle big boss Sam Allardyce is apparently laying down the law after telling Michael Owen that he has to fight for a starting spot in his rotation this year. It turns out that Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce [...]

Chelsea will play second fiddle to David Beckham

Jeffdstuff — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 12:00:43 +0000

Chelsea, one of the most popular teams in all of soccer, agrees to play second fiddle to David Beckham. Chelsea FC, the same team that became the 2007 FA Cup champions, and the same team that ruled the English Premiership for two years before Manchester United won this year’s Premiership title, agreed to let David [...]