Soccer Brothers

                

 

Do you remember the famous movie of the early 80s "the Blues Brothers" with Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. The two heroes were able to overcome all the obstacles in their way and to avoid their pursuers until the last scene of the film. "They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God" was the tagline of the film. The current Brazilian national soccer team, which plays at the World Cup in Germany, reminded me of the Blues Brothers. Although they prefer samba music to blues, they seem to be unstoppable and although they are not on a mission from God their religiosity is obvious.

The Brazilian players often pray and some of them wear T-shirts with religious slogans under their uniforms. Lucio, one of the team's best defenders was wearing a T-shirt with the message ?Jesus loves you? in last World Cup's final game in Yokohama. Kaka, a talented midfielder wears similar T-shirts, while Ze Roberto another midfielder according to the Columbian newspaper "El Pais" plans to become a pastor of the Evangelical Church. Another Brazilian, Luis Felipe Scolari, who is the coach of the national team of Portugal, has chosen for his team a training center in Marienfeld close to a 12th-century monastery, in order for him to visit it every morning and pray.

Brazilians are not the only religious players in the World Cup. Saudi Arabian players, who have reduced their prayers from five to three during the first phase of the World Cup, have special stickers on the furniture of their rooms showing the direction to Mecca in order to motivate their prayers. They also celebrated their first goal against Tunisia with a short prayer to their God. The Iranian national team asked for a special room dedicated to prayer in their hotel in Friedrichshafen and to the dismay of their coach they gave up hours of sleep before their first game against Yugoslavia to participate in a long, late-night Islamic ceremony held to mourn a seventh-century Shiite Muslim saint.

The organizing committee locked the chapels that are located in the Olympiastadion in Berlin and in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen so as to avoid criticism for religious racism, but the question remains, "Does praying and strong belief affect the players' performance?" Legendary veteran player Pele, who won the Cup three times, straightens out the issue with his statement. "I never prayed to win a game or to score. My first care was to remain healthy and after that I was praying to God that a match shouldn't finish without a score (0-0)". Lucio, on the other hand, supports that "the team that gives God the utmost glory deserves to be the champion in the World Cup 2006". Time will tell which of this year's World Cup teams will make it to be the World Champion of 2006, but one thing is for sure. Soccer funs will have the opportunity to admire the world's best soccer players' score, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Religion, Employment, and Society

Champions League Livestream Soccer Betting

                

 

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Group A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Second (2nd) rounds in CL groups. Written by Ecobika Soccer Predictions. Half of the games (Group E-H) take place on Tuesday, 26 September, the rest (Group A-D) on Wednesday, 27 September. Ecobika Soccer Predictions has picks on all games.

The CL games on Tuesday:

Steaua-Lyon X Steaua is a big surprise, and Ecobika thinks that no risk will be taken, after the good result away in the 1st round!

Real Madrid-Dinamo Kyiv 1 The other football CL game in the same group, Real Madrid is gathering momentum, not advised to bet upset here.

Celtic-K?benhavn 1 Though K?benhavn beat out Ajax in the qualifying stage, Celtic is in must win situation and it should have the fruits against one of the weakest, if not, in the whole Champions League.

Benfica-MU X After the good start, neither team should risk anything! DRAW SEEMS BEAUTIFUL!

CSKA-Hamburg 1 Hamburg is in crisis, CSKA Should win easily

Arsenal-Porto 1 The Gunners are inform home win is widely expected, bet it with confidence at gamebookers

Lille-Milan X Ecobika can not imagine Lille taking any risk, and DRAW is offered with beautiful odds

AEK-Anderlecht 1 Neither team is good enough to qualify from the group, but HOME WIN seems the good bet.

Champions League on Wednesday:

Levski Sofia-Chelsea 2 Maybe Ecobika is onesided, if Chelsea is playing, but not risky to bet AWAY win

Werder Bremen-Barcelona 2 This game maybe one of the best in this round, but Barcelona is too good, bet away

Spartak-Sporting 1 Though Russian teams are not good enough - this is a tradition in the Champions League -, maybe a win at home is not impossible.

Internazionale-Bayern 1 German teams have big problems with Italian teams (remember the World Cup and last years' results in the CL). HOME BANKER at Ecobika

Liverpool-Galatasaray 1 This is an obligatory lesson (homework) for hard-to-predict Liverpool.

Bordeaux-PSV 1 Maybe UNDER 2.5 is better bet?

Valencia-Roma X After the excellent start, neither teams have to risk anything DRAW'S odds is beautiful risk/award ratio!

Shakthar Doneck-Olympiacos X The Ukranien teams - simirarly to their Russian counterparts and rivals - are traditionally not good enough (Kyiv vs Steaua, the latest example) in this Champions League Football Group Stage.

To Bet LIVESTREAM SOCCER CLICK HERE

To Bet LIVESTREAM SOCCER CLICK HERE

Improving Soccer Skills With Soccer Training Gear

                

 

The main objective when playing the game of soccer is to score a goal in the opposing teams? net and bypassing the goalie. This skill requires a great deal of practice, and a certain portion of muscle training and memory that needs to be acquired over time. With the proper soccer training gear, this goal can be accomplished, while improving other aspects of a player?s soccer skills as well.

New technology in the field of sports training is constantly improving and expanding, but growing as a player ultimately comes down to the fundamentals and repetition. One soccer training device eliminates much of the time spent on retrieving out-of-play balls, allowing practice to become easier as a solo activity, rather than having a constant need to either chase balls yourself, or have a partner do it for you. This simple training device allows more time to be spent on practicing the basics of kicking, and goal placement.

