Torquay United's most famous supporter, Helen Chamberlain
The drama next weekend in the Barclay’s Premier League will be confined to the battle for 7th place and the Europa League spot expected to be associated with it, and the relegation battle between (as of right now) five clubs.
While yesterday’s nil-nil at Old Trafford could have had a bit more quality to it, it was not a defensive affair, largely, and both sides went for it as much as they could. Arsenal is limited by a lack of drive and a baffling indifference in some matches, while United played a very controlled, limited attacking game to ensure there were no return volleys on the counter. Trying to explain that a team won a championship in a nil-nil draw to someone who doesn’t understand football is an exercise in frustration, though, and thus, I did not even try.
Full credit and all deserved applause to Manchester United. They have some magnificent footballers on the team, and the squad players are of high quality themselves. Three titles in a row is a magnificent feat. One would think that Liverpool might look back at the awful 2-nil defeat to Middlesbrough as the match that ultimately re-opened the door for United to win this title. United was fairly consistent all season long, though, and deserved this title. Congratulations.
Similar congratulations are in order for the Special One and Internazionale, who by virtue of AC Milan’s 2-1 loss at Udinese yesterday, won their 17th Scudetto yesterday without having to kick a ball in anger. While I would say that the quality of the football in Italy has largely been very good this season, the title race itself has been a foregone conclusion for quite some time now, really. Still, full credit to Mourinho’s lads and and another title for them.
Spain’s La Liga was also decided on Saturday, as with Real Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Villareal, Barcelona were gifted their 19th La Liga title.
Germany’s title race is still as hot as ever, though, and will be one to watch down the stretch. Let’s talk about today’s telly, shall we? Click through.
Torquay United’s number one fan (and sometimes less-than-clothed model) Helen Chamberlain will have reason to be excited today, as that United will be on telly against Cambridge in the Blue Square Premier Final. There’s a very tasty matchup from France in the afternoon. What else is on? That’s why I’m here, right?
All times EDT, as usual.
6:30 AM – Lokomotiv Moscow v. Terek Grozny – Russia – Setanta
8:30 AM – West Bromwich Albion v. Liverpool – BPL – Setanta
9:00 AM – Fiorentina v. Sampdoria – Serie A – FSC
11:00 – Torquay United v. Cambridge – Blue Square Premier Playoff Final – Setanta
11:00 AM – Chelsea v. Blackburn – BPL – FSC
11:00 AM – Villareal v. Real Madrid – La Liga – GolTV (delayed broadcast)
1:00 PM – Mallorca v. Barcelona – La Liga – GolTV
2:30 PM – Internazionale v. Siena – Serie A – FSC
3:00 PM – Atletico Madrid v. Valencia – La Liga – GolTV
3:00 PM – Marseille v. Lyon – Ligue 1 – Setanta
3:00 PM – LA Galaxy v. Columbus Crew – MLS – Telefutura
5:00 PM – Internacional v. Palmeiras – Brazil – GolTV
6:00 PM – Washington Freedom v. Boston Breakers – WPS – FSC
7:00 PM – Cucuta v. Equidad – Colombia – GolTV
7:00 PM – Pachuca v. Jaguares – Mexico – Telefutura
10:00 PM – CSKA Moscow v. Zenit St. Petersburg – Setanta (delayed broadcast)
Yes, congrats to Man Utd. They were consistently the best team over the course of the season. I will now go kill myself.
Up the Cottagers for the Europa League!
I believe the explanation for Man U’s championship being secured in a draw is down-post: FC Barcelona won its title in La Liga… without even playing a game day-of. So, it’s not always the champion’s record* that secures the title, but the failure of the sides around, be it from head-to-head or just other league action.
Really, too, it’s different than the Red Sox losing, but still taking the wild-card ’cause the Twins lost as well.
Americans just don’t like ties… Ergo, Tom Osborne. (Who also doesn’t like consensual sex, but that’s another story.)