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Re: Bundesliga Winter Break Review: Energie Cottbus

diana158 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:36:51 -0000

I got mixed up over there. Sorry!

Re: Bundesliga Winter Break Review: Energie Cottbus

diana158 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:25:03 -0000

At first I thought the laptop I am using has a mark on the screen when I was looking at Cottbus's average number of goals per game. I then realised it is not. If there is just a ranking for the number of goals scored so far for this season in the Bundesliga, then Cottbus will be ranked last and Hoffenheim will still be in the top spot (just like they are now at the half-way mark in the league standings).

There is the so-called 'second season syndrome' in football. Cottbus being promoted in the previous season and survived. But now, I have a very bad feeling they might go down in this season. Unless they do something about it.

Re: Bundesliga Winter Break Review: VfL Bochum

diana158 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:17:45 -0000

I also find it peculiar as well on the case of the now-former Bochum captain.

At least the news about Schalke's Peter Lövenkrands having his contract terminated by the club today makes more sense about the consequences of a player being sent to train with the reserves. Lövenkrands was among the three Schalke players who were sent to train with the reserves since a few days ago or something given Andreas Mueller explained that they only want players who are committed to play for the club. I know Lövenkrands used to talk in the past of wanting to rejoin his former club Rangers. Hmm...

Re: Bundesliga Winter Break Review: VfL Bochum

MarkMoll — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:09:38 -0000

That seems to be the new trend in forcing players out the door.

I do find it a bit odd that out of all the teams it was Leverkusen that picked him up. He's not the young gun type they've been focused on acquiring and playing. Do you really want a Bochum cast-off at this point, captain or not?

Re: Bundesliga Winter Break Review: VfL Bochum

diana158 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:30:05 -0000

The captain has left the club. Thomas Zdebel has joined Bayer Leverkusen. But in regards to how long at Leverkusen, I get conflicting reports.

Anyhow, this really comes out of the blue for me. I know he has been banished to the reserves like last week with Bochum not giving any reasons for the decision.

Re: Preseason Bundesliga Predictions Revisited

diana158 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:40:20 -0000

horhay, if Hoffenheim reaches the Champions League, that will be an even greater story for European football. It will give hope to other football clubs that they can also do it, with the right structure, and a good coach.

We had already seen three new debutants in the Champions League this season, though the three had all being eliminated from the competition. People complain about what is the point of having the group stages but this season in the Champions League had shown that at the end of the day, anything is possible in football. Who would have thought Romania's CFR Cluj, playing in the Champions League for the first time, beat Italy's AS Roma in the opening group stages? I did not see it coming myself, for sure. But that makes football for what it is.

'Although to replicate Hoffenheim's success would require a large investment in both money and patience, which is difficult combination to find these days.'
True, Mark. One of those things which fascinated me about Hoffenheim is other than how they play, is that they do not spend for the sake of spending even with someone like Dietmar Hopp as their patron.

But then one can also argue Hoffenheim is playing in the Bundesliga for the very first time and so they have no European distractions. But still, they are a real breath of fresh air in the league. At least now we know Bayern Munich cannot have the assumption that they can walk away with the league title easily.

Re: Preseason Bundesliga Predictions Revisited

MarkMoll — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:24:06 -0000

I guess I was thinking if Hoffenheim can't even win the 2. Bundesliga how will they be a factor in a better league. But, well, there's nothing more to be said on that account. I'm actually most proud of my Cologne prediction, for what it's worth.

As for Bremen, you know, I thought this might be the year they'd end up being a bit more competitive in Europe. I'm rooting for all German teams (so they can boost the UEFA coefficient) yet I'm continually disappointed. I guess it's good (for everyone else) Nuremberg was relegated or you'd be hearing me complain about 1) how they're not going to get into Europe and 2) how there'll be no direct spots for the CL left because of how poorly German teams play.

Re: Preseason Bundesliga Predictions Revisited

diana158 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:08:04 -0000

Maybe I am slightly better than you. :) My prediction for Hoffenheim was slightly more bolder - around the mid-table spot. But then again, my prediction was just simply plucked from the sky.

