The Jerusalem Post
April 24, 2006
Page 10
Last year's Champions League final was clearly a night dreams were made of. There will be few true Liverpool fans who will ever forget that night in Istanbul, or how their team, that season's perennial underdog, came back from 3-0 down at halftime to level the game in the second half, and then beat the mighty AC Milan on penalties.
Steven Gerard's towering performance led his hometown side to the unlikeliest of victories that allowed the reds to qualify automatically for this season's Champions League, despite a poor fifth-place finish in the 2004/05 English Premier League.
Now every Arsenal and Tottenham fan knows what I am going to write now. It just can not be ignored how the situation this year's Gunners side find themselves in seems uncannily similar to that of last year's Liverpool.
I know how nervous it makes Arsenal fans to hear this as they are too scared of the prospects of failure, but here we have an Arsenal team looking odds on to make it to the Paris final to face either Barcelona or, dare we say it, AC Milan.
A 1-0 home win over what appeared to be an out of sorts Villarreal team last week puts them in good stead for Tuesday night's second leg in Spain.
And the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and fellow Londoners Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday has made it increasingly likely that the team in red will finish in fifth place in the league, behind Spurs.
As everyone knows, if Arsenal finishes fifth and somehow wins the Champions League it will qualify for next year's competition - most likely at the expense of its north London rivals - just as Liverpool did last season.
However, despite the initial similarities between the two situations, the makeup of and outlook for the two teams is very different.
If Arsenal manages to get to the final, let alone win it, it will be a triumph for the club's French manager, Arsene Wenger, who will be celebrating a decade in charge of the club.
Taking a look at the Arsenal side that faced and beat Villarreal last week and the one which drew with Spurs, what stands out is the number of youngsters on the team.
From 22-year-old Swiss center back Philip Senderos to Hleb and Fabegas in midfield and the lanky Kanu clone Emmanuel Adebayor up front, Arsenal exudes exuberant youthfulness.
As one Arsenal fan rarely fails to remind me, the entire Arsenal back four cost a fraction of the price of most Premiership players.
And this is all without mentioning the wonderful Thierry Henry.
Arsenal is moving into a new stadium next season and Wenger is building a team for a new era.
The Liverpool team of last year, however, was a team in transition, built on many older players. Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek may have been a hero of last year's final with his Bruce Grobbelaar-style wobbly legs during the penalties, but he knew he was on his way out before the game started. Other players who featured in the final, like Didi Hamman, Milan Baros and Vladimir Smicer also soon saw their Anfield days numbered.
And it hasn't all come together this year. The Spaniards that Rafa Benitez has bought - from Garcia to Morientes - have blown hot and cold since last year, and Liverpool was easily knocked out of the Champions League.
This will not be the fate of Arsenal. Even if it doesn't beat Milan or Barcelona, which is a lot more likely than many people have predicted, Arsene Wenger is clearly looking to the future. And if the team ends up not qualifying for next year's Champions League, Arsenal fans should still stay positive. Because Europe should watch out for this young Arsenal team in the coming seasons.
Monday, 14 June 2010
The Last Word 10: FIFA is political
The Jerusalem Post
April 17, 2006
Page 10
Last week, Germany's deputy interior minister, August Hanning, travelled to Teheran to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.
During the discussions, the Iranians apparently raised their concerns about possible threats to the Iranian national team during the upcoming soccer World Cup, to be held in Germany this summer.
It turned out that the Iranian government has become worried about the possibility of "violent protests" at Iran's matches by Iranian opposition groups, who reportedly have hundreds of followers in Germany.
The Germans, it seems, understood Iran's worries and Hanning assured the Iranians that Germany will cooperate fully with the Islamist regime over any possible threats.
"When the Iranians fear a threat, they will tell us their reasons. Then our evaluation will flow back to Teheran," Hanning was quoted by AP in the Tagesspiegel newspaper.
Instead of placating the Iranians, maybe pressure should be put on Germany and FIFA, world soccer's governing body, to ban Iran from the World Cup for that country's president's repeated comments calling for the total destruction of the State of Israel and denying the Holocaust, as well as continuing nuclear weapons development.
But wait. The last organization you should expect any support from would be FIFA. Because, despite Iran's insane leaders, FIFA consistently stresses that it does not get involved in politics and the Iranian soccer team is completely welcome at Germany 2006.
In a statement released last Tuesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter claimed that, "In the world of today, which is disrupted by long-lasting disputes and violence, football is one of the very few universal tools mankind can use... to symbolize what unites our planet over what divides it.
"FIFA's role is not to reprimand, but to help create bonds."
Lovely words. But this particular press release, which contained the phrase "FIFA, a non-political organization," was released to announce that the organization will be paying for the "rehabilitation" of the National Stadium in Gaza, which had been damaged by IDF artillery fire a week and a half before.
