Search the Community

I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game - a serious game - two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn't know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing - I only wished the parents and coaches could have done the same. The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They were clumsy and terribly inefficient, as only children can be. 🙂 They fell over their own feet, they stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it, but they didn't seem to care they were having fun! In the second period, the Team One coach, pulled out what must have been his first team players and put in the scrubs; with the exception of his best player, who he left at goalie. The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you are five years old, because the Team Two coach left his best players in; the Team One scrubs were just no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the little guy at goalie. He was an outstanding athlete for five, but he was no match for three or four who were equally as good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalie gave it his all. Recklessly throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them. Team Two scored two quick points in succession. It infuriated the young boy. He became a raging maniac - shouting, running, and diving. With all the stamina he could muster, he finally was able to cover one of the boys as he approached the goal. But, that boy kicked the ball to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time the young goalie repositioned himself, it was too late. They scored a third goal. I soon learned who the goalie's parents were. They were nice, decentlooking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office, tie and all. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field, and his parents on the sideline. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was no use; he couldn't stop them. He didn't quit, but he became quietly desperate - futility was written all over his face. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder - yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed; he became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay to hang in there. He grieved for the pain his son was feeling. After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it before. The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He retrieved the ball from the net and handed it to the referee - and then he cried. He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees, I saw his father start onto the field. His wife clutched his wrist and said, "Jim, don't. You'll embarrass him." But, he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn't supposed to for the game was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all - he charged onto the field and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy. And he hugged him and kissed him and cried with him. I have never been so proud of any man in my life. He carried him off the field, and when they got close to the sidelines I heard him say, "Scotty, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son." "Daddy," the boy sobbed, "I couldn't stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried and they scored on me." "Scotty, it doesn't matter how many times they score on you. You're my son, and I'm proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can't. And son, you're going to get scored on again, but it doesn't matter. Go on, now."It made a difference - I could tell it did. When you're all alone, and you're getting scored on - and you can't stop them - it means a lot to know that it doesn't matter to those who love you. The little guy ran back on to the field, and they scored two more times; but it was okay. I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with every ounce of my being - and Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the tears come, and I go to my knees; sinful, convicted, helpless. Then my Father rushes right out on the field - right in front of the whole crowd - the whole jeering laughing world, and he picks me up. And he hugs me, and he says, "I am so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my child. Isaiah 41:10, 13

Más allá que la semana anterior aceptó que sí se planteó la posibilidad de salir del West Ham, el delantero mexicano Javier Hernández afirmo que su compromiso es total para ayudar a este cuadro inglés en la consecución de sus objetivos.  “Chicharito” marcó un gol en la derrota que sufrieron los “Hammers” el pasado sábado, en la visita que realizaron al Brighton, dentro de la Liga Premier.  http://www.excelsior.com.mx/adrenalina/2018/02/05/1218317

Tuvo que dejar el Barça por motivos religiosos: era testigo de Jehová y el presidente del club, Narcís de Carreras, no lo quería en el equipo Tras dejar el fútbol, el angoleño nacionalizado español trabajó en la embajada de Angola, creó el Mundial de inmigrantes, patentó el 'fútbol 7' y fundó la asociación de futbolistas africanos Mendoza jugó en el Barça entre 1966 y 1969 | sport Siempre dijo que se tuvo que ir del Barça por motivos extradeportivos. Y así fue. Lo que nunca había llegado a desvelar es que fue el presidente de la época, Narcís de Carreras, quien le vetó por una cuestión religiosa: antes de incorporarse al Barça, en abril de 1966, el delantero angoleño Jorge Alberto Mendonça (Mendoza, una vez nacionalizado español) ya formaba parte de los testigos de Jehová y cuando Narcís de Carreras lo supo, quiso apartarlo del equipo. Leer más: https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/que-fue-jorge-alberto-mendoza-predicador-que-invento-futbol-siete-6591077

