The Tale That Dogs the WAG

Glancing through the red-tops on certain days over the past few weeks, one could be forgiven for thinking that England’s World Cup bid revolved not around 11 strapping male athletes on the pitch in Gelsenkirchen, but rather the occasionally dubious antics of a group of Cristal fuelled, bejewelled glamour queens in Manolo Blahniks and oversized sunglasses.

Certainly this does not constitute any great departure from form on the part of either the tabloid reporters or the WAGs themselves. The likes of Victoria Beckham (neé Posh Spice), Coleen Mcloughlin et al enjoy a tumultuous but mutually beneficial relationship with the tabloid press the year round; the designer label and conspicuous consumption led lifestyle financed by their HABs’ (Husbands and Boyfriends’) nosebleed-inducing salaries providing the perfect fodder for the type of journalist that eschews ‘real’ news and the tabloids in turn providing that all important limelight presence that is the lifeblood of glamour models and dried up pop has-beens. Few can have been generally shocked at the ‘mistake’ that saw the WAGs and other family members of the England team booked into the same hotel as the majority of the British press deployed to cover the World Cup. For a few short weeks the Brenner’s Park Hotel played host to a bona fide match made in Heaven as the WAGs trailed journalists pied-piper-like around Baden Baden’s hot spots, handing out tabloid-friendly photo opportunities and faux-shocking examples of ‘scandalous’ behaviour with the generosity of spirit of an anorexic at a soup kitchen. This was truly the blonde leading the bland.

Tabloid journalists, by their very nature, are risky bedfellows who specialise in biting the hand that feeds. That docile, friendly poodle in the lap of the IT girl can turn to a ravening, bloodthirsty pack animal quicker than you can say ‘deviated septum’, and this summer’s WAG-watching exercise saw its fair share of savagery. Like wolves or hyenas, when packs of tabloid journalists select their prey they single out the weakest individuals on the outside of the herd. Top spot on the tabloid maul-o-meter in this case must go to Abigail Clancy, (erstwhile?) girlfriend of Peter Crouch, lambasted not only for having done the dirty on England’s Unlikeliest Athlete but for having come clean to him about it mere hours before England’s game against Trinidad and Tobago in which Crouch scored the opening goal. Whilst we can all appreciate that such news is never good, and few would deny that its delivery could have been better timed, the majority of tabloid umbrage at this fact seems to be drawn from the assumption that the pain of receiving such news might have stymied Crouch’s game. This, of course, quite ignores the fact that until Crouch’s golden moment in the 83rd minute and his subsequent lamentable dance display he was one of the lesser known stars of English football whose very inclusion in the squad was the subject of dark and doubtful mutterings in some quarters. Had Abi Clancy’s relationship misdemeanours indeed put the kybosh on Crouch’s ability to play at top level, the goal would never have gone in and the entire sorry episode would barely have been newsworthy to start with. There again, when did we ever look to the tabloids for logic?

Of course, now that England have returned in ignominious circumstances it’s not just Abi Clancy who has strayed within the tabloid zone of terror. Having made such a towering media edifice of the England team in recent weeks, the hacks of Middle England now balk at the prospect of knocking it down, so instead they cast around for a scapegoat. All accusations seem to slide from erstwhile manager Sven-Goran Eriksson like droplets from a well-oiled silver duck, and in any case what does Sven care? He’s already packed his bags for Sweden and kissed his love affair with English football a fond goodbye. All in all, it looks like the blame for England’s poor performance (it just wouldn’t do to recycle an excuse from the past 40 years) may well be laid at several pairs of immaculately manicured feet in very expensive heels! Come to that, so what? In return for such a lavish existence and a media presence second to none (certainly to none who do so little to warrant it) couldn’t they at least shoulder a little blame now and again? Is that too much to ask?

