Canadians abroad: November 11-17, 2005

[DJT]

Canadians abroad on TV this week

Notes: This list may be incomplete or inaccurate. Generally only premiere broadcasts are listed (in particular, FSWC repeats are not listed). All broadcasts are live unless otherwise noted. All times are EST.

None.

Guidelines for this thread

[*]In this thread post match updates on all Canadians abroad for November 11-17, 2005.

[*]If you find updates posted in some other thread or on the other Voyageurs forum then post them here as well, but be sure to credit the original poster.

[*]If there is news that is particularly significant (eg. someone scores a big goal, someone gets injured, etc.) then feel free to begin a new thread on that topic in order to draw greater attention or start a discussion, but also post that news here.

[*]Some comments on news posted in this thread are okay, but let's not let this thread go off into a long discussion. If the news already appears in another thread (as per the previous bullet) then post your comments in that other thread, otherwise if you want to say something significant or if it is likely to generate replies then begin a new thread.

[Massive Attack]

According to Atalanta's official website, Andrea Lombardo has made the trip with the senior squad for their match against Cremonese today (2:45 EST).

http://www.atalanta.it/news/main.php?page=news&op=id&idnews=1796

[Stu]

Lars weighs his options:

http://www.nordlys.no/sporten/til-magasinet/article1820638.ece

And here's the translation courtesy of Lanegan from the Isbergets forum:

- Has 5-6 very good offers

Lars Hirschfeld (27) will decide within Monday if he wants to continue his carreer in Tromsø IL.

According to his agent, swede Patrick Mørk, a decision is right around the corner. Mørk has been talking to Hirschfeld every day the last week - to sort the offers that have arrived.

- Around ten clubs have shown interest. And 5-6 very good offers have arrived - both from Norway and abroad. There is an obious lack of good keepers in Norway, says Mørkt to Nordlys.

Lyn, LSK and RBK

He will not confirm which clubs have made offers. But according to information Nordlys have gathered, Lyn, Lillestrøm and Rosenborg are among them. Rosenborg have even contacted TIL to inform them that they will talk to the german-canadian. And if money is the deciding factor, Hirschfeld will leave Tromsø.

- Lars has good feelings for TIL. But TIL can't compete economically with the other offers. Other clubs in Norway are obviously on another wage-level. But Tromsø could adjust their offer. We'll see, says Mørk.

That doesn't necessarily mean that Hirschfeld turns down TIL.

- Money isn't everything in life. The most important thing is that I enjoy life, and evolve as a goalkeeper, says Lars Hirschfeld.

Will stretch far

TILs managing director, Bjørn Tore Markussen, says that the club is "willing to stretch far" to keep the premier leagues best goalkeeper this fall.

- Yes, we are. We will stretch to the level where our best payed players are. Because we need matchwinners in both ends of the field. At the same time we won't take part in a headless moneyrace, says Marcussen

[Daniel]

So will Hirsch still be starting if he stays at TIL? That's not the impression that was given by our Norwegian posters.

[Daniel]

So will Hirsch still be starting if he stays at TIL? That's not the impression that was given by our Norwegian posters.

[Lanegan]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

So will Hirsch still be starting if he stays at TIL? That's not the impression that was given by our Norwegian posters.

Well, of course nothing is certain. But I would rate him as the first choice goalkeeper even when our old first choice (Knut Borch) recovers from injury.

However, if he chooses to go to Rosenborg he will probably be second choice. They are currently looking for a new second choice, and I'm quite sure their first choice (Espen Johnsen) will have to make a lot of blunders before they drop him from the lineup.

[Massive Attack]

quote:Originally posted by Massive Attack

According to Atalanta's official website, Andrea Lombardo has made the trip with the senior squad for their match against Cremonese today (2:45 EST).

http://www.atalanta.it/news/main.php?page=news&op=id&idnews=1796

Just to follow up, Andrea was an unused sub in Atalanta's 1-0 win over Cremonese. He will most likely play with the Primavera squad on Sunday because he didn't get into the game.