Strength and endurance is another key aspect for all players to possess in order to be optimal soccer players, since a great majority of the 45 minute halves is spent running up and down the soccer field. The ability to outrun an opponent is crucial, and another soccer training device can aide players in doing just that. A rubber band-like cord that ties around the athletes waste, and is secured into the ground, offers resistance training and explosiveness when it comes to racing an opponent on the soccer field.

For some of the skills necessary to become an improved soccer player, training gear may not even be necessary. Going back to the skills learned as a child when first taught how to play the game of soccer, may be some of the best training equipment one can have. Practicing juggling and controlling the ball, quick feet to ball movements, and even just dribbling the ball while running can be some of the best training gear an athlete can have. The saying goes ?Practice makes perfect?, but essentially, it?s more along the lines that ?Practice make permanent?. Repetition and control over the soccer ball without even having to think about it is what will make anyone a better soccer player.

Dana Bradley writes about Pros sport Memorabilia coupons and Fans Edge Coupon Codes.

UEFA Cup First Round - Free Soccer Predictions

                

 

UEFA Cup First Round take place at 14 September and the rematches on 28 September. The aggregate winners are marching on into the UEFA Cup Group stage. As the aggregate results count, maybe a few upsets in the cards! Ecobika Free Sports Betting Picks tries to figure out the best bets see the 1st games played on Thursday, 14/09. A lot of big names clubs came from the Champions League, after failing to qualify into the CL group stage. Among them for example Ajax, Hearts, Standard Liege, Salzburg, PSV, Feyenoord...and a lot of relatively unknown clubs to try to qualify. The picks: 1 means home win, X draw, 2 away win. You are adviced to bet the game with bet365, one of the best bookie, if you do not have an account with them, click here and grab your sign up bonuses, free bets baskets immediately.

So the 1st leg games and picks:

Lokomotiv Moskva - Zulte Waregem 1
Basel - Rabotnicki 1
Marseille - Mlad? Boleslav 1
Derry - PSG 2
Eintracht Frankfurt - Br?ndby 1
Artmedia - Espanyol X
Levadia - Newcastle 2
Partizan - Groningen 1
Achnas - Lens 2
Panathinaikos - Zaporizhya 1
Ru?omberok - Club Brugge X M. Haifa - Litex 1
Set?bal - Heerenveen 1
Trabzonspor - Osasuna X
Rubin - Parma X
Dinamo Zagreb - Auxerre 1
Braga - Chievo 1
Schalke - Nancy 1
Sion - Leverkusen 2
Start - Ajax 2
Legia - Austria 1
Fenerbah?e - Randers 1
Loko Sofia - Feyenoord 2
Standard Liege - Celta 1
Rapid Bucuresti - Nacional 1
Chornomorets - H. Tel-Aviv 1
Beşiktaş - CSKA Sofia 1
Livorno - Pasching 1
Salzburg - Blackburn 1
AZ - Kayserispor 1
Slavia - Tottenham 1
West Ham - Palermo 1
Hearts - Sparta 1
?tvidaberg - Grasshoppers 2
Hertha - OB 1
Wisła - Iraklis 1
Molde - Rangers 2
Atromitos - Sevilla 2
Xanthi - Dinamo Bucuresti X
Liberec - Crvena Zvezda 1

Once again, one of the best bookie on the net is bet365, click here and make your bet profitable with the great odds!

Ecobika Free Sports Betting Picks

Once again, one of the best bookie on the net is bet365, click here and make your bet profitable with the great odds!

Ecobika Free Sports Betting Picks

Soccer Kicks Back

                

 

Soccer has to be one of the original sports games every played by people. I can just imagine cave dwellers kicking around the old soccer ball. Or maybe it was a soccer rock? A soccer coconut perhaps? It's got to be one of the simplest form of sports play imaginable. I mean, really, I kick the ball this way and you try to kick the ball that way. Whether the ball (coconut?) goes more this way or more that way determines the winner. While it may be easy for me to imagine soccer being kicked around by a bunch of caveman sports enthusiasts, the earliest official record of soccer by played was in China about 3000 years ago. Wow, that's like 750 World Cups, if anyone was keeping track.

Ultimate Soccer Header

Soccer is also kind of bizarre, in that it's one of the few sports I can think of where you use your head for more than just strategizing. You actually can use your head to make contact with the ball. Imagine trying that in football (American) or hockey for that matter. Nothing link deflecting a slap shot with the forehead for a game winning goal. Stitches don't hurt that much. Those soccer guys are kinda funny that way. But the ultimate head shot in soccer was a little more bizarre. Gruesome actually. Apparently in more medieval times, the head of a defeated Dannish prince was used as the ball by early day soccer hooligans in the east of England. Yuck. Think I'd be shopping for some new soccer shoes after that match. It's a wonder soccer ever caught on with the Danes after a defeat like that one.

Soccer Wars

As with many games these days, soccer had it's origins on the battlefield. Rival towns would play soccer against each other, with little or no rules, and massive sized teams. Violent, bloody games, with hundreds of people kicking, punching, tripping in an attempt to win the soccer match. Sounds kind of like today, except today, that sounds like a more apt description of the fans instead of the players. You think it's tough being a soccer referee today, imagine a few hundred years ago. At least today, they keep the fans and referees separated. As time went on, and the local authorities realized that banning soccer wasn't going to work, more civilized soccer fans brought rules and order to the game of soccer. Not everyone agreed, and there were some splinter groups that went off and formed derivatives of the game. Rugby was one.

