This might be a little bit different than what I usually write about. I’ve been following up the Champions League a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, spring hiking and jogging are great things to do! Yet, I truly believe that Barcelona versus Arsenal was a game worth remembering.

On one hand, Barcelona has highly respecter star players like Xavi, David Villa, Leo Messi, Puyol, Milito, and Iniesta. Arsenal, in the other hand, has players like Adebayor, Fabregas, Bacary Sagna, and last bu not least Robin Van Persie.

Van Persie

The fact that Van Persie is in the squad to face Barcelona was definitely a pleasant surprise for Arsenal fans! I found this video in YouTube that explains why.

As it is shown in the previous video, Van Persie suffered a knee injury during a game versus Birmingham for the League Cup. Because the injury occurred fairly recently, Van Persie was not expected to play in this last game versus Barcelona.

Statistics

In order to give you a general idea of these two team’s previous matches, I looked up some interest statistics:

• The have played 6 games: Barcelona won 3, Arsenal 1, with 2 draws.
• Barcelona has scored 14 goals, and Arsenal 9.
• In each of the 6 games, Barcelona and Arsenal have both scored.
• Messi had scored 31 goals in the Champions League cup, thus making him the all-time Champions League top scorer.
• Van Persie has scored in the 6 of the last 9 Champions League games previous to the one versus Barcelona.
• Gerard Pique from Barcelona was suspended.
• It’s been over 5 years since Barcelona did not have over 50 percent ball possession

More than “just a game”

For many soccer fans, a game of this magnitude is more than “just a game.” FC Barcelona is very well aware of it. This is why the team has an “official anthem” that is also well known by the fans.

Barcelona

“The whole stadium
loudly cheers
We’re the blue and claret supporters
It matters not where we hail from
Whether it’s the south or the north
Now we all agree, we all agree,
One flag unites us in brotherhood.
Blue and claret blowing in the wind
One valiant cry
We’ve got a name that everyone knows:
Barça, Barça, Baaarça!”

Players, Supporters
United we are strong.
We’ve achieved much over the years,
We’ve shouted many goals
And we have shown, we have shown,
That no one can ever break us.
Blue and claret blowing in the wind
One valiant cry
We’ve got a name that everyone knows:
Barça, Barça, Baaarça!”

Arsenal also recognizes the fact that their games are more than “just a game.” However, they do not have a national anthem. This is because official soccer anthems are not common among England teams. Although decades ago, Arsenal did create an anthem, it is not considered as official nor it is well know among the fans.

In order to get more information about some of the players, the rules of the game, the location of the game, the game final scores, and other news you could visit the UEFA (Union of European Football Association) official website.

Although the final score was 3-1 in favor of Barcelona, the game was full of pleasant surprises for Barcelona fans. Players from each team played with a lot of professionalism despite the couple of fouls that are common in most games.

Next Games

In the quarter finals, Barcelona will face Shakhtar Donetsk, Chelsea will face Manchester United, Internazionale will face Schalke, and Real Madrid will face Tottenham. I think that the most entertaining game this April 6th will be Chelsea versus Manchester United.

But more important than who will win this coming game is who will win the championship. Barcelona and Real Madrid have always been favorites for the cup, but would they be able to handle “magic” from the other semi-finalists?

]]> http://www.outdoorsportsaddict.com/soccer/champions-league/feed/ 0 http://www.outdoorsportsaddict.com/team-sports/its-all-a-spectators-sport/ http://www.outdoorsportsaddict.com/team-sports/its-all-a-spectators-sport/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:12:01 +0000 SportsLover http://www.outdoorsportsaddict.com/?p=798 Have you ever gone to your kids’ little league games or their middle/high school sports games and sat next to a big talker. Odds are their kid is on the team, and truth be told their kid isn’t that great. But their parent is great at saying everything that is going wrong with the other team, the referees, the coach, and the other kids on the court/field.

This person is the most annoying person alive.

Chances are that they have never played on an organized team and they think their child is some kind of prodigy even though they are really just mediocre. They are yelling at what “should” be happening when in reality, their solution is rarely plausible; and the “bad” call the ref just blew was actually legitimate.

My suggestion? Sit as far away from this person as possible. They yell for no reason, and they look naive in the stands blabbing on about a sport they only know about because they have signed up their kid since they were five years old.

