The River Plate Europa

VillarReal Swap Diegos

Mon, 6 Aug 2007 12:40:39 -0500

Shortly after Diego Forlans Exit from the yellow submarine for the "colchoneros" the submarine began negotiations with an other Uruguayan Diego, Diego Godin.

Godin has had good showings for Uruguayan National side and has been a key figure for Uruguayan powerhouses Nacional. Godin reports that it was Forlan who convinced him to make the exit for the spanish side during their nacional side meetings.

Godin will hope to replace the void that Ayala is leaving in the club after his last minute change of heart to sign with the club. Godin at only 21 will have difficulty filling the shoes of Roberto Ayala, however has potential to be a great defender.

Godin is now the third VillarReal player from uruguay, the other 2 being Sebastian Viera, and Martin Caceres who performed well for the youth squad in Canada this summer. Caceres will be on loan this season to a smaller club.

Other uruguayos moved in spain this summer are Mario Reguiero, Fabian Carini and Pablo Garcia to the newly promoted side of Mercia. the side already has one uruguayan from previous seasons who marked 14 goals for the club last season.

all three uruguayans making the move have recently played for the national side in major events and bring much experience to the team if they can stay healthy.

round 3 predictions, but dont take it to the bookie!

Tue, 3 Jul 2007 15:57:03 -0500

Round 3 is always the most interesting round. The underdogs have the chance to upset the big guns and rearrange the group order.

In group A , I predict Uruguay over Venezuela in a tightly contested DIRTY match! A confident Peru underestimates their traditionaly week Bolivian rival and they draw.

Uruguay 6 points, Venezuela 4 points , Peru 4 points.

Group B

Brasil comes off a decieving 3-0 scoreline over a strong but unfortunate Chile. They take on Equador who has everything to prove and a strong side to show. Still FIFA's favourites will win or there will be 6 minutes of injury time. Chile draws to Mexico placing a stronger Mexico through and a still stong Chile in a best 3rd place position.

Mexico 7 points , Brasil 6 points, Chile 4 points, Equador 0 points

Group C

Argentina beats Paraguay, no contest. neither side to concerned about the win and Argentina have much more of a skillful team. Colombia beats an unexperienced USA because they will practically be at home in regards to crowd support.

Argentina 9 points, Paraguay 6 points, Colombia 3 points , USA 0 points

copa america round 2 prediction

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:35:10 -0500

today in group a's matches, Uruguay coming off a very week performance faces an impressive Bolivia squad. having that said, I still have "fe'" in my country men and believe that Uruguay will bounce back strong and stun a so far more impressive but less experienced Bolivia.

Uruguay 2:1 Bolivia

Venezuela plays host to a very impressive and telented peruvian side who has shown strength from the less profile players as well as the likes of Farfan and Pizzarro. Venezuela will have the crowd behind them and desperate for a win. the hosts played well against bolivia and I think they can pull a point out of this.

Venezuela 1:1 Peru

in group B , the losers of the previous match are the stronger sides and have much to prove after their last weeks performances. A stunned Equador comes fully prepared to face Mexico and is now aware of what the Mexicans brig to the table.

Equador 3 : 1 Mexico

Brasil is not one get knocked out of the group stage of any tournament. say what you want about the lower profile team, Brasil is Brasil. They beat a strong Chile in a tough fought match.

Brasil 2 : 0 Chile

Group C

Argentina dominate this group. they beat Colombia 3: 0. sorry cafeteros.

the USA suffer another defeat as well to a merciless Paraguay.

USA 0 : 2 Paraguay

Concacaf pave the road for USA

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:02:16 -0500

Although this topic is outside of my blog's nature I felt it must be spoken.

Last night the USA and Canada faced off in a semi final match for the Gold Cup. The game for the most part went well, however at the very end of the match Canada was robbed in the most obvious of plays. The Canadians were called off side on a header knocked behind the US defensive line BY A US DEFENDER!!! An off-side for those who are not familiar, perhaps the ref from that match, must be played by the attacking team.

How this back pass was off side is well beyond me. Craig forest, former Canadian Keeper, who is now an announcer in Canadian television even claimed it "Canada has been robbed by the ConCaCaf once again.

The goal , if it were to stand, would have leveled the match at 2 a side and sent the teams into an over time period. A team like the US should not need any assistance in the Gold Cup, and if they do, they should be happy that they are finally playing worthy opponents who will help them better their own game.

