Northerner, Terry, Duff and Robben are the best Chelsea players at the moment but one cannot judge a player after one game (or even afew). Drogba only got back from an operation and that's why he didn't play the whole game that day. But I mentionned Drogba because I have seen what he is capable of during his time in Marseille. He is up there with the best strikers in Europe, we'll see more of him when his game settles. As for Henry, I remember him from his time and Monaco and Juventus. He was a crap player who's improved to be one of the best trikers in the world. Give Drogba some time and you'll see why Chelsea coughed 25 million pounds for his services. Barcelona are a very good side and are playing some wonderful football, but we've seen them beaten by Milan and Real Betis this season. So they aren't impregnable. The only game Chelsea have lost this season is through a penalty at Man City and the outcome of Barca-Chelsea isn't as easy as some people make it to be. I'm personally a big fan of Barca, ever since the Romario-Stoichkov-Guardiola-Koeman days. But I'm being pragmatic here by saying that it could go anyhow. Who thought that Milan could be pounced 4-0 last season by Depo (after winning first leg by an impressive 4-1)? Football isn't very predictable as it used to be back in the days. Most big clubs have some quality players who can change the game at any given point.

Northerner, Football is not only about indiviuals but how well they play as a unit. As individuals, the only class player they have might be Drogba, but akhi their group is going like a well oiled locomotive. Chelsea are doing well and one can only point to the league tables and performances in Champions League to anyone who underestimates them. Barca-Chelsea can go anyhow; Dinho's flares might be the decider, or maybe Chelsea will work as they have so far and get the results they want.

Originally posted by OG_Girl: Vicking, no need to walk around in a mask , come out why you are hidding behind fancy names "Islam and muslims"? are you only one who cares about poor Muslims? What did you do for Muslims as a vicking or you just use Islam when suits to you? I just can't stand when people use the name of Islam or culture, language , just when suits to them OG_Girl, I won't even honour your ranting with a response dear. juba, I read what you said but didn't particularly agree with it. You started by saying... dubais success is its own. Why does it have to help anyone else? Why? Because they are Muslims, simple. We are taught that "A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim", this in the Qur'an and also Hadith. i understand that u think it plain greed on the part of arabs but im trying to say that WHY should we soleyly depend on the arabs for help!!or a better question why are u so bent on the arabs to help us as if it was their duty?( Who is depending on them? Only Allah SWT provides rizq and to Him only we can depend for deliverance. Allah SWT tells us that He tests us through our wealth and children; and I don't see the leaders of most Arab nations being very responsible in the ways they dispense of the wealth provided by Allah SWT. It is the duty of wealthy Muslims to provide for the underprevileged. If you have a starving neighbour while you sleep belly-full every night, Allah SWT is going to ask you on the Day of Reckonning. Some leaders in the past (that we can look upto) have led very pious lives and have worked hard to please Allah SWT instead of paving their streets with gold. Omar ibn Khattab (RA) used to sleep under a tree when he was amir and didn't amass public wealth (though he could). Khomeini who led the revolution in Iran (I heard) used to eat dates and milk and slept on rags. When he died, he didn't have a penny to his name. These were leaders who could have built palaces (like Saddam and other current leaders have done, and still doing) but instead led pious lives. Besides this extravagance, many Somalis (or other dark people) who have lived in these Arab nations claim that they were treated like dirt. Someone who has lived in the UAE almost their whole life told me today that they don't issue visas to people over 55(?) (especially from Africa) because they often travel for treatment (even though they are paying for it). All this while their noses are brown from burying their faces deep into Occidental rectums, trying to please kufaar. That's what we call Islamic spirit! dawoco, Muslims are not to be like some capitalist western societies where people only think of themselves. Our societies are to be tending to everyone, especially the under-previleged. Parents will be punished or rewarded depending on how they raise their children, children on the other hand will also be judged on how they treat their parents, especially in their geriatric years. Leaders are responsible for the people they lead, their peace, well-being and prosperity etc. are not to be taken lightly; and Allah SWT will question them on this. The wealthy are also responsible for the poor, those given wealth by Allah SWT should not ignore the poor and live luxuriously while they sit back and watch ongoing suffering. So it isn't as simple as you put it when you said... but as far as i know every individual will be judged on his and her actions-whether they be righ or wrong- i don't think a country as a whole is going to be either doomed or rewarded. Leaders are responsible for their nations, but individuals will also be held responsible for their actions. The problem with the Middle East (and almost all countries with Muslim population) is that they are led by corrupt, gluttonous, marionettes whose 'masters' are empirialistic Occidentals and not the only deserving master, Allah SWT. Since the masses (Muslims) aren't part of the solution, we must be part of the problem. Peace.

