Sirius - Rising Star

retired_yolander · 10-24-2003, 12:57 PM

15/5 –02: At Parken in Köpenhamn (Copenhagen) the UEFA Cup Final was decided. The decisive moment of the game came just before half time when Lee Bowyer of Leeds was sent off for a push on Milan’s Cristian Brocci. The score was then one-all, but Milan could make the most of their numerical advantage in the second half and eventually they ran out easy 3-1 winners. This will be a sweet revenge for Milan after only finishing third in the Italian Serie A (behind Juventus and Roma). Leeds can console themselves with the fact that their disastrous economical situation has been sorted out. A business consortium announced their intention to take over the club at the end of the season. They will pay off the club’s outstanding debts and inject fresh money for the purchasing of new players.

17/5 –02: The Sirius reserves lost today against Spårvägen with 3-0. During the evening I got a call from Erik Johansson, who said he had accepted a loan bid from Askim - so I wished him good luck and “I’ll see you again in a months time”. Also today, 17 year old Karl Abbas was promoted to the reserve squad from the youth team set-up for my assessment. I knew him to be a decent enough talent, so I offered him a contract.

Karl Abbas (17), Attacking Midfielder/Forward (Right).
Abbas has great balance and off the ball movement. He also has pretty good stamina and is a team player. Unfortunately he’s useless at crossing the ball - which needlessly to say is a very important aspect of an attacking winger. The conclusion is that he still has a lot to learn.

With new players coming through the youth ranks I decide to transfer list two out of favour players: Jonas Carls and Henrik Andersson.

Also this evening - after speaking to Simon Ung repeatedly over the last few days - we’ve developed a mutual respect towards each other. We’re of a similar background and have much in common it has turned out. Through our newly developed friendship I finally manage to convince him in taking up a coaching position within the team. So today Simon signed a new contract at the club as a player/assistant manager. He will be my right hand man. Nice to finally have that settled. A club should always have a competent assistant manager and now we have just that!

18/5 –02: It is not only that we manage to develop our own talents; also our scouts have been on the search for new youth players. One of my scouts found Finnish player Jani Poskiparta. After having a look at him I decided to offer him a contract. Jani accepted and today we could announce the signing:

Jani Poskiparta (18), Sweeper, Defender, Defensive Midfielder (Centre).
A very tall and determined player, Jani seems to have what it takes to make it, but still needs experience and a lot of hard work.

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Sunday 19/5 -02:

I decide to make a couple of changes to the team that played one-all with Väsby last week. To begin with my new assistant manager, Simon Ung, makes his debut - by playing in goal instead of Bylund. Mats Johansson is back from suspension and takes back his left midfield position from Fällström. Thorsell takes the forward position to the left, held previously by Arnesson, so that Henrik Eriksson can reclaim his striker position in the centre of the field. Wiklund gets my renewed confidence in the central defence, while Ahlström will continue as right midfielder. Although I have respect for Spårvägens qualities as a football team - this is a game we must win!

Sirius vs. Spårvägen

Attendance: 1293 (Studenternas IP)
Weather: Dry 20°C.

Sirius (3-4-3): Ung – Åberg (c), Wiklund, Karlsson – M.Johansson, Claesson, B.Eriksson, Ahlström – Thorsell, H.Eriksson, Pongrugthai.

Match Notes: We started the game well. Especially the interplay between Mats Johansson and Henrik Eriksson yielded a couple of chances that should have resulted in goals. However, we continued to press on and just before half time Henrik Eriksson could finish a superb team move and score the first goal of the game. The second half was a long seizure of our goal from Spårvägen and especially Stefan Fälten - who was their attacking mastermind. We withstood the pressure and created a couple of decent chances of our own at the end of the game. All in all, it wasn’t any of our better games - but we’re obviously pleased with the points collected.

Subs: Arnesson (On for Pongrugthai, 59), Fällström (On for Ahlström, 74), Hansson (On for Åberg, 89).

