Chelseafc Part 2: The story of Determination, Perseverance, Team-spirit and Hardwork

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE.

 

Issokay, Dassorai! There's been countless talks on how Bayern Machine threw away the Champions League in their own Dormot. But I still maintain my stand, it was meant to be Chelsea. For a team that could single-highhandedly defy Barcelona's best footballing strategies both home and away to reach the final, such a team has something about it. Take nothing away from Bayern Machines, they were absolutely great with the football they played. No doubt, they would rue some missed chances with the likes of goal-machine Gomez, Arjen and Bastian feeling they could have done bera. But football has evolved as a game and to win it, you have to see it. The most beautiful teams are not built on footballing artistry but BELIEVE. I still say till today, that Pep Guardiola saw that BELIEVE fading away and knew it was time to call it quits (#sharpguy). Wise men know when the rain is coming. For those of us who didnt follow the match in its entirety, the Bavarians had a lion-share of possession, attempts at goal and clear cut chances. Gomez for one could have buried the ball at the back of the net on no lesser than 2 occasions in the first 45 minutes. Thomas Muller scored with less than 10 minutes to go. The German side allowed Chelsea to equalize with just two minutes left in regulation time, then missed one penalty kick in extra time(Baba Arjen) and two more in a dramatic shootout to see the trophy of soccer's premier club tournament slip agonizingly from its grasp in front of its own fans. With a victory, Bayern Machines could have become the first team to win the tournament in its own Dormot since the inception of the Champions League 20 years ago.
The road to Munich definitely was not an easy ride. Many pundits might argue that Chelsea's season was revitalized by the appointment of Di Matteo as Interim coach to take  over from AVB. Sure, that was when the transformation began, but this work started nine-years ago. Chelsea has always been criticised for their laid-back, pack-bus defensive style of play but that same style knocked out the former champions and enabled them stun the Bavarians at the Allianz Arena. Playing Bayern Munich in Munich was always going to be a daunting challenge and the situation turned almost impossible when Bayern finally netted the match's first goal with a  bouncing header from Thomas Muller just seven minutes from time after missing a series of chances despite Chelsea's defensive failings. Down 1-0 in the 83rd minute in a hostile stadium and with little offensive bite to speak of, Chelsea didn't wilt. Instead, it once again showed the resolve that led it past Benfica, Napoli and Barcelona in the previous rounds, came out of its defensive bunker and attacked with the necessary desperation. The result came in the 88th minute, off its first corner kick of the match (Bayern ended up with 20), Didier Drogba riffled a bullet of a header into the top of the net for a shock equalizer. Chelsea had stolen the momentum and certainly the match. All seemed to be lost again when Drogba brought down Ribery in the 18-yard box, but then the man who has always proven more than reliable when called upon, Petr Cech, saved the resulting penalty from Arjen Robben.

Many quarters dismiss Chelsea's victory, regarding it as mere Luck. For what I know, luck alone is not enough to guide you past Napoli, Benfica and BARCELONA. It has to be something more than luck. Determination, perseverance, team-work and a spirit that always yearns for success was all I saw in the blue-coated men. Frank Lampard speaks "I hate to say that before because you look a fool when it doesn’t happen. We’ve had enough bad luck in this competition over the years that people can’t just point at luck this year. We’ve suffered. “We’ve come to their home stadium [Bayern], we’ve defended for our lives. “People threw their bodies in the way of the ball and I think even the penalties when we normally think that’s ‘game over’ but we managed to do it.”

And then we take a look at the 3 who ensured that Chelsea's night in Munich ended with Champagne celebrations and a smile on Roman's face. Abramovich had flown 50 friends and family members to Munich to join him in a VIP suite for the game, and the group celebrated wildly with champagne and hugs.

Do I have a Contract? Abramovich and Drogba Celebrate Chelsea's Triumph in Munich.

1) Didier Drogba: Only few would doubt his legendary status. Such a dangerman he is, that it only takes one moment for him to turn around the destiny of a football match. With memories of 2008 defeat looming and 7 minutes to go, Didier took upon his shoulders the cross of thousands of Chelsea supporters when he pummeled in that header with 120-seconds remaining. Hero almost turned Villian when he brought  down Franck Ribery in the box, but his last kick of the season ensured that the Blue-half of London will have to spend the night drenched in Champagne.
Drogba has been on borrowed time ever since Chelsea splashed out $79.5 million on F9T 16 months ago and is now a free agent after reaching the end of his contract. He has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League to join former team-mate Nicholas Anelka, where he could earn around $15 million per season, perhaps more now after such performance in Munich.
But if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has any sense, he will do whatever it takes to retain Drogba for another year, at the very least. The big man from the Ivory Coast might be 34, but Chelsea could not have certainly done this without him. "This is what we have been doing for years – showing this kind of spirit," Drogba said. "I have been here for eight years and when you are a Chelsea player you never give up until the end. We try to give that mentality to the young players. This is amazing." Drogba's inexhaustible work-rate in the semifinal helped Chelsea beat Barcelona, and his thunderous header with two minutes left in normal time rescued the London club in Munich.