[Daniel]

I believe that Hirsch wants playing time. That's why he left Spurs to go to Leicester and now TIL.

[jonovision]

In Holland's Gouden Gids Divisie, Marcel de Jong started and played 90 minutes as a wingback in Helmond Sport's 3-0 loss away to FC Volendam. De Jong had been used as an outside forward in a 4-3-3 in the last several games.

[youllneverwalkalone]

quote:Originally posted by Lanegan

I'm quite sure their first choice (Espen Johnsen) will have to make a lot of blunders before they drop him from the lineup.

Have I lost my mind, or hasn't there been rampant speculation that Johnsen would move to Italy or the EPL? I thought he was amongst the highest regarded prospects in Scandinavia and that Man U had taken a serious look before signing Van der Sar?

[Winnipeg Fury]

Kelowna Capital News:

Friend and mates the toast of Norwegian city

 

By Warren Henderson

Staff Reporter

Nov 11 2005

With a nation watching, Rob Friend and his Molde teammates won Norwegian soccer's most coveted prize last Sunday in Oslo.

But it isn't just the game, the goal he scored, or the gleam of the champion's trophy the 24-year-old striker will recall for the rest of his days.

For Friend, being swept up in the hysteria and aura of a city's long-awaited triumph now ranks as the unparalleled thrill of his soccer career.

"All the soccer I've played in university, professionally or nationally, nothing has come close to this," assured Friend, a product of Kelowna's minor soccer program.

"The atmosphere was electric, the people were going crazy-it was wild. The whole weekend was unbelievable. I don't know if I'll ever be involved in anything like this again. It was like a dream."

Last weekend, Friend and his Molde FK team won the The Cup-Norway's equivalent of the NFL's Super Bowl-with a 4-2 double overtime win in the title game over Lillestrom at Ulleval Stadium in Oslo.

Friend scored the first goal of the game, then set up two more goals including the insurance marker in overtime.

With 26,000 rabid, cheering fans packing the stands, split almost evenly between Molde and Lillestrom, it was an environment like no other Friend had experienced.

"It's every kid's dream in this country to play in The Cup and win it and after you do it, you know why," said Friend.

"Half the stadium was in blue (Molde's colour) and half in yellow for Lillestrom. Our supporters were great and it was just a great atmosphere."

What awaited the Molde players upon their return home to the city of 30,000-about 40 minutes from Oslo-after the game on Sunday was sheer pandemonium and a most pleasant surprise for Friend and his teammates. It was Molde's first cup win in 11 years.

"We took a flight back to Molde after the game and all these people were waiting for us. We were paraded into the city centre and escorted onto the roof of the town hall. More than 4,000 people jammed the downtown, there were fireworks going off-you could feel how much it meant to everyone."

While the victory in Oslo was the highlight of their season, Molde's work isn't quite finished.

Friend and his teammates must beat Moss in a two-game set beginning this weekend to avoid being relegated from Norway's Premier League to the first division for next season.

"Molde has a lot of history and tradition and it would be a disaster to lose and get dropped from premier," Friend said. "We've got a lot of national team players and a lot of experience, so we feel good about it."

On an individual basis, the 6 foot 4, 205-pound Friend had another stellar season connecting 10 goals in 22 league games, and three more in five starts on the run to The Cup.

He's also back on the radar for Canada's national program and was invited by head coach Frank Yallop to play for his country early next week in Luxembourg.

But Friend had to decline because of his commitment to Molde.

As for the impending off-season, Friend is looking forward to a little downtime, particularly after having just five days off since January.

"My body's taken a lot of abuse and I'm pretty tired," he said. "I've been stressing since January so it'll be nice to get away from that part of it for a while. That's the life of an athlete, I guess."

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com

[Daniel]

Good article, but God do I hate those sports analogies.

