View Full Version : European Soccer Part XIII
Jimjamesak
05-04-2004, 09:38 PM
Originally posted by Nathan
Porto sucks.
That is all.
What he said.
Bob Gray
05-04-2004, 10:34 PM
Originally posted by Don King
Ended in a 1-1 draw. It really had all of the intensity of a training match for Arsenal. Good game, but you get the sense that the Gunners are just playing not to lose for the last month.
This has got to be the most anti-climactic EPL season finish in a long time, with the title decided, the three relegated teams decided, 2nd place likely decided, and really only a couple European spots and the FA Cup final left to attract any interest.
Today's game was another snoozer for the Gunners, though not as bad as the Birmingham game.
FerrisLives
05-04-2004, 11:27 PM
Originally posted by Nathan
Porto sucks.
That is all.
Porto doesn't get enough credit. They are having one of the best seasons of the last two decades by a team from one of the smaller nations. They are having the dream season that fans of clubs like Celtic, Anderlecht, Rosenborg, Olympiakos, etc. wish their teams had in them.
x-cheque
05-04-2004, 11:33 PM
Originally posted by Terrierbyassociation
Was anyone talking over the weekend about Germany's humiliating loss to Romania??
My god, that was fun to read about. What a thrashing!
I don't recall where I read it but it was pointed out that the Deustchlanders have yet to beat another major European power in friendlies OR tournament play in quite some time. 1-nil results in 2002 at the Cup until the decisive loss to Brazil (we the USA should have beat them), they cashed out in 1998 to Croatia, they stunk at Euro 2000. England smashed them 5-1 a few years ago, it helped serve as a wake up call but still - Was ist los?
BW0683
05-05-2004, 11:16 AM
COME ON CHELSEA!!!
I must admit that I want Chelsea to win, only because I predicted them to win the Champions League very early in the season this year.
Terrierbyassociation
05-05-2004, 11:44 AM
I want Chelsea to win because I want them to stomp Porto. I want them to win, and then the classless *****es that are Chelsea's management fire Ranieri.
He's a great manager. You just gave him too many players and he tried to juggle. He made some mistakes, but if he wins CL...and then you fire him, let it be known how horrible that will look for you!
Bob Gray
05-05-2004, 11:49 AM
Although I will hate all the schtick from Chelski fans if the win the CL, given Arsenal's lack of CL success, I think I'll be rooting for them also, as it's still good for English soccer in general to have CL success.
Porto is a very good club, but they still don't rank as one of the top clubs in Europe. They have to good fortune of having had a less than rigorous domestic season, so they've been able to focus their efforts on Europe in a way most clubs from bigger nations haven't. If Arsenal played in Portugal, they'd have been much more rested and match ready for Chelski, instead of being dead tired from playing ManU a few days earlier.
Chelsea up 2-1 after a half, but they need another goal (and to hold Monaco) to force extra time. Should be a thrilling finish!
Edit: And apparently, Chelsea is missing left and right.
Goal Monaco, and Chelsea will need a miraculous three goals to advance!
x-cheque
05-05-2004, 04:04 PM
All credit due to Morientes, he has been phenomenal. However, Chelsea's defensive lapses have been absolutely suicidal. Melchiot blew it on the first goal and now on this last one, THREE defenders played the passer and allowed Morientes to sneak into the box to score. Great. Yet another CL final that I'll ignore completely.
Bob Gray
05-05-2004, 04:05 PM
Looks like it'll be a knife-edge 2nd half.
Can't say that many people would have bet a Porto v. Monaco Champions League final.
BW0683
05-05-2004, 04:09 PM
:(
Bob Gray
05-05-2004, 04:16 PM
When that away goal advantage flips the other way, it's just a killer to recover from.
x-cheque
05-05-2004, 04:32 PM
After the meltdown in Monaco against a 10 man side, Chelsea knew they had to be stellar at the back in order to win. A 2-nil result was what they needed. To draw 2-2 (which looks mostly likely now) is just a total failure. Oh well. I wonder where Ranieri will be next year?
Bob Gray
05-05-2004, 04:54 PM
Originally posted by Wildcat Willy Wannabe
Can't say that many people would have bet a Porto v. Monaco Champions League final.
Very true. And I don't know how many people will watch a game between these two. Certainly not a matchup that grabs my interest.
Big Poppa Pump
05-05-2004, 04:54 PM
Originally posted by Bob Gray
Very true. And I don't know how many people will watch a game between these two. Certainly not a matchup that grabs my interest. Like I need to watch Porto diving all over the field for 90 minutes. Thanks, but no thanks. :rolleyes:
Bob Gray
05-05-2004, 05:21 PM
Originally posted by Big Poppa Pump
Like I need to watch Porto diving all over the field for 90 minutes. Thanks, but no thanks. :rolleyes:
You mean Porto's "simulation"? There was an interesting article on soccernet awhile back about how "simulation" isn't looked down on in countries like Portugal the way it is in England. In some countries apparently the art of being able to fool the referee with a good "simulation" is admired.
Yah, I'll definitely be rooting for Monaco, to the extent I root for anyone.
Jimjamesak
05-05-2004, 05:23 PM
Originally posted by Bob Gray
You mean Porto's "simulation"?
Yah, I'll definitely be rooting for Monaco, to the extent I root for anyone.
Better it be a bunch frogs who actually play winning the CL than a bunch of simulators from Portugal TM
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