UEFA Champions League Soccer

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by Buckeye513

Meh. It's probably going to go down as an epic final, neither team was that impressive though. Too much trying to wind each other up and bitching to the referee and not enough trying to put the game away. Way better than their league games at least.

I probably should feel sorry for Terry, but I just can't. Watching him fail after all the [censored] he's talked about Arsenal not having "English grit" and whatnot was just too good for me. At least he had the balls to step up take the penalty though. The only Chelsea player I really feel bad for is Cech. Great player and person. Was only a few inches away from saving one or two more penalties, too.

Ronaldo again showed the difference between him and the truly great players. Got the goal and put in that cross to Tevez, then disappeared, just like he does in pretty much every other big game. And on top of that he bottled it during the PK shootout. Doesn't matter if he scores 60 every season until he retires, he won't get to 'legend' status until he actually takes over a big game or has a massive Maradona moment.
I'm hoping the British press give Rooney some stick, as he was irrelevent for practically the entire match, but it probably won't happen. Scholes was a big liability for United as well, and probably should've taken off for Anderson around the hour mark. On the other end, I thought Vidic was the best player on the pitch. Kept Drogba from really doing anything was all over place, particularly in the 1st half. Fantastic player he's turned into.

Other than that, can't really complain about the winner. At least United are a proper (and non-London) club, and, even though they've been terrible througout the knockout rounds this year, generally play good soccer. It's also kind of fitting that they win it after the Munich anniversary. Congrats to them and their fans.

Man....are you a critic or what? You make some good points though.

I honestly thought Vidic was the best player for Man U....to quell the physical presence of Drogba in the way that he did....it was just outstanding.

However, I don't care too much for your view on Terry....he a terrific player, and most players trash talk these days. Words are words....it's their performance on the pitch that counts, and Terry was every much as good as Vidic at the other end and also a great leader for Chelsea. I really do feel for him. I only have to wonder whether he would have even taken that penalty had Drogba not been sent off. That slap was close to Zidane ridiculous.

Having followed the Champions League a lot this season, you have to say that Man U had indeed played the best and most attractive soccer in the entire competition....and they deserved to win it. I do feel sorry for Chelsea though as you couldn't come closer than sudden death. I'm sure you'll see both these battle for it all next season in the EPL and Champion's League.....they are the two best teams in Europe.

[tmporter]

Originally Posted by jazzman

Man....are you a critic or what? You make some good points though.

I honestly thought Vidic was the best player for Man U....to quell the physical presence of Drogba in the way that he did....it was just outstanding.

However, I don't care too much for your view on Terry....he a terrific player, and most players trash talk these days. Words are words....it's their performance on the pitch that counts, and Terry was every much as good as Vidic at the other end and also a great leader for Chelsea. I really do feel for him. I only have to wonder whether he would have even taken that penalty had Drogba not been sent off. That slap was close to Zidane ridiculous.

Having followed the Champions League a lot this season, you have to say that Man U had indeed played the best and most attractive soccer in the entire competition....and they deserved to win it. I do feel sorry for Chelsea though as you couldn't come closer than sudden death. I'm sure you'll see both these battle for it all next season in the EPL and Champion's League.....they are the two best teams in Europe.

Rooney was mainly ineffective due to the lack of service. Tevez looked to be the one with the responsiblity to track back and pick the ball up off of the midfielders. United stayed out on the wings and never really went down the middle. That is how Chelsea make you play. They play a clog the middle game. That is what they do, and do it very well. I thought the United team sheet was a bit surprising. Scholes should have played and he played rather well considering he play most of the game with a broken nose. I think he should have gave way earlier as he began to look tired at the 65 minute mark or so. Rooney lacked the necessary service from his teammates to be effective and Tevez was also ineffective. Ronaldo played a strong game. Much better than most will give him credit for. After some thought and soul-searching, I still can't find it in me to feel sorry for John Terry. I feel for guys like Cech, Essien, whose blunder led to United first goal, and Lampard. They played with class and an intensity that was deserving of a champion. I have to give Terry his due, he played a whale of a game, but he has always been such an ass since the Abramavich days began that I just think its his destiny to be the goat. Its Karma. As far as the real goat for Chelsea today has to be Didi. That Didier Drogba's baby name. He acted like a child and in the end was caught in the act. He cost his team. He should have been there to take that 5th kick, not Terry and for that I give Terry credit. He manned up and took what must have been the most nerve-wracking kick of his life, and if not for a rainy night and horrific turf he would have cemented his place as an all time Chelsea great. He will still go down as a Chelsea great but to deliver the first CL medal to the Bridge after bringing home 2 Prem titles for the first time in 50 years, he would have had immortality. Can't wait until next season, and another all English final.

Just a side note, I should have stuck with my first instinct, this one was going to PK's. Just had the score wrong.

[jazzman]

The loss of the Champion's League final and second place in the League Cup and Premier league has resulted in Avram Grant, the coach of Chelsea being fired.

To be honest, it just seems like asking a bit too much to expect....and the hierarchy at Chelsea always seemed to treat him as a stop gap coach. I don't think the Chelsea fans ever truly warmed up to him as he was cited as being one of the reasons for Jose Mourinho's unexpected exit.

As of now reports say that the favorites to take over are Guus Hiddink, Frank Rjkaard, and Sven-Goran Eriksson. Interestingly, the bookmakers have shortened the odds of Mourinho returning as coach of Chelsea from 20/1 to 8/1 overnight! However, I don't really see that happening.

[jazzman]

Euro 2008 anyone?



The favorites according to bookmakers....

Germany 4/1
Spain 5/1
Italy 7/1
Portugal 7/1
France 9/1
Croatia 12/1
Holland 12/1
Czech Rep. 15/1

England failed to qualify for the tournament.....just goes to show how high the level of soccer is in Europe. It should be a great tournament. Does anyone have any favorites?

Group C is gonna be the "group of death" with France, Italy, Holland and Romania. We are guaranteed a replay of the world cup final in this one!

[tmporter]

Originally Posted by jazzman

Euro 2008 anyone?



The favorites according to bookmakers....

Germany 4/1
Spain 5/1
Italy 7/1
Portugal 7/1
France 9/1
Croatia 12/1
Holland 12/1
Czech Rep. 15/1

England failed to qualify for the tournament.....just goes to show how high the level of soccer is in Europe. It should be a great tournament. Does anyone have any favorites?

Group C is gonna be the "group of death" with France, Italy, Holland and Romania. We are guaranteed a replay of the world cup final in this one!

Well i rode C. Ronaldo all this year to two very nice trophies. Why get off of the horse now. I take Portugal. Ronaldo, Quersma, and company will be hard to beat. Germany has a goalie that should be eligible for retirement benefits soon, and a front line that may score 5 goals all tournament. Spain always seem to underachieve these days so I feel good about Portugal.

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by tmporter

Well i rode C. Ronaldo all this year to two very nice trophies. Why get off of the horse now. I take Portugal. Ronaldo, Quersma, and company will be hard to beat. Germany has a goalie that should be eligible for retirement benefits soon, and a front line that may score 5 goals all tournament. Spain always seem to underachieve these days so I feel good about Portugal.

I agree....with Germany, their back line hasn't been convincing for a while now. Spain, never performs at the international level. That leaves us with the teams from Group C....the winner of that group will be the favorite to win it all (Italy/France/Holland). I do like your choice of Portugal as well....they seem to play an appealing brand of soccer. I do like them a lot!

As often happens in these European championships....underdogs are good value for money if you're into your betting. Eg. Denmark in '92 and Greece in '04!

[jazzman]

2003/04 CL champions, FC Porto have been kicked out of next season's Champions League over bribing of referees. Interestingly, the allegations were over some games during Jose Mourinho's tenure there as Manager.

BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Porto lose Champions League place

[jazzman]

Cristiano Ronaldo is contemplating a move out of Man U to Real Madrid. He is waiting on Real Madrid matching his salary at Man U for it to go ahead.

Here's the report on the BBC.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Ronaldo 'wants to play for Real'

[jazzman]

The Euro 200