Rabu, 27 Februari 2013

Inilah Kasus-Kasus Pelanggaran HAM Internasional Terbesar

Hak Asasi Manusia atau HAM, merupakan hak yang bersifat asasi, yang berarti hak-hak yang dimiliki manusia menurut kodratnya yang tidak dapat dipisahkan dari hakikatnya. Jadi, hak asasi manusia adalah hak dasar atau hak pokok yang dimiliki manusia sejak lahir sebagai anugerah dari Tuhan. 

Namun dalam sejarah peradaban manusia telah banyak peristiwa dan penindasan terhadap manusia, baik yang terjadi di wilayah publik maupun pada wilayah domestik, yang di dalamnya terjadi tindakan pelanggaran HAM. Sebagai contoh, Indonesia yang pernah dijajah oleh bangsa Belanda dan Jepang. Oleh karena itu, muncullah bentuk-bentuk perlawanan untuk melindungi HAM dengan melakukan perlawanan terhadap para penguasa yang menindas. 

Inilah Kasus-Kasus Pelanggaran HAM Internasional Terbesar

Pada dasarnya, selain penjajahan, kasus-kasus terjadinya pelanggaran HAM sangat marak terjadi dan telah berlangsung sejak lama. Akan tetapi, perhatian dunia internasional yang diwakili oleh PBB tampak baru meningkat setelah meletusnya Perang Dunia ke II yang telah menewaskan banyak umat manusia. 


1. Tahun 1924 di Italia 

Benito Mussolini dikenal sebagai seorang diktator yang kejam di Italia. Ia telah mendirikan sekaligus memimpin faham fasisme di Italia. Mussolini memerintah pada tahun 1924-1943 dengan sangat otoriter. Lawan-lawan politik yang tidak segaris dan setuju dengan pemikirannya langsung ditangkap dan dibunuh. Mussolini juga menduduki negara asing, seperti Etiophia dan Albania. Ia juga salah seorang pencetus Perang Dunia II dan berkoalisi dengan Adolf Hitler dari Jerman untuk melawan sekutu.


2. Tahun 1933 di Jerman 

Inilah Kasus-Kasus Pelanggaran HAM Internasional Terparah

Bicara tentang pelanggaran HAM di Jerman, maka tak akan bisa lepas dari sosok bernama Adolf Hitler.  Adolf Hitler yang merupakan pimpinan Nazi berhasil memenangkan pemilu melalui Partai Buruh Jerman Sosialis memimpin Jerman dengan sangat otoriter. Banyak kejahatan kemanusiaan pada waktu itu yang ia lakukan. Misalnya dengan penangkapan secara massal terhadap lawan-lawan politik yang menentangnya dan pembasmian terhadap orang-orang yahudi. Hitler juga memimpin Jerman untuk menduduki negara Cekoslovakia dan Austria.  Ia juga menjadi pemicu utama tejadinya Perang Dunia II.


3. Tahun 1960 di Republik Afrika Selatan 

Ketika rezim apartheid yang didominasi oleh orang-orang kulit putih berhasil menguasai pemerintahan yang ada di Afrika Selatan, mereka melakukan kebijakan yang merugikan warga kulit hitam. Hal ini terjadi pada tahun 1960. Orang-orang kulit putih yang menguasai Afrika Selatan melakukan tindakan yang semena-mena terhadap warga kulit hitam. Diantara peristiwa yang memakan korban adalah terbunuhnya 77 orang dari kalangan sipil pada peristiwa Sharpeville. Demikian juga pada tahun 1976 terjadi peristiwa berdarah yang menewaskan banyak warga sipil, terutama murid-murid sekolah. 


4. Tahun 1979 di Uni Soviet 

Negara Uni Soviet yang sekarang telah pecah menjadi negara Rusia, telah melakukan penyerangan yang berkepanjangan di negara Afganistan yang telah berlangsung sejak tahun 1979 hingga 1990-an. Sejumlah pasukan perang sebanyak 85 ribu tentara didatangkan langsung dari Uni Soviet untuk bertempur di Afganistan. Hal ini membuat banyak korban jiwa yang berjatuhan di Afganistan, baik korban militer maupun warga sipil. 


5. Tahun 1992-1995 di Serbia dan Bosnia 

Pada periode tahun 1992-1995 terjadi perang sipil di negara Bosnia yang dipimpin oleh Radofan Karadzic. Dalam perang di Bosnia tersebut, terjadi pembunuhan massal yang dilakukan terhadap 8000 warga muslim Bosnia di Srebenica. Srebenica adalah daerah kantong bagi penduduk-penduduk Muslim yang tinggal di Bosnia. Dalam perang tersebut Radofan Karadzic bertekad untuk melakukan pembersihan etnis kepada warga non Serbia. 


(zakipedia)

Selasa, 26 Februari 2013

Profil Lengkap dan Biografi Gareth Bale

Gareth Frank Bale atau biasa disebut Gareth Bale, merupakan pemain serbabisa asal Wales, yang kini bermain bersama klub Tottenham Hotspur di Liga Inggris. Ia dilahirkan pada 16 Juli 1989 di Cariff, Wales. Bale menjadi andalan Tottenham karena kemampuan dan kecepatannya yang di atas rata-rata. Ia sering mencetak gol-gol penting yang membawa kemenangan bagi timnya.


