The ultimate sports theme tune: In the wake of the death of the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti the English media discuss the impact of the decision to use Puccini's Nessun Dorma as the theme tune to the BBC's coverage of Italia '90 on both English football and the world of opera.

posted by squealy to culture at 03:35 AM - 22 comments

Farewell to the "Beckham of the Baize" : Popular and talented young snooker star Paul Hunter, three times Masters champion, succumbs to cancer at the tender age of 27. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter. RIP.

posted by squealy to other at 04:21 AM - 6 comments

Ferguson must rely on all his ability for Carrick to shine: Michael Carrick signs for Man U for a reported £13m rising to £18.6 maximum. And just to take the pressure off a tad he's been given Roy Keane's shirt number. The Grauniad has a take on British record transfers.

posted by squealy to soccer at 06:29 PM - 16 comments

2006 World Worm Charming Championships.: The winner has been declared. Silver Jubilee winner Harry Potts, who goes to Willaston Primary School, made sure the trophy stayed in the school grounds as he and mum Annette charmed 167 worms. WWCC official site.

posted by squealy to other at 07:17 AM - 13 comments

Get ready to dislike America: American soccer players should enjoy being ridiculed: soon enough they'll be boring world-beaters says SpoFi stalwart Steven Wells.

posted by squealy to soccer at 03:08 PM - 72 comments

Sven's off.: Sadly not yet though.

posted by squealy to soccer at 05:00 PM - 29 comments

Blinkered America is already among the thugs: SpoFi favourite Steven Wells argues that US sports have a worse "hooligan" problem than European soccer.

posted by squealy to culture at 12:50 PM - 18 comments

Twenty years on, almost.: The Guardian has a retrospective on the Heysel stadium disaster, which is made more relevant by the fact that Liverpool are playing Juventus in the Champions League this week. There's a whole series of articles here including memories from some of the players and some fans. I didn't think we should let this pass without a mention on SpoFi.

posted by squealy to soccer at 05:53 PM - 10 comments

There is no hiding place behind bars for the footballers relegated to serving time.: In the wake of Jermaine Pennant being sent down for three months for drink driving, The Independent examines life in prison for previous football players who have suffered a similar fate.

posted by squealy to soccer at 01:24 PM - 5 comments

The men in black: unloved and under pressure.: The Times has a fairly lengthy article regarding football referees and the pressures they are under. It focuses on Premiership referee Rob Styles and contains some interesting stuff on referee's training and how they are using modern technology. It also gives an insight into Styles' rather novel take on players directing offensive comments at refs.

posted by squealy to soccer at 01:22 PM - 13 comments

Farewell : then Old Big 'Ead.

posted by squealy to soccer at 11:53 AM - 6 comments

The unifying power of football and the internet: A heart-warming story. [More inside]

posted by squealy to soccer at 12:46 PM - 10 comments

Swamp Soccer.: It's like football, but it's played in a swamp. A bit like watching Derby County playing at the Baseball Ground in the 70's. (via Sensible Erection)

posted by squealy to soccer at 08:57 AM - 3 comments

His most spectacular prang was at Grasmere in 1967, when he fell down a well.: Fell-running. Mad bastards.

posted by squealy to extreme at 06:01 PM - 2 comments

15th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.: In which 96 Liverpool football fans were crushed to death due to the incompetence of the South Yorkshire Police. The Guardian has some very moving personal accounts, both from a Liverpool and Forest angle. You'll never walk alone.

posted by squealy to soccer at 12:31 PM - 3 comments

City 'till I die.: But what happens after that? Interesting article in The Times about the practice of scattering the ashes of departed fans at the ground of their beloved team and some of the complications involved. Does this happen in other sports? Would you do it and if so where? (Times Registration may be required).

posted by squealy to culture at 06:44 AM - 5 comments

Frank Bruno taken to hospital by police.: Speculation, and it is just speculation, is that Big Frank has been "sectioned" to avoid causing harm to himself or anyone around him. Apparently he's been depressed and behaving "oddly" according to boxing insiders. This all makes me very sad as I love Big Frank. Anyone have any more info?

posted by squealy to boxing at 02:47 PM - 1 comment

He's back.: The mercurial, flamboyant, majestic, short-tempered, controversial footballing God that is Paulo di Canio signs a deal with Charlton Athletic having been released by West Ham at the end of the season. Most famous for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground whilst playing for Sheffield Wednesday, he followed this low point in his career by winning the Fifa Fair Play award and scoring the goal of the season whilst at West Ham. He also made Fabien Barthez look like a complete muppet (as if Barthez needed any help). I for one, welcome back our Italian overlord.

posted by squealy to soccer at 01:11 PM - 18 comments

This year's toe wrestling championships.: As jase pointed out earlier. It makes you proud to be British and points out the need for a "Stupid Sports" category.

posted by squealy to extreme at 06:21 PM - 2 comments

Liverpool "sign" Kewell.: Colour me gobsmacked.

posted by squealy to soccer at 11:13 AM - 14 comments

Top 10 Ways to Spice Up Futbol in the U.S.: Coming soon: Ten ways to pick your teeth out of your throats you cheeky yank ragamuffins. PS WTF is "futbol"??

posted by squealy to soccer at 12:19 PM - 14 comments

Infant basketball prodigy signed by Reebok.: I know this is probably old hat to a lot of you but it just got mentioned on Radio 5 over here. I must say I sneered but now I've seen the videos I'm pretty bleeding impressed. Surely this must be the youngest ever "sportsperson" to sign an endorsement deal?

posted by squealy to hockey at 02:21 PM - 6 comments

Sectarian thugs attack Celtic football star Neil Lennon.: The ex-Leicester midfielder was attacked by religious bigots on the streets of Glasgow late last night. (Local link for you SpoFi purists). In the past he has received death threats that caused him to announce his retirement from international football. This kind of behaviour beggars belief in supposedly civilised societies in the 21st Century. It's only a game, isn't it?

posted by squealy to extreme at 11:39 AM - 16 comments

It's only a game.: Apparently not in Iraq. Four Iraqi international footballers speak to The Guardian of their treatment by Uday Hussein. It sounds truly horrendous. Hardly the best way to inspire your team surely? However, perhaps David Beckham should take note, and stop being such a whinging puff.

posted by squealy to soccer at 10:36 AM - 3 comments

It's the big 'un.: What has been somewhat prematurely billed as the "title-decider" tonight 8PM GMT. Arsenal vs Man Utd. Wenger vs Ferguson. Viera vs Keane. France vs England. Southern Softies vs Northern Monkeys. Personally I'm expecting a tense, tight contest, ending in a draw. Who do you think will emerge uncrowned Kings of the English Premier League? Who are the most influential players? And how are going to be following the game?

posted by squealy to soccer at 05:23 AM - 25 comments