The stock market is like a beast creature in itself; at times it makes sense and sometimes no one can explain why it acts the way it does. What is clear is that, over the long run, the stock market will climb faster than any other traditional investment scheme. With that said, it may also happen that the value of the stock gets whacked and economy goes downhill. The story is true in case of our football’s transfer markets also. I’ll try to explain my views below.
Okay. For the beginners, stock market is driven by supply and demand. The stock market is really just a big shopping mall where everyone goes for buying and selling, we also know this mall as an Exchange. If the stock is getting its first look into the market place, we call it as IPO or a Primary Market. Then we move into Secondary Market where stocks are traded after initially being offered in the Primary Market and/or listed on the Exchange. At somewhat advanced stage we also deal with derivatives in secondary markets where the shares are bound by contracts. These contracts can be settled by various types viz. Futures and Options. Now since trading involves money matters between two or more individuals, it always will happen that one person turns out to be over smart than the other; hence we need a regulatory body that can keep an eye such details that all dealings happen within specified time frame abiding all rules that govern the stock markets.
Many football clubs across Europe have setup their coaching academies for young kids across the world. Those who can afford send their children to play football to these schools or else you have to be an exceptionally cute looking kid to be picked up by a reputed visionary coach for a big club to pay for your coaching. As a young boy with ambitions, you join your local academy and you make your parents feel proud of you. You play freely and make friends with a fellow short South American who tells the big club to pay for his illness and somehow help him grow in height. With each year passing by, you make more friends and destroy the U14 teams with slick passing movement and scoring ability. You like being called one of the teenage sensations; but you forget you are being watched by the world and you innocently land yourself in a MARKET.
As your formative years come to end, you are being picked up by a Top 4 club in UK. The new UK life likens the youth in you and you happily accept the offer and get called yourself a Gunner. After being on sidelines and playing multiple FA Cup and League Cup games, you prove yourself as a man ready for the next challenge in PL. After the departure of Patrick Vieira, you get a chance to wear the #4 jersey and establish as midfielder of the PL in seasons to come. In one of the Champions League games, you just tamed your nemesis on his ex-ground and the Arsenal Fans appreciated the show. The legends departed, the seniors cried on the pitch, the young legs got injured as season reached its climax. Wenger sensed that Arsenal needed a new leader on the pitch and he handed the armband to the playmaker. A few high moments that defined the last season were double strike against Aston Villa, a solo run goal against Spurs and numerous assists throughout the season with the killer pass to his friend from native country in the World Cup of 2010. That early reputation has now turned into fame and has an attractive price attached with it.
I think you might have already guessed the name by now, this is about Cesc Fabregas! His story in the transfer market has been very much like that of equity in stock market. The Gunner Fans can cheer for now as Catalonian Chief has expressed defeat in pursuit of Fabregas. Although I feel UEFA could have pitched in earlier and would have made the law breakers pay a hefty fine. But Barcelona being Platini’s favourite club they escaped without any punishment. (Subject to argument later)
But as I said, this is market and it can take its cruel twist anytime. Till then gear up with your FFL teams and watch who’s new on the market post world cup and who is past his sell by date?
Cheers!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
WHAT A CONUNDRUM FOR A FOOTBALL FAN!
The semi finals of the World Cup 2010 saw range of emotions flowing from the football fans across the world. The players and the management involved on the match day were probably more tensed than ever as history beckoned on each one of them. Buoyed by the expectations from the fans, the captains of the team led from front; Gio Bronckhorst – a veteran of 3 world cups let one fly from his left boot for the goal of the tournament. Diego Forlan proved why he is still one of the deadliest strikers of the football. He tamed the Jabulani and beat the Dutch keeper with flight and swerves in the air. Carles Puyol, though he’s not leading the team but marshals the back line of Spain side with same vigour as for the Catalan team. His bullet header crashed into the German net and dashed the hopes of millions of German supporters. Philippe Lahm waved generously at the crowd and graciously accepted the defeat.
