The World Game

[The Coon Dog]

Does anyone here follow soccer?

I have to admit I'm an EPL tragic. It's not unusual for me to watch the noon kick off game in England, then when the 3pm games kick off I watch the new Foxtel innovation with 4 games all going at the same time. It's hard to concentrate, but I'm getting better at it.

I have a soft spot for Wigan Athletic as my Dad was born in Wigan, tho he's a Rugby League man, not into soccer.

Liverpool are my team. I have supported them since I was a kid. In those days you never got anywhere near the coverage you do now. I know twodogs is a Gooner & with a name like FredieKanoute I'm tipping there may be a Spurs fan out there?

My most memorable games are the 1989 FA Cup Final which pitted the Merseyside rivals against each other. You may remember the semi final that season was between Liverpool & Nottingham Forest, played at Sheffield Wednesday's home ground, Hillsborough. 96 Liverpool fans lost their life that day due to a massive crush. As a result, the high fencing around grounds were removed & stadiums were required to be all seater. I digressed a bit there, but the FA Cup Final was an outpouring of emotion as many families in the city of Liverpool are divided. Some are Red (Liverpool) & some are Blue (Everton), many losing family & friends at Hillsborough.

There was a bit of an outcry as the Royal Family were conspicuous by their absence on Merseyside in the wake of Hillsborough. When the National Anthem was sang Liverpool (& unbelievably many Evertonians) showed their displeasure at the Royal Family & refused to sing God Save The Queen, instead singing their own anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Onto the game & John Aldridge scored after 4 minutes. It looked as tho the game was heading for a Liverpool victory until Stuart McCall equallised for Everton with just 3 seconds remaining. Ian Rush (who had returned after his ill fated transfer to Juventus) had now replaced John Aldridge & shortly into extra time put Liverpool ahead. Within minutes Stuart McCall's long range shot levelled things up again, only for Ian Rush to restore Liverpool's advantage moments later. Such an outpouring of emotion afterwards as a club hadn't just won an FA Cup Final, but a City had, guided on by 96 angels watching from heaven.

Obviously the 2005 European Cup Final ranks right up there. Liverpool had a tough run getting there as they had to see of Chelsea over 2 legs in the Semi Finals & Juventus over 2 legs in the Quarter Finals. A late Steven Gerrard goal at Anfield in the group stages allowed Liverpool to qualify for the knock out phase. it took 3 second half goals to get there, something that would be memorably repeated.

Liverpool took a massive travelling contingent to Turkey to watch the game. Vision at the time showed Istanbul awash in red. Unfortunately Liverpool were ruthlessly ripped apart by AC Milan in the first half of the final & were fortunate to only trail by 3 goals at the interval.

I have no idea what the team talk was at half time but Liverpool came out a totally different side. It didn't take long for their skipper & talisman Steven Gerrard to strike with a powerful header. 4 minutes later Vladimir Smicir in his final game for Liverpool saw his long range effort elude AC Milam's Brazillian goalkeeper Dida. Suddenly Liverpool's travelling fans had found voice & roared their hero's on. A foul inside the box after a typical Steven Gerrard marauding run resulted in a penalty just 2 minutes later. Xabi Alonso saw his spot kick saved, fortunately in rebounded back to him & suddenly in the space of 6 minutes it was 3-3.

There was more drama to follow as just as the final whistle was about to blow after extra time AC Milan's Ukranian striker Andre Schevchenko went one on one with Liverpool's Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, who somehow managed to save the initial shot & deflect the follow up shot over the bar when it looked certain that Schevchenko must score.

A nerve racking penalty shoot out ensued (is there any other & is there any more exciting theatre in sport than a Penalty Shoot Out? Jjust cast your mind back to the Socceroos qualifier against Uruguay in Sydney) with Dudek saving from 2 of the Italian team's penalty takers. After trailing 3- at half time Liverpool went on to lift 'Old Big Ears' 4-3 in a penalty shoot out.

The Reds were greeted by a massive crowd upon their arrival in Liverpool with estimates putting crowd numbers at 500,000 as their open topped bus travelled from the Airport to Anfield.

