How to make your way in the Primera Liga (or not as the case may be)

[Dixie Flatline]

Midfielders

Gavião (27 y/o, ESP 1 cap, DM C - 109(2) apps, 21 goals, 20 assists, 6 MoMs, av. rating: 7.40): 45 apps, 8 goals, 9 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 7.56: This player simply becomes better and better and, talking as the Spanish manager for the moment, I’m completely grateful that he has picked up a Spanish passport and is now eligible to play for Spain. He is an absolute tiger when the opposition has the ball and devotes his energies to winning it back. But when we have the ball, you can usually find him in the centre of midfield, distributing the ball to his teammates with the authority of a general. Since moving to Cartagena 2.5 seasons ago, he has simply improved beyond sight and I’m not surprised to receive almost weekly bids for him. But I’m determined to hold onto the Spaniard for as long as possible and exploit his talents to the future success of the club. I can’t believe that Grêmio let him go for free and that Brazil’s hierarchy did not realise his international class talents before I did.

Javier Alejandro Villarreal (28 y/o, ARG, DM C - 3(1) apps, 1 goal, av. rating: 7.00): 3(1) apps, 1 goal, av. rating: 7.00: Like Carles Puyol before him, Villarreal hasn’t had much to do this season and to be frank, I don’t think he will have anything to do next season, what with the arrival of Kristian Tanem. He did have a couple of moments of brilliance, particularly at the end of the season, but I don’t think it’s enough to keep him at Cartagonova. He is better off trying his luck at another club who can find more regular use of his talents than I.

George Clegg (26 y/o, ENG, AM/F RC - 96(18) apps, 32 goals, 24 assists, 7 MoMs, av. rating: 7.27): 39(2) apps, 15 goals, 13 assists, 4 MoMs, av. rating: 7.56: The figures tell most of the story of this excellent midfielder. After a good but not marvellous season last time out (even though he picked up the European Midfielder of the Year), he came out this season and simply blew everybody else off the pitch. I gave him a chance to impress me at the beginning of the season, fully prepared to turn to Fernando Morán to play in the hole behind the front two strikers, only to find that Clegg’s excellent ability in that same position left Fernando no place in the starting eleven. And this continued right through the season, although he did suffer a couple of injuries along the way. He was bitterly disappointed to be suspended for the European Champions' League final, but I hope that just acts as a spur to bigger and better things for him. I believe that a full England call-up is only just around the corner, especially given that he has spent a few internationals in the squad and sometimes even on the bench. I’m looking forward to another good season from him next time out, and I’m going to fight desperately hard to hold onto him.

Jaime Garrido (23 y/o, ESP 4 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RLC - 19(12) apps, 6 goals, 4 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.32): 19(12) apps, 6 goals, 4 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.32: I’ve been quietly impressed by this lad’s work for the club since he made the big switch from Real Betis at the beginning of the season. Unlike David Oliva, Jaime seems to have shrugged off the big price tag and simply got on with the work on the pitch. Real Betis are still waiting for him to play 20 league games for us, so they get their big extra pay-off, but I don’t think they’ll have to wait much longer. Perhaps more comfortable on the left of midfield rather than in the middle, I think he is an automatic choice as replacement for Michel when the time comes. Until then, he will continue to bide his time and accumulate appearances, goals and assists in the pursuit of his own ambitions. Did I mention he’s also pretty handy at the international caper? His last appearance for Spain against the Czech Republic underlined just what a talent we have on our hands here. His excellent goal certainly made everybody sit up and take notice of him. But he also has fine dribbling skills and passing skills to match, so I’m looking forward to his career fully blossoming in the next couple of years. I’d have to say, though, that he has already paid off his transfer fee with his work from just this season.

Lomano-Tresor Lua-Lua (26 y/o, DCO 9 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RLC - 89(8) apps, 16 goals, 10 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 6.97): 56(1) apps, 11 goals, 7 assists, av. rating: 7.09: As I said before, the supporters of Cartagonova and myself in particular will miss his flamboyant method of celebrating his goals. No longer will he perform his handsprings and somersaults to celebrate his goals. Instead, he will play for a fierce rival in Real Madrid, and unfortunately I couldn’t stop him completing the move. He will be sadly missed and to be absolutely truthful, I haven’t really found a replacement of his high quality yet that wants to come to the club from next season. That in itself is a high complement to his skills.

Fernando Morán (30 y/o, ESP, AM RLC - 194(21) apps, 74 goals, 49 assists, 12 MoMs, av. rating: 7.34): 14(8) apps, 7 goals, 6 assists, av. rating: 7.45:[/i] I was all ready to play Fernando in his favourite role behind the front two strikers, only to find that George Clegg was so determined and capable of making that position his own that it became very difficult to play Fernando regularly. Therefore, his appearances for the first team became severely limited last season and after confidently predicting he would make the 200 start club during the season, I find that Fernando is still left 6 short of the mark. To be frank, I don’t think it’s going to be any better for Fernando in the future, but I’m sure he will be quick to remind me of the fact that he played a match-winning role against Porto in the European Champions' League final, including scoring twice to pull us from 1-0 down to 2-1 up. No matter what happens to Fernando in the future, he will always be guaranteed a hero’s reception whenever he steps onto the pitch of the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena.

Ramón Salas (22 y/o, ESP, AM RL - 5(3) apps, 1 assist, av. rating: 6.63): 3 apps, av. rating: 6.67: A very quiet season for Ramón, but two competent performances in our last two games of the season indicated that there is still some future for him at the club in the future. However, he will need to work upon several areas of his play in order for me to consider him more seriously as a member of the first team squad, and now that he is in his twenties, it may be more difficult for him to take that next step.

Jurica Vucko (30 y/o, HSV 28 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RC - 62(22) apps, 5 goals, 16 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 6.84): 0(4) apps, av. rating: 6.75: On his way out of the club at the end of the season, and his fate has been known for six months. I’m somewhat unhappy to see him leave the club, but I’ve recognised a long time ago that there really is no place for him here, and it’s better if he finishes his career at a club more capable of channelling his talents.

Andrés Mendoza (29 y/o, PER 53 caps, 8 goals, AM/F LC - 13(9) apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 6.80): 0(1) app, av. rating: 7.00: Leaving at the club at the end of the season, he will not be missed.

Michel (31 y/o, ESP, AM L - 226(10) apps, 31 goals, 57 assists, 5 MoMs, av. rating: 7.15): 45(2) apps, 3 goals, 13 assists, av. rating: 6.98: He is clearly our most creative player in terms of setting up goals for other players. His experience and ability to pass the ball very well means that he is a weapon down the left and Alex Notman particularly thrived off his service this season. Perhaps not his greatest in terms of his own personal goal tally, but he was an integral part of our league championship and our victory in the European Champions' League, so it is only fitting that he has medals from both those competitions and currently holds the record for the most league appearances at the club. I’m not sure how long he can continue to maintain the standard in the future, but I think he is still one of the first names on the team sheet every weekend, at least for the time being.

[Dixie Flatline]

Forwards

Mauro Esposito (27 y/o, ITA, AM/F LC - 18(16) apps, 10 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 6.92): 0 apps: Also leaving the club at the end of the season, and I don’t think he’ll be missed.

Dennis Bergkamp (38 y/o, NED 79 caps, 38 goals, AM/F C - 0(2) apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1 MoM, av. rating: 8.00): 0 apps: It must be a great life for Dennis. He only has to train once in a while, safe in the knowledge that hell will freeze over before he gets another game for Cartagonova. Still, I’m too soft-hearted towards Bergkamp to cut him loose just yet, but I seriously think he should retire now!

Juan Hernández (22 y/o, ESP, AM/F C - 20(4) apps, 12 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 7.79): 20(4) apps, 12 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 7.79: To my mind, Juan’s first season at Cartagonova is even more impressive than Jaime Garrido’s, mainly because I expected Jaime to play like he did, but I did not expect Juan to play so well and so assuredly. For a while, he threatened to displace José Manuel Redondo from his position in the starting eleven. There is no doubt that Juan Hernández has plenty of talent and now that he has some experience of both domestic and European football under his belt, he can only get better at this job. I’m looking forward to reaping the rewards of his football education.

Daniel Jensen (27 y/o, DEN 30 caps, 5 goals, AM/F C - 4(6) apps, 4 goals, 1 assist, av. rating: 6.90): 4(6) apps, 4 goals, 1 assist, av. rating: 6.90: Undoubtedly, Daniel’s role in the squad is to provide competition for those who are more likely to start than he is. He has the basics alright, but I’m looking for something more in the players who start the game, and he doesn’t have what I look for. Consequently, he will only ever be a squad member and nothing more. When he realises that, I’m sure it will be an interesting experience, but I hope he is grateful that he is no longer at Mallorca, so he didn’t have to endure the pain of relegation.

Alex Notman (27 y/o, SCO 15 caps, 8 goals, AM/F C - 76(6) apps, 50 goals, 31 assists, 23 MoMs, av. rating: 8.06): 53(2) apps, 35 goals, 19 assists, 19 MoMs, av. rating: 8.07: What an unbelievable, outstanding season from the big Scot! He is clearly my favourite for the supporters’ Player of the Year Award, and quite frankly I’m disappointed not to see him listed amongst the nominees for the FIFA Player of the Year award. He was simply the talisman and the linchpin in my side striving for the championship and European glory. Never before has somebody scored more than 30 goals in a season, and he fairly shortly made people forget the name ‘Niels Kokmeijer’ in a hurry. I’ve received plenty of offers for Alex, but I can assure everybody that he isn’t going anywhere. He is delighted to be in Spain and has no inclination of returning to Germany or England and he is just as happy to be at Cartagena than anywhere else, which is wonderful for us. I can see him quickly becoming our most prolific striker in our history, even though José Manuel Redondo is still playing. He deserves the very best from the club, considering what he has done for them in only 1½ seasons at the club. He looks like the best £3.1 million I ever paid for a player.

Alberto Rivera (29 y/o, ESP, AM/F C - 52(3) apps, 15 goals, 12 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 7.30): 1 app, av. rating: 6.00: A very quiet season for Alberto and even though he came back to Cartagena last season in a blaze of publicity, he will leave in a whimper for the capital. I’ll miss him, but I don’t think anybody else will.

Ariel Carreño (28 y/o, ARG 1 cap, F RLC - 6(7) apps, 4 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.23): 6(7) apps, 4 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.23: A competent first part of a season for the Argentine striker, but I’ll look forward to him really producing the goods next season. He started pretty well, scoring twice in a Copa del Rey game, but he failed to impress me in European games he played, and I want him to improve his game if he wants to make it here at Cartagonova. I think he has the talent to do it, it just needs the application from the player.

José Manuel Redondo (31 y/o, ESP 2 caps, 1 goal, S C - 214(11) apps, 123 goals, 56 assists, 35 MoMs, av. rating: 7.80): 40(6) apps, 21 goals, 10 assists, 6 MoMs, av. rating: 7.61: For a moment during the season, I didn’t think that Redondo would keep up his amazing consistency of scoring more than 20 goals in the season. But he fought through his form slump and contributed some vital goals towards the end of the season which helped us secure the title. He is well rewarded for his loyalty during his Cartagonova career, having collected the league championship and the European Champions' League crown. Not to mention making his debut for Spain in a friendly and scoring an international goal in just his second appearance for his country. Now that he is on the wrong side of 30, I really can’t expect him to keep up his magnificent record for the club, but I would like to see him get ever closer to that magical 100 league goal mark. He only needs seven, so I think he could get there next season. He has certainly worn Cartagonova’s number ‘9’ with pride, and like Fernando, will always have a hero’s reception whenever he walks around the town.

[Dixie Flatline]

To make everything official, here are the statistics of every Cartagonova player here at the end of the season, plus the record of every game we played during the season:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

No Name Apps Gls Con Pens Asts Yel Red MoM Av R

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Ballesteros 39 (3) 1 0 0 5 11 1 1 6.67

13 Belman, José Francisco 3 (1) 0 6 0 0 0 0 1 7.00

36 Bergkamp, Dennis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ----

15 Carreño, Ariel 6 (7) 4 0 0 2 1 0 1 7.23

35 Castro, Juan Carlos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ----

8 Clegg, George 39 (2) 15 0 0 13 7 2 4 7.56

31 Diawara, Djibril 7 (4) 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 7.18

27 Esposito, Mauro 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ----

7 Garrido, Jaime 19 (12) 6 0 0 4 1 0 1 7.32

6 Gavião 45 8 0 2 (2) 9 9 1 2 7.56

4 Gershon, Shimon 53 3 0 0 4 8 1 1 7.30

17 Hakala, Jukka 53 2 0 0 2 8 0 3 7.06

26 Hernández, Juan 20 (4) 12 0 0 5 0 0 2 7.79

1 Iván Vidal 47 0 51 0 0 1 0 3 7.28

25 Jensen, Daniel 4 (6) 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.90

24 Källkvist, Christoffer 10 (1) 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 7.55

3 Lacruz, José María 34 (1) 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 6.46

12 Laurie, Carl 18 (12) 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 6.53

33 Livermore, David 7 (3) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6.50

29 Lua-Lua, Lomano-Tresor 56 (1) 11 0 0 7 2 1 0 7.09

- Méndez, Ismael - - - - - - - - ----

30 Mendoza, Andrés 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.00

11 Michel 45 (2) 3 0 0 13 2 0 0 6.98

10 Morán, Fernando 14 (8) 7 0 0 6 0 0 0 7.45

18 Notman, Alex 53 (2) 35 0 0 19 2 0 19 8.07

19 Oliva, David 12 (5) 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.71

5 Óscar Ãlvarez 9 (3) 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 6.75

22 Puyol, Carles 6 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.43

9 Redondo, José Manuel 40 (6) 21 0 4 (4) 10 1 0 6 7.61

34 Rivera, Alberto 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.00

32 Salas, Ramón 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.67

23 Villarreal, Javier Alejan 3 (1) 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 7.00

16 Vucko, Jurica 0 (4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6.75

</pre>

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Date Opposition Ven Competition Res Attend Scorers

