Love these women. Last time I interviewed them at training camp they won Olympic Gold! I’m hoping this time I see them my visit spawns an American victory at the Women’s World Cup this summer! #fbf #blackpudding
Category: Footie Lifestyle
Landon the Legend…
It’s Landon Donovan’s last press conference. He has just won another MLS Cup with his beloved LA Galaxy. It’s a fairytale ending. He’s had a picture book career. He has given everything to club and especially country.
What an honor to see him play his last professional game. What a privilege to be at his last LA Galaxy presser. He looks tired. He’s ready to walk off into the sunset as a champion.
I was given the opportunity to ask America’s greatest ever footballer a question. What would it be? Everyone is focused on questions about his game in the US. Why wouldn’t they be? This is America! But what about the Toffees? Everton fans fell in love with him. British football dug him. I had to ask. I had to represent. Everton fans…this one is for you!
It’s Been A While…
Film and football are my passions. I love the process of filmmaking and being on set and I love talking football. Over the last few months I’ve been primarily focused on the film side. I love my job and what I do.
Having been away making movie and TV magic, I’ve still had my face glued to the TV set watching the beautiful game and especially, my beloved Arsenal. And on the eve of the club’s biggest match in the last eight years, it felt like there was no better time to jump back on the blog.
Even though the blog has been tough to keep up of late, I’ve still been blessed with the opportunity to contribute to Talksport and in particular, Extra Time with Mike Graham. There have been times where I’ve sounded like my head is going to explode when talking to Mike. In fact, after that first league game against Aston Villa at the start of the season, I was ready to walk away from football altogether for a while. That game hurt and I felt like I couldn’t take another season of being ridiculed by fellow football fans.
But alas, the season has ended with at least something to hope for. We are in the F.A. Cup Final and could end our trophy drought. It has been way too long since an Arsenal captain lifted something shiny and silver above his head. Could this weekend be our time? Could this weekend be the resurgence of our great club? Could this weekend silence our critics and finally lay the trophy-less ghost to rest?
Once again, I get to marry my two passions on the same day as I’ll be watching from a distance in Cannes. Film and football are my ultimate strike partnership. I hope the lads can show their passion on the pitch tomorrow and that GQ Giroud strikes with an early goal!
This could finally be our year and set Arsenal on the road to writing a new chapter in the history books. I hope the boys do it for Arsene Wenger and the fans. In the meantime and until tomorrow, I’m off to another screening in the hope I find a wee gem of a film that can make me feel as warm and fuzzy as Arsenal do.
Happy New Year…
Happy New Year fellow football fans. It’s around this time of year we reflect on how our team has played thus far in the first act of the season and pray to the football Gods they put in a performance of a lifetime as we approach the final act!
It’s so close at the top and undoubtedly one of the most thrilling Premier League season’s in years. Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all the ones to chase, with Everton and a few others still sniffing around. Manchester United are in an unlikely position. Not sure anyone has seem them adrift at the top since the late 80’s!
Buckle-up folks. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. If the title race goes to the wire, I’m not sure I can watch with both eyes open.
Enjoy and may your year be filled with health, happiness and sexy football!
Santa Claus is Coming to Town…
Have a holly jolly Christmas. Hope you and your family experience a wonderful holiday season filled with good times, good health and happiness.
This time of year can be merry for many and sad for others. The chance to put a smile on someone’s face by making a gesture of kindness always goes a long way. Whether it’s family, a friend or a stranger, we don’t realize the impact we can have by extending our hand and helping others. Football fans don’t get enough credit for the good they do sometimes.
Your Crystal Football & Inner Footydamus…
The return of the greatest game in the world is upon us. The hope. The dreams. The anticipation. The love. The hate. The rivalry. The passion. The despair. The elation. The sweet smell of victory. The bitter taste of defeat. Football is back. How did we make it through the summer?
With every new season come changes. New managers. New players. New tactics. New style. New kits. New boots. New everything. But the one thing that remains the same is what every team is fighting for. To be crowned champions. To win trophies. To be the best of the best.
Who will win it all? Who will disappoint? Who will rise as a new star? Who will fade into the football wilderness?
