EJ & Adu: Aris vs Xanthi 2/17 (Greek Cup Quarter-finals) 16:00 Greek/9:00 ET

Just another quality video of the 3 goals (with many replays):
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFA2Q3_Ha-8&feature=sub"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFA2Q3_Ha-8&feature=sub[/ame]

 

It's more like Antou in greek. We don't have a "D" letter we use "NT" instead. And "Y" looks like "u" when it's lower case. Greek "ου" sounds like "u" in english. So it's Αντού in greek.

 

Ok, grades time. The evaluation is from the Athlitika Nea newspaper.

Eddie Johnson ( 6 ).

He replaced Sergio Koke, but in the 16 minutes he played he was not able to help much. For the first time (since he came) made some individual efforts but didn't work out quite well.

*He played 16 minutes.

Freddy Adu ( 7 ).

He might not have been as good as in the game against Ergotelis, but again he left his mark. He scored his second goal, making the best out of Calvo's terrific cross. Made some minor errors with his passing in the first half, but again he didn't make any unnecessary moves. He also helped Arano defending the left flank.

*He played 67 minutes.

The rest of the players:

Sifakis ( 7 )
Neto ( 8 )
Giuaro ( 7 )
Nasuti ( 7 )
Arano ( 7 )
Fernandez ( 6 ) *60 minutes.
Prittas ( 7 )
Calvo ( 8 )
Koke ( 7 ) *75 minutes.
Campora ( 8 )
Nafti ( 7 ) *30 minutes.
Javito ( 6 ) *23 minutes.

 

Adu's goal was NOTHING. Check out Schole's sublime fake whiff with the right leg to confuse the goalkeeper as he adroitly redirects the ball just inside the left post with his left leg.

 

what's this level comparable to? based on the imported players alone and the coach involved -Cuper - It just might be a tad higher than what Sacha from Chivas (TM) USA has had to face, correct? And he's picked a bad time to really struggle, even if Bob likes him and has known him for a long time....So i think Adu ought to be at least called up... Will it happen? That's a different story....

 

Very fair grades, his game against Ergotilis was outstanding and a revelation that he really can be a team player when he wants to. Great job Adu!

 

Lovin' the videos. Thanks. And I love the Super3 stuff just as much as the game! Great atmosphere.

 

Some fabulous balls from the right coming in from Aris.

I keep looking at the crowd shots, and don't see any women or kids... true or the wrong impression?

 

most of the shots are showing gate3 which is where tha fanatics D) are... Not an easy place for a woman to be in... There are women over there too but usually they like to go to calmer gates.

 

Some remarks about yesterday's game.

(sorry about the length of the post)

Very solid performance and a convincing victory/qualification. I was 100% sure that the gift/second chance we were given the previous week wouldn't be unexploited. The players entered the field with the necessary determination and passion and didn't allow Xanthi's players at any moment to believe they could qualify. The quick goals in the first 25' took away the anxiety of our players and thus they performed very creatively in the remaining minutes, while their opponents were completely discouraged.

Pay attention to the Adu's goal for 2 reasons:

a) the MAGNIFICENT, INCREDIBLE assist of Toni Calvo, the player who was actually praised by Freddy in his very first statements when he came to the team. He thought Toni was the player that stood out and the one that he compared himself to, speaking of moves, talent and pace. I believe this cooperation in yesterday's goal, together with the celebration (Adu lifted Calvo in his arms, giving him credit for the goal) will be just the beginning of an efficient and creative co-existence. It's very important to see your 2 side midfielders create and execute a goal and it adds to the team's offensive sharpness.

b) the difficulty of Freddy's goal. It's not an easy thing to receive a 40m ball and instantly trying to send it to the net. Freddy moved towards the gap between the defender and the GK, positioned himself perfectly and touched the ball as much as needed to redirect it. Perhaps the fact that he didn't touch it powerfully gave the impression that it wasn't meant to. IMO, watching exactly behind the net (that's where I am sitting in the stands), he TOTALLY meant to do EXACTLY that. So, I don't think there is to need to elaborate more on that; Adu is having fun, he enjoys his participation and he combines it with the ultimate essence of soccer: goals. Either directly (2 goals in 2 starting lineups he had) or indirectly (1 assist to EJ and 1 secondary assist to Campora yesterday)...

