(dramatic pause)

First of all, check out the 6 Types of Hug… I am sure we all know at least one person who is a big fan of “The Crusher”!!!

Or if handshaking is more your thing, then you’ll definitely enjoy this link to the 9 Types of Handshake, and will undoubtedly recognise such moves as the “The Hipster”!!!

As for the fantasy football update, there’s a good two weeks of points in this update, but even so it was an impressive display from Carys who gained 205 points and climbed 3 more crucial places into 6th spot, and from Ksenia who delivered 206 points, up 3 and now sitting just outside the top 10. Tom “Badger Claw” Jones made some late but tactical transfers and has become our new number 1 spot person, whilst transfers from Dan and Steve couldn’t compete with this weeks high flyers, slipping slightly down the top 10 leaderboard. Lyonsy now has two teams in the top 20, whilst Millo saw his team jump 5 places into 15th, but it was a fortnight to forget for Stacey who managed to pick up minus points. Rhodri, Angus, Baker, Mystery Girl and Jon Eds all rose over 20 places each but as we know, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction – this time in the form of Rhodri. Louise, Chris, Matt and Emily.

Easter is on the way – the only time it’s acceptable to surprise someone with an egg.

www.thisisfantasyfootball.com

Every now and again you find yourself watching or even being a part of something a little bit spectacular, something which you know will make the history books and that people will look back on in 50 years and say “remember when…”.

To give you a few examples, do you remember 2005 and the Ac Milan vs Liverpool Champions League Final? Held at Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul and with a monstrous 70,024 in attendance, Milan were regarded as favourites before the match and took the lead in the first minute through captain Paolo Maldini. Hernán Crespo added two more goals before half-time to make it 3-0. During the second half, Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso scored three goals in six minutes for Liverpool to level the scores at 3-3. The scores remained the same during extra time, and a penalty shootout was required to decide the champions. The score was 3-2 to Liverpool when Andriy Shevchenko’s penalty was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. Thus Liverpool won their fifth European Cup. Regarded by many as the best match ever…

Or how about 1999 and the Manchester United vs Bayern Munich game? The action kicked off in Barcelona in front of a mind blowing 90,000 fans, but it was 1-0 to Bayern Munich throughout the entire match, until Man Utd score 2 goals in stoppage time to win the cup. United’s victory was the culmination of their Treble-winning season, after they had already won the FA Premier League and the FA Cup earlier in the month.

Or 2006 at the Cardiff Millenium Stadium, and Liverpool vs West Ham in the Cup? 71,140 in attendance and when West Ham went ahead 2-0, many thought it was all over. Even later on at 3-2 it looked like the match was sealed but Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored a goal in the last minute from 30-yards plus to take the game to extra-time and they eventually triumphed on penalties. It is considered by most who watched to be one of the greatest Cup Finals in the history of the tournament.

Ok one more for you, how about the Tottenham 4 Arsenal 5 game at White Hart Lane in 2004? Although Arsenal came out on top in a topsy-turvy north London derby, it was an amazing journey to the final whistle. Noureddine Naybet volleyed Spurs ahead before Thierry Henry levelled in first- half injury-time and Lauren’s penalty put Arsenal ahead after 53 minutes. Patrick Vieira added a third on the hour, and even though Jermain Defoe’s strike gave Spurs hope, Freddie Ljungberg restored the two-goal lead. Ledley King headed Spurs’ third, and even after Robert Pires hit Arsenal’s fifth, Freddie Kanoute was on target.

And of course only a few months ago, 30,000 plus faithful were treated to a record-breaking 9 – 1 game between Spurs and Wigan, where Defoe scored 5 goals and became only the third player, after Alan Shearer and Andy Cole to do so. Not just that but Tottenham scored eight times in the second half as Wigan sank without trace and Defoe notched a hat-trick in seven minutes, the second quickest since the inception of the Premier League in 1992. Oh good times and history was made.

