Author: scatty

Explaining the Lunar Calendar

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

The lunar calendar is a time-keeping system that is based on the cycles of the moon. It is used by many cultures and religions around the world and has been in use for thousands of years. Let’s take a closer look at the lunar calendar, how it works, and its significance in various cultures.

What is the Lunar Calendar?

The lunar calendar is a calendar system that is based on the cycles of the moon. The lunar month is approximately 29.5 days long, which is why lunar calendars often have 12 or 13 months in a year, to make up for the shorter lunar month. This is in contrast to the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used calendar system in the world and is based on the solar year, which is approximately 365.24 days long.

How Does the Lunar Calendar Work?

The lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon. The moon goes through a cycle of phases, from a new moon to a waxing crescent, to a full moon, to a waning crescent, and back to a new moon again. Each of these phases lasts for approximately 29.5 days, which is why the lunar month is approximately 29.5 days long.

In the lunar calendar, a new month begins on the day of the new moon. This is in contrast to the solar calendar, where a new month begins on a fixed day, such as the first of the month. The lunar calendar is also used to determine the dates of various holidays and religious observances. For example, in the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of the month.

Significance of the Lunar Calendar in Various Cultures

The lunar calendar has been used by many cultures and religions throughout history. Here are some examples:

Islamic calendar: The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar that is used by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of various religious observances, such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha. The Islamic calendar has 12 months, and each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.

Chinese calendar: The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon and the sun. The Chinese calendar has 12 or 13 months, and each month begins on the day of the new moon. The Chinese calendar is used to determine the dates of various holidays and festivals, such as the Chinese New Year.

Jewish calendar: The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar that is used by Jews around the world to determine the dates of various religious observances, such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover. The Jewish calendar has 12 or 13 months, and each month begins on the day of the new moon.

Hindu calendar: The Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar that is used by Hindus around the world to determine the dates of various religious observances, such as Diwali and Holi. The Hindu calendar has 12 or 13 months, and each month begins on the day of the new moon.

Mayan calendar: The Mayan calendar is a complex calendar system that was used by the Maya civilization in Mesoamerica. The Mayan calendar is a combination of a solar calendar and a ritual calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon. The Mayan calendar has 18 months, and each month has 20 days.

5 Tips and Tricks to Solve Word Scramble Puzzles Faster

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

Word scramble puzzles are a fun and challenging way to exercise your brain and improve your vocabulary. These puzzles involve rearranging the letters of a word or phrase to create a new word or phrase. However, some people find word scramble puzzles to be difficult and time-consuming. Today, we will provide five tips and tricks to solve word scramble puzzles faster.

Start With the First and Last Letters

The first and last letters of a word are often the easiest to identify. They can provide clues to the length of the word and the sound of the word. Starting with these letters can help you quickly narrow down the possible options for the remaining letters. Once you have identified the first and last letters, you can try to fill in the gaps in the middle.

Look For Prefixes and Suffixes

Many words in the English language contain prefixes and suffixes. These are word parts that are added to the beginning or end of a word to change its meaning. For example, the prefix “un-” can be added to the word “happy” to create the word “unhappy.” Similarly, the suffix “-able” can be added to the word “read” to create the word “readable.” Looking for prefixes and suffixes can help you quickly identify the root word and make it easier to unscramble the rest of the letters.

Group the Letters by Sound

Another strategy for unscrambling letters is to group them by sound. For example, the letters “h,” “o,” and “w” can be grouped together because they all make the “ow” sound. By identifying these groups of letters, you can start to piece together the word or phrase. This strategy is particularly helpful for longer words or phrases where there are multiple sounds to identify.

Use Context Clues

Context clues can be a powerful tool for unscrambling words. If the word scramble puzzle is part of a larger puzzle or game, such as a crossword puzzle or word search, the surrounding clues or answers can provide context for the scrambled word. For example, if the clue for a crossword puzzle is “a small, furry animal with a bushy tail,” and the scrambled word is “rsoqiu,” you can use the context clue to unscramble the word as “squirrel.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of letters. You may not get the word or phrase on your first attempt, but by trying different combinations of letters, you can slowly narrow down the possibilities. If you get stuck, take a break and come back to the puzzle later with fresh eyes. Sometimes, a different perspective can help you see things that you missed before.

