Bleacher Report - Articles by Yehana Steenbok

Euro 2008: What Passionate Displays of Football

Yehana Steenbok — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:01:10 -0400

The European semifinals are over.

The games have become very dramatic late in the game. Spain waited until the second half to score. Germany left it extremely late in the game to score the winner. I wonder what the finale holds in store for us. There are no underdogs in the finale, but it may pave the way for World Cup 2010.

Spain vs. Russia. The first half was perfectly matched, as both sides were playing as good as they were getting, although Spain had better possession. David Villa will miss the final. He was substituted due to injury, and Cesc Fabregas replaced him. Xavi scored the first goal from Iniesta’s kick. Cesc Fabregas then assisted for the second and third goal. Fernando Torres did not score, although he came close quite a few times.

Germany vs. Turkey. Germany and Turkey had quite a boring game, and Turkey righteously took the lead. Germany soon leveled. The game then escalated to a dazzling end as Germany scored a last-minute winner.

Hopefully, the finale on Sunday will be a breathtaking, passionate display of football at its finest.

Euro 2008 Semi's Here We Come

Yehana Steenbok — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:29:56 -0400

Euro 2008 is having a very dramatic finale.

Before Euro 2008, there were only five games, including finals, in the history of the competition of going into extra time. This past week, four games in the quarter finals have been played. Only the Germany-Portugal game did not go into extra time.

All these games have been heart stopping, blood pounding, and edge of the seat games.

There were two penalty shootouts, Croatia-Turkey and Spain-Italy.

Croatia, the surprise team of the tournament, was knocked out with a 3–1 shootout loss.

Spain knocked out the Italian giants. Iker Casillas was the hero as he stopped two of the penalty shots and Fabregas sealed the win with a superbly taken penalty.

Russia defeated the tournament favorite Netherlands with a superb performance, 3–1.

Germany knocked out the Portuguese with a fantastic display of teamwork.

It has been a heart stopping week and people everywhere would like to see how far the drama goes as the finale quickly approaches.

Liverpool Football Club Are the Come-Back Kings!!!

Yehana Steenbok — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:59:46 -0400

When it comes to drama, passion and the Champions League, Liverpool Football Club certainly delivers. What a change of pace from the first two draws between Liverpool Football Club and Arsenal this past week.

For the first thirty minutes Liverpool was on the back foot and when Arsenal scored in the first thirteen minutes by Diaby, Liverpool lost their advantage.

But Liverpool are known as the comeback kings when it comes to European nights. When Sami Hyypia scored that stunning header it was game on. Both teams were finding it hard to score the winner then Fernando Torres delivers a screamer to put Liverpool ahead. He left Senderos wondering what was going on.

Both managers were proving they were master tacticians for their substitutions as Wenger brought on Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie whereas Benitez brought on Ryan Babel.

Walcott had a wonderful run and was unfortunate not to score but provided beautifully for Adebayor. Arsenal had the advantage but two minutes later Kolo Toure brought down Ryan Babel in the box which Gerrard then converted perfectly.

Ryan Babel then had a beautiful run which Cesc Fabregas could not keep up to score the fourth and knock Arsenal out of Europe.

This was such a nail biting game especially as it drew to a close. Fernando Torres claims this as his biggest night of his career. People are claiming this as a rival to Istanbul.

It took our Captain to deliver the nail on the coffin for Arsenal. No other club has given European competitions such logic-defying drama on a regular basis. Once again Liverpool face Chelsea in the semi finals.

What an exciting, blood pumping conclusion to the trilogy week.

Fernando Torres Means Liverpool Fans Will Never Walk Alone

Yehana Steenbok — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:44:25 -0400

Fernando Torres is his name, scoring fabulous goals is his game. Rafael Benitez made history by bringing the most expensive signing to Liverpool—Fernando Torres. Sir Alex Ferguson tried but was unsuccessful. It’s easy to see why he was made captain so young at Atletico Madrid and he’s only 23.

Torres has not yet reached his peak so everyone beware. In his debut year he already has a good bond with Gerrard and the way they link up. He is a natural goal scorer. Already three hat tricks this season, between him and Steven Gerrard there are already 46 goals between them this season and there’s quite a few more games till the end of the season. What are we going to expect next season? An extraordinary partnership.

Liverpool Upsets Serie A Leader Inter Milan

Yehana Steenbok — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:17:55 -0500

Oh what a night at Anfield! The fighting spirit of Liverpool Football Club came shining through in a wondrous victory over Serie A leader Inter Milan although it was left late in the game.

Dirk Kuyt and Captain Fantastic Steven Gerrard both scored in the last five minutes of the match to stun Inter Milan. It was Liverpool’s 100^th home win in Europe.

The fans were vocal from the start and the Liverpool players responded to their passion. There were quite a few handballs that were turned down especially Patrick Viera’s.

Liverpool found the perfect balance yet again as they defended and attacked well. They brought the game to Inter from the first second to the last.

Fernando Torres was quite a menace to the Italian giants and Marco Materazzi got a second yellow to be sent off for a foul on Torres.

Before the goals came, it looked like Liverpool was going to be unlucky yet again when they were the better team, had better possession and more attempts on goal.

The master tactician Rafael Benitez proved his brilliance yet again and was seen taking copious notes just before the half time whistle blew.

Liverpool bounced back proving their pride and passion from the horrendous defeat at the weekend. With this game they have kept their dreams alive of another Champion’s League victory.

Oh what a night!