tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-266513112024-03-19T05:57:18.802+01:00SPURS MALTAThis is the voice of the Malta Spurs. Scroll down the blog for news, photos, videos and activities of Tottenham Hotspur Malta (Officially recognized by THFC) and our beloved Spurs.
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To comment either post directly on this blog or contact the blogger on markmizzi@live.co.ukMalta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-2314714882254802872011-07-06T11:09:00.002+02:002011-07-06T11:12:39.580+02:00<div align="center"><strong>BBQ POSTPONED</strong></div><br />Please note that due to the passing away of a close relative of our committee president, this Friday's BBQ for members and supporters has been postponed. Our condolences go to Nenu, Carmen and their familyMalta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-43653550247230015632011-06-19T18:49:00.001+02:002011-06-19T18:53:22.142+02:00<div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDyQQvCCe9xVbTOTb4jnIDV1UdC1ZxsKz-We1Oix0jHrRZcL4ouCDjGlIRXeGILDLiXg5sKNYhEhyphenhyphenwwUXT-2yz3Wg0ZfJuDREmwPITL25I-upOx2VqEDsaZZjFcXUow5pVk3PDQ/s1600/levy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619974384286278306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDyQQvCCe9xVbTOTb4jnIDV1UdC1ZxsKz-We1Oix0jHrRZcL4ouCDjGlIRXeGILDLiXg5sKNYhEhyphenhyphenwwUXT-2yz3Wg0ZfJuDREmwPITL25I-upOx2VqEDsaZZjFcXUow5pVk3PDQ/s400/levy.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"></a><strong><span style="color:#000066;">STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN DANIEL LEVY ABOUT MODRIC SITUATION</span></strong><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong></div>"I wish to make it absolutely clear, as I have said previously, that none of our key players will be sold this summer. We are building a team for the future to consistently play at the highest level and retaining quality players is crucial to that.<br /><br />"In respect of Luka Modric, we are not prepared to sell, at any price, to Chelsea Football Club or any other club.<br /><br />"We made our stance on this issue abundantly clear in writing to Chelsea. They chose to ignore it and then subsequently made the offer public.<br /><br />"For the avoidance of any doubt, let me reiterate that we shall not enter into any negotiations whatsoever, with any Club, regarding Luka.<br /><br />"We now consider this matter closed."Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-63260322615199765382011-06-17T14:42:00.002+02:002011-06-17T14:45:40.544+02:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb4VBL4xJkc5F4K87VOI5k5l4TOd43OFls6gdcHEFAC39nZhhmk_3nh3fLDGqizI8_ivf8Res_IXMpVQmtPwiRP4J7JeV6XShp25v3ZH_FYaUDEShc-jh2rmbXeVvNY1wp6LhUg/s1600/Athletic-Bilbao-fans.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619168394696729778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb4VBL4xJkc5F4K87VOI5k5l4TOd43OFls6gdcHEFAC39nZhhmk_3nh3fLDGqizI8_ivf8Res_IXMpVQmtPwiRP4J7JeV6XShp25v3ZH_FYaUDEShc-jh2rmbXeVvNY1wp6LhUg/s400/Athletic-Bilbao-fans.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#330099;">ATHELTIC BILBAO AT THE LANE</span></strong></div><br /><br /><p><strong><span style="color:#330099;"></span></strong></p><br /><div align="justify">Spanish La Liga side Athletic Club Bilbao will be the guests for Spurs' final pre-season friendly of the summer at the Lane.<br /><br />The match will take place on Saturday August 6, kick-off 3pm (UK time)<br /><br />Athletic have played in La Liga’s Primera Division since its start in 1928, winning the title on eight occasions. Under coach Joaquin Caparros, Los Leones achieved a sixth place finish and Europa League qualification in 2010-11.<br /><br />Their squad includes Spanish World Cup winners Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez, as well as rising stars Iker Munian and Markel Susaeta<br /></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-82935201337478947382011-06-17T14:36:00.002+02:002011-06-17T14:41:11.553+02:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#330099;">SPURS FIXTURES 2011-2012 (Kick Offs UK Time)</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#330099;"></span></strong></div><br />Saturday, 13 August 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Everton, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 20 August 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Man Utd v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 27 August 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Man City, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 10 September 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Wolverhampton v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 17 September 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Liverpool, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 24 September 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Wigan v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 1 October 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Arsenal, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 15 October 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Newcastle v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 22 October 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Blackburn v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 29 October 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v QPR, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 5 November 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Fulham v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 19 November 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Aston Villa, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 26 November 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />West Brom v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 3 December 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Bolton, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 10 December 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Stoke v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 17 December 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Sunderland, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Tuesday, 20 December 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Chelsea, 19:45<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Monday, 26 December 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Norwich v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 31 December 2011<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Swansea v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Monday, 2 January 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v West Brom, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 14 January 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Wolverhampton, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 21 January 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Man City v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Tuesday, 31 January 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Wigan, 19:45<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 4 February 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Liverpool v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 11 February 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Newcastle, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 25 February 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Arsenal v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 3 March 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Man Utd, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 10 March 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Everton v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 17 March 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Stoke, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 24 March 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Chelsea v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 31 March 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Swansea, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 7 April 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Sunderland v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Monday, 9 April 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Norwich, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 14 April 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Bolton v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 21 April 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />QPR v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 28 April 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Blackburn, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Saturday, 5 May 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Aston Villa v Tottenham, 15:00<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Sunday, 13 May 2012<br />Barclays Premier League<br />Tottenham v Fulham, 15:00Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-85302901452589967502011-06-12T16:24:00.002+02:002011-06-12T16:30:16.612+02:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-X_51DkiZWNOkPhtf-U_U8XboDeVJA-nPlHD-Zojo7xYlPLZkGSaDsIZddgqw842XVd-2MkwjZl4enKvOjNbXNkgth-pRo760piU13l7E93y7TPa1BOzkyk7itMJrg04AixyQ6A/s1600/Luka-Modric-006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617339669772117170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-X_51DkiZWNOkPhtf-U_U8XboDeVJA-nPlHD-Zojo7xYlPLZkGSaDsIZddgqw842XVd-2MkwjZl4enKvOjNbXNkgth-pRo760piU13l7E93y7TPa1BOzkyk7itMJrg04AixyQ6A/s400/Luka-Modric-006.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#330099;"><strong>HARRY SAYS LUKA IS STAYING</strong></span></div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="color:#330099;"><strong></p><br /><div align="left"></strong></span>Harry Redknapp says it's impossible to stop Luka Modric's head being turned by other clubs - but insists the Croatian will not leave Tottenham.<br /><br />Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are believed to be keen on signing the Spurs playmaker, who has refused to rule out a possible departure from White Hart Lane.<br /><br />Redknapp, though, maintains that Tottenham cannot afford to let Modric depart this summer.<br /><br />"If clubs the size of Manchester United and Chelsea are prepared to offer him Champions League football and massive wages, you would have to be very naive to think it wouldn't turn Luka's head," he told the Sunday Mirror.<br /><br />"But I have been assured by the chairman that he is not prepared to sell him under any circumstances.<br /><br />"And it's fair to say he's not happy about the unwanted attention and continuing speculation surrounding Luka.<br /><br />"I have said on many occasions he is irreplaceable and it would be a massive disaster for the club if he was allowed to leave.<br /><br />"We need to be strengthening the squad not depleting it. In an ideal world I would hope to bring in at least three more players to give us a realistic chance of competing for a top four place in the Premier League next season.<br /><br />"United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, who all finished above us, are going to strengthen their squads so we have to be realistic.<br /><br />"If we want to compete with them we have to be active in the transfer market, but I'm not suggesting it's going to be easy. Quality players at the right price are not easy to acquire.<br /><br />"We also need to trim the squad and sell a few players."<br /></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-14783100637644760652011-06-09T09:15:00.007+02:002011-06-09T09:27:31.047+02:00<p><strong><span style="color:#000066;">VIEW FROM THE PARK LANE</span></strong></p><br /><p><em><strong>This article will appear in the next edition of The Cockerel</strong></em></p><br /><p>This year marks the 30th anniversary of Tottenham Hotspur Malta. As part of our Supporters Club celebrations we had the pleasure to host former Spurs central defender Paul Miller in Malta.<br /><br />Born in October 1959, Paul Miller spent the best years of his career at White Hart Lane but also played for Skeid (on loan) in Norway, Charlton, Watford, Bournemouth, Brentford and Swansea.<br /><br />The Stepney born player joined Spurs as an apprentice in 1976 and signed professional terms a year later. At Spurs, Miller won the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982. He also scored the goal in the 1-1 draw in the away leg of the 1984 UEFA Cup final against Anderlecht. Spurs went on to draw 1-1 at White Hart Lane in the second leg and eventually win the cup on penalties.<br /><br />While in Malta, Miller had the opportunity to meet journalists at the Grand Hotel Excelsior in Floriana and the Maltese Spurs supporters at our Club in Valletta. Here he not only took time to chat with all those present, but also joined a very nice number of members to watch the unfortunate 2-1 defeat against Chelsea. Judging by the way he was supporting the boys, those who joined us on the day will have no doubt that Paul is still 100% Spurs.<br /><br />The former Spurs stalwart was also a special guest on Melita Sports’ Champions League live TV programme Focus Champions presented by Peter Paul Gauci and Catherine Mifsud. Speaking from experience and using his insight of the game Paul turned the programme into what can be dubbed a special edition.<br /><br />During his stay in Malta Miller spoke about Tottenham and football in general. Despite Spurs not making it to fourth place he still thinks that this was a very good season. Fighting for fourth place till the end and reaching the Champions League quarter finals was no mean feat for a team experiencing the balancing act between the Premier League and Europe's top club competition for the first time.<br /><br />Miller is hopeful that Spurs will use this season as a springboard for further success but in order to achieve this he is of the opinion that the Club needs not only to hold on to its key players but also strengthen in vital areas. He further opined that moving to a new bigger stadium is of fundamental importance if Tottenham are to compete regularly with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.<br /><br />At this point allow me to thank Norbert from Grand Hotel Excelsior and Pierre from Wembley Motors Ltd without the support of whom this visit would not have been possible. The help of these two friends is always just a phone call away and no words are enough to express our gratitude.<br /><br />On other matters it was of course a disappointment for all of us to miss out on another Champions League qualification. Towards the end of the Premier League season I was of the opinion that 5th place would do us no good and for me it was either fourth or nothing.<br /><br />I argued that Thursday night football in a “second division” competition will only serve as a distraction from our main objective, ie a return to the Champions League. However I have to say that Brazilian midfielder Sandro convinced me otherwise when he suggested that the Europa League can help more players get games under their belt. I do hope that this is the case and this competition is used to give more playing time to fringe and young players.<br /><br />With regards to transfers, both Daniel Levy and Harry Redknapp have reiterated that players like Modric, Bale and Sandro are not for sale. Redknapp also stated that he’s looking to bring in three top signings to strengthen the squad and that, “…we are building a team here not trying to dismantle one”. And so say all of us Harry<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Mark Mizzi<br />8 June 2011<br /><br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogrZtDVWdjLy4WuFMxf5lBpvBpFD2lWsACO315ZMxySUF_ptZmRZwtReunWGWoWIGIH8UZaqsyNzIkjLENdRQG11RFJK7m6yqdvwPNFYSbASTJaKQCS-n5z6BJU-xabI2A7dDZA/s1600/DSCF1264.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616117087261109794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogrZtDVWdjLy4WuFMxf5lBpvBpFD2lWsACO315ZMxySUF_ptZmRZwtReunWGWoWIGIH8UZaqsyNzIkjLENdRQG11RFJK7m6yqdvwPNFYSbASTJaKQCS-n5z6BJU-xabI2A7dDZA/s400/DSCF1264.JPG" /></a><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDgENTWdeKQujjiQxyWCDznBfk4pbq45HY8LYAql4btb9Gb6qO7nsEer4TsHjgu0tR-3rOhYBLST12mOBqN1A0X-FgHxy_4_DU9TgEDv6Ecpy7Sx9bXtGVQ7yvjCD81G6Mcl5eA/s1600/DSCF1242.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616116577587398082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDgENTWdeKQujjiQxyWCDznBfk4pbq45HY8LYAql4btb9Gb6qO7nsEer4TsHjgu0tR-3rOhYBLST12mOBqN1A0X-FgHxy_4_DU9TgEDv6Ecpy7Sx9bXtGVQ7yvjCD81G6Mcl5eA/s400/DSCF1242.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616116352250423106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CCGYdl5nsGC2TODYAFznXreUb7tckEE6-11PSGtL0FODdf91EeALc-9E_xpkgdDLyUVffkLR5ODFHOYh3ggmLaQSUghPvcq7bHPN6NCBlaukDuC7eTjypM4xQvXyJjc8MvIcAQ/s400/DSCF1268.JPG" />Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-83648657409696273382011-06-09T09:07:00.002+02:002011-06-09T09:11:38.261+02:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80MKH50urIYlglIe52uvh3ywd064AOjWWOhuPiajkouVikQMeYxL7IlFeQcZu8o85pTD9PCWiQXiLd7fXbZXbEH5rvACI_KnwnudDOdo0Cgsu8I7BVTxmO8co_4UFHPeSPjn1Qw/s1600/maritim-antonine-hotel-vue-.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616114205138112514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80MKH50urIYlglIe52uvh3ywd064AOjWWOhuPiajkouVikQMeYxL7IlFeQcZu8o85pTD9PCWiQXiLd7fXbZXbEH5rvACI_KnwnudDOdo0Cgsu8I7BVTxmO8co_4UFHPeSPjn1Qw/s400/maritim-antonine-hotel-vue-.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MALTA<br /><br />B-B-Q<br /></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Garden Poolside<br />Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa<br />George Borg Olivier Street<br />Mellieha<br /><br /><strong>Friday, 8th July 2011<br />at 20.30 hrs.<br /></strong><br /><br />Adults: €23<br />Children aged between 5 and 12: €12<br /><br />Price includes a free glass of wine or beer or soft drink </span></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-13574629999216142582011-05-05T10:07:00.002+02:002011-05-05T10:11:36.667+02:00<strong>Borussia Dortmund campjins fil-Germanja</strong><br /><br /><strong><em>This article is not Spurs related.</em></strong><br /><br /><em><strong>Dan l-artiklu dwar Borussia Dortmund gie miktub mill-blogger Mark Mizzi u gie pubblikat f' L-Orizzont tal-Hamis 5 ta' Mejju 2011</strong></em><br /><br /><br />Is-Sibt li ghadda Borussia Dortmund rebhu s-seba’ titlu fl-istorja taghhom hekk kif filwaqt li huma ghelbu lil Nurenberg 2-0, l-eqreb rivali taghhom dan l-istagun Bayer Leverkusen tilfu kontra Cologne. B’dawn ir-rizultati Borussia Dortmund gew inkurunati campjins ghall-ewwel darba mill-2002 lil hawn. Dortmund issa ghandhom 8 punti vantagg fuq Bayer Leverkusen meta fadal biss 2 loghobiet ghal tmiem il-Bundesliga.<br /><br />80,000 spetattur iccelebraw ir-rebh tal-kampjonat ta’ Dortmund bil-plejers Lucas Barrios u Robert Lewandowski jiskurjaw il-gowls importanti. Ghal Barrios dan kien l-14 –il gowl tal-istagun. Iz-zewg gowls waslu fl-ewwel taqsima biex it-tieni taqsima intlaghbet f’atmosfera ta’ festa specjalment meta sar maghruf li Leverkusen kienu jinsabu minn taht.<br /><br />Dan is-success fil-kampjonat huwa wiehed tassew impressjonanti ghal Dortmund. Fost ir-ragunijiet ghal dan hemm il-fatt li l-kowc Juergen Klopp kellu ghad-dizpozizzjoni tieghu skwadra relattivament zaghzugha. Klopp irnexxielu jirbah il-kampjonat b’sett ta’ plejers li, jekk tnehhi lil gowlkiper Roman Weidenfeller, ghandhom eta medja ta’ 22 sena. <br /><br />B’din l-sikwadra ic-campjins il-godda tal-futbol Germaniz rebhu 22 minn 32 partita u tilfu erba’ loghobiet biss. Dortmund kienu konsistenti u komplew jiksbu r-rizultati minkejja li fi zminijiet differenti tal-kampjonat tilfu plejers inportanti bhal Nuri Sahin, Shinji Kagawa, Sebastian Kehl u Patrick Owomoyela. Dan juri li s-success ta’ Dortmund ma kienx jiddependi biss mill-kapacita tal-plejers individwali izda mill-kollettiv u mill-mentalita li rnexxielu jdahhal il-kowc Klopp.<br /><br />Fil-bidu tal-istagun Borussia Dortmund ma kienux mal-favoriti ghar-rebh tal-kampjonat. Ftit kienu dawk li tawhom cans jaslu sal-ahhar izda t-tim ta’ Klopp kellu ideat ohra u rnexxielhom isiru l-izghar tim fl-eta li qatt rebhu l-Bundesliga. Mhux ta’ b’xejn li wara l-loghoba kontra Nurenberg Klopp qal li, “t-tim tieghi ghamel xi haga straordinarja”.<br /><br />Issa li Dortmund huma campjins il-mistoqsija hi jekk dan is-success hux se jkun xi haga ta’ darba jew jekk dan it-tim hux se jkun qed jiggieled ghall-unuri fil-Germanja b’mod konsistenti. Din il-mistoqsija tqum minhabba dak li gara fl-passat fejn rajna timijiet isiru campjins u wara jghaddu minn staguni relattivament medjokri.<br /><br />Il-mistoqsija tqum ukoll minhabba l-fatt li donnu kull meta il-kampjonat jintrebah minn xi tim li ma jkunx mistenni il-kanuni jduru fuq Bayern Munich u l-klixe’ tkun li l-kampjonat intebah minn dak it-tim partikolari minhabba l-fatt li Bayern kellhom stagun hazin. <br /><br />Dan l-istagun Bayern Munich kellhom stagun domestiku dizastruz u allura wiehed jistenna li jergghu jibdew jizzeffnu fin-nofs l-istess paraguni. Almenu kif jidhru l-affarijiet s’issa, fil-kaz ta’ Borussia Dortmund mhux bilfors se jkollna l-istess ezitu u l-livell li lahqu jistghu isostnuh.<br /><br />Fil-passat ricenti rajna lil Stuttgart jirbhu l-kampjonat fl-2007 u Wolfsburg isiru campjins fl-2009. Dawn kienu zewg kampjonati mirbuha fl-istagun ta’ wara kompetizzjoni internazzjonali u hawn ikompli jissahhah l-argument ta’ dawk li jirragunaw li timijiet ohra jirbhu meta Bayern ma jkunux tajbin. L-argument hu li Bayern Munich dejjem ikollhom skwadra mimlija plejers internazzjonali u allura l-plejers taghhom ikunu ghajjenin meta jigu ghall-istagun domestiku.<br /><br />Is-success ta’ Stuttgart u Wolfsburg ma kienx sostnut u l-ebda klabb minnhom ma rnexxielu jibni fuqu. Fl-istaguni ta’ wara r-rebh tat-titlu dawn iz-zewg timijiet ma zammewx il-livell taghhom u waqghu lura. <br /><br />Jekk wiehed janalizza dawn iz-zewg staguni partikolari jinduna li fil-verita is-success taz-zewg timijiet ma kienx frott il-konsistenza u dan jikkonfermawh ir-rizultati matul l-istagun. Il-livell ta’ dawn iz-zewg klabbs mhux biss ma setax jigi sostnut wara r-rebh tal-kampjonat izda l-istess livell ottimu sahansitra lanqas gie sostnut b’mod konsistenti tul l-istess staguni li fihom rebhu l-kampjonat.<br /><br />Fl-ewwel parti ta’ dawn il-kampjonati partikolari la Stuttgart u lanqas Wolfsburg ma wrew li ghandhom il-potenzjal li jsiru campjins. Izda t-tieni parti tal-istagun kienet storja differenti bi Stuttgart jirbhu l-ahhar tminn loghobiet u Wolfsburg jirbhu 14 mill-ahhar 17 –il loghoba tal-kampjonat. <br /><br />L-istatistika turi li dawn kienu timijiet ta’ nofs stagun u mhux ta’ stagun shih. Minhabba l-forma fqira u aktar inkonsistenti ta’ klabbs ohra suppost pretendenti ghat-titlu, nofs stagun tajjeb kien bizzejjed biex dawn iz-zewg timijiet jiehdu l-kampjonat.<br /><br />Dan jikkuntrasta bil-kbir ma’ dan l-istagun fejn Borussia Dortmund urew livell gholi ta’ konsistenza tul l-istagun kollu. Dortmund hadu l-kmand tal-klassifika f’Ottubru u baqghu jiddefendu din il-pozizzjini sat-tmiem. B’zewg loghobiet ghal-tmiem l-istagun Dortmund ga qabzu t-total ta’ punti li kienu kisbu Stuttgart u Wolfsburg filwaqt li jistghu ukoll jiksru r-rekord tal-anqas gowls maqlugha fi stagun shih.<br /><br />Il-konsistenza ta’ Borussia Dortmund kienet ir-rizultat ta’ livell ottimu fl-iskwadra kollha. Dan ukoll huwa kkonfermat mill-istatistika fejn skond ir-ratings tal-magazine Kicker l-aqwa hames plejers fil-Bundesliga huma plejers ta’ Dortmund. Is-sitt plejer huwa l-gowlkiper Manuel Neuer ta’ Schalke biex imbaghad il-lista tkompli bil-gowlkiper ta’ Dortmund Roman Weidenfeller.<br /><br />Dortmund issa jridu jkunu lesti li jiffaccjaw il-problema ta’ interess minn klabbs ohra fl-aqwa plejers taghhom. Meta tim bhal Dortmund jaghmel hoss ikunu qed jaghmlu hoss ukoll il-plejrs tieghu u awtomatiakment dawn il-plejers jigbdu l-intress ta’ klabbs ohra Ewropej. Karrotti quddiem dawn il-plejers se jiddendlu zgur u biex huma jaghzlu li jibqghu mal-klabb iridu jkunu konvinti li Dortmund se jaghmlu minn kollox biex jibqghu mal-isfidanti ewlenin.<br /><br />Dan mhux dejjem kien il-kaz u klabbs ohra Germanizi tilfu uhud mill-ahjar elementi taghhom wara li telghu fil-quccata tas-success. Huwa fatt li hafna mill-plejers regolari ta’ Dortmund huma kuntrattati sal-2103 pero llum il-kuntratti ftit li xejn jiswew u jekk plejer jaghmilha cara li jrid jitlaq il-klabb ma jkun jista’ jaghmel xejn biex izommu.<br /><br />Favur Dortmund hija s-sitwazzjoni ekonomika tal-klabb li fil-prezent mhix prekarja daqs kemm kienet qabel. Sa ftit ilu offerti kbar ghall-ahjar plejers zgur li kienu jwasslu ghal trasferiment pero issa il-pagna inqalbet. <br /><br />Fiz-zminijiet koroh id-dejn tal-klabb kien lahaq kwazi 120 miljun Ewro izda issa is-sitwazzjoni stabilizzat ruhha u d-dejn nizel ghal 73 miljun Ewro filwaqt li d-dhul qed jizboq l-infieq b’mod konsistenti. Bil-kwalifikazzjoni ghac-Champions League dan il-bilanc pozittiv ghandu jissahhah grazzi ghad-dhul li ggib maghha din il-kompetizzjoni.<br /><br />Fl-ahhar snin Dortmund raw ukoll li jbiddlu s-sistema tal-akkwisti taghhom biex ma jergghux jingidmu kif ingidmu qabel u jigu f’sitwazzjoni li jkollhom bilfors ibieghu l-ahjar plejers taghhom. Kulhadd jiftakar il-vojt li hallew plejers bhal Marcio Amoroso, Jan Koller u Tomas Rosiciky li l-ingagg taghhom ma baqax sostenibbli.<br /><br />Minflok imorru ghall-plejers bhal dawn Borussia Dortmund qed jakkwistaw talent zaghzugh sahansitra fl-eta fejn il-plejers ikun ghadhom se jiffirmaw l-ewwel kuntratt professjonali taghhom. B’hekk, minbarra tnaqqis fin-nefqa ghall-klabb, il-plejers ikunu nqabdu f’eta fejn ikunu jistghu jitilghu fis-sistema tal-klabb u jsibuha aktar facli li jaghmlu l-qabza ghall-ewwel tim.<br /><br />Dan il-mudell ta’ ingaggar ta’ plejers wassal biex mill-2008 lil hawn 5 mill-ewwel tim ta’ Klopp inghaqdu ma’ Dortmund fl-eta ta’ bejn 19 u 21 sena. Id-dirigenti tal-klabb jidhru li se jibqghu jahdmu fuq dan il-mudell u f’Jannar li ghadda huma akkwistaw lill-plejer ta’ 18 –il sena Moritz Leitner li huwa meqjus wiehed mill-aqwa prospetti tal-futbol Germaniz.<br /><br />Din is-sistema ta’ rekrutagg u s-success ta’ Dortmund huwa mera tas-success tat-tim nazzjonali Germaniz fejn fl-ahhar edizzjoni tat-tazza tad-Dinja rajna l-frott ta’ hafna xoghol u nvestiment fl-akkademji Germanizi. Xoghol u nvestiment li kkulminaw fil-produzzjoni ta’ plejers zaghazagh ta’ teknika u talent li sebbhu Tazza tad-Dinja u spiccaw jilghabu mal-aqwa timijiet fl-Ewropa. <br /><br />Bhat-tim nazzjonali Germaniz Borussia Dortmiund qed jesponu l-merti ta’ success mibnu flok mixtri. Kif ghidt drabi ohra fis-sitwazzjoni ekonomika tal-lum ftit huma l-klabbs li jistghu jixtru s-success. U anki dawk li jixtru s-success m’ghandhomx garanzija li dan se jkun sostenibbli. <br /><br />Success mibni ghandhu sisien aktar sodi. Jasal wara hafna pacenzja u sagrificcju izda l-beneficcji jistghu ikunu akbar. Success bhal dan ikun jiddependi fuq l-istruttura u s-sistema tal-klabb u mhux fuq l-individwi u dan ghandu jkun meqjus bhala vantagg kbir ghall-klabb koncernat. <br /><br />F’dinja fejnil-kuntratti m’ghadhomx jiswew il-karta li jsiru fuqhom u fejn il-plejers ghandhom is-sahha jaghmlu li jridu ikun zball li klabb bhal Borussia Dortmund jibbaza l-futur tieghu fuq l-individwi. <br /><br />B’dan l-mudell, jekk il-klabb ikun kapaci almenu jixtri dak il-plejer jew tnejn li jaghmlu d-differenza fil-grawnd u li bihom jikkonvincu lill-plejers l-ohra li l-klabb huwa wiehed ambizzjuz, ic-cans li Borussia Dortmund jigrilhom bhal Stuttgart u Wolfsburg ikun izghar.Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-86714408723615001752010-09-14T08:51:00.001+02:002010-09-14T08:54:03.396+02:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">LEVY WON'T PUT SPURS FUTURE AT RISK</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000066;">Article taken from THE GUARDIAN</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000066;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify">Daniel Levy believes Tottenham Hotspur deserve to be in the group stages of the Champions League but on the eve of their return to Europe's premier club competition the White Hart Lane chairman said he will not jeopardise their future to pursue qualification year after year.