12/03/24
December 12, 2002
Beat Report: UEFA Cup and Champions League
The last two days have been active in the Champions League. On Tuesday, Arsenal only managed a draw against Valencia at Highbury (losing star Patrick Viera to injury in the process), while the Newcastle and Barcelona match was postponed due to downpour. When play resumed on Wednesday, Newcastle was left wishing they had played in the rain as Barca stretched its record to 10-0 in the competition. Manchester United easily dispatched Spanish rival Deportivo de Coruna, scarily returning to world-beating form with the same mix of regulars and reserves that defeated table leading Arsenal last week at Old Trafford. Juventus destroyed Basle (and probably their hopes of advancing) by 4 goals, and Lokomotiv continues its track to advance by earning a draw with reigning champion Real Madrid (who are rescued by Raul). Inter defeats Bayer Leverkusen, and Ajax continued to add to Roma's woes. Finally, AC Milan handed Borussia Dortmund a loss. [First predictions on who advances inside.]
Over in the UEFA cup, there is a full slate of matches today as well; look for report next week (since Champions League play doesn't resume until February).
You didn't say anything about the UEFA Cup match on Tuesday. Wisla Krakow just knocked former German Cup holders Schalke 04 out of the UEFA Cup after previously knocking Parma out in the second round. I can't wait to see who they are drawn against next. They are the surprise of the tournament so far. Not only are they beating giants of football, but they are beating them convincingly, winning 5-2 on aggregate against Schalke and Parma 5-3.
posted by StarFucker at 09:25 AM on December 12, 2002
SF. I saw that, but I didn't want to try to pack too much into this post. Thanks for providing the relevant info though. I like pulling for teams like that--such as Lokomotiv Moscow. C'mon say it aloud, you can't help but like it.
posted by trox at 01:24 PM on December 12, 2002
Damn. Looks like my Magpies are dead in the water. I shall now root for Lokomotiv Moscow, just for the name. Rolls off the brain if ye know what I meen.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:21 PM on December 12, 2002
Lokomotive Moscow?! Why root for them? And are Newcastle out for sure?
posted by StarFucker at 04:50 PM on December 12, 2002
SF, just say Lokomotiv Moscow aloud, it just so fun to say! Also, quick UEFA Cup update:
- Malaga knocks out Leeds. Can Venables save his job? Liverpool survives, and Owen does it again. The scottish celtic team wins. No real comment here. Hertha Berlin sends Fulham home. I suppose there is life after Diesler after all.
posted by trox at 04:58 PM on December 12, 2002
Not for sure, SF, but it would take a minor miracle to permit them into the next round, if I understand UEFA correctly.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:30 PM on December 12, 2002
Well, everyone thought they were out last time, and then they went ahead and won their last 3... We'll see....
posted by StarFucker at 06:15 PM on December 12, 2002
Group Tables Group A: Inter and Barcelona look secure. Group B: Stick a fork in Roma, they’re done. The other three are still in play, but right now my nod goes to Arsenal and Ajax. Group C: AC Milan should easily move on, while Real Madrid, despite their struggles of late, will come back strong to advance. Group D: Looks pretty easy for ManU and Juve right now.