Apart form the goal, his performance was slightly "worse" than the previous one against Ergotelis. He -unsuccessfully- tried to do some difficult dribbles, lost some possessions, but he once again covered his position, came back to defend or regain the ball and that's what counts the most.

And of course, we shouldn't ignore the remarkable passion he shows when the team scores, not to mention when he is the one to do so. Apart from the bonding he starts to build with the fans, I see that he is very loved by his teammates, who run to hug him and celebrate with him. Watch closely his celebration and you will see even bench players running towards him. I think it's very important to be accepted and welcome by yr new environment and I am sure that this perfect atmosphere that prevails in the club, is a major factor for his fantastic performance so far.

Finally, I should say that I am very satisfied with what I saw from the rest of the players. Very nice to see Nafti and Fernandez come back from lenghty injuries and show that they are already fit. With these 2 guys, as well as Meriem, Aris' midfield levels up. I really can't wait to see Adu-Calvo-Nafti-Fernandez-Nacho-Meriem-Prittas-Javito cooperating; I believe they will consist one of the most powerful midfields in Greece.

Koke has also been outstanding the last 1,5 month. He passes, he scores, he holds the ball and is an inspire for the rest of his teammates. Very very pleased to see that no matter who's his partner in the offensive line, he co-exists perfectly and remains lethal. I am very confident that against AEK, on Sunday, his coordination with EJ will be impeccable!

Credit to Neto-Prittas and of course Campora, who remains "lethal" whenever he moves in the box and grabs all the "rebounds".

We are just 2 steps from the final guys!!! And nothing seems able to stop us!

VAMOS!

 

being an american in the suburb, i WOULD NOT take my kids anywhere near the fanatics. that place is a mad house. no offense, just not the best places for kids to hang around.

 

excellent commentary aris-salonica.

do you get a CL spot for winning the Cup? or was it the Euorpa spot?

 

Winner of Cup-----> Europa League

 

this should be the first post of every Adu related thread.

 

How about the letters "Δ" and "δ"? I obviously don't know Greek (other posters here will tell you I don't know Jack ), but I had anticipated that it might be spelled " [FONT=&quot]Αδϒ."[/FONT]

 

Haha I knew you guys would think that "Δ-δ" would be your "D-d". It's the fourth letter of the alphabet, looks similar, but no.

Δ sounds like "th" like in this/that/these etc. And this letter is called Delta, Δέλτα in greek, and sounds like Thelta.

 

Thanks for clearing that up! I had incorrectly learned the "D" sounds.

 

Interesting! So what sound does the letter theta make?

 

Theta "Θ-θ" sounds like "th" too but like in the word theme, think, thin etc...

 

are you a teacher by any chance?

i don't think i know my own language that well. lol

 

Delta is like "th" in the, that, this ...et c.

Theta is like "th" in thesis, thought, thorough... et c.

for more help look at this link

http://www.nativlang.com/greek-language/modern-greek-writing.html

hope it helps

 

We 've opened the greek dictionary again!

It would be interesting to have a thread about greek language/alphabet/pronounciation in the Greek/Cypriot section of BS, don't you think?

I 've seen many posters raising similar subjects, so I guess exchanging info about the cultural background of the country Freddy and EJ are playing in, would be smth useful.

P.S. Nick, start the new topic, man!!! U r on fire!

 

You know -- that was a great video you guys put up by the way, in HD it's even better -- who was it, right after hugging Freddy after his goal, who kept motioning for teammates to come over and congratulate Freddy?
I thought that was a tremendous gesture, and one that speaks much to the camaraderie of this team and the leadership some show. I was really impressed by that.

 

is this done? it's not playing. lol