Chelsea: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

 

Chelsea FC have been crowned the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ champions after a superb performance by Cole Palmer guided the Premier League side to a resounding final victory over ten-man Paris Saint-Germain.

In a blockbuster final at the MetLife Stadium, Palmer scored twice in an eight-minute spell in the opening half and then set up Joao Pedro just before the break to set up the Blues for a deserved triumph over the European champions.

Luis Enrique's side, who were chasing a quadruple of major trophies during the 2024/25 campaign, were rocked by Chelsea's first-half onslaught and looked a shadow of the team who demolished Real Madrid C.F. in the semi-finals.

The Londoners' devastating performance provided a fitting climax to a hugely successful tournament and cements their status as one of the teams to beat in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League next season.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca made two changes from his side's semi-final victory over Fluminense FC, with Levi Colwill and Reece James coming in for Tosin Adarabioyo and Christopher Nkunku respectively, while Joao Pedro kept his place up front.

These moves paid off, with the Blues looking extremely dangerous from the outset. Palmer showed his intent when he came close to opening the scoring in just the seventh minute with a curling left-footed effort that flew just wide.

PSG soon found their footing and Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella reacted brilliantly to block a dangerous pass across goal by Desire Doue that was directed towards Achraf Hakimi.

But Chelsea continued to push and took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Joao Pedro attacked down the right and squared the ball to Palmer, who found the corner of the net in style.

With confidence now soaring, Palmer doubled Chelsea's lead with a copycat effort when he weaved his way forward to the edge of the PSG area and caressed a sublime left-footed effort into the same bottom corner.

The England international then capped an incredible first-half display when he weighted a perfect through ball to Joao Pedro, who chipped the ball neatly over Gianluigi Donnarumma for his third goal in two games.

PSG had no answers for Chelsea's defensive set-up and Liam Delap almost scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Any hopes of a comeback ended when Joao Neves was sent off six minutes from time for pulling Cucurella's hair as Chelsea held on to seal their place in football history.

Quotes

"It’s a great feeling. The gaffer put a great game plan out. He knew where there would space and tried to free me up as much as possible. I just had to repay him and score some goals. He [Enzo Maresca] is building something special. I feel we’re going in the right direction."

Cole Palmer, Chelsea midfielder

“I have no words for the players. For me, we won the game in the first ten minutes. We set the tempo, we knew the way we wanted to play. Today we found a position for Cole [Palmer[ where there was more space to attack. The effort from all the players has been fantastic.”

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea coach

"It's not just when you win that you do a good job. What we did this season was something we'd never done before. Thirteen years ago in Paris, I'd never competed for titles like this. Of course, we wanted to take this trophy home, but that doesn't erase what we did this season."

Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain defender

Chelsea: 2024-25 UEFA Conference League Winners

 

Chelsea completed their clean sweep of major UEFA men's trophies with a comeback success in the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis.

Chelsea rallied impressively after conceding first against Real Betis in the 2025 UEFA Conference League final, four second-half goals scooping them the title in Wrocław.

Key moments

9' Ezzalzouli fires Betis in front

13' Jørgensen makes a fine diving save to deny Bartra

21' Badiashile blocks goal-bound Cardoso shot

65' Palmer picks out Fernández for a headed equaliser

71' Jackson finishes from another Palmer assist

83' Substitute Sancho pings in Chelsea's third

90+1' Caicedo adds some gloss with Chelsea's fourth

Match in brief: Chelsea the comeback kings

Taking a high-energy approach from the off, Betis strove to break up Chelsea's play high up the field and were rewarded. After nine minutes, Isco pulled the ball across the box for Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, and the Moroccan took a touch before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of Filip Jørgensen's net.

The goalkeeper was at full stretch to deny Marc Bartra as the Betis No5 tried to catch him off balance with a shot from distance a few minutes later, and Benoît Badiashile delivered a crucial diving interception to block a Johnny Cardoso effort after the busy Ezzalzouli had battled his way into the box to set him up.

Possession stats had Chelsea on 65% at the break, but Enzo Maresca's side had created little in terms of tangible chances, outstretched Betis legs repeatedly stifling their approach play. Captain Reece James came on at half-time, a limping Ezzalzouli was taken off after 53 minutes, and all of a sudden it was Betis who were being hustled off the ball, and looking like a side that had not kept a clean sheet in their previous 11 games.

James thumped a shot straight at defender Natan as Betis struggled to clear a corner, and there was no let-up for Manuel Pellegrini's side, Cole Palmer's splendid lofted ball into the box invited Enzo Fernández to nod the equaliser past the exposed Adrián on 65 minutes, and five minutes later Palmer produced another superb assist, turning a defender and lifting a ball across the box for Nicolas Jackson to force in at the near post.

A wall of green noise throughout, Betis' fans did their best to reinflate their side, but there was no way back. First, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picked out fellow substitute Jadon Sancho, with the Manchester United loanee calmly curling the ball in from an angle, before the masked Moises Caicedo made it 4-1 in added time with a low shot from the edge of the box.

Laufenn Player of the Match: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Reporter verdict: Simon Hart, Real Betis

Betis’ excellent first-half display, led by the terrific Isco, gave way to a highly disappointing second period when they were overpowered by Chelsea. The loss of the left-sided duo of Ricardo Rodríguez and Ezzalzouli hurt them, in stark contrast to the substitutions which bolstered their opponents. It has been a wonderful campaign for Betis but it ends on a tearful note.

Reporter verdict: Joe Terry, Chelsea

The apprentice has overcome the master. Maresca had a tactical problem in the first half and he solved it by bringing on Reece James, who played a brilliant second half on and off the ball. It's a huge moment for Chelsea, both in terms of the history they've made and their development as an exciting crop of young talented players.

Reaction

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea coach: "We adjusted something tactical at half-time and the second half we were much better. We are very happy. [Winning the Conference League] can be a starting point. To build a winning mentality you need to win games, to win competitions. The trophy we have won tonight is going to make us better."

