In the early 1960s the catholic church attempted to gain new followers in the Ruhr area with the slogan, ‘No one gets past Jesus.’ The fans of Schalke 04 however, thought differently and added ‘except Stan.’ The ‘Stan’ in question would have celebrated his 70th birthday today. Reinhard Libuda, nick named Stan was born in…
Paris St. Germain might have won the French league with 2 games in hand and with a bitter aftertaste after monday’s events. However, they were not the first Parisian team to win the French league. This award goes to one of the forerunners of PSG: Racing Club Paris. This is one of the oldest clubs…
It seems this year has a special ring to it as 3 of the 5 major soccer leagues in Europe celebrate a particular anniversary in 2013. England: Football 150 This is certainly the biggest date this year for football historians and fans alike. A century and a half a group of enthusiasts codified the rules…
While some major football leagues in Europe will stop playing for the festive period only, German football comes to a halt for Christmas and New Year’s eve. The last football related action and a highlight in Berlin is certainly the Christmas singing at Union Berlin’s Alte Försterei in Köpenick.
The recent record of PSG looks bleak: 3 games, 1 point. More importantly, two defeats at home against AS St. Etienne and Stade Rennes, both 1-2. Only a point was collected away against Montpellier, in a match many headlined ‘the champions vs. the champions elect.’ However, things are not looking easy for Ancelotti’s men. Without…
France scored late but they scored and thus came away with a draw that feels like a victory against Spain in a game that no one gave France a chance. The New Broom: Didier Dechamps Ahead of the game, L’Equipe and other media saw the game as ‘Mission Impossible’ for France. On the day of…
Germany had to learn a bitter lesson yesterday: that a game of football lasts 90 minutes, not just 60. The One Hour Magicians Certainly almost everyone would agree that Germany played some very good football against Sweden last night and deservedly led 4-0 after 55 minutes. The fluidity of movement between Reus, Kroos, M
Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch is widely considered to mark the beginning of a new football writing and how people regard football and how they talk about it. A short review. In the Beginning there was Fever Pitch It has become common sense that Hornby’s seminal work has initiated a new wave of football writing. In…
After an eventful week in the Champions League, the weekend will see several big derbies played out in Europe. El Clasico In Spain, the two biggest clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will meet at Camp Nou on Sunday evening for the first sparring in the contest for the Spanish championship. Both have won their…
John Terry, captain of Chelsea FC and former England captain has retired from international football, saying that his ‘position has become untenable’ after the Football Association (The FA) has begun an inquiry into his behaviour in the Anton Ferdinand case. He has been cleared of any racial abuse in court, however, doubts remain and the…