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June 5, 2009

Germany: the 3 clubs promoted at the end of the 2008-’09 season, from 2.Fussball-Bundesliga to Fussball-Bundesliga.

Filed under: Football Stadia,Germany — admin @ 5:47 pm

The map shows the three clubs to win promotion to the German Bundesliga-1 for the 2009-2010 season.

Bundesliga -2 winners in 08/09 were SC Freiburg, a yo-yo club from the foothills of the Black Forest, in far south-western Germany, in the state of Baden-Würtemburg. Freiburg has spent 10 seasons in the top tier in Germany, their last in 2005-’06.

Second in Bundesliga-2 were FSV Mainz 05, a club from Mainz, which is 32 kilometers (19 miles) west of Frankfurt, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Mainz had never been in the first division before 2003-’04, and were relegated in ’07. Next season will be only the club’s fourth in Bundesliga-1.

The winner of the promotion/relegation playoff, over Energie Cottbus, was FC Nürnburg, a club with a storied past. Nürnburg won 6 German Titles in the era between the two World Wars; they won another national title in 1948, and they won one in 1961. Nurnburg has won one championship since the Bundesliga began in 1963-’64…in 1968. That is a total 9 German titles. Nürnburg has also won 4 DFB-Pokal [German Cup] Titles, their first two in the 1930′s, one in 1962, and their most recent in 2007. Nürnburg plays in the 47,000-capacity Frankenstadion, which was renovated for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In their last season in Bundesliga-1 (07/08), Nürnburg drew 43,033 per game. Nürnburg bounces straight back to Bundesliga-1 for the 2009-2010 season, which will be the northern Bavarian club’s 18th season in the German top flight.

In a side note, with Energie Cottbus’ relegation, Bundesliga-1 will be without a club from the former East Germany for only the second season since German re-unification. East and West Germany were united in 1990, and for football clubs, the best two clubs from the 1990-’91 DDR-Oberliga season were accomadated to Bundesliga-1 for 1991-’92 {see this}. These were Hansa Rostock (who have now spent 12 seasons in Bundesliga-1) and Dynamo Dresden (who have now spent 4 seasons in Bundesliga-1). The other season with no former-East German club-representation was in 2005-’06…Hansa Rostock had been relegated in 04/05, and Energie Cottbus would gain promotion in the spring of ’06.

[Note: I didn't use a blank map for the base map on this post, because I found a nice map that showed German cities with their metropolitan areas. Here is a list of the largest cities/ urban areas, from the CityMayors site (they don't list year of population estimate, but it's probably 2003, like the list for France that I linked in my last Promotions map) {click here}.]

Thanks to the Maps of Germany site, for the base map {click here}. Thanks to Subside Sports, for kit photos {click here}. Thanks to FanSport24.d, for kit photos {click here}. Thanks to Jako.co.uk, for a generic white jersey for me to slap togather a rendition of the elusive 08/09 SC Freiburg away jersey {click here}. Thanks to http://www.colours-of-football.co.uk . Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here (set at Fussball-Bundesliga, 2009-2010 season)}. Thanks to Bobby McMahon {click here} for pointing out the no-East German clubs-for-the-second-time angle.

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June 3, 2009

MLB Ball Clubs and their Minor League Affiliates: the Minnesota Twins.

Filed under: Baseball Clubs/Farm Teams — admin @ 4:37 am

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Below: Minnesota Twins Auxiliary Chart, featuring selected uniforms and logos from the history of the Minnesota Twins franchise…Washington Senators (I), established in 1901 as a charter member of the American League (1901-1960) / Minnesota Twins (1961-2009).

Team history with photos…the Minnesota Twins page at the Sports E-Cyclopedia site {click here}.

Thanks to Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page {click here}. Thanks to MLB shop {click here}. Thanks to Fan’s Edge / baseball shop {click here}. Thanks to the National Baseball Hall Of Fame’s “Dressed To The Nines” site, featuring baseball uniforms templates drawn by Marc Okkonen.

Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here (set at Minnesota Twins page)}.

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June 1, 2009

France: the 3 clubs promoted at the end of the 2008-’09 season, from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1.

Filed under: Football Stadia,France — admin @ 4:41 am

Two of the clubs promoted from Ligue 2 are from the northern France department of Pas-des-Calais…tiny first-division-newcomers US Boulogne and the well-supported RC Lens.

