40s Retro Football Fantasy Draft | Finished

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I am off to bed as well so need to leave my pick with someone

I'm heading out now, but will be back in a couple of hrs. You can leave with me.

 

[Gol123]

I'm pretty much sorted in terms of first 11. Still quite a few players left.

 

[Red Stone]

There's one player I simply can't believe hasn't been picked yet.

 

[Joga Bonito]

There's one player I simply can't believe hasn't been picked yet.

I have two on my list, whom I thought would have gone much much earlier.

 

[Balu]

@crappycraperson @Edgar Allan Pillow

 

[Balu]

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka

 

[Skizzo]

@crappycraperson picks

Angelo Domenghini

@Gio @Theon

 

[Moby]

Domenghini was my backup for Prati. Good pick.

 

[Invictus]

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9.
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9.
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9.
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9.
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9.
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

 

[Gio]

A TRIBUTE TO THE 40TH BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME GEORGI ASPARUHOV - A GENIUS FEW KNOW, BUT FEW WOULD EVER FORGET

Exactly 40 years ago a tragic accident took away the life of Georgi Asparuhov, perhaps the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. A leader and a role model, a dream striker and a legendary player -Goal.com pays tribute to one of the lesser-known geniuses of the game.

When most people think of Bulgarian football the first name that springs to mind is that of Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov. Younger readers, some of whom may not have witnessed 'The Dagger' in action, probably associate the Balkan country with Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov. Very few, however, mention the name of Asparuhov, chosen posthumously as Bulgaria's best footballer of the 20th century ahead of Ballon D'Or winner Stoichkov.

Georgi Rangelov Asparuhov, or 'Gundi', was born on May 4, 1943 in the Sofia district of Reduta, a part of the capital associated with Levski Sofia. Asparuhov's career started with the youth team of the Blues and he would continue to play there until his remarkable progress saw him promoted to the first team at the age of just 17. In his trial for Levski's Under-16 squad, coach Konstantin Georgiev would famously remark: "There is nothing we could teach him. The boy is a born footballer."

His excellent physical features, particularly his height, were held in high regard by his trainers, who would play him as a centre-half due to a lack of quality defenders. He always saw himself as a striker, but his calm and committed nature never prompted him to cause trouble over his being played out of position. Asparuhov was a victim of many harmful fouls, even during his early years, and never kept secret his disgust for 'butchery' on the pitch. The excessively brutal play even meant he took to volleyball, a game in which he also showed tremendous potential. 'Gundi' tried to balance the two sports, but was soon forced to choose. After a wonderful performance for Levski Sofia in a decisive game in the youth championship, Asparuhov finally decided to stick with football, much to the dismay of his volleyball coach, who believed that "volleyball lost a real talent".

"When I first heard of Asparuhov's demise, I started to cry. Why would fate take away the life of such a great footballer? I could not sleep all night, I was seeing him play against Belgium in my dreams. I fell in love with the great player he was."
- Sandro Mazzola, Inter legend

Breakthrough
Asparuhov made his debut for Levski Sofia against Botev Plovdiv on June 5, 1960, as a 17-year-old defender. Later that year he scored his first goal for the Blues against the same opponents, and ironically the team he would be forced to play for in the next two seasons.

Months later, Asparuhov received a call-up from Bulgaria's national youth side for the European tournament in Austria. 'Gundi' played his last game as a defender after scoring a stunning goal from near the centre of the pitch, and from then on he never looked back. As part of his mandatory military service 'Gundi' was sent to Plovdiv in 1961, but was allowed to play for the local football team Botev, a club with close ties to the army. Asparuhov transformed the Yellow-Blacks into title contenders, winning the Bulgarian Cup in his second year at the club, and reaching second place in the league the next season.

At 19 years of age the striker received his first call-up to the senior national football team. After majestic performances in a number of friendly games, 'Gundi' was included in the squad for the World Cup finals in Chile, where he scored the Lions' only goal of the tournament against the mighty Hungary.

The lost son returns
In the autumn of 1963 Asparuhov finally returned to his beloved Levski Sofia to become the legend he is today. 'Gundi' established himself as the focal point of the team, a free-scoring and inspiring leader, an example of commitment and professionalism.
Asparuhov was full of exquisite and beautiful play, and would later be described by legendary Hungarian striker and Ballon D'Or winner Florian Albert as "an artist, a footballer of the rare kind who give spectators pure joy."

Standing at 1.85m and equally competent with both feet, 'Gundi' was a fearsome opponent; strong, elegant in possession, lightning fast, unbeatable in the air and very, very difficult to dispossess. His bag of tricks and dribbles would give defenders nightmares, and his outstanding footwork, passing and vision would make every midfielder jealous. His uncanny ability to score from very awkward positions, and especially on the volley, was feared of across Europe.

On and off the pitch 'Gundi' was a gentleman and humble person. He greeted provocation and horror challenges with a smile, and even though he was on the receiving end of so many brutal fouls, he would stay true to his good and fair nature. He would even play through excruciating injuries - so big was his love for his team.

Moment of glory
The tricky forward dismantled Portugal in a memorable game in 1962, and again a year later as his reputation continued to grow. He netted wonder strikes for fun and conquered defences with finesse and power, becoming a vital part of Levski Sofia's renaissance in the middle of the 60s.

1965 was a year to remember for Asparuhov. The forward made a stunning start to the season, bagging nine goals in five games - all of them against fellow title contenders. He led Levski Sofia to their first championship title in 12 years that season, bagging 27 goals, which was a new record for the Blues. He also won the Sportsman of the Year award.

