Football Focus

[Annasfield]

At the end of the day the better team won - no excuses.

We had moments of brilliance and could have won the game in the second half. Sometimes these things go down to luck and that is certainly something we have had a lot of in the Champions League. It wasn't our night.

I can go on about decisions that were made, shouts for offside, penalty calls, own goals (damn you Riise ;-)) but at the end of the day nothing will change now.

Skrtel going off was a big blow for us, as was the absence of Aurelio. I have no idea why Crouch wasn?t brought on, but I don?t believe for a second that Rafa would not want us to win that game. I will await his biography on that one ;-)

To think that Liverpool had been written off in the group stages as not even qualifying, to get to another semi final, knocking out Porto, Inter Milan, Arsenal and giving Chelsea a good run for their money is not something to be sniffed at. We certainly didn't have an easy run. We weren?t even expected to score at Chelsea, let alone get two goals ? credit to the team :)-D. We can walk on with our heads held high. I?ll await the song of a lark. ;-)

Re? Gerrard?s shove on Avram. Yes it was harsh, but there is no way he would have done that intentionally. Avram picked up the ball and Gerrard wanted it back in play ASAP, his momentum knocked in to Avram, who at the end of the day shouldn?t have been acting as ball boy. End of.

I am not in any way trying to devalue the Champions League, but having discussed it with my work colleague (a Spurs ST holder) this morning - I think that winning it these days is not the same achievement as it was say 10-15 years ago. The Premiership is now one of the strongest leagues in the world and the fact that at least one English team has reached the semi finals/final over the last few years says a lot. Don't get me wrong - I would have loved to have been there (and quite literally, I would have been there as I have two tickets sat here on my desk) and it is still outstanding to get to a CL final let alone win it. The difference in the English game means that we are stronger. I think that any of the top 6-8 Premiership teams could get through the group stage or at least do very well trying.

Crikey - I've put my tin hat on as I'll expect some abuse for that last paragraph. Sounds like sour grapes, but trust me it isn?t.

I just hope that this doesn?t signal the end for Rafa. One of my so-called Liverpool friends sent me a link last night, saying that Stevie wanted to leave. It was a link from 2005. I didn?t read it properly at first, so was not impressed (6)

Good Luck to Man Utd and Chelsea in the final. I can honestly say I don?t care who wins, either way will be just as painful (although Keef might remind me what I said last night, but best not on here eh!)

Well done you Red Men - you made me proud. There is no one in the press slagging off the ref or whingeing about the result. YNWA

[spadetownboy]

about those tickets;-)

[Annasfield]

They are for sale - I also have flights, where you'll need to pay to change the name. Quite a good package all in all. I am considering offering them on the basis that I go too, but whoever I go with pays for me to join them. (Is that classed as touting myself.... :-S)

[Sandperson]

Annasfield Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I am not in any way trying to devalue the

> Champions League, but having discussed it with my

> work colleague (a Spurs ST holder) this morning -

> I think that winning it these days is not the same

> achievement as it was say 10-15 years ago. The

> Premiership is now one of the strongest leagues in

> the world and the fact that at least one English

> team has reached the semi finals/final over the

> last few years says a lot. Don't get me wrong - I

> would have loved to have been there (and quite

> literally, I would have been there as I have two

> tickets sat here on my desk) and it is still

> outstanding to get to a CL final let alone win it.

> The difference in the English game means that we

> are stronger. I think that any of the top 6-8

> Premiership teams could get through the group

> stage or at least do very well trying.

>

Of course it was only worth something when Liverpool won their first four...;-)

> Good Luck to Man Utd and Chelsea in the final. I

> can honestly say I don?t care who wins, either way

> will be just as painful (although Keef might

> remind me what I said last night, but best not on

> here eh!)

Let me guess...you'd rather see Chelsea win than that scum (Man) United?

[Annasfield]

Either wil be hell for me.

[Jah Lush]

Watched the game in the CPT. Great atmosphere and a cracking game for a neutral. I have quite a soft spot for Liverpool but I have to say the best team won on the night. I was with a mate who's a Chelsea fan and I helped him to celebrate his joy at getting to the final until the very early hours this morning. Hmmmm....seemed to have had a considerable thirst. Any excuse really.:))

I just hope that the final is an entertaining match with lots of goals and is a good advert for the Premiership. Don't really care who wins, just as long as it's a good match.

