Spain are World Champions and i don´t think many people are complaining. The Dutch of course are far from happy with Howard Webb (referee). I cant see why. Robben shouldn´t have been awarded a penalty, Spain´s goal wasn´t offside and the only miss that he should have seen was Van Persie´s shot that should have resulted in a corner. I think one of the main reasons Webb was given the final was that he is used to refereeing physical matches played at a fast pace. He handled most things well but after seeing the replays De Jong and Van Bommel were both lucky to remain on the pitch. I dont condem Hollands tactics. They knew Spain were a better ball playing side and that the only way they could win the final was to ”knock” Spain out of their stride. It nearly worked. The Final itself was as most matches in the 2010 World Cup a big dissappointment. Spain weren´t allowed to play and only Robben ever looked like producing anything for Holland.

Forlan (Uruguay) was awarded the Golden Ball and rightly so. Muller (Germany) won the Golden Boot due to more assists than the other ”5 goal scorers”.

”Blogg Johanna” was on Swedish TV in her right enviroment today. Summarising the World Cup in a morning panel.

Lansdowne.se is proud to announce the winner of their World Cup 2010 ”Tips” competition. Most of the top 10 are regular ”King of the Castle” players and the winner is JOACHIM PETERSSON with a grand total of 155 Points. Not surprisingly he had Spain as the winners and his side throughout the tournament and even David Villa as his top scorer. Hopefully we will be in touch with Joachim soon for an interview and of course present him with his prize. The runner up was my ”business partner” Thomas ”Snäckan” Petersson who also had Spain and Villa. A couple of the others in contention unfortunately (for them) had Holland as their ”team” and their 8 yellow and 1 red card yesterday was a deciding factor. A big thanks to all who participated and for those of you who made the top 10 your Lansdowne.se shirt will be sent to you in the near future.

TOP 10

Joachim Petersson 155 P

Thomas Petersson 151 P

Magnus Andersson 145 P

Magnus Svensson 143 P

Gustav Eliésersson 141 P

Lars Simonsson 138 P

Alex Wadin 120 P

Fredrik Löfgren 116 P

Lars Hansson 111 P

Peter Henriksson 110 P

The complete list will be published soon.

Tomorrow is the Victoria Day Golf  Tournament at Ekerum Golf Club. Mix Megapol are the defending champions and hopefully we can do the business again this year. Photo´s and a report in the near future.

At last a match that was entertaining. Germany – Uruguay both had the same intentions get players forward as often and with as many as possible. Some great goals and a match worthy of a third place play off. I watched the game at Bistro Bar together with Uffe B and enjoyed the atmosphere. A hot summer evening when Kalmar really comes to life and everyone was a football fan. I listned to a father giving the benefit of his footballing knowledge to his two teenage sons. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing and i just hope the sons choose another sport.

Kalmar FF reached the semi final of the Swedish Cup today after a 3-1 win after extra time against Gefle. Captain Rydström and new signing Bertilsson were the extra time goal scorers. Watch out for Kalmar when the league gets underway!

I watched the Italian brothers Molinari go out in the leader ball at the Scottish Open today. Older brother Edoardo won and the Italians are on the march in the world of golf. Soon Marcus Birro will be sitting with Zachrisson and giving us the benefit of his golfing knowledge.

Båstad tennis week starts tomorrow. Party time and even some Tennis.

I am getting ready for tonights final now. A Pizza ”Christos Special” is on its way and hopefully Spain and Holland will deliver a desert in the same class.

3rd place match ikväll and the final tomorrow and the 2010 World Cup is over. Three teams from Europe and 1 from South America in the last four and still the African dream of winning the World Cup is just that a dream. Playing the World Cup in Africa could have been an advantage but the climate in South Africa has been similar to that in Europe so any advantage there was wiped out. The Ivory Coast were the African side that had the greatest expectations and their side is full of players from the European top leagues but they never impressed at all. Once again as most African sides they rely far to heavily on individual ability and have difficulty playing as a unit. Chopping and changing trainers is a big problem with the African sides and you feel that more patience is needed. Its difficult to say if the African Nations are getting closer to the top countries or not but one thing is for sure they were a big dissappointment this time round.

Lansdowne.se World Cup tips is coming to its conclusion and there are realistically 5 ”experts” who can be crowned champion.

Joachim Petersson 136 Points

Magnus Svensson 132 Points

”Snäckan” 132 points

Magnus Andersson 126 Points

Gustav Eliésersson 124 Points

On a personal note. A great evening yesterday. Uffe B and ”Colorama” Christer and myself were out on the town. Byttan, Bistro Bar, Lilla Puben, Krögers and Harrys were visited and enjoyed in that order. Great food and service ar Bistro Bar. Great entertainment from Mattias and Janne at Byttan. LP and Krögers we took in our stride and Harrys had a bit of everything.

Golf today 10.21 tee time. I wasn´t really awake when i hit my first tee shot. I am not sure i was more awake when i hit my last putt. It was scorching hot and Uffe B, Daniel B and myself combined bad shots with even worse shots. Daniel was the best of a bad bunch.

