Good-Bye 2011, Welcome 2012

2011 has gone past us and we all are looking forward to the new year, 2012 with hope. The past year was something like a rollercoaster ride - the financial turbulence, a slew of nature's fury at various parts of world, the fight for democracy at other parts all made it a wonderful ride. Time Magazine has rightly named this year as the "Year of Protesters". From a footballing perspective 2011 will always be remembered as the "Year of The Clasicos". Seven Clasico clashes had left football players and fans a bit drained, but this is one clash we will be all craving for more. For a Barcelona fan the past year was nothing short of a dream calendar year. We have ended this year with five official silverware - La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Liga Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Only year 2009 has been better in terms of Silverware, where we won the Copa del Rey also. But considering that we made it to the final of that tournament last year, this has to be considered a better year- especially taking into account the challenge posed by bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Continue Reading...

Barca to meet Osasuna in Copa del Rey Last 16 Knock Out Round

FC Barcelona has been drawn with Osasuna for the next round of Cop del Rey clash. The draw took place today morning and had thrown up some interesting posibilities for next round. Guardiola wouldn't be happy with the dates for the Last 16 round. The frist leg will take place at Camp Nou between jan 3 to Jan 5. That could see the South american contigent being used in limited capacity as they would be just back from holidays. Having the second leg away from home means that Barca has to take a definie advantage in the first leg and that too with our problem usually after the breaks. The talk of the town is not the clash with osasuna, it's the supposed Quarter Final Clash with Real Madrid. Madrid has been drawn with rich boys Malaga for the round of 16. If both Barca and Madrid win, then the first leg of Quarter Final will take place at Bernebeu on January 18th.

Christmas Gift : Ronaldo's Reaction to Messi Golazo

FC Barcelona - 9, L'Hospitalet - 0 Video Highlights

Isn't Laureus Awards Unfair to Team Sports?

Lionel Messi, once again has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. He was nominated in three occasions and have not yet been succesful in winning this one. FC Barcelona also has been nominated in the Sport Team of the Year category and Abidal also for the Comeback of the Year. Messi has been nominated along with the likes of Djokovic, Vettel, Bolt and Nowitzki. And the company of these great Gentlemen are the problem for the Barca genius. It's not that these are players who make Messi feel miniature in status. The problem precisely is that three of them - Djokovi, Bolt and Vettel are players who plays in a Individual sport. So at the time of voting, the fact that messi plays a Team Sport will act against him. You cannot blame the Jury members for making such a choice. If you are given thge choice of picking between Messi and Djokovic, you will probably end up picking the Serbian because he fights alon and Messi fight along with his team. Eventhough Messi have achieved almost everything compared to Djokovic's achievement - scored 53 goals, Won numerous titles, scored and assisted in every competition in this calendar year, but still a counter argument could be placed "That he could not have done it without his teammates".

Continue Reading...