School was an impossibility. The bus didn't reach home in time for kick off. There was really only one thing for it. A sad looking face, spluttering cough sounds and big sad skivers eyes. This was no ordinary game of soccer, this was Brasil versus Italy. This was Falcao, Junior, Socrates and Eder, the player who possessed so much magic in his left foot I was spellbound.

I still am.

In the weeks leading up to the Spain '82 FIFA World Cup I took a large roll of wallpaper, laid it out and turned it over onto the non facing side. Carefully and with the sort of precision only a nine year old fanatic can manage every player from every squad was drawn onto the paper underneath the badge of their country. Next to him were placed their key stats and my prediction for their performance in Spain.

At this stage 'Brasil' was a rumour. The Ladybird Spain '82 book hinted that they were pretty special, but England were my favourites, could they be any better? Eder was the last player drawn on the Brasil section. He was just a name to me, but prophetically I wrote "Will be superb" which contrasts slightly with my prediction for Trevor Brooking which guaranteed "Will be the best player ever apart from Kevin Keegan". This assumption must surely have been based on the fact that he had well defined eyebrows because I had never seen him play live.

Brooking managed only a few minutes on the pitch, Eder has stuck with me for a lifetime.

Brasil played their first group game, the opposition could have been anyone. The magical, strutting pull of the yellow, blue and white took hold of my footballing soul from the moment the referee's whistle blew. Players so cool you wouldn't have been surprised if they had worn shades glided around the pitch swapping passes with the flourish of artists. Socrates, the coolest of them all commanded the most attention. His Che Guevarra beard and cold stare, shirt hanging out and swagger created intoxicating levels of adrenalin for the nine year old soccer nut.

Then came the goal which formed this life's love. Eder, tall, elegant and ice cool, unleashed a left footed shot into the net from what looked like 25 yards. It was a strike so magnificent that for about fifteen minutes my mind was blank. This moment was like being struck by lightning. The power of the shot, the flick, the bend, the downright arrogant cool - I was gone. I had found the beautiful game.

Next up Scotland were on the receiving end of another glorious Eder goal. This proved beyond doubt my playground theory that this supreme magician was the best player ever. He shaped to whack the ball, but instead floated the ball over the stranded Scotland goalkeeper, Alan Rough, with the sort of graceful balletic aplomb normally associated with orchestral conductors. Hours and hours were then spent in the field behind our house perfecting the sort of shots which earned him the nickname "Cannon". Cannon never seemed to fit. Yes, his goals were thunderbolts, but it was the silky smooth close control and outrageous tricks which made him much more than a simple cannon.

Brasil went through. I was in a haze. They were going to win the World Cup, this was guaranteed. Who could beat this team of artists, who could beat Eder?

Erm, Italy, like the waking edge of a beautiful dream. How could a sport that had only given love be so cruel? Paolo Rossi was the main culprit. His goals were devastating. Brasil couldn't quite manage to claw their way back at 3-2 down and the game was lost. Tears welled in my eyes, my stomach ached. Eder played well, the whole team did, but Italy dominated their more skilful opposition with endeavour and toil. The taunting celebrations of Italy were more than I could bear.

Spain '82 had become confusing and painful. How could the beautiful game be so distressing? As if to compound the shock England were dumped out with Kevin Keegan only playing a small role against Spain. If only.

Many say this was the greatest match ever played. I would agree now, but not on that hazy, skiving summers afternoon. School was an impossibility that day, but I had learned the hardest lesson of all in ninety excruciating minutes. Life was never the same again, but a passion was born that burns stronger than ever thanks to yellow, blue, white and a player who was more than simply superb, he was the very essence of magic.

Oliver Fowler is founder of [http://www.nextsoccerstar.com] the website which seeks to find the next soccer superstar.

what is the official site of brasil`s soccer team?

it better be in english language

http://cbfnews.uol.com.br/ - Seleção Brasileira
To have it in english you can use the google translating tool or yahoo, they translate web pages. But they don't translate the whole page, just parts of it. If you need to translate you could use http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/.

