Biggest League Goal Differences in the World 2009/2010

A worldwide look at the teams who have a goal difference of at least + or - 40 in their 2009/2010 league seasons.


+83 - Ajax (Netherlands)
+61 - Barcelona (Spain)
+57 - Newtown United (St Kitts and Nevis)
+56 - Real Madrid (Spain)
+54 - Benfica (Portugal)
+54 - Chelsea (England)
+54 - The New Saints (Wales)
+53 - Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
+51 - Manchester United (England)
+51 - Rangers (Scotland)
+47 - UE Sant Julia (Andorra)
+46 - Llanelli (Wales)
+43 - PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
+42 - Anderlecht (Belgium)
+42 - Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)
+42 - River Plate PR (Puerto Rico)
+40 - Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)


-76 - Washington Archibald (St Kitts and Nevis)
-66 - Caersws (Wales)
-60 - Milano (Macedonia FYR)
-57 - Cefn Druids (Wales)
-55 - Al-Shamal (Qatar)
-51 - Botev Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
-50 - Baloch FC (Pakistan)
-49 - Aarau (Switzerland)
-49 - Austria Kärnten (Austria)
-49 - RKC Waalwijk (Netherlands)
-47 - Bellinzona (Switzerland)
-41 - UE Engordany (Andorra)
-41 - Panthrakikos (Greece)
-41 - Tornados de Humacao (Puerto Rico)
-40 - Pothmadog (Wales)


BONUS:
Minimum Goal Difference of +/- 60 since 99/00 in the 'Top Leagues' in Europe

+83 - Ajax (09/10)
+81 - PSV Eindhoven (99/00)
+79 - Celtic (03/04)
+71 - PSV Eindhoven (04/05)
+70 - Barcelona (08/09)
+70 - Rangers (99/00)
+67 - PSV Eindhoven (02/03)
+64 - Ajax (02/03)
+63 - Rangers (02/03)
+63 - Celtic (01/02)
+62 - PSV Eindhoven (03/04)
+61 - Barcelona (09/10)

-69 - Derby County (07/08)
-68 - RBC Roosendaal (05/06)

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-Steve-

A few vintage shirts currently for sale on eBay. At the very least, take a look at the beautiful, vintage Norwich City sweater....








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Non-Africans in Top African Leagues

This is a list of the Non-African players currently in the Top African Leagues. I mainly designated the 'top' leagues based on African Champions League performance over the past couple of decades (and a little bit on rosters being available at soccerway.com).




EGYPT

Al-Ahly
Ramzi Saleh - Palestine

Al-Ittihad Al-Sakandary
Fred - Brazil
Giancarlo - Brazil

Al-Mokawloon Al-Arab
Mohamed Samara - Palestine

Ismaily
Xhevair Sukaj - Albania

NIGERIA

NONE

SOUTH AFRICA

Ajax Cape Town
Deniss Ivanovs - Latvia
Derek Decamps - France
Romain Carbonnier - France

AmaZulu FC
Nick Gindre - Argentina

Bidvest Wits
Gustavo Zamaio - Brazil
Fabricio Rodrigues - Brazil

Free State Stars
Eder Richartz - Brazil

Golden Arrows
Helton Da Rocha - Brazil
Italo Fernandez - Brazil

Kaizer Chiefs
José Torrealba - Venezuela

Mamelodi Sundowns
Eduardo Ferreira - Brazil

Moroka Swallows
Davi Rancan - Brazil
Igor Alves - Brazil
Thomas Cichon - Germany (born Poland)

Mpumalanga Black Aces
Thomas Richter - Germany


Platinum Stars
Norikazu Murakami - Japan
Luis Rentería - Colombia

Wits University
Fabricio Robingues - Brazil

TUNISIA

Club Africain
Mohamed Bachtobji - France

Monastir
Renato Lopes - Brazil

Stade Tunisien
Alvès Daona - Brazil

European Leagues: First Place Team Form

The recent form and points leads of the first place teams in Europe (not including 'summer' leagues that have recently started, Russia, Sweden, Norway, etc..)

