LIVERPOOL WILL APPEAL IF REAL MADRID GET THEIR WAY

Local papers - “As” & “Marca” - are announcing what is common sense,
that is, you don´t need to be a genious to know that LIVERPOOL FC
will appeal to UEFA &/or SAT if the European Football governing
body allows REAL MADRID to subscribe both HUNTELAAR &
LASSANA DIARRA into the Champions League competition.

UEFA has already pronounced itself that ONLY ONE can play, but Real
Madrid & it´s incompetent Football Directive team need to cover its
big error & avoid more harsh criticism. How? Take it to the tribunials,
win time & eventually take it to the Sporting Arbritrage Tribunial (SAT):
a very risky path that can turn UEFA against the Spanish Club in the
future.

Here is the planned Real Madrid strategy: inscribe both players
on the 2nd Jan 2009, the UEFA Committee will reject the both option.
The Club will then appeal this decision which UEFA will again reject.
However, using the excuse that it has gone through UEFA, will take the
case to SAT, a legal decision body outside UEFA but with overriding
powers, that could cause an unwanted legal precedent.

Liverpool will then be ready to appeal, & it may cause a domino effect
that other Clubs will appeal as well, thus angering UEFA & putting the
European Football Organization as an “enemy” in the future, while now its
a “friend”. A can of worms that should not be opened, except in real
authentic cases, which this isn´t however Real Madrid wishes to paint it.

SFS feels it´s a stupid & extremely dangerous strategy, as Real Madrid
has everything too loss & little to gain. The Spanish Club should accept it´s
error, inscribe one player & the current Football Directive team resign for
the good of the Club.

In the end, SFS doubts that all this will happen: that is , going to SAT &/or
the Real Madrid Football Directive team resigning. It´s all smoke screens
to cover another blotched decision, one of many that is hurting the Club,
its image & its Worldwide followers: stay tuned!

Written by STRIKER on December 30th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and Law and UEFA and real madrid.

REAL MADRID 2008/09: THE 20M€ MISTAKE, WHO TO PICK?

Continuing from the below post, from the Spanish daily “As” we receive
notification that UEFA representaive has pronounced quite clearly
that the rules WILL NOT BE CHANGED, as expressed by Mr. William
Galliard. So forget about talking to Uefa or Platini to fix the error by Real
Madrid.

That is, REAL MADRID will have to choose between forward HUNTELAAR
or midfielder LASSANA DIARRA for participation in the Champions
League competition this season.

Real Madrid has invested 40,000,000€ thinking that both were elegible,
to find out later that UEFA rules only allows one. This bad management
has been the norm since the President Calderon & Football Director
Pedja Mijatovic team took control of the Real ship. A ship that has been
sailing against the current & wind ever since, as this 20M€ mistake shows.

Who do you think Real should choose? Huntelaar or Lassana Diarra?

Written by STRIKER on December 29th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and Transfers and real madrid.

UF Monday MarketPlace

Welcome to the Christmas Congestion edition of the UF Monday MarketPlace. We’re back from a week’s hiatus and hoping your portfolio has not suffered in our absence. In any case, let’s get straight down to it.

BUY! BUY ! BUY!

…until we freak out on national television and tell you to sell the kids for food.

Buy Arsenal— Ughh… this is painful to write. But let’s be fair, Arsenal are about the surest bet in English football these days. The relegation zone is like an off campus bar at midnight, one in, one out. Top of the league is a mess. No one wants it. For reliable returns, pick up stock in the Gunners. They’ve tied Liverpool and beat Chelsea, lost to Stoke and Fulham… they’ll beat Villa next week, then lose home to Pompey a couple days later. And you know what? They’ll still be in 4th/5th place. Deny this, you scum, I dare you.

Buy Fulham— Here’s one the MarketPlace got right a couple weeks ago. Number Eight with a bullet, some decent holiday results and the prospect of European football at the Cottage becomes entirely viable. If they can nab 2 or 3 points from their next two (at Spurs, home for Chelsea) and hold on to Bullard through January’s silly season, I’d say Seventh is theirs to lose.

