[Revvatron]

Originally Posted by am1m

No buzz for the Euros?!

I totally forgot about the euros. There is hardly any buzz over the internet except for whether Ten jag stays or goes. Also it feels like 2022 world cup just recently happened, like last year. Time really flies

[ex-innova-guy]

Real Madrid have finally signed Mbappe.



A move that was rumoured for around 2 years finally came true. RMA is going to cause havoc on most clubs with its attacking lineup: Mbappe, Vini Jr., Endrick, Bellingham, and Rodrygo (rumours are that Manchester City want to sign him).

[ABHI_1512]

And just like that, the greatest goal scorer and inspirational captain of India played his last match for India. It’s a pity that India was not able to score and win against Kuwait. Would have been a perfect send off as well as a position of strength for the team going forward in the group. Winning against Kuwait would have given a fillip but that was not to be. Some wasted chances and that Kuwait also failed to score was not the game that we wanted. But nevertheless, what a wonderful career and a legacy to leave behind.

P.S- Picture taken from Twitter.

[ex-innova-guy]

And Argentina are back-to-back Copa América champions. A perfect send-off for Di María.

What a few years it has been under Lionel Scaloni!
2021: Copa América Champions
2022: Finalissima Champions
2022: FIFA World Cup Champions
2024: Copa América Champions


He has won it all.


These 24 hours were amazing: Alcaraz won Wimbledon, Spain won the Euro, and Argentina won the Copa América.

What a tournament by Rodríguez, deservingly the best player.


Also, Yamal will play against Messi in the Finalissima 2025.

OT: Had overslept today only to realise that the match hadn’t begun!

[Chetan_Rao]

I wouldn't have begrudged England a win, there's more than one way to play football and to win.

I sure am glad Spain won though, because the first goal of football is to excite and entertain; Spain do, England don't.

My preferred kind of football won and I was entertained. Win-win.

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by ex-innova-guy

Attachment 2627465

And Argentina are back-to-back Copa América champions. A perfect send-off for Di María.

What a few years it has been under Lionel Scaloni!
2021: Copa América Champions
2022: Finalissima Champions
2022: FIFA World Cup Champions
2024: Copa América Champions

Personally, Argentina's performance from 2020 has settled the Messi vs Cristiano battle - Messi edging ahead with international glory.

CR7 hasn't really had the most graceful exit - with the ManU 2nd spell fiasco, huge money Saudi spell where he won nothing and underwhelming performances for Portugal.

[DigitalOne]

This year's La Liga is available for free on a website GXR World. Apparently, this is a Dubai based sports company. It looks like no other OTT or TV channels is broadcasting La Liga in India.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by DigitalOne

This year's La Liga is available for free on a website GXR World. Apparently, this is a Dubai based sports company. It looks like no other OTT or TV channels is broadcasting La Liga in India.

This is much better than Jio TV that used to show La Liga. I use the web browser app https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...owser&hl=en_US on my smart TV (Sony) to access this site as it doesn't work on the default browser shipped with the TV. The user experience of a browser with TV remote is clumsy but it works.

Is there any alternative to Sony Liv to watch UEFA champions league matches in India? I was buying Sony Liv subscription just for UEFA CL matches but I can't stand the match analysis, ads, etc. Now they are showing ads in match highlight videos which is an unbelievably braindead idea - kills the whole football watching experience. Hate the amount of ads that get pushed to us Indians everywhere even after buying a premium subscription.

[ex-innova-guy]

Originally Posted by androdev

Now they are showing ads in match highlight videos which is an unbelievably braindead idea - kills the whole football watching experience. Hate the amount of ads that get pushed to us Indians everywhere even after buying a premium subscription.

Watch highlights on browsers like Brave where there are no ads. Yes, you would need to watch it on your laptop or PC, but far better than those long ads, especially after paying for the premium experience. ;-)

Also, after all these years good to see FCB playing great again. Hope they can sustain this form throughout the season.

[androdev]

Originally Posted by ex-innova-guy

Watch highlights on browsers like Brave where there are no ads. Yes, you would need to watch it on your laptop or PC, but far better than those long ads, especially after paying for the premium experience. ;-)

Brave is a good idea. The smart TV browser app I shared in my previous post also blocks ads - just that using a browser on TV is too clumsy.

Also, after all these years good to see FCB playing great again. Hope they can sustain this form throughout the season.

yeah, so many years of nervousness while watching Barca even when playing small-time teams. It has been a lot less stressful this season!

