From Washington Post Thursday 8 April 2010
President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a sweeping new arms reduction pact on Thursday that pledges to reduce the stockpile of deployed, strategic nuclear weapons in both countries and commits the old Cold War adversaries to new procedures to verify which weapons each country possesses.
In a ceremony in Prague, Obama and Medvedev each signed their names to the document, which U.S. officials said would be posted in full on the Internet later Thursday.
The treaty, called New START, imposes new limits on the ready-to-use, long-range nuclear weapons and pledges to reduce the two biggest nuclear arsenals on the globe.
For more information, visit washingtonpost.com:
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/AADB45/LD5W9/OU5U2W/6YU1PY/WCYZK/MQ/t
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Lionel Messi – The Greatest of All Time
Earlier tonight, last night or even the 6th April (depending on when you read this), myself and the World tuned in to watch Arsenal face up to Barcelona at the Camp Nou. After an excellent 2-2 draw at the Emirates, Arsenal traveled to Spain with a depleted squad leaving the likes of Captain Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, William Gallas, Andrey Arshavin in London along with long term absentees Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou. While the Catalan giants and reigning European Champions had Carlos Puyol and Gerrard Pique suspended, with Andreas Iniesta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were out injured. All the talk pre hand was Thierry Henry’s return to his former club and of course the current FIFA player of the year; Lionel Messi.
After the first match, where Messi had had a relatively quiet game, some of the pressure had seemingly been taken off the small Argentine. Now don’t get me wrong, most people know I’m a big fan of Arsenal, but above all else I am a fan of football and the performance of Messi was something to behold.
Throughout the match in the Camp Nou, Barca again dominated the possession while having a few lackluster attempts on goal, compared the 1st leg, where they barraged Arsenal goal with attempts. Then, around 18 minutes in, Abou Diaby stole the ball off Gabriel Milito and played in English winger Theo Walcott, who sprung the offside trap and burst through on goal, squaring for the inform Nicklas Bendtner, who at the second attempt, put the ball away.
The Barca fans and side were stunned silent and were in disbelief, however after this seamless act of “disrespect” Barca responded immediately and this is when Messi took the game to the Gunners in the final third, and thanks to poor defending from Mikael Silvestre, a sign of things to come, the Argentine smashed the ball in the top corner. The Camp Nou erupted, but Arsenal was still in with a shout.
16 minutes later Messi done it again. This time picking the ball up from 30 yards out, picked out a great pass to find Eric Abidal down the left, and attempt a square ball into the box, was poorly cleared by Arsenal again, the ball fell to Messi who had started the move, and dinked the ball over Almunia with his right foot. Again Messi celebrated, the Camp Nou again erupted, and Arsene Wenger looked dismayed. The Argentinean, pushed his team into the lead and carried the Barca team forward.
5 minutes later, the ball lost in midfield, a high line from Arsenal, a simple headed ball through, away goes Messi who carries the ball towards the goal, looks square, decides against playing in teenage prodigy Bojan, looks at Almunia and outrageously chips the Spaniard and wheels away in celebration. An excellent goal, to cap an excellent 21 minutes for the Argentine and for Barca.
Half time came and went, with Arsenal almost conceding immediately after half time, managed to restrict Barca to no more real chances. Arsenal brought on Eduardo and Eboue in an attempt to salvage something, but the Arsenal side look tired, and after chasing the Spanish giants for near enough 3 hrs of football, and with 2 minutes left on the clock, Xavi jinked passed Denilson, shimmied left and slid in Messi again... Eboue playing him onside, went passed the chasing back Clichy and Vermaelen, hitting his 1st shot directly at Almunia, and then easily smashing the rebound in.
4 goals in the one of the biggest games of the season, in the biggest club competition in the World. Messi undoubtedly the star of the show, head and shoulders above fellow professionals including the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. After displaying amazing attacking ability and bravery, opposition boss Arsene Wenger said:
After the first match, where Messi had had a relatively quiet game, some of the pressure had seemingly been taken off the small Argentine. Now don’t get me wrong, most people know I’m a big fan of Arsenal, but above all else I am a fan of football and the performance of Messi was something to behold.