True! Everyone should take care of their own, we should be happy for our 'brothers'. Who cares about Islam and what we are ordained, you know, our obligation towards the fuqaraa and masaakin. If they want to build platinum highways, its their own business! For the misfortunate who can't afford bread, let them eat cake!

NGONGE, Muslims should help other Muslims instead of gaalo coming to our rescue. I appreaciate what the non-Muslims do, but would expect more of these oil-rich nations. The link you provided said that the UAE provided $2 million to Somalia, just compare that to the $26 million ONE Swedish organisation is donating to help children of Darfur. You live in London, just go to the Chelsea/Kensington area in the summer and see how these Sheikhs and royal families live. Do you seriously think they are doing their best to help Muslims in dire straits? UAE is the one we are talking about because this topic was about the extravagant structures they are erecting in Dubai. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain et al. should also do more.

Round of 16 - Matchday 7 22/02/2005 Real Madrid 20:45 Juventus Liverpool 20:45 Leverkusen PSV 20:45 Monaco Bayern 20:45 Arsenal 23/02/2005 Porto 20:45 Internazionale Barcelona 20:45 Chelsea Man. United 20:45 Milan Bremen 20:45 Lyon Daaamn! This is best draw I've ever seen! Every team is paired with an equally strong team. I wish they were played at different times so that we could watch them all. Stam was hoping his team would draw Man U so that he could go back to Old Trafford, his wish seems to have come through. I think that Juve, Leverkusen, PSV, Arsenal, Inter, Barca, Milan and Lyon will go through to the quarters.

NGONGE, One Swedish organisation called SIDA has recently donated SKR 192 million (about $28 million) to help the children of Darfur. There are also many other organisations from Scandinavia and the rest of Europe who are on the ground trying to make a difference, including the ICRC. The beureaucracy and corruption in the lower ranks of some organisations such as UN is immense so this help hasn't really translated into anything tangible, yet. The vast contributions still come from gaalo and not our fellow Muslim brothers from the Middle East (who are very visible when it comes to extravagance). The UAE in particular decided to stop oil production and selling altogether until the demands of the Muslim against Israel were met! I’m sure most people realise how much money a day must have been lost by such a gesture. Was it just a gesture though? Such a gesture does indeed hurt westerners, you know why? Because if a litre of petrol costs 1 pound, they collect 75p, 75% of a pound we spend on fuel. As for Israel, they are still occupying Palestine (more of it since they built the wall) and killing an average of four Palestinians a day, displacing and making them homeless by the thousands. Most of them live below the poverty line; but hey, they should atleast be thankful for the "gesture". At the end of the day, some Muslims are trying to build the tallest building in the world, while their brethren are without shelter and eating dried grass straws. How do you justify that? What will they say when Allah SWT asks them how they spent their wealth on the Day of Reckonning?

Quantum Leap, What I said was from an Islamic point of view. We are supposed to love each other and help each other. Building a few schools and hospitals doesn't mean that they have done their duty to their fellow Muslims, they can do much more. Look at the help USA is giving Israel, $4 billion plus a lot of weaponry and technology EVERY YEAR. Do you think that the Arabs nations (all combined) contribute anything close to that to Muslims worldwide? I doubt that. The source of their wealth has been the oil and there isn't an easier way to gain wealth in this world. So instead of being kuffar lap-dogs and advertising their city, they should do be more like Muslims ought to be, tone down the extravagance and helps Muslims in need. By this I don't mean financing a couple of schools and buying goats to supress guilt. OG_GIRL, I'm not negative, just being pragmatic. Look at Darfur today, Muslim women and children are suffering, they don't have food or shelter but we don't see any major contributions from the Arab nations.

