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Under Armour Blur Pro Football Boots Review

Thursday, October 6, 2011

This week we are reviewing The Under Armour Blur Pro Football Boots.
Under Armour are a well-established US brand that is now making its mark in the UK and throughout Europe in an attempt to gain market share in the football boot area.
As worn by players such as Bobby Zamora, the Under Armour Blur Pro Football Boots are like shock absorbers for the feet! Players with natural speed and agility are able to tap into the technology used to design these boots, enabling far greater performance levels.
Built with an entirely seamless micro fibre upper, this unique perforated design with a smooth texture allows for enhanced ball control and keeps your feet feeling fresh and cool throughout the game. Something not all boots allow for.
The weight has been reduced to around 200g and combine this with the Pebax outsole and wider fore-foot and you have a boot that offers great maneuverability and acceleration. Twisting and turning, covering ground over short distances and stopping dead are no problem when wearing these football boots.
Micro G cushioning and 4D foam create ultimate shock absorption taking the stress off your calves and feet enabling sustained endurance levels. This is so important especially during the latter stages of the game.
The boots also feature an asymmetrical lacing system which includes a wrap-around tongue for individual fit and less bulkiness in the areas needed to strike the ball cleanly.
Under Armour offer a choice of two colourways, black/bolt or metallic silver with strategic positioning of the logo enhancing the visual effect. Whichever option you decide to go for you are certain to get noticed.
These boots would be suitable for players who have natural speed and agility. They will help to enhance these natural talents and will give you a competitive edge over your opposition.
In terms of build quality and value for money, you will be hard pressed to find a similar elite pair of boots built to this standard at such a relatively low price.
Under Armour probably still have some way to go until they are genuinely competing against the likes of Adidas, Nike and Puma but the Under Armour Blur Pro certainly is a move in the right direction. With well known professional players starting to adopt these boots, then it can only be a matter of time.
Extra time is your chance to shine when wearing these ultra comfortable Under Armour Blur Pro Football Boots.

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Chelsea FC Consider Building A New Stadium

Chelsea Football Club are considering the possibility of building a new stadium after news this week that the club are set to make attempts to buy back the freehold on the stands and pitch of their current stadium, Stamford Bridge, which are owned by an organisation known as the Chelsea Pitch Owners.
The ownership of the pitch and stands was sold to the group in 1993 by former club chairman Ken Bates, ensuring the club could never be sold to developers or the stadium relocated without the consent of the supporters. Following an ambitious re-development of the ground in the 1970s when the proposal was to develop a 50,000 all seated stadium, although the plans were revolutionary they were also far too ambitious. Chelsea found themselves in severe financial difficulties by the mid 1970s which forced the club to sell many of its star players and ultimately a decision was made to sell the Stamford Bridge ground to property developers in order to generate income and pay off some of the debts as the club was nearly bankrupt.
The decision to sell the ground nearly saw the end of the football club as they faced financial ruin, a ten year legal battle ensued which finally saw the Blues win back their Stadium in 1992, when ironically the developers themselves went bankrupt, lifting the threat of eviction from their own ground and it being redeveloped as houses or shopping precincts.
During the prolonged legal battle the Blues were unable to re-develop their ground as they no longer owned it, forcing them to fall behind many other clubs as they built bigger and better stadiums. Extensive redevelopment did finally follow during the 1990's with redevelopment of the North and West Stands and the famous Shed End terraces which was re-developed into an all seated stadium, the redevelopments also saw the construction of the Chelsea Hotel, which is adjacent to the ground.
Although the current stadium is certainly impressive, compared with the ground of the 1980s, the capacity for the Stamford Bridge stadium is just under 42,000 which falls well short of rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City, which has been a concern for the management of the club for some time. One option for Chelsea is to redevelop their existing stadium to increase the capacity, but this may be difficult due to surrounding buildings, a new development would therefore seem to be the preferred option.
The agreement with Chelsea Pitch Owners is interesting because initially they did not raise enough money to the secure the purchase of the freehold of the ground and were given a £10 million loan by the club, in return for this loan the football club now lease the ground back on a 199 year agreement. If the club were to regain the freehold then relocation would be much easier, however, under the agreement the location of the new stadium must be within three miles of the existing stadium if it were to be developed before the year 2020 and have a minimum capacity of 55,000 fans.

Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of football gifts from the English Premier League, available from the football shop and all items are available to ship worldwide.

