Obviously we see the London Olympics kick-off tonight, and what better way to celebrate than by playing a team from the country that gave us the Olympics? Even better is the fact that their name is based around the Olympics. Anyone else starting to feel that it was a set up?
Anyway enough Olympic malarkey. I’m pretty much not interested in it although, unlike some, I don’t especially want it to fail as it will reflect on all Brits whether we like it or not. What I am interested in is the game this evening which will see us go toe-to-toe with a team that has already qualified for the Champions League this season.
The game will kick-off at 8:45pm (there is no time difference between the UK and Portugal) and will be shown live on ESPN. Essentially it is a three team mini-tournament between ourselves, Olympiakos and SC Braga although I don’t know how you can win a tournament when the rules say that even a penalty shootout can end in a draw!
For reference it is called the “XII Trofeo Guadiana” which actually got underway last night as Olympiakos and Braga managed to draw 1-1 over the course of 90 minutes and then drew 4-4 on penalties. Seemingly there is no provision to have more than five penalties…
The game this evening will be Olympiakos’ last of the tournament after two games in two days for the Greeks, which Newcastle will also have to endure as they play SC Braga in 24 hours time. With that in mind I think it’s safe to assume that we’ll be seeing a lot of team rotation over these next two games.
Tim Krul is likely to make his first appearance of pre-season and will share goalkeeping duties with Steve Harper after Rob Elliot picked up a minor injury presumably straining to reach a bit of discarded kebab he found under his bed. Shane Ferguson is also absent while Romain Amalfitano – who missed the last friendly with a groin injury – may be spared as a precaution even though he joined in training yesterday.
Another player set for a first appearance is Yohan Cabaye who is now back from an extended break after his participation at Euro 2012. His compatriot Hatem Ben Arfa won’t feature though as he has been attending a disciplinary hearing to discuss his fall out with Laurent Blanc over the summer. Nothing has come of it but the missed training will likely have an impact in his role these next two games and we may have to wait until August 4th (my birthday, hint hint) to see Benny back in action. Steven Taylor may play a part as he continues to recover from the most serious injury of his career to date.
Anyway I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Once the team news appears I’ll add it in below and we can see where we go from there. Also if you happen to know of any decent links for the match then please feel free to share them as not everyone has ESPN.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon, Gabriel Obertan, Gael Bigirimana, Romain Amalfitano, Dan Gosling, Haris Vuckic, Shola Ameobi.
Subs: Steve Harper, Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Simpson, James Tavernier, Ryan Taylor, Mehdi Abeid, Sylvain Marveaux, Cheik Tiote, Sammy Ameobi, Jonas Gutierrez, Papiss Cisse.
Olympiakos: Roy Carroll, Anastasios Papazoglou, Ljubomir Fejsa, Rafik Djebbour, Ionnis Fetfatzdis, Dimitris Siovas, Claude Dielna, Panagiotis Vlachodimos, Chumbinho, Luis Santo, Vasileios
God knows what the bench is now. Cabaye and Ba have been withdrawn 😕
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy @ 1 what for ? do you know
Big Dave(Quote)
Im surprised there isn’t a few more 1st teamers starting 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave i was thinking that but cant expect more really when theyre playing again tmo
Dubtoon(Quote)
dave ryder says just rested 😕 cabye hasent played yet has he ❓
batty(Quote)
Yeah not grumbling about team selection. Another game in 24 hours time 😕
Dave – Just rested basically. Will play tomorrow I bet
toonsy(Quote)
Sorry if this has been covered lads but… any links to streams? Just got in from work and can’t get to the pub.
ArchieMag(Quote)
Batts no mate I think he only came back this week but I thought Ba would have been in 😕 Cabaye is on the bench 🙄
Big Dave(Quote)
Batts what does Ryder know 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy @ 6 our younguns just played their 5th game in 6 days lastnight 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Good enough line-up considering we have a game tomorrow too.
As much as I’d love to join in the live fun here, I’m a ****** for pausing and rewinding so I’m gona give the blog a wide berth for a bit…. 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
http://web.thefirstrow.eu/webmaster/footyfire.com/132370/1/watch-newcastle-united-vs-olympiacos-piraeus.html
Shameem(Quote)
Toonsy – wonder if they’ve been withdrawn because they are having Medicals tomorrow? 😕 😛
I’m sure one or two reporters may write that tomorrow 👿
Sharpy17(Quote)
We start off by passing it around at the back then Williamson humps it forward. Get him out of that team
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Anyone got a link 😡
Newkie(Quote)
Just noticed that Elliot isn’t on the bench 😀
TLR Willo doen’t really like the ball
Big Dave(Quote)
Newkie sorry mate im watching it on espn 🙁
Big Dave(Quote)
Saylor needs to get on the end of one of them 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/62648/1/newcastle-vs-olympiakos-live-stream-online.html
ice pup(Quote)
Argh vuckic 😕
Newkie(Quote)
there u gan
ice pup(Quote)
Good play by the front three. Vuckic nearly scores. A goal might be all he needs
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Whats the craic young Pup 😉
its nice to see Saylor back barking out orders 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Like the look of mini Cheik
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Shola and Obertan look great as a combo.
