Fútbolita

Bienvenido, tipoooo! We’re so thrilled to finally see Özilita in the La Liga. The choice of club may not be everybody’s favourite, but at least MouMou has some solid goals for Real in mind and you know he doesn’t care about the politics in the backroom. As far as Senhor Treinador is concerned, Flo Perez is just a fruit seller in all of this.

Said Ozil : “I spoke to my advisers and looked at the options but I always wanted to join the best team in the world, and to play under the best coach in the world, Jose Mourinho,” I spoke to him and he convinced me. What we spoke about will remain between him and me but that’s why I am here.”

Here he is, doing the Obligatory Madrid-Medical Pose! You can’t join the club officially until you agree to a photo with wires all over you! Also, you gotta Ozil’s ghetto get up with the white shoe, ya’ll.

Meanwhile, here is Internacional’s Rafael Sobis with the club flag… as he celebrated their Copa Libertadores win last night! Yes, Nilmar and Pato’s former club defeated Mexico’s Chivas 3-2, and they promptly walked away with the title of Libertadores champions. Parabennns, Internacional fans!

All the Cescy lovers (ooh, snappy!) at Barca must be feeling a little disappointed at the fact that a move back to Catalonia did not materialise. But that’s fine, because Chamakh and him are getting along just fine at Arsenal. Let him spend a few more seasons with the gunners then maybe Pique can do something to convince him of a return!

“I’m sure that someday he will join the club again. Although he is now working in London, he will always remain a culé,” said Pique to El Mundo Deportivo. Yes indeed, who knows?

via Elisa Estrada, Reuters, Gettyimages,

The only thing we can muster from all Oezil’s bling earring is “Oh Jeah?”. Now, you would think that Perez & Amigos would back off after the humiliation of being turned down by one of the most talented players at the World Cup. But hold your OktoberFest Dirndl gowns because now Marca are claiming that Real have increased their bid for Magical Mesut (kkk, we will come up with a better nick soon) by five million euros!

They just won’t let go, will they? And best of all, wasn’t Barca on the brink of signing Oezilita (yes, sounds better doesn’t it) just a week ago?

“Madrid expects to make the deal official with the player on either Monday or Tuesday,” said the source. “Werder Bremen insists that they will only look at the deal if it is more than 20 million.”

If he goes to  Spain, we can all head out for some Kebabs and Shawarma!

via Marca, Gettyimages

Oh come on, you weren’t expecting us to post another Greaseano photo up were you?! It’s not about the looks and the hair gel these days. Now you can be equally attractive in football if you have the silky skills and the thirst for goal.. qualities that Mesut Oezil has!

Anyway, the Werder dude – who made everyone there forget about Diego’s legacy – is apparently interested in both the La Liga and the EPL. So let the bidding war begin (except you, Madrid.. the midfield is packed enough as it is!) Oezil said :

“I am a winner and, when I am looking for a new club, I simply look at where I can be the most successful and where I can win the most trophies. If you look at the recent history of Manchester United and Chelsea then it’s clear that a player can be very successful there. Of course clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are of huge interest and the Premier League’s top two clubs are of serious interest to me when the time comes.”

Ya’ll know the tiger above is totally enjoying the Podolski-Oezil treatment because bitches have been giving him shit all night and all he wants to do is to take a photo with German NT stars. What a dream!

via AFP

It’s that melancholy time of the month – or rather, week, – where everyone is still delusional about the fact that the World Cup is truly over. “Is there a playoff for fifth place?” you ask Juande Ramos. Well, let us hold your hand and bring you into the light. It’s time for Futbolita’s “Lessons from the 2010 World Cup”

1. EMOTIONS

Why are you laughing at that crying boy in the stands or that woman who has smeared her mascara – and face paint after her team’s loss? Don’t you feel her pain? One important lesson we learnt at this World Cup is that football will ALWAYS be more than a game. This World Cup has forced us to deal with some of our own emotions, from the impact of Brazil’s elimination (i.e. wishing never to wake up and crying next to some very happy Dutchies!) to learning to stay professional and gracious in defeat, having to write about it the next day! “You can’t afford to let your emotions go in the way,” says a fellow journalist. “I feel your pain.”

