Juventus currently lead Celtic 1-0
PSG leads Valencia by the same scoreline.
Good day for the away sides so far.
The BIG game is tomorrow though, Real vs Man Utd
yes plz
OT-UCL Open Thread
February 12th, 2013 at 4:03 PM
#1
OT-UCL Open Thread
February 12th, 2013 at 4:07 PM | 
Which one of these are fixed?
Which one of these are fixed?
February 12th, 2013 at 4:37 PM |
Smart money...
Smart money...
... is on Juventus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Italian_football_scandal
Do Something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:08 PM |
Outside of that defensive
Outside of that defensive
Outside of that defensive lapse, Celtic hasn't looked that bad.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:12 PM |
And how does this relate to
And how does this relate to
Brian Mone?
February 12th, 2013 at 4:12 PM |
Anyone know when Barca plays
Anyone know when Barca plays
Anyone know when Barca plays next? Later this month?
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 12th, 2013 at 4:13 PM |
Next Wednesday at Milan.
Next Wednesday at Milan.
Next Wednesday at Milan.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:13 PM |
Curious - is Beckham playing
Curious - is Beckham playing
Curious - is Beckham playing for PSG? Or has he not reported to the team yet?
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 12th, 2013 at 4:17 PM |
He met up with them today.
He met up with them today.
He met up with them today. They will train together for the first time tomorrow afternoon.
I'm not sure whether he's on the team roster for the Champions League, but his first match for PSG might be 2/24 against Marseille. One heck of an introduction if true.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:17 PM |
It will be absolutely
It will be absolutely
It will be absolutely fascinating to watch Gus Johnson call the Man U/Real match tomorrow. Major props to the guy for taking on the challenge and immersing himself in a sport which he had no previous knowledge of. From the interviews it seems like he's picked up a ton real fast.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:28 PM |
Especially since that game of
Especially since that game of
Especially since that game of all the others will probably be one (if not the) most watched in the States. I'm surprised they don't have him start on a smaller, less watched match first. Then again, all he'll really need to do to be successful tomorrow is verbally masturbate Ronaldo.
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 12th, 2013 at 4:31 PM |
He's been calling SJ Quakes
He's been calling SJ Quakes
He's been calling SJ Quakes games...on radio. Not sure it gets smaller than that.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:36 PM |
I'm about as excited by Gus
I'm about as excited by Gus
I'm about as excited by Gus calling soccer as I'd be by Martin Tyler calling the NFL.
The Real - Manchester series ten years ago next month was one of the biggest matchups in about 20 years. The results from that Madrid triumph shaped a decade of world soccer (think about it - Abramovich decided to purchase Chelsea because of the games, Beckham left for Madrid, Ronaldo's hat trick in 55 minutes, etc.)
Now think of all the backstory this matchup has - Ferguson v. Mourinho, Ronaldo facing United, Giggs doing it for the 23rd season, Chicharito, Rooney, Van Persie's history with Madrid and the Spanish players, the media war between Casillas's girlfriend (a Spanish reporter) and Mourinho, Ozil v. England last summer, etc. etc.
I'll be interested to hear whether Gus intelligently weaves all these storylines into his broadcast like Martin Tyler would, or if he simply decides to scream and say "pure" when describing a square pass by Sergio Ramos.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:27 PM |
Might be worth noting that
Might be worth noting that
Might be worth noting that the two teams that lead, PSG and Juve, had the best defensive records during the group stages with 3 and 4 goals conceded from 6 games, respectively
February 12th, 2013 at 4:27 PM |
Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Hailed to be basically unbeatable at home, there is no way Celtic breaks this Juve midfield. Especially when Buffon scoops up everything sent his way. Hooper is more worried about humping the Juve defense than he is about scoring. Neil Lennon will go to Turin with his ginger tail between his legs. Celtic's glory ends when the Mighty Glasgow Rangers are rightfully back in the top-tier. Rangers: the world's most successful football club!
February 12th, 2013 at 4:33 PM |
Gonna be a loooooooong 3+
Gonna be a loooooooong 3+
Gonna be a loooooooong 3+ years my friend.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:48 PM |
Famous Glasgow Rangers
Famous Glasgow Rangers
4th highest attendance in Europe and we're in the 3rd division of a deplorable Scottish league. Get your silver while you can because we're coming down the road for ya.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:14 PM |
I'm not sure if I'd be
I'm not sure if I'd be
I'm not sure if I'd be bragging about the 4th highest anything, let alone attendance. All that says is that there's nothing else sports-wise to attend in Scotland, if it says anything at all. Plus, I don't think ranking high in attendance puts the Rangers in anywhere near the European elite drawers that are Barcelona, Real, Manchester U (I assume those are the top 3?)
