The Obscure Footie Quiz III

Footballing Duos
As usual 13 questions - some easy, some not.

This pair inspired Girondins to their last Ligue 1 title in 1999 - their best domestic finish in the last 20 years.

Named after the British special forces, they led Jack Walker's team to the title in 1995.

Little and large combo who made waves for Real Sociedad for a while at the start of the millenium.

The Soul bruvvas, at the forefront of the last European Treble.

Midfielder and forward duo who brought the title to the Nou Camp 1998.

Joint coaches of Scandinavian National Side for a stint in the mid noughties.

Destructive Iranian striking pair who just missed out on the Asian Nations Cup in 1996.

The Aussie connection under David O'leary at the turn of the century.

Liverpool's defensive duo, now established football analysts in England.

Spurs pair that captured the English footballing imagination at Italia '90.

Italian wingbacks, fullbacks and general defensive dogsbodies who were almost ever presents during Sven's last league title.

Swedish black and white 'lins, who finished third at USA '94.

Finally, this one is a little tricky, and they never played together but are connected with and oddly common fact: Alfe Inge Haaland brutally injured both of them in successive seasons.

The Obscure Footie Quiz II

More Obscure facts - Round II (fight!)

Again, simple stuff really with a few tricky ones thrown in.

There was an unlikely winner of Ligue 1 in 1998. What was more remarkable was that this team was inspired by an unlikely duo who did not feature in that summer's World Cup. The first would have gone but The Czech Republic team missed out. The latter was dropped from the Yugoslavia squad days before the final squad was announced. Name the team and both players.

Name the big Welsh striker sold by Arsene Wenger in his first season. Yes, he used to play for Arsenal.

Name the team that the above player was sold to and name his fellow strike partner, who followed him there a year later.

Milan finished 11th and 10th in 2 turbulent, confused seasons in the mid-late nineties. Right after winning the Scudetto in 1996 they hired a lesser known Uruguayan Manager who lasted barely a month before Sacchi was brought back. Name the unlucky chap.

We all know Patrick Vieira used to play for Milan before being 'rescued' and brought to North London by Arsene Wenger. Which other famous midfield warrior, a contemporary of Vieira's, also languished at Milan around the same time, before going on to flourish elsewhere ?

Staying at Milan, in typical fashion, after 2 barren years, they signed a Manager and 2 players from fellow Serie A team Udinese in 1998. All 3 were crucial as Milan romped to the Scudetto in 1999. Name all three.

Champions' League final 1998, Real beat Juventus by a solitary goal. Who scores it ? Now for extra credit, the same player would miss a crucial, late penalty in the subsequent World Cup in a knockout game with the scores tied 1-1. Name the opposing team.

We all know Arsenal won the Premiership title going unbeaten in 2003-04. But they came very close to achieving that same record when they won the title once before. What year was this and how many games did they lose then ?

Lazio, won the Italian League and Cup double in 2000, but who were the last team before that to win both in the same year in Italy ? Name the team and year.

Staying in Italy, name the unlikely winner of the Copa Italia in 1997.

Juventus won the Champions' League in 1996, Borussia Dortmund won it in 1997. Intriguingly, there were was one player who started both games, and won both. Name him.

Inter came within a whisker of winning the Serie A title in 2001-2002 before losing a tense, tight game on the last day of the season that allowed Juventus, who else, to pip them to the title. Whom did they lose that game to ?

Finally, Basketball player Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers is a fan of a Serie A team, having grown up there. Name the team. For extra credit, name the position he claims he grew up playing in football.

The Obscure Footie Quiz

The completely obscure yet totally googleable football quiz:

See how many you can get without resorting to research.

A certain Serie A team is (usually) marshalled by two bald/shaven headed players in the middle of the park. Both more attack minded than Everton's duo of Thomas Gravesen and Lee Carsley, it's still a slightly odd occurence in Serie A where players usually like their hair... long. Name the team and players. (Hint - the lesser known one of them is Eugene Corini)

Inter's Hernan Crespo has a namesake playing for a well known La Liga club. He appeared in that clubs' win on the weekend despite only lasting 41 minutes. Name the club and player.

Abdel Kader Keita played for Cote D'Ivoire at Germany 2006. Seydou Keita plays for Sevilla this season. What country does the latter represent ?

Despite the name, Lazio's Christian Manfredini has been capped for a different country in the past. Name the country. (Hint - they were at the World Cup last year)

Jose, Raul, Sergio, Luis. Which two Garcias play for Athletico Madrid ? Bonus - name another Garcia who sometimes plays in goal for another La Liga club.

Athletic Bilbao have a unique and interesting trend with regards to player personnel. All their players must be something in common. What is it ?

At France 98, the only player in Italy's squad not to play for a Serie A team was Christian Vieri. Despite being unpopular and regularly booed, he scored 24 goals in 24 league appearances for them the season before. Name the club.

Parma's Damiano Zenoni and Sampdoria's Christian Zenoni are, you guessed it, twins. What team did the both play for, for a while when they both came to prominence several years ago ?

Christian Vieri, arguably the most successful 'journeyman' striker of all time has of this season, played for 14 different clubs. But how many of them were in Serie A when he played for them ?

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso has a sibling playing in the Premiership. Name him and the team he plays for.

Wales' current manager John Toshack has a penchant for managing Spanish Clubs. Which one did he manage for 3 separate spells?

Portsmouth's Benjani Mwaruwari is from Zimbabwe. Pompey used to have another African player from a country that neigbours Zimbabwe across the Zambezi river. Name the player and the country.

An Ex-Arsenal star and current media pundit for the Premiership had a twin brother who died in a car crash. Name the player. (Hint - he scored the last World Cup goal of the 20th century.)

UEFA CUP Group Stage Preview - Groups E - H

UEFA Cup Group Stage Preview II

Matchday 1 of the UEFA Cup is on Thursday, October 25, 2007.

Continuing on, here's the outlook for the remaining groups in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup Group Stage: Groups E - H. Once more, lots of interesting matchups and intriguing ties. Plenty of very good teams that lurk in the middle to upper reaches of domestic leagues that never quite get the media attention that they deserve.

Groups A - D can be found here.

Group E

First of all there's Bayer Leverkusen and Toulouse.

Ending this weekend, Bayer were seventh in the Bundesliga while Toulouse were in tenth place in Ligue 1. Bayer has a better set of players with Theofanis Gekas, Steffan Kießling and Sergej Barbarez firing up the attack while Bernd Schneider and Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta dovetail in the middle of the park. At the back ex-Inter defender Vratislav Gresko, Tunisian Karim Haggui and German Manuel Friedrich keep opponents at bay. Toulouse, on the other hand, are a handy outfit but lack the cutting edge required to trouble top sides. The only quality player thay have is Johan Elmander and he's not giving defenders nightmares when they sleep. In the recent Champions' League qualifier versus Liverpool, the Ligue 1 team matched Liverpool, and even troubled them, at times, but when push came to shove, fell apart worryingly.

Bayer host Toulouse on Matchday 1 and the winner of that game should go on to top the group.

Now, in addition to the above duo, there is another side who will cause all sorts of problems to both of them and everyone else later in the competition. I present to you Spartak Moscow, who've slipped in unnoticed at the back of the class. Whereas one of Bayer and Toulouse should finish first, Spartak will definitely finish second. The Russian side will ride in the slipstream of the top two and leapfrog one of them to second spot in the group. Spartak have lots of recent European experience and have a well drilled side boasting the likes of Ygor Titov, Maxim Kalinichenko and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Yeah, you'd never heard of Nemanja Vidic either but look at him now.

Spartak host Bayer at home and visit Toulouse. Four points from those two games should prove enough to send Spartak through given that they also have to host Zurich and visit Sparta Prague. Bayer can build on their win in game 1 by avoiding defeat in Russia, but if they lose to Toulouse in the opener the momentum will be with the French club. Toulouse avoid the trip to Russia when they host Spartak at home. If the game between the German and French side ends in a draw, depriving both sides of precious points, Spartak could even go on to top the group. The fixtures make for an interesting set of results.

Sparta Prague seemed more interested in preventing football than playing it, in the Champion's League qualifier against Arsenal. Their robust approach can ruffle some feathers in this group, but they won't go far. FC Zurich is here mainly to make up the numbers. They'll look to their away tilt at Sparta to avoid the wooden spoon but being the away team in that game hands the Czech side the advantage.

Projected Finish:

Bayer
Spartak
Toulouse
Sparta
Zurich


Group F

This one's easy. Bayern Munich bestride the group like a colossus. Favourites for this group and early favourites for the UEFA Cup altogether. Look for them to be the only side to finish the group stage with 12 points from four straight wins. All the other teams will be looking for damage control in their games against the German behemoths and the only race in this group is the one for second place. Bayern have the best playing corps, are playing the best and boast too much experience.

Behind Bayern I'm tempted to place Sporting Braga. Their main rivals for that spot would be England's Bolton Wanderers whom they play on Matchday 1. However, the Portugese side make up for being the away team in that game with an abundance of flair and skill. And they intend to play football, as opposed to Bolton, Nicholas Anelka apart, who seem intent on kicking and bruising opponents. Bolton barely scraped past Rabotnicki in their qualifying fixture while Braga made up for losing the away leg by hammering Hammarby in the return fixture. Since both teams will probably lose to Bayern, the other tie that should make a difference to both sides would be their respective games against ex-European Champions Red Star Belgrade. Whereas Bolton travel to Belgrade, Braga, crucially, play the Serbian side at home.

