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Jun 30, 2008

Euro 2008 Final Review

A solitary goal in the first-half, courtesy of Fernando Torres's pace, perseverance and unerring finish propelled Spain to Euro 2008 glory and ended their 44 year trophy drought in a major tournament. Despite the Germans late onslaught, Spain held on to their lead to spark wild celebrations in Austria's capital.

Germany 0-1 Spain
(Torres 33 mins)

The conclusion of this match also marks the end of my limited coverage of the beautiful game in Euro 2008. All I want to do now is kick back, relax with an ice-cold beer and enjoy the video of triumphant Spain lifting the Henry Delaunay Trophy amid wild celebration.




Jun 29, 2008

Euro 2008 Finals Preview


It felt like only yesterday that I started the countdown to the start Euro 2008, and now I'm doing the countdown to the end of Euro 2008.

After nearly 4 weeks of intense football actions, with 30 matches played and 16 teams wilted down to the last 2, it is down to the last match to decide the winner.

Later this evening, pre-tournament favorites Germany will play perennial underachiever Spain. The German efficiency vs Spainish flair, who will win tonight?


After enduring a terrible time during the quarter-finals where only 1 of my 4 predictions came through, I was most glad that both my semi-finals predictions were spot on.

For the final, the Germans have big match temperament and experience but the Spaniards have style and depth in their team. After enduring the hurt of never making it to the finals of a major tournament for 24 years, there's no denying the Spanish this time. I'm backing them to lift the title tonight.

Jun 28, 2008

Jonathan Volk Contest

Jonathan Volk is running a contest on his blog with prizes sponsored by Market Leverage. This contest is going to be a point based and many / most of the entries are easy to earn. This point based contest is not the traditional most points wins type contest. Therefore, the more points you have the more entries you get into a drawing and the higher chances of you winning those cool prizes.

There are so many different ways to accumulate points, for the complete list, please check out the contest post.

Jonathan has decided that there will be 3 winners in this awesome contest:

· 1st Place - $200 Amex Gift Card AND Flip Video Camera!
· 2nd Place - Ipod Touch!
· 3rd Place - Market Leverage USB Flash Drive Pen

The contest ends on Monday, 30th June. After which you have a few days to tabulate and submit the points to Jonathan so that the winners can be drawn! Submit the points via EMAIL to jon (AT) thanvolk.com.

As one of the method to earn points is to create a video about affiliate marketing and post it on Youtube. I've make a video and share it with you below.

Jun 27, 2008

Euro 2008 Semi-Final 2 Result

Spain routed Russia 3-0 in their Euro 2008 semi-final and booked a place in the final for the first time in 24 years.

Spain outplayed, outclassed and outwitted a Russian side who show no glimpse of the scorching form which sent Holland packing home. All three goals came in the second half after David Villa was injured and his replacement, Cesc Fabregas came on to provide the inspiration to turn a cautious stalemate into a slick, joyous rout of the Russians.

Spain 3-0 Russia
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Xavi 50mins)
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Guiza 73mins)
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Silva 82mins)

Jun 26, 2008

Euro 2008 Semi-Final 1 Result


Lady luck was smiling on Germany in their semi-final match against plucky Turkey, which the Germans won 3-2 with a last gasp winner.

Despite missing a host of key players through injuries and suspensions, Turkey was surely the better side on the night and dominate play against Germany. A look at the statistics had Turkey with 15 shots on target against Germany's 5, that tells the story.

But matches are not won or loss based on statistics and in the end the Germans' experience and efficiency shown through with their know-how of doing what was required to edge out opponents.

Germany 3-2 Turkey
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Schweinsteiger 26mins) (Ugur 22 mins)
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Klose 79mins) ((((((((((((((Semih 86mins)
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Lahm 90mins)

Jun 24, 2008

Affiliate Confession Fantastic Giveaways

Alan LeStourgeon of Affiliate Confession dot com is running a blog contest giving away cool gadgets sponsored by MarketLeverage, Vat19.com and himself.

The prizes are worth over $500 and will be given away to one lucky winner around 12 noon on Wednesday June 25th.

One very very lucky blogger will win these:

Sponsored by Affiliate Confession:
Nintendo DS Lite and 2 games
Affiliate Confession t-shirt

Sponsored by Market Leverage:
Flip Mino video camera
iPod Nano
$50 Market Leverage Rewards Card
2GB USB Pen

Sponsored by Vat19.com:
USB Missile Launcher
Banana Bunker
Ambient Water DVD Video Aquarium

To enter the contest, you have to write a post announcing it and link to the original contest post and link to the 2 sponsors listed above. You also have to leave a comment on the contest post as it is considered your official entry.

Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals Review

Earlier, I’ve predicted all 4 group winners Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Spain to progress to the semis. However, other than Spain, the other 3 quarter-finals produced upsets when all 3 group runner-ups upstaged the group winners to progress!

These strange results wreaked havoc to my predictions and threaten to put my dream of being a football pundit at a backburner, not to mention making my wallet feel that much lighter.

The semi-finals matchups are as follows:

Germany vs Turkey

Russia vs Spain


The semi-finals are a different ball game and much more difficult to predict as there are no more favorites or underdogs left in the knock-out stage. As a neutral, I would love to see a Russia vs Turkey Finals but my head tells me that dream is quite unrealistic based on current form and unavailability of key players through injuries and suspensions.

With Turkey’s squad being decimated to only 15 players who are fit (injury-free) and eligible to play (suspension-free), the coach has even considered playing reserve goalkeeper as an outfield player! In this regards, Germany (with their strength and experience) will have an advantage over Turkey. But with their triple comeback wins, does anyone dare to write them off?

The other semi-final matchup between Russia and Spain is much tougher to call. Spain had thrashed Russia 4-1 in the first group game and will have a psychological advantage here. But the Russians have since grown in strength and confidence, you should see how they peeled the Oranje apart, anything can happen here. My head says a Spanish victory but my heart goes out to dark horse Russia. I’m going to stick my neck out for a Russia win.

Jun 23, 2008

Euro 2008 Quarter-Final 4 Result

With 2 saves by classy Casillas and a deft touch by fabulous Fabregas in the dreaded penalty shoout-out, the Spanish eliminated Wold Champions Italy and set themselves up in the semi-finals of Euro 2008. This win was made all the more sweeter as Spain have not beaten Italy for 88 years since the 1920 Antwerp Olympics.

More importantly, with this victory, they finally broke the jinx of 22 June where on 3 previous major tournaments, they had suffered penalty shoot-out losses on 22 June!

Spain 0-0(AET) Italy

Spain won 4-2 on penalties

Jun 22, 2008

Euro 2008 Quarter-Final 3 Result

The Russians are coming!

Dutchman Guus Hiddink guided underdogs Russia to a 3-1 extra-time victory over his countrymen as the Holland crashed out of Euro 2008 in the quarter-finals, earning them an unexpected place in the semi-finals

Russia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink risks being public enemy number one in his homeland after pulling off his latest masterstroke to eliminate the team who were tournament favourites after emphatic wins over continental heavyweights Italy and France in the 'Group of Death'.


Holland 1-3 (AET) Russia
(((((((((((((((((((Van Nisterooy 86mins) (((Pavlyuchenko 56mins)
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Tobinsky 112mins)
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Arshavin 116mins)

Jun 21, 2008

Euro 2008 Quarter-Final 2 Result

Turkey created history by reaching their first European Championship semi-finals by another sensational come-from-behind win over favorites Croatia.

The tense match ended scoreless in regulation time, and Croatia looked to have booked their semi-final place with an extra time in the 119th minute strike only for the never-say-die Turks to equalize with practically the last kick of the game!

Croatia's spirit were broken as they go into penalties to settle the outcome, with them missing two spot kicks before Restu saved to break Croatia's heart and send Turkey into the semis where Germany beckons.

CROATIA 1-1(AET) TURKEY
(Klasnic 119mins) (Senturk 120mins)
Turkey won 3-1 on penalties

Jun 20, 2008

Euro 2008 Quarter-Final 1 Result


The headline said it all, Portugal is OUT! Football fans expected a tense affair with a scored draw or a narrow win for Portugal as the likely result. Who would have expected 5 goals and 2 comebacks, but not quite what Turkey achieved over the Czech Republic. And so, Portugal is first in and first out of the knock-out stage and the German juggernaut advances into the semis.

Portugal 2 - 3 Germany
(Gomes 41mins) (Schweinsteiger 22mins)
(Postiga 87mins) (Klose 26mins)
(Ballack 61mins)

Jun 19, 2008

Euro 2008 First Round Review

Now that all group matches for Euro 2008 have concluded, it is time to tally the actual results against the predictions I’ve made in the Countdown to Euro2008. Those in brackets are my initial predictions.

Group A
Winner: Portugal (Portugal)
Runner-up: Turkey (Czech)

Turkey fought an epic battle with Czech Republic in the Mother of all Comebacks to win over many neutral fans and book themselves a well deserved quarter-final berth.

Group B
Winner: Croatia (Germany)
Runner-up: Germany (Croatia)

For Group B, I predicted the correct teams to go through, except the position was switched. Croatia played intelligent football and won all three group matches to progress into last eight. Pre tournament favorite scraped through a narrow win over co-host Austria to gate crash the quarter-finals party.

