Y'all better be excited about the Emirates Cup!!!

We're going to lose the Emirates Cup.

Pinky <hugs>

Everyone looking forward to the new season kicking off next week?

Also you guys watching the World Cup qualifying draw?

reply to your comment on LSTDs, Hammi:
apologies to anyone who don't know what the hell I'm on about lol

Fine thanks, mate
How about you?

IRL sending off CVs trying to get an apprenticeship, waiting for replies and taking driving lessons
in league West Brom finished 11th just like IRL

Hope to see you around again (maybe in another league), old pal

spain and france in the same wc qualifying group...should be 2 good matches there !

comment by itsonlyagame (U6426) posted 1 day, 9 hours ago

England kicking off the U20WC any minute now.

France my bet for that.
---

I meant "France my bet to get thrashed 4-1 by the hosts in their opening game".

Utd beat Barça 2-1, anyone watch it? Only seen the goals - another corker from Thiago.

I see Connor Wickham scored his first goal for Sunderland. Good luck to the lad.

Two worthwhile reads from Sid:

On Málaga CF:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/07/28/malaga/index.html

On the idiocy of football fans & the general sports media:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/sid_lowe/07/04/gago.comments/index.html

Great goal by Sunu for France yesterday. Colombia's 2nd was lovely too - backheeled assist & v nifty cutback & finish from the striker.

IOAG

I watched the United Barca game.

Same systems as played at Wembley but United's central midfield played more like holding players than box to box players which made life very difficult for Barca.

Iniesta, Thiago and Busquets (played at CB) all did very well though I don't think Barca created a single clear goalscoring opportunity.

Sir Alex would have been very impressed by Cleverly and Wellbeck but I thought man of the match was Nani who was too skillful for Barca's pressing game and also showed alot of intelligence in his movement and defensive play.

thought the 4-1 win last night for spain was a little flattering. In the 2nd half they lost control of that match completely and costa rica should have made it 2-2.
Anyway, they looked v good in the 1st half, and winning the opening game takes the pressure off as far a qualifying from the group
u19 euro final tonight too

thought the 4-1 win last night for spain was a little flattering. In the 2nd half they lost control of that match completely and costa rica should have made it 2-2.
.................
I was referring to the U20 WC by the way

U-19 champions too!

Only tuned in during extra-time after we'd gone 2-1 down. Alcácer showed great control for both his goals. Only 17 too.

I really liked the look of R.Sociedad's Rubén Pardo - kid seemed to have a superb range of passing.

Someone pinch me - Spain are now European U-19 & U-21, European and World Champions!

Spanish TV commentator's were v impressed by one of the Czech CB's - can't remember the name but he's a Chelsea lad apparently.

Oh and AU, Nigeria opened their U-20 World Cup campaign trouncing Guatemala 5-0. England drew 0-0 again, vs Argentina this time. This means they have to beat Mexico in the final group game if they wish to qualify. France almost certain to go out if the lose to S.Korea tonight.

great match last night in the euro u19 final !
spain were losing 1-0 with 4 mins left

in E.T spain againg went behind and were 2-1 down after the first half..

but they showed great mental strength to turn the match around in the last 15 mins and win 3-2 !!

ioag got there first with his comment !

Deulofeu has amazing pace and has skills..but his crossing and decision making still need to be fine-tuned !

he played much better after spain fell behind..when he played with much more conviction

...and when the Czech FB was completely whacked...

Watched the Nigeria game, the team has pace, power and trickery. They'll take some stopping as they usually do at this level.

another difficult game for spain last night in the u20 WC. ecuador caused spain alot of problems and should have scored a goal or two !

Spain showed good resiliance though to come through and win 2-0.
Canales when he came on definitely gave spain an added cutting edge, with his sweet left foot, incisive passing and eye for a goal !

Didn't see the game - tbh I can't see Spain going all the way here, even though we're already through to the next round.

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia through too.

Watched R.Madrid friendly in China yday - some great goals and overall attacking play, though I've got to say the opposition was awful. The amount of attacking options we've got is absolutely stunning. I'm v interested to see what Sahin can bring to our midfield, because if there's a noticeable improvement in that dept I really think we could pose a real threat to Barça this season.

Chivas also scored a couple of stunning goals v Barça last night. 4-1!

Oooh, just reading AS, apparently Griezmann told L'Equipe he wants to join Atleti.

Atleti are definitely looking at some interesting players with the money they've got from the aguero sale. Diego is another one who has been linked with them..

Haven't watched madrid at all during the pre-season to be honest, but i agree if sahin lives up to his reputation, he should give us more control in midfield and dictating the tempo of matches.For the last few seasons we've only really had alonso in midfield who can control the tempo of matches (to a degree)..
alonso + sahin could be v good.

feeling a bit worried about RAF today (she used to do the La Liga threads on 606)
She's of Syrian descent, and is currently in Syria !
She is talking about alot of gunfire near where she is !

Hope she comes back to the UK soon !

odense v villarreal in the champions league qualifier..

good draw for villarreal...they should hopefully make it through to the group stage now

Del Bosque is being smart imo selecting thiago for the upcoming friendly in italy...

when he plays in an oficial match for the spain 1st team..it means he can't play for brazil (or the place of his birth italy ! )