Not many were surprised by the Netherlands win, but that match went close up to 70 mins until Wesley & Robben show put Uruguay’s defence to mat. A few of my colleagues were absolutely sure about Germany thumping Spain based on the tournament form. The match was played exactly as I had dreamt about with Torres dropping off to bench and Pedro providing width. The pass until death philosophy worked its magic for the first time for Spain in this edition. This intricate style took the life out of young ethnic Germans and they eventually lost the plot. What followed was the outburst from fans. Spaniards are now called a boring team! Some fans have run out of excuses and are ordering for the “Soup of Octopus!”
Two days later we see another Nostradamesque prediction from ‘Psychic Paul’ that it would be EURO 08 repeat. I have been supporting Spain since exodus of Zinedine Zidane from France in 2006. In Euro 2008, the Dutch displayed striking football and I fell in love with their game play too.
At the start of 2010 World Cup, I had 3 wishes:
1) A Gunner to lift the trophy.
2) Netherlands or Spain to win.
3) Cesc Fabregas to stay with Arsenal for another season.
Now is the time to make a call – Van Persie’s Holland or Cesc’s Spain? With Barca continuing their pursuit of Fabregas and him too pledging of his Catalan blood as if it being of the “purest quality”… It prompts me to choose “The Netherlands”
Hup Holland Hup!!!
Not many were surprised by the Netherlands win, but that match went close up to 70 mins until Wesley & Robben show put Uruguay’s defence to mat. A few of my colleagues were absolutely sure about Germany thumping Spain based on the tournament form. The match was played exactly as I had dreamt about with Torres dropping off to bench and Pedro providing width. The pass until death philosophy worked its magic for the first time for Spain in this edition. This intricate style took the life out of young ethnic Germans and they eventually lost the plot. What followed was the outburst from fans. Spaniards are now called a boring team! Some fans have run out of excuses and are ordering for the “Soup of Octopus!”
Two days later we see another Nostradamesque prediction from ‘Psychic Paul’ that it would be EURO 08 repeat. I have been supporting Spain since exodus of Zinedine Zidane from France in 2006. In Euro 2008, the Dutch displayed striking football and I fell in love with their game play too.
At the start of 2010 World Cup, I had 3 wishes:
1) A Gunner to lift the trophy.
2) Netherlands or Spain to win.
3) Cesc Fabregas to stay with Arsenal for another season.
Now is the time to make a call – Van Persie’s Holland or Cesc’s Spain? With Barca continuing their pursuit of Fabregas and him too pledging of his Catalan blood as if it being of the “purest quality”… It prompts me to choose “The Netherlands”
Hup Holland Hup!!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Last Four
Ever since June 11th, ma life's been hectic watching footie. I had been thinking of penning down notes after the group stages where I wanted to abuse the French, Italians and the English badly. But the games flew thick and fast and I found no time to do it. Then, I thought of writing again after the pre-quarters to highlight FIFA's growing negligience towards introducing the simplest of goal-line technologies in their sport. Well I finally found time today, to write this piece of article to talk about Germany's prowess & my thoughts on how semis will unfold.
Meself was nevva a German fan, but I asked one of my friend to start following football by watching the way Germany play and it has been a delight watching them give footballing lessons to proud egoistical nations like England and Argentina. "Blitzkreig" is a famous word in world war history and this German team symbolizes their attacks on the opposition by that word.
Thomas Muller, Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have all been scoring goals but one player that stands out is BASTIAN SCHWEINSTIGER. He's strong on the ball, controls the pace of the game in midfield and sets up those goals for the team. He's playing like Zidane's 1998 & 2006. He's been well supported by Ozil and Khedira who are barely as famous and rich as players playing in established clubs. Germany have hit the jackpot by having a excellent domestic setup run by good administrators and they are reaping the rewards. On the current form, they are favorites to lift the World cup 2010.