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Having defeated Young Boys in a play-off-tie last month, Tottenham play their first game in the Champions League proper tonight, when they take on Werder Bremen in their opening Group A match. Spurs supporters misty-eyed at memories of the great Bill Nicholson side who reached the semi-finals in 1962 before losing to Benfica have long dreamed about seeing their team back on this stage and Levy shares their excitement.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The chairman has, however, moved to quell expectations and called for fans to be "realistic" about the prospects of the club remaining at football's top table in the long term, claiming only Manchester United and Chelsea are assured of a place in the league's top four every season.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Levy also said the Champions League is "not a gold mine" and pointed out that the £15m Spurs will make from competing in the group stages is merely the equivalent of a transfer fee for one player."We deserve to be in the Champions League. Our history dictates that but it has taken us a long time to get back," he said. "I think it's a huge achievement for Harry [Redknapp], all his coaching staff and players and the fans as well. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It's something special."I think we all want to stay there but we all have to be realistic. There are only four places in England and there are seven or eight clubs competing. There are probably two clubs you could say are guaranteed to be in that top four. You then have two places for six clubs. The odds are stacked against you. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">But what we won't do is jeopardise the club to challenge to be one of those two. You can't run the club on the basis of being in the Champions League. "Often people say you just need an extra player. It doesn't work. It's about the team. I like to think it's important to run the club in the right way. It's not just about today; it's about the future generation of fans. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">You have to protect the club."Spurs must already feel like they have travelled to hell and back in this competition after their remarkable first leg against Young Boys, when they fell 3-0 behind inside 28 minutes, leaving Levy in a state of shock as he looked on from the stands. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The real journey, however, starts in the Weser- stadion this evening, when Redknapp and his players seek to prove they belong at this level.Redknapp claimed last night he has "nothing to prove" after taking Spurs from the bottom of the Premier League to the Champions League in less than two years but he also admitted "you never stop learning". </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The experience in Switzerland was uppermost in the manager's mind when he made that comment and he said he would be "committing suicide" if he set Spurs up in a 4-4-2 formation against Werder Bremen. "I went at Young Boys because the reports came back that they were there to be beaten, that they weren't a good side so I thought, 'We can have a go at these, we'll murder these tonight'. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">And after half an hour ..."This is different, they are a good side with quality players. You have got problems with the way they play. They will certainly play with at least four narrow midfield players. It makes it difficult, you are going to get run around all over the shop if you open up and play 4-4-2. With your two wingers, the two in the middle are not going to get near them. If you play 4-4-2 you are committing suicide."</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">With Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson and Heurelho Gomes injured and Luka Modric also ruled out after failing to make a full recovery from the knock he received at West Bromwich Albion, Redknapp is set to play with Peter Crouch as a lone striker, with Rafael van der Vaart likely to be encouraged to support him from what will effectively be a five-man midfield.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Bremen are not without their own injury problems. Claudio Pizarro, the former Chelsea striker, will be missing and the club's first-choice central defenders, the Germany international Per Mertesacker and the Brazilian Naldo, are also sidelined, meaning that Mikaël Silvestre, who was released from Arsenal in the summer, is set to start after making his debut at the weekend.</div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-40267878571555817212010-09-07T08:45:00.002+02:002010-09-07T08:52:04.622+02:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">Maghrufa l-Gruppi tac-Champions League</span></strong></div><span style="color:#000066;"></span><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#000066;">Dan l-artiklu miktub minn Mark Mizzi deher fuq L-Orizzont tal-Hamis 2 ta' Settembru 2010</span></strong></em><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#000066;"></span></em></strong><br />"Grazzi tal-polza...issa tista' tirranga sabiex Real jibqghu telghin sal-finali u jilghabu ma' Chelsea?". Dan kien il-messagg li baghat il-kowc ta' Real Madrid Jose Mourinho lill-ex internazzjonali Ingliz Gary Lineker hekk kif telghu il-poloz tal-gruppi tac-Champions League. Lineker kien protagonista ewlieni fil-procedura li ddecidiet min se jilghab kontra min f'din il-fazi tal-kompetizzjoni - procedura li se taghti bidu ghac-Champions League vera u propja li twassalna sa Wembley Stadium f'Mejju li gej.<br /><br /><div align="justify">Mourinho rebah ic-Champions League ma' Inter l-istagun li ghadda u rnexxielu jaghmel il-holma ta' dan il-klabb ta' Milan realta'. Issa ghandu missjoni gdida u xejn ma jtih aktar sodisfazzjojn milli jaghmel l-istess fil-kapitali Spanjola ma' Real Madrid li huma ghatxana biex jergghu jitilghu fil-quccata tal-futbol Ewropew.<br /></div><div align="justify">Bl-istil tipiku tieghu, Mourinho diga' qed ibassar il-finalisti u jemmen li t-tim prezenti tieghu jista' jikkontesta l-finali kontra l-ex tim tieghu Chelsea. Ghalkemm ghadu kmieni wisq biex wiehed jibda jaghmel il-previzjonijiet, kull fejn kien s'issa Mourinho gab is-sucess u ma nahsibx li jkun hawn hafna li lesti jahilfu li l-Portugiz ma jistax jasal ghat-tragward li jkun wahhal f'mohhu.<br /></div><div align="justify">Dan l-istagun Mourinho akkwista tnejn mill-aktar plejers li spikkaw fit-Tazza tad-Dinja jigifieri l-Germanizi Sami Khedira u Mesut Ozil. Meta tghodd lil dawn ma' plejers bhal Kaka u Cristiano Ronaldo m'hemmx dubju li Mourinho, ghal darba ohra, ghandu f'idejh l-ghodda biex jasal. Kollox jiddependi mill-pressjoni li se ssir fuqu mid-dirigenza, mill-partitarji u mill-ambjent Madrilen inifsu li forsi ma tantx huwa sintonizzat mal-pragmatizmu ta' Mourinho.<br /></div><div align="justify">Real Madrid huwa tim maghruf ghall-futbol offensiv u attraenti izda f'dawn l-ahhar snin dan il-futbol ma tantx gab unuri lejn il-klabb. Mourinho mhux bilfors joffri dan it-tip ta' futbol izda bhala kumpens kapaci jgib ir-rizultati. Issa wiehed irid jara kemm se jbati sakemm Mourinho jirnexxielu jdawwar il-mentalita Madrilena u kemm se jkunu lesti jiehdu pacenzja bih id-dirigenti ta' dan il-klabb sakemm jasal fejn irid.<br /></div><div align="justify">Ir-rivali principali ta' Real Madrid fi Grupp G se jkunu Milan li f'din il-kompetizzjoni tant ghandhom rekord tajjeb. Fl-ewwel loghoba taghhom fil-kampjonat Milan urew sinjali ta' titjib kbir mill-istagun li ghadda. Ronaldinho deher trasformat, Pato rega' jinsab frisk u efficjenti quddiem il-lasta u bl-akkwist tal-attakkanti Ibrahimovic u Robinho Milan jistghu jergghu isibu ruhhom protagonisti ewlenin.<br /></div><div align="justify">B'zewg timijiet jghaddu minn kull grupp il-kwalifikazzjoni ghal Milan u Real Madrid tidher prattikament assigurata b'Ajax u Auxerre probabilment jispiccaw jikkompetu ghat-tielet post u kwalifikazzjoni ghall-Europa League.<br /></div><div align="justify">Il-kowc li ha post Mourinho ma' Inter, Rafa Benitez sab ruhu fi Grupp A flimkien ma' Werder Bremen, Tottenham u Twente. Fuq il-karta Inter ma jidhirx li jista' jkollhom problemi serji biex jghaddu minn dan il-grupp. Izda Benitez, bhal Mourinho, irid jiggieled kontra mentalita li sarett parti mis-sistema ta' Inter.<br /></div><div align="justify">Il-kowc Spanjol ikkonferma dan u ammetta li qed isibha difficli jibdel il-mentalita tal-plejers tieghu u jwassalhom biex jaqilbu mis-sistema ta' Mourinho ghas-sistema tieghu. Dan wassal biex s'issa rajna lil Inter jitilfu s-Super Cup kontra Atletico Madrid u jibdew il-kampjonat bi dro kontra Bologna.<br /></div><div align="justify">Benitez qal li taht Mourinho il-plejers kienu mdorrija jilghabu bil-kontrattakk izda hu irid tim li jiddfendi oghla u jzomm aktar il-pussess tal-ballun. Fi ftit kliem Benitez irid lil Inter jilghabu futbol aktar attraenti u hekk ikun tahom it-timbru tieghu. Fil-verita ghal Benitez se jkun difficli jirbah aktar mill-predecessur tieghu u ghalhekk irid li jirbah isbah.<br /></div><div align="justify">Dan mhux se jkun facli specjalment meta wiehed jiftakar li l-plejers li ghandu huma bazikament il-plejers ta' Mourinho li jibqghu leali lejh u lejn is-sistemi tieghu grazzi ghas-success li dawn gabulhom. Wiehed ma jridx jinsa wkoll li uhud mil-kolonni tat-tim qabzu t-tletin sena u bidla fil-mentalita u sistema ghal dawn il-plejers tista' tkun aktar difficli.<br /></div><div align="justify">Minkejja dan Inter m'ghandhomx jonqsu milli jikkwalifikaw b'Werder Bremen potenzjalment joffru l-akbar sfida. Werder Bremen irnexxielhom jeliminaw lil Sampdoria fil-playoffs u jinsabu kunfidenti li jghaddu minn dan il-grupp. Il-General Manager ta' Bremen Klaus Allofs qal li Werder huma rrenkjati fid-9 post fl-Ewropa u jemmen li, "l-grupp huwa difficli ghat-timijiet l-ohra" u mhux ghall-klabb tieghu.<br /></div><div align="justify">Ghal Tottenham din se tkun l-ewwel avventura fic-Champions League u n-nuqqas ta' esperjenza tista' tilghab parti importanti hafna f'dan l-istadju. Ghalkemm Spurs jistghu jaghtu loghoba lil kulhadd wiehed ghad irid jara kemm l-iskwadra hija preparata mentalment u fizikament ghal sfida bhal din flimkien mal-impenji domestici.<br /></div><div align="justify">Tottenham jinsabu ezatt fuq il-linja bejn li jiggieldu ma' Werder Bremen ghat-tieni post u ma' Twente ghat-tielet post. Episodji partikolari waqt il-loghobiet u l-forma ta' plejers importanti ghandhom jiddeciedu lejn fejn se jxaqleb il-mizien.<br /></div><div align="justify">Fi Grupp C se jkollna l-battalja tar-Renju Unit b'Manchester United jiltaqghu kontra l-Iskoccizi Rangers. Fl-istess grupp hemm ukoll Bursaspor tat-Turkija u Valencia ta' Spanja b'dawn tal-ahhar ikunu mdghajjfa wara l-bejgh ta' David Villa, Carlos Marchena u David Silva.<br /></div><div align="justify">Kontra Rangers Manchester United ghandhom jistennew battalja fizika aktar milli teknika izda l-Iskoccizi ma tantx ghandhom rekord tajjeb fl-Ewropa u ma kellhomx xi kampanja akkwisti b'sahhitha. Nemmen li r-Red Devils ghandu jkollhom bizzejjed kwalita biex jinnegozjaw iz-zewg loghobiet kontra t-tim ta' Glasgow.<br /></div><div align="justify">Mill-banda l-ohra loghoba fit-Turkija qatt m'hi facli izda l-loghoba ghand Bursaspor se tkun ir-raba wahda ghall-United fil-grupp. Hekk, sa dakinhar it-tim ta' Sir Alex Ferguson jista' ga jkun relattivament komdu fi triqtu lejn il-kwalifikazzjoni bit-tlett timijiet l-ohra jikkontestaw it-tieni post tal-grupp.<br /></div><div align="justify">Chelsea ta' Carlo Ancelotti jinsabu fi Grupp F flimkien ma' Marseilles ta' Franza, Spartak Moscow tar-Russja u Zilina tas-Slovakkja. Dan huwa grupp li m'ghandux joffri problemi kbar ghall-Blues biex jghaddu ghal fazi li jmiss. Marseilles mistennija joffru l-aqwa oppozizzjoni izda l-loghoba fi Franza tintlaghab fit-tieni gimgha ta' Dicembru u sa dakinhar Chelsea jistghu ikunu prattikament akkwistaw il-kwalifikazzjoni.<br /></div><div align="justify">Is-Slovakki ta' Zilina se jkunu qed jiddebuttaw f'din il-fazi u ma jidhirx li jistghu joffru intoppi serji lil Marseilles u Chelsea. Min-naha l-ohra loghoba kontra Spartak Moscow, specjalment fir-Russja, qatt m'hi passiggata u l-possibilita li l-Moskoviti jtellfu l-punti liz-zewg favoriti zgur mhix eskluza.<br /></div><div align="justify">Tim iehor Ingliz fic-Champions League huwa Arsenal li telghu biex jilghabu fi Grupp H flimkien ma' Shaktar Donetsk tal-Ukraina, Braga tal-Portugall u Partizan Belgrade tas-Serbja.<br />Mal-ewwel daqqa t'ghajn dan jidher grupp relattivamet hafif ghall-Gunners izda r-realta' tista' tkun differenti. Arsenal ghandhom kwalita teknika li tisboq lil dik tat-timijiet l-ohra fil-grupp izda l-aggressivita fl-istil ta' Partizan u Shaktar u l-ambjent difficli li jista' jinholoq ghand dawn iz-zewg timijiet jaghmlu l-grupp ta' Arsenal wiehed ferm 'il boghod minn passiggata.<br /></div><div align="justify">F'dan il-grupp Braga huwa l-aktar tim li jipprova jilghab il-loghoba bhal Arsenal u hekk, bl-istess stil ta' loghob, it-tim ta' Arsene Wenger ghandu jkun superjuri. Izda z-zewg loghobiet l-ohra, partikolarment barra minn Londra, jistghu joffru problemi ghal Arsenal u ma jhallux ir-rebh tal-grupp konkluzjoni assigurata.<br /></div><div align="justify">Matul is-sajf Arsenal sahhew id-difiza taghhom b'Laurent Koscielni u Sebastian Squillaci filwaqt li fl-attakk ziedu lil Mourane Chamakh izda xorta jittammaw li l-pedini taghhom Cesc Fabregas u Robin Van Persie b'dan tal-ahhar diga' jinsab imwegga'.<br /></div><div align="justify">Fi Grupp E il-finalisti tac-Champions League tal-istagun li ghadda Bayern Munich tal-Germanja flimkien mat-Taljani ta' Roma m'ghandhomx ifallu l-passagg ghat-tieni fazi meta jridu jiffaccjaw lil Basel tal-Isvizzera u Cluj tar-Rumanija.