World Cup and European leagues

[Hoosier Titan]

Chelsea 5 Tottenham 1  --prediction fail!!!

Actually it was a pretty good game until Chelsea scored a third then Lampard unleashed a wicked free kick, and it all kind of fell apartfor Spurs.

great and unique view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuPbsOdtIhs&feature=related

The second "goal" was a complete farce.  First, John Terry took out the goalkeeper--it should have been a foul.  Then, the ball never crossed the line.  There were too many people piled up in the goal!  The referee (Martin Atkinson) apparently never even consulted the linesman.  Early on, Spurs looked brighter, but it went south in a hurry.

The Lampard free kick goal was a thing of beauty, though, and after that Spurs were just done for.  If Harry doesn't go to England--which is looking less likely now--he needs to go shopping for center backs.  Ledley King and William Gallas are ready for retirement (the same is true of Jamie Carragher for Liverpool).

[sac]

forgot to link this awesome view of Andy Carroll's header to win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xh9K-qF6cw&feature=related


Watched a Celtic game some time ago and the fans were going bonkers with this.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TspYx7EaF5A&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eEnVPsm42A&feature=related

[sac]

Watched the Champions League semi yesterday between Chelsea and Barcelona.  Unbelievable performance by Chelsea, I've only watched soccer for about a dozen years with any depth of knowledge but that was one of the gutsiest performances I've seen in any sport.  Given the setting, history and quality of players and play it was a remarkable thing to see.

Then to top it off its Fernando Torres that gets the goal to seal it.  One of the last articles I read over the weekend was an interview with Torres and his last words were "we can beat Barca". 

So two of the most important goals I've seen this year have come from two of the most criticized players since their respective transfers a couple days apart, Torres and Andy Carroll.


About 2 months ago I couldn't fathom the CL final without one or both Spanish giants but we're on the brink of neither making the final. 


PS   What on Earth was John Terry thinking?

[woacfan]

DiMatteo has really turned Chelsea around.  He has really made his case with their dramatic revival.
It was 80 minutes of pure defense, and the British fans loved it; it was a very English way to win!

I agree with you about Terry...stupid, but not completely surprising from him.  Now they are going to have another difficult hurdle in the final with so many of their core players out.  I will say its going to be an exciting final.

PS....love the storybook finish for Torres!

[sac]

Reading won the Championship over the weekend which is kind of a meh thing.  They didn't do much for me the last time they were in the EPL.  Southampton won promotion as well which is great since its been a few years now since they were relegated.  When I first started watching the EPL Matt LeTissier at Southampton was one of my favorites to watch for some reason.

For the playoffs its West Ham v Cardiff and Birmingham v Blackpool.  Probably going to hope Cardiff make it.


Also Hodgson for England   

Lukas Podolski to Arsenal over the summer.  Like that one

[sac]

If you haven't seen it I'll assume you are more than comfortable living under your rock.

Man City's winner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNWb3FrmKyE&feature=related

The last 10 minutes in its entirety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqi5nPew5Eg&feature=related



and Paul Merson  (people actually watch this rather than the game?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO7B9ERbqdY

[sac]

The resident Liverpool supporter is going to have to win me over with their choice of Brendan Rodgers as manager.

[Hoosier Titan]

The resident Liverpool supporter is going to have to win me over with their choice of Brendan Rodgers as manager.

I take it that means me? 

I haven't looked at him a lot, but Swansea played LFC off the pitch on the last day.  The lead post on the best LFC team site has an extensive article on Rodgers today (this is free; most are usually for subscribers only):

http://tomkinstimes.com/

I know he coached the Chelsea youth team under Mourinho and prefers a Spanish-style passing game.  He's thought to be about as much of a risk as Rafa Benitez was when Rafa went to Valencia.  For the record, I think Rafa is a great manager and would have been happy to have him back, but I fear there was just too much prior baggage.

Things have quieted down across the pond for the night, but there were strong murmurings a few hours ago that an entirely new LFC will be unfolded as soon as tomorrow:  Director of Football (van Gaal or perhaps Begeirenstein (sp?), Manager, new kit deal with Warrior, and even a monster new stadium deal with Air China (~350 million pounds including naming rights).  Fenway Sports Group like to wrap things up quietly and efficiently.  We shall see.

[sac]

Yes you, 

I enjoyed that article, thank you very much.  I will wait and see of course, but the article was at least encouraging in some aspects.

[sac]

Ibrahimovic's goal vs France, unfortunately only a replay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTLRVn2Tnfc&feature=related



Gerrard has been superb for England.

[ECSUalum]

EURO 2012 Best Goals Part 3 - GROUP STAGE. (also see Parts 1 and 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXsJtL-_S2E

[sac]

Poor England, out on penalties again.   

[Gray Fox]

Penalties suck, but they were far the inferior team vs Italy.

[Ralph Turner]

Wow!!

Spain 3, Italy 0.

Does that qualify as a monkey-stomp?

[Ralph Turner]

Wow!!

Spain 3, Italy 0.

Does that qualify as a monkey-stomp?

Well, 4-0 does!

The announcer called it a "trouncing".  I like Monkey-Stomp better.