The strength the the local currency is making the pay more attractive in Brazil. Maybe not the cream of the crop, but top players are more willing to stay home. How will this affect the game?

See this months Bloomberg magazine for the article on currencies and soccer.

See the difference in training with different balls.
Training with a smaller, livelier ball will enhance focus and soften touch. Consistent use of a smaller, bouncier ball will improve touch and make playing with a regular game ball much easier.
Mater the rubber ball and see the difference.

The Brasilian Futebol improves soccer performance, confidence on the ball and increases overall skill. It can be used for technical training, individual skill development or in small games. Consistent use of the futebol will produce measurable results.
The futebol should be part of every soccer training package.

Commitment, consistency and completeness improves soccer performance, confidence on the ball and increases overall skill.
Training everyday whether it be juggling, kicking against a wall, dribbling through cones or trough and around obstacles or playing 1v1 with a friend will go a long way toward improvement.
Set short term goals like juggling 100 times or 500 hundred times, or working on three moves you want to improve on and be able to execute in a game. Long term goals may be to hit a Beckham type shot or cross, or learn to finish in front of the net etc.
Set you goals, have a plan and execute.. but don't forget to have fun along the way.
Bring a new level of enthusiasm to your soccer training sessions with new ideas. Any time spent with the ball and with friends is good time on the ball.
Commitment, consistency and completeness

Helps with flexibility, agility, strength and balance.
an exerpt for those who are in need.
"Last year about this time you were so kind to send me a Futebol and not charge me for it. This little gem has definitely made a huge difference in my rehab and ROM. My LTKR was June 5, 07; RTKR Jan 2003. It was so easy to use the Futebol sitting at the computer or watching TV. I started using it with the right foot as well and I actually gained 4 more degrees of flexion! It isn't a whole lot but just a reminder to me and everyone else that rehab does continue for our lifetime after total knee replacement. I believe many of the members of On Our Feet forum have ordered Futebols from you. In fact, I just sent another lady your email address and phone number this evening. Thank you so much for making the Futebol available to us at such a reasonable price. How many do you think you sell in a month to people recovering from TKR? I have a reason for asking; we have been chatting about getting tee shirts made for the On Our Feet Futebol Team. It would of course require permission from Brasilian Futebol and Robin Hieran of On OUr Feet. Just something we "talked" about on the forum today. Again, thank you for the difference you are making in the lives of people with knee replacement! A few people have gone to Big 5 or Target and purchased a 10" ball but say it just doesn't work well for them. Nothing like having the real thing.

High level team play involves a team concept, tactics and chemistry. Teams and individual players need to know when it's time to take risk and have the ability to break down a defense. The ability to go 1v1 is essential and then, of course, there must be the finish.

The drill: Phase 1
Set up groups of 2 on both side lines about 25 yards from the end line.
These players will be attackers, taking on a defender 1v1 to get the cross off.

Set up groups of 3 approximately 35 yards from goal in the center of the field. This (these) group ('s) serve the ball to the attackers on the outside and then make their runs on goal and then makes a run on goal to provide coverage for the cross from the attacker and to work on finishing.
Play balls to alalternate sides at each start.
Runs should be made to the near post, far post and penalty spot.

Save 3 or 4 players for defense to challenge the attackers.

As the ball is played wide the defender challenges the receiver/attacker. The attackers job is to beat the defender and get a cross or shot off. Having both options will keep the defender honest.
The attacker should work on moves and attacking skills in this drill in order to find a way to beat the defender 1v1.

Finishers should work on good timing and gaining good position to be on the end of the cross on a run or at least with momentum toward the goal. Coverage should contain the cross, framing the goal and creating opportunities for a one or two touch shot. All players should follow the shot.

Defenders should defend against the attacker penetrating to the middle of the field, forcing the dribbler outside and then work toward denying the cross and possibly stripping the ball.

Defenders may have greater success at first. In order to keep play lively have the second attacker waiting with the ball ready to hit a cross if the defender is successful.

Evolving. Placing 1 and two touch restrictions on finishers as they start to get a feel for the mechanics of finishing will bring greater success to game play.
Teaching the attacker to turn away from pressure if penetration is cut off in order to maintain possession will create more possession play and thus more opportunities on goal.
Adding nuances or layers such as give and go's for the attacker or overlapping play from the outside will bring greater sophistication to team play.

Using a smaller ball than used in game play for training sessions improves soccer performance, confidence on the ball and increases overall skill.
Tennis balls are extreme but a great way to hone focus and eye foot coordination. Size #2's and #3's are good but may be a little light. We like the Brasilian Futebol for training purposes because it has a good weight to it, is bouncy and provides a nice touch.
It can be used it most technical training or just used in small games. We like to juggle with it to develop touch, agility and coordination.

http://brasilianfutebol.com/video/vid3.asp

Here is a good start. It all begins with good training and teaching good technique.
It's all about skill.
http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/soccer.htm

Spain and Germany in a thrilling Final.
After 45 minutes Spain leads 1-0 and has the better of the play.
Can Germany handles Spain's short game and precision passing. That will be the key.

Russia's dream run finally falters in Euro 2008 semifinals against ...

