With a draw on Tuesday against Croatia, England will qualify for the Euro 2008 Championships and all will be right in the world. Manager Steve McLaren and his Three Lions will bungle their way to another major tournament.
Qualifying has been a rocky road for England and it needed a lame-duck Israel squad with no chance of qualification to beat Russia, who was playing to qualify, last week. A last minute goal from Omer Golan has granted England a second life.
Now having England in the biggest national tournament after the World Cup is a boon for Europe and the country that claims the beautiful game. England has a bevy of stars, but the drama and constant media attention given to the squad can be nauseating. While I enjoy watching some of the talent England puts on the field (Steven Gerrard, Micah Richards, John Terry and Wayne Rooney to name a few) the squad suffers from over hype and overexposure. England’s struggles to qualify for Euro 2008 along with its World Cup issues have exposed it on the international scene.
Managerial duress, a hoarding tabloid press and players with inflated egos and bank accounts have been a thorn in the squad’s side. Not to mention the David Beckham on again, off again saga that has plagued the team. Having England at Euro 2008 looks good, but how much would the tournament have benefited from a hungry and motivated Russian side.
Once again England appears to be a paper lion.
Being perhaps the greatest soccer player ever, Pele has the right to speak his mind on all matters pertaining to the beautiful game. However, that doesn’t always make his opinions correct.
Take for instance his latest veiled shots at David Beckham and Major League Soccer. Pele says that U.S. fans were misled about Beckham after his record signing from Real Madrid was announced. Pele says Beckham was announced as a “scorer of goals.”
Frankly that statement is absurd.
I read almost everything I could find on Beckham’s signing, then his arrival and followed the few games he played in. Not once did I ever come across a snippet of information declaring he was a great scorer. No one believed that. The columnists and announcers all made that perfectly clear any time Beckham was discussed.
In fact I’d say Pele is 180 degrees off. After Beckham’s mega-deal was announced it had to be emphasized that what he was bringing to America were not goals and fancy moves. He was bringing his brand to build the sport and make a lot of money for himself. The fact that he was not a goal scorer was stressed so the U.S. public who are not hard-core soccer fans did not think they were getting the next Pele, or for that matter Giorgio Chinaglia.
The disappointment following Beckham’s first season in MLS does not stem from the goals he didn’t bring. It is because he was injured for most of the time he was here and he only flashed moments of his brilliance. Beckham signed a five-year contract. He was never going to convert America overnight. His arrival generated enough publicity and buzz to make MLS relevant during the summer doldrums. Now he has to show what he can do (mainly set up goals, work hard, make his team better and provide the occasional brilliant free-kick).
No one was misled. The hype just couldn’t be capitalized on.
Beckham’s not a scorer of goals? Geez, Pele. Is the pope catholic?
I read an article in the New York Times a while back talking about how Italian culture will never change because people like it too much. When traveling in Italy, the foreigner can sense that it is a different place. The people are deathly serious about their holidays, espresso, food and wine, and even more serious about their soccer. They seem to have figured out that life is in the living, not in the retirement. Even the sun seems to be intentional about falling differently on Italian hills and faces.
Italians themselves take pride in their pace of life, culture of relaxation and almost carelessness towards anything that’s not food, wine or culture. And it’s fair to say that most of the high-strung west looks upon this wanton lifestyle where rules are mostly optional with olive-green envy and a sigh: Italy is that romantic place where art and food and love all get smashed together under an orange sunset. It’s that place where honeymoons and holidays are had. Most of the world agrees that rules shouldn’t apply to Italy too much, there’s far too much cultural currency at stake.
Part of that wonderful cultural currency is how the Italians have put their own latin spin on soccer. Known to them as Calcio, the Italians do football their own way, and very effectively, mind you. Italy won the 2006 FIFA World Cup and that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, because, simply stated, they were the best team. The played well when they had to, held onto the ball, defended well, created incredible goals, and flat out got the results that they needed.
Unfortunately, there’s a grimy side to that ‘latin spin’ which the Italians are admittedly not as proud of. It’s a side which is not very well hidden and very recently came out of hiding in a deadly way.
Gabriele Sandri was a Lazio fan and a fan of Italian soccer. A BBC report of the incident says that “The Lazio fan (Sandri), was hit by a bullet in the neck as he sat in a car while police tried to stop fighting between followers of his team and Juventus supporters,” and that he was sitting in a car on his way to see Lazio play Inter Milan. The shooting was nowhere near the stadium and a complete accident.
Accident though it was, Mr. Sandri’s parents now have a dead son as the result of football riots and reckless and amateur policing.
