02:58 PM, Monday, 18 December 2006
Of course, there was no real need for me to be in the "Mixed Zone", the area where the players meet the press after the match. I speak no Portuguese at all beyond "obrigado", and my Spanish probably prevents me from doing a great deal more than asking Victor Valdes for a two beers and a ham... Posted by twohundredpercent · Comments (0) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,Internacional
02:52 PM, Monday, 18 December 2006
Hype is a tough thing to manage when writing about a player, if you indugle in it - no matter how deserved - legions of people will come out crying about how you've been brainwashed by the press. That 17 year old Pato is far from the level of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes, I think we get that.... Posted by Chris · Comments (0) Topics: Spain,UEFA Champions League 2008,La Liga,FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,FIFA,UEFA,CONMEBOL,Brazil,Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A,Internacional
FC Barcelona vs SC Internacional
12:08 PM, Monday, 18 December 2006
Right ho, then. Another truncated version of the "FIFA Anthem", and we're ready to go (and might I briefly register my surprise at the number of hacks that actually stood for it - it represents "all 207 member nations of the FIFA family"), apparently. 7.20: And we're off. Barca must have the... Posted by twohundredpercent · Comments (3) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,Internacional
12:01 PM, Monday, 18 December 2006
It's disconcerting, because this is supposed to be a fair contest with beautiful football. But there really seem to be just two rules: 1. Give Barca close calls in their favour, maybe it's their reputation? 2. Ronaldinho cannot be touched. Ever. Posted by SM · Comments (0) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,FIFA,UEFA,CONMEBOL,Internacional
11:14 AM, Monday, 18 December 2006
Just a quickie, before we get onto the serious business of the match ahead. First of all, the team news. Barca are unchanged from the team that demolished Club America on Thursday evenings, so: Valdes, Motta, Marquez, Puyol, Gudjohnsen, Giuly, Ronaldinho, Zambrotta, Van Bronckhorst, Deco,... Posted by twohundredpercent · Comments (0) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,Internacional
Preview: Internacional vs. Barcelona
11:07 AM, Monday, 18 December 2006
This is it: the one we've been waiting for since the beginning of the tournament. I've heard quite a few people arguing that Internactional are going to pull off a surprise win tonight. But I think Barcelona should still be the favourites (although the team is still trying to play down their... Posted by Jennifer · Comments (1) Topics: Spain,FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,FIFA,UEFA,CONMEBOL,Brazil,Internacional
10:49 AM, Monday, 18 December 2006
Mohammad Abou Tarika scored two lovely goals (in which the enigmatic Flavio played a big part), sandwiching a Cuauhtemoc Blano inspired goal for Salvador Cabanas. The Ahly fans were happy, and the Club America fans sang non-stop and had some cause for cheer with the goal. Both of these however,... Posted by SM · Comments (0) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,Japan,FIFA,UEFA,CONMEBOL,CONCACAF,AFC,CAF,Mexico,Egyptian Premier League,Internacional,fans,singing,yokohama stadium
10:46 AM, Monday, 18 December 2006
The final is just half an hour away, and most a predicting a relatively easy task for Barcelona. Internacional will have to improve greatly on their previous performance and Barcelona will have to decline greatly from theirs if this is to be anything but a walk in the park. But as usual I'm far... Posted by Chris · Comments (0) Topics: Spain,La Liga,FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,FIFA,UEFA,CONMEBOL,Brazil,Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A,Internacional
Press Puyol and Marquez, a way to go
09:11 AM, Monday, 18 December 2006
After the last trainning section for Internacional, coach Abel Braga asked Alexandre Pato, Iarley, Fernandao e Alex to press Barcelona in its defensive line so the ball wouldn't get so easy to Deco and Ronaldinho as America allowed them to do. I still believe Internacional can beat Barcelona.... Posted by mautex · Comments (0) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,Barcelona,Brazil,Internacional
Football in South America seems scary
08:07 AM, Monday, 18 December 2006
I love the sport of football, and I certainly love the atmosphere and emotion that comes with the sport. Having only gone to Premiership matches, the amusing songs and good natured (generally) insults are part and parcel of what makes the experience enjoyable. But if the noises coming out of the... Posted by Chris · Comments (2) Topics: FIFA Club World Cup 2008,FIFA,CONMEBOL,Brazil,Argentina,Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A,Internacional
