Politics isn’t the only thing making headlines in the U.K. today. I don’t follow British soccer football, but apparently this is a really big deal, sort of like the Red Sox winning the World Series: Chelsea clinched the Premiership title for the first time in 50 years, beating Bolton 2-0 to secure an unassailable lead over second-place Arsenal.
Arash wrote several weeks ago about Chelsea, saying they have a good chance to win the Europe-wide Champions League as well, something no British team has done since 1999. I don’t exactly understand these things (how can both leagues run simultaneously?), but apparently they’re in the semifinals, and the championship is on May 25.
Several leagues can run at the same time. In South America, like in Europe, each country’s national club soccer league runs every year, while at the same time, the Copa Libertadores runs, with the top club teams from all the South American countries (the South American equivalent of the Europe-wide Championship). There is also the Copa America, with each country’s national team, and this and last year, the qualifiers for the World Cup 2006 are also going on (the World Cup is every four years only). The national teams do not always have all of their stars at all of their games, as many play in Europe and it is hard to coordinate. The South America-wide club soccer Cup is the more important Championship anyways, and the Chapiom of the Europe-wide champuionship plays the Champion of the South America-wide Copa Libertadores.
Virtually every country in Europe (including Scotland, Wales, and such) have their own soccer league. England, Spain, and Italy are the big ones, followed closely by Germany, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Turkey, and Scotland. For the big leagues such as the English Premier League or Italy’s Serie A, typically the top three or four teams qualify for the for the following year’s Champions League tournament, while the next two or three qualify for the Europe-wide UEFA Cup (think NIT). So typically the top five or six teams in every league are playing in both their domestic league and a Europe-wide tournament simultaneously.
How is this possible? Well, typically the league schedule includes ~40 games or so, spread across 8 months of the year, which works out to one game a week, but sometimes two. Thus there is plenty of time for UEFA Cup, Champions League, and World Cup qualifying. In England, they also have the FA Cup every year, which is a tournament consisting of every level from the Premier League down to Divisions 1, 2, and I think there’s also a 3. A few years ago, Manchester United accomplished the “treble”, which was the feat of winning the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League all in the same year.
Also, most of the Europeans leagues have a system of advancement/relegation. So, the last three teams in the Premier League get dropped down to Division 1, while the top three teams in Division 1 move up to the Premier League.
Are you sure, Leyden? Man U sold off Veron and Beckham, and essentially replaced them with internally-groomed players (or where did Wayne Rooney come from?). I’d expect their total team salary would be down this year.
And as if Arsenal is a small-money club! I’m sure Thierry Henry plays for free….
Several leagues can run at the same time. In South America, like in Europe, each country’s national club soccer league runs every year, while at the same time, the Copa Libertadores runs, with the top club teams from all the South American countries (the South American equivalent of the Europe-wide Championship). There is also the Copa America, with each country’s national team, and this and last year, the qualifiers for the World Cup 2006 are also going on (the World Cup is every four years only). The national teams do not always have all of their stars at all of their games, as many play in Europe and it is hard to coordinate. The South America-wide club soccer Cup is the more important Championship anyways, and the Chapiom of the Europe-wide champuionship plays the Champion of the South America-wide Copa Libertadores.
Virtually every country in Europe (including Scotland, Wales, and such) have their own soccer league. England, Spain, and Italy are the big ones, followed closely by Germany, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Turkey, and Scotland. For the big leagues such as the English Premier League or Italy’s Serie A, typically the top three or four teams qualify for the for the following year’s Champions League tournament, while the next two or three qualify for the Europe-wide UEFA Cup (think NIT). So typically the top five or six teams in every league are playing in both their domestic league and a Europe-wide tournament simultaneously.
