[FOOTY] The 2017 Europa League Final (Wednesday 24th May) - with poll

[Reg]

Wednesday 19:45
Ajax v Man Utd - BT Sport Showcase / BT Sport 2

The game will also be on YouTube.

http://www.live-footballontv.com for other things, and here's the U20 World Cup thread. (http://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?1576-U20-World-Cup-South-Korea)

[Pleb]

Much better :cool:

[Offshore Toon]

As nice as Ajax were to watch against Lyon, they were wasteful. Mourinho will shut the game down and what few chances Ajax create they'll probably fuck them up. As people have noted on here a few times this season you'd back Mourinho in a one-off game. I reckon 1 or 2 to Man Utd, but I'd like Ajax to win.

[Lewis]

WHEN Fellainimania gets the winner. :drool:

[Pleb]

A United Europa win in 90 minutes would further cement our chances of actually having a decent trophy winning season next season.

[Ian]

You missed "Football." as an option, Reg. New thread, please.

[Giggles]

Presumably that falls under the Ajax options.

[Kikó]

620 flight to Stockholm tomorrow morning. It's going to be a pretty raucous occasion with the events of the other night. Hope we can do the job but it's a real unknown.

[SvN]

I feel pretty confident for some reason. The most nervous I've been in years, though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is that because of the trophy or because of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL prize?

United should and will win easily.

[Kikó]

Was interviewed by Jamie Jackson a few minutes back. Doesn't have a skin head anymore and actually looks a down and out version of me.

[SvN]

Is that because of the trophy or because of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL prize?

United should and will win easily.

Well, both. I think the Champions League aspect makes it more nerve-wracking, though. It's crap not being in the competition after taking it for granted for 2 decades.

[Lewis]

It's a bit of means to an end these days (more money, an increased ability to attract the top, top players), so I think I would rather not be in it if it gave them a better chance of winning the league. That said, United ought to be as well placed as anybody not called Ronaldo over the coming years to actually win the thing, so maybe just throw it in the group stages next year and concentrate on the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mourinho's CV:
8 leagues
2 European Cups
1 of these
8 domestic cups (full length ones)
5 other trinkets

I reckon he could do with a third European Cup at some point to absolutely cement himself among the top three or four managers of all time.

[Lewis]

Would another one really count if he only won it by accumulating the best players for large transfer fees?

[niko_cee]

It's a bit of means to an end these days (more money, an increased ability to attract the top, top players), so I think I would rather not be in it if it gave them a better chance of winning the league. That said, United ought to be as well placed as anybody not called Ronaldo over the coming years to actually win the thing, so maybe just throw it in the group stages next year and concentrate on the league.

I was thinking this earlier. I really don't see the allure of the Champions League anymore. I suppose the best of all worlds is to qualify for it (seeing as this is the stated aim of all decent teams now), bank the group cash/summer signing bonus, come third in the group and go and win the UEFA Cup. Rinse and repeat. Although maybe that further cripples ones ability to win the league. United don't need to be in the Champions League to sign anyone (see last summer). There's one thing that talks in football, by and large (other than insurmountables such as 'always wanted to play for x') and that's money.

I'd much rather win the UEFA Cup than get bummed by Bayern in the last 16 of the Champions League.

[Mazuuurk]

Why is the game on YouTube and whats the URL?

[Reg]

Was interviewed by Jamie Jackson a few minutes back. Doesn't have a skin head anymore and actually looks a down and out version of me.
What did he ask you?


Why is the game on YouTube and whats the URL?
Dunno, and it's for UK users only unfortunately - https://www.youtube.com/user/BTSportOfficial

[Adamski]

What did he ask you?

Is Wedge actually back?

[Offshore Toon]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/24/manchester-united-fans-sombre-mood-europa-league-final-stockholm?CMP=share_btn_tw

There's Kikó's interview.

I'll save you a click: there's no TTH shout-out.

[Lewis]

'Andrew Dawson' there, following in the footsteps of many an Andy who thought they were something.

[Offshore Toon]

That "echo chamber" line seemed a bit forced

[Jimmy Floyd]

Making the Guardian use square brackets because they don't understand your proper manc sean lingo is a tick on the bucket list though.

[Dark Soldier]

Andrew Dawson, 30, wearing a vintage United shirt as he wandered around Stockholm city centre, said: “I live in London but am from Manchester"

Comes across as a fairweather to me. Turncoat fuck.

[Lewis]

He'll probably look right through manc sean if they bump into each other.

'Oh, yes. Gogglebox isn't it? With the dogs?'

[Pepe]

Good that you made it clear that you live in London.

[Reg]

Well spoken, Kiko.

I have nothing witty to say. :(

[7om]

Sweeping generalisations of Dutch people as well. Sickening discrimination on show.

[Offshore Toon]

What's the update on the Somalians in Sweden, Kiko?

[SvN]

Decent line up. Only real surprise for me is that he went with Mata over Martial. Let's do this thing.

[John Arne]

Here's the YouTube BT stream. Not available here. Cunts.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9sH2U_8QQ4

[Magic]

I can't see the video? I want to see if the interview is as smarmy as it reads.

[Adamski]

Who said there was a video?

[Reg]

Decent line up. Only real surprise for me is that he went with Mata over Martial. Let's do this thing.
Blind over Jones as well? Maybe motivated due to it being Ajax, and they're not a very tall team.

Fellaini over Carrick is stupid as usual but not surprising.

[Mazuuurk]

I cannot help but point out that Keeks insisted I read his interview.

[Offshore Toon]

Do they always try to raise money after terrorist attacks? Jake's "pick up your phone and do your bit" wasn't exactly Geldof.

[Adamski]

You'd hope good football will always win through but I reckon a Mourinho shitfest will see it done tonight.

[SvN]

Blind over Jones as well? Maybe motivated due to it being Ajax, and they're not a very tall team.

Fellaini over Carrick is stupid as usual but not surprising.
I thought it was always going to be Blind and someone. Fellaini isn't a big surprise either. Carrick's legs have truly gone this season.

[Lewis]

I wonder who 'LvG' is more bitter at. Probably Ajax.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Keeper looks fun.

[7om]

My American commentator just said, "Man United to tip off".

Muted.

[Giggles]

It's on TV3 here.

Souness :cool: :drool:

[Lewis]

I thought it was always going to be Blind and someone. Fellaini isn't a big surprise either. Carrick's legs have truly gone this season.

He was excellent before Christmas, but then he just turned useless.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Paying off his £90m fee :cool:

[Giggles]

Quality player :uhoh:

[John Arne]

That came from such a shit throw-in from Ajax.

[hfswjyr]

Mis-hit then deflection. Seems about right.

[Lewis]

It was all about the lovely pass into his feet.

[Yevrah]

Shame.

[Lewis]

Mis-hit then deflection. Seems about right.

My Frank Lampard comparisons coming true.

[Lewis]

My Frank Lampard comparisons coming true.

This is probably the first mention of Lampard and deflected goals since about 2009.

[7om]

Bringing dat silverware back to heal the city ;**)

[Yevrah]

They'll need to heal the fans in the stadium first, this has been grade A wank so far.

[Lewis]

It's very Good Young Side from Ajax, and a better team than United would be walking this 4-0.

[Pen]

Lol at Kiko for not wearing a new United top with 'Greazy' 7 at the back. What a way to waste your 15 seconds of fame.

[Reg]

I've really enjoyed it.

Traore looks the better winger to me. Dolberg is meant to be good but he's not seeing the ball yet. United have closed off the centre well.

[Foe]

The cb everyone has continually raved about tonight, Sanchez, looks like a regen of Titus bramble.

[Offshore Toon]

Yeah, Ajax are bottling this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Henrikh :drool:

[Offshore Toon]

Great reflex there. Might get a great second half if Ajax go all out attack.

[Magic]

'Buying ready made stars such as Pogba'

£89 million, mate.

[Lewis]

I've really enjoyed it.

Traore looks the better winger to me. Dolberg is meant to be good but he's not seeing the ball yet. United have closed off the centre well.

It reminds me of the 2012 final, when 'Atleti' stood around and let that Good Young Bilbao Side nothing themselves into a 3-0 defeat.

[Ian]

Just after Phil Neville said he had to come off, too. An assist for him.

[Offshore Toon]

This Traore is very Moussa Sissoko. Can carry the ball but it's usually for nothing because he always makes the wrong decision.

[Magic]

£89 million. Rolls it out for a corner. :lol:

[Spammer]

Just so I'm certain: if Manure win this, we'll have 5 English teams in the CL next year. Is that right? No other English team will lose their place because of this?

[Danny]

Correct. Although one of Liverpool/City losing it would have been hilarious.

[Reg]

Just so I'm certain: if Manure win this, we'll have 5 English teams in the CL next year. Is that right? No other English team will lose their place because of this?
That's right.

[Magic]

This is dreadful. How can you enjoy this utter shit Reg.

[Offshore Toon]

I can't tell if Man Utd are closing down extremely well or Ajax are just playing shit.

[Magic]

Have they even had a shot on target?

[Lewis]

The only United players having to have a decent game are the full-backs. Everyone else has been able to coast. Hopefully Wayne Rooney comes on soon and bundles home a shit penalty.

[CJay]

Yawn. Why do Ajax play with zero width? Have United been involved in any exciting games this season?

[Giggles]

Rabbit in the headlights stuff from Lingard there.