<br /></div><div align="justify">Dawn l-ahhar zewg timijiet gieli offrew sorprizi izda issa l-avversarji taghhom mhux se jwettqu l-izbalji li twettqu qabel u l-element tas-sorpriza mhux se jibqa' daqshekk importanti. Bayern jibdew favoriti li jirbhu dan il-grupp b'Roma, issa msahha fost l-ohrajn mill-attakkanti Adriano u Boriello, ghandhom jassiguraw almenu t-tieni post b' Basel u Cluj jikkompetu ghal-post fl-Europa League.<br /></div><div align="justify">Is-semifinalisti Barcelona, imdghajjfa mit-tluq ta' Zlatan Ibrahimovic izda msahha minn akkwisti bhal David Villa u Javier Mascherano, jibdew favoriti netti li jirbhu Grupp D li jinkludi wkoll lil Panathinaikos tal-Grecja, Copenhagen tad-Danimarkau Rubin Kazan tar-Russja.<br /></div><div align="justify">Panathinaikos f'darhom jistghu ikunu forza filwaqt li l-istagun li ghadda Rubin Kazan urew loghob ta' kwalita teknika gholja. Minhabba f'hekk dawn it-tnejn mistennija jikkontestaw it-tieni post tal-grupp b'Copenhagen jidhru l-aktar tim dghajjef.<br /></div><div align="justify">Fl-ahhar nett naraw li t-timijiet li jiffurmaw Grupp B huma Lyon ta' Franza, Benfica tal-Portugall, Schalke tal-Germanja u Hapoel tal-Izrael. Dan jidher li jista' jkun grupp interessanti hafna fejn fuq il-karta Lyon, Benfica u Schalke, imsahha mill-akkwist ta' Huntelaar minghand </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Milan, jidhru bejn wiehed w iehor tal-istess livell. Dawn it-timijiet kollha jistghu jiehdu l-punti lil xulxin u ghalhekk il-grupp mistenni jkun wiehed incert.<br />Min-naha l-ohra Hapoel, ghalkemm jidhru l-aktar tim dghajjef, jistghu jaghtu joffru oppozizzjoni f'sahhitha lil kulhadd u ma tkunx sporpriza jekk jirnexxielhom itellfu l-punti lit-timijiet akjtar rinomati specjalment fl-Izrael.</div><div align="justify"><br />Dawn huma l-aqwa 32 tim tal-Ewropa. F'nofs dan ix-xahar nitilqu maghhom ghal vjagg twil mimli emozzjonijiet, ferh, dizappunti, kontroversja u diskussjoni. Vjagg li matulu naraw lill-aqwa klabbs Ewropej jikkompetu bejniethom ghall-aktar unur prestiggjuz li joffri l-futbol Ewropew. Vjagg li jwassalna fit-tempju tal-futbol Wembley Stadium fejn hemmekk, fil-monarkija li tatna l-futbol, naraw tigi nkurunata lir-regina tal-futbol Ewropew.</div><div align="justify"> </div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-5402045069199660172010-05-08T22:09:00.003+02:002010-05-08T22:16:44.239+02:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzFU5IRwrsVnkjkqXu4tlM_-0GjtXDb_SvMVbn_KwuixZ6xJu_8kSrU9dbFnC5IkyFuuWIs-MWWr6edYPexstvm2MwIz1pKhY9uLhz2mOn-RpeI5ptjAgtRyIhma0WTon_oY-5w/s1600/harry_redknapp_280x_464805a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468994183812170802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzFU5IRwrsVnkjkqXu4tlM_-0GjtXDb_SvMVbn_KwuixZ6xJu_8kSrU9dbFnC5IkyFuuWIs-MWWr6edYPexstvm2MwIz1pKhY9uLhz2mOn-RpeI5ptjAgtRyIhma0WTon_oY-5w/s400/harry_redknapp_280x_464805a.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#000066;"> HARRY NAMED TOP PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER</span></strong></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">Harry Redknapp has been named Premier League Manager of the Year after breaking into the top four with Tottenham. </span><a class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: 400; CURSOR: pointer; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif" href="http://topics.skysports.com/Manchester+United/?section=football" rel="nofollow" _old_href="http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.skysports.com%2FManchester%2BUnited%2F%3Fsection%3Dfootball"><span style="color:#000000;">Manchester United,</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><a class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: 400; CURSOR: pointer; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif" href="http://topics.skysports.com/chelsea/?section=football" rel="nofollow" _old_href="http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.skysports.com%2Fchelsea%2F%3Fsection%3Dfootball"><span style="color:#000000;">Chelsea,</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> Liverpool and Arsenal have monopolised the UEFA Champions League positions in recent seasons and were expected to dominate once more this term.</span></p><div align="justify"><a class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: 400; CURSOR: pointer; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif" href="http://topics.skysports.com/Manchester+City/?section=football" rel="nofollow" _old_href="http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.skysports.com%2FManchester%2BCity%2F%3Fsection%3Dfootball"><span style="color:#000000;">Manchester City</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> were tipped to mount a strong challenge after investing heavily in their squad, with the likes of Tottenham, </span><a class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: 400; CURSOR: pointer; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif" href="http://topics.skysports.com/Aston+Villa/?section=football" rel="nofollow" _old_href="http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.skysports.com%2FAston%2BVilla%2F%3Fsection%3Dfootball"><span style="color:#000000;">Aston Villa</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> and </span><a class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: 400; CURSOR: pointer; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif" href="http://topics.skysports.com/everton/?section=football" rel="nofollow" _old_href="http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.skysports.com%2Feverton%2F%3Fsection%3Dfootball"><span style="color:#000000;">Everton</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> considered outsiders. But Spurs have enjoyed a stunning campaign, recording victories over Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool at White Hart Lane.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Other highlights included the 9-1 demolition of Wigan in November, as well as the 1-0 triumph at Manchester City on Wednesday that guaranteed Champions League qualification for the first time in the club's history.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="justify"><a class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: 400; CURSOR: pointer; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif" href="http://topics.skysports.com/Harry+Redknapp/?section=football" rel="nofollow" _old_href="http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.skysports.com%2FHarry%2BRedknapp%2F%3Fsection%3Dfootball"><span style="color:#000000;">Redknapp,</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> who took charge in October 2008 when Spurs were bottom of the table, was thrilled with the accolade but paid tribute to his players and the rest of the backroom staff.<br /><br />"I'm delighted to receive the award but it's a team effort with Kevin (Bond), Joe (Jordan), Clive (Allen), Tony (Parks), Tim (Sherwood), Les (Ferdinand) and all the coaching and fitness staff," he told the club's official website.<br />"Really, I'm just part of the team. It's all down to the players and what they've achieved. It's down to them really and a real honour to receive it."<br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">The prize is decided by the Barclays awards panel, which is made up of football's governing bodies, the media and fans. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">Redknapp becomes only the second manager since the formation of the Premier League to win the gong without having won the league, following in the footsteps of George Burley after the Scot guided Ipswich to fifth place in 2000/01.<br /></span></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Well done Harry, and Thanks for a Fantastic Season</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-49754970420695363002010-05-07T09:13:00.005+02:002010-05-07T09:36:14.326+02:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">GOOD HARRY REDKNAPP ARTICLE ON THE TELEGRAPH</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><em>Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has risen from folk hero to top-class coach It is time to say goodbye to the cliché, to Harry the folk hero, the crafty Cockney, the wheeler dealer, the cheeky chappy with the gift of the gab – know what I mean? And to recognise formally Redknapp the high class coach.<br /></em></strong><br />Gareth Bale, Michael Dawson, Benoît Assou-Ekotto, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Heurelho Gomes offer incontrovertible proof of Redknapp's power to transform, to mould, to improve, to inspire. All are better players now than they were before coming under Redknapp's tutelage.<br /><br />Tottenham Hotspur did not achieve Champions League status by accident. Fortune played no part in the victory over Manchester City at Eastlands. Spurs understood the demand. Each did his job. They were organised, composed, executed a plan and won with little bother in the end. None of this surprised Redknapp.<br /><br />Time to get serious about Redknapp It shouldn't have surprised us. He hasn't changed. It is perception that needs to alter to take proper account of a serious player.<br /><br />There isn't a journalist working in football in England who does not have a Harry anecdote, a comic aside that reinforces Redknapp's potential for slapstick. Here's a personal favourite.<br /><br />"What's happening about Marco Negri, Harry?" "Negri? Don't know what you are talking about? Who's he?" "That bloke from Rangers running around the training ground behind you." "Oh that Negri. Yeah we are having a look at him."<br /><br />This was a comment on the times as much as Redknapp practice. Redknapp was in his first senior post having taken over at West Ham from Billy Bonds. Foreign players flooded the English market in the post-Bosman frenzy.<br /><br />Training grounds doubled as clearing houses for exotic names. Inevitably mistakes were made. Redknapp's principal howlers were Marco Boogers and Florin Raducioiu, punts that did not even hint at coming off.<br /><br />None of the same uncertainties informed his judgment of domestic talent. At West Ham Redknapp developed academy prospects Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole.<br /><br />At Portsmouth he plucked international footballers from under a perpetual Christmas tree, albeit with a leveraged chequebook, and won the FA Cup playing enterprising, open football.<br /><br />The problem was that the quality of his output could never quite escape the suspect protocols of the Pompey business plan, which resulted in a dawn raid at his home in Poole and a case to answer brought by the Inland Revenue that is ongoing.<br /><br />Thus his unveiling at Spurs following the hopeless failure of Juande Ramos was seen as a gamble for chairman Daniel Levy and a last chance for Redknapp to break free of the stereotype that chained him and to establish himself as a coach with bona fide credentials.<br /><br />Redknapp's success exposed the default recourse to foreign coaches as the baseless fad it was. Ramos was imported from Seville a guru and left impotent, a man without a voice shuffling from foot to foot on the touchline powerless to shape events.<br /><br />Redknapp made immediate sense of the chaos, giving the players a structure and leadership. Twenty months on he is a Champions League manager. Astonishing. Like most in the game Redknapp does not dispense wisdom using vocabulary from an academic register.<br /><br />His English is estuary plain. The football lexicon is often a crude tool with its own rules. Redknapp is fluent in this language. What Tottenham have given him that he did not have before is a platform.<br /><br />"I know a few journalists ridiculed me because I said there were good English coaches. There are good ones all over the country at all levels – it's a crying shame they don't get the opportunity," Redknapp said in the first flush of Wednesday's triumph.<br /><br />Steve McClaren is similarly feted in Holland following championship success with FC Twente. Roy Hodgson's quiet revolution at Fulham draws universal admiration.<br /><br />The English coach is suddenly the must-have accoutrement. The Bundesliga is in a lather over McClaren. Hodgson is seen as the man to nurse Liverpool to health. Redknapp's reputation now submits to the ultimate test.<br /><br />There will still be some who sneer at his affection for 4-4-2, who question whether he has the tactical agility to move with the times, the flexibility to adapt to the technical demands of the continental challenge.<br /><br />On Wednesday he said his policy would be to 'have a go'. Redknapp understands that tactics are subordinate to talent. That giving his players confidence is as important as structure.<br /><br />Against City Tottenham showed themselves replete in both. Is he ready for the Champions League? Pah. Is the Champions League ready for Harry?<br /></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-90228226569833806332010-03-12T21:14:00.001+01:002010-03-12T21:16:26.512+01:00<div align="center"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>TEAM NEWS V BLACKBURN</strong></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify">Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, King, Lennon, Cudicini, Woodgate all out injured. David and JJ closing in on a return to training - Carlo is scheduled to have a plate removed from his wrist next week.</div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-66335289313845120592010-03-11T14:59:00.001+01:002010-03-11T15:01:47.543+01:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf1p-HbzYXxp-3kTkcwI2Lzqb4h7DjlXYs2EbtIvjmyzHgj_NCejB39dClmMtL-83E3sL3087eN4W3cuCL-4MYqGf7nx5KPhEx51DkxrB6oRMeGYufd8iVU4zHM1Q2Z5YQrKBng/s1600-h/IMG_1127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447375670478282450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHf1p-HbzYXxp-3kTkcwI2Lzqb4h7DjlXYs2EbtIvjmyzHgj_NCejB39dClmMtL-83E3sL3087eN4W3cuCL-4MYqGf7nx5KPhEx51DkxrB6oRMeGYufd8iVU4zHM1Q2Z5YQrKBng/s400/IMG_1127.