Profil Lengkap dan Biografi Gareth Bale


Gareth Bale memulai karir sepakbolanya di klub Southampton. Ia berposisi sebagi bek kiri. Pada tahun 2006, ia memulai debut di Southampton di usia 16 tahun 275 hari di Divisi Championship Inggris. Bale menjadi pemain termuda kedua yang bermain bersama Southampton, setelah Theo Walcott. Ia terpilih sebagai pemain muda terbaik turnamen di akhir musim.

Pada tahun 2007, Bale direkrut ke klub Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur dan mengenakan kostum nomor 3. Ia dibeli dengan harga total 10 juta pounds, cukup mahal untuk ukuran pemain muda. Ia pun menjawab kepercayaan yang telah diberikan. Di musim-musim awal, penampilan Bale masih belum menonjol. Bahkan sempat beberapa kali posisinya sebagai bek kiri. digantikan oleh Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Pada musim 2009-2010, penampilan Bale mulai mencuri perhatian dunia. Ia mencetak dua gol krusial penentu kemenangan Tottenham atas dua tim besar, Arsenal dan Chelsea. Di akhir musim, Bale mampu membawa Tottenham finish di posisi 3 dan meraih tiket Liga Champions pertama sejak format baru.

Musim berikutnya, performa Bale kian matang. Ia bahkan mampu mengantar Tottenham hingga masuk perempat final Liga Champions sebelum dikalahkan Real Madrid. Sebelumnya, Tottenham mampu mengalahkan dua klub Italia, Inter Milan dan AC Milan. Bale juga mampu mencetak hattrick pertamanya setelah mencetak 3 gol solo run berkelas saat dikalahkan Inter Milan 3-4 di penyisihan grup, meskipun ia hanya berposisi sebagai bek sayap. Penampilan fantastisnya membuat UEFA sempat memasukkan Bale sebagai salah satu pemain dengan penampilan terbaik dalam suatu pertandingan di Liga Champions. Ia bahkan dianugrahi penghargaan PFA Player of The Year, yaitu penghargaan bagi pemain terbaik di Liga Inggris pada musim 2010-2011.

Penampilan impresifnya membuat banyak klub besar ingin merekrutnya. Tercatat klub-klub seperti Barcelona, Chelsea, hingga Real Madrid berhasrat untuk mendatangkan Gareth Bale. Namun Bale menepis semua rumor tersebut dan berkomitmen dengan menandatangani perpanjangan kontrak yang diberikan oleh manajemen Tottenham.

Pada musim 2012-2013, Bale mendapat kostum baru bernomor 11 dan juga peran baru di tim. Ia diposisikan sebagai sayap kiri atau winger karena kemampuannya dalam melakukan penetrasi ke pertahanan lawan. Hal ini membuat keran gol Bale makin bertambah, apalagi ditambah dengan kemampuannya  mencetak gol lewat tendangan bebas. Ia bahkan menjadi top skorer klub, dan menjadi salah satu pesaing top skorer di Liga Inggris.


Gaya Bermain Gareth Bale :

Pada awal karirnya, Bale sering disamakan dengan legenda Manchester United, Ryan Giggs. Alasannya tentu karena keduanya sama-sama berasal dari negara Wales. Selain itu posisi mereka juga sama, yaitu berposisi di sektor sayap. Oleh karena itu, banyak media-media yang kerap membandingan Gareth Bale dan Ryan Giggs.

Namun pada 2013 ini, mulai banyak yang membandingkan Gareth Bale dengan Cristiano Ronaldo asal Real Madrid. Selain sama-sama berposisi sebagaii winger, keduanya sama-sama memiliki kecepatan dan tendangan akurat dari luar penalti. Keduanya juga sangat tajam dalam urusan mencetak gol. Selain itu, baik Ronaldo atau Bale juga menjadi andalan utama di timnya masing-masing dan menjadi top skorer klub.


Profil Lengkap dan Biografi Gareth Bale


Nama Lengkap : Gareth Frank Bale
Tempat Lahir : Cardiff, Wales
Tanggal Lahir : 16 Juli 1989
Tinggi Badan : 186 cm
Kebangsaan : Wales
Klub : Tottenham Hotspur
Nomor Punggung : 11
Posisi : Bek Kiri, Sayap Kiri, Winger

Karir Klub :

2006-2007 Southampton
2007-... Tottenham Hotspur

Penghargaan :

PFA Player of The Year (2011)
UEFA Team of The Year (2011)
Wales Player of The Year (2010, 2011)
Football League Young Player of The Year (2007)


(zakipedia)

Jumat, 22 Februari 2013

Sectarianism - The Dirty Word?


I adore competition, there isn’t much better than it. 

When it comes to sport competition become even more of a drug, even if it’s me and my brother trying to guess the attendance of the Cardiff City matches for the past 3 seasons (1-1 overall, leading 10-4 this season)! Then we look at football, the absolute height of competition worldwide. There have been days I've travelled 5 1/2 hours from Cardiff to Scunthorpe to watch us scrape a 1-1 draw with an 82nd minute equaliser, a rubbish game but superb day for one reason: the fans! There is something about a tiny attendance of 5000 of which 750 are City away fans making incredible amounts of noise that produces feelings not replicated by anything else any other sport has to offer. Separation amongst football fans is what differs us but not necessarily for bad reasons. 


