Global Cool » Sport

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the bus with Paolo Di Canio and John Terry (both looking like plonkers)

Global Cool — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:37:47 +0000

Welcome to our weekly round-up of sporting clips. Like Sir Alex Ferguson on a scouting mission, we’ve carefully handpicked these videos to ensure success. Our aim is to get you out of the car and going to sporting events on public transport. All you have to do is leave the car keys at home, fire up your internet enabled devise and kick back on the bus and train while these clips keep you entertained…

In a week when tragedy hit the world of football with the death of 74 fans at a game in Egypt, now seems like as good a time as any to remind ourselves that really isn’t more important than life and death, whatever Bill Shankly might have said. Someone should tell that to Paolo Di Canio, who still seems to be taking it a little seriously…

Grim times for John Terry this week too, who will have to wait until July to clear his name of alleged racism against QPR’s Anton Ferdinand. This video (unfortunately not embeddable) we’ve unearthed probably won’t cheer him up much either…

Happier times for ex Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, who scored on his return to the Premier League in mid-week. Here’s why QPR boss Mark Hughes decided to sign him…

With Cisse, and Arsenal coming back from dead against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, it’s been a week for comebacks. Here’s one of Sport In Public’s favourite comebacks of all time (and a, er, taxing watch for one Harry Redknapp – we’re here all week)…

And finally, a reminder that there is life outside of the Barclays Premier League from Africa. Even if we’re only really interested in the African Cup of Nations these days because so many British-based players bugger off to play in it. Check out this wonder goal from David Alvarez that sent Equatorial Guinea through to the kock out stages. As for where the defenders are, your guess is as good as ours…

Here comes the science bit…

Global Cool wants you to lead a green and happy life. This article can help you to be green by:

1. Using public transport rather than the car to get to whatever sporting event you’re attending. You wouldn’t be able to watch all these videos while you drive, now would you? Plan your journey here.
2. Even better… walk or cycle if it’s convenient.
3. Whatever device you’re using to watch those videos, make sure you only leave it plugged in for as long as it takes to charge, not over night.
4. If you’re more of an arm chair fan make sure you turn the TV fully off after the action has finished. Standby is for losers.

Pic: PA Images

SPORT IN PUBLIC: Get your Snickers in a twist on the bus with Rio, Balotelli and ‘Arry

Global Cool — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:31 +0000

We start by reflecting on an ugly moment. No, we’re talking about the fact Wayne Rooney was voted the manliest footballer this week. We’re reflecting on last week’s Super Duper Mega Amazing Sunday (trademark Sky Sports) game between Manchester City and Spurs. Sport In Public can’t help thinking that it’s a shame such a great match will be remembered for Mario Balotelli using Scott Parker’s head as a door mat. Still, we’ve seen worse…

More ugliness on Twitter this week, where Joey Barton was warned about predicting football matches by the FA. To be honest, Sport In Public found this less offensive than Rio Ferdiand’s ill-judged Snickers adverts, in which the Manchester United star promoted the popular chocolate-based snack (other brands are available) via a series of bizarre tweets. Cue thousands of his followers questioning whether Rio really needs to sell his soul like that, given that footballers generally tend to be doing pretty well for themselves in the salary stakes. The ASA are not too happy either. Sport In Public decided it was a good opportunity to remind everyone that footballers and advertising just don’t mix…

Another thing that doesn’t appear to mix these days is Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans. In Super Duper Mega Awesome Sunday’s other extravaganza Sport In Public couldn’t help notice that Manchester United’s victory exposed the fact that the chemistry between Arsene and his supporters has now reached Christine Bleakley/Adrian Chiles depths. We’ve all been there…

We all wait with baited breath to see if football can rise above its tribalistic ways and get through the QPR v Chelsea FA Cup tie this weekend without any unsavoury Anton Ferdinand/John Terry related chanting/skirmishes. The Hoops have hardly helped matters by signing Taye Taiwo, a player who was banned from the French League for leading supporters in a homophobic chant. All this leaves Sport In Public surprisingly nostalgic for the more innocent crowd baiting of everyone’s least favourite fake tan – former Hull boss Phil Brown…