Soccer As Civilized Play

So today we have the modern game of soccer that we even allow our children to play. A far reach from the early beginnings of the sport. Perhaps an analogy can be drawn between soccer and many new forms of expression. In the beginning, things can be a bloody mess, but a few thousand years of civility and anything can be reduced to child's play.

For more on soccer visit http://www.soccerplaylive.com or read other soccer articles at http://foolishmumbles.com/category/soccer/

Soccer Fitness Training - How To Do It

                

 

Often called "The Beautiful Game", football, or soccer if you're from the United States, is unquestionably the most popular sport in the world.

It started with George Best in the 1960's, and now Soccer is the new rock and roll of our time with multi-million pound paydays, glamorous celebrity lifestyles and worldwide acclaim on offer for its top exponents. Sponsors and TV Companies also profit massively from the world-wide demand for the game and its domination of our TV Screens and popular culture shows no signs of flagging.

Not surprisingly therefore, how to actually train a soccer player to produce the goods on the pitch is big business for the coaches who know how. As an avid football fan for over 25 years I'm going to explain the best conditioning exercises currently known for the different player positions. I am not going to discuss ball control here because that is a separate topic:

The Goalkeeper

The Goalie has to go from a still position suddenly into a quick explosive movement. Powerlifting, reaction training and plyometrics should therefore be the mainstay of the training regime. A controlled low fat diet should also improve agility making it easier for the keeper to span the width of the goal at breakneck speed when required.

The Defender

Similar to the Keeper, the defender needs explosive bursts of energy and good reactions and agility. They also ideally need to be physically bigger to intimidate and impose themselves on the attacking strikers but still be able to run fast enough to keep up with them. Fullbacks need full body strength training but a high protein / low carbohydrate diet to avoid putting on too much weight which could slow them down. Reaction training is also a must here.

The Mid-Fielder

Mid-fielders need to do interval training interspersing sprints with longer runs to improve both their basic fitness and explosive power as they will need both to get them through 90 minutes of what will be a lot of running around (more so than with any other player position). Power lifting to achieve full body strength (but again not at the expense of speed) should also feature prominently to give extra authority to the tackles that will need to be made.

The Striker

Forwards need to train for speed and agility pure and simple. This means factoring in explosive twists and turns into their workouts. They also need good general fitness so they can run at a slower speed for longer periods of time to keep up with the pace of the game and stay in contention to capitalise on any opportunities that are created.

Conclusion

These tips are just general guidelines and obviously will need to be tweaked to fit the individual requirements of different athletes but hopefully the underlying principles should be clear. The more progress a player makes the more individualised his or her training can become.

It is important that any unique physical characteristics of a footballer (e.g. an unusually tall player) be taken into account when initially forming a training program and it is also important to constantly re-evaluate the training methods to find the right 'fit' for that particular individual.

To use an analogy from Boxing: behind every great fighter there is a great trainer. The best boxers in history often had very unconventional techniques but had trainers who recognised their particular talents and structured the training to allow for this. Muhammed Ali did everything wrong from a boxing textbook point of view but his trainer, Angelo Dundee, recognised his genius and allowed him to express himself in training, taking a much more 'hands off' approach than other boxing trainers of the day.

So perhaps the rule should be that there are no definitive 'hard and fast' rules but that if you combine the above basic principles with a flexible approach then the foundation for success can be achieved.

Gary Evans has been an avid football supporter for over 25 years. If you found the above information on soccer training useful, you can learn a lot more about how the world's elite players and coaches train for their soccer matches by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/kqgdg

Soccer Is About More Than Just Playing The Game: It's About Using The Right Equipment

                

 

Before a soccer player is even allowed to step out onto the soccer field, the referee does his standard check of each player to insure that he or she is wearing all of the necessary soccer gear. Shin Guards, socks, cleats, uniforms tucked in, no jewelry, and so forth. Along with the necessary gear among each of the players, the teams also need a soccer ball, a net, goalkeeper equipment, soccer bags, practice jerseys, flags, cones, etc.

One of the most important parts of purchasing any type of sporting gear is to make sure that the equipment fits the player correctly, in order for it to protect the way that it is intended. For example, soccer shin guards should cover the shins up to just below the knee, with the soccer socks covering the entire shin guard.

There are many different brands that carry soccer gear, so a little research and background knowledge of each company will aid in the selection of the best soccer gear for each individual player. Many of the most well known sporting and shoe companies make their own soccer gear. Nike?, Adidas?, Puma?, Umbro?, Lotto?, and Franklin? are just a few of the leading manufacturers in soccer gear. One of the first thoughts in many consumers' heads when it comes to buying anything is where they can get the best deal. That is okay, but it's important to remember that quality should outlast low cost, and quality made soccer gear will keep the players safe, and playing their best.

When searching for a deal on soccer gear, comparing products to one another will give the consumer a better idea of what it is that they are paying for. Looking at the materials used to make the equipment, how it fits, durability, if the gear will withstand washing, and whether or not the soccer player could actually play soccer with ease while using that particular gear, are all important factors to pay attention to.

Beginners, and those who are not as familiar with the game of soccer, may not realize that there really is much to the game than a ball and a net. Other forms of soccer gear such as shin guards, cleats, uniforms, practice equipment, and so forth are just as important to the game of soccer as simply having the required ten players on each team, a ball and a net.

Dana Bradley writes about coupon codes, Sport Coupon Codes and Football Coupons.

Soccer Is About More Than Just Playing The Game: It?s About Using The Right Equipment

                

 

Before a soccer player is even allowed to step out onto the soccer field, the referee does his standard check of each player to insure that he or she is wearing all of the necessary soccer gear. Shin Guards, socks, cleats, uniforms tucked in, no jewelry, and so forth. Along with the necessary gear among each of the players, the teams also need a soccer ball, a net, goalkeeper equipment, soccer bags, practice jerseys, flags, cones, etc.