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#000066;">INTERVISTA MA' OSVALDO ARDILES</span></strong></div><p><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong> </p><p>Fil-granet li ghaddew kelli l-opportunita li niltaqa’ mar-rebbieh tat-Tazza tad-Dinja mal-Argentina u ex-plejer ta’ Tottenham Osvaldo Ardiles. L-okkazjoni kienet intervista pubblika li ghamiltlu f'lukanda ewlenija fil-Floriana. Nista' nghid li kienet diskursata interessanti hafna fejn dawk mistiedna mhux biss segwew b'attenzjoni izda kellhom l-opportunita li anki huma jaghmlu l-mistoqsijiet taghhom.<br /><br />Ardiles, li twieled fit-3 t'Awissu tal-1952, kien parti mit-tim Argentin li rebah it-Tazza tad-Dinja fl-1978. Dakinhar fil-finali ta' Buones Aires it-tim ta' Menotti gheleb lill-Olanda 3-1 fil-hin barrani. F'dak it-tim Ardiles laghab ma' plejers bhal Daniel Passarella, Mario Kempes, Daniel Bertoni u Americo Gallego. <br /><br />Ardiles laghab ukoll fit-Tazza tad-Dinja tal-1982 fejn laghab ma dak li hu jiddeskrivi bhala "habib hafna tieghi" Diego Armando Maradona. Il-hbiberija sinciera bejn Ardiles u Maradona tohrog mill-fatt li meta mistoqsi jekk jahsibx li Maradona huwa l-kowc li jista' jwassal lill-Argentina ghar-rebh tat-Tazza tad-Dinja, Ardiles ghazel li ma jikkummentax u qal li, "ma' Maradona laghabt ghal 8 snin u sirna hbieb. Ma nissugrax nikkummenta dwaru ghax kull kumment jista' jigi nterpretat hazin".<br /><br />Kurzita li rajna matul it-Tazza tad-Dinja tal-1982 kien il-fatt li Ardiles laghab bin-numru wiehed, numru normalment assocjat mal-gowlkiper. B'cajta Ardiles qal li kellu n-numru wiehed "ghax kont l-aqwa plejer". <br /><br />Izda mbaghad huwa spjega li fl-iskwadra tal-1982 kien hemm numru ta' plejers li riedu n-numru 10 u ghalhekk il-federazzjoni Argentina iddecidiet li tqssam in-numri skond l-ordni alfabetika. Hekk Ardiles spicca ha n-numru wiehed. Jidher li fl-1978 kienet intuzat l-istess sistema. Dakinhar Ardiles kellu n-numru 2 bin-numru 1 imur ghand il-midfielder Norberto Alonso.<br /><br />Dwar is-success tat-Tazza tad-Dinja Ardiles jiftakar li t-tim nazzjonali Argentin kien taht pressjoni kbira minhabba li kien qed jilghab f'daru. Huwa jghid li kien ferm dubjuz ghal finali izda beda l-loghoba u rnexxielu jvinci sebghin minuta fejn kellu parti fil-gowl li bih l-Argentina marru fil-vantagg, bl-Olanda eventwalment igibu d-draw fit-tieni taqsima.<br /><br />L-aktar mument li Ardiles jiftakar minn din il-finali hu ix-xutt ta' Rob Rensenbrink fl-ahhar minuta, xutt li skond Ardiles, "...kien diehel gewwa, kien gowl cert. Ghidt daqshekk, spicca kollox. Addio Tazza tad-Dinja...izda l-ballun bidel id-direzzjoni tieghu fl-ahhar sekonda u b'xi mod laqat il-lasta. Ftit li xejn niftakar minn dik il-gurnata imma s-silenzju perfett sakemm il-ballun deher diehel u n-nifs kbir kollettiv li nstema' fl-istejdjum meta habat mal-lasta niftakarhom cari daqs il-kristall”.<br /><br />Ir-rebh tat-Tazza tad-Dinja fetah orizzonti godda ghal Ardiles u ftit wara, flimkien ma' Ricky Villla, spicca jilghab fl-Ingilterra ma' Tottenham. Ma' Tottenham Ardiles rebah l-FA Cup darbtejn u t-Tazza UEFA fl-1984. <br /><br />F'White Hart Lane huwa laghab ma' plejers bhal Glenn Hoddle, siehbu Villa, u Steve Perryman. Wara l-1984 Ardiles halla l-Ingilterra u mar jilghab ma' PSG fi Franza izda wara sena huwa rega' sab ruhu bil-flokk abjad ta' Tottenham. Hawn baqa' sal-1988 u anki ghamel sena bhala care taker manager bejn it-tluq ta' David Pleat u l-hatra ta' Terry Venables.<br /><br />Meta kkummenta dwar it-trasferiment tieghu ghal ma Tottenham Ardiles qal li hu kien sorpriz daqs kulhadd. "Ridt immur nilghab fl-Ewropa u kien hemm hafna spekulazzjoini dwari. Kienu qed jissemmew biss il-kampjonat Spanjol dak Taljan u xi ftit il-kampjonat Franciz"<br /><br />"Meta l-president ta' Huracan qalli li jriduni fl-Ingilterra bqajt b'halqi miftuh. Fuq il-futbol Ingliz ftit li xejn kont naf u fuq Tottenham anqas w anqas. Niftakar li lil maniger ta' Tottenham Keith Burkinshaw ikkonvincewh li ahjar jixtri zewg plejers u dan ha lili u lil Villa. Villa, bhali, qatt ma holom li jilghab l-Ingilterra u dejjem kien jghid li sejjer jilghab Spanja jew l-Italja"<br /><br />Dwar Burkinshaw Ardiles jghid li dan "qatt ma pprova jghallimni l-futbol. Kien biss jiccalingjani. Qabel kull loghoba kien jghidli 'ejja champion tad-dinja- ha naraw x'kapaci taghmel kontra dan jew dak il-plejer'. Kultant nemmen li ghal plejers bhali dan kien tajjeb hafna. Burkinshaw kien ihallini nilghab il-loghoba tieghi u dan kien vantagg kbir ghalia"<br /><br />Kontra dak li nisimghu dwar certu plejers illum, minkejja l-bdil fl-istil ta' loghob, klima, dieta u stil ta' hajja, Ardiles qal li hu qatt ma sabha difficli jissettilja fl-Ingilterra u fil-futbol Ingliz. Jinsisti li ghalih kienet xi haga facli hafna li jadatta. Hu qal ukoll li ma' Tottenham laghab ma plejers li jilghabu l-ballun mal-art- il-futbol li jilghab hu u ghalhekk ma sabx problema jintegra ruhu fit-tim. <br /><br />Mistoqsi min kien l-ahjar plejer li laghab mieghu ma' Tottenham, bla tlaqlieq, Ardiles iwiegeb, "Glenn Hoddle..hasra li qatt ma kien daqshekk apprezzat mit-tim nazzjonali Ingliz".<br /><br />La konna qed nitkellmu fuq il-karriera tieghu bhala plejer ma' Tottenham ma stajtx ma nsemmilux il-famuza kanzunetta rekordjata qabel il-finali tal-FA Cup tal-1981. Din kienet diska dwar il-holma ta' Ardiles li jilghab f'Wembley fejn Ardiles ikanta l-frazi , "...in the cup for Tottingham". <br /><br />Din dahaqha. Qal li hu qatt ma ried jirrekordja d-diska izda fl-ahhar ikkoncvincewh. Ghall-ewwel m'ghogbitu xejn u ghamel zmien ma jridx jismaghha. "Imma issa bdiet toghgobni. Bdejt naraha tajba. Tant hi tajba li ghadha tindaqq sal-lum" qal Ardiles bid-dahqa.<br /><br />Fost it-timijiet li kkowcja Ardiles fl-Ingilterra hemm Swindon Town u WBA fejn mat-tnejn irnexxielu jirbah promozzjoni. Ma' Swindon Ardiles baqa' maghruf ghal kif bidel is-sistema tal-ballun fit-tul ghal futbol mal-art. <br /><br />Staqsejtu kemm kien difficli jew facli jibdel il-mentalita tal-plejers. Qalli li ghalih mhux kwistjoni ta' mentalita imma kwistjoni ta' kemm il-maniger kapaci jikkonvinci u jwassal il-messagg. "Il-futbol hekk ghandu jintlaghab. Mal-art. Meta bdew gejjin ir-rizultati u beda jidher il-frott il-bicca xoghol ma baqghetx difficli".<br /><br />Bejn l-1993 u l-1994 Ardiles kien maniger ta' Tottenham fejn baqa' maghruf ghal-lineup offensiva li kienet tinkludi lil Jurgen Klinsmann, Teddy Sheringham, Darren Anderton, Illie Dumitrescu u Nicky Barmby. Staqsejtu jekk jahsibx li maniger ghandu jilghab il-plejers tajbin kollha anki jekk ibati xi ftit il-bilanc tat-tim. <br /><br />Risposta cara u skjetta "Da zgur li mainger ghandu jilghab il-plejers tajbin kollha tieghu. Il-problema li kelli jien ma kinitx li t-tim kien offensiv wisq izda affarijiet ohra wara l-kwinti".<br /><br />Tlabtu jelabora u hawn hareg id-dispjacir sincier li ghad ghandu sal-lum ghall- fatt li ha f'idejh lil Tottenham fi zmien hazin u mimli intricci interni. L-imhabba ghal Tottenham ghadha f'sahhitha hafna u Ardiles jaghmilha cara li xtaq mexxa lil Tottenham fi zminijiet aktar stabbli. <br /><br />Tottenham kien ghadhom hergin mill-glieda bejn Alan Sugar u Terry Venables b'dan tal-ahhar jispicca barra l-klabb. "Messni qrajt is-sitwazzjoni ahjar. Venables kien ghadu kif tnehha mill-klabb u hafna mill-plejers li sibt jien kienu plejers tieghu. Dawn kienu ghal kollox kontra Sugar u qatt ma riedu li jitlaq Venables. Ghalhekk ftit stajt insib armonija u sapport. Barra minn hekk, jien kont laghabt ma' uhud mill-plejers u dawn sabuha difficli jaccettawnu bhala maniger taghhom".<br /><br />"Mit-timijiet kollha li kkowcjajt Tottenham kien il-post fejn l-aktar li sibt problemi. L-intricci interni kienu inkredibbli. Fazzjoni tal-plajers baqghet leali lejn Venables u la d-decizjoinijiet ta' Sugar u lanqas jien ma konna accettati"<br /><br />Dwar Sugar Ardiles jghid li l-intenzjonijiet tieghu kienu tajbin izda hu ma kienx bniedem tal-futbol u d-decizjonijiet mhux dejjem kienu l-ahjar ghall-klabb. "Ridt nixtri plejers Inglizi ghax kellna bzonnhom izda dawn qatt ma waslu".<br /><br />Is-sitwazzjoni kompliet titgharraq meta Sugar gab lil Claude Litner bhala Chief Executive. "Dan beda jaqta' l-ispejjez b'mod li ma jaghhmilx sens u plejers kienu qed jigu urtati ghal xejn."<br /><br />"Kelli wkoll kwistjoni mieghu dwar Teddy Sheringham fejn jien kont qed nahdem biex ingeddidlu l-kuntratt u Litner kien qed jittama li jsib lil xi hadd tajjeb daqsu b'nofs il-pagi li kellu Sheringham….Fiz-zmien li ghamilt bhala maniger ta' Tottenham kien qisni pumpier il-hin kollu nipprova nitfi n-nar". <br /><br />Quddiem dawn il-problemi kollha ma stajtx ma nsaqsiehx kif fil-ktieb tieghu jghid li meta telaq minn ma' Tottenham kienet l-aktar haga li wegghetu fil-karriera tieghu. Infakkru li fl-awtobiografija tieghu Ardiles jghid, "...L-aktar haga difficli li gratli f'hajjti kienet li hallejt lil Tottenham. L-aktar zmien iswed ghalia wara l-gwerra tal-Falklands kien it-tluq tieghi minn ma' Tottenham".<br /><br />"Lil Tottenham inhobbhom"....jirrispondi Ardiles "Dik id-dar tieghi. Tottenham huma hajjti. Dejjem emmint li kont destinat immexxi lil Spurs. Xtaqt hafna mexxejthom fi zminijiet differenti. Ghazilt zmien hazin wisq. Messni stennejt, izda meta giet is-sejha qalbi kkmandatni." <br /><br />Tkellimna dwar Alan Sugar u r-relazzjoni ta' bejniethom. Kuntrarju ghal li jahsbu hafna nies Ardiles jghid li hu kellu relazzjoni tajba hafna ma' Sugar "...sakemm qalli 'you're fired' u spicca kollox" ikompli l-ex internazzjonali Argentin. <br /><br />Kelli kurzita dwar anedottu li kont smajt dwar Alan Sugar fis-sens li dan ma riedx ihallas lil dawk il-plejers li kienu mwegga'. Ardiles ma wegibx "iva" izda bir-risposta tieghu ma halliex dubju li din l-istorja mhux 'il boghod hafna mill-verita.<br /><br />Fl-ahhar tal-intervista irritornajna ghall-prezent u ghalaqna nitkellmu dwar kemm hu possibbli ghal timijiet bhal Tottenham u Aston Villa jiksbu post regolari mal-ewwel erbgha. Ghal Ardiles dan m'hu facli xejn. <br /><br />"L-ewwel erbgha jinsabu f'cirku vizzjuz fis-sens pozittiv. Jikkwalifikaw ghac-champions league, jissahhu finanzjarjament u jattiraw l-ahjar plejers kemm minhabba l-pagi u kif ukoll minhabba l-attrazzjoni tac-Champions league infisha"<br /><br />Ghal timijiet ohra huwa difficli jattiraw plejers tal-livell tac-Champions League. "Jistghu jattiraw plejers tajbin imma mhux plejers eccezzjonali li tassew jaghmlu d-differenza".<br /><br />Skond Ardiles dan jistghu jaghmluh biss Manchester City ghax, minkejja li m'humiex fic-Champions League, jistghu jattiraw l-aqwa plejrs permezz tal-pagi. <br /><br />"Jekk timijiet bhal Tottenham u Aston Villa jirnexxielhom jikkwalifikaw darba ghac-Champions League ir-rota tista' tibda ddur bil-mod izda li tikkwalifika l-ewwel darba huwa difficli ferm".<br /><br />Ardiles jerga jwaqqa d-diskors fuq it-tim ta' qalbu- Tottenham- u jghid li fl-opinjoni tieghu it-tim jonqsu playmaker ta' certu klassi li jilghab il-loghoba ta' Spurs u attakkant tajjeb li jikkumplimenta lil Jermaine Defoe. <br /><br />"Defoe qed jilghab tajjeb hafna u bi plejer ta' klassi li jikkumplimentah Tottenham ikollhom attakk fenomenali. F'nofs il-graswnd nara plejer wiehed li Tottneham jistghu jattiraw u li jaghmel id-differenza kollha. Plejer li jgib lil Tottenham jilghabu l-loghoba tat-Tottenham. Dan hu Juan Roman Riquelme ta' Boca Juniors" <br /><br />U b'dak il-parir minghand min rebah it-Tazza tad-Dinja l-intervista giet fi tmiemha sabiex Ardiles seta' jqatta' ftit hin jitkellem mal-mistiedna dwar il-loghoba li tant ghadu jhobb.</p><p><strong>MARK MIZZI</strong><br /><br /> (i) Ritratt tal-intervista- Aidan Formosa<br />(ii) Iz-zjara ta’ Osvaldo Ardiles f’Malta kienet possibbli grazzi ghal Tottenham Hotspur Malta, MTA- Island of Gozo, Air Malta, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Gozo Football Association, Sullivan Maritime, Marsovin, China Town (Mriehel, Cospicua),Waterline Restaurant (Marsascala)</p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-89430666123463799292010-03-11T09:42:00.002+01:002010-03-11T09:54:10.376+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiNRORa31dClrlZdxDRwg0YzlqPxRfDefDPL3-uSM4dEU8eS288B6oGWNZUTeae6Cj0K9WiKGzA0iiZPfu1OiBQBGs9FJfkdUwpt-WX1VPOLo2gkjl1n5qfH8jcoVqVxVJVnhQA/s1600-h/FA-Cup-Trophy_1869548.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447295414482274674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiNRORa31dClrlZdxDRwg0YzlqPxRfDefDPL3-uSM4dEU8eS288B6oGWNZUTeae6Cj0K9WiKGzA0iiZPfu1OiBQBGs9FJfkdUwpt-WX1VPOLo2gkjl1n5qfH8jcoVqVxVJVnhQA/s400/FA-Cup-Trophy_1869548.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">FA CUP SEMI-FINAL DATES ANNOUNCED</span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#000066;"><div align="justify"><br />The Football Association has announced the dates and times for the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Villa will take on Chelsea on Saturday, April 10, kick-off 6pm.<br /></div><div align="justify">Sem-final draw...<br />Aston Villa v Chelsea, Saturday April 10, 6pm<br />Fulham/SPURS v Portsmouth, Sunday April 11, 5pm </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Our quarter-final replay against Fulham will take place on 24th March at 8.45pm</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong> </div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-78642239962504109322010-02-05T21:31:00.001+01:002010-02-05T21:34:15.337+01:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">OSSIE BACK IN MALTA</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><br />Tottenham Hotspur Malta announce that World Cup winner, and Argentina and Tottenham Hotspur legend Osvaldo Ardiles will be in Malta on 12 February 2010.</div><div align="justify"><br />This visit is being supported by MTA- Island of Gozo, Air Malta, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Gozo Football Association, Sullivan Maritime, Marsovin, China Town (Mriehel, Cospicua), Waterline Restaurant (Marsascala) and Amabile Zammit.