It was not a great game, but a win is a win.
To be honest, at this point Benfica will take any win they can get.
I liked watching this game, Benfica looked confident and played in a way that was somewhat close to last year.
Oscar Cardozo seems to be at peace with the Benfica fans, the same fans that were criticising him for his poor form in the beginning of the season. In the previous game, a Champions League match versus APOEL, Cardozo celebrated a goal by placing his finger in front of his mouth and directing it at the fans.
Fabio Coentrao is in fine form, he is easily our best player right now. Most of the running play comes from him.
Javi Garcia has also regained his rightful spot as the starter in the defensive midfield. He is one of the best holding midfielders in Europe. No, I did not mean Portugal, I meant Europe.
Even Roberto seems to be doing better. He seems to have gained some confidence, and looks very secure between the goal posts.
What a great feeling it is to beat Sporting............
Maritimo, you are next............
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Roma people.
A European summit descended into a row yesterday when Nicolas Sarcozy shouted at Jose Manuel Barroso who is the head of the EC during a clash over France's expulsion of gypsies.
Barroso has been very critical of the way France has been deporting the Roma people.
Viviane Reding, the politician from Luxembourg called it a disgrace, and compared it to how Jews were treated in World War 2.
I find these comments an absurd, how could anyone compare the dismantling of illegal camps and deportation to what the Jewish people went through in WW2?
The French people should be allowed to deal with their own internal problems without having to have "permission" from other heads of state.
If these holier than thou politicians feel so strongly about this, why don't they offer to take the Roma people to their own countries?
I should also mention that only the ones who are found to be living illegally in France are sent home.
Did people forget about the riots that started after dozens of French gypsies armed with hatchets and iron bars attacked a police station and burned cars after French police shot a man who had ran over a police officer at a checkpoint.
Did I mention that the man who was shot was involved in a burglary earlier in the day?
How about the fact that these illegal camps are sources of trafficking, shockingly living standards, exploitation of children, prostitution and crime. These camps are found all over France, Spain, and Portugal.
In fact, France has been sending Roma people home for years now, last year alone over 1000 were deported to Bulgaria and Romania.
I think that people are forgetting that France is merely punishing those who have committed crimes, and yes, I do consider illegal immigration a crime.
Ines Sainz
Ines Sainz has reignited the debate about female reporters in male locker rooms.
A lot of people came out and said their opinions on it, but Clinton Portis had the best one.
In my opinion, women have no reason to be in male athletes locker rooms, would male reporters be allowed in female locker rooms? The answer is no, they would not.
One reporter claims that reporters are allowed in the locker rooms for an hour, and that during that time the athletes are expected to "share" the space with the reporters.
I just don't understand what possible reason a reporter could have to need access to a locker room before or after a game.
The locker room should be for the athletes only, it is a place to reflect after a win or a loss, a place where they should be allowed privacy.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tough weekend for the ACC
There were so many great games this Saturday in college football, but none were played by ACC schools. Virginia Tech was the worst one, they lost to James Madison!! That was so bad, it may even cost Boise State a chance to play in the Championship game.
Florida State lost in a blowout to Oklahoma, the Sooners were able to get their subs in early.
Georgia Tech lost to a Big 12 team, problem is that the team was Kansas who last week lost to South Dakota State.
Clemson and Maryland were able to take care of their opposition in blowout fashion, so that was good.
Miami had a tough loss to a very good Ohio State team, at least the Hurricanes kept it respectable.
The same for Virginia who lost a very close game to USC.
North Carolina State beat UCF in a close one.
Duke and Wake Forest played in a high scoring shootout which was won by the Demon Deacons.
As for my favorite ACC team, Boston College beat Kent State, but it was not easy.
The Eagles struggled on offense in the first half, before coming alive in the second.
I am hoping that Boston College is saving their best for next week when the Hokies come into Chestnut Hill. This is a game that Virginia Tech needs to win or they will start 0-3.
Florida State lost in a blowout to Oklahoma, the Sooners were able to get their subs in early.
Georgia Tech lost to a Big 12 team, problem is that the team was Kansas who last week lost to South Dakota State.
Clemson and Maryland were able to take care of their opposition in blowout fashion, so that was good.
Miami had a tough loss to a very good Ohio State team, at least the Hurricanes kept it respectable.
The same for Virginia who lost a very close game to USC.
North Carolina State beat UCF in a close one.
Duke and Wake Forest played in a high scoring shootout which was won by the Demon Deacons.
As for my favorite ACC team, Boston College beat Kent State, but it was not easy.
The Eagles struggled on offense in the first half, before coming alive in the second.
I am hoping that Boston College is saving their best for next week when the Hokies come into Chestnut Hill. This is a game that Virginia Tech needs to win or they will start 0-3.
