Galaxy FC

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~ The Half Annual Update ~

IN
Podolski
Vlaar
Senderos
Clichy
Vermaelen
Huntelaar
Breno
Jovetic
Kuyt

OUT
Kompany
Mertesacker
Faubert
del Horno
Rosicky
Tiago
Crouch
Vd Vaart
Johnson
Rincon
Morientes
Gonzalez

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2007-08 Season At Finale

http://www.zeenz.nl/images/uploads/HuntelaarB.jpg
- Crunch Time for the Hunter -

The prestigious World Champions League final this weekend concludes the 2007-08 FL season as cup hopefuls Galaxy take on the four-time league champions RCA at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

New RCA manager Sully wrapped up the league comfortably and will be eager to make up for the team's league cup final loss by being crowned world champions again, while Galaxy, immaculately guided by Phatmann, will look to earn the underachieving team the first trophy in their history.

RCA go into the clash as favourites, having traditionally won most cups up for grabs. With a powerful squad comprising of international and club stars, RCA have improved more rapidly than Galaxy and have amassed two remarkable lineups. Galaxy have not won a match against their rivals in four seasons, but the mid-season appointment of Phatmann has revived the club's fortunes, who have recovered from ninth place to claim fifth spot in the final league standings.

With several players enjoying impressive seasons, Galaxy go into the final full of confidence, none more so than Netherlands striker Klass Jan Huntelaar. The mid-season signing, who has hit 33 goals in 34 appearances for Ajax this season, remarked, 'Nothing is more important than victory in the final, regardless of who scores the winning goal.' Nonetheless, Cristiano Ronaldo added, 'I hope that would be me.'


Probable starting lineups:

RCA: Cech; Lahm, Nesta, Puyol, Alves; Vicente, Cambiasso, Fabregas, Joaquin; Ibrahimovic, Drogba.

Galaxy: Hildebrand; Clichy, Alex, Heitinga, Ramos; Robben, Essien, Gerrard, Ronaldo; Makaay, Huntelaar.:cool:

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GALAXY WORLD CHAMPS!!!

http://www.steven-gerrard.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/steven_gerrard_2.jpg
~ Unforgettable Night in Moscow ~

Galaxy clinched a historic first trophy on Sunday night as they were crowned World Champions, defeating RC Avenido 7-6 on penalties after extra time ended 1-1. It was their first ever victory against Avenido in 13 matches spanning four seasons.

Arjen Robben drilled home the winner after Joaquin dragged his shot wide, sparkling waves of Galaxion hysteria. Esteban Cambiasso had equalized Steven Gerrard's opener in regular time.

Alves created the match's first opportunity in the ninth minute, surging forward after a one-two with Joaquin to cross for Drogba, who stabbed wide under close attention from Alex. Twelve minutes later, Cesc Fabregas shot over from distance as the tactical battle threatened to overshadow the physical one. Ibrahimovic found space to force Hildebrand to save low at his near post but soon after, Cristiano Ronaldo found Cech equally unbeatable, his swerving free kick being tipped over. From Robben's corner, Huntelaar got his angles right but so did Puyol, the Avenido skipper on hand to head off the line. Both sides were finding difficulty making headway as half-time arrived.

Portuguese managers Jose Mourinho and Luis Felipe Scolari have came up with unexpected substitutions in the past which have worked to brilliant effect, and the latter had the first throw of the dice with Thierry Henry replacing Ibrahimovic. Early in the second half, Sergio Ramos dispossessed Vicente and released Robben on the right, who cut inside and squared for Makaay to fire over. That was the cue for Podolski to enter the fray. Essien was the first name in the book for tugging back Henry but Lahm was soon to follow, after an ill-timed tackle on Gerrard.

Just past the hour, it was the Galaxy captain who broke the deadlock. Clichy ventured forward and crossed deep, Huntelaar getting there ahead of Nesta to glance back down. And in came Gerrard to smash it past Cech for the lead. Schweinsteiger was introduced for the ineffective Lahm immediately, surprising Heitinga who deflected his shot against the bar. But Avenido were level within minutes, Drogba muscling his way to the ball and playing in Cambiasso with an exquisite back-heel. The Argentine needed no further invitation to fire it beyond Hildebrand.

The match calmed somewhat in pace after that, and extra time proceeded. Heitinga could have seen red for handling Puyol in the box when he seemed destined to score. At the other end, Ramos' rocket was strangely ruled out after Huntelaar was judged to be obstructing Cech's view, both decisions leading to furious protests. Galaxy ended the stronger as Ronaldo headed another corner off target and substitute Wesley Sneijder thundered the inside post with a free kick, but there were no further chances and the stage was set for penalties.

Avenido won the coin flip and Deco literally started the ball rolling, sending Hildebrand the wrong way. Sneijder responded by confidently placing top right. Cambiasso and Essien converted next, but then Drogba's spot-kick ricocheted off the post and off target. Podolski smashed home the next to grab the advantage at 3-2. No room for error now as Nesta netted despite Hildebrand getting a hand to it. But Galaxy's momentum was lost when Cech incredibly kept out Huntelaar's ram. Relief washed over Avenido and Henry chipped down the middle, with Ronaldo blasting it the same way as the shootout reached sudden death.

Under immense pressure, Vicente and Gerrard swapped penalties to make it 5-5. Alves scored off the post and hearts froze when Cech palmed Heitinga's shot but over the line. But Joaquin crucially missed the 8th kick, dragging it wide of the left post. Robben then kept his nerve to drive it beyond Cech into the bottom corner to trigger the celebrations.


Avenido XI: Cech; Lahm (Schweinsteiger 68'), Nesta, Puyol (C), Alves; Vicente, Cambiasso, Fabregas (Deco 98'), Joaquin; Ibrahimovic (Henry 45''), Drogba.

Galaxy XI: Hildebrand; Clichy, Alex (Sneijder 85'), Heitinga, Ramos (de Jong 79'); Robben, Essien, Gerrard (C), Ronaldo; Makaay (Podolski 52'), Huntelaar.

Goals: GAL- Gerrard 65', RCA- Cambiasso 73'

Yellows: GAL- Essien 57', RCA- Lahm 62'

Shootout: Deco 1-0, Sneijder 1-1; Cambiasso 2-1, Essien 2-2; Drogba miss 2-2, Podolski 2-3; Nesta 3-3, Huntelaar miss 3-3; Henry 4-3, Ronaldo 4-4; Vicente 5-4, Gerrard 5-5; Alves 6-5, Heitinga 6-6; Joaquin miss 6-6, Robben 6-7.
Finally won something :D

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Will listen to offers for:

Timo Hildebrand
Thomas Vermaelen
Breno (Bayern)
John O'Shea
Manuel Fernandes
Mohammadou Diarra
Julio Baptista
Roy Makaay

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Nikos will post the FAs for my team as I won't be around for the opening of the transfer window and will only be back on Saturday morning.