Paul Stalteri Thread

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to drfan23 at Vs for headsup

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: PAUL STALTERI

http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=922701&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb

When Martin Jol succeeded Jacques Santini as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur last autumn he gave a breast-beating speech, vowing to emulate the great Bill Nicholson and bring the glory days back to White Hart Lane.

Jol has gone on to build a young squad bursting with potential, studded with a few specifically chosen experienced heads, including Canada international Paul Stalteri.

The signing of Holland international midfielder Edgar Davids on a free transfer from Inter Milan was a major coup for Jol, but the less-hyped signing of Stalteri could prove just as important.

Jol's emotive address came just days after the late Tottenham manager, who delivered the league and FA Cup double in 1961 and two European trophies, had been remembered in a memorial service at White Hart Lane.

The Dutchman was not looking to abuse the situation when he made that declaration. He simply wanted to assure Tottenham fans that after years of upheavel those successful days can be recaptured and that he is the man to do it.

And Canada defender Stalteri has arrived at White Hart Lane determined to help Tottenham emulate his former club Werder Bremen in overhauling the established order.

Stalteri was a key member of the Werder Bremen side that shackled Bayern Munich's dominance long enough to win the Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2004.

And after just a few weeks in England, Stalteri has seen enough similarities to believe that Jol has indeed set the club on the road to glory.

"With Werder Bremen four or five years ago we had a good young team with loads of potential, we brought in a few experienced players and all of a sudden were at the top and won the championship. Hopefully we can do that here as well," Stalteri said.

"You can only learn from experienced players. We had the same thing in Germany. We had big signings come in who were used to winning.

"I think the manager has brought the players in to Tottenham with the winning attitude we need."

Jol's most frequent complaint last season was that his players lacked that killer instinct, that winning habit, that knowledge to close out a game.

Stalteri believes his experience as a proven winner will be the biggest asset he brings to Tottenham.

He spoke with Jol about his role as a senior player before signing and is looking forward to the responsibility of mentoring the likes of Wayne Routledge and Michael Carrick.

"That was one of the things the club and Martin wanted from me. He wants to build something for the future but it's difficult to win things with just youngsters," he said.

"At both international and club level I have played at a high standard so hopefully I can bring a winning attitude to a team that has loads of potential, help people believe in themselves, learn how to win and help us achieve things."

Stalteri is not the only thing that Tottenham and Werder Bremen's championship-winning team have in common.

The Germans were fired to victory by Brazilian striker Ailton, the hottest property in the Bundesliga that year with 28 goals.

Tottenham boast Jermain Defoe up front, a striker Jol believes is still improving and has the propensity to take next year's World Cup by storm.

Werder Bremen were driven by French midfielder Johan Micoud, a man Stalteri describes as the best player he ever played with.

Micoud was uncompromising and skilful in equal measure. For Micoud, read Davids.

Stalteri is not suggesting that Tottenham are capable of hauling in champions Chelsea or the Barclays Premiership's established powerbase immediately. Tottenham supporters have lived through enough false dawns to wonder whether the sun will ever rise again over White Hart Lane.

But the loss of sporting director Frank Arnesen to Chelsea this summer does not seem to have upset the apple-cart at all and Stalteri believes it won't be long now.

"I followed the Premiership next to the Bundesliga when I was in Germany and I knew about Tottenham, where they were going and what they want to achieve," he said.

"The club has been up and down for few years, but over the last year or so it has stabilised and I like the ambition of the club and what the manager has to offer. The biggest thing is that he wants to win."

[Joe MacCarthy]

From CBC website:
http://www.cbc.ca/soundslikecanada/

He's one of two Canadian soccer players in the top English league, the Premiership. Paul Stalteri plays for Tottenham Hotspur in London. He speaks with Shelagh Rogers about his life in soccer and experiences so far in the UK.

http://www.cbc.ca/soundslikecanada/media/20051109stalteri.ram
10 minute interview

[supersjd]

Paul Stalteri one of my all time favorite Canadian soccer players.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Rupert at Vs for headsup

Stalteri fuels enthusiasm for Spurs' European quest
Canadian learned trade among Germany's élite

By Jason Burt
Published: 20 November 2005
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/tottenham/article328135.ece

Paul Stalteri doesn't know why he is nicknamed "Diesel" - "it's an all-right name for a wrestler or something," he says - but it probably has a lot to do with his powerful and efficient style of play.