Great memories those games & hopefully there are others out there who have a similar passion for The World Game.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Top post.

I grew up in a 6th generation Australian family and was taught soccer was for sheilas, wogs & poofters.

I've since become quite a fan of the game (although I don't really understand the tactical side). I don't really have an EPL team, however as a rabid sporting socialist I despise everything about Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid and anyone else who thinks they can win anything they like by throwing money at it.

Locally, I'm definately Melbourne Victory fan, although I've never been to a game. It's good to have a local team to support as I never felt I could support either Sth Melbourne or Melbourne Knights as I was neither Greek or Croatian and I didn't understand or want to get involved in their politics.

I also could never get excited about our national team beating Tonga or Fiji. With the World Cup being the only tournament the Socceroos played in, I genuinely got excited about soccer for two games every four years. With so few of the top players available it was impossible to get a feel for who should and shouldn't be in the side.

Now that the A-league has got it's shit together and the Socceroos will be in a cycle of Asia Cup qualifiers, Asia Cup finals, World Cup qualifiers and World Cup finals (with a bit of luck) we can follow the Socceroos like a real team playing real matches.

So, which EPL side should I jump aboard?

[Chops]

I saw Onslaught at the Victory game briefly on Sunday though I'm not sure he is a huge fan.
Know PC28, Pembleton, Guido and Rocco are big fans to varying degrees.
If you check the BF Football Association Aussie site there are numerous bulldog fans who love the round ball game. Lowie1 doesn't post a lot of the Bulldogs site but a regular contributor on the soccer site.

Scooter I go every week, if you want to go, I can save you a seat and crap on a little. This Friday is a game.

I love the game, the passion/atomosphere in a full stadium is 100x that of an AFL game.
I too don't really have a EPL team however having an italian background I support my father's team Florentina (the purple side from Florence). 2 titles last in 68/69 I think, about 5 FA cup equilvents in Italy and 1 European cup winners cup.
I was torn when Australia played Italy at the WC. I supported Australia on the day but would have been sad either way.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I saw Onslaught at the Victory game briefly on Sunday though I'm not sure he is a huge fan.
Know PC28, Pembleton, Guido and Rocco are big fans to varying degrees.
If you check the BF Football Association Aussie site there are numerous bulldog fans who love the round ball game. Lowie1 doesn't post a lot of the Bulldogs site but a regular contributor on the soccer site.

Scooter I go every week, if you want to go, I can save you a seat and crap on a little. This Friday is a game.

I love the game, the passion/atomosphere in a full stadium is 100x that of an AFL game.
I too don't really have a EPL team however having an italian background I support my father's team Florentina (the purple side from Florence). 2 titles last in 68/69 I think, about 5 FA cup equilvents in Italy and 1 European cup winners cup.
I was torn when Australia played Italy at the WC. I supported Australia on the day but would have been sad either way.

If it can get it through the senate I'd love to go.

Although I don't have an EPL team, I do have a Serie A team - Florentina - purely because of Gabriel Battistuta.

[GVGjr]

My EPL team is actually Wigan Athletic. Not 100% sure why but I remember watching them a few years back in one of the minor leagues well before their promotion and thought why not.
There was no way I was going to take the easy option of supporting one of the EPL elite teams.

Just a question for those with a better understanding of how strong the EPL actually is, but if a team like Celtic or Real Madrid was part of the competition are they good enough that they actually could unseat those 4 or 5 elite teams?

[The Coon Dog]

My EPL team is actually Wigan Athletic. Not 100% sure why but I remember watching them a few years back in one of the minor leagues well before their promotion and thought why not.
There was no way I was going to take the easy option of supporting one of the EPL elite teams.

Just a question for those with a better understanding of how strong the EPL actually is, but if a team like Celtic or Real Madrid was part of the competition are they good enough that they actually could unseat those 4 or 5 elite teams?

The top 4 English sides are the 4 richest, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United & Chelsea. Celtic & Rangers would win many games if they played against English sides, tho over the course of a gruelling 38 game campaign, they'd be found wanting.

