Champs League Finale.....

Well - its all coming to a close.  Between what is going on with sports books, and the timing of the end of the best run of my life for the last 10 months in soccer - it all is pretty sad.

Im going to keep it short.  I just cant see a way that Barca loses in the final.  I dont think ManU will get enough chances to be competitive, and will be on the back foot all day.  Barca will play possession, string together 20 passes, and find the openings.  Possession will wear down ManU as the day goes on.

I hate laying -180 in a single game with 2 very capable teams, but I am going to lay it tomorrow.

Barca -180 to win Cup (2 units)

GL all - its been a great year - hope yours was great and continues through the summer.

sums up my thoughts....could end a draw but barca will get it one way or another...

Quote Originally Posted by P4P:

Agreed on this one

Hey Van, will you be betting the Women's World Cup?

Nah.

Quote Originally Posted by theveech:

vanzack whats up buddy?  had a feeling you would have a pick on this game, havent been to the soccer forum since world cup and that was a fun run!  I think I will go watch the game today at a pub in fort lauderdale, throw some darts, drink some guinness, you know.  Hope the Canes can show us some respect this year, I think Coach Golden kicked about 10 guys off the team so far, qb situation sucks but the running backs are good.  Cant wait to see Golden sporting a suit and tie on the sideline....take care and best of luck on the Barcelona pick!  

Thanks man - good to see you.

Im up in Orlando today, and will be doing much of the same!

GL

Its so sad it is all over.

ManU was completely outclassed----playing on English soil in Wembley meant zilch as I expected.  They could have played in Old Trafford and I doubt the result would have been much different.

I hate odd-numbered years (2011)...even-numbered years we get a World Cup or a Euro Championship in the summer.    

Agreed.

And to add to it - im not really convinced of ManU's strategy of giving up so much space, letting barca settle at the edge of the box, and not close them down.  I realize it is a little of damn if you do and damn if you dont - but yu have to go at them - an take advantage of all chances.

ManU got the goal on their best chance - but didnt press enough in the midfield to ever have a shot at more.  And I know this came from the bench - there is a mentality to playing for a shootout - and negative soccer usually yields poor results when you are outmatched.

Only about 13 months until Poland / Ukraine.  Maybe by then we will actually have a sportsbook to bet at.

Quote Originally Posted by Brasco:

Van,
I couldn't believe that Manu just didnt get under the skin of Barca once they started their "passing game going sideways, backwards and forward".. In EPL a team playing like that would for sure get some "love"! But during the whole EPL season Manu sucked away and were unbeatable at home with home crowd and refs on their side.
Congrats! I thought the Wembley factor would have giving an edge to the "locals".
Embarrasing Manu (again).

Yeah - Im still a little confused as to the tactics.

As you state - one way would be to play a little rough - and know if you are going to make 20 passes in a row - you are going to also pay the price.

But their tactic of just letting them obtain territory very close to the box - and just sit and watch - was the last thing I would be doing.  Look at the second goal (the messi goal), there isnt a player in the Premier League that couldnt have scored that goal - Vidic sat back and watched it happen.  Messi really didnt have to do much except receive the ball - go 3 yards to his left, and shoot.

If Barca wasnt hellbent on dribbling or passing the ball all the way in to the net - I am convinced they could have scored 5 more.  When they shot, they either scored or it took something from VDS to save.

Anyway - on to the long summer.