Tottenham have had to train without Harry Redknapp this, who has been missing due to one or two financial difficulties. No doubt Spurs fans will be less concerned about this than they were about the missing inches on the bottom of Jermain Defoe’s legs against Manchester City. A couple of inches taller and Redknapp’s boys might still have been title contenders. It was all tragically reminiscent of a certain Gazza miss…

Here comes the science bit…

Global Cool wants you to lead a green and happy life. This article can help you to be green by:

Pic: PA Images

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the bus with vintage Spurs, not-so-vintage Torres and the greatest boxer ever

Global Cool — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:02:32 +0000

It’s hardly been a vintage week for football stories. Even the transfer window is proving something of a damp squib, unless the prospect of Christopher Samba fleeing the sinking ship at Blackburn quicker than the captain of the Costa Concordia, erm, floats your boat. Clearly the sight of last January’s big transfers – Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll – sinking faster than said cruise ship has put many managers off. This is pretty much the level of disdain we’re talking about…

It’s been such a slow footballing week that we were forced to search outside the beautiful game for our sporting entertainment (well, the feature is called SPORT In Public, after all). Boxing legend Muhammad Ali turned 70, so what better excuse to relive some of his greatest moments…

Perhaps Andy Murray can restore some national pride at the Australian Open. To be honest, we’re not massive tennis fans but we do always enjoy watching these crazy tennis shots…

Back in the world of football there is only one question on everyone’s lips. No, it’s not will Anton Ferdinand reprise Wayne Bridge’s handshake diss to John Terry when QPR meet Chelsea in the round of the FA Cup. It’s can Spurs really win the Premier League? (Excuse us a moment while we roll around on the floor urinating in our underpants)…. I mean we all know that Spurs love it when the year ends in 1, right? And as it’s now 2012, they might have to console themselves with a reminder of past glories rather than imminent future ones…

Still, judging by Arsenal’s latest capitulation at the hands of Swansea, at least Spurs are unlikely to be upstaged by their north London rivals…

Here comes the science bit…

Global Cool wants you to lead a green and happy life. This article can help you to be green by:

Pic: PA Images

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the bus with Thierry Henry and some other people who might turn you gay (but probably not)

Global Cool — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:30:25 +0000

After all the drama and giantkilling (does Wigan really count as “giants”?) last week it’s back to business as usual this weekend. As ever, Sport In Public is here to help you enjoy your journey to the big game by public transport. Here are all the stories that have had the internet shouting as loudly and angrily as ever over the last seven days, with a little related video entertainment to help you Do It In Public…

The glorious goalscoring return of Thierry Henry to Arsenal colours on Monday night apparently led to a spontaneous outbreak of men turning gay on Twitter (although not in Ireland, we assume). If Henry’s Nicolas Anelka-esque beard and bald head combo had you reassessing your sexual priorities, here’s a little something to get you going. Just try not to get too, er, excited, you are meant to be reading this on a bus or train after all…

Speaking of man on man love, after rumours to the contrary, Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas has spoken out this week to say he and Frank Lampard have a great relationship. Here’s a reminder of why AVB is so keen not to upset Mr Christine Bleakley…

The ugly side of the game reared its ugly head again last weekend with bad tackles from Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Liverpool’s Glen Johnsen. Despite all the furore and debate about two-footed challenges, we can definitely all agree that neither was as bad as this…

Wayne Rooney denied trying to get Kompany sent off for that tackle during the FA Cup tie between the two Manchester clubs. We can only assume that the hand he was waving in the referee’s direction was merely a gentle reminder to remember to buy a lottery ticket. Let’s remind ourselves that underneath the silly fake hair and other Rooney nonsense, lies a very talented footballer, as this clip of him as a whipper snapper shows…

