The Latest Football News and Opinions From 90 Minutes Online
Tragedy of Gascoigne and surviving life after football
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Written by Darren Douglas
Like I imagine many a football fan did, I sat down to watch Channel 4's documentary on Paul Gascoigne on Monday evening titled 'Surviving Gazza'. What followed over the next hour and twenty minutes proved to be a depressingly up-to-date biopic of the one time footballing genius. The tale and career of Paul Gascoigne has seen him idolised many times over the years, and despite his shortcomings, controversy, and often self-destructive behaviour he was always a fan favourite wherever he ended up.
In spite of the fact that Liverpool FC are better placed than ever to lift their first Premier League title, there has been a cloud hanging over the club of late. Not because their talismanic captain punched a DJ who wouldn’t play Another Day in Paradise, but because of their unheralded financial woes.
As the Christmas holidays end the New Year begins in the footballing calendar with the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. It is traditionally when firm interests begin in the World's oldest football knockout competition.
With just over a year passed since England relinquished their place at Euro 2008 to Croatia, the national team have clearly made much progress towards repairing their damaged reputation. The unexpected joy that followed England's 4-1 defeat of Croatia demonstrated how significant a result it was. The new yardstick of improvement under Fabio Capello clear for all to see.
Old rivalries give new meaning to international friendlies
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Written by Darren Douglas
So this week we are given what may be regarded as a brief holiday jaunt by footballing supporters, international friendly football dominates the agenda but there is nothing really at risk bar pride. Nonetheless, I do not agree with some assertions expressed in recent years that international friendlies offer no real worth.
This Wednesday evening England take on Germany in Berlin, a fixture that has gathered history over the years with many famous significant clashes. Games such as this will always attract interest regardless of context because of their nature and past, when the 'major' footballing nations compete honour is a major factor. As with most news stories, the English press will always be particularly prone to over-hyping events, but this fixture will have that extra edge to it in Germany and will be of interest to footballing aficionado's across Europe as well.
