It's the moment when all the little bubbles accumulate on the edge of the pot, but haven't quite released into a full boil yet.
Alright, Architectureandfootballaholics, I haven't been diligent enough in the past couple weeks on this site. There's been a boatload of stuff happening and I've GOT to go through it for you.
Champions League
So, tomorrow is the FINAL of the Champions League, featuring AC Milan and Liverpool (pronounced in the local accent: "Livayer-Peeool") As you may recall, a few posts ago I stated that this was the best time of the footballing calendar, simply because you get to see your local sports reporters pretending to care about a game that 95% of the world cares about, but somehow escapes the conscious of our country. Here are some topics to watch for when watching the local reporters discuss the game: 1) How distasteful a joke they can crack about the name "Kaka." 2) How Liverpool beat "the offsides trick" and "Broke through the defense to score!" or how somebody "put in the header off of the rebound." (I've actually heard that before) No, seriously, this is a great stage for the world's greatest game, and I can only thank the wonderful excecutives at the fine American media outlets for allowing 4-5 seconds to be wasted on reporting the score. You da man, Rupert! ;)
Here are what WE, the intelligent, classy football fans that we are, should be focused on:
1) The fact that AC Milan shouldn't even BE in this tournament, let alone the final, because they were CONVICTED and PUNISHED of cheating, until the Italian officials decided to take back their initial punishments, giving them measely little fines and point deductions, effectively changing NOTHING about the way the game is played and handled in Italy. It's disgraceful.
2) The fact that IF Kaka does come to play and produces the best game of his career and single-handedly BEATS Liverpool, that HE should officially be crowned "World's Greatest Player," because this is the game that EVERYONE will watch, this is the game that kids dream about playing in, and this is the world's biggest stage. Only on the world's biggest stage, can the world's greatest player be crowned.
3) The fact that this is a rematch of the ever-famous Istanbul final of 2005, where AC Milan took a strong 3-0 halftime lead, only to completely self desctruct and concede the second half to let Liverpool come back to tie, allowing again Liverpool to win in penalties and finish the biggest, and possibly greatest Champions League Final comeback ever.
4) The fact that this is EXACTLY the matchup that no one thought would happen, with both current teams beating Chelsea and Manchester United in the semi-finals. And judging by the boredom of the FA Cup final (more on this later), we BETTER be thanking our lucky stars that this IS the matchup, and not the alternative. Now, if only we could score a Fulham v Newcastle Champions League Final - THEN we'd have something to WATCH! Am I right? Am I right?
Hiring of Big Sam Allardyce
Speaking of Newcastle, we've got a new manager in town! As much as I was concerned about his potential appointment, Big Sam Allardyce has come in and signed for Newcastle, and at the moment, I've got excitement all over. The problem that all Geordies, and I, was afraid of was that Sam's style at Bolton (his previous employer) wasn't the most exciting football. A lot of "long passes" as he likes to call them, a lot of slow, strong defensive alignments, and grinding out wins. But the key word of that last description is "WINS." The man came into a poor, struggling team, and created a consistent top-6 team by being innovative in his preparation and backroom staff, and instilling passion in his players. These are the two BIGGEST problems at Newcastle United. No one is EVER sure who actually wants to play, and who's there just for the paycheck. And there's that pesky problem where EVERY one of our players has to sit out with injury for at LEAST 4 weeks per season. And it seems that the more they get paid, the more they sit out. (See one Michael Owen) At Bolton, Big Sam developed training and diet regements that worked wonders, and the players, mainly, stayed healthy all season long. And if he can take a step up in financial support from Bolton to Newcastle, then logically he should be able to take our team into top 5 position. Where we used to be and where we should be. Or maybe - just maybe - the simple fact that he is now at Newcastle United will, like it has so many other great talents, lead him down a miserable and mystifying path of failure and heartbreack, and within three years, he will have gotten the sack, and will no longer be in contention for the England job - but instead, be a laughing stock, similar to Graeme Souness. I'm just saying.
The Move
Architecture and Football will be moving to Chicago! Thanks to the wonders of cyberspace, the actual Architecture and Football offices are not the most difficult to relocate. So there shouldn't be TOO much of a lapse in contribution. But Mrs. Architecture and Football and I will be leaving our beloved New York City on June 13, will probably be taking a belated honeymoon to Europe, and will begin work in July. We hope to see everybody soon - and if you're not from Chicago-way, please think about visiting...I hear Toyota Park is beautiful in the MLS Playoffs.
I'd also like to give a SHOUT OUT to my cousin Karen for coming to the bar with me to watch the Extra Time of the FA Cup Final. Apparently, the game was a chore to watch, but we didn't have to watch the whole thing, did we Karen? HA! We walked in for the most exciting part, got in for free rather than the $20 cover charge, walked downstairs, ordered a morning lager, and saw the games only goal. She must be some sort of lucky charm - because obviously as a Newcastle supporter, I don't get to see much exciting football - so we all know it's not me who's lucky. Hope you had a good weekend with the kids, Ray! And I hope to see both of you guys soon in Chicago.
