Playnify @playnify - Tumblr Blog

Champions League Knockout Preview - The Countdown to Lisbon

Our resident football experts at Playnify, Damian and Tyler, sat down to discuss their thoughts on the Champions League knockout round as we get ready for the grand finale in Lisbon! After the first leg of the round of 16, Damian and Tyler give us their thoughts on who could make a comeback, who are the teams to watch, and who they think will win the biggest prize in club football.

The past two weeks have been thrilling, and we have held back in doing a review because we wanted to know where all these teams really were in form and quality after a long break from European competition. We were not disappointed though, as this season’s Champions League round of 16 has given us excitements, twists and turns, controversies and a fair share of moments that went against the script. Here are our quick thoughts on what went down and who we expect to go through (some cases are a bit obvious, others less so).

Barcelona vs Man City

Can we say that Barcelona were lucky in Manchester? They always seem to get a bit of luck against English teams, and have a very good record against them. Just ask Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal who have all been beaten by the legends from the Nou Camp in the last 10 years. Up 2-0 with a trip back to the Nou Camp, it seems all over for the Citizens. Even a Lionel Messi operating at 90% will cause City a lot of pain in Spain.

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal

Again, the English clubs have come up against it. This time against the best team in Europe and another trip away from home. You could almost read the same story above, and expect all of Goetze, Ribery, Robben and co to do what they do best in Munich. It is a tough place to travel to, but not impossible. Man City went there and won, but then again, Munich had nothing to play for that time. They have everything to play for this time around.

Atletico Madrid vs Milan

Complete polar opposites these two teams. Everything seems to be going right for Atletico in La Liga and are in with a genuine shout at winning the league. Milan are way off the pace, and will probably not make it to the Champions League next season. Atletico need to stay focused, because Milan are still packed with Champions League pedigree in their roster and 1-0 is a very slim advantage. Tough to call, but we like Atletico for this one.

Bayer Leverkusen vs PSG

Never bet against The Zlatan. His team are on fire this season, and they love to score goals. Zlatan seems to score for fun in the league and Champions League. 4-0 is a very steep mountain to climb, and PSG are surely through. If Leverkusen want to be stubborn, expect a long and dull 90 minutes. If Leverkusen concede early it will be a very long night for them.

Galatasaray vs Chelsea

Mourinho is a genius, can we all admit that? An evil genius maybe, but a genius none the less. Mancini is another great footballing brain, and Galatasaray are very well structured. Mourinho will let them play in the first 45 minutes, then hit them hard on the counter attack in the second half. Will Mancini expect this and set up accordingly? This game is on a knife edge, but if anyone can pull it off Mourinho/Mancini can. (Yes that was a joke)

Real Madrid vs Schalke 04

Probably the game you need to watch the least, but want to watch the most. Ahead 6-1 after the first game, Real Madrid are surely through to the next round. They could put another 6 against Schalke easily. Bale, Ronaldo, and Benzema are all playing out of this world. Not the best time to visit Madrid if you are a Schalke fan.

Zenit St Petersburg vs Borrusia Dortmund

Technically, Zenit are still in this one, but giving up four away goals will really hurt them. They have to win by three away from home, which would be difficult even if they were playing a Polish second division team. Damian picked Dortmund to head to the final last year when they were in the quarter finals. He will not go as far as to pick them to repeat that achievement just yet, but he says they are a team on a mission with some unfinished business to attend to.

Manchester United vs Olympiakos

The duo chuckle as they discuss (Liverpool fans the both of them). Manchester United just cannot get things together this season. The defeat against Olympiakos was a nightmare and it seems as if the United fans just cannot wake up from it. The team just gets worse, fractures, splits, will not play for each other. Wayne Rooney is keeping them together at the seams. If any one person can lift that United team it is Wayne Rooney, and if he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck he can single handedly destroy Olympiakos. If they can handle him, they will get through. If Man United lose to Liverpool at the weekend however, they may well and truly see their season as over and Olympiakos will be chomping at the bit to play them at Old Trafford.

#playnify #champions league #review #letsplay

Creating Your Playnify Profile

Your Playnify profile is a central piece to getting involved in the many sporting events happening in your area. This central tool will allow you to organize your favorite sports and quickly sort through events that are of interest to you. Your Playnify profile is the first step in becoming part of the sporting community playing.