FIFA would love you to believe that the reason it decided to pay for the refurbishments is to "promote friendly relations between its members and in society for humanitarian objectives."
However, it seems that FIFA acts in anything other than a non-political manner.
Before FIFA decided to pay to repair the stadium, Jerome Champagne, the delegate to FIFA's president for special affairs, e-mailed the Israeli ambassador to Switzerland demanding an explanation as to why the stadium was bombed.
How FIFA can claim that its role is "not to reprimand" is anyone's guess. If Champagne had been satisfied that the Israeli strikes on the stadium were justified, would FIFA still have paid for the stadium to be fixed?
Maybe it's time for FIFA to admit that it is involved in politics.
April 17, 2006
Page 10
Last week, Germany's deputy interior minister, August Hanning, travelled to Teheran to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.
During the discussions, the Iranians apparently raised their concerns about possible threats to the Iranian national team during the upcoming soccer World Cup, to be held in Germany this summer.
It turned out that the Iranian government has become worried about the possibility of "violent protests" at Iran's matches by Iranian opposition groups, who reportedly have hundreds of followers in Germany.
The Germans, it seems, understood Iran's worries and Hanning assured the Iranians that Germany will cooperate fully with the Islamist regime over any possible threats.
"When the Iranians fear a threat, they will tell us their reasons. Then our evaluation will flow back to Teheran," Hanning was quoted by AP in the Tagesspiegel newspaper.
Instead of placating the Iranians, maybe pressure should be put on Germany and FIFA, world soccer's governing body, to ban Iran from the World Cup for that country's president's repeated comments calling for the total destruction of the State of Israel and denying the Holocaust, as well as continuing nuclear weapons development.
But wait. The last organization you should expect any support from would be FIFA. Because, despite Iran's insane leaders, FIFA consistently stresses that it does not get involved in politics and the Iranian soccer team is completely welcome at Germany 2006.
In a statement released last Tuesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter claimed that, "In the world of today, which is disrupted by long-lasting disputes and violence, football is one of the very few universal tools mankind can use... to symbolize what unites our planet over what divides it.
"FIFA's role is not to reprimand, but to help create bonds."
Lovely words. But this particular press release, which contained the phrase "FIFA, a non-political organization," was released to announce that the organization will be paying for the "rehabilitation" of the National Stadium in Gaza, which had been damaged by IDF artillery fire a week and a half before.
FIFA would love you to believe that the reason it decided to pay for the refurbishments is to "promote friendly relations between its members and in society for humanitarian objectives."
However, it seems that FIFA acts in anything other than a non-political manner.
Before FIFA decided to pay to repair the stadium, Jerome Champagne, the delegate to FIFA's president for special affairs, e-mailed the Israeli ambassador to Switzerland demanding an explanation as to why the stadium was bombed.
How FIFA can claim that its role is "not to reprimand" is anyone's guess. If Champagne had been satisfied that the Israeli strikes on the stadium were justified, would FIFA still have paid for the stadium to be fixed?
Maybe it's time for FIFA to admit that it is involved in politics.
FIFA to pay for repairs to Gaza soccer field shelled by IDF
The Jerusalem Post
April 12, 2006
Page 12
FIFA announced Tuesday that it will pay for the "rehabilitation" of a soccer field in the Palestinian-run Gaza Strip, which was damaged by IDF artillery fire earlier this month.
"In the world of today, which is disrupted by long- lasting disputes and violence, football is one of the very few universal tools mankind can use to bridge gaps between nations and peoples, and to symbolize what unites our planet over what divides it," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said.
World soccer's governing body said it would evaluate the extent of the damage done to the open-air stadium and its stands over the next few days, with the help of the Palestinian FA.
Much would depend on whether the drainage system was badly damaged.
"FIFA's role is not to reprimand, but to help create bonds and ensure that the young people of the region have hope and the possibility to enjoy the school of life that football represents," Blatter said. "Therefore, I call on the relevant authorities to do everything they can to allow Palestinian and Israeli football to develop."
FIFA stressed that it supported Palestinian and Israeli football equally.
While UEFA banned Israeli clubs and the national team from playing international competitions at home between October 2001 and April 2004 because of a series of terrorist attacks, FIFA ensured that Tel Aviv hosted the Israeli national team"s qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup.
FIFA decided to pay for repairs to the field after it deemed the direct strike was "without any reason" and that the soccer field was not being used by Palestinians as a missile launching pad, as Israel's ambassador to Switzerland had originally claimed.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Thursday last week Jerome Champagne, the delegate to FIFA's president for special affairs, confirmed that he was "not happy with the situation" after learning that the IDF had fired at the stadium to "send a message to the Palestinians".
