Saturday, March 21, 2009

The UF Clubhouse- Saturday Open Thread



Update (from Spectator): As can be seen from these pictures, the Premier League title race appears to be back on.... And this is why we love English football.

Good morning mates. Today is another day packed full of footie. As seasons move into the final third, title races are tightening, Euro berth races are more intense, and so are relegation battles. It is quite simply squeaky bum time.

In England, Man U looks to recover against Fulham from the thrashing it suffered last weekend at the hands of Liverpool. Chelsea and Arsenal look to continue their form against Spurs and Newcastle respectively. The marquee matchup occurs on Sunday as Villa looks to regain form against Liverpool and stay in the race for the final CL spot with Arsenal. Liverpool wants to continue its astounding form.

Germany's title race is great. Top five teams separated by only 6 points and two through four tied on points, while The Hoff has cooled and looks to get back into the race. La Liga has Barcelona looking to wrap its fingers around the throat of the league championship again and Real Madrid hopes to stay in touch with Barca. The big Serie A match is Roma v. Juve. Roma needs a victory to maintain hopes for a CL spot next year and Juve needs the win to keep its hopes up for a league title.

Select games after the jump


England (All Times ET)

Saturday
(8:45 am) Portsmouth v. Everton
(11:00 am) Blackburn v. West Ham
(11:00 am) Fulham v. Man U
(11:00 am) Stoke City v. Middlesbrough
(11:00 am) Tottenham Hotspur v. Chelsea
(11:00 am) West Brom v. Bolton
(1:30 pm) Newcastle v. Arsenal

Sunday
(9:30 am) Wigan v. Hull
(11:00 am) Man City v. Sunderland
(12:00 pm) Liverpool v. Aston Villa

Bundesliga

Saturday
(10:30 am) Bayern Munich v. Karlsruhe (Bayern tied in second on 45 points)
(10:30 am) Stuttgart v. Hertha Berlin (Hertha sits in first and Stuttgart wants to get back in the CL race)
(10:30 am) The Hoff v. Hannover 96 (Hoff is struggling and down to 4th)
(10:30 am) Arminia Bielefeld v. Wolfsburg (Wolfsburg tied in second on 45 points)

Sunday
(12:00 pm) Schalke v. Hamburg (Hamburg tied in second on 45 points)

La Liga

Saturday
(5:00 pm) Sevilla v. Valladolid (Can Sevilla continue its charge up La Liga?)

Sunday
(12:00 pm) Real Madrid v. Almeria
(12:00 pm) Osasuan v. Espanyol (6 point relegation match)
(2:00 pm) Barca v. Malaga
(4:00 pm) Mallorca v. Atletico Madrid

Serie A

Saturday
(3:30 pm) Roma v. Juventus (Roma's CL dreams will take a big hit)

Sunday
(10:00 am) Inter v. Reggina (Can Inter maintain in match with cellar occupants?)
(10:00 am) Genoa v. Udinese (Genoa sits in 4th)
(10:00 am) Fiorentina v. Siena (Fiorentina in 5th on GD)
(3:30 pm) Napoli v. AC Milan (Meelan in 3rd 12 points adrift)

244 comments:

1 – 200 of 244   Newer›   Newest»
Kopper said...

Norwich have a tough trip to Birmingham today. I'd be happy with a point. A loss could hurt.

jjf3 said...

How do you NOT mark Crouchaldinho on a set piece into the box??

The NY Kid said...

Spartak v Spurs - C'mon, meteor!

Spectator said...

Crouchy's eating nachos! Crouchy's eating nachos!

The NY Kid said...

delayed kick for Spartak v Spurs. Perhaps Hiddink ate some bad borscht?

Spectator said...

Uhhhhh.... so why is the Chelsea Spurs game on FSC delayed a half hour?

Jacob said...

Why is the KO delayed?

Jacob said...

Glad to see we are all full of info this morning.

CWY2190 said...

BBC is mentioning rumors of a "suspicious package" outside of White Hart Lane.

Spectator said...

Looks like there was maybe some sort of incident outside the stadium
http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/03/21/sports/OUKSP-UK-SOCCER-ENGLAND-TOTTENHAM-DELAY.php

Jacob said...

Yeah, it's something outside. Arsene was right.

Jacob said...

Dammit, now you are doing it to me. I won't play Andrew's game.

The NY Kid said...

I blame Abramovich

Spectator said...

Heh.... I am the champioooon of the UF comments! Come try to take my crown, I dare you!

Jacob said...

