#7 - Featuring Champions League Preview, Albums from 2006 and 'The Killing'

Here's some more Mustardy goodness, haven't heard anything from our canine hero in weeks, hope he's okay.

Sportz - Tommy Howe

The champions league group stages drew to a typically dramatic close this year. The biggest shock was undoubtedly Man Utd’s surprise exit.

Last year’s runners up should have dominated their group but having dropped points at home they required a draw in Basel to qualify. It was not to be for United, as Alex Frei’s late diving header sent them crashing out.

The blue side of Manchester were also sent packing despite beating a weakened Bayern Munich side on the night. Expectations were high at the beginning of the season but Napoli’s victory in Villarreal sent them through at the expense of Roberto Mancini’s men.

Here’s a round up of the last 16, the key men and my tips for the tournament.

Bayern Munich

The German league leaders topped arguably the most difficult group in the tournament with consummate ease. When their star men sing off the same hymn sheet they look as formidable and impressive as the reputation that precedes them.

Key Man – Mario Gomez

The prolific striker has been in scintillating form this year, he tops the goal scoring charts with 6 and his goals will be crucial in the latter stages. 

Prediction – Semi Finals

Inter Milan

The 2010 winners lack the tenacity they had under Jose Mourinho, but you can’t rule out the Nerazzurri. Despite struggling domestically, Inter topped their group and will be a stronger team come February.

Key Man – Wesley Sneijder

Sneijder is one of those players who can always produce a bit of magic, whether it is a 30 yard screamer, a deftly executed set-piece or a defence-splitting pass. Inter will need his heroics in the knock-outs.

Prediction – Quarter Finals

SL Benfica

Two-time winners Benfica surpassed expectations and qualified top of their group. Their performances home and away against United merited qualification, and the belief they’ve gained will make them undesirable opponents.

Key Man – Nicolás Gaitán

The highly coveted playmaker leads the assists chart with 5 to his name already. The tricky Argentine has formed a strong understanding with Oscar Cardozo which will be crucial for their progression.

Prediction – Quarter Finals

Real Madrid

This could the end of a long wait for Madrid fans. They’ve been overshadowed by Barcelona in recent years but they improve every game under Jose Mourinho. They set a champions league first this year, qualifying with a 100% record and demonstrated their goal-scoring mastery along the way with 19 goals.

Key Man – Cristiano Ronaldo

Ballon d’Or nominated Ronaldo is the centre-piece in a star-studded squad. His goal-scoring record is phenomenal, and when he’s in the mood he’s unstoppable.

Prediction – Runner’s up.

Chelsea

Against all odds Andre Villas-Boas’s men won their group and now have every chance of enjoying a fruitful campaign. Confidence is growing at Stamford Bridge and come February I expect to see a and devastating Chelsea side full of swagger.

Key Man – Juan Mata

Mata has been an inspired signing for the blues, he’s the link between midfield and attack that can pull the strings and Chelsea will need his extraordinary vision in the latter stages.

Prediction – Semi Finals

Arsenal

After a disastrous start to their domestic season the Gunners are back on song and won their group with a game to spare. February should see the return of Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna who will be an integral part in Arsenal’s hopes of progression

Key Man – Robin Van Persie

R.V.P is in such imperious form this year that it’s difficult to see any defender stopping him. If Arsene Wenger wraps him in cotton wool between fixtures and somehow keeps him fit and firing all season, who knows what the Gunners can accomplish.

Prediction – Quarter Finals

Apoel

The Cyprian champions are the shock addition to the last 16 of the world’s most illustrious club competition. Unbelievably, APOEL qualified as group winners at the expense of Portuguese champions Porto. Their success has endeared them to millions.

Key Man – Ailton

The Brazilian’s goals were the difference in Group G, 3 goals to his name thus far, but APOEL will need some serious heroics if they’re to make the last 8.

Prediction – Last 16

Barcelona

Barcelona eased through Group H with typical free-flowing football and style in abundance. The holders are tournament favourites and they even had a chance to field their youngsters in the last group game who demonstrated their ability with a 4-0 win and a sumptuous performance.

Key Man – Lionel Messi

The front-runner for the Ballon d’Or can win any game on his day, with Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas behind him the little magician can lead his team to more European success.

Prediction – Winners

Napoli

An inspiring and gritty performance against Manchester City in Naples proved to be the decisive result in a tight group. The hostile atmosphere in the Stadio San Paolo and the creative ability going forward gives Napoli every chance of making the last 8.

Key Man – Edinson Cavani

The Uruguayan goal-machine only needs half a chance to find the back of the net. His agility and uncanny eye for goal alongside Marek Hamsik’s playmaking prowess are crucial for Napoli’s hopes.

Prediction – Last 16

CSKA Moscow

The Russians are never an easy opponent, and their plastic pitch has been the stumbling block of many great European sides. Their home form may be great, but they’ll need to be on song away from home in these challenging two-leg affairs.

