Soccer Thread

**Ninjames** · 13th March 2013, 11:54 PM

Now there are no English clubs left in the Champions League I think I'll back Real to win it.

**The Benmeister** · 14th March 2013, 8:23 AM

Great effort by my beloved Gunners. Whilst we may be out, the fact that we managed to pull off a 2-0 win at a team that had only lost twice before this season and is running away with the Bundesliga, gives me much more hope that Arsenal are able to pull off big results when it matters. We need to now use this confidence to push on to get a Champions League qualification spot, and call it misplaced optimism, but I think we're going to do it. At the expense of whom though, I'm not sure just yet.

So no English teams left in the Champions League, but we have a good lineup for the last eight, with seven of the teams either being last season's champions or champions-elect for this season. Interestingly, since the eighth team, Malaga, cannot qualify for European competition next season, if they were to somehow win the whole thing it'd be a case of the Champions being unable to defend their trophy, which I believe is unprecedented.

Of course an Arsenal win also helps keep our coefficient above Germany for the time being, as they're catching up fast. Thankfully we still have three teams left in the Europa League whereas Germany have just the one (soon to be none you would think), so we have to make it count. All our teams have a good chance of progression tonight.

**Lightning Raider** · 14th March 2013, 1:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Benmeister

Great effort by my beloved Gunners. Whilst we may be out, the fact that we managed to pull off a 2-0 win at a team that had only lost twice before this season and is running away with the Bundesliga, gives me much more hope that Arsenal are able to pull off big results when it matters. We need to now use this confidence to push on to get a Champions League qualification spot, and call it misplaced optimism, but I think we're going to do it. At the expense of whom though, I'm not sure just yet.

So no English teams left in the Champions League, but we have a good lineup for the last eight, with seven of the teams either being last season's champions or champions-elect for this season. Interestingly, since the eighth team, Malaga, cannot qualify for European competition next season, if they were to somehow win the whole thing it'd be a case of the Champions being unable to defend their trophy, which I believe is unprecedented.

Of course an Arsenal win also helps keep our coefficient above Germany for the time being, as they're catching up fast. Thankfully we still have three teams left in the Europa League whereas Germany have just the one (soon to be none you would think), so we have to make it count. All our teams have a good chance of progression tonight.

I agree, we done ourselves proud it's a shame it wasn't meant to be but like you said, we'll use this to push on for the Champions League places next year. We have a lot to look forward too because we could of easily went to Munich and got rolled over.

Looking forward tonight to see Spurs and Newcastle games, should be fun.

**ToeyJoey** · 14th March 2013, 5:18 PM

Statisticians Opta: "Bayern have never lost a Champions League home game by a three goal margin."

But all credit Arsenal, they gave it a damn good go. England will be back next year...

Bale-less Spurs should be able to keep Inter out enough to go through, and I'd back Newcastle too.

**The Benmeister** · 14th March 2013, 5:47 PM

Some quick-fire Europa predictions:

Rubin Kazan 0-2 Levante
Zenit 3-1 Basel
Internazionale 2-0 Tottenham Hostpur
Fenerbahce 2-2 Viktoria Plzen
Bordeaux 0-2 Benfica
Newcastle United 0-0 Anzhi
Lazio 1-1 Stuttgart
Chelsea 3-1 Steaua Bucuresti

**ToeyJoey** · 14th March 2013, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by The Benmeister

Newcastle United 0-0 Anzhi

How does this one finish?

**The Benmeister** · 14th March 2013, 6:06 PM

Dunno, just don't think there will be goals. I think predicting penalties is pointless due to it being a lottery and all. I guess Anzhi would be my choice if anything because I recall Newcastle bottling penalties in Europe before against Partizan Belgrade.

EDIT: Oh this is just brilliant, come on Inter!

**Lightning Raider** · 14th March 2013, 9:10 PM

Crap.. Spurs scored.

**Hilda** · 14th March 2013, 9:17 PM

Originally Posted by The Benmeister

Fenerbahce 2-2 Viktoria Plzen

Plzen is not in a high enough level to score 2 goals at Sukru Saracoglu.

Quickly question to anyone, if a stadium has been banned from the fans, can the fans of the opposite team enter? Because I can hear some Plzen fans in the stadium.

**ToeyJoey** · 14th March 2013, 9:39 PM

So... That was a pretty good game... Nice to see the Arsenal fans choosing their side, but without Bale Tottenham really aren't the same team but I can never help but be impressed by Dembele. Shrugs off challenges and just glides past people, Fulham really miss his influence.

**The Benmeister** · 14th March 2013, 9:40 PM

Originally Posted by Hilda

Plzen is not in a high enough level to score 2 goals at Sukru Saracoglu.

Quickly question to anyone, if a stadium has been banned from the fans, can the fans of the opposite team enter? Because I can hear some Plzen fans in the stadium.

Why not? They bagged three at Napoli.

And I believe opposing fans can still enter. At least I'd always thought so.

Also, what a ridiculous game at the San Siro, I'm breathless just from watching it!

**Ninjames** · 14th March 2013, 9:42 PM

Spurs nearly threw that away!

**ToeyJoey** · 14th March 2013, 9:42 PM

Seeing as I enjoy statistics: Adebayor has scored for Arsenal at the San Siro against AC Milan and now for Tottenham against Inter Milan there too.

Also: Mata has scored for Chelsea. (Sorry Chelsea fans.)

Originally Posted by Ninjames

Spurs nearly threw that away!

That is basically their hallmark though.

**Hilda** · 14th March 2013, 9:48 PM

Originally Posted by The Benmeister

Why not? They bagged three at Napoli.

And I believe opposing fans can still enter. At least I'd always thought so.

Also, what a ridiculous game at the San Siro, I'm breathless just from watching it!

My bad about the fan thing, I heard really wrong.

Napoli is no where the level of Fenerbahce, it is wrong to judge it.. Annnnndd Fenerbahce just scored while I was writing this.

**TheSirPeras** · 14th March 2013, 9:52 PM

Benfica's winning right now 1-0, so we're closer to the next round!

Steuea has also tied again, so they've got the advantage again

**Hilda** · 14th March 2013, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by TheSirPeras

Benfica's winning right now 1-0, so we're closer to the next round!

Steuea has also tied again, so they've got the advantage again

Yess, Benfica is so much cooler than Bordeaux

**TheSirPeras** · 14th March 2013, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Hilda

Yess, Benfica is so much cooler than Bordeaux

Yes they are

Hahahaha xD

I still hope Viktoria Plzen wins xD Though it would take a Barca game haha

**Hilda** · 14th March 2013, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by TheSirPeras

Yes they are

Hahahaha xD

I still hope Viktoria Plzen wins xD Though it would take a Barca game haha

Nuuuuuuuu, you don't want that!!!

**TheSirPeras** · 14th March 2013, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Hilda

Nuuuuuuuu, you don't want that!!!

Hahaha are you a Fenerbahce fan?

**Lightning Raider** · 14th March 2013, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by ToeyJoey

So... That was a pretty good game... Nice to see the Arsenal fans choosing their side, but without Bale Tottenham really aren't the same team but I can never help but be impressed by Dembele. Shrugs off challenges and just glides past people, Fulham really miss his influence.

Dembele is just a beast, he can power his way forward and play key forward passes, great talent. It's just a shame Spurs scored when they did.

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