</div><div align="justify"><br />Ossie, as he is affectionately known by Spurs fans worldwide, won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina and became a cult hero in England, along with Glenn Hoddle and compatriot Ricardo Villa with Tottenham Hotspur. </div><div align="justify"><br />After the 1978 World Cup Ardiles joined Tottenham where he spent four seasons. He helped Spurs win the FA Cup in his third season (1980-81) and collaborated with pop duo Chas and Dave as well as the rest of the Tottenham players for a song - "Ossie's Dream" - in which he famously pronounced Tottenham as "Tottingham". </div><div align="justify"><br />He played a big part in another FA Cup triumph the following year, but did not play in the final. He also helped Tottenham win the UEFA Cup in 1984, leaving shortly afterwards to sign for Paris Saint Germain in France</div><div align="justify"><br />After just one season in Paris, he returned to Tottenham, where he stayed until 1988. In the autumn of 1987, he was caretaker manager of Tottenham between the resignation of David Pleat and the appointment of Terry Venables He then played for Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Swindon Town, before being appointed as manager of Swindon Town in July 1989.<br />He returned to Spurs as manager between 1993 and 1994 where he famously played several matches utilizing a formation that had five forwards, a formation that hadn't been used in English football since the 1950’s.</div><div align="justify"><br />On 7 February 2008 Ossie Ardiles, along with his fellow countryman Ricky Villa, was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Tottenham Hotspur Malta will be organising a Question and Answer Session with the former Argentine international at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana on Friday 12th February from 7.30pm onwards.</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>After a short interview by sports journalist Mark Mizzi, Mr Ardiles will mingle with guests who will be able to get to know the man who, besides being a football legend, also starred in the epic movie "Escape to Victory" alongside other legends such as Pele and Bobby Moore. Guests will have time to take pictures with Mr Ardiles. Light finger food and wine will be served throughout the night.</div><div align="justify"><br />Tickets for this unique chance to meet a true football legend are on sale from Tottenham Hotspur Malta, 22, St. Frederick Street, Valletta and Geraldu’s Kiosk Valletta at 10 Euros. One may also call on 79691882 for more information.</div><div align="justify"><br />Tottenham Hotspur Malta intend to use this visit as a launch pad for bigger events involving other former players and present players. The Club wants to create a legacy between Mr Ardiles and the Maltese Islands as this does not only benefit football enthusiasts but also niche tourism. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">In this regard the Club is already in talks with Mr Ardiles over a bigger event which will not be focused solely on Malta but also on the Island of Gozo<br /><br /><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>MTA, Island of Gozo - Air Malta - Grand Hotel Excelsior<br />Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz - Gozo Football Association - Sullivan Maritime Marsovin - China Town (Mriehel, Cospicua)<br />Waterline Restaurant (Marsascala)</strong></span></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-16958183307346273682010-01-30T08:29:00.002+01:002010-01-30T08:40:15.843+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oCb22A5towKTDhVva7lsnDvMTe8ZAZyOttASZbw3hlArEcKqISiaWryHmGJyacNDqyBd9HVgZd6yTsdv4ykmlXRNObwAwOVPYVXq_uuPa0nVpI9juJmsJ7PS037Czf5BQv847g/s1600-h/gudjohnsen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432431908372994738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oCb22A5towKTDhVva7lsnDvMTe8ZAZyOttASZbw3hlArEcKqISiaWryHmGJyacNDqyBd9HVgZd6yTsdv4ykmlXRNObwAwOVPYVXq_uuPa0nVpI9juJmsJ7PS037Czf5BQv847g/s400/gudjohnsen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">EIDUR JOINS ON LOAN</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"><em>O'Hara and Dos Santos loaned out</em><br /></div></span></strong><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>We have completed the signing of former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen on a loan deal from Monaco for the end of the season.<br /></div></strong></span><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>The 31-year-old Icelander, who also attracted interest from London rivals West Ham, underwent a medical and agreed terms on the move on Thursday.<br />"He's a player I've always admired," said boss Harry Redknapp. "He can play several positions and is very clever.<br />"It was his decision to come to us. He said 'I want to come to Tottenham'."<br /></div></strong></span><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>West Ham had been confident of arranging a deal after Gudjohnsen underwent a medical at the club but Harry convinced him to opt for the Lane.<br />"I rang him and left a message on his phone and he came back to me and said 'I want to come to Tottenham'," said Redknapp. "He gives us lots of options. He is a top player."<br /></div></strong></span><span style="color:#000066;"><strong></strong></span><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Gudjohnsen will provide cover for a number of positions as they look to push for a top-four finish.<br /></div></strong></span><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000066;"><strong>Gudjohnsen has won League titles in England, Holland and Spain, and was an unused substitute for Barcelona when they won the Champions League final in 2009.</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">Meanwhile thw club has rejected an offer for Pavlyuchenko from Birmingham while Jamie O'Hara has re-joined Portsmouth on loan and Giovani Dos Santos hasd been loaned out to Galatassaray in Turkey.</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">The Club is still in talks over Younes Kaboul and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic of Portsmouth. </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"> </div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-51255064772530862642010-01-09T19:50:00.002+01:002010-01-09T19:56:33.330+01:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">LEEDS TIE ON TV</span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify">Our FA Cup 4th Round tie at home to Leeds United has been selected for live television coverage by ITV and will take place on Saturday 23 January, kick-off 6.15pm (Malta time). GO subscribers in Malta may also view the game on GO's sports channels.</div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-52066489282141333042010-01-09T19:43:00.003+01:002010-01-09T19:47:12.865+01:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6WrlUBeGd3S3zH26QtsOJs_KlRTPk08zoxjetDUlgAAsx2b_srH2Aho5F8Z9aZFuzVE1kPEQEATjlEzltViBLK2s36aZzJeq5QCpZ0NWMcWwv01SB82b0G09sVAEHxtgXG8XGw/s1600-h/button_july14_240.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424813161163092770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6WrlUBeGd3S3zH26QtsOJs_KlRTPk08zoxjetDUlgAAsx2b_srH2Aho5F8Z9aZFuzVE1kPEQEATjlEzltViBLK2s36aZzJeq5QCpZ0NWMcWwv01SB82b0G09sVAEHxtgXG8XGw/s400/button_july14_240.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">BUTTON EXTENDS SHREWS STAY</span></strong></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">David Button's loan at League Two side Shrewsbury Town has been extended until February 27.<br />The 20-year-old goalkeeper has made seven appearances during his initial loan move to New Meadow in November, keeping three clean sheets<br /></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-21850500135441678192009-09-19T16:21:00.001+02:002009-09-19T16:24:03.993+02:00<strong><span style="color:#000066;">This article will appear on the next issue of "The Cockerel"</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000066;"></span></strong><br />VIEW FROM THE PARK LANE... by Mark Mizzi<br /><br />Deflated is an understatement. I am penning this piece the day after our first defeat of the season which came against champions Manchester United and I am not in the happiest of moods.<br /><br />A series of 5 wins out of five in all competitions came to a shuddering halt at the Lane as the Red Devils came from behind to beat us 3-1 even though they had Paul Scholes sent off in the second half.<br /><br />By the time you read this we will have also played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and that is definitely going to be another tough test. Stamford Bridge is not the happiest of hunting grounds for us and Chelsea are really on song at the moment. If you ask me, Ancelotti's side is even more difficult to beat than Manchester United.<br /><br />But back to the Manchester United game. Was it that bad? A defeat is a defeat and there is nothing good about it. But should we panic? I don't think so. We started the game on a high and that Defoe opener will be contender for goal of the month, if not the season.<br /><br />If there was a bad thing about that goal it was that it came too early. Manchester United being Manchester United, they clawed their way back into the game and equalised trough a marvelous Ryan Giggs freekick.<br /><br />A half clearance from our defence found its way to Anderson's feet and he fired a rasping shot which beat Cudicini. I think the Italian goalkeeper did not have a good view of the ball and I am convinced that had his sight not been obstructed, he would have saved it.<br /><br />At 2-1 down we did come back into the game and Jenas coming on for Palacios gave us a new thrust. Ben Foster performed a top notch save on Jermaine while Crouchy was denied by the cross bar. At that point Manchester United were with 10 men but, as so often happens, this made it more difficult for us to find a way through their crowded defence.<br /><br />Their third goal was no surprise really. With Spurs desperately searching for an equaliser and our defence exposed, the ground for Rooney to score one of his trademark goals was fertile.<br /><br />Put this way it does not seem that bad does it? But it does not mean that there are no problems to be addressed. Losing the flair and creativity of Luka Modric is one of them. But we cannot do anything about that except pray for a quick recovery.<br /><br />The Manchester United game also showed that, despite all the talk of a big squad and strength in depth, we are very dependent on one player and I am not referring to Modric. This player is Wilson Palacios. Against Manchester United he was a shadow of his usual self. Maybe his travels to fulfill his international commitments with Honduras had something to do with it but the fact is that the midfield battle was lost. <br /><br />On the other hand Tom Huddlestone is one of our most skilful players but everybody knows he is not fast. Yes he has made great progress under Harry's guidance but he is still not up there and he was found out against Sir Alex's boys.<br /><br />Hindsight is a commodity Harry did not enjoy before the game. But I think if this game made one thing clear it was that Keane is not a winger. Maybe he can fill in there against mid-to-bottom teams but surely not against the top four. <br /><br />Maybe Harry's plan was for Keane to help the midfield and attack with Ekotto covering the wing. But this was Manchester United and every time Keane left the wing Ekotto was exposed. Keane ended up uncertain of what to do and slowly but surely became anonymous.<br /><br />With Crouch in attack I think Modric's role should have been given to a proper winger. Maybe David Bentley should have been given the chance to claw himself back into Harry’s reckoning. That would have at least given us another source of creativity. In my opinion Jermaine Jenas should also have been considered for that role. Ok he is not a proper winger but neither is Keane. Jenas would have at least helped Huddlestone and Palacios against the overwhelming United midfield<br /><br />Lennon was wisely cut out of the game by Fergie and that meant that we had no outlet of creativity. With Ekotto not free to attack at will, Keane ineffective, and Lennon marked by three players, it is fair to say that our opportunities ratio was reduced by 75%. <br /><br />Jenas, Gomes, Dawson and Woodgate are back to full fitness now and this will give us more strength in depth. But Modric's problem is still there. For it to be solved, creativity has to be replaced by creativity. A winger should be replaced by a winger. Avoiding square pegs in round holes will go a long way towards alleviating, if not solving, the problem.<br /><br />On a positive note, having successfully completed all of the pre-development conditions and preparatory works, Spurs announced that works to build a world-class facility in Enfield to house our first team, development and academy squads have started.<br /><br />Let's hope that this project will prove to be another step towards returning Tottenham Hotspur FC to its' former glories.<br /><br />Mark Mizzi<br />13 September 2009<br />www.spursmalta.blogspot.com<br />(Look out for Spurs Malta on Facebook)Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-13386976547600635402009-08-05T18:01:00.005+02:002009-08-05T18:12:35.071+02:00<div><div><div><div><div align="center"><strong>Ossie Ardiles meets the President of Malta Dr George Abela</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Wednesday 5 August 2009</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366511428134264322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzTbigavejH9_p6IWgg4tKTUB4qwiZZj26gvzj1RbZLEeNkBP2pOeozv-iFRAgTZ0jlcuwFTxDV-4D0JMeOaeLgiG6XFscvpMmlQHCcNiwxPNvNUf2j1eMzI3iO69pW4wRPxHyA/s400/OPR_05082009_06.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366511641159263314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5YEAgTJ2j2TJ2QYa8h_XzupVYTYxf9K5Kpuoda45g__eZTf4IP4sLP-65P4dOkz0kh7zPEf22Stv53HYQSvvrCG4Oa2YoQvBO0KAJwd7sOPCOF_fd_l3xvwlGGx5yl1zrt0ehA/s400/OPR_05082009_07.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366513023223484418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqmbU1vUKhm1_Web_5vP-xtJivj8twO9mCR1XjaFn6EVu65joCo8qyBVsNKI4p3lyQQoJNUSobroMEg184U_R2o5hM_6BUn8nyjlGbaJagVMGIFeF4C1fmDLI-K6OEmOu1BrgPg/s400/DSCF3501.