A common scene - temper's flaring
For anyone who says anything other than football being the sport with the best atmosphere then they’ve never been to an away match where as a collection of like-minded supporters make up genius songs, sing your heart out and drive your team forward. I was at the Ashes 2009 first test in Cardiff when England hung on for a draw, amazing chants but nothing on football and I was at Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup semi finals where it went to a historic penalty shootout but still nout on football! This brings us to, in my opinion, the best rivalry in British football, the Old Firm, Rangers v Celtic. This derby though, has been fraught with the ills of sectarianism from its beginnings leading us to ask when does a rivalry filled with “banter” become too much?

Lorenzo Amoruso - Rangers' first Catholic captain
 Sectarianism is the divide and hatred that exists in areas like Glasgow between Protestants and Catholics, not much now connected to religion at all but just continued as it’s all that they’ve known. Furthermore it runs deep to the roots of people, Celtic at every game display the Irish flag as most of their support is of Irish ancestry while Rangers show the Union flag for their predominately British historic support. Glasgow in the mid 1800s became a sanctuary to many Irish Catholic immigrants, they adopted Celtic as their club with early success so along with the anti-Irish feeling, anti-Celtic feeling grew. People who lived in Glasgow originally adopted Rangers as their protestant refuge and during the 20th century Rangers took on an “unwritten rule” programme of not knowingly signing Catholic players. This agreement stayed in place till in 1989 Maurice Johnston became their first major Catholic signing, it was further put in the past when in 1999 Lorenzo Amoruso became their first Catholic captain. While Rangers continually defended this standpoint, Celtic have had a number of legends who came from protestant backgrounds such as Jock Stein and Kenny Dalglish

 We see the clubs themselves have had some sort of an impact but to get to the heart of the issue you need to look at the fans who live and breathe for their football club. The term 90 minute bigot was coined to explain the kind of hatred between the two sets of fans. This simply means for the 90 minutes of the game they will both sing inflammatory songs, wave their inflammatory banners and in some cases throw “missiles” at each other but ultimately outside football they don’t hate on religious grounds. Vice produced a documentary on this issue in 2012 (below, excuse the swears!), it investigated violence and certain terrance chants as the Scottish government looked to enact legislation to try and curb (so called) sectarianism. During recent years the clubs have been working together with different groups like ‘Nil By Mouth’ to try and reconcile fans with Rangers in 2003 encouraging “Pride Over Prejudice” after Celtic launched “Bhoys Against Bigotry” and in 2007 Rangers issued the “Wee Blue Book” that contained a list of acceptable songs.

 So what’s the problem? Well again its the question of how far is too far. The Vice documentary met a Rangers fan who was banned from Ibrox for singing offensive songs about the Pope amongst other things. One song in question is “Billy Boys”, it originates from the 1920’s from protestant street gang called the The Brigton Boys led by Billy Fullerton. The Lyrics go: 

“Hullo, Hullo
We are the Billy Boys
Hullo, Hullo
You'll know us by our noise
We're up to our knees in fenian blood
Surrender or you'll die
For we are
The Brigton Derry Boys”

 This started as a harmless song but over time changed to include ‘Fenian’ which is a reference to Irishmen. I could’ve taken a Celtic song and looked at that too, both sides have their fair share of derogatory chants. But is this bad? Personally, and maybe I’m wrong, but I agree with those shown on Vice to laugh about them... They’re football chants, its harmless and only reflects the actual feelings of a minuscule amount of the population. Those who attend football matches weekly know that things get said and sung in jest as a unit that would never be repeated outside of the stadium. 

Celtic banners mocking Rangers' financial decline
 There of course are plenty of exceptions though where players are targeted with direct racial abuse for example. I am not condoning that in any way, it is widely accepted as disgusting in cases such as Christopher Samba having a banana thrown at him by his own fans. The issue is, what can be agreed as acceptable? Both Celtic and Rangers get wound up by the chants but when asked about it would say the Old Firm would be nothing without them. I say the same about the various sheep and Welsh references Cardiff receive, retaliation occurs but we love it really! 

 The Scottish government were saved from taking any immediate action after Rangers' forced relegation to the Third Division in the summer of 2012 after massive financial troubles. For the next few years the two sides will only meet in the cup if at all and this is perhaps a required cooling off period. In 2011 police arrested Rangers fans who sent bullets and death threats to members of the Celtic staff. Now this is definitely too far, this is where the debate stops with the same going for when a heavily policed game spills into violence and street brawls. Glasgow street violence is often blamed on the Old Frim, the Vice documentary shows some cases of it and hooliganism/football casuals is something we’ll look at in other blogs. However trouble occurs in every derby worldwide, the Old Firm is no different. Do I think football related violence/racism is wrong? Of course. Do I think historically accepted chants/banners/banter should be banned? No. Football has character and is always much better for it, that’s why it’s unchallenged as the greatest sport with the greatest fans. 

