930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Barcelona on September 16, 2005, 05:29:00 pm
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Happy for FC Barcelona, happy for Real's loss. Thinking that Chelsea and Milan will be again the teams to beat this year. And Bergkamp might finally be travelling abroad ... by boat.
Bergkamp on Amsterdam ferry stand-by
September 15, 2005
LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is thinking of asking Dennis Bergkamp to take the ferry to Amsterdam for their Champions League match with Ajax in two weeks.
The Holland striker, who hit a last-minute winner in Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League victory over FC Thun on Wednesday, misses most European away games due to his fear of flying.
But he could be needed against Ajax in two weeks after Robin Van Persie's red card in the first half at Highbury left Wenger with only Jose-Antonio Reyes as Arsenal's experienced striker.
"I will make the decision as late as possible. When you make a player travel that far you have to be sure that you will play him," said Wenger.
"Seven hours' travel is sometimes tricky if you want to make changes to your plans at the last second."
Bergkamp came off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Swiss side Thun.
"The determination of Dennis was fantastic and a good example for our youngsters," said Wenger.
Thun, in their first Champions League campaign, had a numerical advantage for almost half the match after Van Persie's dismissal.
The Dutchman was shown a straight red after catching Alen Orman in the face with his boot as he jumped to control the ball.
"Ten versus 11 is difficult," added Wenger.
"I think it was the wrong decision, Van Persie did not want to make a foul and tried to play the ball. It was an accident.
"We scored a great goal first and then they scored - I don't know how they scored - I think the guy wanted to cross the ball.
"But that's part of football, you have to accept it - and we had to do it again."
Van Persie now faces a three-match Champions League ban which, coupled with Thierry Henry's absence with a groin injury, would leave Arsenal short on strikers for their next two games away to Ajax and Sparta Prague.
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go villarreal! held their own against man u.
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
go villarreal! held their own against a 10 player man u.
I'm sure their mother's are very proud! :roll:
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Mankie, I think it is taking too much time for Manchester U. to realize that they need a big revolution in the team composition. Seriously, I think they are going to have problems to make it to the next phase. As for Barcelona, what can I say, we are enjoying football in Barcelona for the first time since the mid nineties.
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
Mankie, I think it is taking too much time for Manchester U. to realize that they need a big revolution in the team composition. Seriously, I think they are going to have problems to make it to the next phase. As for Barcelona, what can I say, we are enjoying football in Barcelona for the first time since the mid nineties.
Lille 1-0 Manchester United
Champions League Scores (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=188807&cc=5901)
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But thankfully, Arsenal have good form in Europe.
Arsenal may be taking uncertain steps in the Premiership but they are striding forward with purpose in the Champions League, with captain Thierry Henry leading their confident march into the knock-out stages as they brushed aside Sparta Prague 3-0.
But alaa, the Premiership. . .
Welcome back Theirry Henry!
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Man Utd are a disgrace this year....I blame the stinking yanks that now own us! ;) (or is that loan us)
Seriously, the problem at United is there is no pride in wearing the shirt with this new generation of player....a similar problem is happening at Liverpool. They get their big fat paycheck, drive their Ferrari home and live the celebrity life, and that's all they want. With the influx of all these foreign players the history and tradition of both United and Liverpool are meaningless to them.
If you look at the success of Chelski recently, and look at the empty seats at Stamford Bridge, it speaks volumes....the reason is the Brits aren't really interested in watching a bunch of foreigners. There's just no connection with the players anymore.
But United do suck and will have a hard time even qualifying for Europe next season, which could be a blessing in disguise if the Glazers bail or go under and we get our team back under an ownership who actually gives a toss about what happens on the field rather than in the tills. Ferguson is a problem, he's been there too long, Queiroz is useless so they both need to move on at this point.
This weekend should be interesting, it will be like lambs to the slaughter for poor old United when Chelski arrive, unless a miracle happens between now and then.
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what Mankie said!