"Last weekend, Friend and his Molde FK team won the The Cup-Norway's equivalent of the NFL's Super Bowl-with a 4-2 double overtime win in the title game over Lillestrom at Ulleval Stadium in Oslo."

That "double-overtime" comment was also kinda funky.

[Lanegan]

quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

Have I lost my mind, or hasn't there been rampant speculation that Johnsen would move to Italy or the EPL? I thought he was amongst the highest regarded prospects in Scandinavia and that Man U had taken a serious look before signing Van der Sar?

I haven't heard any rumors of Johnsen moving abroad in the last couple of years. Anyone who plays for the national team and also in the Champions League will of course have an opportunity to move abroad, but Johnsen certainly hasn't shown anything in the last couple of years that should get him any interest from the likes of Man U.

Johnsen was a huge talent a few years ago, but his development seems to have stopped. He is now second choice in the Norwegian national team, behind Thomas Myhre (who is second or third choice at Charlton Athletic).

The only Scandinavian goalkeeper I've seen seriously linked to Man U in the last few years is Swede Andreas Isaksson (Rennes).

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Molde plays the first leg of the playoff today at 1PM, in the stadium of Moss. There is a live ticker at http://sport.vg.no/live/.

Very important for Molde to stay in top flight and have their UEFA run to boot.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Moss starts strong and Fredrikson scores early, but Molde gets one back before m. 20 as Friend hits a corner to his strike partner Konate, the keeper saves, and Andreasson pokes it in. 1-1 m. 26. The away goal is crucial for Molde, if it stays like this it would be good for them.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

Moss starts strong and Fredrikson scores early, but Molde gets one back before m. 20 as Friend hits a corner to his strike partner Konate, the keeper saves, and Andreasson pokes it in. 1-1 m. 26. The away goal is crucial for Molde, if it stays like this it would be good for them.

Konate gets two more before the half, with Friend involved in both plays, especially the second, where he makes the final pass.

1-3 in the first leg is a big step for Molde staying in top flight, and great for Friend's career, he should enjoy at least another year there without having to worry about transferring yet.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by Jeffrey S.

Konate gets two more before the half, with Friend involved in both plays, especially the second, where he makes the final pass.

1-3 in the first leg is a big step for Molde staying in top flight, and great for Friend's career, he should enjoy at least another year there without having to worry about transferring yet.

Moss get one back, m. 67, and it's 2-3. Molde has to keep their head in this, it is not over yet.

Update m. 88: Friend is still on and Molde has made all their subs, trying to hold on to a key win.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Moss has a good chance to tie it at m. 90, but Molde hold on and go to their home leg with three away goals, in a 2-3 match. Think this is midweek but not sure, maybe it is next weekend.

[Rupert]

Probably posted elsewhere, but if not:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/4430136.stm

[Luis_Rancagua]

Rob Friend's Molde beat Moss 3-2 in Norwegian play-off action. Here are photos from the game. Both clubs are expected to meet again this coming Saturday, November-19, 2005.

[Blue and White Army]

In English non-league, Ross Smith made a boo-boo for Gravesend & Northfleet, and the resulting free-kick was the game-winning goal that defeated the 'Fleet. Whoops.

Worcester City beat Hednesford Town 6-2, but still not sure if Thompson played or not. No mention of him in any of the brief match reports flying around.

Hampton & Richmond Borough (Elliott Godfrey and Jon Henry-Hayden) had the day off, with most Ryman Premier clubs in FA Trophy action. Hampton's next match is Saturday 19 Nov.

[Massive Attack]

Rocco Placentino played 72 minutes as Gualdo defeated Castelnuovo 3-1 in Serie C2B action on Sunday. Rocco scored the 3rd and final goal for Gualdo in the 55th minute and he was also yellow carded. Rocco was Gualdo's best player according to www.datasport.it

Julian Uccello was nowhere to be seen in Sansovino's 1-0 win over Gubbio in Serie C2B action on Sunday.