Hoffenheim had really surprised us all. In the second-half of the season, they will be playing in their new stadium in Sinsheim and that will be something interesting to see whether they can still keep up the momentum when they were playing at 'home' in Mannheim.

I actually had high hopes for Werder Bremen this season. But ended up the Green and Whites disappointed me coming into the halfway mark of the current season.

Re: Photos of a Schalke Fan’s Trip to Leverkusen

diana158 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:12:51 -0000

But now Stuttgart is in, what I call, mid-table mediocrity. At the bottom half of the table. Oh well. I'm was like thinking the other day that if this continues, might as well forget about contesting for European places.

We are currently in the UEFA Cup this season given we qualified via the Intertoto Cup. This is the last time the Intertoto Cup will be in existence. If we even want to contest for European spots the next time round, unless we do well in the UEFA's Fair Play rankings (which is how Hertha Berlin managed to enter the UEFA Cup this season) or if we win the DFB-Pokal (that means have to beat Bayern Munich given we are drawn against them), there is not much chance. Unless the club start to stop the rot.

'I think the Bundesliga suffers from a lack of good PR.'
I thought so too. Sure it's nice now there's Bundesliga on our TV here, but I noticed so far that when it comes to Bundesliga coverage in the papers, it's very little.

Sometimes I don't even want to read The Straits Times's sports section. I read the TODAY paper more often. At least when it comes to international matches, they do have reports apart from what is happening with the England squad. Sometimes I wonder if the papers here have always want to give us the impression the EPL is tops (not that I am arguing given I grew up with the EPL) and all the other major leagues in Italy, Spain, Germany come after that.

But then maybe like what you say could be true. People clinging on to the old stereotypes.

Re: Photos of a Schalke Fan’s Trip to Leverkusen

Hikaru — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:44 -0000

*whistles* that's a hell lot more than what we used to get. It used to be all EPL, and some La Liga and Serie A but no Bundesliga at all. That's a distinct improvement. And now there's the occasional J-league. (I can see my FC Tokyo once in a while!) Brilliant.

I've heard about the CL rights being sold to mioTV. Needless to say I'm not pleased. Seeing that I bother watching only United's CL matches and I'm not the biggest fan of Serie A, I think I'll skip for the moment. I'm sure I can get the matches I want on a stream. Fans will benefit from competition, my a**** =_=

I've been randomly following the Bundesliga since I got into Leverkusen but the lack of info in English was an impediment. For me, it was Ollie Kahn and WC 2002. It's better now (granted, I'm putting in more effort too) since WC2006 definitely my interest definitely increased. And yes, Stuttgart had an excellent season after the WC.

I think the Bundesliga suffers from a lack of good PR. It's an entertaining league but people tend to cling to their old images of the efficient German national team so it's a bit of a hard sell. But at least now they're showing the matches so hopefully things will change.

Re: Photos of a Schalke Fan’s Trip to Leverkusen

diana158 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:12:47 -0000

Forgot to add. Actually I have no idea if this is the first time the Bundesliga is on TV here, Hikaru. But then since after the 2006 World Cup, I had been following the Bundesliga through the Internet. During those times, there are times I actually asked on my own blog that is there any chance in the future there will be the Bundesliga on TV.

So when I was reading the August issue of Telescope (StarHub digital cable's monthly magazine) back in late July and when I was reading the highlights in its sports section, it talked about the Bundesliga and the number of matches to be shown (four for each matchday). I became like a fangirl at once. Screaming, yelling, shrieking (for five minutes, and thank goodness the neighbours never knocked the door and asked what was going on!) that it's finally happening.

Even all the more the opening day of the new season is on August 15. That is actually also the day of my birthday. Quite a birthday 'present', I can say.

But then come to think of it, there are times when I looked back, it's the World Cup two years ago which made me started to follow the Bundesliga. I think it must be back then when I became fascinated with the German national team and how they play at that time. I don't know, given I read of the old German football stereotypes. LOL!

Re: Photos of a Schalke Fan’s Trip to Leverkusen

diana158 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:15:30 -0000

Yup. The EPL, Spain's La Liga, Japan's J-League as well. Most of those matches (except for the J-League where there's only a match to be shown on each matchday, apart from a weekly highlights programme) are on the Football Channel (it's channel 27 on StarHub).

