Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Hail the Champions of Europe

Last night was a night to remember for any football fan (except ManU fans) as Barcelona produced and outstanding display to bring the high flying red devils crashing to the ground. The 2-0 win, courtesy of Etoo and Messi, was worth both the goals and the 90 minutes of normal play. Barcelona came with a purpose, and ManU couldn't have done any harm by staying at OT.

The Spanish giants were a class apart with Xavi and Iniesta pulling the strings of their well orchestrated moves, and EtoO, Messi and Henry applying the finishing touches. For United, Ronaldo still had the energy and hunger but sadly no one else seemed to care about it. That just proved that Ronaldo cannot turn a game on his own. But, hey, Football is a team game and 10 others are expected to to their part as well.

In the end, Guardiola's men did the hard work and reaped the rich rewards with three titles this season (the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the Champions League). They were deserved winners in Roma.



BARCELONA - ^:)^ ^:)^

Here I am, updating my blog sitting in Chennai...yes Chennai. The place is actually not that bad. I know I have been here before (quite a while back) but this time around it gives a different perspective. Maybe it's because of all that's happening around me back home, in Bangalore. This city is huge (and I mean HUGE!) and the roads are not that bad for the traffic. Though we always drive amazingly well on the lane markers, there are no traffic jams per se - so far at least. That for a city with the traffic and the population is quite remarkable.

I remember one of my close friends telling me about it long back and I, as usual, turned a deaf ear to it. But the weather is a serious damper. The way your skin kinda sticks does not leave too much to be desired. Hey, every place has its pros and cons. Every thing has its advantages and disadvantages. Just as everybody is different, so is every place. All we have to do, is learn to take the bad with the good.

Let me stop digressing...Again, my judgment may be a bit biased due to certain things, but all said and done, this place may not be such a bad idea! hmmm...

TII

They say, A picture says a thousand words. Lets hope this one does!
TII - This is India!

The D-Day is just around the corner! With the red devils eager to add another trophy to their glittering cabinet, the Champions League final promises a mouth watering finale. They are all ready for the final battle and in Rooney, Ronaldo, Vidic, Ferdinand and Van der Sar, they do have the firepower to bring any team crashing down to earth.

But....but...What stands between Man U and the trophy are the Catalan giants, who in all honesty, can stop Man U dead in their tracks. Never before have I seen such an array of individual brilliance brought together to perform in unison on the field. Barca can field a starting eleven which would put a 'Championship Manger' team to shame. In Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Etoo and Henry, they have potential match winners all over the place. Watching then perform their well orchestrated moves is pure magic. Lets hope the Spanish magic and the English resilience bring out an entertaining final!

Players to watch:
Man U: Rooney, Ronaldo and Vidic: The Ro-Ro combination has been quite deadly and can turn games around in a minute. Much will be expected out of them. At the back Vidic will have to be on his toes to keep the pacey Barca attack quiet and he has been a revelation for United. They need one more good game from him to finish a successful season.

Barca: Messi, Iniesta and Xavi: Barcelona has been the flamboyant team and they depend much on their attack. With create mid fielders such as Iniesta and Xavi, who can score and provide the final through pass, Barca are a force to reckon and the strikers will depend on their service. Messi, on the other hand, is a handful for any defence and a he will be expected to keep the ManU defence on their toes and perhaps hope to cause more than a concern.

Super Sunday...

...and not mentioning Kimi's podium finish and Ferrari's revival caused a little uproar. So here it is! Raikkonen's third place did warrant more than a mention and after the recent performances from the Ferrari's, this must be marked as an awesome performance and a much needed boost for the Italian team. As most people agree, a GP without Ferrari is kinda boring. So bring on the prancing horse!

Weekend Drama

The weekend had its share of Ups and Downs. Sunday became super Sunday for the Brawn GP and Survival Sunday for Sunderland and Hull City - at the expense of Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

First, Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello drove a near perfect race to clinch a 1-2 at the Monaco GP. With Button winning 5 out of the 6 races this season, it certainly looks promising. The 'celebrity' crowd that Monaco offers were cheering on their 'home' hero - as Button lives in Monaco - and were delighted to see both the Brawn GP's crossing the chequered flag one behind the other. Watching the race at my dad's place brought back memories - memories of the battles between Senna and Prost, Hill and Schumi, between my friend and I. Those were the good old days.

...during those good old days, there was a team called Leeds United in the Premier league along with Newcastle United gunning for a top four finish. But this day, was quite different. Leeds are languishing in League one and Newcastle are fighting for their premiership status. All Newcastle needed to do was hold on to a draw as Man U were leading against Hull City. But, it had to happen, and a Gareth Barry drive takes a wicked deflection of Duff and ends in the back of the Geordie's net. 1-0 Down and staring at relegation. Shearer's calls along the touchline did not change much on the field and perhaps he should have donned a boot and walked in. - might have made a difference. Anyway, down go Newcastle into the Championship after 16 years in the top flight along with Borough who's 11 year stint came to and end West Brom (who were already relegated).

Can Newcastle rise up again? Or will they show the world how not to run a club?

Yet another disaster!

From promotion front runners to also rans! The mighty whites failed yet again in the bid to climb out of League One and into the Championship. Taking to 1-0 defeat to Elland Road, they were able to play out a 1-1 draw which condemned them to life the lower League yet again!. If only Beckford had converted the penalty! Sigh!

Does God exist?

Have you ever wondered if God does exist?I know he does. I have always been telling people that My Dad gave me everything that I wanted and God gave me everything that I needed.
Having said that, now taking this to another level by asking, Does God answer prayers? The answer is Yes. Even without realizing, I had been asking him for 'something' in my life and the irony is that it happened. Now, though I am reeling due to that, my prayer was answered and that answers the question.
I am just hoping that I will be smiling at the end of it.

Life II

I just head home this hot monday afternoon. This day will be remembered for eternity. Eleventh of May 2009! Different thoughts spin in my mind. The passing traffic is just a blur. I weave through the maze of cars and slowly move ahead. Sometimes things happen in life which make certain changes that last forever.
The weather had been good - too good probably - and now, all of a sudden the storm clouds are hanging over and are threating not to budge. I must face it. I have to face it.

In life there are easy and tough choices to make and some of them hit you really hard. But the reality of life is that we have to move on whatever happens...I think I should stop!

...but I just realized, that I have one less friend in this world.

Not so great first leg.

Millwall 1-0 Leeds
The First leg of the play-offs left a bit of a sad taste as Leeds lost 1-0 to Milwall. But, all is not lost, this puts the second leg at Elland Road in an intriguing position. If Leeds can score twice and keep a clean sheet - we go through!!

Next Thursday holds the key to the Championship!

Here I am sitting in office and working on a holiday! God! Somethings have to be done and I wonder how it all ends with me!hmmm...Anyway, I work for some time, then my mind wanders off to far far away! Trying to work when you are bored and hungry is quite a task!
Lets see if things change after lunch! :)