A team that has qualified to semis by virtue of "Hand of God" is the only South American team left at this stage of the tournament. With two World Cup titles to their name they are the dark horses to lift the title. Diego Forlan is their most recognized player and he works his socks off every match to ensure they do not get drubbed by the opposition and the young Luis Suarez who has scored one of the goals of the world cup will miss the clash against the Dutch.
Viva Espana!!! The chants can be heard from the Spanish fans who cheer every pass that gets played into path of David Villa. The striker who moved to Barcelona is showing his class to the rest of the world and currently favorite to win the Golden Boot. But, coach Del Bosque will not be satisified with that, he's here to claim the big prize and Spain still have a lot to do to justify their pre-tournament favorites tag. El Nino has not been sharp and they should try his look alike Llorente in game against Germans. The short passing game looks good to eyes but one mistake and Germans are lethal on counter.
Finally, I speak about my team that I picked at the start of the world cup - The Netherlands. Men in Oranje must be high on confidence after beating the world favorites Brazil in intense quarterfinal match. Who would have thought they will turn the tables on Brazil after going a goal down in just ten minutes of the first half? Ofcourse I knew they would! ;) The DUtch are doing an efficient job and are on a 24 match unbeaten streak, a national record. They havent exactly produced Total Football for which they are known, but its been giving them the results wanted. I have been banking upon the trio of Robben, Sneijder and RVP to lead the Dutch to their first ever World Cup victory. Hup Holland Hup!!!
I do not want to jump the gun and give my bold predictions for semis, I will rather sit back, have fun and watch the events unfold themselves.
Cheers!
Meself was nevva a German fan, but I asked one of my friend to start following football by watching the way Germany play and it has been a delight watching them give footballing lessons to proud egoistical nations like England and Argentina. "Blitzkreig" is a famous word in world war history and this German team symbolizes their attacks on the opposition by that word.
Thomas Muller, Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have all been scoring goals but one player that stands out is BASTIAN SCHWEINSTIGER. He's strong on the ball, controls the pace of the game in midfield and sets up those goals for the team. He's playing like Zidane's 1998 & 2006. He's been well supported by Ozil and Khedira who are barely as famous and rich as players playing in established clubs. Germany have hit the jackpot by having a excellent domestic setup run by good administrators and they are reaping the rewards. On the current form, they are favorites to lift the World cup 2010.
A team that has qualified to semis by virtue of "Hand of God" is the only South American team left at this stage of the tournament. With two World Cup titles to their name they are the dark horses to lift the title. Diego Forlan is their most recognized player and he works his socks off every match to ensure they do not get drubbed by the opposition and the young Luis Suarez who has scored one of the goals of the world cup will miss the clash against the Dutch.
Viva Espana!!! The chants can be heard from the Spanish fans who cheer every pass that gets played into path of David Villa. The striker who moved to Barcelona is showing his class to the rest of the world and currently favorite to win the Golden Boot. But, coach Del Bosque will not be satisified with that, he's here to claim the big prize and Spain still have a lot to do to justify their pre-tournament favorites tag. El Nino has not been sharp and they should try his look alike Llorente in game against Germans. The short passing game looks good to eyes but one mistake and Germans are lethal on counter. 
Finally, I speak about my team that I picked at the start of the world cup - The Netherlands. Men in Oranje must be high on confidence after beating the world favorites Brazil in intense quarterfinal match. Who would have thought they will turn the tables on Brazil after going a goal down in just ten minutes of the first half? Ofcourse I knew they would! ;) The DUtch are doing an efficient job and are on a 24 match unbeaten streak, a national record. They havent exactly produced Total Football for which they are known, but its been giving them the results wanted. I have been banking upon the trio of Robben, Sneijder and RVP to lead the Dutch to their first ever World Cup victory. Hup Holland Hup!!!
I do not want to jump the gun and give my bold predictions for semis, I will rather sit back, have fun and watch the events unfold themselves.
Cheers!
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