Fourteen goals to help Stuttgart win Bundsliga title, Mario Gomez voted sports writers best player of German Bundsliga. Collecting 196 votes in the poll, the striker became the first Stuttgart player to the crown since Jurgen Klinsman in 1988. Kicker magazine published the poll result Wednesday showing Stuttgart’s manager Armin Vah best coach of the season. Werder Bremen’s Diego with175 points came second, followed by Bernd Schneider of Bayer Levrkusen with 156 points. Though World Cup top scorer Miroslav Klose, Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni and Frank Reberry joining Bayer Munich, the hottest favorite to the new season title, Gomez told reporters he and his side would make it again by all means.

Meseret Defar on top of the world
Kenenisa on the rise

Focused in her first ever world athletics championship victory in the 9th Osaka world athletics championship, 5000 meter world record holder Meseret Defar is firmly on top of world best athlete of the season table. Adding all African games gold medal to the already crowded war chest Meseret is nine points away from American Sonia Richards. Olympic gold medalist Meseret currently the best women distance runner of the planet leads the table with 14 points while women’s 200 and  400 meter record holder Sonia second with 1396 points. Reigning world best athlete of the season twenty years old Sania’s dream of retaining her crown appears to fade away for Meseret’s recent months best performance speaks for itself.  Osaka gold medal on top there seem no one to catch up the twenty three years old to become the first Ethiopian women athlete to crown IAAF best athlete of the season. American Michele Perry stood third with 1385 points.
The only women athlete to win both 5000 and 10000 meter world championship gold medalist Trunesh Dibaba stayed in sixth place collecting 1375 points. Though the youngest ever world champion Trunesh won in the recent Paris golden league athletics meeting failing to set new world records does not help her coming up on the ladder to catch up on her adversary Meseret Defar. Former world cross country champion Meselech Melkamu took three steps up the ladder thanks to her all African games silver medal. Algiers gold medal winner Gelete Burka is 29th on the table five steps down despite her recent gold winning victory.
World best athlete of the season in two successive seasons Kenenisa Bekele shot up one step up to clinch third place with 1395 points. Three wins in less than ten days Kenenisa appeared a man destined to catch up with the reigning world best athlete of the season Jamaican Assafa Pawell still leading the medal table with 1431 points. As Australian Craig Motram, once famous for defeating Olympic gold medalist and record holder Kenenisa in 3000 meter, clearly understood they are no more in the same league, the world beater is at his best form ready for world championship.
American Tyson Guy is second just twenty points away from Kenenisa having 1423 points. Chinese Liu Zang, the record holder in 110 meters hurdle is fourth collecting 1387 points. Surprisingly the only other Ethiopian in the top hindered athletes is Tariku Bekele who finished third in the 5000 meter showdown in Algiers. Comparing with neighboring Kenya number of Ethiopian men top class athletes are so inferior an indication that danger is looming on the nation’s athletics.

Haile Gebre Selassie win New York half-marathon

Two weeks before the  9th Osaka world athletics championship and not yet officially booked his place in the national squad living legend Haile Gebreselassie featured an  impressive performance in New York – USA to win the second annual half marathon.
Not only his victory that astonished New Yorkers who had been longing Haile’s presence for long time, but his finishing time that is under the hour mark in 59:24 his second fastest time.
Thirty four years old Haile who told reporters that he is determined to stay running until 2012 London Olympic meaning until he takes two Olympic gold medals in Beijing and London and share history head line with all time marathon great Abebe Bikila the only man in the planet to win two gold medals in marathon in two successive Olympics, in Rome and Tokyo. Haile is popular for keeping his words.
American 10000 meter champion Abdi Abdurahman and last year Chicago-Boston half marathon winner Kenyan Robert Cheryot were the two favorites to win the gold medal while Haile who for the first time hit the New York road as a strong challenger for the duo. True to the prediction Abdi and Cheriot took the lead earlier only to stay on course
Until the seven kilo meter mark where they started to slow down and see Haile off alone and powerful. Eighteen records in his belt Haile never looked back until crossing the finishing line in 59:24 his second best time.
Thirty years old Abdurahman finished second in one hour twenty nine seconds also his best time in the distance. Kenyan twenty years old Cheriot came third in one hour fifty eight seconds. Cheriot had been in come for some time after the race for the day’s humid air. “We were a bit worried but after an hour in hospital every thing came back to normal” his manager Ricrola told reporters.
Haile’s recent half marathon track record shows his marathon trainee Dr Yilma Berta’s prediction that the legend is working hard to finish the 42 km in less than two hours seem to come true in very near future.. Behold, Haile is on the right truck to achieve his dream that is being immortal in world athletics history.
Though Japanese Yuri Kano had been the hot favorite to win the race, the women’s event happened to be an only Kenyan showdown between defending champion Katrine Ndriba and twenty six years old Hilda Kibet. Ndriba made every effort to retain her title but Kibet’s determination to make it her day denied her victory. Stayed shoulder to shoulder almost to the finishing line, Hilda Kibet dashed for her life the final few steps to claim the gold medal just fraction of a second earlier than Ndriba. The time for Kibet was 1:10:32 while Ndriba coming 1:10:33.Nina Ralston from Newziland took the bronze in 1:10:35 that is the best ever half marathon time to her country. “I believed that I won until after I crossed the finishing line. I was well prepared for the event. However it is the best ever win for me” said Kibet after her victory. Yuri Kano finished fourth.

Saint’s former striker Mulugeta to visit USA soon

Former most popular striker both for club counting Mulugeta Kebede obtained a U.S.A entry visa to his second visit after almost a decade.
Arguably the second most popular striker next to all time Ethiopian football great Mengestu Worku, Saint George’s star striker for the sixties, Mulugeta also for Saint George had led his side to successive titles scoring tons of goals from almost every angle. Though he was relatively shorter, it was for every ones surprise that he was still manage to win headers from taller than him defenders.
However his trade mark was his quick mind and determination once he reached the penalty box. In his ten years plus adventure filled playing years, Mulugeta achieved every thing a striker dreams to. He used to rise for an occasion as one man strike forces leading Saint George to victory single handedly. It was a regular phenomenon making the crowed wild in his spectacular goals. At one time he was looking after as king of Mercato, Saint George’s strong hold. Many spectators retired following his retirement.
Despite his fame and success in the field, Mulugeta’s retirement history was not as colorful as his playing time. Few coaching trials with Saint’s youth squad and other clubs Mulugeta failed to impress no one then retreated to the jungle few lines heard about him since.
Out of the blue came his second dream journey to US America this time with a probable long stay to mend some broken dreams. Father of two, the former Ethiopian first division three times scorer of the season plus twice Ethiopian best player of the season, Mulugeta has his own followers in America many who know nothing about football in Ethiopia but his name only. Although keeping soccer statistics in Ethiopia is way back to dark age, the former three times top scorer of the season claimed to bag more than 150 first division goals as well as dozens to the national side. East and central African champion Mulugeta won more than five league titles in his twelve years carrier as the most prolific striker of his generation. According to weekly sport news “ABBI” state Minister Tekeda Alemu himself former Saint George and Ethiopian national side player now in foreign ministry who helped him dearly in obtaining the Visa. His Excellency Dr Tekeda Alemu may be who reached the highest ever government office among Ethiopia players is highly regarded as true sportsman always handy to help soccer players at every level. Many footballers’ especially former national side players praise his name.
Mulugeta Kebede’s contemporaries, Tekabe Zewde, Bekele Berhanu, Getu Kebede, Haile Kasse, Betew Abere, Solomon Mekonen (Lucio), Solomon Mengesha and others are long in American soil almost all defected while in duty for the national side. A red carpet reception is said to await him in Los Angles where most of his contemporaries based.

commentary

 Hurrayyy!
Here comes the English Premier League

Who ever had time last Sunday afternoon to stroll the capital’s squares could have easily observed that youngsters and taxis were not to be seen as usual. It was not for the weather or for it being Sunday that they disappeared from the street. It was because the most popular sport in the country, football made in England, kicks off They stayed away from the street only to camp where ever the live transmission takes place.
Though it was the traditional curtain raiser Charity Shield cup match between premier league champion Manchester United and FA cup holder Chelsea, English soccer lovers felt happy for the season start after two months summer break. Definitely English soccer is the most talked about national issue of the year only second to the release of the CUD opposition leaders three weeks back. These days even the most concerned mothers are not worrying where their son is on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
One thing they fear may be is the aftermath of the clash between the two most popular sides Arsenal and Manchester United. In mid season when the blue and white Taxis (Mini Bus) disappear on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings every one knows it is a champion’s league night and start walking home knowing they are not coming. Even small kids are permitted to watch the night games in their respective Kebele halls. Every one agreed that it the best and cheapest entertainment especially when you lost interest in the nation’s football. These days a clash between arch rivals Manchester United and Arsenal live transmission at the giant screen at Meskel Square brings far more crowed than entrance fee free national team encounter at Addis Ababa stadium.
Now the premier league season officially kicks off, it is going to be a hard time even for lovers for Saturday and Sundays are seriously reserved for soccer. Of course number of women watching soccer are sky rocketed since the past three or four years thus lovers are safe together as far as supporting same sides. It is common to see lovers going out separate and long faced after a match.
Though it appears close contest number of Arsenal fans I think higher than Manchester United. With Thierry Henry, Arsenal fans most celebrated player out to Barcelona and United and Chelsea in their own league as hot favorites for the title crowed clash may be down to minimum. Though Chelsea became England’s soccer power since three seasons back so few fans in Ethiopia are in love with the side. Chelsea boring is the underlined words. If Arsenal fails to make it in to the big four many English premier league believers at home would surly be heart broken and the fans hot debate might loose its color. Of course Liverpool is coming tasting muscle against the top sides but still Arsenal and Manchester are the best two sides for Ethiopian soccer fans. Although Chelsea and Liverpool have their won followers they are not yet to win the heart of the league soccer lovers.
The coming of Totenham Hotspurs is not as such big news for Ethiopian soccer lovers unless the already established United and Arsenal sides fade from the high light. I knew only one New Castle side in Addis and my friend told me it took him a hard time in Canada to find a Chelsea jersey to buy for one of his friends. I recall an Aston Villa fan some years ago and it was so fascinated listening to him how his side was great. I hope he is now in good hands of Martin O’Neil. Amongest Ethiopian fans it is hard to penetrate the mass support of Ferguson and Wenger’s sides, the two that dominated the premier league since DS TV started transmitting live some half dozen years ago.
The bad news is that the South African based DS TV lost the right to transmit almost all matches as it used in the past seasons. Now we are to watch only 84 premier league live matches through out the season. What a bad news for premier league believers. Let’s hope for an entertaining season.  

German Bundsliga new season kicks-off

Bayer hot favorite for the title

German Bundesliga new season kicks off yesterday with the defending champion Stuttgart hosting the third most strong side of Germany Schalke and newly promoted Hansa Rostock visiting hottest favorite for the title Bayer Munich.
One of Europe’s strong soccer nations Germany had a strong annual league soccer featuring eighteen sides for a two round encounter. Though numbers of teams appear less than the three Europe soccer heavy weights England, Spain and Italy, it is one of the best leagues run by German efficiency. German football flag ship Bayer is one of the strongest European sides with five champion’s leagues title.
Defending champion Stuttgart, their coach Armin Vah and player Mario Gomez crowned best of last season, added some fresh legs for the new season although they are not celebrities. Midfielder Yildirary Basturk, strikers Ewerthon and Ciprian Marica are expected to challenge star studded Bayer Munich splashing USD 96.7 million for the new season signing. The new goal keeper Raphael Schalfer need to get more than ready to help Stuttgart retain the title.
The best side of Germany led by president Kaiser Frank Beckenbauer and director Carl Heinz Rummenege,
Bayer Munich appears not only the strongest but a fearsome side to encounter with. Finishing third klast season saw the side for an over all change sending many out at the same time the best talents Dotch Mark can buy. World cup top scorer Miroslav Klose moved from Werder Bremen to strengthen the strike force from the wing with former Serie “A” top scorer Luca Toni operating in center.
Signing French international Franc Reberry is the biggest coup for the club. While clubs from Spain and England tailing the midfielder to sign Bayer Munich got lucky to have him throwing USD 34.5 million. Being highly praised in the pre season Reberry is widely expected to become best player of the new season.
Brazilian veteran Ze Roberto also joined Bayer to pad the midfield. It really is a fearsome squad for eleven out of eighteen Bundsliga coaches voted as hot favorite to the title.
Although defending champion Stuttgart and runner up Schalke are the two sides expected to confront Bayer as equals, fifty years since winning title Schalke signed no big names for the new season. “Staying together is the strength of our team” remarked a Schalke supporter.
The above three in their own league, another three poised as trouble makers for the heavy weights. Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg SV and Bayer Leverkusen considered black horse of the season capable of surprising any of the big ones caught napping.