Gareth Thomas TFHB (Follow me on Twitter @GJ_Thomas)

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Kamis, 21 Februari 2013

The Rise of Swansea City - By a Cardiffian


Michu scores the Winner at Stamford Bridge
On Sunday Swansea City will play arguably the biggest game in the club's 100 year history… the League Cup Final

In many of my previous blogs I have made reference to going back in time to make comparisons with the modern-game.Whether it be 500 years ago with Tudor Football or 80 years into the past for the role of footballers in World War II. This time, we only need to look back 10 years to a club narrowly avoiding dropping out the Football League, performing in a crumbling stadium and the sheer thought of a Wembley Cup Final seeming impossible. The rise of Swansea City Football Club and indeed Welsh Football is nothing short of a fairy-tale.

Prior to2011 and the start of my first year in Swansea University, any feeling of compassion towards the Swans was scarce. Being brought up in Cardiff made the thought of ever rooting for the South-Wales rivals insane! However, the clubs emergence from the depths of the Football League, its footballing philosophy and ethos has prompted me to rethink my stance on Swansea City (being a Liverpool fan helps, especially when we won 5-0 last Sunday)!

Within the University, there is a strong sense of pride at the Welsh club’s recent success and a feeling shared with the majority of the locals or “Jacks” in Wales’ second largest city. The Football History Boys were recently asked if we had any blogs on the history of Swansea, something we rather needed to incorporate into our plans. For me, there is no better time than 2013 to chart the rise of Swansea into a top-half Premier League side and Capitol One Cup finalists.
 
Newspaper recording Swansea's Win over Arsenal
For many Swansea fans this season’s cup run to Wembley is a long time in coming. The2013 League Cup Final being the club’s first ever major final (no, I’m not including the Welsh Cup or FA Trophy no matter how good they are!). The first real romance with competitions came in 1926 with an inspiring run from the then called Swansea Town to the FA Cup semi-finals. The club defeated the likes of Arsenal, Stoke and Blackpool along the way. The following pre-season the good fortune would continue with the club even beating Real Madrid 3-0 on tour and in 1927, they reached the FA Cup quarter-finals. Unfortunately for Swansea in 1927 it was bitter rivals Cardiff who lifted the trophy at Wembley!

It is the 1927 FA Cup victory which even to this day Cardiff City fans use as a “one-over”their Welsh rivals. For Swansea fans it would seem about time they managed to get their hands on a piece of silverware to add to the FA Trophies and Welsh Cups sitting pretty at the Liberty Stadium. The last run to the last four of a major tournament was in 1964 when the side even defeated Bill Shankly’s Liverpool at Anfield 2-1, before losing the fellow Second Division team Preston North End. 

Swansea led out at Anfield
During 1964-2011,the Swansea story is a tale of the most diverse of mixed fortunes. After the cup run in 1964 the club fell towards the depths of the Football League once more and suffered the tragedy of Roy Evans and Brian Purcell’s deaths from a car crash prior to a match in 1969. It wasn’t until former Cardiff City and Liverpool striker John Toshack took over at the Vetch in 1978 as player-manager did Swansea’s fortunes change.  

Swansea Player-Manager John Toshack
In a record four-year promotion charge, Swansea went from the pits of Division Four to the top of Division One by 1982. On the other hand success would bring devastating failure.Financial trouble and poor transfers led to two consecutive relegations and Toshack’s departure in 1985. A fate similar to that of Swansea’s final opponents, League Two Bradford, who 12 years ago were also in their second consecutive Premier League season. The promotion gained via the play-offs in 2011 has provided a new dawn for Swansea City Football Club, who as previously mentioned was back languishing in the depths of League Two and performing in front of and average attendance of just 5159 at the Vetch Field only 10 years ago. 


Former Premier League Side Bradford
Fourty-nine years Is, for Swansea Fans, too long to go without a significant cup run in one of England’s major domestic competitions. The final against Bradford could be one of the most significant in the club’s history. Some supporters will argue the Championship play-off final was the most important game for the Swans and to an extent I would agree. However,the match on Sunday will provide so much for the club. Victory will, aside from a first major piece of silverware, be a pathway for a Welsh club to compete in Europe through the Europa League. This will provide Swansea with a wider audience and a broader fan base as well as financial security, which is so important in modern-day football – just ask Cardiff and Bradford. 

On Sunday there will be a soft spot for Michael Laudrup’s Swansea(controversial I know!), but the match means so much more than a local rivalry and getting one-over the Bluebirds. Of course it will be an added bonus for the Jacks to gloat about the possibility of winning the League Cup and doing what Malky Mackay’s side failed to do last year. Personally, the prospect of a Welsh club in Europe flying the Red Dragon to some of the continents major stadiums is too good an opportunity to miss. Welsh football is on the up and with Cardiff being a shoe-in for promotion to the Premier League we have the prospect of a South-Wales Derby on the biggest stage in World football (of course I will be supporting the Bluebirds in that case!). All in all, Swansea City really has epitomised the rise in Welsh football and long may it continue!

Will there be more silverware for Gary Monk?



Selasa, 19 Februari 2013

England's Greatest

Heskey and Owen's partnership caused the best defenders problems
While browsing twitter recently I came across the 'Twitter Trend' #Englandsgreatest. Many fans were putting good cases towards their favourite players, while others were tweeting the fairly obvious and boring Emile Heskey jokes... yawn. While Heskey had a fairly average England career, playing 62 times and supporting Michael Owen in their integral partnership for both club and country, he certainly isn't in my top ten!