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
Man Utd are a disgrace this year....I blame the stinking yanks that now own us! ;) (or is that loan us)
Seriously, the problem at United is there is no pride in wearing the shirt with this new generation of player....a similar problem is happening at Liverpool. They get their big fat paycheck, drive their Ferrari home and live the celebrity life, and that's all they want. With the influx of all these foreign players the history and tradition of both United and Liverpool are meaningless to them.
If you look at the success of Chelski recently, and look at the empty seats at Stamford Bridge, it speaks volumes....the reason is the Brits aren't really interested in watching a bunch of foreigners. There's just no connection with the players anymore.
But United do suck and will have a hard time even qualifying for Europe next season, which could be a blessing in disguise if the Glazers bail or go under and we get our team back under an ownership who actually gives a toss about what happens on the field rather than in the tills. Ferguson is a problem, he's been there too long, Queiroz is useless so they both need to move on at this point.
This weekend should be interesting, it will be like lambs to the slaughter for poor old United when Chelski arrive, unless a miracle happens between now and then.
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Mankie, Chelsea just lost 3-0 with Middlesbrough. Aren´t they as solid as last year? How do you see it for us given that we are not doing that well right now. Good luck against Portsmouth later today.
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
Mankie, Chelsea just lost 3-0 with Middlesbrough. Aren´t they as solid as last year?
I didn't see the Middlesborough match yet, but the dozen or so games I've seen them play this year, I think they're better this year than last year. I hope this is a sign that they're getting tired. I still like Barca to go through.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by Barcelona:
Mankie, Chelsea just lost 3-0 with Middlesbrough. Aren´t they as solid as last year?
I didn't see the Middlesborough match yet, but the dozen or so games I've seen them play this year, I think they're better this year than last year. I hope this is a sign that they're getting tired. I still like Barca to go through. [/b]
Barcelona is not doing well rigth now, although it is true that the injuries might have influenced the poor performance and next Tuesday we should have all the key players back except for Xavi. Let's see how it goes.
I was surprised to see yahoo.com soccer and see that they are already talking about the game as the main news, five days ahead of the game.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AkysFUGGgT0pGKB75Myqa0Amw7YF?slug=cnnsi-stokingtheflame&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AkysFUGGgT0pGKB75Myqa0Amw7YF?slug=cnnsi-stokingtheflame&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns)
Stoking the flames
Gabriele Marcotti, SI.com
It was the defining rivalry of the second half of last season, and it promises to be just as juicy this time around, as Champions League reaches its knockout stage. Like all good feuds, there is more than a touch of familiarity -- the kind that breeds contempt -- between Chelsea and Barcelona.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho spent several years as an assistant coach at the Camp Nou, and he himself has described it as one of the most formative experiences in his brief but ?ber-successful career.
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been on Chelsea's wish list for several seasons (though perhaps more a fixation for owner Roman Abramovich than Mourinho himself). And the man who makes Chelsea's midfield tick, Frank Lampard, is a well-known closet Bar?a fan, whose wife is from Catalonia, and he may well end up there in a year or two.
Yet make no mistake about it: Despite the familiarity, these clubs are polar opposites in every way. Barcelona is part of the aristocracy of the game -- it's a community club owned by 100,000-plus members, and it plays in the biggest stadium in Western Europe.
Chelsea, in footballing terms at least, is an upstart whose recent success is based on the fabulous wealth of Abramovich, the club's sole proprietor.
The contrast extends to the managers and their styles. Barça's Frank Rijkaard was a vastly successful midfielder and a winner of three European Cups whose tactical style reflects the attacking mantra of two of his biggest coaching influences, Arrigo Sacchi and Louis van Gaal. Coaching-wise, he started at the top, with the Dutch national team gig among his very first jobs.
Mourinho, on the other hand, never established himself as a professional footballer. Instead, he obsessively studied the game, working his way into the coaching staff of various clubs -- first as an interpreter, then as a scout, then as an assistant -- before finally getting his big break at Benfica six years ago. His approach is comparatively safety-first, based on organization and discipline.
