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

[Hobbes]

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 ....

If I had to bet I would say 55-45 to ManU but it is very, very close. I imagine there will not be a big score for one team but it could happen.

With Caen I think they may have a little more chance than you think (not much but a little more). It's difficult to think of that when you are the one hoping for the improbable result. Fingers crossed for you.

Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

Thanks my friend !!
But there is another thing to add, we must beat Rennes at home, where we have lost 22 points, and from my point of vue, the title. And for their part, they are a good team away, and they play for a Europa League ( a new name again !! ) qualifying spot.
It really doesn't smell good ...

[Hobbes]

Thanks my friend !!
But there is another thing to add, we must beat Rennes at home, where we have lost 22 points, and from my point of vue, the title. And for their part, they are a good team away, and they play for a Europa League ( a new name again !! ) qualifying spot.
It really doesn't smell good ...

Yes, also a problem - very annoying if Caen do get a result and you lose to Rennes

After talking to you about this I will be very interested to see what happens.

Chris

[Generalisimo]

The good thing about Ligue 1 this year... is that AT LEAST someone will beat OL for the championship!

[DarthMath]

If it's the scenario which is going to happen, I think I'm going to cut one of my arm out of despair !!

[DarthMath]

Yes, also a problem - very annoying if Caen do get a result and you lose to Rennes

After talking to you about this I will be very interested to see what happens.

Chris

If it's the scenario which is going to happen, I think I'm going to cut myself one of my arm out of despair !!
Or becoming blind for never see such a heartbreaking thing happens again !!

[DarthMath]

The good thing about Ligue 1 this year... is that AT LEAST someone will beat OL for the championship!

You're right Generalissimo, at least, as you stated. They are going to experiment recurrent internal crisis !!
In their faces !!

[DarthMath]

Almost everybody is here in the two teams. I wish a good game for all of you
who are going to watch this Final. Last odds : 55/45 ManU.
Go Red Devils Go !! ouet: ompom:

[Generalisimo]

Vamos Barcelona!
Gol de Eto'o

First shot... first goal...

[Rafiki]

Not looking good for ManU at halftime, but you *never* know what Ferguson mights say and/or do during the break to change that.

*Goes to fridge to grab a(nother) beer*

[Generalisimo]

Not looking good for ManU at halftime, but you *never* know what Ferguson mights say and/or do during the break to change that.

*Goes to fridge to grab a(nother) beer*

Ferguson should put Carlitos on the field!!!

Tevez! Tevez! Tevez!

[Hobbes]

Vamos Barcelona!
Gol de Eto'o

First shot... first goal...

I heard that a few weeks ago I think

[Rafiki]

A most deserved win; congrats to Barcelona

[Generalisimo]

Wonderfull match, very well played... Congrats Pep!!!

[DarthMath]

Wonderfull match, very well played... Congrats Pep!!!

I agree. Nothing else to add, completely mastered by Barcelona, except for a little quarter after an hour of play, but even at this moment ManU wasn't very dangerous. A very deserved win, and another great reward for a great season. See you all for the 2009/2010 season !!

[Hobbes]

I agree. Nothing else to add, completely mastered by Barcelona, except for a little quarter after an hour of play, but even at this moment ManU wasn't very dangerous. A very deserved win, and another great reward for a great season. See you all for the 2009/2010 season !!

Hi Darth, I have to agree with that. The way Manchester Utd played in the first 10 minutes was what I was expecting for much of the game - but Barcelona proved to be too good - and with many players out.

But against Chelsea they didn't seem quite so good (I know evil Chelsea tactics to make a poor game but I'm not convinced of that).
Interesting to see the next season already

But today we have the FA Cup final and the big games in France.
Any thoughts on any of these games anyone - predictions?

Cheers, Chris

[Hobbes]

Here are the votes from the UK jury :-

Chelsea 3-1 Everton

Caen 1-1 Bordeaux
Marseille 2-0 Rennais

Any other big games going on around the world today?
Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

Here are the votes from the UK jury :-

Chelsea 3-1 Everton

Caen 1-1 Bordeaux
Marseille 2-0 Rennais

Any other big games going on around the world today?
Cheers, Chris

Hi Chris,
It's obvious that I hope a 1-0 for Caen, on an imaginery penalty at the 90+2' !!
And a 3-0 for us to avoid any kind of bad surprise and a relaxing game !!

For you, I hope that Chelsea will win its Final. I've not expected this level for Everton, and I think that Chelsea has lived a little frightening moment in the first 10' ( as you have, certainly ) But it seems far better now, with the half time approaching.

Regarding other games, there is the German Cup Final today as well, between Leverkusen and Bremen if I remember correctly.

Bye, and have a good game ( and a good win, of course !! )

[Hobbes]

Hi Chris,
It's obvious that I hope a 1-0 for Caen, on an imaginery penalty at the 90+2' !!
And a 3-0 for us to avoid any kind of bad surprise and a relaxing game !!

For you, I hope that Chelsea will win its Final. I've not expected this level for Everton, and I think that Chelsea has lived a little frightening moment in the first 10' ( as you have, certainly ) But it seems far better now, with the half time approaching.

Regarding other games, there is the German Cup Final today as well, between Leverkusen and Bremen if I remember correctly.

Bye, and have a good game ( and a good win, of course !! )

I hope 1-0 for Caen also my friend. Good luck tonight (your games start very late!)

Any Germans out there that would like to add some interest in the German cup final? Is it playing at the moment? Where is that German Ambassador when you need him?

I'm off - back to the TV.

Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

I hope 1-0 for Caen also my friend. Good luck tonight (your games start very late!)

It's because of the heat !!
No, I'm just kidding. We play at this hour most of the time, between 7. PM and 9. PM.
For your information, the German Cup Final will begin at 20.00.

[DarthMath]

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

Oh, by the way, sorry for the Nuggets, Tag. They have done a brilliant second part of the season, and quite unexpected great Playoffs anyway.
I hope that Orlando is going to be able to close their series tonight, they have really impressed me during the Playoffs.

[Hobbes]

WOOWOO!!!! But it was only 2-1 not 3-1. Maybe the UK jury will be wrong about the other results as well

[dooya]

I hope 1-0 for Caen also my friend. Good luck tonight (your games start very late!)

Any Germans out there that would like to add some interest in the German cup final? Is it playing at the moment? Where is that German Ambassador when you need him?

[...]

I'm at your service, Hobbes. The German cup final is crucial for both teams. Bremen played a very weak season in the Bundesliga and did not manage to qualify for the international competition. They did reach the UEFA Cup finals but, did not win. Tonight they can make the season a success by winning a title and qualify for next years Euro league. If they loose, it will get hard to pay high quality players in the next years.

Leverkusen has a similar problem. Bad season and no international competition. However, if Leverkusen wins tonight, they might loose their biggest attribute "der ewige Zweite" ("second place for ever"). Leverkusen gained this title in 2001 where they finished 2nd in the championship, lost the final in the German Cup Final, and lost the final in the Championsleage. Thus, they will loose today too - it's a tradition in Leverkusen.

[DarthMath]

Leverkusen has a similar problem. Bad season and no international competition. However, if Leverkusen wins tonight, they might loose their biggest attribute "der ewige Zweite" ("second place for ever"). Leverkusen gained this title in 2001 where they finished 2nd in the championship, lost the final in the German Cup Final, and lost the final in the Championsleage. Thus, they will loose today too - it's a tradition in Leverkusen.

Besides, that was at this time that Michael Ballack began his wonderful career of finalist but never winner !! ( with Leverkusen, Mannschaft, and even Chelsea until today, but he has not played. Is it a sign ? )

Edit : I'm a little bad. He played the last 30'.

[Hobbes]

Besides, that was at this time that Michael Ballack began his wonderful career of finalist but never winner !! ( with Leverkusen, Mannschaft, and even Chelsea until today, but he has not played. Is it a sign ? )

Edit : I'm a little bad. He played the last 30'.

Thanks for that Dooya

Very interesting to find out these little snippets about how foreign teams are seen in their own leagues as lucky or not etc. From all of the posts I am looking forward to seeing how the games will go tonight - without them I would have had no interest.

It's hard to believe that Ballack has been so unlucky (as in England we always think the Germans will win when it matters some how - but I suppose against other Germans that luck is cancelled out).
But of course now he is playing for an English team it will be Sod's Law that he will be a part of a team losing on penalties etc.

Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

Bouhouhou .... leure:

[Hobbes]

Bouhouhou .... leure:

A 4-0 win and no joy

[DarthMath]

A 4-0 win and no joy

A little joy for a good season anyway and a C1 direct qualification.
But 16 years without a single title, it's definitively too long for a club like the one I love !!

It seems that I'm going to finish the night around a bottle of Vodka, waiting for the beginning of Red Wings-Penguins game 1 !!

[Hobbes]

A little joy for a good season anyway and a C1 direct qualification.
But 16 years without a single title, it's definitively too long for a club like the one I love !!

It seems that I'm going to finish the night around a bottle of Vodka, waiting for the beginning of Red Wings-Penguins game 1 !!

The Vodka seems like a good idea but I'm not sure what a Red Wings-Penguins game is. Maybe you can enjoy the ashes series this summer

See you next season Darth!

Cheers, Chris

[DarthMath]

The Vodka seems like a good idea but I'm not sure what a Red Wings-Penguins game is. Maybe you can enjoy the ashes series this summer

See you next season Darth!

Cheers, Chris

All right my friend. Rendez-vous taken.
Regarding the ashes series, it's not really my cup of tea !! I think I'm going to follow the hockey games as usual !!