Any Chelsea fans out there?

I don't know is it's God or luck, but the impressive runs that the Japanese women had in the WC after the tsunami tragedy and now Chelsea had while on the brink of relegation intrigue me.

I don't know that I have seen such an impressive beast of a player as Drogba, even when he's diving. Nice win Chelsea. The Brits as a whole are now 6-0 in PK's. And I hope it's not really Drogba's last game.

To correct Chris, Drogba is not a monster. He is THE Monster.

Hey now... RELEGATION?! Things were bad earlier in the year but there was 0.00% chance they were ever going to end the season in the relegation zone. It was a horrible league season for them but they still did finish 6th. Well up in the top half of the table. With the FA Cup win and the HUGE Champions League victory, it ends up as the most succesful season ever for Chelsea.

Drogba has to be my favorite soccer player of all time now, supplanting American Ricky Davis who I grew up cheering. He is simply unstoppable inside the box. A mismatch no matter who is covering him. Teams must be terrified to play him. He was WELL covered on that header goal. Got shoved in the back as he went up for it. He just can't be stopped.

The era of Terry, Lampard, Cole, Cech and Drogba seems to be either at the end or very close to it. Reminds me of the Big 3 for the Celtics. For longtime fans of the Blues, it was nice to see that group get the single trophy they wanted most.

They should do the right thing and offer the coach that got them there a contract!

All I know about soccer I learned watching my kids play travel soccer and from the guy whose office is next to mine, who is a huge fan, and had been talking about this matchup, the background, etc. all week (even about the role of the "Special One"!). So I watched after the first half, and that was unbelievable. I thought it was crazy that in my Sunday paper the only mention of the game was a tiny piece about three lines long - in small font in one of those boxes full of sports miscellany. Drogba was amazing. The squandered opportunities were amazing. The last chance heroics were amazing. Hard to beat for sports entertainment.

Chris M wrote:Hey now... RELEGATION?! Things were bad earlier in the year but there was 0.00% chance they were ever going to end the season in the relegation zone.

They said after Chelsea's win that Tottenham would be relegated instead. Does that mean from the Champion's League rather than UEFA?

Diego wrote:

Chris M wrote:Hey now... RELEGATION?! Things were bad earlier in the year but there was 0.00% chance they were ever going to end the season in the relegation zone.

They said after Chelsea's win that Tottenham would be relegated instead. Does that mean from the Champion's League rather than UEFA?

Spur probably is going to play UEFA Europa League. Don't know exactly the qualification rule after checking Wiki, but nobody really cares about Europa.

How many "championships" are there? My twitter feed has been bombarded for 3 weekends in a row of a "champion."

Diego wrote:

Chris M wrote:Hey now... RELEGATION?! Things were bad earlier in the year but there was 0.00% chance they were ever going to end the season in the relegation zone.

They said after Chelsea's win that Tottenham would be relegated instead. Does that mean from the Champion's League rather than UEFA?

Spurs are bumped from the UCL now next year while Arsenal must play in the play-off. With Chelsea winning (finishing 6th in the league) the top four all slide down a spot. Sucks to be Spurs as they are bumped out.

Relegation generally refers to finishing bottom 3 of 20 in the English Premier league. Though technically Spurs were 'relegated' from the champions league to the Europa League now.

I hate Chelsea.

Dave-O wrote:How many "championships" are there? My twitter feed has been bombarded for 3 weekends in a row of a "champion."

Please don't be the typical American sports fan though Dave where if it's not Football, Basketball or baseball it doesn't matter. The history of EPL dates back further than only the National League in baseball with a massive global audience.

Jerry wrote:

Diego wrote:

Chris M wrote:Hey now... RELEGATION?! Things were bad earlier in the year but there was 0.00% chance they were ever going to end the season in the relegation zone.

They said after Chelsea's win that Tottenham would be relegated instead. Does that mean from the Champion's League rather than UEFA?

Spur probably is going to play UEFA Europa League. Don't know exactly the qualification rule after checking Wiki, but nobody really cares about Europa.

Even I get confused about what exactly the Europa cup is. As far as I can figure, it is like NIT tournament for those who don't get into March Madness. But I think there's some weird thing where the winners get to move up? Or maybe it is that the early losers of the Champions League play in Europa matches? Something like that. I do feel bad for Tottenham getting bumped out by Chelsea but reserving a place for the winner or host country is common in the World Cup and Olylmpics so its just bad luck for them.

Ben Z wrote:

Dave-O wrote:How many "championships" are there? My twitter feed has been bombarded for 3 weekends in a row of a "champion."

Please don't be the typical American sports fan though Dave where if it's not Football, Basketball or baseball it doesn't matter. The history of EPL dates back further than only the National League in baseball with a massive global audience.

Why is it, Ben, that only soccer fans feel the need to plaster all over twitter and facebook, "best sport in the world!"? Honestly, do you ever see football or basketball fans feel the need to proclaim how "beautiful" their sport is? Its absurd.

I have no problem with soccer. I do have a problem with soccer fans consistently trying to tell others how great their sport is. Just watch your sport and I'll watch mine.