Worryingly for Bolton (and Braga), if they slip up against Red Star, they could even fall behind them into 4th place. Bolton should especially be worried as they are quite simply too bad a team to worry opponents whereas Braga have a more creative style that leads to more goal scoring oportunities. And Bolton have no manager while Anelka will almost certainly leave before long. Sentimentally it would be great to see Red Star progress at the expense of the English team, and it they can pick up four points from the two fixtures against Bolton and Aris (whom they play away), they most certainly will.

Finally, I suspect, the PAOK supporting half of the city of Thessaloniki, will be untroubled by my assertion that Aris will prop up the group. Like Larissa, they've done wonders by toppling Real Zaragoza in the qualifying round, but will be out of their depth in the group stage. Their best hope for points will be the home game against Red Star.

This is the only group to feature two fomer club champions of Europe. I've already named Red Star as one of them, surely everyone knows the other.

Projected Finish:

Bayern
Braga
Red Star
Bolton
Aris

Group G

The biggest team in this group is undoubtably Tottenham but the best one is arguably Getafe. And then we have Anderlecht who regularly feature in Europe, although their recent exploits have been less than memorable. Tottenham have been in some sort of a slump, stuck just above the relegation zone and the transfer rumours around the jovial manager Martin Jol refuse to go away. They have one of the costliest striking corps in the competition but their collective quality exists only on paper. Dimitar Berbatov may indeed be one of the classiest strikers in Europe but Darrent Bent is a criminal waste of money and Jermaine Defoe is terribly erratic. Still, despite blowing hot and cold domestically, Spurs should edge the group.

Their closest competitors should be Getafe. The Spanish team are a decent side but not quite as good as the class last year under Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster. Pablo Hernandez and Fabio Celestini are a fine axis in midfield with the former a dead ball specialist as well. Strikers Blanco Kepa and Nigerian Ikechukwu Uche are quite handy and can perforate quite a few defences around the continent. At the back ex-Milan defender Cosmin Contra, veteran David Belenguer and David Cortes form an effective rearguard in front of Argentine custodian Roberto Abbodanzieri. Getafe are singularly effective without being distinctly dangerous.

It all comes down to the opener on Matchday 1 between the two. Spurs host Getafe and whoever wins that game should ease to top spot. Thereafter Spurs visit Anderlecht and Hapoel Tel Aviv while Getafe play host to the same two teams. Needless to say, Getafe stand to claim at least four points and will be looking for six from those two games while Spurs will happily settle for four. With whipping boys Aalborg to visit the Londoners later, Spurs will be looking at a better run-in if they can avoid defeat on their travels. On the other hand if Getafe do win the group opener, the group will be theirs to lose and they could end up with ten points as group winners.

Anderlecht, as always it seems, are unable to trouble the top teams and are a little too good for the lesser sides. Perpetually big fish in a tiny pond, the advent of money into the European game has both passed them by and rendered them impotent without depriving them of their chance of competing in Europe altogether. They won't trouble the top two but should beat Hapoel Tel Aviv and Aalborg handily. Their main chance of breaking into the top two is when they host Tottenham but whereas Spurs will settle for a draw, Anderlecht will need to win.

Hapoel to finish fourth and Aalborg to end up in fifth.

Projected Finish:

Tottenham
Getafe
Anderlecht
Hapoel
Aalborg

Group H

The last of the eight groups is a fairly open one. French side Bordeaux stand out as early favourites with everyone playing for second place, it would seem. They are doing well domestically and are a well knit side who travel well. Resurgent French striker David Bellion is having a spectacular season up front aided and abetted by Brazilian midfielder Wendel. Additionally goalkeeper Ulrich Rame is one of the best to have between the pipes while David Jemmali, Souleymane Diawara and Marc Planus form an effective if unfashionable defence in front of him. Wendel is reinforced by the returning Johan Micoud, who is enjoying something of an Indian summer, Mathieu Chalme, Brazilian Fernando Megezzano and French International Alou Diarra in a tidy midfield.

Turkish side Galatasaray, winners in 2000, have fallen off their glory days despite being injected with some imported Brazilians. Their game on the opening day against Bordeaux is essentially the group decider and Le Girondins should prove too much for Gala. Also, even though Bordeaux have to travel to Greece to play Panionos just like Gala, the Greek side will look to win the latter match against their Turkish neighbours more than the former tilt against the French team. Trans-Aegean matches always have plenty riding on them and after the recent internationals between Greece and Turkey in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, expect this game to have plenty of drama. So, Gala's two away games are against the two toughest sides they can play in an away fixture and they will be hoping to at best avoid defeat in both of them.

Bordeaux should build on their opening day win with a further 6 points at Austria Vienna and at home to Sweden's Helsingborgs. If they can get atleast 7 points from their first 3 games, they are essentially home and dry. However, if Gala win at Bordeaux on Matchday 1, they would be much better placed to pick up 6 points in the 2 home games against the Swedes and Austrians.

Still, it's hard to see past Bordeaux and unless Gala have a nightmare, these two are assured of progression to the knockout rounds. For third place it's a toss up between Vienna and Panionos. Panionos host the two best teams in the group so their home games aren't walkovers and have the additional disadvantage of playing the decider against Vienna away. Those two should ensure that the Austrian side just edge out Panionos to 3rd place. In a recurrent theme in my preview, I once again pick the Nordic side to finish last.

Projected Finish:

Bordeaux
Galatasaray
Austria Vienna
Panionos
Helsingborgs

UEFA CUP Group Stage Preview - Groups A - D

UEFA Cup Group Stage Preview I

I love the UEFA Cup. Let me be the first to admit. It's unpredictable, mostly even, with a deliciously eclectic format. Most teams don't have the same financial muscle as the big boys, so superstars and costly assembled squads are hard to find. It's almost a reminder of the the old times when (almost) anyone had a chance of winning a cup competition.

There is an initial knockout round where half the entrants are eliminated - this sometimes includes the odd bigger and better heeled club. Blackburn that's you. This is followed by a slightly odd round robin stage in which the top 3 (from 5) teams in each (of the 8) group(s) actually progress. They are then joined by the discards from the Champions' League group stages and away we go, pure knockout cup football from then on.

Matchday 1 is next Thursday, October 25, 2007.

Group A

On paper this is Everton's group to lose. They are the biggest club in the group with the most resources and passionate support. They have one of Europe's most underrated midfielders in Mikael Arteta and decent consistent quality all round the park. With their 2 main strikers still to discover their scoring touch this season and their combative, nippy midfielder, Tim Cahill yet to return from injury, Everton could go quite far in the competition.

The luck of the draw sees them avoid the trip to Russia to play tricky Zenit St Petersburg while also entertaining Blackburn's conquerors Larissa at home. The two away trips to Nurnberg and Alkmaar should prove sterner tests but with Nurnberg mired in the relegation zone, 4 points from the 2 away games seems reasonable. This haul, coupled with at least 4 and possibly 6 points from the home games should see Everton top the group.

Behind them, in second place I'd place Alkmaar. The Dutch side just missed out on the qualifiers for the Champions' League, losing to Ajax in a playoff and although bereft of any big name stars, are a well drilled, settled side. Intermittent Dutch internationals Kew Jaliens and Barry Opdam marshall the defence while the excellently named Belgian, Maarten Martens, pulls strings in midfield along with Stijn Schaars.

Even though they travel to Russia to face Zenit, their final home game against Everton should be crucial. If they can avoid defeat in Russia, a win or a tie against the Merseysiders should be fine to send AZ through - provided they take 4 points together from the trip to Germany to play Nurnberg and the home tilt against Larissa.

The 3rd spot is be a toss up between Zenit and Nurnberg. A year ago I'd tip Nurnberg, but this year, struggling in a relegation dogfight this early on in the season and a daunting trip to Russia still to come in late November, the money's on Zenit. For the latter, two of their most crucial matches, and most winnable games, are at home, against Alkmaar and Nurnberg. If they can use the advantage and take home maximum points from those two games (or at least 4) their away game against Everton is rendered moot.

Larissa have shown that they are capable of upsetting the applecart in a one off tie and good on them for that. However, like Slavia Prague, who knocked out Ajax from the Champions' League, they'll find the step up to the group stage a much tougher task.

Projected Finish:

Everton
Alkmaar
Zenit
Nurnberg
Larissa


Group B

The team who seem early favourites would be Panathinaikos. They've reached the knockout rounds of both UEFA Cup and Champions' League in recent years but have dropped off a bit from their recent peak between 2000 and 2003. Although their team is missing any star quality they do have a hot striker in Dimitris Papadopolous who demolished Artmedia Bratislava in the first knockout round.

Once again, The Greek side have the luxury of playing the Russian side, Lokomotiv Moscow at home and their only tricky away game is against Athletico Madrid. Provided they beat Kobenhavn in their other away fixture and avoid defeat to the Spanish team, 4 points from their 2 home games should be enough to see them go through. Six points from the 2 home games will see them top the group.

