Madrid match a marker Of Tottenham's progress under Pochettino

When Tottenham Hotspur line up at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night, they will be greeted by two familiar faces in the Real Madrid ranks.

Luka Modric and Gareth Bale both made their name in Lilywhite, before swapping London for the Spanish capital.

Both played for Spurs on their last visit here, in the 2011 Champions League quarter final.

They epitomised Harry Redknapp’s swashbuckling side – Bale’s pace and power, Modric’s guile and artistry.

Yet when the two Madrid players look at this Spurs side, they will see a very different team to the one they left.

That side, vaunted at the time for its attacking flair, was also erratic.

In a season memorable for the 3-1 'Taxi for Maicon' victory over Inter Milan at White Hart Lane, and a backs-to-the-wall two-legged victory over their city rivals AC, they also lost at home to Wigan Athletic, and away at Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool.

That Champions League campaign, which ended with a tame 5-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Real, arguably marked the apex for Redknapp’s Spurs, and put their best players firmly in the shop window.

Bale’s heroics papered over the cracks of Modric’s departure in 2012.

Almost single-handedly, the Welshman took Spurs to the brink of a return to the Champions League, only to miss out on the final day of the 2012/13 season.

When Madrid returned that summer with a world-record bid, Bale left, and Spurs, now under the stewardship of Andre Villas-Boas, withered.

A side that had been built around Bale, and that had failed to replace Modric, floundered without them. It seemed that Spurs' quest to establish themselves as a Premier League and European force would fall short.

Under Mauricio Pochettino, they have risen from the ashes of that former side, a younger, more rounded, and arguably more talented force.

The Argentine has delivered Premier League era-best finishes of 3rd and 2nd in consecutive campaigns.

Last season, Spurs amassed 86 points, comfortably surpassing the previous club record of 72 set, incidentally, in Bale's final season.

This is a side bristling with talent, but one also endowed with a steeliness and work-ethic that eluded its predecessors.

The attacking flair remains - the team led the Premier League scoring charts last season - but it is now underpinned by a miserly defence that has conceded the fewest goals in the league for two years running.

There are certain similarities in personnel.

Harry Kane has taken on the talismanic role once occupied by Bale. The England captain has scored at least 25 goals for the club in each of the last 3 seasons – the first player to achieve that feat since Martin Chivers in the early ‘70s.

Christian Eriksen is the heartbeat of the team, much as Modric was.

He exerts a more attacking influence than the Croat – only Kevin De Bruyne registered more assists than the Dane in the league last season – but as was often said of Modric, Spurs are a better side when Eriksen is on form.

Dele Alli, too, bears a certain resemblance to Rafael van der Vaart in his spatial awareness and talent for arriving, unmarked, in goal-scoring positions.

Yet where Redknapp’s squad thinned noticeably beyond those stars, the current side boasts a remarkable parity of talent throughout.

Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have formed an imperious partnership at the back.

Together with Hugo Lloris, and often supplemented by a third centre-back in the shape of Eric Dier or new signing Davinson Sanchez, they provide an assured bedrock that was often lacking with popular but error-prone players such as Michael Dawson, Heurelho Gomes, or William Gallas.

Mousa Dembélé and Victor Wanyama bring bite and drive to the midfield, equally adept at breaking up opposition attacks or starting their own, and are clear upgrades on the likes of Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone.

Heung-Min Son, who has struggled to get into the starting XI in the opening weeks of this campaign, scored 14 times in the league last season – more than any Spurs player managed in 2010/11.

This wealth of talent has brought with it an added resilience when the team faces setbacks.

Many suspected that Spurs would fall apart when Harry Kane suffered injuries last season.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/1016/912724-madrid-match-a-marker-of-tottenhams-progress-under-poc/

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus ‘the best young striker since Lionel Messi’, Danny Murphy tells talk SPORT

Manchester City’s Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus is ‘the best young striker since Lionel Messi’, believes talkSPORT regular Danny Murphy.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation since joining the Blues from Palmeiras in his homeland for just £27million in January.

Impressing alongside Sergio Aguero and on his own in the Argentine's absence, Jesus has netted 13 Premier League goals in 17 games for the club, including a fine brace in Saturday’s 7-2 victory over Stoke.

He has starred at international level, too, with seven goals in 11 games for Brazil.

Murphy has been blown away by the youngster’s talent and believes Jesus is on his way to becoming one of the best footballers to emerge ‘in a long, long time’.

“He’s the best young player I’ve seen since Messi at that age,” the former Liverpool midfielder told talkSPORT host Jim White.

“I’m not comparing him and saying he’s like Messi – no one is like Messi, he is a phenomenon.

