The Daily Sweeper (July 18)

The transfer news to report today is obviously Eto’o's on going flirtation with playing in Uzbekistan. Cue the Borat jokes. Or was that Kazakhstan? Otherwise, a Friday in mid-summer is a slow day, so we bring a little classic video for you to enjoy.

Americas

• Here’s a puff piece on ESPN Soccernet praising Beckham to the skies for his performances on and off the field since he joined MLS. The man’s done well, but does the world really need more Beckham hype? Oh, and here’s another one in the NY Post.
• Who knew Wizards vs. Crew would turn in to one of the most exciting Thursday night games this season? Shame about the defending, but goals are goals, as they drew 3-3.
• FC Indiana give global vision to women’s game in the Midwest –great stuff from the Global Game about the Chicago Red Stars affiliate, whose scouting network puts most MLS clubs to shame.

Europe

• Remembering Leeds’92 title side — are they underrated?
• Birmingham executives to be interviewed by police in ongoing corruption probe.

Worldwide

• James Montague has a very good article on arguably the world’s most virulent rivalry: Al Ahly versus Zamalek in Egypt, a contest shaped as much by a history of class and nationalism as football.
• Political turmoil in Zimbawe means another black mark for South Africa to deal with as the saga over the 2010 World Cup hosts goes on. And Fifa’s General Secretary Jerome Valcke will be increasing his trips there as the pressure ramps up.

Video

• Yesterday we posted on Wolves’ win over Honved that led to the proclamation that they were the best in the world. The game was seen by the English press as revenge for England’s two crushing defeats to Hungary in 1953 and 1954. Action from the Magical Magyars 7-1 win can be seen here.
• Not quite sure why this is on a blog about Grimsby Town, but here’s a brilliant reminder of Roberto Baggio’s genius. Did he really mean to score from the corner flag? Did he ever play for Grimsby?

Photo Daily

I have a curious fascination with empty stadiums. This is Puskás Ferenc Stadion in Hungary, once a 104,000 behemoth (its capacity is now 68,976), and which played host to perhaps England’s worst ever result, the above-mentioned 7-1 trouncing at the hands of Hungary on May 23, 1954.

Photo courtesy of photoreti on Flickr via the Pitch Invasion Flickr photo pool.