Barcelona 1, Liverpool 0...but its the Reds who celebrate their advancement in the UEFA Champions League.
Chalk it up to another reason Americans will probably never 'get' soccer. I mean how can a team lose but still advance, right? The concept of away-goals and Cups and knockout competitions etc, really shouldn't be too hard to grasp.
Then again, when enough 'thick' Yanks make it so that 'Wild Hogs' nets close to $40 million bucks last weekend, well...come to your own conclusion.
Imagine new Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks during Tuesday's game againt defending Champions League winners Barcelona.
Hicks: You sonofabitch, we're going to lose. And I know how to lose, I'm the guy that signed A-Rod.
Liverpool club lackey: Sir, you don't understand. Since we won 2-1 at the Nou Camp, Barcelona needs at least two goals to beat us.
Hicks: You bastard, quit talking French. Aint there any extra innings in this sonofabitch.
Lackey: Sir, if you would just open your mind a little bit and listen.
Hicks: Jesus H. Christ. We are going to lose and you're telling me this gibberish. Why'd I buy into this sawker. At least I knew what I was getting into when I bought the Rangers from Dubya.
Ok. That probably never happened. And its doubtful that a guy like Tom Hicks is just a rootin' tootin' Texan sterotype as evidenced on an episode of 'Seinfeld.'. Though it is possible.
As for the game itself. It was pretty surprising that Liverpool came out and took it to Barca so hard. They really should have scored in the first half and ended the game right then and there.
Still, when Eidur Gudjohnsen scored in the 70-ish minute it turned a dull second half into the typical heart-in-mouth classic. People can say that soccer is boring because there is so little scoring. I personally think it adds to the drama. Those last twenty-odd minutes were as intriguing as they come even if it felt like Barca was never going to find the net again.
But if you don't appreciate it, there's always that tradition filled Arena Football League, for all yall sonofabitches.
Other stuff..
* Carlos Puyol might have a haircut that would make most muppets blush, but the guy has the goods.
* Ronaldinho...???? For a guy that is considered the best in the world, oddly silent. He had his chances too, but was well off-target a couple times. Worth keeping tabs on.
* Does John Arne Riise have a T-800 endoskeleton for a left foot? It's incredible how hard and fast the blasts fly off his boot. ... It's also a wonder why he's so good in Europe, but pedestrain in the league.
* There really is nothing like a European game at Anfield once those pale and pasty Scouse start singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone.' It is truly someting to behold.
Where do you get that in America? Unless it's Axl Rose, Gary Glitter or someother rocker leading the way on the PA, no where.
Liverpool fans ought to get their cellphone cameras out and record these moments the best they can, because they ain't happening once they move to the suburbs. (See: Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium, Maine Road, etc.)
* Lastly, there's a part of me that wants to like Liverpool. Everything about the club seems good. Plus with Gerrard, Kuyt, etc. They have very likeable players. Yet I simply can't embrace Rafa Benetiz. Not a great reason, but they seem to be doing well enough without me as a supporter.
* Elsewhere, mild surprise that AS Roma knocked out Lyon with two goals at the Stade Gerland. Watch the summer, Lyon is going be selling off a lot of talent.
Chalk it up to another reason Americans will probably never 'get' soccer. I mean how can a team lose but still advance, right? The concept of away-goals and Cups and knockout competitions etc, really shouldn't be too hard to grasp.
Then again, when enough 'thick' Yanks make it so that 'Wild Hogs' nets close to $40 million bucks last weekend, well...come to your own conclusion.
Imagine new Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks during Tuesday's game againt defending Champions League winners Barcelona.
Hicks: You sonofabitch, we're going to lose. And I know how to lose, I'm the guy that signed A-Rod.
Liverpool club lackey: Sir, you don't understand. Since we won 2-1 at the Nou Camp, Barcelona needs at least two goals to beat us.
Hicks: You bastard, quit talking French. Aint there any extra innings in this sonofabitch.
Lackey: Sir, if you would just open your mind a little bit and listen.
Hicks: Jesus H. Christ. We are going to lose and you're telling me this gibberish. Why'd I buy into this sawker. At least I knew what I was getting into when I bought the Rangers from Dubya.
Ok. That probably never happened. And its doubtful that a guy like Tom Hicks is just a rootin' tootin' Texan sterotype as evidenced on an episode of 'Seinfeld.'. Though it is possible.
As for the game itself. It was pretty surprising that Liverpool came out and took it to Barca so hard. They really should have scored in the first half and ended the game right then and there.
Still, when Eidur Gudjohnsen scored in the 70-ish minute it turned a dull second half into the typical heart-in-mouth classic. People can say that soccer is boring because there is so little scoring. I personally think it adds to the drama. Those last twenty-odd minutes were as intriguing as they come even if it felt like Barca was never going to find the net again.
But if you don't appreciate it, there's always that tradition filled Arena Football League, for all yall sonofabitches.
Other stuff..
* Carlos Puyol might have a haircut that would make most muppets blush, but the guy has the goods.
* Ronaldinho...???? For a guy that is considered the best in the world, oddly silent. He had his chances too, but was well off-target a couple times. Worth keeping tabs on.
* Does John Arne Riise have a T-800 endoskeleton for a left foot? It's incredible how hard and fast the blasts fly off his boot. ... It's also a wonder why he's so good in Europe, but pedestrain in the league.
* There really is nothing like a European game at Anfield once those pale and pasty Scouse start singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone.' It is truly someting to behold.
Where do you get that in America? Unless it's Axl Rose, Gary Glitter or someother rocker leading the way on the PA, no where.
Liverpool fans ought to get their cellphone cameras out and record these moments the best they can, because they ain't happening once they move to the suburbs. (See: Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium, Maine Road, etc.)
* Lastly, there's a part of me that wants to like Liverpool. Everything about the club seems good. Plus with Gerrard, Kuyt, etc. They have very likeable players. Yet I simply can't embrace Rafa Benetiz. Not a great reason, but they seem to be doing well enough without me as a supporter.
* Elsewhere, mild surprise that AS Roma knocked out Lyon with two goals at the Stade Gerland. Watch the summer, Lyon is going be selling off a lot of talent.
Labels: champions league, Soccer
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