Weather conditions have forced the cancellation of the highly expected but woefully billed Africa vs. Europe Match Against Racism which was to be held yesterday in Turin. Many of the stars - including our Zizou (above wearing his favorite new shirt) - were unable to even fly in for the event. http://juvemania.it/nevica-a-torino-annullata-la-idolo-cup/

I don't usually post picture posts but I just saw these on Getty and thought I'd post them anyways... ( Under the cut ) *more added

Zidane glad head-butt was punished in World Cup final Former French midfielder Zinedine Zidane is glad he was sent-off for his head-butt in the 2006 World Cup final because he has not had to live with regret over escaping punishment. Zidane received a red card for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final, the last match of his career, which Italy won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. “It (the sending off) was a very good thing,” the former Real Madrid and Juventus playmaker told France Football magazine in an interview released today. “It’s good that (Italian keeper Gianluigi) Buffon signalled what I had done to the referee because it was not pretty. I don’t know how I could have lived with it had France become world champions and I had stayed on the pitch.” Zidane, who helped France lift the World Cup in 1998, thought there had been an overreaction to Thierry Henry’s handball that led to France beating Ireland in November and securing a 2010 World Cup place. “Many people outside football got involved, people who love you when you lift trophies and let you down when things go wrong. I’m certain Henry is not proud of his gesture.” — Reuters  

Liverpool FC defender Glen Johnson may face police probe after nightclub incident


LIVERPOOL FC footballer Glen Johnson could be quizzed by detectives after an allegation of assault outside a nightclub in London's West End.

The Metropolitan Police said a man attended a station in the capital on Sunday afternoon claiming he was attacked by the Reds defender near the Movida club in Argyll Street at around 4am that day.

The victim claimed he was punched and suffered arm, chest and facial injuries which are not said to be serious.

Detectives confirmed they are investigating the incident and may speak to Johnson if they feel there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation of assault.

The Metropolitan Police spokeswoman added: "There have been no arrests."

The England star was in London the day after Liverpool's humbling defeat against bottom-club Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool Daily Post

Flo found scans of a TV magazine that promotes the show La Chanson de L'année which will air on December 31st on TF1 in profit of ELA. The show was already registered and Zizou was there together with Veronique. Sadly I couldn't find any pictures of them together, only of Zizou. Here are the scans:



The cover shoot for this magazine was done by the photographer David Ken. He also took other pictures from behind the scenes as well as one picture of Zizou that is part of his LOL project, where he photographs laughing people. LOL of course comes from Laughing out loud.



Here's the link to the other pictures: www.davidken.com/2009/12/les-coulisses-de-lemission-speciale-au-profit-dela-sur-tf1-le-30-decembre/

Thanks Flo!!

Javier Mascherano faces a four match suspension following his sending off at Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.

Mascherano was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason during the Reds' 2-0 defeat on the south coast and now faces his second spell on the sidelines this season.

The Argentine midfielder, who limped off the field with an injury, will sit out the Christmas fixtures with Wolves and Aston Villa as well as the FA Cup tie at Reading and the league clash with Tottenham.

.tv

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Liverpool have confirmed the injury sustained by midfielder Javier Mascherano during Saturday's defeat at Portsmouth.

The Reds' midfielder limped out of the 2-0 defeat with a knee injury and was assessed by the club's medical staff at Melwood on Sunday..

A club spokesman said: "The player had a scan this afternoon which confirmed the medical team's initial diagnosis that he suffered a medial ligament sprain in his left knee."

"He is exoected to be sidelined for two to three weeks."

.tv

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- Danny talking about our recent form and stuff...

As Sam and Team seem to have forgotten to do it today, Ill fill in - How were your footballing weekends please?

Everton's inability to win at home continued but then the lads are trying hard and we were actually robbed yesterday by the ref - a 2nd goal that was never given (called offside which video proves it wasn't) would have made it 2-0 and then to add insult to injury - we didn't get a clear penalty (handball by Carr).
I am currently responding to all banter from friends by saying a sentence I always keep for hard times: Being an Everton supporter, I am trained as a monk - I expect a lot of pain and need for patience before receiving enlightenment :) (and I would like to point out that I have stated in this forum and in other non-online forums my willingness to see Everton finish 17th on the condition they win some Silverware)

Other Results:
A number of teams to thank,
West Ham, for holding back Chelsea and keeping the race open during xmas.
Fulham, not for the demise of Man UTD but for admiration of (if he keeps this up) the next England manager - Roy Hodgson... and yes, had Man UTD not been competing with Everton for the "longest injury list" of the Premiership competition, the outcome might have been different.
The Liverpool show - amusing harakiri that they are, I still refuse to banter my Liverpool supporting friends, too many times have they staged a late return to form and top 4.
and how can I not end with a mention to the turquoise side of Manchester, he should have been given more time but hey - life a b*&^h sometimes and he'll get over it.

