euros and copa america
Hat tips (from people who linked me to interesting content)
Faroe Islands: Why foreigners play in Europe's most remote league
The Faroe Islands are a long way from anywhere.
Midway between Iceland and Norway, around 200 miles north of Scotland, the country sits in the wind-whipped North Atlantic.
The national team are improving fast: ranked a best-ever 102nd in the world, just below Macedonia, they shocked Europe by winning 1-0 away in Greece last year.
The return match takes place on Saturday evening in the tight, sold-out stadium in Torshavn.
But while the national team basks in the spotlight, the national league waits in the wings. The Faroes' top division is ranked 41st out of 54 associations belonging to Uefa. The average attendance last year was around 500.
Look closely, though, and it becomes clear that this remote and unassuming league attracts footballers from around the world.
Twenty-five foreigners - from 14 countries including Brazil, Nigeria, and the United States - have played in the top division this year.
So why do they migrate to this rocky outpost, where crowds are sparse and the average temperature in summer is only 13C?
Their answers reveal much about the shrinking world of modern football, where players will go anywhere - even 62 degrees north - for a contract. I didn't know that Faroe Islands had a league, oop at me. I always think of knitting! h/t to lady_teazle
Cristiano Ronaldo: An Adopted Son Florentino Perez Never Wanted at Real Madrid
The biggest looming decision for Perez is whether Real Madrid should sell Cristiano Ronaldo. It's personal with Perez, and it goes back to the start of Ronaldo's story with Real Madrid.
It is ironic, given all the goals Ronaldo has scored for Real Madrid-he's averaged more than a goal a game, including a record haul of 17 goals in last season's Champions League-winning campaign-that Perez almost blocked the move to sign Ronaldo from Manchester United six years ago. more here. H/t to chrysa
Chatter from the sidelines
- Sepp Blatter is planning to UN-RESIGN after receiving support from African and Asian football federations, claim Swiss media eyeroll. Blatter is that dudebro who just won't GTFO
- Borussia Dortmund have signed Swiss goalkeeper Roman Bürki (24) from SC Freiburg.#welcometodortmund Get it done - twitter link
- Gibraltar Soccer Fans' Bus Crashes in South Spain, 1 Dead RIP
- Jose Mourinho set to sign £30m mega deal that will secure his services at Stamford Bridge until 2019 Mourinho is here for the long haul. RIP to young talent aiming to break through to the first team
Miscellaneous
Football clubs and their ranking over the past seven years. SMH at LFC though. Go, Atletico! Simeone has done miracles with that side (he rocked up in 2011)
Jack Grealish sprawled out on the road on holiday. Okay Ireland, he's yours. O'Neill wants him now, now, now! Veruca Salt style
Kun Aguero and his son Ben
Copa America
Neymar firing his team up. 1 goal, 1 assist
Neymar was cutting up. It's unalloyed joy to watch him play
A cross between Tinkerbell and Harlemglobe trotter with lashings of Samba flair, I see you
Do you remember this man? From the World Cup 2014 when he cried for Brazil's loss? And I think gave his replica trophy to a German fan? He's back! I'm so glad you're back, dude. Football will break you, and yet, you'll still love it. *sigh*
I don't really like fans swarming on the field. It's all fun and games until someone gets stabbed. Don't people remember Monica Seles?!
Colombia 0 -1 Venezuela
I'm not Colombian but I'd rock the hell out of this.
Wow at this kit. Wow, Venezuela.
I am digging the colourway
The hero of the match, Salomon Rondon for Venezuela. Who is he?
Falcao was straitjacketed in this game. Couldn't shake off people to get goals in
Euro 2016
Round up of Euro 2016 qualifiers, because I don't have pictures for all the matches, soz
Slovenia 2 - 3 England
Wilshere was lit --- with inspiration yesterday
Gif of one of his goals? I didn't watch the match I had Spanish speaking practice. So tell me how it went
Wayne Rooney scored a goal and something about a record?
England's back four need an ass whooping. All four of them. How they make this happen? How, Sway?
Kampl got a yellow card from the referee for dissent. That, I did see. Slovenia is a good team though, all my snarking aside
Belarus 0 - 1 Spain
David Silva scored the only goal of the game, and what a goal that was. He hooked the ball out of the air and... back of the net
Apart from Silva's brilliance, I don't know if I'm convinced by Spain. Yes, two times Euro champions and one time World Cup champions, but you can't eat stale bread for the future
Real Madrid 4- 2 Liverpool
Legends of the Liverbird and the golden orb (or whatever they call RM's crest). They played a match yesterday. Ummm. This is Kewell and Salgado
Michael Owen used to be a red. Came up in the LFC academy, then got whisked off to Real Madrid. Came back and played for Manchester United and supposedly for Newcastle, but he was more injured than not, tbh. The Reds don't talk about him, he's like the mad wife in the attic. Damn it
Ian Rush! Oh my days! Where did they dig you up from, boo? He's testing his might against Roberto Rojas at the Bernabeu
Luis Garcia!? I thought he'd gone to India! Oh mannnn how the hell have you been?
Roberto Carlos is still husky
Man United 7- 5 Bayern Munich
I didn't know that this was going on
Scholes captained the team
More legends. You can tell me who is who
They were playing at Man UnitedOP: done! Any cheers, jeers, corrections, pushback against commentary you know the drill! Not much news today because they just seem to be rumours that we've read before.