Extra Time - Officials are just doing their job

While it’s easy to be wrapped up in the week to week drama of the soccer season, one often loses sight of the fact that it is just a game. Life, with all due respect to a famous manager who, apparently, said otherwise, is far more important than football.

On December 2, 2012, Dutch amateur linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, was attacked during a youth team game he was officiating. He died of severe head injuries the next day. He was running the lines during a game between his club Buitenboys, from Almere near Amsterdam, and Amsterdam club Nieuw Sloten. After a call that went against them, four teenage players from Nieuw Sloten, between 15 and 16 years of age, assaulted him, right on the pitch. Richard’s own sons, two of whom were playing for Buitenboys, looked on in horror, as he was kicked to the ground. The assailants are in custody and have been charged with manslaughter. Nieuw Sloten has expelled the players and withdrawn the team.

Contention over a call during an amateur soccer game has resulted in the death of an official.

It’s a sad commentary on the state of affairs in the game, that respect for officialdom has fallen so far; that outright violence is apparently a considered option. While the behaviour of Chelsea fans in 2006, who threw objects at Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen during a Champions’ League game, causing him to bleed from the head, and prompting his retirement from officiating shortly after, will forever be derided, the relative lack of response by UEFA was even more damning.

More recently, Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, manager of one of the highest profile clubs in the world, physically assaulted an opposing coach (his eye poke of Tito Villanova after a Real-Barcelona Super Cup game last season) and got into a spat with Atletico Madrid assistant coach German Burgos this season. Burgos was caught on camera threatening Mourinho by reminding him that unlike the soft spoken Villanova, he would ‘rip Mourinho’s head off’. La Liga is one of the most watched leagues in the world and this kind of behavior sets a bad example to fans, notably the immature and the young. Burgos’ conduct was deplorable and he should be fined and banned. However Mourinho has plenty of previous, and is an abrasive and combative character who gets into fights and verbally abusive situations that could lead to violence, in every league he has worked in. Nonetheless, the lack of response by any governing body to his mentality and petty squabbling is deafening. He is a high profile figure in the game that incites the baser aspects of human behavior. UEFA and/or the LFP should make an example of him by fining and banning him. Only then will an example be set that behavior which suggests or contributes to violence, will no longer be tolerated in the game.

This is another lesson that soccer can learn from North American sports leagues. Throat slashing gestures are banned in the NHL. Of course the irony, of a league that allows fighting during games, to support such legislation, is not lost on this column. However, the point is, that outside of fighting, which is a central part of hockey culture, any element of human behavior that suggests violence or encourages it, is dealt with severely. And in any case, players who fight during hockey games are given game misconducts and are removed from the game. Moreover, NHL players who get into physical confrontations with officials or fans are heavily fined. In the NBA, Gilbert Arenas was fined and banned for mimicking a gun during a pre game warmup. Other players have been banned for nearly an entire season for getting into fights. In the NFL, another notoriously violent contact sport, the coach of one of the league’s best teams, was banned for an entire season, for allegedly knowing about and not preventing his players from participating in overtly violent hits on the opposition for money rewards. Can you imagine a single soccer player or coach worrying about sanctions for encouraging his players for reducing the opposition with over the top tackles or for generally haranguing the officials?

Physicality will always remain in any contact sport. Sport, by its very nature is a passionate activity that promotes and thrives on tribalism, however the moment violence spills over and officials are the target, the game is broken and needs to be fixed by legislation from the governing bodies.

Several notable managers routinely and regularly belittle, bully and intimidate officials, setting a bad example and sending a message that disrespect towards referees is acceptable. FIFA and all the different continental associations and Leagues need to table a set of laws preventing such behavior with strict sentences, consistent rulings and the lack of appeal. However, too often, very little is done, since clubs, players and managers often overshadow the league. While these laws will seem draconian at first, over time they will become part of the consciousness of both fans and players, who will know that any form of aggression, mental, verbal or physical towards officials will not be tolerated. Soccer has worked hard to kick racism out of the game. It’s time to nip the emerging trend of violence and disrespect as well.

The way things are, at some point, what happened to Nieuwenhuizen, will recur at a more high profile game. While the thought of another official being severely injured and possibly losing his life, is a shuddering thought, it is also a sobering concept. Has our approach to the game gotten that out of hand?

2012-13 Europa League Commentary

While it's easy to write off the Europe League, as a distant second to the Champions' League, the fact remains that it makes for compelling viewing. Looking at this season's group tables, after just two rounds, one realizes how tricky it is to pick out likely quarterfinalists, let alone winners or the final four.

There is parity, unpredictability and, on account of the decidedly short sighted decision by UEFA to play games on Thursdays, a general lack of full strength teams, as many managers rest key players for the weekend tilts in the local league. As a result, from a neutral point of view, few tournaments appear as open as this season's Europa League, something that no doubt makes it fascinating to watch.

What's also becoming more apparent is the relative level of importance accorded the tournament by sides from different leagues. While clubs from the big five leagues of England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain continue to treat it like a sideshow, seemingly sleepwalking their way through the group stage, resting regulars and fielding reserves; smaller teams from less glamorous leagues, especially Eastern Europe, seem to be taking the tournament quite seriously.

At time of writing, several minnows have started well and sit either atop or in second in their four team groups. While a six match round robin stage gives the trailing teams plenty of time to catch up, notably the bigger guns who have started, somewhat less impressively, this early enthusiasm is a tonic the tournament can do with.