[CJay]

Someone needs to buy that Sanchez. Looks like another Bailly-type monster.

[Lewis]

You would have put your life on him ballsing that up.

[7om]

I'd laugh if Rooney had refused to come on.

[Foe]

Someone needs to buy that Sanchez. Looks like another Bailly-type monster.

He was shocking in the first half. Been a totally different player in the second.

[Giggles]

Champions League :drool:

[Magic]

They've done all those murdered children really good by winning this game.

[Shindig]

I really hate how the Champions' League spot has inadvertently undermined a great European trophy further.

[Lewis]

lol at the Mourinho Street Posse making it all about him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Champions League :cool:

Fifth club to do the European treble too.

[Reg]

This is dreadful. How can you enjoy this utter shit Reg.
Because I have an attention span. ;)

[CJay]

I really hate how the Champions' League spot has inadvertently undermined a great European trophy further.

Yeah, it's kind of lame. It's now just a 'playoff for a Champions League spot' rather than winning a trophy.

[Giggles]

Yeah, it's kind of lame. It's now just a 'playoff for a Champions League spot' rather than winning a trophy.

If there wasn't a spot they could moan their way into one at least.

[CJay]

Because I have an attention span. ;)


Did you actually enjoy that? Sure, Ajax are good to watch playing out from the back, but they weren't exactly put under much pressure in that regard and they had zero ideas in attack. United played it smart if dull, but never had to do any more than that.

[Reg]

But the effect it has is less teams binning it off.

[Reg]

Yeah I did, but I wanted United to win. The first half was quite good; the second half classic shutdown Mourinho.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Qualification for a higher tier tournament seems a worthy prize for winning the second tier tournament, if you ask me.

It's also a fun way of deciding an extra spot for teams that might not be getting in otherwise. Take note, AC Milan.

[Lewis]

Yeah, it's kind of lame. It's now just a 'playoff for a Champions League spot' rather than winning a trophy.

Apart from the fact that you win a trophy.

[Boydy]

867455664376889344

[Pepe]

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's brilliant.

[Shindig]

If there wasn't a spot they could moan their way into one at least.

I do agree they should have one but they shouldn't elevate the reward over the physical winning of a trophy. I'd like to hope, as it just becomes part of the package, it'll be pushed less to the forefront. Unfortunately, the Champions' League is too much of a product now.

[Kikó]

I cannot help but point out that Keeks insisted I read his interview.

Good to meet you as well.

[Shindig]

Yeah, that read super fairweather. It's calling the Dutch 'rowdy' that tipped it.

[Kikó]

Has rowdy not been used by anyone outside a newspaper or wrestling for twenty years?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

867696757731463168

Rooney dropped :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

We look a bit short of goalkeepers to me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

FEC Jones can fill in.

[Shindig]

We look a bit short of goalkeepers to me.

I dunno. Pickford's had the kind of month that could've seen him grab a call-up.

[Mazuuurk]

Good to meet you as well.

Same, mate. You go out on the piss, proper like, after the game in the end?

[Kikó]

I was completely wankered at the game so by the end had begun to sober up. We ended up walking the longest route ever which took over an hour so the mood was dead. We just headed back once we finally hit civilisation again.

[Kikó]

Dundee united are down to ten men for a second yellow when it was a stonewall penalty for them. Terrible.

[Magic]

Scottish refereeing. :drool:

[Giggles]

How is that shitshow still going? Doesn't the league start mid July?

[Adamski]

Playoff final.

[Magic]

1st leg as well. Disgrace that it isn't a one off.

[Waffdon]

And the fact the Prem team play one set of matches.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Isn't that the whole idea?

[Kikó]

Popbitch
What people are asking?

Which international footballer
is trying very hard not to
retire as he loves to gamble
and really, really needs the
salary to cover his losses.
(Clue: it's not Wayne Rooney.)

[Waffdon]

Isn't that the whole idea?

All the other divisions have the team who has finished second bottom play against the team who finished fourth in the league below.

Teams voted for it so whatever

[Shindig]

Popbitch
What people are asking?

Which international footballer
is trying very hard not to
retire as he loves to gamble
and really, really needs the
salary to cover his losses.
(Clue: it's not Wayne Rooney.)

I'm going with Jonathan Terrence.

[Danny]

Since my first guess is gone. Totti

[Jimmy Floyd]

Popbitch
What people are asking?

Which international footballer
is trying very hard not to
retire as he loves to gamble
and really, really needs the
salary to cover his losses.
(Clue: it's not Wayne Rooney.)

JT, obviously. Talk in these parts is that he's remortgaged his house a few times to pay for it.