In a crucial World Cup play-off game against the mighty Belgium in Italy, 'Gundi' set the world alight with a 'divine' performance, scoring twice to send Bulgaria through to the World Cup finals in England the following year. This was the game in which Asparuhov’s star truly began to twinkle on the horizon, catching the imagination of fans all over the world.

'Gundi' was nominated for the 1965 Ballon D'Or award and placed eighth in the final standings, tied with Italian legend Sandro Mazzola and Torpedo Moscow's Valery Voronin, ahead of players like Franz Beckenbauer, Ferenc Puskas, Denis Law and Lev Yashin. The winner was Eusebio, who would soon become quite an admirer of Asparuhov.

"I craved to play alongside Asparuhov. In the game between Benfica and Levski he conquered Lisbon. No other player had scored two against us at home before him. Asparuhov was the first."
- Eusebio,Benfica Legend

The following year Asparuhov would enter the records as the first player to ever score two goals against Benfica at Estadio da Luz. In the 1965-66 European Cup, Levski Sofia were drawn against the legendary team of the Eagles, which included 'The Black Panther' himself, Eusebio.

The Blues were narrowly eliminated by Benfica, drawing 2-2 in Bulgaria and losing 3-2 in Lisbon, with 'Gundi' netting all four goals for the Sofia outfit. Eusebio fell in love with the majestic play of the Bulgarian striker, and would crave to play alongside him for the Eagles.

The Portuguese giants tried to lure Asparuhov, but the communist government would not allow 'Gundi' to leave Bulgaria. He was even denied the chance to play in Lev Yashin's farewell game in Moscow, after he was personally invited by the goalkeeper, for fear he would defect.

AC Milan were particularly keen on 'Gundi' and pursued the player for a long time. Coach Nereo Rocco famously said of Asparuhov: "This is the striker of my dreams."

Just before a Cup Winners' Cup game between Milan and Levski in 1967, he was offered $500,000, safe escape from Bulgaria, and a wage equal to that of the top stars of the Italian outfit, the legendary Gianni Rivera included. Asparuhov refused, citing his love for, and loyalty to, Levski Sofia and Bulgaria.

"I am sorry I could not play on the right wing in the team of the world. Asparuhov was popular in Germany and had a lot of admirers. The papers used to write about him very often. His demise is an incomparable disaster for Bulgarian football."
- Gerd Muller, Bayern Munich legend

The conqueror of Wembley
'Gundi' continued to shine for club and country, further enhancing his reputation as one of the top players in Europe. At the World Cup finals in England in 1966 Bulgaria were placed in a group with football superpowers like Brazil, with Pele and Garrincha, Eusebio's Portugal ,and the Hungary of Florian Albert. Asparuhov was again the only goalscorer for the Lions, netting against the Magyars in the last game of Group 3.

In 1967 'Gundi' put in a world-class performance in a 3-0 demolition of Sweden, who became Bulgaria's ultimate bogey team in years to come. The Lions, led by Asparuhov, defeated Italy 3-2 in a European qualification match in Sofia the next year, but the Azzurri went through on the back of a 2-0 win at home.

Bulgaria played two friendlies later that year, crushing Turkey and the Netherlands before a crowning game in December - a match against world champions England at Wembley.

In a 1-1 draw at the legendary stadium, Asparuhov scored one of the goals of the century. With Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore on the pitch, 'Gundi' picked up a partially-cleared ball in the centre of the pitch, waltzed past England's defence, and slotted coolly past the goalkeeper.

"I loved his football, and I really liked him. In the Bulgaria-Italy game in Sofia I accidentally kicked him... I hope he had forgiven me..."
- Gianni Rivera

 

[Gio]

Asparuhov's legacy
'Gundi' had problems with injuries throughout his career, caused by the 'special treatment' teams would give him. Defenders tried to stop him by any means necessary - elbows, kicks, scything tackles, even punches and provocation. As a purist, 'Gundi' would resent this aspect of the beautiful game, but would never get involved in quarrels. Many exploited his loyalty and love for the national team. He would be forced to play through painful injuries at the World Cup finals in 1970 in Mexico. His health was put on the line even when featuring for his beloved Levski as coaches would field him unfit in important games simply because his very presence was inspiring to the team, and daunting for the opposition.

"There is a country called Bulgaria, and in this country there is a team called Levski. You may have not heard of it, but there I was born and there I shall die!"
- Georgi Asparuhov to AC Milan representatives

Aged just 28, Asparuhov's life came to an end in a car accident at the Vitinya pass along with his close friend and fellow Bulgarian great Nikola 'The Cat' Kotkov. More than half a million people went to Sofia to attend his funeral, paying tribute and bidding farewell to one of football's greatest ever players. A true gentleman on and off the pitch, to this day Asparuhov is a symbol of humility, devotion and greatness. Levski Sofia's current stadium is named after the striker, whose eternal love for the Blues and his motherland is a rare example of loyalty in today’s world. Among his other achievements, 'Gundi' was posthumously honoured with the Fair Play award in 1999 and the title of Best Bulgarian footballer of the 20th century. In addition, FIFA placed him 40th on the list of all-time best footballers.


Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9.
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9.
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9.
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9.
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@NM
@Edgar Allan Pillow

 

[Tuppet]

A TRIBUTE TO THE 40TH BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME GEORGI ASPARUHOV - A GENIUS FEW KNOW, BUT FEW WOULD EVER FORGET

Exactly 40 years ago a tragic accident took away the life of Georgi Asparuhov, perhaps the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. A leader and a role model, a dream striker and a legendary player -Goal.com pays tribute to one of the lesser-known geniuses of the game.

When most people think of Bulgarian football the first name that springs to mind is that of Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov. Younger readers, some of whom may not have witnessed 'The Dagger' in action, probably associate the Balkan country with Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov. Very few, however, mention the name of Asparuhov, chosen posthumously as Bulgaria's best footballer of the 20th century ahead of Ballon D'Or winner Stoichkov.

