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Santa has reverse-burgled us again and we're about to settle into another day of family and feasting, but before we do let's look at the happenings in global football... Well what do you know, not a definitive thing going on anywhere. Yes there are transfer rumors swirling around every club, but nothing is certain and managers are mostly talking loans rather than long-term contracts. We'll see a few people shuffle of course: Edin Dzeko could leave Wolfburg for a top tier team, Adebayor, Santa Cruz and Robbie Keane are likely to shift squads, Ganso may set off from Brazil for foreign shores, maybe Kaka moves back to Italy where he could face Shay Given between the sticks in Rome, Manuel Neuer could find his way to Munich from Schalke—the list is nearly endless. Rather than continue on in this haphazard vein, let's all agree to check back in when the

Oh Asamoah, How You Endear Yourself to Us

December 23, 2010 — by Sean — 1

Asamoah Gyan is a favorite around these parts, not least because of his character. Yes, he's a speedy striker with an eye for slamming the ball into the ol' onion sack, but what makes him loved is his pure enjoyment of the game (obvious to all if only for the joy in his celebrations). It's easy to forget how the 25 yr old was only a teen when Cantona ruled at Old Trafford, and as the Black Cats are slated to line up against United in a few dozen hours Gyan has been caught reminiscing over his youth spent watching the Manchester elite: This will be my first-ever visit to Old Trafford and I have been waiting a very long time for it. I have supported Manchester United since I was a small boy and my hero was Eric Cantona. My dad was a fan for many years before that.

South Koreans Abroad

December 23, 2010 — by Sean

Seeing as part of the CultFootball family is currently enveloped in all things Korean, it seems as good a time as any to work up a little overview of the mother country's most important players overseas (especially considering the conversation about the Reds that just happened over roast gui). Let's break it down, list style: Son Heung-Min Hamburger SV – An 18 yr old striker who has earned the affectionate nickname "The Korean Müller" for a rash of goals in the Bundesliga preseason before he picked up an injury that sat him out for a few months. On his first game back this season he scored against Koln, making him the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history. Cha Du-Ri Celtic – The 30 yr old is well traveled, having been born in Germany then playing for Bayer Leverkusen, Eintract Frankfurt, and a couple others before landing at Celtic this year. He

Landon Donovan Takes a Rest

December 22, 2010 — by Sean

Sorry lads, not this season.

After his fantastic showing in Liverpool last winter, Evertonians were abuzz over bringing the little speedster back to Goodison. They weren't alone. Plenty of us in the States were hoping for his return to the people's club, and a good many of us were hoping for a more permanent move. Everton is a club that's easy to follow for the drama alone – they've a solid squad with an attractive style that tends to get down before fighting back in the second half of the season. Donovan as part of that struggle made for great drama, and his quality displayed on such a big stage brought some tiny increase in respect for the game coming out of america. Were the Merseysiders really that enamored of the man? Just check out the 400 pages of comments in this Everton forum: Sir Landon

Goodbye, Rafa

December 21, 2010 — by Sean

Rafa: SHAMED

To no one's surprise at all, Rafa Benitez has been run out of Milan after taking a squad of champions, injuring half of them and leading the rest to seventh place in Serie A, 13 points off the lead at the Christmas break. Who didn't see this coming? We certainly did: Benitez took a team with no changes to the side that won the Serie A title and the Champion’s League title last year, and has them 6 points off the lead and currently out of a Champion’s league qualifying position. His response, (I paraphrase) “I need new players in the transfer window.” We finished up that particular post with: Soon you will be exposed as a fraud and run out of Italy. Who else might be happy to see you get your due? Perhaps the Special One, who back in August had this

Copa del Rey Round of 16 – Barcelona-Bilbao & Valencia-Villareal

December 21, 2010 — by Suman — 1

Copa del Rey 2010

The Round of 16 (Octavos) of the 2010-11 Copa del Rey (official name: Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Don Juan Carlos I, i.e., "Championship of Spain – His Majesty King Juan Carlos I's Cup") begins today. Two attractive matchups will be televised in the US this afternoon, with two more to follow tomorrow afternoon. The four teams playing this afternoon are among the top eight in the current La Liga table (Barcelona #1, Villareal #2, Valencia #4, and Athletic Bilbao #8). As usual, all times ET: Tuesday, Dec 21 2:00pm Ath Bilbao v Barcelona (L) Spain Copa del Rey ESPN3, ESPND 4:00pm Valencia v Villarreal (L) Spain Copa del Rey ESPN3, ESPND Barcelona, of course, has been playing better than anyone--certainly better than any club right now, but perhaps as well as any club side ever. So even though Athletic

Attack of the Snoods

December 21, 2010 — by Sean

It's very cold in England these days. Well, very cold FOR England at least. All that snow and gusting northern winds makes a chilly day's work for the men in shorts. Long socks take care of part of the leg, wicking compression shorts cover the rest. More thermal material for the chest, but what about the poor naked neck? Enter: the snood. First seen warming the adam's apple of Turin fashionisto Gigi Buffon (not to forget Francesco Totti's contribution), the plush neck cozy has made an impact in active play in this year's Prem campaign. We may have let it pass if not for the abundance of them in the City v Everton match: Carlos Tevez may have been the first to don the floppy piece of fabric for City, but in this latest game he was joined by teammates Balotelli, Toure and Silva. You've also got Chamakh and Nasri

Everton Earn Gutsy Win over Mancini’s Men

December 20, 2010 — by Sean

The west coast excursion continues with a stop in at Brent's Deli (to sample their take on pastrami. Being from New York, we'll stick with Katz's), where lunchtime gave us a chance to check out David Moyes' men away at the Eastlands. Early goals from Tim Cahil – off his head, as if he scores any other way – and left back Leighton Baines got the toffees off to a flying start. What of constant disruption Carlos Tevez, you ask? Why the Argentine decided to settle his dispute by expressing his "absolute commitment" to the club, retained the captain's armband, and started the game of course. From the mouth of Mancini: “Carlos is a world-class player whose contribution since he joined the club has been invaluable. I am pleased that we are now able to focus on pure football matters and to be able to look forward to Carlos continuing

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Commentary Video

Merry Christmas to All!

Commentary

Oh Asamoah, How You Endear Yourself to Us

Asia Commentary General Knowledge

South Koreans Abroad

Commentary News

Landon Donovan Takes a Rest

News

Goodbye, Rafa

Commentary

Copa del Rey Round of 16 – Barcelona-Bilbao & Valencia-Villareal

Commentary

Attack of the Snoods

News

Everton Earn Gutsy Win over Mancini’s Men