Real Madrid in the 1980s

Living in Turkey, in the mid 1980s, we use to get the European games live. Best teams back then or the ones that made it thru the elimination rounds were Real Madrid, Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, and Goteberg. 

You might remember, the English teams were banned from European soccer due to the Liverpool incident were the fans attacked the Italian visitors and the wall collapsed to kill a lot of them. 

I’ll have to find who the Italian team was, I think it was Juventus or AC Milan. 

Anyway, back then it was nice watching the games, it was always on Wednesday nights. My favourite team was Real Madrid.  

Also, back then there was only one channel, so you knew everyone in Istanbul were watching the same thing on TV. 

If you put your head outside your window, you would hear the echo coming from all the sounds of the TVs on. I remember that. It was cool. 

Life was more simple.

Teams of Mesut Ozil

Teams of Mesut Ozil

Today, I would like to share the information and pictures of the teams that  Mesut Ozil has played for as a professional soccer player. 

Here they are, from most recent:

     Arsenal FC of England

     Real Madrid of Spain

    Germany National Team (no picture)

     Werder Bremen of Germany

     Schalke 04 of Germany 

Rumour has it that Barcelona FC is interested in transferring this 'smooth playmaker' over the 2014 summer transfer window.  We will see if another kit will be added to our collection vaults.

Sincerely, 

Madrid's in Lisbon

Madrid's in Lisbon

Today, is the UEFA European Champions League Final, between Athletico Madrid versus Real Madrid.  Amazing to see two teams from the same city make it all the way to the finals.  This final will be played in the neighbour country of Portugal's capital city of Lisbon.  

     Athletico Madrid

I'm very much impressed at the journey of these two teams, to make to the 'bitter end'. 

     Real Madrid

May it be a good game, and let the better team win today.  

I'm waiting for the game to begin, and wanted to post this blog.  

Here's comes kickoff.  

Madrid Duel

Madrid Duel 

The  UEFA Champions League final is going to be played in the city of Lisbon Portugal.   The teams that will play in this years prestigious final will both be from the city of Madrid.  The teams are:

Athletico Madrid 

&

Real Madrid 

Athletico Madrid beat Chelsea FC & Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich to make it to the final. 

    Ilker Casillas of Real Madrid

I am very much impressed that one city can have two teams go all the way to the finals.  

The city of Madrid is rejoicing and should cherish this moment.   They are clear winners in the UEFA Champions League. 

   Arda Turan of Athletico Madrid

Let's find out who will win the trophy.  

Sincerely, 

Ben

Smooth Playmaker of Mesut Ozil

Smooth Playmaker of Mesut Ozil

Arsenal Soccer Club's best player and recent addition from Real Madrid FC, the one and only Mesut Ozil is reportedly set to be the target of a bid from Barcelona FC over the summer season. 

     Arsenal's Mesut O

The former Real Madrid playmaker, who arrived at Arsenal for a club record transfer fee of 42.5 Million Pound, could be the subject of a 30 Million Pound bid, plus a couple of players from the Catalan powerhouse.  

My opinion of the move would make sense for Barcelona FC, and here is my explanation. 

Barcelona's current midfield players are aging, plus they are a team built on passing the ball.  Anyone who watches soccer knows that one of best, if not the best passer and playmaker out there currently, is Mesut Ozil.  He would be a perfect fit for Barcelona's reliance of the ball eventually ending on Lionel Messi's foot, then the back of the net, but first the pass needs to get to Messi.  

Also, throughout the season, it became clearly obvious that aging playmakers mentioned in the above paragraph were relied upon to heavily this season, with no clear option to interchange them throughout the season at Barcelona FC. 

     Real Madrid's Mesut O

According to BTV’s ‘La Porteria’ program Barcelona Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta is looking to ensure the long-term success of the club by making waves in the summer transfer market, with Mesut Ozil being their top priority. 

It is unlikely that Arsenal would sell Mesut Ozil after only one season with the club; however there are clear signs of Barcelona wanting to spend money to continue their success in European Football.  Barcelona FC have 'money' and 'ambition' and no trophies after the end of 2013-2014 Football season. 

Sincerely,

Ben

🤓

Last four of the UEFA Champions League

Last four of the UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League for the 2013 - 2014 season has proceeded to the Quarter-Finals (Last 4).  The following are the remaining teams left:

     Chelsea

     Bayern Munich

(No picture)

Real Madrid

(No picture)

Athletico Madrid

There were a couple of upsets in my opinion. 

Athletico Madrid eliminating Barcelona was a shocker. 

And

Chelsea FC coming back from a 3-1 first game loss, to win the second game 2-0. 

I'm very interested to see which teams will be matched against one another.  

What is your prediction for the 'last two'?