Word scramble puzzles can be a fun and rewarding way to challenge your brain and improve your vocabulary. By using the strategies outlined in this blog post, you can solve these puzzles faster and with greater accuracy. Remember to start with the first and last letters, look for prefixes and suffixes, group the letters by sound, use context clues, and don’t be afraid to experiment. With a little practice, you’ll become a word scramble puzzle master in no time!

Where Did The Percent Sign Come From?

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

The percent sign, %, is a symbol that is ubiquitous in modern society. It appears on price tags, financial reports, and scientific measurements. Despite its widespread use, many people do not know the history of this symbol or where it came from.

The percent sign is a shorthand way of writing “per cent,” which is Latin for “by the hundred.” The idea of expressing ratios as parts per hundred can be traced back to ancient times when traders used a system of 100 units to make calculations easier. This system was eventually adopted by bankers and financiers, who used it to calculate interest rates and other financial calculations. The earliest known use of the percent sign dates back to the early 15th century.

It appeared in a manuscript called “Liber algorismi de practica arismetrice” by Johannes Widman, a German mathematician. Widman used the symbol “per mille” (‰) to represent fractions of one thousand, similar to the modern-day permille symbol. The symbol was a small circle with a horizontal line through it, which represented the number 1,000.

Widman’s use of the symbol was limited to specific contexts, such as calculations involving currency exchange rates. The percent sign as we know it today first appeared in the 17th century. It was created by Italian mathematician and astronomer Giovanni Battista Amici, who used the symbol in his work on celestial mechanics. Amici’s symbol was a small circle with a vertical line through it, similar to the modern-day percent sign.

The symbol quickly caught on among mathematicians and scientists, and it became the standard symbol for expressing percentages in the 18th century. Interestingly, the percent sign is not the only symbol that has been used to represent percentages. In France, the symbol ‱ (pronounced per-mille) is commonly used to represent parts per thousand.

This symbol is a small circle with two vertical lines through it, similar to the modern-day permille symbol. In some countries, such as Germany and Austria, the symbol %o is used to represent parts per thousand. This symbol is a small circle with a diagonal line through it, similar to the modern-day zero symbol. In addition to its use in mathematics and science, the percent sign has also become a common symbol in everyday life.

It appears on price tags, advertisements, and in financial reports. In these contexts, the percent sign is used to express the percentage increase or decrease in a price or value. In conclusion, the percent sign has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. It is a symbol that has evolved over the centuries, and it has become an essential tool for mathematicians, scientists, and everyday people alike.

Whether you are calculating interest rates, checking the latest stock prices, or simply trying to figure out the best deal on a new purchase, the percent sign is a symbol that you are likely to encounter on a regular basis.

The Top 5 AS Roma Players of All Time

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

There are certain countries where professional football simply means more, and Italy is one of them. Italy is home to some of the most prestigious pro clubs, and among the most successful is Associazione Sportiva Roma, though most simply refer to them as Roma. The club has a long and storied history, and throughout it, there have been some players who have been considered among the best that the club has ever had.

Whether it be because they exhibited strong leadership, were able to net a ton of goals, or played tremendous defense, some Roma players are held in higher regard than the rest. Let’s take a look at the five best AS Roma players of all time and explain what it was that made them so legendary.

Roberto Pruzzo

A man who was known for scoring goals seemingly at will during the prime of his career, only one man scored more goals for Roma in the club’s history, but Pruzzo also played in hundreds of fewer matches. Pruzzo began his career with Genoa and was placed onto their senior squad in 1973. After five years, Pruzzo made his way to Roma where he made 315 appearances and scored 138 goals.

Pruzzo was the top scorer in Serie A in three different years and led Roma to the European Cup Finals. Thanks to his scoring efforts, Roma won the Coppa Italia four times during Pruzzo’s decade-long tenure. He wrapped up his professional career with one season with Fiorentina, but he will always be remembered mostly for his terrific play with Roma.

