Ok ok, now I will admit that I am a big fan of football, and that I am enjoying the rececnt euro 2008 championships… they have been great. The football on show in most cases (italians french and greeks being the exception)

But I cant help feeling a certain sense of apathy and dis-interest. I have adopted Spain as my team to support this year.. and they have been excellent so far… but i feel a certain sense of guilt… it should be england….

Looking at the qualityu (or lack oif) from some teams makes me angry… mostly with Steve McLarren.

Thanks Steve.

(and yes i know tis old)

This week sees the semi (hehe) finals of the champions league take place, with three english teams and one spanish team (well maybe two if you count liverpool). I am sure most readers in the UK know what the british press/general public feel… But what of the spanish perspective.

 VS
It is fair to say out of the remaining matches this is tie is the one that is receiving the most exposure in the Spanish press (for obvious reasons). Barca, by their standards, are having a bad season. With reports that Eto, Ronaldiniho and others are unsettled the Catalan giants have been suffering from an Arsenal esk slump in form, and are currently 3rd in La Liga after Villareal won against relegation threatened Valladolid at the weekend. Barca fans have been protesting outside of the Nue Camp, and pretty much anywhere else that people will pay attention to them, and this can only be disruptive for a team which its ´Should´ be in the Champions League final. Manchester United on the other hand have looked (much to my displeasure) a class apart from most of their rivals both domestically and in continental competition. Despite the intimidating fortress that is the Nue Camp I can see only one winner here. As far as the Spanish go, obviously Barca fans are rooting for their team, everyone else is backing Manure. Manchester United to go through.

VS

Hmmmm, have we been here before. Inexplicably these two pseudo giants of English football have managed to come up against each other for the 3rd time in recent years. There is considerable Spanish interest int his match with Spain FC (Liverpool) containing a host of Spanish internationals including the unfathomably good El Niño, Fernando Torres, and a Spanish manager. It has has been a disappointing season for Liverpool. After the mass summer spending by Sr Benitez most scouse fans expected their team to be fighting for the premiership title this year, instead they find themselves in yet another Champions League semi final and yet again 4th in the Premiership. The bright point for Liverpool is that after years of searching they have found a striker who will really put the fear of god into any opponent. A disappointing season is something that Chavski can also relate to, despite finding themselves in with  long shot of recapturing the premiership title from Man U. Avram Grant will surely be told to clear his desk in the summer (even if it is for a more executive role), as his team seem to capitulate in an “must win” matches. Despite this, exit in the FA cup to Barnsley as well as loosing in the League Cup final against Tottenham could spur (see what i did there) Grants men past Liverpool and into the final. Spanish hearts say Liverpool for the win, Spanish heads say its a lot closer than that. Liverpool to go through on penalties.

Adios

Nickox