12.05.2006

Strap On Those Shin Guards, It's Kicking Time

I'll try not to get too long-winded here because I know most of you really don't care, but it's Champions League time again and there actually are a few games really worth watching this go-round. If you'll recall the Champions League is basically the European championship and they squeeze it in between league matches finally ending in the spring. We're in the final game of the group stage (much like the World Cup except everybody plays twice, home and away) and there's some big name teams with actual potential to go down in flames.

At 2:45 today (ESPN2), Barcelona (Spain) plays Werder Bremen (Germany). This is a super tough group also featuring Chelsea who managed to get four points out of two matches with defending champions Barca. Werder Bremen is tied for the lead in the German Bundesliga right now so they are no joke. Barcelona is two points behind both clubs and their only chance to get through to the knockout stage is to get a win today. You've gotta expect some fireworks from Ronaldinho today in a desperate effort. I'm looking for an up-tempo agressive game, and how can that not be fun to watch?

Tomorrow at 2:30 pm (ESPN2) Manchester United (England) plays Benficia (Portugal) who is another tough team, but luckily for them it just happens to be home at Old Trafford. With Celtic (Scottish Premiere League) coming out of the gates hot and getting a huge win over ManU, they are likely to make the knockout round having only to play bottom feeders FC Copenhagen tomorrow. However, Benficia is going to look to come out agressive against the Red Devils with their only salvation being a win and three points. Look for another fun one with a little bit of drama when Christiano Ronaldo goes up against his countrymen in this clash. If he takes a phantom penalty in the box, could he possibly be hated by both English and Portugese fans? Let's hope so.

Elsewhere, French team Lille needs a win over AC Milan (Italy) to have any shot, while Arsenal (EPL) and FC Porto (Portugal) could play for a draw and both advance. But, I'm guessing both teams would like to win the group for seeding purposes, so let's hope for a couple of agressive sides in that one as well. Also, note that Liverpool already has thirteen points and nothing to worry about in their tie with Galatasaray. Eat that ManU and Arsenal.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is like you are speaking German. Someday.

Anonymous said...

Ronaldinho's goal yesterday was equally amazing and hilarious.

Ronaldo flops more than Vlade Divac and Duke basketball combined.

Anonymous said...

Its nice to see someone else following the beautiful game. Arsenal played to what by all accounts was an outstandingly boring draw, but at least there through. By the way incase you havent heard there is a Champions League review show that recaps all of that weeks games on ESPN2 at 2:30 on each Friday after a round of games. Thats @;30 on whatever time zone Indiana is on nowadays (Eastern I think). Check your local listings. Its a must TIVO.

Gage said...

Heck yeah Ronaldinho basically made himself look like a genius. Very smart. And really, if you watch his ball skills, there's nobody better in the game.
Ronaldo sucks. I hate him.
Thanks for the heads up Brinker. I'll set my DVR accordingly.