Goldenballs

We've all seen the new ball that Adidas have created for South Africa 2010, the Jabulani, but it was only this week that Fifa released a special version for use in the final - the Jo'bulani. Named after the host city, Johannesburg (or Jo'burg as it is commonly known) the world cup final ball taken a golden colour in reference to Jo'burg being the "City of Gold".

The ball has all  of the same scientific properties that make Fifa and Adidas rave about it, and inevitably will make some goalkeepers and managers criticize it in the ritual pre-tournament excuse making. This, were told, includes special ridges to allow players to get batter grip and achieve greater swirve of the ball, and thermo-something properties which make it even rounder than a sphere. To be honest I'm sure its just a football with a special design on it.

I quite like it and I quite like the fact that its especially for the final - something for the players to dream of kicking. Perhaps they will make replicas for David Beckham...

This just means that when I inevitably become a shock addition to the England squad, I'll be even more determined to score a hat-trick in the final so that I get to keep it.

The dullest three-nil ever played

Last night's Premier League fixture between Liverpool and West Ham United did not impress. The disinterested atmosphere seemed to diffuse from the stands, showing rare empty seats at Anfield, to the pitch where a lacklustre game ensued. Two of Liverpool's goals came from set pieces, where dire defending was more prominent than attacking prowess: Yossi Benayoun chested the ball in of the post after West Hams defence missed Gerrard's delivery and again in the second half another Gerrard free kick go the better of the Hammers when Sotirios Kyrgiakos managed to get a toe on the ball despite having a defender on either side of him and it rebounded of the post for Robert Green to knock it back into his own net. He won't want Capello to see that. 


The brighest moment came when Yossi Benayoun drifted off the left toutch line and found Maxi on the right flank who took a toutch before sending a low cross in for David N'gog to half-volley his finish. Nice, but again Robert Green should have done better.


Aside from the three goals there was very little excitement. West Ham never pressured the ball or showed any imagination, while Liverpool were content to pass the ball sideways at every opportunity, presumably saving their ideas and energy for Thursdays Europa League semi-final in Madrid or sidetracked by today's epic journey to the Spanish Capital. The game therefore had the feel of an end of season testimonial rather than a Premier League match between two teams desperately in need of points. 


This raises the question, why on earth did West ham take such a negative approach and why didn't they turn up? They certainly do have players capable of playing good football and scoring goals and with their current situation they ought to have plenty of motivation. Even if they did intend to grind out a draw through being well organised and difficult to break down (which would be ridiculous as those are two things that West Ham haven't been all season), there was no point in sitting back when trailing by two and three goals. The worst that could happen by attempting to attack and play football would be a damaged goal difference, which won't matter if they are behind Hull on points at the end of the season. West Ham looked like a team expecting relegation - which they really shouldn't because they are still three points above the drop zone. David Sullivan's message to the fans last month now seems even more appropriate.

Liverpool may have won the game and saved energy but with the spectacle they produced, they may as well have played behind closed doors and saved us all the bother.

My search for the best football video: 3 - Lego Bayern Munich

I'm sure I wasn't the only one to enjoy Arjen Robben's volley agaist Manchester United in the Champions league (both because is was brilliant and because it made Gary Neville sad) and I'm sure I'm not alone in finding this stop motion video just as good.

There the nice reminder of the game and it's result, of course, but its also just really cool. Part of me is annoyed that I didn't think it it fist but in reality I'm too lazy. I'm certainly too lazy to do it with such attention to detail evident throughout the video. There's not alot to say about this video, its just bloody good.

Yesterday was the one month anniversary of my last blogpost

...and What a hit son's millions of regular readers deserve better.

This season has now taken so many hairpin turns that it would not be unreasonable to back Liverpool to finish fourth and Arsenal first. Today saw the team we all thought would finish 4th in the 92nd minute concede to the team we all thought would finish second. That goal brings a great deal of doubt into both situations - especially when coupled with the result of the late kickoff where Spurs overcame Chelsea to get and foot in the champions league and weaken their opponents title ambitions.

Yes it is a bit far fetched to suggest that Arsenal win win the league but we've already ruled them out then in again in this seasons title race, just as we have Manchester United and Chelsea. Chelsea will be without John Terry against stoke through suspension and still have to visit Anfield; Man United still have to face on-form Tottenham. There is plenty of potential for yet another u-turn.

Again, I will concede that it is slightly optomistic to say Liverpool still have a chance to finish in fourth place, but Man City still have three losable games against Villa, Spurs and Arsenal and Tottenham would do well to take all points from Man United and Man City. There is a wealth of potential for Tottenham, Manchester city, Manchester United and Chealsea to all throw away their opportunities and for the season to take another turn or two.

So on the final day of the season, when Liverpool visit Hull, dont be suprised to see them leading the game and cruising into 4th place with 20 minutes to go, only for Rafa benitez to substitute Fernando Torres for the reserve goalkeeper, Diego Cavelieri and Lucas to chip his own keep from 40 yards in the 93rd minute to hand the last champions league place back to Man City.