Cole Palmer, Player of the Match: "We just picked up the intensity and put in a good performance [in the second half]. I was sick of getting the ball and just going backwards and sideways. [For] the first [assist] there was a bit of space and I saw Enzo running. Second one, same again. I feel like we showed good character again to make the comeback."

Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis coach: "How do the players feel? They are devastated. We couldn't maintain what we did in the first half. We were causing them problems through Abde [Ezzalzouli] but he sprained his ankle and we had to replace him. Still, we should be proud of the way we played and the rest is football."

Adrián, Betis goalkeeper, speaking to TNT Sports: "We lost our composure when we conceded the first goal, then the second one after just five minutes. The team was feeling Chelsea's intensity and the mentality changed. We lost a bit of shape. It's a hard night for us."

Key stats

Chelsea are the first side to win all five of UEFA's men's club competitions, their first Conference League success following two UEFA Champions League triumphs, two in the UEFA Europa League, two in the UEFA Super Cup and two in the now defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Chelsea's success ends a run of nine straight victories for Spanish sides in UEFA club competition finals against English opponents. Since the start of the 2001/02 season, Spanish sides had won all 23 of the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League finals they featured in until tonight.

The Blues' recent final record is impressive: In their previous seven finals in the Champions League, Europa League and Cup Winners' Cup, the only time they were not successful was in the 2007/08 Champions League when they lost on penalties against Manchester United.

Chelsea are the second English team to win the competition after West Ham in 2022/23. Betis' Pablo Fornals was among the victorious West Ham players in that game in Prague.

Real Betis were playing in their first major UEFA final.

Chelsea have won 11 of their 12 matches in the UEFA Conference League competition proper this season (league phase onwards), the exception being their 2-1 home defeat against Legia in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

Chelsea's total of 42 goals in the UEFA Conference League this season (league phase onwards) is a record for the competition, beating Fiorentina's total of 37 in the 2022/23 season.

Line-ups

Real Betis: Adrián; Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodríguez (Perraud 46); Fornals (Altimira 85), Isco, Cardoso (Lo Celso 85); Antony, Bakambu (Aitor Ruibal 72), Ezzalzouli (Jesús Rodríguez 53)

Chelsea: Jørgensen; Gusto (James 46), Chalobah, Badiashile (Colwill 61), Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Madueke, Palmer (Guiu 87), Pedro Neto (Sancho 61); Jackson (Dewsbury-Hall 80)

Chelsea: 2021 FIFA Club World Cup Champions

 

With victory over Palmeiras tonight, Chelsea have etched yet another memorable chapter in the club’s long and illustrious history. We have our hands on the solitary major trophy that has eluded us, the FIFA Club World Cup, a prize only on offer to those who have climbed Europe’s highest peak.

In 2012, after the miracle of Munich, there was disappointment at the hands of Corinthians. Not so tonight, where an extra-time penalty from Kai Havertz – yes, him again! – secured a 2-1 success over their Sao Paolo rivals Palmeiras.

Havertz was the hero in Porto and he was the hero again tonight, crowning an enterprising performance in our attack with an ice-cold penalty five minutes from the end of extra-time.

We have now joined Bayern Munich and Manchester United as the only clubs to complete a clean sweep of major UEFA trophies and the Club World Cup, and as the 11th different winner of this competition the Blues are only the third to achieve that feat from England. We just keep rewriting the history books!

At full-time, one Chelsea legend sunk to his knees. Cesar Azpilicueta is the first Blue to do the lot, further cementing his status as one of the greatest of all time. And of course it was his shot that was blocked by a handball allowing Havertz to coolly convert from 12 yards. What a way for the skipper to mark a decade of service.

Next to him, Thiago Silva also collapsed in ecstasy, a victor in a competition that means so much in South America. First the Champions League, and now the Club World Cup in barely eight months for our Brazilian hero. He was deservedly named the tournament’s best player at full-time.

And how wonderful to see Thomas Tuchel able to celebrate masterminding his third trophy in person, having only arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday. His tactical shuffling kept Palmeiras on the back foot throughout, and the victory, if hard fought, was thoroughly deserved.

As the players celebrated with the trophy in front of the loyal travelling support, one of our club anthems Blue Tomorrow rang around the stadium.

‘We’re gonna rule the universe because we’re Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea!’

We have done just that. It’s a Blue universe today. What a club.

Chelsea: 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Winners

 Chelsea are champions of Europe again after defeating Manchester City 1-0 on Saturday evening.

A sundrenched Estádio do Dragão in Portugal was the venue for an epic all-England clash that will go down in the club's folklore, joining 'that night in Munich' as a historic victory for the Blues.

After an end-to-end first half in which both sides had glorious chances, it was Kai Havertz who was the man of the moment in the 42nd minute. The German met Mason Mount's world-class searching pass and rounded Ederson to send the travelling fans into raptures.

The second half was as nervy and as tense a second half that any Blues fan could suffer - penalty shouts, last ditch interceptions and the final bow of Sergio Aguero to name but three trials Chelsea had to overcome.

But overcome they did, and in the final analysis it was maybe as relatively comfortable a final that the Pensioners could have hoped for. To a man, each Chelsea player rose to the occasion, snuffed out any danger and put in a performance deserving of lifting Ol' Big Ears nine years after legends like Didier Drogba and Petr Cech did so for the club.

It's a remarkable end to a topsy-turvy season for Chelsea Football Club. Thomas Tuchel and his men have cemented themselves into the history books, and the scenes at the final whistle will be savoured by millions of Blues fans around the globe.

From the off it was apparent that Manchester City had come to defend from the front, relentlessly pressing the Blues in the early stages and looking to impress their game plan with immediacy.

The obvious trade-off with this strategy is that Chelsea would be able to get in behind - Timo Werner doing so just a few minutes in and finding Kai Havertz, who could only find Ederson's clutches with his ball across.