Giuseppe Giannini

Midfielder Giuseppe Giannini was bound to be a Roma legend from the time he was young. Giannini was born and raised in Rome, beginning his youth career with Almas Roma. All of the large Italian clubs wanted Giannini, but it was AS Roma that landed him in 1980 when he was just 16 years old. The following year, Giannini made his senior debut and would spend 15 years with Roma.

Giannini made 437 total appearances with Roma, scoring 75 goals and spending many of his years as the squad’s captain. Giannini’s Roma teams won the Coppa Italia three times and the Serie A championship once. In 1996, Giannini’s Roma career finally came to an end as he spent brief tenures with Sturm Graz, Napoli, and Lecce before retiring in 1999.

Bruno Conti

There were a couple of times when Bruno Conti was sent out on loan to Genoa, but other than that, he only played professionally for Roma. Conti was born in Nettuno in 1955, and after turning 18 he made his debut with Roma’s senior team where he became a staple for nearly two decades. With just over 400 in total, Conti ranks seventh on the list of most appearances in club history.

Conti was a fantastic winger during his professional career, helping Roma to win the Coppa Italia five times and the UEFA Cup Finals. Conti donned the number seven uniform, and the Hall of Famer was dubbed “The Mayor of Rome” thanks to his long tenure with Roma. Even after retiring from play, Conti stuck around the club and became the head of youth development, paving the way for Roma’s future.

Daniele De Rossi

Just like Bruno Conti, Daniele De Rossi became a legend with Roma who played for nearly 20 years with the club. De Rossi was born in Rome in 1983, joining the Roma youth squad in 2000. The following year, he made his professional debut and stuck around until 2020 when he wrapped up his playing days with five games as a member of Boca Juniors.

De Rossi made more appearances than all but the number one player on the list, netting 63 goals in that time. The former Serie A Footballer of the Year helped Roma reach new heights during the 2010s, including a deep run in the Champions League. With De Rossi, Roma won a pair of Coppa Italia while he also won the 2006 World Cup.

Francesco Totti

Just about every major record that there is in Roma history is held by Francesco Totti, and that’s probably never going to change. Totti has 170 more appearances than anyone else while having more than twice as many goals. Unlike the other members of the list, Totti never played for a professional team that wasn’t Roma, either.

Totti made his Roma debut in 1993 after bouncing around several youth teams, and his tenure lasted all the way into 2017. Totti had a long list of achievements throughout his career, winning a Serie A title, two Coppa Italia, a World Cup, and five Serie A Footballer of the Year titles.

5 US Presidents You Probably Forgot About

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

There are certain presidents who are remembered for generations after they’ve left office, with the likes of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt listed as some of the best and most memorable presidents ever. There are also those who are remembered due to a lot of negativity, especially in the 21st century when 24-hour news coverage made political figures a bit less-likable.

Then, there’s the third category, filled with presidents that didn’t really do anything remarkable, but also didn’t do anything catastrophically bad. These men led the nation for brief periods of history that have largely been forgotten in the United States, but today, we remember those men. Here are five US Presidents you probably forgot about, highlighting some of the things that most people should probably remember.

William Henry Harrison

There’s only one thing that people truly remember about William Henry Harrison, and it’s the fact that he died almost immediately after moving into the White House. The reason that people don’t talk about his death very much these days is because he wasn’t assassinated or a leader during a war, but because he died from getting caught in a rainstorm and not changing his clothes.

Harrison, at the time, was the oldest person to take office and died of pneumonia just 31 days after being inaugurated. Would he have made a good president? It’s hard to say since he barely had time to unpack, but his death certainly left a mess in Washington. It wasn’t really clear who should take over, and this caused American law to change so that the Vice President assumes office if the President dies.

Chester A. Arthur

After the rules changed, there became some instances where the Vice President had to take over as the leader of the nation, and one of those examples was Chester A. Arthur. The Vermont-born Arthur had accomplished a lot in his political career while living in New York, and he became head of the state’s Republican Party at the end of the 1870s. When James Garfield became president following the 1880 election, Arthur became his VP.

This is sort of a two-for-one package as Garfield’s term was mostly forgettable due to being so short (six months), but his presidency ended in an assassination. From September 1881 until Grover Cleveland’s inauguration in 1885, Arthur served as United States President, but at the time was very disliked. History hasn’t really portrayed him in a negative light to the general public, though, as he’s mostly been forgotten altogether.

