So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn, GoodBye!

Let me start this by saying, I've been an arsenal fan since pretty much the turn of the century. When I was a kid, Sportschannel used to show EPL matches, and especially the EPL review show (still one of the greatest programs produced, if only it would go in HD)...I kinda liked arsenal then because they wore this as their away kit:

Then, after college, I would follow casually the US national team, and of course watch the world cup...

Then, I saw a movie called Fever Pitch...Starring Colin Firth. Sure it was basically a Rom Com about a guy who had trouble deciding between the woman he loved and the team he loved. The guys devotion to his team, regardless of how many times he'd been let down by them, reminded me of being a Sox fan. Little did I know that I wasn't the only one, as the Farrelly Brothers decided to remake the movie themselves. Little did I know at first that this movie was actually a fictionalized portion of one little tiny piece of a book by Nick Hornby. I'd read High Fidelity, so I figured I'd give it a shot...and I was sold. I didn't know a THING about 90 percent of the players he talked about in his very football intensive book...The book in case you haven't read it is basically an autobiography in which Nick remembers things that happened in his life, in connection with a particular Season/Game/Team/Player for Arsenal. Between reading this book (while in London) and seeing an England vs. Italy friendly, and a Spanish League match between Real Madrid and Valladolid (I"m pretty sure that's who it was) in which Valladolid held on for a well earned 1-1 draw...I was hooked on The Beautiful Game.

When I got back home I realized I had Fox Sports World (now Fox Soccer Channel). And Arsenal were playing that weekend! This happened to be a match in which Arsenal beat Man United 1-0 on their home ground to clinch the league and the League/FA Cup Double. So, the lovable hardluck team I thought I was following was actually one of the best teams in the world...this was a little disheartening actually...as I kinda liked thinking of them as lovable bunch of losers like the sox, but I quickly got used to following a winner, much like I became used to following the Red Sox...

Anyway, over the years, I've become very attached to this team, and follow them like I follow any sports team I grew up watching. And today, one player that has been there for a while has signed with another team.

This player has been frustrating to watch, but in the end he's been one of the best at his position for a very long time...although quite douchey from time to time, getting yellow cards for no reason. But I'd like to Say Auf Wiedersehn to Jens Lehmann, who will be signing back in his home country of Germany, after a long career in North London. He was maddening at times when he'd come off his line to try to collect crosses, but to be honest, I'm really glad that he was the goalie for my team for so long. Good luck back in the Bundesliga Jens.

Also, I am not going to go into a big preview of the Euros, because Work is for Jerks, and I'm getting ready for a trip.

I'll be posting a few things from time to time regarding the Euros though. I think right now, I think I'm going to be pulling for Sweden. I like Sweden, and they don't seem dirty.

Maybe Spain, due to the Fabregas Spain ties.

I'm very excited for a few reasons regarding the Euro...ESPN's HD Coverage, The fact I'm going to be travelling but still able to watch many of the matches. And that I can actually place a wager on a match legally, should I desire.

More reports soon.