Ronaldo, IL FENOMENO

Ronaldo; Credit HERE

On this Valentines day, February 14th 2011, the original Ronaldo, il fenomeno, retired. It brings the career of a legend to an end, arguably the greatest striker/player of all-time.

He started his professional career in his home country of Brazil, where he played for Cruzeiro. He made 14 league appearances that season and scored 12 goals. However, when you add in cup competitions and the goals he scored in Campeonato Mineiro 1994, the total came to 44 goals in 44 appearances.

Before joining Cruzeiro, Ronaldo was turned down by the team he supported as a child, Flamengo. Fortunately Jairzinho saw his great potential and gave him his chance. Cruzeiro went on to win their first Copa  do Brasil championship.

He was picked for Brazil at the age of 17 in the 1994 World cup, but never played. It was at the World cup where another Brazilian legend, Romario, advised a young Ronaldo to join PSV Eindhoven to kick start his European career. So after just one season at Cruzeiro Ronaldo signed for PSV, where he would carry on his scoring success.

In his first season in Holland he managed a 35 goals in a total of 36 appearances, picking up the Eredivisie top goalscorer award. 18 years-old and running riot, the footballing world was beginning to see the class that everyone would soon see more of in the future.

Unfortunately, his second season in Holland was injury ridden, Ronaldo managed just 21 appearances, however he did score 19 goals. It would be his last season with PSV and he finished his career there by winning the Dutch cup.

The next step up was Barcelona, the Catalan giants, his first spell in Spain was probably his best in his career. The World was about to take note of IL FENOMENO. His first season at the Camp Nou he achieved a goal scoring record that blew everyone away, an incredible 47 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions. Until the 2008-2009 season, Ronaldo remained the last player to score more than 30 goals in a La liga season.

He became the youngest FIFA World player of the year in 1996, and he capped off the season by helping Barcelona to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana. A truly marvelous season. His time at Barcelona was brief, and in the summer he moved to Inter Milan after failing to re-negotiate a contract with Barca.

His success continued, he won the World player of the year for a second time in a row. In Italy he started to develop his game even further, he racked up more assists and started taking and scoring free-kicks and penalties. He was becoming the most well rounded player in football.

In 1999 in a game against Lecce, Ronaldo fell to a serious ruptured tendon. An injury that would plague his career and in his first comeback vs Lazio in the first leg of the cup final, after just seven minutes he was injured  again. Two operations and many months of rehabilitation kept him out of the game and was just what he needed to comeback.

In 2002 Ronaldo returned in fantastic fashion and his player of the tournament performance at the World cup in Korea/Japan, helped Brazil to their fifth World crown. He finished top goalscorer of the tournament, including the two goals that won the final against Germany.

It lead to his third World player of the year title and a 39 million euros move to Real Madrid, where he would become a part of a Galaticos team which included Zidane, Figo and Raul. Further injury problems marred his time at Real Madrid, however he still helped los Blancos to two La liga championships, the intercontinental cup and Spanish super cup.

One of his greatest moments in the white of Real Madrid was his Hat-trick vs Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions league. Marked by a standing ovation from all corners of the ground as he was subbed off. A great performance by a great player.

Injuries disrupted the rest of his career, which lead to weight issues that forced him out of favour at Real Madrid. His career took him back to Italy where he played for AC Milan and then back home to Brazil. He finished off his career with Corinthians, and he will be sorely missed.

He finishes with a career total of 352 goals in 515 games and the World cup all-time top goalscorer with 15 goals.

Skill, pace, balance and an eye for goal like no other. He has the ability to take on players like Maradona and the incredible talent of scoring for fun like Pele. People still say Maradona or Pele is the greatest of all time, in my opinion Ronaldo, R9, Il Fenomo, is the greatest of all time!.

Watch this video, which proves my point

A wise look at Super bowl XLV

Vince Lombardi
Credit HERE

Sunday sees the Green Bay Packers face-off with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas to determine the winner of Super bowl XLV. When trying to decide who I think will win I decided to think who the wise choice would be. They did not come much wiser than Vince Lombardi and that is where I seeked guidance.

The former coach was at Green Bay for almost a decade in his career as a coach and he won two Super bowls and five NFL championships, as well as being inducted into the hall of fame in 1971. And of course the Super bowl itself is named after Vince Lombardi.

With all that experience his wisdom has more authority than anyone, and because of that I will look at some of his genius to help me pick a winner.

"People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society. "

It will come down to this most important fact. The only problem is how can you decide between the Steelers and the Packers based on team work? Furthermore both teams have, as Lombardi puts it, 'complex football defenses'. It is one of the main reasons why they are both where they are. In this case it will be down to the better defence on the night, who can step up when it really matters?

