Ramón “Hurt” By San Lorenzo Defeat

This is what Gregory Sica have written in goal.com:

Ramon Diaz, the manager of Argentine champions San Lorenzo, admitted he is “hurt” by his team’s last minute defeat against Newell’s Old Boys on Sunday.

“The defeat hurts, but this has just started. We have to keep on working hard and the players are all motivated by this, that’s why things will work out”, Diaz told the press.

The “Ciclon” dominated the match during large periods, but although they promised a lot in the attack, they were ineffective.

Despite the 1-0 defeat their popular manager was “happy with the team's showing”, but affirmed that they “have players that can play much better”.

San Lorenzo, who won the Clausura championship in emphatic fashion last season, displayed the potential to win back to back titles against a difficult Newell’s side.

But as Diaz said, “the start of the season is the same for everyone, it is very complicated”.

Newell’s, who are always difficult at home, won the three points after a long distance drive from Leonel Vangioni deflected off a defender and ended up in the back of the net.

“In a highly disputed match, they [Newell’s] were able to take advantage of a crucial moment in the match”, Diaz concluded.

1st match: A stumble is not a fall

San Lorenzo conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 against Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario.

Leonel Vangioni won Newell’s the three points when his long distance drive deflected off a San Lorenzo defender and ended up in the back of the net in the final minute of the match. Very bad luck!

San Lorenzo were the better side throughout the ninety minutes, but lacked imagination in the attack. We really missed both Ledesma, who would contribute with the magical final pass, and Lavezzi, who would dribble even the referee! Anyway, we believe in this team, and we will support them until the end of the Championship. We still couldn't see Bilos and Romeo in the pitch. Hopefully they are ready for next match this Friday against San Martin de San Juan. Don't worry San Lorenzo, as the Haitian proverb says, a stumble is not a fall.

To read about the rest of the matchs, have a look at http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=373822

A Greek Gentleman

Michael Paterakis, reporter of www.goal.com, has recently offered his apologies to "The Glorious" for having omitted mentioning "San Lorenzo" in his report about Ledesma, and instead, having only stated that Ledesma had played in River Plate (see our post in the blog "This is how a Greek "journalists" talked about Ledesma"). With his reply, Michael has shown to be a honest, self-critical and flexible person, a true Greek Gentleman. We appreciate that very much, and we will keep each other posted. He will inform us about Ledesma's performance straight from Greece and we will keep him informed about our beloved San Lorenzo. ;-) Welcome Michael to "The Glorious"!

La Peña Tiene una Madrina, y de Lujo! ("The Glorious" Has an Amazing Guardian)

Se llama Rosa, pero para los amigos es "La Tota". Tiene 92 años cuervos en la sangre y en el alma. Vive, respira, sueña, transpira San Lorenzo. Para nosotros es un honor que la Tota haya aceptado ser nuestra Madrina. Desde su Parque Chacabuco nos manda esta carta confirmando su "madrinazgo":

Buenos Aires, 1de agosto de 2007

¡Hola Patricio!

Felicitaciones, es muy importante la creación del blog “la gloriosa” Ponte contento ¡tus objetivos ya se empiezan a cumplir!
Siempre le pregunto a tu padre por vos y se de tus logros, Patricio me puse muy contenta de que me propusieras ser la madrina “la gloriosa” es un honor para mi voy a cumplir 92 años y tengo el San Lorenzo en mis en mis genes pues mi flia. así me lo inculcó.
Mi yerno el Dr. Carlos Nastri a pesar que es de Ferro me alimenta mi fanatismo con los “papers” que me trae, los cuales me mantienen actualizada.
Creo Patricio que con esta página, transmitis alegría pues agregas vida a mis jóvenes años “sonreír es conseguir salud y amigos”. Quedo a tu disposición ante cualquier duda, agradeciéndote y saludándote por tu distinción.
¡Adelante!

Firma: BAUDILIA PERAL de ROSA (TOTA) LC 0011328

Argentine League begins tomorrow and San Lorenzo is ready for the show!

This is the way Gregory Sicca, from www.si.com, reflects on San Lorenzo's current situation:

"When San Lorenzo won its first Argentine title since 2001 last season, it demonstrated all the qualities of a true champion. Not only did the team play an attractive style of soccer, but it also showed the necessary temperament to defeat difficult opponents.

In the '07 Apertura Championship, San Lorenzo will do its best to reproduce last season's outstanding form, although it will be without two key players in Ezequiel Lavezzi and Cristian Ledesma, who left for Europe. But the reigning champions are still favorites to defend their title after replacing them.