Point totals as of 4/14/2010

Points from the last 5 Games

Pts - Team (Nation)

15 - Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
15 - Anderlecht (Belgium)
15 - Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus)
15 - Olympique Marseille (France)
15 - Roma (Italy)
15 - Benfica (Portugal)
15 - CFR Cluj (Romania)
15 - Barcelona (Spain)

13 - Željeznicar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
13 - PFK Litex Lovech (Bulgaria)
13 - Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
13 - Chelsea (England)
13 - Olimpi Rustavi (Georgia)
13 - Valletta (Malta)
13 - Sheriff (Moldova)
13 - FC Koper (Slovenia)
13 - The New Saints (Wales)

12 - Panathinaikos (Greece)
12 - Jeunesse d'Esch (Luxembourg)
12 - Renova (Macedonia)
12 - Rudar (Montengro)
12 - Cosmos (San Marino)
12 - Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
12 - Young Boys (Switzerland)
12 - Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)

11 - Sparta Praha (Czech Republic)
11 - Fehérvár (Hungary)

10 - København (Denmark)
10 - Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
10 - FC Twente (Netherlands)
10 - Wisla Kraków (Poland)
10 - Rangers (Scotland)
10 - Bursaspor (Turkey)

9 - Žilina (Slovakia)

7 - Bayern München (Germany)

5 - CE Principat (Andorra)

4 - Dinamo Tirana (Albania)


Points Lead over Second Place Team

Pts - Team (Nation)

15 - Dinamo Tirana (Albania)

12 - Anderlecht (Belgium)

11 - Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
11 - Olimpi Rustavi (Georgia)
11 - Rangers (Scotland)
11 - FC Koper (Slovenia)

10 - Renova (Macedonia)
10 - Sheriff (Moldova)

9 - København (Denmark)
9 - The New Saint (Wales)

8 - Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)

7 - CE Principat (Andorra)

6 - Panathinaikos (Greece)
6 - Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
6 - Benfica (Portugal)
6 - Barcelona (Spain)

5 - Olympique Marseille (France)

4 - PFK Litex Lovech (Bulgaria)
4 - Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus)
4 - Chelsea (England)
4 - Fehérvár (Hungary)
4 - Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)

3 - Jeunesse d'Esch (Luxembourg)
3 - Rudar (Montenegro)
3 - CFR Cluj (Romania)
3 - Žilina (Slovakia)
3 - Young Boys (Switzerland)
3 - Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)

2 - Sparta Praha (Czech Republic)
2 - Bayern München (Germany)

1 - Roma (Italy)
1 - Valletta (Malta)
1 - FC Twente (Netherlands)
1 - Wisla Kraków (Poland)
1 - Cosmos (San Marino)
1 - Bursaspor (Turkey)

0 - Željeznicar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Previous Clubs: Fulham FC

A list of the previous clubs that the Fulham FC first team players were signed from.




DENMARK
FC Copenhagen - Brede Hangeland

ENGLAND
Aston Villa - Aaron Hughes
Birmingham City - Stephen Kelly
Bolton Wanderers - Andranik Teymourian
Everton - Andrew Johnson
Everton - Simon Davies
Maidstone United - Chris Smalling
Middlesbrough - Mark Schwarzer
Newcastle United - Damien Duff
Southampton - Chris Baird
Sunderland - Dickson Etuhu
Tottenham Hotspur - Danny Murphy
West Bromwich Albion - Zoltan Gera
West Ham United - Paul Konchesky
West Ham United - John Paintsil
West Ham United - Bobby Zamora

NETHERLANDS
FC Groningen - Erik Nevland

NORWAY
Lillestrøm - Bjørn Helge Riise
Rosenborg - Fredrik Stoor

SOUTH AFRICA
Golden Arrows - Kagisho Dikgacoi

SWEDEN
Kalmar FF - David Elm

SWITZERLAND
Neuchâtel Xamax - Pascal Zuberbühler

USA
New England Revolution - Clint Dempsey



LOANS
Aston Villa - Nicky Shorey
Roma - Stefano Okaka
West Bromwich Albion - Jonathan Greening

Vintage Video: Garrincha

I'm a bit short on time today so here's a vintage video of the Brazilian legend, Garrincha.

From Wikipedia:
FIFA considers him the best Brazilian player ever after Pelé. Many eminent football historians in Brazil and around the world refer to him being at least the equal of Pelé. He is also widely regarded as the best dribbler in football history.

World's Tallest Active Soccer Players

A list of the world's tallest active professional soccer players. (minimum of 2.02m - 6ft7½)


Vanja Iveša - Eskişehirspor



GK - Kristof van Hout - 2.08m - (6ft10) Standard Liege (Belgium)

FW - Yang Changpeng - 2.05m - (6ft8½) Three Gorges Kangtian (China)

GK - Vanja Iveša - 2.05m - (6ft8½) Eskişehirspor (Turkey)

FW - Vitali Shuhanau - 2.05m - (6ft8½) Nõmme Kalju (Estonia)

GK - Nikola Drkusič - 2.05m - (6ft8½) Krka (Slovenia)

FW - Tor Hogne Aarøy - 2.04m - (6ft8) Aalesund (Norway)

DF - Žarko Marković - 2.04 m (6ft8) Gaz Metan Mediaş (Romania)

GK - Costel Pantilimon - 2.03m - (6ft8) FC Timişoara (Romania)

FW - Øyvind Hoås - 2.03m - (6ft8) Sarpsborg 08 (Norway.2)

GK - Kjell Petter Opheim - 2.03m - (6ft8) Stryn Fotball (Norway.3)

GK - Milan Lukač - 2.03m - (6ft8) AEK Athens (Greece)

FW - Jan Koller - 2.02m - (6ft7½) AS Cannes (France.3)

FW - Nikola Žigić - 2.02m - (6ft7½) Valencia (Spain)

GK - Paolo Acerbis - 2.02m - (6ft7½) Grosseto (Italy.2)

GK - Zeljko Kalac - 2.02m - (6ft7½) Kavala (Greece)

FW - Stefan Maierhofer - 2.02 m (6ft7½) Wolverhampton Wanderers (England)

GK - Lazar Jovisić - 2.02m (6ft7½) CD Nacional (Portugal)

FW - Kevin Vink - 2.02m (6ft7½) RKC Waalwijk (Netherlands)

GK - Jurgen Wevers - 2.02m (6ft7½) RKC Waalwijk (Netherlands)

GK - Wojciech Kaczmarek - 2.02m - (6ft7½) Śląsk Wrocław (Poland)

GK - Pavel Kováč - 2.02m - (6ft7½) Olympiacos (Greece)




This post is an update to the previous tallest player list. I've changed the requirements from 2.00m up to 2.02m as the other list was getting too long and harder to update. This list wouldn't have been near as long without the help of all the commenters at the old post. Once again, if you know of any players that should be included in this list (2.02m or taller), please let me know and I'll add them.

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Interactive Map: Austrian Bundesliga Clubs

A google map of the clubs in the Austrian Football Bundesliga (Österreichische Fußball-Bundesliga).


View Austrian Bundesliga Club Map in a larger map

Videos: World Cup TV Intros 1982-2006

Foreign Players in South American Leagues

Here is the relatively short list of foreign players from outside of South America who play in the 10 South American Top Division leagues in 2010 (compiled from the squad lists at Soccerway.com).


ARGENTINA

Costa Rica
César Mena - Godoy Cruz

Italy
Michel Diaz - San Lorenzo

Japan
Yusuke Kato - Huracán

USA
DJ Countess - Tigre

Spain
Lucas Trecarichi - Huracán
Santiago Villafane - Boca Juniors


BOLIVIA

Macedonia FYR
Nuriman Ismaili - La Paz

USA
Sergio Flores - La Paz
Kyle Ross Zenoni - La Paz


BRAZIL

Serbia
Dejan Petkovic - Flamengo

CHILE

Mexico
Octavio Colmenares - Universidad de Chile
Edgar Coba - Huachipato
Joaquín Gómez - Palestino

Nigeria
Felix Abuchi - Unión San Felipe


COLOMBIA

Costa Rica
Carlos Johnson - Once Caldas

Mexico
Mario García - Boyacá Chicó

Panama
Nelson Barahona - Independiente Medellin
Brunet Hay - Independiente Medellin
Roman Torres - CPD Junior
Amilcar Henríquez - Atlético Huila
Gabriel Torres - Atlético Huila
Jean Mclean - America de Cali
Edwin Aguilar - America de Cali