After logging in with your Facebook account or email you will be prompted to create a profile that lets us know a little bit about you so that Playnify can suggest players, events, and venues you might want to check out based on your location. You can tell us, and the world your age (if you want to) and nationality (in case you or others are looking for compatriots abroad).

You can then add in your favorite sports. This is really where the fun begins. You choose the sports you play, or want to play, and your ability or comfort level in them. Maybe you are an amazing futsal player but not so great at full field eleven a side soccer. That is cool! You can differentiate between the two, or three, or seven sports that you play and what level you are in each. Coupled with your basic information and location, Playnify suggest events based on your favorite sports close to you. Pickup soccer in Boston? Tournament basketball in Manchester? Looking for a tennis partner in Porto? You can find them on Playnify! You are ready to jump in!

For different sports there are different details that you can add. These are to help people find you! Filling in these details is designed to help you and other users find the perfect tennis partner, the missing piece to your soccer team, or a good outside hitter to even out your weekly pickup volleyball game. Whether playing pickup sports, competitive league play or just looking to stay active and fit, Playnify allows you to set the standards for the activities you want to be involved in.

Playnify is the best way to find people to play sports with and places to play anywhere in the world. We are dedicated to bringing you the best sports venues and communities around the globe. Create your Playnify profile today and let’s play!

Why I Joined Playnify - Danny Taeidy

My name is Danny Taeidy, and I am a proud new member of the Playnify team. In late 2013, Jonathan and I approached Damian, the Marketing and Brand Manager to enquire about their ambitions to move into the UK, as I strongly believed the Playnify platform would have huge potential here. I know, from first-hand experience in my hometown of Liverpool, how difficult it can be to organize a casual game of football between friends, and understood that thousands of others would often suffer the same problem. Playnify solves this problem easily, and goes further to facilitate your sporting experience, and above all, it’s free to use! The platform serves to satisfy the needs of every amateur sports player, connecting people in a local area to meet up and play sports. The concept is simple but extremely effective. The objective is clear, have more people playing regular sport to suit their own schedule, enjoy keeping active and meeting new people along the way.

The moment after my first discussion with Damian and Playnify CEO Joaquim, I was completely sure this was the company that I wanted to work for. It is new, innovative, ambitious and more importantly it is continuously growing, working to achieve its huge potential. I have always been interested in new ideas that challenge the way things are normally done. The fact that Playnify has that revolutionary potential, and that it is based around sport, which is one of my greatest passions, is just incredible. This platform can be used by all age groups, genders, sections of society worldwide. This type of product or service is unique in its nature, one of the major bonuses of working with Playnify.

I feel strongly about sport and what it can do for a person, contributing to a healthy lifestyle, creating friendships and enjoying free time. Over the years, sports like Football, Basketball or even just running have given me so many benefits. Whether it be making new friends, developing my hunger to compete or improving my own fitness are just a few of the benefits I have gained from participating in sport activities. Therefore, for me to be a part of spreading those advantages of sport to others is extremely satisfying. Grassroots sport has been increasingly talked about here in the UK, and what Playnify can offer is a future foundation to create more and more sporting athletes, with the potential to raise the standard of sport in our country. But what’s really exciting about Playnify is the inclusive, entrepreneurial nature of it, with its intentions to spread sport in an innovative manner interesting me the most.

The task now is for me to generate a ton of awareness for Playnify in the United Kingdom, starting with Manchester as a base, and then moving to other major cities nearby. The possibilities with Playnify are endless, and with dedication and commitment from the team we can achieve great things.

#let's play #playnify #PlaySport #manchester #liverpool #Sports

Why I Joined Playnify - Jonathan Suarez

Hi, I’m Jonathan Suarez and I have joined Playnify to make me the happiest sports-loving chap in Manchester. A bit about myself, I am 23 year old student of Business Management and Spanish in Manchester. I love sports and keeping active, in particular Football, or footy as we know it in England. I am also fascinated the world of global start-ups and Playnify is the perfect place for me to combine these two passions.

I was an Erasmus student in Spain last year and did not know anyone. I just wanted to play a casual football match, so along with my mate, Danny, we started to organise 5 a side games. We got people together and we played amongst people from all over the world who were in exactly the same situation we were in and had a kick about. This was easy because everyone wanted to play and everyone wanted to meet people! “Why don’t we bring this to England”, we asked, and “how were going to do it?” Our research brought us to Playnify.

