Overhit Crosses, Aug 10 2006

[BuffloSoldier]

--Unfortunately, bed called and I did not see the second half of D.C. United's 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in Seattle (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/10/AR2006081000097.html). Even more disappointing when I woke up this morning was that by a few minutes I missed out on Barca's comeback against Club America as well. (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4107130.html)

Both games were pretty interesting; I was surprised on how strong Real played. Emerson may be their best signing of the "off-season"; he's exactly what the team needed since Claude Makelele left for the streets, paved with Euros, of London.

And 20,000 Canadiens came over for the game in Seattle? Thanks for bringing your business over to this side of the border.

--So, for the time being, Ashley Cole isn't headed to Chelsea. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4778123.stm) Of course, that can change at any moment when one side blinks when it comes to the fee. Cole seemingly wants out in a desperate way, and I doubt Arsene Wenger wants him to stick around at this point.

--Inter continues their spending spree by brining in Zlatan into a crowded striker pool. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4779251.stm) Now Obafemi Martins is REALLY sure to leave Milan. But again, will money spent mean another team that can't mesh for the blue and black side of the city?

--The west side of MLS became even tighter last night with wins from LA and Real Salt Lake. (http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/standings/)

--Now here's the definition of having a bad night that keeps on giving. (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-van_der_meyde&prov=reuters&type=lgns) Go get your drink on, get said drink drugged, go to the hospital and then get fined by your club. It hasn't been the best year in the life of Andy van der Meyde, has it? Shouldn't have left Ajax, aside from the likely larger bank account in your name.

[The Cold Sea]

--Unfortunately, bed called and I did not see the second half of D.C. United's 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in Seattle (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/10/AR2006081000097.html). Even more disappointing when I woke up this morning was that by a few minutes I missed out on Barca's comeback against Club America as well. (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4107130.html)

Both games were pretty interesting; I was surprised on how strong Real played for their first match of the season. ....



It wasn't the first match of their season. They had a training camp in Austria where they played four friendlies against Plymouth Argyle, Bad Ausee (an amateur side), Fulham and Reggina before decamping for the USA.

http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma32418.htm

[BuffloSoldier]

It wasn't the first match of their season. They had a training camp in Austria where they played four friendlies against Plymouth Argyle, Bad Ausee (an amateur side), Fulham and Reggina before decamping for the USA.

http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma32418.htm

Didn't drink my coffee yet. Full apologies.

[Liverpool_SC]

--Now here's the definition of having a bad night that keeps on giving. (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-van_der_meyde&prov=reuters&type=lgns) Go get your drink on, get said drink drugged, go to the hospital and then get fined by your club. It hasn't been the best year in the life of Andy van der Meyde, has it? Shouldn't have left Ajax, aside from the likely larger bank account in your name.

I am almost 99% sure that van der Meyde came from Inter (where he was making a bundle of money anyway) - not from Ajax. Could you be mistaking him for Rafael van de Vaert, who went from Ajax to Hamburg before last season?

Of course Van der Meyde did play at Ajax prior to his two seasons at Inter.

Also - it is rumored that he was in hot water with Everton regarding his heavy drinking before this incident. He may have been breaking team rules by being out past 12 am regardless of whether he got his drink spiked or not. And with rumors of his possibly being on the hazy side of outright alcoholism - I can see David Moyes actually viewing a spiked drink as a good thing to happen to van der Meyde (in the long run) if it really does make him more circumspect about drinking and partying so much.

[BPBlueSox]

I think the point about van der Meyde that he was trying to make is that he never should have left Ajax in the first place a few years back. However, he wasn't all that much quality...and he probably would have been replace anyways.

The good thing that came out of him leaving was the payday I'm sure he recieved, obviously.

[BuffloSoldier]

I think the point about van der Meyde that he was trying to make is that he never should have left Ajax in the first place a few years back. However, he wasn't all that much quality...and he probably would have been replace anyways.

Yep.

And I'll bow to your knowledge of Ajax having probably seen them play more at that time, but I just remember vdM streaking down the wings and just terrorizing guys.

[The Cold Sea]

Didn't drink my coffee yet. Full apologies.

Oh, no problem. I remembered seeing a Real Madrid score across the bottom of Sky Sports a few days ago.

They (RM) looked really good. DC's style is conducive to football and both sides looked like they enjoyed the first half. RM was more in control in the second half and really played the Fabio Capello game. Great save by Perkins on a Roberto Carlos free kick from the top of the box. Nowak only used three subs and treated the game like a real one. RM looks to have an army of long-haired, aliceband wearing footballers. Even a Jonathan Woodgate has the Madrid look. Hope the people of the Seattle area had a good time.

[nicephoras]

Both games were pretty interesting; I was surprised on how strong Real played. Emerson may be their best signing of the "off-season"; he's exactly what the team needed since Claude Makelele left for the streets, paved with Euros, of London.

Why would the streets of London be paved with Euros?

[Liverpool_SC]

Why would the streets of London be paved with Euros?
Because the pound is so strong right now that its not worth exchanging them? Because there are not any stores in London that accept them as legal tender? Because Abramovich does not care about euros - just rubles and pounds?

This is a choose your own adventure. Run with it. It is ALMOST Friday.

[BuffloSoldier]

One would assume Chelsea pays in Euros--I doubt Claude sets up shop in the UK when he can avoid the taxes.

[bbsbt]

Why would the streets of London be paved with Euros?They ran out of bricks.

[nicephoras]

One would assume Chelsea pays in Euros--I doubt Claude sets up shop in the UK when he can avoid the taxes.

Avoid UK taxes but pay other European taxes? You know, UK taxes aren't that high compared to the rest of the EU (the countries that use the Euro, at least). As far as I'm aware, they do pay in sterling.
Besides, given the strength of the pound, the tax liability (which is unlikely to be mitigated by attempting to pay in a different currency anyway) would be outweighed by the advantage of being paid in sterling.