the point is the current system is rooted in communities and it allows a bunch of kids who have no chance of becoming professionals to be in the spotlight for a while.doesn't matter how many kids play soccer, without a culture in the usa that follows and obsesses over it, i don't think it will produce great players. so many american players are immigrants or the children of immigrants and therefore have exposure to a soccer-obsessed culture. interesting to read foreign opinions on us sport culture, but i have never thought that americans don't work hard enough on sports and i am pretty sure the art of fielding has absolutely noting to do with actual baseball.
― mizzell, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:41 (twelve years ago) link
also don't believe for a second that usa wouldn't dominate in basketball if other countries were crazy for it. more likely (to me) that usa would dominate soccer if it was the most popular sport here.
― mizzell, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:43 (twelve years ago) link
well yeah it doesnt seem like it even cares to be an accurate baseball novel. good read tho.
even now america most probably has enough people in it that obsess over football as a midsized european country albeit spread out over a landmass the size of Europe. If Portugal or Denmark or Croatia can produce the likes of Suker or the Laudrups or Figo, I don't think America are pulling their weight for their current soccer-culture, let alone American sporting culture.
― a hoy hoy, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:47 (twelve years ago) link
Can't wait til China puts together an uber-team to put the NBA in its place
― Number None, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:51 (twelve years ago) link
― mizzell, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:43 (4 minutes ago)
This was regarding how they develop, fyi. In Brazil or Spain their college equiv. would be playing professionally and against the best, possibly at an international level for the three years someone would be at college learning Media Studies. It justs seems odd that you wouldn't encourage talented atheletes to be schooled to enhance their abilities the same way there are performing arts schools etc.
― a hoy hoy, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:54 (twelve years ago) link
trust me, the most talented atheletes spend plenty of time getting coached and practicing in their college years. much much less time spent studying.
― mizzell, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:56 (twelve years ago) link
oh i dont doubt that
― a hoy hoy, Tuesday, 6 March 2012 14:59 (twelve years ago) link
not exactly ahead of the game here as he's 17 and has already been spotted by a few bigger clubs and trained with Liverpool but this lad Joel Pohjanpalo is worth watching - a perfect hat-trick in two minutes in only his second senior game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibHRquIsXkg
― we are not bemused (onimo), Thursday, 19 April 2012 20:37 (twelve years ago) link
There's a kid who's obviously got it imo. Nice to see some domestic Finnish footy too. Feel for these journeyman pros though tbh, suddenly reduced to fodder for this child on his way to bigger things.
― Ismael Klata, Thursday, 19 April 2012 21:22 (twelve years ago) link
if ever he gets fat and useless, big joel pohjanpalo would be a great name for a big
― The term “hipster racism” from Carmen Van Kerckhove at Racialicious (nakhchivan), Thursday, 19 April 2012 21:27 (twelve years ago) link
i think the only suomi fitba ive seen was that clip from when roy hodgson was manager of their national team and an owl landed on the pitch
― The term “hipster racism” from Carmen Van Kerckhove at Racialicious (nakhchivan), Thursday, 19 April 2012 21:28 (twelve years ago) link
30th best league in Europe, apparently. Jari Litmanen's still going!
― Une semaine de Bunty (ShariVari), Thursday, 19 April 2012 21:52 (twelve years ago) link
great 'when showboating goes wrong' example at the start of that vid.
― kid steel (cajunsunday), Thursday, 19 April 2012 22:00 (twelve years ago) link
yes, and the failed showboater could maybe have stood in front of the free kick or covered the unmarked guy who crosses for the goal
― we are not bemused (onimo), Thursday, 19 April 2012 22:05 (twelve years ago) link
perkele!
― Silky Slim (dan m), Thursday, 19 April 2012 22:58 (twelve years ago) link
also recently found out a friend's husband was once a gk in the finnish 2nd division. semi-pro team but sounded like a hell of a good time from his stories.
― Silky Slim (dan m), Thursday, 19 April 2012 22:59 (twelve years ago) link
i sort of want to ask tuomas if he has heard of jari litmanen
― The term “hipster racism” from Carmen Van Kerckhove at Racialicious (nakhchivan), Thursday, 19 April 2012 23:00 (twelve years ago) link
AC Milan have paid over €500,000 for 14-year-old Hachim Mastour, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The attacking midfielder is reported to have been brought to the Italian giants’ attention by former San Siro manager Arrigo Sacchi.
The move from Reggiana has been confirmed by his agent Dario Paolillo, and the Serie A side’s vice-president, Adriano Galliani, believes the youngster needs to mature in a pressure-free environment.
Galliani went on record to say: “Mastour seems to have great qualities, but let’s not put too much pressure on him. Mastour is 14 years old. He's the future. But he’s still just a kid.”
According to reports, Milan have beaten Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter to the youngster's signature.
― r|t|c, Tuesday, 3 July 2012 16:55 (eleven years ago) link
Full name Adryan Oliveira TavaresDate of birth October 8, 1994 (age 17)
Scored a nice goal on his senior club debut last week. This video shows him mostly at the U-17 World Cup I think. To quote Ismael, "a kid who's obviously got it imo."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRZA4M-3Vio
― boxall, Thursday, 5 July 2012 19:30 (eleven years ago) link
THIS talented Irish player is set to take the football world by storm — after signing for Barcelona FC.Zak Gilsenan, nine, from Castleknock, Dublin, has been snapped up by the Spanish giants after wowing scouts when he scored SEVEN goals in a trial.The schoolboy saw off 400 other starlets to seal a place at the FCBEscola football academy — which has produced such famous stars as Xavi, Iniesta and Zak’s favourite player Lionel Messi.Dad Stephen Gilsenan said the whole family will now up sticks and move to Spain to help the midfield ace follow his dream.Stephen told the Irish Sun: “We were living in Australia when Zak was spotted by Spurs, who were running football camps over there.Proud dad ... Stephen with Barcelona bound Zak“We came home with the intention of letting Zak go to Spurs, but in the meantime we had a call from Barcelona. One of their former players saw him playing in Oz and recommended him to Barca.“They offered Zak a trial in May and it was a great experience. It consisted of over 400 boys from all over the world. He was asked back in June when it was cut down to 90.“Then in a match between the top 16 players, Zak just ran riot and scored seven goals. He was phenomenal. Then we heard back two weeks ago and they offered him a spot.”Zak will be joined in Spain by Stephen, mum Claudia, brother Jamie and actress sister Danielle.He will now come face-to-face with Ireland’s Galactico — Mayo lad John Joe Patrick Finn. In May we revealed how the youngster, whose dad is from Ballyhaunis, signed for the other Spanish giants, Real Madrid.Seven goals ... ZakMining company worker Stephen said: “I know Zak is young to be doing this but kids are like a sponge at this age.“People say we are mad but in Barcelona he will be educated in the best footballing techniques.“All we can do is go and see how it develops. We know it’s ruthless over there. We don’t want him turned into a machine, we just want him to enjoy it. It’s his dream to play for Ireland.”
Zak Gilsenan, nine, from Castleknock, Dublin, has been snapped up by the Spanish giants after wowing scouts when he scored SEVEN goals in a trial.
The schoolboy saw off 400 other starlets to seal a place at the FCBEscola football academy — which has produced such famous stars as Xavi, Iniesta and Zak’s favourite player Lionel Messi.
Dad Stephen Gilsenan said the whole family will now up sticks and move to Spain to help the midfield ace follow his dream.
Stephen told the Irish Sun: “We were living in Australia when Zak was spotted by Spurs, who were running football camps over there.
Proud dad ... Stephen with Barcelona bound Zak“We came home with the intention of letting Zak go to Spurs, but in the meantime we had a call from Barcelona. One of their former players saw him playing in Oz and recommended him to Barca.
“They offered Zak a trial in May and it was a great experience. It consisted of over 400 boys from all over the world. He was asked back in June when it was cut down to 90.
“Then in a match between the top 16 players, Zak just ran riot and scored seven goals. He was phenomenal. Then we heard back two weeks ago and they offered him a spot.”
Zak will be joined in Spain by Stephen, mum Claudia, brother Jamie and actress sister Danielle.
He will now come face-to-face with Ireland’s Galactico — Mayo lad John Joe Patrick Finn. In May we revealed how the youngster, whose dad is from Ballyhaunis, signed for the other Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
Seven goals ... ZakMining company worker Stephen said: “I know Zak is young to be doing this but kids are like a sponge at this age.
“People say we are mad but in Barcelona he will be educated in the best footballing techniques.
“All we can do is go and see how it develops. We know it’s ruthless over there. We don’t want him turned into a machine, we just want him to enjoy it. It’s his dream to play for Ireland.”
― Number None, Monday, 16 July 2012 10:47 (eleven years ago) link
estimate percent chance zak gilsenan displaces paul mcshane from the left wing position prior to ireland's 3-0 loss to macedonia in the 2022 world cup qualifiers
― nakhchivan, Monday, 16 July 2012 10:55 (eleven years ago) link
Then in a match between the top 16 players, Zak just ran riot and scored seven goals
Hm, I can't help picturing a father who can't believe his luck. If Zak were really all that he'd be all blasé, talking about workrate and stuff, not about how he thought the third wheel looked like it was going to be a lemon but then it clicked onto a cherry and I'd like to thank me mam, barcelona and god.
Zak's the new Jon Chard imo.
― Ismael Klata, Monday, 16 July 2012 10:57 (eleven years ago) link
he's got the hair of a Barcelona youth
http://www.balls.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/zak.png
― Number None, Monday, 16 July 2012 10:59 (eleven years ago) link
telltale irish complexion and football skills tho
― nakhchivan, Monday, 16 July 2012 11:00 (eleven years ago) link
odds on trapp wondering if he can call him up today (messi already disproving the 'too small for the big time' theory)
― Yeah and I ~obstruction~ you/ya fucking blind cunt (pause) fucking k (a hoy hoy), Monday, 16 July 2012 15:04 (eleven years ago) link
You must be thinking of some other Trap. Check out the other kid mentioned in the article though. Might end up playing for Spain but it'd probably be worth it to have someone called John Joe Patrick Finn winning the World Cup
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01500/SNE0207B--5322_1500751a.jpg
― Number None, Monday, 16 July 2012 16:03 (eleven years ago) link
judging by that pic he will be a boring defensive midfielder who will nonetheless win the world cup and the european championships before marrying a supermodel
― text:gabbneb AND displayName:gabbneb (nakhchivan), Monday, 16 July 2012 19:10 (eleven years ago) link
JJ Patrick Finn and young Gilsenan should provide Robbie Keane the service he needs come 2022.
― Know how Roo feel (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 07:12 (eleven years ago) link
signs on the lads their folks moved off foreign, else they'd be getting the shite horsed out of them at minor gaa matches before deciding they'd rather take up accountancy
― starfish entryprize (darraghmac), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 11:10 (eleven years ago) link
is that your secret origin
― Number None, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 11:18 (eleven years ago) link
that was the fuckin high point, tbh
― starfish entryprize (darraghmac), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 11:32 (eleven years ago) link
Chelsea now going to buy Eden's little brother, Thorgan.
― mizzell, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 13:42 (eleven years ago) link
Disappointed. I was hoping he was called 'Water' tbh.
― pandemic, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 13:56 (eleven years ago) link
signs on the lads their folks moved off foreign, else they'd be getting the shite horsed out of them at minor gaa matches
dublin u-9 football champion, 1991. official gaa medal and all.
― Know how Roo feel (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 20:36 (eleven years ago) link
Sonny Pike, Cherno Samba, and other wunderkinds who didn't make it
― Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 20:40 (eleven years ago) link
i played u-11 hurling for donegal, which may well be the lowest level at which one can partake in said sport tbrr
― starfish entryprize (darraghmac), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 21:26 (eleven years ago) link
I'm still only 30 btw
― skrill xx (cozen), Tuesday, 17 July 2012 21:32 (eleven years ago) link
sayin'
That Liverpool fan's top 100 youths list is enjoyable.
19. Baldo Di Gregorio (CB, Eintract Frankfurt)20. Andres Iniesta (AM, Barcelona)
Baldo (great name for a centre-back btw) is currently playing for Gostaresh Foolad in the Iranian second division.
― boxall, Tuesday, 17 July 2012 22:38 (eleven years ago) link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=DThjb_XyyoU
― skrill xx (cozen), Wednesday, 18 July 2012 18:58 (eleven years ago) link
No mention of Foday Nabay here.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/7913738/City-target-talented-teen
― you can't stream a pancake (onimo), Thursday, 19 July 2012 14:04 (eleven years ago) link
Heh heh: Islam Feruz gets stroppy, has twitter account deleted. I think that's a first for one of our prodigies.
― Ismael Klata, Thursday, 19 July 2012 14:25 (eleven years ago) link
Have heard quite a few stories of him being a billy big-baws around Glasgow, walking off 5-a-side pitches in the huff if everyone doesn't worship his awesomeness etc.
― ailsa, Thursday, 19 July 2012 14:42 (eleven years ago) link
good luck playing the big dog at Chelsea, sonny
― Ismael Klata, Thursday, 19 July 2012 14:55 (eleven years ago) link
hed have a hard time on blaize huh
― nakhchivan, Thursday, 19 July 2012 15:00 (eleven years ago) link
estimate percent chance islam feruz has a better career than freddy adu
― nakhchivan, Thursday, 19 July 2012 15:01 (eleven years ago) link
watching Tottenham-Barcelona in the NextGen series after reading raves about Barça Juvenil's #6 midfield pivot Sergi Samper - Xavi comparisons obviously, and Pirlo. He hasn't done much in the first half, Spurs have some good-looking players though, Coulibaly and a quick footed right winger who looks like Gareth Bale's little brother.
― boxall, Sunday, 16 September 2012 00:56 (eleven years ago) link
Glancing at their roster it appears that only 6 of 27 Juvenil players are black, but at least 4 are on the pitch right now, it's noticeable. I didn't realize La Masia was making inroads w/r/t racial diversity. The Reyes-Henry-Aragones incident was a while ago now, but iirc Laurent Blanc claimed there were no black players in the Spanish youth setup when defending his own country's quota system.
― boxall, Sunday, 16 September 2012 01:30 (eleven years ago) link
I can see that Samper is talented, very technical of course and excellent decision making on the ball, plus determined pressing. This side is much quicker in spreading play to the flanks than Busquets-Xavi-Iniesta teams normally are, so he's not as vital to the team's play. Wingers Alain Ebwelle and Adama Traore have been the standouts.
― boxall, Sunday, 16 September 2012 01:53 (eleven years ago) link
have you noticed Pritchard for Spurs? Blonde kid. i read reports that he was the best for Spurs
― mizzell, Sunday, 16 September 2012 02:21 (eleven years ago) link