Project Natal, an accessory for the Xbox 360 that will be able to recognize full body movements definitely has the possibility of changing the video gaming scene. The Nintendo Wii already revolutionized video gaming, and Microsoft is taking it a step further with Project Natal. What kind of new possibilities for controlling video games will we see next? Let's explore these possibilities.

Many people are excited about the different kinds of games we'll be able to play once Project Natal comes out. I think there are two main categories that will definitely thrive with this new form on video gaming. The first one is exercise games, and the second is sports games. Between these two genres, i think we will see a lot of different releases incorporating Natal controls.

Exercise games will go great will this accessory. The Wii Fit became so popular because it allowed you to do exercises and the game could definitely give you wonderful feedback as to whether or not you are doing an exercise properly. Doing exercises properly is the key to getting the maximum benefit from them. The major problem with the Wii's offering, was that you had to use the Wii Fit balance board, so it limited you to the types of exercising that you could really do. Now, with Natal, it will be able to track your entire body and give you real time feedback on how you are doing the exercises. This will be great for Yoga and Pilates, as well as stretching games.

Another genre of games that will definitely thrive with this new motion-controlling device is sports games. Whether it is football, soccer, hockey, baseball, or even fighting games, i think they will become pretty popular. Wii Sports was what helped the Wii to become a huge success, and I think incorporating sports games into the Project Natal launch games will definitely be important for the success of this accessory.

If you want to learn more about Natal, then head on over to our website. We have information on a possible Project Natal Halo, as well as a hilarious Project Natal parody. Come check us out and get on the free mailing list to be one of the first to know about major updates for this new, exciting gaming accessory.

Opinion Question: Which sport is better, Soccer or Baseball? Why is one better than the other?

Personally, I think futbol is awesome, and baseball is way too slow. Nothing matches up to the World Cup!

Well from the history of man, people have always wanted something of value, or with value . That's why people started trading using gold as currency because it is hard to find and when you get gold you would have achieved something of a milestone . They didn't use granite or sand because everything would go into inflation . Look at baseball they have score like 54 - 21 . Soccer we have 2-1 and we call them Goals because it's actually a task to achieve it .

To prove it , baseball supporters cheer and clap hands when a score is added up with there team . they sit down in silence and wait for another .

Meanwhile a goal scored in a game of football would be a moment of joy, a moment to be remembered , a moment not to be forgotten about . Fans can last until 90 minuted singing , dancing, whistling and celebrating even a whole night party for only one goal . they can even talk about one goal for years .

My dad is still talking about the goal Carlos Alberto Perreira (Brazil ) scored in 1970 . I had to look for it in Gillette archives to actually see for myself if He was not exaggerating .

Football is the Best

IT AIN'T MATTER ANYMORE. 8-0.

BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS CATCH GAMES AT
LIVE-FOOTY.ORG

Below are links to three images of classical Argentinian attire. The third link is a type of "gaucho" costume which I associate with Argentina most closely.

i think dropping him is a bit harsh, the public bashing he is getting at the moment is far worse then getting dropped

What stopped any Liverpool player or a Sunderland player kicking the beachball away

Soccer does not only require physical activity, it also appeals to the emotions of others especially those with strong conviction to the game. As a result of their passion, soccer poems were written to stand as a genuine witness for the authors' love of the game.

It is apparent that both soccer players and enthusiasts were not contented just to enter the pit and play or just sit there and watch the game unfold, they also want the sport to be honored in their utmost capacity. Some players because of the admiration of the game don the game's jerseys every time they leave their homes some carry the game's ball wherever they were bound, some emulate the styles of their favorite player, especially the hairstyle and gestures, and some even uses the name of their favorite icons as their nicknames.

Some soccer enthusiasts who were not contented still of doing these things does exhibit ingenuity by writing verses like the one given below. This poem is written by a hardcore enthusiast. Just read her lines below for it clearly show everything in her.

Here is one example of so many verses or poems written by Jacinta Mary Ramayah from Malaysia;

SOCCER FEVER

When God deigns to watch soccer

He sits on the fence

While you clasp your palms in prayer

He looks askance.