[Andrew W]

In some NCAA news, several teams with strong Canadian content have booked spots in the post-season tournament.

Among the teams securing automatic bids due to winning conferences or conference tourneys:

Hartwick, Coastal Carolina, Duke, Robert Morris, Penn State, Dartmouth and Stetson. Other teams await the tournament draw tomorrow (Monday, Nov. 14) to see if they gain at large berths.

[Lanegan]

More news about Lars at http://fotball.bladet-tromso.no/nyhetsarkiv/article.jhtml?articleID=89384

Hirschfeld visits Rosenborg

Lars Hirschfeld will decide today if he becomes a Rosenborgplayer or not. He visited Trondheim last weekend.

Tromsø-keeper Hirschfeld was in Trondheim to talk to Rosenborgs management and to look at the conditions at the club. According to his agent Patrick Mörck, he will make a decision today of where he will play the next years.

- It's between three clubs, and the answer will come today, says the Swede.

The three clubs are according to Adresseavisen (the newspaper who wrote the artice) Lillestrøm, Tromsø and Rosenborg, but most likely the choice is between the last two.

Lyn have also been on the list, but according to Lyn CEO Morgan Andersen there has been no contact between the keeper and Lyn the last few days.

Mörck says the German-Canadian still has strong feelings for Tromsø. And it's those feelings, not the money, Tromsø have to rely on. Because Tromsø can't match the financial offer that Rosenborg kan offer the international keeper.

Adresseavisen were not able to get in contact with Rosenborg CEO Rune Bratseth last night.

Tromsø had not gotten any answer to their contract offer by yesterday afternoon.

- We have sent an offer to his agent, but so far we haven't heard anything, admits Tore Rismo at Tromsø IL.

- It is now weekend, so we'll talk to Lars on Monday, said Tromsø CEO Bjørn Tore Markussen yesterday.

----

I'd just like to add that I think it's weird that only Norwegian clubs seem to be interested. His agent doesn't seem to be doing a very good job. With the way he has played this fall in Tromsø, he should be getting offers from bigger leagues. But then again, I'm not complaining, this means that the chance of him staying at Tromsø is bigger.

[Lanegan]

The bad news are in. Lars Hirschfeld has decided to leave Tromsø. No news yet of where he is going.

http://www.til.no/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2123

Lars to leave TIL

This afternoon Lars Hirschfeld notified the club that he will not sign a new deal. The Canadian, who until July this year was unknown to Norwegian football, has through his performances in the TIL-uniform made himself very attractive to other Scandinavian clubs. He has made a very good impression, both on and off the field, and without a doubt contributed to this falls turn-around.

Lars Hirschfeld was almost touched when he notified the TIL-management:

- This has almost been the worst weekend in my life and my carreer so far. I have been, and am, very much in doubt of what is the right move to take me further. The months in TIL and in Tromsø have been the best of my footballing life so far, and such a club and such a group is anything but easy to leave. I have looked at the positives and negatives, again and again, and have, with a lot of doubt, reached the conclusion that it is best for me to switch to another club now. I am grateful for having been offerd the chance in TIL, and will allways look back on my time at the club with warm feelings. Noone should be in any doubt that I will be good ambassador for TIL and Tromsø in the future.

Steinar Nilsen (the coach) adds:

- We can only thank Lars for the contribution he has made to the group and to the club. An excellent keeper, a great guy, a man in TILs taste. We wish him all the best in the future. We also want everyone to know that we have done everything in our power to keep Hirschfeld. We hoped it would be enough, but we realise that it just wasn't enough this time.

-----

Too bad, but at least we still have the excellent Patrice Bernier and the very promising Stephen Ademolu at the club. Let's hope Patrice doesn't follow Lars, even though he seemed to be disappointed at not being allowed to join Besiktas in the summer.