Litmanen

Hodgson invited Jari Litmanen of Finland to try out for Fulham for about a week to 10 days. It's a mutual tryout to see if it would be a good fit for both parties..

Litmanen is getting a little bit older, but he is still "the Maestro" that he was when he led Ajax to win the Champions league a while back.. He can dominate the midfield and can do some pretty incredible passing. He could be a great help IF he stays healthy.

 

Meh... I know Litmanen was pretty awesome at one point, but in 2008 I have to think he's redundant with Murphy.

 

Odd how nobody here seems to appreciate this guy! The guy was probably the best player in the world in the mid 90s and most likely the best ever on hes position. He is still great, which he proved a little over a year ago against Poland, scoring two and leading his country to glory!

Are you guys too young to remember the golden days of soccer, when players with vision and creativity where admired as much as those Cristiano Ronaldos and Ronaldinhos with their fancy tricks are admired today.

Stumbled upon this clip, from Football Mundial a few years back:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... &plindex=9

 

I am certain that Litmanen is not a long-term solution to any of Fulham's problems but I have seen enough athletes who were past their prime, George Foreman winning the heavywieght title at 45?, turn back the clock just enough to pull off the improbable. I am more than willing to believe there is a chance that Litmanen may be able to add a bit of quality that we have been lacking this season.

For me a perfectly weighted through ball is as much a thing of beauty as any stepover.

 

Re: RE: Litmanen

Of course his not a long-term solution, turning 37 thsi month, but he will play a big part in saving Fulham (or should i say "us") from relegation. I dont have statistical proof atm, but what i have read is that especially with Hansa Rostock and Malmö FF was that they always better with "the King" on. And by better i mean more wins.

You cant expect him to run up and down the field helping the defence for 90 minutes every weekend, but you can expect him to play 90 minutes everyother game, enjoying his defence spliting passes, unbeliveble creativity and tehcnical skill. Modern football is so much more than just stamina and fitness.

I wouldnt be suprised even if he only played, lets say 5 games and still after the season Fulham fans would be praising him a saviour.

 

RE: Re: RE: Litmanen

i sure hope so! I'll praise Baird if I have to....let's just stay up!

 

I think it's great Fulham signed him. He can sub in for the last 30 or so and make a difference. The big disappointment is that he's not match fit, according to Woy, I mean Roy.

 

Blinking_Timo, I think we're all looking forward to seeing what Litmanen can do once he's match fit. In his prime he was one of the best players in the world, and I guess I probably sold him a bit short by calling him a Finnish Danny Murphy.

 

Re: RE: Litmanen

Amen. That's what gives me the most joy when watching a match

 

Just watch... Today Litmanen scored a goal and gave 3-4 assists that should have led to a goal in a game against Greece (the reigning European champion).

So, please don't talk about him disrespectfully.. so it won't be so embarrassing to you guys... and we all know how americans are afraid of getting embarrassed...

So, sorry to disappoint all the "experts" who think Litmanen couldn't perform at 37 and you who compare him to Danny Murphy....

And by the way.. do you think they would give him #10 and not plan on starting him...???

 

Good to see Litmanen performing well for Finland, but Greece (despite their title) are not exactly the class of Europe. That being said if he can pass the ball to his teammates I will take him over Murphy.

 

I sure hope you are right zipper. I would love for Litmanen to come in and play great for us. Whatever it takes for us to stay up. I hope he dominates. It is just hard to get overly excited for a 37 year old player until we see what he offers on the pitch. Of course, all of us on FulhamUSA will be rooting like crazy for him to do very well.

And no I didn't know that all of us Americans were afraid of getting embarrassed, I am glad you let me know about that.

 

Oh sorry.. I didn't say ALL americans...

I love people here and I have made the US my home (I'm a Finn, that's why I am pulling for Litti so much).... By the way, my best friend is from West Virginia.. Go Mountaneers !

So, let's see what Litti does for Fulham... If everything goes as I hope, he will be scoring some and getting a whole bunch of assists and we'll find ourselves around 12th-14th spot at the end of the season...

 

If anybody is interested...here's a small clip of Greece-Finland game...you can see an incredible pass by Litmanen and the goal he scored earlier today...in his current form

http://www.yle.fi/media/asxgen.php?file ... Jalkapallo - Suomi - Kreikka.wmv

Don't mind the depressing demeanor of the finnish reporters and their strange language...

 

Re: RE: Litmanen

Been a LONG time since I've seen that in words. In fact, it's MORE beautiful than some trick stepover or an over the shoulder chunk.

I love watching it, as people around me suck in their breath in anticipation. And I have to think I do as well.

Good thing... age doesnt usually affect that skill, much.

 

The Finnish captain put on a 'stylish display' v Greece last night (from Don's link on the int'l break thread) scoring their lone goal. At some point this guy is going to contribute in a big moment in a big way

 

I'm sorry zipper. I thought you were taking a shot at Americans. Thanks for providing the links. I must say you have made me feel better about Litmanen still having something left in the tank. I am looking forward to seeing how he can help us.

 

No problem..

Found another clip on Youtube.. Finland beat Portugal I think in May of Last year...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBOkshRS6lA

Litmanen scored in this game..you will also see some of his sweet passes and the way he takes mid-field under control is why Louis van Gaal (his former Ajax and Barcelona coach) calls him "Maestro"

P.S. You will get a simultaneous Finnish and Swedish commetators...so, enjoy