Racing Club de Lens are from Lens, a town of 36,000 (2006 estimate) 28 km (17 miles) south-west of Lille, which is the fourth largest urban area in France. The town of Lens and the region were historically centered on the coal mining industry, and RC Lens traditionally draws a more working class fan base than their local rivals Lille OSC. Lens bounces straight back to Ligue 1 in 2009-2010, for what will be their 56th season in top flight French football. The club won the 1998 Ligue 1 Title, and have been French Cup runners-up 4 times, the last in 1998. Lens also have won 2 French League Cup Titles, in 1994 and 1999. The club drew 34,654 per game in 06/07 (their last season in the top tier).

US Boulogne, formed in 1898, play in a tiny stadium (7,300 capacity) and drew just 5,767 per game this season.

The third promoted club is Montpellier HSC, a club that has played 17 seasons of first division football, which is a small figure for a club that was a founding member of France’s first division, back in 1932-33. Montpellier is in the Languedoc region in the south of France. Montpellier has 2 Coupe de France titles, the first won in 1929, and the second won in 1990, when Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc, and Carlos Valderrama were in the squad. The club’s stadium was entirely rebuilt for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which explains why the club plays in a ground that is much too large for their smallish fan base (Montpellier averaged 9,402 per game in 08/09).

The population figures at this link {click here (CityMayors.com)} were used in determining what cities, the 7 largest metropolitan areas in France, were put on the map.

While on the subject of French football, here is an article on newly-crowned champions Girondions de Bordeaux, from the Ligue 1 site, {click here}.

Thanks to the excellent Ligue 1 site, for the kits and gate figures {click here}. Thanks to the contributors to the pages at wikipedia {click here (set at Ligue 1, 2009-2020)}.

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May 29, 2009

MLB Ball Clubs and their Minor League Affiliates: the New York Mets.

Filed under: Baseball Clubs/Farm Teams — admin @ 6:04 am

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Below: New York Mets Auxiliary Chart, featuring selected uniforms and logos from the history of the New York Mets franchise (1962-2009).

Team history with photos…New York Mets page at the Sports E-Cyclopedia site {click here}.

Thanks to the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s “Dressed to the Nines” site, featuring basball uniforms templates drawn by Marc Okkonen {click here (set at New York Mets 1984-1992)}. Thanks to Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page {click here (set at Mets logos)}. Thanks to MLB shop {click here}. Thanks to MG’s Helmets, for the Mets’ alternate batting helmet image {click here}. Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here (set at New York Mets page).

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May 26, 2009

MLB Ball Clubs and their Minor League Affiliates: the New York Yankees.

Filed under: Baseball Clubs/Farm Teams — admin @ 4:36 am

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Below: New York Yankees Auxiliary Chart, featuring selected uniforms and logos from the history of the New York Yankees franchise (established in 1901 as a charter member of the American League, as the Baltimore Orioles (II) (1901-1902); the New York Highlanders (1903-1912); the New York Yankees (1913-2009).

Team history with photos…New York Yankees page at the Sports E-Cyclopedia site {click here}.

Thanks to the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s “Dressed to the Nines” site, featuring baseball uniforms templates drawn by Marc Okkonen {click here (set at New York Highlanders, 1903-1911)}. Thanks to Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page {click here (set at Yankees logos)}. Thanks to MLB shop {click here}. Thanks toMiLB shop {click here}. Thanks to Logo Shak site {click here (set at a bizarre Uncle Sam logo the Yankees used as an alternate logo circa 1960)}. Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here}.

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May 22, 2009

2009 Copa Libertadores, Quarterfinals (8 teams).

Filed under: Copa Libertadores — admin @ 5:10 pm

San Luis FC and Chivas Guadalajara withdrew from the Copa L:ibertadores in the wake of the swine flu outbreak. In fact, Mexico has broken all ties with CONMEBOL {see this (MSN.Foxsports.com/soccer)}.

Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting shocked Boca Juniors, in Buenos Aires on Thursday night, to clinch the final spot in the quarterfinals. Here is an article from ESPN Soccernet, ‘Defensor stun Boca to reach quarter-finals’, {click here}. Here is another article, ’Copa Libertadores top eight’ (sportsya.com) {click here}.

