Ignoring the news...

My frustration over recent developments has rejuvenated this blog like the proverbial African lung fish (thanks, Martin). Turn up the volume, please, and do whatever you can for the good of this once sacred game (support your LOCAL club!)

Goal of the week (9)

It was only a matter of time before I posted this gem. Watch it the way you read a poem - once for the intoxicating overall impression, then parse for craft and subtlety. I especially love Riquelme's understated manipulation of space, and Cambiasso's scheming well before he makes his run toward Crespo. Oh, football...


16 June, 2006
Argentina 6: Serbia 0
Veltins Arena (Gelsenkirchen)

Goal of the week, the return

I'm back after a hectic spell of work, though in the interim I've gotten quite preoccupied with the upcoming baseball season. A bit of Georgian brilliance might get me back on task. Here goes...

Shota Arveladze
AZ Alkmaar 3 : Sparta Rotterdam 0
Alkmaarder Hout (Netherlands)
27.01.2007



That's very nice, though I still may be compelled to post some thoughts on the White Sox.

Goal of the Week (7)

No one scored more goals from distance than "The Maradona of the Carpathians," Gheorghe Hagi. Most of you probably remember the '94 Romania side and this goal in particular. Colombia had a fine side at this point, but the tiny bit of space left to Hagi perfectly illustrates the details that separate teams at this level. I can't think of a better placed shot in my football viewing life. So come follow me back to a simpler time...

18, June 1994
Romania 1: Colombia 0
The Rose Bowl (Pasadena)




I like your style, ULTRAS4steaua.

Calm, my dears, calm!

You knew I would eventually post the goal of the week... To atone for my tardiness and the dismal quality of recent posts, I have a special treat: All 3 of Zoltan Gera's goals against San Marino during a EURO '04 qualifier. While it's hardly remarkable for a team to dominate the minnows of Europe, Gera's (underappreciated) skill is on full display here. Perhaps the 3rd goal doesn't belong in these hallowed ranks, but for completion's sake I've included it... and also, not having watched football in nearly a week, I have an awful desire to just see someone stick it in the back of the ol' onion bag, as it were. I rank the goals as follows: 2>1>3 - what do you think?

Euro 2004 Qualifying Match
16 October 2002
Hungary 3: San Marino 0
Stadion Puskás Ferenc (Budapest)

1.




2.



3.


Fantastikus indeed, JohnGotti06

What is to be done?

I'm killing football. These projects are all too unwieldy; I don't want to research and write them, and Google Analytics tells me that you don't want to read them. So, while I continue chipping away at some larger tasks, I will be expanding the scope of this site. It will now certainly extend beyond Eastern Europe, and likely beyond football itself. For the time being, the Goal of the Week will remain, though. To ring in this new era of liberation, here is an exceptionally clever free kick tactic:

Rivelino free kick (with assistance from Jairzinho - visible on the replay)
Brazil 1: East Germany 0
26 June, 1974
Niedersachsenstadion (Hannover)
World Cup group stage




Much obliged, felixahlner

Goal of the week (4)

Despite all appearances, this blog will not become a historical highlight reel. I am setting a deadline of next weekend for my next actual entry. In addition to being quite busy recently, I've also been conflicted about football, given the rumors surrounding Kaka's transfer from AC Milan to Manchester City. Even though this is well outside the sphere of my usual interest, I can't help but be shaken by the phrase "100 million pounds." It just reinforces a lot of what I already know and believe, but this is never pleasant (see "Thoughts from the road"). But moving on to what is...

I've bent my own unspoken rule here by posting a goal scored against an Eastern side. Enjoy Marco Van Basten's ludicrous volley. Genius.


European Cup final
25 June 1988
Netherlands 2: USSR 0
Olympiastadion (Munich)




Nicely done, SlurfSeweden.