The Football Thread 2011/12

[Stig]

Feel desperately sorry for Spurs, though. Harsh on them and a rule that needs loooking at again.

I've always thought that the winning nation should get an extra spot, so this year we'd get 5 instead of 4, last year Spain would have had 5. I think it's fairer as you don't have situations like this where Spurs lose out, and it gives each country a reason to support their teams.

Just thought I'd bring this up again. If that happened every season then the deservedly earned spot of a club from a lesser footballing nation would have to be sacrificed surely? That wouldn't be fair at all.

You couldn't really repeat the outcome from 2005 either since it would mean clubs could concentrate solely on their European fixtures rather than going for it in the league, with the full backing of its FA knowing it would garner them an extra place the following season.

It's extraordinarily harsh on Tottenham (and I'm so relieved Arsenal finished above them) but the rule isn't an unknown quantity at the start if the season, and third (or even second) was in their own hands for much of the year.

Whilst I agree with your comments that its our own fault for not finishing 3rd, my point is that this situation should never have arisen as the winners should have always been given a spot when the competition was created. But as u say now a smaller nation would have to lose their spot for England to get 5 spots this year as happened when Liverpool won but finished 5th. I honestly think uefa thought no one could win the CL and finish so low in their domestic league.

I think when Liverpool won, a team didn't "lose" their spot. I can't remember how it worked out, but I'm pretty sure a lower nation didn't lose their team because of it.

I think uefa created an extra qualifying game or something so Liverpool played some team from eastern Europe who would have normally got into the 1st round of CL qualifying.

TNS (welsh), then Kaunas or something... I think a team did lose their spot.

[Dark Ritual]

Can't seem to find any concrete info on it. But they did go into the bottom round, for sure.

[Saint of Killers]

It really was written in the stars
As with Inter Milan a few seasons ago or so, if you manage to beat Barca (at the business end of the competition) then you deserve the trophy. But not only did Chelsea do that they also beat a team in the final who had home advantage. Doesn't get more deserving than that.

Had a smile on my face seeing DDA and Lampard celebrating then I saw EBJT and... eugh. Well done all the same.

Bad luck, Spurs.

Does this mean Arsenal have to play qualification rounds for the CL?

[Spindash]

Does this mean Arsenal have to play qualification rounds for the CL?

All four English clubs enter at the group stage.

[DML]

Can't seem to find any concrete info on it. But they did go into the bottom round, for sure.

The whole of qualification has changed since then though - with the 'Champions Path' for champs of smaller countries facing each other, and the other path for those who placed 3rd/4th in the bigger leagues.

[PES Fan]

It really was written in the stars
As with Inter Milan a few seasons ago or so, if you manage to beat Barca (at the business end of the competition) then you deserve the trophy. But not only did Chelsea do that they also beat a team in the final who had home advantage. Doesn't get more deserving than that.

Had a smile on my face seeing DDA and Lampard celebrating then I saw EBJT and... eugh. Well done all the same.

Bad luck, Spurs.

Does this mean Arsenal have to play qualification rounds for the CL?

If only we could beat Barca. We should start parking the bus.

Since 2006, Barca have won the champions league or the team who has knocked them out has gone on to win it.

[D_C]

It really was written in the stars

It really seemed it, ever since that second leg against Napoli.

We didn't play pretty football last night (until we absolutely had to), because we just couldn't risk it. Both CB's just coming back from hamstring injuries (of which Cahill's looked to be causing a bit of pain just before half time, but he was alright), plus missing a lot of who are often influential players meant we had to play more defensively than I think we had against Barca.

Seeing Terry taking off his suit to reveal a full kit though, that didn't sit right with me. Sure, I think he played a part in getting to the final, but he also played a part in us nearly losing it. All three of the other suspended players got their suspensions for really soft yellows (two for dissent, one for a foul that was really a dive).


But there's only so much you can be negative about, after all, we won it through determination, concentration and discipline. And boy did we earn it!

Off to the victory parade in a few hours, and it feels amazing.

[bear]

It really was written in the stars
As with Inter Milan a few seasons ago or so, if you manage to beat Barca (at the business end of the competition) then you deserve the trophy. But not only did Chelsea do that they also beat a team in the final who had home advantage. Doesn't get more deserving than that.

Had a smile on my face seeing DDA and Lampard celebrating then I saw EBJT and... eugh. Well done all the same.

Bad luck, Spurs.

Does this mean Arsenal have to play qualification rounds for the CL?

If only we could beat Barca. We should start parking the bus.

Since 2006, Barca have won the champions league or the team who has knocked them out has gone on to win it.

Liverpool knocked them out in 2007.

[Glowy69]

So I missed everything last night in here, I was in a pub watching it and all I could think about was ths thread going mental

Anyway, I was jumping and shouting come the penalties like everyone in england was I expect

Grats chelsea

Robben
Making the keeper take a pen because he bottled it right?

Amazing scenes when they won, welcome to the club chelsea

[Herdanos]

It really was written in the stars
As with Inter Milan a few seasons ago or so, if you manage to beat Barca (at the business end of the competition) then you deserve the trophy. But not only did Chelsea do that they also beat a team in the final who had home advantage. Doesn't get more deserving than that.

Had a smile on my face seeing DDA and Lampard celebrating then I saw EBJT and... eugh. Well done all the same.

Bad luck, Spurs.

Does this mean Arsenal have to play qualification rounds for the CL?

If only we could beat Barca. We should start parking the bus.

Since 2006, Barca have won the champions league or the team who has knocked them out has gone on to win it.

Liverpool knocked them out in 2007.

And interestingly, Chelsea beat them in 2005.

So, anyone else read melatonin's post?

[Rik]

I was pleased for the Chelsea fans, also for Lampard who I think deserves it.

Well done

[melatonin]

So, anyone else read melatonin's post?

Truth handling capabilities confirmed lacking.

[Gandalf]

So, anyone else read melatonin's post?

Truth handling capabilities confirmed lacking.

Not quite. A post full of gooseberry fool, a bit like yourself.

[melatonin]

Well, it was all true actually, but whatever makes you feel better about being the joke mod old boy.

[Spindash]

GR doesn't need any other threads apart from this one. It has it all.

[Gandalf]

Well, it was all true actually, but whatever makes you feel better about being the joke mod old boy.

If it makes you burn inside, the more I like the role.....

[PaperMacheMario]

GR doesn't need any other threads apart from this one. It has it all.

[jamcc]

Gandalf, just stop.

Edit - glowy. Does this mean Chelsea are as big a club as Villa now?

[Glowy69]

So, anyone else read melatonin's post?

Truth handling capabilities confirmed lacking.

Not quite. A post full of gooseberry fool, a bit like yourself.

Gandy are you angry with someone? I mean the last three posts Ive seen from you (and may I say I didnt see any of lasts nights after he insulted villa because I called holloway a pratt) two were aimed at me/villa and then you post calling melly full of gooseberry fool?

Have I missed something?

[Mafro]

Saw the post before it was deleted