However, according to the Israel Football Association, Champagne then called the IFA on Friday to discuss the situation with IFA General Secretary Haim Zimmer.
An IFA statement said that Champagne said Israeli ambassador Aviv Shiron had told him the reason for the fire was that Kassams had been fired from close to the stadium and that he "had accepted the explanation".
No FIFA spokesman was available for a response when questioned about the apparenty discrepancy.
No casualties were reported in the April 1 strike, which left a large crater in the center of the field. The Israeli military said there had not been any rocket fire from the soccer field, but that the airstrike was part of an effort to deter possible attacks after an increase in rocket launches from Gaza.
The IDF artillery fire came in response to Palestinian Kassam rocket attacks into Israel, including one which hit a soccer field in Kibbutz Karmiya, close to Ashkelon the day before.
AP contributed to this report.
April 12, 2006
Page 12
FIFA announced Tuesday that it will pay for the "rehabilitation" of a soccer field in the Palestinian-run Gaza Strip, which was damaged by IDF artillery fire earlier this month.
"In the world of today, which is disrupted by long- lasting disputes and violence, football is one of the very few universal tools mankind can use to bridge gaps between nations and peoples, and to symbolize what unites our planet over what divides it," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said.
World soccer's governing body said it would evaluate the extent of the damage done to the open-air stadium and its stands over the next few days, with the help of the Palestinian FA.
Much would depend on whether the drainage system was badly damaged.
"FIFA's role is not to reprimand, but to help create bonds and ensure that the young people of the region have hope and the possibility to enjoy the school of life that football represents," Blatter said. "Therefore, I call on the relevant authorities to do everything they can to allow Palestinian and Israeli football to develop."
FIFA stressed that it supported Palestinian and Israeli football equally.
While UEFA banned Israeli clubs and the national team from playing international competitions at home between October 2001 and April 2004 because of a series of terrorist attacks, FIFA ensured that Tel Aviv hosted the Israeli national team"s qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup.
FIFA decided to pay for repairs to the field after it deemed the direct strike was "without any reason" and that the soccer field was not being used by Palestinians as a missile launching pad, as Israel's ambassador to Switzerland had originally claimed.
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Thursday last week Jerome Champagne, the delegate to FIFA's president for special affairs, confirmed that he was "not happy with the situation" after learning that the IDF had fired at the stadium to "send a message to the Palestinians".
However, according to the Israel Football Association, Champagne then called the IFA on Friday to discuss the situation with IFA General Secretary Haim Zimmer.
An IFA statement said that Champagne said Israeli ambassador Aviv Shiron had told him the reason for the fire was that Kassams had been fired from close to the stadium and that he "had accepted the explanation".
No FIFA spokesman was available for a response when questioned about the apparenty discrepancy.
No casualties were reported in the April 1 strike, which left a large crater in the center of the field. The Israeli military said there had not been any rocket fire from the soccer field, but that the airstrike was part of an effort to deter possible attacks after an increase in rocket launches from Gaza.
The IDF artillery fire came in response to Palestinian Kassam rocket attacks into Israel, including one which hit a soccer field in Kibbutz Karmiya, close to Ashkelon the day before.
AP contributed to this report.
The Last Word 9: The failure of Betar's mediocre Europeans
The Jerusalem Post
April 10, 2006
Page 11
What a tumultuous week it's been for Betar Jerusalem. Just last weekend, after the embarrassing 1-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-league Hapoel Kfar Saba, the club's tempestuous (lets call him that for want of being impolite) 'general manager,' Luis Fernandez, told journalists that he had had enough of the fans disrespecting him and that he was definitely quitting at the end of the season.
A week later, and the former PSG and Espanyol coach has made a complete turnaround, insisting he's staying and he's happy.
It was all a little strange. Frenchman Fernandez had swiftly disappeared off to France after the Kfar Saba game. The poor man was all upset when the fans shouted at him after the team performed poorly, and he didn't want to work here anymore. No way was he going to change his mind, he insisted in numerous interviews given from France to Israeli journalists.
The funny thing was that, although Fernandez had made his feelings very clear to the Israeli media, the Betar management acted as if nothing had happened. Owner Arkadi Gaydamak said he had heard nothing about Fernandez quitting and president Vladimir Shklar said he hadn't spoken to Fernandez and therefore had nothing to say.
And, as if by magic, Fernandez was back four days later, denying it all. He was staying put, he said. He will see how it goes, but there's no reason to say he won't stay next year. He wants to take the team to Europe, etc., etc.
This rollercoaster ride might be fun and interesting, but can it really be good for the team?
