Top Squads Disappoint in Friendlies

Yes, Germany won 24-0. Oh, and they defeated Hungary 3-0. England bagged 3 against Mexico. However, those successes were overwhelmed by embarrassment. It started with poor Portugal. 

They don't look so prepared for the group of death as their 0-0 draw with the Cape Verde Islands (114) was far overshadowed by Brasil's thumping victory over 42-ranked Ireland. The Portuguese might even have troubles with the 105th-ranked Korea DPR if they play like they did in Covilha. 

The Socceroos of Australia also faltered on that day with a 90th minute strike salvaging a victory over lowly rivals New Zealand. When the all-whites take a lead into half-time against you, you know you've got a problem. The New Zealanders caused another shock last night when they defeated No. 15 Serbia. The Oceanian side even dominated as Serbia have some work to do before facing fancied Ghana in Pretoria.

Under-protest Cameroon could only salvage a draw in their fixtures at Georgia and Slovakia. They also will have to endure a tough group before possibly facing Italy in the second round. 

The French also fared poorly as they were dismantled by Spain before narrowly defeating Costa Rica. However, their enemies in the Republic of Ireland have done better, dismantling Algeria after claiming their first World Cup scalp in Paraguay. North Korea have also fared well in the qualifiers as they drew both Greece and South Africa. However, their opponents have been disappointing as the hosts are sure to be upset with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia in addition to their North Korean disappointment. With Greece's other match a 2-0 loss to Senegal it looks as if the Greeks will have a tough time in Group B.

Another disappointing squad is Spain as they could only manage a 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia thanks to Fernando Llorente's extra-time strike.

Do you think these top squads can improve by June 11?

Fulham Heartbreak, Athletico Glory

Fulham have played 63 games this season. 19 of those in the Europa League. They won 11, drew 5, and lost 3. At the beginning of this decade, they were a League 2 side, in 17th place. Their supporters would have been thrilled to be in the Championship. On Wednesday, they were 93 minutes from Champions League football. They had played 1,737 minutes in the Europa League--93 was a small number. 

Then there was Diego Forlan (and Sergio Aguero). His Athletico side have played 9 Europa League games this campaign, winning a mere two. At the beginning of the season they were in the Champions League group stage and fourth in La Liga. There fans knew they would be playing an English side in a European final. However, they thought that would be Manchester United at the Bernabeu. Not Fulham at the HSH Nordbank Arena.

However, Athetico-Fulham it was. And it was a classic. Fulham were playing like rivals Chelsea, passing the ball around the pitch and making Athletico look like Getafe. Then in the 10th minute Danny Murphy touched the ball. A Madrid were suddenly R Madrid and Fulham were Charlton. Zoltan Gera was having a run down the flank and Murphy turned Madrid center-back. He made a goal saving tackle on the Hungarian, then brilliantly played a through ball to Diego Forlan, who agonizingly played the ball onto Schwartzer's left post. He then made amends as he ended Aguero and Simao's 1-2 by deflecting the former's shot past the Australian's outstreched left hand. That goal, though was an invitation for Fulham to come dominate--and indeed they did, for 60 minutes. In the fifth minute of that stretch Bobby Zamora had a brilliant run down the left before darting into the box and--clearing it. However, his appeared clearance only found it's way to Damien Duff, who played a through ball to Gera. The ex-West Brom man then threaded a brilliant through ball to Madrid defender Paulo Assuncao, who nicely laid the ball into the path of Simon Davies. The Welshman said thank you very much and smashed the ball past David De Gae's near post. Forlan and Davies then had their goal like moments but both keepers did well to save identical near-post half-volleys. Fulham continued to dominate but the match was destined for extra-time from when Gera misplayed a brilliant through ball from Paul Konchesky into De Gae's arms. However, destined for extra-time did not mean destined for Fulham. 

