For a while, tiki taka, highlighted by the intricate triangles created in Spain's Xavi-Iniesta years, prevailed as the dominating tactic of the beautiful game. However, with Spain's struggles in recent tournaments and the much talked about "possession without purpose" that has haunted many teams in recent modern day matches, I pronounce the death of tiki taka.
From the happiness to the heartache to the history that has been made, there has been a multitude of amazing moments so far this 2016. From Leicester winning the Premier League title to Steph and Kristen becoming the first ever female winners of TAR Canada, 2016 had a host of incredible moments that will not soon … Continue reading The Mastermind Award Nominees 2016: Best Moment
In covering dozens of different events, seasons, tournaments and shows there is always a handful of losers to talk about and one very distinct winner to eulogize. These are the six best Winners of 2016 as part of the 2016 Mastermind Awards. Leicester City (2015-16 Barclays Premier League) ♥ There has never been a greater achievement in the history … Continue reading The Mastermind Award Nominees 2016: Best Winner
Hair means very little in both Reality TV and Football but it can make a character more likable, fun to watch and have an effect on their personality. Typically the crazier the hair, the crazier the personality. These are The Mastermind's Nominees for Hairstyle of the Year. Gareth Bale Ever since losing the fohawk and switching … Continue reading The Mastermind Award Nominees 2016: Best Hairstyle
With the European Championships, the Copa America and surprise victors like Leicester City, Portugal and Chile, 2016 was a memorable year in the field of football to say the very least. Through all the matches, moments, goals, wins, draws and losses, these are the seven players that have been chosen by The Mastermind as nominations for Footballer … Continue reading The Mastermind Award Nominees 2016: Footballer of the Year
Hundreds of thousands of fantastic football goals have been scored in 2016 and for The Mastermind's money, these four are the very best of the bunch. Dimitri Payet vs. Crystal Palace A week before this moment, Payet had scored a wonder goal in a friendly for France and so when he stepped up to take this … Continue reading The Mastermind Award Nominees 2016: Goal of the Year
Euro 2016 comes to a close with a historic 1-0 victory for Portugal to end France's hopes of winning the tournament on their home soil again and give A Selecao their first ever win at an international tournament. This is the team of the final match at Euro 2016. Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio Rui Patricio has … Continue reading Euro 2016 Final Portugal 1-0 France: Team of the Day
Despite the domination of France at Euro 2016, Portugal surprised everyone and walked away with the trophy. Portugal were tactically fantastic against France and fully deserved their victory, winning in extra time by a score of 1-0 to end the tournament on a high. Portugal weren't by any means the best team at Euro 2016, but … Continue reading How Portugal Won Euro 2016
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris Hugo Lloris arguably had the best goalkeeping performance of the tournament so far at such a crucial time as he kept the ball out of the net despite constant pressure from the German players. Lloris made 5 stunning saves to keep Germany out. One of those saves, from the head of Joshua Kimmich was … Continue reading Euro 2016 Semi Finals Team of the Week
Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio In 120 minutes of action, Rui Patricio made 4 saves to keep the score level at 1-1 in Portugal's quarter final match against Poland. Then he brilliantly saved a well-taken penalty shot by Jakub Blasczykowski to win his team the match. It was a good performance from the goalkeeper who had his … Continue reading Euro 2016 Quarter Finals Team of the Week
Wales came into Euro 2016 as one of the least likeliest sides to win the tournament, yet they now have a great chance to win it all as they now find themselves advancing to the semi finals where they will take on Portugal. It is very likely that only two of Wales' twenty-three players would … Continue reading Wales The Surprise Team of Euro 2016
Euro 2016 has been flying by so far and on Thursday, the Quarter Finals will kick off as the final eight teams battle for only four spots in the semi finals. Portugal surprised many by beating Croatia in the round of 16, but now go into the next round facing a Polish side that has only conceded … Continue reading Euro 2016: Quarter Final Predictions
Goalkeeper: Lukasz Fabianski Lukasz Fabianski was brilliant against Switzerland and was the reason Poland were able to get to penalty kicks. The Polish goalkeeper made some crucial saves to keep Poland in the match. In fact, he made seven stunning saves to help Poland stay level at 1-1. For Fabianski and his saves though, it wasn't just … Continue reading Euro 2016: Round of 16 Team of the Week
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