http://www.british-expats.com/ Tue, 13 May 2008 21:58:31 -0500 MyBB http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22930 Tue, 13 May 2008 05:47:32 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22930
:)]]>
:)]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22929 Tue, 13 May 2008 01:33:25 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22929 So we need a surface that is easily kept clean, doesn't incur slipage and looks OK.!
I'm told cork retains heat and is a warm covering, and NO, N. Cali is not warm all the time, so heat retention is a big factor.

Anyone used cork flooring and know anything??]]> So we need a surface that is easily kept clean, doesn't incur slipage and looks OK.!
I'm told cork retains heat and is a warm covering, and NO, N. Cali is not warm all the time, so heat retention is a big factor.

Anyone used cork flooring and know anything??]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22928 Mon, 12 May 2008 18:46:18 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22928
Where are you going to watch it?]]>
Where are you going to watch it?]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22924 Thu, 08 May 2008 22:42:21 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22924
I am thinking of getting my Masters degree. If I go to a uni over here and do an online course it will cost about $35,000.

If I go to a UK University and do an online course as an International student it will cost about $18,000. If I go to a UK university and do an online course as a UK student it will be about $10,000.

I have an address in the UK, I have a British passport, a British driving license, bank accounts, an undergraduate degree from a British university and so on.

What's to stop me from applying as a UK resident in order to save some money? How would they ever find out that I didn't live there?

Any ideas? The terribly honest part of me is struggling against the terribly poor part of me in this scenario...:oops:

Stel.]]>
I am thinking of getting my Masters degree. If I go to a uni over here and do an online course it will cost about $35,000.

If I go to a UK University and do an online course as an International student it will cost about $18,000. If I go to a UK university and do an online course as a UK student it will be about $10,000.

I have an address in the UK, I have a British passport, a British driving license, bank accounts, an undergraduate degree from a British university and so on.

What's to stop me from applying as a UK resident in order to save some money? How would they ever find out that I didn't live there?

Any ideas? The terribly honest part of me is struggling against the terribly poor part of me in this scenario...:oops:

Stel.]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22923 Thu, 08 May 2008 14:28:18 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22923
Time to share to others out their who are having a little hard time picking up the right gift.]]>
Time to share to others out their who are having a little hard time picking up the right gift.]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22922 Thu, 08 May 2008 10:03:09 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22922
How do you find watching TV? Is it a quality time or just a waste of your time?]]>
How do you find watching TV? Is it a quality time or just a waste of your time?]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22921 Wed, 07 May 2008 13:38:35 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22921 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22920 Tue, 06 May 2008 11:57:24 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22920 THINKING ABOUT RETURNING TO THE UK?
IN A DILEMMA ABOUT WHAT TO DO FOR THE BEST?
If the answer is YES then we’d like to hear from you.
Every year more and more Brits are giving up their life in the sun to move back to the UK - last year almost 100,000 expats came home.
ITV1 is making ‘No Place Like Home?’ The documentary series will investigate this incredible phenomenon and we would like to talk to people who are considering moving back to the UK.
Maybe these homesick ex-pats are missing their friends and family, perhaps schooling is a problem for their kids or could they just be longing for the simple things? Warm beer, chocolate hobnobs or even the English weather! Or maybe only some of the family actually wants to leave and the rest are not so convinced!
We would like to help homesick ex-pats explore the realities of coming home by flying them back to the UK to 'test-drive' living in Britain. It’s a great opportunity for those involved to see missed ones, fact-find and equip themselves with the tools & knowledge to make an informed choice.
Ultimately, we want to help our families come to their final decisions - whether to remain an expat or return home for good.
If this sounds like you or someone you know get in contact with Kaaj Mehta-
Email: kaajal.mehta@fevermedia.co.uk or call 44 (0)207 428 5749]]> THINKING ABOUT RETURNING TO THE UK?
IN A DILEMMA ABOUT WHAT TO DO FOR THE BEST?
If the answer is YES then we’d like to hear from you.
Every year more and more Brits are giving up their life in the sun to move back to the UK - last year almost 100,000 expats came home.
ITV1 is making ‘No Place Like Home?’ The documentary series will investigate this incredible phenomenon and we would like to talk to people who are considering moving back to the UK.
Maybe these homesick ex-pats are missing their friends and family, perhaps schooling is a problem for their kids or could they just be longing for the simple things? Warm beer, chocolate hobnobs or even the English weather! Or maybe only some of the family actually wants to leave and the rest are not so convinced!
We would like to help homesick ex-pats explore the realities of coming home by flying them back to the UK to 'test-drive' living in Britain. It’s a great opportunity for those involved to see missed ones, fact-find and equip themselves with the tools & knowledge to make an informed choice.
Ultimately, we want to help our families come to their final decisions - whether to remain an expat or return home for good.
If this sounds like you or someone you know get in contact with Kaaj Mehta-
Email: kaajal.mehta@fevermedia.co.uk or call 44 (0)207 428 5749]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22919 Tue, 06 May 2008 10:36:01 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22919 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22918 Tue, 06 May 2008 10:27:57 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22918 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22917 Tue, 06 May 2008 07:37:06 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22917


Don't let America take the (Oreo) biscuit
Brian Reade 6/05/2008



Lock a Brit in an over-crowded Third World prison and there are certain things they will miss even more desperately than a chastity belt.

Chip-shop chips as they melt the butter on a thick-sliced butty. The head on a freshly-pulled pint frothing over the side of a glass in a warm pub.

And a digestive biscuit being lifted from a cup of strong, steaming tea and melting on to the tongue.

When you're stuck miles from home you pine so much for these sensations that your brain hallucinates. They hit at the very essence of what we are and where we come from.


And none more so than the great British biccy.

But now our proud armies of Rich Tea, bourbons, chocolate digestives and custard creams are facing the massed ranks of a chocolatey invader - the American Oreo, the world's best-selling biscuit ever

The cookie has already colonised China. And now bosses at makers Kraft are planning a full-scale British invasion, backed by a £4.5million advertising blitz. Already on sale in some stores over here, Oreos are about to go on sale nationwide.

But I say, enough is enough. It's time to make a stand on behalf of the great British biscuit.

Bourbons, ginger nuts, custard creams, digestives, HobNobs, malted milk, fig rolls... They all trip off the tongue as easily as children's nursery rhymes because that's how far we go back with them. As a baby, I had tea, not milk in my bottle. And with it, a biscuit. We weren't rich, but we always had a packet of Rich Tea.

It comes as no surprise that the Yanks would try to snatch the biscuits from our mouths and replace them with a tackier piece of inferior confectionery.

Let's face it, they've colonised every other aspect of our lives so successfully that we no longer go to shops but malls. Those gaudy, neon-flashing cathedrals to Satan, filled with Gaps, Wal-Marts, Hollywood Bowls, Starbucks and a thousand junk-food "drive-thrus".

We have to take a stand. We can't allow Kraft to do what they've already done in China and monopolise the market with their best-selling cookie.

We must scoff at their campaign to brainwash us into dipping their black-and-white, cocoa-tasting monstrosities into our cups of tea. We have to let them know that the British biscuit is not just a collection of sugared crumbs.

It is a treasured link all the way back to childhood and a noble accompaniment to our second greatest gift to the world after football - the cuppa.

Over the centuries, the "let's have a nice cuppa tea and a digestive" spirit has seen us through wars, divorces, deaths, Cup Final defeats and the loss of an empire.

So let us invoke the spirit of Churchill (no, make that Garibaldi) and draw a line in the pantry.

When the cookie invasion hits our shores, we must stand strong and deliver the following message to the Yanks: "You say billfold, we say wallet. You say sidewalk, we say pavement.

"You say twist, lick, and dunk your Oreo, we say go screw yourselves, buddies."

THE EXPERT

STUART PAYNE from nicecupofteaandasitdown.com

Stuart says: "The Oreo is an imperial juggernaut of a biscuit, backed by one of the world's biggest food companies.

"Its successful formula of two ornate cinder black cocoa biscuits with a white vanilla filling has inspired imitations around the globe.

"Americans associate Oreos with the 'twist, lick and dunk' slogan and their children all know to twist the biscuit apart, lick the cream, then dunk it into a glass of milk.

"Today the Oreo commands US supermarket shelves. And while we start with the basic model, the Americans have all sorts of advanced configurations.

"There are 'double stuffed' Oreos with twice the amount of middle filling. They come in various flavours - mint, chocolate, fudge covered, white fudge covered. There are even partially organic Oreos - plus Oreo cereal, ice-cream cones and ready-made pie case.

"Oreos are also crumbled into milkshakes, ice creams and deep-fried in batter at fairs.

"But can an American cookie really cut it as a British biccy? Our sandwich biscuits bourbon and custard cream have been around for a long time.

"A cuppa and a few of our favourite biccies and we can face whatever life throws at us - a tall order for a biscuit designed to be eaten by a kid with milk."

FACTS TO DIP INTO

419 billion - the number of Oreos sold ever, making them the best-selling biscuit.

£1.56billion - how much we spend on biscuits in Britain every year.

£3,525 - the price paid at Sotheby's in 2001 for a biscuit taken from the Titanic before she set sail in 1912.

100,000 - Tonnes a year of chocolate digestives churned out by McVities in Harlesden, North London, home of the biggest factory in Europe.

1.5 tonnes - the weight of biscuits and cakes consumed by the average Brit in a lifetime.


Link



Never really got into Oreo's myself...I find them over-sweet and a bit sickly. I much prefer a good old Hob-Nob or a Nice biscuit!


Debs x:-)]]>


Don't let America take the (Oreo) biscuit
Brian Reade 6/05/2008



Lock a Brit in an over-crowded Third World prison and there are certain things they will miss even more desperately than a chastity belt.

Chip-shop chips as they melt the butter on a thick-sliced butty. The head on a freshly-pulled pint frothing over the side of a glass in a warm pub.

And a digestive biscuit being lifted from a cup of strong, steaming tea and melting on to the tongue.

When you're stuck miles from home you pine so much for these sensations that your brain hallucinates. They hit at the very essence of what we are and where we come from.


And none more so than the great British biccy.

But now our proud armies of Rich Tea, bourbons, chocolate digestives and custard creams are facing the massed ranks of a chocolatey invader - the American Oreo, the world's best-selling biscuit ever

The cookie has already colonised China. And now bosses at makers Kraft are planning a full-scale British invasion, backed by a £4.5million advertising blitz. Already on sale in some stores over here, Oreos are about to go on sale nationwide.

But I say, enough is enough. It's time to make a stand on behalf of the great British biscuit.

Bourbons, ginger nuts, custard creams, digestives, HobNobs, malted milk, fig rolls... They all trip off the tongue as easily as children's nursery rhymes because that's how far we go back with them. As a baby, I had tea, not milk in my bottle. And with it, a biscuit. We weren't rich, but we always had a packet of Rich Tea.

It comes as no surprise that the Yanks would try to snatch the biscuits from our mouths and replace them with a tackier piece of inferior confectionery.

Let's face it, they've colonised every other aspect of our lives so successfully that we no longer go to shops but malls. Those gaudy, neon-flashing cathedrals to Satan, filled with Gaps, Wal-Marts, Hollywood Bowls, Starbucks and a thousand junk-food "drive-thrus".

We have to take a stand. We can't allow Kraft to do what they've already done in China and monopolise the market with their best-selling cookie.

We must scoff at their campaign to brainwash us into dipping their black-and-white, cocoa-tasting monstrosities into our cups of tea. We have to let them know that the British biscuit is not just a collection of sugared crumbs.

It is a treasured link all the way back to childhood and a noble accompaniment to our second greatest gift to the world after football - the cuppa.

Over the centuries, the "let's have a nice cuppa tea and a digestive" spirit has seen us through wars, divorces, deaths, Cup Final defeats and the loss of an empire.

So let us invoke the spirit of Churchill (no, make that Garibaldi) and draw a line in the pantry.

When the cookie invasion hits our shores, we must stand strong and deliver the following message to the Yanks: "You say billfold, we say wallet. You say sidewalk, we say pavement.

"You say twist, lick, and dunk your Oreo, we say go screw yourselves, buddies."

THE EXPERT

STUART PAYNE from nicecupofteaandasitdown.com

Stuart says: "The Oreo is an imperial juggernaut of a biscuit, backed by one of the world's biggest food companies.

"Its successful formula of two ornate cinder black cocoa biscuits with a white vanilla filling has inspired imitations around the globe.

"Americans associate Oreos with the 'twist, lick and dunk' slogan and their children all know to twist the biscuit apart, lick the cream, then dunk it into a glass of milk.

"Today the Oreo commands US supermarket shelves. And while we start with the basic model, the Americans have all sorts of advanced configurations.

"There are 'double stuffed' Oreos with twice the amount of middle filling. They come in various flavours - mint, chocolate, fudge covered, white fudge covered. There are even partially organic Oreos - plus Oreo cereal, ice-cream cones and ready-made pie case.

"Oreos are also crumbled into milkshakes, ice creams and deep-fried in batter at fairs.

"But can an American cookie really cut it as a British biccy? Our sandwich biscuits bourbon and custard cream have been around for a long time.

"A cuppa and a few of our favourite biccies and we can face whatever life throws at us - a tall order for a biscuit designed to be eaten by a kid with milk."

FACTS TO DIP INTO

419 billion - the number of Oreos sold ever, making them the best-selling biscuit.

£1.56billion - how much we spend on biscuits in Britain every year.

£3,525 - the price paid at Sotheby's in 2001 for a biscuit taken from the Titanic before she set sail in 1912.

100,000 - Tonnes a year of chocolate digestives churned out by McVities in Harlesden, North London, home of the biggest factory in Europe.

1.5 tonnes - the weight of biscuits and cakes consumed by the average Brit in a lifetime.


Link



Never really got into Oreo's myself...I find them over-sweet and a bit sickly. I much prefer a good old Hob-Nob or a Nice biscuit!


Debs x:-)]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22916 Mon, 05 May 2008 16:03:38 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22916
How about you? :smile:]]>
How about you? :smile:]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22915 Mon, 05 May 2008 15:58:12 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22915 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22914 Mon, 05 May 2008 09:57:50 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22914 Speak to ya soon
xoxox]]> Speak to ya soon
xoxox]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22913 Sat, 03 May 2008 10:22:05 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22913 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22912 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:50:30 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22912
Hi. We are looking for English speakers living in France who can work with us providing a range of financial, asset and taxation services to the Expat community. No financial experience needed but you should be serious about working and have a verifiable work record. Contact us for more information with a contact email. Thanks.]]>
Hi. We are looking for English speakers living in France who can work with us providing a range of financial, asset and taxation services to the Expat community. No financial experience needed but you should be serious about working and have a verifiable work record. Contact us for more information with a contact email. Thanks.]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22911 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:31:35 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22911
Is it a steady pace or does it all climax when you're running out of time?

Tonight is quiet, although I really shouldn't say it out loud. We are running like a well oiled machine... other nights have been hell lately. Surprise admissions with a diagnosis you're sure someone just made up.

Call bell's ringing with inaudible repsonses so when you've left the room you were in and taken off your gown etc you find out that they rolled over on it and didn't want anything at all. We carry phones that have been dropped in anything you can imagine and no amount of alcohol wipes can ever bring them back. So I'm always in a hurry to take mine away from my face.

I am only annoyed more by the person that asks me what channel his.her favourite show is on. This is ALWAYS a parent because the TV's are programmed to come straight to the Disney Channel because we are Pediatrics.

-- 3 hours and then I go home. Sunday mornings are a double edged sword. Everyone is alseep when you get home and you really need to get the dog out because no one else has and she's old. (say no more) and the State police have a guy with a radar gun hidden somewhere on the Hi-way.

I say hidden, but basically I just mean he's in a slightly different spot.]]>
Is it a steady pace or does it all climax when you're running out of time?

Tonight is quiet, although I really shouldn't say it out loud. We are running like a well oiled machine... other nights have been hell lately. Surprise admissions with a diagnosis you're sure someone just made up.

Call bell's ringing with inaudible repsonses so when you've left the room you were in and taken off your gown etc you find out that they rolled over on it and didn't want anything at all. We carry phones that have been dropped in anything you can imagine and no amount of alcohol wipes can ever bring them back. So I'm always in a hurry to take mine away from my face.

I am only annoyed more by the person that asks me what channel his.her favourite show is on. This is ALWAYS a parent because the TV's are programmed to come straight to the Disney Channel because we are Pediatrics.

-- 3 hours and then I go home. Sunday mornings are a double edged sword. Everyone is alseep when you get home and you really need to get the dog out because no one else has and she's old. (say no more) and the State police have a guy with a radar gun hidden somewhere on the Hi-way.

I say hidden, but basically I just mean he's in a slightly different spot.]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22910 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:11:29 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22910 Humphrey Lyttleton, a notable jazz musician and compare of the BBC Radio show Sorry I Haven't A Clue probably one of my most favourite radio shows ever has died at the age of 86.
A very sad loss.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7367385.stm]]> Humphrey Lyttleton, a notable jazz musician and compare of the BBC Radio show Sorry I Haven't A Clue probably one of my most favourite radio shows ever has died at the age of 86.
A very sad loss.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7367385.stm]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22909 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:14:56 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22909 liverpool where all over chelsea but what a blunder to give up a own goal in injury time .
looking forward to the 2rd leg next week at chelsea
liverpool 1 chelsea 1




An own goal in injury time from substitute John Arne Riise left Liverpool stunned and Chelsea dreaming of Moscow as the game ended all square at 1-1.


Kuyt fires the opener past Petr Cech

Liverpool had led from a first-half goal by Dirk Kuyt and looked to be heading to Stamford Bridge next week for the second leg of this Champions League semi-final in pole position.

But although Liverpool had created most of the scoring chances in a captivating match, Chelsea will know that their priceless away goal could be decisive as they aim for the May 21 final.





Ballack and Lampard were dominant and Liverpool were instantly forced back, fussy Austrian referee Konrad Plautz doing nothing for the flow.

Liverpool needed to raise their game, and they did when Xabi Alonso's ball sent Kuyt away, Petr Cech half stopping the effort before Ashley Cole belted it away.

But Chelsea were playing the football and Joe Cole should have done better from a Lampard chipped pass.

Steven Gerrard was being smothered by Claude Makelele everywhere he went. But one clipped pass from the Liverpool skipper after 31 minutes sent Fernando Torres clear, only for Cech to produce a vital save.

But Liverpool's steady improvement was to produce a goal after 42 minutes. And it was all about Kuyt, with his seventh goal in 11 European ties this term.

After his run and cross preceded a poor clearance, he won the ball back from Lampard and when it was turned into the box there was Kuyt to force it under Cech's despairing dive.

That gave Liverpool all the incentive they needed to return after the break flying forward looking for another; Ryan Babel tormenting Paulo Ferreira and Gerrard and Alonso at last finding space.

Babel surged into the middle and unleashed a fierce right-footer that curled just wide.

Liverpool then lost Fabio Aurelio after an hour, collapsing with what looked like a recurrence of his groin problems. Riise sprinted into the fray.

Salomon Kalou then came on for Joe Cole, Chelsea searching for a way back into the game. Ballack's header was held by Jose Reina and Jamie Carragher got in the way of Kalou's close-range shot.

The balance was swinging again, Drogba a constant threat. Liverpool sent on Yossi Benayoun for Babel with 15 minutes left, referee Plautz still enraging Liverpool with almost every decision.

Carragher's stunning tackle on Lampard stopped an almost certain goal, Liverpool now living on their nerves as Chelsea surged forward.

Cech made a fine save to stop Gerrard's dipping volley, Nicolas Anelka coming on - eventually - for a very reluctant Ballack.

Torres, who had a tough time against John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, lost control when put clear by Gerrard.

Terry was booked for a body-check on Javier Mascherano in injury-time, and Cech saved superbly again from Torres.

But the sucker punch was to come. In the fifth minute of time added on, Riise dived forward in the six-yard box to head a Kalou cross into the roof of his own net, under pressure from Anelka.

The Kop were stunned, Chelsea delirious, somehow they had achieved the away goal and draw they desperately wanted.

A truly one sides game barcelona should have won by at least 3 gaols
barcelona 0 manchester united 0
2rd leg next week at old trafford espn

, April 23 (Champions League) - Cristiano Ronaldo may have been unusually wasteful but Manchester United are in sight of a place in the Champions League final.

The Portugal winger missed a penalty after only three minutes at the Nou Camp and the chance of giving the side a precious away goal.



United were rarely seen as an attacking force after that but they will go into the second leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday with quiet confidence.

Despite the absence of Nemanja Vidic, who was rushed to hospital on Tuesday night with a stomach complaint, they defended resolutely and kept a clean sheet.

Ronaldo with 38 goals to his credit was left frustrated when Gabriel Milito handled inside the penalty area in the second minute of the game.

Swiss referee Massimo Busacca had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, waving away protests from Barcelona.

Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty kick - only to see his effort hit the stanchion.

He was left holding his head in his hands after missing a golden opportunity of giving United a precious away goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Barcelona having the majority of possession.

Lionel Messi picked out Samuel Eto'o in the 13th minute only for Paul Scholes - on his 100th Champions League appearance - to make a vital interception.

Ronaldo did not seem to be suffering from a lack of confidence, however, after blundering from the spot - and continued to take players on.

Barcelona pressed forward again in the 21st minute and Rafael Marquez got clear of his marker but his header failed to trouble goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, who was back in the side following a groin injury.