Amazingly, it somehow managed to inspire the players, who performed exceptionally well against Bnei Yehuda. From Eliran Danin in the left of defense, through to Amit Ben- Shushan (a striker who had been put on the left wing), midfielder Aviram Bruchian and striker Barak Itzhaki - Betar was awesome. If it hadn't been for a penalty miss and some now-trademark bad finishing from Spanish import David Aganzo, Betar could easily have won five- or six-nothing.
But that's the point. This Fernandez does not seem to have taken the club forward like he thinks he has and talks about. The rudeness with which he treats journalists, his disgusting comments about Omri Afek, whom he publicly humiliated in interviews last week, and his below-average signings have done little to help the club.
These Europeans just aren't very good. Jerome Leroy can do some nice things, but he's too old and too slow; Aganzo can't shoot; Fabrice Fernandes is ineffective and center back Igor Mitreski is no better than Tomer Ben-Yosef or Eliran Hodida (who was forced out of the club and now plays for rival Bnei Sakhnin, of all teams).
What the win on Saturday night showed was that Betar can do very well indeed with the young Israeli players former coach Ton Caanen was so carefully bringing to the fore.
Under Caanen, who was pushed out after Fernandez decided he didn't want him, there was an electrifying atmosphere and togetherness amongst the team. The Dutchman bought no new players but inspired the ones that were there already. And those were the ones who performed on Saturday night - not the new ones (although Macedonian defender Mitreski played ok and somehow opened the scoring).
People have tried to make out that Leroy is the heart of the team - but without him Betar played with a spirit and finesse not seen since the 4-0 thrashing of Upper Nazareth last November.
So-called superstar Leroy clearly hasn't made any friends, and sat all by himself in the VIP area at Teddy Stadium on Saturday night after being suspended for picking up too many yellow cards.
Fernandez may well stay next season, but many fans feel that without him and his expensive mediocre Europeans the club will do fine by itself. Maybe its time to give assistant coach Guy Azuri full control. He's been through enough this season to gain the experience needed - and at least he can keep a cool head under pressure. Fernandez obviously can't.
April 10, 2006
Page 11
What a tumultuous week it's been for Betar Jerusalem. Just last weekend, after the embarrassing 1-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-league Hapoel Kfar Saba, the club's tempestuous (lets call him that for want of being impolite) 'general manager,' Luis Fernandez, told journalists that he had had enough of the fans disrespecting him and that he was definitely quitting at the end of the season.
A week later, and the former PSG and Espanyol coach has made a complete turnaround, insisting he's staying and he's happy.
It was all a little strange. Frenchman Fernandez had swiftly disappeared off to France after the Kfar Saba game. The poor man was all upset when the fans shouted at him after the team performed poorly, and he didn't want to work here anymore. No way was he going to change his mind, he insisted in numerous interviews given from France to Israeli journalists.
The funny thing was that, although Fernandez had made his feelings very clear to the Israeli media, the Betar management acted as if nothing had happened. Owner Arkadi Gaydamak said he had heard nothing about Fernandez quitting and president Vladimir Shklar said he hadn't spoken to Fernandez and therefore had nothing to say.
And, as if by magic, Fernandez was back four days later, denying it all. He was staying put, he said. He will see how it goes, but there's no reason to say he won't stay next year. He wants to take the team to Europe, etc., etc.
This rollercoaster ride might be fun and interesting, but can it really be good for the team?
Amazingly, it somehow managed to inspire the players, who performed exceptionally well against Bnei Yehuda. From Eliran Danin in the left of defense, through to Amit Ben- Shushan (a striker who had been put on the left wing), midfielder Aviram Bruchian and striker Barak Itzhaki - Betar was awesome. If it hadn't been for a penalty miss and some now-trademark bad finishing from Spanish import David Aganzo, Betar could easily have won five- or six-nothing.
But that's the point. This Fernandez does not seem to have taken the club forward like he thinks he has and talks about. The rudeness with which he treats journalists, his disgusting comments about Omri Afek, whom he publicly humiliated in interviews last week, and his below-average signings have done little to help the club.
These Europeans just aren't very good. Jerome Leroy can do some nice things, but he's too old and too slow; Aganzo can't shoot; Fabrice Fernandes is ineffective and center back Igor Mitreski is no better than Tomer Ben-Yosef or Eliran Hodida (who was forced out of the club and now plays for rival Bnei Sakhnin, of all teams).
What the win on Saturday night showed was that Betar can do very well indeed with the young Israeli players former coach Ton Caanen was so carefully bringing to the fore.
Under Caanen, who was pushed out after Fernandez decided he didn't want him, there was an electrifying atmosphere and togetherness amongst the team. The Dutchman bought no new players but inspired the ones that were there already. And those were the ones who performed on Saturday night - not the new ones (although Macedonian defender Mitreski played ok and somehow opened the scoring).