Georgi Rangelov Asparuhov, or 'Gundi', was born on May 4, 1943 in the Sofia district of Reduta, a part of the capital associated with Levski Sofia. Asparuhov's career started with the youth team of the Blues and he would continue to play there until his remarkable progress saw him promoted to the first team at the age of just 17. In his trial for Levski's Under-16 squad, coach Konstantin Georgiev would famously remark: "There is nothing we could teach him. The boy is a born footballer."

His excellent physical features, particularly his height, were held in high regard by his trainers, who would play him as a centre-half due to a lack of quality defenders. He always saw himself as a striker, but his calm and committed nature never prompted him to cause trouble over his being played out of position. Asparuhov was a victim of many harmful fouls, even during his early years, and never kept secret his disgust for 'butchery' on the pitch. The excessively brutal play even meant he took to volleyball, a game in which he also showed tremendous potential. 'Gundi' tried to balance the two sports, but was soon forced to choose. After a wonderful performance for Levski Sofia in a decisive game in the youth championship, Asparuhov finally decided to stick with football, much to the dismay of his volleyball coach, who believed that "volleyball lost a real talent".

"When I first heard of Asparuhov's demise, I started to cry. Why would fate take away the life of such a great footballer? I could not sleep all night, I was seeing him play against Belgium in my dreams. I fell in love with the great player he was."
- Sandro Mazzola, Inter legend

Breakthrough
Asparuhov made his debut for Levski Sofia against Botev Plovdiv on June 5, 1960, as a 17-year-old defender. Later that year he scored his first goal for the Blues against the same opponents, and ironically the team he would be forced to play for in the next two seasons.

Months later, Asparuhov received a call-up from Bulgaria's national youth side for the European tournament in Austria. 'Gundi' played his last game as a defender after scoring a stunning goal from near the centre of the pitch, and from then on he never looked back. As part of his mandatory military service 'Gundi' was sent to Plovdiv in 1961, but was allowed to play for the local football team Botev, a club with close ties to the army. Asparuhov transformed the Yellow-Blacks into title contenders, winning the Bulgarian Cup in his second year at the club, and reaching second place in the league the next season.

At 19 years of age the striker received his first call-up to the senior national football team. After majestic performances in a number of friendly games, 'Gundi' was included in the squad for the World Cup finals in Chile, where he scored the Lions' only goal of the tournament against the mighty Hungary.

The lost son returns
In the autumn of 1963 Asparuhov finally returned to his beloved Levski Sofia to become the legend he is today. 'Gundi' established himself as the focal point of the team, a free-scoring and inspiring leader, an example of commitment and professionalism.
Asparuhov was full of exquisite and beautiful play, and would later be described by legendary Hungarian striker and Ballon D'Or winner Florian Albert as "an artist, a footballer of the rare kind who give spectators pure joy."

Standing at 1.85m and equally competent with both feet, 'Gundi' was a fearsome opponent; strong, elegant in possession, lightning fast, unbeatable in the air and very, very difficult to dispossess. His bag of tricks and dribbles would give defenders nightmares, and his outstanding footwork, passing and vision would make every midfielder jealous. His uncanny ability to score from very awkward positions, and especially on the volley, was feared of across Europe.

On and off the pitch 'Gundi' was a gentleman and humble person. He greeted provocation and horror challenges with a smile, and even though he was on the receiving end of so many brutal fouls, he would stay true to his good and fair nature. He would even play through excruciating injuries - so big was his love for his team.

Moment of glory
The tricky forward dismantled Portugal in a memorable game in 1962, and again a year later as his reputation continued to grow. He netted wonder strikes for fun and conquered defences with finesse and power, becoming a vital part of Levski Sofia's renaissance in the middle of the 60s.

1965 was a year to remember for Asparuhov. The forward made a stunning start to the season, bagging nine goals in five games - all of them against fellow title contenders. He led Levski Sofia to their first championship title in 12 years that season, bagging 27 goals, which was a new record for the Blues. He also won the Sportsman of the Year award.

In a crucial World Cup play-off game against the mighty Belgium in Italy, 'Gundi' set the world alight with a 'divine' performance, scoring twice to send Bulgaria through to the World Cup finals in England the following year. This was the game in which Asparuhov’s star truly began to twinkle on the horizon, catching the imagination of fans all over the world.

'Gundi' was nominated for the 1965 Ballon D'Or award and placed eighth in the final standings, tied with Italian legend Sandro Mazzola and Torpedo Moscow's Valery Voronin, ahead of players like Franz Beckenbauer, Ferenc Puskas, Denis Law and Lev Yashin. The winner was Eusebio, who would soon become quite an admirer of Asparuhov.

"I craved to play alongside Asparuhov. In the game between Benfica and Levski he conquered Lisbon. No other player had scored two against us at home before him. Asparuhov was the first."
- Eusebio,Benfica Legend

The following year Asparuhov would enter the records as the first player to ever score two goals against Benfica at Estadio da Luz. In the 1965-66 European Cup, Levski Sofia were drawn against the legendary team of the Eagles, which included 'The Black Panther' himself, Eusebio.

The Blues were narrowly eliminated by Benfica, drawing 2-2 in Bulgaria and losing 3-2 in Lisbon, with 'Gundi' netting all four goals for the Sofia outfit. Eusebio fell in love with the majestic play of the Bulgarian striker, and would crave to play alongside him for the Eagles.

The Portuguese giants tried to lure Asparuhov, but the communist government would not allow 'Gundi' to leave Bulgaria. He was even denied the chance to play in Lev Yashin's farewell game in Moscow, after he was personally invited by the goalkeeper, for fear he would defect.