Benjamin Harrison

On the other side of the Grover Cleveland presidency is another forgettable president with the last name Harrison. The grandson of William Henry Harrison, Benjamin Harrison was born in Ohio and served as a United States Senator in the 1880s, representing Indiana. Harrison served in the position for six years and won the 1888 election over the one-term Cleveland.

The Republican had dominated in the northern states, collecting enough Rust Belt votes to edge out Cleveland. As for his presidency, it was largely forgotten. Harrison did some good things like moving the United States closer toward the Civil Rights Movement and antitrust laws, but rankings usually have him smack dab in the middle in terms of overall effectiveness.

Franklin Pierce

When it comes to the legacy of Franklin Pierce, you probably only remember his haircut. Presidents, for the most part, have had very short haircuts, but Pierce looked like a modern-day hockey player compared to the other presidents throughout history. Pierce was the 14th President of the United States, and the New Hampshire native had been a Senator for five years after moving up the political ladder in his home state.

Pierce didn’t just win the 1852 election, either, he dominated Winfield Scott of the Whig Party, winning all but four states. However, Pierce served just one contentious term where not much was accomplished. He didn’t even have a Vice President for most of his term as William R. King died in the first month, muddying things up even more.

Gerald Ford

Even people who were alive for the presidency of Gerald Ford can’t remember much outside of the fact that he pardoned Richard Nixon, nearly choked on a tamale, and fell down a set of stairs when walking off of an airplane in Austria. Other than that, Ford was mostly known for his pre-Presidential days.

Ford was a standout college football player for the University of Michigan and only assumed the presidency because of Nixon’s resignation. Ford did not win his re-election bid in 1976, and the biggest positive takeaway from his presidency was First Lady Betty Ford’s fight against addiction stigma.

5 Countries That Could Host a Fifth Tennis Major

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

The sport of tennis is steeped in tradition, and it’s unlikely that some of the major aspects of the sport will change. However, people have said that before, but the Open Era has proven that major change in tennis is possible. Currently, there are four grand slam tournaments that bring in the most revenue and viewership each year with the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon.

While a fifth major wouldn’t make it a “grand slam” per se, the name could change to add a fifth major. While it’s not the most likely scenario, where could a fifth major be held? Here are the five countries which would be the most likely to host a hypothetical fifth major.

Canada

North America has a rich tradition and history with tennis, but people tend to think of the United States first. Canada would be one of the top choices for a fifth tennis major, especially as the nation hosts one of the oldest popular tournaments in the world, the Canadian Open. The tournament began play in 1881 and splits time between Montreal and Toronto. The Canadian Open is one of the ATP Tour Masters 1000, so it wouldn’t be a hard sell.

Even if a new fifth major wasn’t held in either of the two big cities, there are still plenty of places in Canada that have the capability of hosting such an event. Cities like Vancouver and Ottawa come to mind, though there is just one drawback: the weather. Ideally, a Canadian grand slam would have to be played between May and August. This would clash with some of the events like Wimbledon and the US Open.

Italy

Italy is another one of the countries which has an ATP Masters 1000 tournament but no grand slam event. Rome is host to the annual Italian Open, which has been played since 1930. That’s not the only city that has hosted significant ATP events, either, as Turin has hosted the ATP Finals. Either city would be a fantastic candidate for a tennis major.

Both cities have also shown that they’re capable of holding events that are even much larger than a tennis major, with Turin hosting a Winter Olympics in its past while Rome has hosted a Summer Olympics. The infrastructure is there, and Pala Alpitour in Turin is already the sixth-largest tennis venue in the world. It was initially designed for the Winter Olympics but was repurposed and selected to be the ATP Finals host on a lengthy contract.

Netherlands

There have been some top-notch tennis players to come from the Netherlands including Tom Okker, Kea Bouman, and Betty Stove. However, the country doesn’t have one of the grand slam events and doesn’t even have one of the ATP Masters 1000. In fact, they’ve never hosted one while countries like Germany and Sweden used to.