People have tried to make out that Leroy is the heart of the team - but without him Betar played with a spirit and finesse not seen since the 4-0 thrashing of Upper Nazareth last November.
So-called superstar Leroy clearly hasn't made any friends, and sat all by himself in the VIP area at Teddy Stadium on Saturday night after being suspended for picking up too many yellow cards.
Fernandez may well stay next season, but many fans feel that without him and his expensive mediocre Europeans the club will do fine by itself. Maybe its time to give assistant coach Guy Azuri full control. He's been through enough this season to gain the experience needed - and at least he can keep a cool head under pressure. Fernandez obviously can't.
Israel urged to stay off Gaza's pitch
The Jerusalem Post
April 7, 2006
Page 1
World soccer's governing body has raised concerns with the Israeli government after the IDF targeted the main soccer stadium in the Gaza Strip with artillery fire.
The shells, which reportedly left a large crater in the center of the field, were fired early last Friday morning in response to Kassam rocket attacks.
Those attacks included one rocket that landed on a soccer field at Kibbutz Karmiya, south of Ashkelon, the day before.
The IDF has acknowledged that the stadium was specifically targeted to "send a strong message to the Palestinian people against terrorism."
"Knowing the stadium was unpopulated, artillery fire from Israel was fired directly at it," said the IDF Spokesman. "The terrorism is coming from within them, and they need to know that they are the ones suffering."
The fire took place at a time when the Palestinian national soccer team is taking part in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in Bangladesh.
Jerome Champagne, a representative of FIFA's president for special affairs, this week sent an official letter to Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland Aviv Shiron, asking him to explain why the stadium was targeted before FIFA decided what action, if any, to take.
Champagne told The Jerusalem Post that the organization was "not happy with what happened."
"Hitting a football stadium is absolutely counterproductive for peace, because today football is the only universal tool that can bridge gaps," he said.
The former FIFA deputy general-secretary said that Israeli checkpoints have made it impossible for the Palestinians to develop their own league since 2000, and he refused to condemn the Kassam attack on Karmiya.
Citing the 2004 FIFA decision to allow Israel to host its national team games on home soil after being forced to play abroad for two years due to terrorism fears, Champagne said, "We did everything possible to make sure the Israeli team has the right to play. At the same time, we have to observe the situation [in which] Palestinian football cannot be developed itself because of Israeli checkpoints."
When asked about the threat of Kassams, Champagne, a French national, said, "The Gaza Strip was occupied since 1967. [France was] occupied by Germany three times in the last 100 years. Do you think we could just kiss and make up after six months?"
"No part of Israel is occupied by the Palestinian people. It is not right to occupy a people," he added.
Shiron said that after he received the letter he discussed the issue with FIFA representatives. "I checked with the authorities in Israel, and I got back to them [FIFA] saying that in the framework of Israeli activities against Kassam rockets and its launchers apparently the field was hit."
Shiron said he also raised with FIFA the issue of the Kassam that hit the soccer field in Karmiya, but that FIFA had not yet responded.
Uri Selah, secretary of Kibbutz Karmiya, said one resident sustained light wounds in the attack, although it could have been much worse. "It is a small field, but if the rockets had been fired a day later it would have been full of people playing soccer and the situation could have been much more serious," he said.
AFC President Muhammad Bin Hammam condemned the Israeli strike as "a crime against Palestine sports facilities" and held a meeting with Palestine Football Association assistant general-secretary Nahid al-Hour to discuss the situation.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in Bangladesh to observe the tournament, also attended the meeting and is expected to discuss with Champagne on his return Friday what, if any, action FIFA will take.
April 7, 2006
Page 1
World soccer's governing body has raised concerns with the Israeli government after the IDF targeted the main soccer stadium in the Gaza Strip with artillery fire.
The shells, which reportedly left a large crater in the center of the field, were fired early last Friday morning in response to Kassam rocket attacks.
Those attacks included one rocket that landed on a soccer field at Kibbutz Karmiya, south of Ashkelon, the day before.
The IDF has acknowledged that the stadium was specifically targeted to "send a strong message to the Palestinian people against terrorism."
"Knowing the stadium was unpopulated, artillery fire from Israel was fired directly at it," said the IDF Spokesman. "The terrorism is coming from within them, and they need to know that they are the ones suffering."
The fire took place at a time when the Palestinian national soccer team is taking part in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in Bangladesh.
Jerome Champagne, a representative of FIFA's president for special affairs, this week sent an official letter to Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland Aviv Shiron, asking him to explain why the stadium was targeted before FIFA decided what action, if any, to take.
Champagne told The Jerusalem Post that the organization was "not happy with what happened."