One of the most important parts of purchasing any type of sporting gear is to make sure that the equipment fits the player correctly, in order for it to protect the way that it is intended. For example, soccer shin guards should cover the shins up to just below the knee, with the soccer socks covering the entire shin guard.

There are many different brands that carry soccer gear, so a little research and background knowledge of each company will aid in the selection of the best soccer gear for each individual player. Many of the most well known sporting and shoe companies make their own soccer gear. Nike?, Adidas?, Puma?, Umbro?, Lotto?, and Franklin? are just a few of the leading manufacturers in soccer gear. One of the first thoughts in many consumers? heads when it comes to buying anything is where they can get the best deal. That is okay, but it?s important to remember that quality should outlast low cost, and quality made soccer gear will keep the players safe, and playing their best.

When searching for a deal on soccer gear, comparing products to one another will give the consumer a better idea of what it is that they are paying for. Looking at the materials used to make the equipment, how it fits, durability, if the gear will withstand washing, and whether or not the soccer player could actually play soccer with ease while using that particular gear, are all important factors to pay attention to.

Beginners, and those who are not as familiar with the game of soccer, may not realize that there really is much to the game than a ball and a net. Other forms of soccer gear such as shin guards, cleats, uniforms, practice equipment, and so forth are just as important to the game of soccer as simply having the required ten players on each team, a ball and a net.

Dana Bradley writes about coupon codes, Sport Coupon Codes and Football Coupons.

Women?s Soccer Gear

                

 

Women?s soccer gear apparel consist of jerseys, T-shirts, lined and knitted pants and sphere shorts tailored specifically for the female players. The jerseys range from $50 to $80 while the pants and the shorts can be bought for $45 and $30 respectively.

Specific undergarments for women marketed by Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are priced within $20 to $50. Most often the bras are made from polyester and Lycra mix which offers moisture managing support and maximum comfort. Under Armour also manufactures women-specific boxer jocks and capris.

Women?s Fleece is priced at $50-$55. These include hooded pullovers that provide warmth and insulation during early morning training sessions. Women?s Hoody and Twill Hoody are other special outfits.

Soccer cleats for women marketed by Adidas and Nike and priced at $175 provide great comfort, good grip and stability. They are considered excellent for ball control and offer tremendous shooting power. Soccer shoes ranging from $50 to $125 are also available. These shoes are designed for remarkable comfort and flexibility. The shoes on the lower side of the price range are predominantly used for indoor games.

Two special products by Reusch cater exclusively to women goal keepers. Reusch Ortho Sleek Gloves are specifically designed for goal keepers with narrow hands and most suitable for women. These gloves are made of highly durable foam that lasts 25-30% longer than the usual mega foam. The flexible and removable finger protectors also greatly reduce the chances of injury. The other item marketed by Reusch is the Matriko Jersey. It is available in three sizes, medium, large and X-large and two elegant shades of lilac and sky blue. The jerseys are made of polyester material and contain stretchable polyester inserts and padded elbows.

Other accessories used by women such as headbands, shin guards, compression sleeve and padded ankle protectors are however designed to suit both the sexes. The key to soccer gear is flexibility. A person should feel extremely comfortable in their clothing. A person should not be reminded that they have on a particular item due to not feeling comfortable. When shopping for the latest in sports gear, a person doesn?t have to shop at several different websites in order to find what they need.

Cathy Peterson writes about NHL Teams,BaseBall Products and coupons

Soccer Gear

                

 

Soccer gear accessories come under a wide price, ranging from under $30 to over $1,800.
An exhaustive list of the soccer gear probably would run something like this, ball, corner and linesman flags, bags, footwear along with their accessories, training wear including, shirts, T-shirts, shorts, socks, shin guard and goalkeeping accessories like the soccer helmet, gloves, elbow and flexible knee protection pads and athletic tapes.

Separate apparels for women are also available including undergarments designed to provide maximum comfort during the game.

A Franklin 2-Soccer set is designed to suit all ages to mainly develop skills like precision kicking and goal keeping. Used to a large degree in practice sessions, this costs about $20. An Air Puck Soccer Training set is used for training indoors, so one need never feel out of shape during soccer season. A complete soccer goal set with a ball, a pump, 6-low cones and a water bottle can be obtained for around $45. A portable, inflatable mega soccer set is specially tailored for kids to play anywhere, be it the beach, in the front or the backyard of the house.

Branded footwear for soccer ranges from $80 to an autographed game model costing $400. Nike, Puma and Adidas are some of the most sought after brands. Comfortable footwear are molded with a cushioned sole. The studs at the base serve to increase the stability and acceleration. For women special soccer shoes for enhanced performance are available for $60. Studded and molded shoes with raised collars offer great comfort with no compromise on traction and speed. These shoes can usually be used in even as well as natural surfaces.

Among one of the products created for game training is the soccer practice session?s software. These softwares have specific, individual system requirement. These softwares can be broadly categorized into two types. One that prescribes a series of work-outs for the individual to increase the fitness level and another that presents a scheme of strategies for attacking and defending during the game. In a whole sale point the softwares may be obtained for around $57. Tactics 4.0 Disk 1, PDA Soccer Statware, Soccer Manager Standard Edition and SPRI VIC-SR Training Pack are some of the known packages. The softwares are a definite asset for coaches as it helps them tremendously in efficient team management.

Cathy Peterson writes about NHL Teams,BaseBall Products and WorldCup

So You Want To Be A Youth Soccer Coach

                

 

So, you think you have what it takes to become a youth soccer coach. Well in this article, you can determine if you are correct or not. Not just anyone can become a youth soccer coach, it takes someone with knowledge of the game, someone who is fair, someone who is honest, someone who works hard, and someone who associates well with kids. If this sounds like you, you may be just the person for the job. Dedication is also necessary to becoming a youth soccer coach and it takes a lot of dedication on your part to ensure your players are ready for the great game of soccer.

While there are many different aspects of soccer such as positions, skills, scrimmages, drills, and practices, one of the first areas, which you must learn as a new coach, are the basic rules of soccer. First, learn the layout of the field. The halfway line and the center circle divides each side and this is where kick-off takes place, at the top of each quarter or half and after a goal has been scored. Each side consists of a goal, goal box, goal line, penalty box, two corner arcs, sidelines, and a penalty box arc.

As a youth soccer coach, you must learn and teach your young players the rules as they apply to them and the game of soccer. We already covered what a kick-off is, however, you should let your players know that once the center kicks the ball, he or she may not touch the ball again until another player has. Next up is the throw-in, this occurs when the ball has passed over the sideline. The non-offending team has the chance to throw the ball in to his or hers team members. The feet must always be in place, never moving, and the ball must be thrown with both hands, over the head.

A corner or goal kick occurs when the ball has crossed the endline. The goal kick is warranted when the opposing team has kicked the ball across the endline without a score. If the team with the ball, kicks it over their own endline, the opposing teams gets what is called a corner kick. This takes place in the corner of a field and depending on the age of the players, the team must stay back so many feet from the point of the kick.

A penalty kick occurs when an opposing player performs a foul within their penalty box. An example of this foul may be using hands or tripping a player. The opposing team gets the opportunity to kick from the penalty line, with only the goalkeeper in the area.

A free kick takes place when the opposing team has fouled a member outside of their penalty box. The free kick will take place from the point in which the foul occurred.

These are just a few of the many rules when it comes to youth soccer, it is important that as a coach you review and learn all rules in order to prepare your team for a game. Becoming a youth soccer coach is a coveted position that will provide you with many rewarding opportunities as you shape the lives of your team.

You can enjoy more of Martin Myers articles at Home and Family and also My Precious Family.

Ronaldinho - World?s Greatest Soccer Player

                

 

Ronaldinho is one of the world?s greatest soccer players. You probably have seen his Nike commercial where it shows him as a young boy, and also shows him at his present age. It shows him kicking the ball up in the air and making defenders look like fools, and then at the very end he rolls the ball in with his head. The amazing thing about this commercial is that it is not much of an embellishment of the skills that he possesses. I have seen matches when he displays some of these same skills, and makes the defenders look just as bad.

Ronaldinho grew up in a poor village in Brazil. His father died when he was only 8 years old, and his family remained poor until his brother Roberto signed to play professional soccer. Ronaldinho first gained notoriety when he was 13, and scored 23 goals against a local team. Even though, Ronaldinho is the world?s greatest soccer player, he is still very humble. His humility makes he very appealing to me, because I do not like cocky players. Some reporters recently commented that he was the greatest soccer player in the world, and he told them he did not even think he was the best player in Barcelona. He has also been asked what he does with all of his money, and he says that he gives it to his mother. The reporters then asked if she was managing it for him, and he said no it is her money.

He has also been quoted as saying that even if he was not paid any money, he would still play just the same. In 2005, he was the highest paid soccer player in the world, at $29.5 million, including salaries and merchandising. His image is worth an estimated $60.3 million, which is the most valuable in the world. Ronaldinho is associated with many brands throughout the world, but Nike is probably the most well known of the brands.

Visit http://www.ronaldinho.cc/ for more on Ronaldinho

American Soccer Disappoints Again In The World Cup

                

 

The 2006 World Cup was going to be our year to show the world that we belong on the world stage in soccer. The Americans boasted a squad with quite a bit of international experience and a hunger to show the world that they belonged. Coming into the 2006 World Cup, the United States team was ranked 5th in the world by FIFA. Another great sign of hope was that the Americans made it to the Quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, which gave everyone hope that this could be the year everything was going to come together. For one of the first times I could remember people in America were actually excited about the World Cup.

The first soccer match for the United States was against the dangerous Czech Republic. The United States gave a lackluster performance and was dominated by the Czechs 3-0. This loss was a huge blow to the psyche of the American soccer team, but it would help them focus in their next match. One of the best teams in the tournament, Italy was next in line for the Americans, so things looked grim. It appeared that the United States team was going to disappoint again. However, the American soccer team displayed the skills and toughness everyone expected to see from them this year, and fought for a tie against the Italians 1-1. With Ghana beating the Czech Republic, American soccer once again had an opportunity. If Italy beat the Czechs, and the United States won against Ghana, the Americans would be into the Quarterfinals of the World Cup again. Italy beat the Czech Republic, but the United States suffered a very disappointing loss to Ghana, 2-1.

After the disappointing first round exit from the 2006 World Cup, the American soccer team fell from 5th to 16th in the FIFA World rankings. This was a huge setback in the American?s struggle to reach the pinnacle in soccer. However, we will not be disappointed for long, because the women?s soccer team is tuning up to make their run at the upcoming World Championships. Once again we will have to pin all of our hopes on the women?s soccer team to win on the world stage.

Check out the Football Manager 2006 Computer Game, the Definitive Football Manager Resource.