Buy English teams with financial troubles and troubled assets— hold the line just another ten days lads, Juande Ramos is coming to bail you out. Lassana Diarra for £20 million and Portsmouth are considerably better off than a week ago. There’s still blood lingering in the water, but not like we thought. As for the other rumors—too many to list—let’s just say, for me at least, if they want to pay a cent for Roman Pavlyunchenko, Levy should cover the shipping costs.

Buy The New Manager Effect— Ricky Sbragia… Big Sam… Redknapp and Kinnear a bit earlier… It’s happy hunting for new EPL managers this year. So get ready for Man City to explode in late January. Hughes will be out. Three or four high priced international stars in. David Pleat’s postman could pull these guys out of the relegation zone.

Buy Spanish clubs in the Champs League— Villareal get Panathinaikos, Atletico get Porto, Barcelona get Lyon, and Juande gets Liverpool. At least three of the four go through, the latter being the most in doubt.

Sell! For Chrissakes, Sell it all! Light it on fire, just be done with it!!

…until next week, when everything bounces back but your checking account. Sawwrry.

Sell the Beckham-MLS marriage— The end is nigh. He’ll come back from Milan in the spring, but the next trip out will be the last. With all the talk of building the American game, Youth Academies, etc… it comes down to this: the decision to leave Europe was made in haste. About four years too early. Becks thought he was through for England and Madrid, and so he made his move. But a funny thing happened about five minutes after signing up with Alexi Lalas (Lalas!) McClaren couldn’t qualify for the Euros and Capello was forced to put him back in the lineup. Beckham was caught like Juliet standing over dead Romeo.

Sell Mark Hughes— Captain Obvious says: Unless you’re in this for the long haul, it’s time to make the move. Vote of confidence or not. Only a couple days left now…

Sell The Club World Cup— Not good for business when the highlight of your tournament is a split decision between a Fergie press conference and Carlos Tevez’s touchline tantrum. It’s nice for the Asian and South American clubs, but for our Anglo-centric purposes, a complete bummer.

Sell Leeds and Forest returning to the top flight anytime soon— Leeds may be due for some NME now that Gary Mac’s been told to pack, but automatic promotion is out of the question and who-fuckin-knows with a League 1 playoff. Forest are rooted to the near-bottom of the Colaship. Glory days are far off.

Sell English tabloid rumor-mongering / the January transfer window— Some rags are better than others, but there’s reason to expect this January will be any different than the last. No big players or teams make moves of real consequence as anyone of value is cup-tied. For entertainment’s sake, Citeh will do it’s best to nut money on anyone who’ll take it and Juande should be counted on to do some arse-backward stuff with his Real riches.

Sell Gareth Southgate— Nothing to do with this week. Middlesbrough haven’t been terrible. It goes back to the Woody Allen thing about dead sharks.

Sell yer (new) laptops, Ipswich!– Norwich is just gonna send more Cubans to steal them anyway…

Wait! Hold Still! Do Nothing! Freeze Up! We’re confounded…

Hold on Liverpool— The second half at the Emirates was an exercise in waste. Arsenal lose Cesc and Adebayor in ten minutes playing time and how do the league leaders respond? By playing on their heels and leaving Ryan Babel on the bench until the 87th minute, is how. This would be an easy Sell if not for the profligate Chelsea and stuck-in-the-mud United. For the Kop’s sake, Torres better get back soon.

Hold on QPR— Read this quickie from the Beebs: Experiencing boutique football at QPR… The set-up doesn’t seem as unhealthy as the headline might imply. The new manager seems to have an idea of what’s up. The dedication, and better, the cash seem to be there. And still, it all seems kind of sheisty. Or so it seems.

Hold on Djibril Cisse— Buy the form, sell the hair, Bigus says. I’d have to agree. Of course, neither is permanent, so take your chances.