"Hitting a football stadium is absolutely counterproductive for peace, because today football is the only universal tool that can bridge gaps," he said.
The former FIFA deputy general-secretary said that Israeli checkpoints have made it impossible for the Palestinians to develop their own league since 2000, and he refused to condemn the Kassam attack on Karmiya.
Citing the 2004 FIFA decision to allow Israel to host its national team games on home soil after being forced to play abroad for two years due to terrorism fears, Champagne said, "We did everything possible to make sure the Israeli team has the right to play. At the same time, we have to observe the situation [in which] Palestinian football cannot be developed itself because of Israeli checkpoints."
When asked about the threat of Kassams, Champagne, a French national, said, "The Gaza Strip was occupied since 1967. [France was] occupied by Germany three times in the last 100 years. Do you think we could just kiss and make up after six months?"
"No part of Israel is occupied by the Palestinian people. It is not right to occupy a people," he added.
Shiron said that after he received the letter he discussed the issue with FIFA representatives. "I checked with the authorities in Israel, and I got back to them [FIFA] saying that in the framework of Israeli activities against Kassam rockets and its launchers apparently the field was hit."
Shiron said he also raised with FIFA the issue of the Kassam that hit the soccer field in Karmiya, but that FIFA had not yet responded.
Uri Selah, secretary of Kibbutz Karmiya, said one resident sustained light wounds in the attack, although it could have been much worse. "It is a small field, but if the rockets had been fired a day later it would have been full of people playing soccer and the situation could have been much more serious," he said.
AFC President Muhammad Bin Hammam condemned the Israeli strike as "a crime against Palestine sports facilities" and held a meeting with Palestine Football Association assistant general-secretary Nahid al-Hour to discuss the situation.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in Bangladesh to observe the tournament, also attended the meeting and is expected to discuss with Champagne on his return Friday what, if any, action FIFA will take.
The Last Word 8: How an Englishman fell in love with basketball
The Jerusalem Post
April 3, 2006
Page 10
By the time you read this either Florida or UCLA will have been crowned NCAA basketball Division 1 champion.
This is not an amazing fact to start off with. What is somewhat surprising is that I know the tournament has taken place at all.
For most English people, American sports are somewhat of an enigma. We know they can't be that bad - millions of Americans are obsessed by what they call football, by basketball, baseball and ice hockey - but we Englishmen just can't get our heads round them.
All that stopping and starting. The television timeouts every few minutes. The cheerleaders and half-time shows. It's all so, well, American.
In general, English people like their football (what the Yanks call soccer), and a little bit of cricket for a couple of months in the summer (when there's no football).
there's no need for dancing girls or razzmataz. We have the Premiership, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal - the best and most exciting league in the world.
Growing up in England it was always like this. Even when the satellite TV channels began broadcasting live American football and basketball games, few people took much interest.
I was a little different. Maybe it's my inquisitiveness, but I was sure there must be something more to these sports than just girls in short skirts and big men in bright colored (sic) uniforms running into each other.
At my school they even taught us basketball for a few months, so I had learned how to do a layup. But try as I did, I just didn't really understand what was going on. Maybe it was due to the live games starting at some unearthly hour coupled with the fact that no-one really explained the rules to English people.
Each year I would stay up and watch the beginning of the Super Bowl and fall asleep. And I remember trying very hard to root (sic) for Seattle against Chicago in the 1994 NBA finals before soon realizing I knew the names of a few players but little else apart from that Michael Jordan was supposed to be really good.
Soon I had given up. Basketball, like all American sports, just seemed so boring. All it was was the players running up and down the little court, appearing to score nearly every time. Where was the fun? They always scored.
This year this has all changed. And now I am suddenly starting to believe that I actually like basketball - and not just because of the players with preposterous names like Chauncey Billups and Jamaal Tinsley.
It all started about a month ago with the Hapoel Jerusalem vs Roma ULEB Cup quarterfinal, second leg. I'd heard they were losing by eight points from the first game so I thought id give it a go and watch it. And what a performance from Roger Mason Jr., Horace Jenkins, Mario Austin and the rest of the team. At the start of the game they were losing by about seven and ended up rallying at the end to win by an amazing 17 points.
Wow!
The next week was the State Cup final, which I had managed to get a ticket for, just out of interest as I had heard so much about this Nokia Arena. And another amazing game - Jerusalem came so close to clawing back a 23-point deficit. I couldn't believe it. I was enjoying an American sport, albeit in Israel.
Since then I've been hooked - I've watched Steve Nash perform for Phoenix and (King) Lebron James score umpteen points for Cleveland. I've seen the pain on the faces of the Duke players after losing to LSU and the elation of the supporters of George Mason. The Euroleague, the NBA, the ULEB Cup - I watch it all these days.