So how were your weekends?

 

I know it's still a few short days away but I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (if you celebrate it, and if not, then I still hope you have a wonderful Holiday season)  and a glorious and joyous New Year and I hope that all of your hopes and wishes come true in 2010!  I want to especially say hey to my girl, Magician10 and also to some other very special friends:  ZZ_Top10,  Zizou4ever, Zizouluver,  Claire,  Flo,  Arti (wherever she is...we miss you dear! Godspeed and hope to see you again soon !),  Abril,  Sandra (another gone but not forgotten member), Marlizz - donde estes amiga, que estes bien! - Gurbetci,  Instanthealing, Icemom, Goonerbaby, Marlene, Realistar, Effielstar,  and all the others that have made this community so much fun and help keep it thriving and of course, here's hoping that we will see more of our special man in 2010 !!! 

Love,
           Talia

Flo posted a ton of things recently and I am so nice to share them with you. (well you could check out her dailymotion account yourself but...I want to feel like father Christmas, okay?)

First she posted many unwatermarked (and gorgeous) pictures from La Plagne:
( click here for more/gorgeous closeups )

The video from France 2 that so many had problems watching: L'Equipe interview from la Plagne:

Articles and pictures from Zidane in the Velodrome stadium:


Thanks FLO!!

The Telegraph has opened a poll about the biggest sporting moment of the decade. I don't agree at all with the current leader (Nadal vs Federer...*snore* Okay, I admit I am not a big tennis fan) and even if you don't vote for Zizou's Champions League final goal there are IMO lots of other worthy winners. *haha* Here's the article that presents Zizou's goal as a possible option for the sporting moment of the decade: (and poor Ringo, he has a name!!)

What: Bayer Leverkusen 1 Real Madrid 2; Zinedine Zidane's volley wins the Champions League When: May 15, 2002 Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow Watch: YouTube

A glimpse of an artist at the height of their ability is always a privilege. Those who heard the Beatles at Shea Stadium, for example, were lucky enough to witness a moment which defined a generation through the sheer brilliance of John, Paul, George and the drummer. So too anyone at Hampden Park for the Champions League final, 2002. A lofted pass from Santiago Solari down the left wing sends Roberto Carlos and Zoltan Sebescen scampering to the edge of the 18 yard box; Carlos gets there first, but the Bayer Leverkusen player does enough to force him to loop a hopeful punt into the penalty area. It balloons into the night sky, and drops. Zinedine Zidane, 18 yards out, watching and waiting, adjusts his body and, in one, smooth movement, pirouettes and catches it full on the volley with his left foot. It flies past Hans-Jorg Butt. It was the moment of Zidane’s apotheosis, more so than the 1998 World Cup final, because of the moment’s grace and beauty, because of his control of everything around him. He was Bruce Lee in slow motion while kung-fu chaos reigned around. That was the benefit of being the world’s best player, there for all to understand, on the highest stage of all. But it was also the high-point of Real Madrid’s Galactico project, the feeling the Madrid president spent £200 million this summer trying to recapture, seven years on. This was Perez’s famous cracks y Pavones in harmoney, the likes of Ivan Helguera, Fernando Hierro, Solari and Makelele balancing out Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul. That summer, Ronaldo came, the next Beckham, as Perez searched for the perfect moment once more, that hit of sheer joy Zidane gave him, and the millions watching, in Glasgow.

What they said:
Zinedine Zidane: "After winning the World Cup, this is the most important thing for me, because for any player who competes at club level, this is very special. It is the most important trophy a club can win. I have not won the Champions League before, and after the World Cup this comes a close second. My goal was very nice, but the most important thing was that we won. It has brought me and the team great satisfaction. Klaus Toppmoller (Bayer coach): "We can spend all the time on the training ground planning for Real's tactics, but then something special happens that you cannot plan for and in this case it was Zidane's goal." Did you know? Thanks to Zidane's brilliance Michael Ballack's Bayer Levekusen completed and unwanted treble that season by coming second in the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League.  

