First of all, I want to give a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my older sister Kelli! She is turning the big 2-4 today! Happy birthday chica!!

Now, to today's hunk. (No, Stephanie, it is not Serdar Tasci). This new hunky gent plays for the same team as your beloved Serdar though. So, without further hesitation, let me present to you, the latest person to be introduced into the "hunky brotherhood."

ROFL! This one was amazing! lol Thank you Steph for finding this one for me. :D

May I present to you Mario Gomez! Mario here was born on July 10, 1985. He is a German footballer of Spanish descent.

In 2004, he played for 10 minutes for VfB Stuttgart in the Champions League in a game against Chelsea on 9 March and made his debut in the Bundesliga on 8 May.

In the 2004–05 season, playing for the Regionalliga side, he scored 15 times in 24 games and was to be capped eight times in the first team.

In the 2005–06 season, Gómez joined the first team permanently. He played 30 times in the Bundesliga, scoring six times at this level, his first goal coming on 17 September 2005. The striker also played five times in the UEFA Cup, scoring twice, and in three times in the League Cup.

In the 2006–07 season the youngster established himself as one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga. However, he broke his hand on 10 March 2007 and suffered a torn ligament in his left knee. He made his comeback on 12 May 2007, and immediately scored after coming on from the bench. In that game, VfB Stuttgart defeated Bochum (3–2) and went two points clear heading into the Bundesliga's final weekend where they won at home against Energie Cottbus, thus becoming German champions. Furthermore, VfB Stuttgart also reached final of the German Domestic Cup, where Gómez participated, but VfB Stuttgart lost to 1. FC Nuremberg. After the season, he was named German Footballer of the Year for 2007.

In July 2007, Gómez extended his contract at VfB Stuttgart until 2012. (TAKE THAT BAYERN!)

While, in the 2007–08 season, the rest of his team struggled to keep performing at their 06–07 season standards, Gómez remained at an astonishingly high level, scoring 19 goals in 25 appearances, second in the Bundesliga's Top Scorer list, just behind Bayern Munich's Luca Toni who scored 25 times. In the cup he actually scored the most goals of players. Because of his recent development, many big clubs have been interested in the 23 year old forward. Gómez has recently gained the nickname “Mr. Zuverlässig” (lit. “Mr. Reliable”), as seen in his second of three goals against Bundesliga rival Werder Bremen (final score 6–3), where he managed to net in a virtually unreachable pass by teammate Yıldıray Baştürk.

Gómez has both German and Spanish nationality, but played for all German youth national teams from age 17.

He made his debut for the German national team against Switzerland on 7 February 2007. Germany won the match 3–1, with Gómez scoring Germany's second goal.

Gómez gained his second cap for Germany, coming on as a substitute for Kevin Kurányi in a Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino, scoring two goals that contributed to a final 6–0 victory.

Joachim Löw called Gómez up to the German squad for Euro 2008. He played in all three of Germany's group games and was largely disappointing as he failed to recapture his club form and contrived to miss several seemingly straightforward chances (including missing from only three yards out with an open goal in front of him against Austria). When the knockout stages began, Löw decided to play with just one striker up front, thus relegating Gómez to the substitute's bench. He later came off the bench in the final of Euro 2008 for Miroslav Klose but couldn't prevent Germany from losing 1-0 to Spain.

He currently DOES have a WAG that a recent interview said that he would love to start a family with.

Mario and Silvia. :D

A big thank you goes out to our friends at Wikipedia for all the typed junk. I am sick with strep throat, so I am not feeling the best. :(

Yes, I realize that it is still Friday here, but I am so bored, that I am posting ahead of time! :D Anyway, let me present to you the newest hunk to be added to the hunky brotherhood!

He looks so cute here, and to think, these are the official team photos for Bayer! *drools* :D  

May I present to you Simon Rolfes!! Sorry Stephanie, I will have to do Serdar on Sunday! Simon here was born on January 21, 1987. He is 21 years old and currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen. He started his senior career with Werder Bremen, where he played for their academy. At Bremen, he made 100 apps and put the ball in the net 18 times. He plays defensive midfielder and wears #6 for both club and country. He spent a season on loan at SSV Reutlingen from 2002 to 2003, making 13 appearances. In 2004 he moved to Alemannia Aachen and played 28 times in his one season there. In 2005, Bayer Leverkusen signed him and since then he has made 113 appearances and scored 19 goals. He made his international debut on March 28th, 2007 against Denmark. He was also part of the Euro 2008 Runner-up team. He has already proved to be a very vital asset for both club and country. For more on Simon and his hunkyness, please visit his official website.

WOOOOO! Wow! Welcome back the "ever so popular" hunk of the day post! :D Today's hunk comes to us from the country of Germany! :D WOO!

This is Sebastian Rudy! Seb here was born on the same day as my bf (who, happens to have the same first name too! :D). Seb will be turning 19 on February 28th! He plays for the German giants VfB Stuttgart. Seb here though is going through a rehab session...(for lack of a better term)... to strengthen his ankle that he hurt in a training session back in November of 2008. He joined the VfB academy in 2003 and started his senior career in 2007, playing for the reserve team. This last summer, he signed his first real professional contract with the team and he played his first senior match on August 10, 2008 in the 5:0 win against Hansa Luneburg. He is currently a member of the German U-18 squad.

His father's name is Claude and he has 3 brothers and 1 sister.  

Today is a sad day for Bayern fans. (And a great day for VfB fans! :D) Today, former French international Will Sagnol has decided to call it a career.

