bastian
Jul 31 2003, 08:09 PM
New star for Blue Stars
Friday, 01 August 2003
Jay Goppingen is the latest name on the lips of football supporters in southern California, after the mysterious blond striker scored five goals in eight games for college side Orange City Blue Stars. However, supporters of VfB Stuttgart, Internazionale FC, FC Bayern München, Germany and Tottenham Hotspur FC might just recognise him from the past. Yes, at the age of 39, Jürgen Klinsmann is still playing football. The reclusive player, who moved to the United States with his family some time ago, has been keeping his eye in by playing the odd game of football, saying: "I do it just for fun and it keeps me young." However, though coaches and players alike are still dazzled by his skill and presence in the penalty area - one opposition coach wrote "everyone who knows football knows Jürgen Klinsmann. Only Pelé is better known" - the 108-times capped striker insists he is not on the verge of a full-time return to the game. "It is nonsense to talk of me making a professional comeback." In case you were interested, Klinsmann took his 'Jay Goppingen' pseudonym as a sly reference to his home town in Swabia. "I took the false name because I didn't want a make a big fuss," he said.
Endurance test for Liverpool
Liverpool FC's tour of south-east Asia took a strange turn after a mix-up between manager Gérard Houllier and the match referee in their friendly game against the Thailand national team resulted in a 60-minute first half. Houllier had warned the referee before the game that he intended to make wholesale substitutions after 60 minutes of the game, but somehow, the official did not seem to understand, assuming that the French coach wanted the first half to last an hour. Thailand's English coach was bewildered by the referee's decision, shouting "stop the game, stop the game" from the sidelines as the official showed no interest in blowing his whistle. "That was the longest half of football I have ever experienced in my life," Houllier told reporters after the game. "But you cannot blame [the referee], his intentions were good." Liverpool eventually won the game 3-1 after a goal from Emile Heskey and two from Vladimir Smicer enlivened an unexpected 105 minutes of football.
Hollywood toddler eyes Anfield move
In other Liverpool-related news, scouts on Merseyside have been made aware of one potential Anfield hero for the future after Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie admitted that her adopted son, Maddox, was obsessed with the club. The Tomb Raider star brought her Cambodian-born son with her to Liverpool during the filming of 'Tomb Raider: Cradle Of Life' in 2002, and the club made a lasting impression on both of them. Jolie has bought the two-year-old a full Liverpool strip and is convinced that young Maddox has set his heart upon becoming the next Michael Owen when he grows up. "He isn't interested in being in movies," claimed Jolie, the daughter of Hollywood actor Jon Voigt. "He only wants to play for Liverpool." Jolie's affection for Merseyside was reinforced after Maddox was forced to spend three days in Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital after suffering a minor injury while staying with his mother. The Oscar-winning actress subsequently made a hefty donation to the hospital in thanks for their assistance.
Friday, 01 August 2003
Jay Goppingen is the latest name on the lips of football supporters in southern California, after the mysterious blond striker scored five goals in eight games for college side Orange City Blue Stars. However, supporters of VfB Stuttgart, Internazionale FC, FC Bayern München, Germany and Tottenham Hotspur FC might just recognise him from the past. Yes, at the age of 39, Jürgen Klinsmann is still playing football. The reclusive player, who moved to the United States with his family some time ago, has been keeping his eye in by playing the odd game of football, saying: "I do it just for fun and it keeps me young." However, though coaches and players alike are still dazzled by his skill and presence in the penalty area - one opposition coach wrote "everyone who knows football knows Jürgen Klinsmann. Only Pelé is better known" - the 108-times capped striker insists he is not on the verge of a full-time return to the game. "It is nonsense to talk of me making a professional comeback." In case you were interested, Klinsmann took his 'Jay Goppingen' pseudonym as a sly reference to his home town in Swabia. "I took the false name because I didn't want a make a big fuss," he said.
Endurance test for Liverpool
Liverpool FC's tour of south-east Asia took a strange turn after a mix-up between manager Gérard Houllier and the match referee in their friendly game against the Thailand national team resulted in a 60-minute first half. Houllier had warned the referee before the game that he intended to make wholesale substitutions after 60 minutes of the game, but somehow, the official did not seem to understand, assuming that the French coach wanted the first half to last an hour. Thailand's English coach was bewildered by the referee's decision, shouting "stop the game, stop the game" from the sidelines as the official showed no interest in blowing his whistle. "That was the longest half of football I have ever experienced in my life," Houllier told reporters after the game. "But you cannot blame [the referee], his intentions were good." Liverpool eventually won the game 3-1 after a goal from Emile Heskey and two from Vladimir Smicer enlivened an unexpected 105 minutes of football.
Hollywood toddler eyes Anfield move
In other Liverpool-related news, scouts on Merseyside have been made aware of one potential Anfield hero for the future after Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie admitted that her adopted son, Maddox, was obsessed with the club. The Tomb Raider star brought her Cambodian-born son with her to Liverpool during the filming of 'Tomb Raider: Cradle Of Life' in 2002, and the club made a lasting impression on both of them. Jolie has bought the two-year-old a full Liverpool strip and is convinced that young Maddox has set his heart upon becoming the next Michael Owen when he grows up. "He isn't interested in being in movies," claimed Jolie, the daughter of Hollywood actor Jon Voigt. "He only wants to play for Liverpool." Jolie's affection for Merseyside was reinforced after Maddox was forced to spend three days in Liverpool's Alder Hey hospital after suffering a minor injury while staying with his mother. The Oscar-winning actress subsequently made a hefty donation to the hospital in thanks for their assistance.