“But at 20 years old, to be doing the type of things he does, is incredible.

“He’s scored 13 goals in 15 games for City, seven goals in 11 games for Brazil and he’s only just turned 20 – that’s ridiculous in itself.

“But take away those stats, I’ve watched him live and he is an unbelievable footballer for a man of his age.

“He demands the ball, he closes down people, he’s tough, he’s strong, his hungry, he’s quick. He’s got two feet, he doesn’t mind having a little bit of a tussle when the ball’s in the air – there’s nothing he hasn’t got.

“Time will tell, but I believe he could go on and be as good as we’ve seen for a long, long time.

“There’s nothing missing for his game. I don’t see a weakness and I have not seen him play badly.

“He is years ahead of where he should be at. Mentally he’s 26 or 27 and that means he’s only going to get better.”

Read more at https://talksport.com/football/manchester-citys-gabriel-jesus-best-young-striker-lionel-messi-danny-murphy-tells-talksport#a6LZwr47QoyvoF7M.99

With Atletico Madrid facing Barcelona this weekend, the club have confirmed Sime Vrsaljko's hamstring injury.

Atletico Madrid have confirmed Sime Vrsaljko will not be out for an extended period, after suffering a hamstring scare on international duty.

Vrsaljko was forced off due to hamstring tightness on Monday as Croatia held on for a 2-0 win over Ukraine.

Club doctors performed a spectroscopy upon his return to Spain, and a statement confirmed no significant muscular damage.

Only just coming off an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the 25-year-old asserted as much immediately following the match, saying his substitution was precautionary.

"It is not an injury," Vrsaljko said. "I just felt a discomfort in my hamstring and I think it was right for the team to bring on a fresher player, so that we were not weaker on the left side."

Having already gone with a different back four in each of the opening seven games this LaLiga season, Diego Simeone will likely rotate this Saturday against Barcelona.

Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/vrsaljko-cleared-major-injury#yuUdGAZEWO8Ww6P8.99

Messi: It would've been crazy if Argentina missed World Cup

There was joy and relief for Lionel Messi, whose three goals sent Argentina through to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Hat-trick hero Lionel Messi said it would have been "crazy" if Argentina did not qualify for the World Cup after he guided the two-time champions to next year's tournament.

Outside of the CONMEBOL qualification places and on the brink of elimination, Messi scored three goals as Argentina overcame Ecuador 3-1 in Quito and secured a berth at Russia 2018 on Tuesday.

Occupying sixth position prior to kick-off, Argentina's hopes of at least claiming a play-off spot were dealt a major blow when they conceded after just 38 seconds.

But five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi saved the day, scoring twice in the first half and again just past the hour-mark to see Argentina – runners-up in 2014 – to their 12th successive World Cup.

Vamos Argentina #YoAmoAMiSelección #YoAmoAMiSeleccion #Russia2018 #WorldCup2018 #Argentina pic.twitter.com/aY1VhMeijQ

— Paulo Dybala (@PauDybala_JR) October 11, 2017

"There was always the fear of coming here to play. Luckily, we could react and we managed to play well," Messi told reporters after Argentina finished third.

"We were calm, we achieved the goal and that is the most important thing. Thanks to God, we fulfilled the objective.

"It would have been crazy not to be in the World Cup. The group deserved to qualify.

"There has been criticism despite having played three consecutive finals and today was an important day for all, especially for those who have been here longer."

Messi continued: "We were away from the press for a while and the people. I think it served to get us closer. If we all go hand in hand, everything will be easier.

"It was unfair what happened in the World Cup and the two Copa Americas. We ended up suffering to enter this World Cup and hopefully we will get it once and for all.

"Enjoy the qualification and prepare little by little. The team will change, there will be another and it will grow."

Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/messi-it-wouldve-been-crazy-if-argentina-missed-world-cup#kOFeqBq2YLaJRQgS.99

Watch Lionel Messi bag stunning hat-trick to lead Argentina to 2018 World Cup in Russia

When his country most needed him, Lionel Messi did the business.

Questions have been asked of the Barcelona superstar again and again with regards his influence on Argentina's fortunes - particularly with the Albiceleste struggling for a spot at next year's finals in Russia.

But Messi answered his critics with arguably his greatest ever/most important performance, putting the weight of a country on his shoulders and carrying them to the 2018 World Cup finals.

Argentina's greatest-ever goalscorer scored all three goals - a 44th career hat-trick - as Jorge Sampaoli's men ran to a 3-1 victory over Ecuador, in the altitude of Quito.

Having fallen behind inside a minute thanks to Romario Ibarra, Argentina bit back, with Messi scoring twice in eight first-half minutes to put the visitors in front.

Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/watch-lionel-messi-argentina-hattrick-11322938

Know about University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is the country’s largest higher education institution, with throughout 31,000 students accepted.  Founded in 1632, it is the third oldest university in the Netherlands, and the highest ranked, at 55th in the QS World University Rankings. Within Europe, it is the 15th highest ranked. It teaches undergraduate and graduate programs over a broad spectrum of subjects, with a large selection of English-taught master’s degrees, and a few English-taught bachelor’s degrees.

History
in January 1632, the Athenaeum Illustre (Latin: Illustrious School) was established by the municipal power in Amsterdam. It was majorly devoted to medical teaching. The first two professors were Gerardus Vossius and Caspar Barlaeus. The Athenaeum Illustre offered education as compared to other higher education institutions, although it could not consult doctoral degrees. After training at the Athenaeum, students could finish their education at a university in another town.

Academics
The University is accredited by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, which allow accreditation to institutions who meet a national system of directive and level assurance command. The Ministry has given it WO, or research university status. Dutch students must finish a six-year preliminary program to earn confession to national research universities. Only fifteen percent of students pass this preliminary program.

Faculties
The University is separate into seven faculties, with each faculty leaded by a dean. The faculties contain the Faculties of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Economics and Business, Science, Law, Medicine, and Dentistry. Students must be admitted to the faculty of their program before beginning their studies.

Organization and administration
The University of Amsterdam is lead by an Executive Board that is charged with together governing the University of Amsterdam and its partner institution, the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. The university is then separate into seven faculties, with each faculty headed by a dean. Teaching and research are carried out in different division and institutes within the individual faculties.

Research
The University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's greatest investigation universities, with across 7,900 scientific publications in 2010. The university spends about €100 million on investigation each year via through funding. It receives an additional €23 million via indirect funding and about €49 million from commercial coworker. Faculty members often collect research prizes and grants, such as those from the Netherlands Company for Scientific Research (NWO). Research is organized into fifteen research priority areas and 28 research institutes within the faculties supervise this research.

Contact:
Address: 1012 WX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Province: North Holland
Enrollment: 30,473 (2015)
Phone: +31 20 525 9111
Founded: 1632
Official website: http://www.uva.nl/en/home

Great wall of China.

The Great Wall, which is the historical place of China. The Great Wall, which still has heartfelt effect on China today, has been built more than 2000 years ago and be a lead part of Chinese. Diverse other Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites, the Great Wall of China embraces such wide aspect that nothing else can contrast with. It runs across Northern China from east to west, giving security to agricultural civilization and ancient commercial way. It represent the history of China from past to present, observing the rise and fall of powers and genealogy.

The Great Wall spans more than two thousand years 5,000 kilometers. The Great Wall, like the Pyramids of Egypt, in India the Tejmahal and the Babylon Hanging Garden, is one of the great amazement of the world.

Begining out in the east on the banks of the Yalu River in Liaoning territory, the Wall stretches westwards for 12,700 kilometers to Jiayuguan in the Gobi desert thus called as the Ten Thousand Li Wall in China. The Wall climbs up and down, twists and turns along the ridges of the Yanshan and Yinshan Mountain Chains through five territory--Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu--and two self determine regions--Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, contractual the northern China together.

As a cultural heritage, the Wall attachment not only to China but to the whole over world, "Historical and cultural architecture not only cover the individual architectural works, but also the urban/rural environment that observing definite civilizations, significant social developments." In Historical and cultural The Great Wall is the gargantuan, and that is why it continues to be so lovely to people all over the world. In 1987, the Wall was mention in the list by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.

Facts about the Great Wall of China

first built in the 7th century B.C, rebuilt and perpetuate between the 6th century BC and the 16th century; the great wall was built to save the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from Mongolian pounce during the rule of consecutive ancestry. The most famous is the wall built amidst 220–200 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang while little of it remainder. The present wall was built during the Ming Dynasty. 

Significance of the Great Wall of China 

In the mid-17th century, the Manchus from middle and southern Manchuria broke through the Great Wall and encroached on Beijing, finally forcing the fall of the Ming dynasty and starting of the Qing (Manchu) dynasty (1644-1912). amidst the 18th and 20th centuries, the Great Wall appear as the most common emblem of China for the Western world, and a representation both physical–a display of Chinese advantage–and psychological–a representation of the barrier maintained by the Chinese state to repel foreign influences and exerts control over its citizens.

Today, the Great Wall is generally accepted as one of the most magnificent architectural part in history. Over the years, roadways have been cut through the wall in kind points, and many divisions have worsened after centuries of desert, and it attracts many thousands of national and international tourists every day.