Mourinho is also vastly popular with his players. In fact, that may be his greatest strength: There is no dissent in the camp, everyone buys into his system, and even those who get little playing time seem to genuinely embrace him as a manager. That trait is as rare as it is underestimated.
At Barcelona, the affable Rijkaard is popular, but there is a clear sense that even if someone else were in charge, the club would still excel. Joan Laporta, Barcelona's president, said as much last week when he declared that Rijkaard is "free to leave at any time," which, these days, is either a sign of extreme trust or confirmation that he is, in fact, expendable.
The bad blood extends to last season's clash, in which both legs were mired in controversy. After the first leg, Mourinho accused Barça officials of entering referee Anders Frisk's dressing room at halftime in an effort to influence his officiating. It was a claim UEFA deemed to be spurious, banning Mourinho for three games as a result. And in the return leg, Barça fans were incensed when referee Pierluigi Collina, for once not living up to his reputation, failed to disallow Ricardo Carvalho's decisive goal despite replays showing a likely foul.
It's already shades of last year, with Barcelona complaining about the state of Chelsea's Stamford Bridge pitch, which is about as bare as Michael Jordan's head. Barça argues that the bad playing surface favors Chelsea over its more technical players.
In truth, it's a bit of a silly argument -- it's not as if Chelsea is just a bunch of long-ball merchants who benefit from a pitch that looks like a lunar landscape. But it does show that both sides are getting their licks early and there is no love lost.
In many ways, this is how it should be. There are five outstanding teams in Europe, each of whom is running away with the domestic title and each of whom has to be among the favorites for Champions League. The problem is that the other three sides -- Bayern, Juventus and Lyon -- have not captured the imagination the way Chelsea and Barça have.
What makes this clash special -- beyond the bad blood and the history -- are the extreme contrasts, the whiff of incest and the ultimate showdown between the mind of Mourinho and the genius of Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Leo Messi and the rest of the Barça crew.
Ultimately, despite the depth and quality of the Chelsea team, it's very difficult to frame this clash as anything other than the mind of Mourinho versus the genius of these talented, creative individuals. And that's why the world will be tuning in next week.
Mailbag
What individual players impressed you the most in the recent African Cup of Nations? And as important as that tournament has become, why the lack of coverage on Fox Soccer Channel, Gol TV and Sentanta Sports? The coverage is right out of the 1980s, when nobody respected African football. Your thoughts? -- Steve Adams, New Hope, Minn.
The African Cup of Nations is one of my favorite tournaments, though I find it difficult to name an individual. I was impressed with Didier Drogba's determination and Eto'o's sheer genius, but that's nothing new. Among others I really liked Nigeria's Taye Taiwo and Ivory Coast's Didier Zokora, as well as Ahmed Hassan of Egypt (no surprise there).
In terms of the coverage, I agree that it was disappointing. I get so tired of hearing the same patronizing comments from Anglo-centric commentators who go on about Africans needing "to learn tactical discipline," African goalkeepers who "always lose concentration" and -- believe it or not -- how these players are "great physical specimens."
Those types of comments -- along with the endless whining from European clubs about the timing of the tournament (as if they didn't know their players were African internationals when they signed them) -- border on racism and condescension. I do think the coverage from the Western media is getting better, but we sure still have a very long way to go.
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Real Madrid 0 - Arsenal 1.
Amazing Henry.
Getting ready for the game. Productivity tomorrow at work will be low, low, low.
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
Real Madrid 0 - Arsenal 1.
Amazing Henry.
Arsenal were clearly the better squad and deserved the goal. They probably deserved more, but for the brilliance for Casillas. I thought Graveson also played well for Real - United would still be in this Champions with a player like him.
I felt there was a lack of class on both squads - probably because there was only one English player on the pitch for most of the match, and oddly, he wasn't even on the English squad. Too much diving, too much rolling around "in agony", and when Reyes came back on the field with his injury only to lie down...I nearly turned the match off.
Best of luck tomorrow. I will be forced to watch it when I get home from work, much like today's match.
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Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona
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Rangers 2 - 2 Villarreal
Werder Bremen 3-2 Juventus
Ajax Amsterdam 2 - 2 Inter Milan
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I am still celebrating this result. But not qualified yet, one tough game left. Mourinho, whatever excuses you may want to give, it was a red card.
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<img src="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/afp/20060222/capt.sge.odd43.220206232858.photo00.photo.default-380x263.jpg?x=380&y=263&sig=ON2MVnCFWZRJtHkv.UW5bg--" alt=" - " />
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
Mourinho, whatever excuses you may want to give, it was a red card.
A harsh red. Certainly a yellow, and I could see how it could be a red (my initial reaction was that he made no attempt at the ball and simply ran the player over).
Nonetheless, giving up two with a 1-0 is unforgivable, even with 10 men.
Congrats, but you're right, you're not through yet.
BTW, the Chelsea pitch was simply horrendous.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by Barcelona:
Mourinho, whatever excuses you may want to give, it was a red card.
A harsh red. Certainly a yellow, and I could see how it could be a red (my initial reaction was that he made no attempt at the ball and simply ran the player over).
Nonetheless, giving up two with a 1-0 is unforgivable, even with 10 men.
Congrats, but you're right, you're not through yet.
BTW, the Chelsea pitch was simply horrendous. [/b]
There was a lot of talk about the pitch before the game with some newspapers claiming that Mourinho might have done it in purpose to make it difficult for Barcelona players to do what they do best, touch the ball forever until they reach the rival's goalie. I am not sure, Mourinho could have just put a new pitch a few weeks ago just as Barcelona did two weeks ago when the old one was in very poor conditions. I think it was a red card, but Mourinho shouldn't complain like this.
Barcelona has made too many times the error of thinking that we are already qualified after a first good game, let's hope this is not the case and we play the second game as if we had lost 2-1.
Good game in Bremen as well.
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
Mourinho shouldn't complain like this.
The wheels are starting to come off at Stamford Bridge and this is Morihno's way of deflecting the oncoming criticism. To say, even thinking of mentioning the possibility of a "B team" for the Champions League knockout stage is ridiculous in order to focus on the FA Cup and a 12 point lead in March in the Premiership is just the start of his excuses for the remainder of the season.
Chelsea were beaten before they even stepped on the pitch yesterday, and rather than lose like men they made excuses before the match even started ("we'd be happy with a nil-nil draw"), altered the pitch, played with a sense of desperation and acted irrationally in the 37th minute. And the excuses will continue to pour in.
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interesting article from the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4744098.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4744098.stm)
Mourinho in a mess
By Jonathan Stevenson
BBC Sport at Stamford Bridge
Does Jose Mourinho believe it is impossible for Chelsea to lose without it being down to a mistake from an official or an act of cheating?
A year after criticising referee Anders Frisk's display in the 2-1 Champions League defeat in Barcelona, Mourinho is at it again.
This time, the Portuguese finger of fate is pointing squarely in the direction of Barcelona's teenage sensation Lionel Messi.
The Argentine was the victim of two rash challenges from Asier del Horno, the second of which prompted a straight red card from referee Terje Hauge.
True, it probably should have been a yellow card, but Del Horno was very lucky to escape a caution for an earlier knee-high tackle on Messi.
Sure, Messi was cute enough to make the most of Del Horno's recklessness with a few well-timed rolls in front of the officials, but the damage was already done.
Not so, says the special one: "How do you say cheating in Catalan?"
Classic Mourinho. But this time, the Portuguese should be embarrassed by his comments. After all, what goes around, more often than not comes around.
It is only 17 days since English football widely condemned Blues winger Arjen Robben for theatrically diving to get Liverpool keeper Jose Reina sent off in a key Premiership encounter.
There is little doubt that Robben's acting was greater than Messi's, yet Mourinho accused Reds boss Rafael Benitez of sour grapes for bringing up the incident in his post-match analysis.