How is this possible? Well, typically the league schedule includes ~40 games or so, spread across 8 months of the year, which works out to one game a week, but sometimes two. Thus there is plenty of time for UEFA Cup, Champions League, and World Cup qualifying. In England, they also have the FA Cup every year, which is a tournament consisting of every level from the Premier League down to Divisions 1, 2, and I think there’s also a 3. A few years ago, Manchester United accomplished the “treble”, which was the feat of winning the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League all in the same year.
Also, most of the Europeans leagues have a system of advancement/relegation. So, the last three teams in the Premier League get dropped down to Division 1, while the top three teams in Division 1 move up to the Premier League.
Are you sure, Leyden? Man U sold off Veron and Beckham, and essentially replaced them with internally-groomed players (or where did Wayne Rooney come from?). I’d expect their total team salary would be down this year.
And as if Arsenal is a small-money club! I’m sure Thierry Henry plays for free….
Apparently Arsenal and Chelsea finished tied (er… drawed?) in both of their matchups this season, <a href=”http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport.asp?id=260643&nav=Navigation+-+Matches”>2-2</a> and <a href=”http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport.asp?id=275813&nav=Navigation+-+Matches”>0-0</a>.
Joe is clearly the only one here who remembers his Rabbit.
But “football” outside of the US is an interesting game, played at the higher levels. Below that, it’s just 25 guys with a ball, an empty field, and nothing better to do.
I also like the game. I prefer college football (-cough- SC -cough-), but there’s a good soccer match rocks. I just wish there were names attached - Arsenal is “the Gunners”, but what about Chelsea? Who are they?
David, football might be a little popular here and there, and hey, I enjoy watching USC play, a little too much for a non-trojan :) but yeah, American football will never be what Soccer is worldwide. I think I like football because when the guy runs across the field, avoiding the other guys, and scores a touchdown, it is the closest (in my mind) that it is going to get to soccer, I wish I could yell gooooooooooal at every touch down :)
The World Cup is probably the biggest sports event world-wide, right alongside the Olympics. But, with World Cup qualifiers going on over a year prior to the World Cup, all good games where teams are fighting for their right to qualify, the anticipation of that event surpasses even the Olympics, I would think. Also, national and international Championships, from the English League to the Europe-wide Championships, are followed by people all over the world. Almost everywhere but here, boys–and girls–grow up playing soccer, like American kids grow up batting while dad pitches and shotting hoops in the drive way.
Futbol, as us Spanish speaking folk call it, is HUGE, and no NFL Europe is ever going to match it, sorry David :)
Joe is clearly the only one here who remembers his Rabbit.
But “football” outside of the US is an interesting game, played at the higher levels. Below that, it’s just 25 guys with a ball, an empty field, and nothing better to do.
I also like the game. I prefer college football (-cough- SC -cough-), but there’s a good soccer match rocks. I just wish there were names attached - Arsenal is “the Gunners”, but what about Chelsea? Who are they?
David, football might be a little popular here and there, and hey, I enjoy watching USC play, a little too much for a non-trojan :) but yeah, American football will never be what Soccer is worldwide. I think I like football because when the guy runs across the field, avoiding the other guys, and scores a touchdown, it is the closest (in my mind) that it is going to get to soccer, I wish I could yell gooooooooooal at every touch down :)
The World Cup is probably the biggest sports event world-wide, right alongside the Olympics. But, with World Cup qualifiers going on over a year prior to the World Cup, all good games where teams are fighting for their right to qualify, the anticipation of that event surpasses even the Olympics, I would think. Also, national and international Championships, from the English League to the Europe-wide Championships, are followed by people all over the world. Almost everywhere but here, boys–and girls–grow up playing soccer, like American kids grow up batting while dad pitches and shotting hoops in the drive way.
Futbol, as us Spanish speaking folk call it, is HUGE, and no NFL Europe is ever going to match it, sorry David :)
Ok and? I still don’t think its a better sport and I could give a number of arguments why, but regardless your argument is that its better because its more popular. If we are asking which sport is more popular, then fine.
Of course my original comment was that we are in AMERICA and that the only football that matters here is our kind. Just a little trash talking.
Wow David! When did I ever say that? You joked that the only football that matters in America is American football, I said, yeah only in America, and then you launched into attack mode, even though your statement implied you agree with me, asking me to explain the sucess of NFL Europe. Non-sequitor anyone? I never claimed that soccer is a better sport (although I certainly think so, but that is a matter of opinion) but that soccer matters more to people world wide than any variation of American football, be it in Canada or Europe. So, yeah, I was talking about what sport is more popular, hence my statement that American football only matters in America (and you statement that in American, American football rules) Dude, calm down and save the fighting for the political battles!
“Then explain the succes of NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.”
That’s easy. First, Canada hasn’t been able to afford to keep their hockey and baseball teams, which were far more popular there than football. It’s probably true with basketball as well.
Second, um, NFL Europe isn’t successful. It exists because the NFL subsidizes it as a developmental league. The league has stagnated, and there’s been constant relocation of franchises looking for a home where they can develop a fan base and make money. For whatever reason, it’s barely taken on in Germany and Holland, but almost nowhere else.
Ok and? I still don’t think its a better sport and I could give a number of arguments why, but regardless your argument is that its better because its more popular. If we are asking which sport is more popular, then fine.
Of course my original comment was that we are in AMERICA and that the only football that matters here is our kind. Just a little trash talking.
Wow David! When did I ever say that? You joked that the only football that matters in America is American football, I said, yeah only in America, and then you launched into attack mode, even though your statement implied you agree with me, asking me to explain the sucess of NFL Europe. Non-sequitor anyone? I never claimed that soccer is a better sport (although I certainly think so, but that is a matter of opinion) but that soccer matters more to people world wide than any variation of American football, be it in Canada or Europe. So, yeah, I was talking about what sport is more popular, hence my statement that American football only matters in America (and you statement that in American, American football rules) Dude, calm down and save the fighting for the political battles!
<i>”Then explain the succes of NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.”</i>
That’s easy. First, Canada hasn’t been able to afford to keep their hockey and baseball teams, which <i>were</i> far more popular there than football. It’s probably true with basketball as well.
Second, um, NFL Europe isn’t successful. It exists because the NFL subsidizes it as a developmental league. The league has stagnated, and there’s been constant relocation of franchises looking for a home where they can develop a fan base and make money. For whatever reason, it’s barely taken on in Germany and Holland, but almost nowhere else.
April 30th, 2005 at 7:34:19 pm
And here I thought from the Headline that Miss Clinton had captured a Beauty pageant in Britain. :>
April 30th, 2005 at 8:14:45 pm
Several leagues can run at the same time. In South America, like in Europe, each country’s national club soccer league runs every year, while at the same time, the Copa Libertadores runs, with the top club teams from all the South American countries (the South American equivalent of the Europe-wide Championship). There is also the Copa America, with each country’s national team, and this and last year, the qualifiers for the World Cup 2006 are also going on (the World Cup is every four years only). The national teams do not always have all of their stars at all of their games, as many play in Europe and it is hard to coordinate. The South America-wide club soccer Cup is the more important Championship anyways, and the Chapiom of the Europe-wide champuionship plays the Champion of the South America-wide Copa Libertadores.
Was that more confusing? :)
April 30th, 2005 at 9:14:06 pm
Virtually every country in Europe (including Scotland, Wales, and such) have their own soccer league. England, Spain, and Italy are the big ones, followed closely by Germany, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Turkey, and Scotland. For the big leagues such as the English Premier League or Italy’s Serie A, typically the top three or four teams qualify for the for the following year’s Champions League tournament, while the next two or three qualify for the Europe-wide UEFA Cup (think NIT). So typically the top five or six teams in every league are playing in both their domestic league and a Europe-wide tournament simultaneously.