Even the Israeli Basketball Super League has caught my attention (despite the crazy points system where the losing team is still awarded one point, I'm not sure what for).
I was stunned when Elitzur Ashkelon beat Maccabi Rishon (I'm sure you all know that Rishon is one of the only teams that has beaten Maccabi Tel Aviv this season).
I'm not totally sure of all the rules, but I'm learning.
So who knows, maybe this season I'll start to make sense of baseball - there's still more than 160 games to go of the MLB season, which I hear started Sunda
April 3, 2006
Page 10
By the time you read this either Florida or UCLA will have been crowned NCAA basketball Division 1 champion.
This is not an amazing fact to start off with. What is somewhat surprising is that I know the tournament has taken place at all.
For most English people, American sports are somewhat of an enigma. We know they can't be that bad - millions of Americans are obsessed by what they call football, by basketball, baseball and ice hockey - but we Englishmen just can't get our heads round them.
All that stopping and starting. The television timeouts every few minutes. The cheerleaders and half-time shows. It's all so, well, American.
In general, English people like their football (what the Yanks call soccer), and a little bit of cricket for a couple of months in the summer (when there's no football).
there's no need for dancing girls or razzmataz. We have the Premiership, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal - the best and most exciting league in the world.
Growing up in England it was always like this. Even when the satellite TV channels began broadcasting live American football and basketball games, few people took much interest.
I was a little different. Maybe it's my inquisitiveness, but I was sure there must be something more to these sports than just girls in short skirts and big men in bright colored (sic) uniforms running into each other.
At my school they even taught us basketball for a few months, so I had learned how to do a layup. But try as I did, I just didn't really understand what was going on. Maybe it was due to the live games starting at some unearthly hour coupled with the fact that no-one really explained the rules to English people.
Each year I would stay up and watch the beginning of the Super Bowl and fall asleep. And I remember trying very hard to root (sic) for Seattle against Chicago in the 1994 NBA finals before soon realizing I knew the names of a few players but little else apart from that Michael Jordan was supposed to be really good.
Soon I had given up. Basketball, like all American sports, just seemed so boring. All it was was the players running up and down the little court, appearing to score nearly every time. Where was the fun? They always scored.
This year this has all changed. And now I am suddenly starting to believe that I actually like basketball - and not just because of the players with preposterous names like Chauncey Billups and Jamaal Tinsley.
It all started about a month ago with the Hapoel Jerusalem vs Roma ULEB Cup quarterfinal, second leg. I'd heard they were losing by eight points from the first game so I thought id give it a go and watch it. And what a performance from Roger Mason Jr., Horace Jenkins, Mario Austin and the rest of the team. At the start of the game they were losing by about seven and ended up rallying at the end to win by an amazing 17 points.
Wow!
The next week was the State Cup final, which I had managed to get a ticket for, just out of interest as I had heard so much about this Nokia Arena. And another amazing game - Jerusalem came so close to clawing back a 23-point deficit. I couldn't believe it. I was enjoying an American sport, albeit in Israel.
Since then I've been hooked - I've watched Steve Nash perform for Phoenix and (King) Lebron James score umpteen points for Cleveland. I've seen the pain on the faces of the Duke players after losing to LSU and the elation of the supporters of George Mason. The Euroleague, the NBA, the ULEB Cup - I watch it all these days.
Even the Israeli Basketball Super League has caught my attention (despite the crazy points system where the losing team is still awarded one point, I'm not sure what for).
I was stunned when Elitzur Ashkelon beat Maccabi Rishon (I'm sure you all know that Rishon is one of the only teams that has beaten Maccabi Tel Aviv this season).
I'm not totally sure of all the rules, but I'm learning.
So who knows, maybe this season I'll start to make sense of baseball - there's still more than 160 games to go of the MLB season, which I hear started Sunda
Betar, Hap TA finish in stalemate
The Jerusalem Post
March 27, 2006
Page 12
Things remained the same atop the Israeli Premier League table on Sunday after Hapoel Tel Aviv and Betar Jerusalem played out a high-tempo 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Stadium on Sunday night, with both goals coming in one stunning second-half minute.
The ground was packed to its 16,000 capacity with some 4,000 Jerusalem fans making the trip.
The result means that neither side look like catching runaway leader Maccabi Haifa for the title, while Betar remains in second place, one point above Hapoel.
After a difficult start under French general manager Luis Fernandez, the supporters of the yellow-and-black have been satisfied with the recent play of their newly put together side, which has retained the hope of playing in the UEFA Cup next year if they finish the season in second.
Outgoing Tel Aviv coach Dror Kashtan can be satisfied with his team's performance, following the shock 2-1 last- minute home defeat by lowly Hapoel Kfar Saba last week.
