23
May

Oh boy.

A referee of a German amateur soccer game confused goalposts in perhaps the most unique officiating gaffe we’ve seen in a long time.

Playing on a pitch that also serves as a football field (the other football), Oberliga sides Altona 93 and Vier-und Marschlande were stunned when a V&M player scored a goal after the ball had bounced off the yellow upright of the football goal post and back into play.  Mistaking the yellow upright for the goal’s crossbar, the referee amazingly let the goal stand!

22
May

Psychic animals picking Champions League winner

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The animals are at it again. Nelly the Elephant has triumphantly declared that Bayern Munich will defeat Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final. This isn’t Nelly’s first rodeo, she correctly predicted 4 of the 5 Germany matches in the Euro 2012 tournament, and she hopes to get back on track with her Bayern Munich selection.

Some other animals are not as optimistic about Bayern’s chances.

Walter the Orangutan has selected the underdog Dortmund side to come out victorious, though Walter is from a Dortmund zoo so he may be a bit biased. Joining Walter on the Dortmund bandwagon are a pair of otters in Aue Favor Dortmund as well as a tapir in Leipzig zoo.

In England, Nicholas the Llama correctly predicted both an FA Cup and Champions League victory for Chelsea last year.

All of these animals just hope to live up to the legend of Paul the Octopus:

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During the 2010 World Cup, Paul the Octopus correctly predicted all seven of Germany’s matches, as well as correctly choosing Spain to defeat Netherlands in the final.

Paul unfortunately died of natural causes in 2010, but he had become so legendary in his native Germany that a golden statue was erected in his honor.

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22
May

Brooklyn Beckham trains with QPR, close to joining Academy

Beckham could be back in the Premier League before we know it, Brooklyn Beckham that is.

David Beckham’s 14-year-old son has been training with recently relegated Queens Park Rangers and while reports have said that he has signed, QPR has confirmed that those reports were a little quick on the trigger.

We may have to wait a little longer for a Beckham to be playing for England again, but at least Brooklyn is on the right track. He could probably just show this video of him putting the moves on PSG defender Thiago Silva earlier this year.

22
May

Trecker’s Travels, Day Fourteen: All quiet

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Photo: Jamie Trecker / FOX Soccer

By Jamie Trecker

LONDON - The city is quiet, pummeled into depression by a spring that has been anything but spring-like. The markets that line Camden Town and London Bridge, selling summer dresses and tank tops, have been despairing of takers. Most of their time has been spent sitting about, smoking cigarettes and swearing baroquely.

The Germans are coming, or so the papers tell us each morning. The problem is, they aren’t here yet, and when they get here, it’s unclear exactly what they will do. For reasons known only to UEFA, the Champions League fan fest won’t open until Thursday, and it is about as far from Wembley as one can get – it’s across London in Stratford. And news about the tournament? Well, once suspects that since no English team is in it, the less said the better.

In Trafalgar Square, across from the National Gallery, one of the viewing boards was just being put up. But there was little hint of any of this in Wednesday’s papers. The news was of Tony Pulis’ departure, Wayne Rooney’s curious choice for a baby name and the tale of Manchester City’s latest foray abroad. (The Sun, never one to miss a chance to put the boot in, had Frank Lampard doing just that in an “exclusive” interview about Rafa Benitez. Go on, Frank!)

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Photo: Jamie Trecker / FOX Soccer

The fact is, London doesn’t seem very cheery about the prospect of this Champions League final. We heard tales of how 200,000 fans were going to descend on the city – and then little else. Did they not come? One enterprising vendor set up a stall with Germany’s national treat, the currywurst, only to find that at high noon, he was left reading the newspaper with a lot of left-over sausages. He and his cart had vanished by the time I returned this afternoon.

It all feels a bit anticlimactic. And yet, there is a game even further under the radar.

Read More

22
May

Now, any sports enthusiast knows to never mix soccer with American football. This video is just further proof as to why.

This game from the German amateur leagues saw some hilariously amateur refereeing. Altona 93 beat Vier-und Marschlande 3-1 in the match, but it was Altona’s opening goal that really raised the eyebrows.

Altona striker Patrick Westermann unleashed an excellent half-volley from 30 yards out, dumbfounding the Marschlande keeper who just managed to palm it away for a corner. Or so he thought. Unfortunately, with the game being played on an American football pitch, the ball rebounded off the goal and back into play.

It’s alright though. Surely the ref is gonna blow and call for a corner? Right? Nope. Play continues, the ball falls to Beytullah Atug and the striker finishes past the bemused goalie for an inexplicable goal.

Weird, but a lesson learned.

22
May

After winning the Copa Del Rey in dramatic fashion against arch-rivals Real, Atletico Madrid are in Singapore ahead of a charity exhibition match in the country.

So, how would you expect them to train and warm-up for the event? Well, by facing 128 kids in a preparation match, of course!

In the hilarious video, you’ll see Atleti taken to task by over a hundred youngsters. The sight of one of the best strikers in the world, Radamel Falcao, blazing over the bar with a ton of kids surrounding him will certainly stay in the memory!

Image taken from our colleagues at 101 Great Goals

22
May

Manchester City looks into striker swap

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It’s certainly going to be a busy summer for Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini’s departure has left them manager-less, and their relentless mission of European dominance will definitely continue into the coming months with some heavy investment.

First on the list appears to be Napoli’s Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker regularly tops the goal charts in Serie A, but he’ll come with a heavy price tag after building up a huge reputation in Europe. A possible makeweight for the deal has been touted as City’s top scorer this season, Edin Dzeko, who, despite the goals, still appears to be out-of-favor with the club.

As far as we can see that sounds a pretty good deal for all involved, but who else are City looking at? Also, what does the future hold for Gareth Bale, and where is Stevan Jovetic headed? Find out about these rumors and more over at today’s Paper Chase.

21
May

Manchester City, NY Yankees team up to own New York City FC

It was announced on Tuesday that Manchester City and the New York Yankees will be owners of the 20th team in MLS: New York City FC.

Baseball and soccer coming together? With their powers combined, NYC FC could become a wildly popular and successful club in the heart of the Big Apple.

We let our imaginations run wild at the thought of these two sports giants teaming up, and conjured up this alternate universe where Yankees captain Derek Jeter and City captain Vincent Kompany swapped lives…

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No, that just looks wrong. We like the universe just the way it is.