Alarm bells started to ring in the 7th minute when a sublime long ball from the Citizens' goalkeeper found Raheem Sterling bearing down on goal. Reece James did well to track back, and between him and Edouard Mendy they managed to deal with the danger.

The Pensioners were next to try their luck. Nice interplay between Mason Mount and Havertz saw the latter square for Werner to find himself unmarked from six yards out, only for the former Leipzig man to fluff his lines.

Werner would be presented with two further chances in quick succession in the 13th minute. A superbly constructed Chelsea counter attack drew a comfortable Ederson save, before the German smashed the ball into the side netting.

The box office Blues were breaking with regularity - another sublime passage of play saw N'Golo Kanté of all people rise highest to head just wide. Thomas Tuchel will have been pleased with what he saw from his side in the first quarter of regulation time, but there was a sense that Chelsea had to take one of these chances sooner rather than later.

Chelsea had the lionhearted Antonio Rüdiger to thank for keeping the scorecards level in the 27th minute. Kevin De Bruyne's cute threaded ball was met by Phil Foden, who seemingly only had Mendy to beat in a one on one before Rüdiger's unbelievable recovery block.

City were looking dangerous again just two minutes later, with Riyad Mahrez just inches away from meeting a driven ball across the Chelsea bow with his toe.

A bitter blow to the Blues was to arise with ten minutes of the half to go. The ever dependable and experienced Thiago Silva had to leave the field after picking up an innocuous groin injury. On came his able deputy Andreas Christensen, who had huge boots to fill.

Disappointment was followed by jubilation. Mason Mount's sensational through ball on the turn found Chelsea's £72m man Havertz, who curved his run excellently and prodded past the onrushing Ederson. The Brazilian keeper seemed to handle the ball outside of the box, but his efforts were to no avail in any case as the former Leverkusen man stroked it home into the empty net.

It was the last notable action of a scintillating first half, with the Blues full value for the lead and just 45 minutes away from the joint greatest night in the club's illustrious history. 

The job was far from done, however. Unsurprisingly, the Manchester City onslaught started in earnest, with the Citizens stepping up further after the break and looking to press the issue. Chelsea, also unsurprisingly, were more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure in their compact shape.

After Thiago Silva's departure in the first half, there was cause for concern ten minutes into the second period when Rüdiger and De Bruyne collided hard, leaving both men down dazed. Chelsea's German centre-back is simply built different, but De Bruyne didn't beat the count. He made way for Gabriel Jesus.

A huge City penalty claim was to follow as Raheem Sterling drilled the ball towards goal, but referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was convinced that it hit Reece James' midrift instead. A VAR check confirmed the referee's suspicions. Foden fired well over not long afterwards.

Both teams looked to the bench for further inspiration. Fernandinho came on for a quiet Bernardo Silva in the 64th minute, with Christian Pulisic introduced to the fray for Timo Werner two minute later. The former Borussia Dortmund prodigy became the first American to play in a Champions League final.

Chelsea's skipper César Azpilicueta showed his experience to prevent a certain Ilkay Gündoğan tap in at the back post in the 69th minute, scooping it over the bar from what was no more than six yards out.

It was almost game over for Manchester City a short time after. A beautiful break ended with the immense Havertz playing in the newly introduced Pulisic, who scooped it over Ederson and saw the ball flie agonisingly wide at the far post.

Desperate times for the de facto home side called for familiar measures. Sergio Aguero took to the field for his final bow as a Manchester City player in the 77th minute. It was time for the Alamo at the back for the Blues, and Tuchel responded by subbing the Croatian dynamo Mateo Kovacic on for Mason Mount.

Aguero was almost the hero when the ball landed at his feet in the box, but he elected to try and chip the ball over to teammate Foden and it was meat and drink for the Senegalese giant in the Chelsea goal.

Inexplicably, seven minutes were added on in injury time to prolong Chelsea's valiant defensive efforts. City threw the kitchen sink and all of the plumbing at the Blues' backline, pumping ball after ball into the box. Thomas Tuchel was playing cheerleader for the fans on the touchline - the German manager must be exhausted with how much energy he spent running up and down the touchline tonight.

What will make those aches sweeter is going to sleep knowing that he has come in and masterminded a quite simply extraordinary Champions League campaign for Chelsea. From 9th in the Premier League in January to European champions in May - it's a Chelsea thing.

Leicester City: 2015-16 Premier League Champions!

Chelsea came from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge and crown Leicester City as Barclays Premier League champions.

Mauricio Pochettino's men needed victory to retain hope of stopping Leicester's astonishing march towards glory and Harry Kane's 25th BPL goal of the season, along with a clinical finish from Son Heung-min, gave them a healthy half-time advantage.

In a feisty encounter played at a pulsating pace, Gary Cahill reduced the arrears in the 58th minute and Eden Hazard, who schemed menacingly as a half-time substitute, scored his first league goal at Stamford Bridge since last season's title-clinching win over Crystal Palace to ensure a new and unlikely name would be etched on the trophy.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri will hoist that silverware at a raucous King Power Stadium after Saturday's match against Everton, no doubt thrilled by the help from his former employers.

Cahill and John Terry were reunited at the heart of the Chelsea defence, with the former heading a fourth-minute corner wide as the hosts applied early pressure.

Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal midfielder, was picked out by Costa and dragged wastefully wide in the 27th minute.

Spurs spurned a similarly inviting opening with Son, in for the suspended Dele Alli, lashing past the near post but Pochettino's side crafted a fine opener 10 minutes before half-time.

Christian Eriksen combined with Erik Lamela for the Argentina international to pick out Kane's perfectly timed run, with the England striker able to coolly round Asmir Begovic and slot into an unguarded net.

Costa engineered space on the edge of the box to fire over as Chelsea sought a response but they were left with a mountain to climb by a blistering Spurs counter-attack.

Kane intercepted a stray pass from Branislav Ivanovic and Eriksen expertly slid a pass through to Son, whose aim was true this time.