2. FRIENDSHIP

Futbolita World Cup has given us the opportunity to “meet” and get to know some of the most enthusiastic and like-minded women from all corners of the planet. We have enjoyed interacting and speaking to each and everyone of you who are as louco about football as we are. Whether it’s receiving a text message from Futbolita Espana, Christina declaring her love for “Pulpo Paul” all the way from Madrid to friendly banters on Dutch Trance deejays with Hanneke, being told by our South African futbolita that she’s stuck in a “traffic jam full of Bafana Bafana cars” and consoling a desolated Temryss following USA’s elimination from the tournament, we’re all united as one big Familia Futbolita!

3. FUTBOLITOS

The tournament has also given us a 30-day unlimited pass to the Futbolitos of the world. From Carlos Vela, Chicharito and Yoann Gourcuff on the opening day to Nilmar, Kaka and Greaseano, fangirls celebrated. Higuain, Kun, Heinze and Podolski did not fail to disappoint en route to the semi-finals… ¿qué más se puede pedir?

Of course, half of these names FAILED to do as well as they should have, but we also discovered breathtaking talent like that of Germany’s Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller, futbolitos who are the ones to watch for the future. And say all you want about his big eyes but as a friend told her insanely jealous boyfriend earlier this month, “Ozil is still better than you!”

4. REFEREES… RAAAH!

Of course, you can complain all you want about the bad refereeing at this World Cup but nothing can be done until video technology is introduced ASAP! Blatter needs to get out of the Yoda Swamp he’s living in right now and wake up! Don’t ruin our game, you selfish old man. We don’t need you!

Anyway, thanks to the folks at Coral Dugout, English referee Graham Poll answered Futbolita’s questions on these matters, and especially those decisions pertaining to Luis Suarez‘s handball and… (drum roll) Felipe Melo’s red card. Yeah, Melo was certainly not “Belo” on that day, but looking back, it’s worth a laugh.

Also, how many times have you felt that the referee could be potentially leaning in favour of certain team? Is this even possible? Here’s your answer.

Photos via Werder Bremen, FIFA, Christina Santos and AFP

Mmmh…the “Wintermärchen” (= Winter fairy tale) of South Africa is over for Germany!

On Wednesday Germany was again eliminated in a World Cup semi- final, we again lost against Spain and we were again beaten with a 0:1 final score! But what has actually happened to our German Team? The one that was hyped being the best performing team within this year’s World Cup!
From the very start, the Spaniards knew how to interrupt the German formation and their defense stood like a wall and therefore made it almost impossible to burst through it!

Then again the Germans performed without any confidence nor self- esteem. Their respect for the Spanish Team was exploited by the Spaniards, who happened to just play their best game throughout the World Cup against Germany! And they ended up with Carles Puyol heading the ball into the goal after a corner kick.
However whole Germany agrees that Spain deserved last night´s victory, because they were just better and kept our team from making chances. The only real chance had Toni Kroos, but was defeated by Iker Casillas.

Even though the disappointment of the german loss was very big within our National Team and all over Germany, we have no need to be sad at all!

Bear up,guys! Germany is proud of you anyway!! (Photo Zimbio)

Our National Team exceeded all expactations in this year´s World Cup. They brought lot´s of joy not only to us, but to all football- lovers all over the world. Jogi Löw and his team have managed to shape a team full of youngsters to a high class and high performing entity.
Thanks Jogi Löw and thank you German National Team for a memorable performance and for the sureness that Germany´s football future is saved!!

Photo Zimbio

Congrats Spain, for making it to the final and for having already made Spanish football history.

