Despite a very juicy offer from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, the Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Inter could only go to Barcelona. The player said Monday that Barca was the only team that could take him from Italy?, And the only team capable of making him a better player. Ibrahimovic made his debut with the Spanish team on Wednesday as a substitute against Manchester City. He put Lionel Messi for two points against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Now he prepares for a final against Shakhtar Donetsk in the European Super Cup on Friday. The player wants to show that he in sync with the Spanish football as his new teammates. Ibrahimovic was brought in to Samuel Eto’o, who was transferred to Real Madrid in one of many millions of dollars to replace. Eto’o helped Barcelona win eight major trophy? N, including two Champions League titles. Ibrahimovic was with Inter Milan since 2006, he was transferred from Juventus to Inter one? 24. 8 million deal. Inter, the player said he had a contract with the President to any teams that an offer for him – with the exception of Barcelona had to reject. With Barcelona, he said, “you at least discuss.” Talk they did. The deal was made for? 66 million. [SV1] “It is the club that I am a better footballer than I can make today,” said the 27-year-old Ibrahimovic [SV2]. “I want to be part of this project and the history of Barcelona that are now facing.” The player also said that he is a great pressure, but added that the pressure was a normal part of a top player in European football. Part of the pressure involves his interaction with his new teammates, particularly Messi, who is one of the best players of the team. Ibrahimovic and Messi have the potential to be a phenomenal duo, though each one very different style to create? Run. In fact, Ibrahimovic himself has acknowledged the potential, the Swedish player admires the Argentine a great deal. Ibrahimovic has also expressed his confidence in the tactics and style of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who has led the Spanish team to a whole new level of play. Ibrahimovic hopes to bring more talent to an already very talented team. For his part, Guardiola has expressed its support for the new player, who is recovering from surgery following a hand injury. “He can time it needs [to] adapt as long as he continues to show the same commitment that he displayed in days, day out have,” said Guardiola at a news conference. Ibrahimovic does not regret rejecting the proposal of Real Madrid. Although the team has spent one quarter billion already recruiting players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso, Madrid is still rebuilding. Ibrahimovic seems to think that Barca so much talent with an edge that gives it an edge in the competition.

Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Barca, Barcelona, Champions League, Different Style, Donetsk, Florentino Perez, Footballer, History Of Barcelona, Ibrahimovic, Inter Milan, Juventus, League Titles, Lionel Messi, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Samuel Eto O, Soccer, Spanish, Spanish Football, Spanish Soccer, Spanish Team, Stays, Striker, Teammates

Spain and France, arguably the most dominant teams in the tournament, met on Friday to determine the winner of the U19 European Championship.  Going into the final, the hosts (France) had been consistently impressive- beating the Netherlands (4-1) and Austria (5-0) in their first two matches and then Croatia 2-1 in the semifinals.  Only a draw with England in the group stage blemished their winning record.  Spain, who had failed to reach the knock-out stages of this tournament since winning it in 2007, were the only team left to have a 100% winning record.

And at the start of the match, Spain looked likely to hold on to that record for the entire tournament after Rodrigo (forward, Real Madrid) scored in the 18th minute.  Spain continued to dominate the first half – accumulating the best chances and the most possession.  But despite a plethora of opportunities, Spain weren’t able to increase their lead and allowed France to go into the 2nd half with only a single goal deficit.

And in the 2nd half, France made them pay…but only after surviving several close calls as Spain continued to dominate the opening minutes of the 2nd half.

Then, after almost conceding, France was able to equalize through goalkeeper Diallo’s (GK, Rennes) long kick forward to subsitute Tafer (forward, Lyon) who lifted the ball over the Spanish keeper.  The equalizer was arguably the turning point in the match- energizing the crowd and providing France with the momentum to in the final minutes of the match.  France’s Lacazette (forward, Lyon) scored the winning goal at the 85th minute. Despite a series of impressive performances in the tournament, Lacazette had been largely invisible in the finals game and the goal seemed to come from nowhere.  But, despite Lacazette’s impressive finishing- the hard work came from Gael Kakuta (midfield, Chelsea) whose run through the center of Spain’s defense was impossible for Alex (GK, Zaragoza) to defend.

With only a few minutes left, Spain were unable to find a second goal which had eluded them since early in the first half- leaving France to lift the trophy in the end!

The only question left is if these two countries can make it three in a row when they compete next year at the FIFA U20 World Cup.  In addition to this U19 final, these two teams also played each other in the U17 European Championship two years ago (which Spain won).  The two teams have consistently been comprised of the same players- 11 of the 22 starters in the finals match played in the U17 final two years ago.  Any bets on those players making another final appearances in the U20 tournament?