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

30.7.06 Linense H Friendly 4:1 1802 Sabino, Notman 2, J.Garrido

6.8.06 Man Utd ENG H Friendly 2:1 3548 Garrido, Sabino pen

12.8.06 Ajax HOL H F1 Cup II Semi Final 2:1 6514 Gustavsson, Notman

13.8.06 Bayern München GER H F1 Cup II Final 2:4 7325 Rivera, Villarreal

20.8.06 Barcelona H Super Cup Leg 1 4:0 17979 Gavião 2, Notman 2

27.8.06 Barcelona A Super Cup Leg 2 2:3 96930 Jensen 2

9.9.06 Alavés H First Division 2:0 16690 Jensen, Lua-Lua 2 (1 pen)

12.9.06 Dortmund GER H Champions Cup Ph.1 Grp D 1:1 17967 Morán

16.9.06 Celta A First Division 1:1 28400 Garrido

20.9.06 Porto POR A Champions Cup Ph.1 Grp D 5:4 43954 Notman 2, Redondo pen, Ballesteros, Garrido

24.9.06 Elche H First Division 2:0 17990 Notman, Redondo

27.9.06 Rosenborg NOR A Champions Cup Ph.1 Grp D 0:1 20967

1.10.06 Athletic Bilbao A First Division 3:2 35369 Notman 2, Hernández

14.10.06 Barcelona H First Division 1:1 17958 Clegg

17.10.06 Rosenborg NOR H Champions Cup Ph.1 Grp D 4:1 17951 Hernández, Notman, Michel, Clegg

22.10.06 Real Madrid A First Division 3:3 65053 Lua-Lua, Hernández 2

25.10.06 Dortmund GER A Champions Cup Ph.1 Grp D 4:2 63930 Clegg, Lua-Lua 2, Hernández

29.10.06 Deportivo H First Division 1:0 17983 Notman

4.11.06 Betis A First Division 3:2 46010 Clegg, Notman, Redondo

7.11.06 Porto POR H Champions Cup Ph.1 Grp D 1:0 17979 Hernández

12.11.06 Villarreal H First Division 2:0 16644 Clegg 2

19.11.06 Sporting Gijón H First Division 3:2 17975 Hernández, Clegg, Lua-Lua

22.11.06 Celtic SCO H Champions Cup Ph.2 Grp D 3:2 17970 Gavião pen, Clegg, Notman

26.11.06 Valladolid A First Division 1:0 21828 Notman

2.12.06 Mallorca H First Division 3:1 17982 Gavião, Clegg, Garrido

5.12.06 Spartak Moscow RUS A Champions Cup Ph.2 Grp D 2:0 42856 Hakala, Notman

10.12.06 Numancia A First Division 5:1 12569 Gershon, Notman 2, Garrido, Hernández

17.12.06 Real Sociedad H First Division 4:1 17952 Morán, Notman 2, Gavião pen

20.12.06 Valencia A First Division 2:0 51031 Notman, Diawara

26.12.06 Espanyol A First Division 2:2 28145 Gershon, Morán

31.12.06 Atlético Madrid H First Division 4:0 17978 Notman 2, Redondo 2

3.1.07 Málaga A Spanish Cup 2nd Rnd 3:3 15133 Carreño 2, Morán

6.1.07 Osasuna A First Division 2:0 19994 Notman, Clegg

10.1.07 Real Madrid A Spanish Cup 3rd Rnd Leg 1 0:3 35566

14.1.07 Racing Santander H First Division 2:1 17959 Redondo 2

17.1.07 Real Madrid H Spanish Cup 3rd Rnd Leg 2 2:0 8123 Redondo pen, Notman

21.1.07 Valencia H First Division 2:1 17982 Notman 2

28.1.07 Alavés A First Division 2:0 16157 Garrido, Clegg

3.2.07 Celta H First Division 2:1 17976 Redondo, Notman

10.2.07 Elche A First Division 2:1 26880 Morán, Redondo

13.2.07 Inter ITA A Champions Cup Ph.2 Grp D 3:4 74143 Hernández 2, Notman

18.2.07 Athletic Bilbao H First Division 4:1 17963 Redondo pen, Notman, Lua-Lua, Hernández

21.2.07 Inter ITA H Champions Cup Ph.2 Grp D 2:1 17979 Hernández, Lua-Lua

25.2.07 Barcelona A First Division 1:1 93989 Carreño

3.3.07 Real Madrid H First Division 2:1 17978 Redondo 2

6.3.07 Celtic SCO A Champions Cup Ph.2 Grp D 0:2 57401

11.3.07 Deportivo A First Division 2:0 34776 Notman, Redondo

14.3.07 Spartak Moscow RUS H Champions Cup Ph.2 Grp D 2:0 17967 Clegg, Redondo

18.3.07 Betis H First Division 1:0 17988 Redondo

1.4.07 Villarreal A First Division 2:3 19578 Redondo, Gavião

4.4.07 Villarreal A Champions Cup Qtr Final Leg 1 2:1 13428 Notman, Lua-Lua

8.4.07 Sporting Gijón A First Division 3:4 23490 Notman, Óscar Ãlvarez, Lua-Lua

15.4.07 Valladolid H First Division 3:0 17966 Gershon, Notman 2

18.4.07 Villarreal H Champions Cup Qtr Final Leg 2 2:1 16543 Gavião, Redondo

22.4.07 Mallorca A First Division 2:0 23473 Redondo 2 (1 pen)

29.4.07 Numancia H First Division 1:0 16472 Clegg

2.5.07 Paris-SG FRA A Champions Cup Semi Final Leg 1 3:1 42874 Notman 2, Redondo

6.5.07 Real Sociedad A First Division 1:1 28599 Michel

9.5.07 Paris-SG FRA H Champions Cup Semi Final Leg 2 2:1 17953 Clegg 2, Garrido

13.5.07 Espanyol H First Division 3:3 17966 Hakala, Lua-Lua, Clegg

20.5.07 Atlético Madrid A First Division 2:0 50254 Carreño, Michel

23.5.07 Porto POR N Champions Cup Final 3:2 64040 Morán 2, Notman

27.5.07 Osasuna H First Division 1:1 17966 Gavião

3.6.07 Racing Santander A First Division 3:1 11206 Villarreal, Lua-Lua, Jensen

</pre>

To complete the formalities, let’s whip around the other major leagues in Europe. First, to England, and Charlton has finished the season on top by one point from cross town rival Arsenal, and another London team, Tottenham in third place. Last season’s champion, Manchester United, finished a lowly 12th under new manager Harry Redknapp, as he and championship winning manager Simon Hunt swapped clubs mid-season. Sheffield Wednesday, Everton and Derby all go to the Nationwide League, while Burnley (as champion), Middlesbrough and Coventry (as winner of the play-off final) are promoted. Moving to Italy now, and the Scudetto returns to the capital as Roma wins the league by five points from Fiorentina, last season’s champion. AC Milan and Inter Milan finished equal on 63 points while Torino belied the critics with a credible fifth-placed finish. Verona, Ternana, Cagliari and Napoli drop to Serie B, but coming in the other direction are Foggia (as champion), Empoli, Treviso and Piacenza.

Travelling to Portugal, and they are celebrating in Lisbon as Sporting lifted the championship trophy by finishing two points clear of fierce rival Porto. Benfica finished another two points behind in third place, while Sporting Clube Pombal, Beira-Mar and Estoril drop out of the division, to be replaced by Alverca (as champion), Imortal and Braga. Finally, to Spain, and Cartagonova finished 12 points clear of Barcelona, while Real Madrid ended the season another four points behind. Atlético Madrid, Real Valladolid and Mallorca will play next season in the Segunda Liga, and they are replaced by Extremadura (as champion), Levante and Sevilla.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Guest]

I'll be the first to congratulate you! Well done, excellent, the story itself, and also the results. You took the CL as well, whow!

Just a question ... what now? What's next? After winning the league and the CL, you've got any other goals you've set yourself? If you have, I'll still be reading

[Philip Rolfe]

Well Done - now for the World!!

[ghostwriter]

In that case I shall be the third to congratulate you on your famous and magnificent double. It was never in doubt was it??

Surely Euro2008 and the World Club Championships must be on the agenda next, although the immediate priority must surely be holding on to all your wanted players....

Still a great read..

[Harleqin]

Excellent job Dixie. What more can Spain hold for you after this triumph?

This story is like good wine. It gets better and better with age

[Dixie Flatline]

Thanks very much for all your congratulations and best wishes!

As for what's next, well, there is still the test of holding onto the championship, the better players, and trying to persuade my President to expand the stadium. Also, there is still work to be done in the qualification for Euro 2008, since the loss to the Ukraine has brought us (undeservedly, in my opinion) back into the pack for that prestigious competition.

Dixie isn't finish yet, not by a long shot!

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

To finish the weekend, let's go to Cartagonova one more time!

6th of June 2007

Euro 2008 Qualifier - Game 7: The Ukraine v Spain

While for most of Europe’s footballers, their season is over, some select few have one more playing engagement to get through - a Euro 2008 qualifier! I take with me to the Ukraine three Cartagonova players, Ballesteros, Gavião and Iván Vidal. Unfortunately, those that have the honour of representing Spain play this game like they are already on holidays sunning themselves on a nice beach next to the Mediterranean Sea. Although Gavião almost scores his first goal for Spain after just 4 minutes, the Ukraine take a deserved lead after 17 minutes when Onichtenchenko finds Valeev with a good pass in the wet, and the midfielder takes it past Gavião before scoring past López Vallejo. But on 27 minutes, recalled Gerard takes control of Shovkovskij’s terrible goal kick and sends it back past the stranded Ukrainian keeper. However, my defenders fall asleep at the switch and allow Yourrassowski to sneak through and embarrass López Vallejo with a crashing drive. We’re unlucky not to equalise when Raúl’s header is well saved by the Ukraine keeper, but we still go into the break trailing by that goal. After a fruitless 20 minutes in the second half, I go for broke and alter the formation, while taking off Amaya for Ferrón. But the Ukraine drives the final nail into our coffin when César fouls Rebrov in the range of Yourrassowski, and he scores from the free kick. I change the formation again and remove César from the play, replacing him with Diego. Diego gives us a remote chance of salvaging a point from this disaster when he scores in the last minute of normal time, but we don’t have what it takes to score a third time. The loss means that we lead the Ukraine only on goal difference.

The Ukraine (5-3-2): Shovkovskij ©; Kosovski, Samoilov, Mor (Vashchuk 72), Datsenko, Parfenov; Kormiltsev (Kalinichenko 66), Valeev, Onichtenchenko; Yourrassowksi, Rebrov.

Spain (4-1-2-1-2): López Vallejo; Borja, César (Diego 81), Amaya (Ferrón 66), Ballesteros; Gavião; Vicente, Angulo (Etxeberría 81); Gerard; Raúl ©, Ribera.

Final score: The Ukraine 3:2 Spain

MoM - Akop Samoilov

I’m extremely disappointed in the performances of López Vallejo, Ballesteros, César and Iván Amaya. The latter two pick up yellow cards that means they will serve a match suspension, and I’m considering at this time whether any of the four players mentioned will play for Spain again under my management. Their performances were absolutely diabolical, and again Spain’s achilles heel is exposed for everybody to see - the defence was absolutely non-existent at times.

This is how the ladder looks like in Group 9 after the end of the season:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1st Spain 7 3 1 0 12 6 2 0 1 8 5 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2nd Ukraine 7 4 0 0 14 4 1 1 1 4 4 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Denmark 7 1 1 1 8 5 2 1 1 6 6 11

4th Israel 7 2 0 1 7 3 1 1 2 8 13 10

5th Malta 7 1 1 1 5 3 1 0 3 5 10 7

6th San Marino 7 0 0 4 2 10 0 0 3 0 10 0

</pre>

[Dixie Flatline]

In other games, Germany kept Portugal on the canvas with a 2-0 victory in Berlin thanks to a Carsten Jancker brace. Bosnia overcame the handicap of going a goal down after 18 minutes and losing a man to a red card on 67 minutes to defeat Northern Ireland 2-1 in Belfast. Germany leads Estonia by 4 points, but has played a game more than their closest rival. Moving to Group 2, and Faeroe Islands drew 1-1 with Armenia at home. More importantly, a single goal to Finland’s Mika Väyrynen of NEC Breda scored on 81 minutes helped Finland sink Norway in Helsinki. Cartagonova’s Jukka Hakala played a full game in defence for Finland, while Kristian Tanem, Cartagonova-bound midfielder, played 53 minutes before being substituted. The victory allowed Finland to pull 3 points clear of their Scandinavian cousins, while France’s 2-0 victory over Turkey in Paris allowed the French to move to within 3 points of Norway.

In Group 3, Croatia guaranteed itself of at least a play-off place after it defeated Bulgaria 2-0 in Osijek. Goals to Igor Biscan and Goran Vlaovic sealed the win for Croatia, while Cartagonova’s Jurica Vucko played a full game. In the meantime in Bratislava, Slovakia and Hungary played a 0-0 draw. In Group 4, Italy maintained a 2 point lead over Russia in the race for qualification for Euro 2008 after the Azzurri defeated Slovenia 2-0 in the Stadio Olimpico in Roma. Goals to Vincenzo Iaquinta and Stefano Bono sealed the win for Italy. Russia kept up the pace, however, by winning 2-0 on the road against Georgia. In a game that has little relevance to who will qualify for Euro 2008, Cyprus thrashed Andorra 4-1 on the road. In Group 5, the Netherlands also guaranteed for itself a play-off place at least when it defeated Belgium 2-0 in Amsterdam. A brace to Mark van Bommel was enough for the Dutch to defeat their Low Countries cousins. Poland kept up the pressure for top spot when it won 2-1 against Latvia in Riga. In Group 6, Ireland and England assured themselves of play-off places at least when they recorded wins in their games. Ireland defeated Belarus 2-1 in Dublin thanks to goals from Geoff Breslan and Adam Fleming, both of Tottenham Hotspurs. A brace to Gary Birch and goals to Michael Owen and Kevin Hardy gave England a 4-1 victory over Romania. Ireland and England are locked together on 15 points, with Ireland on top through goal difference.

Albania moved five points clear of second-placed Greece after Albania defeated Liechtenstein 3-0 in Tirane. The Czech Republic held the Greeks to a 0-0 draw in Athens, while a goal to Eidur Gudjonsson helped Iceland to defeat Sweden in Stockholm. Yugoslavia maintained a slender two point lead over Austria when they defeated Switzerland 1-0 in Bern, but Austria kept up the pressure when it defeated FYROM 3-0 in Vienna. To Group 9 now and after the Ukraine defeated Spain 3-2 in Kyiv, the Ukrainians joined Spain on 16 points, but remain in second place due to goal difference. Denmark boasted their own goal difference when they handed out a 6-1 thrashing to Israel in Copenhagen. Cartagonova’s Shimon Gershon was on the receiving end of the punishment, while Daniel Jensen took the man of the match honours with a goal and two assists for Denmark. In a game that does not affect the ultimate outcome of Group 9, Malta defeated San Marino 3-0.

In a friendly game, Alex Notman’s Scotland defeated Algeria in Algiers 2-1.

The FIFA World Player of the Year award goes to Paris-Saint-Germain’s Nicolas Anelka, ahead of Raúl and Diego Ribera. The World Footballer of the Year award goes to AC Milan’s Uriel Pérez, ahead of Emanuele Calaiò and Patrick Kluivert.

[Dixie Flatline]

7th of June 2007

Sevilla looks to boost its stocks for next season’s campaign in the Primera Liga when it offers me £2.2 million for Carl Laurie. If Sevilla can pay me £5 million for him, then perhaps I’ll consider selling him.

8th of June 2007

Barcelona believes that an offer of £8 million for Jukka Hakala will sway me into selling the Finnish defender. They have to be joking. At least £10 million is required to change my mind.

George Clegg’s agent rashly predicts that his client will move from Cartagonova to Deportivo La Coruña for £5.5 million. I quickly issue a terse press release denying that the Englishman will move anywhere in the near future, then advise George in private that he should seek another agent who is more intelligent about representing his interests.

9th of June 2007

I’m woken by an offer for Alex Notman from Deportivo La Coruña to the tune of £10 million. I’m impressed by the number of zeros at the end of the ‘1’, but not sufficiently impressed to consider selling the Scotsman.

Sevilla believes that £5 million is too much for Laurie.