An England cap has slowly decreased in value over the past ten years, Beckham got his 115 caps in 13 years while it took 20 years for Shilton to grab his 125. The sheer amount of friendlies that are organised nowadays mean that even the most average player can nab a cap (Messrs Ricketts, Jeffers, Bothroyd and Nugent). This makes Charlton, Moore, Shilton and Wrights 100 plus caps look quite incredible.

Hundreds have been capped but only a few have become legends. Just the seven have played over one hundred games and only one team have won a tournament. Many will argue for 'The Famous' in Beckham, 'The Legends' in Charlton and Moore, 'The Goalscorer' in Lineker, 'The Most Capped' in Shilton or 'The Sheer Craziness' in Gazza.

Beckhams free kick against Greece in 2001
Beckham is definitely up there. His influence on the England teams he played with was massive, and as he whipped that ball past the Greek keeper Antonios Nikopolidis from 35 yards he became an England Legend. It was the greatest free kick I have ever seen and to do it in stoppage time with your team needing a goal to qualify for the World Cup, the pressure on his shoulders must have been unreal. Sadly for Beckham there were many a controversy, getting sent off against Argentina in the second round of the World Cup in 98 for a impetuous kick at Simeone providing the catalyst for national criticism and hatred. Beckham was blamed for the World Cup exit and his reputation was destroyed by the papers. Golden balls came back wonderfully from this, but with the controversy and the fact he never played in one of the great England teams, means he isn't for me England's greatest.

Gazza's famous Dentist chair celebration vs. Scotland in 96'
Lineker and Gascoigne on the other hand did play in a great team, anybody who watched the 1990 World cup will know that this was England's best chance of winning a trophy since 1966, and to lose on penalties to the German's in the semi finals was devastating for all involved. In theory if Gascoigne hadn't got emotional about missing the final, (due to a yellow card received from a silly diving challenge) England would have probably won, he may have scored that golden last minute chance and would have taken a penalty ahead of Chris Waddle who... well you know the rest. Gascoigne, unlike Beckham returned a hero due to his crying antics, everyone loved him, and by 96 he was a national legend helped by his dentist chair celebration. Lineker was the best finisher you'll see, similar to Klose for the Germans nowadays you were almost guaranteed a goal. He finished his career a goal behind the great Bobby Charlton in Englands all time goalscoring standings, and I doubt anyone regrets a missed penalty more than his against Brazil.  Never booked or sent off in his whole career he was a true role model, and has since taken a firm place in the nations hearts due to his Walkers crisp adverts and presenter of Match of The Day. He can also boast the highest goals per game ratio for England in recent years, but like Gazza and Golden Balls, never won a trophy. Unlike Gascoigne and Beckham he didn't get a classic nickname (unless you count 'Crisp Man'), For me Gazza and Crisp Man come 4th and 3rd respectively.

Lineker and Gascoigne played together for Spurs and England 
England's captain Moore with the World Cup in 66'
England's only trophy of course came in 1966, beating West Germany at Wembley 4-2 in one of the classic games of all-time. Two crucial members of that team were the two Bobby's Charlton and Moore, both along with goalkeeper Gordon Banks and George Cohen  made the team of the tournament. Both have received great plaudits Pele stated that Moore was the greatest defender he had ever played against. Moore was comfortable with the ball at his feet, calmness personified. The England defence didn't concede a goal until the semi finals this summed up Moore's influence and his tackle against Jairzinho in the 1970 world cup oozed class.

In a recent BBC documentary Sir Alex Ferguson stated that Bobby Charlton was the greatest player of all time. Top of the England goalscoring standings with 49 goals and reaching 106 caps for his country Charlton's performances for England were better than anyone else and not many (maybe only Pele) had  a bigger influence for their country. He was blessed with a wonderful shooting ability and scored a wide range of goals some that beggar belief. His creativeness and versatility were other attributes that put him above the rest and in 1966 this was shown when he virtually played German legend Franz Beckenbauer out of the game.
Charlton and Moore with the World Cup in  66'

I simply can't spilt the two Bobby's, without either England wouldn't have won the World Cup in 66' and it would simply be unfair on whoever I placed second. Make up your own minds, maybe I've missed a legend, I doubt I've missed the greatest, and before the inevitable jokes and incredibly hilarious banter machines they call funny football fans comment I DEFINITELY DID NOT MISS EMILE HESKEY!!!

James Cartwright 19/02/13 Follow me on twitter @James_H_C






   

Senin, 18 Februari 2013

The Crest Dissected - US Women's Soccer, Mia Hamm & Kristine Lilly


 The first of my Crest Dissected series saw me focus on FC Barcelona and their origins, I now take a look into the growing world of women’s football and particularly that of the USA. I shall l be looking at the badge of the recently folded Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) but mainly investigating the beginnings of a game which for women is more popular than all the traditional American sports. With that in mind this probably isn’t a Crest Dissected but more a look at how near a total gender demographic of a country has adopted something totally alien to it not much longer ago than 30 years.

