Don't Count Them Out Yet

Cameroonian international striker, 3 time African Player of the Year, reigning Spanish League goalscoring champ, and 2005/6 Champions League Forward of the Year, Samuel Eto'o returned triumphantly to Barca's starting lineup on Sunday against Atletico Bilbao after 4 months on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury suffered in a Champions League match with Werder Bremen. Two weeks ago, Eto'o's much anticipated return to the pitch at the Camp Nou in the final minutes of a league match was abruptly aborted when Eto'o refused to take the field. A media frenzy ensued, pitting Eto'o against his coach, Rijkaard, and Ronaldinho in a battle of press statements. The club insisted that the matter had been settled quickly by the team captains and that the media were making too much of what had been a series of miscommunications. But the following week, Barca suffered a difficult loss at home to Liverpool in a match in which Eto'o sat in the spectators seats. The Spanish media followed with several stories (complete with pictures ) questioning whether Ronaldinho had become fat like his fellow Brazillian footballer, Ronaldo. On Sunday, Ronaldinho had an answer for his critics about his fitness. The sign which starts the video is roughly translated, “Ronaldinho is not fat, We are.”. The Blaugrana seem to be regaining last year's form as they gird up for the most difficult two week stretch of their season with the second legs of their tournament ties against Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Copa Del Rey, and Liverpool in the Champions League, as well as league matches against second place Sevilla and arch rivals Real Madrid. This is good news for all Poolers save Eastern Influence whose maverick Liverpool pick has them sitting in the catbird's seat.

Last 16: Mid-Tie Power Rankings

ask and you shall receive...

1. Perfect Pitch
2. Eastern Influence, KC Barstow, Team Lee
3. AC Emilia, FC EffSee, Real Marin, Team Auckland, Team Carpenter
4. Nutmeg

* Power Rankings are unscientifically determined by the results of the first leg of the tie. Points are assigned based on which club holds the advantage and how strong this advantage is. No points are awarded for ties in which each pool team has picked the same club to advance.

Mid-way through the first round Perfect Pitch is the surprise leader in the Power Rankings on virtue of Celtic shutting out AC Milan, Real holding a slight advantage over Bayern, and Roma shutting out Lyon. Huddled in second place, Team Lee picks up points for Roma and Real, KC Barstow for Celtic and Real, and Eastern Influence for Liverpool's strong advantage over Barca. Nutmeg rounds out the bottom based on Bayern's slight disadvantage against Real.

Last 16: Leg 1, Day 2

In a night of draws, Liverpool's victory over FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou grabs all the headlines.

FC Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool

In a battle between the two most recent winners of the Champions League, the Catalans were left scratching their heads after falling a goal behind Liverpool in a match in which they dominated time of possession 67% to 33%. Barca came out flying and looked to be on cruise control after Portugese international midfielder Deco scored a dazzling header on a beautiful cross by Italian international defender Gianluca Zambrotta in the 14th minute. However, just before the half, Liverpool manufactured the equalizer on a header by Welsh International Craig Bellamy. Barca keeper Victor Valdes had appeared to make the save but his backwards momentum carried the ball over the line and into the net. In the 74th minute Norwegian international defender John Arne Riise capitalized on a Barca defensive mixup to give the visitors the lead. The blaugrana came tantalizingly close to the equalizer late in the match on a Deco free-kick which bounced fruitlessly off the far post. The reigning champs have their backs against the wall as they travel to Anfield for the second leg of the tie. Eastern Influence's cheeky matchday pick-switch appears prescient as they look to pick up some points from the rest of the pool.

FC Porto 1-1 Chelsea

The 1-1 draw in Porto's Estadio do Dragao saw all the scoring occur within the first 20 minutes. Portugese international midfielder Raul Meireles struck first for the home side in the 12th minute, but Chelsea quickly answered when Ukrainian international, and second leading European goalscorer of all time, Andriy Schevchenko volleyed the leveller on a nifty pass from Dutch forward Arjen Robben. Jose Mourinho received a relatively warm welcome from Porto's home crowd on his return to the stadium where he'd led the Dragones to a Champions League title in 2004. He'll be happy with the away draw, but disappointed with the injury to captain John Terry whose ankle injury in the first half may keep the English international out of the second leg.