Enjoy Spartak and Everton… we’ll seeya next year!

Written by Darkvader on December 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Arsenal and Champions League and Club World Cup and David Beckham and Fulham and Juande Ramos and Liverpool and New Manager Effect and QPR and bad hair and silly rumors.

Methinks With that Name He Had Some Sort of Cosmic Advantage

First off, thanks to everyone who entered. We had about 25 total entries, which is a pretty solid voter turnout. And, given the results, I can say one thing without reservation: God, you people suck at prognosticating.

Cosmo was our winner, getting five of eight match-ups correct.

Roma v. Arsenal
Liverpool v. Real Madrid
Bayern Munich v. Sporting Lisbon
Porto v. Atletico Madrid
Man U v. Inter Milan

Well done. The rest of you were collectively pathetic.

Nobody else got more than three correct. Eight people got only two correct and seven people posted a clean sheet. Predicting the future is hard stuff.

If I were a psychic, I’d raise my rates. That’s our takeaway from this anyway.

Cosmo, to collect your prize, use the email listed on the right side gutter of the page. For the rest of you, thanks for playing. Once the knock-out matches roll around in February, we’ll have a bracket contest.

Written by Darkvader on December 19th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and contest time and shere stupidity.

So, some draw happened this morning

Well folks, the results are in.

I can’t wait to see how wrong everyone was once we’ve finished counting.

In the meantime, I bring you the full CL draw, the UEFA Cup draw (like anyone not named The Likely Lad or Keith gives a toss), and some half-assed predictions.

Whether you won our competition or not, you can’t say that the draw gave us many lame fixtures.

Without further ado, who got gifted and who got screwed? These are the games to have pundits salivating in their armchairs until February.

Champions League draw, Round of 16
Spartak London vs. Juventus
Villarreal vs. Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon vs. Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid vs. FC Porto
Lyon vs. Barcelona
Real Madrid vs. Liverpool
Arsenal vs. Roma
Inter Milan vs. Manchester United

First up, the red-faced Scot draws his nemesis in Jose Mourinho. Easily the pick of the round, although I still reckon the Mancs will sneak on. Either way, the trash-talk will be sublime. Spartak get their former manager Claudio Ranieri in his new Turin digs and should advance, and Arsenal get the gift of AS Roma, perhaps the 2nd best draw they could have hoped for overall.

The last remaining French team is guaranteed to exit in this round thanks to pulling out Barca, which makes you wonder if they’re kicking themselves at rolling over to Bayern in the meaningless final group game. Bayern trounced them, and their reward? Some Portuguese patsies.

Rafa gets two Ramos, a Raul and a tw*t in Ramon Calderon. I expect a 1-0 aggregate win for my lads, as is our custom in this competition.

Elsewhere, I see Villareal, Atletico and Bayern advancing, hopefully joining all 4 English clubs (barring some epic failures; Serie A and EPL normally ends up in favour of the English*, although Juve has the best chance of advancing, I reckon) and Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

I suppose I should mention the UEFA Cup too:

UEFA Cup, Last 32:
Paris Saint-Germain v Wolfsburg
FC Copenhagen v MANCHESTER CITY
NEC Nijmegen v Hamburg
Sampdoria v Metalist Kharkiv
Braga v Standard Liege
ASTON VILLA v CSKA Moscow
Lech Poznan v Udinese
Olympiakos v Saint-Etienne
Fiorentina v Ajax
Aalborg v Deportivo La Coruna
Werder Bremen v AC Milan
Bordeaux v Galatasaray
Dynamo Kiev v Valencia
Zenit St. Petersburg v Stuttgart
Marseille v FC Twente
Shakhtar Donetsk v TOTTENHAM