Continue reading »
With holiday shopping approaching soccerprose.com would like to offer a few suggestions of what we think would make excellent holiday soccer gifts. Here are some of our top choices for what to look for this season in soccer gift ideas. There’s more than 20 ideas here cause honestly, we got a bit carried away…
Top Ten Gift Ideas
Adidas Adipower Predator: With its Predator style and flair, looks can’t get better than this. The black and blue color scheme is sure to make you play like a World Cup champion. Full grain leather makes this shoe quite durable and the price can’t be beat for how much quality this shoe brings to the table. Patented “Predator” material also lines the instep of the shoe to help you swerve the ball and harness more power behind everything you do. The shoe is lightweight and a real steal for the price.
Nike 5 Gato Leather Soccer Shoes: These extremely comfortable indoor shoes are quite durable because of the full grain leather and added cushioning on the inside. It also has perforated panels to keep your feet cool and maximize breathability while you’re playing in your game. The touch is soft when playing and takes a bit of time to get used to, but in reality, you have increased control over your game. Plain, but reliable
EPL Official League Ball: 
Used by professionals in the English Premier League, the Total 90 Tracer Ball is a ball of great quality. Nike designed the ball similar to the feel of a golf ball, which sound weird, but let me explain. Golf balls are designed to maximize accuracy and distance. It’s got a 360 degree sweet spot so no matter where you kick this ball, the flight path will be the same. A great premium ball.
Chelsea Long Sleeve Jersey: The league title challenging Chelsea and Adidas have created a jersey that is clean, professional, and dare I say it sexy. The subtle white lining on the neck makes the jersey pop. The three white stripes on the arms is a cornerstone of the Adidas brand and makes the jersey come together great. Put a Drogba nameset on the back and you’ve got yourself a jersey everyone envies.
Real Madrid Ronaldo Jersey: The Real Madrid Home jersey is as sharp as ever, with great complementary blue stripes lining the arms, the team’s crest and the Adidas logo on the chest, and the logo prominently displayed on the front of this durable jersey. Ronaldo is starting to finally hit his stride this season in La Liga play, creating for others with butt passes and heel flicks as well as scoring some superb goals. One of the world’s best players wears one of the best jerseys around.
Select Mexico Ball: If you have pride in “El Tri”, this ball is for you. Ridiculously inexpensive, the Select Mexico Ball has good air retention and a smooth striking surface. The ball is hand-sewn and is best used for outdoor grass fields. For the price, if you enjoy Mexico at all, it’s practically a “no-brainer” purchase.
Adidas Tiro 11 Stadium Jacket: Time to gear up for the winter months and what better way to do it then a warm jacket? This classic design from Adidas is made of 100% polyester so it’s durable and comfortable. ClimaWarm technology also helps keep you nice and toasty for the harsh wind and cold right around the corner. Fleece up.
Nike 5 Bomba Pro Turf Shoes: The younger brother of the Nike 5 Bomba Finale, this afordable turf shoe is quite comfortable and simple. Padding galore lines the inside and outside of the shoe and soft natural leather surrounding the shoe shoe helps you have a nice touch on the ball, though it does take some getting used to if you have been wearing synthetic turf shoes for a while. Also has terrific traction thanks to it’s pink studs on the outter edges of the shoe, helping your cuts and overall speed of your game. A great value if you can’t afford the Bomba Finale.
Adidas Youth Predito Shoes: The younger brother of the youth Adidas Predator cleats, the Predito is a great buy if your son/daughter simply needs a pair of cleats that will last a season. Still a decent performer in terms of touch, the Predito is a terrific value considering the ridiculously low price. Plus, they have the look and feel of the same boots worn by some of the biggest World Cup starts from South Africa.
Footwear Ideas
Adidas Adipower Predator: With its Predator style and flair, looks can’t get better than this. The black and blue color scheme is sure to make you play like a World Cup champion. Full grain leather makes this shoe quite durable and the price can’t be beat for how much quality this shoe brings to the table. Patented “Predator” material also lines the instep of the shoe to help you swerve the ball and harness more power behind everything you do. The shoe is lightweight and a real steal for the price.
Nike Air Gato Leather Soccer Shoes: These extremely comfortable indoor shoes are quite durable because of the full grain leather and added cushioning on the inside. It also has perforated panels to keep your feet cool and maximize breathability while you’re playing in your game. The touch is soft when playing and takes a bit of time to get used to, but in reality, you have increased control over your game. Plain, but reliable.
Nike 5 Bomba Pro Turf Shoes: The younger brother of the Nike 5 Bomba Finale, this affordable turf shoe is quite comfortable and simple. Padding galore lines the inside and outside of the shoe and soft natural leather surrounding the shoe shoe helps you have a nice touch on the ball, though it does take some getting used to if you have been wearing synthetic turf shoes for a while. Also has terrific traction thanks to it’s pink studs on the outter edges of the shoe, helping your cuts and overall speed of your game. A great value if you can’t afford the Bomba Finale.
