411 Football/Soccer Fact or Fiction 05.27.08: Euro's vs. World Cup, Kaka, And Champions League

Posted by Sean Garmer on 05.27.2008

Ian Wright and Chris Evans discuss changes to the Champions League, the Euro's being better than the World Cup, and more.

Welcome all to another Footy Fact or Fiction. The club season is now over, but don't despair there are plenty of friendly's leading up to the all important Euro 2008 beginning on June 7th. So anyway, here are today's contestants.


Ian Wright The big Arsenal supporter is back on here to talk about football. Always look out for him in the Music Zone dancing about architecture.


Against him today is, Chris Evans A man who loves him some PC gaming and football. He does reviews and his own PC Centric column in that wonderful Games Zone.


Now, time for the questions…


1. Roma gave away the Serie A Scudetto to Inter?



Ian Wright FICTION: Over the course of a 38 game season the side that deserves to win the title normally does. It's a long enough season to take into account flucuations and inevitable dips in form and it'd be unfair to Inter to saythat Roma blew it. They got the job done in the crunch.

Chris Evans: FICTION: Inter have been the top dogs in Italy all season, at one point they had an 18 point lead over Roma I think. If anything Inter nearly gave away the Scudetto to Roma, but fortunately they managed to hold their nerve and get the victory at the end of the season. Contrast Inter to Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, Inter held on, Rangers crumbled.



2. The Euro's are more fun to watch than the World Cup?



Ian Wright: FICTION The overall standard of play may be higher because we don't get the rubbish Asian sides as well as the at least one African team that flukes qualification at the expense of a good side but they just lack the same colour. You don't typically see the same flair in the European Championships and any tournament missing Brazil or Argentina can't argue that it's better to watch.

Chris Evans: FACT I say this purely because it is a more compact competition with what, in theory, should have a greater density of top teams compared to lower teams that the World Cup. The competition doesn't feel like it drags on too long, but no Argentina and Brazil does limit the appeal to some. However the European Championships are better and more fun in my opinion.



3. Manchester City deserve the fair play UEFA Cup Spot?



Ian Wright: FACT. This is a simple one for me. If the stats reflect that they had the best disciplinery record of the sides that didn't otherwise qualify for Europe then they should should go into the draw.

Chris Evans: FACT. I'm with Ian, they had the best disciplinary history than any other non-European qualified team so deserved to get in on the Fair Play award. While I believe the allocation of European slots should be radically overhauled, Man City deserved it.



It's Time to Call in a SUB!!!



4. Luis Aragones was right to not include Raul in the Euro 2008 Spain squad?



Chris Evans: FICTION. Raul has had a very good season for Real Madrid and seems to be back to the form he was showing some years ago. Spain often perform poorly at the major tournaments and a player like Raul is of such quality that he cannot be ignored.

Ian Wright: FACT. He's not up to it anymore. He's not that old but he's got so much football in his legs he plays like and old man.



5. You are in favor of the change to the Champions League Format for 2009 to 2012?


Chris Evans: NEITHER The changes planned are interesting and somewhat confusing. I see the idea behind the new format, to create an equal split between Champions and Runners Up from the different leagues, but this is diluted and weakened when nations such as England and Italy have four team entering the competition. I want to see greater changes in the set up of the Champions League to really ensure that it is only national champions are involved. Back on track and I must say that only time will tell in regards to the new format.

Ian Wright: FACT. No matter what else moving the final to a Saturday is a great idea. It democatises the final in so many ways. People who want to attend will no longer have to take 3 days off from work that they might not be able to afford to take off but as fans feel compelled to be there. Young kids will have the opportunity to see the whole game. Platini is in general a bit of a prick but this is areally good idea. As for the other ideas, we'll see.



6. Milan was wrong to block Kaka from playing for Brazil in the Olympics?


Chris Evans: FACT. Clubs should never be able to block players from playing for their nation. International football is seemingly fighting an uphill battle against club football, and players being blocked from playing for their national team just further damages the credibility of international football. With this being the Olympics, the biggest sporting occasion there is then if a player is selected to play he should have the final word on whether he wants to play, not the club.

Ian Wright: FACT. OK no one really takes the Olympic football tournament seriously but it is an honour to represent your country at any level. Not all that many top players feel that way in today's game and it's refreshing to see a player who over the course of the past 3 years has been probably the best player in the world take that attitude. If he wants to be there then Milan shouldn't stand in his way.



So what do I call this? 3 ½ out of 6? Well either way it was an interesting bit of banter between the two. Join us next time for more Footy FOF