The fact remains that the apathy displayed by Europe’s bigger names towards the Europa League is counterbalanced by the opportunity smaller clubs see it as. A decent run in the tournament, aside from making the season memorable and adding to the clubs’ history, has the potential for solid financial rewards. Matchday revenue is a huge payout, especially if a big club visits or an extra game is played in the knockout round. Moreover, the tournament is an extended shop window for almost every player on the roster of a smaller club as they can showcase their skills and attract interest from the financially well-heeled bigger clubs.

Over the years, multiple African, South American and Easter European players have used the Europa League as a chance to make a good impression before sealing a move to one of the bigger leagues. While the price is hardly the type that sees talent move from say Bayern Munich or Juventus, or Milan to Barcelona, the transfer is one that makes everyone happy. The buying club gets a decent talent they can work on for a relatively small fee, the player in question gets his chance to move to a bigger club and league, while the selling club cashes in on an asset with a very healthy return. Often, with a smaller club’s Europa League sojourn over by the time the group stages are done, players are sold in the January window and assist their new clubs’ league campaigns, cup tied as they are in Europe.

So, the tournament is not just a footballing competition but a cut price bargain marketplace as well with merchandise moving from often obscure sellers to sharp eyed buyers.

This season, one sees the likes of Czech side Viktoria Plzen, Ukraine’s Dnipro and Metalist, Hungarian club Videoton and Slovenian side Maribor, all occupy one of the top two spots in their groups. Admittedly Steaua Bucharest, Rubin Kazan and Anzhi are similarly less glamorous, and perhaps unheard of to most fans of the European club game. But Steaua have solid pedigree, having won the European Cup (forerunner to the Champions’ League) in 1986, when it was a straight knockout competition, as well as making another final in 1989 when it lost to Milan. The nucleii of both those sides went to on help Romania dazzle en-route to a quarterfinal elimination at World Cup ’94 in America. The latter duo, however, are flush with money and have used their new found wealth to emerge as two of the strongest clubs in Russia, pushing aside the traditional Moscow quartet and competing with Zenit St. Petersburg. While their ascents to the top of the group stage tables are worth noting, they are hardly commendable.

Of more interest may be the slow start of some of Europe’s footballing nobility. Liverpool for one, have lost at home to Udinese and edged Young Boys of Switzerland, away 5-3. But the blooding of several youngsters and fringe players was the real positive that the club took away from those games. Elsewhere, Bundesliga club ‘Gladbach are winless with just a point from their brace of games, as are fellow German side Stuttgart, bottom of their group. Iberian pair Sporting Lisbon and Athletic Bilbao, with some of the continent’s most sought after talent, are last in their respective groups. Meanwhile every neutral’s favourite Napoli, are in third, just outside the qualification spots. Group J, the closest thing to a group of death, sees two of its biggest and best supported teams, Tottenham Hotspur and Panathinaikos round out the bottom two spots, winless in four games, with just three points between them.

Obviously, much of this will change and the cream will rise to the top. But the biggest irony is the fact that the clubs who treat it as an afterthought, are the ones UEFA executives hope do well and want to see go deep in the draw. Their continued participation is the fillip the tournament’s profile badly needs.

Extra Time - Serie A's Slump

The decline of Italian football over the past decade has been a sad spectacle. Juventus and Milan squared off in the Champions' League final in 2003, in what seemed to be yet another installment of interminable Italian dominance on the continent. While Milan returned to the final in 2005, before winning again in 2007, city rivals Inter won the Champions’ League in 2010. But other than that there has been a relative and general absence of Italian clubs from the latter stages of European club competitions since that all Italian final. Ukraine and Russia have each seen a team win the UEFA Cup, Germany has moved past Italy in the UEFA coefficient ranking, while Spain and England have continued their stranglehold on the Champions’ League.

The departure from norm is not simply a cyclical downturn in the fortunes of clubs from the peninsula, but the result of a gradual decline of Italian clubs’ performances in general. Italian clubs no longer play as effectively as they used to and as a result, win fewer matches. Measuring quality is a notoriously subjective past-time but it’s safe to say that Serie A matches are not as exciting as they used to be, and contain fewer instances of skill and ability. Italian teams can no longer consistently beat their rivals in both the Champions’ League and Europa League. Portugal, Germany, France and even Russia have produced more winners.

Whilst attracting top talent was never the sole preserve of Serie A, it was always able to compete favourably for the best players, both established and emerging. And Italian clubs were often the best finishing schools for youthful potential. With the exception of Spanish teams, whose cultural connections to South America always gave them an advantage, the big Italian clubs generally outbid clubs from other countries. The likes of the two Milan clubs, Juventus, Parma, Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina were able to lavish large wages and spend huge transfer fees on the best players from Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, South America and most of Western Europe. However, lately, there has been a steady trickle of players out of the league into other leagues, notably Spain’s La Liga, and most recently, even the French Ligue 1. This summer saw two premier talents (ace striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and one of the game’s best centre-backs, Thiago Silva) leave one of Italy’s biggest Clubs, Milan for PSG. And the move was purely for financial reasons. Silvio Berlusconi, one of the Italy’s richest men, and his team Milan, can no longer compete at the very top.

Moreover, with Italian sides consistently performing well in every European competition, reaching finals and usually sprinkling the later stages of the knockout rounds with a liberal dose of Serie A, joining an Italian team was an attractive proposition for players. The experience, chance to win silverware and exposure made Serie A teams a popular destination, in addition to the lucre on offer. But those are distant memories now. Italian clubs have fallen off the pace in Europe and the local league is no longer the spectacle it used to be. Two disastrous match fixing scandals have tainted the league, reducing its integrity and regard. Several teams are laden with debt and the financial health of the league is poor.

