Comments on: Champions League Quarterfinal Draw: Liverpool-Chelsea, Again, Again, Again

By: Anti English, or Anti Football? « Studs Up

Anti English, or Anti Football? « Studs Up — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:09:24 +0000

[...] Phillips at The Run Of Play sums up the absurdity of this quite nicely with the first paragraph of his response to the Champions League draw. For me, it is a symptom that perhaps something is not quite right. But, having said that, is this [...]

By: Elliott

Elliott — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:59:55 +0000

I definitely agree that Italy and Spain produce more talented homegrown players, but their leagues are also flooded with South American talent. The biggest difference is sovereign wealth funds: they tend to stay away from the continent where the line between politics and sport and money can blur a bit too uncomfortably. The Brits may be a bit stuffy, but they keep their hands pretty clean by comparison

By: Joao Jorge

Joao Jorge — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:30:23 +0000

As regards the EPL Vs Serie A Vs La Liga debate, it just seems to me that the EPL has the more professional approach to the structure of the league. Given the same level of organization, both the continental main leagues would wipe the floor with the EPL clubs, mainly because there homegrown players are better.

By: Joao Jorge

Joao Jorge — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:28:06 +0000

in the UEFA cup history, the latin vs Northern periods of domination are very well documented (latins clubs 55 – 66; Northern clubs 67 – 82; Latin 82 – 98; mixed 98 – 04; Northern 04 – present). Also, for all the number of clubs that have played, there has been a surprisingly low number of winners.

By: Elliott

Elliott — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:09:09 +0000

Whoops forgot about Arsenal. Yeah 2:1 is a pretty good ratio, but I’m still not sold on EPL domination as a historical fact or recent occurence

By: Elliott

Elliott — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:08:17 +0000

The Spanish league has 2 teams to the EPL’s 3. I’m not sure I follow that claim. United won the title last year, but before that? Milan beat Liverpool. And before that? Barcelona beat Arsenal.

Its wonderful that EPL teams consistently make the final, but I would only bet on a british team winning the final if it were pit against another English team.

By: Joao Jorge

Joao Jorge — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:35:08 +0000

as for a EPL domination, i guess it reflects just how badly the Spanish and Italian Leagues are run…

By: Joao Jorge

Joao Jorge — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:34:00 +0000

i just think that, somehow, historically, ever since the Champions league format came about, there has been a lot of ties that became common. I remember, a few years back, when a ECL season had to have a Man Utd – Bayern, a Real Madrid – Bayern, and a Chelsea – Barcelona, a Dortmund – Juventus, Bayern – Lyon or a Chelsea – Liverpool tie (oh, wait…)

By: KingSnake

KingSnake — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:18:47 +0000

I could afford to buy Kaka in Zimbabwe dollars …

By: Elliott

Elliott — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:05:32 +0000

I think J is onto something about the pound and the rise of the anglo game. Maybe if instead of a 6 + 5 rule, Sepp Blatter should singlehandedly peg the pound to the chinese yen which is pegged to the US dollar.