10th of June 2007

VfB Stuttgart and Auxerre both offer me £2.6 million for David Oliva. Both offers are rejected outright. However, Sevilla would like to pay me £925,000 for Javier Alejandro Villarreal. I decide that since Villarreal did not play much this season and is unlikely to feature at all next season, what with Kristian Tanem arriving in a few days, it would be better to allow him to find his way elsewhere, so I accept the offer.

Barcelona thinks that £10 million is too much for Hakala. I beg to differ, but that is their prerogative, not mine.

Villarreal agrees terms with Sevilla and begins his preparations to move to Seville in four days’ time.

12th of June 2007

Spartak Moskva makes an offer of £3.2 million for David Oliva. It is rejected.

13th of June 2007

Real Madrid thinks that they will capture Gavião from Cartagonova for just £2.8 million. Not a chance in hell!

Heerenveen and VfB Stuttgart bid £3.8 million for David Oliva. However, they would like to pay over 18 months, which is clearly unacceptable to me, so I reject their offers.

[Dixie Flatline]

14th of June 2007

VfB Stuttgart and St-Etienne offer me £4.6 million for Oliva. Still not enough to tempt me into selling the young full-back.

The transfer deadline is lifted, which allows Jurica Vucko to move to Real Zaragoza on a free transfer: Jurica Vucko (30 y/o, HSV 29 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RC - 62(22) apps, 5 goals, 16 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 6.84). Andrés Mendoza goes to Rayo Vallecano on a Bosman free transfer: Andrés Mendoza (29 y/o, PER 53 caps, 8 goals, AM/F LC): 13(9) apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 6.80. Alberto Rivera also moves to Rayo Vallecano on a Bosman: Alberto Rivera (29 y/o, ESP, AM/F C): 52(3) apps, 15 goals, 12 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 7.30. Lomano-Tresor Lua-Lua takes his somersaults and handsprings with him to Real Madrid, as they deposit £5 million into Cartagonova’s bank account: Lomano-Tresor Lua-Lua (26 y/o, DCO 9 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RLC): 89(8) apps, 16 goals, 10 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 6.97 Javier Alejandro Villarreal moves to Sevilla for £925,000: Javier Alejandro Villarreal (28 y/o, ARG, DM C): 3(1) apps, 1 goal, av. rating: 7.00.

In the meantime, though, several players come through the doors to select their lockers and begin the transition process of becoming Cartagonova players. These players include Moustapha Keità from Calgiari for a free transfer, Elias Krantz for just £250,000 from Farense, Jean-François Gillet moves to Cartagonova from Atalanta on a free transfer, while Salomon Olembé also joins from Lens for £1.8 million.

Real Madrid also signs Monaco striker Mario Turdó for the tidy sum of £10.75 million, and Juventus utility Gianluca Zambrotta for £17.25 million as they ready a challenge to us next season.

16th of June 2007

Iván Vidal, Shimon Gershon and Michel both sign new contracts that will keep them at the club until 2010. Gershon states that his love of the club is the main reason behind why he put pen to paper on the three year contract. In Michel’s case, I believe that will practically end his professional football career at this club, while Vidal will hope that Gillet’s arrival won’t put him under pressure. But Ismael Méndez decides that his future would be better served moving to Elche rather than fighting for a place here in Cartagonova, despite my generous contract offer to him: Ismael Méndez (17 y/o, ESP, D R): 0 apps

Barcelona’s Patrick Kluivert takes out the European Footballer of the Year award, ahead of Nicolas Anelka and Diego Ribera. I’m surprised not to see Alex Notman in that exalted company. Cartagonova-bound Trent McClenahan takes out the Oceania Footballer of the Year award, ahead of Joe Didulica and Mark Viduka. Iván Vidal comes second in the race for the European Goalkeeper of the Year award, losing out to Parma’s Gianluigi Buffon. Francesco Toldo came third. Once again, like last season, Shimon Gershon is robbed of the European Defender of the Year award as Marco Delvecchio adds yet another award to his burgeoning collection. While Notman may have missed out on the major personal award, he does come away with the European Midfielder of the Year award (which is interesting, since he played exclusively as a striker this season! ), ahead of Francesco Totti and Raúl. Kluivert adds the European Striker of the Year award, holding off the challenges of Anelka and Diego Ribera for this award.

But wonders of wonders, I am named the Spanish Manager of the Year, finally turning the tables on my Barcelona rival, Señor Lorenzo Serra Ferrer. No doubt capturing the title helped a long way towards gaining this award, but I’m very proud to hold it in my hands while I dictate this to my personal assistant. Alex Notman came third in the Goalscorer of the Year award in Spain, behind Patrick Kluivert with 33 goals and Real Sociedad’s 27 goal haul. Iván Vidal is named the Spanish Goalkeeper of the Year. Further disappointment for Alex Notman as he again is forced to watch Patrick Kluivert collect another award - this time, the Spanish Player of the Year award. Ronaldinho came third in this award.

18th of June 2007

Juan Carlos Castro moves to Hércules on a Bosman free transfer: Juan Carlos Castro (20 y/o, ESP, SW/D C): 0 apps.

In the evening, José María Lacruz is the latest Cartagonova player to sign a new contract, putting pen to paper on a new three year deal. Like Gershon before him, Lacruz states that his love for the club is the main reason why he signed up anew.

19th of June 2007

St-Etienne decides that the time is ripe to make an offer of £5.5 million for Oliva. This is getting closer to the mark, but not just yet.

[Dixie Flatline]

20th of June 2007

At the annual function sponsored by the club to announce the Supporters’ Player of the Year award which marks the official conclusion to the season, the President, the Vice-President and I sit at the head table, with the league and European trophies on proud display for all the invitees to see. As we expected, Alex Notman, with drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend (the latest in a string of Spanish beauties, I might add), is voted the Fans’ Player of the Year, leaving José Manuel Redondo and Shimon Gershon, who finished second and third respectively, trailing in his wake. With 35 goals and 19 MoMs in all competitions, it isn’t surprising that he picked up yet another award in this magnificent season for the Scotsman.

I’m surprised and delighted by an announcement from President Florentino Manzano that he will contribute money towards expanding the stadium by 6,775 to hold 24,775 fans by the start of the new season. That’s great news, as I’ve long agitated for a stadium expansion (and at one stage threatened to leave the club).

21st of June 2007

Athletic Bilbao would like to see old boy José María Lacruz return to Basque country, and to tempt me into selling him, the manager offers me £1.2 million. I reject the bid since I still see Lacruz as an important player to Cartagonova.

“... Cartagonova manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, announced this evening that the club will sign Swedish international winger Bojan Djordjic from Manchester United for £2.5 million. The 25 year old began his career with Swedish club Brommapojkarna, where he caught the eye of former United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. However, a lack of first team opportunities in a team dominated by Ryan Giggs forced Djordjic into moves to Derby County and then Aston Villa before he finally returned to Old Trafford in time for the 2004/05 season. Although he was part of Manchester United’s 2005/06 championship winning team, the departure of Simon Hunt for West Ham and the subsequent installation of Harry Redknapp as the Red Devils’ boss saw opportunities for Djordjic dry up and he is back on the move. No doubt Señor Flatline sees Djordjic as one of several potential replacements for the veteran Michel, who will turn 32 years old this year, and no doubt he will need to impress with Jaime Garrido also looking to make the left flank his own for the next few seasons. At a press conference at the currently renovated Estádio Municipál de Cartagena, Bojan expressed his delight to be moving to a club with a recent track record of success at the highest level and his ambition to participate in another successful season in Spain.â€

“Simultaneously, Señor Dixie Flatline announced that the club will collect £5 million from television rights sold by the Spanish FA. With several transfers rumoured in addition to the capture of Djordjic rumoured to be in the pipeline here at Cartagonova and the renovations to the stadium, no doubt all money will be welcomed heartily by the financial advisors to Cartagonova.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

In the evening, I’m called to visit upon Señor Manzano in his private villa in the prime real estate country just outside the town of Cartagena. Newly installed as the mayor of the prime tourist town of the southern region of Spain, Señor Manzano has wasted no time capitalising on the success his club has brought him. Expensive oil portraits hang in his private gallery, while bottles of Grange Hermitage and refined Cuban cigars provide a certain ambience to his drawing room. Served an exquisite meal, Señor Manzano, his wife, my partner and I enjoy a comfortable evening until the business of football once again intrudes. Taking me into his private study, the club’s president offers me one of his finest Cubans and a glass of his port and then proceeds to spend the next hour outlining his plans for the coming season, grilling me on what I expect to achieve and where I want to improve the squad. He, of course, has his own plans for my squad, once again reiterating his view that while Jukka Hakala, his constantly publicised ambition to leave Cartagonova for either Real Madrid or Barcelona is damaging the morale of the squad, while Carl Laurie doesn’t have the talent I think he does. I defend my players as best as I can, but I don’t think I’ve managed to sway the president’s mind about them. Still, I’m left in no doubt about what he wants from the club this season - a serious title challenge. Well, we managed to do it last season, so I suppose there is no reason why we can’t do it again this season.

22nd of June 2007

The Spanish FA announces the fixture list for the 2007/08 season. We travel to Valencia on the opening day of the season which is 19 August 2007, host Real Sociedad and then travel to Athletic Bilbao the following weekend. On 24th of August 2007, we go to Monaco to play Ajax Amsterdam in the Super Cup. This match conflicts with the Real Sociedad game, which is pushed forward a day.

23rd of June 2007

We welcome the Australian international defender Trent McClenahan who comes from Parma on a free transfer. The big, strapping, athletic, young defender looks already a fine acquisition as he immediately shows off his ball skills in an impromptu photo shoot for the local and national press corps.

It’s a slightly sad day today as Dennis Bergkamp announces to the same journalists, myself and the rest of the club that he will retire from the game effectively immediately. At 38 years of age, I’m not surprised that he’s decided to hang up the boots for the final time, especially since he hasn’t played a competitive game for over a season, but he has been a giant of the game and we will organise a testimonial for him some time in the pre-season: Dennis Bergkamp (38 y/o, NED 79 caps, 38 goals, AM/F C): 0(2) apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1 MoM, av. rating: 8.00

24th of June 2007

Auxerre offers me £6.5 million for David Oliva. But again, the French club wants to pay me over an 18 month period, which is completely unacceptable to me. I don’t see us reaching an agreement, so I cut short the negotiations with a curt ‘no sale’ sign flashing in Auxerre’s eyes.

Jukka Hakala’s mischievous agent is up to his usual shenanigans again, as he publicises as far as possible that his client might make a £7 million move from Cartagonova to Barcelona in the near future. I make no comment about this story.

Kristian Tanem arrives at the club today to pick up his squad number and his locker to commence training in a fortnight. It’s wonderful to finally see the Norwegian international utility finally at the club.

25th of June 2007

The last of our Bosman free transfers, Shola Amoebi, arrives today at Cartagonova.

“… Tickets have gone on sale today for Cartagonova’s annual F1 Cup which will feature the champions of Italy, Portugal, England and Spain going head to head. The draw features a mouth watering clash between Cartagonova and Roma, while in the other semi final Charlton take on Sporting Lisbon. Cartagonova manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, also announced that tickets are available for the Dennis Bergkamp testimonial game on 29th of July between Cartagonova, Bergkamp’s last professional club, and Ajax Amsterdam, his first. All proceeds from the game, which will also serve as the opening game of the new stand at the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena, will go to Amnesty International.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

26th of June 2007

I read in the online version of The Sun that Liverpool is linked with a £2.6 million bid for David Oliva, while Antalyaspor, Vitória Guimararães and Alverca may also be in the running for the young full back. Well, I can tell you right here that Oliva isn’t going anywhere!

29th of June 2007

One of my scouts, José Antonio García García, tells me that Real Valladolid has made him an offer to become the assistant manager at the Segunda Liga club. I ask him whether he really wants to move to the club, and he is rather non-committal about an answer, which I interpret as suggesting that he is quite interested in the opportunity. I go through the routine of offering him a new contract, but just in case that falls through, I contact our favourite executive recruitment firm to inquire delicately about replacement scouts. They return with one likely candidate, former Moroccan international Abdelkarim El Hadrioui, who is a scout with Segunda Liga club Móstoles.

In the evening, José Francisco Belman announces his immediate retirement from professional football, ending a fifteen year career: José Francisco Belman (36 y/o, ESP, GK): 4(1) apps, 6 conceded, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.20

1st of July 2007

I think the Spanish summer sun must have sent my counterpart at Celta Vigo, Señor Víctor Fernández, a little crazy as he offers me £8 million for David Oliva. I agonise about this decision for quite a long time. Oliva is certainly a talented player, but he doesn’t appear to be happy here at Cartagena, and perhaps he would be better served to move to Vigo. But I’m not in the business of helping players be happy where they are and especially not in the business of helping out my rivals. Therefore, if Celta Vigo are even more crazy and are prepared to pay me £10 million for Oliva, then I will sell him to them.

We bid goodbye to Mauro Esposito, who returns to Italy to join Sampdoria on a Bosman free transfer: Mauro Esposito (28 y/o, ITA, AM/F LC): 18(16) apps, 10 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 6.92

In other transfer news, Roma pays PSV Eindhoven £15 million to sign Mark van Bommel. Emerson leaves Valencia for Juventus in a deal worth £13.75 million, while Roma recoups some of the money spent on van Bommel by selling Hidetoshi Nakata to Borussia Dortmund for £11.75 million, although that may increase to £16 million when he plays 20 league games for Dortmund.

2nd of July 2007

I read with delighted interest that the media expects Real Madrid to challenge for the title after spending £33 million, but the manager, Señor César García García, stresses for time so that his unit can gel. I, of course, intend on not giving any other club any time to ‘gel as a unit’. We’re aiming straight for the top straight from the start!

3rd of July 2007

Sevilla wastes their time with a bid of £2.1 million on Iván Vidal.

Celta Vigo thinks that £10 million is too much to pay for David Oliva.

5th of July 2007

Real Valladolid unveils José Antonio García García as its new assistant manager to the press this morning. In the meantime, I make a formal contractual offer to Abdelkarim El Hadrioui to join Cartagonova as a scout.

In the meantime, Valencia’s Olof Mellberg snubbed a move to Cartagonova in favour of joining Ajax.

6th of July 2007

I’m floored by a £10 million bid from Deportivo La Coruña for David Oliva. I have no choice but to accept this offer.

7th of July 2007

You may be interested to know that Gianfranco Zola still manages to get around a football pitch at the sprightly age of 41 years old for Pistoiese as the little Italian club plays Zenith St Petersburg in the Intertoto Cup. The former Napoli, Parma and Chelsea playmaker is into his fifth season at Pistoiese and has been vitally important in the club’s rise through the Italian divisions into Serie A and Europe’s preliminary competition.

The Spanish FA again rearranges our opening fixtures to accommodate our participation in the Spanish Super Cup, this time against Real Sociedad.

[Dixie Flatline]

8th of July 2007

Barcelona approaches me with a £5 million bid for Jukka Hakala. I think something more like £7 million (I actually want to edge them up towards £9 million, but I need to do this slowly) would do the trick.

St Etienne joins Deportivo in offering £10 million for Oliva.

8th of July 2007

I introduce Abdelkarim El Hadrioui to the rest of the staff. He joins as a scout.