Clash of the Titans Juventus and Milan go head to head this weekend and although there are many games remaining, the results could have an impact on the destination of the Scudetto in May. The goalies are (in my opinion) the two best in the world, Buffon leading with a small margin and they could play a decisive role on Saturday... ------------------------------------------------- It is always fascinating when two top goalkeepers come head to head in a big clash and we will certainly have that on Saturday evening when Milan travel to Juventus. Nelson Dida and Gigi Buffon are without doubt two of the best in the profession and this season have been in excellent form, helping to propel their respective sides to the top of Serie A and through the Champions League group stages. Just in recent weeks, they have made saves that have gone a long way to their teams winning important games. Milan chief executive, Adriano Galliani summed it up perfectly when he said: ’Every team has its heroes, every side its champions. Dida is a Rossoneri hero, Buffon a Bianconeri hero. They are two really great champions.' Both shot-stoppers have also been full of praise for the other. Buffon claims the Brazilian is one of the best in the trade, while Dida has hailed the Italian international as a model to follow. Saturday’s eagerly awaited contest could be determined by one of these titans of the game. Milan and Juventus have met 243 times in total in all competitions: 84 wins for Milan, 75 draws, 84 wins for Juventus, 356 goals for Milan, 354 goals for Juventus. Source: www.acmilan.com ------------------------------------------------- Damn! The games have been so even and Milan only have the advantage of scoring 2 goals more than Juve. Juve is the biggest team in Italy with 26? titles and Milan is second with 17. But Milan are bigger in Europe with 6 Champions League titles (Juve have won only 2). Only Real Madrid have won more CL titles than Milan, Real has won on 9 occassions. What are your predictions for this weekend? I think it'll be a draw but hope for a Milan win FORZA MILAN!

I wonder how they can manage to sleep well while Muslims are suffering worldwide. Just imagine if a couple of buildings were sacrificed (not built) and instead use those resources to help the poor people of Darfur. I'd respect them much more then. Allah SWT says that he tests us through our children and wealth. If somalis nearly tried as hard to be peaceful and worked hard enough, they would have been perhaps filthy rich and enjoyed the same wealth and command the same priveledges too ......its shame to some this is development and sense of pride and development and others see it as awaste!!. OG GIRL, These oil-rich Arabs nations didn't "work" hard for their wealth. They have a natural resource that is much sought; they just called in some foreign contractors and paid them to drill the oil.

zlatanfan nadja, Isn't that Capello? Somaliska tjejer som ar 'zlatanfans' finns bara i Sverige!

Thanks Haddad. I remember one night when wathcing a Bowie fight (I think against Hollyfield) when a man with a parachute came down and fell on Bowie's pregnant wife. There's no such stuff nowadays, no biting off the oppenent's ears, no crowds fighting and no 20 second TKO's Danny Williams was beaten badly last night

It was an intense game where Chelsea seemed to slightly have the upper-hand. The Gunners put up an impressive performance without their captain Viera, without Ljungberg's runs and the experience of Gilberto and Edu. Not having 3 of the 4 first choice midfielders makes things slightly different. Flamini and Fabregas did an impressive job handling experienced and respected players like Makelele and Lampard and keeping them in check throughout the game. Everton and Man U are the benefactors this afternoon, Chelsea also benefit by keeping the distance to the champs. Best players... Terry, Henry and Fabregas.

This one is not sports related but it cracked me up. The woman in the clip must have wished the ground would open up and swallow her... http://www.wimp.com/blind/ PS: Even the faint-hearted can click on this one

mojam, That was funny. I saw something similar this year but can't remember where it hapenned.

Wasn't Klitchko the dude that kept hitting Riddick Bowie under the belt in their heated bouts? He is a very good boxer and Williams will have problems with his long reach. I hope the Muslim brother wins early on without sustaining much injury

Although I was hoping Sheva would get it, Dinho is indeed worthy of the award.

Originally posted by Alle-ubaahne: Saaxiib hadana ma waxaan iskugu yeereynaa magacyadii gaalada iyo kuwii ugu danbiga badnaa! Subxaanalaah, ilaah ayaan ka magan galay waxa aad ila rabtid inaan noqdo. FF aniga kuma sheegin wax xun, laakiin sideedaba sheydaanka waa naloo sheegay inuu dadka ku shaqeysto oo xitaa ka hadlisiiyo, marmarna qalbigooda kusoo rido waxyaabo xun xun. Viking, Waxaan u maleynayaa diintaadii baa ka aradantahay ee ilaah haku soo hanuuniyo wadada toosan, aamiin. [/QB] Alle Ubaahne, That'swhat the clergymen of Europe used to say, discouraging people to ask questions and encouraged them to be less inquisitive. This goes against Islam, which promotes this type of curiosity because it is a quest for 'ilm. Weey kaa denbi badan yihiin, laakin maaha inaad u hadashid sidooda sababteey tahay adigu qof Muslin ah baad tahay waxaana laga raba wax barashada inaad aad u xujeeysid. Caruurta su'alohoda weey tiro badan yihin; walooga jawaaba intad ka jawaabi kartid, inta kale na waxaa loo daaya dadka kaa cilmiga badan. Alle hana soo hanuuniyo kuligeen, oo wadada toosan ee Siratul-Mustaqiimka hana saaro.

