Fantastic Video Compilation of the Top 10 Goals from Copa America 2007 being held in Venezuela.

Top 10 Goals

For the second time in three years we are going to have a Liverpool vs Milan final in the UEFA Champions league. Milan confirmed their position in the final after thumping Manchester United 3-0 in Milan to win the tie on aggregate 5-3.

If the previous final is anything to go by, we can expect a treat. I expect Liverpool to win, they are much better (in Europe, mind you) than what they were two years back. The middle of the field looks very settled with Mascherano and Alonso. And of course Benitez really seems to have mastered tactics required for success in Europe. For both the clubs, this trophy represents the only chance to redeem what has otherwise been very disappointing seasons at club level.

Manchester United:

A woeful defense and players like Ronaldo going AWOL cut short any hopes of a final and a shot at a second treble. United now need to recover by Saturday when they play Manchester City in the derby. The league title is in their hands but will they slip up?

The best player in the world

Before the semifinals, there were two contenders for the best active footballer in the world. And over the two legs, Kaka has made that position his own. Of course, 1) Gattuso hacking down Ronaldo all over the park and 2) United’s terrible defense have certainly helped.

The Goals from the match:

First goal - KAKA

Second goal- SEEDORF

Third goal- GILARDINHO

Liverpool are through to the Final of the Champions league after defeating Chelsea on penalties. What a relief! This way we wont get to hear Jose Mourinho rave about he had led two different clubs to the Champions League title (not yet).

I expect United to go through tomorrow, a Liverpool vs United final in Athens will be absolutely cracking. But, with the Athens Police Force set to go on strike (for higher wages), this could turn into a big mess.

But for now, congratulations to Liverpool and the Kop!

You can watch the video of the highlights here: Highlights

You can watch the Penalty Kick Shoot Out Here:  Penalties

I am a fan of Steffi Graf. Who isn’t? I found this funny video on YouTube and I decided our loyal readers deserve some fun too. So, here is the link.

This was by far, one of my toughest assignments. Dunking has changed over the years from its showy plain beginnings to becoming a form of art in the modern era. Just looking back at the past few decades, there has been a gradual change from power dunking to finesse. What you thought was impossible a few years ago, is reality now and only imagination stands between man and his elevation to stuff the ball into the hoop. Here are my top 5 NBA dunks

No 5

Rightly nicknamed ‘The Human Highlight film’, Dominique Wilkins personified the Windmill dunk. The raw power in each slam had the stadium rocking. It was only right that I did not pick one of his Windmills over the other. There was so little to choose in between them, that I had to thrown in a compilation of his Windmills at No 5.

The Human Highlight film, Windmill Mix

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tv1egELYa6A

No 4

Dr. J (Julius Erving) has to get the credit for changing the dunking world. Before he came into the scene, dunks were primarily from close to the basket by really tall players with absolutely zero entertainment value. Dr. J showed the world, the art of dunking. He was most famously known for this dunk at No 4. Dr J starts the break with a steal, drives on the left lane and cuts towards the basket, clutches the ball in one hand, swings it across his body and elevates over Michael Cooper of the Lakers for the jam.
Dr. J clutches the ball in one hand, swings it around and throws it down over Michael Cooper of the lakers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbQKzTg0SPI

No 3

What was Tracy McGrady thinking of. This play had fans going crazy. Free throw dunks were reserved for the dunk contest not by choice but by physical ability until this day. Not a single person has even dreamed of pulling off a free throw dunk during a game. At No 3, Tracy Mcgrady starts the break, shuffles his feet a few yards from the free throw line and takes off, soaring for the slam.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZdWcYNxBb8