Even so, with the level of quality likely to be on display in the championship this season, San Lorenzo must be at its all-time best in order to overcome tricky rivals like Boca Juniors, Estudiantes de La Plata and River Plate.

These clubs have also suffered similar losses, but have all cashed in thanks to their sales and should be as strong as ever. Argentine soccer is accustomed to the ongoing exodus of its best players, and although it often affects the better teams in the league, it helps bring in a large percentage of their cash flow.

It also helps even out the competition, as has been the case in the last few years. Many different teams are starting to break the Boca Juniors-River Plate monopoly, and several smaller clubs are beginning to rise to prominence. Teams like Arsenal de Sarandí and Lanús are now consistently challenging for the honors, and this is likely to continue this season.

The '07 Apertura, which begins on Friday, guarantees high-quality soccer and promises to be one of the most evenly matched competitions of the last few years.

Most significant signings
Of all the title candidates, San Lorenzo reinforced the best after cashing in on Lavezzi's $8 million transfer to Italy's Napoli. The defending champs beat Boca to midfielders Juan Manuel Torres (Racing) and Daniel Bilos (Saint-Étienne).

Bilos, who had won two championships with Boca before moving to France, will add strength to San Lorenzo's midfield with his 6-foot-4 frame. But San Lorenzo's biggest signing is Bernardo Romeo, who returns to the club from Spain's Osasuna. Romeo played a leading role in San Lorenzo's '01 Apertura and Copa Mercosur titles."

Theodore became a new member of "The Glorious"

Theodore is Greek but he lives in England. Today he became San Lorenzo supporter and he will follow all San Lorenzo news from our blog. In Greece, he supports Olympiacos and he is very happy with their new player Ledesma! Enjoy him!
Welcome Theodore to the FAMILY!

Romeo heads back to San Lorenzo

Osasuna have agreed a deal for their striker Bernardo Romeo with San Lorenzo of Almagro.

The move will see Romeo return to his home country for a second spell with his beloved San Lorenzo.

San Lorenzo president Rafael Savino announced the agreement, saying: "I have reached an agreement with the officials of Osasuna for bringing back Romeo to San Lorenzo.

"There has been a total understanding with Osasuna. We had to resolve the fact that Romeo was under contract for one more year at Osasuna and fortunately we have been able to do that.

"Next Tuesday we will be signing the contract and that night Romeo will be travelling to Buenos Aires."

Romeo was top scorer in the Argentine top flight with San Lorenzo in 2001, when San Lorenzo got the Argentine Championship. During his three years in the Bundesliga he scored 35 goals in 77 league appearances.

The 29-year-old striker then spent a less successful spell in Spain, first at Real Mallorca and then Osasuna, and he says he would welcome a return to Argentina to link up with coach Ramon Diaz.

Romeo said: "I was hoping for an understanding between both clubs because I am very tempted with the project that Ramon Diaz has for San Lorenzo for the next year, to play the Copa Libertadores."

"I came to Osasuna a few days ago after being on holiday in Argentina because I had to present myself at the club for the pre-season work. But I am very thankful because the officials of Osasuna understood that it's important for me to return to San Lorenzo."

Bilos Awaiting San Lorenzo Deal

The agent of Argentine midfielder Daniel Bilos told the press that the negotiations for the player to join the Argentine giants San Lorenzo next season are “difficult”, but he is still optimistic about its chances.

Hugo Issa, the agent who represents the midfielder, admitted that there are differences between both parties for the player to join the Argentine champions, but affirmed that the negotiations “will be resolved”.

What is delaying the transfer is that French club Saint Etienne, who are the owners of the player, “are making things difficult”, because they are asking for more money before loaning out the player to San Lorenzo.

At the moment Bilos, who stands at 1.94 meters, finds himself in Buenos Aires waiting for both clubs to come to an agreement over his future.

According to Issa the midfielder “wants to play for San Lorenzo”, but has left himself open to offers from other clubs.

“They have called us from lots of places, from Boca, Independiente. But the team that is most interested in acquiring the player’s services is San Lorenzo”, he said.

Issa is happy about the interest shown for Bilos by San Lorenzo manager Ramon Diaz, and concluded “for Ramon to want him is something to be very proud about”.

Source: www.goal.com

Who say that we haven't gone to Japan? We ARE in Japan!

Tokyo Football Club fans know very well who are the best supporters in the world and they support their team with all the "party-favours" (flags, horns, sunshades) imitating "The Glorious". I took these pictures from www.mundoazulgrana.com.ar forum. Thanks Ary and Diega from mundoazulgrana.com!