By the way, Paul the Octupus will not be cooked or baked or killed in any other way, even though many Germany are mad at him!! But….it was not his fault, that our National Team has not performed better! So, he is safe!!!

Signing off,

Your German Futbolita

“Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win” – Sorry Gary Lineker, not this time around!

We’ve already beaten Germany once when it counted, we can do it again. Obviously this is not the same team that faced Germany in Vienna in 2008. As I’ve said before,  we will miss the mastery of Marcos Senna—he is the only member of the starting XI from the Euro 2008 final against Germany that didn’t come to South Africa. With Torres failing to make much of an impact this World Cup, we can forget about El Niño Torres scoring the lone winning goal against the Germans, and instead look to David Villa—who now has 5 goals in as many games—and his omnipresent ability to score when we need it. The question remains, should Torres still be a starter? ¡Tengo ganas de empezar Cesc Fabregas, ya! (I want to see Cesc Fabregas  just start already!)

Whilst we’re missing the Senna, the Germans are mullered without Thomas Mueller—Germany’s suspended scoring superstar.

I’m not gonna lie—Spain’s history in the World Cup is dreadful. But seeing as how we have already beaten the Quarter-Final curse, who’s to say we can’t “Write the future” and win the World Cup?

With a dash of paprika, Pulpo Paul may have drowned the German schnitzel, but it doesn’t take an octopus to know that Spain will be victorious against Germany mañana. ¡A por ellos!

Signing off,

Your Spanish Futbolita

We know how many of you love to gloss over the gawjuz boys from La Seleccion but Puyolita is NO BUZZKILL. He is as important as Robert Downey Xavi and Mano Maravilla to Spain so ya’ll better appreciate him!

Anyway, the point of this is to inform you that the Spaniards aren’t distracted by Muller’s absence in tonight’s game. At least they know Ozil is the man they should be looking out for because he is just brilliant and should be playing for Brazil instead! So it’ll be a battle between Puyol and Ozil and probably Klose and Pique.

“We can be happy with the absence of Müller, as he is in great shape. Klose is a born goalscorer and he’s very fast. But the big surprise is Özil,” Xavi told German newspapers earlier this week.

GERMANY VS SPAIN

LOLA CALDERON (MEXICO): “Both teams have talented youth and veterans, but I believe this is Spain’s match to win. Senor Villa will be key in this win as will be the midfield control of the ball. Germany has much young talent but I think la Furia Roja will triumph because of their strong midfield, which includes the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Xabi. If Torres can come back on form, that will be great too!”

NABILAH BHAM (SOUTH AFRICA): “I see the Spanish going to the finals. Call me crazy considering the way the Germans are playing, but I just truly hope and want the two greatest underdogs teams in football history to finally make a final of a World Cup and for one of them to win it. And where better for this to happen than in Africa!

MONICA KNOESEN (Portugal): “I hope Spain will win this one 2-1, although they haven’t played to their full potential, and Germany have been better.”

N’BELLIA (FRANCE): “Well, it’s kind of tough because I am biased! I love both teams but I really want Spain to win the World Cup. It’s my favourite team after France, of course, and now I am definitely rooting for them! How can’t you be impressed by the team’s game and by David Maravilla? I think it’s going to be a very closed game, but Spain will score during the second half and win. I say 2-0 to Spain!”

HANNEKE HAMELINK (THE NETHERLANDS): “This match brings some internal struggle between my Futbolita heart and mind. The heart says; Please let it be Spain. This team is a true Futbolita’s dream, a bunch of good-looking guys playing attractive football. Just like Holland, they seem to struggle to find their normal style of beautiful football but as long as the results are good that is not to big a problem for me. Every time I watch a Spain match I hope the magic will show but let’s hope they saved the best for this semi final. But my mind says it will be Germany going through to the final. Unlike Holland, Brazil or Spain Germany seems to have find a way to play good and attractive football with flair.”

TEMRYSS LANE (USA): “Germany will win 3-2. They have proven to be one of the best teams in the tournament!”