Women's Professional Soccer Badge
                

 If you asked most people to name American superstars from the modern game then you’d probably get answers such as Landon DonovanBrad Friedel or Clint Dempsey but what about the women? Well if you followed football more thoroughly then you’d know about Abby WambachChristie Rampone or Alex Morgan but there are two ladies that changed the game of Women’s football like none other: Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly. Two women who will go down in the short history of the sport and have lasting ties with the game still. 

       

Kristine Lilly
 Kristine Lilly, 352 caps/130 goals for U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) between 1987-2010, taking her to 5 World Cups and 3 Olympics. Lilly won 2 World Cups, including the first ever one in 1991 and Olympic gold twice as well as holding the record for most appearances in international football including the men’s game. Lilly’s club career while not as distinguished is still impressive, she played for the North Carolina Tar Heels who represented the University of North Carolina and won the NCAA Women’s Championship every season she played (4) but due to the lack of professional soccer leagues on leaving university her career was made much tougher. It meant spending time in women’s football mad Sweden, upon her return to America she joined Washington Warthogs in the Continental Indoor Soccer League making her the only woman to play in the male professional league. She also made history as a founder of the Boston Breakers becoming captain in the inaugural season of Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), playing every minute of their first season. When the league closed Lilly went back to Sweden but her final move was back to the re-founded Boston Breakers a few years later in the inaugural year of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) 2009 playing every minute of the season once more. Lilly is a true hero to women’s soccer also proving it is possible to have a child and continue playing. In 2008 she missed the Olympics due to the birth of her baby but less than 6 months later she was back playing and finally retired from football altogether in 2011.

Mia Hamm - The Pose used on the WPS Badge
 Mia Hamm is currently USWNT’s all time leading goalscorer, she retired in 2004 with 158 goals in 275 caps for the national team. Figures that seemed impossible after being born with a club foot and spending much of her infant days having various corrective measures. She overcame this and like Lilly also played for the North Carolina Tar Heels winning 4  championships, the side only lost 1 game of the 95 Hamm played in. Hamm was the youngest player to debut for the national side at the age of 15 in 1987 and was part of the USWNT side who won the first FIFA Women’s World Cup. Also like Lilly she won another World cup in front of 90,000 fans in 1999 and 2 Olympic Golds. Hamm did have some success at club level too with Washington Freedom winning the WUSA Founders cup. Hamm is the more recognised household name so it came as somewhat of a shock when in 2004 she quit the game to focus on starting a family. Hamm’s legacy rolls on though with her silhouette being used on the WPS badge and the Mia Hamm Foundation formed to help those with bone marrow problems after the death of her brother. 


 Women’s football in general is growing worldwide, it is now much more accepted and popular, not least due to its impressive showing at the 2012 Olympics. Personally, after attending numerous matches of both the men and women’s game I must say I enjoyed the ladies football far more! Hamm and Lilly have been replaced by world stars such as Brazil’s Marta and England’s Kelly Smith who have spent time plying their trade in the US and home grown talent continues to dominate as Rampone chases Lilly’s appearance record and Wambach the goalscoring record. Ultimately, while the male game across the pond has not always been successful or appealing, women’s soccer continues to go from strength to strength. Should the funding be sorted to keep the new 2013 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) going then without doubt the club game will be able to live up to that of USWNT and the Swedish and English leagues. This is a prime chance for Soccer to establish itself across America, their 4th gold medal in 2012 will most likely be followed by another final to come in the 2015 World Cup. Women’s football on a global scale continues to grow with British stars like Steph HoughtonKim Little and Karen Carney taking up the mantel here following Team GB heroics. I’d certainly recommend taking a look at some of the women’s football on show, anyone telling you the quality is worse than amateur men’s (as I have heard) hasn't sat down and watched some matches... And for me it’s just another chance to watch football!!

Successful USWNT - 2012 Olympic gold medalists



Gareth - TFHB (Follow me on Twitter @GJ_Thomas)
Visit our website: www.top250.webs.com

FA at 150: The Birth of the Modern Game


“Success to football, irrespective of class or creed”, the toast given after the first exhibition game played using FA rules on 9 January 1864. 

This was the birth of the modern game of football as we know it. Before this point there had been no universal rules for the game, they were just formalised depending on local conditions. Different areas of the country would play the game by different rules. Evidently, this caused mayhem from time to time but most notably when the generation that had grown up playing football regularly went off to university. Although this was 150 years ago, Britain had developed significantly since the Tudor period and things were a little more civilized, Britain had become the greatest industrial power of Europe (although we still had Queen Victoria as our monarch). The intellects at Cambridge University devised a set of rules in 1848 which were known as the Cambridge Rules. These rules allowed for forward passes, goal kicks and throw ins and became widely adopted. These rules were a significant basis for the revised set of rules that later became Association football in 1863. The Cambridge Rules were notable for being pinned to the trees of Parker’s Piece (a large open park in the centre of Cambridge). These were the first formulated rules of football and are the origins of the beautiful game. 
Not quite Wembley!
The Cambridge University team is often credited with revolutionising the tactics and the way that football was played. They also played a major role in developing modern passing football which helped to establish the modern game in 1882. The Cambridge team was often described as being the first combination team whereby each player within the team was allocated a specific area of the field and the tactics were based upon passing. 