How is this possible? Well, typically the league schedule includes ~40 games or so, spread across 8 months of the year, which works out to one game a week, but sometimes two. Thus there is plenty of time for UEFA Cup, Champions League, and World Cup qualifying. In England, they also have the FA Cup every year, which is a tournament consisting of every level from the Premier League down to Divisions 1, 2, and I think there’s also a 3. A few years ago, Manchester United accomplished the “treble”, which was the feat of winning the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League all in the same year.
April 30th, 2005 at 9:15:01 pm
Also, most of the Europeans leagues have a system of advancement/relegation. So, the last three teams in the Premier League get dropped down to Division 1, while the top three teams in Division 1 move up to the Premier League.
April 30th, 2005 at 9:20:11 pm
We are in America, the only football that matters here is the kind that starts in August and ends in January with a USC national championship.
April 30th, 2005 at 10:43:35 pm
They spent 200 million pounds to win it, and even then they still couldn’t beat the Arsenal this year.
http://www.arsenalamerica.com
Go Gunners!
April 30th, 2005 at 11:11:26 pm
Are you sure, Leyden? Man U sold off Veron and Beckham, and essentially replaced them with internally-groomed players (or where did Wayne Rooney come from?). I’d expect their total team salary would be down this year.
And as if Arsenal is a small-money club! I’m sure Thierry Henry plays for free….
April 30th, 2005 at 11:24:13 pm
Apparently Arsenal and Chelsea finished tied (er… drawed?) in both of their matchups this season, 2-2 and 0-0.
May 1st, 2005 at 12:34:19 am
And here I thought from the Headline that Miss Clinton had captured a Beauty pageant in Britain. :>
May 1st, 2005 at 1:14:45 am
Several leagues can run at the same time. In South America, like in Europe, each country’s national club soccer league runs every year, while at the same time, the Copa Libertadores runs, with the top club teams from all the South American countries (the South American equivalent of the Europe-wide Championship). There is also the Copa America, with each country’s national team, and this and last year, the qualifiers for the World Cup 2006 are also going on (the World Cup is every four years only). The national teams do not always have all of their stars at all of their games, as many play in Europe and it is hard to coordinate. The South America-wide club soccer Cup is the more important Championship anyways, and the Chapiom of the Europe-wide champuionship plays the Champion of the South America-wide Copa Libertadores.
Was that more confusing? :)
May 1st, 2005 at 2:14:06 am
Virtually every country in Europe (including Scotland, Wales, and such) have their own soccer league. England, Spain, and Italy are the big ones, followed closely by Germany, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Turkey, and Scotland. For the big leagues such as the English Premier League or Italy’s Serie A, typically the top three or four teams qualify for the for the following year’s Champions League tournament, while the next two or three qualify for the Europe-wide UEFA Cup (think NIT). So typically the top five or six teams in every league are playing in both their domestic league and a Europe-wide tournament simultaneously.
How is this possible? Well, typically the league schedule includes ~40 games or so, spread across 8 months of the year, which works out to one game a week, but sometimes two. Thus there is plenty of time for UEFA Cup, Champions League, and World Cup qualifying. In England, they also have the FA Cup every year, which is a tournament consisting of every level from the Premier League down to Divisions 1, 2, and I think there’s also a 3. A few years ago, Manchester United accomplished the “treble”, which was the feat of winning the English Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League all in the same year.
May 1st, 2005 at 2:15:01 am
Also, most of the Europeans leagues have a system of advancement/relegation. So, the last three teams in the Premier League get dropped down to Division 1, while the top three teams in Division 1 move up to the Premier League.
May 1st, 2005 at 2:20:11 am
We are in America, the only football that matters here is the kind that starts in August and ends in January with a USC national championship.
May 1st, 2005 at 3:01:18 am
“Apparently Arsenal and Chelsea finished tied (er… drawed?)…”
Drawn. Drawn. / Yes, they couldn’t help it, they were just Drawn that way. :)
May 1st, 2005 at 3:07:35 am
And America is the only place were American football matters David :)
May 1st, 2005 at 3:43:35 am
They spent 200 million pounds to win it, and even then they still couldn’t beat the Arsenal this year.
http://www.arsenalamerica.com
Go Gunners!