There are four Brazilian teams in the quarterfinals: Cruzeiro, Gremio, Palmeiras, and São Paulo FC; 2 Uruguayan teams: Nacional de Montevideo, and Defensor Sporting; just one Argentinian team: Estudiantes de La Plata; and for the first time in the quarterfinals, one Venezualan team, Caracas FC. It is amazing to consider that there is not a single team representing the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires.

{For the 2009 Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals Match-ups, click here }.

In the link, you can also see the leading scorers in the 2009 Copa Libertadores, so far. Below is a photo gallery of the top scorers in the 2009 Copa Libertadores, through the Round of 16 . [Note: for best viewing, click once more on the image, after the initial click.]

Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here, for the 2009 Copa Libertadores page)}.

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May 19, 2009

MLB Ball Clubs and their Minor League Affiliates: the Oakland Athletics.

Filed under: Baseball Clubs/Farm Teams — admin @ 5:20 pm

Below: Oakland Athletics Auxillary Chart, featuring selected logos and uniforms from the history of the Oakland Athletics franchise…Philadelphia Athletics, established in 1901 as a charter member of the American League (1901-1954); Kansas City Athletics (1955-1967); Oakland Athletics (1968-2009).

Oakland Athletics page at Sports E-Cyclopedia {click here}.

Thanks to the National Baseball Hall Of Fame’s Dressed to the Nines site, which features uniforms templates drawn by Marc Okkonen {click here (set to Oakland A’s uniforms, 1968-1976)}. Thanks to Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page {click here}. Thanks to MLB shop {click here}. Thanks to Football Fanatics.com/Oakland A’s {click here}. Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here, for the page on the Oakland Athletics}.

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May 16, 2009

England: the Conference (aka the Blue Square Premier League), the 4 clubs promoted for the 2009-2010 season.

Filed under: Eng-5th level — admin @ 2:00 pm

The map shows the four clubs that have gained promotion from the Conference North and the Conference South (the 6th Level of English football). They will play in the 2009-2010 season of the Conference, also known as the Blue Square Premier League, which is the 5th Level of English football, and the highest level of Non-League football. Two of these clubs, AFC Wimbledon and Gateshead, have now gained back-to-back promotions.

The English Football Conference Playoffs Final is Sunday, 17th May, at Wembley Stadium in London . Here is an article from the Guardian.co.uk, by Mikey Stafford: ’Cambridge and Torquay face off in final that’s too close to call’ {click here}. [The winner of this match gains promotion from the Conference to the Football League’s League Two (the 4th Level).

Thanks to Tony’s English Football Site {click here}. Thanks to TheLinnets.co.uk, for the Non-League turnstile count list {click here , for the list of top drawing clubs in Non-League Football (263 clubs)}.

Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here (set at Football Conference 2009-10)}.

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May 13, 2009

England: League One, 2008-’09 season. The 2 Promoted Clubs, and the 4 Playoff Clubs.

Filed under: 2008-09 English Football,Eng-3rd Level/League One,Engl. Promotion Candidates,Football Stadia — admin @ 6:12 pm

The top 6 clubs in the 2008-2009 English Football League One season are shown on the map. On the right are the two automatically promoted clubs, Leicester City FC and Peterborough United FC. On the left are the four playoff clubs competing for the third promotion spot. At the top right are the average attendances of the clubs on the map, listed numerically in context of the league averages…2008-’09 League One average attendances {click here (Tony’s English Football site)}.

Here are the match-ups for the playoff semi-finals…

Scunthorpe United v. MK Dons, Friday 8 May; MK Dons v. Scunthorpe United, Friday 15 May. Result, 1st Leg: Scunthorpe 1-1 MK Dons.

Millwall v. Leeds United, Saturday 9 May; Leeds United v. Millwall, Thursday, 14 May. Result, 1st Leg: Millwall 1-1 Leeds.

Thanks to Colours of Football site, for the kits {click here (set and England)}.

Thanks to Tony’s English Football Site, for gate figures {click here}.

Thanks to WebbAviation.co.uk {click here (set at Aerial photographs of Leicester)}. Thanks to the Stadium Guide.com {click here}. Thanks to remarkablepeople.co.uk {click here (set at “…all the place we have been [sic]“)}. Thanks to soccervoice.com {click here}.

