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Så lad os krydse fingrene for Herediano og Olimpia.

Central American Weekend Preview

Three champions will be crowned on an electric weekend across Central America, where titles will be decided in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua before the new week begins.


EL SALVADOR

On Sunday, Alianza and Isidro Metapan will play for the Salvadoran Apertura title in a championship match at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador. The two historic teams last faced off in an Apertura final in 2010, when Metapan won a penalty kick shootout to claim the crown.

This time around, Metapan is looking for its seventh title, while Alianza - at home in the national stadium despite its characterization as a neutral venue for this match - hopes to add an eleventh title to the collection.


COSTA RICA

The Invierno 2012 final will be played over two legs on consecutive Sundays, making Costa Rica´s the latest ending tournament in the region.

Herediano hosts the first leg of the final on December 16 against Alajuelense at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero.

The defending Costa Rican champion and CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalist eliminated Saprissa in the semifinals on a dramatic last minute winner, and now faces another of Costa Rica´s historic clubs for the title.

Alajuelense was a 4-2 winner the last time the sides met on November 10. Christopher Meneses scored twice in a winning effort.


NICARAGUA

It all comes down to Saturday night in Esteli as Walter Ferretti and host Real Esteli battle for the Nicaraguan 2012 Apertura crown.

The two sides played to a scoreless draw Monday night in Managua, meaning a winner on Saturday would take home the title. While Real Esteli enjoys home field advantage by virtue of winning the semifinal round, the away goals rule is in effect and could bolster Ferretti.

Real Esteli is seeking its fourth straight Nicaraguan trophy, while Walter Ferretti last won the title in 2010.


GUATEMALA

Municipal and Comunicaciones are set to battle once more for the Guatemalan crown, in a capital derby that kicks off Friday night at Mateo Flores Stadium, with the second leg to be played Monday at Estadio Cementos Progreso.

This will be the third time in the last four tournaments that Guatemala´s two most historic sides have faced off for the title. In the Clausura 2011, Comunicaciones won lifted the trophy, while the Rojos turned the tables six months later for the Apertura 201. The winner secures a CONCACAF Champions League berth.

NB Comunicaciones vandt den første kamp 3-0 på mål af Jean Marquez, Marcelo Guerrero og Diego Estrada...pæne mål iøvrigt....

http://www.youtube.com/w…5nWHmq2RpbQ

HONDURAS

After a scoreless tie on the road in La Ceiba, Victoria and Olimpia face off on Sunday afternoon at the Estadio Nacional in Tegucigalpa for the title of 2012 Apertura champion. Olimpia is seeking a record 26th crown in the club´s centennial year, while Victoria is after its second-ever Honduran championship in 77 years of existence.

The winner secures an automatic bid to the 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League.

Caribbean Cup 2012

Haiti - Cuba 0-1

Martnique - Trinidad & Tobago 1-1 (4-5)


Cuba advances to Caribbean final

ST. JOHN´S, Antigua -- Cuba narrowly defeated Haiti 1-0 on Friday in the semifinals of the Caribbean Cup, setting up a rematch of the 1999 final against Trinidad & Tobago to decide the region´s champion.

In a game played at the historic Antigua Recreation Ground, the Lions of the Caribbean roared to victory thanks to a ninth minute goal from Yoel Colome Valencia. The 30-year-old defender capitalized on a mistake by Haiti goalkeeper Jhony Placide, who failed to collect the ball cleanly after a wicked shot from Marcel Hernandez.

Haiti´s Leonel St. Preux led the charge in search of the equalizer; almost singlehandedly carrying the load himself. His extraordinary efforts almost paid off five minutes before the break, but he missed wide with only Cuban goalkeeper Odelin Molina to beat.

The second half proved even more frustrating for the Haitians, as they embarked on an all-out offensive against the Cuban backline. Jorge Clavelo and his fellow defenders, though, were clearly up to the task.

Jean-Philippe Peguero repeatedly tried to create chances for his strikers, but that final touch -- which helped Haiti to win its last two games in the competition by a single goal each -- went missing on the night.

The Cubans defended bravely and, when necessary, they generated offense through Alberto Gomez, Yaudel Lahera and Hernandez.

Gomez perhaps had the best opportunity in the 75th minute. After winning the ball in the midfield, he raced towards goal, only to stumble in the six-yard box before getting off a shot.

On Sunday, Cuba -- which has never won the Caribbean Cup -- will meet eight-time champion Trinidad at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, for the region´s title. Haiti will face Martinique in the match for third place the same day.




Trinidad returns to Caribbean final on penalties

ST. JOHN´S, Antigua -- Trinidad & Tobago will aim for its ninth Caribbean Cup title and first since 2001, advancing to this year´s championship by overcoming Martinique 5-4 on penalties after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first of two semifinals on Friday. It will meet the Haiti-Cuba winner, who are also playing at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

The stunning result and the way in which it was achieved will live in the region´s football lore, as the Soca Warriors´ Richard Roy leveled on the stroke of regulation to send the encounter into extra time.

Martinique started the game without its prized attacking duo of Kevin Parsemain and Frederic Piquionne, who combined to score three of Les Matinino´s four goals heading into the semifinals . Perhaps, their absence led to a lackluster first half that saw both sides assume a defensive posture.

The second half saw a more entertaining brand of football and the game opened up thanks to some clever midfield play from both sides.

Parsemain did enter the game as a substitute and he made an impact. His superb strike put Martinique ahead in the 76th minute.

While in possession, the 24-year-old striker stopped suddenly and turned sharply on his marker, creating significant separation. With a clear look at the goal, he fired the ball past Trinidad goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams from inside the 18-yard box.

Piquionne came on in the second half as well and his contributions were meaningful. After Parsemain had another shot hit the left post, a Piquionne attempt from close range was saved well by Williams.

Those misses proved to be costly.

Trinidad finally got it right, though, when a brilliant pass from Kevin Molino with precious little time left on the clock found Roy for the equalizer. The 25-year-old hammered a shot beyond the reach of Martinique goalkeeper Emmanuel Vermignon, leaving no doubt where the ball would ultimatey come to rest.

After a highly defensive 30 minutes of extra time, penalties decided who would advance.

Martinique kicked first and got goals from Jacky Berdix, Sebastien Cretinoir, Steeve Gustan, and Parsemain, but Piquionne´s effort was saved by a diving Williams.

For the Soca Warriors, Densil Theobald, Molino, Carlyle Mitchell, Daniel Herelle and Atullah Guerra all converted to start a celebrations on the pitch.

The tournament´s third-place match and final will take place on Sunday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

Hmmm....

Andres Sanchez planning breakaway league - report

Lancenet have been informed by an unnamed "important São Paulo director" that former Corinthians director Andres Sanchez is in the process of planning a breakaway Brazilian league.

Andres Sanchez, who left his role as technical director of the Brazilian national team at the end of November, is one of the most influential men in Brazilian football and reportedly called São Paulo president Juvenal Juvêncio with his proposal.

Given the long-running animosity between Corinthians and São Paulo, the official reported their surprise at Sanchez´s call, but gave no indication as to their response.

While the report suggests that Sanchez is looking to form a group to oppose CBF leaders José Maria Marin and Marco Polo Del Nero, the idea of a breakaway league has been suggested in some quarters in recent times.

With money flowing into the big clubs, the idea would be to rid themselves of the archaic and money-wasting organisational structures of the country´s football confederation.

Så har vi fået en Canaleroi brasiliansk fodbold, det drejer sig om forsvarspilleren fra Millonarios Román El Mazinger Torres.

Nogen husker måske den sidste af slagesen - den nuværende landsholdsanfører Felipe Pipe Baloy fra sin tid Gremio....

Panamanian defender Roman Torres set for Palmeiras

Palmeiras are set to announce their third new signing for the 2013 season in the form of Panamanian centre-back Román Torres.

Torres, 26, has been impressing as club side Milionarios challenge for the Colombian league title and looks set to strengthen the Verdão defence for 2013.

Palmeiras have already added Vasco goalkeeper Fernando Prass and Coritiba right-back Ayrton to their squad for their Copa Libertadores campaign, while midfielder Fellipe Bastos remains a target.

The São Paulo-based side´s approach for Torres was confirmed on Saturday by Milionarios president Felipe Gaitán.

Gaitán told Lancenet: "It´s true that Palmeiras want Torres. It is almost complete, but we will sit down on Monday to talk over the final details."

The Panamanian, who is renowned for his physical strength, will replace Paraguayan Adalberto Roman who was allowed to leave at the end of the season and has since linked up with LDU Quito.

Jeg så ved en tilfældighed en spiller som de fleste herinde sikkert kender. Alberto Spencer. Jeg kendte ham ikke selv, men han var en legende i Penarol og er en af de helt store i Sydamerikansk fodbold.

Han er den første stjernespiller fra Ecuador...over 500 kampe og over 200 mål for Peñarol - han har rekorden som the all time målscorer i Copa Libertadores - Ham og Peñarol bankede santos et par gange i Copa libertadores finalerne, og slog siden hen Benfia med Eusebio og REal Madrid hvor han lavede 3 af 4 mål, 1 i 2-0 sejr i Montevideo, og begge mål i kampen på Bernabeu.

Hsn var stor - en legende spillede iøvrit også i Barcelona SC i starten af 70´erne. Der er en del som sammenligner ham med Pelé primært ecuadorianere og uruguayanere. TOP-20 over bedste fodboldspillere fra Sydamerika.

Det er lidt typisk at spillere som Spencer, Figueroa, Cueto, osv ikke har fået den anerkendelse de fortjener internationalt - fordi de spillede i sydamerika....

Du kan se her at " folk " er knotne over at han (Spencer) ikke er med på hverken FIFA´s ellerPelés liste over de bedste fodboldspillere gennem tiden...

Læg iøvrigt mærke til en af de absolutte bedste Backs igennem tiden 8hvis ikke den bedste) Nilton Santos stikker holdkammeraten Pele en sviner ...ved at sige at Garrincha var bedre end kongen selv...så bliver det ikke større :-)

Hinchas quieren que Alberto Spencer esté en lista que hizo Pelé

La lista de los mejores 125 futbolistas de la historia que elaboró el ex futbolista brasileño Pelé, para la Federación Internacional de Fútbol Asociado (FIFA), también tuvo repercusiones en Ecuador.

Aficionados, periodistas de radio y televisión protestaron porque se excluyó al delantero ecuatoriano Alberto Spencer, ex Peñarol, en la lista que elaboró Pelé.

Spencer es el máximo goleador de la Copa Libertadores de América con 54 tantos, en 11 participaciones.

“Está vivo Alberto Spencer, cuéntele a la FIFA”, dijo el aficionado Carlos Banchón, en un correo electrónico que envió a este Diario.

Para Vito Muñoz, periodista del canal Telesistema y articulista de este Diario, la lista de Pelé es “más comercial. Puso a Nakata, que no ha hecho nada en el fútbol, solo porque es de Japón”.

“La FIFA se olvidó de Spencer y muchos otros que jugaron en Peñarol, en la década de los 60”, dice Luis Macías, desde California.

La lista que hizo Pelé fue cuestionada en varios países. La nómina inicial era de 100, pero después la subieron a 125, por la presión de ex futbolistas.

En Brasil hubo ex compañeros de Pelé que lo acusaron de “firmar la lista que le puso la FIFA”. El ex futbolista Nilton Santos, campeón mundial en 1958 y 1962, dijo “que Garrincha era mejor que Pelé”.

Det er lidt typisk at spillere som Spencer, Figueroa, Cueto, osv ikke har fået den anerkendelse de fortjener internationalt - fordi de spillede i sydamerika....

Tja, Pelè spillede næsten hele sin karierre i Sydamerika og han har fået meget anerkendelse internationalt. Men det hænger jo nok sammen med hans store succes på landsholdet. Hvis Spencer havde været brasilianer og spillet sammen med Pelè på landsholdet, så havde han nok fået meget større anerkendelse.

fandt det her på engelsk...

Alberto Spencer

Born: Monday 6 December 1937, Ancón, Ecuador
Died: Friday 3 November 2006, Cleveland, United States of America (aged 68)
Position: Centre Forward

Undoubtedly Ecuador´s greatest ever player, Alberto Spencer´s greatest claim to fame is his long-standing record as the leading goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores. Having never played in the World Cup finals, he remains relatively unknown globally but remains a greatly respected figure in both Ecuador and Uruguay, having spent his entire club career in those countries and represented both at international level.

The son of a British Jamaican, Spencer was born in Ancón in Ecuador on 6 December 1937. He grew up playing football in the fields near his home, before joining local side Los Andes as a teenager. When he was 15, his brother Marcos took him along to the club where he played, Circulo Deportivo Everest. They soon signed up the younger Spencer as well and it was with Everest that he first made his name in senior football.