The half ended an altercation after Danny Rose rashly fouled Willian, and both players were booked for their troubles and renewed acquaintances early in the second half as the Brazil winger crashed into his opponent before Son clipped the loose ball wide from the edge of the box.

Chelsea grasped a lifeline in the 58th minute as Spurs midfielder Eric Dier missed an attempted clearance from Willian's corner and Cahill pounced with an emphatic left-footed volley.

The complexion of the contest changed entirely, Hazard to the fore for the hosts, and Willian shot too close to Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from a Costa pass.

Spurs right-back Kyle Walker was grateful to see Hazard's low cross spin off his shin and wide in the 74th minute, while substitute Ryan Mason shot tamely at Begovic when he should have restored the two-goal cushion.

Despite his misfiring campaign, Hazard showed why he has a more renowned eye for goal from midfield as he darted towards the area, exchanged passes with Costa and found the top corner to break Spurs hearts and spark celebrations in Leicester.

The Chelsea faithful delighted at their team’s fightback, and will now offer a guard of honour to Leicester on the final day.

Chelsea: 2014-15 Premier League Champions

Chelsea bid an emotional farewell to Didier Drogba but it was two other Chelsea forwards who gave the champions the points as they came from behind to beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa, a first-half substitute for Drogba, scored from the spot to cancel out Steven Fletcher’s opener before Loic Remy came off the bench to score twice in the last 20 minutes of the match.

With Sunderland having secured their Premier League status in midweek at Arsenal and Chelsea having long since wrapped up the title, there was a jovial mood at Stamford Bridge on the day they lifted the trophy.

For Drogba, in particular, it was an emotional exit having announced that this would be his final appearance for the club and he was given the full treatment by the Chelsea faithful.

The Ivorian was made captain for the day before being substituted after just half an hour with his team-mates chairlifting him off the field to a huge ovation from Roman Abramovich among others.

Jose Mourinho was rather more reserved given that Chelsea were already a goal down at that point with Fletcher having headed home unmarked from Adam Johnson’s corner.

The scenes that greeted Drogba’s withdrawal might have suggested that Chelsea minds were elsewhere but they were soon level through his replacement Costa.

John O’Shea was adjudged to have fouled Juan Cuadrado and Costa stepped up to take the resultant spot-kick, beating Vito Mannone from 12 yards for his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

Sunderland won at Stamford Bridge last season and they remain the only team to have beaten Mourinho’s Chelsea on their own turf in the Premier League.

The visitors certainly had their moments on Sunday too with Petr Cech, another who could be set to leave Chelsea in the summer, being forced into smart saves from Seb Larsson and Jermain Defoe.

Chelsea played some entertaining football after the break as they probed for a winner but Sunderland remained a threat at the other end with the champions uncharacteristically open.

When the impressive Patrick van Aanholt found space once more on the left flank, Cech could only parry his cross into the path of Defoe and his shot was cleared near the line by Cesar Azpilicueta.

Sunderland, who finish 16th, were punished soon afterwards when Eden Hazard fed Remy in a central position and the French forward fired in a low shot that Vito Mannone could only palm into the net.

Mannone did rather better to keep Sunderland in the game and deny Willian when the Chelsea man headed low towards the near corner.

But he could do nothing to prevent Remy having the final say with a neat near-post finish from Nemanja Matic’s low left-wing cross bringing his seventh of the season and second of the afternoon.

The final whistle followed soon after with John Terry leading the celebrations on the day he became the first man since Gary Pallister to play every minute of a Premier League title-winning campaign.

The victory also means Chelsea finish the season on 87 points – their best total since their last Premier League title victory under Mourinho in 2006 – and an eight-point lead over Manchester City in second spot.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Cech (7), Ivanovic (6), Cahill (6), Terry (6), Azpilicueta (6), Mikel (6), Matic (7), Cuadrado (6), Willian (7), Hazard (7), Drogba (6).

Subs used: Costa (7), Remy (8), Christensen (6).

Sunderland: Mannone (6), Jones (6), Coates (6), O'Shea (5), Van Aanholt (7), Johnson (6), Larsson (6), Rodwell (6), Wickham (6), Defoe (7), Fletcher (7).

Subs used: Giaccherini (6).

Man of the match: Loic Remy

Eight-goal Chelsea storm to fourth title

Published: Sunday 9 May 2010, 19.00CET

Chelsea FC became English champions in emphatic fashion, routing Wigan Athletic FC 8-0 on the final day of the Premier League season to hold off Manchester United FC's challenge.

Chelsea's John Terry and Frank Lampard lift the trophy after the match against Wigan Athletic ©Getty Images

Published: Sunday 9 May 2010, 19.00CET

Eight-goal Chelsea storm to fourth title

Chelsea FC became English champions in emphatic fashion, routing Wigan Athletic FC 8-0 on the final day of the Premier League season to hold off Manchester United FC's challenge.

Chelsea FC denied Manchester United FC a fourth consecutive Premier League title, cruising to an 8-0 success against Wigan Athletic FC to depose Sir Alex Ferguson's men of the championship on the final day of the season.
One point ahead of the Old Trafford club at the start of play, Carlo Ancelotti's charges were in no mood to surrender their advantage and wrapped up their third crown in six years by scoring at least seven goals at home for the fourth time in the league this season.
The die was cast when Nicolas Anelka fired in a sixth-minute opener and Frank Lampard (32) added a second from the penalty spot in an incident that saw Gary Caldwell dismissed. The ten-man visitors were then put to the sword after the interval, Salomon Kalou exchanging passes with Lampard before slipping in the third and Anelka's wonderful volley making it 4-0.
Didier Drogba then took centre stage. The striker headed in the fifth – Chelsea's 100th league goal of the campaign – before going on to complete his hat-trick and secure the Premier League Golden Boot with his 29th of the season. Ashley Cole added the eighth in added time to give the Blues their record league win. The London club will now aim to complete the double when they meet Portsmouth FC in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Manchester United, therefore, were forced to settle for second despite beating Stoke City FC 4-0, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs scoring in the first half before further strikes from Danny Higginbotham's own goal and Ji-Sung Park. Arsenal FC wrapped up third spot by beating Fulham FC 4-0 with Tottenham Hotspur FC forced to settle for fourth after a 4-2 reverse at Burnley FC.
Elsewhere, Manchester City FC, who drew 1-1 at West Ham United FC, will be joined in the UEFA Europa League play-offs by Aston Villa FC, despite their 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers FC, with Liverpool FC joining that competition a round earlier thanks to a goalless draw at Hull City AFC.