MOSCOW — Workers building stadiums for next year’s World Cup in Russia have faced repeated abuses and routinely gone unpaid for several months, according to a report by Human Rights Watch released on Wednesday. At a stadium in Yekaterinburg, some workers were required to work in temperatures of minus-25 degrees Celsius (minus-13 Fahrenheit) “without sufficient breaks for them to warm themselves,” the report states. “FIFA is essentially expecting us to take their word for it that their work has improved workers’ lives,” Jane Buchanan, the report’s author, told The Associated Press. “This is supposed to be the reformed FIFA, moving away from secrecy and a lot of deals behind closed doors.” At least 17 workers have died on World Cup construction sites, according to Building and Wood Workers’ International, a trade union. Known deaths include workers killed in falls and the case of a worker from North Korea who died of a reported heart attack at the stadium in St. Petersburg, which will host the final of the Confederations Cup on July 2, as well as World Cup matches in 2018. Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/soccer/at-least-17-deaths-as-workers-on-russia-2018-world-cup-construction-sites-face-abuse-report

¡Despertad! 8 de Septiembre de 1982.pdf

Portugal 1-0 France (aet) Portugal shrugged off an early injury to Cristiano Ronaldo to claim a first-ever major tournament trophy thanks to Éder's 109th-minute strike. Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra time to lift their first major trophy Sub Éder scores 109th-minute winner, his first competitive goal for country Portugal captain and all-time record scorer Cristiano Ronaldo off injured after 25 minutes Both teams – through André-Pierre Gignac and Raphael Guerreiro – denied by woodwork France's first tournament defeat on home soil in 19 games, since 1960 third-place play-off Portugal are UEFA EURO 2016 champions. The team that drew all three of their group games, that won only once inside 90 minutes all tournament, beat hosts France after extra time at Saint-Denis to get their hands on their first major trophy. They did it without the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo too, their captain forced off early in the first half through injury. Fernando Santos's side clung on at times but, with Ronaldo orchestrating things from the technical area as much as their coach by the end, they eventually provided the one moment of magic required. Éder's fizzing 20-metre strike in the second half of extra time was just too good. Such a scenario looked impossible after eight minutes, Ronaldo initially continuing after a heavy collision with Dimitri Payet before eventually being replaced. There were tears and a standing ovation from all corners as he was taken off. All the talk, all the analysis, all the predictions – out the window. Off went 61 international goals. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the celebrations One man chasing only his second was Moussa Sissoko. The France midfielder was rampant and threatened to break the deadlock soon after Ronaldo's departure yet his shot was saved. Rui Patrício had earlier thwarted Antoine Griezmann, athletically tipping away the in-form forward's looping header. Portugal offered little in those opening exchanges, three passes straight out of play encouraging the hosts. Kingsley Coman came on for Payet inside the hour and soon teed up Griezmann for surely the chance of the game – Les Bleus' No7 was unmarked but headed over. Though Olivier Giroud briefly got in on the act with a low effort, Rui Patrício was again up to the task. He had to be sharper still to keep out Sissoko's thumping strike later in the half. Only once, well into added time, was the Portugal keeper beaten. Substitute André-Pierre Gignac turned in the box and scuffed a shot into the ground which bobbled towards the net only to bounce agonisingly back off a post. Hugo Lloris had been far less employed in regulation time, only really called into action to claw away Nani's miscued cross and then hold Ricardo Quaresma's acrobatic attempt from the rebound. Though he subsequently dealt with Éder's header, the French captain was rescued by the crossbar when Raphael Guerreiro fired in a free-kick and, with 109 minutes on the clock, could do nothing to keep out the sensational winner. Match analysis from Stade de France Man of the Match: Pepe (Portugal) Pepe missed the semi-final with a thigh injury but returned in style, keeping adidas Golden Boot winner Griezmann as quiet as could have been hoped. "We've written a brilliant page in the story of Portuguese football," said the centre-back. All without Ronaldo The man Portugal's hopes apparently rested on was out of action after less than ten minutes. To watch him battle on for a quarter of an hour was both desperately sad and hugely admirable. It was indicative of his relentless drive to have an impact – a desire that is heightened on the big occasion. For him then to cajole his players before extra time and gesticulate desperately throughout the additional 30 minutes was testimony to his team spirit. He was, if only briefly, a coach as well as a star player. Who needs goals for drama? This was not exactly thrill-a-minute stuff. Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium and some of the biggest names on the field were either not at their best or not on the pitch at all. However, it quickly became evident that one moment would decide this. That knowledge that someone was only a split-second from becoming a hero made for a gloriously nervy night. The tension was palpable throughout the stadium. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000451/match=2017907/postmatch/report/index.html?xtor=EPR-11-[1107_Daily_EURO_EN_R2]-20160711-[Hero Image]-1148729093197@1