A pacy centre-forward who was equally confortable shooting with either foot, perhaps Spencer´s greatest attribute was his ability in the air where no less a figure than Pelé described him as one of the finest headers of the ball he had ever seen. Having broken into the first team at Everest in the 1955 season, he spend the next few years scoring goals at a prolific rate. With Ecuador due to host the South American Championship in December 1959, Spencer broke into the national team just in time to star in that competition.

He played in all four of Ecuador´s games, scoring the equalising goal in their final match against Paraguay which eventually brought their only win of the tournament. Spencer had attracted the attention of Uruguayan side Peñarol, one of South America´s leading clubs. He signed early in 1960, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a friendly against Argentinian side Atlanta, going on to play a starring role in an extremely successful season for the team.

The first two seasons of his career with Peñarol were remarkably similar. The club won the Uruguayan league title each time, with Spencer finishing as leading scorer in 1961. Both seasons also brought runs to the final of the Copa Libertadores, firstly against Olimpia of Paraguay and then Palmeiras of Brazil. On both occasions Spencer scored the only goal in the first leg, before 1-1 draws in the return games gave Peñarol the title.

After the first of those successes, Peñarol had lost the inaugural Intercontinental Cup to Real Madrid, being beaten 5-1 on aggregate despite Spencer´s consolation strike in the second leg. A year later however, they fought back from a first leg defeat against Benfica to claim the global title for the first time with a fantastic 5-0 victory in the second match, Spencer contributing two of the goals.

He was leading scorer in the league again in 1962 as Peñarol won yet another title, their fifth in a row stretching back to before Spencer joined the club. They reached the final of the Copa Libertadores again, with Spencer scoring in both games against Brazilian side Santos. However, after one win for each side a play-off was required and it was Santos who came through that match in Buenos Aires to take the title away from Peñarol.

Peñarol lost their title to rivals Nacional in 1963, but won it back a year later and Spencer´s performances led to the Uruguayan national team calling him up as a guest player. He scored in a 2-1 defeat to England at Wembley in 1964 and Uruguay hoped to persuade him to become a fully naturalised citizen ahead of the 1966 World Cup in the same country. Spencer however turned down the offer, believing that his loyalties lay with Ecuador and that his home country needed him more.

Spencer could easily have been playing in that World Cup for Ecuador, as they came closer than ever before to qualifying for the finals. Having won their first two games against Colombia, they had two chances to qualify against Chile. A win at home would have sealed it and Spencer gave his country the lead, but Chile fought back to draw 2-2. A point in Chile would then have been good enough but despite Spencer´s equaliser, Chile won 3-1 to force a play-off on neutral territory. Ecuador lost that match in Lima 2-1 to miss out on the World Cup, the closest Spencer would ever come to the tournament.

Peñarol won yet another league title in 1965 and a year later, reached the Copa Libertadores final again, this time against River Plate of Argentina. In one of the tournament´s most famous finals, Peñarol won the first leg 2-0 but despite another goal from Spencer, lost the second match 3-2. As in 1962, a neutral ground play-off was needed, this time in Santiago. Peñarol trailed 2-0 at half-time but Spencer inspired an incredible fightback. He scored the first goal to get his team off and running and after they forced extra-time, scored again to put them in the lead. Peñarol eventually won 4-2 to claim their third Libertadores title.

Perhaps Spencer´s finest hour came at the end of 1966 in the Intercontinental Cup against Real Madrid. Six years on from their thrashing in the 1960 final, Peñarol won both legs 2-0 to take the title for the second time, with Spencer scoring three of their four goals. His performances attracted the attention of leading clubs in Europe, most notably Internazionale, but Peñarol were able to keep hold of their star player.

After losing the league title to Nacional again in 1966, they won it back in style in 1967 with Spencer finishing as the leading scorer in the competition for the third time in his career. Another title followed in 1968 and although Peñarol fell to Estudiantes in the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores, Spencer scored a remarkable ten goals in 14 games in the competition. He remained at Peñarol for another two seasons, although without adding any more silverware as Nacional claimed league honours each time.