As a final-year student I have worried about my future and the realisation of ‘growing-up’ can be quite daunting but now that I work for Playnify, I feel that I have landed the best grad job going. What will I do for Playnify? My personal objective is to tackle the UK market by bringing events to every city; I want to make us famous. How will I do it? Well, this part is the tricky bit but I’m sure we can achieve this by creating a buzz in Manchester’s student scene, then working our way through to Manchester’s worker scene and then by getting the local councils to support us. The natural diaspora of Manchester people and the virality will not only carry us across the nation but product management and establishing a network of brand ambassadors will be key to ensuring that the schedule of events are true to the Playnify brand.

After having been made aware of the Sports Social Network concept and speaking to Joaquim (CEO) in Porto and Damian in Boston (USA Marketing Manager) about their visions and ambitions, I was sold… I wanted to be involved in Playnify. It will not only let me express myself through Business but it will also let me enjoy those sports I never got round to playing, rugby, squash and cricket being just a couple. This is an incredibly exciting project which revolutionary potential and I am honored to be involved in this.

Jonathan,

New team member and happiest sports-loving chap in Manchester!

#manchester #letsplay #lets play #vamos jogar #playnify

Why I Joined Playnify - Tyler Michalowski

Hi my name is Tyler Michalowski and I am very excited to be joining the Playnify team. After speaking with a few members of the team I am extremely excited to be a part of something that clearly has a very good base. With so many big plans in the works I think that the work has clearly nowhere to go but up.

A little bit about myself, I am a senior in the University of Maine system and am currently looking towards graduate school. I have a diverse background in sports, including Junior A Hockey, Club Soccer at University of Arizona, and a multitude of other sporting interests including tennis and softball. This diverse background should bring a very good perspective of what the athletic on the go person is actually looking for. Hopefully this along with my former marketing experience in the E-sports community, under the moniker “hebrewer” I can add a little something to the plethora of experience the Playnify squad is already building.

My big project is to try to bring Playnify to rural communities. I think that what Playnify could bring to these communities is significant and we have all had a pick-up game fall through from lack of players or weather. In rural communities this can mean 30 to 40 minutes of driving somewhere and not playing. With Playnify you will always know who will be there as well as finding new arrivals to the area that are looking to play. Playnify can also be a great tool for universities in these rural areas and communities, taking advantage of huge potential user bases who are athletically inclined and ready to get active as part of their college social experience.

Playnify is the best way to find people to play sports with and places to play anywhere in the world. We are dedicated to bringing you the best sports venues and communities around the world. Create your Playnify profile today and lets play!

Playnify launches in the United Kingdom

Playnify, the go to platform for organizing pickup and casual sports, is growing into the United Kingdom. With the help of an energetic and exciting brand ambassadorial duo, Playnify will become the best way to find people, teams and venues, for all your sports in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom is a sporting palace, and as well as hosting major sporting events and some of the world’s greatest teams, is also the birthplace to many a modern sport. Rugby, cricket, and even football were born in the United Kingdom and have gone on to become worldwide phenomenons that are followed and played by billions around the world. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have a rich sporting culture that begins at the grassroots. Massive investment into sporting infrastructure, not just for the professionals but for everyday athletes as well, means that everybody has the opportunity to play in world class sports facilities.

We look forward to this new adventure and are proud to bring Danny Taiedy and Jonathan Suarez on to the team. From playing pickup football in Manchester to playing tournament squash in Leeds, we are excited about this massive opportunity.

Playing Soccer in Chicago by Tim Toomey

I have been living in Chicago since 2007, and have been playing soccer here since right around then because it’s a great way to meet people, as well as a way to force myself to exercise because I hate jogging or running. When the rational side of my brain kicks in telling me that I need to get some exercise almost immediately the lizard brain takes over and starts making excuses for why I should not exercise. (The weather, it’s too cold, the gym won’t have any parking, I want to eat dinner and I will feel nauseous if I work out after eating. Those are just a few of the excuses I’ve come up with over the years.) With that many bulletproof excuses coming straight from the lizard brain, that really only leaves me with playing soccer so I don’t get all doughy and plump.

For some reason, my mind is so competitive that I would run myself to the point of exhaustion when it comes to playing a sport, but jogging for exercise? HELL NO. As a result, I have played soccer in Chicago on just about every night of the week at just about every single field and have gotten to a point where I am VERY picky about where I will play and when. Lets just say I’ve been spoiled by some of the amazingly high-quality turf fields that you can now find all over the city.