[spadetownboy]

may as well start it now, 4-3 to the reds (aet).

[SimonM]

>>Well done you Red Men - you made me proud:D<

And yes, the Champions League is not the Holy Grail it used to be. I think opening it up to more teams - i.e. not just the league champions of each country as was originally the case - was also a major contributor. There is (cue old fogey mode *on*) simply far too muich money washing around in Football these days....

[Keef]

Sandperson Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Let me guess...you'd rather see Chelsea win than that scum (Man) United?

She will no doubt stab me for saying this, but last night, young Anna told me...

"I never thought I'd say this, but I bloody hope Man U beat them! Any class this competition has left will be gone if Chelsea win it!".

Sorry mate >:D<

I too was wishing Man U well in both the final and the league after the game, but today I'm probably more neutral. I do fancy Man U for the double though.

As for karma, I didn't realise you were so new age Atila. Peace man! :))

[Sandperson]

Ah, Anna...you know that escort you wanted? Maybe I'm your man after all.

Keef, get your stab vest out. :))

[Annasfield]

Keef Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> She will no doubt stab me for saying this, but

> last night, young Anna told me...

-------------------------------------------------------

(6)Keef(6)

Life goes on - shame our season is over. :( Oh well, I will be singing my heart out in the Kop on Sunday afternoon to thank the team for a great season. (I want a liverbird smiley)

[Annasfield]

Sandperson Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Ah, Anna...you know that escort you wanted? Maybe

> I'm your man after all.

>

> Keef, get your stab vest out. :))

Oooh - I didn't notice this before....

[atila the gooner]

To qoute Annasfield

"I am not in any way trying to devalue the Champions League, but having discussed it with my work colleague (a Spurs ST holder) this morning - I think that winning it these days is not the same achievement as it was say 10-15 years ago."

I think you're right. It's harder to win the premiership and do it by going unbeaten during that season, and during an unbeaten run of 49 games. Now that's class.

[Ted Max]

Absolute, outright larceny from the 'Gers.

But somehow fitting as well.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Oi. I'll set me da on you.

(Does anyone else hum 'Walter, Walter, get me to the altar' when they see him? Probably just me.)

[Ted Max]

Can't say I do, as it goes.

Super Ally's going to be right on it tonight. Party in Coisty's room! Or, "Rangers are Coming" as the commentator somewhat strangely said.

Amazing season for Rangers. Began in Europe back in July. Knock out stage alone they've done Olympiakos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina to get to this final.

Nice to see a couple of ex-Hibees out on the park as well.

[spadetownboy]

fcuking jammy huns. Zenit all the way.

[atila the gooner]

Well done Rangers, good luck in the final.

[SeanMacGabhann]

fairly predictably, I keep an eye out for Celtic results in Scotland but was pleased to see Rangers get through last night.

(side note - what is it with penalty shootuts where the team that misses the first pen always seem to come out on top in the end?)

[Ted Max]

Another side note - WTF has happened to Christian Vieri. Being described by Andy "to be fair" Townsend as a pub player must sting a bit. Has he bloated up after coming off the 'roids, or something?

[DaveR]

Vieri was always going to miss the pen - it was like Baggio all over again. You have to feel a bit sorry for Fiorentina, there were long periods when Rangers didn't even try and play, so it's difficult to say the best team won. Having said that, Rangers' defence were superb - where will Cuellar be playing next season?

[atila the gooner]

Hopefully Cuellar will be playing for us

[Ted Max]

There's a club in North London with a Spanish manager, an ex-Rangers defender who's already done well, and with three defenders (Chimbonda, Kaboul and King) all on their way out.

[Jah Lush]

I'm hoping that Ledley King will be staying at Spurs. All depends on his dodgy knee really. On his day he's one of the best centre backs around.

[Keef]

That he is, but they don't want to be paying that kind of salary for 5 games a season... I hope you can come through it and get going again. Fear N Boozin was a happy boy yesterday when the Saints stayed up... I'm cheering Bristol City in the playoffs simply because an old uni friend supports them so I've been to a couple of matches at Ashton Gate (from where you can see the actual Nelson Mandella House used in Only fools and horses, as most of it was filmed down there).