Baltimore World Cup Soccer @ Slainte Pub

Well – after our Nil Nil love fest at Slainte – it appears it’s time go back to our seperate corners and watch the end of the season.  Only 2 things to play for now – 4th place for City, Villa, Tottenham – and I guess Liverpool – if the other 3 teams all die – and then the big clash between Chelski and Scumbags – I mean – who to root for there? I guess… Chelsea… but I mean – it’s like rooting for Lex Luther or Skeletor – - does it make a difference?

It was also nice to see that City fans outlasted the Arsenal fans on Saturday – I could probably credit that to 3 things – 1. Their absolute LOVE of me and my usual fandom (sarcasm)- 2. The fact that they don’t have anything to play for… or 3. It was just a really nice day – - we had a full house but not too many die hards outside of the City boys, Scoot, beardy – and the Mayor of Fells with BittyGunner and Roscoe with Johnny from Karate Kid – With that said – we had a great time… there were laughs, politically incorrect jokes, shots, hugs, but alas… no goals – so it was a lot like kissing your cousin for 90 minutes.

Well – with all that behind us. City. Damnit City! You are killing me with only 1 point out of United and Arsenal. 2 years ago – that was acceptable – now… it’s just not – especially when we were at home for one. Offense has been not only absent the last 2 weeks – it’s been downright stymied by an awful lineup choice. City are in control of their own destiny – with a game in hand against both Villa and Pool and a head to head against Tottenham next Wed. (I will be back at the pub for that in FULL FORCE) – If City win out – we go to the big dance – if we don’t then – i’m sure the Mayor and Flash’s owner will come up with some more chants to make fun of us kicked City fans – but we’ll laugh all the way to the bank soon –

Lineups -

………….Fulop
micah..toure..kompany../zaba
……..de jong…Barry………
swp………tevez…Bellamy……
………….adebayor……………

Our new keeper instills no confidence in me what-so-ever . But the way Kolo anf VK have been playing I’m ok with that — I think Jono  may have worked his way to the bench with last week’s performance and IF I EVER SEE VIERA on the pitch again – I’ll smack someone – that may have been the worst lineup choice I’ve seen all year – so Robbie Manc – get it together this week and let’s get these 3 points going into wed. fixtures.

In Football anything can happen – so – predicting scores is pretty useless – but I’m going 1-0 City in a yawner – see you at Baltimore’s Best Soccer Bar.  Would love to see someone write up ‘Pool v Chelsea – that’s on Sunday.

Best – ManCity

Barca vs Bayern – Barca in a walk —

Does anyone want to comment or preview the Final 4 of the CL – I feel very underqualified give the amount of die hard fans I have seen out there for both teams – -

Evan, Scoot, Willy any Inter fans out that we know – probably AC could do that one — -

Any suggestions out there in the world?

Winner 3 – 1 at Gerland, Lyon was starting the 2nd with some confidence. But Bordeaux, finishing 1st in group stage above Bayern and Juventus, proved several times that they are not in UCL for nothing… Chamack gave some hope to the Girondins scoring before Half Time. But the Gones have someone to rely on when the pressure goes up: Hugo Lloris!

Photos credits: Reuters

If you don’t know Lloris, just imagine Schmeichel, Barthez and Buffon.. but better! I was kind of sceptic when my good friend Domenech put Lloris on the field to face Ireland… But he saved France (with the precious help of Henry’s hand of God…) especially when Keane almost kicked his face out instead of the ball he just pushed away in first half.
In this 1/4 Final 2nd Leg, Lloris definitely saved Lyon when he miraculously punched away Wendel’s attempt at 87th min. Some players do the show and qualify their team like Messi vs Arsenal. Lyon and Lloris just proved that a goalkeeper can also qualify his boys to the next round! Bordeaux can now focus on Ligue 1… Lyon will have to face Lille on Sunday!

To be honest, Lyon deserves its qualification and have definitely more chance to face Barcelona in Final than Bordeaux…

There is really not much to say about this. The better team did take the prize on this day. While I am a dedicated supporter of the Arsenal, it should be known that we were , for lack of a better word or two, simply outclassed.

All I keep hearing about is Messi, Messi, MEEESSSSIIIII. Truth be told, and I’m not trying to belittle his talent, but none of those goals he scored were anything spectacular. It was just pure and clinical finishing. Something you would expect for multi-million euro/year striker playing for a world class team in a world class competition.

The Gunners were lackluster to say the least. Silvestre looked as if he’d never played football a day in his life. The mistakes at the back were simply horrid. I don’t mean to be pointing fingers at Silvestre alone, but honestly why was Clichy running across the field to stop Messi on the break?

It is as if the whole squad took the day off to enjoy the beautiful beaches and decent swath of culinary dishes. I mean it must be better than the pies and chip buttys that they serve on the isles… at least I hope. (I have nothing against pies or chip buttys. I just like paella much better)

I figure I need to blame something though for the lack of organization, the shoddy passing and shallowness of heart that has disrupted our pure desire to…

BLOODY FINISH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

Seriously, is it the kits? Why the hell are we in S*urs WHITE? Nike take heed… it’s golden yellow and sometimes just yellow… not blue.. not banana peel… not kente cloth…

IT IS GOLDEN YELLOW with BLUE PIPING and KEEPER IS GREEN!

Nothing else, from now on. PLEASE!

It has to be the kits, nothing has been right since they put the Arsenal in the blue. We lost that stupid game to that stupid Shrek looking forward whose knuckles still drag the ground. We have not been ourselves since that record breaking season.

So, Arsene believes it is the beginning of another trophy-less finish. Well and good then. I said this two weeks ago but no one pays me for my opinion.

He also states in that same article from the Guardian, speaking on Messi. I like the quote.

He is like a PlayStation player. He can take advantage of every mistake you make. He can make a difference at any moment.

I believe he is correct on that assessment. I hope Arsene stays but I know it may not be long before he decides his time is done at the Arsenal. When that does happen, it can be assured that it will be a long time before any one else can put up such a long and for most part successful run.

~LeChat