End of the season (in Polish)

The season is over. At last. Instead of being bothered about football results, I can focus on studying and working, but that feeling will, unfortunately, remain for a while. There is not much I can write here, as I have done a lot recently and I feel pretty happy with it. All in Polish, sorry.

Być na finale LM - doprawdy bezcenne

About prices and costs of following favourite teams all the way to Moscow;

Wszystko i jedyne, czego Chelsea brak

Explains how important it would be for Chelsea to win the Champions' League trophy;

Esencja sezonu

Tells that we lost everything we could, still being on the top we hit its rock bottom.

The other Rangers

No matter how good Zenit St. Petersburg played in the UEFA Cup Final last night and how deserved to win it (I purely hate verb “to deserve” in sport-related issues!), it’s a bit sad to see the Rangers fans. Anyway, Walter Smith made some mistakes underestimating the opposition team and had to pay for it. I do really agree with the match report delivered by the Guardian, Kevin McCarra in particular.

But those few words are not about the Glasgow Rangers, but the London ones. The recent changes at Queens Park Rangers remind my how my love affair with Chelsea began. Moreover, I believe the R’s can chase the West London pattern on the way to success, as Chelsea commenced, followed by Al-Fayed’s Fulham FC. Analysing random factors, I have realised how those things are similar to each other.

Impressive story began when Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore decided to invest some money in the Shepherd’s Bush club.

Although those two Formla 1's men are rich enough to manage the club, Lakshmi Mittal, also involved in this trade, the world's fourth wealthiest man gives them a huge investment boost. Analysing the QPR financial situation I am still confused how those three gentlemen want to share the power within the club and future financial income, however it was exciting to watch the interview with Briatore in the BBC.

He might be the one who is more bothered about the fame and the London splendour than financial success. He wants to bring more and more luxury into the West London club. World’s top models are already among the list of guests at the R’s games, what is already notable achievement for him. Premiership, although main sports destination for QPR, can wait, as Briatore wants to get there within four years. In comparison, in the first five years under regency of Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, the Champions’ League title was expected. The Italian F1 Renault team , rather than about the football achievements, speaks about establishing “worldwide brand”. Sounds like a new fashion designer, doesn’t it?

In Italy people are talking about it. Every Sunday and Monday in the La Gazzette Dello Sport is the result of QPR, in Spain Marca is talking about QPR, in Europe people are talking about QPR, in England everybody is talking about QPR. The name is great!

The name is great, everyone talks about it!

If Briatore and probably Ecclestone are already happy with the brand new and its popularity, what can make Mittal content? Money and financial income may not matter, but it is nice to own a good football club in the neighbourhood, as he is a resident of Kensington.

Moving from one ground to another should not be a problem for the R’s, as they hold the title of most home ground in the football history, with the number close to 20. Capacity of the Loftus Road stadium (less than 20k seats) is not great, and something serious has to be done. The Italians are willing to bring some former stars to play/coach at QPR (Zidane? Figo?). Understanding the wealth of the trio of co-owners, impossible is really nothing and everything can happen in the West London club.

C’mon you ALL Blues!

It may be a magnificent season for all of us, not only particularly Chelsea fans. Although our vital second half’s performance kept the title’s hope alive, the Champions’ League seems to be our main and really achievable goal this season. We have already lost the Carling Cup final and the FA Cup in stupid way; it’s highly unlikely that United will drop some point at Wigan. Wigan who drew at the Bridge a while ago…

Linfield FC has clinched their third successive Irish League title this season; moreover they won the Irish Cup and the League Cup, what means no more no less they have got the Treble! Well done has been done in Belfast!

In the same time, Glasgow Rangers are just about to make a bigger achievement this season. The Gers has already won the League Cup, while the races on the other fronts are still on. In the next 17 days, Walter Smith’s players are going to play in…7 games, what gives an average of 58 hours between each kick off. Four of those games will be away from home, but the stake is worth effort – the Quadruple!