UEFA Cup, Last 16:
Werder Bremen or AC Milan v Olympiakos or Saint-Etienne
ASTON VILLA or CSKA Moscow v Shakhtar Donetsk or TOTTENHAM
Lech Poznan or Udinese v Zenit St Petersburg or Stuttgart
Paris Saint-Germain or Wolfsburg v Braga or Standard Liege
Dynamo Kiev or Valencia v Sampdoria or Metalist Kharkiv
Copenhagen or MANCHESTER CITY v Aalborg or Deportivo
Marseille or FC Twente v Fiorentina or Ajax
NEC Nijmegen or Hamburg v Bordeaux or Galatasaray

They do two draws at once, compounding their lameness, and the draw is kind for Mark Hughes. That said, they are good at losing when you expect them not to. The big story is that Villa and Spurs could meet in the next round should they both advance past tricky opposition. I couldn’t care less. Best of luck to all involved. My money’s on Valencia to win it all.

So, thoughts? Predictions? We’ll have a competition winner later today.

*In recent years, the Serie A hasn’t done too well against the EPL. Remember 2005, Meeelan? Seriously though, side thought: how about a pre-season tournament kinda like the College Basketball Big 10/ACC Challenge, only for Serie A and EPL to duke it out. I’d watch that from beginning to end. Or a “La Liga/EPL Challenge.” Would be sweet, right?

Written by Darkvader on December 19th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and UEFA Cup and draws and manchester united.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 DRAW 2008/09: REAL MADRID vs LIVERPOOL

The CHAMPIONS LEAGUE last 16 team draw has been celebrated
matching up some dream clashes, like the REAL MADRID vs LIVERPOOL
FC game that promises to be a real beauty.

Real Madrid has the chance the “revenge” the European Cup Final
1-0 loss to Liverpool 27 years ago in Paris, when Kennedy scored
the winner. See video:

Other great clashes for Spanish teams are the O.LYON vs FC BARCELONA,
ATLETICO DE MADRID vs OPORTO & VILLAREAL vs CELTIC games
First game 24.02.2009!

Written by STRIKER on December 19th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and Spanish Football Teams.

Last Call

You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here. But before heading out, one last friendly reminder to enter our Champions League draw competition.

You can scroll down the page or just click here.

Voting closes overnight tonight. Winner gets a post on UF. Oh, and a promise that we’ll start upgrading our prizes in the near future. Some last minute housekeeper after the jump.

Again, it’s the second place finishers that get drawn with the group winners. You can’t draw someone from your country (e.g. Inter can’t draw Roma) and you can’t draw the team from your group (e.g. Chelsea can’t draw Roma). You’re responsible for checking your math (particularly with regard to that latter provision).

Tentatively: It will be one point for each pairing you get right, no points for incorrect pairings, and minus-one for any pairings that violate the rules (same country or same group). First tie breaker? Not sure, currently thinking I’ll go back and double count—give two points for each one correct—the draws for the countries that have one team (Germany, Greece, France). Second tie breaker will be to double count the coutry with two teams (Portugal). Etc.

Written by Darkvader on December 18th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and contest time.

Champions League Draw Contest

The draw for the knock out stages of the Champions League is Friday. So this is the chance for you to use your powers of Kreskin and let us milk some free content out it.

What could be more win-win?

Plenty. But we’re still going to have a contest because few things in life rival the joy of watching old white guys watch some stage candy pull ping pong balls from a bin. So pick the most pairs correctly and you can win your very own post on Unprofessional Foul.

Groups and rules after the jump.

Group Winners: AS Roma (ITA), Panathanaikos (GRE), FC Barcelona (ESP), Liverpool FC (ENG), FC Bayern Munich (GER), FC Porto (POR), Juventus (ITA), Manchester United (ENG)

Group Runners-Up: Chelsea FC (ENG), FC Internazionale Milano (ITA), Sporting Club de Portugal (POR), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Villarreal CF (ESP), Olympique Lyonnais (FRA), Arsenal FC (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP).

Clubs from the same association must not be drawn against each other (e.g. EPL teams can’t draw each other). The winners and runners-up of the same group must not be drawn against each other (i.e. you can’t draw the team from your group).

