Ode to the beautiful game 2

[Buzz]

Rumour has it that Mourinho has signed a three year deal with Man U, but there has been no official announcement yet.

 

[Buzz]

BBC is now reporting a deal gas been reached and the official announcement is expected tomorrow.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36392384

 

[Buzz]

It is now official! Mourinho is Manchester United's new manager!
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/27/jose-mourinho-appointed-manchester-united-manager

 

[Buzz]

Congrats to Real! I was not able to watch the game but I did see final few minutes. I really hoped Atlético would be able to pull it off but alas they could not. But they did have a fantastic season!

 

[Katha]

Yeah, tight and interesting match. I think what it came down to is that Real didn't have scruples a la Barcelona or Bayern to beat AM at their own game. They didn't fall into the trap of opening up too much, trying to make the game, only to get choked to death by Atletico in a 1:0 defensive performance. So AM had to get that equalizer and do more for the game, I actually thought they fell back too much into their usual habits after they scored the 1:1. They didn't force enough for a winning goal right after, and then Real got their bearings again and then both teams were too tired. Great penalties by Real, though. Not a doubt on any of them, though you have to question Oblak standing there like a statue (he was great in the match, though, saving a few good attempts from Real).

 

[sweetsparky]

I felt bad for Atleti cause one of my friend is a big fan and they are such underdog team. Now there are rumours Simeone could not stay longer but move to a bigger team, probably to the Premier.

I thought that Real Madrid wouldn´t be able to stand the overtime cause they couldn´t make a change and some players (especially Bale) looked really exhausted, but Atleti didn´t really looked dangerous in those 30 minutes.

My fav moments were when they played "Gladiator" theme when the teams entered the field and LOL the reactions of news commentators here commenting that all that Super Bowl imitation was not understood by fans cause it cut the usual (European) football rituals (songs, tifos, etc). So rude Euro I love Alicia Keys

And in rude Spanish about the strange (nightly) costumes of Real Madrid "once copas y no liga "

 

[Buzz]

Mexican International Alan Pulido was kidnapped yesterday at gunpoint after leaving a party in the city of Ciudad Victoria with his girlfriend. Hope he is returned home safely.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36409366

 

[Buzz]

Pulido has been freed safe and sound.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36411384

 

[alexikeguchi]

I didn't want to post in the Euro Cup thread about the Copa America, but is anyone else following? Today's matches were much more scintillating than those in Europe, especially since the last group stage matches are in progress to determine who advances. After an opening round loss to Colombia, the US crushed Costa Rica and gutted out a match v Paraguay today after having a player sent off at the beginning of the second half. Then, Costa Rica did us a huge favor by beating Colombia in the match of the day (IMO), so we actually ended up winning the group. I expect Peru or Ecuador will be next up in the QF, so hopefully we can continue to advance. Our team is very fickle, but they have been playing really well lately.

 

[oleada]

I'm following. Colombia was playing its B squad. They were awful tho. My brother is not too unhappy because they'll play in NJ now and he can go.

 

[Buzz]

I am but I was wondering why Copa America and the Euros were being run almost simultaneously.

Congrats to the U.S.! Wish all the teams tonight good luck but unfortunately I just will not be able to watch.

 

[Buzz]

Ecuador is leading Haiti 2-0 in the first half. I so wanted the Haitians to do well.

 

[alexikeguchi]

My brother is not too unhappy because they'll play in NJ now and he can go.

That's lucky for him! I had gotten Seattle venue passes for my sons, thinking that my older one would be working in Portland, where he attends college, or Seattle this summer. However, he got an internship in NYC instead, so he'll miss out. We will all be going to the final in NJ, though, regardless of who is playing. We have been to the past two World Cups but have never seen Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, or even Mexico play live.

 

[Buzz]

Got home tonight to see Peru knocked Brazil out of Copa America because of an apparent handball!
http://www.goal.com/en/match/brazil-vs-peru/2178764/report

 

[beepbeep]

I can't help but laugh at this

 

[alexikeguchi]

Last night's match between Mexico and Venezuela was very high energy and entertaining. There was another handball miss which affected the results, but the two goals scored were absolute beauties.

 

[Buzz]

It is not easy to find these games on TV at all

 

[Lara]

It is not easy to find these games on TV at all

Yeah, it's only on Univision in Canada which is unfortunate if you don't speak Spanish. I have it on channel 867 with Bell Fibe.
(btw, how pathetic do we have to be not to qualify for the tournament?)

 

[Buzz]

But not surprising unfortunately.

 

[alexikeguchi]

Yeah, it's only on Univision in Canada which is unfortunate if you don't speak Spanish.

In the US, only about half the group matches have been on Fox Sports. However, sometimes I'll switch over to Univision even for those because it's so much more fun to listen to the Spanish commentators!

 

[alexikeguchi]

I'm so sorry I couldn't use my tickets for the US/Ecuador quarter. It wasn't pretty, but it had everything... Goals, should-have-been goals, multiple red cards, passion, massive decibel level. I hope the final is as much fun.

 

[Buzz]

I'm envious!

 

[Lara]

(((Ochoa))) Nightmare night for Mexico and there's 12 minutes left. This could actually exceed Germany's rout of Brazil.

 

[Buzz]

Jeepers Creepers!!! Chile won by 7-0!!!

 

[alexikeguchi]

Chile was en fuego and couldn't put a foot wrong. Mexico just gave up after about the third goal. It was painful to watch Mexico struggle, but Chile's play was just gorgeous. I also totally respect them for not backing off to take it easy for the next round. Apologies to Oleada, but weighing Colombia's performance against Peru with Chile's against Mexico, I hope Chile is in the final.

 

[Buzz]

Russia's national team coach Leonid Slutsky has resigned and national team is in shambles.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/russia...ws-soccer-crisis-ahead-of-world-cup-1.2954844

 

[Buzz]

Congrats to Argentina on reaching the final but I was routing for the U.S. and I'm crushed by that 4-0 score line!

 

[Buzz]

India with help from FIFA is launching a football program aimed at getting more kids to play the sport. This new push is inspired by China's increased interest in the sport. The future looks interesting.
http://www.oneindia.com/sports/indi...fter-modi-rues-poor-fifa-ranking-2133944.html

 

[tamuno]

I was routing for the U.S. and I'm crushed by that 4-0 score line!

Why? Argentina basically played the match by themselves while US looked on. Don't you want to see a competitive match? US had no business playing the semi-final even though they got there fair and square. They should have just defaulted instead of standing still on the pitch.

 

[alexikeguchi]

Being American, I would have loved if the US had made the final, but I think the two best teams survived the draw. It's kind of funny that both the final and third place games are rematches from the first group stage pairings.