Tags: beats, Championship, Chelsea, Close Calls, Diallo, Dominant Teams, Equalizer, European, Finals, France, Gael Kakuta, Gk, Group Stage, Impressive Performances, Knock Out, Lyon, Match France, Midfield, Momentum, Plethora, Possession, Real Madrid, Rodrigo, Spain, Turning Point, U19 European Championship

We send Football Branding: The story of European football in Nigeria Eric Okeke European football is making a very influential in Nigeria, the spirit and the enchanting attention of soccer buffs, the young and young at heart, affects the way Nigerians to relax and unwind, and throwing up business opportunities for smart entrepreneurs. And the story of this brand is that the football club to support, fun, entertainment, gambling, and industry in Nigeria, but the game is being played on thousands of miles away. For the Nigerians, football was fun and relaxing, and football players are the brands, while watching the games is the business. Major brands of European football to make waves in Nigeria, UEFA Cup, Premier League and English. When these teams are committed to competitive soccer leagues for a cup, his Nigerian fans held spellbound. It is as if the game is played in Nigeria. Some fans are strong in their support of the clubs they love. Come and see the campaigns in Nigeria, the clubs before a crucial match. Sometimes fanatical. And often results in fights and big battles between supporters of different European clubs. The support of the clubs sometimes go beyond the ordinary. At times, emotions run high. The big names are Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and more. For these clubs, their images loom large in Nigeria, and they command followership big fans even willing to trade blows, fighting, or in a heated argument to support their clubs involved. The impact of European football in Nigeria is so intense that it’s the way football fans relax and unwind amid fun, food and drink design. Two European clubs with the largest crowd of supporters in Nigeria are Manchester United (Man U) and Chelsea. And the curious observer of the profile of these supporters will see clear differences in terms of stratification or social class, education, and income power. How? Man U, the fanatical support of small, professional and upper class who have a flat screen television sets at home under the spell, and subscribe to cable television. And after every victory of this football club, you hear screams from Man U for Life! by enthusiastic fans. This is followed by crowds of beer parlors and pepper soup joints in most cities in Nigeria to celebrate the win. When they gather and enjoy the victory, you hear agitated fans tell so many stories about the game, telling all sorts of rigorous discourse analysis and make the game just played. After every big game, there’s plenty of football in Nigeria storytelling. Chelsea on the other hand, the total control of the masses, the lower class, boys of the street, the Park touts engine, unemployed youth and street children known as poplularly area boys in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. They are more in number, are fanatical in their support for Chelsea, and are even willing to die for the team. As a Man U Chelsea confronts in a big game, there is tension in Lagos, before the race day. UEFA Cup Final in 2007 or 2008 (I am not sure of the year now) between Man U and Chelsea was a storm in a tea cup in Lagos. Seven days before the match, the tension was palpable in Lagos. Who will win the match? The big question triggered intense debates about the city and sometimes resulted in pre-match clashes between Man U and Chelsea fans in Nigeria. Sports newspapers increased the tempo as they soaked supporters of both clubs with interviews, news, and the rave reviews of the clubs preparations, the suitability of players, and the final strategies. Man U will win, we have Man U for Life! The club’s supporters will sing to the annoyance of Chelsea fans who loudly react with Chelsea Up! Chelsea fans in Lagos, bigger than Man U for Life chanters. Chelsea The buffs are everywhere, in the streets, markets and parks engine. More than 80 percent of commercial bus drivers in Lagos have been die-hard fans of Chelsea. And they are very hard. They can throw caution to the wind and fight everywhere with bottles, rocks, dangerous objects, especially when high on alcohol and tobacco smells. Not so with Man U fans. They are bred, better educated and work in blue-collar and white collar jobs. They are soft and refined in their football behavior, but also in their fanatical support for Man U, hence the slogan, Man U for Life, a clear indication they are not prepared for their European club brand loyalty switch, or the man win or not. And in many cases, Man U win. Back to EPIC that Man U / Chelsea Final. Twenty-four hours before the game, the entire city of Lagos was drowned by the fever of the game. There were unconfirmed reports of clashes between supporters of both clubs in different parts of Lagos. Bus drivers and conductors fought to let the air radio stations with pre-match reviews and interactive programs for listeners to express their views on the outcome of the match air. Man U vs Chelsea was so thick in the air that many people eagerly await the game to come and go. Match day, fans crowded viewing centers and beer parlors to watch the game. Would your view of the European Football Championships in Nigeria, does not look at home. Jump to a tour center and sit with overzealous fans and listen to all kinds of stories and analysis as the game progresses. You can write a book full of such stories. Soccer storytelling is strong in Nigeria. There is the story of a Manchester United fan, home in Lagos, Nigeria, viewing the latest epic football match with Chelsea. Suddenly there was power failure. He did not have a standby electric generator to power his television. Desperate not to miss action in the contest, he stormed into a hotel, a tour center. Unfortunately the place was crowded out by the Chelsea fans. He burst into the heart cry Man U for life. The Chelsea fans are promptly threw him out. Man U eventually won that game, to the chagrin of fans of Chelsea. Oh! Hell was almost let loose in Lagos metropolis. Man U fans celebrated, but at a moderate pace, as Chelsea fans, almost to madness. Blames much of the Chelsea fans. Oh! The referee was partial, there was not enough extra time, Didier Drogba did not play well enough, so much guilt, but the fact remained that Man U won on penalties after both teams at the same height at the end of extra time. Come and see celebrations by Man U fans. Three days later they were still celebrating. Even married women are in the fray. A madam, a Man U fan threw open her restaurant and offered to customers, apparently Man U fans, free drinks. Man U the fever is very strong in Nigeria. To say Chelsea fans were disappointed … … being charitable, bitter … … yes, because that was the first time, I was told, their beloved club am very close to clinching the UEFA Cup. And they missed. The support for European clubs seeps to families, some breaches of the peace at home, so the friction between children and creating challenges for parents in managing their kids’ support for European football clubs < ; / P>