10th of July 2007

After thinking about it for a while, Barcelona believes that my terms for Hakala are too much.

11th of July 2007

“… Cartagonova defender David Oliva is expected to complete a £10 million move to Deportivo La Coruña. It ends an ill-fated association with the Spanish champion after Señor Dixie Flatline signed him from Rayo Vallecano for £7 million during the winter of 2006. However, Oliva never really settled at the club, which was reflected in his inconsistent play for the club. Fairly shortly after his move, it appeared that he was unhappy with the manager and desired a move away from the club. Señor Flatline initially resisted selling the full back so soon after bringing him to the club, but a series of confrontations that were kept quiet by the club quickly brought the issue to a head, and it became clear that Oliva had to go. However, the £10 million sale certainly represents a good piece of business for Cartagonova, who continually resisted offers of less than £5 million towards the end of last season for the former Olympian. It is likely that Señor Flatline will look to Blackburn full back César Cabrera as a replacement for Oliva…â€

15th of July 2007

Barcelona signs Brazilian defender Andre Luiz from Benfica for £5.25 million.

17th of July 2007

Sevilla wastes its time on a £3.1 million bidding for Gavião.

21st of July 2007

We’re drawn with Japan’s Antlers, Brazil’s Vasco da Gama and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the FIFA Club World Championship which begins on the 2nd of January 2008 in Brazil. I think that we’ll be duelling it out with Vasco for the right to contest the final.

[Dixie Flatline]

23rd of July 2007

“… After a summer of protracted negotiations, Cartagonova manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, proudly unveiled his latest acquisition, Salamanca utility, Per Vener Rønning, signed for a deal worth £6.75 million. The 24 year old Norwegian is capable of playing anywhere on the left or in the middle in defence, midfield or attack, and his ability to play in those positions are no doubt the main attraction of the Spanish defending champion to him. While his loyalty to Salamanca is commendable after the club slipped from the Primera Liga to the Segunda Liga, it appears that pragmatism has finally won out, but everybody associated with Cartagonova are excited about this purchase…â€

It actually has been a lot longer than just the summer! We’ve been chasing Per Vener Rønning for at least a couple of seasons, and but for his unexplained loyalty to Salamanca, he would already be a Cartagonova player and possibly a Norwegian international. But the trick of getting Kristian Tanem to speak to him was the clinching factor in the deal, as Tanem explained to Rønning the plans that we have for the future.

29th of July 2007

“… Ronaldo’s career has turned full circle today as Barcelona manager Señor Lorenzo Serra Ferrer unveiled the Brazilian international to a packed press gallery. The 30 year old striker was signed from Ajax Amsterdam for £17.25 million to boost the stocks of the proud club. Ronaldo, who has appeared 86 times for his country and scored 41 goals in that period, spent the 1996/97 season at Barcelona after impressing at PSV Eindhoven, and scored 34 goals in 37 games, before moving the following season to Inter Milan. Ronaldo spent 8 seasons at the San Siro stadium before moving to Ajax for £24 million back in 2005/06. He scored 21 goals in 31 appearances for Ajax before returning to Barcelona, where he was given a hero’s welcome when his plane touched down at the airport. No doubt this will firm Barcelona’s favouritism with the bookies to reclaim the league title it lost to Cartagonova last season…â€

This is wonderful news. You’d think that at 30 years of age, he’d become something any team’s defenders could handle, but now he has 8 years experience facing the toughest defences in the world in the Serie A to complement his enormous talent. Even I’d fancy putting some money on Barcelona to win the title this season.

31st of July 2007

“… Former Spanish international striker, Alfonso, who was released by Barcelona earlier this month, has joined Arsenal on a free transfer. The striker spent seven seasons at Barcelona, winning the Primera Liga championship four times, the Copa del Rey twice and the FIFA World Club Championship once. He has been capped 58 times by Spain, scoring 16 goals in the process but while he has not officially retired from international football, Spain’s manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, has not indicated any interest in selecting the veteran for Spain’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign…â€

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Gino]

Excellent to see this still going. Seems like it's been around forever! Getting better all the time!

Keep it up Dixie

[Guest julioarca]

great story just read it all good luck!!

[Guest]

Great story Dixie trying to catch up with it all.

KUTGW

[Dixie Flatline]

Thanks very much to all of you for your words of praise.

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

A very quick update!

31st of July (cont.)

“… Former Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona midfielder, the Dutch captain, Edgar Davids, has agreed to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer after he was released from his contract by Barcelona earlier this summer. Cartagonova manager, Señor Dixie Flatline apparently made an offer to Davids as he looks to add experience to his midfield, but the Dutch international decided in favour of a move to the capital.â€

“Villarreal became the latest Spanish club to list on the European Stock Exchange after Chairman, Señor Fernando Roig decided to follow in the footsteps of Cartagonova president, Señor Florentino Manzano. However, Spain’s two biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, remain in private hands and neither club has evinced an intention to become a publicly limited company.â€

1st of August 2007

The Confederations Cup gets underway with Portugal notching up a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Australia in Lisbon. Goals to Vítor Hugo, Ricardo Jorge and veteran midfielder Figo sealed the win. In the evening game, the Czech Republic defeated Jamaica 3-0 in Lisbon. Goals to Fukal, Repka and Lokvenc gave the Czechs the victory.

2nd of August 2007

The Netherlands kick off their Confederations Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bolivia, but they will lose PSV defender Kevin Hofland for the next game as he was sent off in injury time at the end of the game. Mark van Bommel and Patrick Kluivert scored in a seven minute period in the first half to sink the Bolivians. In the evening game, the Chinese were just too good for the South Africans, as a single goal from Hongta’s Peng Wang in the second half was enough for the Chinese.

“… Sensational news from Cartagena this evening as championship-winning manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, announced that Cartagonova will sign former Roma striker Christian Vieri on a free transfer. The 34 year old former Italian international, who scored 34 goals in 68 appearances for the Azzurri, was released during the summer by Roma, and returns to Spain for the first time in ten seasons. After commencing his Serie A career with Juventus in 1996/97 after impressing at Ravenna and Venezia, Vieri moved to Atlético Madrid. But despite scoring 23 goals in 24 appearances, Madrid’s second club was relegated at the end of the season, and Vieri returned to Italy with Lazio. A season in the capital netted 12 goals in 22 appearances before he switched to Inter Milan. Despite injuries and threats to move if the club did not perform, Vieri stayed at the San Siro until mid-way through the 2003/04 season. He then moved in a sensational transfer to Glasgow Celtic for £16.75 million. However, he was back in Italy in the winter of 2004/05 with Roma, where he won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia. No doubt, Señor Flatline has signed the veteran striker with a view of encouraging the prodigious talents of Juan Hernández, and providing that elder head that was until last month was filled by another former Inter Milan player, Dennis Bergkamp. However, Christian Vieri will be looking forward to finding time on the pitch to showcase his excellent goalscoring talent at Spain’s champion.â€

“Señor Flatline also announced that Blackburn and Spanish U-21 international defender, César Cabrera will move to Cartagonova for a deal worth £5.5 million. After making his professional debut for Premiá in 2002/03, he moved to Sabadell for £250,000 at the start of the 2003/04 season. Two seasons in Spain’s lower leagues obviously impressed Blackburn Rovers at the time, and they snapped him up for £475,000. In three seasons, the 22 year old full-back made 37 appearances for the Lancashire club, scoring two goals in that time. Comfortable on the ball and with an eye for an excellent pass, he is also a strong bulldozing type player with a meaty tackle.â€

3rd of August 2007

The Czechs defeat Australia 1-0 this afternoon, thanks to an 83rd minute Tomas Rosicky goal. Another goal from Vítor Hugo and a brace to Ricardo Jorge allowed Portugal to see off the challenge of Jamaica 3-1.

[Dixie Flatline]

4th of August 2007

F1 Cup III - Semi-Final: Cartagonova v AS Roma

Today’s match is the first game since the end of the league season that we’ve kicked a ball in anger, and also marks the first game to be played in the redeveloped Estádio Municipál de Cartagena. I put out a team featuring nine new players to take the pitch against Roma, with only Shimon Gershon and Fernando Morán having ever played a game for Cartagonova. The crowd is stunned when Filippo Inzaghi puts Roma in the net. Kristian Tanem, operating from the centre of midfield, almost equalises three minutes later, but his shot drifts wide, unfortunately. Morán fails to convert a free kick earned by Djordjic on 27 minutes, but seven minutes before half-time, the equaliser comes from the unlikeliest source - the little-known Swedish winger Elias Krantz scores with a dipping 25 yard rocket that catches the Roma defence off-guard!

At the start of the second half, the quiet Per Vener Rønning is replaced by Vieri while Garrido takes the place of Morán. Gillet does well to stop Uriel Pérez from taking the lead for Roma when he tries his luck from the edge of the area immediately on restart, but four minutes into the second half, we have the lead when Krantz’s excellent low cross finds Djordjic surging in from the left wing and striking his shot sweetly and beating the Roma keeper! Roma push forward, leaving gaps we exploit to perfection and with ten minutes to play, we make the game safe when Garrido, now the captain of the team because he is the only player on the pitch in Cartagonova colours to have played for us before ( ), scores a captain’s goal to finish off a fine team move involving Tanem and Ameobi. We get a little nervous when Recoba scores a stunner from 20 yards, but a minute later, Ameobi gets due reward for effort when he scores our fourth with a classic finish on the outside of his foot.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Gillet; Olembé, Gershon © (Keità 61), McClenahan (Laurie 82), Cabrera; Djordjic, Tanem, Krantz; Morán (Garrido 46), Rønning (Vieri 46).

AS Roma (4-1-2-1-2): Dei; Vázquez, Samuel, Lanzaro, Aho (Sunde 64); Cambiasso; Recoba, Gusev (Ratnikov 58 (Panucci 64)); Riquelme; Inzaghi, Uriel Pérez (Ortiz 58).

Final score: Cartagonova 4:2 AS Roma

MoM - Elias Krantz

I must admit that I’m very impressed by Krantz’s first-up performance. I didn’t think that he would ever be that good, but I think I might have a bargain on my hands if he keeps to that high standard he’s set for himself. Perhaps we won’t miss Lua-Lua like I thought we would! Average debuts from McClenahan and Rønning, though, but I’m sure they will improve. Tanem was good in the centre of the park, but not great, so I’m not sure that Gavião has much to worry about just yet. Ameobi and Djordjic were impressive playing up-front and on the left respectively, while Vieri certainly worried the Roma defence when he took to the pitch. Gillet was sturdy and was ably assisted by Cabrera and Olembé, but nothing much to write home about there just yet. Keità performed adequately coming off the bench for half an hour in the second half.

Sporting Lisbon defeats Charlton in the evening game to set up an all-Iberian contest in the final of the F1 Cup III.

In the evening, I decide to transfer list David Livermore. He has shown no signs of improving his attitude and clearly wants to move away from Cartagonova. Further, his contract is up for renewal at the end of the season, so I want to sell him now rather than risk losing him for free at the end of the season. At £925,000, Crystal Palace and Los Angeles Galaxy are interested in signing him.

[Dixie Flatline]

5th of August 2007

The Netherlands will meet the Confederations Cup host Portugal after two high-scoring semi-finals. At the Estádio Nacional two penalties from Theo Janssen and a goal from Patrick Kluivert were enough to hold off the fast finishing Czech Republic, with goals from Patrik Berger and Milan Baros not enough to put the Czechs on level pegging. Schalke striker Niels Kokmeijer was sent off after 67 minutes. In the second semi-final, the tournament’s star, Vítor Hugo opened the scoring on 4 minutes, and then Fernando added to the scoresheet with a penalty on 12 minutes. Valencia midfielder Hugo Leal capped their comprehensive win with a brace in 15 minutes to end the first half. In between, Bolivia lost Danubio-based Luis Antonio Estévez to a red card.

In an exciting game to decide who will be third in the prestigious F1 Cup III competition ( ), Roma lost Walter Samuel to a red card after just 2 minutes when he pushed Charlton keeper Lorenzo Bucchi away aggressively, but Uriel Pérez put them ahead on 4 minutes. But Tonton Zola Mokouko equalised six minutes later, and youngster Alan Coates put Charlton ahead 3 minutes into the second half. However, Mirko Morotti, a 19 year old central defender, equalised ten minutes later, but David Davies’ golden goal on 92 minutes sealed Charlton’s victory.

F1 Cup III - Final: Sporting Lisbon v Cartagonova

Only around 6,000 fill the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena this evening, as obviously the people of the fine city of Cartagena have other things to do than watch the Spanish champion go up against the Portuguese champion! After sending out a totally different team yesterday, I revert to eleven familiar faces, although Clegg plays on the right of midfield with Juan Hernández filling the hole behind the front two strikers. A slow start to the game means that the faithful are blinking rapidly and yawning as they strive to keep awake. We eventually get motivated enough to try our luck on 18 minutes, but Nuno Santos picks the ball off Hernández’s feet just when the young midfielder is about to pull the trigger. Redondo almost breaks through on 22 minutes, but Santos does well to get his finger tips to the shot. Michel almost heads the ball home from Clegg’s corner, but Tiago gets in the way of his attempt. Hernández proceeds to hit the side netting, while Redondo forces another corner. This time, we succeed in breaking Sporting’s defences when Gershon towers above Besa to head home Clegg’s expert cross on 26 minutes. Ballesteros then proceeds to send a free kick scant inches wide of the mark two minutes later.

But against the run of play, Diouf finds his way through our defence and at the second attempt puts the ball in Vidal’s net. It’s a completely undeserved equaliser as we completely bossed the first half. But to make matters worse, Diouf does the same thing just 50 seconds into the second half. Sporting go 3-1 ahead when Brennand’s cross is powered home with a bullet header from Duah, and I’m furious on the side lines. On 62 minutes, we escape a fourth goal when Cláudio’s header hits the bar and goes over, and I swiftly move to alter the balance of the game back in our favour. Kristian Tanem comes on for the tiring Redondo and he makes an immediate impact when he scores a ripper goal on 67 minutes, ghosting past Sporting’s Tiago and then letting fly from 25 yards. Just a moment after coming on, Garrido tests Nuno Santos’ reflexes with a dipping, swerving drive, and his corner is almost put in by the rampant Tanem. But it’s left to Carreño to pull us back to 3-2 when he converts Garrido’s excellent pass. Vidal keeps us back in the match when he pulls off a good save from Hugo Freire and we sweep the ball right down the field for Carreño to score his second goal and win us the game!

Sporting Lisbon (4-2-4): Nuno Santos; Laaksonen ©, Tiago, Hélvio, Bessa (Clayton 32 (Hugo Freire 45)); Diouf, Kaladze; Duah (Cláudio 52 (Miklos Fehér 63)), Brennand, Moreira, Ricardo Quaresma (Hugo 23).

Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal ©; Lacruz, Gershon, Hakala, Ballesteros (Diawara 51); Gavião (Keità 72); Michel, Clegg; Hernández (Garrido 72), Redondo (Tanem 62), Notman (Carreño 72).

