While I am equally annoyed I would suggest that the Bundeleague is one of the top two leagues in the world.
All things soccer 2012-13
- Thread starter scouser1
- Start date
well I dont want to get into a "my league is better than your league, my dad can beat up your dad" argument, it is generally accepted that in terms of quality, top players and viewers numbers in the world the top leagues are England, Spain and Italy, then there is a second group of say Germany, France, Netherlands etc
I suppose it depends on how you evaluate the best league. The German league has consistently had both the highest average attendance of any league in Europe as well as the most goals scored. They also have ownership rules that make the league more competitive and prevent what we are seeing in the EPL today.
Germany's league may not have the best dominant teams in Europe, but there is an argument to be made, that top to bottom, it is the best league. It depends on what you value more. A top-heavy league driven by foreign money, or a more competitive league that is entertaining and accessible to fans.
Viewers I have no idea.
i would agree with your fondness for the EPL, but still find it top heavy and too much of a "money can buy you a championship league" for my taste.
And how many honours did Bayern land in Germany last year with this team that is "head and shoulders" above?
I would also argue that reasonable ticket prices, more goals, domestic ownership rules and averaging 7,000 more spectators per game than the EPL show some very healthy signs.
Germany has a stable league that is ran in a pratical manner. Teams aren't allowed to incur losses, teams have significant fan ownership, ticket prices are very low, and the teams foster a fun environment for their fans. However, when a neutral observer turns on a television to watcha game they are drawn by uniquely talented players and teams that entertain. The EPL can't be touched in this regard.
EPL is not different than any other league in Europe, there is a strong correlation between revenue and standings. Dortmund has a lot of good young players, but Bayern will buy them up and they will go to the team that afford their salaries as they mature. Just like Real Madrid and Barca in Spain, PSG and Lyon in France, Ajax and PSV in Holland, Inter, Milan and Juventus in Italy. What is different about the EPL is the number of great players from so many different countries on all the teams as well as coaches/managers.
There are enough posters that keep us up to date on all the leagues, but yes the EPL is the most followed.
For what it's worth I go to all of Canada's WCQ games in Toronto, looking forward to the Panama game on September 7. We've had some success in the Liberty Village bars after some games
I am watching the Atletico Madrid-Athletic Bilbao streamed on the net off a BeIN feed, and the 2 announcers are the exact same ones that GOL TV had, especially the "delightful" Ray Hudson in all of glorious Geordiness
Qatar ever since buying oh I mean winning the bid for the 2022 World Cup is trying to make itself an important player in the world of soccer, and buying out the rights to 2 big time leagues is a major step. On a side note folks let's not let this thread spiral into politics, Al Jazeera, the Middle East and all, there is a forum for that already. Btw being a Atletico sympathizer myself, how awesome is Falcao?
Qatar ever since buying oh I mean winning the bid for the 2022 World Cup is trying to make itself an important player in the world of soccer, and buying out the rights to 2 big time leagues is a major step. On a side note folks let's not let this thread spiral into politics, Al Jazeera, the Middle East and all, there is a forum for that already. Btw being a Atletico sympathizer myself, how awesome is Falcao?
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/draws/index.html
thoughts?
Man U gets the easy group ( Cluj, Braga and Galatasarray ) the Group of Death (D) Real Madrid, Man City, Borrusssia Dortmund and Ajax )
thoughts?
Man U gets the easy group ( Cluj, Braga and Galatasarray ) the Group of Death (D) Real Madrid, Man City, Borrusssia Dortmund and Ajax )
I would like to know who Arsene Wenger keeps bribing at UEFA to get an easy first group stage year in and year out, Schalke, Montpellier and Olympiakos are you kidding me!!! how would you like to be poor Celtic, Barca, Benfica and Spartak Moscow, although I can see them just barely sneaking by to get that second spot, and finally I usually dont care for the fascists vs communists rivalry that the entire planet goes ga ga about aka Real Madrid vs Barcelona, but this is pretty special.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84YVHuf-LO4&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84YVHuf-LO4&feature=share
So true, however they usually Barca or another top ranked team in the first elimination round. Celtic's group isn't that bad, they avoided the three (PSG, Juventus and Galatasaray) toughest teams in Pot 3 and the toughest in Pot 2, ManCity. Dortmund got it the worst of the Pot 4 teams, and ManCity has some work ahead of them.
Atletico 4 Chelsea 1
England 2 Italy 1
These matches confirm to me what I have known for some time, the English game is hollowing out. The EPL is reliant on foreign mercenaries, without a steady stream of home grown players. By ignoring native talent they cannot compete against squads with a strong core of primavera players. England brought almost their full squad to Switzerland for a match against Italy's Under 23 line-up, and they were still were badly outplayed. Chelsea was overwhelmed by Madrid's second club, they are going to have a very tough time getting any points against Juventus (another club that's developed from within).
