European Soccer Part XIII

[Terrierbyassociation]

Originally posted by ColbyWMHB
Liverpool takes a big leap forward in capturing the 4-spot by knocking off Man U at Old Trafford 1-0.

Leicester almost seals its fate as well, getting only 1 point at home against Man City. 2 likely down...who will be the 3rd?

Nice article regarding promotion / relegation of the English leagues / divisions going into today from the BBC here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3615939.stm

Sorry I was late...it took me about a day to figure out how to bypass whatever stupid obstacle they put up when they made it impossible for anyone on CMU's, BU's, and USC's campus to get on to uscho.com.

(guardster.com)

Woooo Liverpool!

[3W]

I cannot believe what has gotten into Aston Villa this season. No clue. This team somehow has gotten from almost relegated to having an outside chances at the Champions League next year, not to mention a better than average chance at Europe (made somewhat complicated by Millwall making the FA Cup final, I think they may have to pass the Reds or Magpies for fifth just to get into Europe). But, I can't believe how well O'Leary has whipped them into shape.

[Don King]

Originally posted by Wildcat Willy Wannabe
...made somewhat complicated by Millwall making the FA Cup final, I think they may have to pass the Reds or Magpies for fifth just to get into Europe.

I'm attempting to find the actual regulation, but I can say this: England had four teams qualify for the UEFA Cup last year: fifth-place Liverpool, sixth-place Blackburn, FA Cup finalists Southampton, and Manchester City through the Fair Play standings.

This would indicate to me that 5th and 6th get into the UEFA Cup even though Millwall is already in.

[Don King]

Thierry Henry capped off what must have been a memorable day by winning the PFA Footballer of the Year Award. Hardly surprising, given that he's the best player in the world and all. :p

The rest of this year's team:

GK: Timmy Howard, Manchester United (U-S-A! U-S-A! :D)

RB: Lauren, Arsenal
CB: Sol Campbell, Arsenal
CB: John Terry, Chelsea
LB: Ashley Cole, Arsenal

MF: Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
MF: Frank Lampard, Chelsea
MF: Patrick Viera, Arsenal
MF: Robert Pires, Arsenal

CF: Thierry Henry, Arsenal
CF: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United

Finally:
http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/24/48332-145.jpg
http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/24/156278-2.jpg


:D:D

[MavrckMngr]

Originally posted by FerrisLives
I think Leicester have been promoted and relegated more than any team in England. They should be experts at the process by now.

Ohhhh f you, dude. Just because there's only three Manchester City fans here doesn't give you an excuse to spread lies. :p

You know, you'd think I'd be half-way relieved that City left Leicester with a point, but I actually think I'm even more frustrated now than before. They absolutely had to win this match to help stop worrying about relegation and possibly let Keegan keep his job. A tie is better than nothing, don't get me wrong, but it's not much better than nothing this late in the season, especially considering (like I've said before) that Manchester City has enough ties this year to cross the Pacific. I know I'm biased for thte way Keegan's brought us down since City got above the Nationwide again, but now that we're still fighting for our Premiership lives with three games left, and a slight sense of mutiny (just look at Eyal Berkovic before he left to Pompey), there is absolutely no situation in which I can see KK keeping his job.

And now, an open letter to our favorite Chelski owner:

Roman, my birthday is June 15th. Is there any way you can send Ranieri up north by then?

[MavrckMngr]

Originally posted by Don King
I'm attempting to find the actual regulation, but I can say this: England had four teams qualify for the UEFA Cup last year: fifth-place Liverpool, sixth-place Blackburn, FA Cup finalists Southampton, and Manchester City through the Fair Play standings.

This would indicate to me that 5th and 6th get into the UEFA Cup even though Millwall is already in.

Death to Millwall.

You know, at the time, I didn't care because while the campaign was a nightmare, it was the first time City had qualified for Europe since my dad graduated high school. That said, can somebody please explain to me the Fair Play rule in proper English?

[Bob Gray]

Millwall is automatically in Europe on the basis that the FA Cup winner gets a place in Europe (UEFA Cup) and since ManU will be getting a CL place, then by default the other FA Cup finalist gets the UEFA Cup place, in this case Millwall.

[Nathan]

You know it's a down year when United only get two members on the FA team of the year.

That being said:

TIMMMMAAAAYYYY!!!!

[BW0683]

Originally posted by Don King
I'm attempting to find the actual regulation, but I can say this: England had four teams qualify for the UEFA Cup last year: fifth-place Liverpool, sixth-place Blackburn, FA Cup finalists Southampton, and Manchester City through the Fair Play standings.

This would indicate to me that 5th and 6th get into the UEFA Cup even though Millwall is already in.

5th is automatically in, but you are (like most people) forgetting about the league/Carling cup.

Last year 6th got in ONLY because the Carling Cup winner Liverpool was in the UEFA cup off of their league position (Finished 5th) . This years winner, Middlesboro, will not finish in the top 5. So therefore, the European places will be:

Champions League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, whoever finishes 4th.

UEFA Cup: Middlesboro (Carling Cup Winner), Millwall (Takes Manchester United's berth since they are in the CL), Whoever finishes 5th.

There is a chance that whoever ends up atop the Fair Play table can get the Fair Play UEFA Cup spot, but that depends on if the Premiership is awarded that berth - that will be determined at the end of the season. The highest ranked team in that table is currently Manchester United :eek: , but the highest ranked team not in Europe already is Charlton Athletic.

[3W]

Right, and since O'Leary already said Villa won't do the Intertoto, they're going to need some results down the stretch, or else they'll be sixth behind Liverpool and Newcastle and won't make it into Europe, which is a shame because they've got a good team.

[Don King]

Originally posted by BW0683
5th is automatically in, but you are (like most people) forgetting about the league/Carling cup.


Of course, you're absolutely right. My bad, sorry.

Thought of the day: If you had told me at the beginning of the season that 3/4 of Arsenal's back line would be all-League, I'd have laughed at you.

[Jon]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40053000/jpg/_40053745_celticflags.jpg
http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/24/156278-2.jpg


Between the Pats, the Bhoys and Arsenal, its been a good year for me in "football". ;)

[BW0683]

Just wanted to add something regarding European places - apparently there IS a way for the 6th placed team to get in this season.

In order for it to happen, Newcastle needs to win the UEFA Cup AND not finish in the top 4.

Newcastle United will win an extra place in Europe for a Premiership side next season if they win the Uefa Cup.

Sir Bobby Robson's side can expect the support of the likes of Aston Villa, Charlton Athletic, Fulham and Birmingham City as they try to lift the trophy because the sport's European ruling body, Uefa, have confirmed that Newcastle would create another space for an English club if they went in as holders - and also failed to qualify for the Champions' League.

LINK (http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/newcastle/story.jsp?story=515643)

[one_to7]

So I don't follow European football at all (I get really into the World Cup, but that's about it for my interest in soccer). But yesterday I got an email offer from the meadowlands advertising tickets to see Manchester United vs. AC Milan. I can get mezzanine seats for $60, lower level for $100 and nosebleed-can't see without binocular-seats for $35. Should I go (and why), and how much should I pay?

[FerrisLives]

Why is there such hostility from English teams from qualifying for the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto? Or is it just Aston Villa? Because teams like Birmingham and Charlton who are hardly ever in European competition should leap at the chance to qualify via the Intertoto Cup if they get the chance.

Wasn't semi-finalist Villareal one of the Intertoto winners?

[x-cheque]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=298557&cc=5739

Claudio Ranieri saying that Chelsea want both Beckham AND Ronaldo. Crikey. Ronaldo has already been quoted as saying that he wants to play in England...in addition to wanting to follow David around wherever he goes. That's sort of weird.

This coupled with one of the Real owners talking about change - they did worse than last year in the CL and might not win their domestic title - and specifically mentioning unloading Davey lends some credibility to such a swoop. I wouldn't mind seeing them in blue - maybe someone could finally beat arsenal!

Also a rumor today that Man U and Arsenal are after Steven Gerrard. If that happens, I might find myself actually supporting either side..what a horror !! !!

[FerrisLives]

Abramovich is daft though. He could say he is cloning Pele in a mason jar and intends to have him suit up for the Blues next year and it wouldn't have any more shock value compared to the daily drivel that already spews out of that organization.

[Bob Gray]

I think it'd be hilarious to see Ronaldo try to survive a season in the EPL. He'd totally wilt from the physical style of play and the cold, often rainy weather. I just don't see him being able to adjust to playing in the EPL.

But we're getting into the season for all kinds of wild, unfounded rumors.

Stinking FSW had Arsenal-Birmingham listed as being broadcast live saturday morning, but shifted it to late in the day once again. FSW really seems to be shifting to emphasizing German soccer, as it almost always gets the live telecasts, at least in the States. In Canada they get a lot more EPL live.

[3W]

Originally posted by FerrisLives
Why is there such hostility from English teams from qualifying for the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto? Or is it just Aston Villa? Because teams like Birmingham and Charlton who are hardly ever in European competition should leap at the chance to qualify via the Intertoto Cup if they get the chance.

Wasn't semi-finalist Villareal one of the Intertoto winners?

O'Leary was very concerned about the players not getting a rest, especially the ones like Vassell who will likely see action in Euro 2004. Also, Villa qualified via the Intertoto in 2001-02 only to get dumped out in the first round by a Croatian side, which probably is on the minds of some executives.

[Bob Gray]

Teams that play in the Intertoto Cup often struggle in league play the following season, as it in effect extends an already too long season a good deal longer.