Sunday, May 24, 2009

Liveblog: SPL final day


I am crazy.

That's why I set my alarm for 7.30 on a rainy Sunday with the idea that I would somehow put together a liveblog of three different games, one of which is not even on TV. Oh, and that game that is not on TV? That's the only one I care about. Join me (or read about my descent into madness later) inside for updates on Aberdeen-Hibs, Celtic-Hearts and Dundee United-Rangers.

While we are waiting, perhaps you can suss out exactly who the mysterious "Club X" is that Soccernet is introducing to Division 3?



0.00 Kickoff, I have no feeds.

0.00 OK, I have the Celtic match, I think. It keeps switching.

4.00 Guy keeps switching in between the two matches. I hate him.

6.00 GOAL GOAL GOAL Everyone's favorite diver, Kyle Lafferty, oddly not suspended by the team for this match slides home a goal for Rangers. 0-1 Rangers.

9.00 Yellow Card. Dundee United's captain Lee Wilkie carded for dissent.

10.00 Nice to see Mr. Match Fit USA here. I had both streams going, then they died. Please hold.

14.00 Down to one stream again. Currently, it is Celtic-Hearts. No idea what is happening in Aberdeen.

15.00 Me too, Mr. Davis.

17.00 GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL Lee Miller fires Aberdeen in front! 1-0, and Aberdeen have the inside track on the Europa League with United behind.

18.00 Okay, so the goal came 5 minutes ago. I'm doing the best I can without an actual video feed of the match.

18.00 I'll take it too, considering Hibs had the early shots in the first ten minutes, a fact I was in the process of discovering as the goal flashed across the screen.

21.00 United with a good effort there. Goodwillie had knocked down his man on an aerial challenge, then won the ball. His run into the box was impeded at the very last moment. And I've been switched back to Celtic.

23.00 Commentators there seem to be intimating that Hearts are in control of the match.

27.00 Celtic look indifferent. Back to United-Rangers

28.00 I must commend this pirate, his feed is very nice. Now if we can just find some more Rangers goals, though United have not looked very threatening.

30.00 A ridiculously bad clearance by the United keeper almost leads to an easy chance for Rangers.

31.00 It wasn't really threatening, but United almost curl in a corner. A lot of swerve on that one. Back to Celtic not caring.

32.00 And just like that, Hearts take a 30 yard shot and Boruc gives up a meaty rebound. Smothers it just before the visitors can get to it. Still 0-0

33.00 On the other end, off of a corner, Paul Hartley has a shot from 25 saved well. Get me off this game. With Rangers in front, this game has no meaning.

34.00 Celtic seem to have decided to play after all. McGeady ahd a run over the top of the box, passed to Nakamura who, from 12 yards out, was well saved. Resultant corner came to nothing. Back to Tannadice.

36.00 WSR--or it could even be Gretna2008, their spot is waiting for them.

38.00 David Goodwillie, Dundee United's playmaker on the pitch today, down with an injury. He limps off and will be okay.

39.00 SPL's leading scorer Kris Boyd, beats the keeper but not the guy on the line. Still 1-0.

41.00 Back to Celtic. Just in time to see one of them get knocked out like Martin Havlat. Back to Rangers.

43.00 Kris Boyd makes a meal out of an outstretched arm. No call, none deserved.

44.00 Edu gets slaughtered on the edge of the box. Free kick coming. Yellow card for some guy named Prince.

45.00 GOAL GOAL GOAL. Papac took the free kick which found traffic. It was cleared to Mendes who threaded it along the ground from 20 yards. 0-2 fucking Huns. I can't believe I'm excited for them.

TWEET TWEET TWEEEEEET Halftime everywhere. Rangers are in control of the title, and I could really use another Aberdeen goal. See you in 15.

Wow. Aberdeen seems to be running a couple of minutes behind. They got another one before the break, through the not-suspended Charlie Mulgrew to go up 2-0. But Derek Riordan pulled one back for Hibs, also in stoppage time. 2-1 at Pittodrie. I'm scared.

I must say, I'm kind of digging on the one feed switching back and forth. It's better than trying to pay attention to two feeds. (Plus, it's the only thing I can get that keeps running).