Best places to play soccer in Chicago:

• Chicago Indoor Sports at 3900 South Ashland: By far the best indoor fields and the best competition for coed soccer and men’s leagues. The turf won’t break your ankles, and the rules make it the best place to play indoor soccer in Chicago

• Depaul Turf Field: There’s nothing like playing soccer on a high quality, outdoor, turf soccer field while you get heckled from people waiting for the red and brown line trains to pick them up.

• North Avenue Turf Field: Five years ago this would have been on the list of places not to play because of bad lighting, mud, etc. but thanks to the city funding, there is now one of the best turf fields in the city right in the park.

Tim Toomey is the owner of Covert Nine, a digital marketing agency based in Chicago. Covert Nine specializes in social media, web design and development, graphic design and SEO among other areas in the digital realm. Tim is a marketing expert and soccer enthusiast. You can follow Tim on Instagram and Twitter.

Playnify is the best way to find people to play soccer with and places to play anywhere in the world. We are dedicated to bringing you the best sports venues and communities around the world. Create your Playnify profile today and lets play!

Top places to play pickup soccer in Boston

Boston and Cambridge are great places to meet people and play sport, however like any other major city, being new to the area can mean a long and desperate wait to play the sport that you love. For us at Playnify, Boston is like a second home! We love the city, the sports and especially the soccer community in Boston so we have compiled a list of some of the best places to play soccer in Boston and Cambridge.

Harvard Stadium and Harvard’s Cumnock Fields

Harvard stadium is a great place to meet people and play pickup soccer in Boston. The stadium plays host to a lot of pickup sports and public training programs like ultimate frisbee and Boston’s host site for the November Project. On almost any night of the week you will be able to find a group of people playing soccer on the stadium field, or at the Cumnock fields behind at the far end of the athletic grounds. Provided the facilities are not being used by Harvard students, sports teams, or other athletic clubs who have made arrangements, these facilities are available to use.

Best times to play pickup soccer:

Weekday nights are great chances to find pickup soccer in the early spring and summer. Sunday afternoons have a great turnout from the Cambridge Pickup Soccer community.

Magazine Beach Fields

The grass fields at Magazine Beach are situated on Memorial Drive, right on the banks of the Charles river. They are a great location for pickup soccer in Cambridge. People play from the early hours of the weekend mornings almost right through the day, provided a league or team has not booked the field. You will find both full size and small goals to fit the need of the group, the people are extremely friendly, and there are always multiple games being played. Being in Cambridge, these fields play host to people from all parts of the world so if you are not a native English speaker, chances are you will find someone who shares your native tongue there.

Best times to play pickup soccer:

Saturday and Sunday mornings are great for pickup soccer at Magazine Beach. If you want to get the best out of it, be sure to arrive early!

Joa Moakley Park, South Boston

Joe Moakley park has everything you could want for a pickup soccer location. It is close to the T, a large space and is home to many sports and teams. A plus side is that the fields are huge.

Best times to play pickup soccer:

Hard to say, but with so much space it is very easy to get a group going whenever.

MIT Turf Fields

Another great place to play in Cambridge is at MIT's turf fields. Not too far from public transportation and a great place to meet the athletic and the intellectual combination. Be ready for some chirpy older players and either paying to use the field or moving for someone who has previously arranged to use it.

Best time to play pickup soccer:

Saturday afternoon.

Boston is a great place to play pickup soccer, and at Playnify we like to explore the world and help you find the best places to play. Playing pickup sports is a great way to meet new people and settle in to your surroundings or just make you feel that little bit more at home. Have fun, stay fit and enjoy pickup soccer wherever you go.

The Playnify team.

2014 - The year ahead in European Football!

What a great year 2013 was for football in Europe! We got to see our first ever all German Champions league final in a year that saw Bayern Munich strengthen their case for the world’s best team. Before the year was up however, their unbeaten Champions League run was halted by a Manchester City team who clearly have their sights on the moniker of ‘World’s best’. Leagues that seemed foregone conclusions in the summer have now been blown wide open, and we saw the end of an era in Manchester as United bid farewell to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

So what does 2014 hold in store for us?