CLAIRE ROURKE (ENGLAND): “I cannot wait for this one. Germany have been outstanding in this tournament and it pains me to say that! I watched in awe as they cruised passed Argentina but if anyone can match them in style and confidence then it’s Spain! David villa is on fire and although Fernando Torres hasn’t been firing on all cylinders, I bet there’s not a football fan out there who would bet against him to hit top form in these the most crucial of stages- you only have to think back to the final in euro 2008 to see what a difference El Nino can make! Personally, I’m rooting for Spain as it is my adoptive nation after all. I’m going for a 1-0 Spain win and a Spain- Holland final so I have got a good few of our Liverpool boys to cheer on!”

PHOTOS VIA : AP & Gettyimages

Hello Futbolitas! We are into the Quarter Finals fo the 2010 World Cup already, I really don’t know where all the time has gone too. Its been a totally amazing and a grand memorable time for myself and all South-Africans. Im going to do a quick summary and stats update, as well as include some pictures . Bafana didn’t go through to the round 16, but they beat France and drew on the opening day with Mexico, with Tshabalala scoring one of the greatest goals this World Cup. The opening was phenomenal, with so many people behind the Host country. From there on, all other African teams have been eliminated besides the Black stars.

To date, by the end of round 16, there has been 123 goals scored in 56 matches, with an average of 2.20 goals per match. In the group stages, there were 101 goals scored. In the round of 16, there were 22 goals scored in just 8 matches, with germany scoring four of them eliminating England. Brazil and Argentina each scored 3 a piece also making it to the quarters. The quarters are too close to call, and see’s mouth watering matches, including:

Argentina face Germany. Argenitna has alot of travelling fans to SA, and have won the hearts of many locals as well on route to the quarters with there attractive attaccking football, and a forward line-up to scare any opponents, except Germany, who fear no one. Germany are always a force to rekons with and probably the most decipline team in the tournament in terms of keeping football simple. (Fan pictures below from Germany vs ghana game, and Argentina vs Nigeria game)

Brazil and Holland will be a clash of the titans, with both teams having tremondous support in South-Africa. Its too tight to call, even tough Brazil have won the world cup 5 times and the confed cup last year in SA, while holland are known as the great underachievers in football, always having a good team and great build ups to the world cup, yet never won it. Could this be an Orange world cup? (Brazil picture below taken at Brazil versus  Chile & Sandton shopping Mall).

Top goal scorers of the tournament thus far are:

4 goals – David Villa (Spain), Gonzala Higuain (Argentina) & Robert Vittek (Slovakia). Villa & Higuin will have another chance of increasing there goal tally, while Vittek’s Slovakia has been eliminated.

3 goals – Muellur (Germany), Suarez(Uruguay), Fabiano(Brazil), Gyan(Ghana) & Donovan(USA). All of these have the oppurtunity to go for the golden boot and put their team in the semi, except for USA’s Donovan, who were beaten by Ghana.

Update live from South Africa, Signing Off & Waving Flag

South African Futbolita    ¤=====<]

English futbol may be lacking here at Futbolita (that’s because there’s already a plethora of brilliant blogs out there) but it’s been fantastic collaborating with the tipos at the Coral Dugout ! First it was our questions to Terry Butcher and now, Martin Peters from the 1966 England Squad has spoken to us about how he doesn’t want Senor Lampard to score so that he can keep his 80-goal record to himself. Que gracioso!

Of course, we forgive him for not being able to pronounce Futbolita because he reckons that Brasil will go all the way! Peters also thinks that Spain is a talented side, but doesn’t want them to win it. Well, it’s the European thing, y’know!

An old school Peters (center) poses with Geoff Hurst (left) and Bobby Moore (right) - Via The Mirror

Last night Germany´s immaculate record of always qualifying from the group stages of a World Cup persisted when Mesut Özil scored against Ghana after half- time.