Athletico Madrid have the biggest stars and possibly the best side on paper with Diego Forlan, Maxi Rodrigues, Luis Garcia Sanz and Jose Antonio Reyes. However the side from Madrid are notoriously mercurial, with form as fickle as the motivation and desire of their playing corps. Given that Reyes disappears when the mercury drops and Maxi frequently drops and then disappears, injured, Athletico will want to quickly put some points on the board (or at the very least avoid defeat) in their opening fixture away to Lokomotiv Moscow. Thereafter a minimum of 2 wins from the 3 games against table proppers Kobenhavn, Aberdeen and Panathinaikos should do. Crucially, their game against the latter, their main rivals for top spot in the group, is at home. But it is in December. Expect Reyes to skip.

3rd spot should be tightly contested between Lokomotiv and Aberdeen. Both are capable, if unspectacular, outfits for whom the crunch game will be the Matchday 2 game at Pittodrie. While both have to play Panathinaikos in Greece and Kobenhavn at home; Aberdeen also face Athletico away from home while Lokomotiv play the Spanish outfit in Russia. Provided they match each others results against the first 2, Lokomotiv will be looking to better Aberdeen's haul versus Athletico to be better equipped to progress.

Projected Finish:

Panathinaikos
Athletico
Aberdeen
Lokomotiv
Kobenhavn


Group C

Right from the outset this group is a dogfight between Villareal and Fiorentina. Both teams boast sound goalkeepers, mean defences and quality further up the pitch. Both teams are liberally sprinkled with class players and old hands with the Florentine side boasting some excellent younger stars from Italy's next generation in Ricardo Montolivo and Manuel Pasqual. Villareal have some seasoned campaigners in Joan Capdevilla and Robert Pires, while the grand daddy of all journeymen and ex-superstar Christian Vieri has made the Viola his latest home. Fiorentina are unbeaten in Serie A so far (at the time of writing) and Villareal have led La Liga briefly.

After the crucial square off on Matchday 1 when Villareal host Fiorentina, I expect both sides to dispath the rest of the teams with ease. If they finish level on points with 10 (3 wins and a draw each) then their head to head game becomes all the more crucial. However, I suspect that even though the first game will be a draw, Fiorentina will beat AEK Athens in Athens while Villareal will miss repeating the trick and drop points against the Greeks. That will decide the group in Fiorentina's favour.

AEK should secure 3rd place comfortably, especially since they are at home for their 2 toughest tests, the visits of the aforementioned duo. Therafter, provided they pick up a reasonable 4 points from their travels to the minnows of Elfsborg and Mlada Boleslaw, AEK should go through as the third placed team.

Between the last two, we're splitting hairs but Royal League engagements might distract the Scandinavians from achieving a 4th place finish.

Projected Finish:

Fiorentina
Villareal
AEK Athens
Mlada Boleslaw
Elfsborg


Group D

The best three in this group are easily Rennes, Hamburg and Dinamo Zagreb in that order. The French side have the best defence with Erik Edman, Peter Hansson, Jon Mensah and Rod Fanni anchoring the best rearguard in the group. Similarly up front, their combination of Jimmy Briand, Jerome Leroy and Sylvian Wiltord should see them score quite esily and frequently.

Hamburg, on the other hand, have the best player in Ryan Van der Vaart who may use the group stages to further showcase his skills in Europe. Last year, in an eminently forgettable campaign, Van der Vaart was easily Hamburg's best player in the Champions' League. They will be looking for some more spectacular goals from him to progress this time around. With transfer rumours rife the shop window beckons once more for the Dutch star.

Finally Dinamo Zagreb will be looking to experienced strikers Davor Vugrinec and Bosko Balaban along with star player Luka Modric to see them through to the group stage. They are a handy side, well capable of testing any team but lacking any class players to pass the distinction between being a decent side and a very good one. Ex-striker Eduardo Da Silva will be sorely missed.

In the games between the three it's hard to see any advantage, as in each team's games against the other two, one game is at home and the other away. Intriguingly, Rennes host Zagreb on the last matchday while Hamburg are at home to Basel. If Rennes have not wrapped up the group by then, Hamburg could leap frog them to top spot if the French side fail to beat Dinamo at home.

Basel and Brann similarly just make up the numbers. Once again, like Group C, the scenario arises where a club in the Scandinavian Royal League - which for them is eminently more winnable - is pipped by a team from central Europe.

Projected Finish:

Rennes
Hamburg
Dinamo Zagreb
Basel
Brann

W(h)ither Sevilla ?

At the start of the season, Sevilla was on the cusp of entering the big time. Successive seasons of sparkling attacking football had seen them dominate and win consecutive UEFA Cups, amidst picking up 5 trophies, while finally qualifying for the Champions' League. This season, they seemed destined to graduate from being a very good side to a great one.

2 months and change into the new season, it's not quite the case, it seems. Sevilla seem to be in something of a mini crisis.

First up, star player and the world's best right back Daniel Alves; he of starting and ending a move that started near the corner flag; decided to stall on contract talks, cry out for a move to a big club and generally sulk about when he realised he was going nowhere. In this category, also see: Essien, Michael; Diarra, Mahammadou. Whereas Lyon still went on to dominate their local leagues while registering marginal improvement on the continent, it is worth noting that the French side were more established locally, had greater depth and were more settled than Sevilla.

Still, the season started well enough, a 4-1 demolition of Getafe in the league opener followed successive thrashings of Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup (6-3 on aggregate) and AEK Athens in the Champions' League qualifiers (6-1 over both legs).

Sevilla were a trifle lucky in the league opener though. After Getafe had stunned the home side with a superb free kick from Pablo Hernandez, the referee sent off two of their players in quick succession. Whereas David Cortes' cynical hack on Diego Capel was criminal, Francisco Sousa's earlier dismissal for an innocuous, accidental handball in the middle of the park was comical. In fact it was only after the visitors had been whittled down to nine men that Sevilla asserted themselves. Thereafter, there was only one side in it and Sevilla swept to a smooth victory.

But the Getafe game had ill portents. During the game Spanish U-21 fixture and defensive mainstay Antonio Puerta collapsed, had a seizure, lost consciousness briefly and then tragically passed away in hospital a few days later. The gravity of the tragedy was mirrored in the tributes that followed, with fans of both Sevilla, led by club president Miguel Del Nido and arch-rivals Real Betis joined in mourning.

A soulless, mechanical 3-1 loss to Milan in the postponed European Super Cup followed. A loss gotten out of the system, one felt, as the Andalusian juggernaut got back to winning ways with a 4-1 tanking of Recreativo Huelva in the very next game. Surely the worst was over.

But several hundred miles to the north in a different league, the comical premiership outfit known as Tottenham Hotspur were lurching from one disaster to the next. Their criminally inept board, spilled all their cards on the table and it emerged that they had offered Juande Ramos, manager of Sevilla and architect of their flowing style, the managerial position at Spurs. While everyone stopped to laugh at Spurs, they swiftly denied any such liaison and Juande Ramos quelled any fears of further instability, induced by his seemingly imminent departure and the exodus that would no doubt ensue, by denying the offer.

But it seemed all was not right at Sevilla. A consummate performance from Arsenal in their Champions' League opener destroyed them as they went down 3-0 at Ashburton Grove. Arsenal played very well but Sevilla seemed unable to match them after the opening quarter hour. Tepid but not terrible.

This then started a mini-slide as Sevilla proceeded to lose their next three games on the trot and their next four in the league. Their solitary win in the last five games has been a home demolition of Slavia Prague, who, truth be told, are out of their depth in the Champions' League.

Barcelona played well enough for their win at the Nou camp. Sevilla didn't get a sniff of goal (nor did Thierry Henry for that matter, till he hit the post) for most of the match as the Catalan side put in a thoroughly efficient performance. The midfield was crowded and Sevilla was never able to get out of second gear while their forwards where starved off any sort of meaningful posession. The first big league test had been failed while Lionel Messi ran amok. Frederick Kanoute's injury time consolation marker was little more than his side deserved.

But things quickly went from bad to worse. Plucky upper midtable side Espanyol, their opponents in last year's UEFA Cup final, stunned them at home. Marshalled by the tricky Luis Garcia (one of several namesakes who play in the Primera Liga) and the evergreen Raul Tamudo, Barcelona's second club raced into a 2-0 lead before late replies from Sevilla kept the scoreline respectable at 2-3.

Led by another Garcia, Sergio, Real Zaragoza; one of half a dozen midtable sides who are more than capable of beating a top side on one day (and then losing to a bottom side the next); out-thought and out-fought Sevilla in their next game - winning 2-0 at home. Sevilla were abysmal for most of the game, clueless, unable to string together more than 3 passes in a row. The midfielders, like against Barcelona, were unable to move forward with the ball and sideways passes were snuffed out.

Things bottomed out further in the next La Liga game, Sevilla's latest setback, at the time of writing. The criminally morbid Deportivo La Coruna, shorn in the off-season of striker Angel Arizmendi and defensive stalwart Joan Capdevila, somehow managed to beat Sevilla with a late goal. Daniel Alves was anonymous, Julien Escude was booked, everyone looked tired and unwilling to graft for a win. Some say that a loss to Deportivo is often a filip(see Real Madrid last season) and whereas a La Coruna game does go down like Buckley's cough syrup, only time will tell whether it is good for you.