[am1m]

Originally Posted by androdev

yeah, so many years of nervousness while watching Barca even when playing small-time teams. It has been a lot less stressful this season!

Haven't been following since Messi left. What changed? Did they just do the rebuilding required and these are the results? Or is it down to another talismanic player, Yamal?

Originally Posted by am1m

Who will win?...Spain doesn't seem likely,...

And look how well my comment about the Euros aged! Again, Yamal.

[androdev]

Awweee man, I spoke too soon. Last night was a painful loss, as Barca were down to 10 men in 10th minute itself. They still managed to put up a good fight, which was not the case in the last couple of seasons.

Originally Posted by am1m

Haven't been following since Messi left. What changed? Did they just do the rebuilding required and these are the results? Or is it down to another talismanic player, Yamal?

Players from Messi era have left and the rebuild has been on for a couple of years but I feel they didn't hire a world class manager until this season and were unlucky with serious injuries. Hansi Flick is giving really good vibes to Barca fans - a lot more focus on fitness, high intensity to last full 90 minutes and very offensive tactics which suits Barca really well. Earlier, I used to wait for the clock to run nervously to hold on to slender 1-0 lead. Now there is a lot more belief and confidence in the team that they would even overcome any goal deficit and entertain the fans by scoring a lot of goals.

Some really promising players have emerged from the Barca academy, almost a lifeline during this debt ridden period of Barca. Both Madrid and Barca hype up their players a great deal, so one has to take the hype with a pinch of salt - but Yamal seems to be a real deal - he has the level to decide the games.

Real Madrid has an amazing squad which is further boosted by the addition of Mbappe. Looking at their squad, everyone wrote off Barca this season and expected Madrid to have a walk in the park. I think Barca vs Madrid rivalry would be very entertaining this season. Barca may ultimately be let down by injuries and thin squad depth but it will be a close contest.

And look how well my comment about the Euros aged! Again, Yamal.

Yes, Spain was a revelation to many who don't follow Barca/La Liga as there were no superstars in the team. I think Spain will go far in this upcoming world cup. In fact, South America will not be a major contender I feel. Spain, France, England and Germany will be strong contenders. I hope France doesn't get a good coach and sticks to their lame defensive tactics and I would like to see Spain go all the way. France would be a favourite as has been the case for the last few years.

[androdev]

I sometimes regret not having had the opportunity to watch live club football matches to witness the greatness of many legendary football players like Maradona, Zidane, Ronaldo (Brazilian), etc. I also feel sad for some players like Neymar who could not accomplish as much as they deserved.

There is a new legend in the making. You may not like to support Barca FC or Spain NT but if you enjoy magicians/artists on the pitch, please don't miss out watching Lamine Yamal.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by androdev

I sometimes regret not having had the opportunity to watch live club football matches to witness the greatness of many legendary football players like Maradona, Zidane, Ronaldo (Brazilian), etc.

I have a different take on this- I think those legends reserved their best for their country, so the World Cups were the best showcases of their talent. That changed after that generation of footballers, and the next and present set seem to put in better performances for club football. (Not saying that one or the other is better overall.)

Originally Posted by androdev

I also feel sad for some players like Neymar who could not accomplish as much as they deserved.

Again, a different take- considering the neighborhoods and economic conditions in which some of these footballers were raised, being able to translate their skill at any level, let alone reach the heights Neymar did, is pretty amazing.

It's only when compared with the achievements of a Messi or a Ronaldo does there seem a case for unrealized potential. But the complete package is a rarity even at the already rare heights of professional international football. By far, the majority do find it hard to sustain the discipline and the hunger needed to keep performing at the highest level. And the boys from Brazil seem to fall into a pattern, think Ronaldinho. Again though, considering the childhood, it's still a stellar achievement.

Watching the Neymar documentary, and watching Ronaldinho on video, they seem happy being who they are. As long as they are happy, that is enough I guess, they gave happiness to so many of us.

[DigitalOne]

Originally Posted by androdev

I sometimes regret not having had the opportunity to watch live club football matches...

Even more frustrating is that because of multiple copyright holders of different championships, it is almost impossible to see comprehensive documentaries of the legends. Even some of the FIFA documentaries (example: https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81681112) don't have footage from the primary camera, or don't have accompanying commentary. I can't understand the logic of the broadcasters behind holding onto sports footage beyond a certain period (10 yrs??).