MP left devastated after discovering wife was a prostitute
MP left devastated after discovering wife was a prostitute
Are you kidding me? The poor bastard, could you imagine finding out that your wife was a prostitute before you met her, and that she resumed her "work" after you brought her from Brazil to your country?
Are you kidding me? The poor bastard, could you imagine finding out that your wife was a prostitute before you met her, and that she resumed her "work" after you brought her from Brazil to your country?
Benfica loses...........again
Benfica loses for the third time in four games. Not the start that Benfica was hoping for.
I must admit that the referee at the game on Friday was awful, and that the guy from Porto, Fernando Gomes is in charge of the Portuguese Liga, but lets be honest, there are many other reasons for the poor form that Benfica is in.
Benfica took a big gamble by not selling some of the players that had interest from other teams.
The idea was to wait a year and have them play in the Champions League so their value could go up, this will not work if the poor results continue.
There is nothing worse for team morale than to have a player on a team who does not want to be here. Benfica turned down offers for David Luis that were as high as 30 million from Chelsea and Manchester City, and also turned down offers for Oscar Cardoso that were around 15 million from Sevilla and Everton.
Benfica should have learned from Sporting. Our eternal rivals had an awful season last year which saw the value for Veloso and Moutinho go down to half the price they were asking for.
This is what is going to happen if Benfica continues with these results.
At least Roberto seems to have gained some confidence ahead of our game against APOEL on Wednesday for the Champions League.
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Saints go marching in!
As I posted earlier, anyone expecting a high flying, high scoring game in the first NFL game of the new season was clearly disappointed. The Saints beat the Vikings 14-9.
The Saints did not dominate the Vikings, and they certainly were not perfect, but they were good enough, and they are 1-0, and that is all that matters.
One thing is clear however, and that is that it will not be easy for the Saints to repeat.
Week 2 of College Football
What a start to the second week, and the biggest games are yet to be played.
Auburn beat Mississippi State in a thriller to go 2-0 in the season, this was a much better game than the other football game.
Looking at the schedule, Auburn could possibly be undefeated when they face Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
Official's views on Muslim immigration divide Germany
Official's views on Muslim immigration divide Germany
I found an interesting article on the Washington Post about a German man who has some interesting views on the Muslim community in Germany.
I see a lot of common issues that some other Europeans in France, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, and Netherlands have as well.
It is something to think about.
I found an interesting article on the Washington Post about a German man who has some interesting views on the Muslim community in Germany.
I see a lot of common issues that some other Europeans in France, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, and Netherlands have as well.
It is something to think about.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
NFL kickoff
Another NFL season is kicking off tonight with the New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings.
Let us enjoy it because we still do not know if there will be a lock out next season.
With the NFL kicking off tonight, and the big games on Saturday with College Football, it will be a lazy weekend, but that is a good thing.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
College Football week one
Now that week one is over, I have a few thoughts.
The first one is that Alabama will play Boise State for the National Championship, and Alabama will repeat as National Champions.
Alabama is impressive, and they are just loaded on both sides of the ball.
I saw a lot of games this weekend and no other team looks like they should even be in the same field as Alabama.
Apart from Alabama, Boise State will be the only other team to go undefeated this team.
I was really impressed with this team, the victory over Virginia Tech was a statement to every one else, and the only other challenge that they will have this season is against Oregon State.
The Big 10 is back, Ohio State was awesome in their victory over Marshall, but I do not believe that they will go undefeated this season.
How about Michigan with the huge win over UConn? The Huskies were unmatched from the start, and how about the performance of the Michigan qb? I have no doubt that Forcier will be forced to transfer. Plenty of teams will be happy to have him.
I can not wait for the Notre Dame vs Michigan game. It is going to be a great one.
Speaking of Notre Dame, not bad at all, Kelly with a victory on his first game in charge of the Irish over a tough Purdue.
I was surprised to see Florida make so many mistakes in their first game.
Urban Meyer has a lot of work to do before Florida begins SEC play.
LSU looked really good, the score should not have been that close. Russel Sheppard is the next Percy Harvin. This kid is just awesome.
FSU looks like they may be the best team in the ACC right now, and I think that they will beat Oklahoma next week. Jimbo Fisher has done an amazing job with Florida State.
Miami looked good as well, they will compete in the ACC.
Virginia Tech looked sloppy in the first quarter against Boise State, but they kept their compusure and played a good game. They will have a good season.
North Carolina, well, you have to feel for the Tarheels, they were expected to win the ACC title and maybe even challenge for a National Championship but with all the suspensions, it will not happen. The defense has been decimated by suspensions, but the backups did their jobs. UNC looks promissing for next year.