So what is it about the Netherlands that makes it a prime destination for a tennis major? For starters, the country is well-suited to have hundreds of thousands of visitors at any time, and the facilities are already there. The Netherlands is home to Rotterdam Ahoy, which is the fifth-largest tennis venue in the world. The nation holds ATP 250 and 500 tournaments, but it’s time for a step up.

China

Returning to countries that are hosting the largest non-major tournaments, China is home to the newest entry of the ATP Masters 1000 in the form of the Shanghai Masters. The event was first held in 2009 and is located at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. Though COVID-19 travel restrictions put the Shanghai Masters on hiatus, it was clear that the ATP saw a future in China.

Even without Shanghai, there are plenty of places to host a grand slam event in China, especially after all of the infrastructure built for the multiple Olympics the country has held in the 21st century. National Tennis Stadium in Beijing is one of the 10 largest tennis venues in the entire world and has been home to the China Open since 2011.

Spain

The final country on the list is another one that has an ATP Masters 1000 but no major. The Madrid Open is newer than all Masters besides the Shanghai event, with the Madrid Open starting in 2002. Spain has a rich tennis history that makes it a perfect spot for a major, and the country already hosts several other ATP tournaments.

Spain’s largest tennis venue doesn’t quite stack up to some of the others, but the home of the Madrid Masters still seats 12,500 people. Spain has regions that don’t get awfully cold, either, allowing the country to be flexible with dates if a fifth major was added.

Uncovering the Greatest Matches in WTA Tennis History

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

In the world of professional tennis, there are a lot of matches that end in straight sets as the most elite players in the world are head and shoulders above much of the competition that they face. When you get toward the finals of each tournament, though, players are more evenly matched and it can make for some legendary matches.

Throughout the history of the Women’s Tennis Association, some matches have been replayed over and over on television because they were so amazing. Let’s take a look at the five best matches in WTA history (in no particular order), who came out on top in those matches, and how it impacted the sport of tennis for years to come.

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Francesca Schiavone (2011-Australian Open)

Svetlana Kuznetsova had cruised into the fourth round of the 2011 Australian Open as the 23rd seed, winning her first three matches in straight sets. Italian player Francesca Schiavone, on the other hand, needed three lengthy matches as the sixth seed. The two would square off with a trip to the semifinals on the line, with Schiavone taking the first set 6-4 while Kuznetsova won the second 6-1.

The third and final set would be an epic showdown, pushing the match to a time of 4 hours and 44 minutes, making it the longest women’s singles match in grand slam history. The two competitors were clearly exhausted by the end, but Schiavone was able to hold out for just a bit longer, winning the set 16-14. She then went on to win the first set in the quarterfinals against Caroline Wozniacki before losing in three sets.

Venus Williams vs. Lindsay Davenport (2005-Wimbledon)

Venus Williams had almost zero trouble with the competition at the 2005 Wimbledon Championships, winning all of her matches in two sets leading up to the finals. Lindsay Davenport had two of her matches reach a third set, but it never seemed that she was in any true danger of losing. Davenport was the number one player in the world at the time while Venus was ranked 14th.

Davenport got an early jump on Williams, winning the first set 6-4, but a tiebreaker win in the second set allowed Williams to force a third set. The two women went into extended games in the final set, with Williams winning 9-7. Williams had been on the brink multiple times but finished the nearly 3-hour-long match with a victory.

Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova (1985-French Open)

One of the greatest rivalries in women’s tennis history was between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, with the two facing off many times throughout their illustrious careers. Some of those clashes occurred with the pair being ranked as the top two players in the world, and the 1985 French Open was no exception. Neither woman had dropped a set by the time they reached the finals against each other.

Evert won the first set 6-3 while Navratilova won a lengthy tiebreaker to take the second set 7-6. Evert was able to beat her rival in the third set, winning 7-5. The two embraced after their epic match, with Navratilova saying “We brought out the best in each other.”

Monica Seles vs. Steffi Graf (1992-French Open)

In another case of the world’s top two players going at it with a grand slam championship on the line, Monica Seles and Steffi Graff were both in their prime when 1992 came around and battled for the French Open title. Seles came in as the top-ranked player while Graf was hot on her heels. In the semifinals, both women would need three sets, and they’d need even more than the standard for their finals match.

