The Yearly August Geography Lesson
I was all for Liverpool being included in the qualification rounds of the Champions League (and since this blog exists, I have record to prove it). The only problem that I have with it is the fact that it distracts from some truly interesting matches that would ordinarily warrant much better coverage. That and I'm 1/4 Lithuanian but I don't think any Kaunas fans are deluding themselves into thinking they would have done much better against anyone.
But, the match that turned out to be quite a shocker is Dynamo Kiev getting knocked out at the second stage (well unless you compare it to Celtic who nearly came back losing on aggregate 4-5) by FC Thun of Switzerland who was competing for the first time.
My how the mighty have fallen.
It used to be you could mention Dynamo Kiev as one of the powerhouse teams of Europe. During communist times, they actually dominated the league in the former Soviet Union quite a few times.
They're still the Chelsea of Ukraine though. Though being the Chelsea of Ukraine means you get players from the likes of Bulgaria, Croatia, and Lithuania as opposed to all over Europe (the Euro to Hryvnia exchange isn't great).
They're quicky becoming also-rans in the Ukrainian league. Well, not an also ran as they currently sit in 3rd after four matches in the first half of the split season. But the power and the European glory now sits with Shakhtar Donetsk (which anyone in western Ukraine will laudit). Hence why they had to qualify this year and hence why Shakhtar now sits alone.
The third round draw is as follows (and hades, I'll even make my picks):
Basel (Switzerland) v. Werder Bremen (Germany)
Artmedia Bratislava (Slovakia) v. Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) v. Inter Milan (Italy)
Steaua Bucharest (Romania) v. Rosenborg (Norway)
Manchester United (England) v. Debrecen (Hungary)
Malmo (Sweden) v. Thun (Switzerland)
Everton (England) v. Villareal (Spain)
Liverpool (England) v. CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)
Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) v. Udinese (Italy)
Valerenga (Norway) v. Club Brugge (Belgium)
Rapid Vienna (Austria) v. Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia)
Anderlecht (Belgium) v. Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
Anorthosis (Cyprus) v. Rangers (Scotland)
Brondby (Denmark) v. Ajax (Holland)
Real Betis (Spain) v. Monaco (France)
Wisla (Poland) v. Panathinaikos (Greece)
I can't believe I did that. Don't even let me try with the UEFA Cup. Which, by the way, Newcastle United now is officially out of losing their Intertoto semi-final to Deportivo La Coruna (Spain).
Where is my keyboard with foreign letters when I need it? :)
---
Oh, they found Chelsea's lion unharmed. So it obviously wasn't plushies or Arsenal fans that had the mascot. :)
But, the match that turned out to be quite a shocker is Dynamo Kiev getting knocked out at the second stage (well unless you compare it to Celtic who nearly came back losing on aggregate 4-5) by FC Thun of Switzerland who was competing for the first time.
My how the mighty have fallen.
It used to be you could mention Dynamo Kiev as one of the powerhouse teams of Europe. During communist times, they actually dominated the league in the former Soviet Union quite a few times.
They're still the Chelsea of Ukraine though. Though being the Chelsea of Ukraine means you get players from the likes of Bulgaria, Croatia, and Lithuania as opposed to all over Europe (the Euro to Hryvnia exchange isn't great).
They're quicky becoming also-rans in the Ukrainian league. Well, not an also ran as they currently sit in 3rd after four matches in the first half of the split season. But the power and the European glory now sits with Shakhtar Donetsk (which anyone in western Ukraine will laudit). Hence why they had to qualify this year and hence why Shakhtar now sits alone.
The third round draw is as follows (and hades, I'll even make my picks):
Basel (Switzerland) v. Werder Bremen (Germany)
Artmedia Bratislava (Slovakia) v. Partizan Belgrade (Serbia)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) v. Inter Milan (Italy)
Steaua Bucharest (Romania) v. Rosenborg (Norway)
Manchester United (England) v. Debrecen (Hungary)
Malmo (Sweden) v. Thun (Switzerland)
Everton (England) v. Villareal (Spain)
Liverpool (England) v. CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)
Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) v. Udinese (Italy)
Valerenga (Norway) v. Club Brugge (Belgium)
Rapid Vienna (Austria) v. Lokomotiv Moscow (Russia)
Anderlecht (Belgium) v. Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
Anorthosis (Cyprus) v. Rangers (Scotland)
Brondby (Denmark) v. Ajax (Holland)
Real Betis (Spain) v. Monaco (France)
Wisla (Poland) v. Panathinaikos (Greece)
I can't believe I did that. Don't even let me try with the UEFA Cup. Which, by the way, Newcastle United now is officially out of losing their Intertoto semi-final to Deportivo La Coruna (Spain).
Where is my keyboard with foreign letters when I need it? :)
---
Oh, they found Chelsea's lion unharmed. So it obviously wasn't plushies or Arsenal fans that had the mascot. :)
posted by incendiarymind at 3:47 PM
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