Group C
Winner: Holland (France)
Runner-up: Italy (Romania)

My predictions for this Group of death were totally off! A new look Holland team did not self-destruct in the dressing room as in previous tournaments and not only win but win with style over their more illustrious opponents!

Reigning World Champions Italy barely scrap through, only booking their place in the quarter-finals after overcoming an aging French team in the last group game.

Group D
Winner: Spain (Spain)
Runner-up: Russia (Sweden)

Taking Spain to win this easy group is a no brainer. Instead, the rumbling Russians were the surprise package, sending Sweden - whom I've predicted as runner-up, packing home swede home.

The group games are all water under the bridge now. Let’s move on to the Quarter-Finals match-ups and let me gaze into my crystal ball and get my predictions.

Q1 : Portugal vs Germany
My prediction: Portugal

Q2: Croatia vs Turkey
My prediction: Croatia

Q3: Holland vs Russia
My prediction: Holland

Q4: Spain vs Italy
My prediction: Spain

I'm pretty confident my predictions will be spot on in this round. Enjoy the football, and the betting, in the knock-out stages!

Jun 18, 2008

Win Fabulous Prizes At Bloggernoob

MarketLeverage sponsored contests are all over the web and Bloggernoob is also running one of such fabulous contest. If you don’t already make money online, this is a good chance to get rewarded for your blogging troubles. Like all of their contests, this one will be easy to enter.

There are two ways to enter. First, all you have to do is leave a comment in the contest post. Say something funny. Kiss my ass a little. Tell me how great i am or something.

Second, link to the contest post. That is all, easy right?.

Four lucky winners will be selected at random on 19 June to win these fantastic prizes:

4gb Ipod Nano(plays video)
2gb USB pen
Flip video camera
$50 American Express Card.

Good luck everyone!!

Jun 16, 2008

Xbox 360 Elite, PS3 or Wii Giveaway Contest

To celebrate its Grand Opening, a brand new website called GamerzReviewz.com is giving away a brand new game console of your choice to a lucky winner!
If you want to be entered to WIN a brand new Xbox 360 Elite, PS3 or Wii all you have to do is simply subscribe to its RSS Feed Via Email to be registered for one “Ticket” for the giveway.

To increase your chances of winning, you can earn multiple tickets performing these actions (optional):

- Blog about the contest linking to the contest page.
- Add them as a Friend on Facebook
- Once approved as a friend on Facebook, post on your wall about the contest.
- Follow them on Twitter
- Tweet about the contest

You can complete all tasks to earn a maximum of 41 tickets. The draw will be conducted on June 18th at 12 noon eastern time and the selected winner will be announced via email and you must still be an active subscriber to qualify.

Good luck to one and all.

Jun 15, 2008

Angel of Highway 109

A drunk man in an Oldsmobile
They said had run the light
That caused the six-car pileup
On 109 that night.

When broken bodies lay about
And blood was everywhere,
The sirens screamed out eulogies,
For death was in the air.

A mother, trapped inside her car,
Was heard above the noise;
Her plaintive plea near split the air:
"Oh, God, please spare my boys!"

She fought to loose her pinned hands;
She struggled to get free,
But mangled metal held her fast
In grim captivity.

Her frightened eyes then focused
On where the back seat once had been,
But all she saw was broken glass and
Two children's seats crushed in.

Her twins were nowhere to be seen;
She did not hear them cry,
And then she prayed they'd been thrown free,
"Oh, God, don't let them die!”

Then firemen came and cut her loose,
But when they searched the back,
They found therein no little boys,
But the seat belts were intact.

They thought the woman had gone mad
And was traveling alone,
But when they turned to question her,
They discovered she was gone.

Policemen saw her running wild
And screaming above the noise
In beseeching supplication,
“Please help me find my boys!”

“They're four years old and wear blue shirts;”
"Their jeans are blue to match."
One cop spoke up, "They're in my car,"
“And they don't have a scratch.”

“They said their daddy put them there”
"And gave them each a cone,"
“Then told them both to wait for Mom”
“To come and take them home.”

"I've searched the area high and low,"
“But I can't find their dad.”
"He must have fled the scene,"
"I guess, and that is very bad."

The mother hugged the twins and said,
While wiping at a tear,
"He could not flee the scene, you see,"
"For he's been dead a year."

The cop just looked confused and asked,
"Now, how can that be true?"
The boys said, "Mommy, Daddy came "
"And left a kiss for you."

“He told us not to worry”
"And that you would be all right,"
“And then he put us in this car with”
"The pretty, flashing light."

"We wanted him to stay with us,"
"Because we miss him so,"
"But Mommy, he just hugged us tight "
“And said he had to go.”

“He said someday we'd understand”
"And told us not to fuss,"
"And he said to tell you, Mommy,"
"He's watching over us."