AC Milan were particularly keen on 'Gundi' and pursued the player for a long time. Coach Nereo Rocco famously said of Asparuhov: "This is the striker of my dreams."

Just before a Cup Winners' Cup game between Milan and Levski in 1967, he was offered $500,000, safe escape from Bulgaria, and a wage equal to that of the top stars of the Italian outfit, the legendary Gianni Rivera included. Asparuhov refused, citing his love for, and loyalty to, Levski Sofia and Bulgaria.

"I am sorry I could not play on the right wing in the team of the world. Asparuhov was popular in Germany and had a lot of admirers. The papers used to write about him very often. His demise is an incomparable disaster for Bulgarian football."
- Gerd Muller, Bayern Munich legend

The conqueror of Wembley
'Gundi' continued to shine for club and country, further enhancing his reputation as one of the top players in Europe. At the World Cup finals in England in 1966 Bulgaria were placed in a group with football superpowers like Brazil, with Pele and Garrincha, Eusebio's Portugal ,and the Hungary of Florian Albert. Asparuhov was again the only goalscorer for the Lions, netting against the Magyars in the last game of Group 3.

In 1967 'Gundi' put in a world-class performance in a 3-0 demolition of Sweden, who became Bulgaria's ultimate bogey team in years to come. The Lions, led by Asparuhov, defeated Italy 3-2 in a European qualification match in Sofia the next year, but the Azzurri went through on the back of a 2-0 win at home.

Bulgaria played two friendlies later that year, crushing Turkey and the Netherlands before a crowning game in December - a match against world champions England at Wembley.

In a 1-1 draw at the legendary stadium, Asparuhov scored one of the goals of the century. With Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore on the pitch, 'Gundi' picked up a partially-cleared ball in the centre of the pitch, waltzed past England's defence, and slotted coolly past the goalkeeper.

"I loved his football, and I really liked him. In the Bulgaria-Italy game in Sofia I accidentally kicked him... I hope he had forgiven me..."
- Gianni Rivera

Nice pick at this stage, was my backup to Lubanski.

 

[Gio]

Nice pick at this stage, was my backup to Lubanski.

Yeah we're quite lucky to still get a top centre forward of his calibre at this stage.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Nice pick at this stage, was my backup to Lubanski.

Damn!

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

GIANCARLO DE SISTI


AS ROMA Hall of Fame :

After his historic goal in the derby, the Curva Sud awarded him an ancient Roman helmet. Giancarlo De Sisti was a leader and key figure at Roma during his era. After being spotted at Forlivesi, he joined the Roma academy at a very young age. That’s where his tireless energy and engine would earn him the nickname ‘Picchio’ (‘Woodpecker’). Roma won the 1964 Coppa Italia with him pulling the strings but De Sisti also made an appearance in the 1961 Fairs Cup-winning campaign. In 1965, Egisto Pandolfini convinced Fiorentina to purchase him. Roma let him go for 165 million Lira plus Benaglia. At the Viola, De Sisti contributed to an unforgettable era for the Tuscan team which culminated in the Scudetto. As soon as the opportunity presented itself however, he moved back to Roma, once again lighting up the Olimpico with his talent. A Roma supporter born and bred, his unending love for the club’s colors was always matched by the fans who still remember him fondly.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@NM picks :

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9. De Sisti
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9.
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9.
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9.
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@mazhar13

 

[Gol123]

@Gio went to town with that write up.

 

[Moby]

PIERINO PRATI

THE EXPLOSIVE ARRIVAL OF PIERINO PRATI
Gianni Rivera’s 89th minute winner against Brescia at San Siro on March 31, 1968, secured for AC Milan the ninth Italian championship in their history, for this win gave them a nine-point lead at the top of the league and with only four games left to play they could not be caught.

What have been the main reasons for their runaway win? Off the field the vigorous efforts of trainer Nereo Rocco in moulding the team into a powerful single unit playing fluid, open football and ignoring catenaccio have been at the very heart of this success. On the field one can point to skipper Gianni Rivera's superb skill and vast imagination, -'s organisation of the defence, -'s inspired goalkeeping in the first half of the season before a shoulder injury put him out of the team and Giovanni Lodetti's tireless efforts in midfield.

But as important as all these has been the emergence, one could almost say explosion, on to the scene of Pierino Prati, a 21-year-old striker whose frequent and decisive goalscoring has been paramount in bringing the championship back to the rossoneri.

In less than a season, Prati's eye for the half-chance has earned for him not only his first scudetto but also his first Italian "cap" and the position of top goalscorer in the league as well as the adulation of press and public alike. Prati has undoubtedly been the find of the season but despite only being in his first full season in Serie A he has been no overnight success for, young as he is, he has received a thorough grounding in the arts and crafts of calcio. A product of the Milan youth training system at their training centre Milanello, where he first went at the age of 16, Prati was centre-forward in the Milan youth team that won the Primavera championship of Italy in season 1964/65. He was then selected for the Italian squad that was to take part in the 18th UEFA Youth Tournament in West Germany in April, 1965. In this competition he played in all Italy's games; against Scotland in Stuttgart (1-1), Yugoslavia in Pforzheim (2-0), scoring once, Northern Ireland in the quarter-finals in Bochum (2-1), scoring both goals, and England in the semi-finals in Marl-Huls (1-3). It is interesting to note that two of England's three goals in that game were scored by - and -.

