FA Cup Final 2009, Wembley Stadium

Never thought I’d be cheering on the blues in the FA Cup Final, but today I was, with Everton in their home kit and Chelski playing in yellow away kit.

On a gloriously sunny day, Saha put Everton ahead with the fastest FA Cup Final goal ever, after 25 seconds, even faster than Roberto di Matteo’s goal a few years back.

Drogba got his usual cup final goal and things were even stevens 1-1 at half time. Quite an open first half, especially as it could have been a real 0-0 bore draw.

Second half a bit slower, probably due to the high pitch temperatures, with ITV saying temps of around 41C in the sun.

Frank Lampard’s goal in the 72nd was the winner for Chelski, hence I turned the tv off at the final whistle.

Still, there’s always the hope that Abramovich will get bored with the whole Chelski affair and pull the plug on them.

Millwall lose in playoffs / Newcastle relegated

Millwall lost 3-2 in todays playoff at a very sunny Wembley. Sounds like quite a game. Great turn out by the Millwall fans 45,000 of them there apparently. Better luck next year to Millwall.

Newcastle got relegated today, the barcodes slipping down into the Coca Cola Championship. They’ll be having a big clear out I assume, getting rid of all the overpaid, underperformers – hang on, thats the whole squad!

This picture made me laugh, its the Villa fans taking the rise out of the Geordies.

Quite funny for Brummies!

Millwall in the Playoffs / Comedy Pitch Riot

So this weekend Millwall take on Scunthorpe in the Playoff final at Wembley.

I think they’ll win and end up in the Championship for next season. Who knows, they could be in the Premier League season after next? If teams like Hull, Reading etc. can make it, why not Millwall?

Of course, you’re always reminded of the old issues with Millwall – crowd trouble.

But taking a sideways slant from this, below is the link to a hilarious video I found on YouTube, of Swiss hooligans ‘rioting’ on the pitch, Sion vs Luzern recently. In Switzerland its treated really seriously, but looks the most limp-wristed pitch invasion/riot I’ve ever seen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJKPBlXOF78

London’s Freesheets…

Its great to see the amount of freesheet newspapers in London, which liven up the daily commute to and from work.

In the morning, the Metro is available at my local station, perfect for the train and tube journey to work. Then on way into work, City AM is dished out, ideal for city news.

Once work is over and the commute home is underway, the evening freesheets are dished out – I can get hold of The London Paper every day and sometimes London Lite.

In addition to all these newpapers, there’s also some decent magazines, including Sport magazine, a decent roundup given away every Friday.

Of all these newspapers Metro is the largest, covering the news and sport a bit more in depth than the others, while The London Paper is a good way of catching up with the days news and sport stories.

Links to all these below:-

Metro – http://www.metro.co.uk/

The London Paper – http://www.thelondonpaper.com/

City AM – http://www.cityam.com/

Sport – http://www.myfreesport.co.uk/

The London Lite – no website found

Bodega de Tapas, Camden

Thought I’d sample the atmosphere of a Spanish Euro 2008 game in a Spanish location and picked the Bodega de Tapas, a couple of minutes walk from Camden Town tube station.

Having made my way through the goths and Pete Doherty wannabes that populate Camden nowadays, I found the Bodega not far from Camden Town tube station. Handily the seats at the bar were free and thats where the tv is located, so perfect for location. All the staff are spanish, or at least speak spanish, so its got a real Spanish atmosphere. There’s plenty of tapas to pick from and Cruzcampo on draught, San MIguel is also supposed to be on draught but the tap wasnt working when i was there. The tapas I ate were all good, the patatas bravas had  a tasty sauce, the chickpeas fabade was good and the tortilla was also good, although strangely covered in onions for some reason.

Recommended for tapas and to get a taste of Spain.

http://www.bodegadetapas.co.uk/

The Derby, 2008 – updated – won by New Approach

Updated – New Approach wins the Derby – owned by Jim Bolger, ridden by Kevin Manning, owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s wife – Seems a very strong horse, if a bit erratic, as he had to be escorted down to the starting line by his stable mate horse. Thought at one point Doctor Fremantle might win it when he hit the front with about 3 furlongs to go, but he didnt have the quality and finished 4th.

Full details – http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7437673.stm

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What a great weekend of sport – The Derby plus Euro 2008 starts today.

My tip for the Derby is Doctor Fremantle, he’s available at 9/1 so I’ve got a few bob on him.

Good weather too, nice and sunny day and supposed to be nice all wkend, for a change.

BBCs Derby Preview at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7437673.stm

Watching Euro 2008 in London

There’s a useful article on the Timeout website, which gives you a list of places to watch the Euro2008 games, depending on which country you’re supporting.

http://www.timeout.com/london/sport/features/4990/Where_to_watch_Euro_2008_in_London.html#articleAfterMpu

Also, other venues are:

http://www.thesportscafe.net/calendar.cfm

Related forum:

http://forum.football365.com/index.php?t=msg&goto=2079781&

Greyhound Derby, Wimbledon

Didn’t go along to this but watched it on the tv.

Had a nice couple of winners, got a Ted Rogers bet up (traps 3-2-1 allways trio) which brought in 70 quid or so, plus had the winner of the Greyhounds Derby, trap 4, called Loyal Honcho. That was especially good, as used up my free 10 quid bet from William Hill and got the winner. Nice!