No 2

I really did not want to rank a dunk from the dunk contest here as it would change the ratings considerably. But this dunk was one of the most amazing dunks I had ever seen. Really doesnt matter when or where he did it but it was a masterpiece. The Mona Lisa of dunks and it belongs to His Airness, Michael Jordan. Jordan needs a 48 to tie and a 49 to win against his perennial dunk contest foe Dominique Wilkins. Although many people have dunked from the free throw line, this was something special. Micheal starts his run up from the end of the court, gradually gaining speed as it culminates with a smooth flowing figure taking off from the free throw line, double cluthcing in the air with his tongue out as cameras flash for the most famous picture of a dunk. It was God disguised as Micheal Jordan. Oh yeah and they gave Jordan a 50.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=m0EcVR04bAE

No 1

What can one say about this dunk. People talk about dunking on the defenders but actually going over them? And how many people could go over someone standing at 7 foot 2 inches. Well America’s Vince Carter can. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Vinsanity gets the steal at midcourt, gets a couple of short steps before he elevates over Frederic Weis of France and slams it over him. He actually takes off in front Weis and lands behind him. Weis did retire after the Olympics( I do feel sorry for him ) but on the bright side his name will always be synonymous with the best dunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_H0gLc7jUY&NR

C2

P.S: Look out for James “Flight” White at this years dunk contest. He was drafted at No 31 by the Portland Trail Blazers. This guy can dunk from the free throw line and still have enough hangtime to put the ball between his legs while doing it.http://youtube.com/watch?v=pA4L-_Wic78

Technorati Tags: Basketball, Dunks, Jordan, Carter, Basketball+Videos, McGrady, Erving

I was channel surfing yesterday when i chanced upon a montage of Maradona’s famous goal at WC 86. IMO it was the best goal of all time and was the highlight of Argentine football. After that I wanted to compile a list of the top 5 goals of the last 10 years. Its a subjective list and I obviously didnt use any scientific method to arrive at it. I judged them merely on two factors- viewing pleasure and importance. I’ve decided to forego World Cup/European Championship Goals because they are far too well known. So for the sake of not being too repetitive only Club goals are featured in this list.

V’s Top 5 goals I’ve seen in the last 10 years

(Click on the names to see the goals)

5) Fernando Redondo- Real Madrid vs Manutd - Q/F (CL)
‘ He had a magnet in his boots’ is what ferguson remarked when asked to assess Redondo’s performance in this Quarter Final Clash at Old Trafford. It was scintillating and was capped off with a move which drew applause from rival fans as well. Unfortunately, Redondo was consistently plagued by injuries and also tiffs with various Argentinian coaches cut short his international career.

Trivia: When Redondo was sold to AC Milan, there were riots in Madrid!

4) Rivaldo - Barcelona vs Valencia - Primera Liga

Barcelona needed to beat Valencia at the Nou Camp to pip them for the final Champions League spot. All hope seemed to have been lost once Ruben Baraja levelled the scores at 2-2.

Then Rivaldo came up with this in the 90th minute of the game. Spectacular is the word.

3) Ryan Giggs- Manchester United vs Arsenal- FA Cup Semis.This goal after a mazy run against the famed Arsenal back four was in Extra Time against MU’s arch rivals. The move would have done Diego proud. United fans have made sure that Patrick Vieira never got to forget the fact that he was the one who gave the ball away. Of c ourse, nobody really wanted to see Giggs without his shirt on.

2) Steven Gerrard - Liverpool vs Olympiakos at Anfield

This goal was decisive and was scored during Liverpools successful Champions League campaign. Liverpool were heading out of the tournament. Gerrard scored, Liverpool went through and the rest is history! They defeated AC Milan in the final after making one of the most stunning comebacks in football history.

It was a screamer from 25 yards and in the words of Andy Gray, It was a beauty. The commentary is particularly hair raising. This goal had to pip Gerrard’s effort against West Ham United in the 2005 FA Cup Final.

1) Zidane- Real Madrid Vs Bayer Leverkusen at Glasgow
What can i say? The magician from Marseille did this in The Champions League Final. Talk about being a clutch performer. Brilliant! This the sort of stuff that Zidane will always be remembered for. Do you agree? Have I missed any that you think deserves to be on the list?

V