World Cup Soccer - Group A predictions for the World Cup Football tournament in Germany

                

 

World Cup group A places the home nation Germany against Costa Rica, Ecuador & Poland in a relatively easy group from which they should comfortably qualify.

Although the German team is not thought to be up to the standard of their previous victorious teams, bookmakers currently have them as joint second favourites behind Brazil, and they must be respected as possible winners on home soil.

It is difficult to see any of their three opponents being able to challenge them as Group A winners and it would appear that Costa Rica, Ecuador & Poland are competing for a chance to qualify in second spot.

History tells us that when the competition is played in Europe, the European nations tend to outperform the sides visiting from other continents. This coupled with Poland's impressive qualification from a difficult European qualifying stage must make the Poles most likely to progress along with the Germans. For the Poles, who will have an army of travelling supporters, the first game will be massively important, and a win over Ecuador in that game should ease their passage to the second stage.

Ecuador are a talented but temperamental outfit who must be respected, because on a good day they can match most national sides. Germany 2006 is only the second finals they have reached and they will be keen to add to their single victory from Japan 2002. Discipline may be a factor for Ecuador, and the strict refereeing of the Finals may not suit them.

Costa Rica will most probably be the groups whipping boys, first up for them is Germany in the tournament's opening game, a game they can't really expect to gain points from. Their second game against Ecuador will be the one that decides whether or not they can progress further in the Cup, and should provide good entertainment as both sides like to attack, sometimes at the detriment to their defensive duties.

It is difficult to see any other outcome than Germany topping Group A. Poland should take the second spot if successful in their first match versus Ecuador, but anything less than a win for them will give the edge to Ecuador. Costa Rica will probably sit at the foot of the table, unless they produce a couple of shocks...

Norbert Wartle is a soccer writer for Football England and will be covering the Fifa World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Norbert also covers the England Football Team matches.

15 May Soccer Betting Picks Hellenic Basketball Tips

                

 

-> Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Monday 15 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika.

After the weekend soccer gambling, gamefixings, matchfixings, more than expected football results, Monday is not about mathematics, not about godfathers of football, but about analyses. In the last season (2004/5 -> 29 out of 38 games of Juventus was matchfixing - wrote the Italian media...Dinamo Moscow hosts Spartak Moscow, what really obvious: Dinamo on the bottom in Russia and no goals! -> Dinamo v Spartak under 2.5 goals. The Championship could be the target in League One Semifinal rematch Huddersfield v Barnsley, a few days ago Barnsley was defeated by 1-0 at home, perhaps big fight, but not upset is expected and this could be reflected in the lack of goals -> under 2.5 goals. Everybody will play Sweden Allsvenskan Kalmar v Halmstad on home win, meanwhile ecobika pick -> Halmstad to win. Superettan: Ar?tivdaberg v ?rebro, ?rebro won all the games so far! Let's suppose the streak continues -> ?rebro to win, ?rebro only conceded 2 goals on 4 matches!

A few idea: -> just look at this hot picks results.



-> European Basketball betting. Hellenic Basketball League Semifinal games, PAO v ARIS, Olympiacos v Maroussi. As you exactly know, gamebookers sponsor of ARIS, so check the offer of gamebookers, the bookies have inside views!!!

Tennis betting, and as generally, ecobika's advice: do NOT -> bet tennis, in the first rounds in ATP Hamburg.

-> The MLB baseball season started a few weeks ago and most of the MLB moneylines are good bets, if you play simple the favorites with gamebookers' odds! Or do the homework on -> under/overs yourself! And ecobika will present you a winner baseball formula, keep an eye there well below article!

However, the ball is round, good luck with your soccer picks. Bet with confidence, bet with gamebookers ecobika do the same. <p align=center> <img src="http://partners.sportingbet.com.au/processing/imp.asp?btag=a_222b_50" alt="Join now and get a $100 free bet*" width="468" height="60" border=0> -> Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Monday 15 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika

Barcelona soccer stars, how they made this famous team a champion.

                

 

Barcelona won his 17th title at the Campeonato Nacional de la Liga (National League Championship), thanks to the famous soccer player Samuel Eto'o. The player native from Cameroon scored a remarkable goal becoming a determinant piece during the championship.

On the other hand, Ronaldinho who has been considered the best player of the year a couple of times and also the best player of the past championship was less notable in this occasion, but he was a hard opponent for his rivals. He showed again his domain like the goals scored at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, which allowed the Barcelona team to win one more point over the Real Madrid.

But, we can not continue with this journal without mention the hard work developed from the defense Deco, who has been one of the soccer championship attractions. For Puyol, this is the first title with Barcelona.

Other important Barcelona soccer players are the Mexican Rafael M?rquez, who was motivated to be an essential part in getting the title and Victor Vald?s defending the frame being one of the most important position during the match. Undoubtedly, Barcelona is one of the teams that show good soccer and strength in the middle of the camp, they deserve this title, congratulations!

Jill Woods is part of the skill writers' team on sports for the gambling industry at I Bet IAS Sportsbook. Feel free to reprint this article just as it is posted.

Betting Situation: Soccer Match-fixings in Serie A in the Shadow

                

 

-> Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Sunday 14 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika.

