CATEGORIES

Euro 2012 leads big summer for soccer

Coming off of huge football stories in May with Chelsea winning the Champions League and Manchester City winning the Premiereship in dramatic fashion, Clemente Lisi discusses some of the big events coming up this summer, leading with Euro 2012.

As previously stated, this is the biggest tournament for national teams after the World Cup. In a way, this 16-team competition is better than the World Cup because there are fewer teams (the World Cup has 32) and with the exception of Brazil and Argentina, features some of the best players on the planet.

Things get started this coming Friday when co-hosts Poland (the other is Ukraine) takes on Greece in Warsaw. The first round features other delicious matches, including France vs. England on June 11 and Germany vs. the Netherlands on June 13.

The best games will come out of Group C because it features Spain, reigning World Cup and European champion, Italy, Ireland and Croatia. Spain vs. Italy on June 10 is the big game, but the bars in New York and Boston will really focus on Italy against Ireland.

As for who will win it all? Tough one to predict since so many Cinderella teams actually won this thing in the past. My outside choice to make a run is Portugal. If I was a betting man, however, I’d go with Germany. The final will be played July 1 in Kiev.

The World Cup generated great ratings in the U.S. in 2010 so it will be interesting to see the reception for this tournament.

Top 5 Soccer Clubs with Mobile Websites

As a soccer fan, you can stay updated and connected to the latest news and updates on your favorite team directly from your mobile phone. Most soccer clubs have their own websites that are also compatible with mobile phones, and some clubs even have their own apps that you can download to your smartphone to stay updated on scores, stats, and players.

By visiting the websites of most soccer clubs, you can learn more about your options for downloading soccer apps, or browse the app store, or app market on your phone to download soccer apps.

Read on to learn more about the top 5 soccer clubs that provide users with mobile websites and apps.

Barcelona

Barcelona is currently the top soccer club in the world. In the last five years, Barcelona has participated in the UEFA Champions League finals three times. Barcelona has apps for users with iPhones, iPads, and Android phones. Users with T-Mobile android phones can search and download the Barcelona app directly from their devices.

Real Madrid

Read Madrid is ranked as the second top soccer club in the world, and is the only team in all of Europe with 100 goals to date. In addition to allowing fans to download wallpaper, music, games, and videos of the team directly to their smartphone, Real Madrid has a mobile website that allows users to receive updates on their mobile phone. Real Madrid also has apps for Android phones, the iPhone, and the iPad.

Manchester United

Manchester United consistently outscore league opponents, and provide their fans with a wealth of mobile options. With theme songs, games, text message updates, and more, Manchester United allows its fans to stay connected to soccer games and updates any way they choose. Users can even subscribe to bundle packages from their mobile phones that provide chants, animations, and wallpapers.

Juventus

The Juventus soccer club made it through most of the season with no losses. On the mobile website for Juventus, users can browse stats on their favorite player, and even download a fantasy football app to their smartphone devices. For users with T-Mobile Android phones, you can visit the Android Market, and download Juventus’ mobile tools and apps directly to the phone.

Manchester City

Manchester City’s soccer club has a reputation for being one of the most competitive teams in the world. In addition to stats and team scores, Manchester City gives their fans the option to download replays and videos of past games to their mobile devices. To receive media related to the Manchester City soccer club, users can either visit their official website online at a computer, or visit their website directly from their mobile phones.

Most other soccer clubs in the world also provide their fans with mobile options. With technology forever on the rise, users can even find soccer apps that keep them updated on the latest sports news.

What are your favorite soccer apps? Do you often frequent a specific mobile soccer website? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below this article.

Manchester City defeats Manchester United

Man City prevails in this epic match.

The English Premier League did not crown a new champion Monday night, but it sure felt like it.

Manchester City’s 1-0 triumph over Manchester United could not have been sweeter for the blue half of this city and took the club to within touching distance of a title that would soothe the pain of decades of suffering in the shadows.

Vincent Kompany’s headed goal in the waning moments of the first half was the difference, but this was the night that City stood tall and dominated a showdown billed as the most important clash in EPL history.

Anything other than a City win would have effectively handed the crown to United, which went into the game three points clear. Now, with the teams level at the top, City’s superior goal difference means that it will almost certainly become champion if it can get past Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers in its final two games.

Let’s see if they can close it out.

USA shocks Italy for first win ever against the Azzurri

This one is a shocker.

The United States beat Italy for the first time in 11 games over 78 years, a 1-0 victory in an exhibition Wednesday night on Clint Dempsey’s goal in the 55th minute.

Dempsey took a short pass from Jozy Altidore following Michael Bradley’s cross and put a right-footed shot from just inside the penalty area just past an outstretched hand of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. It was his 25th goal in 83 international appearances.

A native of Nacogdoches, Texas, who turns 29 on March 9, Dempsey has had the most accomplished season by a U.S. attacking player in European soccer. He’s scored 16 goals this season for Fulham, becoming the American career scoring leader in England’s Premier League with 43 goals.

The loss was particularly deflating for Italy, a four-time World Cup champion preparing for the start of the European Championship in June. The Americans, who are getting ready for their opening qualifier for the 2014 World Cup in June, had been 0-7-3 against Italy and had been outscored 32-4.

Italy dominated for stretches but the American defense held and the Azzurri were called for offsides nine times.

The Italians had been playing well, but forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano were out with injuries. Also, Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was “left off the squad because of his temper and unpredictability” according to this ESPN article. He’s a well-known hot head so this shouldn’t be a surprise.

Italy’s Mario Balotelli

Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli controls the ball during a training session at the club’s Carrington training complex in Manchester, northern England, November 1, 2011. City will play Villareal on Wednesday in their Champions League Group A soccer match in Spain. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN – Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Will Italy’s National Team ever be the same?

Here’s a great profile of Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli who also plays on Italy’s National Team.