2008-09 ECL

Unfortunately one of these teams had to go through -- both of them are the worst organizations in the world for me.

 

I don't know which team is more corrupt, Juve or AC, but I imagine it is probabaly only a matter of a few degrees (with Juve "old money", gut tells me them, but usually they probably do a better job of hiding it). Still, would have rather had those pretty cool gold strips in the next round, than blue poo.

 

Don't tell me the draw isn't "fixed." Liverpool v. Chelsea for the 29th time in row? United draws Porto? Sheesh.

The draw:
- Villarreal v Arsenal
- Manchester United v Porto
- Liverpool v Chelsea
- Barcelona v Bayern Munich

 

And not just that. United beat Porto, they get the winner of Villareal v. Arsenal. Somethings rotten in Denmark.

I'll be putting on the leiderhosen and doing my best Bavarian polka for the next round. That's one hell of a tough tie for them against Barca. No shortage of stars in that match-up.



Don, what's the status of those in the Blue Square League??

 

And I'm looking forward to his report on the hottest goings-on in the Scottish Third Division... :banana:

 

I'm looking forward to the Barca-Bayern match - lots of firepower and not much defense.

 

Don. With a completely random draw, the odds of no English v English matchup is only about 17%.

 

Wow, what a goal from Ronaldo today (40 yards).

 

What a game yesterday between CCCFC and the Pool! That will get save until I delete status on the DVR.

How far has Cech fallen as a keeper? Three times he is caught out of the net and he was lucky enough to have no goals scred against him any of those times. Once is was after the game was 4-4 and due to Michael Essien's zeppelinlike head. (Essien is the only CCCFC player I can tolerate.)

 

And the English Champions League continues for the third straight year.

This competition is about as overrated as the NFL.

 

No kidding...look how many goals Utd give up when Rio's in the lineup.

Whitesbhoy, FFCinPCB, Fletch...whatever you call yourself these days, our teams shit the bed. Is the bet over, or do we wager on the remaining four?

 

Barca!!

Although, with a Barca/ManU final, I'll be happy that we probably will see the two best club teams in Europe.

 

It turned out that way again, but it wasn't the sure thing it was last year. ManU squeeked by and, while Arsenal dominated the 2nd leg, you could make a strong argument that Villarreal deserved a win during the 1st leg.

By all this I am saying that I think the gap is shrinking between the EPL Top 4 and the rest of Europe. Barca is already there; strengthen a handful of other clubs and you could be looking at a real possibility (but not probability) of NO English teams in the quarters in the next couple of years.

Add to this the fact that we're getting closer and closer to one of the big four having a bad year and pulling an "AC Milan" (i.e., ending up 5th in the league), and that will hurt the long-term chances of regular "English Champions League" even more. Plus, while an Everton or Villa might sneak that 4th spot in the next couple of years, it will be with a team built for the EPL, not Europe so even getting out of the group stage would be doubtful. ManCity is about the only side I see being able to do both, if only because they have the funds to build the squad necessary.

 

So can we all get behind Barca to beat WGDTFC at least?

 

D'oh. Unfortunately, AC Milan is sitting 3rd, 4 points clear of 4th. Looks like we'll be watching the innocent criminals in Europe again next year.

 

Not to mention, you'll have to be waiting for another Champions League season to see your final. ManU v. Arsenal is the semi you old goat!!

Nurse, please bring this man his meds, IMMEDIATELY!!