Wow – that was a ramble – so back to last weekend and a very different kind of history being made. Sky showed the world’s first live 3D TV sports broadcast after being helped by the man behind the Hollywood blockbuster movie Avatar. With only 9 selected pubs in the entire country having this honour, it was with more than the usual happiness that I drank my beer whilst wearing special glasses to see the Arsenal vs Manchester United game in an extra dimension. What did I think? Well it had a lot of potential, I’m not sure the technology is quite there yet to stream 3D on the fly by the mili-second, but to be honest – bothered – because in 50 years time when its totally the norm to watch 3D TV, I’ll be able to say “I was there when it all began.”

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So it’s the end of the month, which means it’s prizes time. Kokbun Lee (£6) was the highest points manager with 271 points in the month, closely followed by Steve Dennis (261) and Chris Lyons (254). The £5 Highest Climber prize goes to Cerys Bowd (up 49 places) with Simon Laesser (up 43) and Sarah Groves (up 40) just missing out. There were also two lucky people who get £1 each for being on a multipe of 100, and they are Leigh Styles and Andrew Oestrich (800).

Well done to everyone, there is now less than 70 points between 1st place and 10th place – so it’s not long before some new history will be made.

You heard it here first, www.thisisfantasyfootball.com

Anyway the latest round of transfers have now been put through for the start of January and here is the latest points update:

Tom Jones stays in top spot but is closely followed by Luan, Anna, Steve D (biggest scorer in top 10) and Steve W.

There were also a lot of strong performances from those in 11th to 20th places, with the likes of Ksenia, Carys, Lyons, Kokbun and Millo all recording strong results to close the gap on the big money spots.

Drogba remains the highest scoring player – although his absence with the African Nations, may see the likes of Rooney, Fabregas, Lampard, Dunne and Tevez come through.

Best value player is now R Johnson, but again S Carr, J Craddock, L Bowyer, M Etherington and J Hart are all close behind – all looking to be this seasons top wild card.

So all in all, things are hottening up nicely this season – with friendships being tested like never before – and with some people already walking on waifer thin ice after their over-the-top banter!! But just remember, that win or lose, it’s all fun, but if in doubt, punch a dolphin in the mouth.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dolphin_punch

Until next week, unleash the Karate Kid inside you…

www.thisisfantasyfootball.com

This is probably only reaching about half of the distribution list as there seem to be a crazy number of people unable to get to work because of the snow. I do find it intriguing how in the year 2010, an entire country can be brought to a standstill by weather that, let’s be honest, has occurred countless times before – it’s not like we’ve never seen these little flakes of white stuff falling from the sky before!!

Tonnes of other countries deal with far more snow on a far more regular basis, but without headlines that could easlily suggest Britain is going to war!! Here are a few of todays:

“Britains four day battle against snow” (Times)
“Panic-buying as heavy snow hits” (Metro)
“Ice-bound Britain is paralysed by snow” (Mail)
“Britain digs in as more snow heads south” (Independent)
“Snow and ice cause travel chaos” (BBC)
“We’re All A Shiver! (Mirror)
“Everyone must help shovel for Scotland” (TimesOnline)
“Met Office puts Britain on high alert after heavy snowfall” (Gov.)

Seriously they might as well replace the word “snow” will “enemy bombers” and really be dramatic!! Or how about “GIANT UNSTOPPABLE BLOB” – in capitals of course!!

Anyway I personally love the snow, so am in at work and giving you the end of December fantasy football update.

There were all sorts of League and Cup games over the Christmas period with lots of interesting results, but without further-ado here are our December winners:

£6 goes to Stefan G as our Highest Points Manager for the Month (341 points) with a little round of applause for Jamie K (328 points) and Steve W (319 points) in 2nd and 3rd place.

But our £5 Biggest Position Climber for the Month prize goes to Gemma Johns (up 54 places), with Dai Spesh just missing out (up 53 places) and Stefan (up 49 places).

£1 goes to James Alexander for finishing the month on a multiple of 100 (700 points).

And that as they say, is a wrap!!

In the league, it’s all change, with another new person in the top spot, Mr Tom Jones with a couple of Steves (Dennis and Williams) entering the top 10 (both up 7 places). There’s a lot of movement through-out the table so I’ll let you look for yourself and see how 2010 is going to start for you.