BBC lie text says a car may be the "suspicious package".

/No meteor jokes here.

Spectator said...

Well seeing as how I can't find a feed of the Man U v. Fulham game, I'm watching John Oliver on Comedy Central. That dude is hilarious!

The NY Kid said...

I'm serious, man - I think Roman pissed off the Russian Mafia.

Spectator said...

And here is the tie-in... John Oliver is a Liverpool FC supporter.

Jacob said...

That should have been Live Text, but oh well.

Budesliga has started slowly this week. Only match with multiple goals so far is Hoff-Hannover at 1-1. HT soon there.

Spectator said...

Get in! Exeter up 1-0.

Jacob said...

Fulham!

Jacob said...

Red for Scholes too

Get in!!!

Spectator said...

Scholes got the red for blocking a goalbound shot with both hands. C'mon Fulham!!

Jacob said...

Ha ha, slowpoke.

The NY Kid said...

down goes Spectator!

Jacob said...

HT in Germany
Cottbus 0-0 Cologne
Hoff 1-1 Hannover
Stuttgart 0-0 Hertha
Dortmund 0-0 Werder Bremen
Bayern 1-0 Karlsruhe
Leverkusen 1-1 Frankfurt
Arminia Bielefeld 0-1 Wolfsburg

Still undecided between Cologne and Werder.

Spectator said...

And Accrington equalize against Exeter. Blah!!

Spectator said...

Hey I knew you posted first!! I was adding more info. :)

Jacob said...

Blackburn have conceded.

Jacob said...

A likely story.

Jacob said...

Mad Jens and co. take the lead over Hertha right out of the break. Voronin is going to need to get his chest in the game.

EbullientFatalist said...

@Umlaut: Andrew's game? Like Ender's game, but better?

jjf3 said...

What's Portuguese for "Le Sulk"? Ronaldo is quite the twat...
ManUre look like a mid-table team at best right now...FFC is controlling the action, and look like the only team that showed up ready to play.

Jacob said...

Uh oh, Norwich down.

Repeated playing of Andrew's game may make me bash my head into a wall, putting me in a coma, so that part's kinda the same.

jjf3 said...

Also, based on Ferdinand and Evans' performance, Vidic is probably the player of the year in the EPL

Jacob said...

German games are heating up. Koln up 2-0 on Cottbus. Stuttgart put a second past the leaders. Wolfsburg up 2-0 on Bielefeld and Dortmund have taken the single goal lead on Bremen.

EbullientFatalist said...

Yeah, the Bundesliga is the most exciting league this year. 5 clubs have legit shots of taking home the title.

Bigus Dickus said...

SAMMMMMMMMMY...SAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMY

GET IN. F#$K YOU REF. GET IN 1-1

CAMON NORWICH!!!

Jacob said...

Agreed. Come on Norwich.

Spectator said...

Wow FSC just showed the Scholes handball.... What a sloppy play!

Spectator said...

And GET IN NORWICH!

jjf3 said...

Shwarzer is GIANT in goal, saving two sure goals back to back!

Adam said...

I picked up Danny Murphy in fantasy this weekend. That is the first time one of my new fantasy pickups hasn't totally shit the bed.

Teeknuts said...

How much time is left in the United game? I kinda just got up.

jjf3 said...

15 plus added...

Spectator said...

MODRIC!

Adam said...

Its upside down day in the prem today!

Sarah said...

@Adam - I really hope that doesn't apply to the Arsenal - Newcastle game.

Teeknuts said...

Sky sports Soccer Saturday is a lot of fun, so much yelling and the host is so dramatic.

jjf3 said...

5 plus added to go...cmon FFC

EbullientFatalist said...

C'MON FULHAM!!!

I'll be back for the Gunners match. Spec, will you be here to trump every observation I make? Any other takes for Andrew's game?

jjf3 said...

2-0!!!!!!!!! Gera

EbullientFatalist said...

GERA!!!!!

jjf3 said...

and rooney is OFF!!!!!! Holy shit SAF is going to turn purple after this one...

EbullientFatalist said...

Yes, Fulham, yes. Bring Man U back into the pack. Good on you, Cottagers.

Teeknuts said...

Oh god this just keeps getting better. Now Rooney's off

Adam said...

Me too Sarah, I'm a little nervous now with the way everythings going today.

EbullientFatalist said...

@Adam, Sarah, et al. - I'm ansty about today's match. Gunners can make up significant ground, and put some distance between them and Everton and Villa. This is a critical, critical day. Not that you guys didn't already know that.

bp said...