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Memories Of Italy Vs Cameroon (Spain 82)

Italy perhaps had been out played by Peru yet despite that they had drawn in a game which I would say was the weakest exhibition of football they gave in what was Spain 82. It being precisely that draw against Peru at one goal a piece which left them at the top of the group and a point away from going on in to the next round. As for Peru and Poland, they had already played their match which surprisingly ended in a 5-1 Polish win. Poland's win being much larger than many would have ever expected over a team which prior to that game had played good football yet perhaps had wore itself out before the world cup. Poland's goals perhaps serving as proof of this as all five of them were scored in a 20 minute spell during the second half.
Poland had qualified and Peru had been eliminated yet for Italy, Cameroon still remained with whom they simply could not lose to. This being a situation similar to the one Germany found itself in four years ago in their last group match against Tunisia. As for my part, I could not get out of my mind that this was a team which had so much potential and would be playing so well if they just managed to get their act together.
Cameroon, for what concerned them had drawn both their games at 0 with both Peru and Poland and had basically given a good account of themselves in front of their fans as well as the rest of the world which had taken a liking to this strong spirited African team. Cameroon being a strong physical team with good control of the ball and a disciplined defense yet seemed to lack the savvy on offense of European or South American teams which made them perhaps easier to defend against. Cameroon also having players of the quality of Tokoto, Milla (who would be a star of "Italia 90") and their goalkeeper; Thomas Nokono. All in all a team which had left found memories with the fans of not only themselves but African football as a whole.
The game started with Italy wearing all white though this I was not sure of the reason since Italy's blue could not be confused with Cameroon's green yet despite the reason; the fact remained that Italy would not be playing in their typical blue jerseys. Italy needing only a draw however started attacking as if wanting to put it out of doubt that it would be them to qualify.
Italy did dominate the first few minutes much like Peru and Poland had done yet they too did not really create many scoring opportunities. It being late in to the half that from a free-kick Conti was able to beat the well executed Cameroonian off-sides trap yet his shot inexplicable missed; when all which was left for him to do was put the ball in the net.
The game was in fact, a lively game with both teams going up and down the field with some nice plays on both sides. Italy however came ever so close on a header from Collovati which Nokono just barely managed to get a hand on as it was going over his head; to tip it upward. The ball hitting off the crossbar in what was a great scoring chance for Italy as I could practically see Italy in the second round for just a split second yet it was not to be.
The first half however ended at 0 with some disappointment on my part not to be winning yet what mattered was that Italy would go through if the score remained as it was. Many perhaps were expecting more from Italy after having won their three first round matches in the last world cup but at the end of the day what really counts is going through to the second round as once there; all teams go back to being even.
Paolo Rossi frankly speaking had not done much in this world cup yet he had had some near misses like he did against Poland but it was the 60 minute mark of the game that he found some of the greatness he showed in Argentina 78. This the moment he crossed the ball to Graziani; who headed the ball in for an Italian goal. A goal and what a joy it was to be up by 1-0 and about to enter the second round. A goal perhaps which Nokono would have had if had not tripped or slipped yet this hardly mattered because Italy was leading by 1 -0 with nothing to do but hold out for 30 minutes and theirs would be a victory. Italy would also win its first match in a world cup since their 1-0 win over Austria four whole games ago.
How calm it felt to be on top and knowing that Italy would be in the second round most likely against Maradona's Argentina and Zico's Brazil but that was later; for the moment Italy was in the lead by 1-0. What joy or at least it was for a whole minute till Mbida managed to tie the game for Cameroon at 1-1. All the glory taken from Italy as again they were in a draw which would still be good enough to qualify yet nothing was sure. Mbida's goal did look slightly off-sides but this again hardly mattered as the goal was given as Cameroon held on to their hopes that they might go through.
Italy and Cameroon were tied and such did it end and where I could share the feelings of those who were sad over Cameroon's departure, who had done so much more than expected; I also felt glad Italy had qualified. Cameroon and Algeria letting people all over the world see that there was another continent which could play football in the world. The game in and of itself had not been much to look at but it had been nice to watch and though Italy had not lost; I still felt there was more to this team that met the eye.

My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book "New York's Opera Society". My works also include the books "What Should Not Matter", "Love Your Sister" and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.