Weekend Soccer Gambling Bonanza Part 2. The target: your money. The killers: the match-fixing gamefixings players from Germany to Italy and Turkey. It is a shame, but I repeat myself: do not be fool today. Only a few games is relevant, the others only played somehow. Maybe the matchup of the day is Brentford v Swansea in League One Playoff . The first leg ended 1-1 in Swansea -> Brentford to win, or a safer bet: -> Brentford to qualify. Are you suprised that the matchup of the day is in England lower league? Look at the other games, Italy Serie A is loud about matchfixing gamefixing scandals, with referees, players involved. In the last season -> 29 out of 38 games of Juventus was matchfixing - wrote the Italian media. And what is the menu in the last round in this year? Juventus only need a point in Reggina for the Scudetto. Milan's goaldifference is much better and no ,,pareggio" in this season, so the only option for Milan: to beat Roma and hoping Reggina to beat Juve. No, this is impossible. -> Milan v Roma 2 AH 0:0. This bet is winner, if Roma wins, moneyback on draw. Do not forget: if Roma wins, and Fiorentina only draw in Verona against Chievo, Roma jumps to the Champions League wagoon, not Fiorentina on the 4th spot!

Germany Bundesliga2 is about big excitement. 4 teams are involved in the fight for the 3rd place, which means Bundesliga1, but only will qualify. And 2 of the 4 are playing against each other: Freiburg v F?rth. Ecobika's idea: -> Freiburg to win, but if Cottbus wins v 1860 M?nich, Cottbus is promoted, regardless what happens with the fourth team involved, Karlsruhe. -> Cottbus and very inform Karlsruhe (v Paderborn) to win. A few idea: -> just look at this hot picks results.

Only the last round decides the champion in Turkey! -> Galatasaray or Fenerbahce?. I do not know. An easy looking bankerbet: Portugal Cup final, Porto v Setubal -> Porto to win.

-> European Basketball betting. Only the regular season second place and 8th place (yet playoff) on stake in Spain ACB league. Check gamebookers' Barcelona v Tau -> Barcelona to win and overtake Tau. Unicaja is already champion of regular season, whatever it plays vs Juventud! Semifinals (Halbfinale) in Basketball Bundesliga, the first games, -> Alba Berlin and Bamberg to win.

Tennis betting, and as generally, ecobika's advice: do -> bet tennis, Rome ATP -> Federer to win the final. Nadal is one of the very few players, who can win against Fedex!

-> The MLB baseball season started a few weeks ago and most of the MLB moneylines are good bets, if you play simple the favorites with gamebookers' odds! Or do the homework on -> under/overs yourself! And ecobika will present you a winner baseball formula, keep an eye there well below article!

Last but not least, the goldmine:AFL Australian Football League already 6th round. Saturday AFL games not easy to predict, but West Coast was really easy banker at home. An other AFL banker -> Kangaross v Adelaide Crows, Crows to win. Wake up early or bet late, starts 07.10 CET.

However, the ball is round, good luck with your soccer picks. Bet with confidence, bet with gamebookers ecobika do the same. -> Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Sunday 14 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika

world cup soccer

                

 

Who will be ready and poised to win the world cup of soccer this year? Many bets are already being placed. Is it that you have a favorite team or maybe a favorite player that will make you sure that's what is needed.

The world cup is a very much watched sport especially in Europe. It will and can unite the world. The spectators take to the street to celebrate with dancing, partying and drinking. They will rejoice the victory of their favorite team and players.

What makes the World Cup particularly extraordinary is the national pride that it inspires. World Cup history was not only about the winner or winning the title, but about the stories. Stories of players, teams and nations that surprised the world by achieving the unexpected. Each year new and better players are there before our eyes to see the great plays that have brought them to the game they and so many of us have come to enjoy so much. There will be a lot of celebrating and some regrets.

We will all look forward to seeing the favorites we have gotten to know so well over the years. The thrill of winning with many individual feats demostrated for all of us to witness. The way our favorite team will once again come together to play so well we often wonder on that first game seeing this how they ever could loose. Will the European contenders such as Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, England, Germany, Spain, and France have the best team to overcome the South American power forces from Brazil and Argentina, or will the world be dancing to the samba beat again this year?

Armed with impossible hope, win or lose, they are there to defend their national pride, and valiantly defend it they will, sometimes to the very chagrin and amazement of disbelieving onlookers.

As football fans across all continents count down to the opening day of 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, BetUS Sportsbook has launched its 2006 World Cup betting portal for soccer betting enthusiasts around the world. What a day it shall be, June 9th 2006! What a month it shall be, until the truth will set us all free on July 9th 2006!

For more information, please visit http://www.worldcupsoccer4you.com

Barbara Farrar is an avid socceer fan. She played in high school and college

Betting Highlights, soccer betting situation winner football picks

                

 

Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Sunday 7 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika.

Weekend soccer gambling bonanza part 3. Yesterday ecobika gave you winner football picks again! Especially -> Mainz's victory vs. Schalke was fine. Very simple betting situation in soccer Serie A Italy preultimo round. 2 rounds to go yet, including this one. Fiorentina (v Reggina), Roma (v Treviso), and Milan (in Parma) are in must win situations. Ecobika would suggest to play all these games in -> football accumulator, or combo if you like -> Fiorentina, Roma, Milan. Roma and Fiorentina are in fight for the 4th, yet Champions League spot. Most likely Juventus will win the Scudetto and hard to imagine that Palermo takes this game seriously, the players are on vacation, at least your heads and feets. (Last round: Palermo v Roma 4-4, what a funny result it was.) Only one more game is interesting: Internazionale v Siena. Siena need one point to survive for sure, keep an eye on upsetting ,,fall apart" Internazionale, whose 3rd spot is 99.9% sure. The rest: Messina should win, but then should win in the last round too and hope Siena not to make a point, therefore not adviced to bet Messina v Empoli.

