It's gutting for Ajax because they are going to be absolutely picked clean this summer and will have to start over yet again.Yeah, Ajax have nothing to be ashamed of and can be proud of this run, but their still just kids -- a bunch of super talented 19 and 20 years olds who played their asses off to get to this point.
I wouldn't count anyone out but despite that Liverpool still have the anguish of week 38 to get through, and they've got Salah etc. banged up, Spurs are just running on fumes at this point. Do they have it in them?Truly, no lead will be safe in the final.
Given that I thought Ajax played well and Barca didn’t really, yeah.Yesterday was crazy. Might I say this was even crazier?
Every time Ajax was pulling off one of these wins and everyone was getting excited, I just pictured Nils getting angrier and angrier. I don’t think he cares for either of the teams that played today, but this has to be way better for him.Somewhere on planet Earth, Tony the Pony is furiously masturbating.
Oh shit.Giving up three goals in second half? Well de Jong will fit right in at Barca
They have 3 weeks to rest after this weekend. They’ll be fine.I wouldn't count anyone out but despite that Liverpool still have the anguish of week 38 to get through, and they've got Salah etc. banged up, Spurs are just running on fumes at this point. Do they have it in them?
Kane is going to go live in an oxygen tent snorting mountains of deer antler spray for three weeks to try to get healthy for the final.They have 3 weeks to rest after this weekend. They’ll be fine.
Get well Kane!
Kane is going to go live in an oxygen tent snorting mountains of deer antler spray for three weeks to try to get healthy for the final.
I mean, he’s a TB12 client...Kane is going to go live in an oxygen tent snorting mountains of deer antler spray for three weeks to try to get healthy for the final.
Can anyone pull up what the betting odds were for the Lucas Hat Trick (if they exist)?!???This take aged poorly!
Nowhere is safe.Giving up three goals in second half? Well de Jong will fit right in at Barca
I wouldn't go that far. They're always guaranteed a chance in the CL because they're always the best team in their league and have one of the most famed academy systems in world football. Even before this current crop, they developed Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Eriksen, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Babel, Cillessen, in today's big money era (not to mention legends like Seedorf, Bergkamp, etc. before that). They've always been able to scout and identify guys at South American/lower-tier European leagues looking for their first step up like Davinson Sanchez and Zlatan, or simply poach any top player from other Dutch clubs like Luis Suarez, simply because they can always offer European football which makes them a more attractive landing spot as an intermediate move for young players in comparison to a mid/bottom table Premier League squad.It's gutting for Ajax because they are going to be absolutely picked clean this summer and will have to start over yet again.
Given the way things are going financially in the sport, Ajax will probably never get this far again.
2 things:I wouldn't go that far. They're always guaranteed a chance in the CL because they're always the best team in their league and have one of the most famed academy systems in world football.
Yes, but how much more will the financial dominance of the big clubs and big leagues increase over the next 10-20 years? The change since the 1990s has been drastic.I wouldn't go that far. They're always guaranteed a chance in the CL because they're always the best team in their league and have one of the most famed academy systems in world football. Even before this current crop, they developed Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Eriksen, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Babel, Cillessen, in today's big money era (not to mention legends like Seedorf, Bergkamp, etc. before that). They've always been able to scout and identify guys at South American/lower-tier European leagues looking for their first step up like Davinson Sanchez and Zlatan, or simply poach any top player from other Dutch clubs like Luis Suarez, simply because they can always offer European football which makes them a more attractive landing spot as an intermediate move for young players in comparison to a mid/bottom table Premier League squad.
Certain European teams just have that combination of historic player development apparatus and a winnable league that makes a serious European run realistic a couple times a decade (OK, winning it, maybe not). Lisbon and Lyon are others that come to mind. But the Ajax system is just plain better than everyone else bar maybe La Masia and every kid in Europe knows it. Even though they can't compete with the bigger leagues in terms of spending, if the best-of-the-best youth prospects have the option, it will come down to Barca and Ajax most of the time. It's kind of like Alabama and 5-star recruits (except these kids are like 13 years old).
They made Barca look like Spurs.
I just watched on DVR and this sums it up.What the actual fuck did I just watch?
This seems to be quite the arrogant statement in itself.Ah, yes, the arrogance born of having won a single European cup 50 years ago.