"The less the occasion weighs on the players, the better," said Didier Deschamps ahead of France's UEFA EURO 2016 opener against Romania. Our preview has all you need to know. Hosts France take on Romania in opening game of UEFA EURO 2016 Didier Deschamps: "This should set the tone for the whole tournament" Anghel Iordănescu: "We are up against one of the best teams" Teams met on 10 June at EURO '96 – 20 years to the day before this encounter Follow our team reporters for the inside track: @UEFAcomDavidC and @UEFAcomPaulDZ Possible line-ups France: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Évra; Pogba, Kanté, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet. Romania: Tătăruşanu; Săpunaru, Chiricheş, Grigore, Raţ; Hoban, Pintilii; Popa, Stanciu, Stancu; Keșerü. Doubtful: Filip (ankle) Coach quotes Didier Deschamps, France coach The less the occasion weighs on the players, the better. We have been preparing for 10 June for two years. It's important to be back in competition football. Our last official game was the quarter-final against Germany at the World Cup [in 2014]. The others have all been friendlies. The setting is the Stade de France – the opening game – so it is certainly special. This should set the tone for the whole tournament. Obviously we're playing in France, but the Romanian team we're up against will not roll over and they will give their best to achieve a good result. If they want to win this match, they can't just defend. This team know how to defend but it's not the only thing they're good at. I watched their most recent games and they are good going forward. I am expecting them to come with the intention of upsetting us, so it will be an interesting battle over the 90 minutes. France midfielder Paul Pogba in training on Thursday evening©AFP/Getty Images Anghel Iordănescu, Romania coach This game marks the start of a great competition, the greatest on our continent, the European Championship. We are up against one of the best teams in the tournament, among the favourites. I hope and believe our players will do their best to show everybody that we have a good team, a worthy team capable of putting in a good performance. The objective is to qualify, to get through the group, and make a very good impression at the same time. UEFA.com team reporters David Crossan, France (@UEFAcomDavidC) The opening match is France's chance to lay down a marker and prove they are worthy of the favourites' tag that is being bandied about increasingly frequently. Les Bleus are star-studded in midfield and attack, so Romania will have to go some to stop the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and the in-form duo of Dimitri Payet and Olivier Giroud. The hosts' defence remains a cause for concern, so France's games should prove exciting for neutral observers. Paul-Daniel Zaharia, Romania (@UEFAcomPaulDZ) Napoleon believed that even the most modest combatants had potential within, saying: "Every soldier carries a marshal's baton in his pack." It is useful advice for Romania as they open a major tournament for the first time. A side without big stars, they are up against the hosts and one of the tournament favourites. However, this is a unique opportunity to show the world what they can do. The odds are against them, but what would football be without surprises? Romania are put through their paces©AFP/Getty Images Did you know? Deschamps was in the France midfield, and Iordănescu in his first spell as Romania coach, when the teams faced off at EURO '96. Source: http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000448/match=2017877/prematch/preview/index.html