Final score: Sporting Lisbon 3:4 Cartagonova

MoM - Kristian Tanem

“… Cartagonova manager, Señor Dixie Flatline, has moved to strengthen his defence when he announced after his team’s 4-3 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the pre-season friendly tournament, the F1 Cup III, that Danish international defender Martin Smith will leave relegated Mallorca for Cartagonova. With pace, passing and a crunching tackle, Martin should be a good addition to the Cartagonova squad, although his first season in the Primera Liga left a little to be desired for the Mallorca fans as he could not prevent the island club from slipping into the Segunda Liga. Cartagonova announced that Carles Puyol will move to Mallorca as part of the deal to bring Smith to Cartagonova…â€

[Dixie Flatline]

7th of August 2007

The Czechs need extra time to shrug off a determined Bolivia. Lokvenc opened the scoring on 13 minutes, but Cachorro pulled Bolivia level ten minutes later. They stayed locked together until the 97th minute of the game when veteran midfielder Pavel Nedved scored.

8th of August 2007

Portugal wins the Confederations Cup in front of a packed Estádio Nacional but only after Portugal and the Netherlands slugged it out over 120 gruelling minutes and penalties. Inter Milan winger Anthony Lurling scored first for the Netherlands on 21 minutes, but Valencia attacking midfielder Hugo Leal responded for the home country on 57 minutes. And that is how it stayed until penalties. The normally reliable Kluivert missed for the Dutch, but Jorge Ribeiro gave the Dutch hope when he missed Portugal’s third penalty attempt. But veteran Ajax defender Jaap Stam also missed his chance handing the opportunity to Jorge Andrade to win the Confederations Cup for the Portuguese. It’s a timely boost for the Portuguese as they look to salvage something from a disastrous Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

Friendly - Cartagonova v Linense

Less than 2,000 people bother to show up this evening at the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena and those that came wouldn’t be hurrying to come back any time soon but for the fact that we are Spanish and European champions, since we make heavy weather of our D2B opposition. Gavião, captain for the evening, puts us in the lead on 10 minutes, but we can’t break through again until the 53rd minute when Tanem scores. Linense refuse to give up, to their credit, but we seem to play mainly in second gear and while we keep a clean sheet, there’s nothing to write home about with any excitement.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Källkvist; Rønning, Smith (Keità 57), McClenahan, Djordjic (Olembé 57), Gavião ©, Krantz; Clegg (Salas 57); Tanem (Vieri 73), Ameobi.

Linense (4-4-2): Gabriel; Agné, Abreu, Cabrejo (Mariño 59), Imanol (Jiménez 48); De La Sagra (Lozano 67), Marco, Loreto ©, Pedro (Willy 73); Angelillo (Cardoso 48), Gerk (Capi 67).

Final score: Cartagonova 2:0 Linense

MoM - Gavião

10th of August 2007

“…Spanish international midfielder Vicente has moved from Valencia to Roma for £29 million this morning. Roma manager, Signor Fabio Capello, was excited about his latest acquisition, stating that he believes that Vicente will add a touch of class to his midfield and believes that the 26 year old Spaniard is beginning to reach his prime. Valencia will receive a further £10.75 million if Vicente plays 20 league games for Roma…â€

12th of August 2007

Friendly - Cartagonova v Ajax Amsterdam

The Dennis Bergkamp testimonial match attracts only a paltry crowd of 3,255 on an admittedly very warm day here at the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena. And again we don’t play particularly well and we require a 35 yard stunner from Ballesteros to settle the game in our favour on 70 minutes. There is a lot of huffing and puffing from both clubs, but nothing much happens at all.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Lacruz, Gershon (McClenahan 84), Hakala, Ballesteros; Michel (Garrido 61), Gavião, Krantz; Clegg (Rønning 61); Redondo (Ameobi 84), Notman.

Ajax Amsterdam (4-3-2-1): Didulica; Carlos (Valeev 65), Chivu ©, Heitinga, Mellberg (Adams 60); Van Bronckhorst (Stam 65), Vampeta (Zenden 84), Gattuso; Janssen (Daems 41), Fischer (Zongo 48 (Trezeguet 70)); Bryngelsson (Yakubu 90).

Final score: Cartagonova 1:0 Ajax Amsterdam

MoM - Joe Didulica

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Guest julioarca]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Friendly - Cartagonova v Linense

Less than 2,000 people bother to show up this evening at the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena and those that came wouldn’t be hurrying to come back any time soon but for the fact that we are Spanish and European champions, since we make heavy weather of our D2B opposition. Gavião, captain for the evening, puts us in the lead on 10 minutes, but we can’t break through again until the 53rd minute when Tanem scores. Linense refuse to give up, to their credit, but we seem to play mainly in second gear and while we keep a clean sheet, there’s nothing to write home about with any excitement.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Källkvist; Rønning, Smith (Keità 57), McClenahan, Djordjic (Olembé 57), Gavião ©, Krantz; Clegg (Salas 57); Tanem (Vieri 73), Ameobi.

Linense (4-4-2): Gabriel; Agné, Abreu, Cabrejo (Mariño 59), Imanol (Jiménez 48); De La Sagra (Lozano 67), Marco, Loreto ©, Pedro (Willy 73); Angelillo (Cardoso 48), Gerk (Capi 67).

Final score: Cartagonova 2:0 Linense

MoM - Gavião

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

wow we still cant score

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by julioarca:

Friendly - Cartagonova v Linense

Less than 2,000 people bother to show up this evening at the Estádio Municipál de Cartagena and those that came wouldn’t be hurrying to come back any time soon but for the fact that we are Spanish and European champions, since we make heavy weather of our D2B opposition. Gavião, captain for the evening, puts us in the lead on 10 minutes, but we can’t break through again until the 53rd minute when Tanem scores. Linense refuse to give up, to their credit, but we seem to play mainly in second gear and while we keep a clean sheet, there’s nothing to write home about with any excitement.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Källkvist; Rønning, Smith (Keità 57), McClenahan, Djordjic (Olembé 57), Gavião ©, Krantz; Clegg (Salas 57); Tanem (Vieri 73), Ameobi.

Linense (4-4-2): Gabriel; Agné, Abreu, Cabrejo (Mariño 59), Imanol (Jiménez 48); De La Sagra (Lozano 67), Marco, Loreto ©, Pedro (Willy 73); Angelillo (Cardoso 48), Gerk (Capi 67).

Final score: Cartagonova 2:0 Linense

MoM - Gavião

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

wow we still cant score

Yes, but at least this time Linense duked it out with the champion of Spain!

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

16th of August 2007

I allow David Livermore to leave Cartagonova for West Bromwich Albion for £875,000: David Livermore (27 y/o, ENG, D/DM LC): 60(10) apps, 5 goals, 2 assists, av. rating: 6.87

18th of August 2007

The Spanish transfer deadline passes, meaning that no transfers can take place between Spanish clubs until December 2007. So, without further ado, I present the squad review of Spain’s defending champion and also take a look at the 19 other clubs that will strive to take the Primera Liga crown away from us.

Goalkeepers

Iván Vidal (28 y/o, ESP, GK): 232(1) apps, 272 conceded, 20 MoMs, av. rating: 7.34: As I said at the end of last season, Iván is firmly entrenched as the number one keeper here at the club and not even the arrival of former Belgian international keeper Jean-François Gillet will shift my thinking on this matter. A good run in club competitions will stand him in good stead for picking up a few Spanish caps this season as I think about whether I will continue to use Villarreal’s López Vallejo as Spain’s first choice keeper. But if I were Iván, I wouldn’t be worrying about whether I’ll be playing for Spain in the near future. His focus should be upon getting Cartagonova off to a good start in the league. I’m very happy to pay him a clean sheet bonus but from what I’ve seen in the pre-season, I don’t quite know whether I’ll be paying too many of those bonuses to Iván. A good consistent start to the season from my first choice keeper is required from him, but the past has shown that he is capable of rising to the occasion, and I have no doubt that he will do so again.

Iván says, “It was a great personal honour to be able to accept the club’s first ever Primera Liga championship and the European championship last season. I’ve often been asked over the summer whether winning both domestic and European crowns have dulled our hunger. The answer to that is a resounding ‘no’. We are professional footballers, paid to do a job and paid to do it very well. It wouldn’t suit right with me if we lost that hunger one iota, and I intend as captain of the club to make sure that it doesn’t happen. That’s why I was disappointed to see Lomano-Tresor Lua-Lua leave the club last season, because I thought that we were a tight-knit bunch of blokes capable of taking on the world. It’s also why I hope that the club can work out things with Jukka Hakala to the mutual benefit of both parties. Personally, I believe that my work can only improve between the posts. I’m approaching 250 appearances for Cartagonova, and I hope that I have improved significantly since the first time I appeared for the club. But of course, the only method of ensuring that I continue to play better for the club is to keep up the hard work, and keep striving for that extra one percent of improvement. It’s been exciting to train with the Spanish squad, and obviously I hope that one day I will pull on the jersey of Spain. But Señor Flatline has had words with me over my ambition to play for my country, and I’ve taken his advice on board. The bottom line is that I’ll strive to play my best for Cartagonova and realise that everything flows from that.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

Christoffer Källkvist (24 y/o, SWE, GK): 10(1) apps, 12 conceded, av. rating: 7.55: Christoffer’s mood hasn’t improved in the off-season, and at the moment it is a close run thing to determine which of Gillet and the Swede will be the first reserve keeper in case Vidal injures himself. He is a talented keeper, though, and I am ever the eternal optimist. I would love to see a change in attitude in the Swede, but there hasn’t been much evidence of that. He is certainly not first choice material at the moment.

Jean-François Gillet (29 y/o, BEL 17 caps, GK): 0 apps: He is currently struggling to adapt to Spanish life after spending the bulk of his career in Italy, and at the moment couldn’t be considered as a player capable of displacing Vidal. But he is still a very important player in the scheme of things, and I hope that he will adjust to Spanish culture sooner rather than later. He will at least have the encouragement of sitting on the bench, collecting splinters, and watching Iván Vidal going through his paces.

Defenders

Shimon Gershon (29 y/o, ISR 41 caps, 4 goals, SW/D/C S): 98(4) apps, 5 goals, 4 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 7.30: Now a very experienced defender, both generally and also at this club, he is a vital part of my plans for this season. A dependable, tough defender, he takes no stick from opposition players and is certainly capable of leading the club in a pinch. I’m sure that two seasons ago, before he joined and he was struggling to make a name for himself at Osasuna, he never believed that he would have a Primera Liga and European medals to shine and polish at home! Solid, reliable and very dependable, the Israeli defender is quickly approaching 50 caps for his country and he brings that international class to the heart of my defence. It is a rare game where Shimon is outplayed by his direct opponent. Even if he begins poorly, Shimon will always fight back and redouble his efforts to do his best for the club. I expect him to crack the 150 appearance barrier for the club this season and give me the benefit of his prodigious abilities for at least another season.

Shimon says, “I was apprehensive joining Cartagonova in the beginning. When I joined, the club appeared to be doing brilliantly in the Primera Liga, but I was stepping into some very big shoes as Fernando Couto went the other way to Osasuna, and he had been such a big part of the club’s history. His presence still overshadows to some extent what I do here, but I realise now that I’ve carved out my own piece of history here at Cartagonova. It was brilliant last season. Everything that we did came off, and we couldn’t be beaten no matter how they tried. I want to take the same attitude into the new season. Everybody else is going to strive that much harder to knock us off our pedestal, and we have to strive harder to remain top of the heap. We certainly have the ability in the squad - it’s whether we want it. I know for a fact that I’m hungry for more success here at Cartagonova.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

Trent McClenahan (22 y/o, AUS 3 caps, SW/D C): 0 apps: Everybody in the coaching staff have big hopes for our Australian defender. He elected not to go to Portugal during the off-season to participate in the Confederations Cup, and as a result, we had the opportunity to witness the big, powerful defender go through his paces. While he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for that deficiency in his talents. In intra-club games, he easily kept Redondo and Notman quiet when assigned to each of them in turn, and never shirked the physical challenge. Beginning his career with Sydney Olympic, he thought that his star had arrived when he moved to Parma, but while the Italian club’s coaches moulded him into an excellent player, he didn’t see much time on the pitch during four seasons at Parma. That is perhaps his biggest weak point, but I’m sure that we will go a long way in remedying that before the season is out. I have no doubt that he has the natural ability to succeed at the highest level, but whether that stereotypical Australian attitude towards work gets in the way or not is another thing that we’ll find out in time.

Trent says, “I was quite unhappy at Parma in the last season. I wasn’t getting much time on the pitch and it was hurting my career. So when Cartagonova contacted me and tried to sell a move to Spain this season, I was initially very receptive towards the move. Then, of course, the club went on to win the Spanish league and the European Champions' League, so that made the move all that much easier to swallow. I know that I have a long way to go to make sure that I start every game for the club, but that is my ambition in joining Cartagonova. I want to play regularly and as often as possible, so I’m going to do my very best to impress my manager on the training pitch and to seize the opportunity with both hands when I get the chance. I’m looking forward to the new challenge and so far everything has been good. Here in Cartagena, I’ve been greeted warmly and I have no complaints about my situation.â€

Ballesteros (31 y/o, ESP 9 caps, D/DM RC): 190(4) apps, 7 goals, 13 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 6.99: Probably now could be called a veteran, I think I’m going to have to reconsider his importance to Spain’s cause, but when it comes to Cartagonova, I still believe that he has plenty to offer. He has certainly lost some pace, but he was never quick to begin with, and if he remains clear of injury, he could recapture some of the form and confidence that he lost during last season. Still, his extensive experience should be very useful in helping the club towards more success this season, and I’m definitely going to continue playing him at right back in the club’s first eleven.

César Cabrera (22 y/o, ESP, D RL): 0 apps: When I signed David Oliva last season, I still thought about picking up Cabrera from Blackburn Rovers, but I was sucked into offering plenty of cash for either and both players. So when David moved on to Deportivo in the off-season, I immediately decided to make César my replacement for him. Fortunately, Blackburn was able to see sense, and I’ve been able to sign an excellent prospect for the future who has the ability to slot straight into the first eleven relatively cheaply. A cultured defender, he relies upon his reading of the play rather than any ability to keep up with the fleet-footed wingers to perform his defensive abilities. But his major talent is his ability to pick out an excellent pass and he will no doubt be used on many occasions to set up our attacks. Further, he is partial to taking the ball towards the opponent’s goal and trying his luck himself. At 22 years old, he is not quite the finished article just yet, which bodes very well for the future of the player. I think that he is the long term replacement for Ballesteros both at the club and country levels.

César says, “Working and living in England was certainly an adventure and I will forever be grateful to Blackburn for giving me a chance to show my skills at the highest level in England. But when Cartagonova made a definite offer to join the champion of Spain, I just couldn’t refuse. It was like the call of the sirens. Of course, everybody who is Spanish, no matter where they are, have heard of Cartagonova, so I had a good idea of what I was joining before I came to the club. They have decided to follow the family ideals both in the playing squad and the fans’ association, so it’s been very easy for me to settle in, which will I’m sure be very beneficial in my own confidence and form during the season. Defending our titles won’t be easy, I’m sure, but I think we have a really good chance of pulling it off. I know that I’m not automatically entitled to a position in the first eleven, but I’m going to do all that I can to impress the manager so I have a chance of getting a regular place in the first eleven.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

Djibril Diawara (32 y/o, SEN 17 caps, 2 goals, D/DM RC): 7(4) apps, 1 goal, 1 assist, av. rating: 7.18: Djibril’s immediately usefulness to me has probably ended given the new players I’ve brought in over the summer, but I wouldn’t discount his Cartagonova career just yet. Although Montpellier is interested in signing the Senegalese defender, I’m not in any hurry to allow him to leave just at this point in time. But on the other hand, I won’t be rushing to play him very often this season.