For example, Barcelona can’t be drawn against Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, or Real Madrid (same association—La Liga); or Sporting (runner-up from same group).

Here’s the boring minutiae from the UEFA Website:

Under the draw procedure, eight blue balls containing the names of the group runners-up are placed in a bowl. A first ball is drawn from the bowl containing the group runners-up. The team drawn is placed as the home team of match 1. In accordance with the conditions of the draw, the computer will then show which group winners are eligible to play the runners-up of match 1. A bowl will be prepared with white balls containing the names of the group winners which are eligible to be drawn against the runners-up of match 1. A ball will be drawn from this bowl to complete the pairing of match 1. The team drawn is placed as the visiting team of match 1. This procedure is repeated for the remaining matches. If the computer indicates that only one group winner can be drawn, there will be no draw.

Great, now if you want to replicate the process at home, all you need are some blue balls.

Anyway, we’re not even certain how we are going to break ties for our contest. We like making shit up as we go along. It gives us the latitude to be arbitrary. One thing is certain, you get no credit for predicting that Arsenal draw Barcelona, as that one is pretty much a metaphysical certainty.

The only tip I can offer is to maybe sing the Champions League anthem in your head when you are making your picks. So, pair away, put your guesses in the comments. We’ll close the contest Thursday and have a winner posted after the draw.

Written by Darkvader on December 15th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and contest time.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/09 GROUP QUALIFIERS: REAL MADRID WINS & VILLAREAL LOSE

This maybe the main title but both Spanish teams have gone through to
the last 16 team stage, independently if the latter lost.

All eyes were on the REAL MADRID vs ZENIT Group H clash where
the former had its new Coach Juande Ramos on the bench & everyone
wanted to see how the Coach & team would react. The first “revolution”
- & only for now - was CASILLAS on the bench with teammate Dudek
on from the start. Big move as the “Best Goalkeeper In The World” &
Club “scared cow” was brought down to earth, which could signal
a warning to get his act together, regain form & stop making “waves”
in the dressing room.

However, another “scared cow” RAUL acted as Captain & lead his
team to a needed & “comfortable” 3-0 victory that gave to his team
the security of finishing 2º of the Group & going into the next stage. Raul
shone as he scored two goals tonight - 24th & 56th min - to send a message
to everyone that he ain´t as yet done as many keep on claiming.

The Real Madrid Captain was supported by ROBBEN who was
great & very active tonight setting up teammates - set up Raul´s 2º
goal - & managing to score for himself in the 50th min.

Result: a much needed win tonight for Real Madrid that will calm the
atmosphere, give time to Coach Juande & give a super boost
of team confidence for this weekend´s “Classic” clash of Titans
against FC Barcelona in the Spanish League.

VILLAREAL went to Glasgow to meet a “fierce” CELTIC tonight
where they were beaten 2-0 in the Group E clash. The Scots started
well with a 24th min goal from MALONEY ( above) & then grabbed
the numerical advantage when Villareal Mexican forward GUILLE
FRANCO was given a Red Card in the 35th min.

From here it was all uphill for the Spaniards who conceded a 2º goal
in the 46th min by McGREADY. Villareal tried but just could´nt find the
rythem or the momentum to fight back strong enough.

However, Villareal finish 2ºnd behind Manchester United in their Group
& go through to the last 16 team stage of Champions

Written by STRIKER on December 10th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Champions League and real madrid and villareal.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/09 GROUP QUALIFIERS: MIXED NIGHT FOR SPANIARDS

Two Spanish teams had their last Group game qualifiers tonight,
before going into the draw the 19th of December, seeing that they
had already qualified for the next stage of Champions League. The
only difference is that one was guaranteed top spot of Group C & the
another was playing for it in Group D.

1-3 over PSV to take the Group top spot.

Written by STRIKER on December 9th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Atletico de Madrid and Champions League and FC Barcelona and Spanish Football Teams.