Until next time, keep it real and remember this headline “Child Gives Snowman A Carrot Nose”… this white stuff isn’t so scary now huh?

www.thisisfantasyfootball.com

David Hasselhoff walks onto a film set and says to the movie Director, “I want you to call me David Hoff”.
The Director replys, “Sure man. No hassle”

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It’s a tough game, no fairness, no mercy, just the bitter sweet divide between winners and losers.

This month Chris Oestrich has taken both the Highest Points and Highest Climber prizes – and each time has trampled on the hopes of Stefan Griffiths in 2nd place. Chris (243 points), Stefan (234 points), Kokbun Lee (221 points), Chris (36 places), Stefan (32 places) and David Brear (24 places).

Meanwhile “Mundo” won Fun Quiz 2 (can you let me know who you are?!!) and Leigh Styles won Fun Quiz 1. Good skills both.

Jonathan Cann took Lucky Dip 1, Sian Till scooped Lucky Dip 2 and Danielle Roberts fluked the 3rd.

Chris Moreto will cash in with the biggest faller prize, down 44 places.

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In the League, Scally has pounced into top spot, whilst Mr Green’s drop into 8th see’s the rest of the top table move up a spot. The ladies report a good weekend with Emily, Rebecca, Emma, Joanne, Louise and Kathal all continuing their climb, whilst Steve D and Carl M clocked two of the biggest individual rises up 12 and 13 places respectivevly. On the flip side, Jonny G falls 19 places with Connor and (cough) me down 12 places each. Dark times.

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February Fun Quiz 1: There is a frog game to play on the website – all you have to do is tell me how many moves it takes to complete?

February Fun Quiz 2: Have a go at this game (http://www.picquiz.com/) – and use the Email your Score button – to send me your scores. Top score wins – or lucky dip if there is a tie.

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www.thisisfantasyfootball.com

Please note: The Dream Team website didn’t split Saturday’s and Sunday’s points so the whole weekend counts towards January.
Please note: Transfers for February have not yet been put in – but they will be obviously before the next points update.

Ffffwwwoooooooo….

(the winds of change as Spurs won their first League game of the season)

ROAAAAAARRRRRRR….

(the reception that new manager Redknapp got as he came on to the pitch)

Aaaaahhhhhhh….

(the collective sighs of relief from thousands of supporters around the country)

Elsewhere in the league, Liverpool ended Chelsea’s monstrous unbeaten home record thanks to a 10th minute goal from Alonso. Man City saw their big money signing Robinho live up to his credentials with a hat-trick against Stoke. Adebayor’s injury time goal made it 2 nil for Arsenal against West Ham whist Aston Villa put 4 past Wigan away from home. Man U were held to a 1 all draw by Everton despite an eary goal from Fletcher, whilst sorry Newcastle suffered another defeat, this time to Sunderland. New boys Hull continued their blinding start to the season with a 3 nill win over West Brom, courtesy of Zayatte, Geovanni and King.

This is how some of the mini battles in the League are going…
- in the Lyons \ Brown \ Quirk battle – Chris has taken a commanding early lead with both his teams sitting in the top 30
- in the Ward \ Kingman \ Smith \ Groves showdown – it’s Emily who is calling the shots holding on to a top 30 spot
- in the Thomas \ Lloyd \ Kellman challenge – it’s Rich who has climbed one more place into 4th who is the man to beat
- in the Dennis \ Alexander \ Schleising \ Blackstock session – it’s Nick who climbs another 8 but closely followed by Jock in 13th
- in the Millo \ Wheeler \ Brean face-off – it’s Dave who’s top dog in 18th after a big drop of 27 places takes Kirsty down past Stacey
- in the Baker \ Edgerley \ Else rumble – it’s Scally who’s lording it up in the top 10 with the other two sitting in the 50′s
- in the Jones \ Graham \ Baber \ Radford wrestle – it’s Tim who has pulled clear of Ghosty with Neilos and Jack struggling lower down
…and it goes on…

The clocks might have been put back but there’s always time for a mexican wave…

www.thisisfantasyfootball.com