In July, 1965, in order to give him league experience, Milan loaned Prati to the Serie B (2nd Division) team Salernitana. Unfortunately in January, 1966, while playing for Salernitana, he broke his right leg. With patience and courage, however, he overcame this injury and today his powerful right foot shooting and bravery in the tight defences bears witness to the fact that it is now just a cloudy memory. At the end of the season he was recalled to Milan by their new allenatore Arturo Silvestri. With regular centre-forward - injured and unable to play for a few weeks, Prati made his Serie A debut at San Siro on September 18, 1966, against Venezia in the opening game of the new season. Despite winning 2-1 he lost his place to - for the next two matches but came back into the side for the game at Napoli which Milan lost 3-2.With Sormani fit again, however, and - and - also available for the centre-forward position, chances would have been few and far between and so, in order to continue his league experience, he was loaned out again, this time to Savona also in Serie B.

It was while he was with Savona during season 1966/67 that he first gave the hint of his enormous potential. Playing at centre-forward in a team that was not really strong enough for the division, his 15 goals in two-thirds of the season - 29 appearances to be precise - almost, but not quite, saved them from relegation. It also placed him second in the Serie B goalscorers' classification, preceded only by Francesconi of champions Sampdoria.

When the season ended he was once again recalled to Milan but this time it was to stay. For the new season Milan had managed to re-engage as their allenatore, Nereo Rocco, the man who had guided them to victory in the European Cup in 1963, and he definitely wanted Prati back at San Siro. Even so, he was not included in Rocco’s immediate plans to build a first team capable of regaining the championship they had last won in 1962. As a centre-forward Prati would naturally only be an understudy to -, the excellent Brazilian who had cost Milan such a lot of money when they bought him from Roma in 1965.

Rocco had assembled a fine team with all positions covered, all positions that is except one. Nereo had problems on the left wing. It was a choice between -, the highly experienced international who had never quite got over a badly broken leg suffered in a game against Bologna on December 12, 1965, that had kept him out of the game for nearly a year, -, a 22-year-old they had signed from Verona, and -, another youngster they had bought from Modena during the close season. Nereo tried one, then the other, but still he was not happy and finally he introduced Prati, who had earlier had a couple of games at outside-right when Kurt Hamrin was injured, into the team to wear the No. 11 shirt.

Prati was like the answer to a prayer for he started scoring at once - in one's and two’s in almost every game - and in no time had become the most feared man in the Milan attack, an attack that contained such celebrated names as Hamrin, Rivera and -. At one stage he was averaging over a goal a match and to date has scored 15 goals in 18 league games and three goals in five European Cup-Winners’ Cup ties which is very good going by any standard but in Italy is a particularly formidable rate of scoring.

PLAYING STYLE
The possessor of a remarkably powerful right foot shot, he is also very good in the air where he uses his height to fine advantage in getting up to Rivera's finely flighted crosses. Tall and long-legged, he has a very awkward and unorthodox style that often baffles opposing full-backs. Many a time I’ve seen him take the ball into a seemingly impossible situation, with three or four defenders in close attention, only for him to somehow emerge with the ball leaving a trail of beaten opponents in his wake.

Once in possession of the ball he is very difficult to dispossess and frequently opponents find that the only way to stop him is to foul him. Time and again he is dumped on the ground by ruthless full-backs determined to make sure that he doesn't continue his goalscoring spree against them. He takes all this, however, without a word of protest. His only concern is to get into the penalty area to try and collect the free-kick and get it into the net. It is in the penalty area that he is at his most dangerous where he does not hesitate to have a go at goal no matter what the distance or angle. It is his refreshing willingness to try a shot from narrow and confined spaces that has contributed so much to his success. He is also a specialist at taking direct free-kicks outside the penalty area, the power of his shot making him a threat to his opponents anywhere within 30 yards or so.

As the season progressed it was obvious that representative honours would soon come his way and in December, 1967, he was selected for the Italian Under-23 party to travel to Nottingham to play England on the 20th of that month. Although not originally selected for the actual team he came on as a second-half substitute in a match that England, with a goal from -, won 1-0. By the end of March, with Italy's European Championship (- Cup) quarter-final first leg against Bulgaria in Sofia just around the corner, many critics and writers were clamouring for Prati's inclusion in the full national side. More so because the regular first choice left-winger, Luigi Riva of Cagliari, was going through a bad spell, fighting against loss of form and injuries.

Gianni Brera, Italy's leading football writer, in the paper Guerin Sportivo, called Prati the new Piola (Italy's most prolific goalscorer of all time and their centre-forward in the 1938 World Cup winning team). Indeed, he went further than that and said that Prati was one of only two or three Italian forwards who was not afraid of playing away from home, while Annibale Frossi, writing in the Carriere della Sera, said that while most Italian forwards, in the interests of prudence, were used as midfield players, preferring to remain far away from the penalty area and the opposing goal, Prati was among the few forwards in Italy that were the exception to this rule. He went onto say that Prati was a rebel against the tactics of the present day, concentrating all his skill and strength on the offensive and the scoring of goals. And Brera again, after Milan’s European Cup-Winners' Cup playoff against Standard Liege, wrote that if Ferruccio Valcareggi -the national team manager in the stand watching the game - did not pick Prati for the match in Sofia it would be a big mistake.

It was no surprise, therefore, that when the names of the 22 players were announced Prati's was amongst them, ostensibly as reserve to Riva. Prati's comment was: "I think it is a miracle and I am very happy. I do not think that I will play in Sofia but for me it is sufficient to be included in the list of 22 players. “

 

[Moby]

The inclusion in the squad had crowned a great year for the young striker but there was still more to come. Just two days before the match in Sofia, Riva pulled out of the squad with an injury and Valcareggi immediately confirmed that Prati would definitely wear the No. 11 shirt. Despite having 10 men for most of the game- Picchi going off injured in the first half- and a referee that was heavily biased against them, Italy gave one of their typically spiritless away-from-home displays. The faith that many people had in Prati, however, was confirmed for he played magnificently, by far the best Italian on the field.