The mother knew without a doubt
That what they spoke was true,
For she recalled their dad's last words, " I will watch over you."

The firemen's notes could not explain
The twisted, mangled car,
And how the three of them escaped
Without a single scar.

But on the cop's report was scribed,
In print so very fine,
“An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109.”

Jun 13, 2008

MacBook Airs and Cash Giveaway

To get the word out about his new blogging methods, Mike Huang of Bloggin-ads dot com, which is famous to doing blog reviews, is holding a massive contest offering prizes worth over $4000!

To be precise, the contest prizes are:

· 2 x MacBook Air (a value of $1,799 each)
1.6Ghz Intel Core Duo
2GB Ram
80GB Internal Drive
13.3″ Display
Built-In WiFi and Bluetooth

· 10 winners x $100 (a value of $1,000)

These sweet prizes are sure to make some lucky contestants feel as though they are walking on air. There are a few ways to earn entries, more entries means more chances of hitting the jackpot! Let’s take a look at how we can enter this contest.

Subscribe to Feed via email (1 ticket)

Participate In 2 of Mike’s Forums (max 10 tickets per forum per day)

Comment on Bloggin-Ads (1 ticket per comment/limited to 5 tickets earned per day)

Blog about the contest (10 tickets)

Stumble / Digg / Propel the contest post (3 tickets)

BONUS ENTRY - (5 tickets) - Post the contest banner on your blog’s sidebar/blogroll.

There will be a total of 12 winners randomly drawn. The first 2 names drawn will get the MacBook Air and the $1,000 will be split among the 3-12th winner ($100 each)

Contest will end on June 13, which is Friday the 13th!
Good luck to all of you and have fun!

Jun 8, 2008

Guts or Balls

There is a medical distinction. We've all heard about people having guts or balls, but do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definitions are listed below:

GUTS - Is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: ''Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?''

BALLS - Is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt and having the balls to say: ''You're next, fatty.''

I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions. Medically speaking, there is no difference in the outcome, since both ultimately result in death.

Jun 5, 2008

Countdown to Euro 2008

The European Football Championship is upon us again. Co-hosts Switzerland will get Euro 2008 under way against the Czech Republic in Basel on 7 June, before fellow co-hosts Austria begin their Group B campaign the following day in Vienna. Let’s take a look at all the 16 competing teams and their groupings.

Group A

Switzerland (co host)
FIFA world ranking: 44
Formation: 4-3-2-1

Czech Republic
FIFA world ranking: 6
Formation: 4-4-2
Player(s) to watch: Petr Cech

Portugal
FIFA world ranking: 11
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Player(s) to watch: Christiano Ronaldo

Turkey
FIFA world ranking: 20
Formation: 4-5-1
Player(s) to watch: Nihat Kahveci

My predictions:
Group A winner: Portugal
Runner-up: Czech

Group B

Austria (co host)
FIFA world ranking: 92
Formation: 4-4-2

Croatia
FIFA world ranking: 15
Formation: 4-1-3-2
Player(s) to watch: Luka Modric

Germany
FIFA world ranking: 5
Formation: 4-4-2
Player(s) to watch: Miroslav Klose, Michael Ballack

Poland
FIFA world ranking: 28
Formation: 4-2-3-1

My predictions
Group B winner: Germany
Runner-up: Croatia

Group C (Group of Death)

France
FIFA world ranking: 7
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Player(s) to watch: Frank Ribery

Holland
FIFA world ranking: 10
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Player(s) to watch: Rafael van der Vaart

Italy
FIFA world ranking: 3
Formation: 4-3-3
Player(s) to watch: Luca Toni

Romania
FIFA world ranking: 12
Formation: 4-4-2
Player(s) to watch: Adrian Mutu

My predictions
Group winner: France
Runner-up: Romania

Group D

Greece (Defending Champion)
FIFA world ranking: 8
Formation: 4-3-3

Spain
FIFA world ranking: 4
Formation: 4-5-1
Player(s) to watch: David Villa, Fernando Torres

Sweden
FIFA world ranking: 30
Formation: 4-1-3-2
Player(s) to watch: Zltan Ibrahimovic

Russia
FIFA world ranking: 24
Formation: 3-5-2
Player(s) to watch: Andrei Arshavin

My predictions
Group winner: Spain
Runner-up:Sweden

SweetHacks Is One Year Old

To celebrate its first year anniversary, SweetHacks is running a fantastic contest where readers stand a chance to win cash and banner ad spots.

It is a simple contest to enter, you only need to leave a comment to get your name thrown into the hat for the random draw. To increase your chances in the draw, you can earn multiple entries by blogging about the contest (2 entries) and/or subscribing to SweetHacks via email RSS (1 entry).

The deadline of this contest is on 13th June 2008. So get busy now. Good luck!