Champions League Final

The rounds have all been completed, and now we are left with two teams. FC Barcelona and Manchester United. Arguably two of the best teams in the world and two of the most storied clubs in soccer history are playing each other at Wembly Stadium for the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy. Two years ago these two teams played each other in the finals with Barcelona controlling and completely dominating the game to win 2-0. This year is a little different. This years Barcelona team is considered to be one of the most talented teams in recent history. The way they play is the pure definition of soccer. They control possession, they score goals, they have fun. They know each others next moves, they know where to place the ball and at what time. I am a hard core fan of Chelsea FC, but I have no problem admitting that Barcelona play the most beautiful soccer in the world and its always a treat to watch them master their craft. I have little to say about Manchester United, being that I am a hard core fan of Chelsea. I have a strong dislike for the team and can only wish them the worst of luck in the upcoming Champions League final. That being said I cannot wait to watch this game because it will be an exciting and competitive game. Each team comes from different countries, and each team plays a different style of soccer. Barcelona play sexy soccer, which means they love to possess and create offensive opportunities at all costs. Man U are your typical English soccer team, meaning they love to work the ball around and create opportunities at the right moment. They play very straight forward soccer that is not as exciting as Barcelona's style, but Man U's style is just as potent and dangerous. The final will be played on May 28, 2011 and it will be a glorious day for one of these two soccer giants.

O so close

Wow is all I can say for the way Chelsea FC bounced back towards the end of this season. In one of my posts I discussed how upset and disappointed I was in the effort and overall skill Chelsea had displayed up to that point in the season. I said the best they could finish was third and I honestly believed what I said. They turned there season around, once key players recovered from injuries, especially Frank Lampard. They were at one point 13 points behind Manchester United which in the premier league is almost, if not impossible to come back from. But they did, they slowly climbed the table. Today was the biggest game of the season. Chelsea were only 3 points behind Man U, and tied on goal differential. If Chelsea were to win it would almost guarantee them the Championship this year. Again i was strongly let down. They began the game with one of the poorest displays of the season, conceding a goal only 30 seconds into the game. They were never able to fully recover. Man U would score again to go up 2-0, only to have Frank Lampard score in the second half to bring the score to 2-1. That is how the game ended. There are only two games left in the season for both teams. I see no chance on earth that Man U will lose there final two games to teams that are at the bottom of the table. Chelsea fought back valiantly this year, they never gave up when many fans including myself did. So the wait begins for next year, to a fresh start and another chance at bringing the trophy back to Stamford Bridge.

The end of an era?

After an embarrassing series that came to a conclusion tonight the Lakers are finally out of the playoffs. So it is safe to say my prediction did not come true. After struggling slightly in the first round against the New Orleans Hornets, the Lakers looked like a shadow of the dominant team of the past two years. Laker nation were able to relax for a little after finally defeating the Hornets in six games. Coming in to round two I felt very optimistic about playing the Dallas Mavericks considering the Mavericks history in the play offs. Dallas came in full throttle and defeated the Lakers in four straight games, shocking the Lakers and basketball fans around the country. Its a sad ending to one of the greatest coaches in sports history. Phil Jackson has said all year that he plans on retiring after this season. His goal was to finish his career with another three peat making it twelve championships in his remarkable coaching career. He led the bulls under the greatest player of all time Michael Jordan, to six championships, winning three in a row twice, a feat he would accomplish again with the Las Angelas Lakers. With the Lakers Phil Jackson won another five championships including another three peat and was close to his fourth three peat this year, coming short after being swept in the second round to the Dallas Mavericks. Although Phil Jackson has said this will be it, I have a feeling he will return, maybe not next year, but some time in the future.

Bulls vs Lakers

I grew up basically worshipping Michael Jordan and the pure genius he was in the game of basketball. He is the greatest player of all time and will be second to no one in my opinion. Seeing the Bulls become the dominant team they are this season has brought back great memories from the late 90's when Michael Jordan was still with the Bulls. They truly are a very talented and exiting team that I can see going far in the playoffs this year. How fitting would it be too see the Bulls and the Lakers in the finals and to see Phil Jackson close his record setting career with a championship against his former team. The Bulls are a very young and talented team that probably has the MVP of the season in Derrick Rose, but I cannot see the Bulls let alone any team in the playoffs beating the Lakers in a series. The Lakers have certain ingredients that other teams lack. They have size (Gasol, Bynum, Odom) and the best player in the world (in my opinion) in Kobe Bryant. The team has won the championship for the past two years, and has the leadership and experience to overcome any obstacle that comes there way. Phil Jackson has said this year will be his lat year coaching. He has already won eleven championships, six with Michael Jordan and the Bulls, and five with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. If the Lakers win this year it will be Phil Jacksons fourth three peat which is truly remarkable. For those who do not know, a three peat is winning the championship three times in a row, and Phil Jackson is on the verge of having his fourth three peat. I am hoping for a Bulls vs Lakers final, would be a great story and a great way to end an amazing career for Phil Jackson (with the championship of course).

Another year another failure (Chelsea FC)

Well today ended the last hopes for Chelsea to win the elusive Champions League tournament, as well as winning any trophies period. The Champions League tournament is considered by many to be the most prestegious and difficult tournament to win in the professional soccer world, even beating out the World Cup tournament. Chelsea came within inches of winning it three years ago, if it wasnt for John Terry, (Chelseas Captain) hitting the post in penalty shootouts. Well it has been quit a turnaround from last years amazing Double winning campaign. The double for those of you who do not know is winning two major trophies in one season. Its hard enough in professional soccer to win one trophy so winning the double in two major english tournaments (FA Cup, FA English Premier Leauge) was quit the accomplishment last year. So it was fair for every Chelsea fan in the world to expect great things this year. The begining could not have been any better. Chelsea was scoring 5 to 6 goals a game. It was like watching a video game. Three weeks into the season I could feel Chelseas grasp on the trophy becoming tighter and tighter, man was I wrong. Injuries began to plague the team, and poor form away from the Bridge (Stamford Bridge, Chelseas Stadium) became regular. Now the best Chelsea can finsish is third place. Another year is about to be over for Chelsea, and all I can do as well as the rest of the Chelsea nation, is wait for next year.

The Academy Awards

Film in general has been a big passion of mine ever since I was in fifth grade. It all started when I found a big book on the Academy Awards in the public library near my house in Canada. For some reason I became hooked. So when I say I strongly dislike the change the Academy has made on the Award ceremony and the nominations for best picture it probably is a little biased. Changing the Best Picture nominations from five to ten in my opinion has made the award and category less prestegious. Before if you were nominated it was a huge honor. You were one of the only five films picked by the (not so wise academy selecties). Now films like Toy Story 3, and big money making movies are being nominated for the purpose of bringing in a wider audieance of fans. To me the academy sold out and it really leaves me feeling a bit angry. There are a few benefits to the change. Indie films and foreign films have a bigger chance of getting recognition by the Academy, which in years past have been overlooked countless times. In the end I believe the negatives out weigh the positives. I do admitt Im speeking soley on the basis of being a hardcore follower and avid film watcher. I do not have to think of the money involved in this change and increasing the entertainment value of the ceremony.