Porto and Benfica finished far ahead of the chasing pack in the 2013 Primeira Liga, and will welcome Sporting CP to the hunt for 2014. This season promises to be even closer than the last, as the three teams sit on top of the table at 33 points each. The recent 0-0 draw between Sporting and Porto shows just how close the teams are. Who will win the title? It is difficult to say, but we are certainly looking forward to a hard fought title race that will have some amazing football!

Champions of England is a dream as many as eight teams have in their sights. The fact that Liverpool sat on top of the league at Christmas, but will start the new year in fifth, shows just how tight and how packed the league has become. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea will be the favorites to land the title, but Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Newcastle are all hot on their heels as they look to upset the party that used to be known as ‘The Big Four’.

Many a football fan saw Spain as a dull season to follow. Real Madrid and Barcelona were the only ever real choices to win the league. Not so for 2014! Despite selling their best player, Radamel Falcao to Monaco, Atletico Madrid have been determined to crash the party and cement themselves as one of the top teams in Spain and Europe. They have managed to keep pace with Barcelona at every turn and just ahead of bitter city rivals, Real. Can they keep up the pace? Or will the galactic behemoths of Barcelona and Real Madrid be too powerful in the long run as they continue to overpower the rest of the league?

From Spain we move to France, the new home for Radamel Falcao and dynamic Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho. Moving to AS Monaco has so far proven to be a smart move. Despite it being Monaco’s first year back in the league, the ambitious club have gone straight for the jugular of Ligue 1 and want to win the title. To do so they will have to get past 'The Zlatan' and his powerful backing band at PSG who have been tearing up defenses across France and Europe. Lyon and Marseille may be two sleeping giants ready to be awakened by year’s end.

Germany showed that their brand of football and mastery of the 4-2-3-1 system would become the gold standard for 2014. An all German final in the Champions League was maybe unprecedented, as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund annihilated their heavily favored Spanish opposition. Bayern Munich remain the team to beat in 2014 and have continued setting the pace in the Budesliga with new manager Pep Guardiola at the helm. Borussia Dortmund however, along with an upstart Bayer Leverkusen remain in the hunt for a most coveted league title.

Italy may have slipped out of the radar for many fans in Europe, especially as other leagues continue to splash the cash and bring in mega signings from around the globe. The Serie A remains an enthralling league. Juventus have been dominant in recent years, but the other old boys of AC Milan and Inter have been replaced by the emerging Napoli and Roma. 2014 could be the beginning of a new era in Italian football. Watch this space!

Of course, the Champions League will take center stage for many football fans not just in Europe but around the world. This year it will serve as an exciting precursor of things to come in the World Cup. Players are looking to impress in order to book their place on a flight to Brazil with their national team. For those not partaking in the samba style festivities (like Gareth Bale) a Champions League title will be the perfect remedy for missing out. Clubs like PSG and Manchester City are looking to cement their place among the storied elite of Europe while Bayern, Barcelona, Manchester United et.al. are looking to continue and build on their legendary status. Real Madrid are still in the hunt for La Decima and Jose Mourinho will want to make them rue the day they let him go by winning it with his beloved Chelsea. As always, the Champions League will be the highlight of the year.

So here’s to a superb new year of football. We are always just as excited to watch it as we are to take to the field, mirror our heroes and play with the same passion that they do. Here is to a great year in football, not just for the pros, but for every amateur chasing league titles at every level. Certainly with all the great football happening, we cannot wait to find a field and play football! Stay fit, stay passionate, play football!

The Playnify team!

Meet the Boston Rovers: Playnify’s first soccer team in Boston

In 2011, Damian Priday joined up with a team of ‘Indies’, guys who had joined a league as individuals and were thrown together. They won their first game, and then lost their next 5. The Indies finished the season with 1 win, 1 draw, and 6 losses. Some of these losses were as heavy as 7-1, 6-0 and 8-0.

Fast forward two years and the Indies that remain are few. Iqui Laguarta and Damian Priday are the only players that remain from that team. That team has become the Boston Rovers and they have grown from a soccer team into a soccer community by bringing in friends, colleagues, friends of friends and “nice guys who are skilled players that we meet at pick up games.”

“We really are enjoying ourselves, every game, but we go out there to win,” Damian, who has assumed the captain’s role, spoke about the team spirit. “At the end of the day though, if we can play some competitive soccer and then have a few drinks with friends, that is the highlight of every weekend.”

