Shaaban closer to Hammarby

Apparently, not all are feasting on traditional foods and sweets during the holidays.

Today a Swedish newspaper says that Hammarby and National Team goalkeeper Rami Shaaban has agreed upon a 4-year contract. The personal details are settled between Hammarby and the 32-year old, and all that remain are the transfer between the two clubs. Sources to the newspaper says that Fredrikstad ask 5 million Swedish Krona (roughly about $750.000) and that Hammarby's first bid was rejected.

It remains now to see whether or not Hammarby can "put their money where their mouth is". Some cash may be available when the international transfer period starts on January 1. Hammarby attacker Paulinho Guará and right midfielder Erkan Zengin are the hottest prospects to be sold.

Unforgettable Match Days - Abroad Part 1

In 2004, I went to Milan with some friends to see the last match of the season between Milan and Roma. For most of the season, Roma had been at the top of the table, but as the last match drew near Milan had closed the gap and could now decide the season at home. Thousands of Romanisti had travelled from Rome to Milan for this Match-Of-The-Season.

Since we had bought our tickets on-line, we had to go to a box office outside San Siro to retrieve our tickets. Only problem was that the office was just where the Romanisti landed with their buses. “Crap”, I thought, but we gotta have the tickets! As the Roma supporters appeared, it was obvious that they had not come in peace. In fact, they were in the business of war-waging, truly aggressive Djingis Khan-style. After two minutes the whole area outside San Siro looked more like a scene from Omaha Beach at Normandie than something else. The Italian Carabinieri, not exactly known for their reluctance to use force, immediately applied tear-gas. The Romanisti answered with throwing bottles, Bengal lights and other stuff at the police. At the same time, Milanese Ultras prepared an assault on the Romanisti, they charged, and there was chaos.

To retrieve the damn tickets, I had to run through all of this. I leaved my friends at a safe place, and advanced slowly. The air was dense with smoke from Bengals and the tear gas stung in the eyes and nose. Eventually I got my tickets, but it took some time because I had to advance slowly and with caution.

Once inside the arena, the atmosphere was electric. The Milanisti drew first blood as Shevchenko scored after just 2 minutes. Even though the match was intense throughout the 90+ minutes, Roma never managed to recover. However, the match was interrupted several times as the Roma supporters threw Bengals on to the field and on the surrounding stands. Milan supporters threw stuff back at the Romanisti, but eventually the match ended with Milan as victors. A match day I will never forget.

Charlie Davies scored for his U.S.A.

In the sunday clash between China U-23 and U.S.A U-23, Charlie Davies managed to score once as the match ended in a draw. U.S. Soccer site have this to say about Charlie's goal:

"An attempted through ball in the U.S. half by the Chinese was intercepted by Wynne, who deftly first-timed a pass to Robbie Finley. The striker alertly sprung Charlie Davies on a through ball down the right flank, and the speedy forward outran his defender to close in on goal one v. one. With the ‘keeper frozen, Davies calmly slotted a low shot to the far post."

I'd like to congratulate Charlie Davies, as it seems that his form is continually strong after the season has ended. The host of the U.S. squad will also go to the 2008 Olympics in China, if U.S. qualifies.

Hammarby players represent their National Teams

On Thursday, Charlie Davies participated in the training cap between U.S. U-23 and China U-23. The match ended 0-0, and Charlie Davies played until the 88^th minute. According to reports from people that watched the game, Davies put up a stable performance.

Yesterday Louay Chanko, defensive midfielder, was appointed to participate in the Swedish National Team training caps in January. Sweden will play against Costa Rica and U.S.A. in the North American tour. We congratulate Chanko, he’s well worth this opportunity. In fact, it’s a big mystery why he hasn’t been appointed earlier…

New goalkeeper has signed for Hammarby

On Wednesday, Hammarby signed 29-year old goalkeeper Kristoffer "Poppen" Björklund from newly relegated Brommapojkarna. Kristoffer played for Hammarby in his youth, and has now signed a 2-year contract.

Although Hammarby has signed Björklund, there's no doubt that Hammarby is still on the hunt for a true starter : "We will have a stable and safe goalkeeper situation next year, and that means two new goalkeepers" says Hammarby official Thomas Andersson to www.hammarbyfotboll.se.

Will Rami Shaaban be that longed for keeper? Time will tell.

I'd consider to activate that Adword stuff...

...they say it'd make me rich, er, or at least earn some money. But it's just another way to put up ads on some innocent site, I'm convinced.

I mean, to really earn some money on a semi-pathetic blog like this, I'd have to have thousand of visitors (that also clicked on those damn ads - now who does that anyway? Not anyone I know of...) and right now I average of about 100 viewers per day. Not nearly enough.

Besides, this blog is not about earning money. I work to earn money, this is more for the hell of it rather than cold cash. I've read about blogs being worth this and that much, but really, is there anyone out there that actually makes a livin' on their blogging?

Match days 2008

This schedule is preliminary, and will most likely be changed as the broadcasting companies have said their part. But for now, this is the 2008 match schedule! (Exact kick-off time and location will be added or changed)

Day 1
March 31st: Ljungskile–Hammarby

Day 2
April 7th: Hammarby–Sundsvall

Day 3
April 10th: Gais–Hammarby

Day 4
April 14th: Hammarby–AIK (Derby)

Day 5
April 17th: Hammarby–Helsingborg

Day 6
April 20th: Kalmar–Hammarby

Day 7
April 23rd: Hammarby–Elfsborg

Day 8
April 27th: TFF–Hammarby

Day 9
May 4th: Hammarby–Göteborg

Day 10
May 7th: Djurgården–Hammarby (Derby)

Day 11
May 12th: Hammarby–Gefle

----European Championships 2008 - Brake---

Day 12
July 2nd: Halmstad–Hammarby

Day 13
July 7th: Hammarby–Norrköping

Day 14
July 14th: MFF–Hammarby

Day 15
July 20th: Hammarby–Örebro

Day 16
July 28th: Örebro–Hammarby

Day 17
August 3rd: Hammarby–Ljungskile

Day 18
August 11th: Sundsvall–Hammarby

Day 19
August 14th: Hammarby–Gais

Day 20
August 25th: AIK–Hammarby (Derby)

Day 21
September 1st: HIF–Hammarby

Day 22
September 14th: Hammarby–Kalmar

Day 23
September 25th:Elfsborg–Hammarby

Day 24
September 28th: Hammarby–TFF

Day 25
October 6th: Göteborg–Hammarby

Day 26
October 20th: Hammarby–Djurgården (Derby)

Day 27
October 26th: Gefle–Hammarby

Day 28
October 29th: Hammarby–Halmstad

Day 29
November 2nd: Hammarby–MFF

Day 30
November 9th: Norrköping–Hammarby