Manchester United - Champions of Europe 2008

Highlights of a dramatic European Cup final as Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The win secured United's third European Cup triumph in their history. Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard had scored first half-goals in normal time, but with the scores level after 90 minutes, and then 120 minutes, it needed a penalty shootout to separate the sides. John Terry missed a key spot-kick which, if converted, would have won Chelsea the game, before Edwin Van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's sudden death penalty to hand United the trophy and the glory.

Home made from T. Ben on Vimeo.

Cardiff City vs Portsmouth - The FA Cup Final 2008

What a time to meet. Under the arch of Wembley, Cardiff City and Portsmouth will be introduced to one another on one of the biggest stages in English football later as they go head-to-head in what is their first ever FA Cup meeting. And it just happens to be the final.

This most unexpected of finals is in many respects a fitting tribute to what has been one of the most unpredictably romantic FA Cup campaigns in recent memory. From Chasetown to Havant and Waterlooville, from Oldham to Barnsley, the 127th FA Cup will be fondly remembered for its plethora of upsets and giantkillings, and it all culminates with a meeting of two sides who, between them, have not reached this stage of the competition since 1939.

For English football, the way this year’s campaign has panned out represents a fillip for all those who have recently lamented that football at the top level has become ‘boring’ and ‘predictable’ (I’m looking your way Mr. Keegan). It is with this that I will be very keen to see the viewing figures for today’s final, because conversely many of the very same people who bemoan the so-called status quo of modern domestic football and grievingly sigh at the bleak future of the game also happen not to be too interested in tuning in for this year’s showpiece event, citing the lack of big names as a dampener on the potential for entertainment. As they say, you’re damned if you do…

Cardiff City are looking to become the first team outside England’s top division to win the trophy since West Ham in 1980. Managed by Dave Jones, the Welsh outfit dispatched Chasetown, Hereford, Wolves, Middlesbrough and Barnsley to make it to the final – proof that making a cup final is not always as mind-crushingly daunting as some people may have you believe. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the talisman the Bluebirds will look to for the big occasion. The former Chelsea striker has the ability to strike the ball with thunderous venom, and can often offer the sublime as demonstrated by his goal against Wolves in the fifth round, but the Dutchman is coming to the end of his career now and may struggle against a miserly Portsmouth rearguard. Nevertheless he will be desperate to collect an FA Cup winners medal having lost out to Arsenal in 2002 while playing for Chelsea. Joe Ledley and Peter Whittingham have both put in stellar performances in this year’s competition, weighing with goals at crucial times, and Cardiff fans will look to the pair for drive and creativity in midfield. Aaron Ramsey is also a player to watch, with rumours abound that Manchester United are interested in the youngster.

If Portsmouth fans were to pay attention to recent form, they would be heading to Wembley nervously dreading continuation of an awful run that has seen them without a win since April 8th when they defeated West Ham. Four straight defeats and no goal in over five and a half hours of football is hardly the most satisfactory preparation for a final, but this losing streak is perhaps in a way as much a product of their success in reaching Wembley as anything. With focus on the league vanishing the moment Kanu fired Pompey to the final, many feel that Harry Redknapp’s side have simply taken their foot off the gas and eased off in recent weeks, with players fearful that a late challenge here or a booking or two there could result in them missing what is, for many in this squad, the game of their lives.

Portsmouth’s route to the final has been based primarily on defensive stability, as is demonstrated by the fact that the South Coast outfit have conceded just one goal in the competition so far, to Plymouth in the fourth round. Ipswich Town, Preston North End, Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion all failed to breach Pompey’s powerful backline, and with the January signing of Lassana Diarra, Redknapp once again proved his shrewdness in the transfer market. Diarra has merely served to strengthen what is a remarkably physical side, and he was instrumental in helping Portsmouth edge past Manchester United at Old Trafford in the quarter finals. David James looks to also have proved his fitness, which is a massive boost for the club given his excellent season. Portsmouth’s one problem area is upfront however, with Benjani departed and Jermain Defoe cup-tied. The onus in the quest for goals thus falls on Milan Baros, goalless since his move from Lyon, and Kanu. The gangly Nigerian certainly has the experience and nous in dealing with high profile events having already won the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the Premier League, the FA Cup and Olympic gold, and as the matchwinner in the semis he will hope to be similarly effective in the final.

On a day that both the Welsh and English national anthems will be aired in the stadium prior to kick-off, one certainty is that at the close of play an English manager will lift the FA Cup for the first time since Joe Royle in 1995. The question is will it be Harry Redknapp or Dave Jones?

