Emirates Cup Info
By: Corey | August 1st, 2008
Real will take on Hamburg Saturday, 2pm eastern time in London for the Emirates Cup. Much is being made of the tournament not because its a great way to showcase your players, or the fact that the teams that play in the tournament usually go on to have miserable years (Valencia! and PSG last year, plus Ajax played in the Bergkamp testimonial there and had a shitty year, only Inter has escaped this curse), but for the possible negotiations that the always daper Ramon Calderon will be engaged in. With Pedja and Portugal by his side, there should theoretically be a deal hammerred out for Rafeal van der Vaart either before or after the two teams meet. More reason to want to have Rafeal on the team here.
But there is also some quality football to be played. Four teams that have been known to play attractive, flowing football (Real, Arsenal, Hamburg and Juve, although attractive and Juve are debatable) will be preparing for their campaigns besides all the off-field stuff. It may be interesting to see how VdV handles playing against Real, and also how Vincent Kompany looks (a stud, I know) as he certainly isnt a phone call away from being a Real player either. I will be interested to see how Martin Jol guides the Hamburg side as well, as they have a good squad but their previous few coaches have had so many ups and downs with the squad.
But of course what we really care about is how Real does. Will they win the Emirates Cup? Will they bitch slap Hamburg and beat down Arsenal? Who knows, I just want to see some attractive football, although I have a dilemma as Lyon will be playing in the Trophie de Championes around the same time Real plays, AND I might have to go to one of the most dangerous cities in the US, Bridgeport CT, for a project. I will definately miss the second match as I will be at the beach, my room mates company (well hospital he is a DI Tech at) picnic, for some free food and well its the beach, we go every weekend.
But that doesnt mean all of you out there shouldnt watch. My disposition against preseason friendlies aside, it will be the one and only chance to see Dani Parejo play before he leaves for QPR on a 2 year loan deal that I dont get, as well as see some fringe players play prominent roles, like Michel Salgado or Saviola. And it will be entertaining, as points are awarded not only for wins but also for goals scored, which stinks of Arsene Wenger. You can find a few streams here http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/. And it will be on GolTV if you have it, which most people dont, but all in all theres options. It will probably be easier to view this game then any Olympic soccer matches!
Category: Team News
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Comments
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I have tickets for tomorrow
I’ll let you know what it was like next week.Posted from
United Kingdom
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Have fun Evo!
Posted from
United States -
Shit, I see reports that Madrid have officially signed Van der Vaart for 9million euros? That’s a fuckin steal!
Posted from
United States -
thats a smart management…the counterpoint to en excessive price they’ll lay down for CR
Posted from
Spain -
And now sneider is out for quite a while, nothing official yet but Van der Vaart should do the job but guti is the man who takes responsibility.
Posted from
Spain -
F-ckin terrible break that Sneids most likely tore his ACL in this stupid friendly…and the Whites still lost to the Gunners. These matches are so meaningless, and although I understand they’re in place to help teams “warm-up” for the season, I just hate seeing one of the squad’s (and the world’s) most gifted young players suffer such a bad injury. However, this could be a blessing in disguise. It would definitely open the door for Van de Vaart to compete for playing time right away (which I’m sure he would anyways but..), and with an already crowded midfield loaded with talent, los blancos can thankfully afford to lose Wesley at this moment.
Unfortunately, they can’t say the same for Ruud, so here’s hoping that Calderon has been doing some shopping that we are unaware of. Whatever happened to offering Klaas-Jan Huntelaar? I saw today on goal.com (I know, shaky sources) that Van Basten reported no one has offered Ajax for the striker. Let’s just sign the rest of the Dutch national squad while we’re at it, Calderon must really like that country for some reason (hmm?).
Oh yeah, 9 Champs League, I agree that Gutierrez is the man who takes responsibility, let’s hope that Guti handles that well. In my opinion, more of Real’s attacking capability hinges on his shoulders than any other player out there. When he’s focused, his passes are pretty much unstoppable. Madrid needs his leadership in the midfield.
I can’t wait for the season to start.
Posted from
United States -
Dear Abou Diaby,
I have watched you play many games, and have observed your remarkable talent for Diving. That is, falling down like a clown when no one has actually touched you. In important games. And getting carded for it. Interesting then, your take on what is an acceptable tackle, in a relatively meaningless game, against a team that has little bearing on your own club’s future. Because that was pretty bad, that tackle. And pretty, pretty, pretty obviously intentional. Meaning, you meant to take Sneijder down. So, dear Abou, I’m going to go ahead and lose my composure here. Fuck you, you fucking cunt rag. love,
-john
p.s. sorry Corey, I usually try to avoid profanity. But that shit really pissed me off.
Posted from
United States -
No problem John, I saw the tackle too and I didnt like it one bit. Diaby will go down as one of Wenger’s many wasted talents, he pretty much has not developed into much of anything at Arsenal except a bruiser.
Posted from
United States
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