 

Cech: Ready for Anything

2) Petr Cech; Just how many times has he kept Chelsea's defensive errors in "check". Arguably one of the world's best hands in a glove, the 30-year old Czech republic international was the reason why Chelsea lifted up that trophy in Munich. Drogba might have scored the descisive goals, but it was Cech who made sure those goals counted. First making a series of saves in normal time, and then keeping out Robben"s spot kick in extra-time and then denying Ivica Olic in the penalty shoot-out. If Manuel Nuer was good, Cech was better. speaking on the shootout Cech said "I don't know what to say,". "I am so proud of everybody. I went the right way five times. I just kept believing!"Many would argue that his skills have waned in recent seasons, but I for one do not agree. Just like Buffon, Casillas and other World-class goalies, when you have a great team in front of you more especially a solid defence, then your performances would always be at the top end. This performance might have earned Cech more time at Chelsea, as the club was previously planning to launch a major attempt to sign Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul from Newcastle as his soon to be replacement. However, game-changing displays in Champions League finals tend to buy an extra bit of loyalty and definitely a year on the contracts again at least.

Cool, Calm and Collected...Di Matteo looks into the future

3) Roberto Di Matteo: Roberto Di Matteo was the head coach who set the tone for it all, turning around a season that looked doomed to disaster and failures following a dismal run of form that led to the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.  Di Matteo, who has given Abramovich the chalice that he always dreamed of, may or may not be around at the start of next season. Di Matteo took the job of Chelsea's assistant coach after being fired from West Brom less than two years ago, and recently took over the main job on a temporary basis. Today, the Italian stands as one of the hottest young coaches in Europe. Abramovich, we all know might be bountiful in cash, but not in mercy especially to his coaches. If he feels there is a better option available, he does not hesitate to do away with the current in order to bring in the other. Victory has assured Di Matteo a place on Abramovich's short list of potential permanent managers, but nothing more. Those close to the Oil tycoon know very well that he may smile with you on one night and then sack you on another.

Whether this trio return back next season or not, one thing is certain; they have etched their names in Chelsea's folklore for eternity. On the night where all odds were against them, the blues overcame all adversity to bring the title to Stamford bridge. Chelsea's Victory does convey a most important life message------Even when all the odds are against you, keep holding on. The last kick might just put you atop, but to ensure that it does, keep making the saves.

Perseverance, Team-Spirit, Courage and Hardknocks: The Story Of Chelseafc (Part 1)

Watching the full 120-minutes of drama at the Allianz Arena in Munich, I couldn't help but shed tears on seeing Drogba and Co as they lifted aloft the 'Holy grail of European football". It was their first and definitely will be their best triumph in their long history of existence. Lampard is coming to the end of an illustrious career, same as Drogba and some other Old stalwarts. Roman ABramovich had waited nine good years for this trophy. He so coveted it like it would add to his billions. Sure it will. Chelsea are the "Campeones de Europa". Plantini would have expected an El-Classico final, as that would have certainly yielded UEFA more profits from ticket sales, but the events at the Bavaria were not short of expectations. Like I told my Friends, the game was going as planned. Chelsea being reserved and employing the same method they used against the graduates from La Masia, Bayern attacking like Wolves with Robben and Ribery running down the flanks. All things being equal, Saturday May 19th at the Allianz Arena, football was given a new leaf. Di Matteo and Co had proven to the world that you don't necessarily need to Tiki Taka to win trophies.

Money well spent? Abracadabra's dream come true.

