introduction

Carlo Angelotti is the happiest manager in Europe for he was crowned European champion for the fourth time. For the 56-year-old former Ac Milan defender, the 2-1 victory over Liverpool is the sweetest ever for two years back, he was not only heart broken but almost booted out for throwing away a three goal lead to surrender the trophy. He almost lost to Bayern Munich after a draw at home, only followed by a return leg win. Then Manchester United threatened strongly to deny him a cup final place. Thanks mostly to Seedorf and Caca, he reached the cup final and took it for the second time as manager to add his to tally of four two as a player. The title is the fifth for the one club player Paulo Maldini and the fourth for Clarance Seedorf, with three different sides.

Meseret appears obsessed in breaking world records, Driba & Deresse stun Seville

Olympic 5000-meter gold medalist Meseret Defar shattered the California two miles record clocking the world fastest time in the distance. Last year IAAF special award winner Meseret slashed more than a second from the previous record held by American Region Jacob.
The twenty-three old told reporters after her astonishing victory that she had been worried for the sickness she felt before the start. “I was not sure let alone to set new record, even to win the race,” remarked Meseret. Covering the final lap in 62 seconds Meseret clocked 9:10:47 the distance’s world best time. Asked what her priority is in the near future, Meseret said she is preparing for Fucoca-Japan world athletics championship and achieve one-step higher than her silver medal in Helsinki this time for the gold.
In other athletics success story little known Driba Gari and Deresse Mekonen won the
3000 and 1500 meters respectively. One of the most acclaimed athletes in the recently held Ethiopian athletics championship, Driba challenged many world-renowned athletes to win the distance in 8:13:57. Known for the distance Abdelkadir Richlaf of Morocco and David Chemwani of Kenya were pre race favorites that no one gave attention to Driba. For there was no Ethiopian since Moscow Olympic bronze medalist Eshetu Tura who made a name in the 3000 m hurdle, Deriba was never expected to perform in such astonishing performance that earned him his first ever-international athletics gold medal. The national record holder Driba’s plan to take the lead from the very start helped him to dictate the race from start to finish the crowed gave a standing overtime when he crossed the finishing line.
In the 1500-meter event, European athletics youth medal winner Spanish Sergio Gallardo was the favorite to win at home amid strong home support. Olympic and Word Champion bronze medalist Ruy Silva of Portugal was the man expected for the big challenge. How ever, when Derese Mekonen changed gear two hundred meters from the finishing line, no one dared to follow him for his strength and determination seen clear on his face. His final sprint helped him to win the distance in 3:36:41.
Dema Edeba’s effort to snatch the 3000 meter gold medal denied by world youth 1500 meter champion Moroccan Abelati Equeder. Short of international experience, Edeba lost the gold medal to Abdelati for just fraction of seconds. Abdelati clocked 7:41:45 followed by Edeba in 7:45:63. European 5000-meter champion Gesus Espana came third in 7:43:29 to claim the Bronze.
Olympic and world 800 meter Champion Moroccan Hassan Benhasi won the gold medal as expected. The 29 years-old Hassan finished the distance in 2:02:24 with no challenger behind her. Once the Maputo train Maria Mutola past her prime the newly crowned Benhasi appear a star to stay long as the first lady of the distance.