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366511179521918018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURUwKgJ3yiDsKgr0Cchc9CsM-Yi2uiABGsO7qRXRlnnnoAZqhUNZGi2Scozkpax7fz9ZCjnqKF6TCBtc2P2RZOs0m4Ic9iwPfYOer0iaLJCQi7XOoQ2BaaWgUD1Q58TDkM4iW8g/s400/OPR_05082009_05.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366510919540732930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n9LxnSMLQhN65HYrWjrs7p2YbrQI_MhF9NzqYe2H62IzDvRQzJA4pcPUtYqj7Q1Y32gAvtskJaSsVaPl58Fp8I4vA70rXwDLwVIcDct3wZE9fdoUiD73jdyb8ZaSf0_s-hf1Sw/s400/OPR_05082009_04.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-81354363727248048272009-07-11T20:54:00.005+02:002009-07-11T21:07:52.386+02:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXl4iByM18GlgYMHFLu06a36ckEK7LhqXTQXd6BXK_aA9nzfn55qJWqVUhwLou0k4LpJHouPjgq2pnGAq1epdyxCY8nn-q1jz4YutPJHTKSAlxOMVLEkZ1Dvgb6lXZu2cIH8-QA/s1600-h/ARD4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357280460498375442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 359px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXl4iByM18GlgYMHFLu06a36ckEK7LhqXTQXd6BXK_aA9nzfn55qJWqVUhwLou0k4LpJHouPjgq2pnGAq1epdyxCY8nn-q1jz4YutPJHTKSAlxOMVLEkZ1Dvgb6lXZu2cIH8-QA/s400/ARD4.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#000066;"><strong>ARDILES IN MALTA</strong></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="justify"> Tottenham Hotspur Malta are proud to announce that World Cup winner, and Argentina and Tottenham Hotspur legend Osvaldo Ardiles will be in Malta in August.<br /><br />On the initiative of Ms Carly Barnes and Tottenham Hotspur Malta, and with the support of Air Malta, Ramla Bay Hotel, Herbies, Jewellery and Wembley’s Car Hire Service Ardiles will be in Malta between the 3rd and 10th of August.<br /> </div><div align="justify">Ossie, as he is affectionately known by Spurs fans worldwide, won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina and became a cult hero in England, along with Glenn Hoddle and compatriot Ricardo Villa with Tottenham Hotspur.<br /><br />As a youngster, Ardiles played football in the streets and was given the nickname "Pitón" (python) by his brother because of his snake-like dribbling skills. He began his professional career in Argentina with Instituto de Córdoba, playing also for Club Atlético Belgrano and Huracán.<br /><br />After the 1978 World Cup he joined Tottenham where he spent four seasons.<br />He helped Spurs win the FA Cup in his third season (1980-81) and collaborated with pop duo Chas and Dave as well as the rest of the Tottenham players for a song - "Ossie's Dream" - in which he famously pronounced Tottenham as "Tottingham".<br /><br />He played a big part in another FA Cup triumph the following year, but did not play in the final. He also helped Tottenham win the UEFA Cup in 1984, leaving shortly afterwards to sign for Paris Saint Germain in France<br /><br />After just one season in Paris, he returned to Tottenham, where he stayed until 1988. In the autumn of 1987, he was caretaker manager of Tottenham between the resignation of David Pleat and the appointment of Terry Venables He then played for Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Swindon Town, before being appointed as manager of Swindon Town in July 1989.<br /><br />He returned to Spurs as manager between 1993 and 1994 where he famously played several matches utilizing a formation that had five forwards, a formation that hadn't been used in English football since the 1950’s.<br /><br />On 7 February 2008 Ossie Ardiles, along with his fellow countryman Ricky Villa, was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame<br /><br />Tottenham Hotspur Malta will be organising a number of activities for the Spurs supporters and football followers. A bar-b-q is planned for Friday 7th August at Ramla Bay Hotel while a visit to Gozo is scheduled for Saturday 8th August. On Sunday 9th August Ardiles will visit the premises of Tottenham Hotspur Malta in St. Frederick Street, Valletta to meet the Members and supporters.<br /><br />A charity event will take place on Thursday 6th August. The former Spurs hero will attend the screening of the epic movie “Escape to Victory” in which he stars along with other football icons such as Pele and Bobby Moore.<br /><br />All proceeds will go to Inspire Foundation<br /><br />A short interview and a presentation will precede the screening. This event is being made possible through the help of KRS and Warner Brothers, Embassy Cinema Complex, Tottenham Hotspur Malta and Kick Off.<br /><br />More details about the Ossie Ardiles’ visit to Malta will be published next month.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVIpeSl_NUO2JV0GO15K55yl9kxcst-7KoUCCXdD0-ykBwtUByYhFSU-Zk2Ne5sZzn3QQeATr_6-QlUQxpCgdtq3aL6Yyr6Cif1f205szoMbUbNrpKudeo_FVbM8uceD8EVxnFw/s1600-h/ARD1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357279614042802546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVIpeSl_NUO2JV0GO15K55yl9kxcst-7KoUCCXdD0-ykBwtUByYhFSU-Zk2Ne5sZzn3QQeATr_6-QlUQxpCgdtq3aL6Yyr6Cif1f205szoMbUbNrpKudeo_FVbM8uceD8EVxnFw/s400/ARD1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0tEnr8QVMbmb3Bi1Ylzt8O9sMNWufjtQGcIs-cuVHobGbEOBddtwnvw5-UtX3L1PtDkI3rOe7R6ZZwd4Zb9izdjgM8J9lDQVaps3j1OwGMEPw6yryE16NONrt215efCjCg_PHw/s1600-h/ARD2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357278933783365426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 403px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0tEnr8QVMbmb3Bi1Ylzt8O9sMNWufjtQGcIs-cuVHobGbEOBddtwnvw5-UtX3L1PtDkI3rOe7R6ZZwd4Zb9izdjgM8J9lDQVaps3j1OwGMEPw6yryE16NONrt215efCjCg_PHw/s400/ARD2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_EDw33t6_7M_6hvIMgS8G_V8tg6ouFAUl_vMboZPHYydMOmy_8X5YtPL4Vhe4GvEd_Vj2BQQf2zIeXgIjr4qjX-ZJ9k2_SxL3J5t77KMY5sD1IjjS00nFYquUDyy5eFDhPgOsg/s1600-h/ard3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357278222569716178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_EDw33t6_7M_6hvIMgS8G_V8tg6ouFAUl_vMboZPHYydMOmy_8X5YtPL4Vhe4GvEd_Vj2BQQf2zIeXgIjr4qjX-ZJ9k2_SxL3J5t77KMY5sD1IjjS00nFYquUDyy5eFDhPgOsg/s400/ard3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"></div></div></div><br /></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-1611583974524566342009-06-14T18:14:00.002+02:002009-06-14T18:24:05.555+02:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJDvOMtfckyKfRwVGTF6ZyXtiNtRmm9zLPuTZtTDtUAJF6E8mOeEX2hPH45JEwZe7PGkQoOWrUB0RsiplsiMPG21PLBgiwumtU6XUyJNmZCzdkG4pcSZjbBgi4g-5ltoSGLn-pw/s1600-h/800px-Workers_stadium_internal_field.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347219640200490722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJDvOMtfckyKfRwVGTF6ZyXtiNtRmm9zLPuTZtTDtUAJF6E8mOeEX2hPH45JEwZe7PGkQoOWrUB0RsiplsiMPG21PLBgiwumtU6XUyJNmZCzdkG4pcSZjbBgi4g-5ltoSGLn-pw/s400/800px-Workers_stadium_internal_field.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#000066;">SPURS IN BARCLAYS ASIA TROPHY</span></strong><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="justify">Tottenham Hotspur will participate in this summer's Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing, China, along with West Ham United, Hull City and Beijing Guoan.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The four-team knock-out tournament will take place over two match days with a final to determine the winner and a play-off to decide third place. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Spurs kick off proceedings against West Ham United on Wednesday July 29, kick off 11am (7pm Malta time), followed by Hull City against Beijing Guoan, kick off 1.30pm (9.30pm Malta time). </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The winners of each fixture will contest the final on Friday, July 31, kick-off 1.30pm (9.30pm Malta time) immediately after the third and fourth play-off, kick off 11am (7pm Malta time).</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">All games will take place at the Workers Stadium, one of the sites used for football matches at the 2008 Olympic Games.</div><br /><div align="justify">The Barclays Asia Trophy, which began in 2003, is held every two years in Asia and contested between three Premier League clubs and a local team from the host nation.</div></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-49315966925626032192009-06-03T19:58:00.002+02:002009-06-03T20:03:45.360+02:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000066;">INTERVISTA MA' HARRY REDKNAPP</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#000066;">Din l-intervista ta' Mark Mizzi ma' Harry Redknapp saret wara r-rebha ta' 1-0 fuq WBA f'White Hart Lane u giet pubblikata f' L-Orizzont il-Hamis 7 ta' Mejju 2009</span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000066;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><br />Fil-jiem li ghaddew attendejt ghal-loghoba tal-Premier League bejn Tottenham u West Bromich Albion f’White Hart Lane. Ma kinitx xi loghoba klassika u ecitanti. West Bromich Albion riedu l-punti biex jippruvaw jevitaw ir-relegazzjoni filwaqt li Tottenham ghadhom bic-cans li jispiccaw fis-7 post u hekk jikkwalifikaw ghall-Europa Cup li se tiehu post it-Tazza UEFA.</div><div align="justify"><br />Izda matul id-90 minuta deher car fejn kienet l-akbar motivazzjoni. Tottenham, minkejja li rebhu b’gowl wahdani ta’ Jermaine Jenas, laqtu l-lasta u kellhom gowl imhassar ghal offside dubjuz, fl-ebda hin ma wrew xi entuzjazmu specjali. </div><div align="justify"><br />Min naha taghhom WBA ghamlu dak kollu li setghu biex jiehdu l-punti u wiehed jista’ jghid li kienu sfortunati li ma hadu xejn mil-loghoba. Wahda mir-ragunijiet li zammet lil WBA milli jiehdu xi haga kienet bla dubju ta’ xejn il-wirja brillanti tal-gowlkiper Brazilan ta’ Tottenham Heurelho Gomes. Wara bidu inkonsisatenti u mimli paprati, dan il-gowlkiper qed juri l-potenzjal veru tieghu. </div><div align="justify"><br />Propju ftit wara li ntemmet il-loghoba, grazzi ghall-agent tal-futbol Carly Barnes, gejt mistieden biex niltaqa’ mal-maniger ta’ Tottenham Harry Redknapp u nehodlu xi kummenti.<br />Mal-wasla tieghu fid-dressing-room fejn iltqajna Redknapp laqatni ghal kemm hu "approachable" u kemm hu facli titkellem mieghu. Redknapp huwa maniger li jmur tajjeb hafna mal-midja u fil-hin li ltqajt mieghu ikkonfermajt dan. Ma jiddejjaqx jitkellem, fl-ebda hin ma jtik l-impressjoni li jixtieq qieghed x’imkien iehor u kultant donnu ma jiddejjaqx jisvela affarijiet li manigers ohra jiddejqu jkitkellmu dwarhom. </div><div align="justify"><br />Tkellimna dwar id-decizioni tieghu li jhalli lil Portsmouth biex jinghaqad ma’ Tottenham. Qabel mar Londra huwa kellu offerta minghand Newcastle li rrifjuta. Dakinhar kien qal li ma hassx li kellu jhalli lil Portsmouth anki b'rispett lejn il-plejers li hu kien ikkonvinca jiffirmaw ma' Pompey. Ma' Tottenham mexa b'mod differenti u l-offerta giet accettata.</div><div align="justify"><br />"Tottenham huwa klabb specjali. Meta giet l-opportunita ma stajtx inhalliha tghaddi. Ghalija kien difficli hafna nhalli lil Portsmouth pero din kienet l-okkazjoni ta' hajjti...naf l-istorja tal-klabb, kont naf uhud mill-plejers...kien prattikament impossibbli nirrifjuta".</div><div align="justify"><br />Staqsejtu jekk id-decizjoni tieghu tfissirx li ghalih Tottenham ghandom potenzjal akbar minn Newcastle. Qbilna li Newcastle huwa klabb kbir, izda ghal Redknapp, ir-risposta qieghda fil-klassifika. </div><div align="justify"><br />"Jekk tara fejn qeghdin Tottenham illum u fejn qeghdin Newcastle, ir-risposta hija ovvja. Newcastle qeghdin f'inkwiet kbir". Redknapp jahseb li finalment ha l-ahjar decizjoni. "Irrifjutajt lil Newcastle u bqajt ma' Portsmouth fejn irbaht l-FA Cup. Imbaghad hassejt li wassalt lil Portsmouth sa fejn nista' nwassalhom. Kien wasal iz-zmien li niccaqlaq".</div><div align="justify"><br />Min jaf kieku Redknapp ma qalx le lil Magpeis is-sitwazzjoni kinitx tkun bil-kontra?</div><div align="justify"><br />Taht Redknapp ir-rizultati ta' Tottenham tjiebu mil-lejl ghan-nhar. Bhal f'hafna kazijiet ohra fejn kien hemm bidla fil-maniger hafna kritici ikkumentaw li l-bidla fir-rizultati kienet sempliciment rizultat tal-bidla tal-maniger infisha. Donnu l-maniger il-gdid ma jkollu ebda mertu hlief il-fatt li hu gdid. Ghamiltha cara li ma naqbilx ma’ din it-teorija u nemmen li la r-rizultati jkunu nbidlu, xi haga differenti tkun qed issir.</div><div align="justify"><br />Redknapp qal li l-kunfidenza tilghab parti importanti hafna fl-andament tat-tim. Huwa stqarr li meta ha t-tim f'idejh sab grupp ta' plejers b'moral baxx u minghajr ebda kunfidenza fihom infushom. </div><div align="justify"><br />Biex dahhlilhom il-fiducja fihom infushom ghamel xi haga li tista' tidher semplici u elementari. "Naf li tinstema' stupida izda hafna plejers ma kienux qed jilghabu fil-pozizzjoni taghhom. Tottenham kienu tim mimli plejers jilghabu f'pozizzjonijiet li m'humiex komdi fihom. Minhabba f'hekk qatt ma setghu ikunu kunfidenti u jaghtu l-ahjar taghhom. Tkellimt maghhom u biddilt il-pozizzjonijiet ta' certu plejers. Dawn mill-ewwwel irrispondew u r-rizultati bdew gejjin".</div><div align="justify"><br />Redknapp qal ukoll li t-tim kien zbilancjat u hu hadem biex jirranga din il-problema. Dan il-bilanc wassal ghal aktar konsistenza u meta r-rizultati jibdew gejjin tibda gejja wkoll il-kunfidenza. "Dahhalt lil Lennon fit-tim, Modric beda jilghab ahjar u Ledley King irritorna minn injury. Meta jilghab King rari nitilfu. Sfortunatament ghandu l-problema ta' rkopptu izda meta ma laghabx emmint f'Dawson u dan irrisponda b'wirjiet kbar"</div><div align="justify"><br />Ledley King ibati minn injuru f'irkopptu li ma thalliehx jilghab aktar minn loghoba wahda f'gimgha. Fil-fatt dan rari jittrenja u jghaddi l-granet bejn loghoba u ohra fil-pool, fis-sala tat-terapija u fil-gym. Il-mistoqsija fuq mohh kull partitarju ta' Tottenham hija jekk dan jistax jerga' lura ghan-normal. </div><div align="justify"><br />Skond Redknapp dan mhux se jsehh. "Le. King qatt m'hu se jkun jista' jittrenja regolarment. Il-bierah (lejlet il-loghoba) kienet l-ewwel darba li rajnieh din il-gimgha. Meta johrog fit-training grawnd ikun jista' biss jaghmel fti jogging, stretching u affarijiet zghar ohra". Redknapp spjega kif ikun biss lejlet il-loghoba li jkun jaf jekk King hux se jkun tajjeb ghal-loghob, "...u wara kull loghoba rkopptu tkun id-doppju ta' li hi".