José María Lacruz (29 y/o, ESP, D RL): 159(5) apps, 2 goals, 8 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 6.63: Just like the first season he appeared for Cartagonova, José just gets on with his job in a very business-like, very quiet manner. You wouldn’t hear much from the mouth of José, but he lets his dogged determination to do his very best for the club on the pitch do the talking for him. Never one to turn a game, he is a good solid defender who I’ll rely on to do the job again this season.

Carl Laurie (24 y/o, ENG, D/DM RLC): 19(23) apps, 2 assists, av. rating: 6.50: About to turn 25 in two months, Carl needs to start producing the goods to ensure that the board’s pressure on me to off-load him from the squad doesn’t become intolerable and I bow to their wishes. His football apprenticeship has been long, but it should be served by now and I expect him to be a leading player when he has the opportunity to shine on the pitch. His ability to play anywhere along the defence or midfield lines gives him the chance of playing more often than what otherwise would be, and I sensed that he was coming to terms with my expectations towards the end of last season. I hope for his sake that this wasn’t just a false dawn and he is truly turning into a player capable of holding his own in the premier club competitions in Europe.

Salomon Olembé (26 y/o, CAM 45 caps, 7 goals, D/DM LC): 0 apps: I only paid Lens £1.8 million for the experienced Cameroonian international defender. While he shouldn’t lay claims to being a great defender, he is certainly competent enough to hold down a place in my squad and he will be in the forefront of my thoughts in case I need to turn to those squad players whose role it is to fill the gaps. He has already shown that he is a thoughtful player who likes to guide those around him along, so perhaps there is some captaincy material in the player.

Salomon says, “Moving to Spain has certainly illustrated to me the difference in football cultures between the French and the Spanish. In France, even in Lens, the football didn’t seem to be so important to the townsfolk. They always had other things to talk about. But now that I’m in Cartagena, I see just how important winning the two trophies last season was to the townspeople. That means that we have a big responsibility to our supporters and fans to make sure that we play to the best of our ability and defend the honour of the club with as much dignity as we can muster. I can’t wait until the start of the season, so I can get stuck in there and play!â€

Per Vener Rønning (24 y/o, NOR, D/DM/F LC): 0 apps: Now that I have Rønning, I’m not quite sure I know what to do with him just yet. His form in the pre-season friendly competitions was decidedly average and I’m sure that the crowds that bothered to show up weren’t impressed. I know I wasn’t. But then again, these games were played in the heat of the summer and it was the first real time that Rønning has had to play tough opponents after spending so much time with Salamanca. His loyalty to the sinking club was commendable, but now that he is here, he needs to focus on his new career with Cartagonova. It will be tough for him to find a regular place in the starting eleven, as I’m sure that I will feel that since he is capable of playing in so many positions, he is best served as a fill-in player when other, regular players are injured. He needs to overcome that impression and he will do so if he takes his chances well.

Per Vener says, “This is the first time I’ve been able to play at a big club in Spain. I’ve spent a lot of time in the country so I’m certainly acclimatised to the environment, but I know that I have a long way to develop. Coming to Cartagonova really opened my eyes to what is required from the club’s players. The club has spared nothing in the pursuit of excellence and everywhere you see reminders of where we came from. I joined Levante back in 2000/01, expecting that the club would take me a long way. By the time I realised that it wouldn’t and moved to Salamanca, I knew that I had perhaps made a mistake. But I was determined to stick it through and the fans loved me for it. However, this is the biggest opportunity of my career. I’m determined to play for my country in Euro 2008, and I know that the exposure I receive for playing at Spain’s champion club will help me in achieving that ambition. Where I play is not something that particularly matters to me. All I’m interested in is getting onto the pitch and showing the crowd what I can do. I know that I have the talent to make my name here at Cartagonova, all I have to do is show it to the rest of the world. I’m determined to make it happen this season.â€

[Dixie Flatline]

Martin Smith (29 y/o, DEN 29 caps, 1 goal, D/DM LC): 0 apps: Despite suffering through a poor first season in Spain with Mallorca, I believe that his struggle to adapt to Spain was partly due to the fact that he was with a club destined for the Segunda Liga. However, I’ve noticed that his confidence is quite brittle and it will be important for the club’s coaching staff to keep his spirits up. But there is no doubt he has the natural ability to make my decision on whom to play in the defence somewhat difficult. He has pace, passing and the ability to tackle without fear or favour. When he settles into life here at Cartagonova, I believe that he will be capable of making some important contributions during the season.

Jukka Hakala (29 y/o, FIN 39 caps, 2 goals, D C): 53 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rating: 7.06: I must admit that I didn’t think that Jukka would be here at the start of the new season. There was so much interest in the big Finnish defender from Real Madrid and Barcelona that I felt sure that we would come to some amicable agreement, Jukka would move away from the club and we would be correspondingly enriched. However, neither suitor would cough up the extra amount of cash that I wanted to put on the top of their offers, so here we are. He’s not happy about it, but he has the professionalism to not let it show when he is out there on the pitch doing what he does best - taking the ball away from opposition strikers and keeping Iván Vidal out of trouble as far as possible. Couple his arrival at the club last season from Venezia and the rise of Alex Notman to prominence, and I think you have the two biggest reasons for our quantum leap forward in terms of success. So I’m happy to see him still at Cartagonova, even if it is only until Christmas.

Jukka says, “I’ll be blunt. I never thought I’d be at Cartagonova for the start of another season. I don’t quite understand why the club and one of the clubs interested in signing me couldn’t come to an agreement about the transfer price. It’s been obvious for several months that I want to move on, but I feel like the club is deliberately holding me back. Why? I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the manager why they won’t let me move on. But what I do know is that the situation needs to be resolved and as quickly as possible.â€

Moustapaha Keità (27 y/o, FRA, D/DM C): 0 apps: Signed on a Bosman free transfer from Cagliari, he is still to hit the 100 appearance mark despite making his debut for the Italian club all the way back in 2000/01. He is definitely not talented enough to command a regular spot in the first eleven, but I think he is a good squad player to provide competition for those in the first eleven and when they’re not available, he should be good enough to make a fist of the opportunity.

Óscar Ãlvarez (29 y/o, ESP, D C): 130(7) apps, 5 goals, 4 assists, 4 MoMs, av. rating: 6.92: Like last season, I don’t think that Óscar has much chance of regaining his place along side Shimon in the heart of our defence. If Jukka does indeed move on in the winter transfer period, then I think I’ll turn to Trent to fill the breach, and while Jukka is at the club he will obviously be preferred to all others capable of playing the position. However, he is a good, experienced defender capable of holding together the defence, although his fiery streak can get him in trouble some times!

[Guest]

Great Story

[Guest]

I've just read pretty much this whole story and I'm glad to see it's still going strong.

Congratulations on your success.

[Dixie Flatline]

Thanks very much for your messages of praise!

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

So let's get back into it, shall we?

Midfielders

Gavião (27 y/o, ESP, 2 caps, DM C): 109(2) apps, 21 goals, 20 assists, 6 MoMs, av. rating: 7.40: Clearly our most influential midfielder, he holds together the midfield and works to protect the defence as far as possible. Often he is the only shield between the opposition and our goal and he is excellent at performing this job. But he doesn’t mind scoring a goal or two in his career, and scoring a goal practically every five games is testimony to his adventurous spirit. He is definitely an asset to the club, but unfortunately the disruption caused to squad morale by the ongoing saga with Hakala has affected our vice-captain quite profoundly. He isn’t happy here at Cartagonova like he was, but I’m determined to hold him for as long as possible in the face of clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. He has performed quite well when he’s been called upon by Spain to represent his adopted country and I foresee that at the age of 27, he could conceivably end up with 40 or 50 caps for his country by the time we’re finished.

Gavião says, “I have realised the importance of the role I play for the club in the last two seasons I’ve been here at Cartagonova. I appreciate everything depends largely on how well I’m playing. I know that part of my brief is to protect the defence and to ensure that they aren’t swamped by our opponent. But I also feel that I’m capable of being the springboard for the club’s attacks. I like to spread the ball around the park, and find the best avenue to launch the team’s strike upon goal. I’m happy in that role, and I would like to keep it up as far as possible during the new season. I think my figures speak for themselves. I want to build upon them and improve them even further.â€

Kristian Tanem (24 y/o, NOR 18 caps, 9 goals, DM/F C): 0 apps: Like Per Vener Rønning before him, I’m not exactly sure where Kristian’s best position is. He’s had plenty of success for his country playing up front, and was a stand-out star at the 2006 World Cup, where I really first paid serious attention to him. For the past few seasons, he’s held the Villarreal team together and it will be interesting to see how they go without the strong, powerful Norwegian. Now fully adapted to Spanish football and culture generally, I expect Kristian to begin making a contribution to the club’s success as soon as I select him to play. Already during the pre-season friendly games I’ve involved him in he’s shown the ability and talent that I have no doubt he possesses in spades. Our job is to harness that to the maximum efficiency and ensure that Kristian is put to best use.

Kristian says, “It is great to move to such a successful club in Spain. I’m really looking forward to putting my abilities at the disposal of Cartagonova and ensuring that we have more success in the current season. I’ve come here fully apprised of the situation, and know that I have a job to do. I want to win trophies with the club and I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure that we come out of this season with plenty of success. Of course, I’m looking to the future and I know that if I play plenty of games for my new club I have a great chance of going to Euro 2008. It’s every player’s dream to play for their country in a prestigious competition, and to make sure that I’m selected for Norway, I need to do well for my club. That is my top priority, and so long as I get out there on the pitch, I’ll be happy no matter where I’m selected.â€

George Clegg (26 y/o, ENG, AM/F RC): 96(18) apps, 32 goals, 24 assists, 7 MoMs, av. rating: 7.27: Surely this is George’s time for England. After a terrific season in 2006/07, I think he is poised to become one of the best attacking midfielders in Spain, and possibly in Europe for that matter. Should he continue to carry the same type of form that propelled him to 15 goals and 13 assists in all competitions last season, then I can’t see how England’s hierarchy can go past him in their preparations for Euro 2008. A veteran of almost three seasons here at Cartagonova, he is comfortable with the club’s culture, and is a highly respected and beloved player by the fans. I’m sure that Manchester United and Sunderland are both kicking themselves that they didn’t hang onto this highly skilled and influential midfielder when they had the chance, but make no mistake, I won’t be in a hurry to sell him. He is a little anxious about the Hakala situation, but when that is resolved, he will be completely happy and capable of producing his best football for Cartagonova. If you want a tip, you should keep your eyes locked on George for another scintillating season.

George says, “It’s great being part of this club and enjoying the success that we have achieved over the past couple of years. It was wonderful holding the Primera Liga trophy, but while I was very happy for Fernando who took my place in the European Champions' League final, I was personally gutted to miss that match through suspension. That is what burns in my heart at the moment - I want to guide the club back to the final and make sure that we successfully defend our European crown. I’m looking forward to travelling to Brazil in January and to take part in the World Club Championship. That will be an experience I’m sure I’ll remember for a very long time. I can’t wait for the new season to kick off.â€

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Jaime Garrido (23 y/o, ESP 4 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RLC): 19(12) apps, 6 goals, 4 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.32: After his debut season where I deliberately eased him into the swing of things here at Cartagonova, and he made his full Spanish debut, I believe that Jaime is poised for great things. I personally would like to see him take over from Michel on the left of midfield in the future, but while Michel is going strong, Jaime will have to bide his time. However, that doesn’t mean that Jaime won’t be playing many games this season, for that would be wrong. Jaime is a terrific talent and he deserves as much game time as I can afford to give him on the pitch. We will be seeing a lot of Jaime in the near future, and for him the future is very bright. I can’t wait until he matures both physically and mentally and focuses his talents on the pitch to the benefit of his club and country. Already he is a mature player, but when he has the experience to match his skills, he will become a sure-fire crowd pleaser and a game winner.

Elias Krantz (25 y/o, SWE, AM RC): 0 apps: Picked up from Farense for just £250,000, if his pre-season form is any indication of how he will play, then he will be one of our better midfielders this season. I suppose that it was a gamble taking on a player whom nobody had really heard of before I indicated our interest in signing him. But watching tapes of him in action in Portugal suggested that he has enough talent to make an impact here at Cartagonova. Particularly noticeable is his willingness to run at defenders, and I’m always ready to have ball carriers in my side. So, he has won for himself a place in the first eleven, at least to start the season with.

Fernando Morán (30 y/o, ESP, AM RLC): 194(21) apps, 74 goals, 49 assists, 12 MoMs, av. rating: 7.34: While Fernando struggled to hold down a key position in my first eleven last season with the emergence of George Clegg sidelining the veteran midfielder, he will always be remembered for two classic, crucial goals he scored against Porto in the European Champions' League final. For that, he will enter the pantheon of Cartagonova heroes, but the relationship goes deeper than that. From the moment he stepped through our gates, I’ve never had cause to complain about Fernando’s contribution to the club’s cause. With other midfielders like Clegg, Garrido, Djordjic, Krantz and Michel in the squad, he isn’t likely to feature much more than he did last season, but whenever is he out there, he almost always makes a vital contribution. It’s that quality which you can’t coach in a player that sets him apart from other midfielders.

Fernando says, “It was a wonderful feeling scoring those two goals last season against Porto to help us win the European Champions' League. But I felt a little left out because I struggled to string many games in a row in the starting eleven, especially in the league. So it’s my goal this season to win back my starting place in the first eleven. I know I have a tough job to take over from George Clegg, who was simply magnificent last season, but I’m determined to do it. I feel that I have at least two more good seasons left in me, and if I play well in that time, I should be able to crack the 100 goal mark for the club, which would be magnificent personally for me, and I’m sure that I would help the club maintain its success at the same time!â€

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Forwards

Juan Hernández (22 y/o, ESP, AM/F C): 20(4) apps, 12 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rating: 7.79: I was pleasantly surprised by Juan Hernández’s performance last season. Now the big test for him is to maintain the standard this season. The ‘second season blues’ could be the most important method of determining whether Juan can withstand the pressure of playing at such a high profile club like Cartagonova. I would love to see him perform like he did last season, and if he continues like he did last season, then I would be hard pressed not to find a reason to squeeze him into the Spanish squad, hopefully to go to Euro 2008 at the end of the season. But that is a long way off for the young forward. He needs to concentrate on the here and now and worry about the future later.

Daniel Jensen (28 y/o, DEN 31 caps, 6 goals, AM/F C): 4(6) apps, 4 goals, 1 assist, av. rating: 6.90: Squeezed out by the brilliant debut of Juan Hernández, Daniel can only be best described as a squad member. It’s a pity for him, but when it compares to what happened to his former club, Mallorca, I expect him to be rather happy to be here at Cartagonova. Still, I can’t seem to find much use for him at least regularly, and he will struggle this season to impress me.

