Better late than never

1. England have a good first XI. Spain have a very good squad

Starting last night’s match in Bosnia without Ramos, Xavi, Torres or Villa, Spain still smashed five past a side who were unbeaten at home in Group Five. By contrast, England laboured, and were outpossessed for swathes of the match against Belarus.
Critical injuries and suspensions in previous tournaments have often put paid to England’s chances. In 2006, the Italian XI who beat France contained four changes from their opening match against Ghana. Could England survive four players missing from their first choice line-up?

2. Beckham’s MOTM award says more about Lennon et al, than it does about Steve Bruce

National outrage, complaints to OFCOM, even Fabio Capello seemed mildly amused at Steve Bruce’s selection of David Beckham as Man of the Match last night. But there can be no doubt that the right side flourished when Becks came on, and all of a sudden England looked a threat from both flanks, rather than just the left.
Bentley, Walcott, Lennon - all have tried to displace Becks since Steve McLaren tried to axe him back in 2006. Yet over three years later, only the bearded one looks certain to make England’s world cup squad next summer.

3. Maybe it does all even itself out Brian

Cut to any professionally dull football pundit in the aftermath of a shocking refereeing decision or late equaliser, and they will, having mulled it over for a little while, cerebrally conclude that, “at the end of the day, it all evens itself out.” And events in Washington last night, appear for once to vindicate this viewpoint.
Having scored an added time equaliser during their CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final against Mexico this summer, the ‘Ricans’ were undone by Jonathan Bornstein’s 95th minute header for the United States last night, which sent Honduras to South Africa, and Costa Rica to Uruguay.
Or U R Gay as Homer Simpson famously misread it.

England the hors d’oeuvre ahead of an Argentine main course

Starting at 5pm, you can take your televisual pick from five meaningless World Cup qualifiers, before the real action starts at a slightly-inconvenient-if-you-work time of 11.

Germany (already through) vs Finland (already out) help ESPN stave off the test card from 5pm, before channel hoppers enter heaven at around 7. Sky Sports 2 at 6:30 is the place to be to watch Shay Given clap the crowd who in turn will be clapping him, as he wins his 100th cap against Montenegro. Meanwhile Slovenia’s inevitable win in San Marino, makes Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland (7:20 BBC red button) another dead rubber.

Liverpool TV is the place to watch the top two in Group 5. Turn on at 6:45 for Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Spain, a match Rafa doesn’t want any of his stars to play in, although presumably LFCTV advertising execs take an opposing view.

Or walk the way of ITV1 at 7:30 to watch Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ben Foster, Michael Carrick and assorted others once more prove they aren’t quite up to international football. But all this is mere flotsam and jetsam compared to the second oldest derby in international football. Separated by the widest river in the world, tonight’s result could ensure many more miles will be separating the players of Uruguay and Argentina next June. Maradona’s men need a draw to qualify, but should they lose, and Ecuador win in Chile, the World Cup 2010 will take place without the world’s best player. Sky Sports 1 at 11 for the game of the season thus far.

UPDATE The Chile vs Ecuador match bizarrely (and slightly unfairly) kicks off an hour earlier, so if the away side win that game, the second half in Montevideo really will be something.

Any predictions? Let us know below…

The RFEF prepare to throw a premature celebration

Some confusion over the centenary celebrations of the RFEF (Real Federación Española de Fútbol, or Royal Spanish Football Federation) has arisen.

The governing body celebrated has anounced it will celebrate its centenary on November 14th with a friendly between Spain and Argentina at the Vicente Calderón stadium in Madrid. This is a little odd, as the RFEF celebrated its 75th anniversary in October 1988, with a friendly against an Argentina side featuring Diego Maradona (pictured above). Mathematicians will note that this was 21 years ago, not 25.

“It seems obvious that someone has been guilty of impatience,” says Marca of the hasty celebration.

Italians get sexy dancers, Spaniards get crazy mimics

We don’t receive Catalan channel TV3, but if we did, we’d almost certainly tune into Crackovia, the comedy show where La Liga stars are parodied to within the inch of their lives. In the latest episode, a dead ringer for Cristiano Ronaldo chats with a fatter version of Guti, and we think it’s meant to be Sergio Ramos who emerges from the tub at the end.

We don’t speak any Catalan or Spanish, so have no clue what they are saying, but it’s all ridiculous enough to make us laugh.

The Catalonians don’t just parody their enemies, they also poke fun at their own biggest stars. We’re pretty sure the tall guy on the right is actually Zlatan Ibrahimovic. How can there be two people in the world with a nose like that?

If you can tell us what the hell they’re talking about in these clips, do share below…

[Spotted on ONTD]

La Liga side enlists the services of a bear. An actual bear.

There’s an old saying among Spanish football teams: if you want to defeat Valencia, hire a circus bear to be your mascot.

Real Valladolid took this old adage very literally during a training session last Friday, but unfortunately things didn’t quite work out for the Castilian side, who lost 4-2 to Los Che on Sunday.

Samba star admits his dissatisfaction to friends and journalists

Barcelona-based newspaper Sport today reveal Robinho’s unhappiness at Manchester City.

During his recent trip to Brazil, it is claimed that the player admitted to friends and journalists in confidence that he is deeply dissatisfied with the time he is currently having with the Premier League and the Brazil squad. (Presumably, he now realises that football journalists aren’t the best people to privately confide in.)

Apparently, Robinho has not found a favourable environment in which his skills and dribbling talent can thrive. Aditionally, he is said to be concerned by the competition from Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor at City, and his fight to win a place in the national squad is being hampered by strong criticisms from certain sectors fo the Brazilian press.

Naturally, Sport bring up the possibility of a January transfer window departure: 

Los Pericos mourn the sudden loss of their beloved captain

The world of Spanish football was saddened to learn that much-loved Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque died on Saturday night of a suspected heart attack. The 26-year-old was in an Italian hotel room on the eve of a friendly with Bologna on the phone to his girlfriend when he suddenly stopped talking, and it was his partner who alerted the emergency services. The club captain was 26.

Over 50,000 fans turned up at Espanyol’s brand new Estadi Cornellà-El Prat to mourn their loss yesterday, an impressive attendance considering the fact that the stadium has a matchday capacity of just over 40,000. In light of his squad number, a makeshift shrine was set up at Gate 21 of the arena and a silence was held at 21.00 last night.

[Marca]

Benitez gives the all clear for midfielder’s departure

While the English press are today suggesting that Liverpool are reticent to part with Xabi Alonso, our friends in Spain are convinced that a deal with Real Madrid will go through in the next 48 hours.

Marca report that Rafa Benitez has given his blessing to a €30m deal, provided it is sorted before training resumes on Thursday. AS concur that a transfer to the La Liga side is imminent, and even go as far as publishing a (possibly-completely-fabricated) heart-to-heart between the manager and player:

Benitez: “I want you to resolve your situation as soon as possible, for better or for worse. Ideally, the transfer will be resolved in 48 hours. I need time to find a replacement. “

Apparently, Madrid have had no response from a €27m faxed bid earlier in the week, but it is understood an improved offer of a little over €30m will settle things.

AS report that Liverpool are under pressure to raise funds to pay a €69m debt on the refinancing deal that Billy Bob Gillett and Hank Hicks organised when they took charge of the club, and therefore may be selling Alonso out of necessity.