Germany V Italy- Champions of Europe

This year Madrid takes centre stage for the pinacle of Club football. Despite the fact most football pundits and players regard Spain and England to be the strongest football leagues neither will appear at this years final. Italy and the German league will be fighting it out to make a claim for the strongest league. Between the two clubs they hold 6 Champions League wins so both teams will know just what's at stake. Bayern won it last in 2001 and Inter hasn't since 1965. So for both it's been a pretty long wait. Let's hope this will transpire into a hunger for this coveted piece of silverware.

No love loss is shared between the teams with former player Robben saying of his former coach "Mourinho plays to win. And he doesn't care in what way." This is so true and will most likely lead to a low scoring game. Bayern however have always historically played to look good and win at the same time so let's hope they can get an early goal which will transpire into Mourinho and Inter haveing to come out and play some real football.

VERDICT: I see Mourinho being too clever in this tie so I'm going to back Inter to get a narrow win thanks to a goal by superstar Samuel Eto'o.

Over and Out,

Conor

Bayern v Inter....FC Hollywood v The Special one

I am quite looking forward to this game actually.It is a final between two teams who have claimed their domestic titles and both are worthy of their final spot (although as a massive Manchester United fan I can't help but think "what if...").In this sense,both teams are "in the zone' now because they have fought for their title's until the bitter end.Bayern and Inter have a never say die attitude and that will be a factor in this final.

In terms of preparation for the final,well Frank Ribery is a big loss for Bayern but they have had time to come to terms with this (although they tried their hardest to overturn it).I know a few of us here have been quite impressed by Altintop,so he will be important.Bayern have match winners and players on form.

In terms of Inter,once again Mourinho is the focus of attention.The "will he won't he go to Real Madrid saga"!!!!!He is the master at taking the attention off his players and this could be important.Snjeider's return to fitness is very important and Van Gaal will be well aware of this.Maicon is a player I really admire,so his runs up and down will have to be stopped.

The final outcome.......I think that Inter will win this one.I know Bayern are looking good and it is going to be tight but Mourinho's arrogance has rubbed off on his players and I think they have the bit between their teeth.Samuel Eto'o hasn't had the best of season's (by his high standards!) but if there is one man I would back to score a goal,it would be him,been there and done it!!!

While I was writing this,I was listening to the Champions League final theme song which translates into

The Masters
The Best
The Great Teams
The Champions!

Lets hope all these quality's are on display on Saturday (I miss Wednesday) to mark a classic final.

Regards,

Gary Daly

Bayern vs Inter: Return of the student...

There is one key factor to the Champions League final that I feel is being over looked. I know it is not going to be the difference on the pitch but there is an interesting dynamic between the two coaches that I feel will have a big impact on the game.

Jose, the Special One, learned all there is to know about football coaching from Van Gaal while they were together in Barca. Jose will be dying to beat his former master. It will be like a player who comes back to a club after being away for a period of time, they feel like they have something to prove.

This relationship is brilliant for the neutral when the player has left under 'stressed' circumstances and they want revenge to show how good they have become but Van Gaal and Jose left on good terms. This is why I think Bayern will win the game.

This will not be the prettiest final for the neutral but I see Bayern winning 2-1 with the little men Olic and Robben playing key roles. I think it would be great for the German's to win just so they can show you can run a club well within its means and still win the Champions League.

I won't give my probable line up but I think Bayern will score first. Inter will equalise and then Bayern will score again late in the second half!

The beginning!

So what did you think of the game?

Those eternal words are uttered by men (and one woman, Dani) all over the world. Its what makes sport great. The shared experience of a single event which causes a wide variety of opinion that causes endless hours of discussion. Opinions that are tainted by allegiances, personal experiences, a sense of injustice, or just down right hatred.

This summer the worlds largest sporting event will take place in South Africa, the FIFA 2010 World Cup. This blog will share with you the opinions of a group of Irish living in Australia and the experiences they have and the opinions they form while watching this glorious event. We even have a woman's perspective...

The countdown to the World Cup is on with most domestic leagues wrapped up and we will get some pre-season blogging in after the Champions League final.

Charlie