Cheeky Chip

David Villa scored to make it 2-nil against Lichtenstein with a laser from 25-yards out. But more importantly, this goal was Villa’s 43rd for Spain, which equals Raúl’s tally and makes both generations of #7s joint leading scorers for España.

Friday Flashback

Once upon a time there was a great player from Czechoslovakia. In 1976 he led his nation to the final of the European Championships to play against the World Champions Germany. After a fiercely contested match, it came down to penalties. With a stroke of luck the Czechs had a chance to win the game on the last kick. Guess who was taking it?

With a country’s hope hope weighing on his shoulders that walk to the penalty spot must have seemed like an eternity. If he scored, he would go down in the folklore of the sport in Czechoslovakia. If he missed and the team lost, he would be forever be remembered as a villain. It’s the sort of pressure that has crushed many before him and would crush many him.

Then he went and did the above. It was the first time anyone had taken a penalty that way. Pressure? What pressure? 

So this man, Antonin Panenka, went down in history for his coolness in the most tense of situations. From that day onward, anytime a penalty was taken in that manner, it was called a panenka. Take a bow Antonin. Now that’s cojones.

P.S. On a historical note, that was the last time Germany lost a penalty shootout.

Looks like Turkey -specifically Hamit Altintop - is already feeling the Hiddink magic.

“What did we come here for?”

You may have read about Real Salt Lake’s collapse against Cruz Azul, as they were winning 3-1 but ended up losing 5-4 in the CONCACAF Champions League. This video, done by the club, shows all the hard work, preparation, and tactics that the MLS side did while on their trip to Mexico. One thing that struck me was RSL coach Jason Kreis’ snippets of wisdom he wrote down the night before the match. It’s good to see such positivity coming from the American mindset such as “we didn’t come here to defend.” The future looks bright for American soccer if MLS continues with such a mindset, despite this spectacular defeat.

Assists of the Week are here again and the likes of Iniesta, Llorente, Giovinco, and Nani light up the compilation. However, one name you probably don’t know is Kees Kwakman on NAC Breda who lifted an absolute beauty. Anyway, which is your favourite?

Icelandic side Stjarnan are still at it with their infamous goal celebrations. The title of this one is quite self-explanatory…

I know Ibracadabra is coming to the San Siro, but let’s not forget that the Ronaldinho show is already alive and well for Milan. How about ‘dinho’s signature “elastico” followed up by an equally sambatastic rabona? Poor Lecce, welcome to Serie A…