we need 25 more wins (50 points) on top of the 21 we have to reach what I believe is a good point coefficient of 10.000 (70 points divided by the 7 teams). Hope the UEFA Cup Group draw goes in our favor Lord knows the 1st round draw didn't.
You took a cheap shot against Sporting, which was uncalled for. They were up against a world class team while Braga have faced sub-par opponents. I'd like to see how Braga would of done in Spain against Barcelona Anyway as expected SCP defeated Basel despite a forgettable 1st half. SCP could have scored at least 2 more goals in the second half, luckily for Basel they were able to get out of Lisboa by only suffering 2 goals. I am extremely disappointed with Setubal, Heerenveen is a decent side at best and Setubal really shouldn't have been embarrased in Holland. Guimaraes extra time collaspe against Pompey was also rather disappointing... Maritimo put up a great fight against Valcenia, nothing to be ashamed of. Once again, it'll be Braga and Benfica representing Portugal in the UEFA Cup. Good luck to both!
Yes stating that Braga has gotten more points then Sporting this year (and in 2007 FWIW) in response to an SCP fans question of "what has Braga done?" was indeed an uncalled for Cheap Shot The next 2 games for SCP and Porto promise to be very winnable and if the UC Group stage draw goes well we could be looking at some good times. But knowing our luck...
Thought you were talking about this season. My apologies GD. Though, I still stand by that Braga have dealt with easier opposition than SCP with regarding to last season and this one at hand thus far...
This is true, we have had easier opposition but we have made the most of those games as no minnow has threatened us in the least. Now the group stage will be another animal and hopefully we get out of it for the 3rd year in a row. Just looking at Kasseis' page and the jerk marked the Portsmouth Guimaraes game as a draw. What an idiot the game ended 2-0 after 90, why doesn't he go back and credit Portsmouth's 2-0 home win as a draw as well? Blatant bias and manipulation of stats by what should be a neutral party. I am fuming and sent him an email
I always disliked Guimarães than any other club but I have to confess I was a vimaranense against Pompey. Tough luck. Braga has a very tough road but I believe it is possible since Jesus has a strong mentality. Should be fun watching the AC Milan game...kind of reminds me of old times :\ the italian teams always tend to underestimate the foreign minnows according to my experience. That's how Boavista defeated Lazio and Internazionale...and Roma almost had the same luck if it wasn't for an inexistent penalty. So Braga can definitely surprise. As for Benfica...very tough away games, they better be cohesive by then.
decent week for Portugal although Porto should of won at home and a shame SLB couldn't hang on for the win. Sporting with a great away result and Braga shows up Guimaraes in how to play vs Portsmouth. Next match day I think we will see a reverse for Porto in Kiev, SCP with another win, SLB with a home win and Braga Destroy Milan away ok the last one won't happen but I can dream right?
To be honest I'm kinda saturated with the typical pattern and worse quality of portuguese football. FC Porto and Sporting qualified to the CL but they showed no quality to match the superpowers and then Benfica is shredded like always...Braga is playing well and off this example since they've been growing...shame that they're taking alot of time though. In the meanwhile, at a national level only a FC Porto in crysis seem to be strongest...like always. International level...well, everybody knows. Right now national football couldn't bore me more...exception to Boavista of course.
This year has been much of the same as the past few years with 1 team carrying the flag in the CL, 1 team about to exit the CL or UC, and one still in UC contention. Next year we will have a maximum of 6 teams and it will be a good break from the burden of 7. Porto will be in the CL again and really they are the only side that could do something for us with that automatic spot. Of SCP or SLB I would hope SCP finishes 2nd and goes to the qualifiers for the CL. They do step it up vs weak sides where as Benfica always struggles with qualifying/early rounds. They just don't take it seriously. After this year I would still be concerned about them in the Europa League first round but they are seeded and should be able to make the Group stage. Only question is will they be able to take advantage of their pot position and get out of the group? I would think yes as back to back crashes aren't likely for them. Leixoes had a decent UC run a couple of years back although it's an entirely different team this year they show they can really play and unlike Guimaraes (who I predicted to be a disaster this year) I can see Leixoes surprising again and make the Group stage if they are to remain in the top 5. If Braga can maintain their league form we should be back and I don't see anything that could prevent us from making it to the EL group stage and beyond. I wouldn't be mad if we started in the 3rd round, we would pick up early points like we did this year. They count for Portugal, but not our individual point count but that's ok. Nacional or Maritimo look to be the sides rounding out the contingent at this point. Hopefully the one that makes it will of finally got the mindset of the European game (and maybe a decent draw for once) and get into the group stage. Of course the season isn't done yet but things seem to be taking shape right now and I'm bored With 6 sides the only questions become Leixoes and the Madeirense side that makes it. Having 1 less team to be dead weight will do wonders for our coefficient. Should Leixoes, Madeira or both make the group we would be in tremendous position to finally have a point boom where we could see our coefficient go up by a point per match day (if half the of teams win, so any 3 of the 4 usual suspects) instead of going up .250 or so if we are lucky. I was hoping we would reach 10 points and that became simply impossible after the SLB collapse. If they were to of gotten out of the group and made it to the last 16 like Braga we would have 7.5 points right now. If we had 3 teams make it to the next round we would have a minimum of 8.5 and be in distance of hitting 9 at least. But they didn't, so we sit with almost 7 points (6.9) and only 2 teams left with 5 bodies to carry I doubt Porto and Braga could help Portugal reach 8 points at this point. The competition is now very stiff compared to group stages and first knockout rounds. If they do it will be very impressive, here's to hoping Braga make it to the Quarter Finals and beyond the same for Porto. A sporting away win would be a nice present on their exit as well.
Nice post. Repped. Congrats for Braga, they're showing maturity unlike a club with the dimension of Sporting CP. I just hope the "arsenalistas" manage to beat a giant club along the way to prove their worth. This is the real test now. FC Porto...well, is the same old Porto. For Portugal's sake.
If we can get Nacional/Maritimo/Leixoes a decent draw next year we should have a good year. The fact that their will be one less team will be great also 4 teams start in the EL which is easier to gain points and advance. As long as Benfica doesn't stumble it should be pretty good and help us on our way back to the #6 spot.
Yep, I like the chances of Nacional, Braga, and Benfica in the Europa next year. The coefficient should rebound nicely for Portugal come next season.
