Also happening - one of my favorite clubs, Chmel Bl?any, looks likely to be relegated.
There was a great article about them in FourFourTwo a few years back…this tiny Czech village of about 800 people (Bl?any) somehow has a team in the Gambrinus Liga first division, and they even made it into European play a couple years ago.
Congrats on thr Hammers reaching the Cup Final, Phil! Same they lost the dress rehearsal (and Hayden Mullins) last night…I think they’ve got a decent chance, actually.
As for the Champions league, it will be Arsenal vs Barcelona in the final. I will be rooting for Barcelona because:
1. They are actually Champions of their league; and
Congrats on thr Hammers reaching the Cup Final, Phil! Same they lost the dress rehearsal (and Hayden Mullins) last night…I think they’ve got a decent chance, actually.
As for the Champions league, it will be Arsenal vs Barcelona in the final. I will be rooting for Barcelona because:
1. They are actually Champions of their league; and
2. Arsene Wenger is not their manager.
I’ll root for Barcelona because:
1. They play really nice football
2. It would be so cruel for Tottenham if they finish fourth and Arsenal grabs their CL spot, when they have a great year for the first time in ages.
That’s another good reason to root for Barca - Spurs’ position. It’s nice to have some variety in the Champions League, and I can live without Arsenal for a year.
Spurs were very determined at Highbury on Saturday, and richly deserved their point.
The same reason there is no curling lounge or no cricket lounge. There is a lot of soccer played around the world, but how much of it is really good soccer? Kind of like the NHL- there’s a LOT of bad games every season. Fewer teams would increase the quality of play.
Sir Loin- My dad owns a dealership - 27 April 2006 03:57 PM
The same reason there is no curling lounge or no cricket lounge. There is a lot of soccer played around the world, but how much of it is really good soccer? Kind of like the NHL- there’s a LOT of bad games every season. Fewer teams would increase the quality of play.
Hahahaha. England Sucks. I can?t believe they actually thought they were going to WIN the World Cup.
They just lost their best defender and best attacking forward in the same game.
Suckers
I never felt England had a chance anyway, but this just about confirms it. The nightmare of Crouch leading the line is ever closer. Owen had a relapse as well.
Most of my fellow countrymen are always convinced before a major tournament that England can win it, despite all indicatinos to the contrary. Given that we are by no means I nation of optimists, I always find this amazing.
John Terry sustained no serioud damage, but given Chelsea had effectively won the league when he got injured and he has the World Cup looming, to stay on the field was idiotic. I bet Erickson was not pleased.
Still, it’s not all bad news. Birmingham got relegated!
I can’t remember the last time the league title and all 3 relegation places were decided before the last day.
The league is usually wrapped up early (I think 96 was the last time it was still open on the last day, from memory) but usually 1 relegation spot is open.
The Championship is even weirder - with 3 games to go, all issues (2 promoted teams, 4 playoff teams, 3 relegated teams) were settled, which I was was unprecedented in the playoff era (1986-7 onwards).
As well as the 4th place thing, Sunderland provide some interest. They will be the worst ever Premiership team, and if they don’t win both games they will also have the lowest points ever in the top division since at least 38 games were played (the lowest is 17 in 42 games by Stoke City in 1984-5). Plus, if they end the season with only 2 wins, this will be the lowest of all time whether Pre or Post Premiership. Even back in 26 game days in the Victorian era, everyone won at least 3 games. I’m rooting for record incompetence!
Highbury is a special ground, no doubt about that. I’m pleased they are preserving the facade.
My first visit there in 1993 was when the club was rebuilding one of the ends, and rather than expose the mess of the constuction used the famous “mural” - a huge picture of a crowd - to give the ground a 4 sided feel.
The Emirates Stadium is supposedly going to be great.
Finally, stupid Sunderland, winning a home game and ruining their bid at immortality…doubly galling as it was a replay of a game which was abandoned due to snow a few weeks ago when they were losing 0-1…
Well, the Premier League is over, and Jammy old Arsenal get the 4th spot in the Champions League after beating Wigan, whilst Spurs blew it by losing 1-2 at Coorey’s West Ham.
Spurs were not helped by 10 of their players getting food poisoning after eating at a hotel on Saturday. Investigations are going on as to whether this was foul play.
And Sunderland lose 1-2 at Villa to finish on 15 points - the lowest top Division total since the 1890’s.