Maybe, in the cold light of day, Mourinho will be able to reflect on a courageous performance from his players instead of deflect attention on to an 18-year-old.
It is certainly a display that gives Chelsea plenty of hope for the second leg in Spain.
Few teams would still be in the contest after playing for over 50 minutes with 10 men against a wonderfully talented Barca side - let alone have the temerity to take the lead while a man down.
Perhaps Mourinho's frustration is because he can see the Champions League slipping away for the second time in a row.
Last year, he had the assistant referee to blame for allowing Liverpool's goal to stand when Chelsea claimed it had not crossed the line.
This year, he has cast Messi as the villain of the piece and the architect of their downfall should Chelsea fail to overturn their deficit in Spain.
But there are so many positive aspects of Chelsea's performance at Stamford Bridge for Mourinho to believe his team can still go through.
They created a host of good chances with 10 men - including a gilt-edged one for Didier Drogba with the score at 1-1 - and until the last 20 minutes matched their illustrious opponents in every department.
So why does there always have to be an excuse for losing a game like that?
It is a shame that the culture in football deems it a necessary rather than an occasional after-match reaction.
Are the stakes too high and the rewards too great for managers to be gracious in defeat anymore?
After the pre-match pantomine surrounding that awful pitch, it is a pity that, once again, people are talking about events outside the game.
They should be disecting another wonderful game of football between two of the best teams in the world.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by Barcelona:
Real Madrid 0 - Arsenal 1.
Amazing Henry.
Arsenal were clearly the better squad and deserved the goal. They probably deserved more, but for the brilliance for Casillas. I thought Graveson also played well for Real - United would still be in this Champions with a player like him.
I felt there was a lack of class on both squads - probably because there was only one English player on the pitch for most of the match, and oddly, he wasn't even on the English squad. Too much diving, too much rolling around "in agony", and when Reyes came back on the field with his injury only to lie down...I nearly turned the match off.
Best of luck tomorrow. I will be forced to watch it when I get home from work, much like today's match. [/b]
Henry's goal was absolutely amazing. ESPN's commentators were blaming Gravesen, but I didn't see him in the replay one as Madrid's players bouncing off of Henry.
And after the Copa del Rey collapse, too. It seems clear they just won't get themselves on track for good. Ronaldo was just uninterested, as well.
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Originally posted by You go, Judge Alito:
Henry's goal was absolutely amazing. ESPN's commentators were blaming Gravesen, but I didn't see him in the replay one as Madrid's players bouncing off of Henry.
Tommy Smyth was wrong - it was Ronaldo that turned it over, then bounced off Henry, then he dusted Guti, and left Ramos behind before beating Casillas. It really was a nice goal.
Gravesen was no where near the play. He did save about 4 other goals in the first half though.
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Phil Ball: It isn't rocket science, after all... (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=360060&root=europe&cc=5739)
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I should just be a sports writer. I said this over two years ago: English show way to tackle racism, say Spanish stars (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=360266&cc=5739&campaign=rss&source=soccernet)
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Originally posted by vansmack:
I should just be a sports writer. I said this over two years ago: English show way to tackle racism, say Spanish stars (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=360266&cc=5739&campaign=rss&source=soccernet)
I wouldn't say Spain is more racist than England, and I am certain that Italy is way more racist than Spain. All the Spanish Football Federation needs to do is to ban this people from attending a football stadium ever again. I remember in the late nineties getting into big arguments with people at the Nou Camp when they did the monkey noise towards Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos. All of them would say they were not racist, that they were trying to make Roberto Carlos lose the concentration, still argued with them. Fortunately, things seem to have improved in Barcelona in recent years.
Looking forward to tomorrow's game against Chelsea. Even though we won in London, I am still afraid of this second game.
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ha ha, Chelski are out despite their billions! Go Barca!
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Still celebrating!
<img src="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20060307/i/r3487946051.jpg" alt=" - " />
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go Barca. hands down my favorite team (though Lille has a sentimental place in my heart). here's hoping for Lyon, Arsenal wins tomorrow.