45.01 We're back in Dundee.

48.00 Stream's gone choppy. We'll see how long it lasts.

51.00 Sub coming in for United. Switch to Celtic. Must say that Edu really seems to have been a catalyst for Rangers run to a likely title. DMB, not so much.

53.00 GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL Rangers up 3-0. Kris Boyd. I didn't see it. Title race over.

Rangers have done what Wolfsburg did yesterday, and that is to make sure that there was nothing to worry about at the end. Mon the Dons, we need another. United have lost for sure.

55.00 McGeady wide from eight yards. It doesn't matter.

So, Wee Gordon Strachan out, or what? Celtic had the title sewn up in January, then lost the plot. Is he done in Glasgow?

Back to Rangers. They are celebrating in the stands, and there is no reason not to.

58.00 All I can offer on Aberdeen-Hibs are some stats. Aberdeen have a decent possession edge 57-43, are outshooting Hibs 7-6 with a 6-3 edge on target. Corners are 8-1. That's all very nice, but I want a third goal.

Fun (maybe) Fact: The SPL will have the greatest percentage representation in Europe next season. 6 out of 12 SPL teams will feature in European competition. Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, and Falkirk are confirmed. There's still fourth place in league and a fair play award to be decided. Motherwell led the fair play choice at last check, and Aberdeen, with half an hour left, are in the last league position spot.

65.00 I'm just plain nervous now, and it's too early to drink.

67.00 Feed has switched back to Celtic. It's a tomb in there.

jjf3-nice to see you up this morning. I would not be surprised, simply because Strachan has never been a popular manager, even while bringing home three straight titles and a nice CL run last season. I do think McGeady got out of line and was punished. Unfortunately for Strachan, it was at just the wrong time. But a gaffer has to control his team no matter what the consequence.

As for the big whale deal--yes, you are correct. Celtic fans are currently salivating over the poor finances of Rangers not realizing that, if there is no Old Firm alliance (the extreme-Rangers fold), they will not be able to strong arm the league like they have for decades.

jjf3-Don't tempt me like that. I need a fucking goal.

74.00 Nothing really happening at Tannadice. Both teams are just walking out the season. This is one of those games where it is a disservice if the ref adds injury time to the second half.

75.00 It's a few minutes behind, but Hibs have a RED CARD Ian Murray gets it in the 69th. He had a yellow earlier, so I don't know if it's a second or a straight red. God, it is going to suck when Hibs get an equalizer.

I think I may go puke.

80.00 A helicopter is flying over Tannadice. The SPL trophy is inside. Rangers fans are ecstatic.

83.00 Bastard Lafferty comes off. Aberdeen fans will appreciate that he scored the first goal today, no matter what happened last week.

Yellow card for Aberdeen. Get a goal you bastards. (my language skills fall to shit under pressure)

89.00 Poor David Goodwille. He really put in a good effort today. Nothing to show for it. One minute stoppage.

90.00 Celtic still scoreless, I don't care.

FUCK YEAH! Aberdeen awarded a penalty!

Rangers are your champions. Booo. They beat Dundee United today. YAY!

87.00 That ain't right. Aluko missed the penalty. I'm going to be sick but am not leaving my chair.

89.00 Hibs have had a couple of yellows late. Hopefully they have given up on scoring and are just focused on getting sent off.

90.00 It is in stoppage time.

Rangers just lifted the trophy. Lucky them.

YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Full Time in Aberdeen 2-1 final. Going to Europe! FUCK and YES.

LB is liveblogging the EPL's final day at 11 EDT. Stay tuned. I'm going to go pass out for an hour.



37 comments:

Jason Davis said...

Rangers score. 1-0

Jason Davis said...

I hate unreliable illegal feeds of matches I would otherwise have to pay to see disappearing for no reason and causing me annoyance.

Jason Davis said...

My wires are crossed. Watching Rangers-Dundee United, just got an update on Aberdeen-Hibs from the commentator, but I missed the details.

WhiteSpeedReceiver said...

Perhaps Club X is Gretna. It's lurking in the shadows as it suffers, not quite alive and not quite dead, waiting and pondering it's return from this living purgatory.

Jason Davis said...

Mendes might have just sewn it up for Rangers.