Photo, Shoot - 15.5.2008 - Giggsy Kisses An Old Friend

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs reacquaints himself with the Premier League crown as his late goal in the 2-0 United win over Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium secures the Red Devils' 17th league title on the final day of the season. Giggs, the most decorated footballer in United's history, lifts the trophy for the tenth time on the day he equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record.

6 + 5: European Football In Need Of Some Arithmetic?

Finland to Argentina. Norway muscles into Portugal. Free kick given. From the touchline, Spain frantically barks out instructions. Czech Republic punts a meaty ball upfield which is challenged for by the Ivory Coast and Finland. The ball breaks to France, who shifts a diagonal pass back to
Ghana. Israel harries to try and win possession. Moments later the half time whistle blows.

No, the above passage of play is not an excerpt of commentary from the United Nations’ annual kickabout, but rather that of the Champions League semi final second leg between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, albeit with a slight twist. Chelsea went on to win said clash 3-2 after extra time in what was a thrilling match that sets up the first all-English final in European Cup history.

The outcome of the quarter finals also meant that for the second year running three sides from the English Premier League qualified for the Champions League semis and, significantly, that outside of the Premiership only Barcelona and AC Milan have even made it to the last four of Europe’s elite competition in the past two seasons. The sort of statistic that doubtless has Andy Gray and Richard Keys salivating like butchers’ dogs.

In the aftermath of any entertaining Premier League game shown on Sky Sports, the post-match analysis more often than not involves pundits in the studio guffawing with delight at what has just taken place. Be it a scrappy yet high-scoring draw between two teams fighting for survival at the bottom of the league or a pulsating, high-octane clash between one of the so-called ‘Big Four,’ commonly declared after such matches is the classic line, ‘and THAT is why this is the Best League in the World.’

Now, propaganda is propaganda, and no doubt the directors and overlords at Sky dish out firm orders to presenters to shamelessly hawk the Premier League ‘product’ and ram the party line down the throats of spectators who, they assume, are brainless enough to vacuously swallow anything they spout. This while at the same time hoping we the spectators are nationalistic and narrow-minded enough to agree unequivocally and joyously holler cries of ‘giddy up’ and ‘yeeha’ with pride at suggestions that a 2-2 draw at the Riverside on a sodden, damp pitch between two relegation candidates represents the pinnacle of football utopia.

That said however, the recent prospering of English clubs in the Champions League certainly does give Sky’s claim more weight now than at any point in the Premiership’s 16-year history. Which leads to the inevitable question: Is the Premier League now truly the best league in the world?

Certainly, it is the most hyped. From a commercial perspective it is unquestionably head and shoulders above any other domestic competition in world football, and marketing of the league remains unrivalled. One need only look at the huge revenues generated from all manner of commercial ventures for proof. The new deal for media rights to the Premier League generated almost £2.2 billion effective from the 2007/2008 season, meaning that even Derby County can expect a pay-off of around £30 million simply by virtue of finishing bottom of the table. In contrast note that as winners of the 2006 World Cup Italy received £10.9 million.

The knock-on effect of Premier League clubs having such deep pockets is the greater propensity for teams to attract and retain players of a high calibre. Better players mean a better standard of league, naturally. While the top clubs in European football can just about compete with England’s big four, as a collective the Premiership is financially streets ahead of any other division, and even its middle-of-the-road clubs can offer top dollar to players seeking pastures new. Just ask Luka Modric. If money is the measuring tool, English football undoubtedly rules the roost. But does wealth alone allow us to bestow upon England’s top flight the title of best league in the world? Are there not countless other criteria involved in making such assessments? The debate is open to much conjecture.

6 + 5 = The Answer?

As the very antithesis to the self-promotional Keys’ and Souness’ of this world, who see no further than the Premiership as football’s shining light are those who, in riposte, muddy the waters of such debate with what is ultimately a very pertinent point: To what extent can the English league even be quantified as essentially English when the actual percentage of home-grown players is so low?

Of the three English clubs on Champions League semi-final second leg duty recently, just 12 of the 42 players involved were English (29%) while following Steve McLaren’s sacking as England manager the Telegraph took a weekend at random and found only 34% of players starting for their clubs to be English. The Premiership may currently be at the forefront of European leagues in terms of performance, but it seems responsibility for that is as much down to its diversity as anything else.