Thanks to Extreme Groundhopping Blogspot {click here}. Thanks to http://www.theposh.com . Thanks to Miss Gas at the FootballStadiumGuide.co.uk {click here}.

Thanks to http://www.worldstadia.com . Thanks to blueandwhite1867 @ Flickr.com {click here}. Thanks to MKDons.com {click here}.

Thanks to the Tim’s92 site {Although I couldn’t fit this photo in to the map (it’s the second photo, the one with the bobbies next to the New Den’s club shop. Note the barbed wire. To keep out skint Millwall fans, I guess.)}. Thanks to daejin @ Flickr.com {click here}. Thanks to http://www.geocities.com/londonfootball/Clubs/millwall.htm . Thanks to Les Bailey @ Flickr.com {click here}.

Thanks to LeedsUnited.com {click here (set at Club history)}. Thanks to Rivals.net {click here}. Thanks to Ray Nimmo’s North Lincolnshire page {click here}. Thanks to Brad- @ Flickr.com {click here}. Thanks to JJ Willow @ Flickr.com {click here}.

Thanks to the contributors to the pages at Wikipedia {click here (set at League One page)}.

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May 10, 2009

England: League Championship, 2008-’09 season. The 2 Promoted Clubs, and the 4 Playoff Clubs.

Filed under: 2008-09 English Football,Eng-2nd Level/Champ'ship,Engl. Promotion Candidates,Football Stadia — admin @ 1:36 pm

Wolves clinched a spot for the 2008-’09 Premier League on 18th April. The club from the West Midlands returns to the top flight for the first time since their one-season stint in 2003-’04.

On Sunday, 3rd May, yo-yo club Birmingham City snapped out of their poor late-season form and won the second automatic promotion spot on the last day of the season, with a 2-1 win over Reading, with their eventual winning goal coming from veteran striker Kevin Phillips.

Meanwhile, Preston North End, the club that had put BCFC in that must-win situation with a late winning goal the week before, continued their late-season surge and wrested the final playoff spot, via a 2-1 win over QPR, and courtesy of the late-season collapse of Cardiff City, who finished with 3 straight defeats. Defender Sean St. Ledger headed in the winner for Preston, with 15 minutes to go.

With that goal, Preston North End edged Cardiff City on total goals, the second tie-breaker after their equal goal difference (of plus-12). Preston had 54 goals, Cardiff had 53 goals.

This set up playoff match-ups of…

Preston v. Sheffield United, Friday 8 May; Shefield United v. Preston, Monday 11 May. First leg: Preston 1-1 Sheffield United.

Burnley v. Reading, Saturday, 9 May; Reading v. Burnley, Tuesday, 12 May. First leg: Burnley 1-0 Reading.

Thanks to Colours of football site {click here}.

Thanks to Tony’s English Football site, for the gate figures {click here}.

Thanks to Wolverhampton City Council Home Page {click here}. Thanks to MolineuxMix.co.uk {click here}.

Thanks to pparry @ Photobucket.com {click here}; and chocotiger66 @ Photobucket.com {click here}. Thanks to http://www.sufc.com . Thanks to isriya @ Flickr.com {click here}.

Thanks to The Sun.co.uk {click here}. Thanks to PremierFootballBooks.co.uk {click here (set at St. Andrews- Birmingham City Football Club)}.

Thanks to Chris J. Wood / http://www.geograph.org . Thanks to football-league.co.uk {click here (set at page/Championship)}. Thanks to btinternet.com/ 1871-the Ultimate Reading FC website; Madejski Stadium Gallery {click here}. Thanks to webbaviation.co.uk {click here (set at Reading)}.

Thanks to the Daily Mail site {click here}. Thanks to www.LateMeetings.co.uk. Thanks to TheStadiumGuide.co.uk {click here (set at Turf Moor)}. Thanks to StewieD @ Flickr.com {click here}. Thanks to clarette_and_blue @ Flickr.com {click here}.

Thanks to Skyscrapercity.com, Preston/ deepdale redevelopment thread {click here}.

Thanks to SiMar1 @Flickr.com {click here}. Thanks to extremegroundhopping.blogspot.com {click here (set at Preston national football museum; Morecambe; Deepdale [Feb. '05]). {click here /extremegroundhopping.blogspot.com / home}}.

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