A Minute's Applause: Phil O'Donnell

Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell tragically died today after collapsing during his side's 5-3 victory over Dundee Utd today.

His initial stint at Motherwell was back in 1990 where he was twice named Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year, while also earning a cap for Scotland. O'Donnell was soon snapped up by Celtic for £1.75m after helping 'Well win the Scottish Cup in 1994.

He played 89 times and scored 16 goals during his time with the Glasgow giants, before moving to Sheffield Wednesday after 4 years.

His time down south was ravaged by injury, and he only managed a handful of appearances in 4 years with the side.

In 2003 he returned to Motherwell and was made captain. He made 77 starts during his second spell there, before the shocking news today.

Our condolences are with his family and friends. RIP Phil O'Donnell.

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The Sad Demise of Hungarian Football

While inspecting the current state of qualification for the Euro 2008 Championships, I noticed a once great nation sitting 5th in Group C with a mere 9 points, 4 behind Bosnia. Incredible how a nation that produced one of the greatest teams of all time has managed to fall so low. We start our case study with where it all went right, until a certain miracle happened.

England 3-6 Hungary, Wembley, 25th Nov 1953
In what was dubbed as being the 'Match of the Century', Hungary blew away their opponents, the inventors of football, with sublime passing, revolutionary tactics, and the legend that is Ferenc Puskas. For Hungary, it was no problem for them. After all, they had not lost a game since 1950.

The 1954 World Cup Switzerland
The Magnificent Magyars arrived amongst the Alps boasting an unprecedented record of 39 victories, 7 ties, and 0 losses. They started well, hammering South Korea 9-0 before destroying West Germany 8-3. In their progress to the final, they overcame Brazil 4-2 in the quarter finals, and then defeated Uruguay by the same scoreline in the semis. 43 wins and counting, the World cup was sure to be theirs.

West Germany 3-2 Hungary, 1954 World Cup Final, Bern
How ironic that the team that Hungary beat so comprehensively earlier should beat them in the final. The 'Golden Team' were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes through Puskas and Czibor, before Morlock and Rahn equalised just 8 minutes later. Rahn then completed an amazing comeback for the Germans, with the match later dubbed as the 'Miracle of Bern'.

Hungarian football would never be the same again.

They remained a force after the golden generation, but a slow decline was beginning to emerge. They reached the semi-finals in 4 different tournament, twice in the World Cup in '62 and '66, as well as the Euros in '64 and '72.

However, in the '78, '82 and '86 World Cups, they failed to get past the group stages, and have yet to qualify for a major tournament since.

While in the days of old, the Hungarian's had the likes of Real Madrid's Puscas to look to, these days their most recognised and capped player is Zoltan Gera of West Brom. No offence to him, but therein lies the problem.

Hungary's youth system, for some reason either natural or manual, has failed to compete with those of its European neighbours. It is a shame to see once a great and true footballing power mixing with the likes of Malta and Moldova.

One can only hope for a return to their former selves, and the brilliant, innovative and down-right enjoyable brand of football they once served to the world of football.

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A Minute's Applause - Jordan Thompson

Newcastle starlet Jordan Thompson, aged 15 years old, tragically passed away this week after he lost his battle with Leukemia. He had been with the club since the age of 11, and was playing for the Under-16 side at the time. A minute's applause was held at a capacity St James Park before the Newcastle v West Ham game. The home side paid the perfect homage to him by running out 3-1 winners.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends.

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