Join Glenn Davis for the best in soccer talk tonite on 790 The Sports Animal from 7-9pm cst.
The show streams live on the internet at 790thesportsanimal and MLSNET.co
Live guests at the Stags Head Pub where the show will originate include team president OLIVER LUCK and Dynamo midfielder RICARDO CLARK.
Fans can call the show and speak to both at 713-212-5790 or weigh in on SPAIN’s European conquest and much, much more!
Glenn will give away tickets to the DYNAMO vs. Chivas Superliga match plus to the FREEKICKMASTERS skills competition that is Saturday at Reliant Stadium in Houston…..
To contact Glenn with questions gdavis98@swbell.net

Name: Ronaldo de Assís Moreira (Ronaldinho)

Age:28

Clubs: FC Barcelona (2003-Present)
PSG (2001-2003)
Gremio (1998-2001)
National team: Brazil

Honors:
* FIFA World Player of the Year: 2004, 2005
* World Soccer Player of the Year: 2004, 2005
* European Footballer of the Year: 2005
* FIFPro World Player of the Year 2005, 2006
* FIFPro World XI: 2005, 2006, 2007

* UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2005-06
* UEFA Club Best Forward: 2004-05
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2004, 2005, 2006
* Best foreign player in La Liga: 2004, 2006

Interesting Facts: His first brush with the media came after he scored all 23 goals in a 23-0 victory against a local team, at just 13 years of age in his homeland of Brazil.

I know you are thinking about it …..this final between GERMANY and SPAIN on ABC tomorrow at 1:30 pm looks to be a beauty!
I am currently in LA to do tonite’s CHIVAS USA vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS game and am having a hard time not thinking about tomorrow’s EURO FINAL.

So here are a few of my thought on the game and I would love to hear yours. Also, lets start the prediction game as to whom you think will take the title.

* SPAIN have clearly played the best and most consistent soccer in this tournament . Not to mention the most attractive.
The GERMANS have been up and down but have produced good play at the right times in this tournament. As always , GERMANY finds ways to get it done in tournaments…..

*SPANISH DEFENDING
I know all the talk has been about the attacking side of the SPANISH game but I have also been impressed as of late with SPAIN’s back 4 of JOAN CAPDEVILA, SERGIO RAMOS, CARLOS MARCHENA AND CARLOS PUYOL.
PUYOL has led this team firmly from the back.

*TORRES STRUGGLING
FERNANDO TORRES may have struggled in this tournament but he has also challenged defenses which has set up timely substitutions from LUIS ARAGONES.

*STAR MAN FABREGAS
The young talented attacker has been excellent off the bench and has been brought on at the proper moments. A great performance tomorrow and he could be the STAR of the tournament. DAVID VILLA is apparently a long shot up front.
One has to be in awe of the comfort on the ball that the SPANISH posess.

EDGE:

SPAIN can find an edge if they balance some good wide penetration to create space around GERMAN center-backs Christophe METZELDER and PER MERTESACKER. If they achieve this and get good movement around the two who lack some mobility they will be in business.

NOT SO FAST…..this is GERMANY after all who always seem to find a way to get it done. Just reflect back to the last WORLD CUP.
*BASTIAN SCWEINSTEIGER could also end up the star of this tournament with a great final…..Add to his contributions the play of LUKAS PODOLSkI and the Spanish defense will have far more of a challenge to deal with then RUSSIA who was a big let-down.
GERMANY will be dangerous on set pieces and conversely will need to protect JENS LEHMANN their goalkeeper who has been shaky.

IS SPAIN THE TEAM OF DESTINY? WILL GERMANY PREVAIL ON THE BIG STAGE AND WHO WILL LIVE UP TO THE MOMENT?

Head over to STAGS HEAD PUB near SHEPERD and 59 for a game watching party tomorrow that may include DYNAMO players…don’t forget the radio show DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS on MONDAY from 7-9pm and hope to see you at STAGS HEAD PUB.