On Thursday, Spain got second-half goals from Xavi Hernandez, Dani Guiza and David Silva to earn a place in Sunday's final against Germany.

http://brasilianfutebol.com/video/vid4.asp

http://imagery.gettyimages.com/eurocup2008/index.html

http://brasilianfutebol.com/video/vid4.asp

Marco Van Bastion's review. He's leading Holland's march through the cup applying the teaching's of old mentors.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/17/sfnwin117.xml

http://brasilianfutebol.com/video/vid1.asp

Generally speaking, you must have the ball in order to score. Strikes can come from counter attacks or just high pressure which forces mistakes that can turn into quick goals. But most team look for the ability to control the game by staying on offense rather than defense. At the very least it is much more fun to play offense.
Possession is important at any level of soccer. Controlling the tempo and momentum of a game requires the ability to connect several passes consecutively to escape pressure, change point of attack, and create opportunities on goal.
A great way to develop possession is by incorporating it into training sessions.
5 v 5 in a 40 x 40 yd grid is a good place to start. Restrict players to 2 or 3 touch, or even better to 3 seconds with the ball so as not to inhibit creativity. To create competition you can have 5 consecutive passes equal a point and play games to 3. (we requires push-ups or sprints upon suffering a loss)
Once the game of possession is understood and accomplished a great twist is to create small goals around the grid; a completed pass through the small goal scores a point (can't go back to or through the same goal consecutively to score). This works very well with 5v5, 8v8 or 10v10 full field. Now the team has a goal or tactic in mind. Encourage your team to switch points of attack if the goal they are attacking is well defended.
Complete the pass through the small randomly placed (or thoughtfully placed goal*) goal and continue on to the next point of attack. Get the defense strung out by forcing play toward one goal and then swithching play. The idea is to keep the ball and score as many points as possible.
The tactical creativity can be enhanced with a little analysis and thought (coaching points). Great for focus and getting into position for the second or third pass.

*on a large field place goals wide at the midfield to ecourage width of play. This type of though can be applied to address issues you are trying to solve with your team.

Ronaldo gets another goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was signed by Manchester United with the cash received from the sale of David Beckham to Real Madrid.
And, four years after replacing Beckham, he has become as big an idol as his predecessor. And Beckham, cannot, like Ronaldo claim to have been the dominant player in a league title-winning campaign like Ronaldo was in the 2006/7 season, where Ronaldo finished second top scorer in the league but swept the individual awards board.
After criticism for his over-elaboration, gamesmanship and tendency to disappear in games, it all came together in a fabulous season for the Portgugese star, who only Kaka can claim had a better season in European football in 2007.
Goals, assists and lightning skills make him one of the most desired players in the world, and United must count their blessings that their man has signed a fresh deal which should keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.
The right-sided winger wonder is another from the Sporting Lisbon production line, following the likes of Luis Figo and Joao Pinto into a big European move, Ronaldo remains regarded as one of the brightest talents in European football.
In recent years the Sporting production has churned them out even more rapidly and Ronaldo follows former team-mates Hugo Viana and Ricardo Quaresma in moving to a big move away from Portugal. Indeed both were contemporaries of his in Lisbon - he and Viana both made their debuts in the same game for their former club.
Ronaldo's talents have been hailed in his homeland for well over a decade - he was the subject of a transfer at the age at eight in his native island of Madeira.
On August 15, 2001 he was handed his Sporting debut as a 16-year-old by then coach Laszlo Boloni against Second Division B side Atletico. His league debut saw him score twice in a 3-0 victory over Moreirense and then hit a late winner in a 2-1 defeat of Boavista.
He was soon to play a starring role for the Portuguese Under-17 side at the European Championships.
The 2002/03 season was his first full run in the side and his strength, skill and pace led to him becoming one of Europe's most coveted talents. His two-footedness and ability to play on either wing or as a support striker made him the ideal candidate for Sir Alex Ferguson in his search for support for Ruud Van Nistelrooy's goalscoring exploits.
Ferguson had been eyeing the player for a year when his hand was forced by interest from other leading European clubs in Real Madrid and Juventus into invoking United's close relationship with Sporting and splashed out £12.24m for the teenager, beating the British record set by Viana the year before.
Sporting were prepared to sell the player for such a price but they had wanted to keep him and had even cashed in Quaresma to Barcelona to retain Ronaldo's services. But the lure of Old Trafford was strong.
A wizardly showing in a pre-season game against United had his future team-mates drooling and within a week he was one of them, becoming United's first-ever Portuguese player. A young man named after an American president, he will hope to become one of United and Europe's precedent players.
He made his United debut in a 4-0 thrashing of Bolton at Old Trafford. He replaced Nicky Butt just after the hour and produced a mesmerising performance. Three of United's goals came after the young star's introduction.
Ronaldo did struggle at times in the first half of the season as he adapted to life in England, but after the turn of the year really decided to turn on the style and starred in the FA Cup Final win over Millwall. He also dominated the Carling Cup Final of 2006 as Wigan were put to the sword in Cardiff.
His trademark footwork set the Premiership alight, and earned him a place in Portugal's squad for Euro 2004.
He found the back of the net in the semi-final against Holland, although their was heartbreak for the winger when Portugal lost in the final to Greece.
Along with Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo was one of the real stars of Euro 2004 - and he can only get better with age at Old Trafford.
He also starred at Germany 2006, despite a well publicised incident with Wayne Rooney which placed his future at United in doubt. But some well chosen words from Sir Alex kept him at United, and the rest is history.