Signed Ji-Sung Park Man United Shirt Being Given Away For Charity

Few have not heard of Ji-Sung Park, the Korean superstar dubbed the “Shaggy Haired-One” of UK Premiership team Manchester United. Park rose to international stardom in 2002, scoring goals against England and France during international friendlies in May, preceding the World Cup of 2002. During the World Cup, he scored the winning goal in South Korea's match against Portugal . His first professional contract was at J-League's Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2000, and he was the first Korean footballer ever to go straight to the J-League without going through the K-League. He was arguably the most influential player of the team by 2002 and following his stellar performance World Cup that year, it was evident that the J-League was too small a stage for Park.

His international career began as a defensive midfielder at age 18. When Guus Hiddink became the head coach of South Korea, Park’s position was changed to winger. Since then, Park is considered to be versatile player who can play in a range of positions, from wing-back to central midfield. After the World Cup, Park was recruited to PSV Eindhoven, to play under his mentor and former national team coach Hiddink. Unlike his compatriot Young-Pyo Lee, who rapidly became a fixture in PSV Eindhoven's starting lineup, Park struggled and a few poor performances which unfortunately saw him being boo-ed by some of the PSV fans.

By the end of 2003-2004 season, Park had adapted to The Netherlands, he quickly proved his worth to the team forming the backbone of PSV Eindhoven's midfield play with fellow Korean Young-Pyo Lee and Dutchmen Mark van Bommel and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Park’s energetic movement created havoc against all opponents at all areas of the field, both offensively and defensively. His PSV career highlight came he scored the first goal against AC Milan at the Champions League semi-finals.

Park was scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United by the end of the 2005 season who believed that Park's energetic style of play and outstanding fitness could be the foundation his flagging Manchester United side needed. Also, with the aging of Ryan Giggs and the relatively inexperienced Cristiano Ronaldo on the right wing, Park was sought after, in order to keep the Manchester United midfield fresh but also provide experience to a mostly young team. In July 2005, Ji-Sung Park signed a four-year contract with Manchester United for four million pounds.

As anticipated, Park impressed fans during Manchester United's pre-season tour of the Far East, as well as in the first game of the season against Everton with his tireless, energetic roaming of the pitch and pressuring of opponents, such that Ferguson picked him over Ryan Giggs and the popular Cristiano Ronaldo against Aston Villa on 20th August the following week. His lack of composure in front of goal is considered his main weakness as he has, on many occassions, come close to scoring but he has opted to pass the ball to his other team-mates. Park has been renowned for his good attitude and strong work ethic which have helped him excel for both club and country. His fitness is known to rival that of a marathon runner, and his former teammates at PSV Eindhoven have jokingly suggested that Park plays with an oxygen tank strapped to his back.

Ji-Sung Park’s unofficial website is soon hosting a charity contest where fans can win a genuine Man United shirt, hand-signed by Park, worth hundreds of pounds. Every person who enters- needs to donate 2 pounds & predict how many goals in total Park will have scored for Man United in all competitions by the end of the season. All money raised is being given to a local South Korean charity- a football academy for deprived youngsters, in conjunction with the famous South Korean team: Suwon Bluewings, the famous football club, from where Park is from and was born. For more information please visit: www.ji-sungpark.com

The Decline Of The Local Newspaper

I have recently been hearing about how our local newspapers (in the UK) are falling into decline due to a raft of competition from various alternative media sources such as the internet.

I live in Birmingham and I am the type of person who loves to play and watch sports. Where I live we have a famous Saturday nights sports paper which arrives in the shops at around 6pm, it is called The Sports Argus and is pink in colour. This paper has been a must buy for my family for as long as I can remember and it includes all of the days football results and the latest football tables. It also has match reports from all of the local teams as well as a lot of information about other sports including the horse racing and its results. This paper will no longer be available as it appeared in the shops for the last time around three weeks ago.

A few years ago the first place to read about these results and to see the updated football divisions was via this newspaper. This is no longer the case of course. We are now able to view this information almost immediately after each football match has finished on either satellite television, the internet or even on our mobile phones. Less and less people are now purchasing this particular paper which is a shame as I had continued to do so and will miss it!

