Taking a step back

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As many of you may have noticed, Great Dane Football Blog has not been as active as usual the last couple of weeks.

Due to university assignments and other work, Great Dane Football Blog has not been updated on a daily basis, and after a long and stressful final year at Uni, I am now taking a break from blogging. However, occasionally there will be posted on the blog.

With the Premier League ending a few weeks back,  I am now taking a look on what needs to be changed on the blog and what can be added. I am, therefore, looking for people with an interest in football, who would like to write on a weekly basis. If you think you can contribute to the output, please contact me on: greatdanefb@gmail.com.

I am more than open to adding a new league to the Great Dane Football Blog.

As mentioned, the blog will not be left without any posts, and especially during the World Cup I will be active once and a while. Until then, take care, keep the beers cold and enjoy the World Cup! See you when another fine season of Premier League starts!

Cheers,

Harbo
Great Dane Football Blog
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Match of the Week: Arsenal v Hull

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The Barclay's Premier League ended last week, with only the FA Cup final left to be played in England before the take off for the World Cup! Match of the week is Arsenal v Hull at Wembley.


Arsenal v Hull

FA Cup Final
Wembley Stadium
17-05-2014 @ 17.00 UK








How are the two teams form?

Arsenal won their last five Premier League matches leading to a fourth in the table and access to the Champions League next season. After what seemed to be a promising year for The Gunners, the fans will be disappointed with the position in the league, and only an FA Cup trophy will save the season. 

Hull, lost their last five matches in the Premier League and finished 16th in the table, saving them another season in the best company. 

The last seven meetings between the two sides have finished with six Arsenal wins and only a single victory to Hull, back in 2008.

What are the probable line-ups?

Arsenal will be without Serge Gnabry, Ryo Miyachi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott for the final, as they are all out with injuries. Robert Brady and James Chester are both out with injuries, while Sone Aluko, Joe Dudgeon, Allan McGregor and Paul McShane are rated doubtfully.

Szczesny

Sagna - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Monreal

Arteta - Ramsey

Wilshere - Ozil - Podolski

Giroud
_____________________________________--

Long - Jelavic

Fryatt - Livermore - Huddlestone - Sagbo

Rosenior - Bruce - Davies - Elmohamady

Harper

What to expect from this match?

Wenger and Arsenal's season can be saved with the FA Cup trophy on Saturday, and Hull should be an easy task for The Gunners. However, last season we saw Wigan win against Manchester City and we all know that anything can happen in cup football. Arsenal are by far the favorites, especially given their current form compared to Hull's. Hull will probably take a defensive stand in the match, and base their play on counter-attacks. Meanwhile, Arsenal should go out and play the attacking play we have seen in the latest five matches.

What are the odds?

Arsenal wins: 1/2 (BetFred)

Hull wins: 7 (Betfair)

Draw: 7/2 (PaddyPower)



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Keep an eye on: Nicolaj Thomsen

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  • Name: Nicolaj Thomsen
  • Age: 21 (08-05-1993)
  • Club: Aalborg BK
  • Position: Left Midfield
  • International Caps:
    • Denmark U21
      • 10 matches / 2 goals
    • Denmark U19 
      • 7 matches / 0 goals
    • Denmark U18
      • 4 matches / 0 goals
  • Value: £650.000
He has just turned 21-years old and has only played one full season in Aalborg BK, but can hang his first gold medal around his neck in just a week's time. This week we keep an eye on Aalborgs young star Nicolaj Thomsen.

He came out of nowhere, the young left midfielder starting in Aalborgs first match of the season; neither fans or commentators knew who the talent was. They do now. Thomsen has, despite his young age, played every single match for AaB this season, and made eight assists and four goals. Before the season, all attention was on another young AaB-star, Kasper Kusk, and that might have taken some of the pressure off Thomsen:


“It might be right, but I guess that there never is a great pressure on a young player, as people don’t know what to expect from a new young player. I knew that I had to impress so that added some pressure, but there was a lot of focus on Kusk and he deserves it,” Thomsen says,

“Before the season started, I didn’t expect to be playing in every single match of the season, but I’m very happy that I have and I feel I’ve become better and better.”

However, the winger has worked hard to get where he is now. As a child he played in Frederikshavn, north of Aalborg, and contacted AaB for a trial. After a few tryouts, he was told he was too small and had to go home and work on his speed if he wanted to play for AaB. He did just that, and when AaB opened their own sports college, Thomsen decided to join; the rest is history.

“It has been perfect for me, as I came as a rookie in the professional environment and got to train with some guys who really wanted to get something out of their career and had the ambitions. I always believed in myself, but I had to work hard to get where I am, and my teammates and coaches have always helped me to develop,” Thomsen says.

The first couple of years Thomsen did not play on the best youth teams in Aalborg, but as he made it to the U18's suddenly the career started going forward, not only in Aalborg but also on the youth national teams. So far, the talent has 21 caps on his CV and have played almost every match for the Danish U21 this season - at one point Aalborg had to ask the Danish U21 manager Jess Thorup to spare their talent as they needed him to have a break. 

It is not only in AaB and the national team that Thomsen is popular; his great form have caused interest from both German Borussia Mönchengladbach as well as Dutch Heerenveen, but the Dane is not in a hurry to leave Aalborg. 

“Even though we tell that we don’t have any focus on the interest from other clubs, sometimes you can’t help thinking about what the future brings. But, at the moment I haven’t had time to think about it because we are going through an exciting time.


“I hope we will play in the Champions League next year, so I am staying in AaB for at least a couple of years," the talent says.

And Champions League is on the table for AaB and the talent. A win tomorrow against FC Vestsjælland and if FC Midtjylland at the same time draws or lose against FC Copenhagen practically means that Aalborg are the league champions.

“It is fantastic that we have a chance of becoming the champions, and I think it is good for a young player to have this experience as it adds pressure. Before the season, we were expected to be a part of the relegation battle, but we surprised everyone. I believe it is healthy for a young player to play in such a big club and experience the pressure that follows.”

On top of that, the Danish Cup final awaits next week where the opponent is FC Copenhagen, which Aalborg lost against last time they were in the Cup final. In fact, AaB have made their way to the Cup final seven times, but only won it twice, latest in 1970. However, this is the year for the Cup trophy to return to Aalborg according to Thomsen.

“This is the year, and only a few of us have been in a cup final, so I don’t think it plays a role. I believe we all go into this match as it was any other match, and then I hope we are the winners after 90 minutes.”

With that in mind, Nicolaj Thomsen is preparing himself for, what could be, the best football week he has had in his career so far. Great Dane Football Blog wishes him luck on his way to becoming Champion and Cup winner - all in his first season.





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Match of the Week: Crystal Palace v Liverpool

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Liverpool desperately needs three points against Crystal Palace to keep their dream of winning the Premier League alive.


Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Premier League Round 37
Selhurst Park
05-05-2014 @ 20.00 UK









How are the two teams form?

Crystal Palace saw an end to their five consecutive win streak against Manchester City last week, but their impressing late-season form have already saved them another season in the best English company. 

Liverpool, also saw an end to their winning streak when Chelsea took a win at Anfield Road last week, and lost some vital points in the trophy battle.

Historically, Crystal Palace have an overtake against Liverpool with four victories and one draw in the last ten meetings.

What are the probable line-up?

Crystal Palace currently have an injury free squad while Liverpool are without Sebastian Coates and Enrique due to injuries. At the same time, Daniel Sturridge is rated doubtful and Jordan Henderson is out with a ban.

Speroni

Mariappa - Dann - Delaney - Ward

Puncheon - Jedinak - Dikgacoi - Bolasie

Ledley

Jerome
______________________________________________

Suárez - Sturridge

Sterling

Coutinho - Allen

Gerrard

Flanagan - Sakho - Skrtel - Johnson

Mignolet

What to expect from this match?

Liverpool is in need of three points to keep Chelsea away, and should get them against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace are secured another season in the Premier League, and basically have nothing left to play for. The pressure is on Liverpool, but if they are a serious candidate for the trophy, Crystal Palace should not be a problem. Manchester City managed to bring Crystal Palace down within minutes of the match, and the Liverpool attack should be able to cause the same kind of problems to The Eagles defends.

What are the odds?

Crystal Palace to win: 17/2 (Bet365)

Liverpool to win: 2/5 (Paddypower)

Draw: 9/2 (StanJames)


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Keep an eye on: Daniel Arrocha

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  • Name: Daniel Arrocha 
  • 19 (09-01-1995)
  • Position: RB/LB/CB
  • Club: HB Køge
  • International Caps: 
    • U18: 5 matches / 0 goals
    • U17: 2 matches / 0 goals
    • U16: 1 match / 0 goals
  • Value: £25.000
This week we keep an eye on yet another Danish talent with an exotic name; Danish/Spanish Daniel Arrocha is this week's keep an eye on talent.

In his younger years, Arrocha played football in BK Frem, one of the traditional Copenhagen football clubs, before he and his family moved to Haslev in Southern Zealand. Suddenly, the daily commute into Copenhagen seemed to long and the defender joined the local club Haslev FC. However, after meeting Herfølge [HB Køge today] in a couple of matches, the defender went for one training and decided to join the 1. Division clubs youth department. 

In Herfølge and later HB Køge, Arrocha went through a massive development and played himself onto the Danish U16 national team followed up by spells at the U17's and U18's. 

“It has been exciting, both when it was just Herfølge and now when it is HB Køge and the focus is on youth talents. It has been good to play in HB Køge as a youth player and there is a good set-up here," Arrocha says about his youth years in Køge. 

“I achieved to make it to the youth national teams, and to get my debut on the 1. Division team. I have found out that I want to become a professional football player and the club has helped me on the way.”

Today, the defender is 19-years old and have more or less gotten a small breakthrough for HB Køges 1. Division team. After starting against Vendsyssel FC last year, the defender has been promoted to the senior squad - despite still being eligible for the U19's - and have played five matches since January. However, he has not played many matches on his favorite position in the center defends.