Ahead of the 1971 season, Spencer returned to his native Ecuador to see out the final years of his playing career with Barcelona SC. He scored 13 goals in 18 games as Barcelona claimed the league title, as well as further extending his goalscoring record in the Copa Libertadores during a run to the semi-finals. That proved to be the last significant season of his career, as he played just a handful of games in 1972 before retiring at the age of 34. Spencer retired with 54 Copa Libertadores goals to his name, a total which has never been matched.

In retirement, he returned to Uruguay to work at the Ecuadorian embassy. He always retained great affection for Montevideo, and chose to raise his children there. In later life he suffered from heart problems for many years and in September 2006, suffered a heart attack during a checkup with his cardiologist. He died two months later in Cleveland, USA, at the age of 68, but had lived long enough to see Ecuador finally qualify for the World Cup in both 2002 and 2006.

Footballing Legends: Alberto Spencer

Before Alex Aguinaga, there was Alberto Spencer. If there was a player that was a true ambassador to Ecuadorian football it was him as he was the keystone in one of the most dominant teams of the 1960´s in world football. The Ecuadorian international can be considered among one of the greatest players to have never participated in a World Cup. His records haven´t been touched even after close to four decades. Known as one of the most dominant goalscorers of his era, Alberto Spencer terrified defenses during the late 50´s and throughout the 60´s.

A native of Ancón, whose parents were Jamaican of English descent, Spencer showed a great deal of promise as a youngster. He had all the gifts that any striker would dream of- ambidextrous, fast, and with the ability to finish. He was setting the local league on fire with his local club, Los Andes, and made a name for himself there. He quickly was picked up by Everest where he became the star and caught the eye of the Tricolor. Scoring at a blistering pace allowed him to earn a spot in the Ecuadorian side that participated in the 1959 South American tournament. His performance in his backyard caught the eye of Uruguayan side Peñarol, thus starting one of the great love affairs of South American football. He would earn a hat-trick in his first-ever match with the Carbonero against Argentine side Atlanta. He would follow that up with a brace against Tigre. He played for Peñarol for almost a decade and scored 326 goals and would have one of the most illustious resumes in club history. He would pass the baton to a youngster on the bench that would continue the Peñarol successes and would eclipse Spencer to a certain level- Fernando Morena.

He did play for Uruguay at Wembley Stadium in 1964 in a friendly between the Charrúas and England. and the home side won 2-1, with a goal by Spencer in the losing cause. If there was a year in which Spencer really stood out was in 1966. At this point, he was already being offered Uruguayan citizenship and would have had the chance to play with La Celeste in England that year; but declined the offer. He was also being considered for international duty by the English national team due to his ancestry. Still he would lead Peñarol to one of the most historic comebacks in Copa Libertadores history against Argentine side River Plate. The Argentines took a 2-0 lead in the third and final match of the series between the two sides, only to see Peñarol storm back and win the match 4-2 lead by a Spencer brace. The aurinegros would also win the Intercontinental Cup after beating Real Madrid in both legs.

Spencer would once again be the hero after he scored three of the four goals that the South Americans scored throughout both legs of that memorable final. In 1970, Spencer left Peñarol to return to his native Ecuador and play his final two years with Barcelona. He would help them earn the title in the 1972 season as he would say goodbye to the game he loved so dearly. So 510 goals later, Spencer retired and decided to move back to Montevideo. After retiring, he would work as a Ecuadorian diplomat in Uruguay. He was named the Consul of Ecuador in Uruguay in 1982 and was able to raising his family in Montevideo.

Spencer died in Cleveland Ohio on November 3rd, 2006 due to heart complications that had affected him for well over two decades. His body was taken to Guayaquil for a special wake that lasted a few hours. He was then transported on a military plane to Montevideo where he was given one final tribute by Uruguayan football fans, especially those of his beloved Peñarol and he would then be lied rest in his second country.

Resume

Titles

•Seven Uruguayan titles (1960-62, 64-65, 67-68)

•Three Copa Libertadores titles (1960-61, 66)

•Two Intercontinental titles (1960, 66)

•One Ecuadorian league title (1971)


Personal

•Four-time leading scorer in Uruguayan league

•Two-time leading scorer in Ecuadorian league

•Ecuadorian Footballer of the Century

•All-time leading scorer in Copa Libertadores history (54)

•11 caps with Ecuadorian national team

•5 caps with Uruguayan national team

•Ranked 20th in All-Time South American Footballers of the 20th Century