May 1st, 2005 at 3:58:22 am
Then explain the succes of NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.
May 1st, 2005 at 4:06:56 am
Um, Canadian football has different rules than does American football, David…
May 1st, 2005 at 4:11:26 am
Are you sure, Leyden? Man U sold off Veron and Beckham, and essentially replaced them with internally-groomed players (or where did Wayne Rooney come from?). I’d expect their total team salary would be down this year.
And as if Arsenal is a small-money club! I’m sure Thierry Henry plays for free….
May 1st, 2005 at 4:24:13 am
Apparently Arsenal and Chelsea finished tied (er… drawed?) in both of their matchups this season, <a href=”http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport.asp?id=260643&nav=Navigation+-+Matches”>2-2</a> and <a href=”http://www.chelseafc.com/matchreport.asp?id=275813&nav=Navigation+-+Matches”>0-0</a>.
May 1st, 2005 at 8:01:18 am
<i>”Apparently Arsenal and Chelsea finished tied (er… drawed?)…”</i>
Drawn. Drawn. / Yes, they couldn’t help it, they were just Drawn that way. :)
May 1st, 2005 at 8:07:35 am
And America is the only place were American football matters David :)
May 1st, 2005 at 8:58:22 am
Then explain the succes of NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.
May 1st, 2005 at 9:06:56 am
Um, Canadian football has different rules than does American football, David…
May 1st, 2005 at 11:26:38 am
Yes it has some differences but the basic game is still the same. Kinda like baseball/softball.
May 1st, 2005 at 3:54:15 pm
Joe is clearly the only one here who remembers his Rabbit.
But “football” outside of the US is an interesting game, played at the higher levels. Below that, it’s just 25 guys with a ball, an empty field, and nothing better to do.
I also like the game. I prefer college football (-cough- SC -cough-), but there’s a good soccer match rocks. I just wish there were names attached - Arsenal is “the Gunners”, but what about Chelsea? Who are they?
May 1st, 2005 at 4:26:38 pm
Yes it has some differences but the basic game is still the same. Kinda like baseball/softball.
May 1st, 2005 at 5:04:14 pm
David, football might be a little popular here and there, and hey, I enjoy watching USC play, a little too much for a non-trojan :) but yeah, American football will never be what Soccer is worldwide. I think I like football because when the guy runs across the field, avoiding the other guys, and scores a touchdown, it is the closest (in my mind) that it is going to get to soccer, I wish I could yell gooooooooooal at every touch down :)
The World Cup is probably the biggest sports event world-wide, right alongside the Olympics. But, with World Cup qualifiers going on over a year prior to the World Cup, all good games where teams are fighting for their right to qualify, the anticipation of that event surpasses even the Olympics, I would think. Also, national and international Championships, from the English League to the Europe-wide Championships, are followed by people all over the world. Almost everywhere but here, boys–and girls–grow up playing soccer, like American kids grow up batting while dad pitches and shotting hoops in the drive way.
Futbol, as us Spanish speaking folk call it, is HUGE, and no NFL Europe is ever going to match it, sorry David :)
May 1st, 2005 at 8:54:15 pm
Joe is clearly the only one here who remembers his Rabbit.
But “football” outside of the US is an interesting game, played at the higher levels. Below that, it’s just 25 guys with a ball, an empty field, and nothing better to do.
I also like the game. I prefer college football (-cough- SC -cough-), but there’s a good soccer match rocks. I just wish there were names attached - Arsenal is “the Gunners”, but what about Chelsea? Who are they?