For me Green Packers wins this round. With Aaron Rodgers they have the better quarterback, and the team work the better for it. As for the defence both have one that can make the play when it matters most but the Packers, throughout the play-offs, drove them to Dallas with a number of match winning plays. None more important than BJ Raji's touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual. "


'Achievements', only one of these teams has had multiple achievements in recent years and that is of course the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two Super bowl titles in the last five years, looking to make it three in six. A dynasty with the experience that could take them to victory, they have been through all this before and know that the 'combined effort' is what wins titles.

"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up. "

Both teams have come back from losses obviously, but I think what is more impressive is how the Green Bay Packers have come back. Losing to Detroit Lions in week 14 and the New England Patriots in week 15 was almost a crisis for the Packers, they needed to win both of their last two games. Against the Giants and their biggest rivals the Chicago Bears it was never going to be an easy task.                                                                                    

They overcame New York with a massive 45-17 victory and managed to beat the Bears 10-3. What was more impressive was their 48-21 victory against the Falcons, a team with a 13-3 record. They lost two games in a row and they have come back stronger, topped off with winning the NFC Championship @ Chicago.

Another obstacle they have overcome in a general term is the loss of Brett Favre. They have moved on, they were down without him but the Packers, with Rodgers as quarterback, are a well lead team. Not many thought they would be able to fill the gaping hole that was left by Favre.

"Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence."

Confidence is key in any sporting match, at this stage both teams will be full of confidence so it all depends on  which team asserts themselves earliest. The team who receive the ball first have the first chance but Aaron Rodgers is not one to play aggressively from the start, although the Championship game vs the Bears was an exception.

I believe Pittsburgh will be the more assertive early on, as they were against the Jets. The confidence will also come from the big match experience the Steelers have, which is why familiarity with how to play at the Super bowl is such a key factor in who will win.

It is because of this I think the Steelers will win. Wisdom is the theme of this blog post, and with their previous appearances in recent Super bowls I believe Pittsburgh are a team full of wisdom that will win them the game. Proven big game players in the biggest game of them all. That alone is enough to swing my view.

Ryan Giggs - 37 years young

Credit HERE

 Talks of plans to add another year to Ryan Giggs' contract at Manchester United at the age of 37 would provoke questions if it was any other player. However this is Giggsy and it is more than justified.

In the same week as the story of a new contract came about Manchester United beat Birmingham in an impressive 5-0 win. Although Berbatov got a hat-trick and with that man of the match, Ryan Giggs also put in a very good performance topped off by a goal.

In the season  where he has clocked up his 600th appearance, Giggs himself wants to carry on at United. With performances like the one vs Birmingham, where he also bagged an assist, and his  substitute show vs Blackpool it is no wonder Manchester United still want him.

Probably man of the match for United at Bloomfield Road, although that might not be saying much based on first half performances. However as soon as Giggs came on for Gibson he changed the game. Partially because Man United had more width to their formation with him on the wings, but also because he still has an attacking urgency which he can still execute.

If you look at this Chalkboard you can see the concentration of Ryan Giggs' passes vs Blackpool, which is why he changed the game for Manchester United. In the attacking third, making things happen as he has done for so long. The very fact alone that Giggs can still perform well in this manner and help Manchester United come back from defeat like he has done for so long is enough to earn him new contracts each year.

It is amazing that he continues to play so consistently well it is almost routine and yet we are still left surprised. He has still scored in every Premier League season and is still needed by Manchester United. In the past few years players like Gary Neville have become less of an asset with no real need to keep in the squad, but having Giggs, along with Scholes, in the team is still very much a benefit for Manchester United.

At the age of 37 there are not many teams in the Premier League, if any, that would not mind having this man in their team. Still a game changer, still a winner and still hungry for more. How many 37 year old players can still say that about?

Packers and Steelers earn their tickets to Dallas

Credit HERE

  Last night saw the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers  seal their places in Super Bowl 46. It was far from easy for both teams, but their impressive defence was enough to see them through.

NFC Championship game

It was a match that saw a 90 year old rivalry continue, Packer vs Bears was not to be missed. Packers received the ball and they drew first blood.

The opening drive took Green Bay into the end zone, Quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran it in from one yard. The Packers had a lot of success to Greg Jennings, who finished the game with eight receptions and 130 receiving yards.

The second touchdown came in the second quarter with rookie Starks running in from four yards. 14-0 at half-time, but the score did not reflect Green Bay's dominant performance. This made the second half much more interesting.

What the Bears did not want is their Quarterback Jay Cutler to get injured, however this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Todd Collins came in,  but not for long and was replaced by third string Caleb Hanie.

The Bears did not score until the fourth quarter and with that the momentum shifted, Chicago looked the more likely to score the next touchdown. 14-7 Green Bay looked like they were going to be made to rue missed opportunities.