Saint George trounce Methara Sugar 7-0

With Nigerian Tinar Ochichi making his first ever hat trick in Ethiopian premier league, Saint George rummaged visitor Methara Sugar to 7-0 score line. Having six foreign players in addition to the best talents in the country, slaughtering a modest side like Methara was what is expected of the giants from the very start. Saint’s two successive draws at the start of the second round created some doubt on the Serbian head coach. However, the champions are now riding high after three wins in a row the latest against Methara FC. Ochichi opened the score line just four minutes in to the game then the other two in his quest to hat trick in the second half. Samuel, Mulualem, Andualem and Abebaw scored the remaining four to make the goal tally to seven the highest in so far the season.
It was also a goal spree encounter for Ethiopian Coffee crushing 4-1 city rival Nyala FC. Two successive draws and three wins in a row Ethiopian Coffee still trailing the champion’s one point behind. Two goals from the premier league leading scorer Tafesse Tesfaye and the remaining two from Semere and Melaak, Coffee is still the only side considered title contender to Saint George.
Third place Awasa Kenema lost its flair and determination loosing twice at the hands of minnows. Before the side recovered from 2-1 away defeat by bottom of the table Nyala FC, Muger FC visited Awasa to a 1-0 defeat. Loosing to Mugher at home disappointed soccer crazy Awasa supporters raising the question what happened to their side in the second round. What is up Kemal is the latest motto among Awasa supporters.
A dramatic rise to seventh place from 12th Electric FC slumped to home defeat to visitors Adama Kenema. Three successive wins appeared to convince Electric supporters Ken Norton is after all a capable person true to his claim being from the same generation with the late world soccer phenomena George Best. However, the latest defeat brought back supporters to square one that doubts Norton’s arrival to the club.
When Insurance FC held to a draw against the two premiere league heavy weights Saint Gorge and Ethiopian Coffee, the stadium worshipers said Seyoum now really focused on the club at hand. However, Insurance lost twice to Shashemene Kenema and Air force FC to stay bottom of the mid table. Seyoum is not yet to win a single second round matches for all three settled to draws. Harar Brewery under former Trans Ethiopian head coach Tsegaye Kidane-Mariam, appeared a side strong enough even to challenge the big sides. Two wins and three draws Brewery now have twenty-seven points already out and gone from relegation zone by far.
The seasons surprise package Tikur Abay Transport FC lost for the first time to Electric at home followed by an away defeat at the hands of league leaders Saint Gorge. Second round appeared a difficult campaign for Tikur Abay and head coach Tsegaye Desta the coach considered best coach of the first round. Only three draws out of five matches Tsegaye need something for the coming long winter.
Mugher Cement under head Coach Abraham Tekle Haimanot became a side hard to predict. The latest away 1-0 victory over Awasa Kenema comparing to successive draws shows the side is inconsistent despite having opportunities in its own favor. Seven points out of possible fifteen, Abraham need to convince his squad that it is too hard to contend for a title while settling into chain of draws.
Hard to believe for the heavy winter already here, the Ethiopian premier league is to suspend for another one month. The reason for the latest suspension is that of the national side’s cup of nation’s qualification campaign. Is it not already a lost case?

AC Milan crowned new European champions,
Kaka tournament top scorer

European Champions league title went to went to Italy for the seventh time after AC Milan defeated England’s cup finalist Liverpool 2-1 in Athens in front of seventy four thousand crowed.
Through the match was typical major cup final clash that is tense, full of haggling – bustling and flying tackles, wild shots and short of any personal brilliancy.
The seven time champions, now two down to share the record with nine time champions Real Madrid, featured a strong defense line complete with veterans Paulo Maldini and Aressando Nesta while warhorse Ginaro Gattuso never tired of midfield battle.
Liverpool the five time champions the last time that really broke the Italians heart came with a strong defensive line, tactically well organized midfield yet no one in front to seriously terrify the opposite back four. Mashrano, Alonso, Penant & Zenden against Gattuso, Seedorf, Pirlo and…..had been in balance that going past the midfield ended the hardest part. Liverpool chose long & searching ball while Milan tried short passes how ever tight the center field. The man who inspired Liverpool to a dream victory in Istanbul two years back Steven Gerard failed to impress together with Clearance Seedorf who played the grandest role for Milan’s victory over both Bayer Munich and Manchester united.
Milan took the lead through Pirlo’s free kick from twenty-seven meters deflected on Filipo Inzaghi to send Liverpool most admired goalkeeper Reina to the wrong direction just before the break.
Except sparkling genus now and then from the tournaments, top scorer with ten goals Ricardo Caca was less than his usual form until that magical moment when he sent a perfect through pass to Filipo Inzaghi’s clinical finish to seal the match. Was it Masharano’s substitution that helped Caca to breathe hell fire that burned out Liverpool?
Considering AC Milan’s squad tiredness, Peter Crouch’s substitution came late. The air ball specialist might have some wild chances to rattle the Italian goalie Dida who has been idle for most of the game.
Aggar flicked on a ball from a corner to have Dirk Kuyt who headed in the consolation two minutes in to the final whistle. Even with three minuses added time neither Rafael Benitez nor Skipper Steven Gerard could make any difference to change the impossible as they did two years back.

Seven premier league clubs say no to EFF
“EFF is responsible for the decline of soccer ” Abnet G/M

Today is the resurrection day for Ethiopian football for this is the very first time clubs stood together for the common good of Ethiopian football “Remarked Ethiopian Coffee club board members lieutenant Fekade Mamo, at the historical press conference held at Desalegn hotel on Wednesday. Following Ethiopia football federation’s announcement that the season is to suspend for one month the closing date at the first week of August, the Addis Ababa premier league clubs called an opposition press conference to announce their common stand that they are not to take part in the fixtures past the pre-set date that is the first week of July. We are short of budget to comply with the federation’s new schedule is the underlined statement from the conference.
“Since the clubs are not personal play- toys, the federation has no power to order us to its liking. No good reason for EFF to suspend the league for one month “said Saint George board chairperson Abnet G/Meskel.” The premiere league championship must run by league committee as indicated in the federation’s governing regulation “Abenet Added.
The board chairperson also made EFF responsible for spectators’ mass exodus from the stadium. The Saudi- Ethiopian business tycoon Sheikh Mohamed Al- Amoudi’s partner Abnet said the crowed lost interest of what is happening in the name of football.
Ato Wondu Bekele from Insurance club in his part stated that the federation should have consulted the clubs before announcing the new fixture. “I don’t think EFF is bound to its own rule and regulation,” Wondu Bekele suggested at the conference.
Though the regional clubs were not present in the conference, the difficulty of extending the season is harder to them than relatively richer Addis Ababa clubs. Including the defending champion Saint George former champion Electric, Ethiopian Coffee, Defense Force, Ethiopia Banks, Insurance and Nyala FC are the seven Addis Ababa clubs who took part in the historical press conference.
A day later Ethiopian football federation executive committee members called reporters to give their part of the story mainly a defensive strategy. So unusual in previous occasions, the very person who should have been there EFF president Dr Asheber remained absent represented by two of his loyal lieutenants EFF general secretary Ashenafi Ejigu and national technical head instructor Kassahun Teka.
Ashenafi under played the issue saying that since it is only six or seven Addis Ababa clubs out of a sixteen clubs league championship that rebelled, the executive committee would soon call a meeting to discuss on the matter. In his part, Kassahun stated that the committee was to call all premier league clubs to share ideas on the extension but the clubs went on public a day before. “If the clubs are willing EFF is ready to discuss and have solution for the said extension.” Kassahun remarked.
One veteran sport politician who closely followed the development suggested that it is a shocking experience for the executive committee. “Shocked for the unexpected reaction of the clubs; the committee has no choice but to comply with their ultimatum. Long survivor Dr Asheber’s absence from such big event shows that for the first time in his reign he sensed danger is looming around. I am sure the league season presumes soon.” he remarked. “It is a serious gang-up even with some of the loyalist’s turned their back on the president,” said another.

Water polo, anyone?

Ethiopian football Federation suddenly woke up to realize that winter is coming soon with a promise of heavy rain and announced a sprint three matches in eight days finish of the season. I wonder how the thirteen months of sunshine nation get short of a dry season for sixteen club two rounds annual fixture.
Fixtures suspended in number of times in the premier league first round campaign, it took more than six months to finish. International fixtures and national anniversaries (All Ethiopian Games) might be reasons that EFF would present in its report to the parliament if asked why it delayed so long. I hope no one is there to buy this story.
Yes, there were many international fixtures including the national senior side’s cup of nation’s qualification campaign. So what? To my knowledge, there are 25 registered squad members in every one of the premier league clubs.
Having such big number of squad members all-earning almost same salary, club’s should have used very one of the players in place of those called for national duty. Except Saint George and Ethiopian Coffee, I do not think there are clubs that have more than two players selected. Even if so, what are those 23 players doing in the camp in addition to daily practicing and earning same amount of salary? Why two or three players affect a 25 personnel squad especially these days hardly to speak X is better than Y. When are the remaining squad members to have experience if they cannot have chances every now and then in such occasions? If not in such cases what is the justification behind for having that biog number of players? If at all, they are not good enough as a stand in what is their role in the squad. May be relatives to executive committee members or son of company managers or some how way out from the country in the name of national player? EFF should have a strong regulation on the matter and oblige clubs to play despite having three or four players in the national squad. Surprisingly, Saint Gorge with five foreign players in the squad still legible not to play if five players called to the national selection. Bogus theory for me.
Well, now with three matches in eight days fixture, I am sure there is no time for practice, some corrections, new tactical moves etc. A club travels to Mekele for a match on Sunday is back to Addis on Monday, a rest on Tuesday, and a match an Wednesday. Rest on Thursday; hit the road again on Friday then a game on Saturday in Awasa. The journey by rusted buses, some injuries, and match suspensions, I do not know when the squad to practice and correct mistakes then prepare for the next important match. It is surprising for the premier league clubs simply comply with the schedules. Is it not bone tiring for the players to have league matches in such reputations? I do not know how their muscles react to such heavy task. It is not surprising that the crowed prefer to remain at home rather watching walking football. Many of us must be foolish to expect consistency from such encounters.
How many times are players to have serious preparations in a single season? The blessing may be is not knowing what the sport science says about it. I feel sorry for the players for they always are targets for whatever damning critique. Then comes the coach to be blamed for whatever performance in the field. Yet the main player Ethiopian Football Federation is behind this entire scene and rarely criticized. Have you ever heard from EEF President Dr Asheber W/Giorgis recently? Well I do now yours but I missed him a lot. At least I saw EEF secretary’ Ashenafi Ejigu’s signature on the famous letter addressed to Ethiopian coffee. When is Ethiopia to have Water Polo Federation? In consideration to the heavy rain, the sooner the better.