May 1st, 2005 at 10:04:14 pm
David, football might be a little popular here and there, and hey, I enjoy watching USC play, a little too much for a non-trojan :) but yeah, American football will never be what Soccer is worldwide. I think I like football because when the guy runs across the field, avoiding the other guys, and scores a touchdown, it is the closest (in my mind) that it is going to get to soccer, I wish I could yell gooooooooooal at every touch down :)
The World Cup is probably the biggest sports event world-wide, right alongside the Olympics. But, with World Cup qualifiers going on over a year prior to the World Cup, all good games where teams are fighting for their right to qualify, the anticipation of that event surpasses even the Olympics, I would think. Also, national and international Championships, from the English League to the Europe-wide Championships, are followed by people all over the world. Almost everywhere but here, boys–and girls–grow up playing soccer, like American kids grow up batting while dad pitches and shotting hoops in the drive way.
Futbol, as us Spanish speaking folk call it, is HUGE, and no NFL Europe is ever going to match it, sorry David :)
May 1st, 2005 at 11:33:00 pm
Ok and? I still don’t think its a better sport and I could give a number of arguments why, but regardless your argument is that its better because its more popular. If we are asking which sport is more popular, then fine.
Of course my original comment was that we are in AMERICA and that the only football that matters here is our kind. Just a little trash talking.
May 2nd, 2005 at 1:13:17 am
Wow David! When did I ever say that? You joked that the only football that matters in America is American football, I said, yeah only in America, and then you launched into attack mode, even though your statement implied you agree with me, asking me to explain the sucess of NFL Europe. Non-sequitor anyone? I never claimed that soccer is a better sport (although I certainly think so, but that is a matter of opinion) but that soccer matters more to people world wide than any variation of American football, be it in Canada or Europe. So, yeah, I was talking about what sport is more popular, hence my statement that American football only matters in America (and you statement that in American, American football rules) Dude, calm down and save the fighting for the political battles!
May 2nd, 2005 at 2:52:35 am
“Then explain the succes of NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.”
That’s easy. First, Canada hasn’t been able to afford to keep their hockey and baseball teams, which were far more popular there than football. It’s probably true with basketball as well.
Second, um, NFL Europe isn’t successful. It exists because the NFL subsidizes it as a developmental league. The league has stagnated, and there’s been constant relocation of franchises looking for a home where they can develop a fan base and make money. For whatever reason, it’s barely taken on in Germany and Holland, but almost nowhere else.
May 2nd, 2005 at 4:24:38 am
Oh my gosh, can’t you guys take a little trash talking?
May 2nd, 2005 at 4:33:00 am
Ok and? I still don’t think its a better sport and I could give a number of arguments why, but regardless your argument is that its better because its more popular. If we are asking which sport is more popular, then fine.
Of course my original comment was that we are in AMERICA and that the only football that matters here is our kind. Just a little trash talking.
May 2nd, 2005 at 6:13:17 am
Wow David! When did I ever say that? You joked that the only football that matters in America is American football, I said, yeah only in America, and then you launched into attack mode, even though your statement implied you agree with me, asking me to explain the sucess of NFL Europe. Non-sequitor anyone? I never claimed that soccer is a better sport (although I certainly think so, but that is a matter of opinion) but that soccer matters more to people world wide than any variation of American football, be it in Canada or Europe. So, yeah, I was talking about what sport is more popular, hence my statement that American football only matters in America (and you statement that in American, American football rules) Dude, calm down and save the fighting for the political battles!
May 2nd, 2005 at 7:52:35 am
<i>”Then explain the succes of NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.”</i>
That’s easy. First, Canada hasn’t been able to afford to keep their hockey and baseball teams, which <i>were</i> far more popular there than football. It’s probably true with basketball as well.
Second, um, NFL Europe isn’t successful. It exists because the NFL subsidizes it as a developmental league. The league has stagnated, and there’s been constant relocation of franchises looking for a home where they can develop a fan base and make money. For whatever reason, it’s barely taken on in Germany and Holland, but almost nowhere else.
May 2nd, 2005 at 9:24:38 am
Oh my gosh, can’t you guys take a little trash talking?