He is also, as the sobriquet suggests, somewhat unspectacular. But in a Tottenham Hotspur squad brimming with youth and fragile potential, the arrival of a seasoned Champions' League player over the summer, and on a free transfer, represented an astute piece of business.

Stalteri's credentials are indeed impressive; he played an ever-present role in Werder Bremen's league and cup double the season before last, thereby becoming the first Canadian footballer to win a title in one of the five major European leagues. That can be added to his fame back home, where he has also earned 50 caps playing for his country, whose football fans - known as "The Voyageurs" - dreamed up the fuel-related nickname.

"It's actually a good place to go on vacation because no one bothers you," Stalteri says when asked about his profile in his hometown of Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto on the banks of Lake Ontario. "Football's not the main sport. The interest is still in basketball and hockey."

Stalteri himself is also into the latter - his hero is the legendary Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky - but as one of three sons of an Italian immigrant father (a hairdresser by trade) it was too expensive to pursue. "Having two brothers, it was too much for us," Stalteri explains. "If one played, we all had to play. Instead it was football, which is much cheaper."

After being offered a university scholarship in South Carolina, Stalteri, who, to add to his exotic background, has a mother who was born in Guyana of Portuguese descent, opted to stay in Canada and play for the Toronto Lynx.

It was there that he was spotted by a Bremen scout, invited to Germany and offered a trial. His chances of succeeding were rated, by himself, at more than "1,000 to one" but, aged 20, he earned a contract. Still he had to wait almost three years for his Bundesliga debut.

"It took maybe 12 months longer than I would have liked," Stalteri says. "But it was probably the best thing for me. I learned my trade and so when my debut came I was really ready, mentally as much as anything." He made his mark. Playing as a makeshift striker against Cottbus, Stalteri scored.

"It was great to score. It's always fun," he says; he thereby became the first Canadian to do so in the Bundesliga. "I was playing in a number of different positions at that time. I think that I've played everywhere for Canada, although mainly in midfield." However, he concedes his best position is right-back, where he settled in Germany and where he has impressed this season.

"I try to be an honest player out there," Stalteri adds. "I think the fans recognise that. First and foremost I put the team before myself and my performance. My goal each week is to get a win, keep a clean sheet, and my performance goes from there."

At Spurs, now aged 28, he is as much valued for his experience as his ability. "I put in a lot of time in Germany and learned from some top international players over there and hopefully I can bring some of that over here," Stalteri explains.

He has noticed the differences between the Bundesliga and the Premiership. "A different pace," Stalteri says. "And scoring goals. They've been tough to come by in the League this year. Not just for us but in general. Probably in Germany we'd score two or three goals a game. And this year they've not come easy for teams."

Another difference, and an experience he hopes will be short-lived, is the absence of European competition. "It's fantastic to play Tuesday and Wednesday nights against the biggest clubs in Europe," says Stalteri, who made his Champions' League debut against Internazionale in September last year. "And that's something we have to strive to achieve. Hopefully we can qualify for the Uefa Cup this season, which may be a realistic goal for us, and then fight for that Champions' League spot a little bit more consistently."

Today Spurs face West Ham United, knowing they have to register a win to overcome the "setback" of losing to Bolton Wanderers before the international break. "I've got used to some big games in my career," Stalteri says when asked about the prospect of another London derby with added spice because of the four former Spurs players in the visitors' side and the two ex-Hammers now residing at White Hart Lane.

Stalteri's own decision to join Spurs, on a four-year deal, was an easy one, he says. His efforts were recognised by the Bremen fans, who held up banners of thanks on the final game of last season. "I was 27, almost 28, and my contract was up in Germany and I had had some great times there. But I have always wanted to experience another country and always wanted to play in the Premiership."

In fulfilling that ambition, he joins Fulham's Tomasz Radzinski as the only Canadians playing in the top flight here. "The interest is massive," he says of how the Premiership is followed back home. "I think there are four or five games live every weekend, probably more than in England. Because of the time difference, everyone watches while having their breakfast."

Despite that, and the fact that almost one million Canadian children play football, there is still no real system to encourage them into the game full-time. "You have to do it for yourself," says Stalteri, who has undoubtedly set a good example. After all, and with that nickname, few players offer more miles to the gallon.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Timotas at Vs for all his work below
http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8662

Paul Stalteri - Tottenham Hotspur RB and Canadian National Team Star
http://www.rp-online.de/layout/showbilder/416_ramelow_stalteri.jpg

Timotas: Firstly Paul, congratulations on your recent success at Tottenham. Here in Canada we have read reports of how you've fit in nicely and how adapting to the English game has been no problem for you. To begin...