The call was disgusting and the ref should be banned from FIFA sanctioned match. but of course he wont because it was such robbery that it must have been deliberate. The US should be embarrassed for how they were awarded the win unfairly even though it certainly had no part to do with the players.

So now it stands with Canada vs Guadaloupe for 3rd place and the US (with lighter pockets) vs a under-preforming Mexico side.

Im sorry for all the US supporters who have to accept that their team was unjustly given the win, and Im specially sorry for all the Canadian supporters who could do nothing but watch in frustration.

With the distaste left from last nights match, I have to end this with Go Mexico!

Brasil drop 3 stars for coap america

Sat, 19 May 2007 14:15:57 -0500

3 brasilian stars recently requested to be dropped from this years copa america.

Ronaldinho , Kaka and Lucio have all requested to be left out of their national sides in the biggest tournament in south america. Brasil historicaly have not been the dominant figure in this tournament and some might think that these players may be concerned of critisism if they don't win after their dissapointing performance in the past world cup.

the tournament has been dominated by the river plate, with uruguay and argentina each hoisting 14 cups. after the drop in these key figures Argentina must be concidered the favourites to take the cup in Venezuela this year.

this could seriously damage the tournaments publicity as it is already ignored in europe where some argue that the euro is the most competitive tournament in the world. My opinion is that its an embarrasment to be asked to be left out of your nations side.

Kaka, Ronaldinho and Lucio, wheres the heart?

U20 world cup watch out!

Sat, 19 May 2007 14:01:36 -0500

Look out! Luis Suarez of the Uruguayan Under 20 team is on fire.

In the recent cup match between Dutch sides Groningen and Ultretch the 19 year old scored 2 more goals to lead his team to a 2-0 victory. Suarez has impressed on the dutch side and earned a starting spot on the team early in the season. Suarez has been nicknamed "the wizard" by the groningen faithfull and is one of the teams scoring leaders.

This kid will be a key figure for Uruguay in the Youth world cup and possibly one the top stars of the tournament. He has been overlooked because of his abscence in the southamerican qualifying tournament, although he had impressed for the "celeste" in the under 17 tournament 2 years prior. Groningen considered him to be to significant to their club and did not grant permission for his leave in the under 20 qualifier.

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Luis Suarez del Groningen FC de Holanda esta goleando como estrella. El uruguayo ha cido uno de las grandes figuras para su club y es en gran parte el motivo por la oportunidad para el club a conseguir una posision en la copa uefa.

El groningen jugo su primer partido de ida contra el ultretch y suarez marco los unico dos goles para el club.

este botija va ser una gran figura para la celeste este julio en canada.

3 river plate hat tricks

Mon, 14 May 2007 07:02:49 -0500

This weeked in la Liga looked great for Uruguayans and Argentinians alike.

Carlitos Tevez marked another goal this week, this time to be the loan goal to beat the Premiership Champions Manchester United just moments after lifting thier cup. Tevez scored a wonderful goal pasing 2 defendrs in the box and just beating Van der Sar to the ball squeezing it by on a tight angle. "Youtbue" this goal. Tevez has been credited for almost single handedly saving WestHam from relegation.

In Villarreal Diego Forlan netted 3 goals to lead his team to a 4 one victory after Villarreals 1-1 score line with osasuna. Their first goal converted only seventh minute of the match by Pires who has been one of the main figures in turning the team around. Osasuna tied the match just before the 20 minute mark, then it was the Diego Show. Forlan who had struggeled most of the season (as did the rest of the team) seemed to be affected by the issues with Riquelme. Riquelme failing to play the playmaker role seemed to affect the teams ability to produce creativity and dangerous plays. Since Pires' return and Mati Fernandez found his footing in the club, Forlan has been back to his old Pichichi Form and the team has been able to recover some lost believers.

Forlan stands now in La Liga in 5th spot with 15 goals, above him is Ronaldihno with 18, Diego Milito and Kanoute with 19 and R. Van Nistelrooy with 21.

