The Offside

We Can Be Heroes, Just For One Day

Rob — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:18:25 +0000

This weekend, is a magical weekend in English Football, its the first round of the FA Cup. While in other countries knockout cup trophies don’t seem to have the same romance, or weight, there is something genuinely special about the FA Cup. Over the last few years, as English Football has grown and grown, talk [...]

The appeal of hating a great footballer

Rob — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:27:37 +0000

Albert Camus, the philosopher, author and football fanatic, was once asked that if he had to choose between football and the theatre, which he would choose. He replied “Football, without hesitation” And its little surprise, football has everything theatre has, and more. It has a story, but is unwritten. It has all the characters, the protagonists, [...]

The Offside 100 2000-09 THE RESULTS!

Rob — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:03:35 +0000

Last week, I asked you to vote for you favourite 20 players of the decade, here in this very post, are the Top 100 players of the last 10 years, voted for by you, the readers and bloggers of the offside. First thing I want to say is thank you, everyone for the absolutely amazing response [...]

Offside Rewind: Let’s Be Friends

Daryl — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:00:38 +0000

Seven stories from The Offside and World Cup Blog this week: Nominate your player/manager football ubermen Gigi’s Buffon’s incredible Champions League save Ballon d’Or or FIFA World Player of the Year: Which is shinier? Norwegian homage to Brazilian airport ad The return of Johan Cruyff. To Catalonia. Stephen Appiah: No longer just an international footballer Hatem Ben Arfa is an [...]

Daily Dose: November 6th, 2009

Daryl — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:55:56 +0000

Links to click after you vote for one of TVGolo’s goals of the week… (my vote went to Didier Drogba and that Chelsea keepy-uppy goal) This can’t possibly be true. (Unprofessional Foul) Katy Perry in a West Ham basque, plus other Friday photos (The Beautiful Game) Click this one just for the philosophical question in the comments (Pies) Handbag-gate! (England [...]

Soundoff: Nominate Your Favourite Football Films

Daryl — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:15:58 +0000

Movies and soccer. Two things that traditionally don’t mix well. In documentary form, maybe. But in scripted Hollywood form? No. For various reasons, it usually ends in either cheesy emotions, unconvincing action, or Robert Duvall’s Scottish accent in A Shot at Glory. But not always. There are a handful of good football movies out there. [...]

Meet Elizabeth Lambert, the Roughest Soccer Player in the World

Daryl — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:45:48 +0000

I’ve seen the above game described as a “catfight”, but that absolutely does not do it justice. Bringham Young University vs New Mexico in the Women’s Mountain West Conference college tournament last night was more like the roughest game of soccer ever captured on YouTube, and it featured the roughest display of defending I’ve ever [...]

Daily Dose: November 5th, 2009.

chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:15 +0000

Bulgaria’s greatest, Georgi Asparuhov, life tragically cut at 28. Rooney misses a sitter. (Studs Up) The incredible new lows of Mike Ashley. (Three Match Ban) Stamford Bridge name TBA; football’s name also TBA. (Futfanatico) John Barnes: Savior of Rwanda, not Don Cheadle. (Fisted Away) Adriano: The face of crack. (Dirty Tackle) Football for movie buffs. (Podcast Offside) Living in the dungeons of [...]

The Haves, Have-Nots & Never-Hads of the Champions League

chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:13 +0000

They must fall. And so four games in, the Champions League contenders and pretenders have been separated fallen into place for the group stage which, a few spots aside, could’ve been drawn up in August by a blind chimp and his serf, a man who tans. Breaking down the likelies, unlikelies, and those who are already [...]

That Was Quick: Spanish Supremacy In Danger.

chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:30:20 +0000

While all were oohing and aahing over Barcelona’s sex on a pitch football and the free-spending ways of Florentino Perez returning to Madrid, the biggest difference maker in Spanish football was lurking under the Spanish limelight. In fact it was lurking so far under the Spanish limelight it was in Britain. That, you see, is [...]