I just heard the good news, Arsene Wenger will be one of the analysts in Aljazeera Sports Channel’s Euro 2008 coverage. I heard that some other big names might be there too, but for now this is the biggest name that I heard so far, it will be very interesting in hearing his say on the matches. And yet again Aljazeera Sports keeps surprising us. From now on I will expect anything, the sky is the limit.
3 comments June 1st, 2008
The European leagues ended, Real Madrid crowned champions of Spain, Inter Milan became the Italian champions again, and Manchester did the double with the league and champions league. And now comes the summer, but not your usually boring eventless summer, this summer we have UEFA Euro 2008.
After few days from now Euro 2008 will kickoff with Switzerland playing Czech Republic and Portugal against Turkey. Here in the Middle East to watch the championship you will need to subscribe to Aljazeera Sports channels, Usually people try to avoid subscribing with a pay TV service and try finding alternatives on other channels on other satellites such as Hotbird, but this scenario does not seem to be happening now because the fee to subscribe to Aljazeera Sports Channels is not expensive, its around 40 US Dollars per year, this is heaven compared to other pay TV in the region.
I have discusses the situation in regard to the Orbit subscibers before, and both sides still are saying the same thing.
Aljazeera Sports has launched a new website for Euro 2008, its in Arabic and am not sure if they will launch an English version. The website provides all information needed such as news, schedules, timings, history, photo album and results.
UEFA Euro 2008 groups goes as follows:
Group A: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey
Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland
Group C: Netherlands, Italy, Romania, France
Group D: Greece, Sweden, Spain, Russia
For the full match schedule you can go to either UEFA Euro 2008 website, or download as a PDF file or check Aljazeera Sport Channels Schedule.
Sphere: Related Content25 comments May 24th, 2008
Aljazeera Sports Channel +1 and +2 are available on ORBIT Network in the Middle East. But unfortunately it does not look like its going to stay like that for a long time, after the opening of Aljazeera Sports Channel +3 couple of months ago news surfaced stating that actually ORBIT will lose both Aljazerra Sports +1 and +2 by the summer or maximum by the end of 2008.
And this news now looks even more believable because of ORBIT failure in adding Aljazeera Sports Channel +3, but when I called ORBIT to ask about this issue I sensed a very relaxed tone when I was told that actually ORBIT has an eight years contract with Aljazeera on JSC +1 & +2. With all this going on we started reading new rumors that although Aljazeera +1 and +2 are available on ORBIT but still Euro 2008 will not be aired on ORBIT.
So that means you will need to directly subscribe with Aljazeera Sports Channels to be able to watch Euro 2008 which starts on the 7th of June and ends on the 29th of June 2008.
Ok, so Aljazeera will deny ORBIT subscribers the oppurtubity to watch Euro 2008, will Aljazeera really do it? My only guess is that they will end up broadcasting Euro 2008 on JSC +3 and maybe also +4 +5 channels to be able to get out of their contract with ORBIT.
In the end, even if Aljazeera allow ORBIT subscribers to watch Euro 2008 on JSC +1 and +2, we will still not going to be able to watch all the matches because its a known fact that some of the matches will actually air on JSC +3. The big surprise would be the ability of ORBIT to score a new deal and add all Aljazeera Sport Channels, but here is a small wisper in ORBIT’s ear “TIME IS MONEY”.
Sphere: Related Content7 comments May 14th, 2008
Barcelona is a troubled club now, so I expect we will be hearing many many news about many players moving from and to it. It is believed that a big number of players will most probably transfer from Barcelona this summer, after hearing that Ronaldinho and Zambrotta are moving to AC Milan and also that Thierry Henry will go back to the English Premier League, maybe going back to Arsenal, now it is the turn for some Eto’o rumors.
Ofcourse now we know that the AC Milan bid for Ronaldinho has failed, but when the news surfaced at first the thing seemed as a done deal.
Few hours after the big Barca failure in front of Real Madrid 4-1 we heard some news that Eto’o might transfer to Tottenham, then the news that maybe he will be exchanged with Adebayor, so he will go to Arsenal and Adebayor goes to Barcelona. I really really doubt that happening, but this latest news of him going to Inter Milan seems more believable.
The reports say that Inter Milan is preparing a 40 million Euros bid to capture him this summer, Inter Milan now is also trying to get Hleb, I guess that is a done deal, but Moratti now is also trying to get Ronaldinho. Moratti always likes to get big players, but will he be able to lure them to Inter Milan, he just failed getting Gerard after his 25 Million pounds bid was turned down by Liverpool.
Well, if Eto’o does come to Inter Milan that means Ibrahimovic will leave, so is it really worth it, can Ibra and Eto’o play side by side?? Well, actually yes why not, I can totally see them playing side by side, but it is too good to be true, Inter needs to be extra ready for the champions league next season, Ibrahimovic besides Eto’o makes a great attack. I know that some people will start shouting that maybe their style of play wont make them click upfront. Actually what does really matter now for Inter Milan is WHO IS THEIR MANAGER?? SHOULDNT THE MANAGER BE THE PERSON ASKING FOR PLAYERS? IS MANCINI IN OR OUT ?!!?!?!
2 comments May 11th, 2008
It is sort of a stretch that ten players are set to leave Barca in the summer, but some reports lately are saying that Barcelona are going to go through major rebuilding of the club this summer. It is sort of clear now that Frank Rijkaard is leaving and Mourinho is taking over.
Barcelona is rumored to sell Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Deco, Lilian Thuram, Edmilson, Rafa Márquez, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Gianluca Zambrotta, Santi Ezquerro and Sylvinho. Some Other rumors also state that Etoo might head to Tottenham.
It does seem a but too much, but I think Barcelona should do something as big as this to be able to compete next season. Although as a Real Madrid fan I wish they stay clueless the same way they are.
Now on the other hand, Barcelona’s shopping list is huge, they have around 40 names to choose from. They must be waiting for Mourinho to take over and choose.
The rumored names on Barca’s Shopping list are as follows:
Defense:
Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna) and Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander)
Midfield:
Seydou Keita and Christian Poulsen (Sevilla), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Attack:
Karim Benzema (Lyon) and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax)
5 comments May 2nd, 2008
News of the World is claiming that Henry is looking forward for the summer to leave Barcelona, its also believed that he prefers to be back to EPL, specifically London. Well we all know that he did struggle this season he only scored 7 goals from his 25 appearances, so the news was not a shock to many people who follow his news.
So its not wether he would leave or not, its where is he heading. Many Arsenal fans are looking forward for him to be back where he left last season, but I really doubt that happening. Actually I see that Arsenal is better without Henry, and don’t look to our status now we did suffer heavily from injuries. I think the players felt more at ease when Henry left and they became more creative, I believe that Arsene Wenger himself wont allow him to be back.
But the excuse he is using to leave Barca is that he is not seeing his daughter “Tea” as much as he wants after he broke up with Claire Merry. So what?! he didn’t know this would happen before signing for Barcelona!! Please…. Anyway its expected that Chelsea will most likely end up getting his signature, other team such as Newcastle and Manchester City are also watching and trying but it would take something so special to lure him.
A while after “News of the World” broke the story the Barca chief dismissed the news and ruled out his move. But I guess this is just playing games.
Sphere: Related ContentAdd comment April 20th, 2008
On the 84th minute of the match and after letting us reach to the edge of insanity several times during the match, Fabregas scores a very nice and strange goal from a far distance, and then very few minutes later Wallcott crosses the ball to Adebayor to seal the deal and end the match victorious qualifying to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League 2007/2008. Amazing….
Click “More” to watch both goals….
Here are the goals..
Sphere: Related ContentAdd comment March 5th, 2008
Arsene Wenger is the ultimate superstar maker, he gets youngsters and within couple of seasons they become wanted by all clubs in the world, and I respect him for that, and I am always happy to hear that new young talented players are joining Arsenal. The only thing I demand from Mr. Arsene Wenger is that I think we need at least one new player who is already a superstar, already a world class and who is already established talented player, you know those who we usually end up selling, such as Henry!
I really wish to see Wenger splash some cash to get a new FAMOUS player, I know everybody thinks that doing that might disrupt the harmony in the team, but I think it might be useful for the youngsters. Actually Wenger himself have said today that he was happy that Lehmann and Gilberto are staying and that it is good for the young players.
Anyway, lets talk about those two new players who do seem to be on their way to Arsenal during this winter transfer window, the first one is an English youngster, which is kind of strange as Wenger is not used to look for English players, with exception of Theo Walcott ofcourse. Luke Freeman is a very talented 15 years old striker who plays for Gillingham in League One. He made history when he became the youngest player to play in the FA Cup when he played for his club against Barnet.
Wenger is always criticized that his squad do not have enough English players, now he says that most of the youngsters he have are English and that he is very impressed by Luke Freeman and very interested in making him an Arsenal player very soon. He did admit that normally he would wait until a young player reaches the age of 17 or 18 but nowadays managers from all clubs are on the watch for those youngsters.
Arsene Wenger said: “I met the boy, I like him, his personality, he looks alert, He is a striker and at 15 years of age to play for the first team sometimes is something special.”
The other young talent that also might be on his way to Arsenal is Dentinho who is an 18 years old striker he plays for Corinthians in Brazil. The plan is to get him this month to get him used to the weather and get him ready to play next season. He have featured 4 times for his club bagging a goal in the process. He is one of the most wanted Brazilian youngsters. So Wenger seems to be looking for Strikers, and I still believe that Wenger needs to splash some cash to get a world class talent.
Add comment January 12th, 2008
Borussia Dortmund announced today that the deal to sign Jens Lehmann this winter collapsed after the player decided he rather stay with Arsenal. Lehmann’s contract with Arsenal expires in the summer, and Wenger have said earlier that he wont stand in the goalkeeper’s way to return to Germany, but it seems Lehmann believe he can regain his position and the trust of Arsene Wenger.
This is what he had to say today: “Although it would have been a very attractive challenge to play for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga once again, I have decided against taking this step due to personal reasons, I am sorry, particularly to disappoint the people responsible at Borussia Dortmund, who have tried very professionally to convince me to move and gave me sufficient time for consideration.”
Ofcourse the Germany coach Joachim Low and team manager Oliver Bierhoff backed Lehmann’s choice. Even Wenger stated today that he is happy Lehmann is staying and that he will be included in the next match against Birmingham. He said: “Lehmann will be on the bench, the indication I can give is that I am happy if he stays because he is an important player in the squad, like Gilberto also. We have such a young squad that these players have a big weight in the dressing room and a big input in the team. I am happy if they stay.”
Although am happy he is staying, but I find his decision a bit odd, he knows Almunia is number one now and it would take more than a couple of bad performances by Almunia to make Lehmann first choice again, what is he depending on, that Almunia is injured?? On the second hand, his national team manager already informed him only players who play regularly with their clubs will be considered to represent Germany in Euro 2008!
Sphere: Related ContentAdd comment January 12th, 2008
A lot was at stake today, it is the grand slam Sunday, Manchester against Liverpool, Arsenal against Chelsea. Manchester won 1-0 by Tevez’s goal, so Arsenal had to win to stay top of the table, and they WON.
A very vital win against rivals Chelsea. Arsenal simply deserved to win today by far more than just a 1-0 scoreline, two goals were canceled, and tons of amazing shots on target. Amazing game, great goal by Gallas in the last seconds of the first half, huge team effort.
Read more and watch the video highlights after the jump…
Today Gallas gave Arsenal the first win against Chelsea since 11 matches in all games, the last time Arsenal beat Chelsea was in a Premier League match on Feb. 2004 that ended 2-1 in the Stamford Bridge. Gallas have also saved Arsenal last month when he gave them the equalizer against Manchester United which ended 2-2.
Arsene Wenger seemed satisfied, he said: “It was a tough game, locked in the first half, open in the second and one where we should have scored a second goal, our defense was outstanding today. Not only did they keep a clean sheet but they scored the goal as well. Overall I felt it was a great football game.”
Terry was injured in the 40th minute of the first half, but it is still not clear if it is a serious injury. 5 players from both sides were given yellow cards. The match heated up in the last 15 minutes of the second half, Van Persie and Adebayor both scored, but the goals were disallowed, one was an offside and the other was a foul.
Video Highlights:
Fight between Fabregas and Ashley Cole (Minute 95)
Gallas Goal (47th Minute - First Half)
Arsenal Disallowed Goal (Minute 85)
Arsenal Disallowed Goal (Minute 89)
Add comment December 17th, 2007
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