Champions League 2006/07

[Jockey]

Danny Kelly is a BBC sports presenter and internet publisher. He has worked in print and radio journalism for over twenty years. Here is a great article he wrote I'd like to share with you:

Danny Kelly

Wasn't it great last week to see German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the country’s first elected female leader, making a state visit to France? France is, of course, Germany’s oldest ally and a huge party was held to mark a century of peaceful coexistence between the two.

At the bash, music was provided by the group whom rock fan Merkel described as “undoubtedly the greatest English band of all timeâ€

[Jockey]

Very slow response on HHAD led to clicking more than one creating muti posts!

[Big Boy]

Jockey, are your hands still shaking with the excitement of it all, or is there some grand version of Night Crawlers that you're trying to qualify for?

[Wanderlust]

You are right Jockey, that is a great article. The same thing is happening in the Premiership, and it won't be long before they start airbrushing out the achievements of Derby, Nottingham Forest or Ipswich - as it is now they refer to Blackburn as being 'the only club outside the big 3 to win the title' which is a disgrace - Brian Clough must be spinning in his grave. Much as i dislike them and their manager, I actually want Bolton to carry on upsetting the big teams and win it this season, but that is unlikely unfortunately.

[Guess]

Interesting topic that will be discussed for many decades yet before a solution, If indeed one is needed, will be offered. They have had this problem in Formal since the mid sixties and over 40 years later are nowhere near a solution. The only thing that changes is where the money comes from.

I personally, am in favor of a western European League that would remove all the super clubs from there home countries leaving the national leagues much more competitive. This would assist in countries that are much greater affected than England. Scotland have always needed a way of getting the Supper Clubs into another tournament, even Rangers and Celtic joining the EPL has bee suggested.

I think it should be more widespread than that. The automatic qualifiers from, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal are the same every year so why not put them into a super league with another. Another League would be needed for the Eastern European clubs who are again usually the same teams every year. A promotion and relegation system would have to be cleverly devised but possible.

The European and EUFA cups could continue Europe wide. FA cup and League cup peacefully co-reside with the FA Prem.


Anyway Chelsea are top of their group so only one more thing for me to say:



. . . . . . B E N F I C A . . . . . .


And once the game is in the bag give the Pikey a swift kick in the balls.

[Big Boy]

The status-quo was restored tonight with Man Utd thrashing a Benfica side with everything to play for; and winning their group by a couple of points - even the Frenchman scored.

As for Celtic, they guaranteed their place against one of the big boys by losing in style against the might of Copenhagen - just goes to prove my earlier point ie when they are on the big stage, they try that much harder in the hope of being noticed. Fortunately for them, it worked in their last match.

[Guess]

Not necessarily such a big boy. If you look at the group leaders the only ones to worry about are Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manure. Celtic cannot get Manure so that leaves five other possibles. AC Milan, Valencia, Liverpool and Arsenal are struggling at home and Lyons can be beaten by Celtic easily.

The round after next will be the killer.

Unfortunately we have to wait a a week for the draw.

I don't know why but maybe because if the third place teams going into the Uefa cup before the last round has completed on December 14th

[Guess]

OOPS sorry wrong topic.

[BaaBaa.]

AC Milan, Valencia, Liverpool and Arsenal are struggling at home and Lyons can be beaten by Celtic easily.

Since when are Liverpool struggling at home?

Liverpool qualified 2 games ago.

Man U are poor in Europe and have been for Years and any of the teams you mentioned will comfortably beat Celtic over two legs.

[Bamboo Grove]

Don't worry BaaBaa, that's only Guess's logic, he's had a few toxic isotope polonium-210 shots in recent years by his idol Abrahamovitch

[Jockey]

It's a funny old game, 11 men against 11 men and our fans will be the 12th man at parkhead. I wouldn't be bothered if we lost both home and away as long as we get through. Let's face it. If you don't believe you can win, there's no point in getting out of bed at the end of the day! You've got to believe you can win, and I believe we can win the Champions league until the final whistle blows at the end of the next round and we're knocked out. I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel, all that remains is a few dots and commas to be crossed.

[Jockey]

Porto V Chelsea

Celtic V AC Milan

PSV V Arsenal

Roma V Lyon

Barcelona V Liverpool

Real V Bayern

Lille V Man U

Inter V Valencia

Prediction Celtic will draw 0-0 at home and 1-1 in Milan thereby getting in to last 8.

Last 8 will be Chelski, Celtic, Arsenal, Lyon, Barcelona, Real, Man U and Inter

[Thai Tam]

No Jockey Celtic will win both games. Already booked the day off was at the 0-1 game in '69 when Pratti scored.

We should be back to full strength and WGS will have the defence sorted out.

Huns game tomorrow then up for the Falkirk next week and fly out on Christmass day - will be in Crawfords on Boxing night - hopefully Ken will have the Dundee Utd game on.

You can buy me that pint you promised me.

Hail! Hail!

Tam

[Jockey]

No Jockey Celtic will win both games. Already booked the day off was at the 0-1 game in '69 when Pratti scored.

We should be back to full strength and WGS will have the defence sorted out.

Huns game tomorrow then up for the Falkirk next week and fly out on Christmass day - will be in Crawfords on Boxing night - hopefully Ken will have the Dundee Utd game on.

You can buy me that pint you promised me.

Hail! Hail!

Tam

Aw right Tam! See you boxing night

[Bamboo Grove]

As we now know the finalists, I thought I´d bring this topic up a bit. Come on Milan, this time you might need a 4-0 lead to be sure you´ll win.