The European football thread - Page 8

CBL-Commish · 07-13-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Could well be another tough start to the season, especially from the fans, for Gordon Strachan, as Celtic are comprehensively thrashed 4-0 by DC United.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ic/5175298.stm

I was there. DC just thrashed them. Outshot them 10-2 in the first half, then they started scoring. Yes, I know Celtic was without their best three players, but DC was without top scorer Jaime Moreno, starting keeper Troy Perkins, and two of their midfielders sat out.

Fun game - always nice to see a US squad demolish a top European club, even if it is just a friendly.

bababui · 07-13-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

It is very bizarre - I don't know what could have made him change his mind so quickly.

I have three words for you. Bolton. Bolton. and Bolton.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Without good crosses, van Nistelrooy's predatory goal scoring is nixed. And with Giggs and Ronaldo on the flanks, he doesn't get many crosses, so it may be best for him to leave the club.

Way to be a team player and act as a very high priced decoy RvN!!

ukhotstove · 07-13-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBL-Commish

I was there. DC just thrashed them. Outshot them 10-2 in the first half, then they started scoring. Yes, I know Celtic was without their best three players, but DC was without top scorer Jaime Moreno, starting keeper Troy Perkins, and two of their midfielders sat out.

Fun game - always nice to see a US squad demolish a top European club, even if it is just a friendly.

DC are at their peak though with them being well into their season, Celtic on the other hand haven't started their season being a Celtic fan it just went over my head yes it's nice to win but just a nothing game imo.

bababui · 07-13-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

DC are at their peak though with them being well into their season, Celtic on the other hand haven't started their season being a Celtic fan it just went over my head yes it's nice to win but just a nothing game imo.

It is just a meaningless exhibition game but if I were Celtics manager Id have to be a bit concerned.

Sdpm100 · 07-13-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBL-Commish

I was there. DC just thrashed them. Outshot them 10-2 in the first half, then they started scoring. Yes, I know Celtic was without their best three players, but DC was without top scorer Jaime Moreno, starting keeper Troy Perkins, and two of their midfielders sat out.

Fun game - always nice to see a US squad demolish a top European club, even if it is just a friendly.

Of course it is just a friendly, but consider that Fulham lost 2-1 to Columbus Crew and then 4-1 to the MLS All-Stars last pre-season, and look where they finished in the Premiership. If it wasn't for their home form they would have been relegated.

Obviously I don't expect that to happen to Celtic, because of the Scottish Premier League's uncompetitiveness, but if they are "lethargic" as Strachan said, it doesn't bode well for their Champions League campaign.

And as you say, another MLS team beating top European opposition has got to be good for the league's reputation going forward.

ukhotstove · 07-13-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

It is just a meaningless exhibition game but if I were Celtics manager Id have to be a bit concerned.

Think he'll be more concerned if they get beat 4-0 against Hearts on 6th August

darkenigma510 · 07-13-2006, 01:04 PM

I'm relatively new to paying attention to football and wondered if you would mind a few noob questions.

My impression is that the EPL is fairly lopsided in its talent distribution with the top 4 having sigificantly greater financial resources (and therefore better players) than the rest of the EPL. I was wodnering if you are a middle of the road team in the EPL, what is there to get excited about when you know your team doesn't have a chance of winning the EPL likely for quite some time.

Maybe this is my North American bias coming through but I imagine if we had something similar in North American sports (no playoffs, just one winner based on record), attendances would likely collaspe for middle to low teams.

Is there a cultural difference that contributes to the interest? Does the fact there is a Carling Cup and FA Cup to compete for that make for the interest?

ukhotstove · 07-13-2006, 01:17 PM

Unlike most American sports were it's a winner takes all in the EPL that's not the case, first there's the EPL title which you could narrow down to 4 teams although imo 1 then there's the FA Cup which any team in the Prem could win but you'd probably narrow that down to 6, then there's the League Cup which any team in the Prem could win.

Examples last season of middle to low teams having something to play for were Wigan Athletic getting to the League Cup final and West Ham getting to the FA Cup final, throw into it the fact you can get into European competion by winning these and looking to Middlesborough as an example them getting to the UEFA Cup final then there is alot to aim for, for the teams outside the big 4.