Premier league managers on the run
Roeder, Coleman, Pearce & Jewell

Following the England premier league season final chapter, club managers are changing places some to the higher others to join the country’s unemployment..
The first to resign and to reappoint, as the premier league manager is Sam Alardice former Bolton Wonderer’s now appointed as new boss of New Castle United. The 52 years- old Alardice once hot favorite to the England job left his handy work Bolton two weeks before the final whistle blow. Blending experience and youth, harnessing nasty boys’ the likes of Nicholas Anelka and Hadji Diof, Alardice formed one of the season’s strong side feared by any of the top four English premier league finishers.
Chelsea went draw at Stamford Bridge throwing away two goal leads and that was the last if not the final string Maurinho hanged to dry. The Gunners also not remember Bolton the nastiest side whether at Emirates or at Reebok. Manchester United boss sir Alex Ferguson took extra measure to silence Sam Alardice’s squad. Helping Bolton to seventh place that means no European fixture the coming season, Alardice left Rebook to join New Castle United for a three-year new contract deal replacing Glenn Roeder.
Many think Glenn Roeder sacked by West Ham in 2003 would never fit the Geordies dream. However, the former New Castle defender was lucky to have the job but failed to deliver what Geordies dream that is the premier league title. Thirteenth in the table with just 42 points out of the possible 114Roeder seems destined to stay jobless for longer period.
Helping Fulham to ninth place the highest ever league finish, one hardly expects its manager Chris Coleman would be the first manager to be fired the next season. However, club owner Egyptian Alfayad did not hesitate to throw the axe that be headed Coleman even before the end of the season. Fulham survived with a single point sitting 16th with 39 points. Any ways Coleman could not survive an additional season at Craven Cottage. For the Irishman who hanged his boot earlier for serious injury, three years at Craven Cottage had been the best of times and many felt he was the man to steer the side to a regular member of the best ten. However, Coleman lost his touch and Fulham was almost to relegate. Adios, Chris Coleman left Craven Cottage to make himself busy looking for vacancy.
More to motivation than tactical brilliancy as both a player and manager, former England skipper Stuart Pearce bowed out of City Of Manchester on Monday. Loosing 1-0 to Manchester United, city rival and sworn enemy appears what made the decision from the higher to throw the sword faster. Of course, Pearce’s squad was more inclined to physical than refined technical and tactical innovation to win matches. As Christiano Ronaldo found out at Pearce’s final derby match, no one of City players accept surrender. Even down on the ground Stewart prefers a hard boot treatment to an opposite number. Now Pearce is looking for a job as boot camp instructor best suit his natural talent.
Though survived at the very last encounter of the season Wigan Athletic’s six years manager Paul Jewell resigned for failing to deliver what he promised for the club owner. “I am resigning and not looking for a new job until after I have a long vacation,” said Jewell who felt frustrated for what happened to his beloved side.
Though relegated to national league, Sheffield United appears to keep Neil Warnock who helped last season to the club’s promotion. Sheffield sadly lost the final match to Wigan Atletic who came from a goal down to win 2-1 and a ticket for one-way journey down the road.