The plaque commemorating the birth of football in Parker's Piece
However, Cambridge cannot take all the credit for the birth of the modern game. Ebenezer Cobb Morley was a key figure at this time and central to the creation of modern football as well as the Football Association. Morley even drafted the laws of the game in his own home and became the FA’s first ever secretary. The first edition of the modern rules were recorded over a series of meetings in a tavern! This was far removed from todays FA meetings and discussions about such things as goal line technology. Back in the 1860s, they were concerned with whether to eradicate rules such as being able to run with the ball in hand and, being able to obstruct runs by hacking, tripping and holding. In 1871, the Rugby Football Union was formed and the term ‘soccer’ was first coined due to this split and refers to football played under association rules. The establishment of Morley’s FA represented the official creation of the modern game and the FA Cup, the longest running association football competition in the world, was established in 1871 by then secretary and treasurer, Charles Alcock.             



No copy of the 1848 rules survives but the following set of University Rules, circa 1856, still exists in the Library of Shrewsbury School.
The Laws of the University Foot Ball Club
  1. This club shall be called the University Foot Ball Club.
  2. At the commencement of the play, the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground: after every goal there shall be a kick-off in the same way.
  3. After a goal, the losing side shall kick off; the sides changing goals, unless a previous arrangement be made to the contrary.
  4. The ball is out when it has passed the line of the flag-posts on either side of the ground, in which case it shall be thrown in straight.
  5. The ball is behind when it has passed the goal on either side of it.
  6. When the ball is behind it shall be brought forward at the place where it left the ground, not more than ten paces, and kicked off.
  7. Goal is when the ball is kicked through the flag-posts and under the string.
  8. When a player catches the ball directly from the foot, he may kick it as he can without running with it. In no other case may the ball be touched with the hands, except to stop it.
  9. If the ball has passed a player, and has come from the direction of his own goal, he may not touch it till the other side have kicked it, unless there are more than three of the other side before him. No player is allowed to loiter between the ball and the adversaries' goal.
  10. In no case is holding a player, pushing with the hands, or tripping up allowed. Any player may prevent another from getting to the ball by any means consistent with the above rules.
  11. Every match shall be decided by a majority of goals.

In October 1863, shortly before the first meeting of The FA, a committee drew up a new revision of the Cambridge rules. These would be the basis for the draft rules that were then under discussion by the FA. The FA committee voted to adopt parts of the Cambridge rules (and parts of Sheffield Football Association rules).
Below are the 1863 Cambridge University Rules
  1. The length of the ground shall not be more than 150 yds. and the breadth not more than 100 yds. The ground shall be marked out by posts and two posts shall be placed on each side-line at distances of 25 yds. from each goal line.
  2. The GOALS shall consist of two upright poles at a distance of 15 ft. from each other.
  3. The choice of goals and kick-off shall be determined by tossing and the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground.
  4. In a match when half the time agreed upon has elapsed, the side shall change goals when the ball is next out of play. After such change or a goal obtained, the kick off shall be from the middle of the ground in the same direction as before. The time during which the game shall last and the numbers in each side are to be settled by the heads of the sides.
  5. When a player has kicked the ball any one of the same side who is nearer to the opponent's goal line is OUT OF PLAY and may not touch the ball himself nor in any way whatsoever prevent any other player from doing so.
  6. When the ball goes out of the ground by crossing the side lines, it is out of play and shall be kicked straight into the ground again from the point where it first stopped.
  7. When a player has kicked the ball beyond the opponents' goal line, whoever first touches the ball when it is on the ground with his hand, may have a FREE kick bringing the ball straight out from the goal line.
  8. No player may touch the ball behind his opponents' goal line who is behind it when the ball is kicked there.
  9. If the ball is touched down behind the goal line and beyond the line of the side-posts, the FREE kick shall be from the 25 yds. post
  10. When a player has a free-kick, no-one of his own side may be between him and his opponents' goal line and no one of the opposing side may stand within 10 yds. of him.
  11. A free kick may be taken in any manner the player may choose.
  12. A goal is obtained when the ball goes out of the ground by passing between the poles or in such a manner that it would have passed between them had they been of sufficient height.
  13. The ball, when in play may be stopped by any part of the body, but it may NOT be held or hit by the hands, arms or shoulders.
  14. ALL charging is fair; but holding, pushing with the hands, tripping up and shinning are forbidden.
    The hardest rule for many to understand remembered by the 2012 Olympics!

    By Ollie Jackson  (@Ollie_Jackson)

Jumat, 15 Februari 2013

1954 World Cup: The Miracle of Bern

The Mighty, Magical, Marvellous and Magnificent Magyars....It sounds like the start to the "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" but I can assure you these are just a few of the superlatives used to describe the Golden Team that represented Hungary between 1950-1956. In 1954 however, the World Cup and its Jules Rimet trophy arrived in Switzerland and the show piece event, the final taking place in the Wankdorf Stadium, Bern. Who would the Magyars face? West Germany. 8 years after the end of World War II and the collapse of Hitler's "Thousand Year Reich". The match would go down in History for the miracle it produced and the sheer power football can have... 

