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Here’s an interesting post from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “U19 European Championship: France beats Spain in Finals!” . Read more here:
U19 European Championship: France beats Spain in Finals!

Spain and France, arguably the most dominant teams in the tournament, met on Friday to determine the winner of the U19 European Championship.  Going into the final, the hosts (France) had been consistently impressive- beating the Netherlands (4-1) and Austria (5-0) in their first two matches and then Croatia 2-1 in the semifinals.  Only a draw with England in the group stage blemished their winning record.  Spain, who had failed to reach the knock-out stages of this tournament since winning it in 2007, were the only team left to have a 100% winning record.

And at the start of the match, Spain looked likely to hold on to that record for the entire tournament after Rodrigo (forward, Real Madrid) scored in the 18th minute.  Spain continued to dominate the first half – accumulating the best chances and the most possession.  But despite a plethora of opportunities, Spain weren’t able to increase their lead and allowed France to go into the 2nd half with only a single goal deficit.

And in the 2nd half, France made them pay…but only after surviving several close calls as Spain continued to dominate the opening minutes of the 2nd half.

Then, after almost conceding, France was able to equalize through goalkeeper Diallo’s (GK, Rennes) long kick forward to subsitute Tafer (forward, Lyon) who lifted the ball over the Spanish keeper.  The equalizer was arguably the turning point in the match- energizing the crowd and providing France with the momentum to in the final minutes of the match.  France’s Lacazette (forward, Lyon) scored the winning goal at the 85th minute. Despite a series of impressive performances in the tournament, Lacazette had been largely invisible in the finals game and the goal seemed to come from nowhere.  But, despite Lacazette’s impressive finishing- the hard work came from Gael Kakuta (midfield, Chelsea) whose run through the center of Spain’s defense was impossible for Alex (GK, Zaragoza) to defend.

With only a few minutes left, Spain were unable to find a second goal which had eluded them since early in the first half- leaving France to lift the trophy in the end!

The only question left is if these two countries can make it three in a row when they compete next year at the FIFA U20 World Cup.  In addition to this U19 final, these two teams also played each other in the U17 European Championship two years ago (which Spain won).  The two teams have consistently been comprised of the same players- 11 of the 22 starters in the finals match played in the U17 final two years ago.  Any bets on those players making another final appearances in the U20 tournament?

Read more here:
U19 European Championship: France beats Spain in Finals!

Here’s a good article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “Transfer Talk: The Post-World Cup Meltdown” . See the original post:
Transfer Talk: The Post-World Cup Meltdown

Welcome to the most infuriating window in football: the post-big tournament transfer season. There is nothing more nauseating, unsettling or frustrating than watching rumor after rumor spill out onto the pages as journalists do their best to match which successful tournament performance matches with a particular team. Often, it’s simply an exercise in insulting our intelligence.

So come be infuriated with us.

There will be plenty of time for the mid-level transfers, but for now it’s all about the big movers and shakers of world football. And Ashley Cole.

Along with captaining World Cup winning nations, Iker Casillas also moonlights as Ashley Cole’s Mr. 15% – and he’s thisclose to joining up Real Madrid’s payroll: “From what I am hearing the signs look good,” the Sun quoted the 29-year-old as saying. “I have only briefly spoken to people at the club but I am confident he can be a Real Madrid player next year. I think it will be the right move for him both professionally and personally. A clean break from England is hopefully something he is very interested in. It will be his last big contract and who better to sign for than his old coach Mourinho at Real.”

So much like Titi Henry, he will escape English shores to Spanish sunsets in the wake of a public divorce. Rumors are already circling Iker has proclaimed Cashley will look to complete this career route with a move to MLS in 3-4 years, where he’ll be looking to become “the rich man’s David Beckham”.

Luis Suarez isn’t universally beloved by fans, but he is universally loved in sporting director offices across the globe, so Ajax will be fielding calls left and right and eventually will have no choice in selling him on, the only matter is when. He’ll happily take the well-traveled and well-compensated route to the Prem, naming Manchester United and Tottenham in his little diary.