Join in the fun and share your predictions. From Premier League champions, to relegation, the golden boot, Champions League places and more, British Soccer Diva leaves no stone unturned. You too can look into your crystal football, channel your inner footydamus and give us your predictions for the season ahead.
The transfer market is still open. Who knows where Suarez will end up? Who knows if Rooney will be wearing blue next season? And who knows if Gareth Bale will be living in Madrid? These predictions are based on how each team is made up right now.
This is how we see the Premier League Table at the end of the season…
Chelsea
Manchester United
Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur
——————-
Arsenal
Liverpool
Everton
Swansea City
West Ham
Sunderland
Southampton
West Brom
Aston Villa
Norwich City
Newcastle United
Fulham
Cardiff City
——————-
Stoke City
Hull City
Crystal Palace
Premier League Accolades…
Golden Boot = Sergio Aguero
Golden Glove = David de Gea
Player of the Year = Juan Mata
Young Player of the Year = Romelu Lukaku
Manager of the Year = Jose Mourinho
Miscellaneous…
Steal of the Summer = Etienne Capoue
Comeback Player of the Year = Andy Carroll
Most Hat-Tricks = Luis Suarez
Manager to be Sacked First = Alan Pardew
Most Yellow Cards = Stoke City
Most Red Cards = Sunderland
Other Trophies…
F.A. Cup Winners = Chelsea
Carling Cup Winners = West Ham United
The End of an Era…
It’s that time of the week where I send my weekly verbal memo to the lads over @TheFootyShowKCC. In a nutshell…
Twas the season where everyone retired. Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and of course David Beckham. All legends in their own right. All have had signature moments in football. Sir Alex the best at his craft in England. He’s won it all. He’s managed great players. He leaves a legacy like no other.
This week’s memo however is all about Mr.Beckham. Father. Footballer. Global sports icon. Beckham has had an illustrious career and leads a dazzling life. A phenomenal ambassador for his country and for his sport, he leaves the game having cemented his name in the football history books.
If you agree or disagree with anything outlined in this week’s memo, lob or header us @soccerdiva.
Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.
Brazil Legend Carlos Alberto…
There are some moments in life when you feel exceptionally lucky. You want to freeze time in a bottle. You never want the moment to end. Talking to Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos legend Carlos Alberto Torres was exactly that moment for me.
The 1970 World Cup Final goal he scored versus Italy is undoubtedly the greatest we’ve ever seen. It was a stunning team effort that showcased why we’ve all loved watching Brazil in the World Cup. The goal also solidified Carlos Alberto’s name in football’s history books and is a moment he admits changed his life forever.
A true gentlemen of the game, Carlos is proud to have returned to his beloved New York Cosmos as an Ambassador. Together with other legends of the game like his best friend Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia, they set the Big Apple on fire, put the sport on the map in the United States and galvanized a nation to fall in love with football.
Talking to him about that historical final, the 1982 Brazil World Cup team, Pele, Maradona, Messi, Neymar and more felt like all the Christmas mornings I’ve ever had rolled-up into one. He unwrapped his thoughts and provided honest opinions like a gift that kept on giving.
I hope you enjoy listening to one of football’s legends as much as I enjoyed talking to him.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/extra-time/130425/carlos-alberto-brazils-world-cup-chances-their-premier-league-stars-and-196344
Football. Soccer. Call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.
Lob us @soccerdiva.
Cyprus Weekly Interview…
Thank you to Soteris Charalambous of the Cyprus Weekly for writing a lovely article about my life and career. You can read the article at the bottom of this post. It’s always a treat when someone takes interest in your story, especially at a time when the beautiful island of Cyprus is under financial siege.
My parents are from Cyprus. My brother lives there with his wife and children. My grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins are spread across the island of love and every night I pray for a resolution to the economic disaster. Many of us have suffered from the global economic crisis over the last three years and life has certainly changed in ways we could never have imagined. People got greedy. The innocent have suffered and folks have forgotten about the small things as we’ve been bombarded by the pressures of society to want and need more when really we don’t need much.