Seles took the first set 6-2 while Graf answered back with a 6-3 win. The deciding set went on for a long time as neither one wanted to be the person that cracked first. Eventually, a worn-out Seles got the best of Graf, winning the set 10-8. “It couldn’t have been a better final,” Seles said, claiming it was the most emotional match she has played.

Maria Sharapova vs. Serena Williams (2005-Australian Open)

The second of just two matches on the list that aren’t grand slam finals came in 2005, but a trip to the finals was on the line when fourth-seeded Maria Sharapova was taking on seventh-ranked Serena Williams at the Australian Open. Williams was coming off of an easy win, defeating second-ranked Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 6-2, while Sharapova had been in a battle with Svetlana Kuznetsova.

It appeared that Sharapova was locked in after the first set as she cruised to a 6-2 win. In the second set, however, Williams came back from a 5-4 deficit and won 7-5. The final set was an epic showdown of two women at the top of their game, with Williams prevailing 8-6 after fighting off three break points. She’d go on to win the title over top-ranked Lindsay Davenport.

5 Best Players in Chelsea History

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

Chelsea F.C. was founded at the start of the 20th century, and over the years became one of the most popular teams in Europe. Even though they’ve had to contend with some clubs who are seen as more “prestigious”, Chelsea has held its own and has become a staple at the top of the standings in the English Premier League.

To make its surge in popularity and years of success possible, Chelsea has had to have a lot of great players. Which ones stand out as the best, though? Here are our picks for the five best players in Chelsea history. Before we start the list, here are some notable Chelsea players who just missed the cut: Peter Osgood, Ron Harris, George Hilsdon, Peter Cech, and Peter Bonetti.

Didier Drogba

One of just two members of the list to not be born in England, Didier Drogba hails from the Ivory Coast and made his way to France to begin his professional football career. Drogba made his senior debut with Le Mans in 1998, and over the following few years played for Guingamp and Marseille. Then, in 2004, Droga moved to Chelsea and became a staple, having one long stint with the club and one brief one.

Drogba holds the Chelsea record for most EPL goals in one season (29) while also holding a slew of other season-long scoring achievements. He ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list for Chelsea with 164 goals, doing so in just 381 appearances. 36 of those goals came in European competition.

Bobby Tambling

There were a lot of English clubs that wanted to acquire the talents of Bobby Tambling during the mid-1950s, but it was Chelsea that landed him. After two years of playing youth football, Tambling was promoted to the senior squad and spent more than a decade playing for Chelsea up until 1970. He spent the 1970s playing for several different teams, including Cork Celtic and Waterford.

Tambling is just one of two people to record more than 200 goals for Chelsea, collecting a total of 202. He didn’t need many appearances to do it, either, as he scored that much in just 370 matches. Tambling holds the Chelsea record for most league goals, and he helped the squad win the Football League Cup in the 1964-65 season.

Gianfranco Zola

Like Didier Drogba, Gianfranco Zola made a lot of other stops before playing for Chelsea as he was born outside of England. The Italian native made his professional debut in 1984 with Nuorese before spending time with Torres, Napoli, and Parma. Finally, in 1996, Zola became part of Chelsea’s squad and spent the next seven years in London before wrapping up his career with Cagliari.

Zola won the 1996-97 Football Writers’ Association Football of the Year honors and was named the squad’s Player of the Year twice. Though he was never part of a Premier League-winning team with Chelsea, Zola did take home two FA Cups and the 1998 EUFA Cup Winners’ Cup. In 2006, Zola was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

John Terry

John Terry started his youth football career with West Ham United, but in 1995 moved to Chelsea. Three years later, he was promoted to the senior squad where he spent almost a full two decades on the roster (outside of a brief loan to Nottingham Forest). Terry played his final match with Chelsea in 2017 before a brief run with Aston Villa to end his playing career.

For many who grew up watching Terry, it was hard to even picture him wearing another kit. He had more appearances for Chelsea than all but two men (Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti), and also won the 2004-05 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award. Thanks to Terry, Chelsea was able to win five Premier League titles.

