The fact was simple. The representatives of Spanish Club football, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, failed to deliver despite reaching this stage twice in two years. It is not much of the failing of these two clubs as much as the class and prowess that Germany’s Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund has shown, particularly in the semifinal stage for this season’s Champions League.

Barcelona had no answer whatsoever against the current Bundesliga title holders Bayern Munich in the semifinals. Going down 4-0 in the first leg at the Allianz Arena, some die-hard fans expected a strong comeback by the Catalans just like they did with Juventus, to win the quarterfinals stage 4-3 on aggregate despite going 3-0 down in the first leg.

At the end of the day, Bayern is no Juventus, all Barca could do was keep possession with no bite in their attack. Bayern did to Barcelona what it did to other teams in its domestic league; complete annihilation, so proven by the 7-0 on aggregate win for Bayern.

Dortmund on the other hand, had done enough to Real Madrid on home ground at the Signal Iduna Park, with a 4-1 score line. Real play their best football at home and did win the second leg 2-0 but the 4-1 score line was too much, thus succumbing 4-3 on aggregate for a meetup of the German teams in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in its history.

This will be the tenth time that Bayern Munich enters the final of the UEFA Champions League (was called the European Cup back in the day), of which Bayern has won four and ended up as runners-up 5 times including 2011/2012 and 2009/2010 as well.

Dortmund, on the other hand, have been to the final once and winning it in 1996/1997.

This season Bayern has beaten Dortmund twice already in three matches played, winning the Super Cup and DFB Pokal quarterfinals against Dortmund. There is still a match coming up in the Bundesliga between the rivals, on the 4th of May, 2013. It should serve as, dare-we-say, preview for the final at Wembley Stadium on the 25th of May, 2013, stay tuned!

The much anticipated draws for the Semifinals for both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa league have been announced on live telecast at UEFA.com with the aid of Ruud Van Nistelroy helping to pick the balls and announcing the teams.

The semifinals for both competitions were open draws with no country restrictions or seeds and the draws were picked by ballot. There were two rounds of ballots for each competition, the the first announcing the teams to face each other and the second round of ballot to announce which team from the winning semifinalists to be considered the home side at Wembley (for the Champions League) and Amsterdam (for the Europa League)

In the first round of ballot for leagues, the team drawn first would be the home side for the first leg of the semifinals with the second team draw as opponents where as the third team drawn would also be the home side with the remaining team as the team to face.

The Draws were:

UEFA Europa League:

First Semifinal: Fenerbahçe S.K. vs S.L. Benfica
Second Semifinal: FC Basel vs Chelsea FC

Winner of the first semifinals would be considered the home-side for the final at Amsterdam to kick off on the 15th of May, 2013.

UEFA Champions League:
First Semifinal: Bayern Munchen vs FC Barcelona
Second Semifinal: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid C.F.

Winner of the second semifinals would be considered the homeside for the Champions League final in Wembley Stadium, London on the 25th of May, 2013.

Another nice piece of artwork by Richard Swarbrick of the World’s best player Leonel Messi. At only 25, the Argentinian secured a record 4th straight FIFA Player of the Year award in the same year he scored 91 goals in a calender year, passing Müller’s milestone of 85 in 1972 with Bayern Munich and Germany. Swarbrick is the creator of the animation of Gareth Bale’s comeback against Inter, FC Barcelona‘s 5-0 stomping of Real Madrid, and Wayne Rooney’s bicycle kick wonder goal. Titled Cuatro Anos Dorados (Four Golden Years), this video is certainly worth a look. Maybe two.
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Walcott now expected to stay at the Emirates.

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01/13 16:00 BST, Arsenal vs Manchester City – Odds | Stats

While most of the hype is centered on the historical rivalry of Manchester United vs Liverpool, Sunday’s matchup between Arsenal and Manchester City has more potential to influence the title race. Manchester City travel to the Emirates Stadium needing a full 3 points while Arsenal are fighting for another Champions League qualification. The Citizens cannot afford to let United open the gap at the top of the table if they are to compete for the title. Other drama unfolded as 912 of the 3,000 tickets allotted to City were sent back in an appeal to the £62 ($100) ticket prices at the Emirates – the highest in the league.

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Robin van Persie on the score sheet again.

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01/13 13:30 GMT, Manchester United vs Liverpool – Odds | Stats

One of football’s biggest rivalries is back as Manchester United host Liverpool this Sunday at Old Trafford. While Liverpool was dominant in past years, Manchester United is aiming for a record 20 Premier League titles. The Reds however, are fighting their way out of mid-table mediocrity while United attempt to extend their seven point lead at the top.

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Demba Ba opens his Chelsea account.

League Cup action resumes this Wednesday as Chelsea host Swansea City in the semifinals of the Capital One Cup. Interim Manager Rafa Benitez is on the brink of another chance for his first trophy with Chelsea while Swansea look to add to their giant killing reputation.
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Name: Georgina Dorsett

WAG to: Manchester United central midfielder Tom Cleverley.

Occupation(s):

Former TOWIE Reality TV star. In July, she denied reports she was axed from the show for being ‘dull’, and insisted it was a mutual decision between the producers and her. At 28, the former Reality TV star is 5 years older than her significant other.

Comments:

From Emily O’Hara to this? TC23 is doing something right. Enjoy these photos because this dimepiece is pregnant with the Man Utd star’s baby. Georgina wasted no time as the couple only met last May. Baby Daddy Tom Cleaverley now has his own website. TC23?
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Onyewu the unlikely hero in the Copa del Rey.

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12/22 21:00 BST, Malaga vs Real Madrid – Odds | Stats

La Liga Champions Real Madrid travel to La Rosaleda to face CF Malaga in a battle of respective third and fourth this Saturday. Real are winless in their last two and it appears their focus has switched to the Champions League. Malaga will look to take advantage at home as they aim for another Champions League birth of their own.

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Carzola was on fire against Reading.

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12/22 12:45 BST, Wigan vs Arsenal – Odds | Stats

Arsenal take on Wigan this weekend in DW Stadium and will look to continue piling on the goal count. While neither have been impressive lately, the Gunners are coming off a big win over Reading. A point is enough to bring Wigan out of the relegation zone so any positive result would bring home a nice Christmas present.
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