Throughout the match in the Camp Nou, Barca again dominated the possession while having a few lackluster attempts on goal, compared the 1st leg, where they barraged Arsenal goal with attempts. Then, around 18 minutes in, Abou Diaby stole the ball off Gabriel Milito and played in English winger Theo Walcott, who sprung the offside trap and burst through on goal, squaring for the inform Nicklas Bendtner, who at the second attempt, put the ball away.
The Barca fans and side were stunned silent and were in disbelief, however after this seamless act of “disrespect” Barca responded immediately and this is when Messi took the game to the Gunners in the final third, and thanks to poor defending from Mikael Silvestre, a sign of things to come, the Argentine smashed the ball in the top corner. The Camp Nou erupted, but Arsenal was still in with a shout.
16 minutes later Messi done it again. This time picking the ball up from 30 yards out, picked out a great pass to find Eric Abidal down the left, and attempt a square ball into the box, was poorly cleared by Arsenal again, the ball fell to Messi who had started the move, and dinked the ball over Almunia with his right foot. Again Messi celebrated, the Camp Nou again erupted, and Arsene Wenger looked dismayed. The Argentinean, pushed his team into the lead and carried the Barca team forward.
5 minutes later, the ball lost in midfield, a high line from Arsenal, a simple headed ball through, away goes Messi who carries the ball towards the goal, looks square, decides against playing in teenage prodigy Bojan, looks at Almunia and outrageously chips the Spaniard and wheels away in celebration. An excellent goal, to cap an excellent 21 minutes for the Argentine and for Barca.
Half time came and went, with Arsenal almost conceding immediately after half time, managed to restrict Barca to no more real chances. Arsenal brought on Eduardo and Eboue in an attempt to salvage something, but the Arsenal side look tired, and after chasing the Spanish giants for near enough 3 hrs of football, and with 2 minutes left on the clock, Xavi jinked passed Denilson, shimmied left and slid in Messi again... Eboue playing him onside, went passed the chasing back Clichy and Vermaelen, hitting his 1st shot directly at Almunia, and then easily smashing the rebound in.
4 goals in the one of the biggest games of the season, in the biggest club competition in the World. Messi undoubtedly the star of the show, head and shoulders above fellow professionals including the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. After displaying amazing attacking ability and bravery, opposition boss Arsene Wenger said:
I echo these sentiments, and feel that not only is he the best player in the World, but the best ever. Some people say the likes of Pele, Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, George Best and who can forget the man he has been forever compared to Diego Maradona, but there were players from a different era. Messi is only 22 years old, and already has 119 goals in 204 games, while scoring 4 hat tricks this year alone."I believe we lost against a team that is better than us and that has the best player in the world. Once he's on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He's the only player who can change direction at such a pace."
This performance, along with his many other excellent displays in the number 10 shirt, showcasing his pace, bravery, amazing dribbling ability, power, strength and shooting accuracy, you’ll have to come up with a well thought out and valid argument, with some very strong reasoning for me to reconsider. In a team which won every tournament/competition it entered in calendar season 2008/2009 alone, and combined with great players such as Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Alves and many more, it seems not only is Messi the greatest ever, but he could be playing in the greatest team ever.
Real Talk Football gives its tributes to Lionel Messi. What’s more to come??
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Jose Mourinho: The Special One
The Man
Arguments again have arisen amongst football fans regarding the best 3 managers in the world, while I’m hearing names such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, I believe Jose Mourinho should be in place of the Spaniard, although I respect Guardiola’s excellence with Barcelona, Mourinho’s ethics and impact on the game as a whole cannot be discounted.
The man with a degree in physical education, specialising in football methodology, worked many minor jobs before working his way to becoming the late great Bobby Robson’s apprentice, and subsequent assistant manager, at both FC Porto and FC Barcelona respectively in the mid 90’s. Motivational skills from Robson, and the added influence of Dutch tactician Louis van Gaal’s defensive mentality, preparation techniques and strategy, helped drive Mourinho’s appetite for management. In the year 2000, he got his first management job at Portuguese giants Benfica, but only lasted 9 months, before leaving to joining mid-table team Uniao de Leiria.
