the miracle of Istanbul...

Six years ago to the day was the scene of probably the most amazing European Cup final in the competitions proud history, when Liverpool defeated AC Milan on penalties to win their 5^th European Cup.

Championship play-off final preview...

Our resident columnist, Dan Thomas returns to give his view on the exciting Championship play-off final between Reading and Swansea...

The *insert obscene amount of money* match

It's approaching the end of May, so that can mean only one thing.

No, not Platini's braindead scheme of playing the Champions League final on a Saturday, it's the playoff bank holiday weekend extravaganza!

that boy's gonna be a star!...

As a youth talent scout, hours upon hours are spent watching youngsters play football on cold, rainy pitches all over the globe, in the hope of unearthing the next world star. Well, we've made it a whole lot easier for you (as well as being warmer and dryer), by travelling back in time to bring you this lot. Each one of these youngsters made it to the big-time and became a global star. But can you name all 22 of them?

Leave your answers below....first prize gets a virtual pat on the back and a 'Bravo Sir!'...

1, 2, 3, 4

art of a fantasista...

A clever advertising campaign from DirecTV saw the promotion of the World Cup being shown for the first time in full HD. These beautiful pieces of 'art' featured three of the most famous fantasista in World Cup history - linking off-field art with the artistry of the number 10. We're sure you'll agree, the concept along with the intrecate detail is outstanding. Well we think they're great anyway - bravo!

‘New money’ = success?

Tevez lifts City's first major trophy in decades

With Manchester City finally qualifying for the Champions League alongside winning a trophy for the first time in 35 years, and so much always being made about clubs needing vast amounts of money to break the traditional big clubs monopoly of prizes, I look to see if money is the answer. Does ‘new money’ guarantee success? Has any sustained success yet been achieved by clubs coming into ‘new money’? I argue it doesn’t & it hasn’t.
No ‘new money’ club has yet established domination, be it at league or European level.  The power still remains with the historically successful big clubs.

Pep’s 3-in-a-row…

Barcelona clinched their 3^rd league title in a row last night - their 21^st overall, with a 1-1 draw at Levante’s Ciutat de Valencia stadium, a place where they also won the 2005 league title.

This league win ensures that coach, Josep Guardiola, has amazingly won La Liga in every single season he’s managed the Catalan giants (3), whilst also playing some of the most attractive, attacking football the world has ever seen.

Double is on...

The two side that will meet in European club football’s showcase event require just  1 point to secure their respective league titles, thus ensuring that an historic double will be won.

Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over derby rivals Espanyol during the weekend sees them just needing to avoid defeat when they face Levante on Wednesday to clinch their 21^st Spanish La Liga crown.

Manchester United saw off their nearest challengers for the crown, Chelsea with a 2-1 win during the latest round of Premier League fixtures. The single point now needed for United who face Blackburn during next weekend, will see them break Liverpool’s record league title haul of 18, which was set back in 1990.

If both teams win the necessary point needed, it ensures that the European Cup final will be contested by newly crowned champions, aiming for a memorable double winning season.

fantasista legends #1...

Zico

the white Pele

We kick off our series with a player who was at his prime during what was probably the golden age for the fantasista, the 1980’s.

Perhaps the only reason Arthur Antunes Coimbra isn’t held in higher esteem by pundits and fans around the world is the fact that he never played for a European club giant, starring only for modest Udinese in Serie A. However this makes the legend that was Zico, even more remarkable. In a time when there was no internet and very little global TV coverage, everybody knew who Zico was; for a period, the best player on the planet.

Number 10 showdown...

Messi v Rooney.pt 2

No sooner had one battle been won v Cristiano Ronaldo, in being crowned as the best player in the world, Lionel Messi had another to face thanks, in no small part, to the Italian & British media who have now championed Wayne Rooney’s case against the mercurial little Argentine.

Coming to a Premier League near you?

Kun-Kaka!

Kaka & Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero – two number 10’s currently plying their trade in the city of Madrid, are believed to be on the move this summer. But will they both be leaving Spanish shores?

Silly season is nearly upon us and with the rumour mill starting to work up some steam, strong reports are suggesting that Kaka will be offloaded, after failing to set the Bernabeu alight since his record £50 million transfer fee from Milan two seasons ago. Manchester City and Chelsea are known admirers and have the cash, with City supposedly close to signing the Brazilian number 10 a few seasons back. The smart money could be on Chelsea however, where he would be reunited with coach Carlo Ancelotti, the man who has arguably gotten the most out of Kaka at club level during their succesful period at AC Milan.

Meanwhile Kun Aguero is yet again on the radar of the Premier League rich boys. More worryingly for Atletico Madrid fans however, is news that his preferred destination is cross city bitter rivals Real Madrid. Reports of a clause in his contract denying him from making such a move are apparently false.

football prevails…

Pedro is mobbed by celebrating team mates.

So the final Clásico came and went last night, and many are thankful that, not only has the intense & bitter series finished, but that also footballing justice was served. Barcelona preserving their 2-goal cushion with the game finishing 1-1 and the tie 3-1 overall.

When the referee finally blew to signal the end of this unprecedented 18 day, 4 part poisonous epic, the main protagonist was nowhere to be seen. Rumoured to be taking refuge away from the Camp Nou and in the comfort of a hotel room, Jose Mourinho must have been left to think ‘if only…’.

fantasista news...

Baggio & Totti: last of the true fantasista?

Francesco Totti became the 5^th highest scorer in Serie A history this weekend when he scored a double in a 3-2 win versus Bari. His second strike was his 206^th goal in the league (all for Roma), taking him past legendary fantasista Roberto Baggio who scored 205 goals in Serie A over his 19 year top flight career.