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For the new season, the UEFA Cup is now known as the UEFA Europa League. It is the second competition organized by ruling European football authorities in terms of glamour and importance, after the Champions League. However, many critics consider it to be very far behind in the two areas and are cynical of the change in name and format of the tournament by the organizers.

They believe that the rebranding will not amount to anything in the end and that interest by fans, media and the clubs will continue to be lukewarm at best.They could not be more wrong if one were to consider a few factors that accompany the change. The name as UEFA Europa League already makes a subliminal difference in terms of branding appeal and power. It gives a better idea of what the competition is about. Calling it a league gives it a considerably catchier ring than a tournament that is simply named a Cup for UEFA.

In terms of the number of clubs taking part in the whole event, there is also an improvement over previous editions. There will be over 190 clubs who would have been in the tournament at one stage or another at the end of it. There are some who have said that the number is too excessive. But they have failed to recognize the fact that giving more teams a taste of European action can only help to promote greater participation in the future. It will help to raise the profile of the Europa League with other clubs who might normally not even have a chance of playing against other quality European football teams.

A few quarters have also criticized the allowance of teams eliminated from the Champions League to join the UEFA Europa League at different stages. According to these observers, they claim that such moves demean the competition as a whole and is the main reason why many view it as a second rate tournament, one that is full of unwanted clubs. It might have a hint of that, but the reality is that these clubs do add to the overall quality of the event. Teams that have previously qualified for the Champions League were able to do so because of their quality. From past history, the likes of AC Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea and even Real Madrid could now grace the competition. Their presence would boost interest and coverage of the Europa League at one point or another.

Therefore, to say that the Europa League will be no different from its predecessor the UEFA Cup would be very wrong. While some of the changes might seem contradictory to claims by UEFA President Michel Platini of making the competition stronger, on closer inspection, they do fulfill such an ambition. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say. The best way to find out will be when the season concludes when the final will be held in May 2010.

Richard Ramsay is a correspondent for many top football media. Find out more about the UEFA Europa League live at Richard’s site and how the tournament is different from the Champions League.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/soccer-articles/uefa-europa-league-how-it-makes-a-difference-1006188.html

Aston Villa has undoubtedly the most celebrity fans in Premier league football. In quantity and quality. Their A list celebs include Prince Edward future King of the U.K; and Hollywood superstar Tom. Hanks. But to prove my point I must first define what I mean by an Aston Villa fan. You do not have to have visited the stadium to qualify. You just have to have stated in public. On T.V.,radio,or newspaper. That you support Aston Villa football club. With this in mind we can provide quite an impressive list. Unless you have the Pope or Barack Obama supporting your team you just cannot compete.

Here is my list of famous Vllla fans.Enough to form a first and a reserve team.

1 Prince. Edward. Future King of U.K. and Commonwealth.

2 Tom. Hanks. Oscar winning actor.

3 David. Cameron. Could be a future Prime Minister.

4 Mervin. King. Governor of the Bank of England.

5 Ozzie. Osborne. Local lad and heavy metal rock star.

6 Lee. Child. Best selling author. Always uses ex Villa players names, as characters in his books.

7 David. Bradley, Plays grumpy hogwarts caretaker. Argus. Filch.

8 Simon. Le Bon. Duran Duran rock star.

9 Ian. Lavender. Private. Pike in Dads army.

10 Nigel. Kennedy. Celebrity violinist.

11 Floella. Benjamin. Ex B.B.C. Play school T.V. presenter.

12 Ian. Bell. England and Warwickshire cricketer.

13 Ian. Duncan. Smith. Former Tory leader. 14 Jane. Sixsmith. Former England and Great Britain hockey player.

15 Pauline. Mc Lynne. Plays Father Teds housekeeper Mrs Doyle.

16 Emma. Willis. MTV presenter.

17 Martin. Shaw. Actor starring in Judge. John. Deed. 18 Emma. B. Radio 1 D.J.

19 Richie. Neville. Boy band FIVE.

20 Mark. Williams. Fast show comedy actor.

21 Oliver. Phelps. Plays George. Weasley. in all 6 Harry. Potter. films.

22 Geezer. Butler. Original Black Sabbath member.

Although you will not find them at Villa park for every home game, clutching a pie and a programme. they all have stated publicly that they are Villa fans, so we will just have to take their word for it.