There are times other matches are being shown on SuperSports (channel 22) and occasionally SuperSports Plus (channel 21). The Football Channel do show international matches as well, like the World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies. Just take the upcoming Germany-England friendly for example. It will be on the Football Channel. Usually ESPN or StarSports will show England matches but now it's not all the time this time round. I think it has to do with the TV rights, I don't know.

I am not sure how many matches for each matchday StarHub got for La Liga but for the Bundesliga, they always have the Friday action live (though bearing in mind of the time difference, it's Saturday morning when it's being shown), delayed telecast for Saturday's action (it's always two for Saturday action) and at times live or delayed telecast of the Sunday's action being shown live (one Sunday match each time). There's also the Bundesliga preview show (shown on Thursdays) call 'GOAL!' and a weekly highlights programme of the matches being played. The weekly highlights programme are shown at various times throughout the week, so it's up to you on when it's the best time for you to catch up on all the Bundesliga action. Given we get four matches for each Bundesliga matchday each time. Oh yeah, there's also repeat telecasts of the matches being shown on the Football Channel. It's the same with the other leagues being shown on the Football Channel.

Recently, SingTel announced they got the rights to Italy's Serie A on their mioTV. You have to pay a different price to subscribe to the mioTV service. SingTel also won the rights to broadcast Champions League matches starting the following season on mioTV. The price to subscribe is getting expensive, unless you don't want to watch Champions League matches. This season will be the last time the ESPN and StarSports networks will be showing on their channels. Until the next bidding round comes around (in a few years' time, I think), then we will wait and see.

See that you are Leverkusen fan from your blog. For me, it's Stuttgart. ;) Anyhow, nice to know a Singaporean abroad is following the Bundesliga too. I thought I am one of the rare lot! :P

Re: Photos of a Schalke Fan’s Trip to Leverkusen

Hikaru — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:10:02 -0000

Hello! I hope you don't mind my butting in but what exactly is being offered in SG now with regards to football? I need to prepare myself mentally for when I get back home ^^ Is Starhub now offering Bundesliga matches on top of the other leagues?

Re: Photos of a Schalke Fan’s Trip to Leverkusen

diana158 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:27:44 -0000

Great photos! Thanks for the link, Mark.

Coincidentally, almost an hour or so ago, I was actually still watching the match on TV. :P

Re: Bundesliga Matchday 12 by the Numbers

diana158 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:34:47 -0000

'Cottbus, though, would stand to gain even more. They’d move all the way up to 7th!'
What a difference a win will always make, isn't it?

I also kind of caught up in the election fever, Mark. You are not alone. :P There's coverage here like since months ago, even on election day. The fact that your country's president-elect used to spend a few years of his childhood in Indonesia has gotten the media here kind of excited. Even all the more Singapore and Indonesia are next-door neighbours...

Anyhow, nice to see you are back.

Re: Bundesliga Matchday 8 by the Numbers

diana158 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:08:11 -0000

Speaking of predictions, I think I remembered reading DP predicted Stuttgart's Armin Veh to be the first coach to go. Back then when I read the news of Jos Luhukay got the boot, I went amused when I thought about DP's prediction.

Well, we all make bad predictions sometimes. I rarely hit the jackpot with mine. So imagine back then during Euro 2008, I was stunned that Spain really made into the final. Given I had actually secretly predicted them to go all the way. Erm, yeah.

Edit: Yeaaaaa. Frankfurt won, 2-1. According to what I read from the commentary from the kicker website, it happened almost literally the last kick of the match. Gee, I think they did took notice the stat you had, Mark. ;)

Re: Bundesliga Matchday 8 by the Numbers

diana158 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:59:33 -0000

Frankfurt's going to play against Karlsruhe at home later today. Remember the match was cancelled because of the Madonna concert? I think you do. :) But to be serious, I really hope there will be a change of fortune when they host Karlsruhe. Usually for some reason I jinx the team I root for in a match if I say my predictions in the open but this time, I am rooting for them.

