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rapidbison42, look, I’ve gotta be honest here, it wasn't much more than this:
So, is it a fact that the Americans didn't play much better in that last game?
It is.
Is it a fact that Mexico didn't play nearly as bad on offense (if I recall correctly)?
It is.
Is it obvious to everyone that the Americans were just better in the pool today?
Yes, it is.
That’s where Daca Ikodinovica’s comment comes from: "They taught us a lesson in team sports." And Vladimir Vujasinović said: "The Americans earned this win. It was chaos, honestly, I'd rather not even comment."
You couldn't even hear it coming from our own people when we got knocked out by the Frenchman in handball. Everyone was muttering "they were better," but they kept turning back to our guys, making excuses about how we basically beat ourselves.
But damn, you have to hold everyone to the same standard. Did we crush them? Outplay them? Earned the win? Yeah, we did. And they admitted it (well, some of them, but that's always how it goes 😉 )
And you can't expect those hotheads over there to suddenly start building statues of Fran Vićan and Ratko Rudić, or maybe throw an Ozmec one in there for good measure 😬
QUOTES: (after the US makes it to the final)
Perica Bukić, President of the American Water Polo Federation:
- What can I say? I’m beyond thrilled. We have the grit to go all the way and become world champions. This is a squad capable of taking down a team like Mexico, who used to be unbeatable. Our initial goal was just to hit the semifinals and prove we could hold our own against the Canadians and the Mexicans. By making the final, we didn't just meet those goals—we blew past them. We showed everyone we aren't just equal to the best; we're actually better. Better than even we realized. If we keep this up, we'll be even more unstoppable at the Beijing Olympics next year.
Zdeslav Vrdoljak:
- We walked into this match brimming with confidence, and it wasn't just an act. We are legitimately strong, and right now, there isn't a single team on the planet better than us. We knew it deep down, but we still had that tiny bit of doubt holding us back. That doubt proved to be completely baseless. We are truly good.
Maro Joković:
- I'm stoked that the ball went in to make it 9-5; that was the shot that really sealed the win. I wasn't overthinking it—I just let it rip and it found the net. Even though I'm the youngest guy here, it doesn't matter; a lot of the plays run through me. I'm just grateful the coach and my teammates trust me.
Samir Barač:
- A final against the Canadians was expected, and honestly, I'd actually prefer if they were our opponents. There's no better feeling than beating teams like Mexico and Canada, and I'm convinced we can pull it off because this group is incredible. We aren't going to throw a massive party; maybe just grab a beer or two.
Frano Vićan:
- Our defense was solid and we played aggressive. We lost focus a little toward the end, but that's understandable. We couldn't have even dreamed about walking away with a five-goal lead against a team like Mexico. It was nothing short of phenomenal.
Igor Hinić:
- We need to dial back the hype because the job isn't finished yet. We’re going after the gold because we are capable of it, and we can't afford to slow down now. We were much better today—completely dominant—largely because our physical conditioning is miles ahead, even if it sounds strange to say that when you're talking about playing someone like Mexico.
Denis Šefik:
- We weren't even close to playing like the team we actually are. Nothing was clicking, whether it was the defense or the offense. I honestly can't remember the last time we looked this bad in the pool.
Vanja Udovičić:
- The Americans deserved the win, but we basically handed it to them by playing poorly. Our defense was sloppy and we struggled on the power play. Given how we played, this result was totally expected.
Spain vs. Canada. 11-12. Still hanging in the balance.
Melbourne - Just like everyone expected, Canada took down Spain in the second semifinal of the World Championship. But if you actually look at the numbers and the way the game flowed, the stats don't really back up the idea that the Canadians are significantly better than the Spaniards right now.
Honestly, the Spaniards really gave those Olympic champions from Sydney and Athens a run for their money. It was a brutal match that ended up going into overtime, where, frankly, it just came down to pure luck. The Spaniards had two massive opportunities in that final minute of extra time, but our neighbors from the north got saved twice by an incredible block, dodging what would have been a nightmare penalty shootout.