The referee mouths his whistle

He rules the verdict on the field

While the player, in despair, knows

To his card, he has to yield.

The spectators scream in frenzy

And the fans ape their heroes

While the arena is ablaze

With a kaleidoscope of painted faces.

Cries of 'goal' fill the air

It's a month of living soccer

While, at last, the winners hold the Cup high

The losers gasp in disbelief and horror.

Four years of waiting has to pass

For this season to come round again

While the players run and sweat

Both punters and rookies hope to make a gain.

The poem clearly shows the author's knowledge of the game especially the World Cup for the topic is obviously speaking about the competition. Soccer poems may only be known for those who love the game but one thing is for sure, it still exhibits the feeling of the one who wrote it. Anything you write truly reflects the person you are, it is a mirror that somebody looks at when they want to know you deep inside.

Learn more about soccer poems

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Holders.

Bishop's Stortford Football Club, was founded in 1874 and currently play in the Blue Square Conference South.

Nicknamed 'The Blues' they currently play at Woodside Park which is situated on the outskirts of the town on a small industrial park near J8 of the M11. The ground, which has a current capacity of 4,000, was opened in 1999 with a match against Norwich City. This followed the controversial sale of the fans beloved Rhodes Avenue ground and a couple of nomadic years spent playing their home games at other stadiums.

The club has a proud history, being the last ever winners of the F.A. Amateur Cup at Wembley in 1974, followed by their F.A. Trophy triumph in 1981, again at Wembley. Amazingly they were the first team from outside the top level of non-league football to win the F.A. Trophy.

The season after in 1982, the 'Blues' made it through to the 3rd Round of the FA.Cup where after trailing 2-0 at half time to Malcolm Allison's Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park, they fought back to secure a 2-2 draw. In the replay on the following Tuesday, in front of a packed crowd of 6,000 at the old Rhodes Avenue Stadium, they lost 2-1, despite having a 1-0 lead at half time.

Until recently, the former Arsenal and Celtic player had been in charge for seven years, guiding them to a play-off place three years ago and to the semi-final of the FA Trophy in 2005. With Blues languishing in the relegation zone, Hayes was replaced in November 2008 by Mark Simpson who guided them to an excellent second half of the season, finishing a respectable ninth.

Bishop's Stortford Football Club - Did you Know?

The last Association Football League match in the 20th Century played in England was between Bishop's Stortford and Chertsey Town. On 30th December 1999, the Blues won 5-3 in the Ryman League.

Bishop's Stortford's record victory was 19-0 against Newtown Rovers back in 1892.

The original club colours were crimson and olive green.

To find out more about Bishop's Stortford FC, or sports in the town in general, please visit the http://www.activstortford.com/Community/Content/BISHOPSSTORTFORDSPORTSCLUBGUIDE-204.html

To find more about the town of Bishop's Stortford, please visit http://www.activstortford.com

NO! It is a scam designed to steal your money. Avoid it like the plague.

It is widely considered the most popular game on earth. Played by millions of people from nearly every walk of life, and in nearly every nation, soccer - football or futbol as it is commonly known beyond the borders of the United States - is a sport that can be played by nearly anyone. Aside from the skills needed to maneuver the ball using your body, but not your hands - except for the goal keeper - soccer owes much of its international appeal to the fact that all you need to play is an open space and a single ball.

The mountains of equipment needed to play other sports - like tennis, golf, baseball, American football, and so many others - are an anathema to the soccer player. It is the ball, and only the ball, that one needs to play the game. But the soccer ball is not a generic item; there are many kinds of soccer balls on the market, and each has its own characteristics that differentiate it from the other balls.

At first glance it is hard to tell one soccer ball from another. Usually constructed in the same distinctive style, the trademark pentagonal and hexagonal panels make a soccer ball instantly recognizable. However, when you are trying to tell the difference between one ball and another, the first place to start is the cover.

In the past, full grain leather was used to make a top quality soccer ball, but real leather tends to absorb water easily, and a wet ball is a heavy ball that plays much differently than it was intended to play. Today, the first quality soccer balls are constructed from synthetic leather. Although there are many variations of synthetic leather, they are generally all a derivative of polyurethane or poly vinyl chloride. The best balls - those used in competition and by professionals - are almost always made of the polyurethane construction, while inexpensive practice balls are more likely to be poly vinyl chloride.

The way the panels of the soccer ball are stitched together is another indication of the quality of the ball. A high quality ball is going to be hand stitched with polyester cord or Kevlar reinforced polyester. Hand stitching allows the panels to be sewn tighter, which makes for a stronger and longer lasting soccer ball. Second-tier soccer balls are usually stitched as well, but the stitching is done by machine so it lacks the uncompromising quality that a hand stitched ball will possess. Inexpensive balls are usually not stitched at all, and instead are held together by gluing the panels onto the lining of the ball.

Soccer balls come in different sizes as well: Size 3, Size 4, and Size 5. Size 3 balls are the smallest balls and are typically used by players under the age of eight. Size 4 balls are the next size up, and players between the ages of eight and twelve use this size of ball. Size 5 balls are the standard size for adult play and are the standard size balls for all international play.

When shopping for a soccer ball it is important to have an eye for its size and construction. If you are unsure that the ball you are considering is of good quality, look to see if the ball is approved by either FIFA or NFHS. FIFA, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, and NFHS, the National Federation of State High School Association, both approve balls that meet the strict specifications that are outlined by each organization. If you purchase a ball that is approved by either governing body then you are almost assured of a ball that is of high quality in both construction and performance.

Get all the latest in Soccer know how from the one and only true source at http://www.SoccerDetails.com. Be sure to check our soccer ball page.

FIFA, which stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association was founded in the year 1904. Today it is known as Football world cup. The competition is held between the national football teams of the countries who are the members of FIFA. The history of the FIFA World Cups till date will be incomplete if Brazil is taken out from it. The matches played by the country have created sensation and have taken the standard of the tournament to a new high. Though the game was started by the English but this is also a fact that the Brazilians have given it a new definition.

Till date seven countries have won the champion's title till date. Out of these seven countries Brazil is the only country who has participated in all the tournaments and has also been the winner for five times. Besides being the winner for five times, Brazil has reached till semi-finals in three tournaments and also became the vice champion in two.

As Brazil is the only country to have participated in all the FIFA World Cup tournaments till date, the is fondly called "The Little Canary" by its fans. In the following tournament which is to be held in 2010 in South Africa, Brazil team will be a big challenge to all the other teams, as the team has really worked hard and improved its game even better. It is in full josh to face the challenge.

The 2014 FIFA world cup tournaments are decided to be held in Brazil itself. The country has hosted the tournament previously in 1950, when it reached till final but lost to Uruguay in the finals. The country won the bid for 2014's tournament against the other countries like Argentina, Colombia and Chile. The decision has given nightmares to the other teams as it will be a real tough job to defeat such a strong team on their homeland.

Visit website to know more about World Cup 2010 and World Cup 2014.

Why is Real Salt Lake MLS Eastern Conference Champs if they are closer to the west coast?

The Kansas City Wizards, FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo are some teams that are East of Salt Lake but are considered Western Conference Teams in the MLS. Why did Real Salt Lake play against the Chicago Fire for the Eastern Cup Final?

Playoff rules of the MLS.

"WHO QUALIFIES: Eight teams qualify for the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs. Playoff berths will be determined by points in the standings upon the completion of the regular season. All 15 teams will have played 30 games.

# The top two teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1 & 2 in their respective four-team playoff conference brackets.

# The four MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive "wildcard" berths.

• The four wildcard teams will be seeded according to conference first.
• If more than four teams qualify from one conference, the team finishing lower than fourth in its conference will shift over to the other conference bracket.
• A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket. "

In this case the Western conference got 3 of the 4 wild card berths so the playoff team with the fewest points from the west (Real Salt Lake) filled the 4th spot for the Eastern Conference Playoffs and ended up beating the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire to reach the finals.

INTRODUCTION: Argentina is a beautiful South American country and home to tango...and birthplace of Eva Peron, First Lady of Argentina in the 1940s and 1950s...and Diego Armando Maradona, best known for his nickname "Pelusa", one of the most famous athletes in the World History.

Argentina is one of the most industrialized country´s in Latin America... The South American country is among the most stable and democratic countries in the Third World...Buenos Aires, Argentina´s capital, is one of the most romantic and beautiful places... is very famous for its hospitality.

This place is one of the most dynamic entertainment centers in Latin America.There are lots of theaters, fantastic tavernas restaurants and stadiums... very peaceful and historical places...The South American country has been benefited from the many infrastructure projects that were provided for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, 1990 FIBA World Cup, FIVB World Cup (1982 and 2002) and Pan American Games (1995).

FILMS AND BOOKS ABOUT ARGENTINA:

"Evita" (1997), a film about Eva Duarte de Peron, former First Lady of Argentina in the 20th Century.

"The Return of Eva Peron with the Killings in Trinidad", a book about Third World dictatorships...by Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, who won the 2001 Nobel Prize for Literature.

FAMOUS PEOPLE:

Jorge Luis Borges (writer)/ Ernesto Sabato (writer)/ Carlos de Saavedra Lamas (jurist/ 1936 Nobel Prize for Peace) / Bernardo A. Houssay (scientist: 1947 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine)/ Fernando Lamas (actor)/ Luis Leloir (1970 Nobel Prize for Chemistry)/ Mario Alvarez (architect) / Alfredo Agostini (architect) / Cesar Milstein (scientist) /Libertad Lamarque (singer) / Carlos Gardel(singer)/ Julio Bocca (dancer)...

DID YOU KNOW THAT...

Argentina is about 40 times the size of Switzerland.More than 30 million people live there. The vast South American country, bigger than France, Germany and Japan combined, is the birthplace of Jose de San Martin, who was a Latin American revolutionary in the 18th Century.

ITALIAN ANCESTRY:

Gabtriela Sabattini (tennis player)/, Arturo Illia (former President of Argentina)/ Hector Campora (ex-President of Argentina)/ Octavio Dazzan (cyclist) Norma Cappagly (Miss World 1960)...

OLYMPICS SPORTS AND ARGENTINA...

Argentina´s national basketball team won its first-ever gold medal at the Olympic Games in Athens (2004). The final ranking: 1-Argentina, 2-Italy, 3-USA, 4-Lithuania, 5-Greece, 6-Puerto Rico, 7-Spain, 8-China, 9-Australia, 10-New Zealand, 11-Yugoslavia, 12-Angola...

SURPRISES...1982...Buenos Aires hosted at the FIVB Volleyball Men´s World Championship.There were 24 teams.The big favourites were The USSR (Olympic medal), Bulgaria, Japan, Cuba (gold medal at the Pan American Games), Brazil (gold medal at the "Mundialito"...Brazil defeat Soviet team 3-1) and the People´s Republic of China...Surprinsingly... Under the leadership of Carlos Wagenfield, the home team defeated Japan 3-1 for the bronze medal...Before Japanese newspaper reported the match as a 3-0 (15-0, 15-3, 15-2).Ironically, Argentina did not qualify for Pan American Games in San Juan de Puerto Rico (1979).Finallly,the USSR (today´s Russia, Belarus, Estonia...) captured the men´s gold medal, with Brazil finishing second and Argentina third...

DID YOU KNOW THAT...

Argentina has three idols: Eva Peron...Diego Armando Maradona...and Carlos Gardel.

FAMOUS WOMEN:

Norma Leandro (actress)/ Gabriela Sabattini (tennis player)/ Paloma Herrera(dancer)...Las Madres de la Plaza Mayo (human rights activists).

WHO IS ISABEL PERON?

Maria Estela Martinez de Peron or Isabel Peron, vice-president of Argentina from 1973 to 1974, was selected by Parliament to became Head of State of the country after the death of Juan Domingo Peron...In 1974, Argentina´s Isabel Peron became to first woman to be President in the World History.

WHO IS MAXIMA ZORREGUIETA?

Currently, Maxima Zorreguieta, was born on Argentina, is the Princess of the Netherlands...She is the second European Princess of Latin American descent.

OTHER FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN IN ARGENTINA...

The 1980 Nobel Prize for Peace was awarded to Adolfo Perez Esquivel, a human rights leader in the 1970s and 1980s.Adolfo was the second Latin to receive the Prize since 1936, when his countrymen Carlos de Saavedra won the Prize...Adolfo became an outspoken critic of Argentinian dictator Jorge Rafael Videla Redondo.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...

Argentinian Presidents have live in the Casa Rosada (Government Palace) since many decades...

REFERENCES:

-Box, Ben. Footprint South American Handbook 2005.

-Fisher, Jo. Mothers of the Dissapeared, Zed Books, 1989

-Guevara Onofre, Alejandro. Enciclopedia Mundototal, Editorial San Marcos,Lima, 1999

-Lloyd, A. Dances of Argentina, Max Parish, London, 1995

-Mason, Tong. Passion of the People: Football in South America, Verso, London, 1995.

-Naipaul, V.S. The Return of Eva Peron with the Killings in Trinidad, Andre Deutsh Limited, London, 1980.

ALEJANDRO GUEVARA ONOFRE:I am a writer about Third World issues (human rights, biographies, culture, history, olympic sport, democracy, women´s rights).My hobbies and interests are writing essays, going to the gym, browsing the Internet, Foreign Politics, learning about cultures, reading (my favourite writer is Juan Gasparini from Argentina), cooking Peruvian food, listening to American and British Music (my favourite singer is Barry White).

My personal motto is "the future is for those people who believe in the beauty of their dreams" by Eleanor Roosevelt...My heroes are Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Mpule Kwelagobe (ex Miss Universe and currently Anti-AIDS activist), Bono, Dian Fossey, Jimmy Carter, Oprah Winfrey,Hernando de Soto, Javier Perez de Cuellar and Mario Vargas Llosa...

Three weeks in Argentina plus two weeks?

I have three weeks in Argentina with my girlfriend in April, arriving and leaving from Buenos Aires. After sending her home, I have two further weeks before flying home from Santiago. I have considered a trip to the Iguaca Falls, on to Salta and up the Bolivian salt flats in three weeks before heading south to Patagonia in my two weeks. Feasible?

That's way too much for two weeks. Keep in mind that Patagonian travel is very slow.

I would do Iguazu Falls, then go to Salta, then maybe Mendoza before hopping over to Santiago, but even that would be pushing it.

runner up in the confederations cup

Indoor soccer shoes are very functional and fashionable. When we talk about soccer shoes we think of studs and soccer boots. Soccer shoes has two different types, the outdoor soccer shoes which is commonly used by soccer players at field and the turf shoes which is used for playing indoor or during the winter. The shoes can also be used by men and women during training.

What makes artificial turf footwear special is that it can be use for playing and it can also be use as sneakers as well. Why an indoor soccer shoes? It's because the sole has a better grip for indoor surfaces and makes you control your moves. It may look like a plain sneakers but it is really designed for indoor soccer.

The main difference between turf soccer shoes and firm ground soccer shoes is its cleats. Turf shoes have small cleats to lower the pressure of hard field conditions for your foot and its very light. Firm Ground Soccer Shoes on the other hand have a molded cleat for firm or hard ground conditions. Besides being affordable turf shoes has the best quality and much more improved.

Companies that manufacture this product include Puma, Adidas, Nike and Lotto. If you think these shoes are just the same as sneakers, you are wrong for they perform better than sneakers. This shoe indeed is a best buy because it is very functional and has a fashion statement as well. Anybody can wear it not just the soccer players but for those soccer players wannabe.

Learn more about Indoor Soccer Shoes.

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