Your weekly source of information and entertainment, Sports Journal on server Legacy #10 brought to you by our journalists, is here! Remember to vote for your favorite article at the end! ☕

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ ANTOINE GRIEZMANN: FAREWELL TO FOOTBALL

2/ GOLDEN BALL AWARD CEREMONY!

3/ GESTURES IN FOOTBALL AND FOOTBALLTEAM

4/ FOOTBALL IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

5/ TACTICAL SCHEMES AND THEIR HISTORY!

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN: FAREWELL TO FOOTBALL

Antoine Griezmann, a talented French striker, has announced his retirement from professional football, evoking immense emotions among fans worldwide. Griezmann, known for his exceptional technical skills, goal-scoring talent, and unwavering fighting spirit, will forever remain in memory as one of the significant figures in football history.

Antoine Griezmann was born on March 21, 1991, in Mâcon, France. He began his journey in football at local clubs but quickly caught the attention of scouts from Real Sociedad, joining the club in 2005. After spending several years in youth teams, he made his debut for the first time in 2009. At Real Sociedad, Griezmann gained fame through his performances in La Liga. In 2014, he transferred to Atlético Madrid, where he became a key player for the team. He contributed to numerous successes, including winning the Europa League in 2018 and the Super Cup. His goal-scoring abilities and knack for playmaking made him one of the top strikers in Europe. In 2019, Griezmann moved to FC Barcelona, where he continued his remarkable career. Although he secured multiple trophies with the club, such as La Liga and the Copa del Rey, his time in Catalonia was not without controversy. In 2021, he returned to Atlético Madrid, where he concluded his playing career.

International Success

Griezmann's international career was also exceptionally successful. In 2016, he earned a silver medal at the European Championship, playing a vital role for the French national team. Two years later, during the World Cup in Russia, his team clinched the gold medal. Griezmann scored four goals during the tournament and was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player. In addition to the World Cup, Griezmann participated in many other international competitions, including the European Championship and the UEFA Nations League, achieving over 100 caps for the national team.

Farewell to Football

Griezmann's retirement marks not only the end of his journey on the pitch but also the closure of a chapter that will forever remain in the memories of fans. His contributions to the development of football, his skills, and his charisma have made him one of the most recognizable figures in sports. Griezmann has stated that while he is ending his football career, he intends to remain active in the sporting world, possibly taking on roles as a coach or administrator. His passion for football and determination will undoubtedly have a positive impact on future generations of athletes. Antoine Griezmann is a personality who will always be remembered by football fans. His achievements, both at the club and international levels, will serve as an inspiration to many young players aspiring to succeed. His farewell to football is a bittersweet moment but also a perfect opportunity to appreciate all the wonderful moments he has provided to his fans over the years.

Thank you for reading my article! If you enjoy this topic or have an idea about what I could write about next, feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments. Cheers!

Author: Kiero DS

GOLDEN BALL AWARD CEREMONY!

Very soon the ceremony of the prestigious soccer award “Golden Ball” will be held. Therefore, in this article I will tell you about this very event.

The prize was established in 1956 by Gabriel Ano, the editor-in-chief of France Football. At the beginning of the last century, Ano played for the French national team, and after finishing his career, went into journalism. Gabriel was called one of the best reporters of his country. First he worked in “La quiere”, and then became editor-in-chief of “France Football”. Gabriel was constantly coming up with new ideas. It was he who proposed the European Champions Cup and, in fact, stood at the origins of the future Champions League. At the same time, he decided to establish the Ballon d'Or.

The new award played into the hands of France Football. The newspaper added prestige to itself and gained worldwide fame.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony is usually held in Paris. 

In 1956, the first Ballon d'Or was awarded to the player of the English club Blackpool Stanley Matthews. For many years the award was given exclusively to European footballers, but in 1995 the rules were changed to allow players from all over the world to participate.

From 1956 to 2006, only journalists could vote. 52 people from European countries. From 2007, coaches and national team captains joined them, and media representatives became 96. Now representatives from all over the world could vote.