My friends who know me quiet well, know for sure that all my life, I have never been a supporter of Chelseafc given the fact that they came in and launched an era of "monetized football" courtesy of Russian billions. Well, like Gary Neville rightly said, "they are a 2-season wonder" and so they proved to be in the Premier League before my beloveth Man utd dethroned the 'money dribblers". Abramovich saw that Money could deliver trophies but it couldn't build a crop of consistent winners. Some tumultuous times came in, beginning with the sack of the very 'special one". On Jose's next assignment, he guided the Nerazurris to the Champions league trophy. One is left to wonder if Abramovich had given Jose a little more time, probably the blue-half of London would not have waited this long to celebrate a title that cost Abramovich an estimated $2.8 billion in Investments. For sure, success did not come cheap. The 45-year-old had to spend astonishing sums on player transfers, wages and improvements to the club infrastructure in the pursuit of European glory. The Russian Oil tycoon took over a club that was struggling financially and immediately turned it into a European power. Under his watch, the club has bought 66 world-class players at a staggering cost.
The transfer fees for those players, according to a  sports finance expert for a daily newspaper, tallies up at $1.02 billion, more than any other club in the world during that same eight-season stretch.
Player salaries have been even more expensive, according to the same expert, with the overall wage bill totaling $1.8 billion – another record-setting figure that helped spiral soccer into a new era of hyper-spending. Eight managers also came and went in the space of eight years, most of them fired precisely for failing to win the all-important Champions League. English Premier League titles and FA Cup wins were OK, but what really mattered to the Russian Oil tycoon was flexing his muscles in European competition. High-profile managers had graced the dressing room at Stamford Bridge, but it was the least expected of them all who delivered the trophy----and on an Interim Contract too. When Roberto Di Matteo was fired as manager of West Bromich Albion on Feb. 5th 2011, little did he know that his misfortune was a stepping stone to one of football's greatest stories. Di Matteo, who was brought in as interim manager following the axing of Andre Villas-Boas, earns only a fraction of his predecessor's salary and, even after this triumph, is not guaranteed to get the job on a full-time basis. (Well, Let's see how it goes) With his primary goal now realized, will Abramovich chase more European silverware or scale back his vast spending? Will Di Matteo still have a job? The footballing world awaits to see how events unfold at the boardroom.

Lampard Lifts The UEFA Champions League Trophy

Abramovich's eight-year spending spree finally reaped its ultimate reward, and Chelsea became European champion for the first time in its history.

Mark Zuckerberg Ties Knot with Long-time sweetheart.

Congratulations to Our very own Mark Zuckerberg.  Mark wedded his long-time sweetheart Priscilla Chan today, 19th May 2012. What a week it has been for the young billionaire. Congrats Mark and Priscilla.

Mr Branson, OUT4marriage, Boko Haram and the Nigerian situation.

Richard Branson has always been one of my most favorite entrepreneurs. A dropout at 16, he founded a mail-order record retailer, which became the Virgin Records stores and music label. Today, his empire includes 200 companies - airlines, music festivals, mobile phones - in 30 countries. His estimated net worth: $6.8 billion. Mr Richard, I do admire your entrepreneurial skills which has definitely placed you on the  world map and the lips of thousands of people. But for the first time, I may not share your views this time around.
I do not believe in discriminating against gay people, but I sure do know well that its very advisable to keep them at some distance (Aint that still discrimination? smh). Well, however being gay is very much contrary to the 'natural/normal". Mr Branson is a product of a union between a male and a female, so why on earth would you advocate for people of the same sexes to be joined together? I see that Mr Branson as being "wicked". Looking at Mr Branson's Biography on the site biography.com I picked out the following lines:

1) Born Richard Charles Nicholas Branson on July 18, 1950 in Surrey, England. His father, Edward James Branson, worked as a barrister. His mother, Eve Branson, was employed as a flight attendant. (Note, hisparents sexes, male and female)
2) Branson is married to his second wife, Joan Templeman, with whom he has two children: Holly and Sam. He currently lives in London. (Mr Branson is married to a woman, Joan Templeman and has 2 kids with the same Joan Templeman. The article didnt say he was married to his "partner", instead it specified the word "wife".
Mr Branson says and I quote 'gettting married myself and giving my daughter Holly away at a wedding last year, are amongst the proudest days in my life. Everybody should be able to experince those moments if they wish to do so, regardless of their sexuality. At Virgin, we treat everbody the same,  whether they are straight or whether they are gay".Owk Mr Branson, #issorai. I just have a few points to highlight.
First and foremost, you talked about your getting married and giving Holly your daughter away in marriage as being amongst the proudest days in your life. Well Mr Branson, I put it to you that you were proud because you did what was normal, the very natural, the way it was meant to be. You married a woman and you gave your daughter away to a man. That is why you were proud and happy. That is why you can still hold up your head high as a proud father.
Secondly Mr Branson, Virgin treats everybody the same because "its a company" for crying out loud. If you do not treat everybody the same, we both know the implication it would have on your company's image, your profits and your personal image. Please, spare some of us the antics. Obama never supported gay marriage until the elections drew closer. So we all know what it involves.

