There are a few games today, but the one on ESPN2 is good one. Barca vs. Chelsea with Barca up 2-1 from the first first leg. Should be a good game. Its on at 11:30 PACIFIC time.

damn it- was going to Tivo that one. oh well - uefa.com is the way to go to follow.

I'll be watching Milan-ManU later...

I'll be watching Milan-ManU later...

how ? I thought ESPN2 is showing Chelsea - Barcelona - are you outside the US ?

Um.. Crappy? Look at his from? :D

I'm an Interista, so I'll be pulling for ManU

Um.. Crappy? Look at his from? :D

yeah- reading before 1 in the afternoon - not my strong suit.. :D

There are a few games today, but the one on ESPN2 is good one. Barca vs. Chelsea with Barca up 2-1 from the first first leg. Should be a good game. Its on at 11:30 PACIFIC time.

Thanks for the reminder. Is the Man U-Milan game going to be on later?

Thanks for the reminder. Is the Man U-Milan game going to be on later?
Maybe on CoolStreaming but not on tv in the US

Woot. Game time.

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Chelsea take an early 1-0 lead in the 8th minute.

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Lyon also scores in the first 10 minutes.1-0 (4-0agg) over Bremen
Chelsea/Bacrelona 2-2 on agg.

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Chelsea take an early 2-0 lead in the 17th minute. Make that 3-0 in the 19th minute. They now have a 4-2 aggregate lead with an away goal in hand.

Ha ha,

Was checking out the ESPN commentary on soccernet, and saw this entry in the Milan-ManU game

"Maldini berates his team-mates, and urges more concentration. He's a true legend, and has incredible cheekbones and superb hair. What a man."

Dola,

Good lord that Chelsea Barcelona game is out of control already.

Ha ha,

Was checking out the ESPN commentary on soccernet, and saw this entry in the Milan-ManU game

"Maldini berates his team-mates, and urges more concentration. He's a true legend, and has incredible cheekbones and superb hair. What a man."

The announcers actually use stuff like this during the games in Italy. The first time I heard something like that, I just thought my interpretation was off.

Lyon is destroying Bremen as well - nice. Why the hell arent I at home watching Chelsea Barcelona ?

btw, uefa.com has the nicest setup by far.

SPOILER


























WOW What a goal by Ronaldinho

Are you kidding me? Ronadinho scores again and now Barcelona own a 4-4 aggregate lead on away goals.

damnit, I wanna go home and watch this game!

OMG!!! What a chance

AMAZING first half.

Game of the year potential ... if it isnt' already.

2nd half has been full of great saves. If you don't like soccer after watching this game, you never will.

A development in the Man U game ...

Just wondering something. The referee for Barcelona - Chelsea, is he a really famous referee? Why?

I think I've seen him on the cover of Winning Eleven 7/Pro Evo 3.

Wow ... is Lyon this good or is Werder Bremen this bad?

Wow ... is Lyon this good or is Werder Bremen this bad?
probably a bit of both...

Just wondering something. The referee for Barcelona - Chelsea, is he a really famous referee? Why?

I think I've seen him on the cover of Winning Eleven 7/Pro Evo 3.


Collina is the world's best ref. Looks like Mr Clean, and lays the law down, he never lets games get out of hand.

What a game.

amazing game indeed!

damn it- was going to Tivo that one. oh well - uefa.com is the way to go to follow.


Crappy, you on broadband?

I tivo'd it, but since my bro hasn't installed the thing on the DirecTivo to let me pull it to my computer, I'll be hunting the bittorrent sites for the game tonight.

Great great game.

I can't wait for GolTV to come to Seattle. I need to see more Ronaldinho. That second goal he scored might be the best of the year. Although I have to ask, how long have Barcelona been inflicting those tan away uniforms on people?

Desnudo: DirecTV, man, get with the program :D

Crappy, you on broadband?

I tivo'd it, but since my bro hasn't installed the thing on the DirecTivo to let me pull it to my computer, I'll be hunting the bittorrent sites for the game tonight.