Other potential reasons for a decline in our local newspapers could include the fact that they are no longer that local, if you know what I mean. As an example some of the papers include lots and lots of national news items and only a few about local stories and events. The reason we are purchasing the paper is to find out about what is going on in our own area, if I want to know about national items I would of course buy one of the national newspapers.

A number of our local newspapers have been taken over by some of the big news corporations who have reduced the amount of pages in each edition and who have also reduced the amount of copies which are printed. What they did not reduce of course was the price, therefore they are expecting us to pay the same price for less pages and less news.

We are now also able to watch the news twenty-four hours a day if we want to and if we of course have access to satellite television. This has had a huge negative impact on the local newspaper sales.

Advertising revenue has greatly reduced in recent years for these local newspapers, this has also been a reason which has resulted in some of them deciding to stop printing.

In my opinion if the local newspapers are going to survive they need to fight back. They should become as is their name, more local. By all means include the main two or three national news stories but ninety percent of the items should be about the local area and its people.

Advertising rates should be made more affordable with perks to encourage people to become long term business partners and advertisers, such as free features of their business from time to time. I would also include some interesting competitions and offers off different products.

How to Watch the SuperBowl

On February 4th hundreds of thousands of Football fans will be gathering around their televisions to view the SuperBowl, but what are the essentials to maximizing your SuperBowl watching experience

The teams may not have been decided yet, but it is not like it really matters, no matter who plays most eyes will be glued to the game. With the exception of the fans of those teams that are playing most people who watch the SuperBowl are just hoping for a good game.

One thing people like to do to make the game more interesting is an office football pool. This is when everyone throws money into a pot and you get a box latter numbers are randomly put in each box, then at the end of each quarter the score is checked and whoever is on the box that corresponds with the current score wins some money, and who ever has the score at the end of the game gets the majority of the money.

Another thing the more hardcore gamblers like to do is to place a bet at one of the many online sportsbooks. If this is hat you are into I recommend you go to several sportsbooks before placing your bets, different sites will offer different odds. Make sure to only place your bets on the SuperBowl with the bookie who offers you the best odds.

Besides betting on the game there are many things you can do to make the game more enjoyable.

The people you watch the game with effect the enjoy ability of the game. If some of the people you watch the SuperBowl with do not like football or understand the game they are not going to get into the game and they may want to talk and be a disturbance to those who want to watch the game undisturbed.

The 2 most important things you need to watch the SuperBowl are food and beverages. SuperBowl party’s can be very wild and result in many people calling out of work the next day, because of being hung over or sick from bad food.

Make sure whatever types of foods you offer the foods were not prepared in a rush. If you are planning to order food to be delivered you may want to rethink your plan. One of the busiest nights of the year for a take out restaurant is SuperBowl Sunday, and in a rush to get all the orders delivered on time sometimes food can be undercooked, so you may want to either keep it simple like pizza or make your own food.


Beverages can be a bigger problem then the food. Most men will usually drink some beer while watching the game, but unless each person brings their own beer you risk running into someone who does not like the selection you have provided, also because the game is on a Sunday people may want to stay sober, because of work the next day. So make sure to have a good selection of beer, hard liquor and non alcoholic soft drinks. You can always ask you friends when you invite them for the game what they like to drink, then assuming no one picks something so out of the ordinary you should be able to find an acceptable mix of drinks for everyone.

As for Snacks I recommend a large selection or the basics chips, pretzels and maybe popcorn or even peanuts.

Hopefully this will help you to have a better time watching the SuperBowl, and throw a great party at the same time.

How to bet on the SuperBowl

Since the SuperBowl is the last game of the season you have an advantage that you do not have during the beginning of the season.

With 2 weeks to go till the SuperBowl we know that the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears will be the ones representing their divisions in the biggest game of the year.

Many people like to bet on sports to make them more exciting, and the SuperBowl is no exception. It is common for many offices to have a SuperBowl Pool, and it is very common for friends to bet on the outcome of the game with each other, it just increases the fun of watching the game, but how do you know who to bet your money on?

There is no guaranteed way to know who will win without cheating, but comparing the states can help in making an informed decision.

There are many things to take into account:

Some teams have a great passing game; some teams are strongest on the run, so you have to look at whom are they playing and what is there defense best against. If you have a team that has a great running back, and the defense is weak against the run then that is a definite advantage to the team that likes to run the football.



The location of the game is also important the SuperBowl is always played in a Domed stadium so the weather is not usually a major factor in the SuperBowl but, if the stadium has Astroturf as apposed to real grass then that can effect a team, lets say one team has turf in their home stadium and he other team has grass, then this can be an advantage to the team who has turf.

The physical and mental state of the players must also be taken into account before placing a bet on the SuperBowl or any sporting event. Come the playoffs many teams have players on the injured list, but many players will try to come back for the playoffs to help their team, but often this backfires because they may not be playing at 100% and can re-injure themselves so that they are playing hurt during the big game. This means they will not be playing at their best, and this gives an advantage to the opposite team.

The mental state of the players can affect a players even more then an injury can. If a player is playing hurt he still has his head in the game, but a player with marriage or financial problems is not concentrating on the game, they may be thinking of their own problems. This can cause a player to drop balls or make stupid mistakes.

After researching all these issues you will start to form a picture in your head of who is the better team going into the SuperBowl, and this will allow you to make an educated guess as to who will win. Remember this guide will only help improve your odds of winning they are not a guarantee that you will pick all the winners.

Baseball Betting: How to Bet Basics

If you know nothing about sports and you still feel the urge to wager, baseball is the easiest sports to wager on. As opposed to football and basketball, where you are mixed up with the point spreads and other confusing calculations, in baseball betting you simply put your money on the outcome of the game. In addition, the baseball season lasts longer, which means more matches and bigger chances to go home with the winning money. Here is a step to step guide to baseball betting. 

The main difference between baseball betting and other team sports betting such as football and basketball is that while the latter ones use point spreads, the former uses the money line.

What is a Point Spread?
Point spread is the most common betting type offered in football and basketball betting. The sportsbook spreads the odd of a certain match by subtracting points from the favorite team, which is the team most likely to win and adding points to the underdog, which is the team that will raise a lot of eyebrows if wins.

What is a Money Line?
In baseball betting, the sportsbook sets the odds strictly on the outcome of the match. In order to even the action, bettors would have to risk more money on the favorite and risk less on the underdog. This is called the money line.

For example, if the money line is minus 170 on the favorite and plus 150 on the underdog, then you would have to bet 170 dollars on the favorite in order to earn 100 dollars. On the other hand, if you bet 100 dollars on the underdog, you would win 150 dollars if they would eventually win the match.

The difference between the minus 170 on the favorite and the plus 150 on the underdog is known as the twenty cent line. If the money line was minus on the favorite and plus 150 on the underdog, it is called the ten cent line or dime line. The fifteen cent line is also common in baseball betting.

Sportsbooks also offer total bets and run lines in baseball betting.

1) Total Bets:
These wagers are based on the sum of the runs scored by both of the teams. For example, if the sportsbook sets the over under total of a match as 7, the over wins if the sum of the runs scored by both teams exceeds 7 and the under wins if it sums up to less than 7.

2) The Run Line:
This wager is the baseball variation of point spread. When you are betting on the run line, you are betting on whether one of the teams wins by more than one run, which is marked as minus 1.5 or stays within one run, marked as plus 1.5.

Conclusion:
Although the money line makes <a href="http://www.gambling-portal.com/baseball.html">baseball betting</a> simpler than football and basketball betting, it causes the payoffs calculation to be more complicated:

1) In order to calculate the payoff when wagering on the favorite you should add 1 to the favorite price and divide it with the favorite price.

2) In order to calculate the payoff when wagering on the underdog you should add 1 to the underdog price.