Big excitement in the Premiership. Both the second and fourth places are not sure yet. West Ham v Tottenham, the Hammers made enough upset -> West Ham to win AH 0:0. This bet is winner, if West Ham wins, and loser, if Spurs wins, moneyback on draw. Certainly, the draw could mean that Tottenham losing the Champions League spot, because Arsenal in more than explosive form and Wigan will not play for anything (?). The candidates for the second place are MU and Liverpool. Manchester United has 1 point advantage. Ecobika thinking about NO UPSETs -> MU and Liverpool to win. The remaining matches will be played, you can count as many upsets, as you can.

Not easy to calculate the chances in Bundesliga2, where the preultimo round (round before the last round) is taking place. Crossing ways: Offenbach v Cottbus, the home side needs some points not to be relegated, the away side to be promoted. UPSETs -> Cottbus to win. If Cottbus not able to win, F?rth with a win v Rostock, could jump as close, as possible to Cottbus! Oddsmakers think about F?rth and Dynamo Dresden v Ahlen as sure home wins, but do not forget that -> Dresden should win both the remaining games to survive.

Also preultimo round in Primera Division. Barcelona already won the title, but the second place is open yet. Ecobika thinks that Real Madrid is hungry enough to win -> against very disappointed Villarreal.. Very hard to say anything about the relegation, the candidates are too close to call. -> Maybe Alaves makes upset in Zaragoza. In theory big matchup Racing Santander v Osasuna, the home side is fighting against relegation, meanwhile Osasuna can end 3rd, or, without luck, on the 5th spot! I think that Santander needs the points.

European Basketball betting. My friends, ecobika has bad news: on Thursday Bamberg was able to loose by 11 points after led by 15 in halftime. This means that my favorite league, Basketball Bundesliga is also about big bettingmoney...Certainly, now the top favorites play at home and will -> not play upsets, of course...But ecobika do not waste money on German Bundesliga playoff anymore. But matches across Europe, check gamebookers' odds, you'll find the correct odds.

Tennis betting, and as generally, ecobika's advice: do -> bet on the favorites.

The all time goldmine betting source, the AFL Australian Football League season in the 6th round already. gamebookers offer very good odds on Carlton v Collingwood -> Collingwood to win. Start: 06.10 CET! Also seems banker in AFL: Kangaroos.

The MLB baseball season started a few weeks ago and most of the MLB moneylines are good bets, if you play simple the favorites with gamebookers' odds!

However, the ball is round, good luck with your soccer picks. Bet with confidence, bet with gamebookers ecobika do the same. sportbetting guru

Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Sunday 7 of May. Released by sportbetting guru ecobika.

Betting Situation in Football - Winner Soccer Picks

                

 

Betting Highlights on tricky bets of the day and the valuebets on Saturday 6 of May.

Weekend soccer gambling bonanza part 2. Really tricky betting situation, if you bet soccer. Yesterday ecobika gave you winner football picks again! Let's see how profitable this Saturday.

Preultimo round in Bundesliga. First of all: you do not have to be mathematical genious today! Just think about the relegation situation, forget the title, because Bayern has 5 points advantage and better goaldifference than Hamburg. So ecobika play is -> Kaiserslautern to win AH 0:0 against Bayern M?nich. This bet is winner, if Lautern wins, and loser, if Bayern wins, moneyback on draw. Stuttgart v Wolfsburg, well, this was not Stuttgart's season with and without Trap and hard to imagine that they want anything, meanwhile Wolfsburg is in big trouble, ecobika play is -> Wolfsburg to win AH 0:0. This bet is moneyback on draw. The same logic is behind the following bet: -> Mainz to win against Schalke. The Champions League qualification spot is sure for Schalke and no real chance to end on the 3rd spot, meanwhile Mainz almost 100% survival if wins. The matchup of the day in Germany: Hertha v Hamburg. Hamburg has an unbeleivable record away and if K'Lautern wins, the last round will decide the title, if Hamburg wins, ecobika bet: -> Hamburg to win.

The very lucrative Premiership playoff spot is on stake in England: Crystal Palace v Watford, but considering the rematch and the semifinals and only then the final, hard to imagine many goals -> under 2.5 goals.

The CL-spot is on stake in France. Lille v Lyon, -> Lille to win. Lyon already champion, no motivation, Lille is tied with Marseille on the 3rd spot. Certainly, the surebet is -> Marseille to win vs. Strasbourg. The odds reflect the betting community view. Perhaps Rennes is the black horse in the race, only 1 point behind Marseille and Lille, therefore St. Etienne v Rennes -> Rennes to win.

In Primera Division the soccer betting is crystal clear: Valencia must win and hope that Real Madrid will make mistake in the race for the second place. -> Valencia to win against Atletico Madrid. Atletico nothing to play for. Malaga v Sevilla is a little bit dangerous ahead the UEFA Cup final (Middlesbrough v Sevilla), but Malaga is very very weak and relegated ages ago.

European Basketball betting. My friends, ecobika has bad news: on Thursday Bamberg was able to loose by 11 points after led by 15 in halftime. This means that my favorite league, Basketball Bundesliga is also about big bettingmoney...Ecobika do not waste money on German Bundesliga playoff anymore. But matches across Europe, check gamebookers' odds, you'll find the correct odds.

Tennis betting, and as generally, ecobika's advice: do bet on the favorites.

The all time goldmine betting source, the AFL Australian Football Season in the 6th round already. gamebookers offer very good odds on Fremantle v West Coast -> West Coast to win. Start: 08.10 CET! Also seems banker: Adelaide Crows.

The MLB baseball season started a few weeks ago and most of the MLB moneylines are good bets, if you play simple the favorites with gamebookers' odds! ecobika knows the way click.

Tricky betting situation if soccer tips football wagering ecobika knows the way click