More importantly, I really was asking an honest question about the different champions. I was under the impression Man City won last weekend and was confused about what Chelsea "won" this weekend.

Dave-O wrote:

Ben Z wrote:

Dave-O wrote:How many "championships" are there? My twitter feed has been bombarded for 3 weekends in a row of a "champion."

Please don't be the typical American sports fan though Dave where if it's not Football, Basketball or baseball it doesn't matter. The history of EPL dates back further than only the National League in baseball with a massive global audience.

Why is it, Ben, that only soccer fans feel the need to plaster all over twitter and facebook, "best sport in the world!"? Honestly, do you ever see football or basketball fans feel the need to proclaim how "beautiful" their sport is? Its absurd.

I have no problem with soccer. I do have a problem with soccer fans consistently trying to tell others how great their sport is. Just watch your sport and I'll watch mine.

More importantly, I really was asking an honest question about the different champions. I was under the impression Man City won last weekend and was confused about what Chelsea "won" this weekend.

If the NFL doesn't improve its concussion response, there may be even more (new) soccer fans plastering all over twitter "best sport in the world." I'm not a lawyer but even I can smell the blood in the water.

So I agree that from an outsiders perspective there appears to be too many 'champions' but each is important and (arguably) credible. In England (and many other European countries) there is a champion of each league, champion of a tournament in each country (called the FA cup in England) and an overall European Champion (Champions League).

Man City was the champion of the league / regular season. Chelsea was the champion of Europe by beating Bayern Munich over the weekend. Think of it like the March Madness of European soccer. Only the best from each country qualify each year depending on if they finish top 1-4 in their respective domestic league. Then it's round robin, group play to start the Champions League followed by knock-out games once it's down to 16. Chelsea won it all this year. That's the big prize that generates all the TV money to the final two teams.

Soccer fans, particularly in the US, feel its under-appreciated. That's probably why you see many posts this time of year. It was a dramatic finish to both the league (with Man City scoring two goals the last three minutes) and the Champions League (with Drogba scoring late, Robben missing a penalty and then Drogba scoring the 5th and final penalty).

Don't get me started on NFL fans screaming about 'fantasy football', the draft and all the other nonsense surrounding it. Baseball fans traveling to Spring 'training', etc.

If you are a fan of the sport you want others to share in your excitement. It's as simple as that.

Dave-O wrote:

More importantly, I really was asking an honest question about the different champions. I was under the impression Man City won last weekend and was confused about what Chelsea "won" this weekend.

Now you just offend the whole Europe, Dave.

Just kidding, see the answer from Ben.

Ben Z wrote:

Soccer fans, particularly in the US, feel its under-appreciated. That's probably why you see many posts this time of year. It was a dramatic finish to both the league (with Man City scoring two goals the last three minutes) and the Champions League (with Drogba scoring late, Robben missing a penalty and then Drogba scoring the 5th and final penalty).

If you are a fan of the sport you want others to share in your excitement. It's as simple as that.

What irks me is the difference between: (a) celebrating/sharing your excitement; and (b) criticizing others for not sharing the same. For example, I (and I bet many here) think track and field is under appreciated. Let's say following Ritzenhein's 12:56, two different people post -

(a) Holy crap! Ritz runs 12:56! New American Record!
(b) If you're aren't excited about Ritz's 12:56, then you simply aren't a fan of sports. Running is the purest form of "sport" and watching these guys should be appreciated by everyone!

There's a big difference in those two posts, in my opinion, and at least based on the people I follow, soccer fans are the only ones who act in a condescending manner if you don't "get" their sport. (And that's not in any way directed towards you).

Thanks for the explanation.

I find soccer to be right up there with ice hockey... and curling.

Dave-O wrote:

What irks me is the difference between: (a) celebrating/sharing your excitement; and (b) criticizing others for not sharing the same. For example, I (and I bet many here) think track and field is under appreciated. Let's say following Ritzenhein's 12:56, two different people post -

(a) Holy crap! Ritz runs 12:56! New American Record!
(b) If you're aren't excited about Ritz's 12:56, then you simply aren't a fan of sports. Running is the purest form of "sport" and watching these guys should be appreciated by everyone!

There's a big difference in those two posts, in my opinion, and at least based on the people I follow, soccer fans are the only ones who act in a condescending manner if you don't "get" their sport. (And that's not in any way directed towards you).

Thanks for the explanation.

So I get it, you are not a fan of soccer/football and someone (or some people) have annoyed you recently by making comments similar, or identical, to point B above.

But I'm sure if I searched around your blog or on FB I bet I could find similar comments about the Bears, Bulls or Cubs that some may find 'elitist' in nature.

People are passionate about sports and often times it crosses the line and rubs people the wrong way. I don't take it personally because after all...I'm a die-hard Packers fan and they are the greatest sports franchise in the history of the United States and if you don't like them then you are not a real American!

Cheers.

Dave-O wrote: For example, I (and I bet many here) think track and field is under appreciated.

And btw, road-racing and T&F is under-appreciated gosh darnit!