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Memories Of Italy Vs Peru (Spain 82)

Italy had tied with Poland in a match which held little if any real interest for the fans apart from its having been a world cup match. Peru on the other hand had also tied with Cameroon in what was seen as a defeat in Peru at the time given that Peru had in the months previous to the world cup beaten France in Paris by 1, Hungary in Budapest by 2-1 and both Rumania and Borusia Dortmund by the score of 2-0. All of which leading Peruvians to believe that they would easily beat Cameroon yet Cameroon turned out to be a much more difficult opponent than most had anticipated.
Of course for Peru, there was also the case that their money hungry and even greedy federation made them not only play too many matches in the months leading up to the world cup but go on a tour of Europe, North America and Africa; which frankly and understandably exhausted the team even before the start of Spain 82. It even being their Brazilian coach "Tim" who strongly objected to such a rigorous schedule yet his wishes for Peru not to exert themselves were ignored. Peru having to play at least 12 international friendlies in the months leading to the world cup.
Peru however did have a very strong team which even French coach, Hidalgo claimed to be among the best in South America; alongside Argentina and Brazil. Peru's team being comprised of players of the quality of Cubillas, Diaz, Duarte, Quiroga, Uribe, Barbadillo, Cueto, Velasquez and Oblitas. Of course some of these players were perhaps slightly past their prime but the team over all was solid and I believe would have done better had it not been for their federation being so anxious to make money on a tour before the world cup.
As for their match against Cameroon, Peru had played well but not really as well as they had in the months leading up to the world cup. Of course it also being case of Cameroon not being an easy team which lead to their drawing at 0-0. Italy, also like Peru had played well in their first game yet had also not shown all which they were capable of. Would they do it in this match or would it be Peru to show the same qualities which had allowed them to eliminate Uruguay in order to get to Spain 82? This was what I awaited to see as the match started.
This match being one which I would watch at home on my lonesome yet the emotions were high as I awaited for the kick off. The first chance though perhaps not a very serious one came when Peru's Oblitas sent a pass in to the box which Uribe managed to control yet was boxed out and all danger was cleared by Scirea. This play not being overly important yet allowing us to see that Peru was a team which with nice touches on the ball could create scoring chances.
The world cup was in full swing now as all the strategy of winning came in to play along with what other teams were doing. It being Cameroon and Poland who drew their match at 0-0 which meant that who ever won this game would be the leader of the group and probably qualify to the next round. Of course a draw at 0 would leave it all as it was while a draw at 1 goal or more would be beneficial to both. This perhaps being what I was hoping for in place of an Italian victory.
Italy however was controlling the game early on and creating chances though perhaps not clear scoring opportunities. A long distance shot by Marini which Quiroga did not catch the ball cleanly but at least managed to get it back before Graziani could get the rebound. It was not so much that Italian pressure was so great yet I felt that a goal was near which made me wait for that moment which would be Italy's first goal in a world cup since that game for third place against Brazil.
Italy was working the ball well and it was at the 18 minute mark of the game that Cabrini got a ball on the right side of Peru's goal which he sent to Antognoni; who found Conti with a ball which he let pass behind him to set up a shot from outside the box to beat Quiroga and give Italy a 1-0 lead. It was a great shot and a great goal to put enthusiasm back in to me that Italy was once again winning in a world cup match. Quiroga perhaps did not cover as well as he had on previous occasions or fully could have but this scarcely mattered for what did was that Italy was leading by 1-0.
It was however a few minutes after Italy's goal that perhaps the most memorable moment of the match came when Peru's Velasquez, who is rather a large man bumped in to West German official Walter Eschweil; who naturally came out the worse from such a collision. Eschweil falling to the ground yet without any malice on Velasquez's part; who did apologize to Eschweil with all being allowed to continue without hard feelings.
Italy continued to attack however at this point as it was Peru who to a certain extent had lost their way on the field as Italy took advantage of this factor. Italy even coming close on a play which perhaps Scirea should have done better on as his shot sailed over Quiroga's goal though the play may have been annulled for an Italian hand.
The half ended with Italy still holding their one goal lead yet this match was far from over and Peru had began attacking with more and more of the good football which had brought them to this world cup. Italy did have a solid defense yet one goal was hardly enough to believe the game had already been won. I however felt that Italy could get a tie if not a win as I had seen what Peru could do yet they for the most part were not a team which scored a lot of goals in comparison to how many situations they created.
The second half got underway with Peru definitely having it in their minds to go forward. As for Italy, the truth was that Conti apart from scoring was having a good game while Rossi was barely visible and perhaps gave many good reasons to believe that Bearzot had been over optimistic to include him for this world cup. Italian defense however was well formed yet they were going to be tested and this I was ready for.
Cubillas being first to show why he had scored ten goals in two world cups when from a free kick in a very narrow angle, he managed to bend the ball in such a way to almost surprise Zoff; who really had to be at his best to get to that shot. Italy was trying to hold on to their lead yet had not given up on the counter attack in order to take advantage of Peru's desperation to go forward. It being Antognoni who after a fine run perhaps should have done better with his shot yet it did let Peru know that they should be careful in the back. I felt that a second goal for Italy could clinch it yet Peru would play harder being so close to being eliminated.
There is something about getting one's first win in a world cup which is exiting as one can celebrate yet it was not so much that Italy was yet close to it but I felt it could come. Cabrini even testing Quiroga from the left side of his goal with a shot which brought out another fine save from Peru's goalkeeper.
Peru however in all this had imposed their game on Italy and was getting ever closer to a goal of their own. It being on a free kick that Diaz almost surprised not only Italy's defense who was waiting for Cubillas to take it yet his fine effort was saved by Zoff; who did well to deflect it over the bar. All being clear that Peru was getting closer and score they almost did or perhaps should have when a long pass in to the box found sloppy defending from Italy. This forcing Zoff to come off his line and collide with on coming Peruvian player whose shot bounced off Zoff and straight in to the path of Peru's La Rosa though not perhaps as comfortably as he would have wanted it; as the ball was slightly to his left which caused him to miss yet Italy was flirting with disaster.
This Italian team reminding me of their Argentina 78 team which was capable of playing well in the first half and even taking an early lead only to lose it in the second half. This perhaps being what was taking place in this particular game. Italy even committing what might have been a penalty or at least what came close to being one yet the referee judged it not to have been one. Italy's defender Colovatti playing the ball first with no intension to bring down the man yet Peru was getting closer.
Minute 83 came and though I felt sorry that Peru might be eliminated, I was glad that Italy could get its first win in Spain 82 yet it was at this point that Cubillas took a free-kick but rather than strike it at goal with a curve; he passed it to Diaz. Diaz in fact not hitting it well but just enough to get it to take a deflection in to the back of the net to give Peru a well deserved equalizer. Zoff was completely fooled on the play by the deflection which gave him no chance what so ever yet regardless of how the goal came; it did come and it did count.
Italy and Peru were tied at one a piece and were also tied for the lead in the group. This making it that all Peru needed to do against Poland was get another draw in other to progress to the next round while Italy also needed a draw. For my part, I must say that like was the case in Germany 2006, I was not unhappy to see Italy get a draw against a team which had really made a good effort and played well.

