Tale of the Tape: Gray vs. Smyth

It's only a matter of time before Andy Gray and Tommy Smyth throw down during ESPN 's coverage of Euro 2008. During each day, the two of them throw zingers at each other and it has become one of the best things about watching the their coverage of the tournament.

If a fight would happen here is a tale of the tape:

Accomplishments in soccer:
Gray (right): Won PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year with Aston Villa for the 1976/1977 season.
Smyth (left): moved to the United States in 1963 following a brief football career with a local Scottish team. In America, he played with the Shamrock Club in the German American Soccer League.

TV claim to fame:
Gray: Voice of EA Sports FIFA series.
Smyth: One of the first recognized voice in America for soccer.

Classic catch phrases:
Gray: "Top drawer!", "Take a bow, son", "You don't save those!", "I'll tell you what the best do, they take their chances," "If you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle," and "Easy height for the keeper."
Smyth: ""In the back of the ole onion bag,'' and "a bulge in the auld onion bag.''

Great non-soccer highlight:
Gray: fathered five children, by four different women - his two ex-wives and former girlfriends Sara Matthews and Janet Trigg
Smyth: Smyth was the 2008 Grand Marshal of the 247th St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City. He is also the co-host for WNBC coverage of the New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade from 1998-Present.

When you break it down, Gray's list of accomplishment far out way our boy Tommy Smyth. We call all hope that Smyth and Gray throw down on the set and my money is on Gray in a first round knockout.

Big Phil and the Turks

Chelski name a new coach, Ronaldo shines and the Turk's get an injury time winner to knock out one of the co-host in another dramatic day in the Euros.

Here is how some of the papers in Europe covered it:

Journal de Noticias (Portugal)

Publico (Portugal)

SABAH (Turkey)

Neuve Vorarlberger Tageszeitung (Austria)

After yesterday's games lets hope the tournament continues to grow, I have this feeling that we are in for something special.

We all miss England

The English are not at the Euros for the first time since 1966 and this video sums up the pain that everyone is feeling. This video is based on the ESPN commercials that feature Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany.

With them not being there, at least they will not go out on penalties this year.

The Worst Mascots Ever

Can someone please put the mascots for Euro 2008 out of their misery. They might be one of the worst collections of mascots ever. This video will make you hate them more and more, please UEFA stop with the mascots.

MLB Draft hits SEC Football hard

While most college football fans do not care about the Major League Baseball Draft, some high profile college football programs were holding their breath while Commissioner Bud Selig was announcing the names of those drafted in Tampa Bay last week.

One conference is trying their best to hold on to it's prized high school recruits and keep them away from Major League Baseball clubs, the Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee will have keep the money rich Red Sox away from Florida native Casey Kelly (pictured above). The Sox took the talent SS/RHP with a pick late in the first round. The Big Orange Nation has Kelly pegged as their quarterback of the future.

Georgia faces a fight to keep Cedar Grove running back Xavier Avery away from the Orioles.

Ole Miss is pulling out all of the stops to hold on to QB recruit Chris Wilkes. The Rev. Houston Nutt is trying to keep Wilkes away from the Padres.

While other teams have one person to deal with Alabama has double trouble. Four star receiver Melvin Ray might be gone already. Reports suggest Ray has agreed to sign with the Dodgers. Athlete recruit Dustin Hood might be on his way to sigh with the Nationals.

Die hard college football fans really should pay more attention to the baseball draft. Do the names Joe Mauer and Josh Booty mean anything to college football fans.

Puppets and Clay are taking over Soccer

First it was the Special One. Now the Germans are getting in on the act with German TV station producing these clay creations of the Germany team for Euro 2008.

All of their creations are here.

The Italians are not happy

In the first game between true international heavy weights in Euro 2008 the Dutch ran ruff shot over an old looking Italian squad 3-0 in the first game for both in Group B yesterday. The Italian press is not happy with the Azzurri's performance.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

La Stampa

Il Tirreno

Il Mattino

Professional Tailgating: National Pride

The Only Time Will Tell Tailgating Crew was it again Sunday. The Crew braved high 90 degree temperatures for the United States v. Argentina soccer game and the atmosphere and the game did not disappoint.

US Soccer is pulling out all stops for new fans including segways.


The love affair with the Argentine National Team starts at a young age

The Deuce Fan Club, see Landon you can go to England and be a big star.

Now that is what I call passionate supporters in the Snake Pit Parking Section

Professional Flag Painting

Giant Stadium with grass, what a concept

Endy in the Outfield (that crazy Scouser) and Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump show off their national pride.

Could these guys be replacing the Special One on "I'm on Setanta Sports?" It might be possibe. Please sit down, I can not see.

In the 75th minute, the rain came and the fun began.

Videos of the tailgating fun can be found on the Crew's You Tube page.