Champions League
So, tomorrow is the FINAL of the Champions League, featuring AC Milan and Liverpool (pronounced in the local accent: "Livayer-Peeool") As you may recall, a few posts ago I stated that this was the best time of the footballing calendar, simply because you get to see your local sports reporters pretending to care about a game that 95% of the world cares about, but somehow escapes the conscious of our country. Here are some topics to watch for when watching the local reporters discuss the game: 1) How distasteful a joke they can crack about the name "Kaka." 2) How Liverpool beat "the offsides trick" and "Broke through the defense to score!" or how somebody "put in the header off of the rebound." (I've actually heard that before) No, seriously, this is a great stage for the world's greatest game, and I can only thank the wonderful excecutives at the fine American media outlets for allowing 4-5 seconds to be wasted on reporting the score. You da man, Rupert! ;)
Here are what WE, the intelligent, classy football fans that we are, should be focused on:
1) The fact that AC Milan shouldn't even BE in this tournament, let alone the final, because they were CONVICTED and PUNISHED of cheating, until the Italian officials decided to take back their initial punishments, giving them measely little fines and point deductions, effectively changing NOTHING about the way the game is played and handled in Italy. It's disgraceful.
2) The fact that IF Kaka does come to play and produces the best game of his career and single-handedly BEATS Liverpool, that HE should officially be crowned "World's Greatest Player," because this is the game that EVERYONE will watch, this is the game that kids dream about playing in, and this is the world's biggest stage. Only on the world's biggest stage, can the world's greatest player be crowned.
3) The fact that this is a rematch of the ever-famous Istanbul final of 2005, where AC Milan took a strong 3-0 halftime lead, only to completely self desctruct and concede the second half to let Liverpool come back to tie, allowing again Liverpool to win in penalties and finish the biggest, and possibly greatest Champions League Final comeback ever.
4) The fact that this is EXACTLY the matchup that no one thought would happen, with both current teams beating Chelsea and Manchester United in the semi-finals. And judging by the boredom of the FA Cup final (more on this later), we BETTER be thanking our lucky stars that this IS the matchup, and not the alternative. Now, if only we could score a Fulham v Newcastle Champions League Final - THEN we'd have something to WATCH! Am I right? Am I right?
Hiring of Big Sam Allardyce
Speaking of Newcastle, we've got a new manager in town! As much as I was concerned about his potential appointment, Big Sam Allardyce has come in and signed for Newcastle, and at the moment, I've got excitement all over. The problem that all Geordies, and I, was afraid of was that Sam's style at Bolton (his previous employer) wasn't the most exciting football. A lot of "long passes" as he likes to call them, a lot of slow, strong defensive alignments, and grinding out wins. But the key word of that last description is "WINS." The man came into a poor, struggling team, and created a consistent top-6 team by being innovative in his preparation and backroom staff, and instilling passion in his players. These are the two BIGGEST problems at Newcastle United. No one is EVER sure who actually wants to play, and who's there just for the paycheck. And there's that pesky problem where EVERY one of our players has to sit out with injury for at LEAST 4 weeks per season. And it seems that the more they get paid, the more they sit out. (See one Michael Owen) At Bolton, Big Sam developed training and diet regements that worked wonders, and the players, mainly, stayed healthy all season long. And if he can take a step up in financial support from Bolton to Newcastle, then logically he should be able to take our team into top 5 position. Where we used to be and where we should be. Or maybe - just maybe - the simple fact that he is now at Newcastle United will, like it has so many other great talents, lead him down a miserable and mystifying path of failure and heartbreack, and within three years, he will have gotten the sack, and will no longer be in contention for the England job - but instead, be a laughing stock, similar to Graeme Souness. I'm just saying.
The Move
Architecture and Football will be moving to Chicago! Thanks to the wonders of cyberspace, the actual Architecture and Football offices are not the most difficult to relocate. So there shouldn't be TOO much of a lapse in contribution. But Mrs. Architecture and Football and I will be leaving our beloved New York City on June 13, will probably be taking a belated honeymoon to Europe, and will begin work in July. We hope to see everybody soon - and if you're not from Chicago-way, please think about visiting...I hear Toyota Park is beautiful in the MLS Playoffs.
I'd also like to give a SHOUT OUT to my cousin Karen for coming to the bar with me to watch the Extra Time of the FA Cup Final. Apparently, the game was a chore to watch, but we didn't have to watch the whole thing, did we Karen? HA! We walked in for the most exciting part, got in for free rather than the $20 cover charge, walked downstairs, ordered a morning lager, and saw the games only goal. She must be some sort of lucky charm - because obviously as a Newcastle supporter, I don't get to see much exciting football - so we all know it's not me who's lucky. Hope you had a good weekend with the kids, Ray! And I hope to see both of you guys soon in Chicago.
posted by darkred at 9:48 AM
1 comments