The two halves were as day and night! We played very well during the first half and deservedly took the lead (should have been with a couple of goals). During the second half however, we lost control of the game and Spårvägen could come in attack after attack masterminded by Fälten. We were lucky indeed that we could hold on for all points. This game only highlights one of our greatest troubles - my players become too tired at the end of the games. We’ve played very well during the first halves of all our games, but then we become tired and loose the initiative during the respective second halves. We must train hard on building the players stamina coming weeks - they have a sweaty summer to look forward to...

End Result: 1-0 (1-0).
Sirius Goalscorers: H. Eriksson (45).
Man of Match: Johan Karlsson (9).

East Svealand Results: Lidingö vs. Visby 2-1, Sandvikens IF vs. Väsby 4-2, Sirius vs. Spårvägen 1-0, Skiljebo vs. Essinge 0-2, Slätta vs. Forssa 2-1, Valsta/Syrianska vs. Topkapi 4-3.
Current League Position = 1st.

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After this game we can now look forward to a three week break from competitive games. It will be a good opportunity to get the squad well trimmed - so that we can play good football more than just one half and perhaps get us playing more as a team. The players have some intense training to look forward to during the next few weeks! :p

retired_yolander · 10-26-2003, 12:28 PM

22/5 –02: During the afternoon the first leg of the Swedish Cup Final was played between Djurgården and surprise team IFK Malmö. The game was played at the Swedish national arena, Råsunda in Stockholm, and finished with a 3-1 victory for Djurgården.

A much greater final was played later on in the evening - at Hampton Park in Glasgow. Some 50´000 football fans turned up for the occasion dressed in their respective team colours. A majority of the spectators dressed up in the Red Devils red and white dress. The scene was set for Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest moment - in his return to native Scotland. However, Juventus was not ready to concede beforehand and despite early pressure from Man United, Juventus took the lead after 20 minutes of play. A Pavel Nedved corner found the head of Camoranesi who beat Barthez to the ball and found the net. After this the tide turned. Manchester United who had had the pressure before the goal now lost initiative to Juventus who in turn started to control the game. In the 37th minute another Nedved cross came in towards the goal, Barthez punched the ball clear, but no better than it landing in front of Del Piero - who drove the ball high into the top right hand corner of the net. Juventus then relaxed a little and took the foot off the gas for a while. This gave Man United a chance to get back into the game. Soon Camoranesi received his second yellow card, in the 58th minute, and now the heat was really on! However, Man United where surprisingly ineffective and couldn’t create enough quality in front of Buffon in the Juventus goal - to seriously challenge Juventus strong defensive lines. Instead Juventus held on to their lead and won the game 2-0 and became Champions of Europe!

Juventus vs. Manchester United 2-0 (2-0).
Hampton Park, Glasgow, Scotland: 49953.

Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon - Zambrotta (Birindelli, 56), Montero, Iuliano, Ferrara – Nedved, Davids, Baiocco, Camoranesi (Off, 58) – Del Piero (c), Di Vaio (Paro, 58).
Manchester United (4-4-2): Barthez – Silvestre, Blanc, Ferdinand, P.Neville (Brown, 65) – Giggs, Veron, Keane (c), Beckham – Forlan (Solskjaer, 65), van Nistelrooy.

Goals: 1-0 Camoranesi (20), 2-0 Del Piero (37).
Sending Off: Camoranesi (58).
Man of Match: Nedved (9).

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Now with the last game played in the major leagues and cups, it is time to summarize the past 2001/2002 Season:

England
Premier League: 1.Man U 76 points. 2.Blackburn 70p, 3.Arsenal 64p, 4.Chelsea 64p, 5.Leeds 64p, 6.Liverpool 63p, 7.W.B.A. 58p, 8.Bolton 54p, 9.Newcastle 54p, 10.Southampton 53p, 11.Sunderland 50p, 12.Man C 49p, 13.Aston Villa 48p, 14.Fulham 48p, 15.Tottenham 44p, 16.Middlesbrough 43p, 17.Everton 43p. 18.Birmingham 37p, 19.Charlton 36p, 20.West Ham 36p.
Promoted Division 1 Teams: Ipswich 82p, Crystal Palace 81p, Portsmouth (beat Wolves 1-0).
League Cup Final: Derby vs. Man United 1-1 (3-2 pen).
FA Cup Final: Fulham vs. Southampton 3-2.