Alex Notman (27 y/o, SCO 16 caps, 8 goals, AM/F C): 76(6) apps, 50 goals, 31 assists, 23 MoMs, av. rating: 8.06: What a fantastic season Alex had last time out! Nobody previously, not even José Redondo or Stan Collymore, has ever scored more than 30 goals for the club in one season, but Alex Notman has completely rewritten the record books when it comes to Cartagonova. He came third in the Primera Liga scoring charts, was runner up to the Spanish Player of the Year award and romped home in the Supporters’ Player of the Year award, all last season. Not to mention the fact that he was a big reason why our success arrived, like busses, all at once last year. Even though he has completed only one full season here at Cartagonova, I would describe the £3.1 million I spent on him as one of the best deals I’ve ever been involved him. I look forward to more of the same this season, and no matter what numbers are thrown at me to take him off the club’s books, I will refuse. He is perhaps the only player who can be described as truly indispensable to the club.

Alex says, “It was a great season last time around for the club and it was a great season for me personally. Taking out all those awards meant a lot to me, because it recognised that I am a great player, which is something that my former clubs couldn’t do. I love playing for Cartagonova, and I love winning trophies. I want to do both again this season, and no matter how many goals I manage to score for the club, I will always want to score more, because that is what I’m paid to do, and that is what the fans pay good money to come and see. There is no way I will leave Cartagonova in the near future. My family is here, and I have plenty of fans here. Everybody is simply wonderful to me, and I want for nothing. I can’t wait to get back out there on the pitch and do damage to our opponents on the scoreboard. It’s going to be great!â€

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Let's keep going with the Cartagonova story!

Ariel Carreño (28 y/o, ARG 1 cap, F RLC): 6(7) apps, 4 goals, 2 assists, 1 MoM, av. rating: 7.23: Signed as a replacement to the rebel Sabino as support for the club’s leading strikers, he performed his brief adequately well last time out. But unlike Alex the season previously, there is nothing there to suggest that I have another gem on my hands. Ariel is a good, solid striker who will score some goals, and sometimes score them when they’re most needed. He seems to have that happy knack, which means for him that perhaps unfortunately, he will be tagged with the unwelcome tag of ‘super sub’, something that no striker wants beside their name, no matter how well deserved. He isn’t going anywhere just yet, but neither is he going to play many games for the club this season.

Foluwasha (Shola) Ameobi (25 y/o, NIG 11 caps, 3 goals, S C): 0 apps: Shola Ameobi has a good chance of impressing this season and eventually taking over from our experienced José Manuel Redondo. He’s been impressive in the pre-season and with his pace, dribbling skills and strength, he is a formidable player for opponent defences to handle. He should be a great addition to the squad, if he can adjust to the Spanish culture.

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José Manuel Redondo (31 y/o, ESP 2 caps, 1 goal, S C): 214(11) apps, 123 goals, 56 assists, 35 MoMs, av. rating: 7.80: Finally rewarded for his consistent and excellent standard of play since joining Cartagonova from Real Zaragoza by playing twice for Spain last season, Redondo no doubt hopes that he can keep up the standard for one more season and book for himself a place on the plane to Scotland and Wales for Euro 2008. Although he is now the wrong side of 30, I think that José is still the best striker in the squad to accompany Alex Notman up front for us. They certainly generated a good understanding last season, with the two strikers contributing more than 50 goals in all competitions. He has probably lost a yard of pace and his close control skills have deteriorated slightly, but I believe that the experience accumulated over five previous seasons with my club will stand him in very good stead and I expect that José will deliver another 20+ goal season again and be part of my plans for Spain’s attack on Euro 2008.

José says, “Now that I’m over 30 years old, I can feel that perhaps I’m not quite the player physically that I was when I first joined the club. However, I believe that the experience of playing for the same club for five seasons has helped me to play to the standard I’ve set myself in that time. Working with Alex Notman last season was a new experience for me, because previously I’ve been asked to carry the load, but Alex took that burden from me. It left me almost like a new man and I was able to enjoy my football more than perhaps would have been. Playing for Spain last season twice, even if I came off the bench both times, and scoring a goal was a big thrill and I’m definitely aiming to add to my international cap collection through the season and go to Euro 2008. I’m certainly not finished yet.â€

Christian Vieri (34 y/o, ITA 68 caps, 34 goals, S C): 0 apps: He might not be the physical force that he was even four years ago, but I think that Christian is a valuable addition to the squad in terms of the international experience that he brings. Having done a lot during his career, including playing for Roma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Celtic, he has a lot of knowledge to pass onto the younger players at the club. He will certainly have the chance to play a few games this season, because he still quite a good striker, but he won’t feature too regularly.

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Now that we’ve looked at the players in my squad for the upcoming season, it’s time to take a look at what other clubs in the Primera Liga have been up to, and what their chances are for the new season. We’ll start with Alavés, who spent a relatively uncomfortable time last season to finish a credible 14th after being promoted from the Segunda Liga the season before. Unfortunately for the Basque club, a small ground and poor facilities makes it difficult for Señor Frank Rikjaard to sign new players. So, while a number of aging veterans have been released over the summer, the club has signed plenty of aging veterans to replace them. Names like Oliver Kahn, recently of Tenerife, Sávio, most recently of Ajax Amsterdam, and former Real Zaragoza and Cartagonova striker Manel, have joined the club. But once again, the burden of carrying the club towards another season in the Primera Liga will fall upon the shoulders of experienced Polish international keeper, Jerzy Dudek, Spanish centre half, José, who many see as a potential Spanish international, and the talented Salvadoran attacking midfielder, Cristian Ãlvarez. However, it is likely to again be a difficult season for Alavés fans to endure as they look for better times for the club.

After winning the championship in 2002/03, the heady days for Señor Luis Fernández and Athletic Bilbao seem a long way away these days. Since that season, Athletic have finished 10th, 8th, 12th and 12th. Their success relies heavily on the performance and fitness of Spanish internationals Jorge Pérez and club captain Joseba Etxeberría, while veteran Aitor Karanka holds things together at the back. But the Basque region is having difficulty producing players of the requisite standard to play Primera Liga football, and one feels that it is only a matter of time before the honourable tradition of signing Basque players must be discarded in favour of the pragmatic need to sign players that will keep the club in the top flight and make it successful. One player who appears to be a good long term investment is 21 year old central defender Miguel Cuéllar, signed from Numancia for £1.2 million last winter. However, it appears that Athletic’s season will not be too successful unless their current crop of players can turn back the clock and play some inspirational football. They should be good enough for a mid-table finish, but anything higher will be a bonus.

Stung by the cold hard fact that they were outplayed by last season’s champion, Cartagonova, Señor Lorenzo Serra Ferrer has delved into the transfer kitty time and again in order to bring the Primera Liga back to Barcelona. At the top of the list is the Brazilian international striker Ronaldo. The last time he played for the club, back in 1996/97, ten seasons ago now, he notched up 34 goals in 37 appearances. Since then, he has played 86 times for his country and amassed over 200 goals in less than 400 appearances. Although his goal production tailed off dramatically in the past couple of seasons, he no doubt remains a great threat for Barcelona this season, particularly when he may be paired in tandem with prolific Dutch international striker Patrick Kluivert, who has scored an amazing 413 goals in 516 career appearances. That is not to forget Argentine international Cristian Bardaro, who moved to Barcelona mid-season last time around from Fiorentina for £20 million. No doubt many opposition defences, both domestically and in European competition, will have nightmares about facing this trio. But further back, the Italian international Matteo Brighi has taken over the mantle once borne by Juan Verón as the club’s most creative player. The Italian, who is on course to collect 100 caps in his career, shrugged off the massive £39 million price tag to perform impressively for the club last season, and many fans will back him as the man to inherit Verón and Rivaldo’s mantle. However, Barcelona has also signed some interesting players, like Norwegian veteran Alf Inge Haaland, and Brazilian defender Andre Luiz, to bolster what some perceived to be a creaking defence. How the new players will fit into a defence long dominated by Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro and Javier Zanetti will be interesting to watch as the season unfolds. Plenty of experience has also walked out the door over the summer, with Rivaldo, Edgar Davids, Alfonso, Pablo Paz and Josep Guardiola all being released on free transfers. However, the sheer depth of talent at Barcelona should again make them favourite to capture the Primera Liga come the end of season.

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Since returning to the Primera Liga three seasons ago, Real Betis has struggled to reach 50 goals in the league, and it is this singular lack of firepower that manager, Señor Francisco Herrera and Directors of Football, Señor Faruk Hadzibejic and Señor Luis del Sol have tried to remedy over the summer. However, despite the resources at their disposal, only Javi Moreno was added to the squad directly to add to the striker options. However, former Barcelona, Lazio and Atalanta midfielder Massimo Donati was signed from Valencia for a potential bargain price of just £3.1 million. His inventiveness in midfield could be exactly what Real Betis needs, but if he and fellow new signing, Argentine midfielder Gabriel Pereyra can’t add the creativity, it will again be a long struggle for Real Betis to achieve much success this season.

Not content to sit on their laurels as Spanish and European champion, the management at Cartagonova has sought to strengthen the depth of the squad. To that end, they have brought in plenty of new faces, while some of the not so successful signings have moved onto pastures new. Perhaps the single most exciting new acquisition for the club is Norwegian international Kristian Tanem, who for several seasons kept Villarreal going against the odds. But players like Per Vener Rønning, signed for £5 million from Salamanca, Shola Ameobi, a Bosman free transfer from Newcastle United, and veteran striker Christian Vieri, will all prove to be exciting players to watch. The defence, too, has also been strengthened, with former U-21 Spanish international César Cabrera, Australian international Trent McClenahan, Cameroonian international Salomon Olembé, Danish international Martin Smith, and Moustapha Keità all joining the club during the summer. Perhaps the biggest blow was losing Congan midfielder Lomano-Tresor Lua-Lua, who joined Real Madrid during the summer. His direct replacement, Elias Krantz, is little known outside Portugal and possibly signifies the club’s biggest gamble, although at only £250,000, he could also be a great bargain. In the meantime, the future of Finnish international defender Jukka Hakala continues to simmer, with the defender still unhappy not to be moving clubs over the summer. Cartagonova should again be there and thereabouts, but whether the club is capable of defending its twin crowns, and visiting Brazil to partake in the World Club Championship, is another thing.

Another club hoping to challenge for title honours at the end of the season is Celta Vigo, which has not finished outside the top six in the last seven seasons, but never really looked like championship material. But the partnership of Spanish international striker Diego Ribera and South African international Benni McCarthy have long menaced opposition defences and with support from Marcelo Gallardo, evergreens Julen Guerrero and Gustavo López, Celta Vigo still look dangerous and difficult to handle. After spending several seasons at Barcelona without making his mark, Nano has the chance of putting his name forward ahead of Euro 2008. Mauricio Astudillo also joined from Barcelona to strengthen the midfield, while the Celta Vigo management will continue to look towards Lilian Thuram to influence the defence. Another top six finish beckons for Celta Vigo, but one suspects that the extra level of class required to take out the championship is still missing from the squad.

After finishing seventh last season, the fans of Deportivo La Coruña hope that the new season will bring more success. To that end, the management has written cheques to the tune of £14.75 million over the summer, but £10 million of that flowed into the coffers of Cartagonova as David Oliva, the promising full back, joined Deportivo from the champions. He joins an experienced defence boasting Dutch international Mario Melchiot and Spanish international Iván Amaya. In the meantime, Mista and Kim Källström provide the cutting thrust from midfield to support Turu Flores and Manolín. And Deportivo like to think that they have their own ‘secret weapon’ in Ignacio Morán. The 20 year old U-21 international is apparently ready to make his mark this season in the first team and will be itching to grab his chance with both hands. However, whether his mooted emergence as a star player is enough to catapult Deportivo into the top three this season is another question, and one seriously doubts whether Deportivo can replicate the type of form that brought them the championship back in the 1999/00 season.

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Elche has had a relatively stable time in the Primera Liga since promotion from the Segunda Liga back in 2001/02, but neither have they looked like seizing the initiative and finding themselves in Europe on regular occasions. The manager has brought in a mixture of youth and experience to bolster the club’s resources, but once again the fortunes of Elche will again largely depend upon the form of Pedro Guede, Nano and Roy González. At the back, Elche can depend upon the reliable Mexican international Oscar Mascorro and Uruguayan international Martín Rivas. But the signs aren’t good for supporters of Elche if they wish their team to move into the higher echelons of the Primera Liga and take a spot in Europe.

For so long, the success or otherwise of Espanyol relied upon the form of Argentine playmaker Martín Posse, but the emergence of Spanish international Francisco Javier Zubizaretta has given the fans of Barcelona’s other team a new idol to worship. Supported by fleet-footed Paraguayan international winger Nelson Cuevas, and Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta, Zubizaretta has been given the brief of leading the club to success. While cross-town rival Barcelona has won twenty league championships, Espanyol has never won it, and it certainly does not seem likely that the club will do it this season. However, Espanyol has never seemed likely of suffering the ignoble fate of relegation, and they at least had the satisfaction of drawing with Cartagonova but simultaneously allowing their opponent of taking the championship when Barcelona lost to Valencia. In fact, a 2-0 victory over Barcelona in the Nou Camp pushed Cartagonova that much closer to the title, and doubled the satisfaction of the fans with the result. Espanyol has also decided to build for the future with 21 year old Spanish defender Óscar Rodrigo joining from Las Palmas for £1.1 million, although Mikel Kortina has been brought into the club to bring some experience to the squad. Espanyol too have the chance to qualify for the UEFA Cup via the Inter-Toto Cup, although they will have to overcome the disadvantage of drawing 1-1 at home against Dutch side NEC Breda.

Promoted as champion of the Segunda Liga, Extremadura hope that finally this season is the first in a long run in the top flight in Spain and that their reputation as a yo-yo club and that they can establish themselves as a club capable of handling the pressures of the supreme league in Spain. However, beyond Roberto Acuña, who is now 35 years old, there is not much quality in the squad and the bookies quickly made the club favourite to go straight back down again. Furthermore, the club’s followers were astonished when Jamaican international playmaker, Theodore Whitmore, who would have brought plenty of class to the midfield, was released without playing a game after an apparent falling out with the manager. Veteran defender Teddy Lucic and full back Darko Miladin will have a lot to do in the coming season, unquestionably.

Promoted behind Extremadura from the Segunda Liga last season, Levante is also seen as a club destined to drop straight back at the end of the season. Former Cartagonova defender Francisco Sanz had a great season last time around and the club will rely upon his skills and strength heavily in the new season, while veteran striker José Gálvez will expect some support from Nacho Rodríguez as they look for goals to keep them in the Primera Liga at the end of the season. One suspects that it will be a long year for Valencia’s second team, with the club not possessing enough of the class to survive the relegation dogfight.

