Top Stories - September, 2008
Old Trafford and the Emirates
by Peter Spyr
If you aren't a proper football fan, but like to dabble in the glamour and excitement of the winners and losers, or at least like the idea of indulging in a team away from home, then picking an English premiership team is a fine idea. Some of the best footballers from around the world flock to the English premiership, which is renowned for producing some of the most exciting games you'll see.
If you're venturing to England to check out some of the main attractions, then the historical football stadiums can certainly offer a spectacle.
The Emirates houses Arsenal, or 'The Gunners'. The club actually started in Woolwich Arsenal when a group of workers at the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory formed a squad way back in 1886. In 1913, it moved to Highbury before changing names and venues again in 2006 from Highbury to The Emirates. Affectionately known as 'The Home of Football' by players and fans, it can hold up to 60,355 supporters (or haters if you're a rival Tottenham fan spitting blood at the mention of this club - oh yes football is THAT tribal). The royal family of Arsenal players is rich and long: Ian Wright, Tony Adams, Thierry Henry, and Cesc Fabregas are a handful of famous names that have played, or play for Arsenal. They have a reputation for playing some of the 'prettiest' and most poetic football in the premiership so if you want to witness some great action and aren't aligned to a special team, then Arsenal make an attractive choice.
Check out the Arsenal website for details of matches and how to get there.
Old Trafford - a Mecca of the North - has its nickname too after Bobby Charlton (a United legend) called it the 'Theatre of Dreams'. Built in 1909, it is the largest stadium in the world, ever, and can house up to 80,000 fans. It's a loud and epic experience, full of chants and thrills as football legends take to the Trafford stage. Modern players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, and over the years Eric Cantona and David Beckham and the late, great George Best have performed football-pitch magic. If you wander through the Old Trafford museum, you'll get a backlog of history, and a profile of past legends, like the stars of Matt Busby's team. Tickets aren't cheap, but it's a real day out and you'll be entertained by the expert and super-human skills of Cristiano Ronaldo - considered by many to be one of the best modern players in the world.
About the Author
You can fly on one of many direct and cheap flights to Manchester with Fly Monarch to spend a weekend touring the city and checking out Old Trafford. Look at Manchester United's website to view fixtures for games and information on how to book tickets.
Real Madrid or Chelsea Robihnos Choices to Continue Playing in Europe
by Claudia Beckford
The 24-year old Brazilian forward known as Robihno who plays for the Spaniard giant Real Madrid since mid 2005 has recently stated that he would like to consider the proposal made by the English Premier League team Chelsea before the start of this year's new season. Nevertheless, Robihno's time to negotiate with his current team and the English one is about to expire as a decision has to be reached by the end of the weekend.
Robihno's professional career began early in 2002 when he played for three consecutive years for the Brazilian team Santos totalling 44 goals in the 104 game participations. As of 2005 Robihno was transferred to the Real Madrid where he became an important part of the team's success especially during the 2007-08 Liga Season when Real Madrid won the championship.
In order for the footballer to be able to be part of Chelsea's roster he will need to come to an agreement in terms of money with the Real Madrid as his contract is valid until 2010; the amount in question could be around 150m Euros or 119m British Pounds. It is well known the Brazilian has repeatedly stated his wish to play in England and leave the Spanish club as soon as possible.
On the other hand, the Liga club has announced that "the Real Madrid would never want to retain a player against his wishes and as a result they have no alternative but to accept his unilateral decision to rescind his contract - if that is what the player wants."
Two of the major reasons for Robihno's discomfort and deep wish to leave the Real Madrid are the facts that he recently became aware the club was negotiating his sell to another club in order to gather all the required funds to buy Cristiano Ronaldo's contract before the starting of the season and that he could not participate as part of his Brazilian National Squad neither help them as his request to participate in the Olympic Games was refused.
Chelsea's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was the first to contact Robihno during the first days of the month of August and to his surprise he received very positive feedback from the Brazilian forward and from that point on the transfer saga has become the daily news in the football world. It is very clear Robihno does not want to be part of the Real Madrid anymore and he should be able to freely move to another club where he feels his game and efforts are more appreciated.
There have been reports that Chelsea's bid could be around 19m to 30m British Pounds to get Real Madrid's permission release signed. But now another issue has awaken which is to whether the Spaniard club should let go of the player or not, as the player is known for his exception skills and capability on the football field. The acquirement of Robihno would certainly be a gain for Chelsea as he will make an excellent pair with Deco who is already part of the Chelsea's players list while for the Real Madrid will be an open spot - a very difficult to be replaced within only a few days time.
About the Author
Claudia Beckford provides outstanding English Premier League content as well as information in the sports betting industry.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
|
FC Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic has celebrated his 18th birthday by signing an improved deal tying him to the club until 2013. Krkic's father played for Crvena Zvezda, now his son plays for Barcelona. "I'm very happy here. I hope to continue gaining the confidence of the coach" Bojan said. He signed his first professional contract 12 months ago but is now on improved terms. He scored close to 900 goals in seven seasons.