Other names in the football news this week include Carlos Tevez and Paul Scholes. You won’t be surprised to hear neither was making headlines for the ability to spontaneously turn previous straight men into homosexuals. The former was involved in yet more Milan-based transfer speculation, whilst the latter was doing an impression of a man who had never kicked a football before in his life. Perhaps Scholes has been taking tips from Andy Carroll, who was also the subject of transfer speculation linking him with a return to Newcastle. Let’s remind ourselves why Kop fans are so keen to keep hold of him…

Another man doing an impression was Ipswich manager Paul Jewell, whose comments about a female assistant referee were straight from the Richard Keys and Andy Gray text book. Perhaps Jewell needs a reminder that quite a lot of male officials make terrible decisions too…

And finally, Mark Hughes has replaced Neil Warnock at QPR. Here’s why we’ll miss the man they (not so affectionately) call Colin Wanker…

Here comes the science bit…

Global Cool wants you to lead a green and happy life. This article can help you to be green by:

Pic: PA Images

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the bus with Vinnie Jones’ novel approach to saving Arsenal’s season

Global Cool — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:39:16 +0000

It’s been a week when the seemingly impossible happened: Manchester United losing two on the spin, Tim Howard scoring from a zillion yards, Joey Barton and Arsene Wenger uniting in their mutual disrespect for referees and David Beckham’s missus turning down the chance of multiple shopping trips in Paris.

This weekend the action continues with The FA Cup, once the much-loved “greatest cup competition in the world”, now little more than a practice match for the soon-to-be-flogged-in-the-January-window rejects. Apparently tickets for the big tie of the weekend between Manchesters City and United are yet to sell out at the time of writing. If you decide to take one of those thus far unwanted seats, or are travelling to any sporting event this weekend then make sure you Do It In Public and get there by bus or train. You can plan your journey by public transport here. You’ll thank us when the inevitable need to drown your sorrows/celebrate a giantkilling kicks in.

Here’s a few football gems Sport In Public has found this week to help you pass the time while you Do It In Public…

Videos

We’d like to start by talking about a footballer doing it hard and fast. No, this is not a video of Ryan Giggs on a visit to his brother’s house, it’s a slightly bizarre – although in a good cause – video starring Vinnie Jones for the British Heart Foundation. Reports that Arsene Wenger has been studying the video in order to rescue Arsenal’s season are unconfirmed…

To mark Tim Howard making David Beckham’s long range effort against Wimbledon look a bit lightweight, here is a celebration of that rare thing in football – goalkeepers scoring rather than saving goals…

If you’re wondering why going for a meal with his wife and mates constituted a crime so great that Wayne Rooney was dropped for Manchester United’s defeat to Blackburn on New Year’s Eve, perhaps this clip of Rooney taking the mickey out of Sir Alex Ferguson at the United Christmas quiz provides a clue. Revenge is a dish best served by making your star player sit in the stands. Either that or Fergie just really doesn’t like the latest incarnation of Rooney’s born again barnet…

Apps

It’s January, which can only mean one thing. That’s right, it’s the time of year when presenters on Sky Sports News start having multiple orgasms every time they see a football agent on the phone. If you’re as massively over-excited about the prospect of Robbie Keane returning to England as they are, then you should probably download this Football Rumours app to satisfy your need for completely unsubstantiated gossip.

Books

If you are still interested in the FA Cup we’d recommend this nostalgic look back at one of the greatest Cup upsets of all time, when Sunderland won the competition back in 1973 – Stokoe, Sunderland and 73: The Story of the Greatest FA Cup Final shock of all time.

Here comes the science bit…

Global Cool wants you to lead a green and happy life. This article can help you to be green by:

1. Using public transport rather than the car.
2. Even better… walk or cycle if it’s convenient.
3. Whatever device you’re using to watch those videos, make sure you only leave it plugged in for as long as it takes to charge, not over night.
4. Read e-books rather than paper ones.
5. If you’re more of an arm chair fan make sure you turn the TV fully off after the action has finished. Standby is for losers.