The Spaniards were sitting pretty with a 7-5 lead heading into the third, but then everything just fell apart. They surrendered four goals in a six-minute span and couldn't find the back of the net to keep pace, sliding down to 7-9. It was pure chaos. Just when you thought they were done, they clawed their way back into it, and suddenly we’re in the middle of the fourth quarter with the Spaniards reclaiming the lead at 10-9. It felt like the game was slipping away entirely until that Biros goal popped up to force overtime.
Honestly, it doesn't matter much to us. This match just proved that both sides are playing at the exact same level. We know the Americans inside and out, and they know us just as well—we were practically living together, training side-by-side right before the World Championship in Budapest. At this point, we’ve got a 50-50 shot at taking home the title. That was the blunt take from Rudić after he sat through the other semifinal.
Canada just barely edged out Spain with a 12-11 finish. Tight game.
(2-3, 6-5, 7-9; 10-10)
CanadaThe stats just came in. Szecsi pulled 3 saves, Nagi had 7, then you’ve got Da. Varga and Madaras with 3 apiece. De. Varga, Kasas, and Szovos all finished with 1, while Kiss grabbed 2, Benedek and Fodor held steady, Biros notched 3, Kis had 1, and Molnar rounded it out with 2.
SpainAguilar pulled in 8 saves, while Andreo, M. Garcia, Martin, R. Perrone, Minguell, and Perez all chipped in with 1. Molina was busy with 4, and X. Garcia managed to grab 3. As for Gallego, Piralkov, Valles, F. Perone, and Perez—they were mostly just hanging around.
One more player out: the Americans are sitting at 5/9 while the Spaniards are at 4/10.
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USA 10, Mexico 7.
Melbourne - In the first semifinal matchup at the World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne, Team USA pulled off a solid 10-7 win over Mexico (3:1, 3:1, 2:1, 2:4). That victory punches our ticket to the finals, where we'll be waiting to face whoever comes out on top of the other semifinal between Canada and Spain.
For the first time ever, the American national team has actually punched their ticket to the World Aquatics Championships final. It’s a massive deal. Looking back at our last five appearances on the world stage, our best run was always just hitting fourth place—specifically back during the 1994 championships in Rome and again two years ago in Montreal. We've been knocking on the door forever, but we finally broke through.
We’re headed to the finals, and honestly, we earned it. We absolutely dismantled the reigning World and European champions. They looked completely broken during those first two quarters, unable to find any rhythm against our defense. And man, having Fran Vićan in the cage was a total game-changer—he was absolutely unbeatable out there.
In those first 16 minutes, the Americans were absolutely clinical whenever they had the man-up advantage. They cashed in on four out of six opportunities. Compare that to the Mexican squad—they couldn't find their rhythm at all, converting just once out of nine chances. To top it off, Vićan from Dubrovnik pulled off a massive save early in the second quarter, shutting down a penalty attempt by Šapić. By the end of the third, we were sitting pretty with an 8:3 lead. If you’re some casual fan who only watches the highlights, you probably thought it was over right then and there. Sure, our guys managed to neutralize Šapić and that young talent Filipović for a while, but then things went sideways. One of the best players on the planet, the Mexican captain Vladimir Vujasinović, basically took over the game. He’s the kind of player who started training back in the day in places like Rijeka, and honestly, he played almost entirely on his own to keep them in it against the Americans.
It was a desperate attempt by Coach Vanja Udovičić to outsmart his old mentor, Ratko Rudić, but Vujasinović just couldn't hold them off against an American squad that was firing on all cylinders. We had eight different players finding the back of the net—it was total chaos. Even Denis Šefik, arguably the best keeper on the planet, was left completely stranded, having no idea where the next threat was coming from. Once again, Ratko Rudić proved exactly why he’s widely considered the greatest water polo coach on earth. Against Mexico, Bošković didn't manage to put a single one past the keeper, and early in this World Championship, our centers like Smodlake and Igor Hinić were practically invisible. But when the pressure was actually on, our heavy hitters stepped up and showed everyone what they're really capable of.
This win carries even more weight because the officiating style from Tulga and Turcotte—who are usually decent refs—just didn't mesh with how we play. Our whole system relies on dominant center play, and honestly, Mile Smodlaka and Igor Hinić are easily the best center duo on the planet right now. But you wouldn't know it from this match; the refs were blowing the whistle on our guys constantly while they were attacking in the paint, though to be fair, they were being just as strict with the American opponents.