Take the story of my family of four sons (17 years old, 15 and 10) and a daughter who has just five, and do not club. Chidubem my first kid is a diehard supporter of Liverpool. enter his room, you will be a life-size poster photo of the entire team of Liverpool in the wall attached to see. The second boy, Chibuzor is an avid supporter of Barca. I had never heard that name . When I asked him what club is that it was immediately told me, ‘Dad, do you find the time, grinning. “Who is Barca,” I asked surprised. “Barca Barcelona means,” he taught my son me. I thought I had today. Chika the youngest boy loves Chelsea. When their favorite teams win or lose, come and see the commotion in my house. It could be Jubilations, as a win, or insult the other brothers as a loss. If the match between Liverpool, Barca or Chelsea, there are fights in my house, so serious that at times I threaten to discipline if they continue to bring peace to disrupt home . The youngest boy Chika is always at the receiving end. If Chelsea win Liverpool or Barca, the boy is in trouble. It may even be bigger brothers tease him or me or their mother is not around. At one time, they ran after him to slay him, and he rushed off to walk me to save. I did. If Chelsea lose, Oh Come and see the scorn of the big brothers. In that situation, I usually spawn Chika him to ensure that Chelsea will win another day. That is the impact of the Nigerian Football European families, relatives sometimes polarizing. It is not just the European clubs that are celebrated in Nigeria. The players are honored. Big names like Didier Drogba, David Beckam, Thanks, Christian Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and many others will be honored. They are not only large brands soccer in Nigeria, they are idols. Nigerian people see them as status symbols and role models. The average teenager has Nigerian high size pictures of European football stuck superstars in their rooms. Nigerian youth know that the movement and transfer fees from European football star is much more than that of the Nigerian players play in European clubs. The story of the European football brands, not just to play. It’s also about the industry. People Gamble competitions, some even in deployments.’s centers shoot up like mushrooms all about Lagos with flatscreen TVs, and is connected to cable TV channels. Match fixtures are displayed on chalkboards planted on street sidewalks to the attention of passersby. The centers charge gate fees for football fans matches want to see. Some hotels, hospitality outfits have joined the struggle of showing these events to attract more patronage. Many of them on match days in the open market flat screen televisions for free. But every client to watch the match needed to buy drinks. But watching the centers active in problems now with DSTV, the cable TV company in Africa that the franchise to the radius of the football matches in the African continent. DSTV wants the center to view the fees or royalties payable to the company because they charge fans money to match. The cable company’s position is that the channel for home entertainment by subscribers, and if the customer cost money to watch the person or company has to pay nothing to DSTV. The centers are viewing crying mistake and says that it will squeeze them out of business. A showdown is imminent. There are many sports souvenir T-shirts … … … Wall Photo Papers … give-aways and other European sports consumer goods soccer stars and their clubs are sold in Nigeria. It’s big business. And there are many magazines dedicated exclusively to soccer. They come in various shades of the tabloids, are cheaper than regular newspapers, and are heavily visited by football loving youngsters account of the fortunes of their favorite players and clubs. But no club loyalty not stop them from the love each player, and sometimes they want to play the love sign-on for their favorite clubs. Thanks, the young player Barcelona popular among Nigerian youths. They like its small size and nimble movements in the field. Nigerian young people believe that this talented young Argentine football sense. The same goes for the Brazilian, Ronaldinho. So you see anytime European football in the air, know that the fever is very strong in Nigeria.

Eric Okeke received MBA (Marketing) from ESUT Business School Enugu, Nigeria. He is an editor, narrator and media adviseur.Hij started journalism at The Guardian, Lagos, Nigeria. He is the author of “I want a man, a self-help book for single women looking for Mr. Right. E-mail him, ericosamba @ yahoo. … Com … … … … .. . … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …. .. … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Tags: Ac Milan, Branding, Buffs, Chelsea Arsenal, Class Education, Curious Observer, European, European Soccer, Followership, Football Club, Football Fans, Football Players, Fun Entertainment, Major Brands, Manchester United, Nigeria, Okeke, Real Madrid, Smart Entrepreneurs, Soccer, Soccer Leagues, Story, Stratification, Uefa Cup, Young At Heart