Q 1: What is the main difference between the game in Bundesliga and the game in the Premiership? Which do you think suites your style best?
A: I think that the pace in the Premiership is a bit quicker and more direct than in the Bundesliga. It is also more physical than Germany and the referee lets the game flow a bit more. I like to think that both leagues suit my style in different ways, so I would not really say that one is better for me.

Q 2: What is it like to play against some of the worlds best players in the Premiership? Players such as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and Ruud van Nistelrooy?
A: It is a great challenge every week to go up against some of the best players in the world. There are many fantastic players in this league and I try to enjoy all the games as much as I can.

Q 3: Reading reports over here in Canada about your progress with Tottenham, it has been said that you have shown a lot of leadership at White Hart Line. How do you accomplish this?
A: I am not sure what the reports are saying, but I am at an age where I think that I can use some of my experience to help our team have a successful season.

Q 4: How do you feel the additions of yourself, Edgar Davids, and Jermaine Jenas have benefited Spurs this season?
A: I think that we have a very young team. The few additions to the team this year have helped give the squad a bit more experience.

Q 5: What is your opinion on the new Toronto MLS team set for 2007? Do you ever see yourself coming back to North America to end your career, perhaps in Toronto?
A: I think that if the team is operated at a top professional level then it could do very well in Toronto and that could only work to benefit young players in Canada. It is a very successful league in the states and I hope that the Toronto team will do well and be supported by the people. I am not sure when or where I will end my career, I am playing right now in England and I am really happy about that.

Q 6: As we know, the National team had a bit of a rocky World Cup Qualifying campaign with poor officiating, lack of preparation, etc. What do you think Canada needs to do to qualify for World Cup 2010?
A: We all know how difficult it is and will continue to be to qualify for a World Cup. We can only hope that we get off to a better start than the last campaign. We need to continue to get better and then you never know what can happen.

Q 7: A hot topic in Canadian soccer lately has been whether or not Julian De Guzman's younger brother, Feyenoord star, Jonathan will choose Canada or Holland. What is your understanding of this situation and which country do you believe he will lean towards?
A: I am not sure about Jonathan's situation, but I know his family and I think that they will help him make the best decision for his career.

Here are some additional questions from some Canadian soccer
supporters...

Jeffrey S. asks:
Why have you opted out for most of the Canadian national team dates
over 2005? Being a senior member of the team, do you think that you
should have a role beyond just playing for us, namely setting an
example and helping Frank consolidate a new block of players?
A: The only reason I did not play in many games this year was due to the injury I sustained in the last game of my career with Bremen, had that not happened then I would have been available to play in many more games.

Ian Kennett asks:
Have you or any other members of the national team able to offer
Jonathan De Guzman any encouragement/persuasion to play for Canada?
Will you be playing against Austria?
A: I have not spoken to Jonathan about his situation. I hope be part of the squad for the game in Austria.

Nolando asks:
Now that you have proven yourself to be Premiership material, do you
see Tottenham as another step in your development, perhaps a bridge to Serie A or even a real Champion's League contender?
A: I have a long term contract with Tottenham and I am more than happy here. I have no thoughts about any other team or league. I would like nothing more than being part of something special here and help this club back to playing at the top of the league where their fans deserve to be.

Gwallace76 asks:
If you just had to pick one, who is the most talented Canadian Player
you have played alongside in the past? Also, based on what you've seen over the last few years, who do you think Canada's top prospect is?
A: That is difficult to say, I have played with many great players for Canada, I can't really say who is the best. And I think that Canada has many young players who could go very far in this game, so again it is hard to say who the most talented of them is.

End of Question/Answer Session with Paul Stalteri.

I hope you guys enjoyed his answers to a few of mine and others questions. I don't think you'd be able to get a hold of one of the top defenders in the Premiership and be able to ask them questions like this, so lets be thankful Paul is such a great guy

[Joe MacCarthy]

Stalteri returns
By BILL BEACON
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/09/01/1793399-cp.html

MONTREAL (CP) - Paul Stalteri isn't going to worry about competition for his job back in England, while he's on home soil helping Canada's national soccer team.

With 50 caps, the veteran right back is the most experienced international player on a Canadian squad that will face Jamaica in a friendly Monday at the Claude Robillard Stadium (4 p.m. ET).

