The Soccer Thread (IV)

I am suggesting that any four of those teams deserve to be in ahead of Apoel et. al.

I don't like underdogs. I don't like it when a 15 beats a 2. I don't like it when the No. 8 Nuggets beat the No. 1 Sonics, blah blah blah.

If you're going to pair the best against the best, then don't clog the arteries with the frikkin Clujes of the world, I'm just not interested. It's not cute, it just gets in the way of the inevitable.

 

And yes, I understand the knockout-only tournament isn't coming back because of money, I get it. The sun will come out tomorrow too.

 

So would you be in favor of this mythical European Super League that keeps getting bandied about?

 

Exactly what I was going to say.

The thing is, if you just go with the champions, then when you get to the semifinals, you're going to have representatives of the same three countries -- England, Spain and Italy -- and perhaps one from one of three others -- France, Germany and (maybe) Portugal. Every single year.

And not that doesn't happen now. But at least there's more opportunity for variety, with four English clubs in with a shout, maybe three Italian clubs, at least two Spanish clubs, and maybe a German or Portuguese club, depending on the year.

As it stands, you could start in the round of 16 or even the quarterfinals and not change the outcome of the tournament. And that's where the Super League idea germinates from, naturally.

 

Anyone else notice on the ESPN2 coverage of the Burnley-Chelsea match, in the pregame and halftime, they only show closeups of Mustoe (and did it quite a bit), but the camera NEVER, not once, gives us a closeup of this Georgie girl...seriously, is this calculated? Is there a reason for this?

UPDATE* Same thing postgame...only tight shots of Mustoe, none of Georgie.

 

A first defeat of the season for the mighty Havant & Waterlooville, who, frankly, didn't deserve to win today, and didn't. 2-0 to Basingstoke Town.

 

Arshavin with a beauty.

 

And he's like 5-6. Which is absolutely astounding.

 

Well, there's a homer call.

 

Wow!

 

This one's ending 3-1. Pity the Reds got their start on a dodgy call. I'm sure Rooney will get a two-match ban.

 

Yeah, I'd love to see Rooney get
suspended. Too bad that'll
never happen. Be interesting to hear Wenger's postgame comments.