Archive for June, 2008
Did they, USA, think that this stupid move will work?! Creating a news channel in the Middle East and publicly announcing that it is backed by the government of USA, actually the U.S. government spent $350 dollars from taxpayers on this project, if they just asked, they would have known that this project is simply not going to work. The funny thing is that they thought they will be spreading democracy in the Middle East through such a channel.
So although here in the Middle East we know for a fact that its a flop, you know there in U.S. they love surveys and polls, so a new survey done in six countries in the Middle East stated that only two percent tune to the channel as a first choice for news source.
“Arabs sit in their homes in front of the television, and they surf like crazy,” said Hisham Melhem, a Washington-based anchor for al-Arabiya. “You rarely find someone who says they watch al-Hurra. It may be number 10 on their dial. But definitely not first, not second, not third, not fourth.”
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June 24th, 2008
Italy OUT of Euro 2008
Spain to the Semi Finals
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June 23rd, 2008
The Netherlands went in to this game expected to win after incredible results in the group stages, including beating both of the 2006 World Cup Finalists (France and Italy) by three goals each time. Russia were expected to be thrashed in this game after coming second in their group, but their final game against Sweden showed that they still may have some thing to offer after playing extremely good football.
Surprisingly, Russia started off the better team, with lots of possession and some good chances, with Kolodin with three shots from way out side the penalty area resulting in good saves and extremely near misses.
Although Russia dominated, the Dutch had good chances, and Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy should have put Holland one up after a brilliant free kick was inches away from his boot, and although Russia had more chances, the Dutch chances were better, and the half time score was 0 – 0.
In the second half it was much the same story, with Russia leading the way and the Dutch having few chances, and it was on the sixty third minute when Roman Pavlyuchenko slotted the ball in to the near post after a brilliant cross. Their lead was canceled out on the eighty sixth minute though, when Van Nistelrooy headed from point blank range after a brilliant free kick from Sneidjer.
In the first period of extra time, Russia continued to dominate, and the Dutch looked more and more desperate, and it was in the second half of extra time when, on the one hundred and twelfth minute, Torbinsky tapped the ball home from less than a foot off the line after a cross looped over Van Der Sar’s head.
Russia confirmed their victory with four minutes remaining, when man of the match Andrei Arshavin’s deflected shot went through the legs of the Dutch keeper.
Overall a fine game, and whoever Russia face next out of Spain or Italy will be worried. Favorites Holland are out of the tournament though, and their fans will be truly disheartened, although the better team won.
Final Score:
Netherlands 1 – 3 Russia
Watch the four GOALS:
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June 22nd, 2008
Netherlands OUT of Euro 2008
Russia to the Semi Finals
Full Match Report Later Tonight
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June 22nd, 2008
This was the second quarter final of the tournament so far, with Croatia excelling in their group with three wins, including an impressive win over Germany. Turkey went in to this game after clinching the last eight spot with three very late goals in their last game against Czech Republic, meaning they came in to this game after finishing second in their group.
Croatia started well, playing some good football and keeping possession well. Turkey had a bit of possession, too, as well as a free kick that was expertly blocked by Nico Kovac. But it was just before the twenty minute mark when Croatia had a flurry of chances, with the best of which falling to Olic, who just needed to tap the ball in to the open goal, but the ball rebounded off him on to the crossbar and the ball came back out.
After that, there was no real action in the first half, although the game was relatively entertaining. Turkey had nearly two thirds of possession in the first period, as well as having more shots, but they didn’t utilize these statistics, and the game was goal less as they went in for the half time break.
The story was much the same in the second half, which Olic again missing crucial chances, and Turkey just about held on with expert saves, long clearances up the pitch and poor Croatian final touches. Because of this, the game went in to extra time.
This was by far the most exciting part of the game, and in the third period of the game, Turkey looked on top, playing brilliant football, and if they had been a bit more attacking it was fairly obvious that they would have scored, but the game went in to the fourth period goal less.