©UEFA.com 1998-2010. All rights reserved.

Great day at The Beach and other tidbits

While my local pro teams were faltering, Fulham was spared relegation, and Chelsea finished second to Manchester United despite being even on points, I was savoring some good times for the baseball and softball teams.

I knew that if we had Brooke Turnere in the circle, we were going to take the series over Pacific. Sure enough, I was right. 5-0 and 1-0 decisions, to go with 17 shutouts in a season...not bad for Michelle's beloved imouto.

The baseball team took two out of three from UC Santa Barbara. I warned Brontosaurus (a.k.a. UCSB manager Bob Brontsema) that if he didn't shut his mouth in the 3rd inning, umpire Dennis Smythe was going to send him the way of the dinosaurs.

It really pays to listen. Poor Jake Thompson, his freshman campaign was definitely not anywhere to Brooke Turner's breakout year. Speaking of which, I wonder where the ladies will be assigned to. Hmmm...

I'm happy for Fulham. To not be relegated on the final day has to be exciting. In spite of Reading's annihilation of Derby County, a 1-0 win over Portsmouth (who will represent the FA PRemier League at the FA Cup in a few weeks, ironically) spared them the drop down. And Manchester United took home the crown and hardware with a win over Wigan Athletic.

I am getting the feeling that if Chelsea don't get their revenge on Manchester United down at the Luzhniki Stadium, it will be lehitraot, Avram Grant.

Some more great news from the Beach...

49ers Score High In The APR
APR Report Released On Tuesday By The NCAA



Rebecca Groff and 2007 49er graduate Jasmine Winfield.

May 8, 2008

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Long Beach State Department of Athletics scored extremely well this week as the NCAA released it's Academic Progress Rates (APR) data. Long Beach State did not have one team below the minimum standard score of 925. Each team's multi-year rate is used to determine it's APR score.

"We are extremely proud of our coaches and student-athletes," said 49er Director of Athletics Vic Cegles. "Our scores prove that we are doing things the right way. A huge thank you needs to go out to the staff of our Bickerstaff Academic Center for their tireless work. Our coaches understand the possible implications if their programs historically fall under the 925 score. I commend them for their attention to detail in regards to the APR. I also want to thank and congratulate our student-athletes, who are proving that it is important to compete in the classroom, as well as in the fields of competition."

The 49ers had four teams post perfect scores of 1,000 in the 2006-07 academic year. Men's cross country, men's volleyball, women's basketball and women's volleyball all attained perfect scores. All 18 sports were above the 925 minimum during the 2006-07 year. The penalties which were handed down to other schools on Tuesday are based on the team's multi-year rate (2003-04 to 2006-07), not their APR for the 2006-07 year.

The NCAA released their report on Tuesday listing numerous collegiate sports teams which would be hit with scholarship reductions and other sanctions because of their academic shortcomings. A total of 218 teams, spread among 123 NCAA Division I schools, were affected. Several schools had more than one sport which fell below the minimum standards, but more than a third of the 329 schools had at least one team penalized.

The NCAA compiles APRs for every one of the 6,272 men's and women's sports teams in Division I. The APR began being compiled during the 2003-04 academic year. This is the fourth year the APR has been at the forefront of collegiate athletics.

LONG BEACH STATE MULTI-YEAR APR SCORES (2003-04 to 2006-07) (Listed alphabetically by sport)
Baseball: 948
Men's Basketball: 935
Women's Basketball: 967
Men's Cross Country: 960
Women's Cross Country: 984
Men's Golf: 986
Women's Golf: 965
Women's Soccer: 964
Softball: 943
Women's Tennis: 974
Men's Indoor Track: 964
Women's Indoor Track: 973
Men's Outdoor Track: 958
Women's Outdoor Track: 971
Men's Volleyball: 988
Women's Volleyball: 984
Men's Water Polo: 939
Women's Water Polo: 966


EDIT: I just found out that the bastards down at Stamford Bridge choked, resigning to a paltry 1-1 draw with Bolton. Avrsm's job is REALLY is on the line now down in Moskva.

On the premise of four nervous cities, a festival of hits, and other happenings

This will be a long blog entry. One which I am stunned to post. Read below for all the details.

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The combined length of all the labels must be at most 200 characters.

My ass!

Today was the day of Kaleidoscope 2008. This is a tradition at Long Beach State. The very first time I went here was over a decade ago, when I was a seventh grader at Stephens Middle School, playing with the Pandrummonium Steel Drum Band/Ensemble. I was one of the original members of that band, by the way. But everything looked the same: banners flying, bands playing, the usual suspects setting up shop (USU Program Council, SLD, Associated Students, etc.). One booth that I stopped by was this booth for CRUNK, an energy drink pioneered by Atlanta's very own Lil' Jon. His son is an avid hockey player. (I won't go into much detail on the hockey-the Habs lost-but I may delve deeper on the original version [the FIELD version] next entry). I tried the sugar-free version. It was a run-of-the-mill, ice cold medicine-type of drink. I probably wouldn't want to buy something like that, although I was glad to investigate about the brew, which featured, among ingredients in its "proprietary" formula horny goat weed (YES, it does exist). Actually, I felt sorry for those guys in the booth. I'm not too much a fan of Lil JOn, but to market a drink that literally SUCKS has to be a humbling experience.

