11/05/24
May 27, 2009
Barcelona are European Champions : FC Barcelona defeated Manchester United 2-0 to win the UEFA Champions League today at Rome's Stadio Olympico. Goals were scored by Samuel Eto'o in the 10th minute and Lionel Messi in the 70th.
posted by The_Special_Juan to football at 05:00 PM - 16 comments
What happened to my ç?
posted by Hugh Janus at 10:58 PM on May 27, 2009
On a side note, I wonder if any English fans got stabbed in the ass today.
From what I saw on the news late last night, 2. Both done by Barca fans, one in the thigh, the other I don't remember.
Considering the amount of back n' forth chanting (some of it rather nasty) passing under my window all day yesterday and mass drunkenness despite the alcohol ban, I was expecting worse.
Good game, and I always love seeing the smirk get wiped off C.Ronaldo's poncy face. :D
posted by romakimmy at 03:16 AM on May 28, 2009
I am not a soccer fan but Lionel Messi was on the front cover of my ESPN magazine that I recieved the other day and so this game peaked my interest somewhat considering it's the Super Bowl of soccer. Boy, did I ever do myself a huge favor. I am now an official soccer fan!! This game was awesome!!
When Messi made that header from that incredible pass, I was jumping up & down like a school girl. Great game and great sportsmanship. I wish I was able to say the same thing about soccer fans, those guys are nuts with a capital NUTS!
posted by BornIcon at 08:42 AM on May 28, 2009
Great game, and well-refereed, which is saying something after the semifinals. Barca have a great collection of talented payers whose passing is amazing. Iniesta in particular is outstnding, and is probably playing as well as anyone in the world over the past year -- he rarely cedes possession and his ability to go past people effortlessly is amazing (while Messi takes his speed right at people, Iniesta just seems to glide by opposing players).
If Ronaldo does end up leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid (which perhaps is more likely after this loss, considering he called out his manager's tactics and his defense), he will have more Barcelona clinics to look forward to at least twice a year.
posted by holden at 09:13 AM on May 28, 2009
Ronaldo's an ass. What was the point of trying to knock a Barca player into the stands at the end as they raced a ball to the corner?
One thing I didn't understand about the match: Why is Messi kissing his shoe after he headed in a goal? His foot had nothing to do with it.
posted by rcade at 10:17 AM on May 28, 2009
One thing I didn't understand about the match: Why is Messi kissing his shoe after he headed in a goal? His foot had nothing to do with it.
Well, Messi did run to the spot where he produced the clinching goal and if my memory serves me right, he was wearing the shoes that got him to that spot....at least that's my interpretation.
/sorry for the snarkiness
posted by BornIcon at 11:44 AM on May 28, 2009
Given the supposed biggest advantage of ManU over Barca was the back 4, well, it was no advantage at all. Vidic and Ferdinand, proclaimed as the best center back pairing in the world, were responsible for allowing the two goals.
CRonaldo was childish, especially when he blasted Puyol at the end line and got a yellow, but he was the only player in white who seemed at all aggressive in a let's actually score a goal sense. Tevez tried after he came on but it wasn't nearly enough and then Messi's header made it irrelevant.
I think if #7 does move to Madrid and they get a decent new boss man, plus not lose key players to major injuries, the Catalans won't find next season quite so easy. As Derek Rae said early on, refs in La Liga call fouls much easier than in the EPL and that would be a big plus for Ronaldo.
This Barca team, though, was terrific and deserves all the plaudits.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:22 PM on May 28, 2009
One thing I didn't understand about the match: Why is Messi kissing his shoe after he headed in a goal? His foot had nothing to do with it.
Have you ever tried to kiss your own forehead?
posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:37 PM on May 28, 2009
I think he was kissing the bit on his shoe that says: "I'm going to Disney Land!"
Ronaldo was shown up again for the flat-track-bully he so clearly is. He tried to impose himself early on but, when nothing went his way, he shouted at the sky, huffed, puffed and then went missing for an hour before reappearing to put late tackles into people in innocuous parts of the pitch and then wag his finger at the ref.
I reckon United would be well shot of him, and it seemed telling to me that he seemed to be on his own after the game while others in the team were consoling each other.
Messi on the other hand was sublime (as was Iniesta). He imposed himself the right way - by always playing the right ball and picking his moments for a run or a shot. Barca deserved to win, even if they didn't deserve to be in the final in the first place.
posted by JJ at 03:53 PM on May 28, 2009
He imposed himself the right way - by always playing the right ball...
Won't his left ball feel a bit left out? I mean, what has the right ball ever done to recieve so much attention?
posted by BornIcon at 03:58 PM on May 28, 2009
I think I preferred it before your damascene conversion.
posted by JJ at 03:37 AM on May 29, 2009
Saul-acious.
posted by yerfatma at 07:56 AM on May 29, 2009
I think I preferred it before your damascene conversion
My bad St. Paul, didn't know we were on the road to Damascus.
Still doesn't answer my question.
/takes cover
posted by BornIcon at 10:50 AM on May 29, 2009
BornIcon, that is some funny stuff.
posted by STUNNER at 10:46 PM on May 30, 2009
Yes, if you like humor as explanations of other people's jokes rather than subtlety.
posted by yerfatma at 08:53 AM on June 02, 2009
That was an amazing performance. I was really impressed with Sir Alex' decision to tell his guys not to thug it up against Bara's talent. This tactic almost worked for Chelsea, and from what the (frankly idiotic) ESPN announcing team of Wray and Smythe said, the Swiss referee would probably have "let them play" (another way of saying "let them fight"). Perhaps Ferguson's ego and confidence in his team led him to this decision, perhaps he truly is a mensch under all the douchery, but by letting his team play the game he gave soccer fans a chance to watch some sensational footie, mostly played by the Catalan side.
On a side note, I wonder if any English fans got stabbed in the ass today.