Meanwhile, his English club Tottenham Hotspur acquired right back Pascal Chimbonda from Wigan Athletic at the transfer deadline this week for a reported six million pounds ($12.6 million Cdn). He's the latest in a small wave of French players to join Spurs under new sporting director Damien Comolli of France.

Chimbonda was one of the surprise players of last season, when he was named to the Premiership team of the year by his fellow pros.

"I knew going into the season that with only one back there, they'd pick up another one," said the 28-year-old Stalteri. "You can't play the season with only one."

"So yes, it's competition. but on any big club there's at least two guys to every position and that's what it will be there. Playing in Bremen (Germany) most of my career, it was the exact same thing - two or three guys in each position. I'm used to it."

Tottenham also picked up French midfielder Steed Malbranque from Fulham this week. And they added left back Benoit Assou Ekotto and central defender Dorian Dervitte, both of France.

But then, a little flavour from a country that reached the World Cup final this summer should only boost the north London club.

"That's what the trend seems to be," Stalteri added with a smile. "It might have something to do with the sporting director being from France."

He said it will be up to Dutch head coach Martin Jol how much he plays.

Stalteri joined Tottenham last season after eight years with Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. He had one goal in 33 league matches and another in FA Cup play.

The Brampton, Ont., fullback missed Spurs' first two league matches this season with an ankle injury suffered a week into training camp in July, so the match against Jamaica will be his first in several weeks.

"I'm looking forward to Monday and playing a good game against a CONCACAF opponent," he said. "It'll be my first match in a while and hopefully it will be a good one."

Jamaica is ranked 74th in the world, to No. 82 for Canada.

Canada's interim head coach and national U-17 coach Stephen Hart has yet to name his starting 11. He won't have all 18 players together until practice on Saturday.

Three players from the Montreal Impact - goalkeeper Greg Sutton and defenders Adam Braz and Gabriel Gervais - were absent Friday after playing Thursday night in Portland, Ore.

Hart wants to test as many players as possible in this match and a return match at Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 8. Canada will also play a friendly in November in Europe, but the opponent has yet to be announced.

It is likely that veterans like Stalteri, defender Kevin McKenna of the German club Cottbus and Fulham striker Tomasz Radzinski will play Monday - Canada's first game in Montreal since a 3-0 loss to Turkey in 1995.

"I thought it was important for people in Canada to see these players that are on TV," said Hart. "We don't play a lot in Canada and this is the first game in the east for many years."

Also on the squad are former Impact players Patrice Bernier, Sandro Grande and Olivier Occean, all Montreal natives now playing in Scandinavia.

In the past, Canada's international games in Montreal have drawn more local immigrants from the visiting country than Canadian supporters. In one case, the "home" crowd booed the Canadian anthem.

"Any time you play in Canada, in certain areas, you're going to get that," added Hart. "It's something the players are accustomed to."

"Really, the only place it probably wouldn't happen is if we played in Newfoundland."

About 5,000 fans are expected to attend, less than half of what the Impact draws, but Labour Day weekend is busy with amateur soccer tournaments around Quebec.

Hart has watched film of the Jamaicans, known as the Reggae Boyz, but said they also have a new coach and may no longer play the same style.

"We're going in more concerned about what we do than what they do," he said.

Jamaica will train Saturday in Montreal, when Ziggy Marley, son of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley, will participate in a short scrimmage with the Canadian squad.

[Joe MacCarthy]

MATCH REPORT
04/03/2007
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/matchreport040307.html

Paul Stalteri's goal in injury time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY3YbB7qI3w&mode=related&search=) secured maximum points as Sunday's amazing Premiership clash ended 4-3 in our favour at Upton Park.

Having climbed a considerable mountain to recover from 2-0 down to 2-2 in the second half, we looked set for defeat when ex-Spur Bobby Zamora headed home for 3-2 to the Hammers with only five minutes remaining.

However, a substitution just after that goal sparked a late turn around. Adel Taarabt, just 17, came on for his debut and his first touch led to the equaliser as a driving run from half-way was ended by a foul on the edge of the box. Dimitar Berbatov stepped up to curl the equaliser into the top corner.

But that wasn't all. As the game ticked into injury time, Lee Young-Pyo won a key tackle on the edge of our box from a West Ham corner and suddenly, incredibly, we were on a five on one break. Paul Stalteri took over, released Jermain Defoe and crucially continued his run, Defoe took on Paul Konchesky and shot across Robert Green, who parried the ball out to - who else - Stalteri, who tapped in the winner.

