03 May 2016

There is first time for everything

In Budapest today there has been election also on the first female in UEFA's executive member. First woman ever to seat on that position in the European football organization is the French Football Federation general director Florence Hardouin. The 49 year old French beat her rival candidate, ex-Norway player, Karen Espelund of 33 votes to 21.
Hardouin's concentration will be more on continuing development of women's football.

CAS 'pushes' Gibraltar into FIFA

In days when Serbian province Kosovo is pushing over to enter into UEFA's family, one other 'nation' is hoping to become two-hundred-tenth member in FIFA. After they have been rejected twice due to for Spain's pressure, in 1991 and 1997, third time may be lucky for Gibraltar. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered FIFA to admit Gibraltar FA (GFA) as a full member. Last time GFA applied for FIFA membership on 26.09.2014 but the worlds football organization said that the requirement had not been met. Now, 20 months later, the organization must comply with CAS and 'without delay' have to be admitted in FIFA, which will discuss the matter on its congress next week, 09 and 10 May in Mexico City and its next steps. CAS case was heard by a panel of three arbitrators - Swiss, French and Italian. All this is a sudden pushover as Gibraltar is eager to participate in the European qualifiers for 2018 World Cup which begins this September because if they are not FIFA members they cannot enter the process.
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory which is located on the Iberian peninsula.

02 May 2016

The moment of truth

This is it as there is no room for mistakes. Last four games in the top European cup competitions will give us the answer of which two teams will be playing in the finals in Basel and then in Milan at the end of the month. All eight teams have equal chances of progressing through to the finals. However, one is in a better position from the other seven but Athletic Bilbao from the previous stage showed us that they can be vulnerable and (easily) being beaten at home.

The Champions League semi finals, first leg was a total disappointment. From 180 minutes we saw only one goal scored in the hundredth minute. After some coward less and annoying football, now the teams are left only with three options: we will see if the players wants to have additional minutes and sweat more then they should, players can always take the Russian roulette for progressing through or playing some exiting and entertaining games for us (supporters and viewers). We just cannot see a fourth option unless: if the players are not interested to participate in the final in Milan then there is always next year. From 20.45 CET will start the following games:

Tuesday, 03 May: Bayern Munich - Atletico Madrid.
Wednesday, 04 May: Real Madrid - Manchester City.

This competition is quite the opposite from the 'strongest one'. Plenty of goals, entertaining games, new teams and you will never know of what is coming next as everybody can beat everybody. We just guess that fighting spirit in Europa League still lives on, who the champion will gain an automatic place in the Champions League from next season. Both matches are starting for the last time in this season from 21.05 CET:

Thursday, 05 May: Sevilla - Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool - Villarreal.

Records keep falling in Spain

Last year they scored 122 goals, with 66 assists but this weekend they went step further and the famous trio are only re-writing new record pages in Spain.
Popular Barcelona's strikers Messi-Neymar Jr.-Suarez (MSN) yesterday had set a new record. Suarez's goal against Betis meant that all three players have now scored an amazing 123 goals in all competitions from only one season. This year the Uruguayan took the leadership from Messi with 54 goal, the Argentinian came to 40 while the Brazilian 29 times appeared with its name. Unbelievable 245 goals are scored within two years and its not the end of the season yet. If we add to these numbers the successful passes, MSN have reached 72 assists already.
Despite ousting in the Champions League, the Catalans have 2 remaining games in the national Primera Division plus the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla where they can 'fix' their goal scoring techniques for even higher number.

01 May 2016

FIFA's technical advisor

Former Milan legend Zvonimir Boban is hired by Gianni Infantino. Today it was confirmed by Italian 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' and Spanish 'El Mundo Deportivo' newspapers that the 47 year old will become a technical adviser for questions of football development to the president. However the appointment has not been named official (yet), but the ex-Croatia captain is expected to work in FIFA in the coming days.
After ending his career he became a commentator in Sky Italy but so far he successfully avoided football functions. One time he was also a journalist by having a column in the sports section.