Bad day for runty red-heads at the Cottage.

Adam said...

If Arsenal and Liverpool win I will be happy as hell.

Sarah said...

Oh, Fulham. I love you.

And yes, I'm nervous about the match too. We've been so unpredictable lately, so I have no idea what to expect.

Spectator said...

Best part of Man U loss.... Two weeks until they play again thanks to internationals. So two weeks of "Man U's Epic Collapse" stories in the British media.

Meanwhile, Exeter wound up losing. Dammit.

Teeknuts said...

I really don't want Stoke to stay up this year, I wish Boro could have won that one, but I guess you can't play Liverpool every day.

Bigus Dickus said...

yes......1-1. great point City. Plymouth and Forest lost. 2 point away from zone now. What a result....Up the City, Bryan Gunn is a god!

Spectator said...

@Teek: Amazing that Southgate still has a job!

The Fan's Attic said...

wow...what a save by gomes.

Spectator said...

Gomez with a great save! And Lennon with a shocking play on the other end.

Wait, why am I rooting for Spurs? Ugh!

Ben said...

because chelsea is the root of all evil.

i can't believe lennon just blew that.

30f said...

Ballack could not look any more 'toast' if he were actually mad of bread singed brown by an electric device.

BackBergtt said...

Holy shit and Danny Murphy scored? I swear to god, the man just has some strange knock for beating United. I love him to bits.

The Fan's Attic said...

how did that not go in for chelski?

Ben said...

i have no idea but i'm not complaining

Spectator said...

Wowee zowee what a day!

Spectator said...

Okay, no Michael Owen for Newcastle.... This should be a walk in the park for the Arsenal, and yet I somehow have a feeling it will be a slog.

Sarah said...

I have faith in RVP and Arshavin.

The NY Kid said...

O/U on missed sitters from Bendtner is 3. I'm taking the over

Jacob said...

Over.

Other league round up
Falkirk demolished Inverness CT 4-0. Rangers gave up a two goal HT lead at home to draw 2-2 with Hearts. Hamilton-St Mirren and Hibs-Aberdeen both finished at 0-0. I hate my club.

Bundesliga leaders Hertha Berlin did end up losing to Stuttgart by the 2-0 scoreline. Bayern are in second after a 1-0 win over bottom Karlsruhe and Wolfsburg are in third after their 3-0 away win. Hoff and Hannover played to a 2-2 draw. Hoff are really struggling anymore.

Goat said...

Greetings, all. The kid's in bed for a (hopefully) 2 hour nap, the wife's out of town, and the beer's cold. I just now saw the results of this morning's games. Anyone know how Deuce did?

Jacob said...

I know he fought off food poisoning to play, I don't know about how he did.

Jacob said...

80 minutes, yellow card for fantasy purposes.

Spectator said...

Decent shot by Bendtner. He's got the under so far.

Goat said...

Holy shit, Bendtner got that on goal.

Jacob said...

This game has to open at some point, right?

jjf3 said...

Deuce started on the left wing, was pretty active, but nothing more impactful than a few speculative 20-25 yarders before he was pulled after 80+. Announcers mentioned he had food poisoning during the week, which might explain his lack of greater impact...(I missed the first 15 or so, so I can't speak to the early minutes)

Goat said...

Spectator, how do you do that?

Jacob said...

That could have been a hand ball. Came of Bendtner's head into the defender's elbow. No protests, though.

Spectator said...

And then a corner screwed out of bounds.

Spectator said...

@Goat: Because I AM THE CHAMPION of the UF comments. (heh)

Goat said...

I think it's funny how the announcer thinks that Rosicky is coming back.

Goat said...

Oh yeah.

Jacob said...

He must be the only one. The rest of us have given up.

Jacob said...

Screw you, Duff.

EbullientFatalist said...

My goals in Iraq is down and justin and his television aren't helping. Any suggestions?

Jacob said...

I'm confused. I thought Almunia was the vice captain.

Goat said...

Duff? More like Muff, amiright?

Jacob said...

FSC, Andrew.

Ben said...

I don't think Rosicky actually exists.

EbullientFatalist said...

@Lennon's Eyebrow: He's a mythical creature, like that Brazilian center mid Arsene thinks he has.

Goat said...

Damn RVP's chocolate leg

Sarah said...

I honestly can't even remember watching Rosicky play for Arsenal. I remember him from the World Cup, and I remember being happy we signed him, but that's about it.

And I'm having major stream issues too, sorry.