The defender, who has been suffering from injury problems, said in an official press conference,

"That's the end. The pain is too great for me to continue playing. It's something I have to accept. I'm devastated and it's hard to take. I'd always dreamed it would end differently, and I'd have liked to keep playing for at least another few years,”

Sagnol, 31, had to make this very tough decision with the help of the best doctors all throughout Europe.

"I've tried everything in recent weeks, but the doctors are unanimous: I can't go on.”

Sagnol even admitted that walking has caused him to be in constant pain. As he is unable to exercise his official profession of footballer, Sagnol will now file for the status of "sports invalid", required by both club and player for insurance and other technical reasons. Even though he played for the rival of my favorite team, I still think that he is one hell of a player and he will be missed.

(Picture courtesy of bundesliga.de)

Yes, that is the Santiago Bernabéu today. This is part of the really awesome pics on the offical site. :)

Hey everyone! Kristen here. :)

I have been reading on some of the footy sites that training sessions and matches for this weekend have either been PP or Cancelled. All I have to say is SUCK IT UP! Please! I mean, it starts to snow here in SD usually in September/October and doesn't stop until about March/April. Also, to the people complaining about the temp as well. So, here is a comparision of the temp here so I can show you just how cold it is here in the US.

My town [Pierre, South Dakota, USA] ---> -9 °C (feels like -20 °C with the wind)

Helsinki, Finland ---> -6 °C

Moscow, Russia ---> -11 °C

IT IS JUST AS COLD HERE AS IT IS IN RUSSIA! We have classes outside all the time when it is this cold out. We have a physical education class and the kids have to run outside for their final exam when it is this cold and in the snow. We just got done with a nasty winter storm. So, if kids 14-18 years old can do it, I am sure that the football players in the UK and the rest of Europe can deal with it. So, DEAL WITH IT AND SHUT UP ABOUT IT, PLEASE!

Thanks! :)

~~Kristen

[This rant has been brought to you by azzurri16]

Just like the last one and all the ones to come after, the time will be in UK time. :) Just click on the link and it will take you to the story. :)

Roy Keane has resigned his post as Sunderland manager, after 100 games in charge, in the wake of his side's dismal run in the Premier League.

The Mackems have won just four league matches this season, and lost their last four at home at the Stadium of Light.

The north-east side careered into the relegation placings after suffering a 4-1 hammering against Bolton Wanderers over the weekend.

There had been considerable confusion over Keane's position at the club in recent weeks, with a new contract reportedly remaining unsigned despite the terms of his current deal expiring next summer.

The club appointed a new chief executive yesterday in the shape of Steve Walton, who was brought on board to aid with transfer dealings.

It appears that Keane has taken it upon himself to prematurely end his term at the helm of Sunderland, just days before his expected return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

A statement on the official Sunderland website reads:

After 2 ¼ years at the helm Roy Keane has parted company with Sunderland AFC after both parties reached an amicable agreement.

Keane who decided the time had come to stand down took over Sunderland in August 2006 when the team were languishing at the bottom of the Championship. He steered the Black Cats to promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt and maintained Premier League status in 2008.

Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn said: “First of all on behalf of everyone here I would like pay thanks to Roy Keane for all his hard work in progressing this Club, lifting its status and growing its worldwide profile.

“Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the Club from the depths of The Championship back to the Premier League. His winning mentality and singled mindedness were just what this Club needed when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival.

“Roy’s decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the Club. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself.

“The Board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future.“

Sam Allardyce is the early front-runner with bookmakers to take over the vacant role.

*sigh* All I have to say is god damn it!! :(

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2008 Ballon d'Or award ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres.

Ronaldo was the clear favourite to land the prestigious prize after a remarkable year at Old Trafford.

The powerful attacker netted 42 goals last season as the Red Devils claimed Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory.

His summer was overshadowed by Real Madrid's courting of the 23-year-old, while he missed the start of the new term with an ankle injury.

But Ronaldo has demonstrated his impressive ability in recent weeks, netting nine times since September.

Ronaldo finished runner-up to Brazilian forward Kaka in 2007 and overcame strong competition this time around from Barcelona playmaker Messi - who finished second - and third placed Liverpool star Torres.

He is already FIFPro World Player of the Year and also took the top prizes from the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers last term.

The Portugal winger is the first United player to win the Ballon d'Or since George Best in 1968 and the first from his country since Luis Figo in 2000.

Final positions (British based players in bold):

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United), 446 points

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), 281 pts

3. Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool), 179 pts

4. Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), 133 pts

5. Xavi (Spain, Barcelona), 97 pts

6. Andrei Arshavin (Russia, Zenit St Petersburg), 64 pts

7. David Villa (Spain, Valencia), 55 pts

8. Kaka (Brazil, AC Milan), 31 pts

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan), 30 pts

10 Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), 28 pts

11. Marcos Senna (Spain, Villarreal), 16 pts.

12. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo, Arsenal), 12 pts.

13. Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United), 11 pts.

14. Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Atletico Madrid), 10 pts.

15. Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea), 8 pts.

16. Franck Ribery (France, Bayern Munich), 7 pts.

17. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Barcelona), 6 pts.

18. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), 5 pts.

19. Michael Ballack (Germany, Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal), 4 pts.

21. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United), 3 pts.

24. Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands, Manchester United), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands, Real Madrid), 2 pts.

No votes : Karim Benzema (Lyon), Pepe (Real Madrid), Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), and Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow).