In Memoriam

MG's

Would like to add some words to those already said about our dear friend Jurgen. When I joined the MG's in 2002 he was the guy who welcomed me into the inner sanctum of Grasshopper life, admittedly this tended to revolve around copious King Kongs at El Gato's Emporium of over indulgence! He was the only person who knew all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody, quoted poetry after a saturday at the hospital field, and knew the British one hit wonder band Nazareth from the 70s (he could even sing their songs!). He taught me how to drink like a German (actually Heinz/Klaus/Werner/Kurt) all helped here, and how to smile whatever the adversity. I am sure it has been mentioned many times but even through his long illness before he died he never once complained, said bad about other people, or failed to turn up for training or the sacrosanct post match analysis at ED. He was a very decent man and even though it has been 4 years since his death his memory live on with me and I am sure all the MG's who met him. Have attached a few happy memories

cheersNigel

Dear Hoppers,

some of you might still know me, I had the honour to play for the MGH from 1998 until 2001.During this time Jürgen had been already an established player with MGH and it was a real privilege to be around him.I do remember all the great tours we did, like Manila and Songkla.Jürgen is not the type of human being, that one easily forgets, he wasn't just tall in seize but also big as a human being and friend.The news of his final departure reached me almost five years ago in Taipei and now five years after he was laid to rest I will remember him here in Karachi.Jürgen, you are a wonderful person, you will never be forgotten!!!

Matthias

FT score: MG 3 vs FDT 5 (HT score 2 - 3)

FDT scorers... Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Friday - joking! but their man-friday (his realname is Elodichukwu Friday Emeka) did score twice - basically he ran us ragged!
MG's superb goals came from (in this order)

1. Ivan 'El Vergatario' - with a simple arsenal-style tap in, after good work from limbo on the left,

2. Tobias "Crucifix" - smashed an unstoppable shot (on the run), from ~ 30 yards out, into the top right corner (nomination for goal of the week), and

3.Limbo (ze capitan for ze day) with a 'bend it like beckham' freekick from the right flank (after Sandro won us the free kick)

2 yello cards: Sandro 'I feel generous and i want to donate to the Raya festivities', and i cant remember whoelse donated? Kurt made a few brilliant saves but wasnt enough to stop the flying orange people... and Kurtie, sorry if i upset you yesterday. MGs squad for the day: Kurt, Kevin, Alex, Juan, Geri, Daniel B, Limbo, Sandro, Tobias, Steve, Klaus, Manuel, MC, Ivan & JamesMGs sideline managers & supporters : Goyo and Luis (thanks & get well soon)Next week's game is on a Sat vs KLI - 4pm KO. Keep yourselves fit and available... this big field is a killer!

Hop Hop

mc

RSC 7s tournament

RSC 7s tournament

Another mixed weekend from the Malaysian Grasshoppers, where they excelled in the liquid rehydration stakes ( which, for the MGs, strangely enough , actually preceded the dehydration stage), but sadly the performances on the pitch not quite matching up with the 3rd half heroics. At the start, it would be reasonable to assume that our chances of winning was the same as a one legged man in an arse kicking competition, but thankfully for the MGs, with their senses deadened by years of under achievement and second rate football, they came with little expectations. A hastily assembled Ocean's 11 crew meant that Joerg, Rao, Kevin, and Graham ( from Butchers) were the only familiar faces in a team that over the years in Royal Selangor used to be littered with recognisable legends like the Kat, the Pirate, the Bullster, Juan "the Chiropracter" and the irreplaceable Nigel "Butt" Miller . The first day was no different from previous first days where MGs toiled under the sun in a group comprising of KLM, FT Chinese ( the eventual champs) and Kilat. The first few games just seemed to whiz by ( and thankfully so too), and before Rao could say Cheers to his 5th beer of the day, we already found ourselves confirmed in the Losers Pool, with an aggregate goal record of 0-5 to show. In the Losers Pool, we played our best game against old rivals UKRC, and could have snatched some sort of result if our Ravi had not scuffed his shot from 2 yards out. An eventual 1-2 defeat that could have easily had the reverse scoreline. On the second day, against Qantas, we were joined by the ageless Grasshopper icon Klaus "Hefner", who immediately made an impact by almost scoring within his first minute on the field. Another of our import players, Helmut, also unluckily blasted his shot against an opponent's shins from 6 yards out. Qantas were not formidable but they did manage to put away their only 2 chances against our not so formidable keeper ( no names mentioned,..... Joerg) to run out 2-0 winners. In the last game, our Ä**d*s sponsor Darren, and Hefner, both poached goals against a flagging Universal side but basic errors in possession saw the opponents pegging back to a final result 2-2. A word of thanks to Ravi for bringing in his import players, who lacked nothing in effort and attitude, and a special thanks to Joshua, for managing the team patiently throughout all the adversity and crisis, and duly attending all the managers meetings and handling the thankless duties similar to one gathering a herd of cows into an enclosure. Another tournament passes, and immersed in the sea of mediocrity, some rare moments of Grasshopper magic still managed to emerge, to be told over and over again in the Eurodeli