But did Aston Villa have another even more famous fan. the very first fictional detective character. No not Hercule. Poiret, or Tin Tin, but Sherlock Holmes. His creator Sir Arthur. Conan. Doyle. was a fascinating man, who lived a long and eventful life.One of ten children born into poverty, and with an alcoholic father. he did not have the best of starts in life. He trained to be a doctor,was a novelist and lifelong traveller, all round sportsman, popularising ski-ing in Switzerland. And once bowling out W.C. Grace at cricket. he stood for Parliament twice, made a fortune and squandered most of it promoting spiritualism.

So how might he have been a Villa supporter. Here is the evidence.In 1879 Arthur.Conan. Doyle. was a poor medical student. And as part of his training he moved to Aston in Birmingham working as an assistant to Dr Reginald Ratcliffe. Hoare. at Clifton House on the Aston road in Birmingham. He was paid a salary of two pounds a month, and was responsible for making house calls and dispensing medicines. In fact he and Dr Hoare ,got on so well he returned to help out in the surgery many times, after finishing his training. And no doubt supporting his beloved Aston villa at the weekends. (Incidentally Villa first entered the F.A. cup in the 1879/80 season)

In 1879 Aston Villa were still an amateur side, playing at the Wellington road ground in Perry Barr. Birmingham. It is possible that Conan. Doyle, a keen sportsman, could have known Villas early founder members and fellow scotsmen, such as William Mc Gregor, Archie Hunter; and George Ramsay.and perhaps agreed to watch a game, or even play for Villa.

Some of my critics might suggest that it was Conan Doyle who lived in Aston not Sherlock Holmes. But Conan. Doyle; received many letters from members of the public asking him to solve criminal cases. Some addressed to him, but many simply addressed to Sherlock. Holmes at his Baker street address. And as most fiction writers base their characters on aspects of their own personality. I think it is highly probable that Sherlock Holmes was Aston Villas first celebrity football fan.

Below is the evidence you can make your own judgement.

1 Lived within a hansom cab ride from Villas ground at the time.

2 He was a keen sportsman excelling at football, rugby and cricket at school.

3 Aston Villa at that time had a strong Scottish contingent.

4 Sherlock holmes was a Villa fan would make a great chant, ringing around Villa Park.

5.And finally, I am sure at the final game of the season. I am certain I saw a man in a deerstalker hat. sitting in the seat in front of me, puffing away contentedly on his meerschaum pipe,engrossed in the game.Was he or wasnt he, I had to find out, so I tapped him on the shoulder, and nervously blurted out “are you Sherlock Holmes and are you a Villa fan.” But just then the final whistle blew, he jumped up and disappeared into the departing crowd. So I will never know. But I am one hundred percent convinced that Sherlock Holmes was indeed Aston Villas first celebrity football fan.

Lawrence Seale.is the author of an unbiased insurance advice website,with advice about all types of insurance, so why not visit my website at http://www.findukinsurance.com I also publish a website devoted to the luxury resorts of Taba and Taba heights on the Red sea riviera, in Egypt.To find out more click here. http://tabasun.co.uk

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/soccer-articles/was-the-worlds-most-famous-detective-aston-villas-first-celebrity-football-fan–998058.html

In order to control the soccer ball successfully every time here are the 5 Easy Steps:

1.DECISIONS:

TO CONTROL OR NOT TO CONTROL

Before you attempt to control the soccer ball, decide if you even need to control the ball in the first place. Sometimes you can actually fake that you are going to control the ball, then at the last second you let the ball continue in its path, deceiving the defender.

WHAT WILL BE THE END PRODUCT BE?

Next you must decide what the end product is going to be once you have controlled the ball i.e. do you want to control the ball to set up a shot, to move into space away from a defender, to keep possession, to pass the ball to a teammate.

2. CHOOSE THE PART OF THE BODY YOU ARE GOING TO USE TO CONTROL THE BALL.

If you are going to use a foot, decide if you are also going to use the grass to help as well. Many people refer to this as “trapping the ball”. Trapping the ball involves using the foot and the grass together to control the ball. You must time it so that as the ball lands on the grass, you use your instep or bottom of your foot to trap the ball onto the grass.

As well as the instep and bottom of the foot, you can also control the ball with the top of the foot, the thigh, the chest and the head. Once you have decided which body part to use, you move on to the next step.