I love the Champions League (formerly the European Cup), where the top few sides from each country in Europe go up against each other. The elite miss the qualiflying rounds as they are seeded. sides from the smaller European countries, plus 3rd & 4th placed sides from the larger countries meet to qualify for the group stages.

There are 32 sides in the group stages in 8 groups of 4. They play a round robin against the 3 teams in their group both home & away. The top 2 from each group progress, 3rd placed teams drop down to the UEFA Cup & last drop out all together. 16 teams progress & the top 8 teams in each group play against the 8 runners up in each group.

This is usually where the cream rises to the top & teams to get to here are usually comprised of the 4 previously mentioned from England, Spanish giants Barcelona & Real Madrid, Italian heavyweights Juventus & AC Milan, Bayern Munich from Germany & a smattering of clubs from France, Portugal & Holland usually appear.

This is where the HUGE money comes into play. Big money equals super rich teams & billionaire owners desperate for success. It truly is a fantastic competition.

[GVGjr]

How would Real Madrid go against those 4 teams in the same competition?

[Chops]

Look at the Champion league GVGjr.
EPL is probably the premier European competition at the moment. 3 out 4 teams in the semis of the Champions league tells me, though an Italian side won.
Real Madrid and Barcellona are always up there.
Milan, Inter and Juventus though down this season are a good.
A few German, Portuguese, Dutch and French side are OK.
Celtic usually don't go far. Rangers are even worse.
Celtic won a famous European Cup in the 60s which beat the Inter Milan who employed the dour 'catenaccio' defensive style. ( a bit like flooding). Go 1 up and defend like hell, play on the counter. Unexpectedly Celtic scored twice, basically killed this system there and then.

It seems like every country has its elite teams that seem to be the only ones that win the championship.

[The Coon Dog]

How would Real Madrid go against those 4 teams in the same competition?

Real Madrid are super rich, so they would acquit themselves very well. If sides from continental Europe played English sides week in week out, they would struggle as the game in England is faster, allowing less time to dwell on the ball & the tackles seem so much more ferocious. It usually takes 'foreign imports' a while to find their feet in England.

The beauty of the group stages & knock out format of the Champions League is that the talent pool is not diluted as the best are up against the best.

[GVGjr]

But...in the same competition (EPL) the Italian side might not actually prosper.
I'm interested to know if Real Madrid might sneak through for a win occasionally or sit just outside the top 4 much like Newcastle tends to do. The Champion league might not be their primary goal for all I know.

[Twodogs]

True story. I picked Arsenal when I was a kid bacause they had a rude word in their name. Anyway I've since became fairly rabid though for various reasons my knowledge of the players and what's happening at the club has fallen away a little. I still log on and keep up with how games are going if I dont have to be up early in the morning but not having Foxtel makes it hard to keep up.


My favorite game is the last gasp win we snatched at Anfield in 1989 to pinch the title. Watched with my Liverpool supporting best mate. A close second would be the win at Old Trafford in 2003 that got us vital points in a championship race that we ended up just winning. Thierry Henri scored one of the most outrageous goals I have seen that day.

Havent been yet but I really want to get to a Victory game.

[Chops]

My favorite game is the last gasp win we snatched at Anfield in 1989 to pinch the title. Watched with my Liverpool supporting best mate.

I remember the commentary of Thomas Thomas Thomasssssss!!!!! I'm sure the Liverpool fans want to forget it.

Havent been yet but I really want to get to a Victory game.
Going this Friday then will try to go see Ed Kuepper at the East brunswick Club afterwards.

[The Coon Dog]

True story. I picked Arsenal when I was a kid bacause they had a rude word in their name.

So why didn't you pick S****horpe?

You have to get to a Victory game. Fantastic atmosphere!

[Twodogs]

I remember the commentary of Thomas Thomas Thomasssssss!!!!! I'm sure the Liverpool fans want to forget it.