That was before I witnessed some history in the making. Brooke Turner, the younger sister of Michelle Turner, set a new record for strikeouts in a single season, sitting down 11, and relegating Meredith Cervenka's old record to second place, in a 2-1 victory over UC Riverside, who were very feisty to begin with. We took the series after Bridgette Pagano drove in a 2-run homer over the left field wall to make it 4-3 in the second game. If these ladies don't get a regional berth, let alone bid (Mayfair Park A Go Go), the NCAA can kiss my ass. I'll even send the Eiken Club to boob-slap the selection committee into submission, fate willing.

Meanwhile, back at Blair Field, another ridiculous festival of short balls, long balls, and foul balls caught (and dropped) by salty old farts who still have it culminated in Kurt "Wide Load" Wideman dropping the ball, enabling "Sugar" Shane "The Pain" Peterson to drive in the winning run in a 14-13 victory for the Beach. Yes, football has returned to the Beach. Football scores, that is. The chicks were digging the long ball, the alums were scooping the foul balls, and I scolded a bloody idiot of a booster for failing to give a high five to me. Sit with the Tigers if you would like to be that way. I'm not obliged to even fake a smile to those cellar-dwelling punks. Actually, I thumbed my noses at a few other Tiger supporters who were clearly fairweather to the core. That's why we have seats behind home plate, so you can make up your bloody minds, you indecisive wanks.

Overall I did 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14=107 push-ups for the men soon to be in a box. As well as the others. Well, I guess CRUNK had its benefits. Somewhat.

While most of the local teams were rolling (Beach Tennis will face of against the Zots tomorrow for the crown after taking out the Gauchos 4-0), I knew that women's water polo was going to be the goats of the day. I was surprised that I was actually RIGHT. The swiss cheese porn girls from Northridge edged us, 8-7. This year has gone to hell for Cat von Schwarz, and she knows it.

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This leads me to my premise of four nervous cities.

COLUMBUS, OH and UNIVERSITY PARK, PA should be nervous, in spite of winning their respective tournaments. Pepperdine stunned BYU in five. While both of them swept Ball State and George Mason (respectively), Shawn Patchell's men had a letdown to be damned for all time: after going up 2-0 in 30-28 wins, the Waves proceeded to win Game 3 32-30, Game 4 30-27, and complete the rally 15-8. The question for these cities is this: who gets the Waves, and who gets the at-large team? I'll give you this: the team who DOES NOT get Pepperdine should be considered lucky. Somewhat.

LONG BEACH, CA and PROVO, UT should also be nervous. Both teams shared the regular season title, yet both of them fell to Pepperdine. Uh oh. The question for these cities is this: who gets to be the at-large team, and who will they face? The Cougars have more wins, and advanced farther, but the 49ers defeated the Cougars in both meetings at Wally's House.

I would see the situation to be this:

Penn State vs. Pepperdine

Ohio State vs. Long Beach State

If even Mark Pavlik's boys can't solve the Amazing Australian Alien, a.k.a. Paul Carroll, then this tournament will turn on its head in a hurry.

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Meanwhile, down at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy were back to their winning ways, taking down Chivas USA 5-2. A brace from Alan Gordon and a hat trick from Landon Donovan sealed the Goats' fates. Also, Toronto FC continued their climb, and Chelsea fought back to set the deciding week to be next week in the Barclays Premier League down in England. And the Lakers...well, it was just the same old stuff driven down Denver's throats.

Also, in about a few hours from now, the USA women's field hockey team faces Belgium in a game that will determine Lee Bodimeade's fate. Well, it HAS to, with a berth in Beijing on the line. More on that next entry.

Crikey!

I got a message from pink-sakura, one of the admins at AnimePaper. She informed me that extending my posts with Wikipedia fluff is a no-no on the forum rules and regulations. That's news to me. So I read the FAQ, and it did not say anything about it explicitly. They may want to change that now.

It's funny, really. Had I done that on MiniTokyo, I would have been muted, or put on Restricted Membership. Ironically, I have on my account a boat-load of credits, and I don't go on the forums as much, unlike on AP. Actually, I use AP to get images that are not otherwise available on MT.

I'm studying how all the hi-res scans are circulated. It could pop up on communities like this, and on the free image boards and repositories simultaneously. I've seen it happened. I have no qualms about my reprimand on AP. I don't use the account as seriously as that on MT (presumably due to the credits I've gotten from fellow users, as well as the approved scans I submitted).

Actually, not only that, on MT, if I had done someting like that, I would have my posting rights revoked indefinitely. That's moot now, I suspect...


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How about that Barnsley football team! First Liverpool (2-1), now Chelsea (1-0)? Who's next, Portsmouth? Middlesborough? A fellow Football League team!?

I am convinced that Avram Grant and Rafa Benitez are going to be saying adios if they can't hold their ground in Champions League play.

Very rough day for the other teams I followed. Aldershot got ambushed by Ebbsfleet in the semis of the FA Trophy, Accrington was put on the make again, and the Australian Institute of Sport met its match against newcomers Coburg United in Foxtel Cup play (luckily, it ended in a draw).

At least AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester are holding their ground. I do like AFC Wimbledon's chances of promotion. Even though they are well behind Isthmian Premier League leaders Chelmsford City...if they can hold their ground in the playoffs, they are off to the Football Conference South.

Farewell, Jose Mourinho.

Well, this has to be some shocking news, since I follow the Chelsea over land and sea (and Leicester, maybe)...