Adidas Youth Predito Shoes: The younger brother of the youth Adidas Predator cleats, the Predito is a great buy if your son/daughter simply needs a pair of cleats that will last a season. Still a decent performer in terms of touch, the Predito is a terrific value considering the ridiculously low price. Plus, they have the look and feel of the same boots worn by some of the biggest World Cup starts from South Africa.
Adidas F50 adizero: Weighing a ridiculously light 165 grams, the Adidas F50 adiZero is the ultimate shoe for an attacking player on the pitch. Using traxion studs and limiting weight on nearly every part of the shoe conceivable, these boots feel like you wear nothing at all, which is great in the latter parts of a match when other players’ legs begin to tire.
Nike Mercurial Vapor VII: If you are looking to relive the glory days of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by honoring your favorite soccer star with a pair of cleats, you can do no wrong by wearing the most popular boot in Europe, the Nike Mercurial Vapor. A super lightweight boot, the Vapor VII has an immediately recognizable colorway and the Tejin synthetic material delievers a crisp touch and feels great. Takes a bit of time to break in, but overall, a great buy, and on sale now.
Puma PowerCat 1.10 Elektro: Puma’s latest creation, the Powercat 1.10, has bold written all of over it with all the cool colorways available, especially the orange one shown. The Powercat combines a great lightweight feel with a durability not matched by any other boot out there, thanks to the K-leather. A premium boot that is worth every penny if you have the cash. Otherwise, the Powercat 2.10 and the Powercat 3.10 are all great backups for the money with the K-leather used in the premium Powercat offering.
Puma v 1.11 SL: As the lightest boot on the market today (an absurd 5.3 ounces), the Puma v 1.11 SL will certainly add the speed you’ve always craved on the field as well as a surprising amount of durability. The boot has a carbon fiber plate the studs sit on for extreme flexibility and the ability to take even the harshest of cuts as you blow by defenders. It’s almost as if a player plays barefoot with these babies on. A sweet pair of cleats.
Diadora Kobra Plus K BX 14
As the best looking Diadora shoes currently on the market, these boots are sure to be popular right around the holidays. They feature real leather uppers, and a cotton with EVA Foam composite insole to keep your foot comfortable and your touch soft. Diadora don’t have the same flash or gimmicks as a Nike or Adidas shoe, but they are sturdy and will keep your foot protected while giving you the control you need to play anywhere on the field. Also, with 14 separate studs, you’ll never be sort of traction. A good buy if you need a simple, affordable pair of shoes that will still allow you play like a pro.
Licensed Apparel
Chelsea Long Sleeve Jersey: The league title challenging Chelsea and Adidas have created a jersey that is clean, professional, and dare I say it sexy. The subtle white lining on the neck makes the jersey pop. The three white stripes on the arms is a cornerstone of the Adidas brand and makes the jersey come together great. Put a Drogba nameset on the back and you’ve got yourself a jersey everyone envies.
Real Madrid Home or Away Jersey: The Real Madrid Away jersey is as cool as ever, with bold neon green stripes lining the arms, the team’s crest and the Adidas logo on the chest, and the logo prominently displayed on the front of this durable jersey. Ronaldo is starting to finally hit his stride this season in La Liga play, creating for others with butt passes and heel flicks as well as scoring some superb goals. One of the world’s best players wears one of the best jerseys around.
Manchester City Away Jersey: If you’re looking to represent the world’s largest spending team, the Man City Away jersey will do you justice. Umbro decided they did not want to opt for the traditional materials for a jersey (polyester), so the company went for an “old-school” wool like material. Some may find it itchy, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. Unique and classy.
USA Home Jersey: The now famous “sash” look of the US Home and Away Men’s international jerseys is sweeping the nation and for good reason. A throwback to the teams of the 1960′s, the US Men will be rocking this jersey in friendlies for a while leading up to the start of World Cup Qualification. Landon, Jozy, Tim, and Clint all rock this and you probably should too if you have pride in the red, white, and blue. If you’re a fan of the blue Away jersey, good luck finding one. The home jersey is a fair compromise.
Celtic FC N98 Jacket: This full zip green Celtic Track Jacket features an embroidered four-leaf clover emblem, and Celtic across the shoulders on the back. For the perfect fit, it has ribbed cuffs, collar, and waistband. If you’re looking to represent a team always in contention and has ton of pride, the Scottish giant’s track jacket is for you, even with some of the bold coloring on this warm jacket.