Both goals were scored just after half time. Less than 60 seconds after Hapoel defender Tal Hen powered a header past Betar 'keeper Itzik Kornfein, the Jerusalem side leveled through striker Barak Itzhaki.
Betar dominated for much of the first half while the reds took the majority of the possession in the second period.
For the home side it was former Betar player Yossi Abuksis who ran the show in midfield. Abuksis was at the center of many of Hapoel's best moves, and took the corner which provided the cross for Hen's goal.
Betar showed much quality throughout the team, but Congolese midfielder Mazua Ensombo shined in the center of the field, constantly breaking up the Tel Aviv attacks and providing neat touches to help his team push forward.
The game began at a frantic pace, with each of the teams hoping to capitalize on the charged atmosphere. Just two minutes after the kick off, Betar's Spanish striker David Aganzo slid into Hapoel goalkeeper Shavit Elimelech, getting nowhere near the ball, but no yellow card was given.
The game appeared to come alive in the 18th minute. A surging run by Hapoel's Shai Abutbul was stopped by defender Tomer Haliva and sent for a corner. From the kick, Ensombo pushed forward and although he was fouled, the ball fell to Jerome Leroy who broke into the final third and laid it off to Fabrice Fernandes, who crossed for Leroy. The Frenchman's header was goal-bound before Abuksis blocked the header.
Two minutes before the interval Aganzo took the game on his own shoulders, as he dribbled past four Hapoel defenders, twisting and turning in the penalty area, but his final shot went just wide of the goal.
The goals came in the 47th minute. A Walid Badir shot was pushed away by Kornfein, but the Betar 'keeper was helpless to stop Hen's header from the resulting corner. But the Hapoel fan's had little time to celebrate when Itzhaki took advantage of a Tel Aviv defensive mix-up and latched on to a Fernandes pass to fire home.
The game descended into a tight midfield battle, but neither team could take the advantage and the game ended in a stalemate.
March 27, 2006
Page 12
Things remained the same atop the Israeli Premier League table on Sunday after Hapoel Tel Aviv and Betar Jerusalem played out a high-tempo 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Stadium on Sunday night, with both goals coming in one stunning second-half minute.
The ground was packed to its 16,000 capacity with some 4,000 Jerusalem fans making the trip.
The result means that neither side look like catching runaway leader Maccabi Haifa for the title, while Betar remains in second place, one point above Hapoel.
After a difficult start under French general manager Luis Fernandez, the supporters of the yellow-and-black have been satisfied with the recent play of their newly put together side, which has retained the hope of playing in the UEFA Cup next year if they finish the season in second.
Outgoing Tel Aviv coach Dror Kashtan can be satisfied with his team's performance, following the shock 2-1 last- minute home defeat by lowly Hapoel Kfar Saba last week.
Both goals were scored just after half time. Less than 60 seconds after Hapoel defender Tal Hen powered a header past Betar 'keeper Itzik Kornfein, the Jerusalem side leveled through striker Barak Itzhaki.
Betar dominated for much of the first half while the reds took the majority of the possession in the second period.
For the home side it was former Betar player Yossi Abuksis who ran the show in midfield. Abuksis was at the center of many of Hapoel's best moves, and took the corner which provided the cross for Hen's goal.
Betar showed much quality throughout the team, but Congolese midfielder Mazua Ensombo shined in the center of the field, constantly breaking up the Tel Aviv attacks and providing neat touches to help his team push forward.
The game began at a frantic pace, with each of the teams hoping to capitalize on the charged atmosphere. Just two minutes after the kick off, Betar's Spanish striker David Aganzo slid into Hapoel goalkeeper Shavit Elimelech, getting nowhere near the ball, but no yellow card was given.
The game appeared to come alive in the 18th minute. A surging run by Hapoel's Shai Abutbul was stopped by defender Tomer Haliva and sent for a corner. From the kick, Ensombo pushed forward and although he was fouled, the ball fell to Jerome Leroy who broke into the final third and laid it off to Fabrice Fernandes, who crossed for Leroy. The Frenchman's header was goal-bound before Abuksis blocked the header.
Two minutes before the interval Aganzo took the game on his own shoulders, as he dribbled past four Hapoel defenders, twisting and turning in the penalty area, but his final shot went just wide of the goal.
The goals came in the 47th minute. A Walid Badir shot was pushed away by Kornfein, but the Betar 'keeper was helpless to stop Hen's header from the resulting corner. But the Hapoel fan's had little time to celebrate when Itzhaki took advantage of a Tel Aviv defensive mix-up and latched on to a Fernandes pass to fire home.
The game descended into a tight midfield battle, but neither team could take the advantage and the game ended in a stalemate.
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