Just got the call and it looks like a new round of Kalmars pubs is lined up for tonight. Well i am on holiday!!

Holland – Spain in the final and why not. They both haven´t been that great to watch or played anywhere near their maximum capacity but i guess they deserve to be there. Once again last nights game never really got started. Spain played keep ball well at times and the Germans never got their quick counter attacking game into gear. Spain are similar to Holland in the fact that everyone talks about their attacking qualities but their defence has been greatly underrated. I am not a Puyol fan (to many dives per match for Barca) but he has been solid and scored a great winner yesterday.

My assessment of the 2010 World Cup is that it has not lived up to expectations. To many stars under achieved, to many carefull coaches who had put the emphasis on defending and far too many poor decisions made by the four officials. There are always ”classic matches” that will be shown on various channels in the future years but the 2010 World Cup classics would be the equivalent of clipping together the best moments of ”Håkans Bar”.

I am not sure if its because Sweden didn´t make South Africa or that England were pathetic but i never really got passionate about this tournament. I am sure if i ask my Spanish or Dutch friends they would disagree. In two years time its the ”Euros”.  I really cant wait!

I watched yesterdays game at ”Krögers” with Uffe B and the ”First Hotell” boys. It was packed with holiday makers enjoying the summer weather but very few football fans. I remember the World Cup 1994 in USA when the Swedes reached the semi´s. I watched the game at the same location and there the comparison ends.

Englands Howard Webb is to referee the World Cup final. The only Englishman who performed well in South Africa.

I read an article in ”The Sun” listing the World Cups star players who will move to the Premier League this summer. It can only be for the money!

 Back tomorrow with Lansdowne.se World Cup ”Tips” leaders with just two games to go!

At the same time as the Dutch league is at its lowest level for years the national team reach the World Cup Final. I know most of the players are playing abroad but they all learned their trade in Dutch clubs. Total football as it was called a few years back is totally back in business.

Last nights game itself wasn´t in any way a game that will be talked about for years to come but it did have some great goals and what surprised me most of all was some great defending. You look at Hollands side and the defensive line up is not as exciting as the attacking and you felt like Uruguay were always in with a chance. But after six wins on the trot and very few defensive errors they are looking solid.

3-1 yesterday and the goal of the tournament by Gio Van Bronckhorst. From around 30 m he let fly with his favoured left foot and the keeper didn´t have a chance. Why he decided to shoot when 99 times out of 100 he would just have delivered a short pass to a midfielder we will never know.

Tonight its Spain- Germany and that means an all European Final. The South American dominance quickly dissappearded and for the first time ever a European country will win the World Cup outside of Europe.

My tips tonight has to be Germany.

4 games to go and its tight at the top. A lot of familiar names are vying for the honour of becoming Lansdowne.se first ever World Cup Tips Master!! 

VM-tipset Topplistan

Ställningen inför Semifinaler

Joachim Petersson                 122p

Snäckan                                       118p

Magnus Svensson                    117p

Magnus Andersson                 116p

Gustav Eliésersson                 112p

Lars Hansson                            112p

Fredrik Löfgren                       107p

Lars Simonsson                       105p

Mathias Karlsson                       99p

Magnus Persson                         98p

Joakim Jonsson                         96p

Michael Nilsson                          94p

Christian Riebne                        92p

Peter Henriksson                       89p

Shuhajit Dutt                               86p

Alexander Wadin                      86p

Tord Elfving                                85p

Jonas Berg                                   82p

Tommy Berg                               80p

Christer Pålsson                        77p

Daniel Stolt                                 77p

Barbro Peiper                            76p

Jerker Petersson                      71p

Gary Thornton                           71p

Håkan Fredriksson                   68p

Mattis Andersson                     65p

 Svante Gustavsson                  62p

Johan Flobecker                        61p

Martin Ahlqvist                          60p

Kjell Arwidsson                          59p

Pelle Sederqvist                          58p

Jonathan Wennö                        58p

Magnus Moberg                          53p

Johan Blomqvist                        52p

Ian Brown                                     51p

Åke Eriksson                                51p

Jim & Ullis Eriksen                    51p

Fredrik Winblad                         50p

Johan Lewton                             49p

Uffe N                                             47p

Robert Norberg                         47p

Stefan Hällbom                          46p

Jan-Åke Ehrnborg                    46p

Jonne Karlsson                          45p

Thom Emilsson                          43p

Peter Karlsson                           42p

Magnus Gunnarsson                41p

Adrian Swartz                            41p

Kent Johansson                         41p

Jonas Stigemyr                          38p

Johan Johnson                          36p

Michael Pettersson                  35p

Lasse Johansson                       33p

Tjalle                                              32p

Maria Elie                                    31p

Leif Hennigsson                        31p

Håkan Karlsson                         31p

Toni Andersson                        26p

Day 2 with Noodles was a trip down memory lane. We dreamt us back to the days when Borgholm was a summer paradise. Saturday afternoon was spent at ”Köpingsbadet”. A lot has happened there since last summer. A new pier has been built and the restaurant has been freshened up and the whole area is of a much higher standard. Early evening was spent with Noodles parents and a few cold beers were enjoyed before we made our way into town.