Various factors have been cited, a reduction of competitiveness, consistently declining financial clout, a league wide decrease in sponsorship and television revenue and a reduction in the appeal of the league to new young talent, many of whom now look to England, Spain, or even Germany, to further their careers. Moreover, the cyclical nature of these phenomena cannot be understated. The more successful a team is, the more likely it will be able to attract good players, thereby giving it a higher chance of sustaining said success. The more money a team has, the better its chances of recruiting top talent, the higher its probability of winning trophies and securing more financial rewards, either through prize money, or global exposure by way of TV deals and international fandom. And with Italian teams performing poorly in Europe, relative to their heyday in the 90s and early 2000s, the UEFA coefficient for the league has dropped, resulting in lower seeds and harder draws for Italian teams. Success breeds success, failure tends to bring more of the same.

It’s hard to say if Serie A will regain its position as Europe’s pre-eminent league. Or even one of its best. But the current slump in both the fortunes and quality of Serie A, is definitely a bitter pill to swallow for declining fans and neutrals alike. Milan versus Inter used to be one of the plum ties of the annual football calendar, the latest edition was an undercard sideshow to El Clasico between Real and Barcelona, played at the same time, on the same night. And while there is the odd performance from an Italian team that suggests Serie A’s epitaph etching may be premature, most recently Udinese’s defeat of Liverpool at Anfield in the 2011-12 Europa League, for example, they are far and few in between.

Serie A’s mediocrity is now the rule, rather than the exception.

Extra Time - RVP, Arsenal and the colour of Money

In an epiphany that is all too familiar to many Toronto sports fans, one must most definitely and irrevocably conclude that most soccer clubs, even some of the biggest one, are simply a business. The events of the summer transfer window, when taken with previous ones, demonstrate quite clearly, that for a large number of clubs, despite global fanbases and regular flirtations with silverware, the motivation is purely financial. Clubs being businesses is nothing new. But, while it was understood that remaining in contention for trophies was still the top priority, that is now no longer the case.

Clubs exist primarily to make money. Bar a few super rich clubs, whose ambitions are mainly founded on winning things, most clubs, realizing that they cannot compete and that regular triumphs are something they cannot rely on with any regularity, have basically thrown in the towel. They seek to pad their own bottom line, reduce debt and increase the gap between money spent and income generated.

Prestige, status, loyalty and fan happiness have all taken a backseat to financial sense. Clubs are brands which make decisions that prioritize financial sense first and foremost. The recent transfer of Dutch striker Robin Van Persie, from English Premiership club Arsenal to Manchester United is the most stark example of this phenomenon and ultimate proof of this development. Despite his age (29) and dodgy injury record, Van Persie was, in addition to being the captain of his side, their biggest star and most productive performer coming off his best ever season.  A season in which he was voted the best by both the press and his peers. And one where he singlehandedly led Arsenal to the promised land of Champions League football with a league best 30 goals. One of the best ever seasons in the league by any player, ever.

While Arsenal have not won a trophy in seven years or been in a major final for six, they have still managed to top the league table and challenge for the league a few times in recent history, with a four point lead at the start of March four years ago their closest tilt at the title. They are no longer favourites for a competition they traded with arch rivals United for seven years between 1998 and 2004, but are still considered one of the elite. Moreover, for most fans, the latter club is still Arsenal's biggest rivals, despite the gulf in status, financial pull and silverware between the two.

So, Van Persie's sale to United was nothing short of epic. And fan reaction was apoplectic. While the Arsenal board and manager Arsene Wenger can point to the 24 million sale price as excellent business for a wantaway, injury prone, 29 year old; fans can point to his departure to a club they love to hate, and eagerly circle fixtures in the calendar against, as a most heinous betrayal. Perhaps a move to some other club like Manchester City or even Juventus, both reportedly interested, would have been more palatable to the fanbase, but seeing their top performer go to a long established domestic foe, arguably the biggest such rival in England, was unacceptable.

However therein lies the conundrum. Fans need to realise that Arsenal are no longer a club of the fans. It exists to make money off of them - with ticket prices, the highest in the World. Their passions and desires come second to a financial behemoth for whom dollars and pounds are the driving force behind its day to day operations, not trophies and cups. Player loyalty and even captaincy have long been suspected to be fickle things. At Arsenal they are decidedly so, with several notable top players and four club captains being sold in the past seven years. Tony Adams was captain of Arsenal for 14 years, the most recent incumbent, Van Persie lasted just one. Club captaincy is simply another bargaining chip tossed into the mix to keep burgeoning stars in the stable till they are sold to the highest bidder or the player's choice of destination. Frankly, it would not be inaccurate to remark that the North London giants, England's third most successful club ever, are now Europe's biggest and best feeder club. I'm not saying that it is, but that it is possible to consider it so.

From a financial point of view the Dutchman's sale made excellent sense and while those who watched the Gunners labour to a 0-0 stalemate at home against Sunderland on the opening day of the new 2012-13 season will point to the shortsightedness of the decision from a football point of view, Arsenal the business, cannot turn down that kind of money for a player, especially one who wants to leave.

Frenchman Wenger, equal parts genius and inept, depending on which pole of the fanbase one consults, has long stressed finishing in the top four, as a trophy. This is because from a monetary point of view, it is. Arsenal cannot match the financial pull of Chelsea and Manchester United; and with super rich Manchester City the latest club to have bought their way to success, there are three clubs with a massive and crucial monetary advantage over Arsenal. And a vicious circle ensues because those same three clubs are best placed for success, can attract the best players as a result, and will offer them the most competitive salaries. Arsenal, quite frankly, are doomed.