The second half of extra time belonged to Croatia, with some chances going astray before with ninety second left to play, a foolish error by the Turkish goal keeper meant that substitute Klasnic has an easy header, and Croatia thought they had won, but they hadn’t. A long ball forward from goal keeper Rustu caused some errors by the Croatian center backs, who let Senturk blast a shot in to the top corner from around eight yards, and the game went to penalties.
Croatia missed their first, third and fourth penalties with saves and two off target shots, with Turkey scoring all of their three penalties to go through to the semi finals to face Germany.
The game took around ninety minutes to warm up, but after that it got very exciting, although the best team lost, and Turkey shouldn’t really be where they are, but that’s not to take anything away from them, as they played brilliantly and ultimately scored more goals.
Final Score:
Croatia 1 – 1 Turkey
(Turkey win 3-1 on penalties)
Watch the GOALS:
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June 21st, 2008
Croatia OUT of Euro 2008
Turkey to the Semi Finals
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June 21st, 2008
This was the first quarter final of the competition, with Portugal coming top of their group with six points. Germany, however, looked shaky in the group stages, coming second in their group after a disappointing loss to Croatia.
Portugal started well, playing good football, but neither team really pressed in the first ten minutes or so. The Portuguese started to find their feet, and created a good opportunity or two that could have been turned in. But then, as we’ve seen so many times in this competition, a quick counter attack led to the first goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger applied the final touch after a bursting run and a superb cross from Klose meant an easy tap in.
It was just four minutes later when the Germans doubled their lead. A free kick from the left side of the pitch had pin point accuracy, and poor defending from the Portuguese meant that Klose had a free header to score his first goal of the tournament.
After that Germany looked extremely likely to add a second, playing extremely good football in both attack and defense, although a couple of off side decisions meant they couldn’t add another goal in the first half.
Portugal, however, added a goal before the half time whistle was blown, Nuno Gomes adding the final touch from a rebound after Jens Lehmann saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot.
In the second half the Germans started the brighter team, with some more good attacking play leading to another goal, extremely similar to the second. A free kick from the left, to the back post, and a little push from Michael Ballack meant that he had a bit more room to apply the finishing touch, and it looked like there was no way back for Portugal.
The Portuguese then found some confidence, but they simply couldn’t get through the German defense until late in the second half, Nani crossing for Postiga to head the ball in, bringing the Portuguese within just one goal of the Germans, but they couldn’t do enough to win it.
This was a very exciting game, with Germany dominating for the majority of the ninety minutes, and although the score line flatters the Portuguese a bit, they go home with nothing to show for their efforts, and Germany go through clear favorites for the semi final they will play against either Croatia or Turkey.
Final Score:
Portugal 2 – 3 Germany
Watch the five GOALS:
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June 20th, 2008
We waited and waited, and waited, some said its a done deal, some said it will happen today, tomorrow, next week. Now we can finally say that Samir Nasri who some like to call him “The New Zinedine Zidane” or “The Next Zidan” is a Gunner. Arsene Wenger was not the only one who wanted to sign Nasri, Athletico Madrid joined the bidding war and tried to affect the deal.
There were some issues in regarding to the wages, but either way it seemed that this was only going to be decided after Euro 2008. So France is out from Group Stages, less than two days later he is taking the medical and signing a four years deal with Arsenal. It had been said that Nasri had a buy-out clause of £13.5 Million.
He effectively can play on both wing sides, Nasri have scored six goals in thirty matches he played for Marseille.
Does this signing have any direct effect on who is leaving Arsenal?, Milan are heavily after Adebayor and it sure looks like he will be their man eventually, and hleb, who Nasri is believed to be filling his place, is wanted by Inter and Barca, but he is heading to Barcelona because I think Inter Milan will be getting Roma’s Mancini instead.
Samir Nasri is a very talented player, a great addition to Arsenal, but what is next? We clearly need more players, Arsene Wenger needs to get an established player, like Nasri who is great, but we need more players in other positions. Around two months are left, lets see what happens.
And now have a look at the new gem that joined the Gunners:
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June 20th, 2008
Portugal OUT of Euro 2008
Germany to the NEXT Round
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June 20th, 2008
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