OT: Champions League

75totheMACCfund · Post #1 » by **75totheMACCfund** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:37 pm

I know there are some soccer fans on this forum...it's that time of year again when ESPN actually gives some coverage to one of the greatest sporting events: the Champions League. It's down to 16 teams and you gotta check it out

Today on ESPN 2, starting right now, Liverpool is going after Internazionale Milano. Roma and Real Madrid are playing as well and will be shown on ESPN Classic later today. I believe AC Milan will take on Arsenal tomorrow on ESPN 2. Barcelona will be on ESPN Deportes tomorrow afternoon and the game will be replayed on ESPN Classic at 4. It should be some really good soccer, and I'd highly recommend. These teams are the best of best and will definitely give you something to cheer about, unlike this other team most of us follow.

Check out the schedules out below for the exact times.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espntv/espnGuide

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/fixtures?l ... ns&cc=5901

fam3381 · Post #2 » by **fam3381** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:04 pm

75totheMACCfund · Post #3 » by **75totheMACCfund** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:46 pm

Inter is hanging in tight with Liverpool even though they're being screwed by the refs...Although, I do hate Materazzi so I was pleased to see him be sent off.

75totheMACCfund · Post #4 » by **75totheMACCfund** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:26 pm

liverpool pulls away in the 85th minute...Crouch sets it up...I don't understand why they don't play him (Crouch) more...

steger_3434 · Post #5 » by **steger_3434** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:55 pm

Just got down watching the Liverpool/Inter game on the DVR. Liverpool dominated from beginning to end, although both of Materazzi's yellow's were BS if you ask me. AC should be a great game tomorrow, it just really sucks that both Ronaldo and Pato are hurt. Since I don't get the Serie A games I haven't been able to see just how special Pato is.

Mags FTW · Post #6 » by **Mags FTW** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:00 am

I tried watching the game, but I've been deathly sick since yesterday. Either a really bad cold or the flu. Sleep schedule is all messed up. I caught Liverpool's 1st goal but passed out before the 2nd.

steger_3434 · Post #7 » by **steger_3434** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:04 am

Mags FTW wrote:I tried watching the game, but I've been deathly sick since yesterday. Either a really bad cold or the flu. Sleep schedule is all messed up. I caught Liverpool's 1st goal but passed out before the 2nd.

The second was literally 5 minutes after the 1st. You must be pretty sick. Anyways, with a 2-0 win Liverpool all but clinched a spot in the final 8. I follow most leagues in Europe and most teams, but I don't know how the fans veiw these leagues. I see that the stadium was quite empty for a big matchup here in the CL. How would the English fans rank their competitions? League title, then CL, then FA Cup?

Mags FTW · Post #8 » by **Mags FTW** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:12 am

steger_3434 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

The second was literally 5 minutes after the 1st. You must be pretty sick.

Yeah, I closed my eyes while they were celebrating the first and that was all she wrote. I didn't have the audio on because I was listening to Homer so I still might have been awake, just not watching. Sickest I've been in awhile. Chills, muscle pain, cough, headache...feeling a little better now though.

steger_3434 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
I see that the stadium was quite empty for a big matchup here in the CL. How would the English fans rank their competitions? League title, then CL, then FA Cup?

I must really be screwed up because it looked like a sellout to me.

fam3381 · Post #9 » by **fam3381** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:43 am

steger_3434 wrote:I follow most leagues in Europe and most teams, but I don't know how the fans veiw these leagues. I see that the stadium was quite empty for a big matchup here in the CL. How would the English fans rank their competitions? League title, then CL, then FA Cup?

Hmm, didn't see it but I would think Liverpool fans would be out in full force...they've been knocked out of the FA Cup and they don't have a chance at the league either at this point, so the CL is really all they have left.

I think in general most of the top teams view the league as their first priority, but at this point some of these teams are realistically out of contention for that so for many the CL is the only trophy they have a chance at still. As far as individual games though, it's tough to top the Champions League since there are fewer games than in the league.

75totheMACCfund · Post #10 » by **75totheMACCfund** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:56 am

you're right steger...the stadium looked really empty for a CL game

Chuck Diesel · Post #11 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:57 am

I don

steger_3434 · Post #12 » by **steger_3434** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:01 am

After seeing this game I decided to fire up my Fifa 08 for the 360 and I took Chesterton as my team. They're in the 4th division. I'll see how I do in the Carlington Cup and the FA Cup and see if I can get them promoted to the Premiership. Right now I'm 1-0-1.

As far as the game, it was a very empty stadium considering two teams with great tradition were meeting up. I'm a Barcalona fan first and foremost, and then I'd take Juventus and Milan third. I've also always like Ajax a little and Galatasaray as well.

fam3381 · Post #13 » by **fam3381** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:15 am

steger_3434 wrote:As far as the game, it was a very empty stadium considering two teams with great tradition were meeting up. I'm a Barcalona fan first and foremost, and then I'd take Juventus and Milan third. I've also always like Ajax a little and Galatasaray as well.

Then I can only assume the disappointment of getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Barnsley last weekend had Liverpool fans too depressed or something...usually they're as loyal as they come.

Mags FTW · Post #14 » by **Mags FTW** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:27 am

75totheMACCfund wrote:you're right steger...the stadium looked really empty for a CL game

Maybe this sickness has got me seeing things. Capacity at Anfield is 45,000 and change and today's attendance was listed as 42K. I don't see that many empty seats in the photo gallery either.
http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/ucl/Fi ... llery.html

steger_3434 · Post #15 » by **steger_3434** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:31 am

Mags FTW wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Maybe this sickness has got me seeing things. Capacity at Anfield is 45,000 and change and today's attendance was listed as 42K. I don't see that many empty seats in the photo gallery either.
http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/ucl/Fi ... llery.html

I'm sure that's paid attendance. A lot of Liverpool fans probably had tickets to this game but after the FA Cup debacle just didn't show. If you saw the side opposite the cameras it looked like a lot of empty seats if you ask me. That or all the fans wore the same color and didn't move an inch.

Mags FTW · Post #16 » by **Mags FTW** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:35 am

steger_3434 wrote:-= original quote snipped =- That or all the fans wore the same color and didn't move an inch.

This is the most likely scenario. Usually people wear black coats to games and the seats look empty. Many times I've watched a premiership or UEFA game and thought it was dead. But once the camera zooms in on the crowd you can see it's full. Just check out the gallery. I couldn't see an empty seat in any of the pics.

steger_3434 · Post #17 » by **steger_3434** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:41 am

That very well could be the case. I didn't believe at first that the stadium could have had empty seats. I was watching in HD (well, digital and ESPN2HD wasn't true HD for this game), but it did look empty. Maybe not though. I'm pissed that TWC moved ESPN Classic into the 100 channels. I would love to watch Celtic vs Barca tomorrow.

Ruben Quevedo · Post #18 » by **Ruben Quevedo** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:49 am

Yea there is NO way anfield wasn't filled to capacity. Liverpool are famous for their "European Nights." The place was buzzing.

kebzach · Post #19 » by **kebzach** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 3:07 am

Didn't realize that there were so many Bucks fans who followed soccer as well. I'm pleasantly surprised to see this piece of news.

vlietinho · Post #20 » by **vlietinho** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:23 am

Watched the Liverpool game, which was ruined by that Belgium ref. Two ridiculous yellows for Materazzi.

Game wasnt very good either. Nice that Dirkie Kuyt got the first goal. He originates from my home team.

Hopefully tonight a better game when AC Milan takes on Arsenal.