Jacob said...

PK, Andrew. SAVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spectator said...

Hahaha.... Newcastle blows. That was a crap penno call, terrible shot by Martins.

Teeknuts said...

That was a bad penalty

Sarah said...

Almunia!

Jacob said...

Martins saved.

PK was on Almunia after he dropped a high ball and tackled the NUFC player that was on the ball.

EbullientFatalist said...

@Umlaut: really? That's pretty damn phenomenal. I won't do it today, but I'll keep it in my pocket for a rainy day.

Jacob said...

Damn this sustained pressure. I don't like it.

EbullientFatalist said...

Yes, Almunia! That should kill NUFC's confidence, right?

Jacob said...

Yeah. Lemme find the link.

Teeknuts said...

Taylor with the nice block there

Spectator said...

Just me or is this game unusually quiet? Does someone need to wake up the Geordies?

Ben said...

@Andrew
at that link it may tell you to join the audience or some shit but just click that and it'll work

Jacob said...

@ Andrew- FSC Broadband for when Mesopotamia is not meeting you needs.

Goat said...

How soon until Owen is in MLS?

Spectator said...

Oh jesus Taylor with a shiver to Arshavin.... deserves a red.

Goat said...

How is that not a card?

Jacob said...

Red for that, come on. Yellow at least. He sized up Arshavin (which is tough to do).

Jacob said...

Thank you, Clichy.

The NY Kid said...

Halsey sucks. Should be a YC, minimum.

EbullientFatalist said...

Thanks for the help fellas. I managed to get a stream. C'mon Gunners!!

Nuke showing some good pressure, which makes me nauseous.

Teeknuts said...

Is there any reason they keep showing these near-suicidal Newcastle fans? I kinda get that Newcastle isn't very good this year

Jacob said...

NCFC's fans, at least, are feeling it. Come on Arsenal.

Teeknuts said...

These ads on this stream are confusing. One just offered me cheat codes for a movie.

Spectator said...

Oooooh nice run by Arshavin! You know, for all the jokes about his short height, he has a low center of gravity and great ball control. Love the signing.

Goat said...

Teeknuts, every time they show a Newcastle fan I'm reminded of that picture of the fat, shirtless dude with NUFC tattooed on his ample belly standing next to Mike Ashley. It's not a pleasant image.

Goat said...

He's like Barry Sanders.

Spectator said...

Newcastle's players sure are clumsy lummoxes. No wonder they're in the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Arsenal is being Arsenal.... sigh.

Teeknuts said...

I can see him giving Vidic and Ferdinand trouble if they meet in the CL

Spectator said...

Future Arsenal signing Bassong is coming off.

Oh and that shot of some Geordie's dress up as Mexicans with sombreros and mustaches. What???

Ben said...

Yeah, I'm pretty thrilled we shelled out the extra cash to Zenit this summer for Arshavin and we wound up taking more than 2 points from our first 8 games and then he didn't sign for our rivals and help them reclaim champions league football. Thanks Levy.

Spectator said...

@Teeknuts: Too bad he's cup tied and can't play in the CL this year. Bummerz.

Teeknuts said...

Hmm that would be a problem. Well when they meet at Old Trafford then. Also, if I moved to Newcastle, would is there some law that says I would have to shave my head?

Jacob said...

Only peer pressure. And lice.

Goat said...

Here's the picture I'm thinking of:
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q274/dale_toon/beefy__mike_ashley.jpg
Hopefully it will get stuck in your head too. If you actually cut and paste it, that is. I can't do the linky thing.

Spectator said...

Stephen Taylor with a couple very good saves.... Arsenal turning the screw at the end of the first half. Definitely something to build upon for the second half.

Teeknuts said...

Yeesh. Was that really necessary?

Goat said...

It was the only way to get it out of my head and into yours.

Teeknuts said...

Is this like The Ring, where I need to show that to someone else to avoid horrible nightmares?

Jacob said...

We've used that photo before. It got similar reactions.

Jacob said...

Ha ha. Nova is drubbing UCLA. UCLA sucks it up one game after I wanted them to.

jjf3 said...

I just switched over to the Colaship game, and I believe it is safe to say that if you are ever to be lost at sea, a Reading away jersey would be the shirt of choice. Its a shade of orange that I believe can be seen from low earth orbit...

Goat said...

There's no avoiding the nightmares.

Jacob said...

Is that game really still 0-0?

phil said...

I move that that pic never been shown here again. I was just about to eat. So much for that.