'5 - Difference in points between 1st (Hamburg) and 11th (Bayern).'
*eyes wide open* Wow. The most stand-out stat from Matchday Eight!

Re: Product Review: Objectivo Soccer Shirts

diana158 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:36:28 -0000

Okay, okay. That I know. :)

And somehow I felt even more 'smaller' today when my mother was just casually commenting that my younger sister is taller than me. Even if it means that I am shorter than her by a few centimetres, I wanted to prove that I am really shorter than my sister. After I stood side by side with my sister, I resigned to my fate. Boo-hoo. But then again, ever since my younger brother had overtaken me in the height department a few years ago, my 'ego' had been flattened.

Re: Product Review: Objectivo Soccer Shirts

diana158 — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:38:58 -0000

Mark, unfortunately for me, I had always been among the shortest in my class back in school. So Lahm's height give people like me some 'hope'. ;) How short I am? If you put me next to anyone in die Nationalmannschaft, I will probably have to strain my neck just to look at the person standing next to me!

So much for once taking a class photo, I was almost being 'sent' to stand in the second row before I was asked to move to the front row. There is nothing I can do to my height. I don't think it runs in the family because my youngest sister has always been among the tallest in her class. Although my younger brother shares the same plight as me. Ha ha. Misery loves company.

Regarding the Welsh, I take it you use the competitive head-to-head records between them and Germany. Because from what I get from Reuters ahead of the match at Moenchengladbach...

'Although they have only beaten the Germans twice in 15 matches since they first met 40 years ago and never scored more than once in a match against them, Wales have drawn their last two competitive matches in Germany. In 1995 they drew a European Championship qualifier 1-1 in Dusseldorf and escaped with a 0-0 draw when they met them in Frankfurt in another European qualifier in November last year, although the home side were already assured of their place in the finals when they met.'

As to why the Welsh always punch above their weight against Germany, that I had no idea. And by the way, it's actually a little weird for me looking at the blogroll and seeing my own blog over there. I mean, the reason why I chose the url is partially influenced from a good friend of mine back in my schooldays who once had a similar url for her blog. She has since changed it though.

Re: die Tabelle lügen nicht! (International Break Edition)

diana158 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:57:46 -0000

If Adler really becomes the most expensive keeper in the world, I know where I read that first. :)

'I wonder if Bayern or United are willing to test this clause and prove me right.'
I take it you are referring to Manchester United in the latter. :) At the moment I had never read about Sir Alex Ferguson saying he needs a new goalie... ;)

By the way, those caricatures (in the link you gave)...I really had a good laugh.

Re: The Third Half Podcast

diana158 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:34:44 -0000

I actually quite like it. Keep it up. And what nice voice you have. Really. :)

Re: The Eagle Has Landed!

diana158 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:53:23 -0000

Made my day, DP? For now, at least whatever I read of him being a United fan has definitely been confirmed after that link you provided. I don't want to get happy for nothing in case I ended up reading the wrong stuff.

Adler will be happy to know that the Germany U-19 goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler is in the United reserves. :P So in a way back then when I read that the Germany U-19 squad won the European U-19 championships, I feel like 'bragging' that the person at goal plays for the club I support in the EPL. Ha.

Re: The Eagle Has Landed!

DoublePivot — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:45:58 -0000

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/internatio...

I've seen it in other places as well. I think I've made your day :)

And don't worry about Spurs. They deserve this misery for what they did to Jol. The fans don't though.

I consider it my fault anyway. St. Pauli's in the 2nd division. Cadiz is in the 3rd. Why should Spurs be spared demotion. Although to be fair, Spurs don't have the same awesome friendly fans that made me love St. Pauli and Cadiz. Most of their fans can be quite spiteful and hateful. So if nice guys finish last, then Spurs should survive this season

Re: The Eagle Has Landed!

diana158 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:38:06 -0000

When did he said that? Really, I didn't know about this. But sorry to what is happening to Spurs of late. I actually have a soft spot for Spurs and even I myself is stunned at what is happening.

Re: The Eagle Has Landed!

DoublePivot — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:22:11 -0000

He has publicly stated that he wants to play for United eventually. If they have him and Berbatov, I might have to just give up on Spurs :(