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Today
Benfica - FC Barcelona
Arsenal - Juventus
Tomorrow
Lyon - Milan
Inter Milan - Vilarreal
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<img src="http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/afp/20060406/capt.sge.gld08.060406005615.photo00.photo.default-380x293.jpg?x=380&y=293&sig=U_LLPTPDoyDn6waCY3DHUQ--" alt=" - " />
Semifinals
Milan - Barcelona
Arsenal - Villareal
This is getting interesting, Villareal is a city of less than 50,000 people! Arsenal looks like last year's Liverpool, pretty poorly in the premiership (until now) but looking really strong in the Champions League. as for the other semifinal, what else can we ask for?
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Milan - Barcelona
That would've been the perfect final.
I can't believe Arseholes are doing a Liverscum....one side of me is happy that an English team is doing well, and it would be great for an English team to win it two years in a row...but the other side of me is thinking "Arseholes and Scum for crying out loud!!!!" Mind you, it would be nice for Arseholes to rub it in Morono's face.
I would like Barca to win it, for the simple fact they're the best team in Europe and justice should be served for a change. If Milan don't win it I think it will be a while before they're contenders, because they'll be in rebuilding mode after this year, especially with that ancient back line they have.
BTW, I don't know if anyone is following the premiership, but that train wreck I predicted at Stamford Bridge when the russian took over is just at the end of the tunnel. Even the chelski fans are booing their own players and sick of the whinging of morono...should be interesting
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
Semifinals
Milan - Barcelona
Arsenal - Villareal
This is getting interesting, Villareal is a city of less than 50,000 people! Arsenal looks like last year's Liverpool, pretty poorly in the premiership (until now) but looking really strong in the Champions League. as for the other semifinal, what else can we ask for?
there are 2 r's in villarreal, thank you very much.
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Maybe, but anyone thinking Man U can beat them out this year is kidding himself.
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
Originally posted by Barcelona:
Semifinals
Milan - Barcelona
Arsenal - Villareal
This is getting interesting, Villareal is a city of less than 50,000 people! Arsenal looks like last year's Liverpool, pretty poorly in the premiership (until now) but looking really strong in the Champions League. as for the other semifinal, what else can we ask for?
there are 2 r's in villarreal, thank you very much. [/b]
Actually, I prefer to call them Vila-real.
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Barcelona US Tour (http://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/wire/sns-ap-soc-barcelona-us-tour,0,803003.story?coll=sns-ap-soccer-headlines)
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not there yet, but a bit closer, still afraid of the second game.
<img src="http://www.marca.com/06/04/18/milan-barcelona/17.jpg" alt=" - " />
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Need proof soccer is gay (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/82977/gay_soccer/)?
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Maybe Kahn just needed a little TLC after losing the starting job to Jens Lehmann for the World Cup.
Barcelona - Arsenal anyone?
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Originally posted by ChampionshipVinyl:
Maybe Kahn just needed a little TLC after losing the starting job to Jens Lehmann for the World Cup.
Barcelona - Arsenal anyone?
I would say Arsenal is close, neither Madrid nor Juventus could score in the previous two rounds and something tells me that Henry will score again. As for Barcelona, I am still afraid of an early goal by Milan. However, on May 17 I will be on vacation in Spain, so would make the trip to the final in Paris if we reached the final. I was in Wembley 92 when we beat Sampdoria and also in Athens 94 when we were humiliated by Milan 4-0. Would do it again, it is an amazing experience.
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
However, on May 17 I will be on vacation in Spain, so would make the trip to the final in Paris if we reached the final.
I hope you get over there, but whatever happens, don't let me down! I will be pulling for Barca with every ounce of cheering spiriting I have...
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by Barcelona:
However, on May 17 I will be on vacation in Spain, so would make the trip to the final in Paris if we reached the final.