The team plays in the Boston Ski and Sports Club (BSSC) leagues, in the short field 7 a side and full field 11 a side games. The team was strong, but it lacked organization and structure off the field. “I was sending out emails to 22 people every week, then if for some reason or another we were well short of players I would have to send out more to the end of the week for our game on Saturday morning. It was hard to track responses and gauge who was going to show up at any given game.” At the start of their season, the Rovers started using Playnify.

Playnify gave the Boston Rovers a series of tools to organize their team and their season. It started with practices. Players were told to select dark shirts or white shirts in order to divide the team up into two groups who could work together under the close eyes of captains Damian Priday and Nick Horan, along with Mark Szretter and Jacob Lewin as vice captains. From the first game, the Boston Rovers had a large number of players on Playnify that they could invite to every game.

“It made organizing the team so much easier. I could see who was going to be at every game. That made selecting starting lineups so much easier. The team was more organized and in better shape because of Playnify. We all knew the team before we stepped onto the field, a leisure that we did not have in previous seasons.”

What did this do for the Rovers? In the end of the season, the Boston Rovers managed to win the BSSC Division B Championship in an intense final game. They continued their amazing form to a 7 game win streak. Playnify gave them a series of tools to organize practices and games, allowing them to become a better team, a close knit group and a soccer community. This is what Playnify is all about, and why we strive to continue to improve the tools and services available to athletes all around the world so they can enjoy and make the most out of their sporting life.

Stay fit!

The Playnify team

*Damian Priday is now the Marketing Manager for Playnify in the USA

What is Fairplay?

We have had a few questions from people asking us about the Playnify “Fairplay” rating system. What does Fairplay mean for me and how does the rating system work? For us at Playnify, the Fairplay rating system is an integral part of making sure you get the best possible user experience out of the platform.

So what does Fairplay mean for Playnify? After signing up for a Playnify event, the most important part is the in person experience. The goal is to play, to partake in your favorite sports or even try something new. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy yourself, and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible in joining up with a new group, meeting new people, or entering into a tournament. That is where Fairplay comes in.

First and foremost, as the name suggests, it is about playing fair. Showing good sportsmanlike conduct will earn you the respect of your peers and most importantly an invite to the next game! Of course you can only earn that respect if you show up to an event that you sign up for, so we encourage rating people based on their attendance or prompt updating of availability.

Needless to say, sportsmanship is the key to making sure everyone has a good time during a game. Competition is great, and when it is fair it can be inspiring and drive you to build a new rivalry against a person or a team. Honesty, playing by the rules set out by you and your peers, are key. Are we all perfect sportsmen and women? No, but it goes a long way to admit when you make a mistake. Shaking hands goes a long way to settling differences.

So what is the best way to get a good Fairplay rating on Playnify?

Show up to events you sign up for

Be honest and friendly

Show good sportsmanlike conduct

Shake hands to settle issues

So how do you rate other people in the platform regarding their fairplay? It’s simple. After you insert the score of the event on the event page you will be asked to attribute a fairplay rating to the opponent side/team where you can choose from 1 star (low fairplay) to 5 star (high fairplay). Fairplay is attributed to the whole team so make sure all your team members show a sportsmanlike conduct or you can be penalized as a whole. However, Playnify also enables individual penalization for extreme individual cases (you can access this option close to the players photo on the event page).

So next time you participate in an event make sure you rate your opponents to help create an even more friendly and engaging network of players.

When rivalry transcends a single sport

Sports fans around the world are being treated to an amazing, multi-sport rivalry that is going on right now between Great Britain and Australia. The two nations have a long history and relationship with each other that is brought to a point whenever these two great sporting nations face each other in whichever sport may be on offer that day. The two most intense sporting rivalries just so happen to be going on simultaneously right now.

In cricket, the contest between Australia and England is considered to be the most significant series between any two cricket playing nations. It is a world wide (amongst cricket playing nations) that even boasts a rather unique and quirky trophy. Known as ‘The Ashes’, the series is played roughly every two years and alternates between being played in Australia and England. The winner of the series takes over possession of The Ashes, a tiny urn in which is encased the ashes of wickets from the first time these nations faced each other on the cricket field. It is unpredictable to say the least, and when victorious teams can sometimes go on some rather infamous celebrations. Freddy Flintoff famously arrived at 10 Downing Street drunk during his team’s celebration en route to meet the Prime Minister.

