Re: Löwen News... Yeah, this year I can sign up for a full year without fear they will cut it off for lack of funds. Last year I went quarterly simply because I feared them running out of cash and shutting it down.
Re: Löwen Kit Leak... LOL!! Seriously. BVB made sure Kappa did a good job in making the shirts in regular sizes for the fans. This was a major concern when the club started negotiating with Kappa and they did a good job taking care of the fans. Now, have you guys seen the "Bild" rumor that has Stefan Bell moving to Eintracht Frankfurt??
Re: Löwen Kit Leak... Yeah, that is somewhat "old" news going back a week or so ago when the original request was put in to get Bell. Eintracht was considered the front runner back then. Not sure if I mentioned it in my posts, but that was pretty much the direction he was headed. 1860 was hoping Bell might turn it down if 1860 could put together a similar package.
Re: Löwen Kit Leak... My bad. As you might have noticed, I haven't been following as much since the move.
Re: Löwen Kit Leak... BTW, might be down in your neck of the woods next weekend (24th). Wife wants to do the city, SW and a few things before I leave for camp in July.
Collin Benjamin Interview... Cool interview with Benjamin. Seems like a nice guy. They review his 11 years with HSV, the trainers he has palyed under and the guys he has played with. Really laid back guy. Seems to be very loyal. Wonder how well he would fit in at 1860 and how long he could play? He says (8:36) that he feels he can play another 1-2 years (he turns 33 this summer). Hesays he is open but has to think about his family. Around 10:45 he notes that he does not want to hear non-concrete offers (as in, "we could do this or this or this for you"), he wants to hear what a club is willing to offer and then discuss it...does not seem to want to play games. That could be good for us since Hinterberger does not seem to play games. Also, we seem to hold decent, older players as long as they can perform which could be a good thing for him. He did not seem to eager to go to Aachen when asked about their interest in him. They guy keeps saying he wants to "play, play, play" so he likely won't pick a club where he won't be a first choice starter. Again, for us that might bode well. With him and Buelow in the 6'er positions and Stahl/Schindler as back-ups that might be good. Not to fret....this interview is 3 weeks old so the lack of mention of 1860 is not bad news. In fact, the fact he has NOT signed yet with Aachen in the itnervening 3 weeks tells me he is looking elsewhere!!!
If you are drumming up US interest in jerseys, put me down! Let me know if you need any other info like email, etc
Löwen News... Well you win one, you lose one. Stefan Bell is going to Frankfurt on a loan deal. No reasons given but I suspect he (and perhaps Mainz) think Frankfurt is a better place for him that 1860 which is why a loan deal to us was not extended. Ok, fock him!! BUT....Collin Benjamin was in Muenchen yesterday and is nearly a done deal. According to his agent all that is left is for 1860 to make a decision. Great, let's git 'er done and say yes. The AA got a new pitch this week. Seems the old one was wearing a bit. Good news as long as it has time to take between now and the first game. 1860 appear to be in talks with a young Israeli striker named Dela Yampolsky. Problem: He will cost the club 400k. For an unproven young striker who has never played in Germany paying ANY money for them is too risky IMHO. Especially when we have YET to solidify our back 4. I hope this does not happen. Bad investment for us right now.
Re: Löwen News... Garry - Any known changes coming for Loewen TV for this year? I would like to sign up again, it's too good not to.
Re: Löwen News... None that I know of. I am assuming they will continue. Probably best to wait until two weeks before the season to sign up. OF course, you could always contact them and ask.
Re: Löwen News... Thank goodness. Hinterberger denies that 1860 is looking at Yampolsky or Hitzlsperger.
Re: Löwen News... I'd three jerseys if they got Hitzlsperger and I would sign up for Loewen TV! I love Hitzlsperger! He has never been a flashy player but he is still a good passer and decent FK threat. Of course, West Ham is not giving him away [edit: they are giving him away per Hitzlsperger's relegation clause but still we could not afford him and I doubt he want to play in the 2.BL just yet], and he would not play for cheap but if you are going to blow a lot of money I could think of worse ways!
Re: Collin Benjamin Interview... One thing I haven't seen in my bit of glancing is how INJURY PRONE Benjamin is. In comparison to Benjamin, Biero is a f#ckin' IRON MAN! At one time, I thought Collin Benjamin would be one of the best backs in the Bundesliga. His game is good, but he just can never stay fit. He's played a total of 29 times in the last four seasons! It isn't because he sucks either. He gets injured if the wind blows too hard. 1860 has to be really desperate to be considering this guy on anything other than an appearance/incentive laden contract.......
Re: Löwen News... I wouldn't be surprised to see Hannover, Augsburg or Nuernberg go after Hitzlsperger.
Re: Collin Benjamin Interview... Good post K. So, is his lack of play simply due to age/level of competition at HSV? I dunno so that's why I ask. As far as 1860, as long as he can show more than Lovin did in that role I think we are okay. Maurer does not appear to be a fool in that he seems to scout his players well. given Benjamin was based in Germany for 11 years I should hope Maurer knows what he is getting. He certainly is not afraid to bench an older player for not performing in favor of youth, so perhaps you are right that he will get a performance-based contract. I have (guarded) high hopes about him.
Re: Collin Benjamin Interview... Dude, you didn't read what I wrote? He can't stay fit/healthy. He's always injured. His lack of playing time at HSV had nothing to do with competition until maybe this past season or the season before. This guy has skills without question. HE JUST CANNOT STAY FIT ENOUGH TO PLAY!! HE'S ALWAYS INJURED!! Why do you think I said, "Compared to Benjamin, Biero is a f#ckin' IRON MAN?" Again, Benjamin won't stay fit enough to show more than Lovin did. Why do you think I wrote, "He gets injured if the wind blows too hard?!" Collin Benjamin can play this game when fit/healthy. Problem is, he can almost never stay fit/healthy.
K-man is right, Benji is ready to break at a moment's notice. If I'm them, I pass. -- Shirts - well my proposal was warmly received by the locals and is not off to the Bib Boys. We'll see what comes of it. === This may be crazy, but if they are looking for a defensive cover guy, I'd take a look at Spector. He's not the best, but he should be available cheap, plays every day, and has had some flashes of brilliance. At West Ham he struggled, but was used at right back, left back, center back, and center mid. He's either a CB or maybe a Def Mid, but not enough pace for the outside. === That striker is as big as my hand. 1.7 m is tiny!
Löwen News... Halfar rejects the first offer from 1860. Hinterberger says they will try again. According to sources Halfar's request and what was offered are far apart. Benjamin was offered a one year contract. It would seem 1860 is taking Keith's view that Collin needs to prove himself and stay healthy. Good to hear. The Board has given their resignations to make the way for the new structure to be voted in whereby Ismaik will get a few seats on the Baord for "his" people.