However the Packers were gifted their next touchdown as Hanie was intercepted by BJ "the Freezer" Raji, who completed the touchdown. With the Green Bay offence struggling, the defence had to step up and they did so perfectly.

Green Bay, however, became complacent. Almost immediately after Chicago scored the first passing touchdown of the match ironically from the third string Caleb Hanie. Short pass to Bennett for 35 yards and the touchdown.

21-14 and a very nervous finish to the game for the Packers. Again it was down to the defence to keep Chicago out and for the third time in four matches Green Bay win the match with an interception. Again showing the defences ability to step up when it really matters.

So game over, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers reach the Super Bowl, showing that they have moved on from Brett Favre. Most of all that Rodgers is the leader of this team.

AFC Championship game

Credit HERE

In the AFC Ben Roethlisberger reached his third Super Bowl as the Pittsburgh Steelers survived a second half come back from the New York Jets.

If you wanted to define the cliche 'a game of two halves' you would just need to point out this match as a prime example. The Steelers dominated the first.

Like the Packers, Pittsburgh scored with their opening drive but like always running down more time on the clock. Nine minutes was the time elapsed when the Steelers scored the opening touchdown. Judging by just that drive it already looked like a tough night for the Jets.

New York couldn't find their rhythm, which is credit to the steel curtain for Pittsburgh. The next score was only a field goal for the Steelers, however unlike the Jets they looked like scoring on every possession.

The next touchdown came from some improvisation from Roethlisberger who ran in from two yards, 17-0. Just 47 seconds later the Steelers' defence continued to assert their dominance and forced a fumble from Sanchez, which was recovered by William Gay who scored the touchdown. 24-0 and it looked game over.

What changed the outlook of the game for the second half was New York Jets being allowed good field position and converting the field goal. 24-3 going into half time, but there was a slight wind beneath the Jets' wings.

If New York were going to turn this game around they needed a big play early, and Sanchez delivered. A bomb down field to Holmes for a 45 yard touch down, 24-10 game on?

Pittsburgh's defence were keeping the Jets out, a battle on the edge of the end zone was won by the Steelers. This could have meant the game being all over for the Jets but the Pittsburgh offence continued to struggle. A simple snap was too much to handle at this time and Roethlisberger fumbled and was tackled in the end zone for a safety.

The next drive was critical for New York if they were going to complete the comeback, and not even the steel curtain could stop them on this drive. Jets were down to the red zone and a simple pass from Sanchez to Cotchery was all that was needed. Pittsburgh needed to get going on the offence.

The success to seal the game was down to some great scrambling from the Steelers' Quarterback with a big play on two minutes to go. Short pass to Antonio Brown who pushed out of bounds after a gain of 14 yards. A couple of kneels and game over.

Heart break for the New York Jets who tried their best to recover, but it wasn't enough. Like the Green Bay Packers, the Pittburgh Steelers' defence stepped up when it mattered.

Premier League 5 a-side team

Credit HERE

Struggling to think of something to blog about as I sit in my room at university starved of sports coverage, I thought back to a question funnily enough first asked by a maths teacher of all people and then asked by others since. Who, from the Premier League, would be in your 5 a-side starting line up.

When you are first asked it may seem straight foward, but when you get thinking it is actually quite difficult. You need to take into consideration the size of the pitch then the roles of defenders and strikers that would differ to 11 a-side.

Starting with the goalkeeper. As you can see in the picture the goals are not very high, so a keeper who is quick to the ground is vital. Then of course it is the quick reactions that come into account. For me Joe Hart is the man for this job. Quick reactions, gets low very quickly and is great in one-on-one situations. The video below demonstrates this.
























Next the defenders. When thinking of the centre back you have to consider the rules more than anything, no slide tackles, no overhead so in my book no Nemanja Vidic. You also need someone can chip in with goals aswell, so perhaps not necessarily an actual CB in real life. In this case Yaya Toure is my man in the centre. Strong, good tackler, good feet and can pass a ball as the short video below shows.
























You will also need two wing backs that can get foward, create chances and defend, tough to choose. I think for this, although might be debatable, down the right hand side I will go for Rafael Da Silva. Very attacking minded Brazilian, but I don't think there is any doubt he can defend. The video below again shows some of his stuff.

Down the left I think it has to be Gareth Bale. Former left back turned left midfielder who can score goals. He is also a good defender. Alongside that his pace, skill etc.




Now the striker. You need a striker who can get back and defend as well as hold the ball upfront. Although there are already plenty of City players in this, it is hard not to go with Carlos Tevez. No, I am going with Tevez, I have played 5 a-side with a player who plays like Tevez (not as good of course) and he was un-playable.

Tevez can of course score goals, but as we have seen in the Premier League and for Argentina he works hard and is very strong. Everything you want in a 5 a-side striker, watch the video below as a justification.



So that is my Premier League 5 a-side team starting line-up. Comment with your starting line up or what you would change.