Jose Mourinho's three-year reign at Chelsea came to an abrupt end on Thursday
as the Portuguese manager's fraught relationship with the club's Russian owner,
Roman Abramovich, finally reached breaking point.
An announcement that will
send shockwaves through English and European football came in the early hours of
Thursday morning with Chelsea claiming that Mourinho had left "by mutual
consent."
A terse statement posted on the London club's website stated:
"Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today
(Thursday) by mutual consent."
Mourinho had reportedly informed Frank Lampard
and other senior players that he was on his way out on Wednesday evening and
late-night talks at Stamford Bridge concluded with confirmation of his
departure.
The Portuguese manager, who made his reputation by guiding FC
Porto to UEFA Champions League glory in 2004, has transformed the English
football landscape since taking over at Stamford Bridge in June 2004, winning
two Premier League titles in his first two years in charge, the FA Cup last
season and the League Cup in 2005 and 2007.
Of the 185 games he has been in
charge, Chelsea have won 124, drawn 40 and lost 21, a record that includes a
60-match unbeaten run in Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.
The
statistics go some way towards justifying Mourinho's famous description of
himself as "a special one."
That comment was made in his first press
conference in England and it is a judgement that few Chelsea fans would dispute
after three years which saw the club end its 50-year wait to be crowned
champions and establish itself as one of the most feared teams in
Europe.
However, the success has failed to seduce Abramovich and the
Russian's relationship with his most outspoken employee turned sour last season
when he refused to come up with the funds Mourinho required to land his January
transfer targets, a stance the Portuguese believes contributed to Chelsea
conceding the Premier League title to Manchester United.
On the other side of
the feud, Abramovich has grown increasingly impatient with the fact that, after
investing nearly 500 million pounds (one billion dollars) in the club, Chelsea
have failed to conquer Europe and continue to lag behind the likes of Arsenal,
Barcelona and Manchester United in terms of entertainment value.
Tuesday's
disappointing 1-1 Champions League draw with Norwegian side Rosenberg - watched
by fewer than 25,000 fans - appears to have brought simmering tensions to the
boil, and with hindsight, Mourinho's pre-match comments about the need to buy
the best eggs to make the best omelette offered a hint that things were not
going smoothly behind the scenes.
Mourinho and Abramovich appeared to have
agreed to bury their differences over the summer and the manager had started
this campaign pledging that he would be a much more "chilled" figure than in his
first two seasons in England.
However, the strain of Chelsea's poor recent
form was evident on Saturday, when Mourinho tossed a flat-screen television set
to the ground in frustration over a disallowed goal in his side's 0-0 draw with
Blackburn.
The manager has also made no attempt to disguise his frustration
with Chelsea's misfiring striker Andriy Shevchenko, whose £30 million signing
from AC Milan is widely believed to have been ordered by Abramovich.
Mourinho
has also clashed with the Russian owner over backroom appointments, notably the
May 2005 recruitment of Dutchman Frank Arnesen as the club's youth/scouting
supremo and the appointment of Avram Grant as director of football.
Grant is
likely to be in charge of Chelsea for Sunday's trip to Manchester United but it
is thought likely that Abramovich will be looking to bring in a high-profile
successor to Mourinho.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink and former Germany boss
Jurgen Klinsmann are likely to top the speculative short-list, which may also
include Sevilla's highly-rated Juande Ramos.

Godspeed, Jose Mourinho. I hope either Guus or Jurgen gets it. Not sure about Juande. Either way, it should be nice GET! for Chelsea and Roman Abramovich.

More Football Futility

Melbourne Victory lost to Newcastle Jets, 1-0. Seems Carlos Hernandez is not impressing early. The Victory boys need to change some things fast.

Chelsea defeated the LA Galaxy, 1-0. I’m not disappointed that the Galaxy continued their losing streak. I’m disappointed that Chelsea scored only 1 goal, and not 3 of them. And poor Toronto FC failed against Frankie Hejduk and Columbus, 2-0.

I’m looking more forward to American Football season beginning now. It seems my favorite soccer teams are not cashing in on success.

“…And we’ll see you at the Shield.”

What an eventful day in sports. I’ll save the local team for later, although, I can’t have anything nice to say about one of them.

First off, how about Pacific and Cal State Fullerton in softball! They knocked off a few team in the tournament, and Fullerton even edged poor Virginia Tech to eliminate them. Unfortunately, UC Santa Barbara was eliminated by LMU, which, I suppose, justifies their victory over my ladies earlier.

Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea. Jose Mourinho may have saved his job, and the G’s might see him in the World Series of Football. They defeated Manchester United, 1-0, winning the FA Cup. Those two teams will be in action next year in the Community Shield contest.

The Angels are on fire. They are demolishing the Dodgers at Angel Stadium in the Freeway Series. Of course, Seattle is having no problems with San Diego, so the Mariners are keeping pace.

For the 29th straight year, there will be no Triple Crown winner, and fro the 29th straight year, the Breeders’ Cup Classic will determine Horse of The Year. (Unless I’m mistaken…) Robby Alvarado and Curlin edged Street Sense to win the Preakness. At least Street Sense didn’t founder, which is perhaps a bigger victory.

How about those Senators…Ottawa is heading to the Stanley Cup Finals, with Daniel Alfredsson launching the winning goal, as they defeated Buffalo, 3-2, to win 4 games to 1. Enjoy that President’s Trophy…Buffalo…it’s the only silverware you will have.

Kevin Harvick wins the Nextel All-Star Challenge. Tomorrow is the Indy 500. The former is boring. The latter…well, this can’t be boring. Honestly. Cornell escapes Albany in the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Quarterfinals, and one of the Great Danes snaps his stick in frustration. That’s sport for you.

While Toronto FC is humbled by DC United on a penalty kick, the Vancouver Whitecaps are rolling along in USL Division 1, defeating the California Victory, 3-1. Oddly enough, those Caps will be facing the Rochester Raging Rhinos tomorrow. Two victories in as many days? Oh boy…I hope Bob Lilly rested his big guys for tomorrow.

Belmont Shore defeated the Dallas Harlequins, 20-10, in Super League rugby action, and face Golden Gate next. Good luck, guys...

Finally, those Dirtbags choke once again. UC Riverside played a very good game. Maybe even too good. It makes me wonder if this is actually a college team, and not professional posers. A 2-1 victory puts them ahead of the Beach, and they win the series. Will there be any hope now for Mike Weathers’ crew? Stay tuned…

Elections, Oracle, and UEFA

While I am savoring the Galaxy finding their winning touch, and rueing Long Beach City’s futility in men’s volleyball (those schmucks played like high school rejects the last game…I won’t trust them anymore), I am counting down the time until the placing my ballot for the city elections. I’m going to be there when the polls open, so I can be among the first to vote, and then I’m hightailing for the Nugget to greet the tennis team on their heroics.