Jacob said...

I think he did. That was a great low finish into the corner.

WhiteSpeedReceiver said...

TJ:

Millwall 2-1 at the half.

/TJ

Jacob said...

Gonna riot one league higher, I guess.

jjf3 said...

Umlaut, if the fans I see each weekend at the CSC are any sign, Strachan is gone. Which, to my mind, is foolish and short-sighted. Then again, he is the guy who sat arguably their most influential player (McGeady) against Rangers for non-disclosed reasons (suspected/known personal differences).

Celtic fans have no clue that their club is one of two whales in a very, very small pond...(based on personal experiences)

jjf3 said...

Really, its never truly too early to drink.

My liver might disagree, but I've never heard it speak up...

Jim Hendry said...

'twas a 2nd bookable, umlaut..

also, Scunny equalized... 2-2!

jjf3 said...

Obviously, I don't keep close tabs on Celtic beyond what I hear, but I thought the McGeady suspension (deserved to my eyes) was long over before the Rangers game, which would make it purely a "manager's decision". That made it seem personal, rather than disciplinary...

ATD's reminder that Rangers has owned the last 2 decades puts Strachan's performance in a different light, to my eyes. If Blackburn goes on a 3-4 year CL run, I hope I'm not bitching when the season we drop back to Europa...(probably will be, but I'd like to think not)

wow, Riise isn't all crap...

Jacob said...

IRON!

jjf3 said...

ugh, me fail grammar and shit...

I hope I'm not bitching DURING the season we drop back to Europa*


*things I will never have to anguish over

Jim Hendry said...

Sparrow with a brace for Scunny, Alexander with a gorgeous brace for Millwall (including a late goal of the season contender)... and minutes ago, Alexander put a header wide from 5 yards out that has to be one of the misses of the season..

Jim Hendry said...

scunny! scunny!

Jim Hendry said...

can we start a "It's always Scunny in the Colaship" tag for next season?

Jacob said...

What happened? A winner?

Jim Hendry said...

umlaut: Scunny are now up 3-2 with less than 5 mins to go. Goalie fumbled a cross, I think, and with the ball bouncing around in the box a while, Scunny blasted it home.

Jacob said...

He pulled a Cech? That was my favorite liveblog EVAR.

jjf3 said...

@JT: sounds like a good game to watch on Monday, regardless of final result (got it recording - could not wake up that early this morning)

Jim Hendry said...

ha, something like that. which liveblog was that, btw? I've nothing to do until 11am, and I'd rather read than watch Serie A

Jim Hendry said...

jjf3: definitely. you should watch.

Jim Hendry said...

instant classic... the 1st half was phenomenal

Jacob said...

Turkey-Czech Republic. Last Father's Day.

Jim Hendry said...

ah yes, that was a good 'un.

Note: will Rangers let Ferguson and Boyd get drunk tonight?

Jim Hendry said...

and did Aberdeen score their penno?

jjf3 said...

Turkey-Czech(Cech) was an all-time classic. I'd watch that again and again...too bad I don't record games I'm seeing live... :(

Jacob said...

no, goddammit.

jjf3 said...

Man, the one Rangers fan at the bar is going to be blissfully obnoxius today. With any luck, he'll have run the Celtic mopers out before I get there...

Jim Hendry said...

sorry :( :(

meanwhile... Welcome Scunny to the Colaship!

It's always Scunny!
It's always Scunny!

No Danny DeVito, though

Jim Hendry said...

I bet Pedro Mendes is happy to no longer be at Pompey..

jjf3 said...

Way to go, Dons!!!!!

Reasonable Doubt for a Reasonable Price said...

Good on Setanta for interviewing the only four Newcastle fans you'd understand on TV.

jjf3 said...

cheers, all! Enjoy your unconsciousness, umlaut.

I'm off to watch the relegation wars, draft beer in hand...

Fake Brian Gregory said...

Strachan out.

King Garry I Of Swandanavia said...

I'm heartbroken. We were doing so well at New Year. And then, as has become customary in the SPL, the arse falls out of the leaders campaign.

However, the MIGHTY MIGHTY HOOPS shall once again rise up and piss a heady brew of urine onto the soap-dodging scum of rangers.