Frank Lampard

Just like John Terry, Frank Lampard began his youth career with West Ham, but he also started his professional career with the squad. After spending six years on their squad, Lampard was moved to Chelsea where he spent 13 years. He then wrapped up his career with stints in Manchester City and New York City FC of Major League Soccer. Lampard even spent time as Chelsea’s manager from 2019 to 2021.

Obviously, Chelsea supporters remember Lampard more for his play on the pitch. Nobody has scored more goals in Chelsea history than Lampard, putting up 211 in 648 appearances. Bobby Tambling is the only other player to achieve more than 200. Lampard won three Premier League titles with Chelsea and was the 2005 Footballer of the Year in England. In 2021, he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

5 Greatest Coaches in Nebraska Football History

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

Nebraska is one of the most prestigious college football programs in the country, and is considered by many to be one of the “blue bloods” along with the likes of Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, etc. This was especially true for certain eras of Nebraska football when the program was regularly contending for a national championship, though there have been some eras in which the Cornhuskers have struggled.

Throughout it all, Nebraska has had over 30 head coaches in the program’s history, with an obviously large range of success. Which of these coaches ranks among the best in the program’s history, though? Here are our picks, in order, for the top five. Before we start the list, some of the coaches who just missed the cut include Jumbo Stiehm, Walter Booth, Ernest Bearg, and Ernest Bearg.

Dana Bible

In 1929, Dana Bible was named the 15th head coach in Nebraska football history and had a long track record when he joined the Cornhuskers. Bible had been at Mississippi College and LSU for one season each in the 1910s before joining Texas A&M for more than a decade. Bible coached Nebraska from 1929 to 1936 and didn’t have a single losing season in his tenure. His worst season came in 1930, with Nebraska still finishing 4-3-2.

Bible finished his eight-year tenure in Nebraska with a record of 50 wins, 15 losses, and seven ties. His .743 winning percentage is the seventh-best in Nebraska history, and fourth-best for coaches that had at least 70 games under their belt. Bible won six Big Six titles and lost just three conference games. He wrapped up his coaching career with 10 seasons leading the Texas Longhorns.

Frank Solich

Taking over head coaching duties for a certain someone who will be mentioned later was never going to be an easy gig. After the 1997 National Championship season, the Cornhuskers were looking for a new coach for the first time since 1972. Instead of hiring an outside candidate, the Cornhuskers promoted running backs coach Frank Solich, and he held the job for six seasons.

Solich struggled toward the end of his tenure and was put on the hot seat after a 7-7 season in 2002. However, that was the only time he had more than four losses and had an overall impressive record. Solich coached the Cornhuskers to a bowl game (or was at least eligible) in all six seasons, winning the Fiesta and Alamo Bowls. He was fired after 2003 despite having a 58-19 record, then coached Ohio for 16 seasons.

Bo Pelini

Bo Pelini was the defensive coordinator when Frank Solich was fired and took over as interim head coach for the 2003 Alamo Bowl, winning in his first game. Pelini then became an assistant coach for Oklahoma and LSU for four seasons before the Nebraska head coaching job became vacant once again. This time, Pelini was hired on a full-time basis. While he had success, it wasn’t enough for many Huskers fans.

Pelini lost exactly four games in each of his first six seasons and was fired after the 2014 regular season when he finished 9-3, avoiding a potential fourth loss again with no bowl game. Pelini, despite his critics, had a strong winning percentage and a record of 67-27, including four bowl wins.

Bob Devaney

Nebraska was a bit of a middling program for the first 70 years of the program’s history outside of a 1921 national championship, but that all changed in 1962. Michigan native Bob Devaney had been an assistant at Michigan State during the mid-1950s before being hired as the Wyoming head coach for five seasons.

Nebraska hired Devaney after he went 35-10-5 with the Cowboys, and it ended up being a home run hire. Devaney coached for 11 seasons with the Cornhuskers, and he lost just 20 games while winning 101. Devaney won six bowl games, including three consecutive Orange Bowls at the end of his tenure, winning back-to-back national titles in 1970 and 1971.

Tom Osborne

Of course, there’s no coach that really comes close to matching the success of Tom Osborne. Osborne had the unenviable task of following Devaney, and had served as an assistant with Nebraska for nine years before being named the head coach. Osborne got off to a good start, going 9-2-1 in his first year with a Cotton Bowl win.