I get the feeling they are rolling off to one of the regionals in the Rockies. If it’s USC or UCLA again, they will get reamed. I found out they are facing Pepperdine in the first round, with the winner to face either Army or Fresno State, a team we lost previously. Ouch. We are getting reamed.

I have to mourn the loss of GreenArcher.net. This is the fan web site of De La Salle University’s Green Archers sports teams. Actually, the site is nothing more than a tribute page. De La Salle is one of the strongest teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the Philippine equivalent of the NCAA Division I here. (Actually, there is an actual NCAA in the Philippines, but that league is inferior compared to the UAAP teams.) Godspeed to the webmasters of the site; they put in their best effort for 7 years.

I was able to create football teams on NCAA Football 07 based on the colors of the UAAP schools. Naturally, due to Santo Tomas ’dominance on the seniors’ side, I made their team the strongest.

I checked the Press-Telegram to see the results of the election that I voted in, and I found out that all but two of the propositions passed. Meanwhile, Dee Andrews posted a big upset in City Council District 6. I wonder if he’s the same Dee Andrews that brought LBCC a national crown in football in 1960.

It’s declared: Jose Mourinho will be out as Chelsea boss (barring a miracle). The Blues dropped another big match against the Scousers from Liverpool on penalties. I so hope Manchester United kills both of them (but they have to topple AC Milan first).

It was a good day.

I love Ice Cube. I like his for a number of his songs he wrote with N.W.A., specifically the surreal "Straight Outta Compton," as well as Bop Gun, featuring Parliament Funkadelic legend George Clinton. I still love his dreads. But one song that sticks out today is that song, "It Was A Good Day." One of the lines of the song has "The Lakers Beat The Supersonics." And truth be told, that's what the Lakers did today, and, in the process, ending days of frustration with a clinched playoff berth, snapping a losing streak on the side.

But that wasn't the only good thing that happened. It was the other good outcomes that has April 15, 2007 as one of my better days of the year to have experienced.

1. I predicted Sebastien Bourdais to win the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and lo and behold, he did so, fending off challenge from a certain Aussie named Will Power. Lampoon that, Grunion buffs, Fancy Lash, Father MacKenzie and you ilk.
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2. I predicted that there would be no hope for Cal State Northridge's baseball team, and the Dirtbags swept them, winning 7-2. In addition, those grumpy Staff Pro old farts left me alone. Wise move, you able-bodied Leisure World pensioners. Oddly enough, I went on a bus full of senior citizens when heading off to pick up lunch at the In-N-Out in Marina Pacifica.

3. I went to the softball game against Fullerton. It was the rubber match. Some Bobby Sox kids told me to be quiet, but I told them, "Kids, you're here to have fun. Make some noise and enjoy the game." One even asked me, "Do you go to all the events." I said, "Kid, I've been to over 70 so far in all sports, save cross-country and golf, this season, and I'm not done yet." Bridgette Pagano was able to atone for her demise yesterday, and the 49ers took the series, winning 5-1. And I was able to pick up my lunch without missing the bus. And I got a sweet game program and media guide.

4. The Dodgers won on Jackie Robinson day, 9-3. And the Angels were spared further humiliation from Boston thanks to snow. Odd that in the middle of April, there is still snow in the Northeast. That thing may not be over when June comes up there if it holds up!

5. FC Dallas gets theirs, after making Joe Cannon look like a rec league keeper, via a 3-0 drubbing by Red Bull New York and Bruce Arena.

6. The Anaheim Ducks get a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, putting them on the ropes for Super Tuesday at the XCel Energy Center in the Twin Cities.

7. Michael Ballack sent Chelsea to the promised land in the FA Cup semifinal, giving the Blues a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in extra time. The stage is set for a world-famous football clash in a world-famous stadium. Manchester United vs. Chelsea. The 2007 FA Cup Final presented by E.ON at Wembley Stadium. May 19, 2007. Will you be there?

(Hint: I won't.)

It's funny to know that those two could be meeting again at Athens in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final if Chelsea downs Liverpool and Man United disposes of AC Milan. Never mind that these two are in a race for the Premiership Crown. That Man United (owned by Malcolm Glazer, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson) vs. Chelsea (owned by Chukotka head honcho Roman Abromovich, managed by Jose Mourinho) for ya.

8. The Matildas rolled over Chinese Taipei, 10-0. It's clear that the matches against the Chollima concubines from North Korea will determine who in their group will be heading off to Athens.

Welcome to the streets, Don Imus.

Oh dear. I didn't know what this talk show host named Don Imus said regarding the Rutgers women's basketball team ("nappy headed whores"?)...heck, I don't even know who the hell he is, but he's finished doing any more broadcasting. I think he should be fired without pay, and sent to the streets to where he should belong. If he were saying this in a nation of Amazons (assuming such a thing exists), he would be impaled, chopped up, and boiled into stew for those remarks.

So Tommy Amaker is now the head coach at Harvard. Enjoy your Ivy title, Penn, because they're due to take it off your Quaker head post-haste!

Chelsea was lucky to prevent extra time. Thanks to Andriy Shevchenko and a late stoppage-time goal by Michael Essien, they are now going to face either PSV Eindhoven, or, more likely...Liverpool. It's one of those "You again..." type of encounters. I hope they are successful in getting the job done, instead of choking like UCLA did against Florida in men's college basketball two years in a row.

Adam Jones is suspended from the NFl for one year. Not harsh enough. The football-player turned Supreme McGriff protege should be banned from football-and-sport-altogether. And I mean it.

Damn Manchester United....they had fun at Old Trafford against AS Roma. It wasn't even close. 7-1, winning 8-3 on aggregate. I wonder who they will face in the semis of the Champions League...Bayern Munich or AC Milan? I hope it's Bayern. Just because.