This is how a Greek "journalists" talked about Ledesma

While I was reading the news in www.goal.com, I found out the following paragraph written by Michael Paterakis from Athens:

"...According to reports, 28-year-old San Lorenzo defensive midfielder, Christian Ledesma, is coming to Greece this week to sign a three-year contract with the Super League winners. That will be his second spell with a European club after a short stint with Hamburger SV five years ago. He has also played for seven Argentinean clubs, including River Plate" Source: http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=362333

Here you have my comments to Michael's report, also posted in www.goal.com:

"Dear Michael, let me tell you that Ledesma is currently well known simply because he played in San Lorenzo, the last great Argentine champion. You should have written the following instead: "He has also played for seven Argentinean clubs, including SAN LORENZO, where he was one of the best players of the current Argentine champions". Why did you add: "includying River"? I inform you, that Olympiacos didn't buy him when he played for River. He was not called to play for the Argentine National team when he played for River, although he is part of the Argentine Natinoal team now that he plays for San Lorenzo. Your comment seems to suggest that you are ignorant about argentine football, and that you believe that argentine football is simple Boca Juniors and River PLate. With this kind of comments, you contribute to feed this fake hegemony!!! There are many other important football clubs in Argentina and it's fair to mention them when they are part of the news. Don't feed the beasts!!! With Regards, Pato"

San Lorenzo gives Olympiacos a gift.

One would expect that gifts go from rich to poor. This doesn't happen in San Lorenzo of Almagro. We are so altruist and we care so much about the wellbeing of the others, that we decided to give up Cristian Ledesma, one of the best Argentine midfielders and current champion with San Lorenzo of Almagro, just for U$S 1.200.000.

Ledesma, has just signed up a contract with Olympiacos. He was a key player in San Lorenzo’s sensational title run and he previously had little success in Europe when he defended the colours of Germany’s Hamburg SV.

The midfielder was happy with the chance to return to Europe even though a) he won’t be playing in one of the continent’s major leagues and b) he is leaving the best Argentine team.

“It is a very important step. I will go to a club that also plays for important things, that’s why I made the decision. Emigrating once again is very difficult for the whole family, but I have to do this because I want to have my revenge in Europe”, he said, and we add a detail that he hasn't mention: he signed a contract to stay at the Greek team for three seasons, and will receive a salary of 500,000 euros for each of those seasons. But he kept emphasizing the other non-pecuniary factors: “It is very important, I like it a lot. Knowing that the team has qualified for the competition had a big influence in my decision”, he concluded.

San Lorenzo, who holds the 50% of Ledesma’s pass, will receive just US$ 1.200.000. Considering the values of other transactions in the football players' market, we believe that San Lorenzo has just decided to give a gift to Olympiacos. I wish Olympiacos realizes that and is reciprocal with San Lorenzo in the near future.

San Lorenzo Players Burgled in Mexico's Port of Veracruz

MEXICO CITY, July 22. San Lorenzo de Almagro players called police on Sunday over a 4,000-US-dollar and some personal belongings burglary at a hotel in Mexico's port of Veracruz.

The robbery included 4,000 dollars in cash, four computers, among other undisclosed items, as San Lorenzo's vice-president Nestor Daffinoti said.

Daffinoti reported the burglary to judicial officials of Vercaruz city on Sunday and he said the burglary occurred in the hotel where the players were lodged.

After losing their friendly game against Mexico's Veracruz first division team, San Lorenzo's players went out to eat in Verazcruz tourist port, Daffinoti said, but when they returned they noticed their belongings were in a mess and that they had been sneaked.

Daffinoti accused the hotel workers of refusing to help them or calling the police to immediately investigate the alleged burglary. The owners of the hotel promised Daffinoti that they were going to refund all the lost values to the players.

San Lorenzo Argentine Champion Clausura 2007. Watch all the goals below:

Bernardo Romeo Could Return To San Lorenzo

Osasuna striker Bernardo Romeo has announced his intentions to return to his native Argentina to play for former club San Lorenzo de Almagro.

Romeo confessed his desire to return to the Argentine champions, and said that Osasuna is likely to agree to release him in the next few days.

“I want to return because there [at San Lorenzo] I experienced my best moments”, said the Argentine.

Romeo, who started his career at Estudiantes de La Plata, helped Argentina win the U-20 World Cup in 1997, but hasn't been given much of a chance to impress for the senior national team.

He is seen as a San Lorenzo idol after helping the club win both the Clausura Championship and the Copa Mercosur in 2001.