Key Man – Seydou Doumbia

The Ivorian target man has scored 5 goals in as many games in this year’s competition. His powerful physique and clinical finishing make him a handful for any defence.

Prediction – Last 16

FC Basel

The Swiss champions are in dreamland, a fantastic win over Man Utd has put them through to the last 16 for the first time in nearly 10 years. Their unlikely qualification proves they shouldn’t be underestimated.

Key Man – Alexander Frei

National hero and club Talisman Frei has led by example in this year’s campaign. 5 crucial goals so far but Basel will need him more than ever if they are to progress.

Prediction – Last 16

Olympique Lyonnais

The French Champions League veterans were the beneficiaries of an extraordinary 7-goal swing on Wednesday night which saw them qualify at the expense of Dutch giants Ajax. Lyon are no strangers to the knock out phase but they failed to get out of second gear until that amazing 7-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb.

Key Man – Bafetimbi Gomis

With Lisandro Lopez now a bit-part player, Gomis is the focal point of Lyon’s attack. He took a while to get going but his 4 goals against Zagreb proved what a dangerous player he can be.

Prediction – Quarter Finals

Bayer Leverkusen

The 2002 runners-up are back in the knock-outs for the first time since 2005. A crucial victory against Chelsea helped Leverkusen qualify, yet a sloppy draw in Genk saw them pipped to the post by Chelsea and they’ll now face a difficult second round draw.

Key Man – Michael Ballack

The industrious Ballack is a hero at Leverkusen. He was part of the great team who made it all the way to the final in 2002 and they’ll need every last bit of quality he has left if they’re to emulate past successes.

Prediction – Last 16

Olympique de Marseille

They left it late but Marseille qualified ahead of Olympiakos thanks to a late wonder-goal from the excellent Mathieu Valbuena. Didier Deschamp’s men have a formidable home record, but they’ll need to up their game in the second round.

Key Man – Andre Ayew

The Ghanaian winger has an abundance of pace and a few tricks up his sleeve that can show any defender a clean set of heels. If Ayew and Loic Remy can combine, even the sturdiest of defences can suffer.

Prediction – Last 16

Zenit St Petersburg

Zenit have hardly been the most dazzling of teams thus far, but a steadfast defensive display at Porto was enough to see them scrape through the next round. They'll need to find the back of the net more often to harbour any serious hopes.

Key Man – Roman Shirokov

 Shirokov has been the bright spark in an otherwise insipid team. The defensive midfielder has been a rock for Zenit, and had aided his team with 3 goals thus far.

Prediction – Last 16

AC Milan

Having finished second, due only to a magnificent Barcelona side, the Rossoneri are the side the top teams desperately want to avoid. Their attacking force is frightening and the Serie A holders can match anyone on their day.

Key Man – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The tempestuous and brilliant Ibrahimovic is in red-hot form in Italy, but he has a habit of going missing on the bigger stage. If he’s not sulking and raring to go Milan have every chance.

Prediction – Last 16

Muzique - Ryan Smith

Good stuff from Tommy, but I'm going public in saying AC Milan will beat Arsenal in the last 16.

Anyway, here's three albums from the year 2006. 

 

Artist: Regina Spektor
Album: Begin To Hope
Year: 2006
Genre: Anti-Folk

Rating: 7.7/10

Verdict: Spektor's fourth album is still her best for me. Beautiful and easy to listen to, you can't go wrong here.

 

 Listen to this: 'Better'

 

Artist: Yo La Tengo
Album: I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Year: 2006
Genre: Alternative

Rating: ?

Verdict: This is the New Jersey based band's eleventh album, I listened to it on recommendation and I'm recommending you do now. I'm not sure what, but this album definetly did something to me, and that in itself must be worth a listen.

Listen to this: 'Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind'

Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Album: Food & Liquor
Year: 2006
Genre: Hip-Hop

Rating: 8.0/10

Verdict: Lupe's debut album took the hip-hop world buy storm back in 06', and still sounds fresh as ever five years on.

 

Listen to this: 'Daydreamin'

Televizion - Josh Motteram

 

After finding this Danish crime thriller on iplayer a few days ago, I’m six episodes in and would thoroughly recommend it. Although having never watched the first season, there doesn’t seem to be a problem with understanding what’s going on, so you can jump right in.

The story begins ten days after the brutal murder of a female lawyer, with the police and Special Branch struggling to crack the case. When links to terrorism are found, the political pressure builds and the investigation intensifies. But the body count keeps rising.

Allow the plot to bubble away for another five episodes and where I’m up to is rife with conspiracy and intrigue. It takes a lot of concentration with the subtitles not to miss anything important, but the scenes are so atmospheric and intense that you never want to look away anyway. Add to that a superb story full of twists and cliff hangers, and brilliant acting from the whole cast, and it’s one of the best series I’ve watched this year. After this I’m definitely exploring the first series, but you can find all of this current series hidden away on iplayers bbc4, so get watching.

Trailer 

That's all folks,

Check these blogs out - 'Serie A Weekly' & 'Trash Boredom'

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