But at the end of the day it still boils down to what is feasible and whether the formula for determining the seeds is any better than pulling random numbers out of your ass. In the NCAA, reseeding is simply not feasible for reasons already highlighted (nevermind that the seeding is voted on by a bunch of nerds sitting around a desk in a single meeting on a Sunday afternoon in March). For UCL, the only seeding that would reward hard work over the long-haul would be seeding based on the previous season's league rankings. In which case, Man Utd would be the #1 or #2 seed in UCL this season based on being champions of the 1st or 2nd-best league. hmmm....
From the basketball perspective, I agree. Because of the traveling involved after every other round. But my response was more directed to the wrestling tournament NYfan brought up. I'm guessing travel after each round of that tournament isn't as big an issue.
I just realized that every single team in the possbile semifinals (Barca and Bayern included) hate each other very much. Altough the degrees are different for each team so whoever wins they will do it by beating their most hated teams
Bayern fans have actually a lot more mutual respect for barca then any other team left... Trust me The hate with Chelski is pretty obvious The hate with Madrid has begun since both teams entered the champions league
Well clearly the last team on Barca's list is Bayern and viceversa but you've got to admit seeing Barca win again would be tough for Bayern and so will seeing Bayern win.
and i'd rather see Bayern win than those two. i don't think there's any hate between bayern and barca. there is a little bit of an edge (mostly on our side) because it really hurt to see pep and thiago leave (would have hurt no matter where they ended up) - and the 7-0 last season also really hurt. but i'd rather have to face bayern at this point, because that meeting would be all about the brilliant football that would be on display, whereas any meeting with LPB, Chelsea, or Mou, will inevitably devolve into a soap opera.
AM AM AM AM AM PLEAAAAASE!!! Then at least we Barcelona fans can say... well we lost to the champions
Here is another things that shows which stupid retarded imbecils run Barcelona. Champions League: Atletico Madrid's Thibaut Courtois won't face Chelsea in semi-finals http://www1.skysports.com/football/...aut-courtois-wont-face-chelsea-in-semi-finals Barcelona let Villa go for nothing while he could play against Barcelona!!
If I were AM I'd play Courtois anyway, pay the effin 6m euros or whatever, and lay a beatdown on Chel$ki.
A Madrid can play Courtois if they wanted to. And no penalty will be given. I know this 100% sure from a Steaua case. Now that Atletico will destroy their relationship will Chelsea that is another part but the clause is not binding EDIT: I just saw that UEFA issued a statement
Oh well I should have checked before I gave my exclusive But I am sure that won't stop enough Chelsea fans to yell conspiracy
Well, here is the semi draw: LPB - Bayern Atleti - Chelsea And in Europa: Sevilla - Valencia Benfica - Juve (First team play at home in first leg)
"Perfect draw", although a CL semifinal draw with no Barca is automatically bad. But perfect draw in a sense that LPB drew the toughest possible opponent, and at this with no Barca alive, I just hope that whoever wins the thing is not LPB. I'd expect the final to be Atletico - Bayern, although this could really go any way. And I've thought for a while now that Chelsea isn't to be underestimated: it wouldn't be that big of a surprise if they'd win this (and EPL).
Courtois isn't always great, but I think he is the best goalkeeper in the world today. I wonder what's gonna Cech's next move. He is still pretty solid, and he is only 31. If Chelsea wants Courtois back already the next season. With all these great keepers around, I gotta admit I'm a little bit worried about Ter Stegen. I mean, is he really good enough right away in his first season? With outfield players, the adaptation period isn't that bad as they can always be subbed etc, but the first-choice goalie gotta deliver. Hopefully he proves me wrong, and I don't want to overestimate my worries, and also it's not like I watch every single Gladbach match. But still. I mean, he should deliver Valdes-like stuff right away for our quality in GK department not to drop, and that's a lot asked. I wonder, with Cech still playing in the top level for years, whether it would've made sense to splash on Courtois instead. I guess we'll never know. And by this I'm not saying Ter Stegen is a bad pick etc.
Following the Copa del Rey final last May 17th, Atletico supporters serenaded, 'Mourinho quedate'. First leg at the Calderon should be epic both on and off the pitch.
I'd guess the second leg will be epic as well, with Atletico booking a historical place in the CL final (!) and all.