At the same time Great Britain are awaking the Lions, a team made up of players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, to take on Australia. The Lions go on tour every four years, but only tour Australia every 12, making it even more special an event. The combined strengths of these rugby nations should provide a sharp test for the Australians and the close series is currently tied at one win apiece. Needless to say, both nations are desperate to get the double over the other as this moment in sport is unlikely to be replicated for a long time.

There are other great multi-sport rivalries out there. Argentina and Brazil is a great example, Portugal and Spain another. Sometimes one nation may have a significant advantage over the other in one sport and a disadvantage in another. Whatever the case, you can be sure that every game is played with tremendous passion and hunger for victory, whether it be football, basketball, rugby, or even cricket. Sports fans love to open up the back page of the newspaper and hear they have beaten their national rivals, even if it is in a sport they have no clue about or interest in following beyond.

Your next rival is out there! Whether it is a team, a group of people or even that person from accounting who you see play tennis every week, beat you at golf, scored against you in a soccer game and then you thrashed them at squash. It is always a great thing to challenge a rival, even to a sport neither of you have played before. Stay Fit,

Playnify

Playnify preview the UEFA Champions League Final

The curtain call to Europe’s football season takes place in London at England’s monument to the sport, the new Wembley Stadium. For the first time in history the Champions League final will have two German sides duke it out for continental supremacy. The unstoppable Bayern Munich meets the dazzling Borrusia Dortmund in a clash that will be the largest single sporting event of the year.

The match that is as exciting as it is unexpected is not without its intriguing talking points and side plots that have been adding fuel to the flames of what promises to be an explosive encounter. The major talking points are surrounding Dortmund player Mario Gotze, who has agreed a deal to move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season after they triggered his buyout clause. Gotze, Dortmund’s talismanic creative midfielder with a keen mind for unlocking defenses, is injured and will not feature in the final, but that will not stop the talking points of a move that has added to the tension for the bitter rivals.

Bayern Munich saw off Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semi final stage after impressive displays against Juventus and Arsenal in the earlier knockout stages. Jupp Heynckes’ men also romped their way to the Bundesliga title in record time, record clean sheets, record goal difference and having scored in every league game, snatching the title forcibly from the hands of two time champions Dortmund. While their defense is not recognized as the greatest in the world they are certainly no slouches, but any team will be hard pressed to even get a shot at the Bayern defense when trying to get past the centre midfield pairing of Javi Martinez and the commanding Bastian Schweinsteiger. An attacking five that will boast any combination of Mario Gomez, Frank Ribery, Mario Mandzukic, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Claudio Pizarro and of course the wonderful Arjen Robben will be a nightmare for Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp when he makes his selection.

Or will it be such a nightmare? Dortmund are blessed with defensive talents such as what is arguably the best centre back pairing in the world, Mats Hummels (assuming he is fit) and Neven Subotic. Add to that the Polish engine of Luckasz Piszeck and the no nonsense Marcel Schmelzer and Dortmund’s defense could give them a steady platform to spring a surprise or two. Dortmund are just a big a threat going forward as Bayern are. Robert Lewandowski showed exactly the kind of powerhouse forward he can be by ripping apart Real Madrid with four goals in the first leg of the semi-final. The question might be if Marco Reus and Kevin Grosskreutz can fill in the hole left by the injured Gotze.

For Bayern Munich it will be their third final appearance in four years, and anyone who says they less than desperate to win this one is kidding you. Dortmund will be eager to make sure their rivals do not get their wish and cap off their form over the past three seasons with the ultimate prize. Bayern will play with speed and aggression, Dortmund with solidarity and flair. They are the cornerstones of the school of German football, its shining example to be played out on screens around the world as if to say ‘Spain who?”

Expect the usual from a Champions League final. Fancy one of color ways and new cleats from the world’s biggest name brands. Shots of the ball they will play with, the trophy as they come out. Quirky Heineken commercials! There is even reports that the official twitter hashtag (#UCLFinal) will be etched on to the trophy. After all, it is the single largest sporting event of the year and every soccer fan in the world is in some way emotionally invested into this magnificent spectacle. Good luck to both teams and both sets of fans!

Stay fit and enjoy the game,

The Playnify team

Why I joined Playnify by Damian Priday

As a kid and young adult I moved around a lot. My life has been a succession of new cities, new countries, and new continents. The pain and excitement of a new town, a new home is something I am all too familiar with.