Plus the higher you finish the more money you get also the fact unlike American sports there's relegation which if a team is relegated could cost them around £20 million ($37 million) then there is all kinds for a middle to low team to aim for.

bababui · 07-13-2006, 01:20 PM

Dark enigma..they also have a Cup competition that is structured like the NCAA Basketball playoffs. Every team in England plays in it.

This is just my nooby 2 cents but I think people support the team from where they are from. Are are down with it until death.

When it comes to financials, baseball really isnt too much different. Although revenue sharing seems to be working in the big picture. Think of how Royal, Pirate, Reds, Devil Rays, Brewers, and Nationals feel.

ukhotstove · 07-13-2006, 01:21 PM

Also add to the fact attendances go up by getting and staying in the EPL example being wigans attendances almost doubled by getting into the EPL plus programmes, food and such would have doubled also you can understand that for a middle to low team that staying in the EPL is the biggest aim as it's a license to print money.

Meth_Lab_for_Rudy · 07-13-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Of course it is just a friendly, but consider that Fulham lost 2-1 to Columbus Crew and then 4-1 to the MLS All-Stars last pre-season, and look where they finished in the Premiership. If it wasn't for their road form they would have been playing in the Champions League.

fixed.

ukhotstove · 07-14-2006, 11:22 AM

Wigan Athletic, Denny Landzaat bid accepted by AZ Alkmaar.

ukhotstove · 07-14-2006, 01:44 PM

What's the betting on the new USA manager being ?

Klinsmann ?

mikev · 07-14-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

What's the betting on the new USA manager being ?

Klinsmann ?

That would make me a happy monkey.

I truly feel that the USA need a european coach again. The bottom line that us silly Americans realize is that this is NOT OUR GAME. We have to learn to play it the way the rest of the world does (except for the flopping), just like the rest of the world did with Basketball and now are (mostly) on par with the US, talent-wise.

ukhotstove · 07-14-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikev

That would make me a happy monkey.

I truly feel that the USA need a european coach again. The bottom line that us silly Americans realize is that this is NOT OUR GAME. We have to learn to play it the way the rest of the world does (except for the flopping), just like the rest of the world did with Basketball and now are (mostly) on par with the US, talent-wise.

Agree, like I posted in the World Cup thread college coaching isn't a good learning ground for International Football. No idea if he did it but if I'd been Arena I'd have gone to coaches around the world specially Europe and asked to say spend a month with them learning training and coaching tecniques.

Sdpm100 · 07-14-2006, 03:11 PM

Results of Italian match-fixing scandal investigation from the FIGC.

Juventus - relegated to Serie B, deducted 30 points, stripped of Serie A titles of 2005 and 2006
AC Milan - stay in Serie A, deducted 15 points, banned from next season's Champions League
Fiorentina - relegated to Serie B, deducted 12 points
Lazio - relegated to Serie B, deducted 7 points

Inter Milan, Roma, Chievo, and Palermo, will be next year's Champions League representatives from Italy.

All teams have a right to appeal, and all points totals are deducted from the start of 2006-07 Italian League season.

Meth_Lab_for_Rudy · 07-14-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

AC Milan - stay in Serie A, deducted 15 points, banned from next season's Champions League
.

I say! What a surprise that AC Milan gets a slap on the wrist while the other conspirators face relegation. That is truly a surprise. Just when I thought I couldn't dislike Italian football any less, this comes along.

Dr. Walter Doodah · 07-14-2006, 04:19 PM

Wow. This must really suck for fans of those clubs.

Gastric ReFlux · 07-14-2006, 04:23 PM

Guess that'll mean fewer Juventus games on Fox or GolTv.

The Just · 07-15-2006, 12:23 AM

A few football news bits I've come across:

Up to £300 million worth of talent looking to head out of Italy

Ruud Van Nistlerooy signs three-year deal with Real Madrid

Ashley Cole bashes Arsenal in his new book

Sir Alex Ferguson believes United youngsters can take Premiership by storm

07-13-2006, 01:17 PM	#148
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	Unlike most American sports were it's a winner takes all in the EPL that's not the case, first there's the EPL title which you could narrow down to 4 teams although imo 1 then there's the FA Cup which any team in the Prem could win but you'd probably narrow that down to 6, then there's the League Cup which any team in the Prem could win. Examples last season of middle to low teams having something to play for were Wigan Athletic getting to the League Cup final and West Ham getting to the FA Cup final, throw into it the fact you can get into European competion by winning these and looking to Middlesborough as an example them getting to the UEFA Cup final then there is alot to aim for, for the teams outside the big 4. Plus the higher you finish the more money you get also the fact unlike American sports there's relegation which if a team is relegated could cost them around £20 million ($37 million) then there is all kinds for a middle to low team to aim for. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

07-13-2006, 01:21 PM	#150
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	Also add to the fact attendances go up by getting and staying in the EPL example being wigans attendances almost doubled by getting into the EPL plus programmes, food and such would have doubled also you can understand that for a middle to low team that staying in the EPL is the biggest aim as it's a license to print money. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

07-14-2006, 11:22 AM	#152
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	Wigan Athletic, Denny Landzaat bid accepted by AZ Alkmaar. __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

07-14-2006, 01:44 PM	#153
ukhotstove Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of England Gods Country Posts: 7,175	What's the betting on the new USA manager being ? Klinsmann ? __________________ Detroit Diesel Dynasty San Antonio Calzones of Laredo Dynasty

07-14-2006, 03:11 PM	#156
Sdpm100 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cheltenham, England Posts: 7,644	Results of Italian match-fixing scandal investigation from the FIGC. Juventus - relegated to Serie B, deducted 30 points, stripped of Serie A titles of 2005 and 2006 AC Milan - stay in Serie A, deducted 15 points, banned from next season's Champions League Fiorentina - relegated to Serie B, deducted 12 points Lazio - relegated to Serie B, deducted 7 points Inter Milan, Roma, Chievo, and Palermo, will be next year's Champions League representatives from Italy. All teams have a right to appeal, and all points totals are deducted from the start of 2006-07 Italian League season. Last edited by Sdpm100; 07-14-2006 at 03:19 PM.

07-13-2006, 01:04 PM	#147
darkenigma510 All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Wild West Posts: 1,353	I'm relatively new to paying attention to football and wondered if you would mind a few noob questions. My impression is that the EPL is fairly lopsided in its talent distribution with the top 4 having sigificantly greater financial resources (and therefore better players) than the rest of the EPL. I was wodnering if you are a middle of the road team in the EPL, what is there to get excited about when you know your team doesn't have a chance of winning the EPL likely for quite some time. Maybe this is my North American bias coming through but I imagine if we had something similar in North American sports (no playoffs, just one winner based on record), attendances would likely collaspe for middle to low teams. Is there a cultural difference that contributes to the interest? Does the fact there is a Carling Cup and FA Cup to compete for that make for the interest?

07-13-2006, 01:20 PM	#149
bababui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 14,147 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Dark enigma..they also have a Cup competition that is structured like the NCAA Basketball playoffs. Every team in England plays in it. This is just my nooby 2 cents but I think people support the team from where they are from. Are are down with it until death. When it comes to financials, baseball really isnt too much different. Although revenue sharing seems to be working in the big picture. Think of how Royal, Pirate, Reds, Devil Rays, Brewers, and Nationals feel.

07-14-2006, 04:19 PM	#158
Dr. Walter Doodah Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: not Libya Posts: 199	Wow. This must really suck for fans of those clubs. __________________ There's that word again; "heavy". Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the earth's gravitational pull?

07-14-2006, 04:23 PM	#159
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	Guess that'll mean fewer Juventus games on Fox or GolTv.

07-15-2006, 12:23 AM	#160
The Just Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 122	A few football news bits I've come across: Up to £300 million worth of talent looking to head out of Italy Ruud Van Nistlerooy signs three-year deal with Real Madrid Ashley Cole bashes Arsenal in his new book Sir Alex Ferguson believes United youngsters can take Premiership by storm __________________