San Lorenzo manager Ramon Diaz has made clear his interest in the player, after the recent departure of star striker Ezequiel Lavezzi to Italian club Napoli.

“I have to present myself at Osasuna because on Saturday we will begin the preseason. I will go there because one year still remains in my contract, but when we come to an agreement with San Lorenzo I will take the first plane available and will join the squad no matter where it is”, Romeo commented.

He affirmed that he is looking forward to returning to his former club because at San Lorenzo he experienced his “best moments as a footballer, and the club did everything possible for him to return".

According to Romeo his agent is in Spain trying to resolve the situation as soon as possible. He also said both clubs are likely to come to an agreement during some time next week.

Source: www.goal.com

San Lorenzo Edge Atlas 2-1 In Preseason Match

San Lorenzo de Almagro defeated Mexico’s Atlas 2-1 in their first preseason outing in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Diego Rivero opened the scoring for the Argentine club in the 29th minute, but Bruno Marioni equalised for Atlas six minutes later.

Midfielder Santiago Hirsig gave San Lorenzo a well deserved victory with five minutes remaining in the second period.

San Lorenzo are in the middle of their preseason workn in Acapulco, Mexico, and will clash with both Mexico's Veracruz and Jaguares de Chiapas today Saturday 21 July and next Saturday 28 July respectively.

The Argentine champions, who won the Clausura championship in sensational fashion, are one of the favourites to contend for next season’s title even though they have sold some of their key players.

Official: Napoli Sign San Lorenzo Striker Lavezzi

Ezequiel Ivan Lavezzi has moved from San Lorenzo to Napoli on a five year contract.

Lavezzi was being chased by a number of Italian clubs, but has been finally been snapped by recently promoted Napoli, who also signed Gargano in the afternoon.

He was recently crowned Argentine Champion with San Lorenzo, and put in a man of the match performance in the all important 4-2 win over Arsenal, the highlight being a sensational second goal with a fierce drive from outside the box.

He started his career with Estudiantes in 2003, and finished as the fourth highest scorer in the Apertura before moving to San Lorenzo, where he repeated the feat, turnign more than a few heads.

Before the commencement of the Clausura, the 22-year-old had been linked to Buenos Aires rivals River Plate. However, the deal fell through due to a conflict of interest between both clubs, and it seemed like the player was disappointed about the outcome.

He has since made and even better mark, meaning that the interest in him was no longer limited to Argentine clubs.

The youngster signs a five year contract with the club almost legendary in Argentina for Diego Maradona having represented them with distinction.

Having just turned 22, he is among the promising young strikers to come out of Argentina, even though he has yet to really set the scoring charts alight.

Source: www.goal.com

Visiting London and promoting "The Glorious"

On Sunday 8th July, Marian, Male, Juan and Pato met in London and of course, they took advantage of the situation to promote San Lorenzo and their glorious colours to the Londoners

Gianluca and Isabella became members of "The Glorious"

Last Friday was a special day for all of us. Gianluca and Isabella (both Italians) promised their unconditional and never-ending love to our colours. The pictures show us performing the ritual with our traditional blue and red umbrella and the moment of the celebrations. Gianluca and Isa prepared a "vera pizza italiana" for this special moment!! Cheers mate!!!

Do you want to know why they call us "The Glorious"? I guess the following video will give you an answer:

This is just a snapshot of what we are. We will be posting more information about San Lorenzo day by day. In the meantime, if you feel identified with us and you want to belong to the selective but big group of "crows" in the world, send us an e-mail to cuervosdeuk@yahoo.com.ar

It is raining in England but there is sunshine in Boedo

San Lorenzo beat Boca again and we celebrated the victory at the Peña.

First Pictures of the Peña

This is the way we follow every single match that San Lorenzo plays. In this picture we are Male, Marian and Pato (Argentina), Nata and Juancho (Colombia) and James (England).

Bjorn (a Swedish San Lorenzo supporter) and Pato went to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to support the Argentine national team against Brazil. Among us, Bjorn and Pato's main aim was to show the glorious blue and red colours to the 50.000 people at the stadium.
Pato with Rodrigo, another San Lorenzo supporter living here in England. He is from Bolivia, and he has been converted to our religion by means of the "exchanging shirts" ritual. Now, we also support The Strongest, the team he supports in Bolivia.
Marian (Arg) and Juan (Colombia), two of our unconditional members, got married wearing San Lorenzo´s shirt. They are seriously thinking of naming their future son "Boedo".

More celebrations at the Peña’s headquarters.