Perhaps my biggest challenge when moving to a new city is building a routine. For someone like myself who is naturally competitive and has a burning desire to stay active that means playing sport. What sport it was, was different every time. It really depended on whom I would meet soonest, what sport they invited me to join in on, and how friendly they and I were. Most of the time that sport was soccer, but sometimes it was golf, sometimes it was baseball, and one time it was even squash. Whatever it was, it was through sport that I made friends, built relationships and built a routine. It was through sport that I built a sense of belonging and a home.

It was never easy, and often it was a difficult challenge. I would go months without any activity outside of the gym. My body and mind would ache with a desire to score goals or sink putts. I missed the comradery of rugby teams grabbing a beer after a game. I missed sitting around after a long day on the gold course, telling jokes, eating and conversing with friends and their families. I missed having a social life that was centered on activity, competition and drive rather than sitting and discussing. Now, finally, I found a tool that makes it all that much easier.

Playnify, the sports social network, is that tool. Through Playnify you can look for people who share your interest in sports, whether it be a casual fondness or a deep seeded passion. You can look for events, pickup games, partners or teams. You can also post your own events and be open to meeting new people in your area looking for someone just like you. My first Playnify event was a pickup soccer game. I was thrilled to see the turnout, people choosing sides, switching sides to be with friends and just shooting messages about how excited they are to be getting back out there after the cold winter months. For some of us, it was the first time playing together. For all of us it was the event that bound us together in that most important word, team.

I am also excited about Playnify because it is not just about organizing my life in my hometown, but wherever I go. I can very easily search for events in a city I am travelling to. If I want to play a game of squash while I visit New York City next week, I can look for people who may be shy a partner. If I want to host a game of squash here in Boston, I would not be surprised if the person who decided to join me was from out of town.

So after I join Playnify, and I have my team and my routine, then that’s it right? Job done? Well not necessarily. The beauty of Playnify is that you can keep track of scores and workouts. You can also review the players you play against or with, their skill level, and their fairness of play. The aim is to make your experience more enjoyable and more engaging. Want to track the record of wins and losses against your new tennis buddy from Atlanta over time? You can do that! Was the pickup soccer game last week too one sided? You can change that. Want to find a new squash partner who gives you a greater challenge? You can find that person.

To me, Playnify is a great idea. It is growing, and it needs people to get on there and create events (like myself!). If you want to play, you need to get on Playnify. What are you waiting for? Sign up, get out there and enjoy the spring!

Stay fit!

Damian

Damian Priday is a sports marketing and sports business blogger in Boston, MA who writes for Playnify and his own website damianpriday.com. When not playing soccer, squash, tennis, or golf he is writing about the businesses and industries that surround the sports we love. You can follow him on Twitter @damian_emg81

#playnify #Sports #social #network #playsport #spring

Running, Mountain Biking and Cycling now available on Playnify!

Do you like to run or ride your bicycle? Then this post is for you... Playnify now supports Running, Mountain Biking and Cycling! Find out more about these new features at www.playnify.com

Stay fit,

The Playnify Team

#running #mountain biking #btt #cycling #playnify

Portuguese press review

Playnify is gathering enormous attention in some of the best magazines, newspapers and online news sites of Portugal.

We list them bellow so that you can check them out!

Porto24:

http://porto24.pt/desporto/25102012/a-rede-social-que-promete-simplificar-a-vida-aos-desportistas-amadores/#.ULdb7YddBtF

Semanário Expresso:

http://expresso.sapo.pt/portugueses-criam-rede-social-para-o-desporto-amador=f769650

Revista Visão:

http://visao.sapo.pt/portugueses-criam-rede-social-para-o-desporto-amador=f698926

Industrias criativas:

http://www.industriascriativas.com/NoticiaDetalhe.aspx?idN=1117

Sapo Desporto:

http://desporto.sapo.pt/mais_modalidades/artigo/2012/11/26/portugueses_criam_rede_social_pa.html

Stay fit,

The Playnify Team.

#playnify #news #Sports #sport #network #startup #portugal

New languages available: PT and PT-BR!

Sejam bem-vindos Lusófonos!

We’re thrilled to announce that Playnify is now available in Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese!

To switch between languages just go to your Preferences page and change it under Language.

Stay fit,

The Playnify Team

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Playnify