England 2 Italy 1
These matches confirm to me what I have known for some time, the English game is hollowing out. The EPL is reliant on foreign mercenaries, without a steady stream of home grown players. By ignoring native talent they cannot compete against squads with a strong core of primavera players. England brought almost their full squad to Switzerland for a match against Italy's Under 23 line-up, and they were still were badly outplayed. Chelsea was overwhelmed by Madrid's second club, they are going to have a very tough time getting any points against Juventus (another club that's developed from within).
well I will agree from your second score but the first one just confirms that Atletico is a damn good team, and doesnt get enough credit because there are 2 other more "sexy" teams in La Liga that everyone from people who have a vague interest in soccer in Whitby to Japanese school girls fuel into. Falcao is a superb player that doesnt get enough credit from the pundits. On the second point I couldnt agree more, the youth development system has taken a back seat in England the last 20 years possibly, or is it that English players and coaches are just plain overrated?? I am not sure, line up the 2 national sides of Italy and England and honestly if you were an Italian outside of Gerrard and Rooney who would you take from the English team?
English players are way over priced (Andy Carroll I am looking at you!!!) I had to chuckle and wonder when I heard a report this morning that said that Real Madrid had attempted to pry Gerrard away a couple of years ago, you just know that failed when someone at the Liverpool board did their Dr. Evil impression and said "one billion dollars" in response to that proposal.
I enjoy watching Bundesliga matches, I have ever since the great Toby Charles used to do the broadcasts. Does anyone remember SCTV's The Godfather parody with him featured as part of Ugazzo Video? I still don't understand why Mario Goetze didn't play against the Azzurri.
Serie A hollowed out in the late 90's, consequently they fielded their weakest midfield ever for France98. For those who suggest that Serie A is bereft of talent, look again. Pescara gained promotion to the top tier on the strength of their teenage wunderkinds, Marco Verratti and Lorenzo Insigne. Unfortunately they couldn't retain their services but they got a shitload of cash. PSG paid a cool 22 million Euros for Verratti and Insigne took Lavezzi's place at Napoli.
A very shrewd move on the part of Manchaster City buying Matija Nastasic, he will become one of the best defenders in the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOTchs7zDGI
Serie A hollowed out in the late 90's, consequently they fielded their weakest midfield ever for France98. For those who suggest that Serie A is bereft of talent, look again. Pescara gained promotion to the top tier on the strength of their teenage wunderkinds, Marco Verratti and Lorenzo Insigne. Unfortunately they couldn't retain their services but they got a shitload of cash. PSG paid a cool 22 million Euros for Verratti and Insigne took Lavezzi's place at Napoli.
A very shrewd move on the part of Manchaster City buying Matija Nastasic, he will become one of the best defenders in the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOTchs7zDGI
The truth is that when I see the English National Team in any competition I think no more of them than I do of Denmark or Slovenia. They want to carry themselves off like some kind of perennial powerhouse but the truth is that they're just another mediocre national squad with somewhat recognizable names from a league that spends money. They're not worthy of being mentioned along with Spain, Germany or even Croatia. They inspire no fear or challenge as an opponent.
As far as the EPL goes, it is a league of mercenaries. The defending Champions bring to mind immediately: David Silva, Toure Yaya, Maicon, Nasri, Kun Aguero, Balotelli, Tevez all with an Italian coach. No English players come to mind that make any sort of impact. Whereas in Spain or even Germany, the Lion's Share of players are from their own countries.
And yes, as per Scouser's observation, English players and coaches are overrated. I see no English coaches in La Liga, Serie A or Bundesliga. If they were that good, they would be in serious demand amongst the best leagues in the world.
Well here's a kick in the wallet.
I haven't had to worry about Qatar's football power play since RAI owns the global rights to all Italian domestic matches. However RAI doesn't have the right of refusal to international matches, therefore I'm going to have to fork out more cash to Rogers if I want to watch Italy vs Bulgaria. I'm making to watch both Italy and Canada today but it appears it's going to pay for the priveledge.
Traditional Italian football chant:
Rogers, Rogers va fan cul!
Rogers, Rogers va fan cul!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAAfFIqNgw
I haven't had to worry about Qatar's football power play since RAI owns the global rights to all Italian domestic matches. However RAI doesn't have the right of refusal to international matches, therefore I'm going to have to fork out more cash to Rogers if I want to watch Italy vs Bulgaria. I'm making to watch both Italy and Canada today but it appears it's going to pay for the priveledge.
Traditional Italian football chant:
Rogers, Rogers va fan cul!
Rogers, Rogers va fan cul!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAAfFIqNgw
what you mean the 20 bucks a month they charge for one single channel isnt enough?
on a side not anyone got any thoughts on why Cristiano "whiny" Ronaldo is feeling so "sad" these days? and I guess Falcao's dad is trying to get him killed saying he would gladly move from Atletico to Real Madrid.