Mr Branson, I'm very much aware of your investments in Nigeria and what it is doing for the economy of this great African nation. But Mr Branson, its because of statements like this on your blog that's making Boko Haram hunt down more innocent lives. Knowing fully well the meaning of Boko Haram (which means "western education is forbidden'), comments like the one on your blog (dated Dec 5, 2011) are one of the reasons why our own Nigerian brothers are taking away innocent lives. Western education was suppose to refine a human and make a person more productive, not completely erase a person's morals, sense of judgement and above all total disregard for the Creator.
The Boko Haram group see western education as a threat because of the various "havocs" its causing. We are all witnesses to the degree of moral decadence in our society today. The initial idea of education I suppose was to refine a man into one who had moral values, responsibilities and productivity. Its clearly doing the opposite.
Notwithstanding, there is no justification whatsoever to take human lives and as always, I condemn the actions of the Boko Haram group. I personally think it would be wise to quell rather than fuel more violence, given the situation in Nigeria at the moment. As at last year, the prohibition of same sex marriage passed unopposed through the Nigerian senate floor. A move I highly commend them  for. I can only but imagine what would have happened If Same-sex marriage was legalised in Nigeria. Probably, more lives would have been lost.

Mr Branson, I may fly Virgin, but I am not #Out4marriage like that. Anyway, #issokay. By the way, send me some billions though, I'm starting a new airline company "Ashawo Atlantic".

(Viewer discretion is advised).

Will Smith Slaps reporter....A punch was almost on the Line

Okay, Will Smith slapped a Ukrainian reporter who tried to show too much Love. (But oga how u go dey kiss man na, y? anyway, Issorai). At the Moscow premiere of Men in Black 3, a reporter showed the actor a little TOO MUCH love and tried to kiss him on the lips! In a split second of anger, Willy unleashed an "anti-gayic" slap on the poor reporter's face. Lesson learned I suppose. Next time Mr reporter, check if the person is Male or female. If female, issorai, but if male, check whether he is gay or not. If gay, issorai, if not, pls don't try that nonsense again o. Lol.
Some quarters already condemning Willie's action, but I tell you, if you are a real man and some dude comes kissing up on you like that, You would "mash-up" the dude's face. true tok!" Joker's lucky I didn't sucker punch him!" hahaha, Oga Willie. Abeg, ill inbox you my number, so we can both have a cup of tea. You did "straightly well".

Watch video below.

Zuckerberg Rings Bell; Facebook Inc starts trading.

Its no doubt that since my personal person, Mark "Moneyberg" rang that Nasdaq bell from Facebook's Manlo park, the destiny and future of the social network was certainly projected into a higher realm. Now its the issue of sustainability as for the first time in the company's 8-year history, it will be subject to the mercy of a power outside its control---the stock Market. Facebook Inc began trading at 11am  ET after a record setting IPO. Watch the bell-ringing that defined Facebook's future Here.

Eduardo Saverin May Never Set foot on US soil ever again.

Eduardo Saverin might have definitely Bitten more than he can chew when he decided to denounce the citizenship of the country where he raked in his billions. Watch Video Here. Do you agree with Senator Chuck Schumer?

Whether you Buying Cos of Emotion or Purely for Business, Facebook Inc may be churning out the next set of world Millionaires.

Its just few hours before the social network king Facebook Inc. goes officially public and indeed become the PUBLIC network. Its Friday, May 18th and MarK "Moneyberg" is on the verge of launching the new face of Facebook into the stock Markets and for the first time, open the company to the wide view of the public's and government eyes.The stock is scheduled to start trading tomorrow on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol FB.
Now take a good look at this: Facebook IPO Makes Zuckerberg Richer Than Google Founders. Sure Sergey Brin and Larry page would not like this. Facebook Inc. raised $16 billion in the biggest initial public offering by a technology company in history, pricing the shares at the top end of an increased range. The social network sold 421.2 million shares at $38 each, according to an Official statement. That values Facebook at $104.2 billion, making it the largest company to go public in the U.S. by market capitalization, according to data compiled by Bloomberg and Dealogic.
Facebook, led by 28-year-old young Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, this week expanded the IPO to meet demand, allowing investors Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Accel Partners to reap more gains.The offering marks the culmination of Facebook’s evolution in less than a decade from a Harvard University dorm-room play-project into a social network averaging more than 900 million users daily. Everyone does indeed want a piece of Facebook. And watch out, the IPO is creating millionaires and Billionaires overnight.At $16 billion, Facebook’s debut surpasses that of General Motors Co., making it the second-largest in U.S. history, excluding so-called over-allotments, which let underwriters buy more shares at a later date, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

So how do we see the future of Facebook Inc? Zuckerberg has maintained that the "social aspect of the network is of more importance than the business it brings". Coming from one of the World's youngest CEO, a man driven with passion, time will tell if he's just playing I Gentle or  he really does mean it. The stock market will soon be showing that.