I just remember him taking the ball on the edge of the area and my heart leapt into my mouth. From memory he sidestepped a player and I though "OMFG HE'S GOING TO SCORE!". Then he wrong footed the goalie and put it in the net. 89th minute IIRC. Liverpool only had to hold out for a draw and they won the title, we had to win. It was just amazing stuff.

The funny thing is Thomas ended up at Anfield not much long after and was a pretty good player for the scum.


Going this Friday then will try to go see Ed Kuepper at the East brunswick Club afterwards.


I am so up for both. I'll call yo0u tomorrow about it.

[GVGjr]

One thing I will say about the EPL is that I cannot get excited about it. It just strikes me as no good to have a competition where basically every year the winner will be one of four teams. I'd love to see a Blackburn, Reading or Wigan sneak in and upset the applecart

[The Coon Dog]

I just remember him taking the ball on the edge of the area and my heart leapt into my mouth. From memory he sidestepped a player and I though "OMFG HE'S GOING TO SCORE!". Then he wrong footed the goalie and put it in the net. 89th minute IIRC. Liverpool only had to hold out for a draw and they won the title, we had to win. It was just amazing stuff.


Liverpool had beaten West Ham 4-0 earlier in the week & it meant that their goal difference was superior to Arsenal to the extent that they could afford to lose by 1 goal & still be crowned champions.

Dopey Alan Smith scored with a header he knew nothing about before Michael Thomas scored late, late on.

And, if you refer to Liverpool as scum once more I'll tell my Spurs psychopathic mates where you live! :D

[Twodogs]

And, if you refer to Liverpool as scum once more I'll tell my Spurs psychopathic mates where you live! :D


They'd probably hate me even more than the average Gooner given I live so close to Tottenham and dont support them. They'd think I was a traitor.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I am so up for both. I'll call yo0u tomorrow about it.

I'll be going Friday night but I doubt I'll be going to Ed whatsisname.

[The Coon Dog]

Going this Friday then

Where do you usually sit when watching Victory games?

[Twodogs]

I'll be going Friday night but I doubt I'll be going to Ed whatsisname.



Kuepper. Sublime guitarist, grumpy bastard and all round legend.


You'll come. You know you will.

[Chops]

Where do you usually sit when watching Victory games?

Usually centre wing level 3 Footscray side. Either Aisles 11,12 or 13.
I try and get there early and save some seats for friends.
Best effort was 20 seats reserved in a crowd of 50K! Never again.

[The Coon Dog]

Usually centre wing level 3 Footscray side. Either Aisles 11,12 or 13.
I try and get there early and save some seats for friends.
Best effort was 20 seats reserved in a crowd of 50K! Never again.
Was that last season against Sydney FC when they parked the bus in front of the Victory goal & played for a 0-0?

[Chops]

Was that last season against Sydney FC when they parked the bus in front of the Victory goal & played for a 0-0?

Yes it sure was. The bus was parked in aisle 13 before the game.

[The Underdog]

I'm a big fan of the world game, although my lack of Foxtel makes it impossible to follow properly. Thank God SBS still have the broadcast of the Champions League, just a fantastic competition.
I grew up watching the Premier League roundup on ABC then SBS. Started to follow Southampton as a kid due to the "lazy but talented" Matt LeTissier and enjoyed watching them just stay up in the top division until they didn't anymore. Also have a connection to the ever underachieving Wolverhampton and probably lean towards them as far as English teams go these days. Don't follow anyone in the EPL although I've gone from hating Arsenal with a passion to really enjoying watching them play under Wenger.
I went to Europe earlier this year and managed to do a tour of the Bernabeau, Real Madrid's home ground. I'm a Real fan and it was awesome to see although my time there didn't coincide with a match. I also jumped on board and bought a PSG top in Paris, mainly due to the colours of Red, White and Blue and the fact that I really love Paris as a city (same with Madrid). So if you see someone at a game in a Madrid Van Nistlerooy shirt or a PSG shirt, it might just be me.
I also support the Victory and go when I can. I was there Sunday night. Unfortunately my job often gets in the way. I went to the GF last year and it was an awesome night. Also one of my best spectating experiences ever was the first Victory game at TD against Sydney FC in the 2nd season. Awesome atmosphere and a top game.
Alla Madrid & Go Victory

[The Coon Dog]

We're Northern, We're Northern, We're Northern over here!