Five of their games remain in the Scottish Premier League, where the Gers are 7 points behind Celtic, but with three games in hand. The Scottish FA does not make things any easier for Rangers, but in the Manchester final against Zenit St. Petersburg, the Scots are not considered as underdogs. At the very end of the season they play Queen of the South (what is that?) in the Scottish Cup final. I will definitely keep fingers crossed!

Since leaving the Scottish national team’s post, Walter Smith has done an enormously huge job at the Ibrox. He has brought the Gers to the level they haven’t been for a long time, though. Well done!

The last but not the least to mention, Olympique Lyonnaise is about to clinch their SEVENTH (oh, yes) successive Ligue 1 title. Hats off gents, hopefully OL will make it.

Apparently, all I dream about it just the Double.

Now, call me a glory hunter, I really do not mind ;-)

In the meantime, after losing everything this season in domestic competitions and in Europe, FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has become a spectator and was spotted at the St. James’ Park. Again, on the losing side ;-)

Here we are, Moscow!

I have just realised, the calendar on my desk is still on February 14^th, while it’s almost May 6^th! These are just some days, or pages, but the significant is how fast the time is moving, how many I would like to describe, tell you.

In the last week-or-so, I saw Chelsea still fighting for the League title, beating ManUtd and Newcastle (the Geordie game on the Sky only), I saw Liverpool on the knees after very final whistle on the late Wednesday night and joyful Chelsea people (players, staff, fans) celebrating the first UEFA Champions’ League Final ever in the Club’s history. That’s all Chelsea-wise things. Additionally, I had an opportunity to ask few questions to Roberto Donadoni, the Italy national team head-coach, at Birkbeck College in London (Monday). Later on that week, I attended the conference related to feet-drain (stands for brain-drain) movements in the contemporary world and listened to great guest speakers. Is it over? Not really. Sunday comes with Crystal Palace clinching their play-off position, after pretty easy win at Selhurst Park against Burnley. Yes, I was there too!

Having so many events to tell about, I would rather to quote Monty Pythons, “And now for something completely digital”. I am adding to the “recommended” list on the right-hand side, a new link. Michal Okonski is a guy I honestly never before heard about, moreover he supports Spurs!, but I was really into what he writes and his way of the English football’s perception meets mine. Somehow! He has just started, that’s why it is not a challenge to read all his articles (if you know Polish!). If you have spare time, go for it. HERE

Yes yes yes we made it! This time more than ever before I deserved to say “we” as I lost my voice for a several occasion and took part in our road to Moscow.

“Que será, será. Whatever will be, will be. We’re going to Luzhniki!

“We all follow the Chelsea, over land and sea… and Moscow!

I took about 17 pictures, after Wednesday I will up-load them and give a link here. The atmosphere at the ground was magnificent, the final was well expected and deserved, although I hate to mention a “to deserve something” phrase in the football-wise cases, it does not work like that fortunately. Or unfortunately, watch this.

Rafael Benítez, what has not been mentioned anywhere so far, did absolutely to make his the third final in the four years. He had even told his players to pick “another” side of the ground, what means to attack on the Shed in the first half. Simply to annoy Chelsea players who like to attack in the final minutes of the game towards the Matthew Harding Stand. Nevertheless, all three goals Chelsea scored at the MH indeed.

Avram Grant deserved to be given a credit after that game, even because he achieved more in the Champions League at Chelsea than José Mourinho. Unthinkable, I know. But I still believe, hope, and beg that he will be off by the end of the season. My article about Grant’s role at Chelsea was published in the several places and, being honest, I am pleased to read all the positive comments and voices of support my view. Although it is in Polish, I do hope some of you may fancy to read it. Below, there is a link to iGol website.

“Avram Grant - menadzer buforowy

In the same place, I would like you to read another manager-related article. This time about the departure of Marek Zub from Widzew Lodz, and the crucial consequences of his time in this club. Although he is gone now, Widzew may be relegated straight to the Third Division (from the First one) in the next weekend, “when Saturday comes”, as they used to refer.

“Krajobraz po bitwie przed bitwa

Enjoy your reading; I hope I will be back here pretty soon!