Inter Milan 2-2 Valencia

Valencia's David Silva's late match heroics gave Los Che a crucial equalizer on the road at Inter Milan's San Siro. Inter's attack dominated most of the night but ultimately squandered many opportunities. Argentine international midfielder Esteban Cambiasso opened the scoring for the Nerazzurri with a header in the 28th minute. It wasn't until the second half that Valencia's David Villa was able to volley the leveller on a powerful 30 foot free-kick in the 64th minute. Brazillian international midfielder Maicon restored the home side's advantage on a brilliant give-and-go run with teammate Julio Cruz in the 74th minute, but in the last two minutes of regulation time, David Silva hammered home Valencia's second score giving the away side the psychological advantage to start the second leg in Spain.

Roma 0-0 Lyon

In a tightly contested but scrappy match noted more for its set-pieces and fouls than its attacking play, Roma and Lyon battled to an 0-0 stalemate at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Overall the visitors had more chances on net, but their failure to capitalize deprived them of the all-important away goal they came to collect. Still Lyon will like their chances to advance to the Final 8 and qualify for the tournament's quarterfinals for the fourth year in a row as the tie heads to France for the finale.

Last 16: Leg 1, Day 1

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Bayern Munchen exchanged blows in a five goal cracker at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid.


Celtic 0-0 AC Milan

Celtic and AC Milan battled in an entertaining but goaless draw at Celtic Park. Failing to convert on their many chances, Celtic still could advance with a win or draw against Milan on the road in the San Siro.

Lille 0-1 Manchester United

In a sluggish match that went 42 minutes before a shot on net, Man U finally scored a critical away goal on Ryan Giggs' controversial free-kick. Lille keeper Tony Silva was still lining up his wall when Giggs delivered what would be the only score of the night. Furious, the Lille coaching staff ordered their players to the sideline in protest, refusing to end the game. Calmer heads prevailed and the match was drawn to a close with the visitors holding a precious 1 point advantage. The contest was also marked by a strange security scare in the vistors section of the stadium where fans seemed to get crushed against a 10 foot barrier. There were no injuries despite the fact that riot police fired tear gas into the section. It would seem that soccer's crowd control issues persist.

PSV 1-0 Arsenal

PSV's Ecuadorian midfielder Edison Mendez scored the lone goal of the match for the home side at the 61 minute mark.

Real Madrid 3-2 Bayern Munchen

Real Madrid jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first half of what proved to be the most exciting match of the night against Bayern Munchen. After an early goal by Galacticos' captain Raul, Bayern's Brazillian defender Lucio headed the away side to a 1-1 draw. The next two goals were deftly served by an inspired David Beckham, the first of which was headed by both Helguera and Raul before it found the back of the net, the second of which was finished beautifully by his old Man U mate, Ruud van Nistelrooy. Bayern's Mark Van Bommel salvaged the match for the Germans in the 88th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the Madrid area. This tie is up for grabs as it heads to Munich.

It Begins.

Champions League Hymn

FCK v. Manchester United, 11/01/06

Bonus Pick: Who will take it all?

Round 1: Inter Milan v. Valencia

Round 1: Porto v. Chelsea

Round 1: Barcelona v. Liverpool

Round 1: Roma v. Lyon

Round 1: Real Madrid v. Bayern Munich

Round 1: Lille v. Manchester United

Round 1: PSV v. Arsenal

Round 1: Celtic v. AC Milan

Picking up where we left off...

July 9, 2006 -- 3 AM in Kyoto.

The World Cup 2006 Pool ends on PKs.

Italy hands the Knestricks the spoils.

Zizou is disgraced.

We are disgruntled.

Real Marin avoids relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Fast forward >> February 2007. An innocent international friendly between Brasil and Portugal rekindles the football fervor. Now the battle for the best club in Europe is on. Team Nutmeg has a chance to add a second trophy to their mantle. The rest of the teams are seeking sweet revenge.

Tuesday, February 20th it begins again.

World Cup revisited

3 AM Toyko time, first night in Nippon. Italy v. Germany.
Our money back home is on Germany.

5:30 AM. Damn Italians!