What Your Offside and WorldCupBlog Bloggers are Thankful For…

It’s Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, a time to eat food and give thanks. (Unless you’re a turkey, in which case you do neither.)

About a week ago, I contacted all the Offside and World Cup Blog bloggers and asked them what football related thing they were thankful. Below you’ll find the collected responses.

Some are funny, some are heartfelt, many are both. If you read the whole list you’ll also learn a few things. Like who Tunisia’s new coach is, who made Lyon the team they are today, and what Corey’s latest nickname is.

Have a read, and please feel free to join in and share what you’re thankful for in the comments.

I’m thankful for the OFC vs 5th Place Asian team World Cup Qualifier, long may it continue.
– Craig, New Zealand World Cup Blog

I’m thankful the West Ham board haven’t sold Matthew Upson behind Zola’s back.
- Martin, West Ham Offside

I’m thankful for Gai Assulin. The future of world football.
- Ibracadabra, Israel World Cup Blog

As I get older I am thankful for the blessings of life and the understanding that we need to appreciate what is truly important in life and not worry about the mundane crap that we bitched about when we were younger. Having a wife and two beautiful healthy daughters creates the tranquility that allows me to be happy in the way i imagine a professional soccer player might feel when he is on the field. For those of us not in that position, we must pretend life is a soccer field and enjoy it for it is too short and too underappreciated much like most players careers.

That today I get to see games from Europe that were not available to me as a kid. Whether its on TV or the internet, we now can watch and appreciate the best soccer has to offer and discuss it with people around the world. This exposure has to create interest and opportunity in the sport for more american kids today then with previous generations which allows us to better cultivate the talent and be serious challengers on the world stage at some point. I am looking forward to the day when the USA holds up the World Cup.
- Jeremy, Cagliari Offside

I’m thankful for adding a new nickname to my roster: Thong Boy!
- Corey, Real Madrid Offside

A great season and beating the Revs in the playoffs two years in a row. Still room for improvement.
- Matthew, Chicago Fire Offside

I am thankful for the respect of beautiful football Barcelona football has finally earned worldwide thanks to the arrival of one Pep Guardiola.
- Cameron, Barcelona Offside

I’m thankful for EURO2012 and of course the “automatic qualification for host nations” rule…
- Bannon, Ukraine World Cup Blog

I’m thankful for GBS being with the Columbus Crew and helping us win 2 Supporter Shields and MLS Cup.
- Kristina B., Columbus Crew Offside

I’m thankful that Italy under Lippi’s rule at least qualified for the World Cup. I’m thankful that Totti is coming back in the game against Bari
- Gianfranco, Venezuala World Cup Blog

I’m thankful that Flamengo have the chance to win the national league for the sixth time, 17 years after the last time they were champions.
- André, Flamengo Offside.

I’m thankful Kalou and Meite were able to smooth out their differences and can sit on the bench together in peace
- Elliott, Ivory Coast World Cup Blog

#1 – I am thankful for the health and well being of my family this year. If 2009 proved anything to me, it is that faith and family are the two most important aspects of a persons life. As a newly married man, it is a lesson I will carry with me the rest of my life. For that, I am thankful.
#2 – I am ever so thankful that I have been able to witness first hand the construction of Red Bull Arena, which will effectively wipe my memory clear of a past littered with images of American Football lined fields, rubber astroturf, and the cavernous hell of having 70,000 empty seats looking down on a crowd of 15,000.
#3 – I am thankful that the American Soccer community is growing at an accelerated rate, matching the successes the National team have been able to achieve this season. America, we are getting closer to that long reaching, lofty goal of respectability.
- Dave, Red Bulls Offside

I am thankful that after years of Raymond Domenech calling the Azzurri cheats, his side progressed with one of the worst cheats of all time. Poetic Justice Baby!!
- Pat, Genoa Offside

I am thankful that Tony Sage bought Perth Glory Football Club and turned them from being a joke to being a proper football team (almost)
- Tom B, FM-LLM

I am thankful that Real Madrid was knocked out of the Copa Del Rey by a weaker team than Athletic.
- Paul, Athletic Club Bilbao Offside

I’m thankful that the ridiculous Henry and France hate will eventually end. Eventually.
- Thomas, Ligue 1 and PSG Offsides

I’m thankful for all my blogger-lurkers and -commenters for giving me the light of day and for Daryl and his team for allowing us a place to discuss the most important topic in the world….
- Jan, Netherlands World Cup Blog

I’m so very thankful that Australia qualified for the Word Cup, because if just New Zealand did, we would be internationally embarrassed!
- Michael, Sydney FC Offside

I’m thankful my addiction to FM is slowing down in these days….That’s what I say to myself…cuz’…..it’s not true…
- Samir, Football Manager Offside

I’m thankful for comfortable shoes, my house finally being renovated, Tobin Heath entering the WPS draft & effin isht up in 2010, and quite a few talented not-so-youngsters finally on the radar for the senior national team.
- Melissa, WPS Offside & USA (Women’s National Team) World Cup Blog

I’m thankful that the Socceroos are now a reasonable force in world football, and no longer try to qualify through Oceania.
- Kieran, Australia World Cup Blog

I’m thankful that Australia now has a well run football league, the A league, which looks like it has the potential to grow.
- Kieran, A-League Offside.