Portugal
After one year with Uniao de Leiria, which saw him take the side to their best ever finish in the Portuguese top flight history, finishing in 5th place at the end of the 2000-2001 season, caught the eye of the biggest side in Portugal, FC Porto. Near enough everyone in World football knows the success he had at the club, but here’s what truly showcased his abilities. When he joined in 2002, in his 1st full season he took the club to a Portuguese Liga Title with a record 86 points, along with collecting the Portuguese Cup to complete a domestic double. In addition, Porto conquered the Europe, winning the UEFA Cup, beating Celtic 3-2 in the final, after extra time; achieving the “treble” in his first season with the club.
In his second season in Portugal, he continued his brilliant success, regaining the Portuguese Liga title, while ending as runners-up in both the European Super Cup, losing to Andriy Shevchenko’s AC Milan, and Portuguese Cup, losing to rivals Benfica. But the truly amazing performance came in the Champions League, whereby the much unfancied Porto won the trophy, destroying AS Monaco in the final 3-0. On route to the final, Mourinho’s side beat the likes of Deportivo, Lyon and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Players become synonymous with teams, for example Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is known for players such as Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas, Alex Ferguson with Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, but it is dually noticed that Mourinho’s Porto side consisted of some of the best and relatively unknown players in Europe, with the likes of Benni McCarthy, Deco, Vitor Baia, Ricardo Carvalho, Derlei, Carlos Alberto, Maniche, Costinha all going on to play for many different successful clubs.
West London
After the final victory, it seemed the lure of the big European clubs was too much and English money machine Chelsea were the club of choice the coach who had took FC Porto to back to back league and European titles in just two seasons. Joining Chelsea in the summer of 2004, he aptly named himself “the special one”, the media followed, and the rest as they say; was history.
He immediately transferred Chelsea into a World Class side, taking them to their 1st ever Premiership title and 1st league title in 50 years, breaking all sorts of records in the process. The side collected the record of most Premiership points of 95, fewest number of goals conceded, 15, highest number of league wins, 29, and most clean sheets in a season with 25. In his second season at the club, as if a form of Marmite; people either hated him or loved him! he regained the Premiership, making it Chelsea’s 2nd title. He also helped Chelsea maintain an unbeaten home record (at 60 games when he left the club) that ended in 2008 with an astonishing 86 games.
In his time at the club he finalized the successful signings of the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Ashley Cole and Michael Ballack. The relatively average signings of Paulo Ferreira, Arjen Robben, and Shaun Wright-Phillips, and the poor signings of Tiago Mendes, Scott Parker, Mateja Kezman and of course Andriy Shevchenko. However Chelsea collected the 2005 Carling Cup, 2007 Carling Cup and 2007 FA Cup, while Mourinho left the club by mutual consent 2 months into the 2007/08 season.
New Beginnings
After a year away from the game, in the summer of 2008, Mourinho returned to football replacing Roberto Mancini as manager of Serie A Champions Inter Milan. He signed the likes of Sulley Muntari, Samuel Eto’o, Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder, getting rid of Adriano, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz, while losing Luis Figo to retirement. He guided them to the Serie A title for the 17th time, tying in second with rival AC Milan in the history books, and they also picked up the Super cup. This season they look on course for another title and a Champion’s League semi-final, as they knocked out former side Chelsea on route.
Should he be considered as one of the best managers in the World? Unquestionable. He has revolutionised the game with his methods, and ability. Known for his confidence (sometimes regarded as arrogance), attention to detail, psychological influence and winning mentality, he has amassed one of the best records in Europe. With his unforgettable quotes, and success he has been touted as a future Real Madrid, Manchester United or even Arsenal manager in the near future. No matter what the case he is definitely a manager, who is respected throughout the game, in which fellow professionals will look to emulate, and is one of the most sought after managers in the World.
Arguments again have arisen amongst football fans regarding the best 3 managers in the world, while I’m hearing names such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, I believe Jose Mourinho should be in place of the Spaniard, although I respect Guardiola’s excellence with Barcelona, Mourinho’s ethics and impact on the game as a whole cannot be discounted.