Pappa Blue was our first stop, spare ribs and a Staropramen always hits the spot. Then a visit to ”Pubben”. Not a lot of people there but a good atmosphere and a few faces from the past stopped by to say hello. Next stop was ”Robinson Crusoe”. It was a popular restaurant in days gone by with a great kitchen. Its now a ”Karaoke” hot spot with the ”legendary” Jörgen F Lundell in control. We were there not even an hour but heard some great singing and saw some even better dancing. Then Noodles decided we should do a spot of ”Wedding Crashing”. Apparently someone he knew from the 80´s had got married earlier that afternoon and the party was next to Strand Hotel. 10 mins later and he was hugging the bride.

The last stop on our nostalgic night was Strand´s night club. We were a week early according to the staff. I wasn´t really my generation any way. All in all there is no comparison with the Borgholm of the 80´s but Noodles and myself are still the same!

Sunday was spent relaxing in the sun.

A fantastic friday that had a bit of everything! Watched Holland – Brazil at O´learys with Kjell A, Biggy, PK and Noodles. Noodles is in town this weekend and that usually means full steam ahead. Last night was proof of that. Kalmar FF´s two Brazilian ”stars” Santos and Sacramento arrived happy at half time. 45 mins later and the smile´s had been wiped away. If Sneijder was the hero for Holland i guess Melo who scored an own goal and was sent off late in the game could be cast as the villian.

After O´learys it was off to Uffe B´s. Barbeque with friends was the theme. Great food as always when Uffe puts the Chefs hat on and some great discussions on everything from The Beach Boys (Performing in Målilla today) to Thailand by night. From Uffe B´s to Krögers and perfect timing. We arrived just in time to see the drama unfold in the second 1/4 final between Uruguay and Ghana. A sending off for hands in the last minute of extra time, penalty missed then a penalty shoot out (i predicted the outcome of 5 in a row) and a new hero stepped up. Uruguays Abreu with a ”cheeky chip” booked both his and his sides place in semi final.

The final destination was as often is Harrys. By now we were in overdrive and as happy as ”pigs in shit”. I finished the evening drinking water and when Noodles awakes we will be off to Borgholm for day 2 of ”the Noodles returns” weekend.

Noodles (blue shirt) and Kjell A early on.

Det här är ”King of the Castle”. Varje dag på förmiddagen presenterar vi dagens match. Du ska försöka tippa rätt tecken – 1, x eller 2 - om du lyckas är vidare till dag två. Den som har längst svit (antal dagar i rad) blir ”King of the Castle”. Skulle man åka ur är det bara att börja om dagen efter och försöka gå så långt som möjligt. Vinnaren kommer sedan att presenteras på ”Wall of Kings”. Sedan är det upp till alla att slå rekordsviten. Du har även chansen att vinna genom att bli månadens ”King of the Castle”, det blir du genom att vara den som lyckas tippa rätt tecken i flest antal matcher under en månad.

Månadens pris: En sommaröverraskning!

Lycka till!

Vill du vara med och tippa i ”King of the Castle”?

Skicka ett mail till info@lansdowne.se med namn och dagens match med tillhörande tecken (1, x eller 2).

Ange ”King of the Castle + dagens datum” som ämne.

Topplistan just nu:

Topplistan för Juni:

Vill du vara med och tippa i ”King of the Castle”?

Skicka ett mail till info@lansdowne.se med namn och dagens match med tillhörande tecken (1, x eller 2).

Ange ”King of the Castle + dagens datum” som ämne.

Congratulations to Gustav Eliésersson who won June´s ”King of the Castle”. Lansdowne.se is having a well needed rest in July but we will be back in August with a new improved ”King of the Castle”. You know the saying ”been there, done that, got the T-Shirt”. Well you have been here, seen the site and soon you can get the T-Shirt.

Another day at the office. Windows open, wasps and flies annoying me and the noice from the holiday makers passing by frustrating me. Tomorrow however will be a short working day. ”Noodles” is on his way from Gothenberg and we will be having a liquid lunch tomorrow before watching Brazil – Holland and then on to Uffe B´s for a barbeque! Does it get any better?

PK and Biggy Wiggy joined me for a 3,2km Stensö adventure in around 25 degrees. A good pace throughout and then a sit-up session. If Biggy Wiggy had used his ”Biogas” effect during the run instead of the sit ups everyone would have been a lot happier!

I have been reading the English ”tabloids” and its amazing to read how many players who are giving Capello their support. Its a shame they didn´t show more support in South Africa!

Steven Gerrard supported Capello yesterday and today he is giving his sign of approval to the appointment of Roy Hodgson as his new club manager. I guess that means he will be staying at Liverpool or ?

Johan Mjällby today signed a one year contract as assistant trainer at Celtic. Sol Campbell is on his way and even Jimmy Bullard has been mentioned as a potential target. Should be an interesting season in Glasgow.

Antwone Fisher on Canal + Hits now. Great film with Denzel W making his directing debut and performing at his best.