</div><div align="justify"><br />Id-diskors waqa' fuq iz-zewg plejers ta' Tottenham Robbie Keane u Luka Modric. Tkellimna kif dawn jibdlu l-pozizzjoni taghhom kontinwament waqt il-loghoba u kemm huma mportanti ghat-tim.</div><div align="justify"><br />Redknapp qal li dawn huma, "...zewg plejers intelligenti hafna, jafu l-importanza tal-moviment bla ballun u jikkaverjaw hafna lil xulxin. Emmint li dawn iz-zewg plejers ikunu tajba hafna flimkien u qed ituni ragun".</div><div align="justify"><br />Minn din id-diskussjoni fuq it-tattika tkellimna dwar il-manigers in generali u esprimejt id-dizappunt tieghi ghal kif il-midja tipprogetta lill-manigers barranin bhala tatticisti kbar fil-waqt li tpoggi lil manigers Inglizi f'qoffa wahda taht it-timbru ta' motivaturi. Hafna drabi il-manigers Inglizi jigu mpingija li jibbazaw il-loghoba fuq il-passjonin aktar milli fuq l-intelligenza tattika.</div><div align="justify"><br />Redknapp ma jaqbel xejn ma dan u din il-generalizazzjoni ddejqu. Huwa jemmen li hemm hafna manigers Inglizi tajbin filwaqt li fil-parti l-kbira il-manigers barranin kienu fortunati.<br />"Hafna manigers barranin gew imexxu lit-tmijiet il-kbar li jispiccaw regolarment fl-ewwel erba’ postijiet. Dan jaghmlilhom il-hajja aktar facli. Kieku l-istess manigers titfaghhom fis-sitwazzjoni ta' West Bromich Albion nahseb isibuha difficli hafna u r-rizultati ma jkunux l-istess. Intenni li hawn hafna manigers Inglizi jew Brittanici tajbin u nixtieq li xi darba dawn il-manigers jinghataw cans mal-klabbs il-kbar"</div><div align="justify"><br />La semmejna l-klabbs il-kbar staqsejtu x'jahseb li jonqoshom Tottenham biex ikunu tassew jistghu jiccalingjaw ghal post ma' ta' fuq. Redknapp jemmen li Tottenham ghandhom bzonn tnejn jew tlett plejers ohra fis-Sajf biex ikunu tassew tim tajjeb. </div><div align="justify"><br />"Iridu jkunu plejers tajbin. Plejers li jinsabu fl-ahjar taghhom u mhux plejers b'potenzjal. Naf liema setturi irrid insahhah u naf lil min irrid". Bi tbissima Redknapp kompla, "...izda mhux se nghidlek min huma ghax lanqas lic-Chairman ghadni ma ghidt".</div><div align="justify"><br />Redknapp rega' tkellem dwar il-bilanc fit-tim u qal li din il-problema indirizzaha bl-akkwsit ta' Wilson Palacios minghand Wigan. "Palacios jaghti kollox ghal flokk, huwa f'sahhtu, aggressiv u fl-istess hin kapaci jilghab il-ballun. Ghandu kollox u l-partitarji jhobbuh ghax jarawh jistinka".</div><div align="justify"><br />Staqsejtu jekk Tottenham ghandhomx jistennew plejers ohra tast-tip ta' Palacios izda r-risposta kienet wahd diplomatika. "Hemm zewg setturi li rrid insahhah. Naf liema huma imma mhux iz-zmien li nisvelahom".</div><div align="justify"><br />Minn Palacios Redknap mexa ghal plejers ohra u qalli kif fl-opinjoni tieghu il-progress li ghamel id-difensur laterali Assou Ekotto kien, "...inkredibbli... jaf li nemmen fih, nahdem mieghu kuljum, jaf li jekk jaghmel zball mhux bilfors se jitlef postu ghax nemmen fih...dan kollu mlieh bil-kunfidenza u l-fiducja fih innifsu. Ghal plejer m'hemm xejn aghar mill-fatt li jilghab bil-biza' li jekk jaghmel zball se jitlef postu" Redknapp qal ukoll li Ekotto qed jigi meghjun mil-pozizzjoni ta'Modric fuq il-linja. </div><div align="justify"><br />Redknapp ghalaq billi kkummenta wkoll dwar il-gowlkiper Heurelho Gomes u kif dan rega' ghall-ahjar tieghu. Apparti l-kunfidenza Redknapp attribwixxa hafna mill-mertu lil Tony Parks li gie ngaggat bhala kowc tal-gowlkipers mill-istess Redknapp. </div><div align="justify"><br />"Tony Parks ghamel bicca xoghol kbira. Jahdem ma' Gomes kuljum, jitkellem mieghu u jibnilu l-fiducja fih innifsu. Ir-rizultati qed jidhru". Il-forma ta' Gomes qed thalli lil Carlo Cudicini fuq il-bank. Redknapp qal li Cudicini mhux kuntent fuq il-bank u hu jiddispjacih hafna ghal dan il-gowlkiper. Izda l-wasla tal-gowlkiper Taljan ma’ Tottenham gabet il-kompetizzjoni ghal Gomes u, ironikament, Cudicini stess ghin lil Gomes isib il-forma tieghu u jzommu barra mit-tim.</div><div align="justify"><br />Qabel hallejt lil Redknapp jitlaq ghal impenji ohra ma stajtx ma nsemmilux lil Michael Mifsud. Naf li Redknapp kien interessat li jiehu lill-internazzjonali Malti ma' Portsmouth u staqsejtu x'jahseb mic-cansijiet li xi darba naraw lil Mifsud fil-Premier League.</div><div align="justify"><br />"Huwa plejer tajjeb hafna. Segwejtu meta kien ma' Coventry u nahseb li hu plejer ecitanti. Huwa plejer ta' talent kbir u ghandu l-velocita favur tieghu. Issa ghandu bzonn jghaddi minn fazi ta' konsistenza u minn hemm inkunu nistghu nibdew nitkellmu dwar il-Premier League. Nahseb jista' jghmilha. Kull ma jrid hu li tigi l-opportunita"</div><div align="justify"><br />U b'dik il-laqta lokali ghalaqna d-diskussjoni taghna u Harry telaq ghal aktar laqghat. Min jaf? Forsi mar jitkellem mac-cermen ta' Tottenham biex itarraflu dawk l-ismijiet li s'issa zamm mistura.</div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26651311.post-19178015081944519312009-05-16T09:13:00.002+02:002009-05-16T09:21:18.350+02:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5nIeEO0-oG5cZdQxfvI12sdYzMVd57Dmfak56a3biy960SmRWzRxvfZdSfG-9gyqA-iczQv2bVfnbPHRhMgPgTSsQQQe0sbcw5uHPv3rYoxMNFOWZxQxWvyMuVokf6Kuf7DZ8A/s1600-h/Luka-Modric-of-Tottenham--001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336316856611482066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5nIeEO0-oG5cZdQxfvI12sdYzMVd57Dmfak56a3biy960SmRWzRxvfZdSfG-9gyqA-iczQv2bVfnbPHRhMgPgTSsQQQe0sbcw5uHPv3rYoxMNFOWZxQxWvyMuVokf6Kuf7DZ8A/s400/Luka-Modric-of-Tottenham--001.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#330099;">INTERVIEW WITH LUKA MODRIC</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#330099;">This interview appeared on <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/">www.guardian.co.uk</a></span></em></strong></div><p align="justify">Luka Modric trots past the training pitch at Spurs Lodge with the air of a man who believes he belongs. His studs casually click-clack along the path. He knows his way around the place, nods to friendly faces, feels comfortable with his game. But it was not always thus.</p><p align="justify">Rewinding to the beginning of his English adventure, Modric recalls the bewilderment he felt as a new face, a signature signing, in a team that began falling to bits the moment the season kicked off. Tottenham failed to win a league game for the first two months. Mistakes ruled. Morale evaporated. The club – sold to him as a slice of the big time – instead felt crushed with worries.</p><p align="justify">Modric wondered whether he had made a poor choice in joining this troubled corner of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premierleague">Premier League</a>. During his final season at Dinamo Zagreb there had been abundant transfer speculation about Barcelona and Chelsea, but Tottenham's persistence, and willingness to spend £16.5m, had won the day. "It was very difficult for me because I didn't expect such a start," he admits. Difficult enough to feel like a mistake? "Soon I had that impression. I was thinking what could I do to improve things, and whether I might be partly to blame."</p><p align="justify">His waif's physique might suggest otherwise, but in character Modric is deceptively steely. Despite understandable doubts, he hung in there until the storm abated. "In spite of that start I never doubted myself, or that the results would change. Now we can see that it's better, and there is no more pressure. Of course it's much easier since we didn't have to think about relegation."</p><p align="justify">Tottenham are thinking in a much more positive direction. They are in the shake-up for the remaining Europa Cup slot for next season along with Fulham, West Ham and today's opponents at White Hart Lane, Manchester City. It might look like the clumsiest European competition ever created and prove to be a headache in disguise for managers, but players want to be in Europe. Modric is no exception.</p><p align="justify">The international stage makes him tick. It is when he talks about his experiences with Croatia that his personality, his passion, breaks out of its shell. His landmark appearance in the red-and-white-chequered shirt occurred in 2007 just a few miles round the North Circular at Wembley. As Croatia beat England, celebrated an historic double and secured their qualification to Euro 2008, it was clear that Modric had the ability to shine outside of his home nation on the biggest of stages.</p><p align="justify">"That was the game," Modric smiles. "Beforehand the important thing was [the coach] Slaven Bilic came to me and said, 'Luka, you have played so many good games you don't need to prove yourself to anybody today. Just be yourself. Don't feel under pressure and things will turn out the right way.' That's what happened."</p><p align="justify">The atmosphere in the away dressing room that night has stuck in his mind ever since. "Fenomenalno," he breezes. "It was a great feeling. Playing for Croatia means everything. It's completely different to playing for a club. So much more emotions. Because of all the bad things that were happening in the war we really, really appreciate playing for Croatia and we cannot wait to play another match."</p><p align="justify">Come the end of the season, Modric will rejoin his compatriots in trying to improve a World Cup qualification campaign that has turned upside down the fortunes. Now it is England who have the upper hand, while Croatia have it all to do.</p><p align="justify">Naturally, when Fabio Capello's team came away from Zagreb with a devastating 4–1 victory last September it was not so fenomenalno. You can imagine how challenging a time it was for Modric, coming as it did in the midst of Tottenham's blue period.</p><p align="justify">Modric sums up the transformation in England using only one word: Capello. "The players are more or less the same but the difference is the coach, who gave them the confidence they were missing. He is one of the best in the world who can achieve a lot.</p><p align="justify">"To be honest, we haven't started the campaign well and England have a big advantage at the moment. The most important game is the next one, in June against Ukraine, who are our main rival for second place. But we are still not giving up the possibility of being first. If we win every game and England have a bad result somewhere, it can happen."</p><p align="justify">Modric looks forward constantly. It is his reaction to a childhood scarred by the Balkan conflict of the 90s, which came with great personal loss when his grandfather was killed. It is something he is loth to rake over any more. "You can't forget, but you need to look to the future."</p><p align="justify">Football offered some normality for a boy who pinned posters of his idol, Zvonimir Boban, on his walls, and Modric practised as often as possible. "My parents still took me to training sessions, I played in the schoolyard and also in front of the house where we lived. So no problems," he says. Moving from the seaside at Zadar, where he had grown up, to the capital to join Dinamo Zagreb was a culture shock. But that was nothing compared to his next move, on loan to Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia. It was a none too subtle manoeuvre by Dinamo designed to toughen the kid up. Suffice to say he went a boy and returned a man.</p><p align="justify">Modric grins bashfully. "I was 17. It really helped me because it is a very rough, tough league to play in. You get a lot of hits. The referees let many things go. The country is divided into the Serbian, Muslim and Croatian parts, so if you were a Croatian team going into one of the other parts, there was extra pressure from the fans and referees succumbed to that. Nobody was at liberty to break your leg but the tackles were very rough."</p><p align="justify">Obviously he would prefer his football to be more about technique than physique, but at the end of a season of adaption at Tottenham, Modric has shown the doubters that he can handle it. Only two outfield players have had more minutes on the pitch than him – Jonathan Woodgate and Vedran Corluka.</p><p align="justify">Brute strength was always the burning question with Modric, who admits there were times he feared his size would count against his aspirations. Notably, if you stood him side by side next to Lionel Messi, there is no question one is slighter than the other. Harry Redknapp sends Modric to the gym to develop his stamina, but also reckons he is stronger than he looks. "Luka has been brilliant. He is a special player and he's not a lightweight either. He has shown he can mix it with the big boys." Redknapp has said he wants to build his team around Modric. Next season will be a major one for the both of them.</p><p align="justify">"Overall I have adjusted very well here but I'm missing very much my friends in Croatia," Modric muses. "At the beginning it was strange coming to such a huge, huge city but I like to play here very much and I am settled here."</p><p align="justify">The next step is to experience some fenomenalno moments with Tottenham. "I think we are in a good position," he says. "It's difficult to predict if it will take a year or two but I don't think we are too far off. I am really looking forward to next season because I don't believe we can possibly have such a bad start again."</p><p align="justify"><em>Modric was at the Kickz tournament, put on by </em><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/tottenham-hotspur"><em>Tottenham Hotspur</em></a><em> Foundation, in partnership with the Football Foundation and the Home Office's It Doesn't Have To Happen anti-knife crime campaign</em></p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#330099;"></span></div>Malta Yid 1882http://www.blogger.com/profile/10081592611056119851noreply@blogger.com0