Puskas, Kocsis and Hidegkuti...the list goes on of world-class players and Hungary's disposal. From 1950, Gusztav Sebes had instilled a ruthless animosity to the Magyar's game. The attacking nature adopted by Sebes resulting in a 3-2-1-4 formation. From 1950-1956 the Hungarians would play 50 games...their record 42 wins, 7 draws and only a single defeat. The match they lost? The 1954 World Cup Final to West Germany. The story of the Miracle of Bern or Das Wunder von Bern is an amazing story for the way Germany won, but also how the Hungarians lost.

Match of the Century - England 3-6 Hungary
In 1953 the Mighty Magyars came to Wembley, expected to lose to an England team only defeated once to foreign opposition on home soil in over 60 years! The British press billed it as the Match of the Century - The world's finest team against the originators of the modern game. From the first minute of the match, the early form of "Total Football" was triumphing over the rigid nature of the English tactics. A Hidegkuti hat-trick, a brace from Puskas and a solo goal from Bozsik provided a brutal eye-opener for England and the tactical nous of the English game. The final score was 6-3 and a game without doubt living up to its pre-match billing. England even attempted to gain revenge before 1954, only to be humiliated again, this time on Hungarian soil 7-1.

The reason for the example of Hungary v England? To highlight the dominant, ruthless and unforgiving nature of the Eastern European side. Arriving at the 1954 World Cup, surely nothing could stop Hungary from taking the Jules Rimet trophy home, not least a West German side unseeded and an admittedly weakened side mercilessly beaten 8-3 in the first group stage by the Magyars. The 1954 tournament would be only the second World Cup to take place since the Second World War. The West German side only allowed to become a member of FIFA in 1950 and still feeling the force of European hatred for the events not long in the memory.

German hero Max Morlock
The routes to the final couldn't have been much different. Hungary and Germany both were drawn in the same group alongside South Korea and Turkey. Hungary were first to qualify, scoring a total of 17 goals in their two group matches - 9-0 vs Korea and the aforementioned 8-3 demolition of Germany. The West Germans needed a play-off victory over Turkey (7-1) to ensure qualification to the quarter-finals. The goals would not dry up in the knockout stages, Hungary defeated first a strong Brazilian team 4-2 and then reigning champions Uruguay by the same scoreline. Sandor Kocsis increasing his goal tally in the tournament to 11 in the process. West Germany gradually began to show form, firstly scraping past Yugoslavia, thanks to an own-goal and a late goal from Helmut Rahn, before showing their true pedigree by convincingly beating Austria 6-1 in the second semi-final. Max Morlock becoming the German pin-up boy in the process.

The scene was set. Hungary v West Germany, 4 July 1954, Wankdorf Stadium, Bern, The World's greatest team against the World's enemy. East vs. West. Capitalism vs. Communism.

Walter and Puskas - West meets East
8 minutes in? Hungary 2-0 West Germany, surely game over and another victory like that earlier in the 
tournament...an injured Ferenc Puskas and winger Zoltan Czibor supplying the sucker punches for the German team to deal with. Even it the "Fritz Walter weather" of torrential rain the Germans seemed to be drowning in a pool of Magyar pressure. However by the 18th minute the tie had transformed, complete with their Adidas boots (designed for any weather) the West Germans had brought the game level to 2-2, Morlock and Rahn scoring the goals and seemingly representing a team more than a match for their Hungarian counter-parts. Sepp Herbeger's side would hold almost the entire second half, Toni Turek making a string of saves to deny to "Golden Team". Then in the 84th minute, West Germany scored, the comeback was complete. Helmut Rahn provided the goal which 8 minutes in seemed impossible and provided the world's media with the headline "The Miracle of Bern".

Rough and tumble early on
The global reaction was that of disbelief, The Mighty Magyars had been defeated. The victors were the World's enemy West Germany. A wave of euphoria captured the West German states - not only for the victory but for what it would mean for its future. Historian Joachim Fest regards the triumph as a turning point for West German history, due to the new found respect from the final's global audience for its efforts to comeback from 2-0 down and 8 years of political, social and economic turmoil. The final in Bern was the first time the German anthem was played since the War, symbolizing the turning of the tide for Germany. West Germany would go on to win two more World Cups by 1990 and the Mighty Magyars would slowly decline due to their own countries problems and the gradual exodus of top players to escape the increasingly totalitarian communist regime Hungary was subject to. Recent studies have suggested that the West German victory may have been due to doping and Ferenc Puskas' 89th minute "equalizer" may not have been offside. Being a football purist I would like to think both were not true in order to bask in the memory in one of football's greatest games.

Pandemonium for Walter and West Germany
The lifting of the Jules Rimet Trophy by captain and former POW Fritz Walter really personifies the change in fortunes for West Germany and the resurgence after over 20 years of turmoil, dictatorships and millions of civilian deaths. Although West Germany would go on to receive another 36 years of instability, the efforts of Morlock, Rahn and Walter among others would go a long way in easing the hearts and minds of Germans and indeed the opinions of those who witnessed the "Miracle of Bern", further exemplifying the power football can have in uniting bonds deemed broken.



"AUS! AUS! AUS! Das spiel is aus! Deutschland ist Weltmeister, schlagt Ungarn 3 zu 2!"

(OVER! OVER! OVER! The game is over! Germany are World Champions, beat Hungary 3-2!)

Herbet Zimmermann

Ben Jones
Follow me on twitter - (@Benny_J)
www.top250.webs.com


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