Family, friends, film, love and football are the cherished things that have helped keep me going in a time when the future felt uncertain. I’m grateful to have a platform where I can share my opinions about one of my greatest passions in life. Whether we agree or disagree, whether you call it football or soccer and regardless of the team you support, it’s these commonalities and differences that make the debate and discussion all the more interesting. And when life gets tough and it feels like there is no hope, it’s things like the beautiful game than can provide respite and a little distraction. Sometimes it even inspires us to keep going.
Thank you again Soteris for sharing your story with me and just like I hope Arsenal win a trophy again one day, I hope for even greater things for the island of Cyprus. An island in the sun that afforded me some of the greatest memories as a child and as a young woman.
Euro 2012 Crystal Football…
One of the most exciting football tournaments in the world is upon us and we’ve only had to wait four years.
Euro 2012 is about to kick-off and co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, together with the rest of Europe, carry the dreams of millions of fans in their kit bag!
Who will be victorious? Is there a team primed for a Denmark or Greece type Cinderella story? Can one of the host nations win? Can Spain create European history and win another title? Who will shine the brightest on the biggest stage?
The wait is over. It’s time for us to channel our inner Nostradamus. It’s time for us to look deep into our crystal football. How right or how wrong will we be?
Let’s hope it’s a thrilling tournament without any trouble and that for a few weeks, the beautiful game can make a tough old world feel a little good about itself right now.
Group A
Winner = Poland
Runner-up = Russia
Group B
Winner = Holland
Runner-up = Germany
Group C
Winner = Spain
Runner-up = Italy
Group D
Winner = France
Runner-up = Sweden
The quarter-finals could be a time for justice or vengeance!
Quarter Final #1
Poland v Germany
These teams drew 2-2 last September in a friendly. Germany coach Joachim Loew said that result was a “wake-up call” for his country. It was the first time Poland got close to beating the Germans in 17 previous attempts. Poland have been unable to defeat Germany in 78 years. What better way to break the cycle than a sweet victory in front of your own people! Football always serves up story lines that take us beyond the game and it’s almost written in the stars these two teams will meet. You can almost feel it in the air.
Quarter Final #2
Holland v Russia
This is a match-up that would excite any football fan. Russia were the surprise team of Euro 2008 and very few thought they could beat Holland in the quarter-finals. The Dutch were piping hot favourites in that game and as we’ve seen in tournament’s past, they tend to break under the pressure. The Russians on the other hand played fearless football and solidified their place as one of the tournament’s most exciting teams. They could meet again at Euro 2012 and this would be a wonderful opportunity for Holland to turn the tables and exert revenge on the Russian’s who trampled all over their Euro 2008 dream.
Quarter Final #3
Spain v Sweden
In the past, we’ve seen some of the supposed European giants of football get an easy path in the knockout stages. Some would say Germany were lucky to face Turkey in the semi-final of Euro 2008. No matter who you get in the knockout phase, it’s never an easy game, but the luck of the draw could mean it’s just easier than other match-ups. This year, Spain could find themselves a little lucky when they face Sweden in the quarter-final. Sweden may have done well getting out of their group, but they are reminded of who the real Royal family of European football is in this match!
Quarter Final #4
France v Italy
Who wouldn’t want to see these two European powers battle it out in a quarter-final? There is so much recent history between France and Italy, it would almost be wrong for them not to meet again. Italian hearts were smashed into tiny pieces at Euro 2000 after Trezeguet’s golden goal sealed glory for France. And at the 2006 World Cup, the football boot was firmly on the other foot as Zinedine Zidane’s moment of headbutt madness cost the French another world title. Old scores must be settled and this match would truly be a treat for fans everywhere.
Semi Final #1
Poland v Spain
Semi Final #2
Holland v France
European Championship Final
Spain v France
Champions
France
Storylines…
1. Debuchy comes of age.
2. Ben Arfa grows to superstar status.
3. Benzema solidifies spot as European scoring machine.
4. Laurent Blanc the heroic winning player turns winning coach.
5. Laurent Blanc restores pride to French flag and French international football.
6. Hugo Lloris finally recognized as one of world’s best goalkeepers.
7. Arsenal have to pay double for M’Vila.
8. Spain’s rule ends and questions are asked about Xavi and Iniesta.
9. Less questions about Torres as he has a great tournament
10. Del Bosque retires. Pep Guardiola pressured to take over the national team. Luis Enrique joins as his assistant