Gentlemen,

After 3 Days of Fun and Soccer here our Bangkok special report. On Friday we are arriving in BKK and went strait to the Hotel. After a quick shower we went down for our Beer and Joergs Phone was ringing Ivan on the Phone!!!!!
,, Joerg sorry i cant make it to BKK because i forgot my Visa"
Okay we are 6 Players never mind let as play the next day. After a long night in Bars of Bkk everyone shows up on Saturday Morning . Our first Game was 9:20am against Melodie Jaya but our Opponent didn't show up and so we won the first game 2:0.
5min later our old Friend Karim show s up and he said he can play for us Thank you Karim
The next game against Shanghai Old stars was a perfect beginning Tobias shot a lovely Goal and the GH are leading but 2 min later shanghai shows as who is the better team
we lost 5:2
3 Game against Western Australia no chance for the GH we are losing 2:0
4 Game we are played very good but two stupid mistakes in the defense and we are lost 2:0 as well
Finish for Saturday and back to the Hotel for a nice massage and relaxation
Sunday Morning first game against German old stars Bangkok we are playing very good 0:0 after Game and now penalty
Tobias, Graham, Sven al 3 put the ball in the net. The goalkeeper is on his way back and in this moment Harry call Joerg kick the ball in the Net. But sorry Guy's I'm the Goal keeper this time and i missed
so in the end we lost 4:3
Thanks very much Tobias, Sven, Harry , Manuel, Graham
al capitano

10 May 2009: Grasshopper vs Maluri

League match report 10 May 2009: Grasshopper vs Maluri

Grasshopper 10 man line up:

Chris (GK)

Defence: Big Steve, Rao, Alex, Kevin ( dodgy knee)

Midfield: Kurt ( left wing), Danny, Lim, Angelo

Attack: Tobias

Looking at this hastily assembled crew of crocks and has-beens lining up for the Grasshopper team, even the most optimistic Grasshopper supporter could not have been accused if they were praying that Maluri would get the job done quickly and painlessly, or perhaps the heavens would open up and the water sogged field might level the playing field. Missing the might of Juan, Greg, Mike, Sandro, Joerg, Gary through injury and suspension, this 10 man depleted team of misfits decided that instead of granting Maluri a walkover ( and therefore only conceding a 0-2 defeat), we might as well make a good fight of it. In true Grasshopper spirit, we made more than a fight of it as you will see. Employing Kurt on the left wing was a master stroke, as he harassed and battled, Drogba style, for every high ball sent into his direction, and flattening a couple of Maluri defenders into pancakes in the process. With Tobias as the willing galloping horse upfront, every hopeless long ball was chased down by him, and it was no exaggeration to say that everytime a ball was punted up field, there was panic and fright among the Maluri ranks at the sight of a lunatic , bald Caucasian man flying towards them at speed. This left them no choice but to take him out any way possible, and the way Tobias was hacked to ground time after time, even Isaac Newton could have well have reached his ground breaking conclusion a lot earlier if Tobias had been around a couple of centuries back. But it would be a disservice to Maluri not to mention that they probably enjoyed a 80% ball possession advantage and if Chris "Almunia" Harding was not at the top of his game, the scoreline might have been reaching double figure proportions. As it was, halftime arrived with Maluri comfortably leading 1-0. In the second half, Lim and Danny, the tireless central midfield duo who had been practically playing as auxiliary defenders in the first half, decided to throw caution into the wind and flung themselves forward in support of the lone Tobias. Even Angelo, who had been playing a very responsible defensive right half role earlier, started to support the forward thrust, and it was him, no less, the forgotten man of Grasshopper football, who provided the equaliser in the 60th minute with a well taken volley into the top corner from 10 yards out. The clinical , calm finish was certainly not an Angelo trademark but nobody would hold it against him . 1-1! The last 15 minutes was squeaky bum time as Maluri launched forward in droves. The defence, manned by the overworked Rao, literally parked the bus in the penalty area, and Maluri were limited to long range shooting which rarely troubled "Almunia". There was even time at the end for Lim to make a counter break into the Maluri penalty area only to be crudely hacked down. Ref said no pen! Chelsea-like harrassment of the Indian referee as the Grasshoppers crowded around him did not help change the referee's decision. It was too big a decision to ask of the ref in the last minute of the game, and perhap only a dismembered leg might have convinced him to award a penalty. In the end, a most unlikely 1-1 result was as accurate a reflection of the game as the time on a broken clock, but as the saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice in a day.....

Dear Butcher's and Grasshoppers: the highly anticipated "Derby" between Butcher's and GH was a match full of speed, talent andadrenaline for the all 90 minutes. Coached Joerg Klinsmann and Joshua Mourhino gave all their best efforts to put the best team on the pitch. Mr. Joerg Klismann gave a "4-4-2" "catenaccio" style team set up with the surprise apperance of Mr. Rao " o animal"back on the defence with Alexander, big Steve on the right and Gary "Linaker" on the left, Greg "The engine" and Ivan "il terribile" on the midfield together with Sandro. Tobias and Manuel as star strikers. Butcher's confidence was very high follow few consecutives victories and coach Joshua Mourinho decided for anattacking 4-4-3. 2": it's Tobias with a full speed run from the right that warned young keeper Raj what it will be a nightmare afternoonfor the talented keeper. 4": it's GH finding the net first with Tobias fast counter attack and a stylish finish. Butcher 0-Garsshoppers 1. 11": the match speed has increased with few "solo" shots from both team strikers, but it is Mr. Lim that gave the 2 0 lead with a tricky corner kick, leaving the Butcher's defence astonished. 14": Chris "the Puma" Harding is having his best day as few great saves left the GH still 2 0 up on the game. 28": a shocking counter attack gave GH another goal with Tobias and Lim having time to drink a "Cappuccino"in front of keeper Raj before scoring the 3-0 for GH.Until that moment GH midfielders Greg "Cambiasso" and Alex "Brehme" were working greatly together leaving the Butcher's star midfielder Sven wondering around the pitch. 35": the light out of the tunnel came from Lorenzo (Iceman) with a solo effort goal that gave a bit of confidence boost to the Butchers. 44": the last 10 minutes of the first half was a terrible pressing from Butchers until Taha "Zizou" found another winning header with a perfect cross from Shaun "Wright-Phillips". First Half: Butchers 2-Grassshoppers 3. Joerg Klinsmann was ready to "unleash" Kurt the Cat and Angelo to give more weight on GH's strikers. First 10 minutes of the 2nd half saw Butchers hard pressing to find the equalizer with Javad, Taha, Sven, Diliban finding impossible spaces in the tight GH defence 12": It's again a counter attack from GH and a perfect pass from Angelo that gave the 4-2 lead to GH scored by Sandro. Few calls to Euro Deli were made to order beers and sausages for a celebration but the time was not right yet. 29": "Iceman" corner from left became a goal as Chris "The Puma" could not save the ball from going inside the net. 35": Butchers lost Taha "Zizou" for an injury, and the all midfield was on Sven's, Javad, Shaun and David shoulders. 43": It's from Butcher's superstar midfield Sven that came the equalizer with a powerful shot with a slight deflectionthat caught the Puma not ready to jump in the opposite side for a save. After few more passes the ref decided that the match was over, with a relief for all the players that run for 90 minuteswith 36C temperature. Bravo to all the players for an entertained match played with fairplay!!!.