Avoiding the Drop

Last week’s challenge was all about doing the “leg work”- if you were willing to sit in front of your computer for a long enough time, you could find all the answers.  It was actually pretty easy if you already knew the one site to check…

• What European team has had the same sponsor since at least 1981 and what is that sponsor?

PSV Eindhoven has been sponsored by Philips (Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.) since 1981. It will comes as no surprise that Philips has been headquartered in Eindhoven since 1891.

• Four current EPL teams have been sponsored by the same companies for a decade or more. What are the teams and who are their sponsors?

Bolton Wanderers F.C. have been sponsored by sportswear giant Reebok since 1999.

Liverpool F.C. have been sponsored by Danish brewers Carlsberg since 1993.

Stoke City F.C. have been sponsored by financial services company Britannia since 1996.

Wigan Athletic F.C. has been sponsored by retailers JJB Sports since 1993.

• What auto company sponsored teams in two different European leagues for over a decade each and what were those teams?

German automakers Opel (a division of General Motors) sponsored F.C. Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga from 1989 to 2002 and Serie A side A.C. Milan from 1994 to 2006.

• From 1987 to 1995 five EPL/Old First Division clubs stayed with the same sponsors- what were the teams and who were their sponsors?

From 1986 to 99 Arsenal F.C. was sponsored by Japanese electronics firm JVC.

From 1985 to 1996 Everton F.C. was sponsored by the Japanese IT company NEC.

From 1987 to 1999 Manchester City F.C. was sponsored by Japanese electronics company Brother.

From 1985 to 1999 Manchester United F.C. was sponsored by Japanese electronics company Sharp.

From 1983 to 1995 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. were sponsored by German brewers Holsten.

• Two SPL teams were sponsored by breweries for over a decade- what were the teams and what were the breweries?

From 1992 to 2003 Heart of Midlothian F.C. were sponsored by Strongbow Cider, a division of H.P. Bulmer.

From 1987 to 1999 Glasgow Rangers F.C. were sponsored by McEwan’s Lager, now owned by Dutch brewers Heineken.

• Two Serie A teams have been with their current sponsors for over a decade- what are the teams and who are the sponsors?

Since 1999 ACF Fiorentina have been sponsored by Japanese automakers Toyota.

Since 1995 F.C. Internazionale Milano have been sponsored by the Italian firm Pirelli & C. SpA, known primarily for making tires.

Nobody ran the table this week, but stalwarts Andrew B. and Jeff P. did the best jobs, so a tip of the cap to them.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the first Thursday Challenge of the New Year.