I hope you get over there, but whatever happens, don't let me down! I will be pulling for Barca with every ounce of cheering spiriting I have... [/b]
Tomorrow starts the process to get tickets for F.C. Barcelona fans. There are 21,000 for each team, 14,000 for UEFA (not sure but maybe for sponsoring companies, commitments of UEFA... , anyway it seems too many), 11,000 through the UEFA website and 10,000 for the French football federation to be sold in France.
It's going to be tough because of the proximity between Barcelona and Paris, but we are trying. If I get to go there, I will try to post some pictures in the board. Let's see how it goes, Arsenal will be extremely tough. I hope it is a great and peaceful soccer party as it was in Athens 94 with the Milan fans (despite the 4-0 loss) and in Wembley in 92 with the Sampdoria fans.
Thanks for the support!!
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where's the best place in DC to watch arsenal win?
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I just hope the score isn't 0-0.
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Lehman - couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, although I would have played the advantage so as to not ruin the match for the rest of the world that just wanted to watch a good game.
Instead we got a series of powerplay dumps and long ice kills. Thankfully, Eboue has no class and took a dive so Arsenal could make a match out of it.
Barca - congrats to you. A game Barca clearly deserved to win.
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as a relatively disinterested observer, arsenal looked like the better team for 75 minutes ... barcelona was way too cute with their set-pieces (ronaldinho in particular) and generally just didn't take advantage of their 11-10 advantage until late
henry looked good, but needed to score on that one wide-open opportunity in the 2nd ... ljungberg made a great play on a steal deep in barcelona territory and should have scored as well ... eto'o is a great player, that shot he scored on was just money, but ronaldinho really seemed out of it for much of the match
really there's no way arsenal could have held off barcelona for 75+ minutes at 11-10 without their keeper, it's impressive that they lasted as long as they did
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Yeah Henry should have netted that one.
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I know the arsenal keeper was the backup, and really barca scoring was inevitable, but the two goals he gave up looked relatively soft in the grand scheme of things....he should have came off the line a little more to close down eto'o, and the other one was just throw his legs
not knocking barca, they clearly outplayed arsenal, and even arsenal's goal had to come off a set-piece given after a dive, lol
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Arsehole player diving...NEVER! I won't hear of such blastphemy!!!
All I can say is. HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHA HE HE HEHEHEHEHEHE couldn't have happened to a more deserving bunch of wankers. The red card was a textbook redcard without question, and it's nothing less than that prick deserves for all the crap he's been getting away with all season.
Congratulations to Barca, for once the best team in Europe for the season wins the trophy.
So were do you think Henrietta will be next season? Comparing his runners up medal with the winners medals of his new team mates perhaps?
As for Ballack and Schevchenko (sp?) to chelski, that's just two more egos to add to that time bomb...that team will implode at some point, mark my words.
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Just got back from vacation in Barcelona. Couldn't make it to the final this time, I am going to get in the UEFA's website wait list for next year's final in Athens (not that I am sure we will reach the final, but just in case given how few tickets go to each team). The celebration in Barcelona was fantastic but there is nothing like watching these games live, for people in Barcelona this is like the final of the World Cup). For what friends and relatives who went to Paris told me, the atmosphere was great and very good relationship with Arsenal fans (Mourinho surely has something to do). Looking forward to next season!! Let's see if we can get our third trophy in the next couple or three years. Seeing how things are developing in Italy, the final next May should be again between an English and a Spanish team.
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Originally posted by Barcelona:
The celebration in Barcelona was fantastic
my parents were in barcelona during the game, picked me up a ronaldinho jersey and said it was an insane atmosphere ... i can't imagine a similar scene here in the states, maybe the red sox winning the world series
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Originally posted by HoyaSaxa08:
Originally posted by Barcelona:
The celebration in Barcelona was fantastic
my parents were in barcelona during the game, picked me up a ronaldinho jersey and said it was an insane atmosphere ... i can't imagine a similar scene here in the states, maybe the red sox winning the world series [/b]
I somehow think Barca winning the Champs league happens a little more often than the smelly sox winning the *ahem* world series.