NOT MILAN, PLEASE... 12/10/2004 12:24:00 PM No later than on Thursday evening, Adriano Galliani, who was present at the 'Expogoal Football Trade Meeting' in the city, underlined the good health of our football. Italy have been the only European country with three teams going through in first place of their group to the round of last sixteen of the Champions League and the expectation ahead of the draw on December 17 is growing. However, it is not only the Italian fans who cannot wait to know which opposition their team will have to face between February and March, but most of all their foreign counterparts, as they fear Milan, Inter and Juventus. The knock-out stage is fascinating but also ruthless, especially when you come up against a giant of European football. The Spaniards consider the Italian sides as the main threat, preferring English, German or French opposition. But not the Italians. More than 10,000 readers of Spanish paper 'Marca' voted in a poll run on the official website. The question was: who would you prefer to face in the knock-out stage? The answers came especially from Real Madrid and Barcelona fans. The outcome: Juventus are sixth in the standings, Inter seventh, and of course, Milan the most feared... ITALIAN THREAT 12/10/2004 12:21:00 PM Here is the outcome of a poll run on the official website of Spanish daily newspaper 'Marca', www.marca.es , about the most feared clubs through to the Champions League knock-out round. The votes amounted to 11,445, most of which from Real Madrid and Barcelona fans, the two sides who went through to the next stage of the competition: OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 29.23 % MONACO 28.8 % BAYER LEVERKUSEN 13.32 % ARSENAL 8.74 % CHELSEA 6.71 % JUVENTUS 5.18 % INTER 4.7 % MILAN 4.63 % (Source - www.acmilan.com)

Guys, it wasn't that bad was it? I've seen these type of ijuries a lot in football and maybe have gotten 'accustomed' to them. A friend of mine introduced me to a weird site and images were never the same ever since. It's www.rotten.com , they have some sick to the bone images of all sort of things. For those afraid to click on the link, here's a sample... http://poetry.rotten.com/lisboa/ (this image may scar the faint-hearted) I think most of the others are just too much. Femme_Fatale, Good choice! But why did you change "n*****" to "tiger"? You shouldn't ini mini anymore, the Klan fans do that. [ December 09, 2004, 02:15 AM: Message edited by: Totti ]

In my teen years I came across a Chinese saying that somwhat changed me. It says something like... "He who asks is a fool for five minutes and he who doesn't is a fool forever". I have been a fool for a many five minutes and don't hesitate to ask questions. I remember asking as a kid how a tv worked; how it was possible to actually visualise images and how they were able to get transmitted through the wires. The explanation of anodes and cathodes didn't make sense to a kid my age but I was lucky to have people who I could ask anything. Alle-Ubaahne, You sound like the Christian clergy-men of Europe in the middle-ages with your response; they thought that an inquisitive mind was the playground of the devil.

Totti, I recall that game against Colombia when Foe collapsed on the pitch with hiseyes wide open. Paolo Diogo, dude that lost his finger above...he was newly wed and it's his wedding ring that got caught by the barbed wire and ripped part of his finger. I guess he didn't need to explain to his wife why he wasn't wearing his wedding band

nuune, Did you see this horrible injury? It'sform the same site... http://www.wimp.com/breaks

Three English teams are top of their groups and Liverpool might be the fourth Premiership side in the last 16. Three Italian teams also are top of their group and have all impressed in the CL this year. I'm wondering, what hapenned to the Spaniards this season?? The only team that seems potent in Europe is Barcelona and they finished second to Milan. Valencia are a disgrace and the 'Tinkerman' is blaming the referee (Anders Frisk) instead of just admitting that he's a crap manager who isn't capable of winning titles. He said that he substituted Aimar becasue the ref won't give Aimar free-kicks when fouled :eek: He has the same side Benitez had (which the Spaniard won 2 league titles and a UEFA-cup with) and even got the type of players that Benitez always asked for but never got. He has a much better squad than Benitez but can't seem to win simple games. Deportivo are a shadow of their old self, has Neybet's departure (to the Spurs) and Valeron's bad form anything to do with their bad performance? I'm dissapointed with Del Neri for resting the trio Totti-Montella-cassano for the Real Madrid game, but understand that they have nothing to play for. What ever hapenned to dignity? I really wanted them to humble the 'Galacticos' and send them tumbling, but that won't happen.

It's ironic that this forum saw it's most active period when the Shi'a-Sunni issue was discussed; even usernames that aren't seen browsing this section were posting here frequently. Maybe we need to stir the place up with some "controversial" issues Sakina, Somalis generally don't tolerate anyone who deviates from the norm. In our culture girls are sometimes hassled for wanting to marry someone outside their clan, just imagine what will happen if you said something that people weren't taught at 'malcaamad'.