Italy
Serie A: 1.Juventus 69 points. 2.Roma 66p, 3.Milan 65p, 4.Parma 62p, 5.Inter 56p, 6.Lazio 50p, 7.Bologna 48p, 8.Chievo 47p, 9.Brescia 47p, 10.Udinese 45p, 11.Perugia 44p, 12.Reggina 40p, 13.Como 39p, 14.Atalanta 37p. 15.Torino 36p, 16.Modena 29p, 17.Empoli 28p, 18.Piacenza 28p.
Promoted Serie B Teams: Triestina 69p, Verona 64p, Vicenza 62p, Napoli 61p (beat Ancona 2-1, 1-1 in Playoff).
Italian Cup Final: Triestina vs. Inter 3-1 (2-1, 1-0).

Spain
La Liga: 1.Real Madrid 83p. 2.Deportivo 77p, 3.Real Sociedad 71p, 4.Betis 65p, 5.Barcelona 64p, 6.Athlético Madrid 59p, 7.Valencia 59p, 8.Rayo 54p, 9.Athletic Bilbao 53p, 10.Espanyol 52p, 11.Osasuna 50p, 12.Sevilla 48p, 13.Villarreal 45p, 14.Celta 44p, 15.Racing Santander 43p, 16.Valladolid 42p, 17.Alavés 40p. 18.Málaga 39p, 19.Recreativo 39p, 20.Mallorca 38p.
Promoted Second Division Teams: Levante 79p, Elche 73p, Leganés 71p.
Spanish Cup Final: Elche vs. Valladolid 2-0.

Germany
Bundesliga: 1.Hertha Berlin 64p. 2.B München 62p, 3.HSV 60p, 4.Dortmund 57p, 5.Schalke 55p, 6.Wolfsburg 51p, 7.B Leverkusen 50p, 8.A Bielefeld 50p, 9.Kaiserslautern 47p, 10.Bochum 44p, 11.Hannover 44p, 12.1860 München 42p, 13.Vfb Stuttgart 41p, 14.Nürnberg 41p, 15.Rostock 39p. 16.M’gladbach 38p, 17.Werder Bremen 30p, 18.Cottbus 24p.
Promoted Second Division Teams: Frankfurt 63p, Braunschweig 60p, St. Pauli 56p.
German Cup Final: Werder Bremen vs. Ahlen 2-1 (e.t).
German League Cup Final: Dortmund vs. Werder Bremen 4-0.

France
Ligue 1: 1.Paris SG 69p. 2.Bordeaux 65p, 3.Lille 57p, 4.Lyon 55p, 5.Guingamp 51p, 6.Rennes 51p, 7.Lens 50p, 8.Bastia 46p, 9.Monaco 46p, 10.Auxerre 45p, 11.Troyes 44p, 12.Nantes 43p, 13.Sedan 42p, 14.Montpellier 42p, 15.Metz 39p, 16.Marseille 38p. 17.Sochaux 34p, 18.Lorient 28p.
Promoted Second Division Teams: Caen 74p, Strasbourg 73p, Istres 68p, Beauvais 62p.
French Cup Final: Lyon vs. Lille 2-1.
French League Cup Final: Bordeaux vs. Marseille 1-0.
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While sitting and analysing the European tables I received a phone call from Sittichai Pongrugthai who told me he was currently having trouble motivating himself in training. This had to do with me trying to re-train Sittichai - so that he can also play in the centre of the field. He is having difficulties adapting to that position, but I told him to try and have some patience – these things aren’t done overnight.

retired_yolander · 10-28-2003, 01:33 PM

25/5 –02: Yet another youth player was today promoted from our youth set-up. The player is perhaps no one that will set the world on fire, but being a right winger he might be able to take a place in the team one day:

Petter Granberg (17), Forward (Right).
Petter is a reasonably tall and aggressive player with good stamina. However, there is a lot he must improve if he is to compete for a place in the team.

1/6 –02: Having two good goalkeepers in Bylund/Ung I decided to put up the third keeper, Magnus Fohlman, on the transfer list the day before yesterday. Yesterday I received the first bid for him from rivals Valsta/Syrianska and then today, bids from Husqvarna and Vallentuna.

