Alle Deutsche Schlussfolgerung

Both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund defeated a top level Spanish club handily this week on their way to an all-German Champions League final in Wembley on May 25. Last week, the German clubs hosted Barcelona and Real Madrid, both scoring 4 goals in victory. First, in Munich, Bayern took a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime with a goal by Thomas Muller. Mario Gomez (the Spanish-German) doubled the lead early in the second half, Arjen Robben scored to make it 3-0, and then Thomas Muller got a second goal to make the final score 4-0.

The Real Madrid at Dortmund match was a historic one for the ages. Robert Lewandowski, the world class Poland forward who scored the first goal of Euro 2012, scored four goals en route to a 4-1 win. He is the first player to ever score four goals in a European semifinal and the first to ever score 4 goals against Real Madrid. Pictured here is Lewandowski celebrating his first goal in the 8th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo actually tied the game at 1-1 just before halftime, but then Lewandowski scored in the 50th and 55th minutes, then when Xabi Alonso took down Marco Reus in the penalty area, Lewandowski took the PK and scored his fourth past Iker Casillas in the 66th minute to make the final score 4-1.

Both German clubs enjoyed insurmountable leads heading into this week's second leg in Spain. Barcelona head coach Tito Vilanova held Lionel Messi out of Tuesday's second leg, despite insisting that Messi is not injured, suggesting to some that Barcelona had given up. Nevertheless, they kept up a 0-0 draw until halftime. Then Arjen Robben scored for Bayern, Gerard Pique knocked an own goal past his own 'keeper Victor Valdes (playing in his 100th game of UEFA competition), and finally Thomas Muller made the game score 3-0 for Bayern Munich and the aggregate score 7-0.

Borussia Dortmund did not display the same dominance on the road at Madrid that Bayern Munich did in Barcelona, but they had a three-goal cushion to work with. Dortmund were on their way to a 0-0 draw, until the final ten minutes in Bernabeu. Karim Benzema, who had come on as a second half substitute for Gonzalo Higuain, scored in the 83rd minute and then Sergio Ramos gave a glimmer of hope to the Real Madrid fans by scoring another in the 88th. But, the score would end 2-0 and the aggregate score was 4-3, Dortmund wins.

There is no question that Bayern Munich are the heavy favorites to win their fifth Champions League title, and their first since 2001.

Photo: UEFA.com

Third Time's A Charm, Right? Right?

Yet again, Brazil is behind schedule. 

This time, Valcke stated that Brazil has no room to maneuver for the WC 2014 if it can't have all the stadiums done by December 2013.

That's ONE FULL YEAR past when they promised they'd have them done, and eight months past the four month extension they got (which they agreed to then said was too soon when they realized April 31st was actually 2013, not 2014).

''I want to reiterate - this will be impossible to repeat for the FIFA World Cup,'' Valcke said. ''(This) has been acknowledged by the federal government and LOC. The deadline for the FIFA World Cup stadiums delivery stands firm as December 2013. There will be no compromise.''

Seriously, this is becoming farcical.

They still have 3 stadiums yet to complete, and this is only to be up to par to have 6 ready for Confederations Cup this summer.  They are supposed to have all 12 done but constant delays including such excuses as "the dog ate my homework", "it's Brazil, we're too busy looking at hot women", and "oooohhhh, you want that done on time, that'll cost you an extra 200mil real (taken straight from the book of grafting written by Texiera)".

No official word has been given as to what FIFA will do when they still don't complete all stadiums by the end of the year deadline, but that's because FIFA will again grant another extension, as we all know, and then crow about how many tickets were sold and how many people will attend.

This all doesn't take into account that no new airlines have filled in for the domestic airlines that have since gone bankrupt, nor the lack of infrastructure improvements like airport expansion, hotel room conversion or highway/public transit improvements.

Honestly, this is going to be a cluster and you know people will still go. 

And therein lies the problem. 

Just like the Chicago Cubs have the 3rd highest ticket prices in MLB yet have gone 102 years without a title, FIFA will keep churning money for itself and the ExCo all while we, the fans,
get bent over and we're stuck holding the bill.

See you in Brazil next summer. *sigh*

Photo: dribbble.com

Arsenal v Reading Highlights

Another completely one-sided match today.  26 shots to 5 in favor of the Gunners as Reading just don't put up even a fight.  4-1 the final.



Video: MSN Sports

Manchester City v Newcastle Highlights

Wow, weren't the Toons in the top 5 or close to before the break?  They decided to take the dive I guess.  Completely dismantled by Man City. 4 goals for City as they run away with this one. 4-0 the final



Video: footytube

Spurs v Swansea Highlights

Bale and Vertonghen get on the board for Spurs and right their ship after several disappointing results as of late.  For their part, Michu scores yet again for Swansea.  Tottenham moves to 3rd in the league with this result and Chelsea dropping to hobbled Southampton.



Video: MSN Sports

Chelsea v Southampton EPL Highlights

Poor Rafa.  He blames a blogger in eastern Europe for his team's troubles lately.  Wonder who he'll blame for Chelsea now losing to Southampton and dropping to 4th in the league today?

Even a token Lampard goal couldn't save Chelsea.  Southampton gets the deserved 3pts missing several starters, 2-1.



Video: MSN Sports