Viola... In English!

Video: Viola-Groningen PK Shootout

The official club site has posted the footage from the PK shootout with Groningen.  I despise shootouts.  They sicken me and I really feel that it is a really poopy way to end a soccer game.  Here it is, though.

CLICK HERE!

A Mutu Replacement?

Market: Corvino in Argentina tracking German Denis

According to controcampo.it one of the objectives on Corvino's South American trip wears the shirt of Independiente and is the top goalscorer of the 2007 Argentine Apertura.  We are speaking of German Denis, 26-year-old Argentine who has played in Serie B.  In fact the player, known as the tank, arrived in Italia to wear Cesena's shirt in January 2002.  He only played with their first team 28 times in two seasons and managed only three goals during that spell and was not considered worthy of a contract renewal.   Now, however, the situation has changed.  The player has finally broken out and his price tag is said to be around €10M.

Mutu Nets Two

Romania: A brace for the Viola phenom

Adrian Mutu has scored another two goals for his national team.  Romania went on the road and defeated Belarus 1-3. 

The Viola attacker found the back of the net in the 17th minute with a precision right-footed shot that he angled past the keeper but Belarus equalized in the 21st minute through Romashchenko. 

The Romanians regained the lead in the 42nd minute with a goal from Steaua Bucharest star Dica and Mutu put the game away in the 77th minute when he converted a penalty that he had won himself. 

The Fiorentina star played a spectacular match and was dangerous on several occasions.  Ex-Viola goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont, nicknamed 'The Cat' in Romania, also had a good match.

Mutu's First Goal

Mutu's Totti-esque PK Goal

The War Recommences

Just a little something I found on YouTube to get everyone pumped up for the season; as if we needed it!

Forza Viola!

Send Me Your Pics!

Well, Chris talked me into adding a photo album and there it is.  I guess that I really need to buy some Fiorentina gear as I have none currently.  I had a scarf once but I was always sorta a vagabond and lost it over the years.  Chris has me depressed.  Whenever a friend goes to Los Angeles I always lend him or her my Thomas Guide and help them plan their trip...  Then the depression kicks in as I really miss my home town these days...  *sigh*  Anyway, great job Chris in flying the colors!

Willian Ours?

Market: Willian is Viola and will arrive by the end of the month - Stadio

According to a report in Tuesday's Stadio, Willian (Corinthians' trequartista) now belongs to Fiorentina and could join the squad around the end of August.  The 19-year-old Brasilian would occupy one of the non-EU spots.  The sports paper went on to say that if Fiorentina were to acquire another non-EU player then Willian's arrival would be put off for another year.

My take -- I'll wait until Ferragosto is done and it's made official before I get too excited.

Competition for Lupoli

Official: Osvaldo acquired from Atalanta

Fiorentina has announced that this morning in Milan D.S. Pantaleo Corvino, after having agreed a deal with Carlo Osti (D.S. for Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio), has also reached a deal with Argentine agent Dario Recoud for Osvaldo's transfer on a 5-year contract.  The player is 21 years old.

My take -- I'm not sure how much time he will get in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 as Prandelli really likes his forward in these formations to be more of a true #9 or a big strong target man like Toni.  I have read nothing that indicates that Osvaldo has been used as a winger in the past.  It seems that we acquired him for €3.5M.

Serie A Talk Launches

The people behind the Forza Futbol podcast have broken that up into separate podcasts for Serie A and La Liga.  I listened to the first episode of Serie A Talk last night and I really like that this is completely dedicated to Italian soccer.  I do watch La Liga when I have time but, frankly, I'm not very interested in the latest Spanish intrigues.  The first episode focuses mainly on Genoa, Napoli, Juventus, Torino, Cagliari, Reggina and Siena.  They are just starting out and their website at www.SerieATalk.com is still under construction.  I really think that one of the (very few) good things about FSC getting the U.S. exclusive English-language rights to Serie A is that it will allow Mando, Elisa and Hannah to watch much more Serie A than they have probably had a chance to watch in the past and I think it will be very interesting to see how the show evolves.  I really think, for example, that Mando will change his mind about Juve not qualifying for Europe this season.  Ranieri at Juventus is just about my worst possible nightmare.  Anyone working to promote Serie A in the United States has my full backing and they really are dedicated and doing a great job so check them out!

YouTube Thick With Quality Viola Content

While searching for Fiorentina-specific content on YouTube Tuesday morning I came across some good stuff from Teleiride; a local television station in Tuscany.  They have some high-quality footage of the players' press conferences and training sessions.  Check it out!

Tahoma83's channel is a real godsend to all Fiorentina supporters as he has obviously spent incalculable hours collecting, posting and cataloging hundreds (508 as of this writing!) of Viola goals and highlights on his own YouTube channel.  An invaluable resource.

A deserved kudos also goes out to our own ViolaGirl who has created her own heartfelt Fiorentina compilation and has it posted on her own YouTube channel.  Anyone who has had any kind of interaction with her realizes how loyal she is to our club and she has chosen to express it through video.

All of these channels are listed in the 'Links' area on the top of the right sidebar.  I thank you all!

Forza Futbol!

An English-language podcast on Serie A and La Liga.

Though this is not Viola specific I thought I would share it with all of you.  Forza Futbol is a weekly (approximately) podcast that features news,analysis and rumors on Serie A and La Liga.  I am in no way affiliated with them but I am always listening to podcasts as I type away on my computer and this is one that I make a point to listen to whenever the new episode comes out.  I have added their Podbean site to the links and they also have spots on OleOle! and MySpace.  Find them at http://forzafutbol.podbean.com/