Great great game.

Yeah, I might do the same.

I'm unhappy about Barca-Chelsea, since Barca actually play football, as it were for the most part. But I think Liverpool and Bayern go through tomorrow- unless Henry shows us the player the premiership has seen for the last 4 years.

Here we go again ... kickoff coming up.

Here's today's games.

Today's games: (all at 2:45 PM, Home team listed first)

Arsenal v Bayern Munich (Arsenal needs to win by two goals, trailing 3-1 after the first leg at Bayern)

Bayer Leverkusen v Liverpool (Liverpool lead 3-1, Landon Donovan expected to start for Leverkusen

Juventus v Real Madrid (Real Madrid head over to the Delle Alpi knowing if they score once, Juve will need to score three due to the away goals rule)

Monaco v PSV Eindhoven (PSV Eindhoven leads 1-0 after the home leg, and probably will advance if they can score tonight, since Monaco would need 3. I believe DaMarcus Beasley will play, He's not in the US squad for tonight's friendly against Colombia. I saw the goal he scored last week in the Dutch Cup. Amazing. Simply Amazing)

Ok, checking the lineups, Beasley's on the bench for PSV, while Landon Donovan did start for Leverkusen

SCORE!!!

Juve actually is playing an attacking game today, with Zalayeta, Ibrahimovic and Del Piero up front in a 4-3-3 formation. Looks pretty good for them this far.

Liverpool lead 1-0 on a Luis Garcia goal. Leverkusen still needs 3 to tie.

PSV take a huge away goal (from the awesomely named Jan Vennegor of Hesselink) to take a 2-0 lead in the tie. however, since they now have an away goal, Monaco will need 3 in the last hour or so to advance

Make that two!!!

Liverpool that is. I'd say game over ... but then again I've seen way too many Liverpool matches to say that.

Go Liverpool!!

And PSV seems like my second misprediction - oh well...

And Another for Garcia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

And the 2nd goal for Garcia pretty much kills off the tie.

5-1 on aggregate, but two away goals for Liverpool means that Leverkusen need FIVE now to advance

And the 2nd goal for Garcia pretty much kills off the tie.

5-1 on aggregate, but two away goals for Liverpool means that Leverkusen need FIVE now to advance

Where the hell has this Liverpool team been all year in the Premiership? Then again, after seeing the Werder Bremen score yesterday I'm beginning to have serious doubts about the Bundesliga.

Woot! Go Reds!

Nearly a 1st half hat trick for Garcia.

Halftime:

Current score (Aggregate)
Juventus 0-0 Real Madrid (Madrid 1-0)
Bayern Leverkusen 0-2 Liverpool ('Pool 5-1)
Arsenal 0-0 Bayern Munich (Munich 3-1)
Monaco 0-1 PSV Eindhoven (PSV 2-0)

Right now, the Madrid game is the only one really hanging in the balance. Arsenal needs at least 2 goals, PSV Monaco needs at least 3 goals, and Leverkusen needs a mortar round to land on the Liverpool dressing room.

Eh, Arsenal are in with a shout - this team can score with anyone. That being said, I see them scoring 2 and conceding 1 in the 2nd half..

Real is looking lively at the start of the second half. Ronaldo almost scored after outrunning both Thuram and Cannavaro.

Landon Donovan just got yanked. Not a good sign for the young American.

Arsenal is on the board.

Triple Dola -

Liverpool again. 3-0.

By my count Leverkusen and Bremen combined are down 16-3 on aggregate; and Munich is barely hanging on. Bad, bad, week for Bundesliga.

Milan Baros makes it 3-0 for Liverpool, and Leverkusen just looks dumb.

Arsenal score via Thierry Henry, so with 20 minutes + left, they need one more, and they'd advance on away goals.

DA BEAZ~! scores for PSV off the bench.

And on the PSV side .... Beasley comes in ... Beasley scores.