Winning one goal games are critical for any team. Having one goal games stand up in MLS is essential.
Flashback to last night to the 62nd minute when a poorly aligned Dynamo defense allowed KEN COOPER JR. to pound in a free header to tie things up after a BRIAN CHING goal in the first half.
Dynamo defenders were draw to the delivery from JUAN TOJA and allowed far to much space cental for Cooper. Dynamo goalkeeper PAT ONSTAD was livid and rightly so.
Self inflicted mistakes have cost the Dynamo alot of points this year and the ball of frustration continues. It is also fair to say the DYNAMO should have capitalized on their first half performance and produced a second goal. This season that has been a point of contention also.
Credit FC Dallas head coach SHELLAS HYNDMAN for going with a five man midfield in the second half. In fact if ever teams considered playing with three defenders Robertson Stadium and it’s tight confines is the place to do it.

*KEY MOMENT: Stuart Holden clearly in behind the FC Dallas defense gets hacked down like a tree by PABLO RICCHETTI and referee KEVIN STOTT doesn’t send him off. Poor officiating.

*THE SUFFERING: For those who missed the entire first half of the game around the country on ESPN2 because of the triple overtime thriller involving the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden. Sometimes it is really frustrating to be a soccer fan……

THE DYNAMO SOCCER REPORT WITH GLENN DAVIS is not to be missed tonite at 9:30 on Channel 55

*Meet 17 year old Gabriele Cirigliano from Italy who won a tryout and will know participate in the FREE KICK MASTERS event on July 5th with world stars like RONALDINHO, LIONEL MESSI, DECO, LUKAS PODOLSKI, JUNINHO and more.

*Dynamo stars DWAYNE DEROSARIO and BRAD DAVIS with tips on the art of taking FREE KICKS. They also will participate in the event.

*Rumors, rants and raves plus viewer email and a visit from the head coach DOMINIC KINNEAR

*Euro 2008 updates as well….

SPAIN but on a great performance this afternoon crushing RUSSIA to advance to the EURO 2008 final this Sunday against GERMANY.
I was truly disappointed in RUSSIA who seemed awed by the occasion and rarely threatened against a Spanish side that is running on all cyclinders.
Russia’s talented midfielder Andre Arashvin was hardly mentioned and effectively taken out of the game while Spain produced free-flowing soccer combined with some timely substitutions to leave no doubt in this one.
The Spanish back line also looked solid Puyol and Sergio Ramos and effectively may have answered questions about their liabilities. They held lone striker Roman Pavluchenko to only one chance. Your thoughts please on today’s semi-final?

GERMANY is through to the final but who can’t be impressed by the amazing performance throughout this tournament from TURKEY. Loved their spirit and desire to represent themselves and their country on the big stage. GERMANY has played and produced the proper football at the right times and now find themselves in the final where they will have huge support.

I am extremely excited to see the attacking football that I am hoping that both SPAIN and RUSSIA produce today in the other Euro 2008 semi-final. Here’s to hoping the best team wins.

The nightcap features the DYNAMO tonite on ESPN2 against rivals FC DALLAS from Robertson Stadium. Forget watching it on tv, get out to the game! FC Dallas coach Shellas Hyndman will get his first taste of the rivalry while the DYNAMO will be without both RICHARD MULROONEY and EDDIE ROBINSON due to injury. Expect Dwayne DeRosario to get the start up front alongside BRIAN CHING. The last time this happened the DYNAMO produced their best game of the year against TORONTO FC.

The FREE KICK MASTERS event on JULY 5th might just have a European Champion in it’s midst………Gabriele Cirigliano a 17 year old visiting from Italy will be a guest on the DYNAMO SOCCER REPORT with GLENN DAVIS this Friday on Channel 55 at 9:30 pm. His story is an amazing one and according to him, life changing. DWAYNE DEROSARIO and BRAD DAVIS will give tips on FREE KICK taking and will tell you what it means to participate with world stars on JULY 5th in FKM….DOMINIC KINNEAR also weighs in on playing REAL SALT LAKE on the road……

Sports talk radio is not without it’s ignorance that is for sure. Listening yesterday on the radio after the GERMANY victory over TURKEY you get the usual sarcasm and ignorance from hosts. One day hopefully some of the locals will realize that this is an international city and that soccer fans can be loyal listeners. Definetly not professional ………

A trip to the Euro 2008 final is at stake today when GERMANY meets TURKEY at 1:30 (ESPN).
Will MICHAEL BALLACK, LUKAS PODOLSKI and BASTIAN SCWEINSTEIGER derail the severely depleted TURKS?
TURKEY may only have three players on the bench and their fighting spirit can’t be denied but for me today is the end of the road.
As long as Germany matches their intensity the quality of player will ultimately be the difference.
Turkey unfortunately missing some of their key players for this.