“I see myself as a center back and I prefer to play in the center defends, but I can play on both backs, as well. However, at the moment I am playing where the manager wants me to play and then I might get more regular position as I make my way into the starting line-up," the all-around defensive player says.

With his breakthrough, in the Danish 1. Division, Arrocha could soon follow other HB Køge talents footstep and join one of the Superliga clubs or go abroad:

“HB Køge is an interesting club because they are willing to give young players a chance, but also because it is a window towards bigger leagues," the talent says.

However, the fans will still see him at SEAS-NVE Park, the home of HB Køge, in the future. His current goal is just to develop and get as much experience as possible.

“HB Køge means a lot to me, but of course I want to try something bigger, but I’m only 19-years old so I am not thinking about the future somewhere else," Arrocha ends the interview.


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Friday Five

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It's Friday and time to take a look back at the week that past.


Friday 25th April - Hillsborough Wikipedia posts

It was revealed Friday that a number of changes made to the Wikipedia site about Hillsborough were posted from computers on Whitehall's intranet. One of the changes was the Liverpool anthem You'll Never Walk Alone rewritten to You'll Never Walk Again, as well as offensive comments were posted about the people dying in the tragedy. The Cabinet Office has now launched an investigation to find the persons behind the posts.

Saturday 26th April - Giggs first match as manager

He is already a Manchester United legend, and on Saturday he added to his history at the club as he was in charge of his first match as a manager. After a miserable season, David Moyes was sacked last week and Ryan Giggs took over as interim manager and started with great success as Norwich was sent home from Old Trafford with a 0-4 loss in the baggage. There was a glimpse of the old Manchester United in Saturdays match, and the fans will certainly hope that this can keep on in the remaining matches of the season.

Sunday 27th April - Did Gerrard just cost Liverpool the trophy?

It was one of the first 'finals' of the season for Liverpool; a win would add distance to Chelsea and Manchester City and almost secure the trophy. However, Mourinho's reserves surprised against Liverpool and grabbed a 2-0 victory at Anfield Road. The first goal came after a mistake from Steven Gerrard, and if that mistake means that Liverpool will not grab the gold this season, it will haunt him the rest of his life. The second goal came after another Liverpool mistake lead to Willian scoring to 2-0.



Wednesday 30th April - Chelsea's Champions League dream ended

They might have taken a big step in the Premier League, but on Wednesday the luck was gone for Mourinho. In a match where both teams looked afraid to take the initiative, Fernando Torres punished his former club scoring to 1-0. However, it should be the only goal the Chelsea fans could celebrate during the match. Shortly before the break Adrian Lopez equalised to 1-1 which also was the result after 45 minutes. After an hour, Samuel Eto'o committed a penalty on Diego Costa, who executed to 1-2 to Atletico. 10 minutes later Arda Turan closed the match with his scoring to 1-3. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are now meeting each other in the Champions League final. 

Wednesday 30th April - Corinthians tribute to Senna

Yesterday it was 20 years since Formula One driver Ayrton Senna died after a chras at Imola. The racing-driver was a fan of Corinthians, his home-town club in São Paulo, and on Wednesday they paid an unusual tribute to the fan. The entire side was wearing replicas of Senna's distinctive yellow and green racing helmet as they lined up before the game against Nacional.




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Thursdays Transfer Rumours

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As the season is coming to an end, the transfer window is about to open and the rumours are flying wild. 

Louis van Gaal is ready to sign a three-year deal worth £25m to succeed David Moyes as Manchester United boss (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is ready with a bit for Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (The Mirror) - Probability: Medium

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette is a wanted man as Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs all target the 21-year old (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

Manchester United are interested in Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac (Daily Express) - Probability: Low

Liverpool are tracking Bayer Leverkusen duo Emre Can and Heung-Min Son (Daily Star) - Probability: Low

Paul Ince has travelled to Athens to meet Olympiakos representatives to discuss a contract for his son Tom (Channel News Asia) - Probability: Low

Liverpool are plotting a £20m swoop for Adam Lallana (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Arsenal are looking to bring either Mario Mandzukic or Karim Benzema to The Emirates (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

Jan Vertonghen could leave Tottenham as he is a target got Inter Milan this summer (Daily Mail) - Probability: High

The Premier League clubs will face competition from Bayern Munich for the signing of QPR striker Loic Remy (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Manchester CIty are keeping an eye on Honduras international Romell Quioto (The Sun) - Probability: Low

Southampton is looking to replace Luke Shaw with Ipswich left-back Aaron Cresswell (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

Roma are keen on Manchester City left back Aleksandar Kolarov (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

 Arsene Wenger is targeting Germany international Lars Bender (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

 Aston Villa are eyeing Manchester United's Javier Hernandez and Manchester City's Joleon Lescott (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

 Arsenal and AC Milan are leading the hunt for Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (The Sun) - Probability: Low

 Arsenal's Joel Campbell is a target for West Brom boss Pepe Mel, who worked with the Costa Rican when he was on loan at Real Betis (Daily Express) - Probability: Medium






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