There were a number of coming out parties at the World Cup, but perhaps none quite so large as Mesut Ozil - Thomas Mueller enjoyed his in the Champions League – so, of course, big teams are banging on Werder Bremen’s doors. But he’s looking to remain in the German north for at least another year, which is wonderful; what’s less wonderful is that he has one year remaining on his contract, and though he hasn’t ruled out an 11th hour extension – which Aaron Hunt did last year – they could lose him for nothing more than a thank you note next summer, while receiving many, many treasure chests this summer. It’s quite the predicament – and the fans are split. Conveniently, Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona will be ready to foot the inevitable Bremen hierarchy’s therapy bills.

Keisuke Honda is the new face of Asian football, and as such he’s a very popular man – like head-cheerleader-with-questionable-morals popular. And despite only being on the books of CSKA Moscow for all of 11 games, his agent is still running out that trusty old line: “He is currently under contract with CSKA Moscow and there has not been any serious offers for Keisuke, only inquiries.”

Which is agent code speak for…

(Wait….wrong Jerry Maguire clip.)

Arsenal and Liverpool have been rumored – and the latter was rumored back when Keisuke was still fielding honeymoons at VVV. I suspect they’d love a time machine right about now.

In other CSKA-related news, the Muscovites would like to move Milos Krasic to Man City. Well, why would they ever want to do that….

Milos, however, only wants Juventus. Smells like an impasse; do you fancy the lightweight winger or the Moscow football club part-owned by the Russian Ministry of Defense? Thought so.

Crunch master extraordinaire Alexis Sanchez has been dubbed the second coming of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Udinese DS Giampaolo Pozzo seems to think he’s the Second Coming: “Alexis will return to Udine and will remain here,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Next season will be the year of his consecration. Perhaps he will play as a playmaker in order to be closer to goal.”

In other words: hands off, ManU, Roma, etc.

Luis Fabiano has been at Sevilla for five years and rumored to be leaving for six. Now he wants to stay, despite the annual interest from Milan. You have to wonder how he stays so productive through the constant rumors – apparently the man can juggle.

And finally, the obligatory Transfer Window 2010 capper: Cesc. Arsenal. Barcelona.

(Noticed anything? Club football. The Offside. Do it.)

See the original post:
Transfer Talk: The Post-World Cup Meltdown

Here’s a good article from World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 about “José Antonio Camacho Enjoyed Andrés Iniesta’s Goal” .

José Antonio Camacho is a former Real Madrid and Spain left back, who has been working as a co-commentator for Spanish television station Cuatro at World Cup 2010. While there, Camacho has become something of a YouTube phenomenon for his on-air goal celebrations. Not quite David After Dentist, but pretty big.

Above you can see his reaction when Andrés Iniesta scored Spain’s World Cup winning goal against Netherlands yesterday. There’s a big shout of “GOOOOOL!”, lots of microphone shaking, and a proclomation that “Iniesta de mi vida!”, which according to Sid Lowe means “Iniesta of my life!”

That’s a Real Madrid legend (Camacho served Real for 15 years from 1974 to 1989) screaming not easily translatable but definitely committal and complimentary things about a future Barcelona legend. Proof that Spain winning the World Cup is bigger than any club rivalry.

Read the rest here:
José Antonio Camacho Enjoyed Andrés Iniesta’s Goal

The midfielder says he has adapted to the different demands of each role.

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Xabi Alonso Comfortable Playing For Both Real Madrid & Spain

The first leg ended goalless, leaving all to play for.

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World Cup Play-Off Preview (2nd Leg): New Zealand – Bahrain

The veteran midfielder says he likes to party until six in the morning.

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Guti: Foreign Players Don’t Understand The Values Of Real Madrid

The Portuguese is in line for some hairdryer treatment after his latest comments.

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Nani: Trash-Talking Alex Ferguson Is Mismanaging Me

Goal.com’s Allen Ramsey gives his take on Bob Bradley’s newest group of players.

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The Short List: Burning Questions

De Rossi went off with a broken cheekbone, Mourinho rated one of his players a zero, Ranieri fumed, and Stankovic pouted. Roma versus Inter lacked goals, but certainly not passion. Zac Lee Rigg explains before recapping the week in Serie A.

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Roman Rule: Testy Tie