Parents should sit back and watch the game, and allow the coaches and referees do their job. At the very least, parents should save their kids the embarrassment of having that parent who goes crazy in the bleachers. parent’s should let the kids play and have fun, and not discuss matters they have limited knowledge on.

People in the US will be talking about American football, but everyone else will be talking about football, futbal, soccer. It is by far the most popular and played sport around the world, but the US has just not seemed to catch on.

Sure we have a major league with 15 teams across the nation; and yes, millions of kids play the sport when they are young; but who watches the MLS games?

Less that 250,000 across the Unites States watch the games that’s who. The avid fans watch the games, but even they have a favorite team that plays for another country because they are a million times better than any US team is. No major networks air soccer games on TV; ESPN doesn’t highlight plays during the season; and the league doesn’t advertise enough to get people excited about the team in their area.

But in Europe, in Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico, even Asia – soccer is the biggest thing ever, and entire nations tune in to watch. The States need to get on board, embrace this sport, and get people excited and paying attention.

I arrived at the tail-end of the sun set but the dark didn’t bother me. I just wanted to hone my shot before the first game of the tournament.

Between the quiet road and the steep hill there was a flat grassy pitch interrupted by patches of trees. The setting swallowed me up and I didn’t want it to spit me out.

The ball bounced from one foot to the other as I weaved through the darkness. Squaring up to shoot, I pulled back and released.

Leaving my foot the ball sailed straight, hitting the tree, I had decided was goal keeper, right in the chest. I reset and aimed for the lower left corner but my shot nailed the keeper again.

Frustrated I kicked harder and with more feeling, but every time the ball flew straight to the goalie. The harder I kicked with with my right foot the higher my left foot flew up after contacting the ball.

Then the light bulb turned on!  Without my left foot staying firmly planted in the grass I couldn’t aim.  I tried again and the ball sailed smoothly into the bottom left corner, slipping over the roots of the tree that made up my left post.

When ever my left foot was firmly planted, I could send the ball in the direction I wanted.  The next day I applied this technique and scored our second and third goals my first of the season.

Grateful  I thanked God for the epiphany that made a night to day difference in my shot.

Landon Donovan on loan to Everton

Landon Donovan the american soccer star on loan from the LA Galaxy to Everton of the English Premiere League is hopeful of an extended stay with the club after playing in what could be his final game in front of the Goodison Park supporters against Hull City.

After the game the American revealed that there was still a possibility he could extend his stay on Merseyside.

“There is a chance,” Donovan told Sky Sports.

“We’ll know more this week; hopefully I’ll stay for a bit longer.”

His Previous loan in 2009 to FC Bayern Munich of the German Bundesliga has mostly been considered a failure.  His 10 week stay at Everton has been considered a huge success and many think he should seek a contract with Everton and leave MLS behind.

After scoring in the 82nd minute of Sunday’s match vs Hull City, Everton fans started cheering “U-S-A, YOU MUST SIGN” and “SIGN HIM UP, SIGN HIM UP”

Landon Donovan gets a lift from teammate Jack Rodwell after the U.S. star played perhaps his final home game with Everton.

“As a person it feels good to be wanted,” he said of the U-S-A chants he’d heard. “And as a player obviously it does. But I’m just appreciative of the opportunity I’ve had here, and I think they appreciate what I’ve given too, and that’s a good feeling.”

They do not want Donovan to leave Everton when his loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy ends next Monday and he has to return to California for the start of the MLS season.

Group A:  South Africa, Uruguay, Mexico, France

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Group E: Denmark, Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Cote d’Ivoire, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Rivalries are already flaring as teams get set to come up against each other.  England’s Sun Newspaper spelled out its feelings on how Group C turned out on their front page:

England

Algeria

Slovenia

Yanks

But that kind of a cocky attitude is what became their downfall in Germany 2006.  News reports are saying that group G is going to be the hardest, or the group of death, as some call it.  Next hardest group would be Group D.  Multiple reactions have been publicized in the last few days showing how come countries are relaxing and feeling confident about the draw, while others have just begun to pray for their lives.   South Africa, also, has been praised for its organization and handling of the events this weekend.  It should be a great tournament this year.