The man with a degree in physical education, specialising in football methodology, worked many minor jobs before working his way to becoming the late great Bobby Robson’s apprentice, and subsequent assistant manager, at both FC Porto and FC Barcelona respectively in the mid 90’s. Motivational skills from Robson, and the added influence of Dutch tactician Louis van Gaal’s defensive mentality, preparation techniques and strategy, helped drive Mourinho’s appetite for management. In the year 2000, he got his first management job at Portuguese giants Benfica, but only lasted 9 months, before leaving to joining mid-table team Uniao de Leiria.
Portugal
After one year with Uniao de Leiria, which saw him take the side to their best ever finish in the Portuguese top flight history, finishing in 5th place at the end of the 2000-2001 season, caught the eye of the biggest side in Portugal, FC Porto. Near enough everyone in World football knows the success he had at the club, but here’s what truly showcased his abilities. When he joined in 2002, in his 1st full season he took the club to a Portuguese Liga Title with a record 86 points, along with collecting the Portuguese Cup to complete a domestic double. In addition, Porto conquered the Europe, winning the UEFA Cup, beating Celtic 3-2 in the final, after extra time; achieving the “treble” in his first season with the club.
In his second season in Portugal, he continued his brilliant success, regaining the Portuguese Liga title, while ending as runners-up in both the European Super Cup, losing to Andriy Shevchenko’s AC Milan, and Portuguese Cup, losing to rivals Benfica. But the truly amazing performance came in the Champions League, whereby the much unfancied Porto won the trophy, destroying AS Monaco in the final 3-0. On route to the final, Mourinho’s side beat the likes of Deportivo, Lyon and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Players become synonymous with teams, for example Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is known for players such as Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas, Alex Ferguson with Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, but it is dually noticed that Mourinho’s Porto side consisted of some of the best and relatively unknown players in Europe, with the likes of Benni McCarthy, Deco, Vitor Baia, Ricardo Carvalho, Derlei, Carlos Alberto, Maniche, Costinha all going on to play for many different successful clubs.
West London
After the final victory, it seemed the lure of the big European clubs was too much and English money machine Chelsea were the club of choice the coach who had took FC Porto to back to back league and European titles in just two seasons. Joining Chelsea in the summer of 2004, he aptly named himself “the special one”, the media followed, and the rest as they say; was history.
He immediately transferred Chelsea into a World Class side, taking them to their 1st ever Premiership title and 1st league title in 50 years, breaking all sorts of records in the process. The side collected the record of most Premiership points of 95, fewest number of goals conceded, 15, highest number of league wins, 29, and most clean sheets in a season with 25. In his second season at the club, as if a form of Marmite; people either hated him or loved him! he regained the Premiership, making it Chelsea’s 2nd title. He also helped Chelsea maintain an unbeaten home record (at 60 games when he left the club) that ended in 2008 with an astonishing 86 games.
In his time at the club he finalized the successful signings of the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Ashley Cole and Michael Ballack. The relatively average signings of Paulo Ferreira, Arjen Robben, and Shaun Wright-Phillips, and the poor signings of Tiago Mendes, Scott Parker, Mateja Kezman and of course Andriy Shevchenko. However Chelsea collected the 2005 Carling Cup, 2007 Carling Cup and 2007 FA Cup, while Mourinho left the club by mutual consent 2 months into the 2007/08 season.
New Beginnings
After a year away from the game, in the summer of 2008, Mourinho returned to football replacing Roberto Mancini as manager of Serie A Champions Inter Milan. He signed the likes of Sulley Muntari, Samuel Eto’o, Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder, getting rid of Adriano, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz, while losing Luis Figo to retirement. He guided them to the Serie A title for the 17th time, tying in second with rival AC Milan in the history books, and they also picked up the Super cup. This season they look on course for another title and a Champion’s League semi-final, as they knocked out former side Chelsea on route.
Should he be considered as one of the best managers in the World? Unquestionable. He has revolutionised the game with his methods, and ability. Known for his confidence (sometimes regarded as arrogance), attention to detail, psychological influence and winning mentality, he has amassed one of the best records in Europe. With his unforgettable quotes, and success he has been touted as a future Real Madrid, Manchester United or even Arsenal manager in the near future. No matter what the case he is definitely a manager, who is respected throughout the game, in which fellow professionals will look to emulate, and is one of the most sought after managers in the World.
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