The football (soccer) thread

[Madiel]

I watched the highlights, looks like Tottenham v Arsenal had its fair share of entertainment.

[mahler10th]

Having lived in Yorkshire for 8 years, I have a soft spot for Leeds United, who are likeley to be toppled from automatic promotion into the play-offs by Ipswich with a game in hand and all to play for.  I watched Leeds knock the hellfire daylights out of Celtic in 72 or 73 on a black and white telly, so I shouldn't really like them, but COME ON THE LEEDS!    

[vandermolen]

You've got no worries compared to me.

Until the debacle that was the Mason Greenwood affair I was a Man U supporter. I've never seen a sporting club in any discipline shoot itself in the foot so many times. With Greenwood they had a chance to stand up and state the obvious which was that the police and the original complainant (who is now the mother of his child) had dropped all charges so what's the issue? However, they let the woke brigade and the media vultures determine what was going to happen.

Yes, I understand, although the debacle at Stamford Bridge has been dispiriting.

[springrite]

Yes, I understand, although the debacle at Stamford Bridge has been dispiriting.

...and all those decade-long contacts...

[springrite]

Almost forgot to celebrate  St. Totteringham's Day!

[T. D.]

This is wild:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-22/oaktree-says-it-has-taken-ownership-of-inter-milan-football-club

Oaktree Capital Management took ownership of Italy's Inter Milan, one of the most storied football clubs in Europe, after its Chinese owner defaulted on a loan.

The US fund has taken control of the club as of Wednesday after conglomerate Suning Holding Group Co. failed to repay €395 million ($428 million), Oaktree said in an emailed statement. The collateral backing the debt was a majority stake in the football club.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

This is wild:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-22/oaktree-says-it-has-taken-ownership-of-inter-milan-football-club

Oaktree Capital Management took ownership of Italy's Inter Milan, one of the most storied football clubs in Europe, after its Chinese owner defaulted on a loan.

The US fund has taken control of the club as of Wednesday after conglomerate Suning Holding Group Co. failed to repay €395 million ($428 million), Oaktree said in an emailed statement. The collateral backing the debt was a majority stake in the football club.

That's interesting.  Wonder whether or not they will keep it or try to find a buyer for it?

PD

[T. D.]

That's interesting.  Wonder whether or not they will keep it or try to find a buyer for it?

PD

Per Wikipedia: Oaktree is an asset management firm specializing in "alternative investment strategies". They are the world's largest investor in distressed debt.

I would expect them to sell the interest in the football team. One might figure that they bought the distressed Chinese bonds because they were comfortable with the value of the collateral.

But they will surely go over the club's finances, now that they own such a big share. If the finances are not good, Oaktree might have to retain their interest for a while and try to effect a turnaround.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Per Wikipedia: Oaktree is an asset management firm specializing in "alternative investment strategies". They are the world's largest investor in distressed debt.

I would expect them to sell the interest in the football team. One might figure that they bought the distressed Chinese bonds because they were comfortable with the value of the collateral.

But they will surely go over the club's finances, now that they own such a big share. If the finances are not good, Oaktree might have to retain their interest for a while and try to effect a turnaround.

Wonder how good they are at coaching football? 

And, yes, I would imagine that they did do some serious research before agreeing to go ahead with the deal.

PD

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Per Wikipedia: Oaktree is an asset management firm specializing in "alternative investment strategies". They are the world's largest investor in distressed debt.

I would expect them to sell the interest in the football team. One might figure that they bought the distressed Chinese bonds because they were comfortable with the value of the collateral.

But they will surely go over the club's finances, now that they own such a big share. If the finances are not good, Oaktree might have to retain their interest for a while and try to effect a turnaround.

I don't know know if Oaktree keeps the team or not. Howard Marks- chairman and owner of Oaktree- is a well-respected, long-term value investor, as well as very generous philanthropist. He is not a speculator. Marks values arts and science. He minored Japanese studies at college and he likes Zen and oriental philosophies. He is respected by many people, including Warren Buffet.

