Spurs Stunner and Manana

So I was wrong about the Milan Spurs game. Tottenham got an immensely valuable away win in the first leg, 1-0. I only saw highlights but it looks like they deserved the victory from Peter Crouch's goal. Also, Reno Gattuso, wtf bro... bad move. Next time you do that, don't do that.

Raul scored on his return to Spain to salvage a 1-1 draw for Schalke. This gives them a pretty good scenario going back to Germany. If Valencia had a little more experience in the squad they might have a shot at turning it around because an away goal might be all they need, but I kind of get the sense this is as far as they will get. Considering they offloaded their two best players in the summer it is not bad at all.

Tomorrow we will see the first of the rematch ties, Arsenal versus Barcelona. It has been said over and over: these teams play similar styles. Barcelona got the best of the Gunners in last year's 1/4finals, and I believe the same will happen this time. It is true the these teams' games mirror each other, but Barcelona are better in every aspect and probably every position. Both teams thrive in possession but Barcelona are far superior in pressure and recovery. What will Arsenal do when they don't have the ball for long stretches at a time? And how will they get it back without conceding dangerous free kicks? All things being equal I would say a nil draw at the Emirates and a multi goal margin in the Camp Nou, but with Samir Nasri likely to miss the first leg, the sting of the 1-1 in Gijon at the weekend, and the memories of last spring at play I think Barcelona might win in London.

The Roma-Shaktar tie is intriguing. Mostly because Roma are wildly unpredictable and Shaktar are virtually unknown to me. When Roma are on their game they can hold their own with the elite clubs in Europe, but they are not on their game consistently enough to be considered one of those clubs. Shaktar won their group and have a difficult ground for foreigners to win at. I suspect a result away will be even more of an advantage than usual in this one.

Shakhtar Donetsk Crowned Best of the Rest

Shakhtar won their first European title, beating Werder Bremen 2-1 in overtime for the final UEFA Cup OF ALL TIME!!! The Terrible Tangerines deserved to win the game and objectively speaking they were the better of the two sides but they had a bit of luck on their side as 2 very close 50-50 situations, both in their penalty box, were called in their favor during the 30 minute overtime.

Werder's goal was an absolute screamer of a free kick by Naldo that I am sure will be on highlight packages for days. The SD goalkeeper got his hands to it but it blew right past him. Should have punched it, bro. The first Shakhtar goal was a nice one too, very composed chip executed with the outstep, just out of the reach of the keeper.

So begining next year the consulation cup will be renamed The Europa League. I have no idea why this is. There does not appear to be any significant changes in the tournament. It is still for good teams that don't make the CL cut. Still a competition of considerable calibre but sub-elite. Still group phases then 2 leg knockout stages with a one game winner-take-all final in May.