Europa League: Benfica - Juventus

[pcssousa]

Things went down before that for Serie A.

All of the 00s were already dominated by the marketing machine of the Premier League.

ok, but in 2003 In the Munchester champion's leage final there was Juventus and Milan, not Liverpool and Munchester utd ... and if we remeber correctly tahe semifinal match was Juventus-real madrid and Inter-Milan.
No english teams in semifinal.

Definitely. On the pitch italian clubs were clearly the most feared in the early 00s.

But the popularity of the league as a whole was free falling because of the marketing power and the potential of the Premier League.

I think Serie A has the potential to become bigger than La Liga globally honestly. You have incredible passion and 10 or more historic european clubs. Plus, "everyone" hates each other.
You just have to sell your league better. Hosting an international competition would definitely help.

La Liga has more people in the stadiums, I guess. Much more.

[JUVENTINO]

I believe Greeks have many stories regarding Italians and Germans from the WW II days...

Many loves were born during the Second World War soldiers Italian and Greek women.
The worst memories, however, are linked to the Italians: Italian after the signing of the armistice with the Allies were considered traitors from germany and was made rough justice of many soldiers by the Germans.
Divisions whole exterminated by German fire in Greece.
I think the greek friend has heard of the "Acqui Division."

The Greeks tried to save many of the Italians.. what happened to the Italians was disgusting.. when I was a boy I would see in many island ports, plaques on the floor.. something like 'from this spot left 200 Italian soldiers who never returned to Italy.' These plaques were everywhere.. Of course the Germans went out there way to massacre as many Italians as they could. It does bring a tear to my eye, the Italians did not deserve this..

Clearly we are talking about generations ago ... luckily now the German people is not what it ... at least I hope 

[JUVENTINO]

Things went down before that for Serie A.

All of the 00s were already dominated by the marketing machine of the Premier League.

ok, but in 2003 In the Munchester champion's leage final there was Juventus and Milan, not Liverpool and Munchester utd ... and if we remeber correctly tahe semifinal match was Juventus-real madrid and Inter-Milan.
No english teams in semifinal.

Definitely. On the pitch italian clubs were clearly the most feared in the early 00s.

But the popularity of the league as a whole was free falling because of the marketing power and the potential of the Premier League.

I think Serie A has the potential to become bigger than La Liga globally honestly. You have incredible passion and 10 or more historic european clubs. Plus, "everyone" hates each other.
You just have to sell your league better. Hosting an international competition would definitely help.

La Liga has more people in the stadiums, I guess. Much more.

The crucial point I think is how you sell your product.
If you sell it as a spectacle (England) profit and revenue, including international approval.
If you sell it as an industry (Italy) do little revenue.
Football is a sport, a show.
All I have to live this way.
If you are a commercial importance, the show and the interest in it dies.
This happens in Italy, where the club first thing they want more revenue from TV rights.
Fools, because if you show that you are offering is indecent, you will receive a little money.

[JUVENTINO]

...

The Italians were there for fun. They didn't believe in the war and when they tried to invade Greece just before the Germans, they were easily beaten by the Greeks. The Italians who took most the islands thanks to the germans..were shocked at how similar Greek culture was to their own.. wine, music, olive oil... no one was bothered by the Italians.. to give an example.. after the war.. any woman who had slept with a german soldier under the occupation was usually murdered in the town square and left to rot.. however I am sure many Greek girls slept with Italians and no one cared..

...

In this regard, I recommend watching the movie "The Captain Corelli's Mandolin".
in the film is narrated everything you've written about the Italians in Greece during  World War II.
Starring Nicolas Cage (Captain Corelli) who falls for the beautiful Pelagia (Penelope Cruz), betrothed with partisan greek Mandras (cristian bale).

[Elvis the Pelvis]

I remember seeing that movie, Juventino. Very good!

[pcssousa]

I remember seeing that movie, Juventino. Very good!

Agree, Penélope is a hot woman.

[JUVENTINO]

good luck for tonight's game 

[Elvis the Pelvis]

I remember seeing that movie, Juventino. Very good!

Agree, Penélope is a hot woman.

That bastard Javier Bardem, lucky guy. 


@Thanks Juventino! 

[pcssousa]

good luck for tonight's game 

Thank you very much. Hope we can win and go to the final.

[Festivus]

 Sounds like an interesting movie. Shame it starrs Nicholas Cage, though.

[Darkboy]

Benfica 3-1 Porto (Portuguese Cup semi-finals, 2nd leg)

16' Salvio scores (1-0)
27' Siqueira sent off (Benfica down to 10 men already)
Only god knows when, but around 47' Varela scores (1-1)
50' Enzo scores (2-1 to Benfica)
79' André Gomes (3-1)
84' Jorge Jesus sent off
86' Porto manager sent off (nobody knows his name, not relevant)
88' Quaresma sent off (after 61', both teams have an equal number of players again)

3-2 on aggregate

[pcssousa]

Epic night!

[Elvis the Pelvis]

Epic night!

Indeed!

[JUVENTINO]

we're going to win the cup of Portugal 

.... but not the Europa League 

[Joaquim Ferreira Bogalho]

we're going to win the cup of Portugal 

.... but not the Europa League 

Sorry...you're next.