European Soccer Part XIII

[Terrierbyassociation]

I said he hadn't had a good season in 3 years. 3 years ago was the treble right? 00-01, 01-02, 02-03, 03-04

[Bob Gray]

I think Heskey's move to Birmingham is probably good for everyone. He has really taken a lot of heat at Liverpool the last couple seasons, and to me deservedly so, as he just hasn't been a force on the pitch. At Birmingham expectations won't be nearly as high and he may have a nice bounceback season. Hard to say though, as sometimes when a player leaves a better club, his performance declines, as in Heskey's case he won't be receiving service from Gerrard anymore. Heskey has always seemed like a good fellow, but when you play for a big club like Liverpool, there's not a lot of slack to be cut, especially for a squad that has not nearly lived up to expectations the last few years (though I'd first and foremost blame Houllier). I really don't seem most of the unhappiness with Heskey as being racist (though there are a few of those around for sure), but rather based on his less than stellar performances.

I started up a new Championship Manager 4 season the other day (starting in 2002-2003), with me managing Arsenal of course, and one of the first things the computer manager did was fire Houllier as Liverpool manager. Then the really funny part is that Liverpool then hired Arsene Wenger as the new manager, since he was available through my own taking over Arsenal. I'm thankful such a thing wouldn't happen in real life! :D

[FerrisLives]

Any thoughts on West Ham vs. Crystal Palace for a spot in the Premiership?

[Big Poppa Pump]

The UEFA Cup final between Valencia and Marseilles is underway, with the score being 0-0 about 15 minutes in...

Personally, I'd rather watch these two teams play, than the two in the Champion's League final.

[Big Poppa Pump]

Valencia is up 1-0 after a PK in the 45th minute. Barthez was sent off for the foul. Here's what soccenet had to say about it...
44 min: Mista took the ball down beautifully on his chest to take out the whole defence and drive for goal in the box. Nicks the ball past the fast advancing Barthez who clips his heels, twice, for a clear spot kick

45 min: Meriem is withdrawn from the Marseille side to bring on the substitute goalkeeper Jeremy Gavanon. Up steps Vincente to strike the ball home and Gavanon's first touch is to pick the ball out of the net. 1-0 Valencia

[Nathan]

Fabien Barthez is a freaking hack!!

[Big Poppa Pump]

Valencia 2-0...game over basically...
58 min: A Marseille attack broke down - there was a suspicion of handball by the French side but the referee let it go well - a fast break down the left hand side from Rufete. Inch perfect cross into the feet of Mista who is in space. His control is instant and the strike exquisite. Great finish!

[Big Poppa Pump]

Valencia take the 2004 UEFA Cup 2-0 over Marseilles.

Goals to Rodrigues Vicente in the 45th (PK), and Miguel Mista in the 57th.

[3W]

I have to believe that West Ham will win that match. Palace is just not of the same class, IMHO, and WHUFC need to go back up for financial reasons or else they may not get another chance. I like the other Claret and Blue 2-0.

[Don King]

Originally posted by Wildcat Willy Wannabe
I have to believe that West Ham will win that match. Palace is just not of the same class, IMHO, and WHUFC need to go back up for financial reasons or else they may not get another chance. I like the other Claret and Blue 2-0.

Might as well get this thread of conversation going, too: who's got the best chance of staying up of Norwich City, West Brom, West Ham, and Crystal Palace?

My gut feeling is that Palace would pull a 2002-03 Sunderland-like performance and head straight back down, as they've done the last three times they were in the top division.

Beyond that, of course, it'll depend on who they sign.

[3W]

None of the above. The gap between the EPL and the 1st Division grows every year thanks to finances. I'd be very surprised to see any of the three stay up. West Ham might be able to generate enough revenue to finish in 17th, but unless the likes of Everton or maybe Fulham or someone were to Leeds, I think it's three-up, three-down.

[Nathan]

FYI, I can't post it, because it's a "premium" article, but there is an outstanding article on Timmy Howard in this month's issue of Esquire

[jmh]

That's because Timmy is the MAN. :D

[USAFA Bulldog]

SkySports has a aftermath article about the Barthez red card.
Here's the link:
Sky Sports (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=204290&cpid=6)

Any takes? I didn't see the game so I can't comment if the red was deserved, but Collina being so biased against Barthez that he intentionally gave Barthez a red instead of a yellow? I just don't buy it.

Skysports also reports: Thomas Rosicky wants to leave Dortmund this summer, rumor has it to Liverpool, to join Smicer and Baros. That would be a huge addition for L'Pool.

[Craig P.]

The consensus among the referees at BigSoccer is that it was absolutely the right call and the only thing remarkable about it was that Collina had the balls to make it.

[BW0683]

Originally posted by Craig P.
The consensus among the referees at BigSoccer is that it was absolutely the right call and the only thing remarkable about it was that Collina had the balls to make it.

That's why he's the best. Should be the automatic UEFA CUP/CL Final ref until he's too old...

[3W]

Of course he did it. He's Pierluigi Collina. What are they going to do, suspend him? If they kept him out of Euro 2004, there may have been the first soccer riot in support of a referee.

[Nathan]

Collina rules!

[USAFA Bulldog]

Originally posted by Wildcat Willy Wannabe
Of course he did it. He's Pierluigi Collina. What are they going to do, suspend him? If they kept him out of Euro 2004, there may have been the first soccer riot in support of a referee.

Agreed! :D He's definately the top in the world! He's so good he's even in EA's FIFA. By the Way- Anyone know who the other referees are on there? Collina's kind of hard to miss, you know.

[Don King]

Originally posted by Craig P.
The consensus among the referees at BigSoccer is that it was absolutely the right call and the only thing remarkable about it was that Collina had the balls to make it.

Very true. In a league game or in any game less important than a UEFA Cup Final I wouldn't have even noticed it.

In a European Cup Final though... wow. It's no secret that the call, plus Valencia converting the resulting penalty, basically ended the game. It took some serious marbles to pull out the red for Barthez at that juncture.