Thank you for reading, 

Ben

🤓

Last Eight

Last Eight

The UEFA Champions League for the 2013 - 2014 season has proceeded to the Quarter-Finals (Last Eight).  The teams remaining are the following:

     Bayern Munich

Real Madrid (Spain)

Barcelona (Spain)

Athletico Madrid (Spain)

Bayern Munich (Germany)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Manchester United (England)

Chelsea (England)

Paris St Germain (France)

     Barcelona

The draw for the matchups have settled, and they are:

Chelsea vs Paris St Germain

Manchester United vs Bayern Munich

Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

Barcelona vs Athletico Madrid

     Real Madrid

I'm very interested to see who will make it to the 'last four' of this prestiges tournament.  

What is your prediction for the 'last four'?

Sincerely, 

Landscaping in Real Estate

Landscaping in Real Estate

How important is landscaping for your home?

The University of Guelph in Canada completed a study in the year 2011, that measured the effect of properly completed landscaping on property values, and had the following conclusion.   

          Beautiful sunset 

Landscaping increased the value of the 'home' by 5%, plus it improved curb appeal.  Extensive landscaping such as rocks, mature trees, decks and patios increased the homes value by upwards of 15%.

I can hear you say "why are you writing about landscaping in the middle of winter?"

The reason is that, if you:

Bought a home,

Planning on selling a home,

Looking to build a home, and / or

Upgrade an existing home,

Organize and plan in the winter months a 'to do list' on your home.  And when spring / summer arrives, you know exactly what needs to be completed and the expense / investment needed to complete the work.  

Also , plan on visiting 'Home Hardware' stores frequently and remember that you will be spending more money then the allocated amount.  Enough said, about this topic, from one 'Experienced' Landscaper. 

Thank you for reading, 

Ben 

Preview, Galatasaray vs Real Madrid in November 2013

Preview, Galatasaray vs Real Madrid in November 2013

This game will be the 5'th for both teams, who are in Group 'B' of the UEFA Champions League.  Real Madrid is in first place with 10 points, and has guaranteed to make it to the coveted 'last 16' of this competition.  Galatasaray have 4 points, and is in second place, and requires a 'good game' to boost their confidence, and try to 'steal' a win, with a likelier result of a 'tie'.

          Real Madrid emblem

Coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid has confirmed today that the star player of Cristiano Ronaldo will miss this game due to an injury of a 'thigh problem'.  The news of Cristiano Ronaldo not playing in this game is good news for 'Gala'.  With him in the line-up, I would have given Gala 'no chance' of securing a point(s).  Without him, and other 'key' players not dressing-up for this game, I do believe it will be more of an 'even' competition.  

         Galatasaray emblem

The game will be played at Estadio Santiago Stadium in Madrid, on Wednesday November 27, 2013.  Make time to watch this game, as I believe it will be an exciting game.

Thank you for reading, 

Ben

Group B of UEFA Champions League

Group B of this seasons UEFA Champions League

Group B of this seasons UEFA Champions League, looks like this, after 4 games have been played.  

Clubs.            G.     W.      T.       L.   P. 

Real Madrid    4.     3.      1.       0. 14.     

Galatasaray    4.     1.      1.       2.   4.   

Kobenhavn     4.     1.      1.       2.   4.  

Juventus         4.     0.      3.       1.   3. 

I am a 'Gala' supporter, and my second favorite team is 'Real'.  I do believe that Real Madrid has guaranteed to make it to the 'Last 16' of the competition, congratulations to that organization. 

          Galatasaray FC

However, the second place spot, and the qualifier for that coveted 'Last 16' is still up-for-grabs.  The remainder games in this group are:

27 November 2013

Real Madrid 20.45 Galatasaray

Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

27 November 2013

Juventus 20.45 Kobenhavn

Stadium: Juventus Stadium, Turin

10 December 2013

Galatasaray 20.45 Juventus

Stadium: Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul (TUR)

10 December 2013

Kobenhavn 20.45 Real Madrid

Stadium: Kobenhavn 

For Galatasaray to make it to the 'Last 16', they will need to finish ahead of Juventus and Kobenhavn, therefore they will need to 'hopefully' not loose at Madrid, a tie would be a good result.  The last game will be against Juventus, and I do believe the winner of this game, will make it to the 'Last 16", which is the next round of the Champions League.  

          Real Madrid FC

I am sorry to say that, I do not give Kobenhavn has any chance of making it to the next round, therefore the last game against 'Gala' and 'Juve' will be a 'do or die' game.   The winner, surely will finish second in the group and proceed to the next round, and the looser will finish in third place.  

My prediction for 'Gala's' next two games are:

Real Madrid 0 - 0 Galatasaray

Galatasaray 1 - 0 Juventus

What is your prediction?

Thank you for visiting,