When Sevilla do get going they really get a beating underway - all but one of their wins this season has ended with them scoring fewer than 4 goals. But it is an inability to graft and slug it out that is costing them dear. Teams have figured out that man-marking Kanoute, Kerzhakov, Kone and Fabiano while defending a bit deeper reaps dividends. Similarly, starving their wide players of the ball keeps things tighter in the middle where less gifted but more determined tacklers can make a meal of most moves.

Jesus Navas, one of their best players over the last two seasons has been atrocious this time round, picking up more bookings than assists. Sergio Duda, after a great start, has dimmed and dropped off. Daniel Alves seems mired in an unending moody slump, Defensive solidity has been lax with Ivica Dragutinovic and Escude making key mistakes while Christian Poulsen has been amateurish with his brazen gamesmanship. And for some reason they have acquired Khalid Bouhlarouz, a slow player whose wits are slower still.

I believe they will turn things around and surge back up the table. To quote a cliche, there's too much quality here in both personnel and playing style. However, they need to roll up their sleeves and get dirty, not many teams are going to allow Sevilla to pass themselves around their back field. Provided they can hold on to Juande Ramos and some key players in the January transfer window, Sevilla should get back on track and finish the season on a high.

Karlsruhe, Gunther and Beer

Sometimes you'll see something and not notice it. It'll be staring right at you, yet you'll miss it. This weekend, on account of the surfeit of Internationals and complete lack of top level club footie, I looked at the various National league tables, as is my wont every other morning or so. However, I failed to notice, that in the Bundesliga, behind Bayern (every one is behind Bayern), ahead of the various other top clubs whom I tipped for top 4 finishes was mighty Karlsruhe. It completely slipped me by. I knew they were doing well (I watched the Schalke game), but I was singularly unware that they were in second place. And this bring me to a story about Karlsruhe SC.

When I was in University, I found myself having a drink with a German exchange student. A quiet sort, he seemed unable to handle the fact that the beers in Canada were so much less bitter than their German counterparts. Or that there were usually four other sports prioritised over football on the local sports channels (5 on NASCAR weekends). Nevertheless, I resolved to talk to him, and soon he opened up a bit, no doubt encouraged by my conversational slant towards football. We'll call him Gunther, although he could have been Harald, Ralf or Mattheus. I have to sheepishly admit, I don't remember at all.

Now, as I normally do with all football fans, I asked him what team he supported. Almost apologetically, Gunther replied, "Karlsruhe". So, having heard of them, I said "Oh yeah I've heard of them, they're a decent club." - reminded as I was of their stint in the top flight in the nineties (it actually started in 1987, turns out) - a short while before this conversation took place. And a short while before Karlsruhe had been relegated back to Division 2 or the 2nd Bundesliga as they call it in Germany. And I remembered them being a half decent side who lingered in my memory from the Euro football wrap-up that was shown weekly on TV when I was a kid.

I remembered them, and for some reason Eintracht Frankfurt (who won the league one year I think), along with the more conventional Bayerns, Borussias, and Stuttgarts from the nineties. This I told him. Much to my amazement, the lad went delirious. He was ecstatic, that in this land of football heathens (as he considered Canadians to mostly be) there was someone who had not only heard of his team but thought they were all right. He became quite garrulous, friendly even, while we went on to share many a pint while discussing various recent high points of German football. The Italia '90 win, unmerited, I jostled him. Dortmund's Champions' League triumph, bought, he insisted. Steffen Effenberg's middle finger salute at USA '94, brilliant, we agreed.

I never saw Gunther again.

Still, I like to believe I did not imagine him. And I'm certainly not hallucinating Karlsruhe's lofty league position.

They've started well, still unbeaten, having comprehensively beaten Schalke away, handing the Ruhr team their first loss, while shutting out Stuttgart and thrashing Dortmund. Their team is a good admixture of Germans with the usual sprinkling of Eastern Europeans and the odd African. I did some research and Wikipedia tells me that Oliver Kahn came through their youth ranks and that they once thrashed Valencia 7-0 while reaching the UEFA Cup semifinals. So they have a decent amount of pedigree too. And I was obviously paying attention to that European Football review show.

Thoughts on the UCL 2008 Draw

The draw's been made and the world's best football competition is ready to kick off well and proper. Here's what I think will happen. Cue widespread panic and pandemonium, debate and dissension.

Group A (Liverpool, Porto, Marseille, Besiktas):

Expect Liverpool to easily win the group without really overpowering anyone. Watch for Peter Crouch to be dropped after every game in which he scores off a new body part and Rafael Benitez to preach solid defense after scoring first in an away game. Tricky Porto to come second with Lucho Gonzalez and Lisandro Lopez pipping Djibril Cisse, Mahamadou Niang and gang to the runners up spot. OM's Samir Nasri and Karim Ziani to impress before moving to Lyon in the close season. Besiktas to show up.

Group B (Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke, Rosenberg):

If the infighting at Valencia continues, Chelsea wins the group at a canter and Schalke perhaps edges Los Ches into the UEFA cup. If Valencia stay united and start strong, they may even beat Chelsea into second place. David Villa's temperament is crucial. So is the fitness of Chelsea's centre halves. Schalke to thump returning Rosenberg in both games to avoid the wooden spoon.

Group C (Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiakos):

Very open although Real are probably favourites - their strength in depth taking them through despite some hiccups from tricky trips to Rome and Bremen. Werder and Lazio will resemble dueling gunslingers in some close thrilling games with Diego and Tomasso Rocchi trading goals. Strong enough to hurt each other but not enough to damage Real. Olympiakos to represent for Greece's annual Champions' League spot.

Group D (Milan, Shakhtar, Celtic, Benfica):

Milan are easy favourites, with Shakhtar perhaps nicking second place in a scrapfest with Celtic and Benfica. Yes, I said it, I pick Shakhtar to be the dark horse of the tournament. Benfica seem to be a fading force and Celtic will not relish trips to Italy and Ukraine while trying to catch Rangers domestically. Obvious Fantasy Tip: Ricardo Kaka.

Group E (Barcelona, Stuttgart, Lyon, Rangers):

Barcelona to ease to top place, Stuttgart in second and Lyon to end their glory years with a long run in the UEFA cup. I can't see Rangers shaking up the other 3. Barcelona have too many forwards, Lyon too many midfielders and Stuttgart has one less Altintop. Lyon's Karim Benzema to lead group stage scoring charts for a while. If fit, Stuttgart's Artur Boka and Barcelona's Eric Abidal present an interesting contrast of pacy attacking left backs.

Group F (Roma, Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kyiv):

Depending on Roma's defensive temperament, Francesco Totti's eccentricity and United's inconsistency away from home, a toss up between those two for first place. Look for United needing to win their last game to go through and winning 4-0. Sporting, shorn of Nani, still have enough quality to threaten the top two without unduly troubling them; see them lock up 3rd place.

Group G (Inter, PSV, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce):

Inter should easily win this but have an uncanny habit of making things tricky for themselves especially if they have another nightmare start like last season. PSV to finish in second without making anyone really notice and CSKA to go to the UEFA cup. Daniel Carvalho to score a rather fortuitous goal off a set piece at home. Fener to showcase aging erstwhile stars Roberto Carlos and Stephen Appiah and lesser lights Mateja Kezman and Diego Lugano.

Group H (Arsenal, Sevilla/AEK, Steaua, Slavia Prague):

Arsenal should win this but look for them to start with 4 draws - conceding or scoring late goals - before winning their last two. All said, if Sevilla make it through, their games against the Gunners should be crackers with plenty of goals, fast passing and dribbling. Look for last year's emerging star Nicolae Dica at Steaua to score a few belters while helping his side into the UEFA cup. Slavia have already exceeded expectations by making it this far while depriving of Ajax their bi-annual slumber fest versus Arsenal.

The Best of the European Season.

Almost the end of the season...

The various Cup finals might change a thing or two, but I think, I've seen enough of the season to decide on my best XI.

Here's my team from Europe (cue widespread debate, discussion and denigration):

(4-4-1-1)

Goalkeeper: Sebastient Frey (Fiorentina)

19 times he has kept a clean sheet in Italy. Whereas some teams may have conceded less goals per game than Fiorentina, and others may have a worse set of defenders, there's no denying that Frey has had a stellar season between the pipes for the Viola. Despite their 15 point deduction they are in the running for a UEFA cup place and that's due in no small part to the 26 year old Frenchman's efforts.

Right Back: Daniel Alves (Sevilla)

Quite simply superb. The best attacking wingback on the continent. For most of the season, whenever he gets the ball, you sense a goal is in the offing, bombing forward and ghosting into scoring positions all over the pitch - Daniel Alves has shown that defending can be a creative experience and has brought joy back to football fans everywhere (along with the rest of Sevilla).

Left Back: Eric Abidal (Lyon)

It's hard to find fault with him - both domestically and in Europe. People may point to the faltering challenge in Europe or the lack of challenge domestically - but whereas the knockout round of the Champions' League is often a lottery, Lyon's consistency in the early part of the Ligue 1 season was due to efficient, solid performances from players like Abidal. It's been a bad season overall for left-backs everywhere but whereas Stuttgart's Ludovic Magnin is very good - Abidal is simply World class.

Centre Back: Raul Albiol (Valencia)

Not quite a superstar but the tall, gangly Ches defender has been one of this season's best. He has been the most versatile and the most consistent defender in La Liga this year. Playing anywhere among the back four, in addition to filling in occasionally in defensive midfield in Europe, Albiol has been a revelation for Valencia. Strong in the air, composed and very quick to snuff out danger, he has been one of Quique Flores' first names on the team sheet. His performance against Inter in the Champions' league round of 16 made compulsive viewing.

Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

United fans will quickly point to Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as their players of the season but in my opinion, their most significant and consistent player was Vidic. He lent an air of composed stability at the back that allowed teammate Rio Ferdinand to flourish. He was, for the most part, unbreakable and even scored some crucial goals. The only game in which he played badly was the Champions' League humbling at the hands of Milan - but that was his first game back from a broken collar bone.

Deep-lying Central Midfielder: Esteban Cambiasso (Inter)

Excellent movement of the ball, good tackler and passer par excellance, The Argentine has been Inter's heartbeat for most of the season. Admittedly the job is often easier when surrounded by so much talent and class but Cambiasso's efficiency and skill made Inter's runaway title bid that much easier. Lyon and Inter may have walked away with their domestic titles but a lot of that is due to hardworking and quietly thorough performances from the likes of Cambiasso.

Attacking Midfielder: Kaka (Milan)

Having the purplest of patches currently, he single handedly destroyed Manchester United that put paid to the latter's claims of being the treble winning champions' of Europe. Easily the Champions' League's best player, he lends trickery, speed and quick thinking to an established blend of skill and tactical awareness. A joy to watch, he's been Milan main attacing fulcrum and Brazil's new fountainhead. Like countryman Alves, Kaka threatens a goal whenever he gets the ball.

Left Winger: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

I don't like him but I have to grudgingly admit he's been on fire for most of the season. Unpredictable and on occasion abysmal against bigger teams in crunch games, he's been murderous against the rank and file. No one plays better against mid table mediocrity and his slimy habit of getting free kicks and penalties, albeit questionable, is handy. His goals have been the catalyst that sparked United't title charge.

Right Winger: Ricardo Quaresma (Porto)

On his day, unplayable on the right flank. His combination for Portugal with teammate Ronaldo was a one-two punch that Brazil could not handle in the friendly. His performances for Porto have been breathtaking, especially in the Champions' League. Portugal are truly blessed to have the 2 best wingers in the game right now. Quaresma has been fast, technical and strong on the ball, resorting to bulldozing past opponents rather than tricking his way past them. When it comes to the right side of midfield, David Silva may be the best in Spain, but the Iberian peninsula's marquee talent is the young Portugese star.

Attacking midfielder/Forward: Francesco Totti (Roma)

Loyal, even in his relative old age, he's been Serie A's top goal scorer this season. Brilliant with or without the ball, his experience, skill and cheekiness has wrought havoc on opponents season long. It's a pleasure to watch Totti play and rally Roma around him. 22 goals and counting from someone who's not an out and out striker is some achievement indeed. Add in the fact that he assists as well as he scores and his all round game marks him out as the talisman for Roma.

Striker: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

The West London Club have been distinctly average this season for long stretches. The fact that they remained on course for an impossible quadruple that existed only in the mind was due to the big Ivorian. 32 goals off headers, flick-ons and shots under pressure while carrying the line singlehandedly for a misfiring Chelsea is an achievement unlikely to be matched by a blues player again - unless Drogba repeats the trick next year. As a choice unpopular perhaps, but not undeserved.

Subsitutes:

David Villa (Valencia) - Scores tonnes of goals, creates a fair bit too. Spain's best striker and possibly best player.

Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon) - Best dead ball expert in the game, able to attack and defend in equal measure. His lively performances in Lyon's midfield seem to get better every year.

Frederick Kanoute (Sevilla) - Perfect symbol of the fluid attacking style that Sevilla bring to the table. Ganglyish while on the ball, he creates and buries chances with equal aplomb.

Ronaldinho (Barcelona) - A bad year by his standards but still one of Barcelona's best players. The fact that his residual talent is more than most players maximum is reason enough to have him in your team.

Diego (Werder Bremen) - Solid blend of workman and wizard, skilled artist and slick artisan. Werder and Bundesliga's best attacking player.

Gennaro Gatusso (Milan) - The best defensive anchor of this and, arguably, the last few years. While he's on the pitch, it seems the opposition are playing against 12 men.

Michael Essien (Chelsea) - Remarkably consistent and versatile and often, Chelsea's main threat. Fearless and focussed on the ball, impossible to dislodge while going forward.

Liverpool edge Chelsea. Again. ZZZZZZZZZz

What I have to say about 210 minutes of semi-final football ?








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To Liverpool: I don't know how you do it. Keep doing it to Chelsea. Good on you.

To Chelsea: (Nelson Muntz Style) - Ha-ha!

Milan set up rematch while torching United

Milan 3 - 0 Manchester United

So the final of Europe's premier club competition is now in place. Liverpool will take on Milan in Athens in a repeat of the classic final from 2005.

It has been said before and I have said it as well, Milan were found guilty of match fixing domestically, and therefore, should not have been allowed to play in Europe this year. Fine. I do not dispute that. But from a footballing perspective and taking their performances on the pitch into concern, they have done remarkably well so far. Having been entered into the tournament, albeit at the qualifying stage, Milan fully deserves their place in the final. Of that there can be no doubt. I wonder how many people would cry hoarse about Milan's involvement if United had gone on to beat them. As a team Milan has played well and should not be grudged their progression.

Several times this season we have seen United come under pressure against teams that either run at them or pass well. There's no denying that United have had a great season and are a very good team. Yet once teams start attacking them (as opposed to sitting back and attempting damage control - like Bolton), United do come under pressure. Any team that can string together several good passes and move around their midfield - like Arsenal, will have an advantage. Due to United's overpowering consistency this has often been overlooked. However this flaw remains. Milan exploited it ruthlessly.

In addition, most teams fail to close down on the space afforded to United and either allow them to run with the ball or shoot from distance. Milan's Rino Gattuso ensured that United got to do neither. Coupled with Milan's seamless movement and balletic passing, they comprehensively dismantled United's dreams of a second Champions' League win under Alex Ferguson. A day after Chelsea's delusional quest for a quadruple came crashing down, United's hopes of a second treble were similarly rubbished. United have been outplayed several times this season but have managed to paper over the cracks with some fortuitous goals - most recently at Everton on the weekend, Fulham before that, Liverpool at Anfield. This time there was no respite, as, in addition to Milan playing very well, both of United's matchwinners in Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney had an off day and were closed down and suffocated. Gattuso ensured that Milan had a counterfoil to their natural attacking instincts.

Milan always seemed to have an extra player on the pitch and their movement while playing the ball diagonally wide and then back in to the middle with someone running in at pace was a joy to behold. Kaka confirmed that he is the heir apparent to Ronaldinho in the long list of Brazilian footballing phenoms - even Alberto Gilardino got a goal. Whenever there was a 50-50 ball, Gattuso or Ambrosini came away with it. Whenever Ronaldo or Scholes got the ball, Gattuso or Ambrosini came away with it. Their passing in little triangles was oddly reminiscent of Arsenal's at Old Trafford in September. However in addition to their passing game, Milan had two defensive anchors, runners on thw wings and an all-round style that stretched United every which way. Alessandro Nesta, rejuvenated since his return from injury played a solid game at the back, his long-ball delivery to Kaka leading to the opener. Clarence Seedorf's shot, after finding himself with the ball, on the edge of the area found the corner and you sensed Milan could score a goal almost at any time from anywhere. Kaka tormented the backline throughout - his early run and cross across the six-yard box almost leading to the opener.

Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher tried to stem the tide but were no match for their counterparts in Milan. Throw in some comical defending from Gabriele Heinze and a suprisingly static display from Nemanja Vidic and United were in for a real battering. One wondes if Vidic was quite ready for the game, seeing as he seemed to prevaricate over every ball. His feerlessness was absent, his fluid enthusiasm for danger while defending replaced by a form of stiffness. United fans may point to the absence of Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Patrice Evra but on this display there is little United's first choice defense could have done. The sight of Massimo Oddo galloping down the right flank and firing in some composed crosses while namesake Ambrosini was an able foil to Gatusso gave an indication of how deep and how well drilled this Milan team was. This was, quite possibly, their best performance of their season. They played a fantastic game from back to front - end to end. And their talismanic evergreen captain Paolo Maldini was absent.

United's away form has been pedestrian in Europe for a while. Their well taken, but lucky, win over a determined Lille was followed by a loss at Roma and now this. Add to that their losses to Celtic and FC Kobenhavn (albeit with a weakened team) in the group stage and the verdict is clear. United have not been great in Europe this season - and generally awful away from home. Strong home form can only take you so far. Like I mentioned in the last round, Carrick's shots from distance won't go in all the time, the space at the front of the box will rarely be sighted again. United's luck has run out - their flaws have derailed an otherwise excellent season.

From what's left, Milan seem to be the best team left and from an attacking standpoint have the edge over Liverpool. After having watched the dour snorefest that was the other semi-final, most neutrals will root for a Milan victory. However I wonder if they can reproduce their form in the final. I doubt Rafa Benitez will let Kaka and Seedorf run wild like they did. Overall Milan are less spectacular but deeper than United, but their 3-0 win here was like United's 7-1 win the round before - amazing but hard to repeat. The final should be a real classic. The last time Liverpool played Milan in the final we all know what happened. The last time Milan played the final in Athens they won 4-0.

Champions' League semi-finals - II

Chelsea - Liverpool

How fitting that around the same time Quentin Tarantino releases his movie called Grindhouse, its literal footballing equivalent will play itself out in the Champions' League. Step up Liverpool and Chelsea.

Chelsea have been in the odd position of not leading this season. Trailing to United all season in the league, they've had to ensure their consistency is maintained under pressure not normally present. This pressure may be finally getting to them. This past weekend was a classic case in point. Having been given a glimmer of hope with Boro's halting of United, Chelsea themselves fired blanks in a misfiring performance at Newcastle. Jose Mourinho may, for once, have a bit of a point about penalties and United, but it did little to deflect criticism from a rather anaemic performance from his men. If they had won they would have been one point behind United. Having squandered their chance, will their sterility carry over to the Champions League ?

Liverpool on the other hand have been clicking into top gear and coming into form. Rafa Benitez's rotation may have resulted in some of their inconsistency in the league but it has been crucial in their run to another Champions' League semifinal. His safety first attitude has been built on a solid defence with a blend of workmanlike and inspirational attackers in front of them. It all works very well in Europe where Liverpool have been very good churning out wins over PSV, Bordeaux, Galatassaray, Barcelona and PSV again. Without being imperious, they've never quite looked beatable. The question though, is, how will they fare against Chelsea, who are a much more powerful version of themselves.

Liverpool prioritise defence over attack, performance over entertainment. Chelsea do all the same and are masters at getting the whole team to play as a unit from the back forwards. Ominously they have added an element of power to their grinding style. The most notable of these powerhouses, Michael Essien will miss the first leg. But in his stead they ever improving Jon Obi Mikel will probably suit up. As good as Jamie Carragher and Dan Agger have been in the heart of defence for Liverpool, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry have been more impressive. Their last meeting ended in a a comprehensive win for Liverpool, but more tellingly the last time they met at full strength, Chelsea edged it 1 - 0 back in the germinal stages of the season. Herein lies the greatest irony, Liverpool have been Chelsea's best imitators as far as style goes, yet have somehow managed to be better at it. Chelsea crush other opponents better than Liverpool but against Rafa's men get out-defended.

Chelsea played their best game of the season in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Valencia in the last round. This might prove telling as Liverpool had a virtual walkover PSV in the second leg. Once again Rafa's deployment of Steven Gerrard may be important but Chelsea's ability to shackle Alonso will be crucial. With their first choice central defensive pairing available, Didier Drogba present and Andriy Shevchenko (finally) coming into some form, Chelsea's threat may be more ominous. On the other hand, Peter Crouch may be Liverpool's most potent attacker, his gangly style producing the goods time and again.

I doubt Jermaine Pennant will make much headway against ex-teammate Ashley Cole down the right and with Carvalho a much better defender positionally than Essien, long balls to Crouch and Kuyt will be dealt with efficiently. Chelsea are still moaning, as usual, about Liverpool's goal that knocked them out 2 seasons ago. This tie will be very close, but it should give the moneyed upstarts from Fulham plenty of opportunity for redemption. Chelsea might be favourites, but only by a bit. This is as watertight as they come.

Champions' League semi-finals - I

Manchester United - Milan

Looking at the upcoming semi-finals of the UEFA Champions' League, it's easy to think it's just another round of the Premiership. With 3 teams hailing from there, there is a definitive English club feel to the round.

Limping into the final stretch of the season, with defenders seemingly falling by the wayside every game, Manchester United have had to rely on outstanding performances from the rest of their playing corps to stay in contention for another possible treble. A generous slice of luck by way of refereeing decisions has helped as well. Whereas Michael Carrick's step up from quiet midfield maestro to goalscoring hero has been timely, the lack of penalties awarded to the opposition in their last 2 premiership outings is every bit as significant. The decision (to not award a penalty) at Sheffield United when Gabriel Heinze took out Luton Shelton may have had no outcome on the game but Darren Fletcher's upending of Dong Lee in their latest game against Middlesborough should have denied them even a point. Contrast those two games with their elimination of said same opponents over two legs in the FA Cup. Whereas the penalty given for Jonathan Woodgate's challenge on Ronaldo in the second leg was arguable, the spot-kick awarded for George Boateng's handball in the first leg was farcical. Make no mistake, as good as United have been this season, their treble charge should really have been contention for a league and Champions' League double.

Still, United have shown that their resilience and mental strength is second to none. At this late stage of the season, the machine that Ferguson has had running smoothly all season is well oiled and gelling fantastically. His two biggest matchwinners in Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo are fit and everyone on the team knows how to compensate for the lack of key personnel. They might be missing three of their first choice back four but they are still favourites over their opponents Milan.

If UEFA were stronger they would have prevented Milan from contesting this year's Champions' League. Having been found guilty of cheating domestically and docked points, it beggars belief that they were allowed to compete in Europe. Money, not merit, runs the modern game. One can only hope the dark influence of the G-14 is quelled somewhat by the new maverick that is Michel Platini.

On the football field, away from the politics, Milan have done well. They've never been overpowering and all conquering but have been quiet and steady. Benefiting from not being one the favourites for the title has played into their hands as they have gone about their business with quiet efficiency. A moderate, if tricky, opening group stage was dealt with minimum fuss. in the round of 16, Celtic were edged in true Milanese fashion. This Milan team under Carlo Ancellotti, has a history of doing just enough to progress in the knockout stages in Europe and they did just that against the Scottish team who ran them very close. Since Ancelotti took them to the top prize in 2003, Milan have been the Champions' League's most consistent team. This is their 3rd straight semifinal appearance and their 4th in 5 years. If it weren't for a spectacular comeback from Deportivo in 2004, Milan would have made 5 consecutive semis.

Their previously injured central defensive rock Alessandro Nesta is back and their 2 attacking aces Kaka and Andrea Pirlo are both fit. With Ronaldo chipping in with crucial goals of late and Rino Gattusso still his imperious midfield self, Milan's prospects, despite being underdogs, seem good. If they let United come on to them, Milan's lack of pace at the back will be telling, but if they attack United from the off and create havoc amongst United's makeshift rearguard, the tie will be interestingly poised. United are favorites, but Milan have a few tricks up their sleeves.

United crush Roma, Liverpool ease past PSV

Manchester United 8 - 3 Roma (on aggregate)

Comprehensive wins for Liverpool and Manchester United along with composed performances by Chelsea and Milan have ensured progression for the quartet to the final four.

United's emphatic win at Old Trafford annihilated whatever advantage Roma had built up in the first leg. Now on, Alexander Doni will probably always move a little to his left after he was beaten on that side five times by United. Given that Roma's centre backs forgot all their positioning and were generally calamitous in their marking, the additional two goals will add further pain to the Roma custodian's memories of this encounter.

One was expecting a home win that built on the away goal. When United scored first you sensed that win might be secured with a degree of comfort not previously imagined. However, once Michael Carrick scored off a quite brilliantly taken shot from just outside the area, the floodgates opened and the ensuing deluge all but swept Roma away.

At the end of it all Roma didn't play that badly, United simply played really well. Whereas most of Roma's shots were off target, even their only goal being an optimistic one-timed volley from De Rossi, almost all of United's shots were bang on the money. An eighth goal was narrowly missed when United hit the post.

Ronaldo's running with the ball, Alan Smith's and Wayne Rooney's running off it and United's long passing onto the wings stretched Roma's rearguard every which way. With both Phillipe Mexes and Christian Chivu completely clueless as to where they should stand, whom to mark and which avenue to cut out, it was left to David Pizzaro and Daniele De Rossi to track back and cut the angles and space out. With the latter two more devoted to game upfield and seemingly unable to prevent the ball from being sprayed diagonally sideways and then back in, there was way too much space just in front of the area. Balls crossed in from the flanks were left to fall to United players running in to tap them home. No one was closed down when they found themselves with the ball just outside the box.

Luciano Spaletti is a brave man, going for the jugular in the away leg, yet in retrospect defending deeper and having his twin midfield anchors protect the back four would have seemed saner and safer. Without taking anything away from the comprehensive United performance, you have to say though that most of their strikes were very opportunistic. Basically all of United's attempted shots went in, every flick on found its way to the right place or person and every cross was met at the right time by a a runner with the right amount of space. Not that this should take anything away from the performance but United should remember that days like this, when just about everything goes your way, do not come regularly. Carrick may try more shots from distance in the future and will fancy going for the top right corner more often, but I doubt he will score many more like that. Even Smith must have been astounded at his good fortune when the ball not only found its way to him, after some typically slack defending from Roma, but his first time shot left Doni rooted. For Roma, nothing came off. After a bright start in which they narrowly missed the far post with some long range drives, and other than Francesco Totti's close control and back pass, everything failed. Even Doni's strike was a lucky, first time, volley that I'm sure he doubted would go in. But on a night in which almost every optimistic strike happened to find the back of the net, it duly obliged.

Still, United showed that for all your technique, skill and artistry, the basics of the game, if done well, will serve you immeasurably even on the grandest stage. Their running was dedicated and their passing simple. Other than Ronaldo who threatened to singlehandedly take Roma apart, no one really displayed individual brilliance. But off every attack, there were runners accelerating into avenues and0 balls was always played into space. And whenever United got a chance, they decided to shoot.

On this performance, United should be the most feared team left in Europe. No one will want to visit Old Trafford now.

Liverpool 4 - 0 PSV (on aggregate)

Liverpool had done most of the hard work in the away leg and barring a miracle were set to go through after the home leg. Peter Crouch ensured that his recent purple patch continued and scored the game-winner but there was little really to write home about.

PSV were decimated by injuries themselves and came out to limit the damage. Phillip Cocu and Jefferson Farfan were the only players on the Dutch side who threatened to score a goal. Watching the body language of both teams you sensed PSV knew they had no chance and Liverpool ensured they did just enough to keep PSV at bay.

Jermaine Pennant sparkled on the right wing and his constant harrying of Carlos Salcido will go a long way towards convincing his biggest critics that he indeed does have a future at a top club. If Pennant does go on to win the Champions' League this year, it will be vindication for his supporters after indiscipline and a lack of focus and motivation threatened to derail his early career.

For all his juggling and rotation Rafa Benitez has instilled a defensive solidity to this Liverpool side. Now that they are coming together on the opposite side of the pitch, their play is more balanced and structured. Balls are quickly played out of defence and onto the wings or a runner moving towards the middle. They are clinical without being spectacular and while keeping things simple have managed to add a degree of poise to their style. However their approach often takes time. Against teams with more effort and discipline (read next opponents Chelsea) it may run aground.

Despite their lead, it took debutant Dirk Marcellis' dismissal to finally breach PSV's net. In fact throughout this tie PSV have not tried as hard as they could have (or should have) and the onus has been completely on Liverpool to find a way through. Whereas being 4-0 up on aggregate should have given Liverpool license to attack more freely, Rafa's approach has meant they will simply lock down and grind away till the end. Liverpool may have rested best players in Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher while pacey threat Craig Bellamy may have hobbled off with an injury early, but they should still have won with greater aplomb.

No matter, they are arguably one of the toughest sides to beat in a knockout tie and thoroughly deserved their progression against a very poor PSV. The latter should really question their approach. 4 years ago Deportivo La Coruna lost a first leg 4 - 1 to Milan and then triumphed 4 - 0 in the reverse to go through in the Champions' League. Although a 3 goal win in this fixture was unlikely it was not impossible. The defeatism emanating from the Dutch camp was disgusting and on this performance purely denigrating to the Champions' League. Top competition demands total effort, no matter the situation, the professional approach demands nothing less. How fitting then that there is only one remaining domestic champion left.

Premiership Fans Revealed

The Classic Fan at the Bar:

The Arsenal man: Goes for the exotic looking ones. Discards the generally good looking ones. Smooth talking with a slight accent, lots of charming conversation, best looking dance moves... but at the end he still leaves alone. Lad just can't score.

Chelsea: Finds the ugliest looking girl. Goes up, hits her over the head and carries her off over his shoulder.

Liverpool: Goes for the simple types. Talks about the past, throws in the odd joke about pedigree, patriotism and bushy moustaches with a local twist. Does the robot on the dance floor. Very successful in local bars close to home. Usually less so, in remote bars in other towns.

Man United: Spots the easiest looking lass in the joint. Pushes her from behind. After she falls, he picks her up and dusts her down - all the while blaming the Arsenal man a few feet away for knocking her over while drawing attention to the latter's foreign accent. After the knight in shining armour routine, asks if she has any kids, or better yet any grandkids.

Aston Villa: Quiet at first, girls are drawn to his shy yet promising looks. As the conversation goes on, the girl gets bored and it becomes painfully aware he's never going to score.

Tottenham: Watches the moves of the Arsenal man very closely. After the former moves on, goes for the girl Arsenal failed with or discarded. And promptly fails to make an impression himself.

Bolton: Same as Tottenham except he picks United's leftovers... and uses Chelsea's approach.

Blackburn: Goes for the nearest girl he sees and asks her for sex straight out. After she slaps him he moves onto the next girl. Repeat till done.

West Ham: Enters the bar feeling very clever as he has roped in two latin fellows as wingmen. They score, he doesn't and realises he's about to be thrown out of the bar for being too drunk.

Charlton: Does nothing. Sits and stands near the back. Occasionally smiles at the odd girl. Never even threatens to make an impact.

Fulham: Very moody. On the odd day capable of talking to and walking away with the hottest girl in the bar. On other days to be found at one of the back tables sharing a pint with Charlton, Tottenham and Middlesborough.

Middlesborough: Very boring, most girls run the moment he approaches. Despite claiming multiple cultured influences he drinks only the local bitter. Plenty of. Scores with the girls who are semi conscious themselves.

Everton: Watches Liverpool very closely. Tries to hit on 'the friend' while trying to outdo Liverpool. Easy to spot as he's usually bald and slightly mean looking.

Reading: Excitable and young. Rushes in to talk to the gaggle of girls near the dance floor despite warnings from the older folk to bide ones' time. Rejection hasn't affected this man yet.

Wigan: like Reading, except jaded by all the rejection over time. It's been a year....

Watford: Knows he's not going to get anywhere. Sits down next to Charlton and turns on the TV to catch up on the sports news before the place closes.

Man City: Penchant for trying very hard but not getting very far. Usually starts well but an ill timed gaffe or faux pas usually puts paid to his chances of hooking up for the night. Keep off the pickles and the beans.

Portsmouth: Nervous head twitches and neck twists keep from having a normal conversation with a girl. That and his preoccupation with talking to every single girl in the bar. Not only are they distracted but so is he.

Sheffield United: Comes in sweaty, wearing a dull sweater and musty smell. Repellent to anything female. Usually can be heard swearing loudly at the telly with Watford. Extremely likely to get into a fight with Blackburn when the latter propositions his sister.

Newcastle: At home, injured. Watching Rugby with no shirt on.

Semifinals First Leg Roundup

Milan 2 - 2 Bayern

Daniel Van Buyten has had an interesting season so far. Marked more by leaden footedness at the heart of Bayern Munich's often schizophrenic defence, than his normal air of authority, it would be one he would not look back too fondly on. However, with Bayern mounting a furious late charge for honours, Van Buyten served up a timely reminder of his worth in the Champions' League Quarterfinal first leg at Milan. Not only did he salvage a precious draw, but his late brace allowed Bayern to come from behind and go back to Bavaria in the driving seat knowing that Milan have to do all the attacking on the road. With two pricless away goals, the advantage i very much in the German team's favour.

Milan arguably deserved to win this game as they had dominated the proceedings till Van Buyten pulled one back. They were probably hard done by when the big Belgian's last minute strike ensured a late share of the spoils. However, for all their domination Milan wasted several chances and were lucky to go ahead the second time when a very spurious penalty was given when Lucio cleared the ball from Kaka's feet. Footballing Karma is circular and in this case it was paid in full as Milan were pegged back at the very end.

The recurring theme to Milan's season has been a plethora of chances despite their often dysfunctional playing style. As careless as they have been at the back, at the front they continue to possess two attacking gems of the very highest quality. In the Champions' League Kaka and Andrea Pirlo have been at the forefront of all things good. Here they continued to singlehandedly ensure Milan go as far as they can despite having an underwhelming season. Despite their sloppiness, they have been able to come this far with a mixture of individual brilliance, a plucky midfield and a slice of luck. One wonders, however, if they have used up all footballing fortune. Furthermore, how many more games can Kaka and Pirlo win for them.

Bayern showed once again that you can never count them out. Seemingly out of the domestic title race, they served a timely reminder of their class on the weekend with a defeat of leaders Schalke. In the earlier round in the Champions' League, they went behind to Real but hung in with 2 late goals before ensuring they progressed on away goals with a tight but composed in the home-leg. Oddly, and for Milan, worrying parallels with this tie as well. Never count the Germans out.

PSV 0 - 3 Liverpool

Liverpool produced a solid, efficient and classy performance to emphatically beat PSV in Eindohoven. PSV's anemic display will cause embarrassment and anger in equal measure across parts of North London, as they folded in juvenile fashion against a rampant Liverpool team. This was definitely a big game for Liverpool and they ensured they put one leg in the semi-final by crushing their opponents on the night. Overall a good week for Liverpool so far. How coincidental that PSV's victims in the earlier round were also the side Liverpool beat one game earlier.

Rafa Benitez''s claim that Liverpool are better this year than they were in 2005 would seem true as they are better placed domestically and have been more consistent on the road. They are still unbeaten in Europe and are coming together nicely. Surely they were never this well placed during their victorious campaign in 2005. How fitting would it be for their new American owners if they are crowned champions of Europe again. Rafa Benitez's policy of rotation is loudly mocked after an away loss but there is clearly a method to his madness.

Sadly for PSV, their season seems to be coming apart. Despite playing as a good solid unit for the better part of the season, it seems the loss of talismanic central defender Alex, has reduced them to a motley crew of journeymen footballers. Are they really a one man team with their strength coming from the back ? It's hard to argue for that notion but the sad truth is that they have been a different side since his injury. This defeat followed a crushing 5-1 defeat domestically to rivals Ajax. Have the wind finally gone out of PSV's sails ? Did they peak too early in that tight win over Arsenal ? The fact of the matter is that Liverpool play a simple direct style and ensure they put their chances away. Clearly they are incapable of mounting a consistent challenge in the Premiership, but since the ascension of their Spanish coach, have become something of Champions' League specialists.

It's hard to see PSV coming back from this - there were simply no positives. Liverpool should be proud. PSV should be ashamed.

Roma 2 - 1 Manchester United

Italian hacks will no doubt play up this win. Roma dominated from start to finish and their win was a small reward for their thoroughly efficient performance. But the away goal will rankle. United fans will point to the lucky deflection for Roma's second goal but deep inside they know that it was every much Roma deserved. And given that United's season have been littered with the odd lucky goal and penalty decision, it would be hard for them to complain. Cue United fans writing in to dispute that claim.

Still they cannot feel too hard done by. Their loss was minimal, given that they played the better part of the game with 10 men. And Wayne Rooney's goal ensured they have an away goal to take back to Old Trafford. As predicted by many United missed Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidic at the back. Roma's convoluted midfield, meanwhile, posed a hydra like threat that was never quite nullified by the Premiership leader's defence. Roma's formation and tactics play off their lead man in Francesco Totti and in Rodrigo Taddei and Mancini, have two players capable of unsettling almost any defence on their day. United's star, Cristiano Ronaldo, was conspicuous by his absence, both during the game and from the deck.

The fact of the matter is that this result, though deserved, cannot be read into too much. United have had a stellar season. Consistent, strong and balanced. Everyone has a bad game or a game in which they are thoroughly outplayed by their opponents. It happens. There is still too much momentum on the United juggernaut for them to be derailed yet. Even a steady 1 - 0 win in the return leg will see them through on away goals. Luciano Spaletti knows this and will guard against complacency from his players. Still, Roma having the lead and United having to attack them on home turf will pose an enticing matchup that the neutrals will be salivating at.

For Roma a job well done. For United a (potentially) minor hiccup. Watch for more mind games from Alex Ferguson as he seeks to unsettle Totti and Roma some more.

Having talked about the result there are two minor points that must be touched upon.

Firstly, this was the second game in which visiting United fans were heckled and engaged. With finger pointing to start and the anti-English backlash being readied by the Italian press, one wonders just how easy it is to rile United supporters. At Lille they protested their innocence and high-handed treatment by the French Police. If there is, indeed, an agenda against traveling United fans, one would have expected them to not get provoked easily. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, in this case stoic silence (as impossible as it would seem), for as long as possible would serve to add ballast to their claims. On this evidence however, they are no better or worse than any other set of ultras.

Secondly, watching Paul Scholes getting dismissed so early for two terrible stone cast fouls, the case of English players getting preferential treatment at home is once again highlighted. It is quite possible that Scholes, and other English players, have escaped similar censure in the premiership where such challenges are often glossed over, especially when the offender is local. With such a nurturing atmosphere of domestic double standards small wonder that the English national team performs so poorly abroad.

Chelsea 1 – 1 Valencia

Ever since Jose Mourinho took over the reins at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have become this inevitable unstoppable force. A machine that, more often than not, just keeps on rolling. Whereas the performance have remained mechanical, this season Chelsea have been lucky to be home to a certain Didier Drogba maturing into Europe’s most complete forward. On the other hand, Valencia have made workmanlike performances into an art form. They are a very well drilled unit, balanced, experienced, tactically aware and garnished with the world class skill of David Villa up front.

This match had tactical draw written all over it. And it contained a goal of truly sumptuous quality from David Silva. His strike from the left channel, a good distance outside the box while running with the ball, was truly spectacular. Yet somehow you sensed that inexorably Chelsea would score. That Drogba, their player of the year and marquee star, hit the equalizer, was only fitting.

However, other than those 2 goals though you sensed a certain stalemate brewing. The 2 teams canceled each other out with Valencia’s reactive style matching Chelsea’s safety first approach.

Valencia have been odd this season, equally capable of scaling giddy heights as of plumbing dark depths. They play excellently against top billing but sometimes get caught out and tied up by the lesser lights. However in this, the late stages of Europe’s premier contest, they should have no problem finding top teams to beat. With a precious away goal and masters of away goal progression, Valencia will be heading back to the Mestella feeling pretty confident.

Chelsea have seemed more fallible this season than any other in their short time in the sun under Mourinho. Yet, they seem better placed and more imperious in the Champions’ League this time than ever before. If Jose does leave at the end of the season, this may present Chelsea’s best chance of winning the Champions’ League. Whereas Abramovich’s billions may attract the best managerial talent from across the globe, the poisoned chalice that is his obsession with Europe’s top prize may keep them away. And if Chelsea do fall here, unable to force a favourable result in Spain, Chelsea’s fall back to the mediocrity whence they came may be as meteoric as their rise.

Euro 2008 Qualifying March 26 2007

Wrap up of Saturday's games.

Upset of the round:

Kazakhstan 2 - 1 Serbia

One would have thought Yugoslavia's defeat to Azerbaijan during qualification for Euro 2004 was an all time low, never to be repeated. One was also obviously wrong as Javier Clemente ensured Serbia sunk to a new low. It made sense to rest first choice defenders, Ivica Dragutinovic and Mladen Krstaljic, as Borat's boys would obviously be Serbia's weakest opponents; but not in view of the performance their understudies delivered. 23 shots, zero goals on offence. Meanwhile, two goals conceded off defensive lapses. Serbia, are you Arsenal in disguise ? Oh and by the way - Azerbaijan still have to be played and Zigic will be suspended for two games.

Lame result of the round:

Israel 0 - 0 England

Here's a thought, maybe, just maybe, England's players aren't really that good. Away from the cushioning and refereeing nepotism of the domestic league, England's stars are a rudderless ship, one bad steer away from the craggy rocks of non-qualification. Mclaren may be the most unsuitable coach in International football right now, but the complete inability of any of the English 'stars' to rise to the occasion and lift the team is the more damning indictment of England's chances of winning Euro 2008. Sorry Frank. It had to be said.

Terrific results of the round:

Greece 1 - 4 Turkey

Turkey were playing their biggest rivals away at their home. It was a top of the table clash between two teams who were 100% going into the game. Then even went a goal behind. Massive, massive result. Much will be made of Germany and Croatia going clear in their groups, but Turkey have taken the biggest step towards Austria-Switzerland.

Czech Republic 1 - 2 Germany

Again, top of the table clash between two unbeaten teams - both talented, skilled and well drilled as a team. Germany were playing in the Czech Republic, went a goal down but came back to trump their strongest opposition in the group. Roll on Austria-Switzerland. Injuries aside, this result should go a long way towards tying up the group for the mighty Mannschaft.

Norway 1 - 2 Bosnia

Bosnia pulled off a plucky away result against a more pedigreed side. Neither country may make the Euro finals but are trying to stay in the slipstream of the top two. With this result Bosnia have gotten the upper hand in the jostling for third place. Oh and Muslimovic's goal was a real beauty.

Good International Derby result of the round:

Croatia 2 - 1 Macedonia

They may have left it late, and required another goal from their Brazilian import, but Croatia avoided a potential banana skin and have gone clear in Group E. For Macedonia - file under plucky, tricky, erstwhile Yugoslav republic (see also, Bosnia).

Good but Ultimately Irrelevent International Derby Result of the round:

(Stephen) Ireland 1 - 0 Wales

Steve Staunton staved off further slagging along with Simon Davies. Wales is so far removed from their victories in the runup to Euro 2004.

Big win over decent opposition result:

Portugal 4 - 0 Belgium

Europe's two best wingers combined to tear Belgium to shreds. Ronaldo's purple run continues and this time he didn't need to dive. Ricardo Quaresma on the other hand is the best player in Portugal right now. Belgium aren't going anywhere - not with leaden footed Daniel Van Buyten at the back.

Big win over less then decent opposition:

Poland 5 - 0 Azerbaijan

The Poles have replaced Serbia as Portugal's main challengers in Group A. Azerbaijan meanwhile, have games against Kazakhstan and local rivals Armenia to look forward to. Only interesting aside was Radoslaw Matusiak not turning out for the Poles.

'We're still around mate' results:

Liechtenstein 1 - 4 Northern Ireland

A facile win over minnow opposition perhaps, but it leaves Northern Ireland still in the running for second place. Hard to believe that David Healy is going to be relegated this season.

Scotland 2 - 1 Georgia

You have to beat the opposition on the day and Scotland ensured that they did the chasing pack of Ukraine and Italy no favours. Top of the group, they are now the best placed team from the British Isles and Ireland. Special mention to Shota Averladze who ensured that Jari Litmanen is not alone in being an againg, erstwhile, ex-Ajax striker to score internationally this season.

Onto the next set of games midweek.