The European football thread

[boilermaker]

Wow, that is a pretty powerful read. In a way, I feel bad he was able to sum those experiences up so quickly. I would happily have cozied up in a recliner to read Scott's memoirs if he ever penned such a thing.

[LFC1892]

Scott in his younger days...

[LFC1892]

http://203.15.102.152/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=89724

Liverpool fans cannot be blamed for the trouble at the Champions League final in Athens two weeks ago and are not the worst behaved in Europe, UEFA president Michel Platini told Reuters.

Asked whether Liverpool supporters caused the fracas at some of the entry gates before the match against AC Milan at the Olympic Stadium, Platini replied: "No we cannot say that, we cannot point the finger.

"The issue is not that they are English or Spanish, one club or another, it is simply about fans who travel without tickets and it can be anyone."

The president added: "This is an old story. We know about this, it is just that more English fans follow their clubs than those from other countries.

"It is not as if one set of fans are good or one set bad. This is not the question in the end. We cannot go around saying that."

Platini, contradicting statements attributed to UEFA officials last week, also said of Liverpool's supporters: "No they are not the worst behaved in Europe. It's official, they are not the worst behaved in Europe."

Platini was speaking after a meeting with British sports minister Richard Caborn during which he handed over a report into security problems at last month's Champions League final in which AC Milan beat Liverpool 2-1.

UEFA officials had blamed Liverpool fans for causing the majority of the problems before the match, alleging that hundreds of English supporters who had no tickets or forged tickets forced their way into the Olympic Stadium in Athens.

An official said Liverpool fans had been involved in 25 incidents at away matches in the last four years making them the worst behaved among followers of clubs in European competition.

2 days of "Liverpool are to blame", now they arent to blame apparently. I wish the Reds could sue UEFA for this kind of crap. Might make some more transfer funds available . Oh yeah, and sack that Gaillard idiot Mr Platini.

[boilermaker]

I know the English Premier League just finished, but I'm already pumped for 07/08. I'm not burned out on last season at all, I can't wait for play to resume.

In two days, we have an all CONCACAF Gold Cup. Euro 2008 Qualifiers all summer long. I'm really in a football/soccer state of mind right now.

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Originally Posted by boilermaker

I know the English Premier League just finished, but I'm already pumped for 07/08. I'm not burned out on last season at all, I can't wait for play to resume.

In two days, we have an all CONCACAF Gold Cup. Euro 2008 Qualifiers all summer long. I'm really in a football/soccer state of mind right now.

Don't forget the U-20's World Cup which starts at the end of the month I think

[LFC1892]

God I hope we sign Quaresma by the end of the week.

OK, so it's a highlight clip, but he still looks class. About 4.10 into the clip is my favorite bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mV-ucWahRM

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by LFC1892

God I hope we sign Quaresma by the end of the week.

OK, so it's a highlight clip, but he still looks class. About 4.10 into the clip is my favorite bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mV-ucWahRM

Looks tidy enough. Unforgivable hair, though. I'd take him or Simao - or both - tomorrow.

[LFC1892]

Originally Posted by edrooney

.... I'd take him or Simao - or both - tomorrow.

Every LFC forum I've been to, has guys salivating for the first "real" signing....sorry, 2 Hungarian teenagers dont count and Voronin is old news. I'm thinking theres deals already done, but no signatures yet, plus La Liga is still bloody going. I actually dont want E'to...he's an arrogant little bugger, who wont be available for a large chunk of next season anyway due to the African committments. If they spend 30 mill Euros on him, I might just be sick.

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by LFC1892

Every LFC forum I've been to, has guys salivating for the first "real" signing....sorry, 2 Hungarian teenagers dont count and Voronin is old news. I'm thinking theres deals already done, but no signatures yet, plus La Liga is still bloody going. I actually dont want E'to...he's an arrogant little bugger, who wont be available for a large chunk of next season anyway due to the African committments. If they spend 30 mill Euros on him, I might just be sick.

Yeah, there are negatives with Eto'o, and the Africa thing is definitely worth bearing in mind, but he's so much better than who we have up front at the moment, 30mil Euros ain't such a bad price. (that's £20m, right?)

[LFC1892]

Actually I'm not sure if its euro or quid, but if it involves swapping Xabi as well, the price better come down.

My guess for the 1st 3 signings is:

Tevez
Malouda
Simao

I am probably way off on 2 of them, but it's just a guess.

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by LFC1892

Actually I'm not sure if its euro or quid, but if it involves swapping Xabi as well, the price better come down.

My guess for the 1st 3 signings is:

Tevez
Malouda
Simao

I am probably way off on 2 of them, but it's just a guess.

:salivate:

[Bobbert]

Sweden scored one of the most bizare goals I've ever seen yesterday against Iceland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6FZ3_-XVv8

[boilermaker]

I'm calling it right now: Liverpool will win the next Premier League title.

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by boilermaker

I'm calling it right now: Liverpool will win the next Premier League title.

Noooo!!! Take it back!

First, you might actually jinx it.

Second, every season for the last 3 or 4 years has started with a bunch of analysts and Liverpool fans proclaiming that this could be the year that Liverpool (finally) win it. Then we struggle through August and September, are 10 points out when November comes around, and everyone points and laughs.

Thirdly, they were way way behind ManU and Chelsea last season, and only took third over the Arse because the Arse had one of their worst seasons in a long time. Pool have an awful lot of improving to do over the summer to stand any chance.

Fourthly, you never know, though.

[Raderick]

Originally Posted by edrooney

Noooo!!! Take it back!

First, you might actually jinx it.

Second, every season for the last 3 or 4 years has started with a bunch of analysts and Liverpool fans proclaiming that this could be the year that Liverpool (finally) win it. Then we struggle through August and September, are 10 points out when November comes around, and everyone points and laughs.

Thirdly, they were way way behind ManU and Chelsea last season, and only took third over the Arse because the Arse had one of their worst seasons in a long time. Pool have an awful lot of improving to do over the summer to stand any chance.

Fourthly, you never know, though.

Furthermore, it seems that Liverpool is built for tournament play rather than league play (with all of the success in cup matches in the past few years).

With United getting stronger with the additions of two attacking midfielders and a carbon copy of Paul Scholes, I think they have the be the overwhelming favorites to win the Premiership and one other cup trophy.

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by Raderick

Furthermore, it seems that Liverpool is built for tournament play rather than league play (with all of the success in cup matches in the past few years).

With United getting stronger with the additions of two attacking midfielders and a carbon copy of Paul Scholes, I think they have the be the overwhelming favorites to win the Premiership and one other cup trophy.

I'd have them as favourites, but not overwhelmingly so. They have retooled with some good-looking players, but often players from foreign leagues take some time to get accustomed to the Premiership, so don't bank on them reproducing their Portuguese / German league form for ManU right out of the box. C.Ronaldo didn't really start to look this good until his third season.

While they've improved their depth, they're still a couple of injuries away from the likes of Fletcher, O'Shea, Richardson, Park et al. Solid players, some of which contributed well this last season, but not who you want to rely on week in week out.

Liverpool should improve over the course of the summer (their depth will improve, but with new purchases will also have the 'new foreigner' question marks from the start). It's hard to see Chelsea not (a) bringing in a few new faces and (b) avoiding the enormous injury list they had to contend with this year.

So Chelsea should run them close, and Liverpool and Arsenal can't be discounted. Favourites, yes, but it could be even closer still next year, with hopefully something of a four horse race.

[Raderick]

Originally Posted by edrooney

I'd have them as favourites, but not overwhelmingly so. They have retooled with some good-looking players, but often players from foreign leagues take some time to get accustomed to the Premiership, so don't bank on them reproducing their Portuguese / German league form for ManU right out of the box. C.Ronaldo didn't really start to look this good until his third season.

While they've improved their depth, they're still a couple of injuries away from the likes of Fletcher, O'Shea, Richardson, Park et al. Solid players, some of which contributed well this last season, but not who you want to rely on week in week out.

Liverpool should improve over the course of the summer (their depth will improve, but with new purchases will also have the 'new foreigner' question marks from the start). It's hard to see Chelsea not (a) bringing in a few new faces and (b) avoiding the enormous injury list they had to contend with this year.

So Chelsea should run them close, and Liverpool and Arsenal can't be discounted. Favourites, yes, but it could be even closer still next year, with hopefully something of a four horse race.

But at the same time, The three additions are nothing more than parachutes in case someone like Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo or even Rooney are injured. I don't expect them to contribute immediately, but to start out on the bench or even in reserve play when the season starts and gradually move up to starting roles when the season takes their tolls on the current starters (see Park's and Alan Smith's roles in the 06-07 season).

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by Raderick

But at the same time, The three additions are nothing more than parachutes in case someone like Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo or even Rooney are injured. I don't expect them to contribute immediately, but to start out on the bench or even in reserve play when the season starts and gradually move up to starting roles when the season takes their tolls on the current starters (see Park's and Alan Smith's roles in the 06-07 season).

Fair enough. Even with that. Even if they were Zidane, Platini and Maradona. There are going to be no overwhelming favourites to win the league next year, ManU or otherwise.

I think ManU fans of a certain age got used to being perennial champs in the 90s (as Liverpool had been in the 80s), and forget what a monumental achievement winning the league is (unless you spend 5 times your closest competitor, that is). ManU fans, like fans of the other top four teams, should brace themselves for a hard and close-fought battle, with the top places switching hands regularly. To consider yourselves overwhelming favourites smacks of arrogance and under-estimates the other teams considerably.

[boilermaker]

I've only staked a prediction on future champions about a half dozen times and I've never been wrong.

I swear.

[edrooney]

Originally Posted by boilermaker

I've only staked a prediction on future champions about a half dozen times and I've never been wrong.

I swear.

That's it. If Liverpool don't win it next year, I'm gonna find you, jinxy jim.