ECUADOR

NONE


PARAGUAY

Japan
Ricky Kitawaki - Tacuary

PERU

Mexico
Rodolfo Espinoza - Universitario

Panama
Luis Tejada - Juan Aurich

URUGUAY

Dominican Republic
Miguel Báez - Cerrito

Panama
Luis Mejía - Fenix

VENEZUELA

Cameroon
Luc Bessala - Centro Italo

Costa Rica
Diego Mejias - Estudiantes de Mérida
Atahualpa González - Zuila FC
Angelo Rodriguez - Centro Italo

Mexico
Rodrigo Prieto - Caracas FC

Panama
Rolando Escobar - Deportivo Lara
Jorge Martinez - Mineros de Guayana

MLS All-Time Unique Internationals

A list of International players in Major League Soccer who are the only one from their nation to have played in the league. A few new nations will join the club in the 2010 season including; Australia (Allsopp), Estonia (Lindpere), India (Chhetri), and Moldova (Kostrov). These new foreign players have not all made a league appearance yet, but the rest of the players on the list have made at least one MLS league appearance.

Australia
Danny Allsopp (DC) 2010-Current

Belarus
Sasha Gotsmanov (COL) 2005

Belgium
Nansha Kalonji (NY) 1999

Bermuda
Khano Smith (NE, NY) 2005-09, 2010-Current

Botswana
Dipsy Selolwane (CHI, RSL) 2002-05

Burundi
David Habarugira (DC) 2009-10

Estonia
Joel Lindpere (NY) 2010-Current

Ethiopia
Dahir Mohammed (NY) 2000

Georgia
Giorgi Chirgadze (NY) 2009-Current

Guyana
Gregory Richardson (COL) 2009

Grenada
Shalrie Joseph (NE) 2003-Current

India
Sunil Chhetri (KC) 2010-Current

Japan
Kosuke Kimura (COL) 2007-Current

Korea Republic
Hong Myung-Bo (LA) 2003-04

Lithuania
Edgaras Jankauskas (NE) 2009-Current

Moldova
Igor Kostrov (KC) 2010-Current

Morocco
Mehdi Ballouchy (RSL, COL) 2006-Current

Palestine
Shaker Asad (NE, MIA) 2000-02

Romania
Alex Zotinca (KC, CHV) 2003-08

Saint Kitts and Nevis
Atiba Harris (RSL, CHV, DAL) 2006-Current

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Ezra Hendrickson (NY, LA, DAL, DC, CHV, CLB) 1997-2008

Togo
Abbe Ibrahim (NY, TOR) 2005, 2007

Turks and Caicos
Gavin Glinton (LA, DAL, SJ) 2002-03, 2006-08

Wales
Carl Robinson (TOR, NY) 2007-Current




The base source for this list (link)

Europe Last Place Team Table

A table of last place teams in the top 25 European leagues in order of average Points per Game. (Not including 'Summer' leagues, Russia, Norway, Sweden, etc..)


PPG - PTS/MP - Team (Country)
0.38 - 10P/26M - APEP Kyperounda (Cyprus)
0.39 - 11P/28M - Aarau (Switzerland)
0.39 - 11P/28M - Austria Kärnten (Austria)
0.40 - 12P/30M - RKC Waalwijk (Netherlands)
0.43 - 12P/28M - Panthrakikos (Greece)
0.44 - 11P/25M - HB Køge (Denmark)
0.48 - 15P/31M - Grenoble (France)
0.48 - 11P/23M - Croatia Sesvete (Croatia)
0.55 - 12P/22M - Sportist Svoge (Bulgaria*)
0.59 - 17P/29M - Hapoel Ra'anana (Israel)
0.60 - 15P/25M - Belenenses (Portugal)
0.61 - 14P/23M - Krvbas Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine)
0.61 - 14P/23M - Bohemians (Czech Republic)
0.64 - 18P/28M - Denizlispor (Turkey**)
0.64 - 18P/28M - Roeselare and KSC Lokeren
0.68 - 17P/25M - Unirea Alba Iulia (Romania)
0.70 - 23P/33M - Portsmouth (England***)
0.76 - 22P/29M - Hertha BSC (Germany)
0.77 - 23P/30M - Xerez (Spain)
0.78 - 25P/32M - Falkirk (Scotland)
0.81 - 26P/32M - Livorno and Siena (Italy)
0.82 - 18P/22M - Cukaricki (Serbia)
0.85 - 22P/26M - Košice (Slovakia)
0.87 - 20P/23M - Idra Wodzislaw and Polonia Warszawa (Poland)
1.00 - 21P/21M - Laktasi and Modrica (Bosnia and Herzegovina)




*Bulgaria - Botev Plovdiv Expelled due to Debts

**Turkey - Ankaraspor Expelled due to its relationship with Ankaragücü… ruling that it was contrary to sporting competitiveness.