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 12th, 2013 at 5:56 PM |
Rangers
Rangers
home attendance would put them about 4th in EPL behind ManU, Arsenal, Newcastle. Considering they are playing in the lowest tier of Scotish Football its pretty impressive the fans are still going to games.
Ranger's and Celtic are monsters in the SPL, akin to Michigan and Ohio playing in the MAC but still drawing the huge crowds. Rangers just under 50,000 capacity, Celtic around 60,000
After those two I think the next biggest stadium in Scotland is like 22,000 capacity in Aberdeen.
February 12th, 2013 at 6:23 PM |
Scotland is a "wee" country.
Scotland is a "wee" country.
Your comparing the small country of Scotland that lives in the shadow of England, to perennial, and more populous countries in Europe. There really are no other sports in Scotland. Rugby, cricket, and highland games draw fans, but football is king. Attendance is everything off the field. No one wants to play an empty fixture. Ask DB. Attendance means money which means improvements.. On and off the field. Could you imagine the Tigers getting kicked down to single A ball yet keeping Comerica and the fans? That's what's happening to the Glasgow Rangers.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:37 PM |
Rangers: the world's most
Rangers: the world's most
Rangers: the world's most successful football club!
My co-workers just wondered why I laughed out loud at a computer screen.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:43 PM |
According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal,
According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal,
Juventus = Michigan MBB. Because I know nothing about elite European soccer, this weak connection is enough to lead me to cheer for Juventus (although the WSJ was not making a flattering remark about the parallels).
Your opinion has no value.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:10 PM |
Used to be a power, scandal
Used to be a power, scandal
Used to be a power, scandal hit, some down years, now back at the top.
Actually the parallels are scary.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:17 PM |
Except it really only took
Except it really only took
Except it really only took Juventus about 3 years to truly recover, whereas it took Michigan 15.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:44 PM |
Big Jock Knew
Big Jock Knew
Been filling the stands of Ibrox while your clan sits on their asses.. 54 league titles speak for themselves. Your nothing without us. Glad to let Juve use our training ground to beat y'all at home.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:47 PM |
So do 0 European Champions'
So do 0 European Champions'
So do 0 European Champions' League or Champions Cup finals appearances, let alone victories.
February 12th, 2013 at 4:51 PM |
What are those stars above
What are those stars above
What are those stars above our crest? They're definitely not for decoration bud.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:00 PM |
Those are for domestic
Those are for domestic
Those are for domestic titles. One for every 10 Scottish Championships they've won. Rangers did win Europe in '72, and have made a handful of Finals appearances, though.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
February 12th, 2013 at 5:06 PM |
They won the Cup Winners'
They won the Cup Winners'
Rangers won the Cup Winners' Cup, not the European Cup. Therefore, they technically didn't win Europe. Celtic still hold the edge in the European Cup count.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:12 PM |
So by SSC logic Michigan only
So by SSC logic Michigan only
So by SSC logic Michigan only has considerably less NC wins because they were won before the new era..? Didn't think so. Michigan has 11. 1 euro title just like y'all and 50+ league titles. We also own the head to head. If I were you I'd worry about the Juve defense. I think I can hear their fans over you clowns.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:13 PM |
F.C. Porto
F.C. Porto
That is all.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:15 PM |
You think I'm a Celtic fan?
You think I'm a Celtic fan?
You think I'm a Celtic fan? Look at my avatar if you actually believe that. And don't try and sell the fact that the Cup Winner's Cup is equal to the European Cup. It was a third rate competition because the European Cup only took league champions and you didn't make the UEFA Cup. And it doesn't even exist any more. At least the European Cup survived and evolved into the Champions League.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:31 PM |
Actually the UEFA cup was the
Actually the UEFA cup was the
Actually the UEFA cup was the second tier Championship of all the domestic runners up, inaugurated in 72. The Cup Winners-Cup was the pseudo-Champions League of all the Domestic Cup winning teams. If you won the FA Cup, or the Copa Del Rey, or the Coppa Italia, or the DFB Cup, or the Scottish Cup, or the Coupe de France, ect. you'd participate in the Cup Winners Cup. It was eventually absorbed into the UEFA Cup for the 2000 season, but in 72 it was very prestigeous, as winning those cups still is.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
February 12th, 2013 at 5:34 PM |
Good point. I'd still slot it
Good point. I'd still slot it
Good point. I'd still slot it below the European Cup, but you're correct on that account.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:08 PM |
You see, many other clubs
You see, many other clubs
You see, many other clubs like Bayern, Milan, Inter, Juventus, Ajax, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, etc. put stars on their jerseys for true achievements (not defeating a league with no more than 3 legitimate teams at any one time).