Shola’s strength and holding up links perfect with Obertan’s movement. Obertan looks a pacey striker to me.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Is the pitch made of green ice?
MDS(Quote)
bit rough Mr BigDave going to maybe watch the first half then sleep…. iv the worse disease ever
MANFLU
ice pup(Quote)
Pup you need to watch that mate as it is a deadly disease 😆 I use to find whiskey was good for it 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Cheers ice pup!
Good on ya Stevie lad!
Newkie(Quote)
Saylor the Great
Big Dave(Quote)
nee probs newkie
aye dave i would love one………if u can send a nice young bit stuff to
60 the gallowgate hamrun ((( i **** u not the name of my house lol ))) i would very much appreciate it
ice pup(Quote)
Pup I like it mate 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Gosling pulled up as he started to run 😥
Big Dave(Quote)
He was looking pretty good too.
Been impressed with Perch and Amalfitano so far
MDS(Quote)
Obertan looks really up for it.
I’ve been impressed by Gosling this pre-seaso but he seems so risky to play due to injuries. Nearly off again after nothing happened to him.
funkyjesus(Quote)
That Arsenal git putting his stupid comments in pisses you off though. Southern shandy drinker
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
We still try the same old free kick routine. A bit more thought required
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
That wasn’t a bad wee ball from ET there
Big Dave(Quote)
Its a pity this is a friendly as I don’t remember obertan having many better 45mins for us
Johno Toon(Quote)
Come on lads
Big Dave(Quote)
Obertan must believe he has a shot as a striker with the transfer situation being dead in the water.
This is a good team and Obertan is tearing them apart. I hope he gets the full game upfront. This is the potential he’s always had.
funkyjesus(Quote)
From the bits I have managed to catch we seem to be playing well, good to see Saylor back in the squad!
EvilFranky(Quote)
Franky- we’ve kept possession rather well and created some good chances early. We slipped a little towards the end of the half but they never really threatened.
MDS(Quote)
Thanks for filling in MDS. They look like dirty cheats mind, but good experience for the team ahead of the European campaign.
EvilFranky(Quote)
Strolla must be getting lessons on shirt pulling from Willo 👿
Big Dave(Quote)
Good to see Dummett getting some time
MDS(Quote)
The french lad is neat and tidy. Good value
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Agreed. Very tidy and good pace.
MDS(Quote)
Yep dirty cheating twats.
EvilFranky(Quote)
Santon seems to be gaining confidence with every game
Big Dave(Quote)
😥
Big Dave(Quote)
Is the match finished? Been watching OOS.
Andymag(Quote)
We can’t seem to score more than one… and we always let some in 😕
Newkie(Quote)
oh close Cisse
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
We concede?
Andymag(Quote)
Unlucky there…
EvilFranky(Quote)
Whats the score?
Andymag(Quote)
Andy not telling you you should be watching your team 👿
1-1
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
🙄 😡 😉
See Taylor scored, the lads ace, if only we could keep him on the pitch a whole season. What happened with the Olympiakas goal?
Andymag(Quote)
Sammy has been dreadful. Poor lad
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
How are the lads looking ? could not get a link , so started watching the opening ceremony . Is 1- 1 final score BIG DAVE.
Axel(Quote)
Andy
Williamson got raped
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Axel yeah it is now
Big Dave(Quote)
penalties now
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
nowt like a good old pen shoot out 😀 but not when your own team is involved 😥 reet come on lads lets have em
Big Dave(Quote)
Fuckme, never let cisse take a pen 😕
Newkie(Quote)
oh Cisse 😥
Big Dave(Quote)
well done Harris
Big Dave(Quote)
well done Krul
Big Dave(Quote)
well in abeid 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
4-4 on Pens and you wouldn’t have expected Cisse to be the one that missed 😯
Big Dave(Quote)
Just wrote a huge post and then realised the name and email wasn’t filled in when I posted, can’t be arsed to do another one. 🙂
I just go one thing to say, Bigirimana…Mini Tiote! I’m worried about bids coming in now. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
DJG
I do that all the time 😉
Andymag(Quote)
Is it all over then?
Andymag(Quote)
Got my tickets today for our game against ADO DEN HAAG and its been pointed out too me i will be in the same section as their , (how should i put it ?) “ultras “. But ****** it i am still going with me Toon top on .
Axel(Quote)