World Cup and European leagues

[WLCALUM83]

Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg play to a scoreless tie --Bayern gets the Bundesliga title again, but Woflsburg had several good chances to score and couldn't convert.

[Greek Tragedy]

Chelsea is still alive with two second half goals at St. James' Park for the win.  Manchester United travels to Wigan, while Chelsea hosts Bolton.  Bolton is virtually guaranteed to avoid the drop, so they won't be as desparate as I had hoped.  Wigan had a nice 2-0 win away from home, so they'll be pumped up to prevent the Red Devils from taking the title. 

Manchester United 84 pts
Chelsea 84 pts
Arsenal 80 pts
Liverpool 73 pts

It's been a battle the whole year with Arsenal once leading the league and Liverpool not far behind.  Here's a look at some other leagues to see how close those title chasers were.

Inter Milan 81
Roma 78
Juventus 70
AC Milan 61

Bayern Munich 67
Werder Bremen 57
Schalke 04 55
Hamburg 51
Stuttgart 51

Real Madrid 78
Villarreal 68
Barcelona 64
Athletico Madrid 58

[sac]

Leicester go down to League One for the first time in their 120+ year history. 

I've been following the premier league for about 10 years now, I used to love when the game of the week on FOX was from Filbert Street, it just looked so cool and old.  It was like Major League Baseball at a minor league park, or at least the parts they made the TV camera views.  Then they built a brand new sterile looking stadium and quickly find themselves in serious trouble.......coincidence?.


Also one of the early teams that caught my attention was Sheffield Wednesday......because they were so bad!  I think they had like 5 points at Christmas or something like that.    Pretty bad company for Derby County to be hanging around with.

[Hoosier Titan]

I remember Leicester when I first started following the English teams, too.  It was about ten years ago.  I think Nicky Butt played for them then, and a guy with the great name of Muzzy Izzit.

It's understandable that all of us here support one of the "big" teams--my Liverpool seem like minnows most of the time compared to the other big three--but spending that time across the pond was truly educational.  One of the most memorable matches we watched was in the second round of the FA cup--Harrogate Railway against Mansfield Town.  In the first round, HR had defeated Droylesden, who play in the Blue Square Premier League--THREE LEVELS above Harrogate Railway.  We turned on the TV almost by accident on a Sunday afternoon, and there it was, live on the BBC.  Chucking down rain, as they say, about six rows of seats in the stands.  The fences along the endlines were filled with men in Yorkshire caps.  HR fought back from a goal down twice before finally falling 2-3.  One of the best matches we saw.  Here's a link to photos of the stadium, including the most important person, the tea lady!

The words "class basketball" are floating in my head, but I will resist further polemic on that off-topic subject.   

[Hoosier Titan]

And speaking of Liverpool--their play in the last two months has been exceptional.  Had they played with more consistency, they'd have been fighting it out at the very top.  Look at the scores:  0-0 with Birmingham, Blackburn, and Manchester City; 1-1 draws with Wigan, Middlesbrough, and Aston Villa; and losses to Reading 1-3 and West Ham 0-1.  Most of those they should have been expected to win.  The turmoil off the pitch, combined with Torres' limited play early on, seems to be responsible. 

Rumor is that John Arne Riise has been thanked for his services and offered to Aston Villa as part of a deal for Gareth Barry.  I suspected as much when 18-year old Emiliano Insua was given the start at left back on Sunday.  Shame about Riise, but there's no question the defense needs more strength and quickness.  The own goal against Chelsea is a horrible last memory, but minds were probably already made up.

Assuming the blankety-blank owners get their act together and allow Rafa to do some shopping, next season looks bright for Liverpool.

[Hoosier Titan]

Ooops, here's the link for the Harrogate Railway photos:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/image_galleries/harrogate_railway_mansfield_gallery.shtml

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Ooops, here's the link for the Harrogate Railway photos:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/image_galleries/harrogate_railway_mansfield_gallery.shtml

That's really what it's all about.  Every year I keep track of all the teams which qualify for the Champs League and track where they enter and how long they last, always rooting for the last team from the opening round to finally go out.  It was quick this year, but last year was awesome with the team from Cyprus lasting to the third round and one other minnow making the first group phase.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Speaking of Minnows FC United of Manchester, the breakaway club formed in protest to the Glazers buying ManU and taking on $800 million in debt, won their playoff match last week to earn a third consecutive promotion.

They'll be playing in stage seven next season.  Another promotion puts them high enough to get a first round bye in the FA Cup.

Pretty impressive for a bunch of angry, upstart fans.

[Stinger]

Great week to be a Madrid fan. They wrapped up their 31st league title on Sunday with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes.  Yesterday, they absolutely spanked Barca 4-1 at the Bernabeu.  Real just ran circles around them. It was thing of beauty.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Great week to be a Madrid fan. They wrapped up their 31st league title on Sunday with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes.  Yesterday, they absolutely spanked Barca 4-1 at the Bernabeu.  Real just ran circles around them. It was thing of beauty.

Afterwards all the Real fans got together to laugh at old people falling down and to kick little kids' pets.

[ScotsFan]

Great week to be a Madrid fan. They wrapped up their 31st league title on Sunday with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes.  Yesterday, they absolutely spanked Barca 4-1 at the Bernabeu.  Real just ran circles around them. It was thing of beauty.

Afterwards all the Real fans got together to laugh at old people falling down and to kick old pets.

And then shortly after that, Barca sacked Frank Rijkaard. 

[Greek Tragedy]

Two year drought and the world ends for Rijkaard.  Back to back league titles after taking over in 2003 and a 2006 Champions League trophy...he hasn't won either the last two years and now he's out!  Ouch.

[Greek Tragedy]

Manchester United are champions while all three relegated threatened teams win, with Fulham squeaking out safety with a 1-0 win and goal difference.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Reading gave it everything they had, scoring 4 goals, but they needed 4 more to stave off the axe.

[ScotsFan]

Manchester United are champions while all three relegated threatened teams win, with Fulham squeaking out safety with a 1-0 win and goal difference.

What a great finish to the season!  I love how Avram Grant was crying about how the league should not be decided by goal differential.  I guess since his Blues couldn't find a way to finsh off Bolton at home, his argument is now moot! 

And they're hailing Danny Murphy's goal as the 40 million pound header at Fulham! 

I really can't believe that the Cottagers pulled that one out of their hat.  After going winless on the road in what seemed like an eternity, Fulham somehow manages 3 away wins in their final 4 away matches to pull off their Houdini act!

And congrats to Derby County for finishing off the worst season in the history of the Premiership!  If things don't improve, their stay in the Championship Division will be short-lived as well.