Not sure why this guy isn't starting anymore - he seems to score pretty consistenly.

Edit - beat me to it.

Real is looking lively at the start of the second half. Ronaldo almost scored after outrunning both Thuram and Cannavaro.

Juventus scores. Uh-oh...

Juventus scores through Trezeguet, assisted by Ibrahimovic.

Right now, we'd be headed to extra time at the Delle Alpi.. 1-1, if Real Madrid scores, Juve would have to score twice.

Leverkusen score a mercy goal, to make it look like less of an asskicking, in the 88th minute.

Leverkusen score a mercy goal, to make it look like less of an asskicking, in the 88th minute.
Read this on soccernet about Leverkusen's consolation goal: "To describe Leverkusen's goal celebrations as 'muted' would be criminally innaccurate. 'Nonexistent' might be closer to the truth."

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Full time at Highbury, Arsenal wins 1-0 on the night, but are out, 3-2 on aggregate.

Full time in Leverkusen, Liverool crush Bayern Leverkusen, 6-2.

Fulltime in Juventus, they'll play extra time.

Full time in Monaco, PSV advance, 2-0 (3-0)

goddamn it Arsenal- score!

Beasley nearly assisted on a 2nd goal late, called back for offsides in the PSV game

Halftime in Extra Time in Italy (juventus-R.Madrid)

. If neither team scores in the next 15 minutes, it's PK's..

wonder if Beckham will take one? :D

Oops, Beckham is already out. Nevermind

JUVE SCORES IN THE LATE STAGES OF EXTRA TIME!'

Zalayeta with a 117th minute goal!

Both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic were sent off in the 113th minute, so both sides were playing with 10 men at the time.

It's over. Juve through, Real DEVESTATED.

Ronaldo red carded?

Was it a brawl?

Here's the BBC's description.

RED CARDS
After deliberating with his assistant referee, Markus Merk sends Alessio Tacchinardi and Ronaldo. The Italian swung an elbow at Ronaldo before he in turn tripped him cynically off the ball. It was Tacchinardi's second yellow and a straight red for the Brazilian.

GOAL Juventus 2-0 Real Madrid
The ball breaks to Marcelo Zalayeta after poor control by Raul Bravo in the area and the Uruguayan fires a rifling volley beyond the flat-footed Iker Casillas.

Maybe on CoolStreaming but not on tv in the US

I think ESPN Desportes is showing all of the games. So if your cable provider has that offered you can watch them in Spanish. I ordered the Latin tier from Cox yesterday so I could get all the games. FXSAP also carries a lot of football. I did record the Milan-ManU game yesterday in the evening on ESPND.

Ronaldo red carded?

Was it a brawl?

Ronaldo was running past Tacchinardi off the ball when Tacchinardi just grabbed him and elbowed him in the face for no reason. Ronaldo then takes a hige swing at his leg when he goes past him, knocking Tacchinardi to the ground. Play carries on, when it stops th ref consults the linesman and sends both of them off.

We didn't give up a goal!

And Pascal Cygan didn't play.

Coincidence?

Hardly a coincidence, especially given how well Senderos played. He was Arsenal's best player, though Henry and (surprisingly) Lehmann also looked good. Pity about the other eight players, really.

According to Arseblog, Ash and JAR were utter shite. Weak showing. I think JAR needs to get a chance to sit for an extended period. Note that I say *chance* since I think he needs to get his head cleared, rather than being benched, and I think Wenger needs to make that clear to him. Perhaps even get him some runs with the reserve squad. Sadly, I don't think we have the depth to allow for that at the moment.

Oh, and I'm so sick and tired of Arsenal fans forever bitching and whining about Chelsea's money and using it as the reason for our lack of depth. STFU already.

Oh, and kudos to Chelsea. Ronaldinho gave them bulletin board materials and they responded as a good team should (read: as oppose to Arsenal). Without both Robben and Drogba. Almost gave it away with those two goals, though. Funky, if cool, looking goal by Ronaldinho. Much as it pains me to consider, unless Sol can start staying healthy for an extended period, perhaps Terry should start being considered as the permanent partner for Ferdinand? (Mind you, I want Sol to stay a Gunner for forever and a day.)

Cant believe

Liverpool v Chelsea at 2:30 eastern on ESPN 2... here's hoping the Liverpudlians knock the rich boys off of their horse. I'm expecting a goalless draw followed by penalties in which Chelsea wins, but I hope I'm wrong.

I'm thinking of bailing from work to watch this for a couple of hours- should be good.

I'm hoping for a heavy Chelsea win. Unlikable as the new Chelski may be, they're still not Liverpool. Kevin Keegan, Emelyn Hughes, Ray Clemence, John Barnes, Sammy Lee, Bruce Grobelaar, hated them all. I've always hated them and I'm not going to let the fact that they've been uncompetitive for years get in the way of my laughing when they get destroyed (hopefully).

The other semi is live on Setanta on DirecTV tomorrow, if anybody needs an excuse to fork over the $12 and sign up for it.

I predict an English team will reach the final.

Liverpool v Chelsea at 2:30 eastern on ESPN 2... here's hoping the Liverpudlians knock the rich boys off of their horse. I'm expecting a goalless draw followed by penalties in which Chelsea wins, but I hope I'm wrong.

How about very rich v. rich? I just hope for a good match. Unlike that yawn fest last time.

Also, is anyone else having a problem with the scoreboard ESPN2 uses during their CL games? During the Juventus v. Liverpool match, it often blocked out play if the ball was in the upper right quadrant of the field. During the first leg of this round, the card was always right at the edge of the player with the ball's head.

I'm trying to figure out if it's my tv, or if I should send in an email.

Is the game live or on delay? Its now 1155 PST and just weondering .

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Well, that last 15-20 minutes was absolutely incredible with a little bit of everything. What a way to finish the match with that last Chelsea shot going just wide as well. Hats off to both teams, they both gave it their all. It will be interesting to see if a conclusive view can be found of the Liverpool goal;I think they deserved it, but I'm still not sure it counted.

Well now... that was interesting. Chelsea did not look very good in that match. I'm still trying to find out why Mourinho took Cole out instead of Drogba.

That shot wide by Gudjohnsen, unbelievable... great game, great drama, but that shot wide is still stuck in my mind, and I can't quite deal with it. Congrats to Liverpool.

*******SPOILERS********

















Well, that last 15-20 minutes was absolutely incredible with a little bit of everything. What a way to finish the match with that last Chelsea shot going just wide as well. Hats off to both teams, they both gave it their all. It will be interesting to see if a conclusive view can be found of the Liverpool goal;I think they deserved it, but I'm still not sure it counted.

Everytime I see goals like that, I wonder why in the world no one has installed a camera along the touchline, a la the NFL.

Well now... that was interesting. Chelsea did not look very good in that match. I'm still trying to find out why Mourinho took Cole out instead of Drogba.To play all-out offense when needing a goal to reach the final?


Liverpool in the final, the season after selling Michael Owen. That's definately something unexpected!

I hope Milan or PSV can break Liverpool down. If you're a fan of defense, they're great, but it sure is tiring to watch. I fell asleep during the 1st half.

To play all-out offense when needing a goal to reach the final?


Liverpool in the final, the season after selling Michael Owen. That's definately something unexpected!
Good thing Owen made that move...European glory, etc etc ;)

I don't think Liverpool can deal with Milan... but I didn't think they could deal with Chelsea either. If it is Milan that goes through (which *should* definitely happen) they can break Liverpool down, and if they have Nesta they'll look a lot better defensively than they looked in the first PSV leg.

Everytime I see goals like that, I wonder why in the world no one has installed a camera along the touchline, a la the NFL.Because there are morons running the show called FIFA.

The entire soccer scene (players, coaches, refs, fans) wants camera's on the goal line. Everybody except the big fat football association people un in their ivory towers...