Pic: PA Images

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Global Cool brings to you… Chris Waddle’s mullet and some ace skills from Ronaldo

emily — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:30:39 +0000

It’s the last day of our 12 Days of Christmas countdown. We’ve been looking at our best features of the year over the past two weeks, and our final installment is sport. 2011 has seen quite a bit of action on and off the footie pitch, from Romelu Lukaku joining the metre high club and a blast from the past with Chris Waddle’s mullet, to a drunken ref and some ace skills from Ronaldo. We hope 2012 is just as eventful, and you can keep up with all the news on our Twitter feed @sportinpublic…

Pic: PA Images

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the bus with the worst performance ever from Man Utd and some ace skills from Ronaldo

steve — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:30:33 +0000

By Stephen Ferdinando

Last weekend’s results left most footie fans lost for words – except for City fans, who literally haven’t stopped celebrating since that sixth goal went in. Nevertheless, it was quite a defeat, and even Ferguson has labelled it one of his worst days in football.

Whatever your opinion, we hope you’re all getting out to the game this weekend, and that you’re Doing It In Public on the way. As a reward for your green travelling, we’ve put together a list of excellent things to do on the bus. Enjoy…

Clips
Our first video of the week shows why Ronaldo is allowed to be so arrogant…

And here’s a collection of the things we want to see him do…

Twitter
@Soccer AM has been damn good to us over the years. The guys behind the scenes are always tweeting hilarious comments and opinions, so follow them and join the conversation. And while you’re on Twitter, why not follow our own sports page too @SportInPublic.

Apps
We’ve been so into football lately, we’ve forgotten that there are other sports in the world! Put all your sporting skills to the test with the Flick Champions app. Choose your nation, take part in eight different sports and become the ultimate sporting god.

Books
This weekend, as you’re sitting on the bus to the big game, make sure you’re not without a copy of The Match Of The Day Annual 2012. It’s the perfect companion to get you in the mood for watching the footie.

Let us know what you’re thinking via Twitter @sportinpublic or the comments section below…

SPORT IN PUBLIC: Travel to the big game with Pro Evo, Gazza and The Stone Roses

steve — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:25:51 +0000

By Stephen Ferdinando

Everyone’s going Madchester this week. The Stone Roses are reforming, and there’s the small matter of the Manchester derby this weekend. If you’re making the journey up to Lancashire – or anywhere else to take in some footy this weekend – make sure you Do It In Public on the way. Taking public transport not only benefit’s the planet, but you as well, as the list of entertaining football delights below for you to enjoy on the train and bus aptly demonstrates…

Clips
This is, in our opinion anyway, the best way to get started. You’ve just plumped yourself down on the bus, you’re after immediate entertainment, and we’re willing to provide. One…er…fan? Has made this tribute to the great *inserts sarcasm* Emily Heskey. Let us know what you think!

And let’s remind ourselves just how good *inserts more sarcasm* The Stone Roses were live. Here’s lead singer Ian Brown’s performance at Gary Neville’s testimonial…

Books
We’ve all been waiting for it, and it’s finally here. Paul Gascoigne has released a book into the world. Everyone, and we mean everyone, knows about Gazza’s exploits, but what we don’t know is the other side of the story, and this book attempts to clear that up for us. A great read and really worth your effort, especially whilst you’re Doing It In Public.

Apps
Well, we had to write about it eventually. Everyone’s favourite football game is available as an app. It’s Pro Evolution, and it’s thumb-crampingly addictive. You can act out your favourite games, whilst you’re on your way to the game – but obviously not if you’re driving.

Twitter
And to round off, it’s our Twitter recommendation. Each week we excavate large areas of the micro-blogging caverns, in order to bring make the raw material tweets you need to power yourself to the game. We’ve picked up on Football Speak. It’s fun, informative, and they share some great links. They’re a personal favourite of ours, and should be of yours.

Let us know what you think via the comments section or our own twitter page @SportInPublic…

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the buses with some dirty tackle (and we’re not just talking about Wayne Rooney)

steve — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:33:58 +0000

By Stephen Ferdinando

Hurray! England have qualified for Euro 2012 – all they need to do now is make sure they don’t follow in the footsteps of our rugby players. With Wayne Rooney in the squad that shouldn’t be too much of a problem!

