just to let you know

Germany's footballers given free iPods

In a recent Spiegel interview, national team coach Juergen Klinsmann revealed that all players have received an iPod with a free copy of Napoleon Hill's "Denke nach und werde reich (Think and grow rich).

When asked about his opinion on Rap - and specifically Eminem, Klinsmann said:

Eminems Song "Lose yourself" precisely describes our current situation: "Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted - in one moment. Would you capture it or just let it slip?"

the dream (still) hasn't ended!

A few moments ago, final whistle was blown in Athens, where Alemannia beat AEK Athens 2:0 and made it through to the next round of the Uefa Cup - something a German first division team has *never* achieved before. Obviously, I was in Berlin when it all started!

OSC Lille shocked by Alemannia

Oh do I wish I would have been there?

greek surprise

According to the sport media last night's Greek success in Euro 2004 caused a major upset. I can't really confirm this and would rather call it a "greek surprise".

Recent successes of greek and turkish teams (semis of last World Cup) don't really upset me and to be honest it surpises me that we haven't seen evidence of their fottball abilities any earlier. During my years as an active club footballer in Germany, I saw many very talented greek and turkish players. I also think that the large greek and turkish communities in germany enabled these nations to replicate good football education in their home countries.

So well done to the greek - I always knew you had it in you (and that's where I put my money before the tournament !).

Alemannia Aachen... The rocket is unstoppable

On Monday, I was one of 16.000 football fans that witnessed another victory of Michael's and mine favorite team Alemannia Aachen. Union Berlin was the visiting club at the Aachener stadium called "Tivoli".

Straight from kick-off Alemannia faught for the ball very hard and our goalgetter Bashirou Salou nearly managed to provide Aachen with a fast lead. But then Berlin directly started a counter attack and Aachen made a similar defensive mistakes as against Berlin before. However the difference was that the guests took the lead this time. Fortunately Aachen managed (although with severe problems to start with) to turn the game and the final score was 4:2. Later in the match Alemannia began to show more and more great football.

One thing we now all hope for is that Alemannia will play with such success in Berlin in the Cup Final. I mean i am not sure that Alemannia will definintely win the final against Werder Bremen with a performance such as Monday's (Werder has had a successful season so far - after a long period in which they were only playing a little role in the German 1. Division), but I am hoping for a good game in Berlin.

Alemannia - the day after

As some of you might have gathered, my home town footie team Alemannia Aachen won their semi final last night and therefore is now going through to the final in Berlin on May 29th. Now the run for the tickets can begin !

I don't really care what the result will be - this is such a big occasion for the club and its supporters. Whatever the outcome will be, there is one thing they can't take away from us: "We made it to Berlin !".... and most liely into the UEFA Cup !

Spannung am Tivoli: Alemannia gegen Bor. Moechengladblach

Fuer mich und viele andere ist es DAS Spiel des noch jungen Jahrhunderts - zumindest das Spiel des Jahres. Heute abend trifft mein Heimatklub Alemannia Aachen auf Borussia Moenchengladbach im Halbfinale des DFB Pokals. Nachdem ich fuer das Viertelfinale gegen die Bayern die lange Reise aus dem heimischen Edinburgh nach Aachen antrat, habe ich mich nun dieses Mal dazu entschieden, bei der Familie zu bleiben und die Partie zuhause per Live-Ticker und WDR2 Livestream zu verfolgen - Fussball auf eine andere Art und Weise. Ausserdem plane ich noch, meinen Vater und meinen besten Freund per Handy zu erreichen. Somit sind alle Kommunikationskanaele abgedeckt.

Ich kann es kaum erwarten, bis es los geht. Ich habe selbst fuer diesen Verein ueber 10 Jahre gespielt und noch viele Jahre mehr gezittert. So nah waren wir halt noch nie dran - zumindest seit meiner Geburt.

Fuer die Finalbegegnung in Berlin habe ich schon Urlaub angemeldet - sollte bei Abpfiff der Sieger Alemannia heissen, werde ich unmittelbar danach mein Flugticket buchen.

Denn: "Eines kann und keiner nehmen - und das ist das Finale gegen Bremen !". :-)