***England - Portsmouth have been docked 9 points for going into administration. I didn't take away those 9 points for this list since I was looking more for league form than specific point totals. If I had, Pompey would have been near the top of the list with 0.42ppg

Premier League Streaks

A few of the longest streaks from the 09/10 Premier League season.

Games without a Defeat (min 10)
12 - Birmingham City (10/24-1/09)
10 - Arsenal (12/5-1/27)
10 - Chelsea (12/12-2/7)
10 - Manchester City (9/28-12-12)
10 - Aston Villa (1/17-3/24)

Most Consecutive Wins (min 5)
6 - Arsenal (2/10-3/20)
6 - Chelsea (8/15-9/20)
5 - Manchester United (2/23-3/27)
5 - Tottenham Hotspur (2/21-3/27)
5 - Birmingham City (11/21-12/15)

Most Consecutive Draws (min 3)
7 - Manchester City (10/5-11/28)
4 - Everton (12/6-12/26)
3 - West Ham United (1/17-1/30)
3 - Sunderland (2/1-2/9)
3 - Blackburn Rovers (11/28-12/12)
3 - Wolverhampton Wanderers (10/17-10/31)
3 - Wigan Athletic (2/6-2/17)

Most Consecutive Defeats (min 5)
7 - Portsmouth (8/15-9/26)
6 - West Ham United (2/23-3/27)
5 - Fulham (12/28-1/30)
5 - Hull City (2/10-3/20)

Consecutive 0-0 draws
3 - Blackburn Rovers (11/28-12/12)
2 - Aston Villa (1/17-1/27)

Consecutive Games without Scoring a Goal (min 4)
5 - Bolton Wanderers (1/30-2/21)
4 - Aston Villa (12/27-1/27)
4 - Blackburn Rovers (11/25-12/12)
4 - Wolverhampton Wanderers (12/26-1/26)

Consecutive Clean Sheets (min 4)
5 - Chelsea (10/24-11/29)
5 - Tottenham Hotspur (12/16-1/16)
4 - Liverpool (1/20-2/6)
4 - Aston Villa (1/17-2/6)

Consecutive Games without a Win (min 8)
14 - Sunderland (11/28-2/28)
12 - Burnley (11/7-1/30)
10 - Hull City (11/28-2/20)
9 - West Ham United (8/23-10/31)
9 - Blackburn Rovers (11/25-1/11)
8 - Portsmouth (12/26-2/20)
8 - Wolverhampton Wanderers (9/27-11/29)


Stats from Statbunker

Biggest Movers in the April 2010 FIFA Rankings

Nations that have moved at least 6 places up or down in the newly released April 2010 FIFA Rankings. March Results listed.


+22 - Senegal (W; Greece)
+15 - Libya (W; Mali)
+14 - Guatemala (W; El Salvador)
+13 - Albania (W; Northern Ireland)
+13 - Moldova (W; Kazakhstan)
+13 - UAE (W; Uzbekistan)
+10 - Krygyzstan (No Matches)
+9 - Norway (W; Slovakia)
+7 - Bolivia (No Matches)
+6 - Iraq (No Matches)
+6 - Paraguay (No Matches)
+6 - Turkey (W; Honduras)
+6 - Georgia (W; Estonia)



-20 - Uzbekistan (L; UAE)
-18 - Cape Verde Islands (No Matches)
-14 - Guam (No Matches)
-12 - Sudan (No Matches)
-11 - Northern Ireland (L; Albania)
-9 - Nepal (No Matches)
-8 - Malta (L; Finland)
-8 - Bulgaria (L; Poland)
-8 - Trinidad and Tobago (No Matches)
-7 - South Africa (D; Namibia)
-7 - Faroe Islands (L; Iceland)
-7 - Singapore (L; Jordan)
-7 - Bahamas (No Matches)
-6 - St. Lucia (No Matches)
-6 - Kuwait (D; Oman)
-6 - Mauritania (No Matches)