4/4 –02: Fohlman’s transfer to Valsta/Syrianska was completed today with a bid of £ 16000 being accepted. Ironically second keeper Johan Bylund injured himself at the very same time and will be gone for about three weeks. All of a sudden we only have one senior keeper!

6/6 –02: Andreas Eroglu returned from his loan at Norra Vånga today. He started in four of their games and impressed me with his performances there. Also today, many top awards where handed out, I noted some of the most important:

FIFA World Player of the Year award: Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
World Footballer of the Year award: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man U).
Italian Serie A Player of the Year award: Christian Vieri (Inter).

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Sunday 9/6 -02:

Games one must win can always be tricky. Today we travel to my old hometown of Borlänge to meet Forssa, currently last in the league, while we proudly sit atop of the same. I play with the same starting XI that beat Spårvägen a few weeks ago. The only difference being that Simon Ung takes the captain armband from Åberg. It’s only right that the assistant manager is also captain on the pitch I guess…

Forssa vs. Sirius

Attendance: 737 (Domnarvsvallen, Borlänge)
Weather: Wet 19°C.

Sirius (3-4-3): Ung (c) – Åberg, Wiklund, Karlsson – M.Johansson, Claesson, B.Eriksson, Ahlström –Thorsell, H.Eriksson, Pongrugthai.

Match Notes: We started the game very well and had it not been for one of my former best friends little brother, Stefan Lille in the Forssa goal, we would probably already after 15 minutes have scored a couple of goals. In the 18th minute Staffan Wiklund was injured and had to be replaced with Per Hansson. During the rest of the first half Stefan Lille in the Forssa goal made some more amazing saves, but he was not alone in this. Simon Ung was also more and more forced to make some qualified saves, as Forssa effectively counter attacked us. No goals at half time, but immediately in the second half the Eriksson brothers pulled off some magic – Bengt setting up Henrik for a great goal. After this the game flowed back and forth, with both teams creating some great goal scoring opportunities. At the end of the game I decided to go down on a more defensive 4-4-2 formation to try and keep our lead. The tactic worked and we held on for a hard fought victory. The game would have been a goal orgy if it had not been for the two excellent goalkeepers. All in all I think we were slightly better and deserved the win.

Subs: Hansson (On for Wiklund, 19), Fällström (On for Karlsson, 79), Pettersson (On for Pongrugthai, 79).

A tough game! Had expected that though, as my players have been worn down in training lately. Hopefully the hard training regime will pay in the long run, and we didn’t loose anything on it today fortunately, as we succeeded in winning this tricky game.

End Result: Forssa - Sirius 0-1 (0-0)
Sirius Goalscorers: H.Eriksson (47).
Man of Match: Sittichai Pongrugthai (9).

East Svealand Results: Essinge vs. Valsta/Syrianska 1-3, Forssa vs. Sirius 0-1, Spårvägen vs. Sandvikens IF 2-2, Topkapi vs. Lidingö 2-2, Väsby vs. Skiljebo 3-0, Visby vs. Slätta 3-1.
Current League Table:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st *** Sirius *** 8 3 1 0 6 1 2 2 0 3 1 18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Lidingö 8 2 1 1 5 3 2 2 0 9 5 15 3rd Valsta/Syrianska 8 3 1 0 10 6 1 1 2 10 10 14 4th Topkapi 8 1 3 0 8 7 2 0 2 12 8 12 5th Essinge 8 2 0 2 6 7 1 3 0 7 5 12 6th Sandvikens IF 8 1 3 0 7 5 1 2 1 5 3 11 7th Visby 8 3 1 0 9 5 0 1 3 3 7 11 8th Väsby 8 2 1 1 8 6 0 3 1 7 9 10 9th Slätta 8 1 2 1 5 7 1 1 2 5 8 9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10th Spårvägen 8 2 1 1 8 7 0 1 3 5 9 8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11th Skiljebo 8 0 3 1 5 7 0 1 3 1 7 4 12th Forssa 8 1 0 3 4 10 0 0 4 4 9 3 </pre>

After the game against Forssa we now have a six week long summer break to look forward to. I’m heading for my hammock! Gonna watch the World Cup till my eyes bleed! But first I’m going to go out with my old friend Thomas Lille and have a little talk about the performance of his younger brother, who almost cost us our points…

retired_yolander · 10-31-2003, 01:21 AM

12/6 –02: The World Cup started today with reigning champions France beating Senegal with 3-0. Later on that evening Uruguay beat Denmark with 3-1.