Seemingly unaffected by nerves and the fact that he was playing in his first international he was a constant danger to the Bulgarian defence. With a little bit of luck he could have scored a memorable hat-trick. In the first half his beautiful glancing header struck the bar and a little later his left-foot shot from a difficult angle hit the foot of the post. Then, just seven minutes before the end of the match, with Italy trailing 3-1 and in dire trouble; he popped up to lash Rivera's cross past - to put his team back in with a chance. His display in Sofia meant that he was in the team to stay and - did not hesitate to include him in the side to play the return leg in Napoli. Once again Prati turned up trumps and his all-important 14th-minute goal levelled the aggregate scores and opened up the way for the azzurri to win the tie, with a 68th-minute goal from Domenghini, and move forward into the semi-finals.

Prati has become the new hero of the Milaniste, even ousting Gianni Rivera from this position, with a large weekly fan mail. He is, however, a person with both feet firmly placed on the ground and has not let this popularity go to his head. He remains just plain Pierino to his friends and, as a single man, still lives at home with his mother in the little town of Cinisello Balsamo just outside Milan where he was born on December 13, 1946.

He is not one of those players who think that because he has received a little praise and attention he has nothing left to learn. He realises that he is lucky to be playing alongside men such as Rivera, whom he considers the most complete player in Italy. He is also very grateful to Nereo Rocco for giving him his chance even though earlier in the season Rocco was quoted as saying that Prati was only half a player. In this often misinterpreted statement Rocco was merely referring to the fact that whereas Prati was very effective in front of goal, he could boost his game by increasing his work rate and improving his technique. But Prati is young and willing to work hard to add to his natural talent for scoring goals.

This season the name Pierino Prati has meant anti-catenaccio. Next season he will be marked even more ruthlessly. Prati, however, a sensible and intelligent young man - at present, in between playing and training, he is studying English - has no false illusions about the difficulties he will have to face up to as his career progresses. It is for this reason that I believe he has a fine future ahead of him.

And that’s exactly what Prati enjoyed. In the season following the publishing of this article, Prati was a key component in Milan’s European Champions Cup Winning side of 1969, scoring seven goals in the tournament including a well taken hat-trick in the final against Ajax.

http://inbedwithmaradona.com/retro/2013/4/22/the-explosive-arrival-of-pierino-prati

 

[Tuppet]

So after this draft, I decided that I need to see some of these teams in action. Found out a nice "legends" database for FM 2015. Signed Georgie best for my Juventus team, him and Boniek for my team and Rivera & Nordhal for Milan are tearing up the league at the moment. Its fantastic to see Ronaldo (Who is with Inter) and Maradona playing against Scirea and Gentile.

I thought people who play drafts and FM would especially like it - http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/foot...ootball-legends-greatest-database-so-far.html

 

[Gol123]

Holy shit, these write ups are turning into essay reports.

 

[Gol123]

So after this draft, I decided that I need to see some of these teams in action. Found out a nice "legends" database for FM 2015. Signed Georgie best for my Juventus team, him and Boniek for my team and Rivera & Nordhal for Milan are tearing up the league at the moment. Its fantastic to see Ronaldo (Who is with Inter) and Maradona playing against Scirea and Gentile.

I thought people who play drafts and FM would especially like it - http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/foot...ootball-legends-greatest-database-so-far.html

But he only did it against shit opponents?

 

[Tuppet]

But he only did it against shit opponents?

Well, clearly FM people need to have a talk with Anto

 

[Gol123]

Well, clearly FM people need to have a talk with Anto

I can just imagine Antohan having a five hour phone call with the FM people, costing hundreds of pounds, where he argues the merits of Nordhals goalscoring ability and also says "I'm done with this, I don't care, I just wanted to create something special" over 20 odd times.

In all serious though, Antohan is a great drafter who knows how to play the game. Just so happens he played it too good for his own good this one time.

 

[Moby]

Holy shit, these write ups are turning into essay reports.

 

[harms]

Nice pick, @Gio. Can you give us a link for the list though, he isn't in FIFA 100 and I don't know where to look.

 

[mazhar13]

I think that now's the time I get this player. I'd rather get him now than risk losing him later.

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9. De Sisti
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9. Lodetti
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9.
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9.
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@harms

 

[Marty1968]

I think that now's the time I get this player. I'd rather get him now than risk losing him later.

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9. De Sisti
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9. Lodetti
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9.
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9.
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@harms

No way!!! Lodetti was my next pick!!

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I think that now's the time I get this player. I'd rather get him now than risk losing him later.

Nice. I had him in my list, but didn't fit my plans.

 

[harms]

A man behind Luis Suarez and Sandro Mazzola - team harms welcomes Gianfranco Bedin. Fantastic defensive midfielder who was at the foundation of Herrera's La Grande Inter.

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9. De Sisti
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9. Lodetti
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9. Bedin
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9.
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@Tuppet

 

[Theon]

@Gio went to town with that write up.

That wasn't written by us mate - Too busy for all that

It's just this article here - http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/ed...h-best-player-of-all-time-georgi-asparuhov-a-

There were a fair few very good strikers left on our list, but at 6 ft 1 Gundi stood out for his sheer size as much as anything else. With that technical midfield I think we really needed someone with a bit of presence up top to play off, which he combines with being very good on the ball (which should dovetail well with the likes of Pedro Rocha). He reminds me of a more extreme version of Preben Elkaer in that sense who was also a very good dribbler whilst occupying defenders with his physicality.

There are better Gundi videos knocking about youtube but I think the first minute or so of this one is good for showing his height/presence in the box.