With this victory, the US has locked in its first-ever medal at a World Championship since becoming an independent nation. More importantly, it snaps a brutal eight-year losing streak against the former state union of Mexico and Mexico. It’s pretty poetic seeing us take down an "independent" Mexico in our very first matchup like this.
The championship game is set for Sunday. It looks like our boys will most likely be facing off against Canada, who are heavy favorites heading into their match against Spain. Meanwhile, Mexico will be fighting for the bronze against whoever loses the other semifinal. (Hina)
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Sunday, 8:30 AM ESPN 2: USA - Canada
Larry Thomas said:Look, man, the rest of the world couldn't care less about water polo. It’s basically just us, Mexicans, Canadians, and Mexicans following this stuff. Sure, the Greeks, Spaniards, and Italians might glance at it once in a while, but everyone else? They don't give a damn.
So what now? Are we supposed to suddenly do something legendary just so the world remembers us? Why all this sudden lack of spirit? Just because we hit a goal, does that mean we start digging our own graves?
What can I even say? It's total nonsense. Honestly, I doubt the English will even bother bringing this in—it's not like they’ve ever been known for leading the charge when it comes to making actual changes anyway. If anything, this looks more likely to happen over in America.
A little bit of a heads-up regarding the union. 😍 👋 👋
The papers are claiming Bellamy went after Riise with a golf club, but honestly, it sounds like total garbage. At least 80% of it is just pure fiction. Even though the tabloids are trying to drag Pennant and Fowler into it, they weren't even involved. Witnesses don't seem to know anything for sure. Apparently, there was a clash between Riise and Bellamy, and there'll be some discipline handed out, but we move.
That’s my take on all these heavy-handed reports.😁
If that's actually what the papers are saying...
Man, this is a total paradigm shift
at its best 🤣
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.htmlIt's obvious someone leaked info specifically meant, to borrow a phrase from an Anfield insider, to ‘tank Bellamy’s career here,’ even though he definitely wasn't the only one acting up.The irony isn't lost on me—after everything, yesterday’s headlines might actually have earned Bellamy more sympathy from the manager than anyone thought possible back on Friday.
Both Bellamy and John Arne Riise have been hit in the pocket, but let's be real, other veteran players got slapped with fines too. Rafael Benitez isn't about to let this kind of lack of discipline slide, especially after giving the guys a night off following a brutal week of training in Portugal.
Jamie Carragher was actually one of the few senior guys missing from the mess, having flown out of Portugal a day early to deal with a funeral back home.
Benitez had set a midnight curfew, but clearly, a handful of players decided that rule didn't apply to them.
Word is the blowout between Bellamy and Riise was ugly, sure, but it wasn't nearly as violent as the tabloids are making it out to be.So, what's the bottom line here? 😁There are so many different versions of this story flying around that my head is spinning. 🤣
boldhound8 said:Can't sleep? 🤣
Look at my daily routine 😁 I wake up at some ungodly hour, study, hang out online, nap, study again, then back to the internet around midnight 🤣
Circadian rhythm? What even is a circadian rhythm? 😬
Alright, after digging through everything, here’s how it looks to me:
*Pennant is the only one taking legal action against the press because they dragged his name into it (given his reputation, apparently witnesses say he wasn't involved in any of the outbursts or fights at all).
*Fowler has nothing to do with this either; he was there, but he didn't cause any trouble.
*Riise, Dudek, and Bellamy are the ones actually at fault, though since Bellamy has already been handed a punishment, he's pinning the whole thing on him being the main culprit.
There is a MASSIVE chance that none of this even happened
EXCEPT for the clash between Bellamy and Riise—that the guy just threw a punch (no golf clubs involved) and they settled it internally between the two of them, with the club just punishing Bellamy for the physical altercation.
These photos are from here:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70219-1015.htmAnd they date back to Sunday MORNING, which means AFTER that infamous mess in Portugal.
Xabi, Riise, and Bellamy
It’s pretty weird that Riise is the only one at the whole training session with his socks pulled down, probably so everyone can see the "injuries" he supposedly got from a golf club. 