As for my team Boston College, well, it will be a long season, they just did not look good against Weber State, lots of mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Weber State should not have been on the same field as BC, but they played their game, and kept it interesting.
Boston College will have to improve for their next game, vs Kent State.
It was great to see Mark Herzlich back.
My final thought is on Jacksonville State and their upset win over Ole Miss.
The first one is that Alabama will play Boise State for the National Championship, and Alabama will repeat as National Champions.
Alabama is impressive, and they are just loaded on both sides of the ball.
I saw a lot of games this weekend and no other team looks like they should even be in the same field as Alabama.
Apart from Alabama, Boise State will be the only other team to go undefeated this team.
I was really impressed with this team, the victory over Virginia Tech was a statement to every one else, and the only other challenge that they will have this season is against Oregon State.
The Big 10 is back, Ohio State was awesome in their victory over Marshall, but I do not believe that they will go undefeated this season.
How about Michigan with the huge win over UConn? The Huskies were unmatched from the start, and how about the performance of the Michigan qb? I have no doubt that Forcier will be forced to transfer. Plenty of teams will be happy to have him.
I can not wait for the Notre Dame vs Michigan game. It is going to be a great one.
Speaking of Notre Dame, not bad at all, Kelly with a victory on his first game in charge of the Irish over a tough Purdue.
I was surprised to see Florida make so many mistakes in their first game.
Urban Meyer has a lot of work to do before Florida begins SEC play.
LSU looked really good, the score should not have been that close. Russel Sheppard is the next Percy Harvin. This kid is just awesome.
FSU looks like they may be the best team in the ACC right now, and I think that they will beat Oklahoma next week. Jimbo Fisher has done an amazing job with Florida State.
Miami looked good as well, they will compete in the ACC.
Virginia Tech looked sloppy in the first quarter against Boise State, but they kept their compusure and played a good game. They will have a good season.
North Carolina, well, you have to feel for the Tarheels, they were expected to win the ACC title and maybe even challenge for a National Championship but with all the suspensions, it will not happen. The defense has been decimated by suspensions, but the backups did their jobs. UNC looks promissing for next year.
As for my team Boston College, well, it will be a long season, they just did not look good against Weber State, lots of mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Weber State should not have been on the same field as BC, but they played their game, and kept it interesting.
Boston College will have to improve for their next game, vs Kent State.
It was great to see Mark Herzlich back.
My final thought is on Jacksonville State and their upset win over Ole Miss.
This is a perfect example as to why I love my football on Saturdays.
Double Overtime for the upset.
Portugal loses to Norway
There is no way to deny that Portugal has been gradually going backwards since Portugal ended in 3rd place at the FIFA World Cup in 2006. The results have been less than impressive in the past four years. Who is to blame? The coaches, players, the Federation, the fans? There is plenty to blame all around.
The coaches, both Felipe Scolari and Carlos Queiroz, and even Agostinho Oliveira have plenty of blame with their choices of players and tactical decisions.
Numerous times they called out of shape and out of form players for important games, and then in these games they would make random substitutions, who can forget the Danny for Hugo Almeida sub in the World Cup game vs Spain.
The players are also to blame, as some of them just don't put effort into the National Team.
How is it that a player that can score 40 to 50 goals a season in the English Premier League and in the Spanish La Liga go almost two years without scoring a goal for Portugal?
How about the fans? I can only imagine why someone would go to a stadium just so they can boo and whistle every time a Portuguese player touches the ball. It is no wonder Portugal plays better away from home.
Portugal has to face a hostile environment in home games, it could be that some Portuguese fans do not understand what home field advantage is suppose to be.
What ever the reasons are, the truth is that Portugal has already lost five points in two games.
Portuguese football is in a big mess right now, it reminds me of the dark days of the early 90's.
A team with this much talent, loaded with players who play in the best leagues of Europe with the best clubs in the World should be playing much better.
The truth is that now we see how important Luis Figo was to Portugal. He was a real leader who led by example, something that no one is doing right now, though at least Raul Meireles is trying.
It may be already too late for Euro 2012, but let us get ready for the future. The qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will start in just over two years from now.
The coaches, both Felipe Scolari and Carlos Queiroz, and even Agostinho Oliveira have plenty of blame with their choices of players and tactical decisions.
Numerous times they called out of shape and out of form players for important games, and then in these games they would make random substitutions, who can forget the Danny for Hugo Almeida sub in the World Cup game vs Spain.
The players are also to blame, as some of them just don't put effort into the National Team.
How is it that a player that can score 40 to 50 goals a season in the English Premier League and in the Spanish La Liga go almost two years without scoring a goal for Portugal?
How about the fans? I can only imagine why someone would go to a stadium just so they can boo and whistle every time a Portuguese player touches the ball. It is no wonder Portugal plays better away from home.