PREDICTION: GERMANY ADVANCES

Catch the game at the STAGS HEAD PUB near Sheperd and 59 !!!

FREEKICKMASTERS.com

Greetings from Istanbul! Euro Blog

What a coincidence I am in Turkey this week, and I will enjoy the match tomorrow between Germany and Turkey in this nation passionate about their team’s success in Euro 2008. First impression off the plane – it’s hot. And it will reach hotter levels during the match and I’m sure, if Turkey win, no thermometer will be able to measure the heated celebrations to follow from Ankara to Berlin. As I mentioned on the show last week, the connections will transcend what you will see on the pitch. On a sporting level, many German coaches have experienced success leading the top club teams in Turkey, including current German coach Joachim Loew (at Fenerbahce 1998-99). On a socio-political level, check out this statistic: 1.7 million Turks live in Germany making that the number one foreign minority living in the country. There have been issues of cultural (lack of) assimilation faced by Turkish immigrants in Germany that will give them a little more emotion while watching the match.

But let’s stick to soccer. Will it be close? On paper – no. Turkey will be missing 9 players due to suspension or injury. They may have only 13 players ready for action. Germany has the most players in the federation’s history – 15 – on the roster that have played in the previous major tournament. At the World Cup, Germany lost in the semifinal when Thorsten Frings was suspended. After Thomas Hitzlsperger filled in admirably for Frings vs. Portugal, Loew doesn’t have to rush Frings back from injury now. Michael Ballack has asserted himself in the tournament at the right time, and now the team is following his lead and building momentum that usually should end in a title. But, they will face the Cardiac Kids, Turkey is a team that one has to watch all 90 minutes, or all 120 minutes. Despite the depleted squad, this team plays with heart and determination. If Germany don’t pay attention to what happened to the Czech Republic and Croatia, they will again go home after the semi-final.

Notes: Building on Glenn’s comments about Andrei Arshavin. He’s the top candidate at the moment for Player of the Tournament. And it’s his play on this grand stage that has catapulted him to the player that every club must have for the coming season. He’s said he’d love to play in Spain. Offers have come from England and Germany…. Per Mertesacker made a public comment that he would love it if Lukas Podolski transferred over to Werder Bremen. Since his breakout two summers ago, Poldi has not fit into the Bayern system and thus been coming off the bench. As he’s shown in international play, he needs to be out there and can make a difference… Spain survived to make it through, but it’s interesting that they are the only group winners who survived. My guess is that Germany, Turkey, and Russia (and Italy, if you will) had to play a do-or-go home match since their second match. This sort of mentality worked great in this short tournament. All the group winners never had to play under pressure. If the Italians played to win and not for penalties, they may have proved my theory 100%, but it’s still something that needs to be considered in future tournaments.

More from Istanbul after the match. Enjoy. Sal

World Cups and European Championships have a way of introducing us to new stars.

Consider coach Guus Hiddink’s Russia in Euro 2008.

Everyone wrote off the Russians after they opened group play with a 4-1 loss. Yet what people didn’t realize was that Russia’s best player was not available.

If you watched Russia outplay the Netherlands over the weekend in a quarterfinal victory, you now know who Andrei Arshavin is.

Arshavin, 27, was virtually unstoppable against the Dutch, who were heavily favored. He combined sublime skill with creative ideas that unsettled the Dutch.

His ability to make space for himself allows him to produce scintillating passesthat pick apart the best of defenses. He can also score.

In short, Arshavin is the clear architect and the axis by which Russia goes.

He is also versatile in that he can play a variety of positions and has proved extremely dangerous when drifting wide.

If truth be told, the Dutch were flattered even to have gotten into overtime against…….for more on this story, check out chron.com