[Holden]

Well, three vacant EPL managers jobs but who would want them. All of them are what I would describe as poisoned chalices - quite simply you're on a hiding to nothing. Why?

Liverpool - Thousands of rabid scousers on your back who will never be satisfied with anything less than the treble

Chelsea - whose owner thinks he knows more about the transfer market than anyone else

Brighton - Once again, any new manager gets virtually no choice in the transfer market which is why de Zerbi left.

[Madiel]

Chelsea, eh? And they were on a good run.

[springrite]

The Chelsea owner--who is also the majority owner of the Dodgers, thinks he can run a football team just like a baseball team. In baseball, you can build a winner by hoarding several star players, for in baseball, the individual--be it a hitter or a pitcher, can win the game for you individually, perhaps more than any other sport. If a pitcher is on, he can pitch a no-hitter. A hitter can hit three homers in a game, without the rest of the team doing much. BUT, football is a whole different game.


Now, winning the FA Cup presents more of a headache for United... What to do with ten Hag?

[Irons]

The Chelsea owner--who is also the majority owner of the Dodgers, thinks he can run a football team just like a baseball team. In baseball, you can build a winner by hoarding several star players, for in baseball, the individual--be it a hitter or a pitcher, can win the game for you individually, perhaps more than any other sport. If a pitcher is on, he can pitch a no-hitter. A hitter can hit three homers in a game, without the rest of the team doing much. BUT, football is a whole different game.


Now, winning the FA Cup presents more of a headache for United... What to do with ten Hag?

Foreign owners of football clubs should heed the advice of Simon Jorden who lost a packet at Crystal Palace.

"If you want to make a small fortune owning a football club start with a large one!" 

[Irons]

Well, Scotland were not great - unlike their traveling support. Their opponents Germany on the other hand, I thought very good indeed and nailed on for the final.

[Madiel]

I had plans to go find a bar in Madrid to watch the Spanish play.

That plan didn't come to pass for a couple of reasons. I half-watched the 2nd half in my hotel room...

I'm realising it takes a LOT more concentration to watch a football match when you only understand about 2% of the commentary. I didn't have the focus yesterday once I saw the halftime score.

[Jo498]

Well, Scotland were not great - unlike their traveling support. Their opponents Germany on the other hand, I thought very good indeed and nailed on for the final.

Supposedly one commentator said that Scotland did so poorly, it's hard to tell whether Germany was really that good...
Germany was rather mediocre in the last few test matches, so I am still wary. But they seem to be considerably better than their poor performances in 2018, 20, 22.

Spain was also better than expected, this seems the toughest group and could become quite exciting already in the group stage.

[Irons]

Supposedly one commentator said that Scotland did so poorly, it's hard to tell whether Germany was really that good...
Germany was rather mediocre in the last few test matches, so I am still wary. But they seem to be considerably better than their poor performances in 2018, 20, 22.

Spain was also better than expected, this seems the toughest group and could become quite exciting already in the group stage.

Yes, Spain are good. Being host nation will work to Germany's advantage I feel. I am very impressed with the German attacking four including the young lad on the wing who is mustard.
It is true Scotland were poor but you can only beat what is in front of you and Germany did that impressively.
Apparently it is more then possible that the top three (out of four) from a group can go through to the knockout stages

[Jo498]

Yes, only 8/24 teams are eliminated in the group stage, the 6 on the last position in each group and the 2 worst of the 3rd placed teams. This is similar to the procedure in the World cup with 24 teams in 1986-94 It's a bit better now because with 3 points for winning it's difficult to advance without at least one win whereas back then teams could get 3rd place in a group with draws and advance.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yes, Spain are good. Being host nation will work to Germany's advantage I feel. I am very impressed with the German attacking four including the young lad on the wing who is mustard.
It is true Scotland were poor but you can only beat what is in front of you and Germany did that impressively.
Apparently it is more then possible that the top three (out of four) from a group can go through to the knockout stages

Er, "who is mustard"?  What does that mean?  "Hot", as in a good player?    Oh, the differences in our languages. 

PD