I hope Milan or PSV can break Liverpool down. If you're a fan of defense, they're great, but it sure is tiring to watch. I fell asleep during the 1st half.If that makes you fall asleep, don't even bother watching PSV-Milan tomorrow. ;)

Milan is still Milan: Italian and defensive minded from the 'keeper through the two-chances-one-goal strikers.

Even PSV has been called boring in the Netherlands, but that's for Dutch standards and Dutch standards demand all out offense 90 minutes per game, unless we're playing the rest of the world, who are killing the game with their defensive football.

To play all-out offense when needing a goal to reach the final?
I have more faith in Joe Cole than Drogba in scoring the clutch goal.

I have more faith in Joe Cole than Drogba in scoring the clutch goal.

It looked like the strategy was to lob balls onto tall players up front, so it made sense to leave Drogba in. It nearly worked, except Gudjonsen lost his composure.

chelsea were absolute wank. what a mediocre performance. they couldn't cross, couldn't pass, couldn't take a set piece, couldn't create a chance. miserable. i am sure liverpool had 12 guys out there, they totally out-thought and out-muscled chelsea. it was painfully obvious that all chelsea needed was someone who could get a cross in the box, yet they only delivered about 2 decent balls all night. weak.

i can't stand liverpool at all, and its a shame chelsea are out as they would probably provide a way more entertaining final, but i have grudging respect for a team that can defend like that. its british style football, and i rather enjoy that shit.

worst player: kezman. what a joke. i can't believe chelsea signed this guy.

Chelsea looked a little hungover, tbh. Robben was the worst play in my book.

Well that sucked, Liverpool boring their way to the Champions League final. Successful boring soccer, like Greece in the European Championships, will spawn more boring teams.

Got to hope now that Milan (assuming it'll be them) get an early goal against Liverpool in the final or it'll be a borefest.

Chelsea revealed what Man Utd have been showing all season: the 4-3-3 formation without width is impotent against a 5 man midfield committed to defence. Without width opposition fullbacks become extra centre backs, wide midfielders addional DMs and attacking play breaks up against a wall of centralised defenders. Without Duff and Robben the Chelsea attack lacked that width and managed just one shot on goal - and even that a direct shot from a freekick - much like their performances at the start of the season when they scored 8 goals from 9 matches and their recent games with Robben missing.

Mourinho should never have taken Cole off when he brought on Robben. He needed Cole on one wing and Robben on the other to stretch the Liverpool defence and create some space in the middle. First Kezman and then Huth ( ? :rolleyes: ) merely increased the crowding in the middle without any additional penetration.

The goal? If it wasn't a goal then it was a penalty! I think he gave Liverpool the benefit of the doubt because it was a penalty against Cech otherwise.

It looked like the strategy was to lob balls onto tall players up front, so it made sense to leave Drogba in. It nearly worked, except Gudjonsen lost his composure.
I disagree with using that strategy. That style is not what got Chelsea that far. You don't abandon what got you there so quickly.

I think the problem was that Duff was out and Robben wasn't at full match fitness. Without those two, Chelsea's options for attacking wing play are limited. Chelsea didn't have the players to implement their normal tactic. Just like at the start of the season, when they were awful (to watch).

Btw, any other soccer fans watching the PSV-Milan game on ESPN, which seems to be using the ESPN Deportes broadcast? Not that best way to do it (IMO), but Hell, I ain't complaining.

WOW! GO PSV!

It's on ESPN??

In my neighborhood (Atlanta), but I hear that's cause the Braves game was blacked out. So, I dunno. Though it's in Spanish. Sentanta has the English language rights.

In my neighborhood (Atlanta), but I hear that's cause the Braves game was blacked out. So, I dunno. Though it's in Spanish. Sentanta has the English language rights.
Ah, ok, that makes sense. We had the Braves game and now it's that 1st and 10 crap.

WOW... what a ending to the game!

Wow, what was PSV-ACMilan a nailbiter of a game. Exciting until the last second. But not with the desired final score. ...sigh...