I’m thankful for all the new stadiums being built all around Poland.
- Tomasz, Poland World Cup Blog

I am thankful that in about 4 months I will have a “top flight” soccer team to cheer for in my backyard! Hooray for Major League Soccer’s 16th franchise … come on the Union!
- Andrew, Philadelphia Union Offside

I’m thankful that Yoann Gourcuff has broken into France’s National Team, because he’s given the team a bit of a lift.
- Jeff, France World Cup Blog

I’m thankful I don’t support West Brom.
- Matilda, Bolton Offside

I’m thankful for Italian football, without it my life would be incomplete.
- Francesco, Serie A Offside

I’m very thankful for all my great readers and commenters. And Arsene and Cesc.
- Martin, Arsenal Offside

I am thankful for Titus Bramble’s contribution to football.
- Josh, Atalanta Offside

I’m thankful from the future for replays on massive game-changing decisions.
- Kevin, Ireland World Cup Blog

I am thankful for the opportunity that TheOffside.com has given me by letting me write the first all Spanish blog on their site.
- JuanJo, Atlético Nacional Offside

I’m truly thankful that Nigeria will be represented at the first World Cup to be held in Africa.
- Lola, Nigeria World Cup Blog

I’m thankful for the existence of football, the single true equalizer of all our numerous tribes on this earth. And besides, what’s the alternative…cricket? Exactly.
- Matt, Hull City Offside

I’m thankful that Toronto FC will finally be getting a real grass field.
- Mark, Toronto FC Offside

I am thankful for North Korea’s commitment to defensive football. Their philosophy is to defend then break fast, an Asian version of catennacio. Helenio Herrera of the “grande” Inter Milan of the 1960’s would be impressed. Bring back the sweeper. Bring back the defense.
- Alan Black, North Korea World Cup Blog

I am thankful that we have fullbacks that can actually cross a damn ball.
- Alessio, Juventus Offside

I guess, football related, I would be thankful for Total Football. It has paved the way for attacking football that is great to watch.
- Ahmed, Brisbane Roar Offside

I’m thankful for a chairman who has nothing but the best interests of the club at heart.
- Oli, Barnsley Offside.

I’m thankful that Mamma Totti held out for the hometown club.
- Chris, Roma Offside

I am thankful to Jean-Michel Aulas, who took over a second division French side 20 years ago and turned it into one of the best clubs in Europe. Everyone outside of Lyon might hate him, but he’s genuinely passionate about his team.
- Inara, Lyon Offside and France World Cup Blog

I am thankful for Stuart Downing making a speedy recovery and making his debut ahead of schedule, giving us a much needed boost before the January transfer window.
- Ryan, Aston Villa Offside

I’m thankful for the games that the Wizards Front Office keeps playing since it has yet to decide where to build our new stadium.

Nothing says thank you to your fans more than keeping them guessing for one more year. Right?
– Herschel, Kansas City Wizards Offside

I’m thankful that the new television arrangements have resulted in greatly expanded coverage of European competitions. A year ago, seeing Standard Liege or Basel on television more than once in the same season would have been a pipe dream.
- Dan, Europa League Offside

I’m thankful for Johnny Evans for proving that its not just Asian movies that can successfully combine Football and Kung-Fu.
- Ryan, Man Utd Offside

I am thankful for our readers, especially those that leave comments on our sites. They may not always agree with us, they may sometimes call us names, but you can’t ignore their heartfelt concern and desire to help us with “performance enhancement”. The kindness, the unrelenting devotion, it touches my soul. I salute thank you.
- Jeremy, Houston Offside

I am thankful that Cuauhtemoc Blanco is still ur daddy!
- Albert, Pumas Offside and Mexico Offside

I’m thankful for Faouzi Benzarti replacing Humberto Coelho as Tunisia’s new coach.
- Rami, Tunisia World Cup Blog

I’m thankful for Europa League football and full-time physios. *weeps silently*
- Ed, Liverpool Offside

I’m thankful Stuttgart still control their Champions League destiny.
- Pete, VfB Stuttgart Offside

I’m thankful for Gigi Buffon (I will have your babies!)
- Julian, Italy World Cup Blog

I’m thankful for Steve Bruce.
- Stephen, Sunderland Offside

I’m thankful for all the team bloggers on The Offside and World Cup Blog who make the site a pleasure to read every single day, to all the commenters who respond to our blog posts with intelligence, insight and humour, and for my big delete button for commenters who don’t. I’m also thankful for Fabio Capello turning England into a proper football team, and for Wolves being in the Premier League. However temporary that may be.
- Daryl, The Offside, World Cup Blog, England World Cup Blog

Allan McGregor. Without such a great keeper we’d be so much more screwed than we are already.
- Sarah, Rangers Offside

I’m thankful that Barça continues to spoil me for all other football teams.
- Ade C., Barcelona Offside

I’m thankful for my glorious Blues, Mr. Abramovich — cheers, comrade — Juan Manuel Vargas and his glorious soul patch, hypercolor t-shirts, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Kid N Play, Jamie Carragher’s facial expressions, Gael “Cool Breeze” Kakuta and, of course, Lady Gaga.
-Jack, Chelsea Offside

I’m thankful for giving several coaches the opportunity to try their trade.
- Andrea, CDG Offside

I’m thankful for the years of service from Antonio de Nigris, especially his goal against Brazil.
- Andrea, Mexico World Cup Blog

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and a belated Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian readers and bloggers (it was last month). Please feel free to share what you’re thankful for in the comments.

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Category: World Football