[Lewis]

He would presumably be quite easy pickings in card games and that if he's so enamoured with all things two and six. I make that crap joke as somebody with literally no idea how you play poker or anything beyond the one that goes to twenty-one, so let's not have a load of dweebs telling me where I went wrong cheers thanks.

[Yevrah]

This is delightful.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40047816

[Mellberg]

I was completely wankered at the game so by the end had begun to sober up. We ended up walking the longest route ever which took over an hour so the mood was dead. We just headed back once we finally hit civilisation again.

Should've wasted less time and just put "I'm getting old and boring".

Feel your pain.

[Mazuuurk]

I was completely wankered at the game so by the end had begun to sober up. We ended up walking the longest route ever which took over an hour so the mood was dead. We just headed back once we finally hit civilisation again.

Yeah told you that was gonna happen. They really didn't think that through when they built that stadium (or, it's exactly what they had in mind).

[John Arne]

Mourinho claiming that 6th and the Europa is better than 2nd :D He's such a clown.

[Pen]

Why wouldn't it be? With the current Europa setup where the winner gets an UCL place I'd take that over finishing second without any trophies.

[John Arne]

I fear you are saying that because you are a United fan (which is fine - if you prefer it - fair play). However, the league is the best measure of a team, and always will be. You could easily argue that it's better than 4th, given 4th has to enter the Champions League at the qualifying stage - but 6th is no way better than 2nd, and arguably 3rd - even with the auto CL qualification.

[Kikó]

Football is about winning trophies. Winning the league is the pinnacle. But otherwise you want to win cup competitions.

[Kikó]

Should've wasted less time and just put "I'm getting old and boring".

Feel your pain.

I was in the dog house anyway because I was being a dick during the game. It was probably for the best that I got us lost.

[Waffdon]

Winning the league cup and EL whilst finishing sixth is faaaaaaaar better than a second place finish. Why is that even uo for debate.

[Dark Soldier]

I've seen about six 2nd place finishes for United, fuck doing that again. Spurs only giving it the big 'un because they've finished ahead of Arsenal for the first time in about 60 years.

[CJay]

I'd take winning the Europa League as a successful season, regardless of the reward. 2nd means nothing. Arsenal finished 2nd last season...

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It would be debatable if Champions League qualification wasn't bundled in.

As it is, this is better than second.

[Pen]

I fear you are saying that because you are a United fan (which is fine - if you prefer it - fair play). However, the league is the best measure of a team, and always will be. You could easily argue that it's better than 4th, given 4th has to enter the Champions League at the qualifying stage - but 6th is no way better than 2nd, and arguably 3rd - even with the auto CL qualification.

Winning > not winning. League is indeed the best possible thing to win, but if you can't have that in my opinion it goes UCL, Europa, FA-cup, fourth place trophy, league cup, the rest.

I think it would be debatable if the winner wouldn't get a UCL spot, but as it stands I don't think many would agree with you.

[John Arne]

I'm not saying it isn't successful, of course winning trophies is great. I just don't think it's as successful as finishing second, over a 38 game season - it's probably more satisfying for a fan, I'll definitely accept that.

Out of interest, if Arsenal finish 8th next season, and win the Europa - would you say they had a more successful season than a 2nd place Chelsea?

[Pen]

Yes. I probably would. Unless Chelsea would win something else.

[John Arne]

Fair enough.

[John]

Mourinho claiming that 6th and the Europa is better than 2nd :D He's such a clown.

He's completely right.

[Magic]

He's completely right.

Still bitter about losing 2nd eh?

[Giggles]

He is right. Trophy and Champions League > no trophy and Champions League.

[Lewis]

Tottenham appeared to be taking the UEFA Cup quite seriously until they lost to fucking Gent as well. Full strength side, sold-out Wembley... They clearly valued the competition for its own sake at the time.

[Giggles]

Tottenham appeared to be taking the UEFA Cup quite seriously until they lost to fucking Gent as well. Full strength side, sold-out Wembley... They clearly valued the competition for its own sake at the time.

They just shat it. As they do.

[Adamski]

Still bitter about losing 2nd eh?

That Europa League win we got instead really made up for it though.

[John]

Still bitter about losing 2nd eh?

We aren't all fuelled by bitterness.

[niko_cee]

It's a better season [to actually win things and end up in the same place], but the better team comes second.

[Waffdon]

We aren't all fuelled by bitterness.

loooooooooooooooooooooolllllllll

[Magic]

We aren't all fuelled by bitterness.

https://i.giphy.com/133tEQgc0V3Dc4.gif

[Danny]

We aren't all fuelled by bitterness.

:lol:

[Giggles]

Fucking lol at those fucking twats getting their tinfoil hats in a bunch about Michael Owen.

[randomlegend]

We aren't all fuelled by bitterness.

http://i.imgur.com/ZUeCbT5.gif