Osborne’s Cornhuskers made a bowl game in all 25 of his seasons as head coach and were ranked outside of the top 15 at the end of the season just once (24th). Overall, Osborne had a record of 255-49-3, winning 13 conference championships and three national titles, including his final season (1997) as a coach.

5 AS Roma Rivalries You Need to Know About

Posted on February 23, 2023 by scatty

You can’t be a prominent football club in Europe without having some longstanding rivalries, and AS Roma is no exception. In their history which has lasted for more than a century, there are certain teams in Italy that have drawn the ire of Roma fans, making their annual matches mean just a little more.

While some have become rivalries simply because of how many times they’ve met up, there are a couple that are on a personal level between fanbases. Let’s take a look at the five AS Roma rivalries you need to know about, how the club has fared in these matches, and why these clubs in particular have a higher intensity level than others.

ACF Fiorentina

There have only been three teams Roma has played more than Fiorentina, but no rivalry for Roma has been quite as even. It seems that no matter if one team is having a down year, they’ll find a way to pull out one win against the other. That’s why through the first 180 matches of their rivalry, Roma and Fiorentina would end up with 63 draws, and a 64-54 win advantage for Roma.

While each club has a bigger rival, they are two of the longest-playing rivals. Known as the Derby of Central Italy, Fiorentina and Roma started playing each other back in the 1931-32 Serie A season, with Fiorentina getting the first victory. There have only been a couple of embarrassing four-goal blowouts in the rivalry’s history, too, with most of the matches being decided by one goal (if it’s not a draw).

Juventus

While the first rivalry on the list has been slightly in Roma’s favor, the second has actually been an uphill climb. In their first 192 matches, Roma would win 47 and draw 54, with Juventus taking 91 wins. There’s no special name for this rivalry, but fans can tell when the two teams meet up that they tend to play a little faster and tougher to try and establish themselves as the top team.

In the home games for Roma, the club has actually fared quite well with 32 wins and 30 draws compared to just 27 losses. As for their road record, though, it’s a tough one to look at. Through their first 90 matches at Juventus, Roma has come away with just nine wins. Juventus, on the other hand, has gotten 59.

Internazionale

The first time that Roma faced an opponent 200 times was when they met up in the 2021-2022 Serie A season to take on Internazionale. Throughout those first 200 matches, Roma would win 57 times and draw another 57 times while Inter took home 88 victories. Both teams have an edge in their home stadiums, but Inter’s is a larger one at 47-16 compared to 35-29.

When the two clubs meet, there is usually a lot on the line. Seemingly every year, they square off in the Coppa Italia, including several finals matches. In each of those finals, Inter has ended up winning, but it has always been close.

Napoli

There are two clubs who are considered to be the truest rivals of AS Roma, and the first of them is Napoli. The two clubs play each other in the Derby Del Sole (Derby of the Sun) and have met more than 170 times since their first matches all the way back in 1928. Since then, the rivalry has been about as even as you could imagine, with Roma holding 58 wins in the first 164 matches while Napoli has 51, and 55 draws between.

Both teams have exchanged spurts in which both of them were ahead of the other, including in the early 2020s when it seemed that Napoli was incapable of losing to their rival. At the beginning of the 21st century, though, Roma went on a 10-match streak where they didn’t lose to Napoli. The clubs have also almost evenly split in higher Serie A finishes, as well.

Lazio

Anyone that’s familiar with Roma football knew that Lazio would be number one on the list, as the Derby Capitolino is the most intense rivalry in all of Italy, with both teams sharing the capital city. There have been some heated moments throughout the rivalry’s history, including one player losing his life on the pitch for the first time in Italian history as the result of fans being too rambunctious.

Roma fans see Lazio supporters as hateful people from the worst parts of society, especially as there have been Lazio fans bringing anti-semitic apparel to the matches. For those outside of Italy, Roma is certainly seen as “the good guys” in the rivalry, and they have the edge in the overall record. Through their first 167 matches, Roma came away with 61 wins and 60 draws, with just 46 wins on Lazio’s side.