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Youth Soccer Passing Basics

Passing a soccer ball is not as easy as making a pass with a basketball. Both sports require different techniques, but soccer has many steps to complete a pass. Players need to be taught where the ball needs to be struck, what part of the foot needs to be used, where should the plant foot be placed, which directing the plant foot should be pointing, which direction the hips need to be pointing, bending of the plant foot, where the toes of the striking foot needs to be placed, and last but not least, where the eyes need to be focused on. These steps all need to be taken to strike a ball properly. If at any point in a demonstration, a piece is missing, the ball will not be struck properly.
Basketball has a bounce pass and a chest pass, two simple basic fundamental passes. One can play the game by learning just these two passing styles. Soccer on the other hand has 5 different basic passing techniques. The inside foot pass, outside foot pass, laces pass, chipping the ball, and driving the ball. All these passes need to be learned for a player to simply play the game. Inside of the foot passing is used for a basic passing to players while the ball is on the ground. An outside foot pass is a pass to a player that is to the right of you if you're a right footed player or a pass to the left of you if you're a left footed player. These are quick passes used in tight locations on the field when surround by players. Passing the ball with the laces will essentially be used when driving a ball across the field to a teammate. This is done when player turns the ankle in ward and drives the lace underneath the ball to lift it in the air to create a hard and long pass in the air. The chip is used with the same technique. The player turns the ankle inward and drives the laces under the ball. Difference between a drive and a chip is, the player gets half of the ball and half of the grass when chipping the ball. When chipping a ball, the soccer ball will have back spin.
Soccer is perceived as a sport that only has one objective and that is to put the ball in the net any way you can. This can be done at a young age, but when players move on to travel soccer or even junior high, soccer skills and fundamentals need to be learned. This is where passing the ball the correct way will come into player. Players that cannot pass a ball correctly, wont be able to compete at a higher level than AYSO.

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The Barcelona Way of Total Football