[The Underdog]

We're Northern, We're Northern, We're Northern over here!

I'm sure in the 2nd half on Sunday they tried to get that going for about 10 minutes and South End wouldn't bite. Don't know why but they didn't want to play.
Does everyone prefer TD over Olympic Park? I enjoyed the old school atmosphere of OP but I was buggered if I could see anything. Have learnt a lot more from sitting on level 3 and watching games develop at TD, although it can be a bit dead when half full ,although still louder than the footy.

[Chops]

The atmoshere was better at OP but Telstra Dome is closer for me, fits more people, I'm protected from the elements and I get a seat for free.

Think the north end south end stuff is pretty stupid. You think they would have graduated to something a bit more witty.
eg Arsenal fans would sing "He's big, he's black, he's had a heart attack, Kanu, Kanu"

[The Underdog]

The atmoshere was better at OP but Telstra Dome is closer for me, fits more people, I'm protected from the elements and I get a seat for free.

Think the north end south end stuff is pretty stupid. You think they would have graduated to something a bit more witty.
eg Arsenal fans would sing "He's big, he's black, he's had a heart attack, Kanu, Kanu"

There was an anti Arsenal chant that went "My old man said be an Arsenal fan, I said **** off, bollocks, you're a ****" It's one of the great things about English soccer the imagination and creativity involved in the chants, my example notwithstanding. There's not a lot of imagination involved in the support of Australian sport. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie makes me cry in pain when I hear it

[Twodogs]

The atmoshere was better at OP but Telstra Dome is closer for me, fits more people, I'm protected from the elements and I get a seat for free.

Think the north end south end stuff is pretty stupid. You think they would have graduated to something a bit more witty.
eg Arsenal fans would sing "He's big, he's black, he's had a heart attack, Kanu, Kanu"



"Who ate all the pies? Paul Gascoine, Paul Gascoine":D


Started to follow Southampton as a kid due to the "lazy but talented" Matt LeTissier and enjoyed watching them just stay up in the top division until they didn't anymore.

Saw him score the most amazing goal. Took possession of the ball inside his own 7 yard box and basically ran the whole field, evading blokes left right and centre, and scored.

[The Underdog]

LeTissier was just prodigiously talented, unfortunately I think his training regime consisted of pies, chips and pints. A cult figure if ever there was one, it's a shame he never really got it together. He and Rod Wallace were favourites, although Wallace spent time at a bunch of other clubs including Leeds if I remember correctly.

[Mantis]

LeTissier was just prodigiously talented, unfortunately I think his training regime consisted of pies, chips and pints. A cult figure if ever there was one, it's a shame he never really got it together. He and Rod Wallace were favourites, although Wallace spent time at a bunch of other clubs including Leeds if I remember correctly.

A few years back they had on Fox Sports a look back at the 1st 10 years of the Premier League. In it they showed highlights of the best goals scored during that time. LeTissier had probably 10 absolute crackers in the bunch. He was the man who saved them relegation year after year. I think he would get off the piss for the last 3 or 4 games, long enough to have stave off relegation and then back on it.

Was married to Emily Symons (ex Home and Away) for a period too.

[Chops]

Was married to Emily Symons (ex Home and Away) for a period too.

Was she the curly haired blond with a lovely set of soccer balls?

[The Coon Dog]

Was she the curly haired blond with a lovely set of soccer balls?

Yes!
http://www.hecklerspray.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/1171273108562_07935931849418716.jpg

[The Underdog]

Yes!
http://www.hecklerspray.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/1171273108562_07935931849418716.jpg

Sometimes you scare me :eek:

[The Coon Dog]

Sometimes you scare me :eek:

Raaar!


http://webpages.csus.edu/~sac19262/MIS175/scary%20face.jpg

[The Underdog]

Raaar!




Anyone got a 2nd pair of pants handy?

[Twodogs]

Sometimes you scare me :eek:



Have you ever met him? Now that's scary!

