The Grab: 04.03

No, a little to the left . . . almost got it . . . wow, you're better than a toothpick any day . . . .

There are times when I wish AC and I had thought of YouTube first, but then I realize that just barely making this site coherent is a challenge in itself. So we didn't make billions selling our site to Google (not yet, that is), but who needs money when you've got female fans at the World Cup to look at, inevitably through YouTube. [Who Ate All The Pies?]

And . . . sigh . . . more goodies from the site that shall not be mentioned (until next week).
[Guardian Sport Blog]

There were some pretty sobering images (if not fans) from Roma's clash with the Red Devils at the Stadio Olimpico, enough to further the theories that: 1) English fans are drunken hooligan asses, and 2) Italian police only live to beat up English fans (third on the list after nailing your buddy's wife and the perfect espresso doppio). So, I guess there's really no news here, but the Times' Gabriele Marcotti gives us his take . [IHT, Times Online]

And in a bit of bizzare news, Chris Coleman's wife thinks he's been a bit too Italian for her tastes. [This is London]

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The Grab: 03.22

Phwoar!!! Cor, blimey!!!!

Some girls simply exist as arm candy for football's elite players, but other have bigger ambitions, like ex-Miss Great Britain, WAG-wannabe and now Premiership doorknob Danielle Lloyd. Perhaps she should watch a little more footy rather than flaunt her booty at the lads, considering she seems to be going down the pecking order of strikers, rather than up. First the octogenarian Teddy Sheringham, then onto West Ham and Chelsea throwaway Carlton Cole, and now Marcus Bent. At least she's smart enough to keep it in London. [The Sun]

And while we're on the topic of footballers and their floozies, the ladies at Kickette give us the four-one-one on just how Becks cheated on poor Vicki with Rebecca Loos. I have to say, despite the man-jaw, the former assistant/nanny/groupie looks decent in a bikini. [Kickette]

It's killing me that as I post this, I still haven't seen what this poor lass even looks like (thanks corporate IT). Given the amount of times this story comes up in my daily soccer research (read: killing time at the cesspool that is my office), it must be good or really, really bad. [Deadspin]

And, per usual, some YouTube goodies. [Guardian Sport Blog]

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The Grab: 03.15

While hardly a lightweight (not many Russian oligarchs are), Roman Abramovich will look to flex his power even more, after trading his wife for singledom (for $2.5 billion). Sure, he's a quiet guy, and sure he shies from confrontation, but nothing seems to get the blood flowing like being able to parade your new model girlfriends (see above) around town. The excellent Simon Barnes tells us why it could spell trouble for Jose Mourinho. [Melbourne Herald Sun, Times Online]

It saddens me that I can't partake of YouTube to break up the monotony and general pointlessness of my er, work at the office, but as long as your company isn't like mine, where even streaming in the Beeb on my destop is impossible, be sure to check this out. [Guardian Sport Blog]

Ottmar Hitzfeld has signed a one-year extension to his contract with Bayern Munich, which would see the gaffer in charge of the German club until next summer. One of only two coaches to win the European Cup with two different teams (Borussia Dortmund and Bayern), Hitzfeld was shown the door by Bayern after winning four Bundesliga titles, 2 German Cups and Champions League title in just six years. Hitzfeld returned after the sacking of Felix Magath, and although they remain in fourth place, he is confident that Bayern have a shot at the title. Going through in the Champions League against Real Madrid, combined with only a six point gap between them and league leaders Schalke, has given the German powerhouse some confidence, and it will be difficult for Werder Bremen to maintain their attacking style without Miroslav Klose. For Schalke, they've stumbled as of late, and face third-place Stuttgart on Saturday. [RTE, IHT]

Michel Platini has reiterated his desire to shake-up the current make up of the Champions League, something he ran on during his election to the post against incumbent Leinnart Johannson. While it may unnerve fans in the strongest leagues, Platini is looking for support to grow the eastern leagues of European football. Despite holding the presidency of UEFA, Platini only gets one vote, so the worry for fans of the big four in England is just how persuasive the former French great can be. [Daily Telegraph]

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Oh Turkey, Really?

For those of you planning to do a little live-blogging in Turkey while catching the action in the country's Turkcell Super Lig, forget about posting YouTube highlights. The country has banned access to the video site. Here's the skinny:

For some reason, a Turkish court found it necessary to intervene in a video feud, of sorts, between Turkish and Greek posters on YouTube, by banning access to the site. The Greeks alleged that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, harbored homosexual proclivities. Patriotic Turks retorted that this was untrue, and that in fact the Greek nation itself bore these characteristics. Of course, they didn't use such high-falutin' language. The debate would be pretty familiar to any twelve-year-old, though. Those posting may actually still be in grade school, for all that anyone knows. With the global commons that is emerging online, however, governments prone to meddling with free speech no longer know what to leave on the kiddie table and what to treat as dangerous.

Why YouTube acquiesced to this, I don't know. Either way, at this rate, Turkey should be a member of the European Union any day now.

Thursday Video: Stop calling Ataturk gay, say Turks [Passport]

-ac

The Grab: 02.08

Apparently, everybody was Kung-Fu fighting at Queens Park Rangers' training ground, as the Chinese Under 23s toured Engerland. You'd think QPR would be a little more friendly toward their Asian brothers, especially after slagging off Chelsea's facilities. [Guardian, Guardian Sport Blog]

Hey, what do ya know, England is still crap, and maybe it's because of that ginger clown with the big teeth at the helm. Steve Gibson comes up with an enlightening view on why the Three Lions are just so frustrating to watch, despite owning (up until now) an overly-priced and underachieving Italian that brought Boro to the UEFA Cup Final [Belfast Telegraph, BBC Sport]

Just how good is the Republic of Ireland? Well, they barely beat a San Marino team that shipped 13 goals against Germany. That's just how good they are. [Daily Telegraph]

Who's making the most in footie? The new Deloitte Football Money League for 2005-2006 is out now. [FinFacts]

And, more YouTube goodies. [Guardian Sport Blog]

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The Grab: 12.13

YouTube Watch: More good stuff from the Guardian Sports Blog. [Guardian Unlimited]

BeckhamsTM Watch: Who ever said Posh was miserable? And a cow? While it is a commonly used default term for any British female, I think she's got her c-words confused. [Entertainmentwise]

You say it's growing? Nice one, Titus . . . . oh, you mean your real leg? I thought you were referring to your night out in w/Keano's lads. [SportingLife, SMiA]

Wembley Watch: Are they still building Ford Pintos in Oz? Not a bad car, really, except you have to pull over and get out for an hour or so to close the sunroof. [Guardian Unlimited]

-bl