Celtic Bonavista (R) 1-1 in Celtic Park. Just like Liverpool. I was the only one in the Dubliner wihtout a thick accent. Listening to such passionate fans, yelling "Rubbish!", "You're crap!", and "He's f%&king useless!" was interesting. I relaized that it what it feels like to be standing near me at a Burn game.
Portugal, a mid table team. Like 50 points behind Porto or something like that. I have the utmost confidence that the Bhoys will win the away leg.
They better win the whole thing. I hate both the Spanish league and Serie a. Having Scottish roots is another factor even if I'm not Catholic.
The team is "Boavista" from the city of Porto in Portugal (they are not in the Spanish league). Assuming FC Porto advances to the final after their 4-1 victory over Lazio today and Boavista gets past Celtic - then we will have a Porto city Derby UEFA Cup Final.
Thought Celtic were unlucky not to get the win, it was a freak goal from the Portuguese side and Celtic created enough chances to take the game. Didn't really see anything from Boavista that leads me to believe that they will win the second leg and I think Celtic will do what they did against Blackburn and Liverpool and win away from home to take them though. Thought Balde and Mjalby were excellent tonight but Ricardo in the Boavista goal put in a laughable performance. Amazing result for Porto on the other hand, 4-1! and after going 1-0 down. Lazio have that vital away goal though, should be an interesting second leg if the Italians score early on. John
Let's correct a few glaring inaccuracies and misconceptions about Portuguese soccer: 1. It's "Boavista," not "Bonavista." 2. True that Boavista is mid-table in the Portuguese Superliga (not "the Spanish league" or "Serie a"), though only about 20 points against Porto. 3. Great that you have confidence in Celtic in the return leg, but I wouldn't be overconfident. Celtic are strong, but Boavista have won the return leg in every UEFA Cup match they've played this year. 4. Another reason not to underestimate: though Boavista is mid-table in the Superliga, they were champions of it two years ago and last year made the second group stage of the Champs League. Celtic didn't make it that far because they finished behind Juve and another Portuguese side, Porto, in their group. 5. And speaking of Porto, those who expect Celtic to win it all should take note of today's match, where Porto dismantled Lazio, a top Serie A side, 4-1.
I didn't see the game but only read a match report. It sounded like a very even game and according to the report Ricardo had an excellent game. Celtic can certainly beat Boavista in Porto but Boavista has had a dramatic run through UEFA, repeatedly coming from behind and surprising the favored side. They are dangerous b/c of their ability to completely frustrate opponents. You do not watch Boavista for beautiful football instead you get a team that defends way above par, completely throws opponents off their game and kills them with opportunistic strikes and excellent team stamina, strength and speed. In order to win, Celtic needs to play with confidence and calmness. If they start looking at the clock or trying for the quick goal then it could be a long trip back to Glasgow.
Good thing I'm only giving you a ride. I'll convert you yet to TRUE FOOTBALL. I think you're going to probably find the pace of the Burn's play a tad on the slow side if you're only used to watching Arsenal.
Heh, well MLS to me is off on and on sometimes in terms of pace, but there is always worse. I've managed to watch some German, Serie a, SPL, and mexican league games on FSW as well as EPL. So when i say I have a dislike for a certian league, it is based on viewing it on Tv. With the Burn it is a different story. Looks like we might have an interseting conversation on the way to the game.
John0 has it exactly right. Watch a replay, if you can, and tell me that Celtic was not the more enterprising team, and far less graced by fortune. 2-0 Celtic in Porto. Finding another Forest fan on the Burn borad brings tears to my eyes. YOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDSSSSSSSS!