by Martin Quinn

 How much of a hard case do you think you are? Have your pugilistic talents got you out of a helluva lot of bother or have you ended on the wrong end of good kicking in a pub car park because you talk a better fight than you execute? Well, I’m very much in Category B or as they say round my neck of the woods, I couldn’t beat snow off a rope.  

 Still, there’s no situation short of the involvement of firearms that a rolled-up newspaper can’t solve. Believe me, it works. Cockneys call it the “Millwall Brick”. Simply roll up yer copy of El País or El Mundo (depending on how fiscally conservative you are), fold ‘er over and away ye go. It’s as hard as stone and saved one Glaswegian friend from a pasting. Back in the 1970s though, the heyday of British soccer thuggery, the firms managed to arouse the attention of Old Bill when the mostly proletarian fans started carrying the Financial Times to footy games. Being the biggest it was, of course the best but unfortunately most bourgeois paper, therefore the boys in blue got a tad suspicious of the surge in Millwall-supporting financiers.

 Unfortunately it looks a bit dweebish carrying El País around O’Neill’s on a Friday night if you’re trying to impress the ladies. Therefore, if you have the guts to endure some physical pain (or you’ve read the Bhagavad Gita and deny its existence), you could try Muaythai boxing. This should surely scare away the carteristas that want to play football with you while they’re raiding your back pocket when you leave the aforementioned pub. Luckily Madrid’s full of clubs and the one I’ve just started back at again is top class for training. Situated in Calle Oviedo, the Muay Thai Madrid club focuses on technique and the fighters are generally sympathetic although one feisty Spaniard nearly broke my nose for the third time in my life. Well, for God’s sake I’m 32 so I should be able to take the occasional slap by now, yeah?

 Anyway, if you’re up for starting and can resist the temptation of ending up rolled in a ball in the corner crying it has an excellent website, www.muaythaimadrid.com . Beginners’ classes are Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30PM and Saturdays at 1.30PM. If you’re more advanced and want to come have a laugh at myself getting battered about the joint, then it’s an hour and a quarter later Mondays and Wednesdays and 12.15PM on Saturdays. The trainer’s a Cockney by the name of David Hughes but I don’t think he supports Millwall, so you’re probably safe from being accosted by a copy of European Vibe.

This month, European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs.

6 - Del Amitri – Don’t come home too soon – (Scotland World Cup) 1998

5 – Luciano Pavarotti – Nessun Dorma (Nobody Sleeps) – (BBC theme) World Cup 1990

4 – Andres Calamaro – Maradona – 1999

Yesterday’s results: France 0 – 0 Romania, Italy 0 – 3 Holland

If until last night we hadn’t witnessed a very good game at Euro 2008, we certainly were treated to a classic from Italy and Holland. There was flowing football from both sides right from the start and those who suspected it would be a dramatic match got confirmation after 26 minutes, when Van Nistelrooy scored a controversial opener.

The Real Madrid and Holland striker slotted home a shot cum-great though ball from his clubmate Sneijder, but he looked very clearly offside and even the Dutch players hesitated to celebrate. However, the assistant referee’s flag stayed down and main referee Peter Frojdfeldt signalled the goal stood. The Italy fans were furious, and even more so when the big screens in Berne’s stadium replayed the goal and seemed very much to confirm that a big mistake had been made.

What they had taken into account, though, and I have to admit my ignorance to this, too, was that the horizontal Christian Panucci, knocked over in a collision with his own goalkeeper, counted as a second defending player under the laws of the game. What most people (and I) incorrectly assumed was that being off the field of play would mean the defender was not in the game. However, to prevent defenders stepping off the pitch to play attackers offside, defending players are still considered to be interfering with play if they go behind the goal line. It does seem unfair though, as Panucci was still coming to his senses after Buffon collided with him and left him stunned on the deck.

No controversy about the second goal, just pure class. Sneijer’s excellent finish was just the final touch of one of the best counter-attack goals I can remember seeing. The fact it was against the world champions with one of the world’s strongest defences makes it even better.

Italy threw everything in to it in the second half. They saw that in pure footballing terms they weren’t going to get the better of Holland on the night, so they hassled and bullied and mixed their power and technique. It looked like they might get a reward for their hard work in the second half, but Van Der Sar’s spectacular save followed by another great breakaway goal, Gio Van Bronckhorst’s header finally making it through Zambrotta’s brave attempt to block, were the sucker punch that floored Italy. Holland got their astonishing win.

Despite my plea for goals at half time in the other match, France and Romania couldn’t muster anything and the match ended as the first draw of the tournament. I’ve been telling everyone that Romania were going to mess someone up and they certainly didn’t do France’s chances any good.

I’ve kept up my run of one correct result a day, but I still haven’t got a scoreline right. how are you getting on with your predictions?

We’re just half an hour away from Spain’s debut in the competition as I write this, and it seems people everywhere are waiting to see if the talented lads of La Furia Roja really have something to show us this time. I went for a 2-1 Spain win, though now I’m wondering if Russia will be able to pull anything out of the bag if they lose a goal. I’m looking forward to this, but I’ll be on the train for most of the first half; hope someone’s got a radio… I’m looking forward to seeing Henrik Larsson back in a Sweden shirt for tonight’s game against Greece. How the Hellenes go about defending their title will be interesting.

Luc’s predictions: Spain 2 – 1 Russia, Greece 1 – 1 Sweden

Yesterday’s results: Poland 0 – 2 Germany, Austria 0 – 1 Croatia

Whoopsadaisy… My prediction of Poland making the last 16 seems like the heart ruling the head a little. Some very naïve defending was their undoing and Germany looked very good.

Big Baby Bilic’s side ended up hanging on for their 1-0 victory against the Austrians, but a win is a win.

It’s half time at the moment in the France – Romania game and the score is 0-0. I’m still on for a correct result, but there’s nothing to suggest my predicted scoreline of 2-2 will materialise. I have to admit that I’d be annoyed if it did now, as I’ll be on the train and will miss the whole second half. Can’t see it happening though, it’s been an awful game so far- Romania are happy stopping the French from playing football, the French are not really trying to play football. I hope the Holland – Italy, will see them go for it a bit more. Having said that, I predicted a 0-0 draw…

Luc’s predictions: France 2 – 2 Romania, Italy 0 – 0 Holland

Yesterday’s final scores: Portugal 2 – 0 Turkey, Switzerland 0 – 1 Czech Republic

Luc’s predictions: Austria 0 – 3 Croatia, Poland 1 – 1 Germany

Well, just four minutes into the game and Croatia have scored against the co-hosts. It was a very clear penalty and Modric slotted it in to give the Croats a great start and Austria a disastrous one. I’ve got a 3-0 for this one; I hope we see more goals. Austria had a decent side in in 1954; they got to the semi finals and eventually took third place. Along they way, they won the World Cup’s highest scoring match 7-5 against their co-hosts of this year’s European Championships, Switzerland. This time, though, they don’t have a decent side and they won’t score seven goals in the whole tournament.

Come on Croatia, two more!

Yesterday, I got one correct result with Portugal’s win over Turkey, but the stylish second goal scuppered my predicted scoreline of 1-0.  In the other game, Switzerland didn’t get the penalty they should have had to level the game.  No surprises so far with the two favourites for Group A qualification in the driving seat after their first matches.

Hi everybody. Well, it has started. Many people are waiting for the highlights of this first game between Switzerland and Czech Republic, I myself missed the first half an hour of this one. By the looks of things, I haven’t missed that much; it’s nil-nil at half time.

Before the game, I predicted this one would finish as a draw, at 1-1. It’s still possible, but the loss for Switzerland of Alexandre Frei is going to harm their goalscoring chances. It sadly looks like being a premature end to the tournament for him, as the unlucky blow to his knee while his studs were stuck in the turf appears to have left him with lateral knee ligament damage. It will be very surprising if he plays again in Euro 2008.

Right the second half is about to begin. Let’s hope for a bit more action from the reds and the whites!

Luc’s predictions: Switzerland 1-1 Czech Republic, Portugal 1-0 Turkey

By Khilen Mehta

Russia- Guus Hiddink’s maiden campaign as coach could hardly have had a more dramatic ending as Russia snatched second place in Group E  right at the death. Victory over England in Russia left them needing just six points from their last two games to be sure of qualifying. However defeat to Isreal left England back in pole position. On the final day however, England lost to Croatia and victory of Andorra gave the Russians their route to the tournament. In recent times, Guus Hiddink has made wholesale changes to the the squad in recent times, and the Russia side competing in Austria and Switzerland bears little likeness to the one that traveled to the finals of UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal.

Manager- Guus Hiddink, I am very happy with the players’ mentality.”

Key Player- Andrei Arshavin will be a big loss as he is suspended for the first two games

Prediction- Will battle it out for second spot with Sweden

Sweden- Sweden qualified in second place in Group F behind Spain, completing the job on the last night of qualifying when they beat Latvia 2-1 and Northern Ireland lost in Spain. Lars Lagerbäck’s side made a bright start, winning their opening four games – including a 2-0 success over section favourites Spain courtesy of goals from Johan Elmander and Marcus Allbäck. Although defeat in Spain put the champagne on ice, a victory over Latvia ensured Sweden qualified for their fifth successive tournament. Sweden are unlikely to make many changes to the habits that have brought them such success. The surprise recall of striker Henrik Larsson, following his retirement from international football, has given Sweden a major boost as the veteran can forge a partnership  with Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Manager- Lars Lagerbäck, “It’s going to be less physically demanding and with more focus on tactical preparations for the coming matches,”

Key Player- Henrik Larsson will lead the line with all his experience

Prediction- All will depend on their result with Russia.

By Khilen Mehta

On Sunday night CSKA Moscow wrote yet another chapter in their illustrious history by defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv 77-91 to claim their sixth continental championship crown and second in the past three years. CSKA’s victory over Maccabi at the Community of Madrid Sports Palace moves the Russian powerhouse into second place on the all-time list and they are now only two victories behind Real Madrid’s haul of 8 crowns.

Trajan Langdon was named Final Four MVP after scoring 21 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting and 7 rebounds to outscore six fellow CSKA teammates who also managed double figures in the victory. J.R. Holden added 14 points, Matjaz Smodis, David Andersen and freshly crowned Euroleague MVP Ramunas Siskauskas scored 13 points apiece.

Moscow coach Ettore Messina paid credit to both teams for providing such a great spectacle for the fans but believed his teams character was the main reason for their triumph. He described it as ” a continual challenge to match up with them while maintaining our team character.”

The victory gave  the Russian champs another title to add to their trophies from 1961, 1963, 1969, 1971 and 2006, with the 2006 victory also coming against Maccabi. Alas, this time for the Israelis, they fought hard but there was to be no sweet revenge…

by Luc Ciotkowski

Real Madrid have won their 31st Spanish Football League Championship after a compelling finish in the Kingdom of Navarra.

Down to 10 men and staring defeat in the face, Real Madrid made an astonishing comeback to score two goals in the 87th and 89th minute and seal the title in extraordinary fashion.

A header by Robben cancelled out Puñal’s penalty, before Higuain sent Los Blancos into delirium with a lashed diagonal strike in the last minute of the match.

Knowing that a win in Pamplona or a false move by Villareal against Getafe would crown them champions, El Madrid had prepared their celebration party in Madrid’s famous Plaza de Cibeles before the action started.

However, Villareal had not read the script and kept the pressure on Madrid with a 2-0 victory against Getafe earlier on Sunday evening. Real knew at kick off that only a win would be good enough to tie up the league title with three games still to play. Their opposition, Osasuna, remain embroiled in a scrap to avoid relegation and they knew going into the game that a defeat would leave them third bottom.

After a goalless first half, Madrid’s chances of settling the league were dealt a huge blow as Fabio Cannavaro was dismissed for a second bookable offence at the beginning of the second period. Osasuna didn’t make their numerical advantage tell and Real hit the bar through a Sneijder lob, but no goals came.

The champagne looked certain to stay on ice and the party, rumoured to have cost 400,000€, was set to be postponed at least until the match against Barcelona on 7th May, when Puñal converted a penalty for Osasuna in the 83rd minute. The eagle-eyed referee had seen Heinze’s inexplicable handball of an Osasuna corner. Many Real Madrid fans in the capital’s bars emptied their glasses and got ready to shuffle home and kick the dog, when 10-man-Madrid levelled through Robbens’ glancing header. With just three minutes on the clock, Madrid’s blushes appeared to be saved, but they couldn’t dream of more than that, could they?

The answer was an unbelievable, roaring, ecstatic ‘yes’. Argentine forward Higuain found himself unattended in the Osasuna area and buried a powerful half-volley after chesting the ball down. The party began and thousands of fans flocked to Plaza de Cibeles to celebrate Schuster’s first championship as manager and Madrid’s new record 31st. Madrid’s holiday weekend just got extended until Monday morning.

Hot from the pre 6 nations press conference we have the Irish Team to face Italy on Saturday:

Centre Brian O’Driscoll will win his 80th cap for Ireland this Saturday when he leads the team out to play Italy in Croke Park in the opening game of the 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Ireland Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has named Geordan Murphy on the left wing, with Ulster’s Andrew Trimble named on the right wing. At halfback, Ronan O’Gara will continue his partnership with Eoin Reddan, who was named at scrumhalf to win his 6th cap for Ireland.

In the forwards, Prop John Hayes will also be reaching the landmark of 80 caps for Ireland in a front row that sees the return of Rory Best to the starting line-up. Malcolm O’Kelly also returns to the starting fifteen to extend his Ireland caps record to 92.

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Saturday, 2nd February 2008 in Croke Park at 14.00hrs is as follows:

Player Club Caps

15 – Girvan Dempsey Terenure College/Leinster 78

14 – Andrew Trimble Ballymena/Ulster 19

13 – Brian O’Driscoll Captain UCD/Leinster 79

12 – Gordon D’Arcy Lansdowne/Leinster 36

11 – Geordan Murphy Leicester 53

10 – Ronan O’Gara Cork Constitution/Munster 77

9 – Eoin Reddan Wasps 5

1 – Marcus Horan Shannon/Munster 51

2 – Rory Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 17

3 – John Hayes Bruff/Munster 79

4 – Donncha O’Callaghan Cork Constitution/Munster 40

5 – Malcolm O’Kelly St.Mary’s College/Leinster 91

6 – Simon Easterby Llanelli 62

7 – David Wallace Garryowen/Munster 41

8 – Denis Leamy Cork Constitution/Munster 27

Replacements:

16 – Bernard Jackman Clontarf/Leinster 4

17 – Tony Buckley Shannon/Munster 2

18 – Mick O’Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster 11

19 – Jamie Heaslip Clontarf/Leinster 3

20 – Peter Stringer Shannon/Munster 79

21 – Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster 6

22 – Robert Kearney UCD/Leinster 1