Arjen DEzeeuw is a Doctor, he has a degree in medicine and is planing to go into sports medicine when he retires.
When Niceto Zamora became the Prime Minister of the Second Spanish Republic, Stalin is alleged to have said, "Ah, that goalkeeper"(Ricrado Zamorea).
in 8 qualifying cycles since the fall of yugoslavia (from Euro 1996 on), Germany never ever faced one of the now six countries, emerging from yugoslavia. (Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and before 2006 Serbia-Montenegro and Yugoslavia)
One point that I still find interesting to this day is that prior to the 2002 world cup final, Germany + Brazil had NEVER met in the world cup (at any stage) despite being the two most successful WC teams ever* * - this was prior to Italy's 4th title ovetaking Germany's 3.
I think I mentioned this before. Every WC Final since the War except 1978 & 2006 featured either Brazil or West Germany.
If you're interested in World Cup facts and figures, here's a good one for you. The Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) participated in the 1938 World Cup Finals in France but have never made it to the Finals since then. Wales qualified for the 1958 World Cup Finals in Sweden (and even made it to the Quarter-Finals) and over half a century later have still not qualified for a second time. Full details of all the World Cup Finals from 1930 to 2010 can be found on the FIFA World Cup page of my football stats site www.MyFootballFacts.com
There were 3 "German" national teams after the War; West Germany, East Germany and Saarland. Due to post-war partition, the Saarland became under France after WWII. Until 1957, the Saarland played under a separated team from both Germany and France. During the period, FC Saarbrücken played in French Ligue 2 in 1948-49. They easily finished top of the division that season. However, after French clubs voted unanimously against them joining the French Football Federation (resulting in the resignation of president Jules Rimet, who had suggested that Saarbrücken join), the club left the French league. Not interested in being part of the weak Ehrenliga they established a short-lived invitational tournament, the Internationaler Saarlandpokal, which attracted a number of top teams and is regarded as a forerunner to the European Cup.
All five members of La Quinta del Buitre ("Vulture's Cohort") only played once on the same field together. Miguel Pardeza left Real Madrid after the 1985-1986 season.
Oleg Salenko, who was the topscore at USA 1994, was also the topscorer in the 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
This year Indios was saved from relagation by a single goal and managed to make it into the playoffs on the strength of that win. I believe relegation is based on the average points of the last three competitions (2 comps per calendar year).
Did you know that worlds oldest football club was The Edinburgh Football Club who were founded in 1824 they continued until 1840s. Football the game invented in Scotland.
Barcelona's victory in the Champions League has everyone talking about their completing of "El Triplete" (or "The Treble"). Perhaps lost in it all is that all three of their European Cup triumphs came with them also winning the league. They are only the second club to have achieved the double of domestic league and European Cup on three seperate occasions. Winning the double of domestic league and European Cup in the same season 3 - AFC Ajax (1970/71, 1971/72, 1994/95) 3 - FC Barcelona (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09) 2 - Real Madrid (1956/57, 1957/58) 2 - Liverpool FC (1976/77, 1983/84) 2 - FC Bayern München (1973/74, 2000/01) 2 - Manchester United (1998/99, 2007/08) 1 - SL Benfica (1960/61) 1 - FC Internazionale (1964/65) 1 - Hamburger SV (1982/83) 1 - FC Steaua Bucureşti (1985/86) 1 - FK Crvena zvezda (1990/91) 1 - AC Milan (1993/94) 1 - FC Porto (2003/04)
Did you know that before the Maracana was built for the 1950 World Cup the 3 biggest club grounds in the world were all in Glasgow, Scotland. Hampden Park, Ibrox and Celtic Park.
North Korea qualified to the World Cup without scoring a single goal in any of their final three qualifying matches. I haven't checked to see if this is a record, but I can't imagine it has happened too many times before.
Every world cup final has featured either Brazil, Italy, West Germany or Argentina. Only these 4 countries and hosts have won world cups (except Uruguay 50) Brazil and Italy have won half of all the world cups (9) 18 Brazil, Italy and West Germany have won two thirds of all the world cups. (12) 18.
The Record for most goals by 1 team in a World Cup match or World Cup Qualifyer was set in qualification for the 2002 world cup when Australia beat American Samao 31-0. Archie Thompson set the record for most goals by 1 player in a WCQ with 13, He has only scored a total of 21 goals for australia.
Ipswich in the mid 70s, everyone talks about sir bobbys early 80s team, but a little known fact is his team from 1974/75 would've been league champions if it was 3 points not 2 points for a win back then. They finished third, 2 points behind derby (aka 1 win), but they had won two more games, therefore if you add the extra point for each win to take it up to 3 points per win. Ipswich and Derby would've finished level on points, Ipswich would've then taken the title on goal difference. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974-75_in_English_football#First_Division_2
Bonhof who made the assist leading to Gerd Müller's winning goal against Holland in World Cup, 1074, was born Dutch. His parents were Dutch, but they lived on the German side of the border.
Sorry, faulty post. Disregard! <edit> Might as well throw in a footie fact! Czech team Drnovice have a stadium with a capacity of 7000, yet are based in a town with a population of around 2,300, providing over three seats for every man, woman and child in town.
Correct. While the Bonhof's did have a Dutch passport originally, though, 'ethnically' they were German. Gerhard Bonhof (father), Rainer Bonhof (son). Gerhard Bonhof always considered himself German. The Bonhofs came from the border region between Germany and Holland & Rainer Bonhof was born in Emmerich, a German city.