15/6 –02: Manchester United confirmed the sensational swoop of superstar Figo from Real Madrid. The price tag was set at a staggering £ 18,500,000. Today Sweden also entered the World Cup stage by beating my second homeland, England with 1-0 - courtesy of a Zlatan goal in the 15th minute.

17/6 –02: More awards was today handed out:

European Footballer of the Year award: Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Spanish Player of the Year award: Ronaldo.

20/6 –02: Brasilian midfield ace Ricardinho was bought by Real Sociedad from Corinthians for a fee of 11 million pounds. Meanwhile, Gaizka Mendieta who spent last season on loan at Barcelona was bought by relegated Mallorca for 12 million pounds. Mendieta said he was desperate for regular first team football, when explaining the reasons behind his decision.

23/6 –02: Sweden continued their winning ways by hammering Nigeria 4-0 in the World Cup. Hero of the day was Henrik Larsson scoring two of the goals. In the evening game, England surprisingly beat Argentina 2-0, courtesy of a Robbie Fowler brace. “The group of death” therefore stays wide open till the last round.

27/6 –02: Sweden lost the last game in the group against Argentina, 0-1 after a Veron goal. As England failed to beat Nigeria (1-1) - this means that Argentina and Sweden qualify from “the group of death”. This is an enormous feat by Sweden! (Not as fun for England…)

28/6 –02: The final group standings in the World Cup First Round:

Group A: 1.France 9p, 2.Uruguay 4p. 3.Denmark 3p, 4.Senegal 1p.
Group B: 1.Slovenia 7p, 2.Spain 4p. 3.South Africa 3p, 4.Paraguay 3p.
Group C: 1.Brazil 6p, 2.Costa Rica 6p. 3.Turkey 4p, 4.China 1p.
Group D: 1.Portugal 7p, 2.South Korea 3p. 3.Poland 2p, 4.USA 2p.
Group E: 1.Germany 7p, 2.Ireland 6p. 3.Saudi Arabia 3p, 4. Cameroon 1p.
Group F: 1.Argentina 6p, 2.Sweden 6p. 3.England 4p, 4.Nigeria 1p.
Group G: 1.Italy 9p, 2.Croatia 6p. 3.Mexiko 3p, Ecuador 0p.
Group H: 1.Russia 6p, 2.Japan 4p. 3.Belgium 4p, 4.Tunisia 3p.

Most notable was that both the home nations, Japan and South Korea, managed to squeeze through to the second round – against all odds!

retired_yolander · 11-02-2003, 10:20 PM

30/6 –02: Sweden’s World Cup saga ended in the Second Round after being defeated by Germany 1-3. Sweden did take the lead by Daniel Andersson in the 14th minute. In the beginning of the second half that goal was cancelled out by Mehmet Scholl’s 47th minute effort. Then in the 52nd minute the game was lost for Sweden, as goalkeeper Rami Shaaban brought down Neuville in the area. Shaaban was sent off and Ballack scored on the subsequent penalty. In the 63rd minute Klose headed in 3-1 and it proved to be the last nail in Sweden’s World Cup coffin.

1/7 –02: Guilherme signed today for German champions Hertha Berlin. The transfer fee is believed to be £ 9,750,000 for the ex Athletico Mineiro player.

2/7 –02: Roberto Ayala moved today from Valencia to Milan in a £ 19,250,000 deal. Not a bad price tag for a 29-year old centre back! Unfortunately Ayala’s joy over moving to Milan was shadowed by his Argentina’s unexpected loss to Ireland. The World Cup Second Round round-up:

France vs. Spain 0-0 (5-4 pen)
Portugal vs. Costa Rica 2-0
Germany vs. Sweden 3-1
Russia vs. Croatia 2-5
Slovenia vs. Uruguay 1-3
Brazil vs. South Korea 2-1
Argentina vs. Ireland 1-2
Italy vs. Japan 3-0

3/7 –02: Real Madrid opened the big purse today to ply Brazil’s World Cup star Lúcio from his current employer Bayer Leverkusen. No less than £ 35,000,000 was needed for that task(!).