Italy Long Sleeve Jersey: Despite being a big flop at the 2010 World Cup, the Italian youth (such as controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli) should be rocking a pretty sweet home jersey for their upcoming friendlies in the future. The jersey features a real unique front design that is not just plain blue, but a mixture of “swirls and other graphics” to create a jersey that will truly be an eye-catcher. A professional and unique design, the Italy Home Long Sleeve Jersey rocks my socks, even if I don’t particularly appreciate some of the plain features of the jersey.
adidas Mexico Away Jersey: The jersey still features everything great about Mexico, including it’s official team crest displayed on the left side of the chest. The coolest part of this Mexico soccer jersey , though is the color. It comes in black, with red stripes down the sleeves, and gold accents throughout the jersey. It’s awesome! 
Woolie Team Winter Caps: If you’re looking to keep warm for the winter months, a team woolie cap is good way to go. Represent your favorite squad, whether at the international or club level, in style and comfort. I’ll be personally rocking the Arsenal cap for Cesc and the boys.
Manchester United Jersey: The popular trend in jersey design this year is a throwback to classic jerseys from many years past and Manchester United is no different in their home threads this year. The long sleeve home jersey looks especially good, with a classic white collar and available namesets (like Chicharito or the controversial Rooney) to keep you looking as suave as Dimitar Berbatov (or whatever adjective you’d like to use to describe the Bulgarian.
Apparel
Adidas Tiro 11 Stadium Jacket: This stadium style jacket will keep you warm in Antarctic conditions and beyond (well, almost). It’s ridiculously warm, so it does carry a bit of weight to it and is certainly meant for harsher conditions. The styling is relatively plain and akin to a classic Adidas product, however is quite professional looking. Warming features such as a detachable hood, inside pockets, and a storm vest help make this a great jacket that will last you a long time.
Kwik Goal Scrimmage Vests: These 100% Nylon Scrimmage vests each have an individual number (1-18) on the back so coaches can discern which players they think perform best easily and effectively. A convenient carry bag is included so coaches can collect the vests easily.
Nike Team Shirts
A great gift for any soccer player, these shirts feature slick designs which really catch the eye. Designed for comfort with 100% cotton, which is double stitched to insure they hold up, the shirts are also built to last and the color won’t run out of them after only a few washes. Jerseys are a great gift, but if your looking to get your soccer fan something cool, but not upward $70 these are the thing for you. Plus, if you are going to spend over $70, you could get more than one as there’s a great price going on them right now.
Adidas Tiro 11 Training Pants: Welcome to the classic and reliable training pants. Designed for comfort, the Condivo Training Pants have bottom leg zippers and pockets to help player’s keep out the cold. Three classic white stripes run down the side of the pants and a small Adidas logo is stitched on the left thigh of the pant leg. ClimaCool Technology helps keep regulate moisture levels within the pants, so you can keep cool when you need to and keep warm when it’s cold. These pants have been around forever and there is a great reason for that: quality and pricing.
Umbro Manchester City Half Zip Training Top
This hlaf-zip makes a great gift for anyone, but especially for kids interested in Manchester City. The design is awesome, and the fleece interior is super warm and help to cut the wind when your standing on the side of the pitch during a game. They’ve got the same quality features as other Umbro products, including double stitching at the base of the jacket. The one featured here is the most striking but other jackets are also available, along with other licensed team designs. They are definitely worth every penny and unique enough that it will show how much thought you put into getting it.
Hardwear
EPL Hi-Vis Ball: The official match ball of the English Premier League this season is bold and surprisingly performance driven, considering the color scheme. The 6 wing carbon latex bladder makes this ball fly insanely fast to keep pace with the speed and brutality of the English style of game. A top drawer ball for a top drawer player.
Select Soccer Balls: If you’re looking a ball you can just kick around with your friends or need a spare ball, Select Soccer Balls will work out just fine. At a ridiculously low price, these Select Balls are available in various colors and designs, so you can choose your favorite carefully. These balls are hand-sewn so are decent in quality. Really, you can’t beat the price if you are just looking for something to kick around at the park.
Adidas Finale 11 Soccer Ball: The controversial Jabulani ball used in South Africa became the center of discussion in social circles for a months and for great reason. Many people will cite that the ball has an unpredictable flight path and is too lightweight, Adidas have tried to fix these problems with the Finale 11, and honestly, it makes a great goft and features on the field of the UEFA Champions League.
Soccer Backpacks:
A great gift for a soccer player who is still in school. These bright, colorful backpacks are functional in the sense that they are designed for sports so they’ll more than hold up to what ever abuse they get from schoolbooks and school supplies. They’re also good if your only gonna use them for you soccer gear. It’s always a nightmare lugging around a heavy duffel bag, and with these backpacks you can distribute the weight across your shoulders and make the post game walk home a little bit easier on you. Overall, its the licensed team badge and colors that set these apart, but its the quality and great price that make them good gifts for any one who loves soccer.