We kicked-off with three changes from the win against Bolton - Anthony Gardner, Hossam Ghaly and Defoe came in for Ricardo Rocha, Didier Zokora and suspended Robbie Keane.

Paul Robinson got his hands warmed up early when Carlos Tevez embarked on a darting run and teed the ball up for Mark Noble to smash goalwards. Robbo's reactions were in fine working order as the Upton Park noise levels cranked up considerably.

Lee Bowyer marked his return from injury with a nasty chopping challenge on Hossam Ghaly, for which he was booked, before Niged Quashie did similar on Teemu Tainio and escaped unpunished.

West Ham's Matthew Upson did not last long on his home debut, just ten minutes before Calum Davenport was summoned from the bench to take on his former teammates, who nearly feel behind a few minutes later when Ghaly dinked forward for Berbatov to home in on goal only to be thwarted by Robert Green.

Berbatov was given another passage through and was again foiled by Green, but then misfortune struck at the other end on 16 minutes. Paul Konchesky galloped forward down the left and drove the ball into the direction of Tevez, who chested down perfectly in the path of Mark Noble. The young midfielder drilled a low, well executed shot beyond Robinson and into the net.

We should have been level during a spot of penalty area mayhem after 22 minutes. Jermain Defoe charged down a clearance, couldn't get his shot away, but Bowyer did make the next most significant connection and it took a fine save from Green to deny an own goal. The ball then ran loose for Berbatov to strike, but again Green was in heroic mode.

Berbatov could have had a hat-trick by this point, while West Ham could have doubled their advantage from a corner on 35 minutes, when Robinson launched out and didn't clear and Marlon Harewood could not convert from close range.

They did make it 2-0 on 41 minutes when Dawson was adjudged to have felled Tevez and the Argentine striker took the free-kick himself from just outside the area and flighted past the reach of Robinson before sprinting off and planting himself in the crowd.

There was a half-time change in Tom Huddlestone coming on for Ghaly and the deficit was reduced on 51 minutes when Aaron Lennon was felled in the penalty area by Bowyer. Defoe slotted home the penalty cool as you like.

Game on.

Jermaine Jenas was withdrawn after 56 minutes, with his place taken by Paul Stalteri. Pascal Chimbonda advanced to the right midfield position from where, on 64 minutes, he dispossessed Tevez and fed the advancing Berbatov. The Bulgarian crossed to Lennon who proceeded flick back to where Tainio was waiting to fire past Green to make it 2-2.

The game then fizzled out a little as nerves set in among the home support, while from our side the momentum from the leveller was lost.

Zamora then rose to head home with five minutes left and the fun began. Taarabt was fouled for Berbatov to level with 89 minutes on the clock before Stalteri started and finished the move to win it - it was that sort of game.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Players In The News
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Player of the Week: Paul Stalteri
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=2636

http://i11.tinypic.com/48flfgo.jpg
Paul Stalteri is in his third season with Tottenham Hotspur in London, England in the English Premier League. This past weekend, he returned to the lineup and scored the winning goal in injury time in a 4:3 victory over London rivals West Ham United. After replacing Jermaine Jenas in the 56th minute, he scored the winning goal in injury time on a rebound off a shot by Jermain Defoe.

The 29-year old defender from Brampton, ON has won 52 caps for Canada’s national senior team. He made his senior team debut at age 19 in a 0:1 loss to Iran in August 1997. Two years later, he scored his first goal in a 2:0 win over Guatemala at the 1999 Canada Cup in Edmonton. In 52 matches, Paul has scored seven times for Canada, including his most recent goal against Costa Rica in the 2003 Gold Cup. In 2006, Paul played both games of an international friendly series against Jamaica.

Paul has also played for Canada’s U-23 (Olympic), U-20 and U-17 teams. He played seven games (two goals) for Canada’s U-23 team, nine games for Canada’s U-20 youth team and three games for Canada’s U-17 team. In 1997, he represented Canada at the World Youth Championship in Malaysia.

This season, Paul has played four games for Tottenham Hotspur, the English team that now sits in eighth place in the Premiership with 42 points. Before joining Tottenham in 2004-05, he previously played for Werder Bremen (Deutschland), Toronto Lynx (Canada), and Clemson University (United States). For more information on Paul Stalteri, soccer fans can visit his personal website at www.PaulStalteri.com.