4-4! (AKA "The football thread")

[Generalisimo]

This is what I call... luck...

What a goal!!!

[DarthMath]

Really sorry, Hobbes.
It's completely unfair. The referee is the worst I've seen for a very long time for such a level of competition. Hiddink had the number of Guardiola's team, for the two games. They were not very good games, both of them, but objectively, Chelsea deserved the Final.

[Generalisimo]

Really sorry, Hobbes.
It's completely unfair. The referee is the worst I've seen for a very long time for such a level of competition. Hiddink had the number of Guardiola's team, for the two games. They were not very good games, both of them, but objectively, Chelsea deserved the Final.

In football... nobody wins by "deserving to win"...
I really do not liked the way Chelsea played (or actually I should say "avoided to play"?) in the Nou Camp... i really preffer more offensive teamplay.

But I agree with you that the referee was a complete disaster today...

[DarthMath]

Yes, that's all we can say about !! A very disappointing Barcelona team ...
Missing players aren't an excuse, even if it's important. Chelsea team was dominant in all of the game aspects.

[DarthMath]

This is what I call... luck...

Yes, that's all we can say about !! A very disappointing Barcelona team ...
Missing players aren't an excuse, even if it's important. Chelsea team was dominant in all of the game aspects.

[DarthMath]

[quote="Generalisimo"]In football... nobody wins by "deserving to win"...
I really do not liked the way Chelsea played (or actually I should say "avoided to play"?) in the Nou Camp... i really preffer more offensive teamplay.

QUOTE]

I strongly disagree about "nobody wins by deserving to win", Generalissimo. That's sport, sure, not mathematics, but I prefer the "the best wins" rule. I agree with you on the Chelsea way of play, and it's not a team I like very much, but we must recognize that Hiddink has made his players played the perfect game against Barcelona. They controled the ball, and the passsing lines between Xavi and the strikers. And surprinsingly, they were not very agressive, less than that they were in the first game.
Pep hadn't be able to find the answer of the tactic trap devised by Hiddink.
And they win only because the referee lost control of the game. ( some kind of "gordito", maybe, like Ronaldo )

[DarthMath]

In football... nobody wins by "deserving to win"...

I strongly disagree about "nobody wins by deserving to win", Generalissimo. That's sport, sure, not mathematics, but I prefer the "the best wins" rule. I agree with you on the Chelsea way of play, and it's not a team I like very much, but we must recognize that Hiddink has made his players played the perfect game against Barcelona. They controled the ball, and the passsing lines between Xavi and the strikers. And surprinsingly, they were not very agressive, less than that they were in the first game.
Pep hadn't be able to find the answer of the tactic trap devised by Hiddink.
And they win only because the referee lost control of the game. ( some kind of "gordito", maybe, like Ronaldo )

[Hobbes]

My feeling while watching the game was a very poor referee - but it seemed to me a bad decision for the sending off also. I've not watched it back yet. I don't suppose I will.

I would hope Chelsea at home would play better against 10 men in the second half but they sat back too much. If they had been 1-0 down I'm sure they would have played better but at 90 minutes I was dancing. At least I got to dance unlike the poor Arsenal supporters last night.

5 semi finals in 6 years - but no trophy. We are like the Buffalo Bills almost.
Maybe it will never happen I wonder.

Football - bloody hell.

[keith]

barca got lucky, very lucky, that was a stick on penalty when pique handled the ball in the box

[DarthMath]

All of his decisions were bad, for the two sides. It's unbelievable at this level.
But don't worry, with all of its players and all of its money, Chelsea will be in the last four for many years again. That was very close this year, and the last Final too.
They just have to change a little their way of play, more technical skills, and they would win. But it seems that they are going to change some players this summer, and Hiddink will leave the club. That's the worst news for them IMHO.

[Hobbes]

All of his decisions were bad, for the two sides. It's unbelievable at this level.
But don't worry, with all of its players and all of its money, Chelsea will be in the last four for many years again. That was very close this year, and the last Final too.
They just have to change a little their way of play, more technical skills, and they would win. But it seems that they are going to change some players this summer, and Hiddink will leave the club. That's the worst news for them IMHO.

If Hiddink was staying I would be a lot happier tonight. I don't know if I can cope with another semi.

I am at least happy to know I can watch the final without tension. Even though Barca have had such a good season I would say 60 - 40 chance to Man Utd. I've not seen anything from Barca to scare them too much although with a full team it may be different. I think that is now 10 games against English clubs where Messi has not scored - so there is no fear of him. But that may change

Chris

[DarthMath]

It will be interesting anyway with the match in the match between Messi and Ronaldo for the title of "best player in the world". I'm relieved that Abidal was sent off, because we would have seen our french players in very bad situations : Abidal-Ronaldo and Messi-Evra duels would have been tough to follow for a French !!
I continue to bet on Barcelona, with the return of Henry and Puyol, even if the suspension of Dani Alves is a hard hit, and the Xavi-Iniesta-Toure trio back in business, it's the best all-around team this season.
But I love Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, and it would be a wonderful gift for Sir Alex and Giggs in maybe their last season.
Anyway, I was hoping a beautiful Final with very strong players, and beautiful team moves. In a word, good football !!

That says, I must return to my PBEM, trying to save the Confederacy !!
I wish you a good night dear Hobbes, even if I think it's not going to be a very good one. Hope in better days !!
Goodbye.

[tagwyn]

I think the Nuggets have a great chance to win the NBA Championship this year!! I wish the Rockies would begin to hit and pitch at the same time and they would ditch Tulowitzki. t

[DarthMath]

Dear Tag,
I don't understand all but I think you underestimate the Lakers, and the Celtics if KG come back, IMHO of course !!

[Hobbes]

It will be interesting anyway with the match in the match between Messi and Ronaldo for the title of "best player in the world". I'm relieved that Abidal was sent off, because we would have seen our french players in very bad situations : Abidal-Ronaldo and Messi-Evra duels would have been tough to follow for a French !!
I continue to bet on Barcelona, with the return of Henry and Puyol, even if the suspension of Dani Alves is a hard hit, and the Xavi-Iniesta-Toure trio back in business, it's the best all-around team this season.
But I love Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, and it would be a wonderful gift for Sir Alex and Giggs in maybe their last season.
Anyway, I was hoping a beautiful Final with very strong players, and beautiful team moves. In a word, good football !!

That says, I must return to my PBEM, trying to save the Confederacy !!
I wish you a good night dear Hobbes, even if I think it's not going to be a very good one. Hope in better days !!
Goodbye.

I have to say Darth it is the final most people would want to see. I hope it is a good one. See you here again next year. I'm off to bed and hoping I will feel better in the morning.

Chris
P.S. good luck with saving the Confederacy! Just have the forces to repel any Union amphibious attack into Garysburg a few months before winter and all will be well

[DarthMath]

I have to say Darth it is the final most people would want to see. I hope it is a good one. See you here again next year. I'm off to bed and hoping I will feel better in the morning.

Chris

So good night, Sir.
Oh, by the way, I hope we don't have to wait until next year to speak together !!

[Hobbes]

So good night, Sir.
Oh, by the way, I hope we don't have to wait until next year to speak together !!

Damn, you posted before I finished my P.S.

Yes - talk to you soon! Now I AM off to bed.

[DarthMath]

Thanks for the good luck !!
But I don't really understand the amphibious attack repeled into Garysburg ?
Can you enlight me a little, I'm missing something ?

[Hobbes]

Thanks for the good luck !!
But I don't really understand the amphibious attack repeled into Garysburg ?
Can you enlight me a little, I'm missing something ?

Just a drunken post. It's the attack I made that won my last PBEM - a Union attack from the sea into Garysburg.
Today doesn't seem too good

Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

Just a drunken post. It's the attack I made that won my last PBEM - a Union attack from the sea into Garysburg.
Today doesn't seem too good

Cheers, Chris

All right !! I was thinking of a joke, but didn't really understand !!
It's better now.

[Generalisimo]

Ok, but now, the important thing... on who you bet?... Ronaldo or Messi? Manchester or Barcelona??...

[DarthMath]

For players, Messi without a little doubt.
And for the Final, Barcelona because I say that since the beginning of the season.
But in England, ManU is the team I support for 15 years or so.
I have a team per country, and a hierarchy between them in European Competition :
OM / Bayern München / Milan AC / Manchester / Barcelona.
We have a little game with my older brother, who supports the following :
St-Etienne(OM) / Juventus / Arsenal / Real Madrid.
We have some fights for time to time, as you can easily imagine !!

[DarthMath]

The Big Day is coming ....

[DarthMath]

The Big Day is coming soon ... !!

P.S. good luck with saving the Confederacy! Just have the forces to repel any Union amphibious attack into Garysburg a few months before winter and all will be well

Edit on that : Dear Hobbes, I was unable to save the Confederacy, even with the help of my fellow europeans friends . This had just allowed me to last until the end of 1864. My friend Vegetius is a tough opponent, and a fair one !! Congrats to him !!
I hope I'll have a better fate in the 2nd Tournament !!
ouet:

[DarthMath]

Not really related to this thread, except the fact it's about his first author.

I wish you a very Happy Birthday, Sir Hobbes !!
ompom: ompom: ompom: ompom: ompom: arty:

[Hobbes]

The Big Day is coming soon ... !!



Edit on that : Dear Hobbes, I was unable to save the Confederacy, even with the help of my fellow europeans friends . This had just allowed me to last until the end of 1864. My friend Vegetius is a tough opponent, and a fair one !! Congrats to him !!
I hope I'll have a better fate in the 2nd Tournament !!
ouet:

I certainly found the CSA to be the tougher side to play PBEM but still with a fair chance of getting a result. Thanks for the birthday wishes and good luck to Caen!

Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

You're welcome !!
And thanks for OM's hypothetical title !!
However, objectively, I'm afraid that there is a maximum 5% chance left.
But faith is the strongest supporter's support !!

[Hobbes]

You're welcome !!
And thanks for OM's hypothetical title !!
However, objectively, I'm afraid that there is a maximum 5% chance left.
But faith is the strongest supporter's support !!

I'll be sure to take a look at the results at the weekend - I would think 5% is a little low - maybe 20%?

A (small) part of me is glad that Chelsea are not playing tomorrow - I can relax and hopefully enjoy a classic game.
The English bookies have both teams at the same odds - is it the same over there?

Cheers, Chris

[Generalisimo]

I really think any of the two teams can win the cup... even if Barcelona plays a bit better.
Maybe the experience of Ferguson will beat Guardiola's team?

[DarthMath]

If ManU is at its semis level, they are unplayable for every team, including a weakened Barcelona team. Without 3 on 4 of the regular defenders, it's going to be tough for the Spaniards, especially if Pep changes his midfielders trio, as he has done against Chelsea. The force of Barcelona is its two trio :
Xavi-Toure-Iniesta and Henry-Eto'o-Messi. If they change that, then they are lost, as they were in the semis.

For answering to Hobbes regarding the odds, I'm thinking of a 60-40 ManU, more if Iniesta and Henry are not at 100% for the game or if Touré is replaced on central defense.
And for the French title, Bordeaux cannot lose at Caen, even if I pray for that. They need only one point against a team which is struggling against relegation, paradoxically our best hope !!
But Bordeaux is very lucky since a month and a half, the luck of the Champion as it seems. Bouh !!
A year again without any title ....