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Numancia hopes that the crop of youngsters that they have nurtured over the past couple of seasons will begin to pay dividends in a big way. José Manuel Rubio travelled to the Ukraine with the Spanish squad at the end of the season and that will no doubt encourage him to continue producing the goods on the pitch. Rafael Rúa, a regular in Spain’s U-21 squad, is also cementing his place as Numancia’s playmaker behind the front two strikers and he will be called upon to step up to a higher level in the new season. At the other end of the age spectrum, striker Óscar was considered unlucky not to be called up to Spain’s full squad for its qualifying games for Euro 2008, after scoring 22 goals in 29 appearances. While perhaps his time in the international game may have passed at 31 years old, but he still has plenty to offer to his club. With support from Rúa, and fellow attacking midfielders Carlos Martins and Gorka, Numancia look quite good up front and should be good enough to consolidate in mid-table.

Osasuna has quietly gone about its business in the off-season and signed several talented players to strengthen the squad. Israeli international midfielder Yossi Benayoun brings experience from the English Premier League after spending several seasons with Newcastle United, while English defender Anthony Loughran is asked to step up a level in quality after signing from Córdoba. Osasuna paid Zamora £275,000 for up-and-coming midfielder Carlos Bravo, who at 21 years old is beginning to show glimpses of the player he may become in the future. But perhaps the biggest coup is the free signing of former Barcelona and Spanish international midfielder Dani, who wants to extend his top flight career a few more seasons by taking the control of Osasuna. Portuguese international winger Vítor Lima provides creativity from the left, while Jurandir is already a dangerous striker. It looks exciting at Osasuna for this season.

It’s also been quiet at Racing Santander over the summer, but for very different and quite gloomy reasons. Apart from Spanish international Diego, and Colombian international Leyder Preciado, Racing Santander look sadly short on quality in most positions and the three new players coming into the club should not fill the fans with confidence that Racing can improve on their precarious 16th finish last season. They are certainly flirting with danger unless the squad as a whole improves, or better players are drafted into the club when the transfer window reopens in winter.

[Dixie Flatline]

Like Barcelona, Real Madrid was stung by the fact that a provincial club came from practically nowhere to defeat Spain’s two big football powers. As a result, the club’s hierarchy wielded the cheque book to good effect and brought in many good players to strengthen the squad. Gianluca Zambrotta switched to Spain after spending many seasons with Juventus, while Lomano-Tresor Lua-Lua brings with him the experience of winning the Primera Liga after he joined from Cartagonova. After selling Raúl and Fernando Morientes, perhaps Real Madrid’s biggest weakness is the inability to score plenty of goals regularly, so the arrival of Argentine striker Mario Turdó is aimed at remedying that situation. In the meantime, Edgar Davids and Matías Jesus Almeyda bring plenty of experience and bite into the midfield. All the new signings complement the stacks of quality already at the club. Pablo Aimar was a very influential midfielder in the Primera Liga for Real Madrid last season, while Ronaldinho has been one of the club’s better players in the last couple of seasons. Uruguayan international defender Grillito is a leading light at the back, and he will no doubt enjoy the company of veteran defender Joaquín Bornes. Every other championship challenger this season will keep a wary eye upon the fortunes of Real Madrid, as they look to capture the title they have not won since 2003/04.

Señor Miguel Ãngel Casquero has decided to add some experience to his squad at Real Sociedad over the summer. Chinese international full back Mingyi Ji joined the club from Chinese club Shide, while Peruvian international midfielder Nolberto Solano signed up on a free transfer from relegated Mallorca. Jamaican international Thomas Bridgwater, who certainly has some talent about him, is a good acquisition from Ferrol. But once again, much will rest upon the broad shoulders of Spanish international striker Joseba Llorente. A fine season last time around saw him score 37 goals in 45 appearances, which allowed him to finish second in the Top Goalscorer competition in the Primera Liga. He played his first game for Spain during the season and he is certainly in contention for a place on the plane to Euro 2008, assuming that Spain manages to qualify from its tough group. The midfield is dominated by former Brazilian international Rodrigo and former Spanish international winger Mikel Aranburu, and together these three players signify Real Sociedad’s greatest threat to other clubs. Last season, they won the Copa del Rey after defeating Barcelona in a boilover, and finished a very credible eighth in the league. Duplicating these feats are not too far out of the imagination for the supporters of the Basque club, and they will definitely aim for another top-ten finish.

Back in the top flight after an extended spell in the Segunda Liga, Sevilla fans hope that their stay won’t be a short one. Japanese defender Takashi Fukunishi, who joined from Jubilo, is a big part of the plans of Seville, and his partnership with former Cartagonova defender Mariano Fernández will go a long way to determining how many goals Sevilla concedes during the season. Most of Sevilla’s creativity will be supplied by Mexican international winger Daniel Osorno, who will look to supply Rubio with plenty of opportunities to score goals. But Sevilla’s strongest point is its defence and its key to surviving its first season back in the top flight will be how quickly the remainder of its squad adjusts to the big jump in skill that the Primera Liga requires.

[Dixie Flatline]

Sporting Gijón had a very disappointing season last time around, finishing a very lowly fifteenth, and the fans who were used to seeing their club regularly score top five places, will expect much better this season. The addition of playmaker Maximiliano Estévez, Diego Basavilbaso and Francisco Javier Hernández, two excellent attacking players, should revitalise the squad and provide extra goals to the club which struggled to hit the back of the net last season. However, the defence performed just as badly last season as the forwards, but Sporting Gijón seemed unable to add players to strengthen that area, and without an improvement at the back, Sporting could struggle to get back into the top ten.

For such a long time now, Valencia have flattered to deceive its legions of fans. Consistently finishing in the top five has brought plenty of lucrative European football, but for so long the club has forced to see Barcelona, Real Madrid and Cartagonova share the prized championship in the past seven seasons. Twice they have been runners-up, back in 2001/02 and 2004/05, but the long sought after prize has always eluded Valencia. The all-Argentine strike force of Javier Saviola and Martín Palermo has been very successful in the past, and while Palermo is now 33 years old, many believe that they are capable of producing the goods once more. The influence of Spanish international Miguel Angulo, supported by Hugo Leal, Pedro Munitis and Stefano Fiore, and Valencia certainly have a very powerful attack. The defence, led by Matías Donnet, the Argentine international and veteran Gaizka Mendieta, was weakened over the summer by the sale of Olof Mellberg to Ajax Amsterdam, while Vicente joined Roma for £29 million. Losing those two players is something that Valencia perhaps could not afford, and it appears unlikely that the club has the strength in depth to combat the likes of Barcelona, Cartagonova and Real Madrid for the chase for the title.

Finally to Villarreal, and like Valencia before it, the club has been seriously weakened by the loss of a single player. After impressing at World Cup 2006 and consolidating his reputation during the 2006/07 season, Kristian Tanem has joined the champion Cartagonova on a free transfer, and Villarreal will struggle to replace a man of his talents immediately. Instead, the club has decided to look to an influx of youth with 19 year olds Felipe Gómez joining from Zamora and Brazilian José Mário Moedim Júnior from Portuguesa Santista. Still, it looks like it will be another tough season for Villarreal, as they call upon the inspirational Spanish international goalkeeper, Javier López Vallejo, Spanish international midfielder Artur and Argentine striker Walter Gaitán to lead them once more.

The biggest transfers over the summer break involving Spanish clubs include:

· Vicente from Valencia to Roma for £29 million on 10 August 2007;

· Ronaldo from Ajax to Barcelona for £17.25 million on 29 July 2007;

· Gianluca Zambrotta from Juventus to Real Madrid for £17.25 on 14 June 2007;

· Emerson from Valencia to Juventus for £13.25 million on 1 July 2007;

· Mario Turdó from Monaco to Real Madrid for £10.75 million on 14 June 2007;

· David Oliva from Cartagonova to Deportivo La Coruña for £10 million on 12 July 2007;

All the other transfers involving Spanish clubs are for sums less than £10 million.

[Dixie Flatline]

This evening, France is announced as the country that will host Euro 2012. Also, international call-ups are announced this evening. Finland calls up Jukka Hakala to participate in games against Turkey and the Faeroe Isles. Per Vener Rønning and Kristian Tanem are selected by Norway to play against Armenia and Turkey. Jean-François Gillet is given the nod by Belgium for the match against Lithuania. George Clegg retains his place in Kevin Keegan’s England squad for games against Ireland and Belarus. Sweden invites Bojan Djordjic to join its training camp ahead of games against Albania and Greece. As always, Shimon Gershon will represent Israel in matches with the Ukraine and San Marino. Denmark want Martin Smith and Daniel Jensen in its squad for games with Malta and the Ukraine. Alex Notman will be part of Scotland’s squad for its friendly with co-host Wales. I decide that four Cartagonova players are potentially good enough to play for Spain, and the squad looks like this:

Goalkeepers

Iván Vidal (28 y/o, ESP 0 caps, GK): Cartagonova

César Laínez (30 y/o, ESP 5 caps, GK): Barcelona

Javier López Vallejo (31 y/o, ESP 43 caps, GK): Villarreal

Defenders

Ballesteros (31 y/o, ESP 9 caps, D/DM RC): Cartagonova

César (27 y/o, ESP 4 caps, D RL): Osasuna

Jordi Ferrón (29 y/o, ESP 8 caps, 1 goal, D RL): Real Zaragoza

Borja (29 y/o, ESP 12 caps, D LC): Valencia

Juanma (30 y/o, ESP 1 cap, D LC): Espanyol

Iván Amaya (28 y/o, ESP 37 caps, 1 goal, D C): Deportivo La Coruña*

César (29 y/o, ESP 47 caps, 1 goal, D C): PSV Eindhoven*

Iván Javier Cuadrado (28 y/o, ESP 1 cap, D C): Elche

Carlos Marchena (28 y/o, ESP 5 caps, D C): Celta Vigo

Midfielders

Artur (26 y/o, ESP 1 cap, DM RC): Villarreal

Gavião (27 y/o, ESP 2 caps, DM C): Cartagonova

Diego (28 y/o, ESP 12 caps, 3 goals, M/S C): Racing Santander

Miguel Ãngel Angulo (30 y/o, ESP 40 caps, 5 goals, AM/F RC): Valencia

Joseba Etxeberría (29 y/o, ESP 67 caps, 18 goals, AM/F RC): Athletic Bilbao

Jaime Garrido (23 y/o, ESP 4 caps, 2 goals, AM/F RLC): Cartagonova

Francisco Javier Zubizarreta (22 y/o, ESP 4 caps, AM/F RC): Espanyol

Jorge Pérez (31 y/o, ESP 30 caps, 4 goals, AM LC): Athletic Bilbao

Vicente (26 y/o, ESP 54 caps, 15 goals, AM/F LC): Roma

Gerard (28 y/o, ESP 39 caps, 7 goals, AM C): Barcelona

Forwards

Raúl (30 y/o, ESP 98 caps, 48 goals, AM/F LC): Paris-Saint-Germain

Diego Ribera (30 y/o, ESP 9 caps, 6 goals, S C): Celta Vigo

Joseba Llorente (27 y/o, ESP 2 caps, 2 goals, S C): Real Sociedad

Rubén Navarro (29 y/o, ESP 17 caps, 9 goals, S C): Bari

* denotes suspended for the first game against San Marino, but available for the game against Malta.

Keep smiling!

Dixie Flatline

[Robbo#]

Excellent stuff. I've just spent a highly productive days work in the office reading the first 9 pages so far, so I reckon it'll be Wednesday before I get on with some work.

KUTGW!

[Dixie Flatline]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Robbo2:

Excellent stuff. I've just spent a highly productive days work in the office reading the first 9 pages so far, so I reckon it'll be Wednesday before I get on with some work.

KUTGW! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm always glad to bring down the productivity in an office! Happy that you're enjoying the story, and hopefully with the update to follow, I'll push back that date of return to work a little further back, just because I'm that kind of guy!

Cheers,

Dixie

[Dixie Flatline]

Well, it's about time a game was played, innit?

19th of August 2007

Spanish Super Cup - 1st leg: Cartagonova v Real Sociedad

Alright, let’s get the dancing in the streets over with and let’s get back to it!

We christen the redeveloped stadium with the first leg of the your favourite competition and mine, the Spanish Super Cup, contested between the champion, that’s us, and the winner of the Copa del Rey, that’s them. I name what I consider to be my strongest side at this point in the season, which means that only Elias Krantz is given a debut from the beginning, to replace Lua-Lua on the right. But the substitutes’ bench has six debutants keeping it warm, including McClenahan, Gillet, Cabrera, Rønning, Tanem, and Ameobi. Only Jaime Garrido has played for us previously amongst the substitutes.

We probably should have had a penalty on 14 minutes when Llorente chops the legs out from beneath Gavião, but the referee sees things differently and waves for us to play on. The dangerous Sociedad winger, Mikel Aranburu, creates a chance for Alejandro Da Silva, but the Paraguayan international only heads his cross into the grateful arms of Vidal. Then on 25 minutes, a simple, lightning quick move leads to the first goal of the game. Gershon’s throw-in is controlled by Redondo, who finds Notman in the area and before the Real Sociedad keeper can react, the Scot has the ball in the net for his first goal of the season! Eight minutes later, Redondo doubles it, latching onto Gavião’s perfectly weighted through-ball and slotting it beneath Gálvez’s legs. However, our defence falls asleep and Real Sociedad cuts our lead in twain when on 35 minutes Taiwo’s neat chipped pass into the area finds Da Silva unmarked and this time the midfielder does the business. Notman almost restores our two goal advantage but his drive crashes against the post and rebounds clear. However, the Scot does have a part to play in our third goal of the game, when he tees up Redondo. The experienced striker still has some work to do, as he turns Portocarrero inside out and then lashes a drive into the top corner of the Real Sociedad net.

I’m fairly happy at half-time. With the away goals rule in force, I think a two goal cushion is a good buffer to bring into the next leg in Basque country, but Real Sociedad are still dangerous and we need to keep our eyes open in the second half. Redondo almost completes his hat-trick four minutes into the new half, but his spectacular bicycle kick unfortunately clatters against the bar rather than in the back of the net. Then, as the hot weather begins to sap the strength of the players, everything remains quiet until there is less than 20 minutes to play. Gavião wakes himself from the general torpor and tries his luck, but his pass to Clegg is not rewarded as the Englishman’s shot is well saved by Gálvez. I take this opportunity on 73 minutes to remove the excellent but tiring Redondo and debutant Krantz, replacing them with Tanem and Garrido. Tanem’s first touch of the ball in a competitive game for Cartagonova is to put a chance at the feet of Notman, but the Scotsman radar is sadly awry after his first goal, and we can’t find that killer fourth goal. Three minutes after that attempt, Llorente takes the ball past Hakala and fires a ferocious shot past the despairing Vidal to cut the deficit to one goal. Notman misses another chance late in the game, which means he is substituted for Ameobi, but while Hakala almost scores from a corner, we can’t re-establish our two goal advantage for the second leg.

Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal ©; Lacruz, Gershon, Hakala, Ballesteros; Michel, Gavião, Krantz (Garrido 73); Clegg; Redondo (Tanem 73), Notman (Ameobi 86).

Real Sociedad (4-5-1): Gálvez; Ji, Guerrero (Jankauskas 85), Portocarrero, Pilipauskas; Taiwo, Rodrigo (Cachorro 85), Da Silva (Nadj 80), Xabi Alonso ©, Aranburu; Llorente.

Final score: Cartagonova 3:2 Real Sociedad

MoM - José Manuel Redondo

The game breaks two records, namely that at 18,830 people and gate receipts of £433,090, the new stand is creating records already!