6/7 –02: The World Cup Quarter Finals led to a couple of surprises - with France, Germany and Brazil all being eliminated.

France vs. Portugal 1-2 (e.t)
Germany vs. Croatia 0-2
Uruguay vs. Brazil 1-0
Ireland vs. Italy 1-2 (e.t)

10/7 –02: The World Cup Semi Finals were played today and the big surprises of the tournament, Croatia and Uruguay, were eliminated in the end - although it was two very close encounters. The Final will now be a European affair between Italy and Portugal.

Portugal vs. Croatia 1-1 (4-3 pen)
Uruguay vs. Italy 1-2 (e.t)

13/7 –02: My vacation is nearing an end as the Swedish Cup Group 7 First Round draw was made earlier today. We will in a couple of weeks be heading to Stockholm to meet Björnlunda – a team totally unknown to me.

Meanwhile Croatia won the World Cup Third Place Playoff by beating Uruguay with 4-1.

Croatia vs. Uruguay 4-1

retired_yolander · 11-08-2003, 03:41 PM

14/7 –02: Today the World Cup Final was played in Tokyo. Some miles away, in Stockholm to be precise, me and a mate watched the game on a big screen TV. The game was not one of the best of the tournament. A lot was at stake and the teams didn’t dare to expose themselves unnecessarily. In the 20th minute however, Italy’s prolific striker Vieri had to be substituted because of an injury and just seconds after he was stretchered off, Portugal made the most of their short numerical advantage and Boa Morte could find the net. A quarter of an hour later Joáo Thomas was fouled in the air by Italian captain Maldini. The subsequent penalty was put easily into the net by Pauleta. Having a 2-0 lead Portugal could relax and controlled the game most of the time. Time ran out quickly for Italy and in the end Portugal stood as winners of the World Cup - for first time ever! In Portugal the celebrations continued into the night and after the game prolific central defender Fernando Couto of Lazio was named by former player Marco van Basten as one of the stars of the tournament. After he lifted and kissed the World Cup trophy - in front of more than 60000 spectators in Tokyo - no one could surely disagree with this statement.

Match Stats: Portugal vs. Italy 2-0 (2-0)
National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan: 61980.
Portugal (4-4-2): Vitor Baia - Rui Jorge, Jorge Andrade (Fernando Meira - 52), Fernando Couto (c), Xavier – Lixa (Rui Costa – 52, (Joáo Pinto –75)), Hélder, Calado, Boa Morte – Pauleta, Joáo Tomás.
Italy (5-3-2): Buffon – Maldini (c), Panucci, Adani – Zambrotta, Del Piero (Doni - 73), Totti, Brighi (Pirlo - 73), Nervo – Montella, Vieri (Cassano – 20).

Goals: 1-0 Boa Morte (20), 2-0 Pauleta (35 pen).
Man of Match: Luis Boa Morte (8).

What a night! Not only for Portugal, but for me too. Managed to score with a tall blond with legs to die for the same night. I knew from the very moment it would be a long shot at best. I decided however to take the initiative, bringing the ball from my own half, dribbling past a couple of other suitors. My friend linked up, making a run to distract her friend, giving me space to manoeuvre in. I quickly brought the ball into the box - the keeper of the goal now being the last outpost of the opponents defence. As the keeper rushed out I decided to surprise her, instead of going for goal immediately, I sidestepped the keeper by unexpectedly stopping the ball, putting it on the tip of my foot and lifting it over the keeper - who was no properly dizzy by my handiwork. The keeper was now out of position and a last suitor made an attempt to take the ball from me, but I simply sidestepped the tackle and could then put the ball home - capping a wonderful move to remember.

Yes, that was a good night! But, all dreams have to come to an end and soon it was back to work and preparing my squad for the second part of the season…