Forlans hat trick wasnt the only one this week in Spain. Fellow Uruguayan international Walter 'Rifle" Pandiani managed to net 3 goals on Real Madrid by only the 30th minute play. Pandiani lead Espanol into the second half with a 3 - 1 lead, when the team unexpectedly pulled Pandiani early in the second half after conceeding a second goal in the opening minutes of the half. The pull was likely to rest UEFA leading scorer for the final. Madrid continued to manage an incredible comback and past Espanol 4 - 3 in the dying minutes of the match.

La Liga wasn't the only league to have a 3 goals scored from the same Rio Platence. In Itialy Hernan Crespo scored 3 for Inter Milan. Crespo has been on fire lately, probably the best striker for the italian side. Crespo has expressed that he would like to stay in Italy although he still belongs to Chelsea where Mourinho wants him back. Crespo is not a fan favorite in inter because he expressed desire in finishing his carreer in team Rival AC Milan.

To add to the controversy, Zlatan has expressed that he would like a 4million Euro pay raise despite being one of the top paid players on the team. My prediction is Chelsea takes Zlatan in exchange for Crespo.

Tevez nets 2

Sat, 5 May 2007 12:31:13 -0500

Carlos Tevez has started to show his worth for Premier side West ham after months of dissapointment. In todays (may 5th 07) match against Bolton, Tevez put 2 goals away and gave the cross for a goal in Westham's defeat over Bolton.

Tevez hasn't given Westham much hope since his controversial move to the club from Brazilian side Corinthians where he came off an outstanding season and had also demonstrated great skills in Germany for his national side Argentina.

Hopefully today was a sign that Tevez has adjusted to the premiership pace and will continue his scoring ways for the club. maybe we will see him shine in Venenzuela this year at the Copa America looking to lift Argentina's 15th cup to break the tie with Uruguay, each raising 14 cups.

Forlan and Zalayeta to exit respecitve clubs?

Thu, 3 May 2007 12:53:31 -0500

Forlan is once again roumered for a move to Barcelona for the 2007-2008 season. the catalan side had shown interest in Forlan last year but Diego did not push villareal for a move although expressing interest in playing for Barcelona.

Barca setteled for Gudjonsen and after a disapointing season are relooking to negotiate for Forlan.

Sevilla have expressed interest in Marcelo Zalayeta of Juve who is unhappy with his lack of play time. Zalayeta has scored 4 goals in 8 caps but has only been allowed 8 caps since he signed with the club in 2004. Zalayeta scored a pair this in this weekends serie b fixtutes.

I doubt the Forlan move will happen but expect Zalayeta to exit Juve, wether it be to sevilla or elsewhere.

Also Alvaro Recoba has publicly stated that although he has been very happy with inter boss and owner he wants an exit from inter because he believes he has not been awarded enough play time. Recoba will be disapointed to hear that Inter is unwilling to let him go until his contract expires.

U20 Chile host Uruguay friendly

Thu, 3 May 2007 12:51:21 -0500

Today Thursday the 3rd of May Uruguay plays against host Chile in what has been a series of U20 games in Chile as preparation for the U20 world cup in Canada this July.

Uruguay summoned the following squad to the match

Goalies:fontes (wanders) , Irrazabal (defensor)

Defenders:Gonzalez(penarol), Kaglemacher (daubio) manuel Diaz(liverpool uy) Preito (river uy) salaberry (plaza colonial) Damian Suarez(defensor)

Midfield: Montelongo (river uy) Arismendi (nacional) Paz(nacional) Ruiz (penarol) Lombardi ( Progreso) Vonder putten (Danubio)

Forwards: Alfaro (liverpool uy) Figueroa (liverpool uy) Masiero ( Central Espanol) Scorza (Danubio)

the squad only consists of nacional club players and excludes Caceres, a key defender recently bought by VillaReal due to his role on Defensor Sporting in their commitment in the Libertadores.

on the 16 and 19 Uruguay's U20 will play China's U20 and U23 (olympic side) respectively, and then travel to South Corea to play the host U20 on the 5th followed by Portugal's and a yet to be unannounced African youth side on the 7th and 9th.

Edinson Cavani ( Palermo), Surraco (Udinese), Luis Suarez (Groningen) and (Carlos Riba ( inter milan) are expected to attened the China fixtures as well as Defensive leader Caceres.

Uruguay will enter the U20 world cup with high hopes after their performance in Paraguay for the qualifiers. where they finished with the top goal scorer (Edinson Cavani) and received the fair play trophy.