Somehow Milan was able to find a way to score. I think they shocked everyone watching with that.

Somehow Milan was able to find a way to score. I think they shocked everyone watching with that.They somehow managed to score in the last minute of both games. You'd almost think they're German. Almost.

So much for a fun final, we're going to have one of those boring games with two strikers at the kickoff, one on each team...

Beasley is out 3-6 weeks with an injury from last weeks' league match. Hopefully he'll be fit for the US qualifiers.

They somehow managed to score in the last minute of both games. You'd almost think they're German. Almost.

So much for a fun final, we're going to have one of those boring games with two strikers at the kickoff, one on each team...

I wonder what the betting odds are on a 0-1 final with Milan scoring in the final five minutes of the match.

Five minutes? Huh! It'll be stoppage time! :p

9th minute of stopage time in extra time, to tie, after an overtime with no subs goals or cards...

What's the final?

3-3 on aggregate, with Milan having the only away goal.

I think the problem was that Duff was out and Robben wasn't at full match fitness. Without those two, Chelsea's options for attacking wing play are limited. Chelsea didn't have the players to implement their normal tactic. Just like at the start of the season, when they were awful (to watch).

Lack of depth! :D

If you watch PSV you'll see my point about opening up dedicated defences with wing play. Pity about Milan's 90 minute goal and the away goal rule :(

Saw the last 40 or so minutes. Even got the girlfriend to watch (and cheer for PSV)!

What an awesome last goal. As Mac said, pity the away goal rule. I was really hoping for PSV to go through.

At least it means AZ will reach the UEFA Cup final. European soccer history tells us that everytime two Dutch teams reach the semi finals of the European tournaments, at least one of them reaches the final.

Jinxed!

Darn it...

At least it means AZ will reach the UEFA Cup final. European soccer history tells us that everytime two Dutch teams reach the semi finals of the European tournaments, at least one of them reaches the final.

Jinxed!

Darn it...Who could have thought AZ would go out pretty much the same way PSV did 23 hours earlier?

Incredible.

I'm Speechless...

Well, you gotta admit, it was a good effort by AZ to get this far, full credit to them for a nice UEFA Cup run.

Aren't they in position for a CL birth next year?

Well, you gotta admit, it was a good effort by AZ to get this far, full credit to them for a nice UEFA Cup run.

Aren't they in position for a CL birth next year?Well, not anymore. AZ and PSV were in a close race for the national league title until AZ reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals. Right now, they have dropped back to third place, 4 points behind Ajax, with 3 games to go, while PSV clinched the title 2 weeks ago. Only the top team gets a CL birth, the second placed teams will have to play a 2-game knockout round. Third through fifth place go into the UEFA Cup.

Given that, AZ has had a great season and 2nd place is still mathematically in the optioind. It's really been a long, long, long (1981) time ago any team was able to seriously compete with PSV, Ajax and/or Feyenoord for the league title and the same is appliciable for reaching the final four in a European tournament (again outside of the top3 teams). Doing it both in the same season is even more amazing.

Well, not anymore. AZ and PSV were in a close race for the national league title until AZ reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals. Right now, they have dropped back to third place, 4 points behind Ajax, with 3 games to go, while PSV clinched the title 2 weeks ago. Only the top team gets a CL birth, the second placed teams will have to play a 2-game knockout round. Third through fifth place go into the UEFA Cup.
OK, I thought they had been in position but I hadn't checked for a couple weeks. I guess it would be tough for a smaller team like that to maintain their league position while focusing on a big cup competition like that.

Who could have thought AZ would go out pretty much the same way PSV did 23 hours earlier?

Incredible.

I'm Speechless...
Great game though... one of the best I've seen in a while. Both teams deserved to win, really.

What an awesome last goal. As Mac said, pity the away goal rule. I was really hoping for PSV to go through.

A PSV - Chelsea final would have been much more appealing even for this Lancashire lad :rolleyes: