Hosts, the Samaras effect, and the Czech Old Guard – Group A
Posted: June 4, 2012 Filed under: Euro 2012, International, Robert, World Football Leave a comment »Well, we’re nearly there. Since qualifying ended in November, the supporters of the 16 nations who qualified for the Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine have been eagerly waiting for the 8th of June to come around. From the great to the miserable, from Spain right down to England – BOIP will preview each team from every group fighting for the European Championship. The first group that will be previewed is Group A. The group that contains co-hosts Poland, as well as Greece, Russia, and Czech Republic.
Poland:
Odds – 50/1
Normally, a country like Poland would not be considered as a serious prospect at an international tournament. But, over the years, unfancied nations that have been the hosts in major tournaments have a tendency to trouble the big hitters. South Korea in the 2002 World Cup spring to mind, and Poland certainly fall into that category.
Bert Trautmann – From Nazi Soldier to Man City Hero
Posted: May 29, 2012 Filed under: Alan, World Football | Tags: 1956, Bert Trautmann, Broken neck, FA Cup, hero, man city, manchester city, nazi soldier Leave a comment »
Whether you have been supporting Manchester City before it was fashionable or since the mega million takeover happened or not, there is a good chance you have heard of Bert Trautmann. Bert was one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, but before his days as a Man City hero, he had a very different life, one which shocked and surprised many.
Growing up in war-torn Germany, Trautmann joined the junior branch of the Hitler Youth in the late 1930s, but only for the sport it promised. Soon after in 1941, at the age of just 17, he volunteered for the military.
Deemed to be too slow at morse code to work as a Luftwaffe radio operator, he became a paratrooper and endured three years on the Eastern front where he earned an Iron Cross, and then went on to serve on the Western Front as Germany began to retreat.
With the Americans looking destined to capture him, Bert ran away and hopped a wall to get away from them, only to be met by British soldiers who took the sergeant to Britain as a prisoner of war.
After the war, Bert was released. However, knowing that everything he had in Germany was gone, he decided to stay in Britain and work on a farm and in his spare time play for his now local club St. Helens F.C. Read the rest of this entry »
Kev’s Betting Tips – Week 13
Posted: May 23, 2012 Filed under: Betting, Kevin, League of Ireland | Tags: 2012, Betting, Bray Wanderers, FAI Cup, Kevin Galvin, League of Ireland, May, Mervue United, Odds, Paddy Power, Salthill Devon, Shelbourne Leave a comment »So it was another good week for me in my unending quest to beat the bookies! Derry scored twice early in the second to secure themselves another three points. Waterford won themselves a hard earned point in Ballybofey thanks to Ben Ryan, while Monaghan scored late to rid me of a clean sweep! I didn’t give tips earlier this week and was counting my lucky stars afrterwards! Monday madness saw all of the top teams lose points to lowly opposition, in a matchnight that boosted the bookies’ coffers!
I’m Backing: Shelbourne (6/4), Mervue & Salthill Draw (12/5)
Indonesian Football – An Archipelago of Trouble
Posted: May 21, 2012 Filed under: Ashley, World Football | Tags: asia, fifa, indonesia, nurdin halid Leave a comment »Imagine the Premier League in all its glory. Now imagine the top 10 teams in the Premier League split away from the rest of the league, forming a new independent Super League, which both, wasn’t run by the FA, and wasn’t recognised by FIFA. An ordeal which could result in the England national team being banned from football if it wasn’t sorted out by the FA.
That is basically the best example I can give you to what exactly is happening in Indonesia. So from that, it is safe to assume that football in Indonesia is in a bit of a state at the minute.
Indonesian football fan
For those for who geography isn’t a strong subject, Indonesia is a series of islands, or an archipelago, situated in South East Asia and Oceania. It is neighboured by Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Australia, along with others. But, enough of all that educational stuff, let’s get back to the football.
BOIP meets… Karl Moore
Posted: May 20, 2012 Filed under: League of Ireland, Robert Leave a comment »The second round of games kicked off in the Airtricity league on Friday night as Bohemians welcomed Setanta Cup runners up Derry City to Dalymount Park. The game was a subdued affair until half way through the second half when Stephen McLaughlin headed home from a free kick which left Bohs manager Aaron Callaghan incensed that he was not allowed to replace the injured Philip McCabe before the free kick was taken, which led to the former Crusaders manager being sent to the stands. Referee Rob Rogers annoyed the Gypsies even more when he gave a contentious penalty for handball against Evan McMillan, which was subsequently converted.
A late consolation from Keith Ward was not enough to stop the men from Phibsboro slipping to their 3rd home defeat of the season.
Karl Moore battles for a header in one of his first games for the club
After the game, amongst all the commotion, BOIP’s Robert O’Reardon caught up with new Bohs recruit Karl Moore. The former Shamrock Rovers man discussed the game, how he is adapting to life at the Big Club, his team’s start to the season, his new team mates and just how much of an influence Aaron Callaghan has been on his career so far. You can listen to the interview below.
With thanks to Graham Killeen for his help.