La Liga - the Spanish top soccer league has kicked off again. That is, the league start was more of a totter than a kick as the players went on strike the first weekend of the league. The rivalry between the keepers, Barcelona, and their eternal antagonists Real Madrid looks set to be more intense than ever, and the ball is rolling again with more vehemence than ever before!
When Barcelona tore down Real Madrid 5-0 at home in their legendary stadium Camp Nou on the 29th of November 2010 many analysts and fans alike started talking about the greatest soccer match ever. When what is considered the best team in the world disposes of the second best with style and ease, big words tend to be used. probably, the Barca team of the season 2010/11 might have had more creativity than most any team in soccer history, yet the word that occurs to describe the success it is; tradition.
The club was founded 29/11 1899 by Swiss entrepreneur Hans Gamper, and won the first major trophy winning the Spanish league in 1929. Even though the club enjoyed a row of triumphs in decades to come, the tradition that today's Barcelona style is rooted in, has its origin in the Dream Team when Dutch legend Johan Cruyff was skipper from 1990 to 1994 experiencing immense success.
Cruyff came aboard FC Barcelona as a player in 1973 winning the Spanish league on the first try. At his peak Cruyff was maybe the best European player of his generation and his name regularly features when considering the all time greats of soccer. While he was at the wheel as manager between 1988-1996 the club won four league titles and one European cup title. But, maybe his longest lasting legacy is the philosophy of football that he was instrumental in instituting. Cruyff was a product of the 70s Dutch school of Total Football. The core idea was to delete the traditional demarcations between defenses and attackers.
Total football demanded that all players in all positions be equally skilled with the ball, and always look around to attack spaces the opposition leaves unguarded, and close down the space around attacking rivals. This philosophy was central to the success of the Dutch national team in the 70s, of the Barcelona dream team on the early 90s and of the squad we see today. Today's coach Josep Guardiola is a true product of the club's youth academy, La Masia. This academy is another key factor in the club's success, and the nucleus of the new dream team was formed here with players like Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Valdes, Fabregas (just lately returned home from Arsenal) and even Argentinean Leonel Messi were all drilled in the Barca way of total football.
Leo Messi is naturally another vital factor. The small-scale magician is breaking records (and opponents' spirit) on a regular basis, and before reaching his mid 20s is already being hailed as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. In a team that accent the collective, the individual talents of the one team player is still essential. FC Barcelona has always had exceptional individuals; Cruyff, Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho. And, many of these legends have been on top of their games during their years at Camp Nou. The FC Barcelona success formula is to have a formation and a style ingrained in a strong tradition with years of instruction and education of their young talents. Far more importance is given to individual skills and compatibility with team-mates than to physical strength and height. This tradition and status are what appeals to young talents (like Messi) from all over the world and allows the Barcelona coach to choose his team from the most promising local talent and some of the foremost talents world-wide to construct and reconstruct his team.
This is it, the secret of FC Barcelona's success; tradition, team-spirit and individual inventiveness! As the season 2011/12 is on its way newcomers Alexis Sanches, Cesc Fabregas and Thiago are set to take the team to the next stage this season.

Written by James Johns - freelance writer based in Barcelona.
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Bill Russell Biography and Career Highlights, Boston Celtics Center Hall of Fame Legend

Long before NBA basketball was known for it's face paced up and down the floor action, Bill Russell was the man revolutionized the sport to what we all see today. Bill Russell was such a dominating force in the NBA a whole new generation of players were drafted with hopes that they could find a big man who could do it all! Bill Russell led the Celtics to 11 NBA Champions, was nicknamed "Mr. Defense", and was the centerpiece to one of the greatest dynasties ever to play in professional sports.
If there ever was a basketball player who deserved to be called an "impact player," it was Bill Russell. He left his mark in basketball everywhere he ever played. When he went to the the University of San Francisco in 1952, the school didn't even have a gym. Four years later, San Francisco University had two National Championships, a 55 game winning streak, and a brand new gymnasium. Russell led San Francisco to the first undefeated season in NCAA history.
Just as soon as Bill Russell graduated college he left his mark on the USA Olympic basketball team. USA steamrolled their way to win the gold medal in Australia. As a rookie with the Boston Celtics he led the team to its first ever World Championship.
From 1959 to 1966, Russell's impact on the game was at an all time high. He was the man who grabbed the rebounds, blocked most the shots, and keyed the Boston Celtics fast break. When Celtics head coach Red Auerbach retired, his chosen successor was Bill Russell himself! By becoming the first African American head coach in professional sports, his impact was felt immediately. The 34 year old player-coach led his team through the playoffs for two of the most memorable Championship runs in basketball history. Russell and his over the hill players drove past younger teams that were just starting to master the brand of basketball that he introduced to basketball more than a dozen years earlier. By the time that Bill Russell left the game, "Mr. Defense," had certainly left his mark.
Bill Russell Timeline Biography

Age 6 - Goes to school in a one room shack
Age 12 - Mother passes away
Age 21 - Leads San Francisco to win NCAA Championship
Age 22 - Drafted by the Boston Celtics
1956 - Helps USA win Gold Medal
1957 - Leads Celtics to fist NCAA Championship
1966 - Becomes first African American coach in professional sports
1969 - Retires with 12 NBA Championships

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