With this in mind is it perhaps time then for imposition of Sepp Blatter’s proposed ‘6 plus 5’ rule, whereby six players in every club team’s starting line-up would have to qualify to play for the country in which they ply their trade? Such a law is archaic in many respects (no surprise with Blatter the brains behind it) and unpopular with UEFA President Michel Platini, but would it not create a fairer ratio of local to foreign talent, and if so would this be in any way beneficial for the health of domestic leagues across Europe?

Or, like the all-Spanish final of 2000 (Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia) and the all-Italian final of 2003 (AC Milan 0-0 a.e.t; 3-2 pens Juventus), is the current Premier League dominance of the Champions League merely part of a natural cycle that poses no real cause for long-term alarm?

Photo, Shoot - 5.5.2008 - Speedy Gonzalo Hands Real Madrid La Liga

Gonzalo Higuaín races away in ecstasy after firing the last-minute winner that hands Real Madrid their 31st Primera Liga title. Real had been 1-0 down at Osasuna before Arjen Robben's equaliser and Higuaín's late strike sealed a magnificent comeback that confirms their status as champions, with three games still to play. FC Barcelona will now have to reluctantly perform a guard of honour for their fierce rivals when the two sides meet at the Santiago Bernabeu next week. (AFP / Getty Images)

An Evening with the Don - Roberto Donadoni Speaks

Earlier this week, Just-Football was invited to attend a seminar hosted by Birkbeck Sports Business Centre, at which the guest lecturer was none other than AC Milan legend and current Italian national coach Roberto Donadoni. The lecture was held as part of an event to launch the alumni group of the Birkbeck Department of Management’s MSc Sports Management and the Business of Football programme.

In front of members of the national and international press as well as distinguished guests such as England assistant manager Franco Baldini and Ray Clemence, Mr. Donadoni was invited to discuss the challenges of managing a national team in an era of increasing club power. Over the course of the evening Roberto Donadoni, himself a highly successful player at club level and the youngest ever manager of the Italian national team, eloquently addressed all manner of questions put to him in front of what was a relaxed yet inquisitive audience.

Unfortunately the translator was either painfully out of his depth or reluctant to go into too much detail on a lot of what Donadoni had to say – a matter that, over time, became quite apparent to the audience courtesy of his overly brief and sometimes downright poor translations. Nonetheless, Donadoni spoke freely on a wide range of topics and never hesitated to offer his opinions (except when fielding the now mandatory ‘will Cassano / Del Piero make Italy’s Euro 2008 squad’ queries).

On the subject of David Bentley’s refusal to play for England Under-21s at the European Under-21 Championships last summer for example, Donadoni opined that such a decision could only be described as ‘wrong.’ ‘The coach’s role is to coach, the player’s role is to play…it is not right to refuse such an honour. To refuse to play for your country is profoundly wrong,’ said the man who won 63 caps for the Azzurri during his own international career.

On the issue of the 39th game he was matter-of-fact but unconvinced. ‘Business is business,’ he laughed, ‘but this is not the best thing for us,’ echoing the thoughts of many as to the motives of the initiative.

And when asked to comment on violence at Italian football grounds he stated that England, ‘had been in a similar situation years ago,’ whilst suggesting that, ‘a lot needed to be done to cure the problem in Italy.’

However, it was his thoughts on and indeed fears for the technical level of players in the modern game that proved most interesting. As an attacking midfielder-cum-winger of great technical ability himself, it was notable that the former Rossoneri stalwart often made reference to the topic of technique in his answers, and he repeatedly stressed the importance of skill and guile in the modern game, attributes for which he himself was so well-known.

‘It must be said that in Italy we have lost sight of the technical development of players somewhat. In Italian football, as with football in general these days, the physical aspect of the game has become too predominant a factor and this is not a good thing.’

‘For me it is very important to endorse and encourage the technical side of football and some players do that well - players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic for example. If we continue to ignore development of technique and skill in the game we will face hard times.’

It is of course no surprise to hear such comments from one who formed an integral part of the all-conquering Milan side that won five Serie A titles and three European Cups in the late 1980s and early nineties, especially given the extraordinary grace and style with which that particular side, jam-packed with flair players like Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard, played.

Throughout the evening, Donadoni spoke with an enthusiasm and zeal that left no-one in doubt as to the man’s pride to be coaching his home nation at the highest level. To hear the Italian national team coach speak so passionately about the game’s inherent duty to cultivate players of skill, craft and artfulness can also only have encouraged Azzurri fans that at least theirs is a manager who will strive to play the beautiful game, as the World Champions head into Euro 2008. And if mastery of technique is on the agenda, who knows – maybe Alessandro Del Piero might just find himself on a plane to Austria and Switzerland this summer.