All those clubs keep the stars for winning Europe, something Rangers has never done except for a then-third-rate competition.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:19 PM |
Well we know Liverpool will
Well we know Liverpool will
Well we know Liverpool will never win the EPL so they'll have plenty of room for "legitimate" stars.. Whatever that means. An do you realize how small of a country Scotland is compared to England, Germany, and Italy? I'd say that's a praise, not a knock, to have three good teams every year.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:39 PM |
Barca doesn't put stars on
Barca doesn't put stars on
Barca doesn't put stars on their jerseys.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
February 12th, 2013 at 4:48 PM |
Except Celtic didn't get sent
Except Celtic didn't get sent
Except Celtic didn't get sent down to the 4th tier via administration. Thanks for the laughs though.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:00 PM |
How many Man U supporters
How many Man U supporters
How many Man U supporters will come out of the woodwork for tomorrows match? It'll be awful.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:00 PM |
I admit I clicked this thread
I admit I clicked this thread
I admit I clicked this thread mainly because I had no clue what UCL stood for. Honestly I've always thought soccer was cool enough, but I can't get into it because I don't have any emotional connection to any teams.
" I want to win Big 10 titles. Multiply. Consecutively. I just made that word up (multiply). I'm like that. I'm good at Scrabble."
February 12th, 2013 at 5:18 PM |
I was never into it until
I was never into it until
I was never into it until last year and now I'm addicted. I admit that I don't know nearly as much as these guys, but I am able to recognize good play (I think) and definitely appreciate the beauty of the game generally. I because a Barcelona fan because of their technique but you could choose a team based on whatever you find most interesting about the sport - some people like more rough play, some like faster play, some like offense/defense, etc. Its pretty cool to start being a fan of a team from scratch. Try it out! Watch a lot of Champions League matches and pick your favorite.
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 13th, 2013 at 1:22 AM |
I need more local Wolves'
I need more local Wolves'
I need more local Wolves' supporters, join the cause! Although it might not be fun b/c we're only on TV once or twice a month and are possibly facing our second consecutive relegation.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
February 12th, 2013 at 5:04 PM |
Kerm onnn
Kerm onnn
Celtic all over Juve here. Need a result at home or they are out cause I don't see them getting anything in Turin. 'Mon the Hoops!
'We're a unit, not a one-man show. The name on the front of the shirt is more important than the one on the back.'
February 12th, 2013 at 5:07 PM |
Gilt-edge chance squandered
Gilt-edge chance squandered
Gilt-edge chance squandered by Ambrose to put Celtic level...
February 12th, 2013 at 5:10 PM |
I never thought I'd say this
I never thought I'd say this
but I am rooting for ManU.
/Barca
Now I am going to go take a shower and brush my teeth and fabreze my keyboard. Ugh.
I love Greg Mattison
February 12th, 2013 at 5:19 PM |
The one thing that I find
The one thing that I find
The one thing that I find very strange being a Barca fan is seeing them play Real so many times during the year. I'm used to Michigan-Ohio matchup once a year (the equivalent of the Real-Barcelona matchup, I think) that its strange to see them go at it 5-6+ times a year. Still pretty cool though.
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 12th, 2013 at 5:34 PM |
I know what you mean
I know what you mean
every time there is a matchup I say to my girlfriend in an almost geeked out voice "THERE'S A CLASICO TODAY!!"
Then she'll be like, "wasn't there one like two weeks ago?"
Me: "Well yeah, but . . . There's a clasico today!!!"
The # of matchups doesn't diminish the importance in my eyes. The Ohio rivalry is a great comparison.
I love Greg Mattison
February 12th, 2013 at 5:37 PM |
Sorry, not really related
Sorry, not really related
but did you see we extended the contracts of Messi, Xavi, and Puyol? God I love our team. Can you believe this little Argentine has won BD 4 straight times and he's only 25? Crazy.
I love Greg Mattison
February 12th, 2013 at 5:54 PM |
I truly didn't start watching
I truly didn't start watching
I truly didn't start watching until last year and I sampled all kinds of teams in trying to figure out who I wanted to support. I purposely tried not to choose a front-runner just to make it more interesting but time after time I found myself attracted to their style of play. And it doesn't hurt to use time rooting for a team that has arguably the greatest player to ever play the game. Messi truly is mesmerizing. I think my second favorite player is Cesc - quiet but productive. And I really liked watching Cuenca but hear he was loaned out to Ajax(?). I'm not a big Tello fan.
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
February 12th, 2013 at 6:16 PM |
Pardon my language
Pardon my language
but Messi is and will be the greatest when he's done. Pele can screw himself (which he'd probably do if he could considering his ego).
Okay mean part is over. I love Cesc, and am glad he is back home, but my nod probably goes to Xavi. Guy can create scoring opportunites like no one else.
I love Greg Mattison
February 12th, 2013 at 5:19 PM |
Hooper
Hooper
Gary Hooper needs a chance. 1 chance and it's level, I promise you.
'We're a unit, not a one-man show. The name on the front of the shirt is more important than the one on the back.'
Which one of these are fixed?