( From the Daily Telegraph archive )source and poll: www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/championsleague/6833372/Top-20-sporting-moments-of-the-decade-Zinedine-Zidanes-Champions-League-final-winner.html

So, Mark Hughes sacked then. What do you think of that? I'd have sympathy for him but he was probably the least pleasant manager in the Premier League, a man spectacularly devoid of a sense of humour and who revelled in giving it but burst into tears when somebody bit back. Fuck off I say and don't let the door hit your arse on the way out, you cunt.

As a side note, I'm finding Money City's problems absolutely hilarious. So...so your number 25 has a bad attitude? WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT. Kolo Toure isn't actually that good? NO!

So far, the season has been not far short of f*cking awful. What to do about it??


Poll #1501082 The season so far
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 22

Sack:

Tickybox?

This is the 12th time Arsenal have started without a single Englishman in their team this season already. No other Premier League side has even done it once this term.

PLAYER OF THE DECADE: Zinedine Zidane, France
Zizou gets our Player of the Decade nod, barely beating out Ronaldinho, who also won two World Player of the Year awards this decade but didn't have anything approaching Zidane's longevity at the top of the global game. No player since Diego Maradona has provided as much joy to viewers who love the artistry of soccer. Case in point: France's stunning upset of Brazil in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals, in which Zidane rediscovered his mojo on the game's biggest stage. (Bonus points for scoring the greatest goal of the decade in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen.)

SIGNATURE PLAY: Zidane's pirouette
The greatest soccer player since Maradona could do many things with unparalleled aesthetic grace, but none more so than the maneuver in which a moving Zizou would place his toe onto the ball, turn and pivot in one fluid motion to skin an unsuspecting defender. Zidane's move combined the spatial awareness of Michael Jordan with the artistry of Rudolf Nureyev. No one today does it like Zizou did.

Zizou was also mentioned at other points *cough* to read that...and to see who else has made it to the

Soccer: Highlights and lowlights

( click HERE )

I would take this with a pinch of salt, but according to the following article Zizou and France 98 will visit Algeria on March 1 to compete in a mini football tournament.

Zidane and the 98 France team in Algeria on 1 March

Algiers- According to informed sources at the Ministry of Youth and Sport, international football star Zineddine Zidane will participate with the team of France holder of the World cup 98, the end of February in a mini football tournament in Algeria.

The mini tournament will be held in the hall The Dome at “Mohamed Boudiaf Complex” with the participation of three teams of former players of the Algerian national team. The revenues will be granted to associations of disabled and categories of disadvantaged social categories. According to the same source, the initiator of this tournament is the former Algerian international footballer Nacer Bouiche, president of the Association of Algerian football stars, who, in collaboration with many former players and French officials at the former French coach Aimé Jacquet, who won the World Cup with the team of France in 1989, and Henri Emile, the former international head of communications at the French football federation. The latter came on visit in Algeria late last week along with Nacer Bouiche where they were received at the Ministry of Youth and Sport by the secretary general who expressed the availability of the Department to put the necessary resources to support this initiative. Moreover, the French Emile Henry took the opportunity to be in Algeria along with Bouiche to visit the hall of the Dome at the Olympic complex, which will host this sporting event. They were received by the director of the complex who in his turn has expressed his support and readiness to equip the hall for the event. For his part, the star Zidane, according to the sources, has also expressed his interest in visiting his country of origin to which he became much attached and support to Algerian football every time you requested. However, the dark spot that could hinder this event would be the attempt of certain parties within the FAF, headed by its President Raouraoua and Oughilès Kamel, who would prefer that this initiative passes through the Amicale of former players and not by the Association of Algerian football stars, headed by Algerian international Nacer Bouiche.

Ennahar / Chafik Khouas

source: www.ennaharonline.com/en/sports/2649.html
I haven't found any other articles about this yet though, so we have to wait and see.

Saturday 19 December 2009 12:45, Barclays Premier League

The Liverpool team in full:
Reina - Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua - Mascherano, Lucas - Kuyt, Gerrard, Dossena - Torres

Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Skrtel

Referee for today is Lee Mason.

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( INFOS IN HERE )

Lia wished for them, here they are...and boy, they truly are many!!!
    ( click here to see a ton of others!! )