Then Yaya Toure showed good skill for the home side and sent a good cross into the area which was turned away by Van der Sar.

Ronaldo felt he should have had another penalty in the 30th minute when he was bundled over by Marquez after Xavi had carelessly lost possession.

However referee Busacca would have none of it and allowed play to continue, leaving the United winger frustrated.

Barca were dictating the tempo at this stage and Eto'o rattled in a shot after 34 minutes but Wes Brown made a vital block.

Brown was partnering Rio Ferdinand in the heart of defence in the absence of Vidic with the recalled Owen Hargreaves operating at right back.

Brown was showing little sign of the knock that forced him to train away from the main group last night.

Barcelona were spraying the ball around well, however, and won a free-kick in the 38th minute.

But Deco got little power on his effort and Van der Sar made a comfortable save.

United hit back and Marquez was booked in the 44th minute after tripping Ronaldo as he attempted to surge forward.

Ronaldo dusted himself down but sent his effort from an acute angle wide of the post.

Barcelona were quickly on the offensive at the start of the second half and Messi saw his effort blocked in the 47th minute, before Van der Sar did well to tip over Gianluca Zambrotta's long-range shot.

Eto'o skipped away from Ferdinand and tried to pick out Messi - but Michael Carrick was perfectly positioned and made the clearance.

Eto'o got clear in the 52nd minute but sent his effort into the side-netting, before Deco tested Van der Sar three minutes later with a low drive.

The Dutch goalkeeper was equal to Xavi's effort from 20 yards before Messi - who had only recently returned from injury - was replaced by Bojan Krkic in the 63rd minute.

Bojan was no less a threat than the Argentinian, having scored the winning goal in the quarter-final first leg against Schalke.

United were finding it difficult to set up any attacks, leaving Ronaldo, Rooney and Carlos Tevez fairly isolated up front.

Former Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry was called into the action after 77 minutes with Deco coming off.

Henry quickly picked up the pace of the game and rattled in a shot after 83 minutes that Van der Sar beat away.

The United goalkeeper then got his body behind a Henry free-kick as United held out for a creditable draw.]]> liverpool where all over chelsea but what a blunder to give up a own goal in injury time .
looking forward to the 2rd leg next week at chelsea
liverpool 1 chelsea 1




An own goal in injury time from substitute John Arne Riise left Liverpool stunned and Chelsea dreaming of Moscow as the game ended all square at 1-1.


Kuyt fires the opener past Petr Cech

Liverpool had led from a first-half goal by Dirk Kuyt and looked to be heading to Stamford Bridge next week for the second leg of this Champions League semi-final in pole position.

But although Liverpool had created most of the scoring chances in a captivating match, Chelsea will know that their priceless away goal could be decisive as they aim for the May 21 final.





Ballack and Lampard were dominant and Liverpool were instantly forced back, fussy Austrian referee Konrad Plautz doing nothing for the flow.

Liverpool needed to raise their game, and they did when Xabi Alonso's ball sent Kuyt away, Petr Cech half stopping the effort before Ashley Cole belted it away.

But Chelsea were playing the football and Joe Cole should have done better from a Lampard chipped pass.

Steven Gerrard was being smothered by Claude Makelele everywhere he went. But one clipped pass from the Liverpool skipper after 31 minutes sent Fernando Torres clear, only for Cech to produce a vital save.

But Liverpool's steady improvement was to produce a goal after 42 minutes. And it was all about Kuyt, with his seventh goal in 11 European ties this term.

After his run and cross preceded a poor clearance, he won the ball back from Lampard and when it was turned into the box there was Kuyt to force it under Cech's despairing dive.

That gave Liverpool all the incentive they needed to return after the break flying forward looking for another; Ryan Babel tormenting Paulo Ferreira and Gerrard and Alonso at last finding space.

Babel surged into the middle and unleashed a fierce right-footer that curled just wide.

Liverpool then lost Fabio Aurelio after an hour, collapsing with what looked like a recurrence of his groin problems. Riise sprinted into the fray.

Salomon Kalou then came on for Joe Cole, Chelsea searching for a way back into the game. Ballack's header was held by Jose Reina and Jamie Carragher got in the way of Kalou's close-range shot.

The balance was swinging again, Drogba a constant threat. Liverpool sent on Yossi Benayoun for Babel with 15 minutes left, referee Plautz still enraging Liverpool with almost every decision.

Carragher's stunning tackle on Lampard stopped an almost certain goal, Liverpool now living on their nerves as Chelsea surged forward.

Cech made a fine save to stop Gerrard's dipping volley, Nicolas Anelka coming on - eventually - for a very reluctant Ballack.

Torres, who had a tough time against John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, lost control when put clear by Gerrard.

Terry was booked for a body-check on Javier Mascherano in injury-time, and Cech saved superbly again from Torres.

But the sucker punch was to come. In the fifth minute of time added on, Riise dived forward in the six-yard box to head a Kalou cross into the roof of his own net, under pressure from Anelka.

The Kop were stunned, Chelsea delirious, somehow they had achieved the away goal and draw they desperately wanted.

A truly one sides game barcelona should have won by at least 3 gaols
barcelona 0 manchester united 0
2rd leg next week at old trafford espn

, April 23 (Champions League) - Cristiano Ronaldo may have been unusually wasteful but Manchester United are in sight of a place in the Champions League final.

The Portugal winger missed a penalty after only three minutes at the Nou Camp and the chance of giving the side a precious away goal.



United were rarely seen as an attacking force after that but they will go into the second leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday with quiet confidence.

Despite the absence of Nemanja Vidic, who was rushed to hospital on Tuesday night with a stomach complaint, they defended resolutely and kept a clean sheet.

Ronaldo with 38 goals to his credit was left frustrated when Gabriel Milito handled inside the penalty area in the second minute of the game.

Swiss referee Massimo Busacca had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, waving away protests from Barcelona.

Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty kick - only to see his effort hit the stanchion.

He was left holding his head in his hands after missing a golden opportunity of giving United a precious away goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Barcelona having the majority of possession.

Lionel Messi picked out Samuel Eto'o in the 13th minute only for Paul Scholes - on his 100th Champions League appearance - to make a vital interception.

Ronaldo did not seem to be suffering from a lack of confidence, however, after blundering from the spot - and continued to take players on.

Barcelona pressed forward again in the 21st minute and Rafael Marquez got clear of his marker but his header failed to trouble goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, who was back in the side following a groin injury.

Then Yaya Toure showed good skill for the home side and sent a good cross into the area which was turned away by Van der Sar.

Ronaldo felt he should have had another penalty in the 30th minute when he was bundled over by Marquez after Xavi had carelessly lost possession.

However referee Busacca would have none of it and allowed play to continue, leaving the United winger frustrated.

Barca were dictating the tempo at this stage and Eto'o rattled in a shot after 34 minutes but Wes Brown made a vital block.

Brown was partnering Rio Ferdinand in the heart of defence in the absence of Vidic with the recalled Owen Hargreaves operating at right back.

Brown was showing little sign of the knock that forced him to train away from the main group last night.

Barcelona were spraying the ball around well, however, and won a free-kick in the 38th minute.

But Deco got little power on his effort and Van der Sar made a comfortable save.

United hit back and Marquez was booked in the 44th minute after tripping Ronaldo as he attempted to surge forward.

Ronaldo dusted himself down but sent his effort from an acute angle wide of the post.

Barcelona were quickly on the offensive at the start of the second half and Messi saw his effort blocked in the 47th minute, before Van der Sar did well to tip over Gianluca Zambrotta's long-range shot.

Eto'o skipped away from Ferdinand and tried to pick out Messi - but Michael Carrick was perfectly positioned and made the clearance.

Eto'o got clear in the 52nd minute but sent his effort into the side-netting, before Deco tested Van der Sar three minutes later with a low drive.

The Dutch goalkeeper was equal to Xavi's effort from 20 yards before Messi - who had only recently returned from injury - was replaced by Bojan Krkic in the 63rd minute.

Bojan was no less a threat than the Argentinian, having scored the winning goal in the quarter-final first leg against Schalke.

United were finding it difficult to set up any attacks, leaving Ronaldo, Rooney and Carlos Tevez fairly isolated up front.

Former Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry was called into the action after 77 minutes with Deco coming off.

Henry quickly picked up the pace of the game and rattled in a shot after 83 minutes that Van der Sar beat away.

The United goalkeeper then got his body behind a Henry free-kick as United held out for a creditable draw.]]> http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22908 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:05:43 -0500 http://www.british-expats.com/showthread.php?tid=22908
I have life ins. available through my work, but I'd also like to have an independent policy to keep in case I change jobs.]]>
I have life ins. available through my work, but I'd also like to have an independent policy to keep in case I change jobs.]]>