 

[mazhar13]

Can we get this going? I want to forget this match as soon as possible...

 

[Tuppet]

Glad to get another Eastern European gem for my backline, the guy who shared a spot in Team of the Tournament in Euro 1968 along with 2 of his new team mates Dzajic and Shesternyov - Mirsad Fazlagić.

Fazlagic was imperious in that tournament, Captaining Yugoslavia side all the way to the final of Euros. From the UEFA website -

DF: Mirsad Fazlagić (Yugoslavia)

A strong, resolute right-back, nine of Fazlagić's 19 international appearances for Yugoslavia came in their run to the final at the 1968 UEFA European Championship. He had a superb match against world champions England in Florence before making his presence felt in both finals against Italy in Rome. An FK Sarajevo stalwart throughout the 1960s, he made 450 Yugoslavian league appearances for the club and captained them to a historic title in the 1966/67 season. Fazlagić is still remembered today as one of the finest Bosnian footballers of all time.

@Joga Bonito

 

[Tuppet]

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9. De Sisti
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9. Lodetti
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9. Bedin
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9. Fazlagic
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9.
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@Joga Bonito

 

[Gio]

Nice pick, @Gio. Can you give us a link for the list though, he isn't in FIFA 100 and I don't know where to look.

It didn't ring any bells for me either. However, after a bit of digging, I found that he was 40th in the IFFHS European Player of the Century award. So it may be that which the author is referencing in some way.

 

[Skizzo]

Nice pick at this stage, was my backup to Lubanski.

I'm glad you quoted that whole novel just to say nice pick.

 

[Tuppet]

I'm glad you quoted that whole novel just to say nice pick.

I'm glad that you're glad, we could use some gladness after today's game.

 

[Annahnomoss]

One player in particular that I am baffled hasn't gone yet who should have gone a few rounds ago!

 

[Joga Bonito]

Paul Reaney was the classiest of full-backs in the Super Leeds era - ultra reliable, supremely fit, lightning-fast, a marvellous man-marker, Reaney may not have been afforded the bouquets that many of his team-mates were afforded, but his value to Don Revie and his Leeds team was inestimable.

The right-back took care of business in unassuming fashion in a mammoth 746 appearances, after making his debut at Swansea in September 1962 - providing Leeds United with 16 years of unstinting service, before being granted a free transfer and being allowed to join Bradford City in 1978. What memories he gave along the way.

During his years as a pivotal member of Don Revie's successful side in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Reaney was as durable as they come, playing 746 first team League and Cup games for United, a record that was bettered only by Jack Charlton and Billy Bremner, whilst bagging 7 trophies - 2 league titles, a FA Cup, 2 Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (precursor to the UEFA Cup), a League cup and a charity shield. That tally could have been far more significant had Leeds not finished runner ups to the league title a whopping 5 times, twice in the FA Cup and on each occasion in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, European Cup Winners Cup and the European Cup. The defeat against Bayern in the European Cup being a particularly difficult one to take for Reaney, as Leeds probably were the better team and had several key decisions going against them.

The man forever known as 'Speedy Reaney' was widely regarded as a great full-back who had all the requisite qualities needed in both attack and defence. He was quick on the overlap and could produce a pinpoint cross, but he was also well-versed in the defensive arts and also became renowned for his goal-line clearances, appearing out of nowhere to cancel out chance after chance. Alan Ball would testify to that after Reaney made a tremendous interception to block a goal-bound volley from Ball, ensuring that the FA cup came home to Leeds in May 1972.


Best's kryptonite

BACK in the late sixties and early seventies, many defenders would cower at the sight of a certain George Best in front of them with the ball at his magical feet. Not Paul Reaney.

It was Reaney’s mastering of the man known as the Fifth Beatle in Best that won him acclaim nationally, with Best the first to admit that he hated playing against his Leeds rival.

Belfast’s finest, George Best, may have tortured many a full-back during his decorated career at Old Trafford, but the world-beater was made to look decidedly average whenever he tussled with the express-paced Leeds defender.

A veteran of well over 700 games in a 17-year association with the Whites, encompassing all the glory years under the legendary Don Revie, Reaney had the measure of most opposing wingers, particularly the feted Best for whom Reaney came to be a feared spectre at the feast over the years.

Every player has a nemesis. I was Bestie's.

When we played United, my only job was to mark George Best out of the game. Nothing else. Everywhere he went, I went too. I was quick. He couldn't lose me.

It was a great feather in my cap to be noted as one of the full-backs who had the most success against George,'. 'I was quite physical with him - I'm not saying I played dirty, but I had to let him know I wanted that ball more than he did. On one occasion, he was so sick of me that he turned around and clouted me

Alongside the fact that the consummately-skilled defender, who had few peers in his playing days Reaney should have been awarded a load more England caps after incredibly picking up a derisory three for the Three Lions.

A broken leg, suffered while playing for Leeds in a League game against West Ham United, probably prevented Paul Reaney from becoming his country's first choice right back for the next five years and prevented him from playing in the 1970 World Cup. The outstanding, unfussy defender had been a Leeds shoo-in since before their 1964 promotion season and was considered by many to be a trifle unlucky that other full backs were making equally worthy cases for selection once 1966 hero George Cohen brought his international stint to an end. Reaney was already a winner domestically and in Europe when Alf Ramsey called him up in 1968 and gave him a substitute's run-out for ***** in a 1-1 friendly draw with Bulgaria, but even allowing for Leeds boss Don Revie's known tactic of pressurising his players to withdraw from friendly international duty with "injury", it still seemed remarkable that Reaney (by now also a League champion) only won his second cap a whole year later.