There are big questions about the voting criteria, or rather their absence. Journalists vote as they wish, without even justifying their choice.

But in fact, the Golden Ball has criteria, but everyone forgets about them for some reason. Announcing the change of some rules, the organizers have established the following priority of criteria when selecting nominees:

Individual results and achievements;

Team achievements;

Professionalism of the player and his compliance with Fair Play rules.

In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the award was decided not to be presented. “France Football” then published an entire column, where he explained the reasons for canceling the award. Allegedly Covid spoiled the season, the teams did not play much, the spectators in the stands were absent and the clubs were not in equal conditions.

Robert Lewandowski was the only candidate for the award that year, having had a fantastic season. Obviously, he fully deserved the Ballon d'Or. But the magazine's representatives took the easiest route and canceled the award. Although there were plenty of options. For example, organize a poll among fans and give the Pole a special prize. Or to do even better, and at the next ceremony to present two awards at once: for the current year and the previous year.

Frequent cases in the Ballon d'Or awards are constant leaks of information about the winner, killing the intrigue a few days before the ceremony.

In his social network, the main soccer insider Fabrizio Romano published a post that Lionel Messi will receive the prize for the eighth time. On the Internet there was information with the full rating of nominees for the “Golden Ball”, and the barber Leo the day before the ceremony congratulated the Argentine with the victory on his page in social networks.

It was the same the year before last, when Karim Benzema won the prize. The whole outcome was known long before the official announcement.

The 68th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony will take place on October 28 at the grand Parisian Théâtre du Châtelet, located on the square of the same name on the banks of the Seine.

The following awards will be presented in 2024:

🔹“Ballon d'Or” among men

🔹 Women's Ballon d'Or

🔹 The Copa Trophy (best player under the age of 21)

🔹 Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper)

🔹 Best Men's Club

🔹 Best Women's Club

🔹 Coach of the Year in men's soccer

🔹 Coach of the Year in women's soccer

🔹 Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer of last season)

Here's a list of the top contenders for the award:

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)

Vinicius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)

Kylian Mbappé Lottin (France, Real Madrid)

Erling Braut Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)

Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)

Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)

Be that as it may, the imperfections of the Ballon d'Or as an award once again require serious changes. The objectivity and transparency of the voting system has recently left much to be desired.

However, despite all its shortcomings, the Ballon d'Or award ceremony is still one of the most anticipated among soccer stars, causing constant debate among fans about who this year is worthy of the title of the best player in the world, and who is not....

Author: Zidane

GESTURES IN FOOTBALL AND FOOTBALLTEAM

In my last article, I wrote about club loyalty in football and in FootballTeam. I touched on aspects that are prevalent in both the world of traditional football and in FT. This material is a continuation, focusing on a topic I found broad enough to warrant its own article. I invite you to read on.

Gestures in Football 

Gestures of club loyalty in football are a way for players, but also fans, to express their devotion to a particular team. In football, there are many symbolic gestures that can have various meanings depending on the culture, club history, and context. The most well-known example is pointing to or kissing the club crest on the shirt after scoring a goal. While this practice is still common, it is losing its significance over time.

Recent events have showcased some rather curious gestures. A good example is Scott McTominay, who spent over 10 years at Manchester United before being sold to Napoli this season. After just a month of playing, he was already kissing their badge. It could be seen as a jab at Manchester United for letting him go after his best season, where he was one of the few bright spots in the team, though MU’s transfer decisions have been questionable for some time. Another example, even stranger, is Victor Roque, who kissed Real Betis' crest after scoring a goal, despite being only on loan from FC Barcelona. You have to admit that gestures like these diminish the meaning of what used to be a beautiful act.

Another example of club loyalty is forming a letter with the hands after scoring a goal, such as the "L" sometimes shown by Legia Warsaw players. Singing the club anthem to show respect is another form of this. Celebrating to honor club legends can also be considered a gesture of loyalty.

Club Loyalty and Gestures in FT 

In FootballTeam, the situation is slightly different due to the dynamic nature of the game, where a club can rise to the Super League overnight, or one that was in the Super League might drop out the next day. This usually happens due to mergers, key players leaving, or careers ending. However, there are players in FT who have been loyal to their colors for years. Examples include:

🔹Prezes Hienas, Crach An Craite from HIENAS

🔹Olszu, La Pulga Atomica from LIONHEART

🔹Xyz Xyzowsky or the Jaworski brothers from DS

🔹Lomax20001, Peter Kolan from FC MAYAPLY/ FC Neaply

🔹Grzesiek and Piszczu from Tijuana

🔹MARCELOO EF from ENGINE FAULT

🔹Mionel Lessi, Paweł Wienconek from Plymouth Argyle

🔹Ryfa from TACHIBANA BROS

You could also mention several people from WIZARD, who have stuck together as a group for a long time. There are more individuals from the aforementioned clubs who could be named, but that would take up a lot of space. I've highlighted examples from top clubs (current or former) on the PL (now Legacy) server.

We must also remember that in FT, moving from one club to another doesn’t always mean a change of allegiance. The example of the Jaworski brothers shows this perfectly. They’ve supported DS for years and played in many of our teams, turning down other transfer offers.

Sometimes clubs change their names or crests, but in FT, it’s the people who make the club, and we must keep that in mind. That’s why I find the criticism of CC amusing. The boys have always played together, and when they say "CC is a family," those aren't empty words. Sometimes they’ve added players, like with RS, and sometimes they played under a different name, like DS, but always within their circle. That’s what matters – the people, not the numbers. That’s how you build legends. Not everyone will reach the top spot, but you can find friendships that last a lifetime.

This is the beauty of FT. Success is fleeting, rankings change from season to season, but the bonds formed within the team last forever. CC/Wizard/EF/PA are not just groups of players chasing results – they are teams that have often spent years building their identity through shared experiences, victories, defeats, and daily effort. Loyalty and mutual support ensure that even when the name, logo, or players change, the foundation remains the same. It’s the trust, shared goals, and respect for each team member that turn a team into something more than just numbers and stats – into a community that can endure for years and leave a lasting legacy.

It’s not always about trophies. Often, what really matters is the story written every day, both on and off the field. For many, those bonds are more valuable than any titles. After all, trophies can be lost, but true friendships last forever.

Author: Bestia

FOOTBALL IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

Hello players, let's talk about the origins of football in Palestine and Israel.

PALESTINE

The history of football in Palestine

The British Mandate Palestine National Team

Football was introduced to Palestine during the British Mandate (1920-1948). During this period, football became an important sport among the local population. The first Palestinian football federation was established in 1928, being one of the first in the Middle East.

During this time, several Palestinian teams participated in regional competitions, and there was an organised national league, where Palestinian, Arab and Jewish clubs competed.

The current Palestinian national team

The Palestine Football Association was founded in 1952, but the team was only able to join FIFA in 1998, after the creation of the Palestinian National Authority. The first international matches were held in July 1998, against Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

The Palestine national football team has competed in several international competitions, and its progress is often seen as a symbol of the national struggle. The team won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2014, which guaranteed its first participation in the Asian Cup in 2015.

Palestinian football reflects the constant risk and struggle for survival of the Palestinian people. The men's team is ranked 97th in the FIFA rankings.

The first-born

Oday Dabbagh became the first football player of Palestinian origin to play in the major leagues in Europe. In 2021, he was signed to play for Futebol Clube de Arouca, a Portuguese club founded on December 25, 1952. He currently plays for Royal Charleroi Sporting Club in Belgium. The player is still a star of the Palestinian national team.

Palestinian Chileans

Club Deportivo Palestino, founded in 1920 by Palestinians led by Eládio Neto, is a two-time Chilean champion (1955 and 1978) and three-time Chilean Cup champion (1975, 1977 and 2018). The arrival of people born in the Arab territory to the South American country was due to the similarities in climate between the two.

ISRAEL

The history of Israeli football.

Israel was initially affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and participated in several Asian competitions. Israel has had moderate success, including winning the Asian Cup in 1964, when it was the host country. After being expelled from the AFC in 1974, it was unable to compete in official competitions until 1994, when it was accepted into UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), allowing the country to compete in European tournaments, such as the European Championship and World Cup qualifiers.

The main football clubs in Israel are:

Maccabi Tel Aviv: The biggest winner and current champion of the Israeli Football Championship.

Hapoel Tel Aviv: One of the oldest and most important clubs in Israel, founded in 1923.

Maccabi Haifa: One of the main clubs in Israel, which has qualified twice for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Main star

Eran Zahavi is an Israeli footballer who plays as a striker. He is currently with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He is the greatest scorer in the history of the Israeli national team.

And did you know about Palestinian and Israeli football?

Have a good week and see you in the next edition of the newspaper.

Author:Fábio Muri

TACTICAL SCHEMES AND THEIR HISTORY!

Hello players! I come with another interesting article for you.

The First Schemes - Chaos and Creativity:

In the early days of football, there were no defined tactical schemes as we know them today. Games were more chaotic, with an undetermined number of players on the field and little tactical organization. From the second half of the 19th century, with the standardization of the rules, teams began to adopt more defined formations.

The Emergence of the First Tactical Schemes:

The WM: In the 1920s, the WM scheme became popular. Composed of four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, it provided a good balance between defense and attack. The scheme originated in 1925, when English coach Herbert Chapman of Arsenal.

The Catenaccio: Originating in Italy, the Catenaccio was a defensive system that prioritized security and tactical organization. With a line of four defenders and a sweeper, the goal was to nullify the opponent's attack and exploit counterattacks.

The Orange Revolution:

Total Football: In the 1970s, the Dutch national team, the "Clockwork Orange", with its Dutch Carousel, revolutionized the sport. The 4-3-3 formation, with players constantly changing positions, provided a more fluid and attacking game. The team 's standout players included coach Rinus Michels, Johan Neeskens, Rob Rensenbrink and Johan Cruyff, considered by Ruud Krol to be on the same level as Pelé and Diego Maradona.

The Modern Era and Tactical Flexibility:

Today, tactical flexibility is the hallmark of football. Coaches use various formations, such as 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2 and 3-4-3, adapting them to the characteristics of their players and opponents. Data analysis and technology also play a key role in defining strategies.

Examples of Big Clubs:

⚽ Manchester City F.C. (Guardiola): Famous for his possession and short-touch play, Guardiola often uses a 4-3-3 or variations of a 3-2-4-1, with positional play and a great ability to create chances.

FC Bayern Munich (Nagelsmann): "Bayern Munich, under Nagelsmann, play intense football, suffocating their opponents from the start of the match and always looking for a goal."

⚽ Liverpool FC (Klopp): Klopp is known for his intense and vertical football, using a 4-3-3 with a lot of player movement and strong pressure after losing the ball.

⚽ Real Madrid C.F. (Ancelotti): Real Madrid often uses a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, with a more direct game and exploiting the individual qualities of their attackers.

⚽ SE Palmeiras (Brazil): Palmeiras, under the command of Abel Ferreira, usually uses a 4-3-3 formation with a lot of intensity and pressing.

⚽ CA River Plate (Argentina): River Plate, coached by Gallardo, is known for its tradition and passionate fans, and usually uses a 4-4-2 formation with a strong midfield and fast players on the counterattack.

Examples of National Teams:

⚽ Brazil: The Brazilian National Team traditionally uses a 4-3-3 formation, but the variation can change depending on the coach and the opponents.

⚽ Argentina: Argentina, with its tradition of attacking play, usually uses a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation, with a strong midfield and fast forwards.

⚽ Spain: Spain, known for its possession and short-touch play, popularized the 4-3-3 formation with a false 9.

⚽Germany: Germany, with its tactical organization and physical strength, uses several formations, such as 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3.

Coaches seek to find new solutions to overcome opponents and win titles. Data analysis, technology and the globalization of football contribute to this evolution.

And you, player, what would be your favorite formation?

Leave your opinion in the comments!

See you next time!

Author: Fábio Muri