Kev’s Betting Tips – Week 12
Posted: May 17, 2012 Filed under: Betting, Kevin, League of Ireland | Tags: Betting, bohemians, derry city, Drogheda united, Dundalk, League of Ireland, Monaghan, Paddy Power, Waterford United, Wexford Youths Leave a comment »So one out of three last week, but again a fairly profitable one! Again Bray won and Jason Byrne kept knockin in the goals away to Dundalk, which means I still turned a profit besides Drogheda’s disappointing performance and Longford beating Waterford!
My Tips: Derry City, Waterford, Wexford Youths
Code(s) of Conduct
Posted: May 15, 2012 Filed under: International, Kevin, Premier League, World Football | Tags: AFL, Australian, Cheat, Football, Goalline Technology, Ice Hockey, NHL, referee, Rules, Sepp Blatter, UEFA, video technology Leave a comment »It’s important I stress one thing before starting, nothing beats football. I’ve seen a lot of sports, and a lot of games in my time, and nothing remotely comes close. The game throws up the biggest surprises and upsets, and entire seasons can be turned upside down in a matter of seconds (Take QPR and Bolton as an example!). It’s the most popular across the world for a reason and I doubt there are many who can avert their eyes from the sheer brilliance that is Lionel Messi and his Barcelona team-mates in their best form.
A more common sight on the football pitch?
That being said though, it’s far from the beautiful game in every sense of the word. Racism, sexism, homophobia, and corruption undermine the sport we all love, and for every football genius there’s a footballing idiot, waiting to pounce at the chance to give the game a bad name. In Ireland, there are a number of sports who make up a fabric of our society. Native Gaelic games hold the vast majority, but following a string of Irish Heineken Cup winning teams and a Six Nations Grand Slam, rugby is beginning to establish itself as the powerhouse of Irish sport.
Domestic football is largely out shadowed by its Premier League neighbour while Hockey and Cricket are also emerging as popular minority sports; we even have our own World Cup winning Australian Rules side! We get the best of American Sport on TV, as well as the pick of European Sporting events. In short, there’s no lack of sport over here, and though my love for football hasn’t waned, the exposure to others has led me to question why changes have been so few and far between in the 150 year history of organised football.
BOIP meets… Mick Cooke
Posted: May 14, 2012 Filed under: Interview, League of Ireland, Robert | Tags: bohemians, Drogheda united, League of Ireland, Mick Cooke Leave a comment »Last night, Drogheda United made the short trip down the M1 to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park. Drogheda have been performing above expectations this season, and find themselves level on points with champions Shamrock Rovers in 4th place. They were firm favourites for the game but both sides contested an open 1-1 draw. Ryan McEvoy gave the Gypsies the lead but Alan McNally cancelled out the youngster’s superb strike with a controversial effort of his own not long after.
Drogs manager Mick Cooke
After the game, BOIP’s very own Robert O’Reardon, with the help of Neville Tumulty, caught up with the former Monaghan manager to ask him his thoughts on the game and of his team’s superb performance in the first round of games this season.
So, Mick, a 1-1 draw for your side tonight, how do you think that panned out?
Well, I would have liked to get three points obviously. I think we started very brightly, but it ended quickly. After 5 or 10 minutes Bohemians came well into the game, retained the ball very well, created a few chances and I think we were very luck to equalise so quick against them to get back into the game because had we have went in (at half time) 1-0 down it would have been an uphill battle in the second half.
DFB Pokal Cup Final Preview
Posted: May 11, 2012 Filed under: Sam, World Football Leave a comment »On the 12th of May the two of the Bundesliga Supremes, Champions League finalists Bayern Munich and reigning league champions Borussia Dortmund will lock horns in the Olympic Stadion in Berlin and fight it out for the domestic cup. The game is tantalisingly poised and has the makings to be a classic. Both teams going in to the game are in rich veins of form and both ended their league campaigns on a high, but Dortmund however were comfortable winners in the end holding off Bayern at a gap of eight points.
Last years winners Schalke lift trophy
Coming in to this one, Dortmund are on a 25 game domestic unbeaten streak and have been ruthless in their league run-in which has seen them finish as champions. Bayern on the other hand will be out for some revenge over their Nord-West Rhineland rivals after they were beaten by them both home and away in the league. Something that is not to be forgotten also is the fact that Bayern will face Chelsea in the Champions League final seven days after the cup final, a competition that Bayern will hold in higher regard surely, not least to mention that the the European final will be held in their own back yard this year.
Kev’s Betting Tips – Week 11
Posted: May 9, 2012 Filed under: Betting, Kevin, League of Ireland | Tags: 2012, Airtricity, Betting, Bohem, bohemians, Bray, cork, Drogheda, League of Ireland, Paddy, Power, rovers, shamrock, sligo, united Leave a comment »Well that wasn’t too bad a week was it?! Bray won, Cork won, Jason Byrne scored and all three of my First Division teams won! Full marks I should think! After such a good weekend I’m hoping to continue the trend this week and win you money!
I’m Backing: Drogheda, Bray & Jason Byrne and Longford/Waterford Draw