Portugal has to face a hostile environment in home games, it could be that some Portuguese fans do not understand what home field advantage is suppose to be.
What ever the reasons are, the truth is that Portugal has already lost five points in two games.
Portuguese football is in a big mess right now, it reminds me of the dark days of the early 90's.
A team with this much talent, loaded with players who play in the best leagues of Europe with the best clubs in the World should be playing much better.
The truth is that now we see how important Luis Figo was to Portugal. He was a real leader who led by example, something that no one is doing right now, though at least Raul Meireles is trying.
It may be already too late for Euro 2012, but let us get ready for the future. The qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will start in just over two years from now.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The "vagina" case
The mystery surrounding Carlos Queiroz has been revealed: He called one of the members of the Portuguese National Institute of Anti-Doping a "vagina".
According to some sources, an official from the institute tried to get two players from the Portuguese National Team to take a doping test, but Queiroz wanted none of it. When the official insisted, Queiroz became angry and told the official to test his vagina.
Professor Queiroz has since been suspended for six months. This means that he will miss four games. The Portuguese Federation has said that while Queiroz did insult the official, he did not disrupt the actual test.
The "professor" maintains that he was only defending the group of players, as he believes that the tests were unsettling his players.
Queiroz will miss the games against Cyprus, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Portugal 4 Cyprus 4
An ugly day all around for Portuguese Soccer as the National Team somehow managed to draw at four goals a piece with the European powerhouse Cyprus.
Are you kidding me? Cyprus? Really?
I was as shocked as everyone by this result. This may be the worst result by the Portuguese ever. Once again Portugal begins an European Qualification in the worst way.
This means that now we have no choice but to go to Norway and beat them there.
There were a couple of things wrong from the start.
Can anyone tell me why Miguel is still playing for Portugal?
He does not even play with Valencia, why not give Silvio the start?
Silvio is in much better form playing for Braga. I can not imagine that he does not get the start on Tuesday vs Norway.
The Portuguese seemed like they wanted to be somewhere else.
Clearly this Queiroz situation is affecting the team, which we all know was going to happen.
Other bad news for Portugal: Our under 21's were eliminated by the English earlier today. So Portugal will not be in the Under 21 European Championship next year.
It was painful to watch. The Portuguese are so talented, but they seemed slow, perhaps the "vagina case" is affecting them as well.
Well, lets see how the Portuguese do on Tuesday against Norway.
Are you kidding me? Cyprus? Really?
I was as shocked as everyone by this result. This may be the worst result by the Portuguese ever. Once again Portugal begins an European Qualification in the worst way.
This means that now we have no choice but to go to Norway and beat them there.
There were a couple of things wrong from the start.
Can anyone tell me why Miguel is still playing for Portugal?
He does not even play with Valencia, why not give Silvio the start?
Silvio is in much better form playing for Braga. I can not imagine that he does not get the start on Tuesday vs Norway.
The Portuguese seemed like they wanted to be somewhere else.
Clearly this Queiroz situation is affecting the team, which we all know was going to happen.
Other bad news for Portugal: Our under 21's were eliminated by the English earlier today. So Portugal will not be in the Under 21 European Championship next year.
It was painful to watch. The Portuguese are so talented, but they seemed slow, perhaps the "vagina case" is affecting them as well.
Well, lets see how the Portuguese do on Tuesday against Norway.
RIP Jose Torres
Portuguese football is mourning the death of the 'Bom Gigante' ( Good giant).
Jose Torres has passed away at the age of 71.
Jose Torres was one of the most important Benfica and Portugal players in history.
He was and still is one of the most important figures in Benfica's glorious history.
He won nine Portuguese Liga titles and six Portuguese Cups. He also played in 3 European Cup finals with Benfica.
Portugal and football are poorer without Jose Torres.
Rest in Peace. You will be missed.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
College football kickoff.........
It is finally here, the kickoff is tonight with South Carolina vs Southern Mississippi, and Miami vs Florida A&M; followed by Hawaii vs USC.
I think USC will shut more than a few people up. Lane Kiffin is a very good coach, if you watched Tennessee all last year, then you noticed that all their losses were close. If it wasn't for the last second block, the Volunteers would have beaten Alabama.
It is unfair what happened to USC, but I believe that these kids will still play hard, and win as many games as they can, possibly even win the Pac 10.
I think USC will shut more than a few people up. Lane Kiffin is a very good coach, if you watched Tennessee all last year, then you noticed that all their losses were close. If it wasn't for the last second block, the Volunteers would have beaten Alabama.
It is unfair what happened to USC, but I believe that these kids will still play hard, and win as many games as they can, possibly even win the Pac 10.
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