3. MOVE INTO LINE WITH THE BALL

Move your body into line with the path of the ball using small steps and be on your toes to make last second adjustments as needed.  

THE MORE WORK YOU DO BEFORE THE BALL ARRIVES, THE EASIER AND MORE EFFECTIVE THE WORK WILL BE WHEN THE BALL ARRIVES.

Often I see players not move enough before the ball arrives and then they have to stretch to the ball making it much more difficult to control. You need to move both side to side and forward/backward to meet the ball at the correct place so that you control the ball with the chosen body part.

4. CUSHION THE BALL

Allow the ball to connect with the selected body part and cushion the ball by withdrawing the body part as the two  connect relaxing the muscles involved and allowing your body part to absorb the energy of the moving ball. Avoid being tense and rigid, this will result in the ball bouncing off the body part. You want the ball to simply slow down and drop in the required space. Remember playing “egg toss” when you were younger? The same principle applies.

5. CONTROL THE BALL INTO THE DESIRED SPACE.

Be aware of the space around you and control the ball into that space, remembering again what you want to do with the ball such as a shot or a pass. For example, if you want to produce a shot you would control the ball in front of the foot you will shoot with and at the correct distance and angle from it so that you can then step into the ball and take the shot.

In order to significantly improve as a soccer player it is essential that you spend the necessary time learning to control the ball. Your “First Touch”as it is often referred to is so important and it is often the factor that separates average players from very good players.

Paul Walmsley has been involved in soccer for over 35 years as a player, coach and business owner. He has coached thousands of soccer players of all ages and abilities. Paul came to the USA from England in 1996 and has been involved in soccer on a full time basis ever since.

Visit Paul’s soccer coaching blog and “Let’s Talk Soccer”

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/soccer-articles/how-to-control-a-soccer-ball-in-5-easy-steps-985760.html

The United Stated defeated on Wednesday the No.1 team Spain, in the semifinals for the Confederations Cup, 2-0, in a stunning match that left everybody breathless. The probabilities of the Americans beating the Spaniards where minimum since the last 3 performances of the US team have not been the best. They lost their first two games in the Confederations Cup, the first one against Italy and the second one against the defending champion Brazil.

This is one of the biggest defeats in football history; Spain had a 35-game unbeaten streak record from December 1993 to January 1996, and currently had the international record of 15 straight wins, but that streak went away in a very unlikely way against the United States this Wednesday in the Confederations Cup semifinals. Since the beginning of the game, the United States team was leading the game. Their performance was outstanding, leaving aside what they did in the last 3 games except for the game against Egypt, which they won as well.

The first goal came at minute 27th when Davies started a play and threw the ball to Dempsey and then he passed over to Jozy Altidore, who struggled a little against Capdevila, he over passed him and fired a shot from the penalty area and though goalkeeper Iker Casillas touched the ball, it was not enough and the ball went in. The second goal was a play started by Captain Landon Donovan, who made a pass to Clint Dempsey who slipped the ball to pass Casillas for the second and last goal of the game. “It’s exciting, a great team effort. To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final, it’s big,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “We played as hard as we could and that’s what it took. Every guy contributed, so it’s a very good feeling.”

The United States now will have to face South Africa or the defending Champion, Brazil and will have three full days to recover some energy and face the final that will be held next Sunday. This is the first time ever that the US team gets to the final of a FIFA tournament. For their part, Spain played in a very disappointing way, much unexpected due to the level of game that they have in Europe, especially in Spain. Most of the people around the world may have thought that it was almost certain that Spain would be in the final, but at the end it was a surprising US team, very solid and accurate in every part of the game, they really deserved the victory.

For his part coach Vicente del Bosque expressed that they are not used to lose a game but that is something that could happen. He also said that the United States was a great rival and that in the match they were better than them. The United States will be missing midfielder Michael Bradley, who received a red card for a tackle in 87th minute and will not be in the final next Sunday. The main goal right now for the US team is to win the final, and to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, if they keep playing as they did on Wednesday, they could certainly accomplish it.

About the Author
Audrey Nolan is a top senior copy writer on European Football and sports action for the online sportsbetting: http://www.instantactionsports.com/uk Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/soccer-articles/confederations-cup-us-upsets-spain-and-moves-to-the-final-996239.html