So, fans need to step back, realise that their club is merely a brand, a company, a corporation who wants more money to come in then go out; and simply accept that while the odd trophy challenge is possible, the complete lack of major silverware, is in fact, far more probable.  Finishing fourth is the only realistic ambition the club can have. And it intends to make as much money finishing fourth as it can. To expect anything more borders on foolishness, no matter how passionate one's support is.

A Send-Off to 2011-2012

Extra Time

A quick nod of congratulation goes out to all the champions of Europe from this column. 2011-12 provided so much, entertained, thrilled and captured the imagination. Even though Euro 2012 is the flavor of the month and takes top billing, the memories of the recently concluded season are too strong to forget or ignore.

From Germany, where Borussia Dortmund beat the odds, Bayern’s money, an indifferent start and many neutrals’ fears, to retain the league crown, playing with the same verve, passion and drive that characterized their title last season. As mentioned before, manager Jurgen Klopp is building something very special in Westphalia. To Italy, where Juventus celebrated their latest title, unbeaten, under rookie Serie A manager Antonio Conte, but then Serie A promptly got embroiled in another match fixing scandal.  From there to France where Montpellier proved to be the surprise package in Europe and set the cat amongst the pigeons, usurping the traditional heavyweights to win their first ever league title.  And in Spain where Jose Mourinho finally won the Spanish La Liga crown, ousting Barcelona from their perch at the top, completing a journey that looked in doubt after previous maulings. Finally, to England where Manchester City celebrated a long hoped for return to the top with a scarcely believable but cathartic Premiership win, made all the more remarkable by the fact that rivals Manchester United had surged into a seemingly unassailable lead, with just a month to go.

While Porto retained its title, losing only one match in Portugal, their tussle with Benfica made for interesting viewing; while PSV’s fall and Feyenoord’s rise was an interesting sideshow to Ajax’s latest title win in Holland. Belgium too saw a return to the status quo as Anderlecht returned to the summit while Scotland saw a took a major jolt to the system as Celtic got knocked out of the group stage in the Europa League while Rangers entered administration.  Russia’s extended season saw Zenit retain the crown after a hectic season which saw Russia change to a fall-winter cycle like the rest of Europe. The core of that team made up the nucleus of the Russian side at the European Championships. In Turkey, Fenerbahce shrugged off the tar of recent match fixing allegations to give Champions Galatasaray a run for their money but most encouragingly little Trabzonspor from the northern Black Sea coast came third to build on their encouraging performances in recent seasons.

The European competitions proved to be no less entertaining with Bayern Munich and Chelsea tearing up the scripts to deny Real Madrid and Barcelona their place in the Champions’ League final while Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao served up a feast of football enroute to the Europa League final.

After Euro 2012 the focus shifts to the Olympics, where the soccer tournament featuring U23 players, albeit in the shadow of the start of the following club season, will provide some thrilling matches. Brazil, Spain and Mexico are the immediate favourites for the medals but Great Britain, Egypt and Japan will look to run them close.  The make-up of the British squad itself is open to a lot of debate as players from the four soccer teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are eligible. Imagine a game in which Aaron Ramsey plays in Jack Wilshere who sets up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to score. The Olympics soccer tournament should get more air time and media attention however bad scheduling and the lure of the Swimming and Track and Field will always keep cameras and fans away.

At the end of the day the season showed us that while money is still far and away the biggest deciding factor when it comes to club success, the efforts of the eleven players on the pitch can do much to swing the balance back in the favour of the underdog.  Ironically, it took the heroic defensive efforts of one of the world’s richest clubs, Chelsea, to prove this very point as they won the Champions’ League despite being rank outsiders against Barcelona in the semi-finals and underdogs to Bayern Munich in the final.  That a multi-billion dollar club could finish off the pace in the domestic league but nick a title in Europe goes a long way towards restoring the basic desire for parity that most fans have. And the biggest story in that regard was the triumph of little Montpellier, who won the French League. Beating out PSG, Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille. Yes Montpellier.

The Financial Fair Play regulations will make for interesting viewing once they are applied as clearly European football has become unsustainable. As enjoyable as Manchester City’s win was, it was built on money, nothing else. There is no way they could have dreamed of competing without the acquisition of ADUG. And that cheapens the very spectacle.  European football needs a salary cap, a transfer cap, a quota on youth and homegrown players, no luxury taxes and a way to spread both the wealth and the talent on display.  However these remain a pipe dream while Global corporations and businesses own soccer clubs.

Here at Soccer 360 we wish you the best for the Summer !

2011-12 Euro Pass

Final Snippets from Around Europe

France:

Champions:  Montpellier

Champions League:  PSG, Lille

Europa League:  Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille

Montpellier emerged as the surprise of the 2011-12 season in Europe, winning their first ever French Ligue 1 crown with equal parts verve and swagger. Their triumph is a resounding vindication of owner Louis Nicollin’s policy of youth recruitment and coach Rene Girard’s system of fast, possession based, penetrative football. While Qatari money, Carlo Ancelotti and a host of cultured transfers weren't enough to give PSG a title they seemed destined for, the flair and belief flowing through Montpellier was more than enough to tip the scales in the latter's favour.

Olivier Giroud showed the world his talents, both as playmaker and finisher, as he led La Paillade to their first ever league title. Lille, who finished third, have in recent years been the stable from which most young talent has been recruited by clubs abroad. However, after the purple and white's star turn, many an overseas manager and scout will be scouring their roster. The French League's reputation and performance has dwindled in recent years with both the performance and profile of Ligue 1 teams being called into question, however with a breadth of competition and parity not seen in any of the other top leagues, it remains fascinating viewing.

PSG's season can be considered a largely catastrophic failure as their inability to win a title that was theirs for the taking, and that they were in pole position to win, slipped through their fingers during a fatal run in. While individual players like Kevin Gameiro, Javier Pastore and Nene sparkled, PSG rarely took off and dominated opponents like Barcelona, Real Madrid or even Manchester City did this season. And while it is hardly fair to compare the Parisian giants to any of the aforementioned trio, PSG's financial clout is in the same league. Moreover their strength in both players and resources, compared to the rest of the French top division is even more dominant. PSG should have walked the title this year and will be expected to do so the following year.

PSG's chairman, however will consider this a job well done as he openly talked of regular champions' league participation as the club's goal for the near future. With the talent on tap, PSG should return to the winner’s circle next season as they will be the only team in France that can strengthen on all fronts.

Leading Scorers:  Olivier Giroud, Montpellier and Nene, PSG, 21 goals

Holland:

Champions:  Ajax

Champions’ League:  Feyenoord

Europa League: PSV, AZ, Heerenveen, Twente, Vitesse

Ajax continued their renewal with their second League crown on the trot. After a slow start the Amsterdam club picked up steam when it mattered and eventually coasted to their 31^st domestic crown. With a young team that many felt would struggle to retain their title from last season, the capital club showed they had the staying power and experience to last the distance. Frank De Boer has done wonders with a mashup of a squad that is big on heart if low on quality.

However, the story of the season has to be Feyenoord’s propulsion to second place, a complete turnaround from last season when they flirted with relegation. The Rotterdam club had been in the doldrums for several years and looked likely to fall out of the Eredivisie altogether in 2010-11 as heavy defeats to rivals (10-0 to PSV), coaching changes, a player revolt and heavy debt threatened to derail the club. However, after some crucial player sales, promoting talent from the youth academy and shrewd loan signings, Feyenoord began the season in recovery mode under the steady hand of Dutch footballing legend Ronald Koeman. The injection of youth paid off and Feyenoord improved on its horrific 10^th place finish in 2011 with a solid second this time. Moreover the Dutch Footballing Authority, KNVB, declared the club to no longer be in the financial danger zone on account of its shrinking debt. If it does make it into the group stage proper next year, the windfalls can have encouraging financial implications for the club.

For PSV and Twente the season was very much one of regression and stagnation. PSV had the most talented squad with plenty of championship winning experience but came unstuck at crucial moments. While 3^rd is nothing to scoff at, PSV should be doing much better. Twente, winners of the title in 2010, steadily dropped down the table and replaced sacked Co Adriaanse with Championship winning manager Steve McLaren; but he was unable to stem the rot as they finished sixth. Both Twente and PSV led the table at one point in time and could have held on to win the league. Around them AZ and Heerenveen in fourth and fifth, respectively, will look back on a positive and encouraging season. Both clubs will hope to strengthen their financial situation if nothing else, with a solid run in the 2013 Europa League.

Leading Scorer: Bas Dost, Heerenveen, 32 goals

Portugal:

Champions:  Porto

Champions League:  Benfica, Braga

Europa League:  Academica, Sporting, Maritimo

Porto continued its utter domination of the local top flight with another near flawless season that saw them collect the championship with 75 points from 30 games. They only lost once, at Gil Vicente, for their only defeat in the league in two seasons. They may have floundered in Europe, and were expected to struggle after the loss of managerial prodigy Andres Villas-Boas and several key players, but their domestic form is still as good as ever, more than a healthy springboard for their continental pursuits. Porto’s transfer policy allows them to hand pick players who suit their style of play, a robust direct style that relies on pacy wingers and strength in and around the box.

Benfica tried their best to run the Blue and White juggernaut close but other than a brief six week period in the middle part of the season when they were at the summit, were unable to turn the screw. They scored a healthy amount of goals (66 to Porto’s 69) but had a more porous defence than their rivals and eventually that proved to be the difference. Still, they have little reason to be unhappy as they return to the Champions’ League and can count on a solid roster that is only a player or two away from winning again.

Braga continued its impressive recent seasons with another third place finish and will head into the playoff round for the Champions’ League next season while Sporting paid for its deep run in the Europa League with a drop to fourth. Maritimo were most impressive of the smaller teams with an encouraging fifth place, a spot they maintained throughout the campaign.

Leading Scorer:  Oscar Cardozo, Benfica and Lima, Braga, 20 goals

Scotland:

Champions:  Celtic

Champions League:  Motherwell

Europa League:  Dundee United, Hearts, St. Johnstone

Celtic may have won the Premiership at a canter, after a sluggish start that saw them fall 10 points behind rivals Rangers, early on, however their European form showed that this was a third rate division in a country that is becoming footballing backwater. Celtic crashed out of the Europa League at the group stage and questions must be asked of the management at one of Europe’s oldest institutions. Across the city, things were even worse as Scotland’s other giant, Rangers, entered administration and were ineligible to enter European competition next season, as a result of remaining in such a state at season’s end. Rangers’ season started well, with a strong run in the league but their lead was slowly chipped away, as they floundered both on and off the pitch. If a club the size of Rangers is in financial meltdown, what hope for the rest of the division? However, this has come as a shock to the system and all clubs will take note.

But perhaps in the demise, albeit temporary, of one of Scottish football’s heavyweights, lies the roots of its rejuvenation. Motherwell, who had an excellent campaign to finish third, will enter the Champions’ League qualifying rounds and could do with the injection of money from a round or two of progression, perhaps even to the group stage. Behind them the trio of Europa League bound clubs will all benefit from the influx of much needed monies from European competition and the trickle of this money will be felt up and down the division. Hearts surprised everyone with a Scottish Cup win and will be buoyed by their success against the big two.

Scotland’s only hope is for the parity to return to the league so that the talent and money is better distributed across more of the clubs. And at this rate, things can only get better.

Leading Scorer:  Gary Hooper, Celtic, 24 goals

Thoughts on the 2011-2012 Europa League

Atletico beat Athletic

Like last year, the 2011-12 Europa League had an emphatic Iberian flavour to it. For the second time in three years, Atletico Madrid won the trophy beating an iconic and youthful Athletic Bilbao, 3-0. Last year’s top marksman Radamel Falcao collected his second Europa League in successive years, along with the top scorer’s award, as he followed up his title with Porto in 2011, with the Rojiblancos this season; scoring 12 times in the process. Madrid have always fancied knockout tourneys and after a slow start, built up enough steam to once again seal the silverware. Their win over Bilbao in the final was played out at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, on May 9, 2012. The winner earned the right to play Chelsea for the 2012 UEFA Super Cup.

Madrid seems to have found some harmony with a solid fifth place finish in La Liga to follow up their latest triumph in Europe. Their win and encouraging season overall is a symbol of their shrewd team building policy. Madrid have been built in three layers. Their effervescent youth of Adrian Lopez (third highest scorer in the competition with eight goals), Thibault Courtouis, in goal, and Fran Merida. The established core of top quality talent in their mid to late twenties in Falcao, Arda Turan, Diego, Gabi and Juan Fran. The veterans to hold everything together, in Paulo Assuncao and Antonio Lopez. The blend was successful despite the diversity of the nationalities on display. One can expect more things from this talented team as new manager Diego Simeone turned around the fortunes for a misfiring outfit after being handed the reins in December. Under previous incumbent Gregorio Manzano, Atletico were slumping in La Liga and looked distant in the Europa League. Madrid went 14 years without a trophy after their double in 1996. Now they’ve won Europe’s second most prestigious contest, twice in three years.

Their opponents in the final are no slouches themselves, as Athletic Bilbao were the star turns of this year’s tournament and indeed, many neutrals’ favourites for the final itself. Before any discussion begins on Bilbao, one must first pay homage to the unique culture that exists at the Basque club. The club has a policy where all players must be of Basque descent. Not just Spanish, Basque. Now, while the policy has been relaxed of late to allow players who are not of full Basque heritage or born in other countries, it is still a remarkable rule. And one that resonates in an era where club sides have no compunction in playing a starting XI made up wholly of foreign players. It would be noteworthy if the roster was restricted to Spanish players only, but the further imposition of them being Basque is downright astounding, and respectable.

Bilbao have never been relegated from the Spanish top flight. They were a mainstay of the League Championship in the 1980s and in recent years have consistently finished in the upper echelons of the table. Overall, they are Spain’s fourth most successful club. Their fast passing, yet robust style has tripped up many a continental giant. This year, they comfortably saw off the challenge of Manchester United, with a 5-3 aggregate victory that resembled a whipping at times. Beating a heavyweight is one thing, but outclassing a team that has made the final of the Champions’ League three times in the past five years is epochal. Their youth have been earmarked by many of Europe’s top clubs and under the eccentric, but brilliant genius of Marcelo Bielsa, Bilbao look to regain their Champions’ League status while re-establishing themselves as one of the Europe’s elite.

And the journey to that destination starts with the Europa League. With a long journey into the final stages of a knockout Cup under their belts, this team can only go from strength to strength. However many of Europe’s elite are already casting covetous eyes towards their roster with Oscar Marcos, Fernando Llorente and Ander Herrera attracting a lot of attention. Time will tell whether this was the peak of a team that falls away or just an anecdote of a golden generation.

The tournament started in July and August with three rounds of qualifying before settling into its now traditional opening stage of 12 four team groups. Early notables to fall by the wayside were Fulham, the London club who made the 2010 final, 2011 Carling Cup winners Birmingham City, Scottish giants Celtic, Ukrainian top dogs Dynamo Kiev and most surprisingly, Tottenham Hotspur, who were for a while, outside bets to win the 2012 Premiership altogether. Belgian clubs Standard Liege and Club Brugge were particularly impressive, topping their respective groups, losing only once between them. Other group winners included PSV Eindhoven, Schalke and the two finalists themselves. Also going through were first time participants Stoke City and Italian heavyweights Lazio, second in their respective groups.

The main criticism of the tournament is the fact that it absorbs the rejects from the Champions’ League into its first knockout stage. The eight 3^rd place group finishers join the tournament in February and often threaten to steal the thunder and media attention from the original participants. However, this is a double edged sword as the inclusion of high profile teams lends crucial glamour to the tournament. Notably, this season’s relegation of both Manchester United and Manchester City meant a tenth of the world’s population suddenly tuned into the matches on Thursdays. You just can’t beat that kind of attention.

However, after seeing off Ajax and Last season’s winner Porto, respectively, both English giants came unstuck in the round of 16, as Sporting CP and Bilbao produced ties of remarkable football. Thereafter, it was complete domination from the Iberian clubs as Sporting setup a tie against Bilbao, while Madrid renewed their rivalry with the favourites for the tournament, fellow La Liga side Valencia. A thrilling pair of ties saw 14 goals between them as Bilbao edged their Portuguese opponents 4-3 on aggregate while Madrid thrashed Valencia 5-2. Once again Falcao and Adrian were peaking at the right time while Fernando Llorente kept sparkling for Bilbao. In the event, one of the season’s most highly sought after finals played out to the sway of the Madrileno tree as Atletico regained the trophy.

Euro 2012 Matchdays IX -X

Saturday June 16:

Czech Republic 2 - 1 Poland

Michal Kadlec and Tomas Peckhart put the Czech's in the knockout stages while Robert Lewandowski pulls one back for the co-hosts.

Greece 0 - 2 Russia

Alan Dzagoev and Alexander Kerzhakov put Greece to the sword.

Sunday June 17:

Portugal 0 - 2 Holland

Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben

Denmark 0 - 2 Germany

Mario Gomez and Mesut Oezil

Euro 2012 Matchdays V-VII

Tuesday June 12:


Greece 1 - 1 Czech Republic


Theofanis Gekas and Milan Kadlec cancel each other out.


Russia 2 - 0 Poland


Alan Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov help beat the Poles.


Wednesday June 13:


Denmark 1 - 2 Portugal


Nicklas Bendtner will open the scoring but Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Moutinho reply.


Holland 2 - 2 Germany


Robin Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar trade goals with Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller.


Thursday June 14:


Italy 1 - 1 Croatia


Antonio Di Natale and Mario Madzukic share the spoils.


Spain 3 - 0 Ireland


Francesc Fabregas, Fernando Llorente and David Silva tear the Irish apart.

Euro 2012 Matchday IV Predictions

Monday June 11:


France 2 - 1 England


Goals from Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema either side of an equaliser from Jermain Defoe will see the French collect three points.


Ukraine 0  - 1 Sweden


Zlatan Ibrahimovic will score the winner to give the co-hosts a losing start.

Euro 2012 Matchdays I - III Predictions

Without much further ado, here are my picks for each game.

Friday June 8:

Poland 1 - 1 Greece

An early strike from Robert Lewandowski will be cancelled out by a late header from Dimitris Salpingidis.

Russia 2 - 1 Czech Republic

Goals from Alan Dzagoev and Roman Pavlyuchenko will see off a spirited Czech side for whom Milan Kadlec should net a late consolation.

Saturday June 9:

Holland 2 - 0 Denmark

The Dutch should rip the Danes to shreds with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin Van Persie sparkling with a goal each.

Germany 2 - 0 Portugal

The favourites are peaking nicely and will beat an out of sorts Portugal with strikes from Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Sunday June 10:

Spain 1 - 1 Italy

David Silva scores but a tired Spain cannot keep Italy at bay who share the spoils through Ricardo Montolivo.

Ireland 1 - 2 Croatia

After Croatia go 2-0 up through Nikica Jelavic and Eduardo, Shane Long will nick one back from a corner.

Euro 2012 Kick Off Post

Euro 2012 Kicks Off Tomorrow !

Check back here all tournament for my thoughts on the games, players and tournament.

After World Cup 2006 and World Cup 2010, this will be the third tournament that this site covers.

I predict a final four where Holland beats Spain and Germany beats France. Thereafter I pick the Germans to edge the Dutch to win their first tournament since Euro '96.

Holland's Robin Van Persie will lead all scorers with 5 goals while Thomas Muller will win the Golden Ball for best player.

It starts tomorrow.

2012 Brazilian State Championship Final Preview

The 2012 State Championships are winding to a close.  We preview the various finals as several Serie A teams prepare for a successful conclusion to their preseason.

Rio State Championship Finals - Botafogo v Fluminense

Before we start, a brief explanation of the tournament.  The 16 teams in the Rio state Championships play two mini tournaments or stages.  Both have the exact same format.  First, a two group round robin stage in which the top two from each group progresses to the knockout stages.  Then, they play a semifinal and a final to determine the winner of each stage.  The first stage is called the Taca Guanabara and the second stage is called the Taca Rio.  The winner of the two stages square off in the two legged Championship finals.

This year, the finals feature two of the usual suspects as Fluminense, the 2010 Serie A winners take on Botafogo, who flirted with the 2011 Serie A title.  Both teams have shown strong form during the state tournament, underscored with effective wins in the Taca finals.

Botafogo, finished unbeaten in the league stage of the Taca Rio, second in Group A, with 18 points from five wins and three losses.  Afterwards, they proceeded to knock out Bangu 4-2 in the semifinals and Vasco Da Gama 3-1 in the final to claim the second stage crown. Uruguayan forward 'El Loco' Sebastien Abreu notched five strikes, including a hat trick, along the way.

Fluminense's performance in the first stage of the Carioca tournament was more dramatic but no less effective. In the Taca Guanabara, they finished second in Group B with 13 points from eight games, before knocking off Botafogo on penalties in the semifinals and then Vasco Da Gama 3-1 in the final. Former Lyon striker Fred scored a pair either side of a goal from Deco in the win over Vasco.

Botafogo's loss on penalties to their rivals in the finals has been their only loss so far.  They finished the first stage also unbeaten, atop Group B.  Fluminense on the other hand, failed to emerge from their group in the second stage.  So, although Fluminense has the better head to head record and arguably a more dogged defense, the form book is in Botafogo's favour and the latter are clear favourites to win.  Expect a tight final with Abreu making the difference.

Sao Paulo State Championship Finals - Santos v Guarani

In the Paulista Championship, the format is more standard.  The 20 state teams play a 19 match round robin stage.  The top eight teams in the standings, then playoff in the knockout rounds to determine the Paulista champion.

This season, Brazilian rising start Neymar leads a start studded Santos against surprise outfit Guarani in the finals. While both teams were off the pace in the league stage, finishing third and fourth respectively, they came alive during the playoffs.  Guarani first upset heavily favoured Palmeiras 3-2 in the quarterfinals, before seeing off another unfancied team, Ponte Preta, 3-1 in the semi-finals.  Fabinho Souza and Medina each scored a brace in the respective wins.

Santos on the other hand, first eased past Mogi Mirim 2-0 in the last eight, before putting on a clinic in beating Sao Paulo 3-1, away at the latter's Morumbi home.  Neymar once again did most of the damage, adding to his goal versus Mogi Mirim, with a spectacular hat-trick against the 6-3-3 squadron.  In the nascent Brazilian calendar, that was one of the highlights of the season.

With excellent form and a side peaking at the right time, the odds are very much on Santos to win the 2012 State title. Only a massive upset would see Guarani triumph.  In their only meeting so far this year, Santos won 2-0 at Guarani.  Neymar, Santos' talisman, has scored 16 goals in 21 games this far.

2014 World Cup Countdown Diary

Snippets from around the World

CAF (Africa)

Zambia gets ready to kick off its World Cup Qualifying campaign for Brazil in 2014 in a slightly odd position.  They are continental champions and deserved ones at that, besting Ghana and Ivory Coast to win the 2012 African Nations’ Cup.  However they are not the top ranked team in the continent, not even one of the top few.  And given that the groups were seeded and drawn based on rankings from July 2011, Zambia’s stock falls even further, as they were placed based on a FIFA ranking of 74.  Arguably, they aren’t even favourites to progress from their own group, as they kick off against Ghana (still smarting from their defeat at AFCON 2012), Sudan and Lesetho in Group D.  The ten group winners progress to the final qualifying round where they square off in five ties to determine the African qualifiers.  Matchday 1 is on June 1 2012.  The hard road to Brazil begins at Sudan for Herve Renard.  Wonder if he’ll call up Otto Rehhagel and ask about the latter’s experience with Greece after Euro 2004.  Five teams will reach World Cup 2014.

Extra Time - Dortmund's Dynasty

Many people expected normal service to resume in the Bundesliga this season, as 2011’s impressive championship winners Borussia Dortmund, were expected to fall back in place and Bayern Munich were widely expected win the domestic shield.  And after the runaway start that the Bavarians had in the fall of 2011, it looked that way. However, after a slightly indifferent start, Dortmund have quietly gathered pace and moved back up the table to the summit. Going back to their basics of pace, counterattacking poise and constant running, they shrugged off a disappointing Champions’ League campaign to storm to the top of the Bundesliga.  At the time of writing, they are just two points and one win away from retaining their domestic crown. More tellingly, they are on course for a domestic double and have just beaten Bayern, their closest challengers, for the fourth time in a row.  Manager Jurgen Klopp has brushed off claims linking him to Chelsea and talented tyro Marco Reus, at Borussia Moenchengladbach, spurned the attentions of Bayern and instead decided to accept a switch to Westphalia; where he will join the most exciting stable of young footballing talent outside of Catalonia.

Time to Step Up - Germany's a Leading Contender

Another smooth build up sees the Mannschaft firing on all cylinders as they look to challenge outright

While Germany’s progression to the final of Euro 2008 was seen as a surprise, it was in fact the continuation of a trend of attacking brilliance that saw its birth at home during World Cup 2006 under the sparkling intent of Jurgen Klinsmann’s team.  While both ’06 and ’08 versions contained some of the deadwood of former captain Michael Ballack’s generation, the complete retool was completed under Klinsmann’s successor Joachim Low and unleashed to spectacular effect in South Africa at the 2010 World Cup.  Although some sceptics would point out that Germany’s precociously talented team may have overachieved both there and previously in Austria-Switzerland in 2008, the fact is that Germany’s progression to both tournaments’ latter stages, their form during qualification, and the impression they have made at youth levels, suggest that the national team is ready to take the final step – and win it all.

Europe’s Poisoned Chalice – Commentary on the 2012 Europa League

With the knockout stages of the 2012 Europa League kicking off in the middle of February, coincidentally on Valentine’s Day, many an anxious football fan can be forgiven for being less than sincere when asked about one’s immediate thoughts whilst out on a date that day.  Moreover, while the tournament, a rebranded forerunner of the old UEFA Cup, continues in the shadow of its more televised and illustrious sibling, the Champions’ League, many football connoisseurs will be more than keen on the Europa League, relishing its almost lunatic parity and sheer unpredictability.

Tottenham's rise and Zambia's return

How Spurs learned to stop worrying and just enjoy the team.

Tottenham Hotspur, when on song, are currently England’s best team.  Fluent, potent and deep, they seem to play every game with a heartening combination of determined positivity and confident exuberance.  Even Manchester City, in full flight, the league leaders since the early weeks, can rarely match the exhilaration that a Spurs attack provides.  And it’s a winning feeling too, as recent years of improvement and consistency have resulted in the Lilywhites usurping local rivals Arsenal as the dominant team in North London, and with Chelsea’s diminishing returns, arguably in the capital altogether.  Tottenham’s fanbase, notoriously neurotic but loyal to a fault, have long suffered the mixed results and mediocrity that had become a staple of their team for the last two decades - forever trying to regain the glory of the 1961 Double winning team and more recently, the pomp of the ‘91 vintage – featuring the talents of Gary Linekar, Paul Gascoigne, Paul Allen et al.  Recent seasons have been most encouraging with a Carling Cup win over Chelsea, A first ever Champions’ League campaign last year, regular showings against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in the league, mixed in with the emergence of an eclectic yet entertaining team of eye catching purchases, youth and the odd loan import.