We hope you’re looking forward to a full weekend of football – we are – and we hope you’re supporting your local team! What’ll really make us love you though is if you’re Doing It In Public on the way. If so, then you’ve got all these things to treat yourself with, if not, well, you’re kinda missing out…

Clips
We know your mothers shouted at your for sitting too close to the telly, but we urged you to shift just a fraction closer and check out our videos. First up – we know Rooney’s kick was bad, but compared to these…

But for every tackle there’s a dive…

Apps
Time is yours when you’re sat on that bus, and even though Blackberry may be as reliable as a carrier pigeon, we’re sure you’ll find a way to use this app. It’s called My Madrid, and even if you’re not a fan of the Spanish club, that shouldn’t deter you from this glorious app. It’s a fantastic example of how all great football apps should be. Two of its features that spring to mind are online ticket buying and 3D goal animations; come on, don’t pretend you’re not impressed.

Twitter
Whenever we doubt the benefit of this modern age we live in we just need to turn to Twitter to remind us of its majesty. More importantly, if we ever forget why we’re taking the bus to the game on a Saturday morning, scrolling down the Twitter feed irradiates those thoughts. This week we ask you to check out Best Football Goals. These guys are so much more than they appear, posting not only great goals, but a wealth of other great videos too.

Books
Finally this week we bring you a book in which you can bury yourself on the way to a match. Personally, I find there’s nothing better than learning all about the hidden side of football, something you can’t do while driving! Now this fella may have tried to defend Rooney – which perhaps was a bit stupid – but not one can deny the genius of Alex Ferguson. You now have the privilege of reading his official story from his time with Manchester United. Bathe is the highs and lows of one of footballs most successful characters.

Get in touch and let us know what you’re thinking via twitter or the comments section below…

SPORT IN PUBLIC: On the buses with frankly anything that can help you avoid watching another England match

steve — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:42:00 +0000

By Stephen Ferdinando

It’s been an ugly week in the world of football, with Emmanuel Adebayor on the receiving end of some appalling behaviour from Arsenal fans and Arsene Wenger refusing to shake Spurs’ coach Clive Allen’s hand. Perhaps for the best then that the Premier League is having a rest to let Fabio Capello’s England, er, thrill us yet again against Montenegro.

If you’re off to watch the not-s0-beautiful game elsewhere this weekend you’ll be finding yourselves in a Wenger-style stand off with us if you’re not Doing It In Public on the way . And to make sure we win you over we’ve searched the world wide web to bring you a wealth of treats…

Clips
We figure the best way to kick things off is by easing you in gently with a few vids. There is something about a good football clip that just makes you want to show everyone you meet it. This header from the halfway line is just that.

And this is something we used to be able to do, before the injury…

Twitter
Whilst Twitter can be a tool for unequivocal evil, it is occasionally used for good. After the news about Tom Bender’s injury Twitter saw a tidal wave of get well soon messages pouring into his page. Lovely. If you’re interested in non-evil twitter pages then check out SportInPublic – our very own sports feed. And on top of that, check out The Football Rambler, those guys literally cannot stop updating (but in a good way).With apt discussions and a sharp wit they really are worth their weight in gold.

Apps
We are going crazy for FotMob – it feels like we’ve been waiting our whole lives for it. We know that you guys love your international football as much as you love your British, which is just one of the reasons this little gem is so handy. At the touch of a button you have coverage of MLS, Premier League, Ligue 1 La Liga, Mexican league, 1,2&3 Bundesliga, SPL and most other football leagues! If that isn’t enough – well then you’re just getting greedy.

Books/articles
In keeping with the serious (ish) tone of today’s article, we’re going to encourage you all to read A Life Too Short by Ronald Reng - the biography of the late Robert Enke. But if you’re still hating on Tevez, as most people are, then check of the Tevez A-Z to get you giggling. The money mad among you might also like to check out the Football Rich List, which details how much the 100 richest people in football are worth.

Let us know what you’re thinking via the Twitter page or the comments section below…