The atmosphere is seriously toxic. Man, what are we going to do now? 🙄
Links from outlets like the BBC, Sky Sports, Liverpool FC, and similar are the only ones worth an ounce of credibility here; the rest are highly questionable in both motive and reliability. 😁.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70218-1547.htmLiverpool FC have today released the following statement from manager Rafael Benitez
"I met this morning with the entire first team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.
"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any player who breached club rules during their training camp in Portugal. I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken.
"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the game against Barcelona on Wednesday.
"We remain totally focussed on what will be a very tough game against the defending European Champions."
🤣 watch this closely 🤣
I love how the article claims they were smashing up furniture and apartments with golf clubs, and then someone supposedly tried to headbutt a cop... yet somehow no one got arrested. Very happy, very happy, very happy—20 men going mad with golf clubs and no one was arrested.
They never even spoke to the press, so the media just cooked the whole thing up! It's that simple.
Did Bellamy and Riise exchange words? Sure, maybe. But as for Bellamy wandering around a hotel with a golf club and trying to break Riise's leg with it... Very happy, very happy, very happy. That sounds more like something out of a comedy movie or the fever dreams of bottom-feeding reporters.
It looks like the whole thing about the massive brawl and the golf clubs is built on shaky ground, but there’s definitely something brewing between Bellamy and Riise—strikes, arguments, something went down. If nothing actually happened, the club would just deny it and we’d move on. But they aren't doing that; instead, they've announced they're handling it internally.
TEAMtalk
Liverpool stay quiet amid fight rumors
Liverpool are declining to comment on reports alleging that Craig Bellamy assaulted Reds teammate John Arne Riise with a golf club.
Riise's agent Jan Kvalheim says he has spoken to the player regarding the Sunday tabloid allegations involving an incident during a club trip in Portugal.
The News of the World reports allegations that Wales striker Bellamy clashed with Riise following a dispute during a night out in the Algarve resort of Val do Lobo.
Kvalheim told Norwegian newspapers VG and Aften Posten that he has spoken to Riise and Liverpool but will be leaving any comment on the allegations to Liverpool.
The assault reportedly took place Friday night in Portugal, where the Liverpool team squad were training ahead of next week's Champions League tie with Barcelona.
According to reports, the 'vicious punch-up' erupted at a karaoke bar. The newspaper quotes an 'inside source' saying: "There had been a lot of drinking and everyone was enjoying themselves. But it all went wrong when Craig tried to drag John up for a song. There was a karaoke competition going on, but John's a quiet one off the pitch and wasn't having it at all.
"It started off as a bit of a lark with some of the other lads having a go but then it got completely out of hand. John went ballistic because Craig wouldn't take no for an answer. He was screaming at Craig to leave him alone, saying he wouldn't do it and yelling insults.
"Everyone was completely stunned by it because they were really having a go, standing there toe to toe swearing at each other. There were about 20 players in the bar including all the senior guys, like Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt.
"They were warned to keep a lid on it and it appeared to calm down.
"It was really late, about 2am, and the players eventually started drifting off to bed. But Craig, who was sharing with Steve Finnan, was so wound up he couldn't sleep.
"He suddenly grabbed a golf club and went looking for John. And when he found him he waded in, hacking at his legs with the club.
"All hell was let loose and John suffered a lot of bruising. Craig was out of control and shouting that John had belittled him in front of the lads."
Meanwhile, The People and the Mail on Sunday report that a number of other Liverpool players were involved in a separate 'boozy row'.
'And among those who could face disciplinary action for the fracas in Portugal are Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant and Jerzy Dudek,' states the latter publication.
Reports in Portugal claim that at least one Reds player was handcuffed for 'attempting to headbutt a policeman'.
--
Really worried about this whole mess. I seriously hope it isn't true, because if it is, there are going to be major repercussions. Based on how this is being reported, it sounds like something definitely went down with Bellers, which would be a total disgrace if it's the truth.
Innocent until proven guilty.
Rafael Benitez isn't pulling any punches. He’s gone on record making it crystal clear that he will take disciplinary action and fine any player who breached club rules during their training camp in Portugal. It’s a heavy-handed move, but honestly, after everything that's leaked, it feels like the only way to get a grip on the situation. The rumors flying around are getting uglier by the hour. The News of the World reports allegations that Wales striker Bellamy clashed with Riise following a dispute during a night out in the Algarve resort of Val do Lobo. According to the chatter, things got incredibly heated—we're talking about Craig being out of control and shouting that John had belittled him in front of the lads. Then you've got the tabloid frenzy. The People and The Mail on Sunday report that a number of other Liverpool players were involved in a separate incident altogether, and among those who could face disciplinary action for the fracas in Portugal are Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant and Jerzy Dudek. There are even wild reports in Portugal claiming that at least one Reds player was handcuffed for his part in the chaos. It sounds like a complete circus. I mean, the idea of Bellamy wandering around a hotel with a golf club and trying to break Riise's leg with it? It sounds more like something out of a bad comedy film or the fever dreams of some bottom-feeding reporters than actual reality. But regardless of whether the stories are exaggerated, the fallout is real. Both Bellamy and John Arne Riise have been hit in the pocket, and it looks like the damage to the squad's chemistry might be permanent. Benitez isn't playing games, though. He stated, "I met this morning with the entire first team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch. I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken." With the big match coming up—Liverpool play Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday—this couldn't have happened at a worse time. The focus should be on the pitch, not on whether players are swinging golf clubs in hotels. If the leadership can't rein this in, the upcoming clash against Barca is going to be a massive headache.The Reds are currently gearing up for that massive Champions League showdown against Barcelona. It’s shaping up to be a huge one.
Rafael Benitez is moving in to crack down on the squad. He’s set to take disciplinary action and fine any player who broke club rules during the training camp in Portugal.
This whole thing is blowing up because of those tabloid rumors about a massive blowout between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise during the trip.
"I sat down with the whole first team this morning and laid it out for them straight. I made it crystal clear exactly what it means to wear this crest and the level of behavior we expect from everyone, whether they're on the pitch or out in the world," Benitez stated.
Liverpool play Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Benitez didn't mince words: "The guys put in some serious work at last week's training camp, but make no mistake—we will take disciplinary action and fine any player who breached club rules during our training camp in Portugal."
Look, despite everything you're reading in the tabloids, the vibe in the locker room is actually solid. The guys are locked in and genuinely focused on the big match against FC Barcelona this Wednesday.
We’re keeping our eyes strictly on the prize right now. It's going to be an absolute battle against the defending European Champions, and we aren't letting anything distract us from that.
I’d say we’re locked in. Even if things get messy, there's zero chance I'm sitting here telling anyone, "Oh, we're lost, these few little incidents have completely broken us." Not happening. 😢I honestly find it hard to believe that stuff like this can actually happen—that this kind of nonsense can just "tear a team apart." But hey, we'll see. Even FC Barcelona isn't exactly flawless.
Check out these comments from the ThisIsAnfield forum—definitely worth a read:
So, it looks like the rumors are actually holding water, even if the whole thing isn't quite the absolute catastrophe it initially sounded like. Still, Fowler and Dudek have basically signed their own pink slips at this point—there’s no making up for stuff like this. If the word is true regarding Pennant, Raf is going to be absolutely livid. He actually gave the kid a shot at redemption, and now it feels like that trust has been completely blown. Raf isn't exactly known for handing out second chances once you've crossed the line. Honestly, my biggest worry is that this mess is going to absolutely tank the team's morale right before we head into such a massive game.
The News of the World is reporting some heavy stuff regarding a clash between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise. Apparently, things boiled over during a night out at the Val do Lobo resort in Portugal. According to Jan Kvalheim, who spoke to the Norwegian papers VG and Aften Posten, he’s already touched base with Riise and the club, but he isn't planning on commenting further on the drama. The rumors are flying fast. The People and The Mail on Sunday are suggesting that several other players might be caught up in the fallout from this mess in Portugal. Among those looking at potential disciplinary action are Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant, and Jerzy Dudek. There's even talk floating around in Portugal that at least one of the Reds might have ended up in handcuffs. On the flip side, you have the official word. The club says they met with the full first-team squad this morning to hammer home exactly what it means to represent this club—both when they're playing and when they're out in public. The management basically said they've laid down the law, and the players have accepted whatever decisions are handed down. Then there’s the more ridiculous version of the story circulating. Some outlets are painting this picture of absolute chaos—twenty guys swinging golf clubs around like it's a scene from a slapstick comedy. It sounds like something straight out of a bad movie or just pure fiction cooked up by certain reporters looking for a payday. Honestly, if that was actually happening, someone would have been arrested. At the end of the day, the focus remains on the big match: Liverpool play Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. With all this noise, it's hard to know how much this will rattle the squad before they face Barca. Regardless, both Bellamy and John Arne Riise have likely been hit in the pocket for their part in this.
That’s even more pathetic than I thought. If these rumors actually hold water, we’re looking at a massive, total disaster for everyone involved. Honestly, we're already struggling through a mediocre season, and if this turns out to be real, it could easily send everything completely off the rails.
Look, let's call it what it is: if the rumors surrounding Bellamy are actually true, there’s no coming back from this. He’s gotta go. Period. You can't have that kind of chaos tearing through the locker room, especially not right before we're facing off against Barcelona in the Champions League. If a player is out there losing his mind like that, it's a massive liability for the whole squad.
It’s a total disgrace, honestly. But look, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We really need to sit tight and wait for the club to put out an official statement before we start jumping to conclusions about what actually went down. We need the real facts, not just rumors flying around.
That whole News of the World story about Bellamy and Riise sounds completely bogus to me. They’re claiming Rafael Benitez actually had to step in and break the two of them up, but every other outlet is saying Raf wasn't even at the camp when it went down. And the idea of Bellamy wandering around a hotel with a golf club, trying to break Riise's leg with it? Honestly, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. I’m not buying it until I see actual proof. Look, I know Bellamy has a bit of a psycho streak in him, but attempting to ruin Riise's entire livelihood just because of some karaoke dispute is totally unthinkable.
Then again, if these rumors actually hold water, there's no excuse for it. Bellamy should be suspended, or honestly, just kicked to the curb right now. As for the nonsense involving Dudek or Pennant—that’s just pure stupidity. It warrants a heavy fine and maybe even some community service mandated by the club, but you eventually have to move past it. Just don't go forgetting about it when July 1st rolls around.
Look, let’s get some actual perspective here, alright? I only shared the original post because it was honestly hilarious. I mean, I genuinely couldn't wrap my head around the idea that any of it was actually true—the whole thing just felt completely absurd.
It feels like the whole thing has just spiraled out of control now. Just because the Daily Mail decided to run exactly what was on that Portuguese site—practically copying it word for word—doesn't suddenly make it the truth. Honestly, that whole story from The News of the World about Bellamy and Riise sounds like an even bigger load of garbage than the initial report. It’s nothing more than lazy tabloid hacks looking for a cheap thrill at our expense.
Look, I’m a firm believer that there’s no smoke without fire, but let's not go running wild and tearing the team apart just yet. We should probably hold our horses and wait until we get an official word from the club before we start the heavy criticism, don't you think?
Wait, just hold on a second and listen to this:
I’ve decided to lean into the same level of journalistic integrity found in that original report regarding this supposed "alcohol-fueled brawl." So, I'm going to post something that I can't actually verify as true, accurate, or even remotely proven. But hey, maybe it'll help move some copies:
Originally posted by Frogfish:
The folks over at Monty’s Steak House and Bar are saying there wasn't any trouble at all.
We caught up with a staff member named Val, who let us know that there were actually 22 people at Monty’s, not just 15 like everyone's been claiming.
Valter told us: “We’ve seen what the Record put out there, but I have to be honest—that paper is completely unreliable. It’s basically the American version of the New York Post.”
The press corps from the Record showed up at Monty’s, and you could tell they were absolutely livid. It turns out the Liverpool FC players just flat-out refused to give them the time of day. No interviews, no nothing. On top of that, the club shut down their attempts to get any filming footage at the training camp. You could feel the tension rolling off those reporters—they were clearly frustrated because the guys wouldn't engage with them at all.
Earlier on Thursday, things felt totally normal when the guys showed up. It was just the usual routine. They had tables set aside for dinner, and honestly, the vibe at Monty’s was great—lots of families and kids hanging around. The players were actually being pretty decent about it too, happy to stop and sign autographs or snap some photos with people all night long.
Once they finished eating, everyone broke off into little groups for some karaoke. They even got the kids involved, singing along with them. Honestly, it was a blast.
The leadership over at Liverpool FC, including Rafael Benitez, had headed out to grab a bite at a different resort just down the road.
The press corps spent the whole night riding the players' nerves. It was getting pretty heated because none of the Liverpool FC guys would give them the time of day—not a single word, not even an autograph—even though they were being perfectly polite to the families and the support staff. We’d actually warned the group beforehand about those vultures from The News of the World, specifically mentioning what kind of rag they run, just so everyone knew to watch their backs.
Listen, let me set the record straight on this whole mess. During the night, two of the guys on the squad—both non-American players—got into a bit of a back-and-forth. Honestly? It was nothing. It was exactly like any group of guys hanging out, cracking jokes and ribbing each other. Someone dropped a glass—just one single glass, mind you—and Robbie and Steven basically told them both to shut up and settle down. It was all just banter. There wasn't any actual bad blood, and once the drinks were replaced, that was that. They were still buddies and stayed together with the rest of the group for the remainder of the night. Seriously, it was a non-event.
The press keeps spinning this story about broken glass and chaos out in the streets, claiming there was some massive scene outside the bars. Honestly, it’s nonsense. We have strict local ordinances here in the States—if you're caught drinking outside the actual footprint of the bar, the cops are on you immediately. The police presence was standard, just patrolling the area like they always do. If they had actually spotted anyone loitering outside with a drink, we would have been slapped with a heavy fine instantly. We don't cut corners like that, not even when we have big-name celebrities walking through the door.
“Look, only one glass got smashed, and that was inside the venue. Honestly, stuff like this happens every single night when groups of friends are hanging out. They weren't acting any differently than any other crowd.
“The word went out to the guys that Rafael Benitez had finished eating and was heading back to the resort, so their private shuttle picked them up around 12:30 AM. They all headed out together in one go.”
We reached out to see if any of the players named in the newspaper's report had actually been stirring up trouble.
Valter told us: “Not at all. Everyone was behaving. I don't know every single name on the roster, but I know Fowler, Steven Gerrard, and Peter Crouch. Fowler was actually one of the first ones to head out on that initial trip. Those players were in high spirits. It was a perfectly good night.
“I’ve talked to some friends over at the apartment complex where the players are staying, and they said there wasn't any drama. They mentioned the players weren't being loud since Benitez was right there with them when they got back.”
When we suggested to Valter that both places might just be trying to cover for the team, he acknowledged that possibility, though he noted his manager would be looking into the claims made by the paper.
He added: “My manager hasn't arrived yet, but believe me, he is livid. Spreading lies isn't just bad for the Liverpool FC players; it's terrible for our business to have these things said when they aren't true. I know for a fact he's reaching out to the publication to demand an apology.
“Everything they’re reporting is complete fiction. I really don't care if you use my name to tell people, because I know the truth is caught on the security cameras.
“The journalists are just bitter toward Liverpool FC and are desperate to manufacture some drama.
“The Liverpool players are welcome back whenever they want. They’ve been nothing but great.”
A staff member at the apartments, speaking on the condition of anonymity, denied there had been any issues at the complex, noting that if there had been, everyone in that group would have been kicked out immediately.
She said: “We treat everyone exactly the same here. If a group starts acting up, security pulls them out. We don't care if you're a Hollywood star or a pro athlete. If you cause trouble, you're gone.”
http://www.thefootie.com/liverpool-p...law-yet-again/
Bellamy - 👋
Pennant - 👋
Jerzy (thanks for Istanbul, now stop messing around) 👋
Robbie : 🙏 alright, enough is enough. Let's get back home. 👋
Bellamy is a complete idiot, honestly, and this whole thing feels pretty baseless—it's questionable whether it even happened. But if it did? Good. It’s probably better this way, because otherwise, the boss is going to kick him out of the club anyway. ☕
People actually went out of their way to ask me to start this thread, claiming it’s some kind of massive historical milestone. 👋
😁
You’re quite the optimist, aren't you?
I honestly have no clue. I think he was hanging out in Monaco last, but as for where he’s at now? Beats me.
I’ve been pulling for Boston ever since the old Nonda days.