Askin or tellin?No, actually, they didn't, did they?
You having a hard time with anyone’s writing style is pretty special.Askin or tellin?
Sorry, let me try that again.
So, are you, like, askin...or, are you, like, tellin?
I can do the contempt by comma thing too gadgie.
Ajax was on the young side but they had one player who saw the field today that was 19 or 20. And he has played in a Europa League final. They also had a number of experienced players.Yeah, Ajax have nothing to be ashamed of and can be proud of this run, but they're still just kids -- a bunch of super talented 19 and 20 years olds who played their asses off to get to this point.
I know. I'm only semi trollin. But, I'm chuffed for all the Spurs fans. Worked with loadsof em in London, and its great to see them; the whole Spurs family, rise up out of the Gooner shadow that was cast for so long.You having a hard time with anyone’s writing style is pretty special.
I agree. I'm trying to think of worse and I can't.Ajax are very much my other team, and that was about as bad a sports loss as I can ever recall. Even the Grady Little Game was a slow-speed car crash (and you knew they could well be back next year, something that will not be true for Ajax). I was counting down the last seconds of added time with my friend, I think we got down to three or maybe even two, and we were grabbing onto each other's shirts in preparation for that jump-in-the-air-hug you do when your team wins. And then gone.
And I was in a pub in Hackney too, so there were three Ajax fans (this Dutch woman came to sit with us and pretty much bailed the second the ball went in the net) in a pub of 150 Spurs fans. The Spurs fans were actually lovely after the game, I drank for free for the rest of the night. I think they recognized what a unbelievable gut punch loss that was and weren't going to kick a man when he's down. More so when I told some of my, uh, English club affiliation and how this really was the worst night ever.
I agree. I'm trying to think of worse and I can't.
I think the tiebreaker has to go to Spurs here. The Saints will always have 2010 and Spurs' last real honor was what? 1984 European Cup?The only one that comes close is New Orleans Saints fans dealing with the way their last two seasons ended, at least that I can recall.
I feel for you. Well, as much as possible. What a gut-punch.Ajax are very much my other team, and that was about as bad a sports loss as I can ever recall. Even the Grady Little Game was a slow-speed car crash (and you knew they could well be back next year, something that will not be true for Ajax). I was counting down the last seconds of added time with my friend, I think we got down to three or maybe even two, and we were grabbing onto each other's shirts in preparation for that jump-in-the-air-hug you do when your team wins. And then gone.
Mine, as well. Made the emotion a little trickier, but once the ball rolled in to play, I could only see Spurs.Ajax are very much my other team, and that was about as bad a sports loss as I can ever recall.
Where did you go in SF where half the pub was supporting Ajax? Were they Dutchies or Yanks like us?Mine, as well. Made the emotion a little trickier, but once the ball rolled in to play, I could only see Spurs.
Bar was about 50/50, and both sets of fans were extremely polite and respectful -- if not entirely shell-shocked -- after the match.
Spurs' last significant honor was the 1991 FA Cup, en route to which they beat Arsenal (who won the League that year, thus denying them the Double) in the semifinal, where this forum's namesake scored a famous free kick from about 40 yards out.I think the tiebreaker has to go to Spurs here. The Saints will always have 2010 and Spurs' last real honor was what? 1984 European Cup?
I don't consider domestic cups to be significant for big clubs, but YMMV. The context you provided for that trophy is what ramps up its significance.Spurs' last significant honor was the 1991 FA Cup, en route to which they beat Arsenal (who won the League that year, thus denying them the Double) in the semifinal, where this forum's namesake scored a famous free kick from about 40 yards out.
Steff's (2nd Street). Probably 20 of them and 20 of us. They were definitely Dutch... but not necessarily Ajax fanatics.Where did you go in SF where half the pub was supporting Ajax? Were they Dutchies or Yanks like us?
I think the FA Cup meant a lot more in 1991, before the European Cup expanded into the Champions League, than it does now. I'd even say the dividing line for when the FA Cup stopped really mattering has a clear date: 2000, when Man Utd skipped the competition to attend the Club World Championship in Brazil.I don't consider domestic cups to be significant for big clubs, but YMMV. The context you provided for that trophy is what ramps up its significance.