Bar Stool Commentary

Footy and bets, with beer on the side!

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FIFA Finally Approve Goal-Line Technology

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has officially voiced the approval of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to implement goal-line technology into "the beautiful game". It took nine months of testing in England, Germany, and Italy, between eight companies, out of which two have successfully completed the testing process and can apply to become FIFA's goal-line technology licensees. This giant improvement to the sport will first feature in the 2012 Club World Cup in Japan in December. It's about time! It took the delusional law-makers at FIFA long enough, however soon there will be one less thing to blame the game officials for.

Written by: Alex @thebulgarianart

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TOPS: Canada Soccer Limited Edition Centenary Jersey

Canada has released this limited edition jersey in the qualification run for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Umbro tailoring is slowly becoming one of the most iconic brands featuring minimal yet powerful designs. Ill definitely need to purchase two of these; one for my collection and another to paint the town red in Toronto. 

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TOPS: 2012/13 Everton Away Kit.

And...

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TOPS: Liverpool Strikes Partnership with Warrior Sports Inc.

Liverpool has gone on to join forces and create an extensive partnership with Warrior Sports Inc., who will go on to become the club's official kit supplier for the next 6 years. From what I can see, so far so good. The design looks classy and bold, which are important characteristics when designing for and internationally acclaimed football club such as Liverpool. This kit turned out surprisingly well considering all the gear on Warrior's website looks total shit. With their new leap evident, the next step is to see how it performs on the pitch.

Written by: Alex @thebulgarianart

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Less than a month to go. A link to the official calendar put forth by UEFA.

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UEFA Europa League Final

So here it is. The final. Atletico Madrid will play Athletic Bilboa for the coveted Europa League trophy in what should be a drooling match between two giant Spanish firms. Atletico Madrid won the Europa League in 2010 and will be thirsty for their second trophy in three years. Llorente will surely drop a bomb early on and put Madrid on the back foot. The trickery amongst the Susaeta, Llorente and Muniain trifecta will be too much for Madrid to deal with and there should be no reason why Athletic Bilbao wouldn't be able to snatch the prize right under Falcao's nose. This match will prove more interesting than if both teams came out wearing their home kits. What a buzz. Click the above image to enlarge.

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao

Bet365 odds: 3.00

Illustration by: Alex @thebulgarianart

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TOPS: 2012/2013 Chelsea and Inter Milan Kits

Chelsea's home kit for the upcoming season is #SLICKFUCKNLIONSWEAR. I can't wait to see this when it's released. 

Not too shabby for Inter's away wardrobe. Hopefully seeing red will entice them to start picking up more threes away from home. The blue and black trim seen on the sleeves really adds a lot of depth :)

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It's "Di Matteo's Day"

On March 4th, an ex-player with under four years of coaching experience was appointed caretaker manager of one of the biggest clubs in the world... And look at what he has done with the chance given to him!!!

Roberto has turned the Blue's season completely around. The league title might be out of the question, but being finalists of the biggest domestic and European cup competitions is something any club in the world would be proud off.

In less then two months he has a team of overpaid under-achievers playing with heart, passion and a winning mentality. Something that no money can buy. Hopefully Roman Abramovich is paying attention...

Even if Di Matteo doesn't get the job at the end of the season (Avram Grant got the same club within one penalty shot of a Champions League title, and still didn't keep his job) he deserves a standing ovation. The way he has taken this opportunity and what he has made of it is simply inspiring! And that is why I watch sports - to be inspired by people striving for greatness. Not just some a-holes trying to make as much money as possible of their talent.

Written by: Ivan

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Tops: Everton's New 2012/2013 Nike Kit Leaked

Not much has changed as far as the home kit is concerned. The collar has been removed from the design and the sleeves showcase some detail which is what Nike has been doing a lot lately. Personally I really like the Le Coq Sportif one better. I have a few of them and I have to say that the cut, fit, material and aesthetic is bar non. This does have a lot of potential though. We'll see what Nike does with the away and third versions.

Written by: Alex @thebulgarianart

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El Clasico 2012

The Spanish giants meet again for the final El Clasico of the season in La Liga on Saturday May 21st, 2012 in Camp Nou.

Barcelona and Real Madrid find themselves in a very similar position. Both fighting for first place in La Liga, Messi and Ronaldo are tied for the Pichichi, and both a goal down leading into their second leg at home in the Champions League semi finals. This Saturday's contest will not only be for pride, but also a deciding factor in how the teams will finish off the end of the season. Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho need to inspire their men and what better way to do this than to battle it out in one of the biggest and most exciting matches of the season. The winner, if there is one, will have more than enough momentum to carry themselves forward, out of their goal deficit in the Champions League and position themselves to lift the La Liga trophy. There is also the possibility that we might be graced with one more battle of the giants this season. The Champions League final in Munich, Germany. Click the above image to enlarge.

Prediction: Barcelona

Bet365 odds: 1.61

Illustration by: Alex @thebulgarianart

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The EPL lion claims its first victim of the season. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been relegated due to their inconsistant form and poor performance throughout 11/12. Click the above image to enlarge.

Illustration by: Alex @thebulgarianart

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A lesson in hooligan fashion.

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I respect the hustle!

Rob Dyrdek's (the one and only) feedback on BSCOMMENTARY.COM

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Great documentary on Ronaldinho, one of the most prolific playmakers of all time.

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Four fresh BSCOMMENTARY.COM desktop wallpapers available - Donwload yours now!

I am very excited to open the "Downloads" section of our site. We wanted give you something cool and special to kick things of and set the tone right! This is just a little taste of things to come - more media will be added for your enjoyment regularly.

Click on either of the pics below to check out the rest! Or the on "DOWNLOADS" button in the menu on the left;-)

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The Gambler's Den: EPL Match Day 28

Wow, I am still high from the incredible thrashing Atletico Bilbao gave Manchester United, and the fact that I managed to predict the outcome at 12.00 odds when it was 1-0 was a huge plus!

So with this I lead into this week's EPL predictions. It's with fast paced individual skill, slick passing and tons of creativity that you win tough games. Some of the old timers (managers) are starting to forget this and letting players with little of those qualities take the center stage (Park, Carrick, Evans, Kolarov, Barry, Milner). I mean did you see how technical Sporting Lisbon were against Man City? It made Silva's trickery look unemployment-line average and that's saying a lot. Forming neat little triangles and working the ball into threatening areas of the pitch is the direction the modern game is heading in. Gone are the days of predictable play and thoughtless passes that take the sting out of an attack. The only way to become champions is to look at what the top teams in Spain are doing. Drafting players that have so much individual skill and vision, that they never do the same move twice. Why? Because if you can fraud yourself out of a tight corner, beat a defender, lay the ball off into someone's path, move off the ball and leave a defender "I have bad arches" flat footed, all you have left to do is to slot it in the onion bag. This is why I think creative diversity might be a key factor in some of this weekend's EPL battles.

This week's feature prediction is Swansea vs. Manchester City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday March 11th, 2012. Watching the useless back passing that I witnessed during the Sporting Lisbon game really had me thinking and it was this. Why the hell are Man City so bland and conventional when playing away? They have so much attacking power and instead of moving the ball forward, half of the game was spent with it behind the centre line. That's like Mike Tyson trying to win a bout by just blocking. Mental! I really think that Swansea are going to push extremely hard to upset the table leaders and if Sinclair and Graham can work off of each other well enough, they just might pull it off. I am not saying it'll be easy, in fact it will be some hurdle, especially with Dyer on suspension. However with the incredible passing game that the Swans posses (going forward unlike Manchester City's "away" style) it will give them enough edge to be serious contenders on Sunday. I mean they did beat Arsenal after being a goal down by showing the gusto to do something. Baletolli is also somewhat of a loose cannon and if frustrated enough, can make rash decisions and collect cards like it was an Upper Deck party. Take this as a guide when watching the game...if City look unconvincing and cautious, there will surely be some nice odds waiting in the "Live in Play" option for Swansea to upset.

Prediction: X Swansea

Bet365 odds: 6.00

Everton vs. Tottenham

Prediction: Tottenham

Arsenal vs. Newcastle

Prediction: X Newcastle

Sunderland vs. Liverpool

Prediction: Sunderland

Written by: Alex

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When I watch a game of football the first thing I look for is individual skill.

Pep Guardiola