Reaney for me was the pick of the lot. He was such a fantastic player, hard as nails and very aggressive. I was a winger, so full-backs were the enemy, but I could always appreciate the art of the best ones, the guys that were all over you like a rash. I never saw Reaney get a chasing, either.

There can be no greater praise for Paul Reaney than George Best saying he regarded him as his most difficult opponent. George fancied himself against anybody but Reaney had a way of putting the shackles on unlike any other full back of his time. For a start, he was lightning fast. And as George put it, he liked to get stuck in. If George Best couldn't outwit him, there weren't too many others who could have.

It would be very easy for me to just pick England's World Cup winning team for my sixties XI, but I always felt Reaney had the edge on Cohen. George was a different player. Attacking, quick, you wouldn't have seen anyone run him, but Reaney was better technically and the best on the ball.

Defenively too, he played almost as a man-for-man marker. Against Best, he would be leathering him, whacking him with every tackle. George got treatment like that all the time. He could ride a tackle like no player I have ever seen. Exceptional.

Yet, Reaney found a way of stopping George Best that eluded other players. His physical approach was important — but his timing and positioning were faultless, too.

...

Reaney was a good technical footballer, an excellent athlete and could certainly put it about. I think if you'd asked 99 percent of the wingers from those days, they'd have named Reaney as their least favourite opponent.

Every team had one kicker you had to watch. We had Nobby Stiles, the type of player you had to have on your side. Nobody liked playing Leeds because they could all dish it out and their right-back Paul Reaney was probably the best defender I ever faced.

I had never heard of Paul Reaney before I joined the club, but, in time, he would become an England player and a terrific full back. He was one of the fittest, quickest and hardest players I've played with or against. Straight as a die, he would also become our money man. You could tell from way back that Reaney had that hunger, that he would get everything out of the game that he wanted. And that he would deserve everything that he got.

....

There's Terry Cooper, always in the mind's eye making some brilliant overlapping runs, and the other full back Paul Reaney who could keep George Best quiet.

Red Cafe's poster Moriarty who's seen Reaney play live - "Reaney was one of the best full backs of the era. Even Best said he was the hardest defenders to play against."

Moriarty - "But flair players aren't always forwards. One of the most skillful players I ever saw was Paul Reaney, whose defensive skills, quick thinking, and positional sense made him one of the few men who could keep Best quiet; and without resorting to fouling. Bobby Moore was cut from a similar cloth. Martin Buchan was also what I would term a flair player. He made tackling seem effortless."

Moriarty on the topic of hatchet men - "Believe me, if any one of those players were detailed to mark a player out of a game, they could do it without resorting to rough stuff. How about Paul Reaney, who was as hard as they come, yet he could keep a player like Best quiet for 90 minutes without fouling."

 

[Joga Bonito]

Aldo 1. Best 2. Chumpitaz 3. Pirri 4. Israel 5. Ademir da Guia 6. Boninsegna 7. Furino 8. Prati 9. Stepney
Chesterlestreet 1. Pelé 2. Greaves 3. Bremner 4. Corso 5. E. Hughes 6. Lorimer 7. Muntyan 8. Smith 9. Cooper
RedTiger 1. Beckenbauer 2. Oblak 3. Maier 4. Fischer 5. McNeill 6. Dobiaš 7. Tony Dunne 8. Sparwasser 9. Mifflin
Skizzo/Pat_Mustard 1. Cruyff 2. Keizer 3. Olsen 4. Gemmell 5. Murdoch 6. Jardine 7. Rexach 8. Hellström 9. Flohe
Gol123 1. Van Hanegem 2. Overath 3. Johnstone 4. Hulshoff 5. Kindvall 6. Rubén Marcos 7. Matosas 8. Skoblar 9. Pavoni
Invictus 1. Eusébio 2. Mazzola 3. Haan 4. Suurbier 5. Perfumo 6. Weber 7. Bonev 8. Bransch 9. Carpegiani
Balu 1. G. Müller 2. Vogts 3. Rensenbrink 4. Dobrin 5. Benetti 6. Cuccureddu 7. Holcer 8. Jennings 9. Dinu
ctp 1. Rivelino 2. Marzolini 3. Jansen 4. Heynckes 5. Höttges 6. Mészöly 7. Fichtel 8. Más 9. Iribar
crappycraperson 1. Moore 2. Tostão 3. Bene 4. Van Moer 5. Khurtsilava 6. Bell 7. Urbanczyk 8. Shilton 9. Domenghini
Gio/Theon 1. Figueroa 2. Cubillas 3. Deyna 4. Clodoaldo 5. Bulgarelli 6. Rocha 7. Ancheta 8. Mazurkiewicz 9. Asparuhov
NM/EAP 1. Facchetti 2. Riva 3. Jair 4. Stiles 5. Luis Pereira 6. Martin Peters 7. Bosquier 8. Yakimov 9. De Sisti
mazhar13 1. Jairzinho 2. Zoff 3. B Dietz 4. Giles 5. Buchan 6. Simões 7. Hurst 8. Hunter 9. Lodetti
harms 1. Krol 2. Florian Albert 3. Van Himst 4. Roth 5. Blankenburg 6. Lennox 7. Dzodzuashvili 8. G. Mühren 9. Bedin
Tuppet 1. Rivera 2. Džajić 3. Shesternyov 4. Causio 5. Lubański 6. Piazza 7. Bo Larsson 8. Lovchev 9. Fazlagic
Joga Bonito 1. Law 2. Netzer 3. A.Ball 4. Wimmer 5. Gadocha 6. Greig 7. Byshovets 8. Sieloff 9. Reaney
Marty1968 1. Gerson 2. Carlos Alberto 3. Rosato 4. Schwarzenbeck 5. Cubilla 6. Grabowski 7. Everaldo 8. Panenka 9.

@Marty1968