The NY Kid said...

@Teek - unfortunately for you, we've all seen it already, and there are no "tagbacks." You need to email to some unsuspecting schlub.

jjf3 said...

still 0-0, doesn't seem like much of a game to watch, though. Granted, that's only watching a few minutes here and there - I might have missed the good parts...

Goat said...

Who's liveblogging the Crew game tonight?

Goat said...

That gets a yellow?

Jacob said...

Can we get a gif of Rooney throeing the ball, getting his red, then punching the corner flag on the way out?

Goat said...

I was just kidding about the Crew game. There's no need to fight amongst yourselves over who gets to do it.

The NY Kid said...

c'mon, Goat - you didn't enjoy my Sounders v Red Bull liveblog?

Teeknuts said...

That was almost a horrible mistake by the defender, he was lucky there

Goat said...

NYK, unfortunately I missed most of it. Your liveblog, not the game.

Jacob said...

Get rid of Diaby. Can't do a thing with the ball if the last third.

Jacob said...

HAHAHAHAHA The Useless Dane!

The NY Kid said...

GET IN NICKLAS!

Teeknuts said...

Wait, Bendtner? You're joking right?

Goat said...

I've always loved that Bendtner kid.

Goat said...

Never mind

Jacob said...

Thank Jeebus Diaby didn't send that ball in.

Teeknuts said...

That's something right there. Entertaining match.

Jacob said...

&^(*&^@*^%$@&^$%*&

Spectator said...

Martins equalized... Gallas cleared it right into his feet. 45 seconds between goals.

MoonshineMike said...

Is Gallas credited with an assist on that one?

Jacob said...

Is Taylor hurt?

Screw you defense.

Spectator said...

Okay, if NUFC now has zero central defenders playing, Arsenal should be able to score, right?

Goat said...

It seems like ManU and Newcastle have somehow switched places today--Newcastle appears to be unable to get a card while ManU gets two reds.

The NY Kid said...

ABOU DIABY!

Jacob said...

Fuck yeah.

And, uh, good job on Diaby.

jjf3 said...

Reading should have just given up a PK, but the ref says it was a millimeter outside the box. It was defender's 2nd YC, so Reading down to 10, still 0-0

Spectator said...

And to answer my own question: yes. Diaby with a great goal on a give and go straight down the middle!

Teeknuts said...

That was great build up to the goal. Impressive.

Goat said...

Where all you Diaby haters at now?

EbullientFatalist said...

DIABY AND BENDTNER?!?!?!111!!?!?!

If you'll now excuse me, I'll be preparing for the doomsday.

Jacob said...

Right here, Goat. I owned up to it.

Goat said...

Me, I'm just a Diaby disliker.

The NY Kid said...

sweet mullet on that Geordie

Jacob said...

Michael Owen has 25 minutes to get an injury after running his mouth this week. Think it will happen?

Jacob said...

3-1

Goat said...

I'm just kidding. I still hate Bendtner and Diaby.

The Fan's Attic said...

michael owen scores right? he always scores coming back from injury.

steven taylor off...arsenal should get another goal.

speak of the devil. nasri.

Teeknuts said...

So they replaced an injured player with someone who's gonna get injured?

Spectator said...

And now the rout is on finally! Nasri with a goal off RvP assist.

Sarah said...

Nasriiiiii :D

The NY Kid said...

SAMIR NASRI!

Goat said...

Nasri on the other hand

Jacob said...

I don't even think I had gotten around to hating on Nasri yet. Slow down Arsenal. I can't keep up.

Jacob said...

Couple of nice saves there.

The Fan's Attic said...

harper with some nice work.

Teeknuts said...

Once again, nice play leading to the goal. Jesus, Harper made at least 3 good saves there

The NY Kid said...

Harper has actually had a great game.

jjf3 said...

Shay wouldn't have Given up Nasri's goal...

/tip your waitress

Jacob said...

Oh, and: JUMP!

Adam said...

So its bizzaro prem day for Arsenal fans in a different, but good way, Diaby and Bendtner, WTF

Spectator said...

Arsenal really could be up five or six goals right now.

Jacob said...

Goddamn, Harper. Some top notch stuff from him today.

The Fan's Attic said...

harper again. he'll get a nice workout this half...although he already has.

The NY Kid said...

another fantastic save from Harper there, but RvP has had a great game.

The NY Kid said...

damn, they just unintentionally shouted out "Avoiding the Drop"

Goat said...

Any idea how many times you guys have gone over 200 comments?

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