Praveen Arimbrathodiyil blogs here » Sports http://www.j4v4m4n.in It's My life Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:13:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 So that was it http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/10/so-that-was-it/ http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/10/so-that-was-it/#comments Mon, 10 Jul 2006 14:16:40 +0000 Praveen A http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/10/so-that-was-it/ Like so many other people around the world the blogsphere is also celebrating the fall of the Titan, yes I’m talking about Zidan and that too in such a disgraceful way. Well, Italians have the final laugh. Italy is now 4 times world champions just behind Brazil who won the title 5 times. So every one is looking forward to South Africa 2010 now. The only consolation for Zidan fans is his winning Golden Ball.

Here is two interesting blogs about the fall of Zidan

* Why did you do it Zizou?
* Shame shame Zidane

]]> http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/10/so-that-was-it/feed/ 0 England and Brazil out http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/03/england-and-brazil-out/ http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/03/england-and-brazil-out/#comments Mon, 03 Jul 2006 09:16:28 +0000 Administrator http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/03/england-and-brazil-out/ So all set for an “all-european” semi final. Many of the Argentina, Bazil fans are disappointed now especially since they played well in the early matches. Zidan finding his magic again helped France to move to the final 4. Nobody would have thought France will be playing semi final when they somehow manged to get to the second round after two drws against Koreans and Swiss.

One nice thought occured to me after the England vs Portugal match, when Engalnd coach Sven-Göran Eriksson said in disappointment “We have practiced so much for the penalties…“. They must have thought their goal keeper is good when he saved many shots from Gerrard, Lampard … during training, taking it for granted that they are good shots. But after their bad shots (of course Ricardo was in amazing form and he did a good job) they must have realised it was some fault with their players rather than confidence of the goal keeper that led to a false impression of having a good goal keeper.

Now it looks like a Germany – France final. Will Zidan replay the magic he performed 8 years back? or Ballack and co will have the final smile?

Lets wait and see.

]]> http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/07/03/england-and-brazil-out/feed/ 0 Czech Republic crashes out of fifa world cup 2006 http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/06/23/czwch-republic-crashes-out-of-fifa-world-cup-2006/ http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/06/23/czwch-republic-crashes-out-of-fifa-world-cup-2006/#comments Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:46:20 +0000 Praveen A http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/06/23/czwch-republic-crashes-out-of-fifa-world-cup-2006/ The world number 2 and Euro cup 2004 semi finalists are out of action from fifa world cup 2006. Pavel Nedved and co will be watching the fun on TV. But I’m happy to see so many friends are now calling me, messaging me, scraping me, mailing me … :-)
Thanks for all your wishes. If you have not done so, you are most welcome to use this chance.

The same story continues … Norway (1998), Spain (2002) and now Czech.

]]> http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2006/06/23/czwch-republic-crashes-out-of-fifa-world-cup-2006/feed/ 2 Liverpool: The European Champions 2005 http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2005/07/13/liverpool-the-european-champions-2005/ http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2005/07/13/liverpool-the-european-champions-2005/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2005 16:32:31 +0000 Administrator http://www.j4v4m4n.in/2005/07/13/liverpool-the-european-champions-2005/ Arsenal (Lost 1-3) in the English Premier League [That was the first match I saw them playing -- I'm not much into the club football but I keenly watch all the world cups and Euro cups]. I had no doubt whom I am supporting in the finals at Isthambul; I was with Jerrard and Liverpool. After the finals I'm now a complete fan of the team of Raphel Benitos. The final began with a shock, early in the first minute itself Milan scored, their captain Paulo Maldini was the scorer. Liverpool attcked the AC Milan goal post with more vigour but two counter attacks and Crespo touch got them to 3-0 position. ]]> Noted on Last week of May 2005

Ever since I watched the football clips of Steve Jerrard in NITC hostel, I’ve become a fan of his and Liverpool FC. The Chelsea Vs Liverpool semi was the first match after I have become their fan. But I was doubtful when they did badly against Arsenal (Lost 1-3) in the English Premier League [That was the first match I saw them playing -- I'm not much into the club football but I keenly watch all the world cups and Euro cups]. I had no doubt whom I am supporting in the finals at Isthambul; I was with Jerrard and Liverpool. After the finals I’m now a complete fan of the team of Raphel Benitos. The final began with a shock, early in the first minute itself Milan scored, their captain Paulo Maldini was the scorer. Liverpool attcked the AC Milan goal post with more vigour but two counter attacks and Crespo touch got them to 3-0 position.
But I was optimistic that they will come back. In the second half the team was ready for a come back with some ideas from Benitos. The reply began with the captain, Jerrard scored with a headder to trigger the comeback. He gave the whole team and fans a new spirit. After the goal, he was seen urging the fans to cheer. Then Smicer fired, a long ranger to make it 2-3. Then it was Xabi Alonso’s chance for the draw when Jerrard was fouled inside the box, his shot was intercepted by Dida but he scored from the bounce to make the score to 3-3. The whole stadium was on fire. Liverpool played an un-believable comeback. The score didn’t move till full time and extra time so the shoot-out has become the decider.

Jersi Dudek was the hero here. He swung to both sides with both hands streched like, Bruce Grobelar did in 1984 against AS Roma, when Liverpool won the Champions League last time, to take away the concentration of the shooter. First shot of Milan went out of the post, two shots intercepted by Dudek and Liverpool scored three while one ws intercepted by Dida, so Liverpool won the game without needing the fifth shot.

LIVERPOOL IS THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 2005
Update: Now they are allowed to play in the next years Champions league too!!

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