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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: cutout on March 18, 2009, 01:20:35 PM

Title: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on March 18, 2009, 01:20:35 PM
Anyone have favorites or predictions? Liverpool is looking mighty.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on March 18, 2009, 01:31:43 PM
Liverpool are my team, and I watched last week's match between Liverpool and Real Madrid in the middle of the day in a sportsbar in Manhattan (actually just before heading out to Jersey City and the marathon). Surreal experience. Thankfully the crowd was mostly pro-Pool. Didn't catch the rest of the matches last week though.

It will be interesting to see the draw on Friday, but until then I'm not making any predictions.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on March 18, 2009, 05:06:25 PM
Watching the match last week at a hardline Red pub in Finsbury Park was an experience that my girlfriend hated (http://www.halfdesertedstreets.com/2009/03/who-is-mat-horne-anyway.html).

We moved to a quieter pub for the shootout, which was intense in its own way. Myself and the Toms watched in the traditional way.

(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2679/28/31/5204758/n5204758_50169555_4729890.jpg)

Especially after our performance against Hull last night, I'm not too optimistic. But we have a decent record against our fellow Big Four clubs, and there's a good chance we'll be drawn against one of them. We already have Chelski in the FA Cup coming up. Liverpool would be one to avoid since they're on white-hot form at the moment. Villareal would not be too shabby. Bayern seem to be pulling a Liverpool - middling league form this season, but turning it on in the CL.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: snoopywaves on March 18, 2009, 08:13:19 PM
Manchester United. Best team in the world at the moment. Before anyone says something about some sort of 4-1 defeat, I'd like them to remember which team is still clear at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.

United had the hardest team to beat in the last round, they have the best squad and the most consistent non-starting players. They're gonna win and do it the gentleman's way too - not forsaking domestic competition for a moment in the sun.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on March 18, 2009, 08:18:25 PM
1-4
1-4
1-4
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: JustSheaNo on March 18, 2009, 08:22:31 PM
Am going to pull for Liverpool this year, and eagerly await an opportunity to stand arm in arm with some Englishmen and belt out the Dambuster's march.



Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on March 19, 2009, 01:40:32 PM
Manchester United. Best team in the world at the moment. Before anyone says something about some sort of 4-1 defeat, I'd like them to remember which team is still clear at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.

United had the hardest team to beat in the last round, they have the best squad and the most consistent non-starting players. They're gonna win and do it the gentleman's way too - not forsaking domestic competition for a moment in the sun.

Seconded. I can see them bouncing back after the Liverpool game. Before that they were cruising, with some of their more reliable players playing like they didn't give a shit, especially in the 2 Inter games. They'll soon be back on track to win the quadruple or even the quintuple (or the sextuple if you count the Community Shield, which no one will).

Liverpool have a great chance too. I'd never rule them out of winning the Champion's League with the luck they've had in the past.

Also, Barcelona.

Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on March 20, 2009, 08:33:18 AM
Quarter finals (7-8 April)

Villarreal v Arsenal

Manchester United v Porto

Liverpool v Chelsea

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

 :-X
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: snoopywaves on March 20, 2009, 10:48:46 AM
Delightful.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on March 20, 2009, 10:53:17 AM
Sickening. UEFA are really hoping for a "dream finale" between Man U and Barca, aren't they.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: snoopywaves on March 21, 2009, 12:42:43 PM
Nooooooo ten minutes to go and a goal down to Fulham.

Sextuple could be off the cards here.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on March 21, 2009, 07:13:22 PM
Predictions:

Villarreal v Arsenal - Draw at Villareal. Arsenal squeak a win at home and go through.

Manchester United v Porto - United win home and away but play badly. Scholes gets sent off at some point.

Liverpool v Chelsea - Boring. Mild controversy will ensue an officials decision.

Barcelona v Bayern Munich - Goalfest. Munich win at home but Barca win by more in the Nou Camp and go through. Messi scores a spectacular goal at home.

Also, if United do win the sextuple do they unlock secret additional tournaments?
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: JP on March 23, 2009, 11:15:06 AM
Predictions:

Also, if United do win the sextuple do they unlock secret additional tournaments?

brilliant! 

If I'm honest, I'm nervous about what Rafa's Men will accomplish - but at least they're still *in it* so I'm still having fun.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 07, 2009, 10:50:25 AM
bump bump bump.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 07, 2009, 04:41:16 PM
1-1 for us is a lot better than 2-2 for United.
Not too keen on Billy Gallas and Almunia getting hurt, though.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on April 07, 2009, 04:43:48 PM
Yeah, I guess I take back what I said earlier tonight, Samir. :) But 1-1 is managable. I suppose 2-2 is aswell, but it's uphill for Man U right now.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Sarah on April 07, 2009, 05:45:33 PM
I saw Liverpool win the FA cup match in Rome in 1977.  They were playing München-Gladbach.  What I remember most about the experience is walking to the stadium and narrowly avoiding being engulfed in a sea of carabinieri assigned to maintain order among the rival fans (the Liverpool followers were all drunk and sun-poisoned).  A friend of mine who was not so lucky was quite shaken up the time she broke free.  Apparently it is a tad dismaying to be surrounded by young uniformed Italians carrying machine guns.  Especially if you're a pretty, blue-eyed blonde.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on April 07, 2009, 06:58:03 PM
If United want to finish strong then they need to bench the following: Evans, O'Shea, Fletcher and Scholes. All are dead weight right now.

Also, I'm angry that the only match I can watch live tomorrow is the Liverpool game. I'm convinced that the Barca match will be the last really entertaining fixture of the tournament.

Sarah, a Liverpool match in Rome sounds like a nasty concoction for your first time at a soccer game. Hope the hooligans haven't soured you too much on the sport.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Sarah on April 07, 2009, 07:21:04 PM
No, it was great!  The hooligans were delightful.  Very pink and white, drunk, and friendly.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: snoopywaves on April 07, 2009, 08:02:22 PM
If United want to finish strong then they need to bench the following: Evans, O'Shea, Fletcher and Scholes. All are dead weight right now.

Yes please. A little bit of a boot in the arse for Ronaldo wouldn't go amiss either.

The Rooney flick to Tevez tonight was phenomenal. Result, not so much.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on April 08, 2009, 02:56:35 PM
Torres = Unstoppable
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on April 08, 2009, 04:11:23 PM
damn
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 08, 2009, 04:59:53 PM
Torres = Unstoppable

A little premature, sir.

Pool were not in that 2nd half at all. Great match to watch as a neutral.
Barcelona look terrifying, though.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on April 08, 2009, 06:00:30 PM
Torres = Unstoppable

There's no shame in editing that post.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on April 08, 2009, 11:02:09 PM
Liverpool = unStoppable

Torres is still incredible! Gerrard looked weirdly flat, though  :(
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 14, 2009, 03:22:16 PM
not wanting to speak too soon.... this match is fucking great.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on April 14, 2009, 04:05:04 PM
It sucks if you root for one of the teams (the losing one). Turned it off at 2-2.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 14, 2009, 04:59:14 PM
It sucks if you root for one of the teams (the losing one). Turned it off at 2-2.

Unlucky, Martin.
That shit was bananas.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on April 14, 2009, 05:27:22 PM
You don't get it. I don't regret turning it off at all. (Watched the last five.)

I don't care if the score was 10-10 and both teams were down to six men each. I can't take away any pleasure from a match like that, where it was obvious - at 2-2, mind - that pool were doomed. Against a team I genuinely hate.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 14, 2009, 06:28:31 PM
I gotcha, my unlucky was based on 'Pool not winning.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on April 14, 2009, 06:29:45 PM
Right, sorry. I got all emotional.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on April 29, 2009, 05:10:14 PM
...we got lucky, I think?
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on April 30, 2009, 04:16:55 AM
The thought of a replay of last year's final makes me genuinely depressed - and I'm sure that's what's gonna happen now. I'm not even gonna tune in for that.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Gilly on April 30, 2009, 02:20:27 PM
What's bigger in Europe- Champions, World Cup or Euro? I love the idea of the Champions League. So what if you finished near the top of your fun little league. Now go play the rest of the continent.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: snoopywaves on April 30, 2009, 07:35:16 PM
I'd say World Cup, European Championships, Champion's League in that order, in terms of prestige, but the first two are international and only once every four years, so on an ongoing basis the Champion's League is the thing to care about.

Which is good.

BECAUSE UNITED ARE GOING TO WIN IT

John O'Shea, for once, made me proud to share nationality with such a lanky, lumpen, heroic man.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: JP on May 01, 2009, 01:34:07 AM
I'd say World Cup, European Championships, Champion's League in that order, in terms of prestige, but the first two are international and only once every four years, so on an ongoing basis the Champion's League is the thing to care about.

Which is good.

BECAUSE UNITED ARE GOING TO WIN IT

John O'Shea, for once, made me proud to share nationality with such a lanky, lumpen, heroic man.

Wow a *brave* Manchester United fan.  It must be *so* hard to cheer for them.  (I'm just bitter)

Anyway one thing for certain is that in this day and age the big european clubs are better than any international team - even though those two tournaments are more prestigious.

JP
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on May 01, 2009, 11:24:12 AM
Anyway one thing for certain is that in this day and age the big european clubs are better than any international team - even though those two tournaments are more prestigious.

Not sure I'd agree there. I think the standard of football in the last European Championship and World Cup was higher than what's been on show for the last few weeks. Players usually up their game when they represent their country. Except in qualifiers and friendlies, 90% of which are boring.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on May 06, 2009, 06:30:04 PM
Only 3 minutes away from repeating last years final. God bless Iniesta.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Gilly on May 06, 2009, 07:19:14 PM
Only 3 minutes away from repeating last years final. God bless Iniesta.

 :-X
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on May 27, 2009, 05:00:18 PM
¡Visca Barça!
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on May 27, 2009, 05:25:31 PM
Good guys win!
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: wood and iron on May 27, 2009, 05:32:17 PM
How do Americans choose which European teams to support? I'm curious. Also, how do you follow it? I never see European soccer games on TV.
 I want to start to follow soccer but I have no clue how to start going about it. I really love the sport and am looking forward to when the new MLS team, Philadelphia Union, starts.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Clint on May 27, 2009, 05:53:00 PM
Should have brought on Sheringham.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on May 27, 2009, 05:59:00 PM
Or Solkjaer.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on May 27, 2009, 06:01:50 PM
How do Americans choose which European teams to support? I'm curious. Also, how do you follow it? I never see European soccer games on TV.
 I want to start to follow soccer but I have no clue how to start going about it. I really love the sport and am looking forward to when the new MLS team, Philadelphia Union, starts.

I either watch ESPN360.com or go to bars that have good cable/satellite hookups and a good crowd. Also, check out FootyTube (http://"http://www.footytube.com").
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: ben on May 28, 2009, 10:36:42 PM
How do Americans choose which European teams to support? I'm curious. Also, how do you follow it? I never see European soccer games on TV.
 I want to start to follow soccer but I have no clue how to start going about it. I really love the sport and am looking forward to when the new MLS team, Philadelphia Union, starts.

I like Tottenham Hotspur because they were named after Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.  At least that is what I heard where the name comes from.  I am not sure how to follow it aside from online unless you have fancy cable.  It can't be much more difficult though then following hockey - that is hard as hell to do now too if you don't have a franchise in your town.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Martin on May 29, 2009, 04:03:02 AM
I like Tottenham Hotspur because they were named after Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.  At least that is what I heard where the name comes from. 

Well hello, lifelong enemy of Samir!
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: JP on May 30, 2009, 12:05:35 AM
How do Americans choose which European teams to support? I'm curious. Also, how do you follow it? I never see European soccer games on TV.
 I want to start to follow soccer but I have no clue how to start going about it. I really love the sport and am looking forward to when the new MLS team, Philadelphia Union, starts.

You'll really have to have Fox Soccer Channel - a good amount of Serie A, English Premier  - even the champions league will be on there exclusively starting next year (bye bye ESPN)

I think there are ways to get stuff online for free but I'm not an expert on that, and what little I've seen is pretty low quality.  A uefa website subscription will let you watch CL matches tape delayed and I think it's about $5 / month if you want some european stuff but don't have a TV.

I ended up supporting liverpool because my in-laws did, but I think most people just end up being interested in some players and may be a club tradition and start having an affinity.

JP
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on May 31, 2009, 04:53:01 PM
I like Tottenham Hotspur because they were named after Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.  At least that is what I heard where the name comes from. 

Well hello, lifelong enemy of Samir!

Ben, your days are numbered.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: samir on May 31, 2009, 04:56:59 PM
Or Solkjaer.

I always thought that OGS looked like a young James Dean Bradfield from Manic Street Preachers.

(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/108261.jpg)

Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: cutout on May 31, 2009, 11:14:17 PM
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2008/04/28/puyolaplalovillar2.jpg)

(http://i2.iofferphoto.com/img/item/979/989/79/o_QXWfzsm5oTX4XW4.jpg)
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: buffcoat on May 31, 2009, 11:42:50 PM
He's just called "Warrior" now.
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: ben on June 01, 2009, 05:02:35 PM
I like Tottenham Hotspur because they were named after Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.  At least that is what I heard where the name comes from. 

Well hello, lifelong enemy of Samir!

Ben, your days are numbered.

Who is Tottenham's rival?  Or is it that you are a big fan of Prince Hal/Henry V?
Title: Re: champion's league discussion '09
Post by: Julie on June 01, 2009, 08:51:39 PM
I like Tottenham Hotspur because they were named after Henry 'Hotspur' Percy.  At least that is what I heard where the name comes from. 

Well hello, lifelong enemy of Samir!

Ben, your days are numbered.

You don't number Ben's days! Take it back or else!