[Chops]

When can we add this round ball news to the "Charlie Yankos room" forum?

John Kosmina just officially appointed Sydney FC coach. Makes me laugh.
I remember the Age headline "Anger Management" which suits him down to ground. Still serving a touch line ban from last season.

[Twodogs]

When can we add this round ball news to the "Charlie Yankos room" forum?

John Kosmina just officially appointed Sydney FC coach. Makes me laugh.
I remember the Age headline "Anger Management" which suits him down to ground. Still serving a touch line ban from last season.


Might not be able to address the players for the first two weeks of his appointment.

[The Underdog]

When can we add this round ball news to the "Charlie Yankos room" forum?

John Kosmina just officially appointed Sydney FC coach. Makes me laugh.
I remember the Age headline "Anger Management" which suits him down to ground. Still serving a touch line ban from last season.

Yeah but it's a more interesting league with him in it.
Sydney vs Melboune on the 10th should be good

[FrediKanoute]

Top post.
So, which EPL side should I jump aboard?

If you enjoy constant heartbreak, never meeting expectations, losing to sides you should beat, having defensive woes that never seem to get sorted, having one or two gifted players but never enough to sustain a whole campaign.......Spurs!!!

[FrediKanoute]

Just a question for those with a better understanding of how strong the EPL actually is, but if a team like Celtic or Real Madrid was part of the competition are they good enough that they actually could unseat those 4 or 5 elite teams?

Celtic - No

real Madrid - Yes

[Sockeye Salmon]

If you enjoy constant heartbreak, never meeting expectations, losing to sides you should beat, having defensive woes that never seem to get sorted, having one or two gifted players but never enough to sustain a whole campaign.......Spurs!!!

That sounds too close to home.

[The Underdog]

Hey TCD, I've got something scary for you...Besiktas:D

[The Coon Dog]

Hey TCD, I've got something scary for you...Besiktas:D

I know! It wasn't a televised game so I was following the action via the UEFA website. :mad:

[Chops]

At least Hyypia is in good goal scoring form.

[The Underdog]

I know! It wasn't a televised game so I was following the action via the UEFA website. :mad:

It's alright, Madrid weren't much better. They were a Casillas fingernail away from a 3-3 home draw against a 10 man Olympiacos. And my man Van Nistlerooy missed a penalty.
Robinho had a gem though

[The Coon Dog]

my man Van Nistlerooy missed a penalty.

How is 'horse face' faring these days?

[The Underdog]

How is 'horse face' faring these days?

Still scoring or laying 'em off just like always.
He was a huge factor in them winning the league last year.
To be fair, after he missed the penalty he then put Robinho through who scored a beauty to put them up 3-2.

[Mantis]

Did anyone see Malouda's goal vs Schalke? One of the worst goal keeping error's you will see.

[The Underdog]

Did anyone see Malouda's goal vs Schalke? One of the worst goal keeping error's you will see.

Keep those legs closed son.
Yeah that was terrible. I'm not sure Malouda should be credited, any goalkeeper worth his salt would have stopped that.

[Mantis]

Keep those legs closed son.
Yeah that was terrible. I'm not sure Malouda should be credited, any goalkeeper worth his salt would have stopped that.

The cow in your avatar would have stopped it...

[Twodogs]

I'll take a 7-0 route any day of the week and twice on sundays.

[dog town]

Cant get enough of it. I probably watch more of it than I do any other sport especially now with foxtel just pumping it out 24/7. Myself and another mate have fought a losing battle with the rest of our friends for years in trying to get them to take to the sport.

Have generally found it hard to really take to a side in the EPL but have followed West Ham with my mate for a few years now.

The A-league has really given alot of supporters a team to follow week in and week out. I certainly wouldn't have gone to a game in the old NSL but go most weeks these days and watch it on foxtel every week.

I tried to get tickets to Germany last year but missed out in the ballot. Really looking forward to seeing how our new coach shapes the side for 2010.

[Bulldogs_6]

Coon Dog you are a superstar. i swear we follow all the same teams. Liverpoooool