Ghana responded with swift counterattacks particularly down the left flank. It was on the one hand goalkeeper Manuel Neuer holding on  a shot of Kwadwo Asamoah and on the other hand captain Philipp Lahm clearing Asamoah Gyan´s header off the line, who kept up the german 1:0 victory!

Germany, who then finished atop of Group D, will now face a very difficult road to the finals that will likely include England, Argentina, and Spain.

“Well, it’s going to be tough versus England,” man of the match Ozil told The Telegraph. “They’re definitely stronger than Ghana but if we put our strength in the field as we did tonight, we will win that match too.”

Mesut Özil shooting to score! (Photo Zimbio)

Indeed what the people got to see was a good game of our National Team, but showing a number of defensive lapses and having midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger suffering from a thigh injury will not make it easier for us to make it through the last 16.

Fortunately at the end the game turned out well for both sides- no wrong decision of the referee, no quarrels between the players and creating history with Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng and Germany’s Jérôme Boateng , sharing the same father but having different mothers, becoming the first brothers to have played on opposing sides in a full international. It must have been due to the news, that Australia had scored against Serbia, which meant that both teams knew they made it to the knock- out phase.

This was our actual line- up:
Neuer, Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, J. Boateng (74^th min. Jansen) , Khedira, Schweinsteiger (80^th min. Kroos), Müller (67^th min. Trochowski), Özil, Podolski, Cacau

Germanys starting line- up (Photo Zimbio)

Ghana will face the USA on Saturday, 26^th, 20.30h in Rustenburg
Germany and England meet on Sunday 27^th, 16.00h in Bloemfontain

Signing off,
Your German Futbolita

Will the show go on?

This is the question that is discussed over and over again in Germany.
Since last game´s victory against Australia, it seems like the “Sommermärchen” of 2006 came back to Germany! The selling of german flags, scarfs and so on exploded, there is (almost) no other topic than football and in every bar, café or restaurant the World Cup is shown on TV or screen.  People just got a feeling for the WorLd Cup even though it is that far away!
But that makes it likewise difficult for the German National Team to answer their supporters´ expectations in today´s game against Serbia in Port Elizabeth.

Defender Holger Badstuber briefly summarizes the team´s thoughts about the game. He respectfully says that they have to be very attentive, Serbia plays differently than Australia did and Serbia will fight to the very end because they need to win. But self- assured he continues that the team has enough will and quality to beat them as well!

However Manager Oliver Bierhoff hopes that the team can make use of last game´s euphoria to throw the tough opponent.

Meanwhile coach Joachim Löw keeps the starting XI to himself! Some media tell that we will see last game´s line- up, others report that there will be some changes. Everything we know is that every player is on board and on fire to earn Germany the next victory and the next wild party night!

So guys, will the show go on? We will see later! And by the way: Germany and Serbia met only once on the football field: A friendly in 2008! But Germany scramble to a 2:1 victory! Is it a bad starting- position or a chance to make it better this time? I can´t wait to find out!

Signing off,

Your German Futbolita

Just one more day to go!! I am so excited and Germany is indeed excited about the World Cup, but still there are some doubts about our team’s chances in this year´s World Cup! So most people haven’t already been touched by the footballmania! But don’t worry as soon as our squad will be on the football field on Sunday 13th, people will start singing “´54, ´74,´90…2010, ja so stimmen wir alle ein…” and nothing will stop their passion!

So the german temper is comparable to the National team´s performance…we need to warm up during the first games, but end up impulsively.

However the National Team is fired up for the World Cup to start and feels a thrill of anticipation, that’s at least what Bastian Schweisteiger said before flying to South Africa.

Even Shakira couldn´t stop the national team from going to Johannesburg, even tough the national team’s plane had to wait for her at Frankfurt airport, because she wanted to take the same plane, but arrived there delayed.

Let´s meet tomorrow again when celebrating South Africa’s opening game against Mexico! I can’t wait…..

Signing off,

Your German Futbolita

Willkommen, willkommen! It’s Julia, our German Fútbolita from Kassel (a city close to Frankfurt). Currently pursuing her Masters in Sports Marketing and Communication, Julia also works as a sports coach for children and as well as a language teacher. As the Germans say… “sehr beeindruckend!”

Oh, despite the fact that her beloved Michael Ballack is out of the squad, Julia will still be screaming her heart out for Die Mannschaft later this month!

ON THE GERMAN FOOTBALL CULTURE…

“Germany is a football nation! We don’t only feel devotion for football, football is our life! We are very proud of our national football team! There is this very special tension in Germany during a World Cup, I mean, nothing else seems to be as important as the games of the national team. People get together either privately or on public viewing occasions in the city centre to support their team. Even the universities monitor the games in the auditorium.

During the World Cup in Germany in 2006, we established the so called “Fanmeile”, which means special locations within the city centre, where the fans get together before and after matches and end up having fun, talking about their team, listening to music, drinking some bear and celebrating altogether. Even those few guys who actually aren’t into football get touched by this enthusiasm sooner or later.

So finally everybody wears a Germany tricot or scarf, carries a German flag or has a German flag painted on their face and of course we equip our cars with our national flag. And well-known German bands compose songs to support our national team.”

HOW IT ALL BEGAN…

“If you are born into a football loving family, growing up on the sports ground and getting constantly confronted with the german “Bundesliga” it is almost impossible to not be passionate about this sport! Besides, the great experience of the World Cup in Germany four years ago helped me to develop a wider interest in international football and the European Cup in Austria and Switzerland in 2008 made me getting very much interested in Spanish football!”

ON HER LOCAL TEAM…

“It is EINTRACHT FRANKFURT, winner of the German league in 1959 and winner of the former UEFA Cup in 1980. It has always been EINTRACHT and it will always be EINTRACHT! Unfortunately they are not that successful at the time being, but it is easy to like a team that is winning all the time, but it is devotion to support your team in non-successful periods!

ON GERMANY’S CHANCES IN SOUTH AFRICA…

“This question is not easy to answer, because there have been some changes within our national team. We have many young players in our squad (but don’t forget that most of these players are European Champions of the U21!!), our team hasn’t played that often in the given constellation, the team has to compensate the non- participation of their nominated goalkeeper René Adler due to a rip injury. And finally we lost our captain and leader Michael Ballack due to a terrible injury.

“But then again our national team is used to obstacles, they have a strong character and a strong discipline and of course they will fight for their captain Michael Ballack! So I guess, we will start weak in the World Cup, but grow stronger with each game. Germany might not be one of the red-hot favourites in this Word Cup, but we should never be underestimated!”

JULIA’S EXCITEMENT..

“I am definitely excited to represent Germany as the official Fútbolita and of course it is a very big honour for me! I hope to do a good job representing my country and I am looking forward to give all fútbolitas all over the word an understanding of Germany’s enthusiasm about football and the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Let’s have a great time!”

Julia, the German Fútbolita, is wearing the Official Cultzeros/Fútbolita World Cup tee of Michael Ballack
All Photos © Julia Richter

Barca’s football tickets for tomorrow’s blockbuster game against Inter would’ve probably sold out by now. But the Millionen-Dollar-Fragen is… did everyone forget Bayern Munich?! Bastiano and van Bommel themselves have no idea what to expect from tonight against Lyon. Nevertheless, Herr van Gaal thinks ya’ll should stop making fun of the orange easter eggs immediately!

“When I was a coach in the Netherlands and my team had to play against a German one, I used to tell my players that they had to be ready to play until the very end of the game. Our team is made up of German players and of foreign players who have been playing in Germany for quite a long time and are now immersed in this special German mentality,” he declared.

Anyway, here’s the man himself with his wife at Oktoberfest! Oh come on, for old times sake…