The first period was uneventful as both clubs seemed to wait for the lottery of penalties. However, Forlan had other ideas. In the 105th minute he darted down the left side, and played a pull-back very similar to the one that would soon haunt Fulham. However, ex-Sevilla playmaker, Raul Garcia thought that you must be South American to score for Athletico in the Europa League as he passed up an open goal to drop the ball back to Aguero, who had already started his sprint into Mark Schwartzer's upright. The second period brought better play from the West London side as Erik Nevland and Clint Dempsey continuously found themselves inches away from Simon Davies' through balls. However, these brought bad fortune for Fulham after one Athletico clearance in the 117th minute found Aguero who burned Ireland's Chris Baird before putting his pull back into the path of Forlan. The Uruguayan then prodded the ball through mammoth Norwegian Brede Hangeland's legs, beating Schwartzer at his far post.

 Fulham hearts sank after 1,740 minutes. Athletico ones rose after 870. Now, you tell me, in the 115th minute, did you think it was to be or not to be for Fulham?

Chelsea Champions!

Chelsea are Champions. Coming into the week many might have said "United have got a 30% chance" but I knew better. Chelsea were never going to drop points against Wigan. I repeat: Wigan Athletic. We're talking about a side who was facing relegation from the fourth division of English football at the turn of the century. This side has lost two games by eight goals this season. 

However, despite the fact that Chlesea was hosting Wigan, the soon-to-be champions started in a really disappointing manner. The first goal was clearly offside but I guess Martin Atkinson didn't wan't Blues fans throwing coins at him so he shockingly allowed it. Then Wigan threatened but Hugo Rodegella and Charles N'Zogbia appeared to think you scored by hitting the ball at least ten meters wide. It was a cynical display of dreadfulness from the Wigan front-line and they were made to pay. Immediately after the N'Zogbia miss, Salomon Kalou had a dazzling run down the middle and played a brilliant through-ball to Lamps. Gary Caldwell then decided he was going to switch professions and he really did his Rugby job quite nicely. However, the groundscrew at the Bridge forgot to make the pitch rugby-ready and Caldwell was promptly sent-off. Lampard converted and then Chelsea became Barcelona-esc as Kalou and Ashley Cole found there way on the score-sheet and Anelka found his brace. Drogba also promptly hit a treble in a mere 17 minutes to complete Chelsea's 8.

On some other BPL notes, United crushed Stoke as Rooney limped off injured, causing a doubt for England. Another 4-0 match was at the Emirates as Fulham fielded 8-reserves, Shwartz, Pantsil, and Dempsey prior to their Europa League final on Wednesday. Spurs were brilliant in the first half at Turf Moor and then Redknapp decided to start resting players for the Champions League 3 months in advance. Spurs lost 4-2. Villa and City also dropped meaningless points as 2nd-string sides were facing each other all over England.

It was a boring last day, but the title-contenders did manage to score 12. 

With the Europa League final coming up on Wednesday, what are your thoughts, can Roy Hodgson and his troops cause Europe's biggest shock since Porto '04 or will Forlan and Aguero be too much?

Spurs in the Champions League!

Well, as you all know, Wednesday's fixture at the Eastlands was the play-in game for the Champions League. I couldn't see losses to West Ham or Burnley happening for either of these sides and neither could a true Premier League fan. It was to be the play-in game. 

However, that match is over and due to the result, Spurs will host 2010 Champions League football, no matter what the result at Turf Moor. If Fulham were to field even one member of the side that will travel to Hamburg, they would stand a chance at the Emirates and Spurs could pass their North London rivals. However, that won't happen and Spurs are destined for fourth. An exciting Premier League season is over; in all three races.

Now the question is: What does the future hold for Tottenham?

It is a question without a definite answer, we will know come this time next year but for now, we can predict. Were Harry Redknapp to go pick up Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, and Steven Gerrard, Spurs could go to, let's say, the quarterfinals in Europe. They would qualify for Europe again and soon be buying the best in the world and challenging for the BPL crown. However, both you and I know Harry Redknapp. He may buy the likes of Scott Parker and John Carew but this will not make Tottenham a Europe-worthy squad. Knowing their beautiful style and Harry Redknapp's buying abilities, Spurs will reach the group stage and possibly reach the round of 16, but no further. As for the Premier League, 4th spot will stay open for years and Villa, Spurs, City, and Everton will all challenge. Tottenham will occasionally challenge for Europe but they will not be, at least in my opinion, be the side Harry wants them to be.

Now, you tell me, what is your opinion on the question; What does the future hold for Tottenham?