Germany v. Mexico Live!

Yesterday's match was more of a damp squib than the firecracker I was hoping for. I'm an eternal optimist (and a glutton for punishment!), so I'm settling in to watch the second semi-final between Germany, the current World Cup holders, and Mexico, the current Gold Cup holders. Let's hope it's better otherwise I'm going to have to whip out the smelling salts after the match. Join me if you're watching.

Chile v. Portugal Live!

The Confederations Cup enters the semi-final stage today with a real cracker. It's Chile, the Copa America holders, against Portugal, the European Championship holders - Ronaldo v. Alexis. I'm hoping for real pre-July 4th fireworks in this one and will be mightily disappointed if it's a cagey international affair. Will you be watching at 2pm EST?

Summer Transfer Window Activity

Believe it or not, the 2017-2018 domestic season is only a bit over six weeks away. Players are beginning to report to their clubs again and the friendlies will begin in the next few weeks. You can track all of the summer moves (including Bertrand Traore's £8.8 million move from Chelsea to Lyon shown above) in The Guardian's brilliant transfer tracker feature.

Check it out here: https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2017/jun/22/transfer-window-2017-every-deal-in-europes-top-five-leagues

So - who are your summer targets?

Group B Comes to an End

Who will join Portugal and Mexico in the semi finals of the 2017 Confederations Cup? It's Germany v. Cameroon on the regular Fox channel and Chile v. Australia on FS1. I'll be in and out doing some errands but join me if you're watching.

The Conclusion of Group B

We saw Group A come to a predictable end yesterday and the same should be true today as it's Chile vs the Aussies on FS1 from Moscow and Germany vs Cameroon on FOX

from the beach resort city of Sochi. Timmy Cahill starts for the Aussies where he will win his 100th cap while a young German team continues to impress everyone.

Group A Comes to its End

The Confederations Cup has reached the culmination of the group stages this weekend. We start with Group A today. As with the World Cup, both matches are played at the same time. So we've got Mexico facing hosts Mexico on the regular Fox network and Portugal v. New Zealand on FS1. I'll be watching the latter, partly to check out the form of Leeds striker Chris Wood, but mainly to avoid the inane commentary stylings of El Presidente. Join me if you're watching this morning.

Germany v. Chile

After a couple of fairly dull encounters featuring minnows (e.g., New Zealand), we're got a real cracker between two of the big players in international football in store this afternoon. It's Europe v. South America. Germany, the current World Champions v. Chile, the current Copa America holders. Join me from around 2pm onward for all of the fireworks here on the LOB!

Germany v. Australia Live!

A very good Monday morning to all of you in LOB land. I'll be around watching the marquee match on Day 3 of the Confederations Cup this morning, which sees the current World Champions Germany taking on Australia who are here because they've the current winners of the Asia Cup. Join me from 11 am EST onward for all the live action!

Portugal v. Mexico Live!

I'm jumping on board the Confederations Cup train this morning. It's European champions Portugal against (ahem) CONCACAF champions Mexico up first. Both sides like to play a quick marauding style, so it should be entertaining. Join me for all the fun here on the LOB!

2017 Confederations Cup!

In the dog days of odd-numbered summers, we hang on to what signs of life that we can find in the football world. So, along comes the Confederations Cup, FIFA's grand showcase for next year's World Cup celebration in, um...Russia. Vladimir Putin will no doubt be on hand - will you?

This year's iteration features two groups of four teams each:

Group A: 
1. Russia - 2018 World Cup hosts
2. New Zealand - 2016 OFC Nations Cup winners
3. Portugal - Euro 2016 winners
4. Mexico - 2015 Confederations Cup winners

Group B:
1. Germany - 2014 World Cup winners
2. Cameroon - 2017 African Nations Cup winners
3. Chile - 2015 Copa America winners
4. Australia - 2015 Asian Cup winners

It all starts at noon on Saturday with Russia v. New Zealand. Bring it on!

The Battle of the Auld Enemies This Side of the Pond at the Azteca Stadium

It was quite a dramatic finale between the Auld enemies yesterday.. Amidst a fanatical atmosphere at the Azteca Stadium, expect tackles to fly in quick and fast. Mexico is running away with the hex and have all but qualified for Russia 2018. The U.S. could use at least a draw to enhance there chances of qualifying. It will be a tough ask as they only twice gained a point at the Azteca in all World Cup qualifiers played by the U.S. in Mexico. It's a must see.

The Auld Enemies in a World Cup Qualifier from Hampden Park

  I used to look forward to this fixture during my childhood, but it's been a rare contest in recent years. It's Scotland vs England from Hampden , where you can guarantee that it will be a passionate atmosphere.

Jezza!!!!

My apologies to the ManYoo fans among the LOB community. I couldn't resist posting this one. Thanks to fellow LOBer and LHS alum Brett Thompson for finding this. Enjoy!

The Yank vs. T&T Qualifier

Oi! There's a Qualifier that the Yanks must win today to stay in the hunt for an automatic berth in Russia next year. The Blue Devil is MIA so join me, ok?

Election Night Special!

I'm settling in to watch the UK election results on the BBC World channel. Good old David Dimbleby is anchoring, as he has done since we were all kids. The big news is that Labour and Jeremy Corbyn have done quite a bit better than anticipated and it looks as if we're headed toward a "hung Parliament." Theresa May's future is now looking fairly shaky. And of course, Labour has held Bristol - that's just a rumor, not a result. Boom boom!

Your thoughts, folks?

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Final Update

Warm congratulations going out this afternoon to Man Utd Rules, our PPP winner for the 2016/2017 season. It's MUR's second win, after having first won in the 2013/2014 season. Very well done, mate!

I've added six points to Gooner's tally for his correct prediction of Real Madrid's Champions League win for an adjusted total of 35 points. Otherwise, all the scores are the same in these final standings:

1. Man Utd Rules - 46 points
2. Red Devil 1FCK - 41 pts
-  United We Stand - 41 pts
4. Gooner71 - 35 pts
5. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 33 pts
6. The Red Dragon - 32 pts
7. The Saint - 31 pts
8. Yellows - 30 pts
9. Blue Devil - 29 pts
10. Swansong - 28 pts
11. Someone Said - 27 pts
-  West Ham Rising - 27 pts

The Champions League Final

The last club match of the season has two heavyweights going head to head. Can Juve win the Old Big Ears for the first time since 1996 or will Real Madrid be the first team to retain their trophy since it became the Champions League.
I am in the Juve court today..... let Buffon win the trophy for once

Join me
UWS

The Return of the Footie Trivia!

It's been a long time since I've posted a trivia question, but I've got a corker this week. Victor Moses' dismissal in last weekend's Cup Final inspired to wonder who else had been sent off in the season's showcase match. So here goes:

"Victor Moses became the fifth player to be sent off during the FA Cup Final. Who are the other four?"(Bonus points for the year and the two competing teams).

Good luck, chaps!