Soccer Mania In America: Celebration Time!!!!!!! ??

That's right maniacs!! Time to honor the champions.... for others, time to sit and sulk. (I'm a sulker this season, but in the gentleman's game, its only right that I acknowledge, even if I despise, the champions or heir appearants) This week, we'll be giving credit where credit is due. I'll start this wee first with a special shout out to a team that just took their tittle and not often mentioned, but may take hardware in the finals of the Euro's as well this season. FC Porto. I sure could use a striker like hulk on one of my teams after his stellar consistency and performance this season. Maniacs and Lady Maniacs, lets tip our caps to a team that just seized it rightful claim to the Portuguese throne, FC Porto. Congratulations and well done to you.

Well done FC Porto. Good luck in the Euro Finals....

The glory has been sealed for this season in most leagues.... if not, then its only a match or two away. Lets travel to Italy now where Clarence Seedorf and juggernaut AC Milan have clinched the Serie A tittle by way of mathematical point elimination. The Rosanari have cruised comfortably to the tittle after brief threats from the likes of city rivals Inter, and a heroic push from Napoli back in March. The additions this team has made have definitely contributed to their success, both during the season and during the off season. New comers include world renown striker Ibrahimavic, Cassano, Boateng, and Von Bomel. Combined with the talented group already in place, AC Milan have definitely earned a title, and there's nothing anyone can do about that. Kudos to the front office for making the right moves, and to the team who earned it. (Juve will return)

Strike a pose, gentlemen. The Scudetto is yours....

From Italy we can easily hop a train to Germany where for quite some time we've known who the winner of the Bundes Liga would be. That's right maniacs, zee Germans finish stylishly last weekend, becoming the first team between Germany, Italy, England, France, and Spain to cross the finish line for a league title. Talk about German efficiency. Borussia Dortmund has been the atop the table in Germany for most of the season. A real champion race horse that never faltered and cruised into its well deserved championship was complimented by many other teams in the league and certainly were never really threatened. In my mind, they have officially turned off the jets, and are only showing up on the last match day to receive their deserved trophy. Even losing last weekend, they still maintain a 7 point lead over next closest rival Bayer Leverkusen. GOOD JOB Borussia Dortmund!!!! This was perhaps the most tamed race all season long. Other leagues have created suspenseful times and a bit of drama, but again, to the victors go the spoils....

Its time for the champions to kick their feet up, to the delight of the fans and glory of the entire team, congratulations Borussia Dortmund...

After all of the celebrating you're doing, lets now turn to one of the trickiest leagues out there, the English Premiership. It seems that Manchester United continues to outfox their rivals and can now breathe easily after defeating rivals Chelsea on Sunday, who were their last remaining threat for the title. Its pretty safe to say that they will achieve their goal of a record 19 tittles in club history this year. Needing only one more point from the three remaining games, the Red Devils emerge as top dog in a very competitive rough English league. The acquisition of Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez was definitely the extra boost that lifted this side over the top. His speed and accuracy, combined with deadly precision have help take Manchester United to the top of England, and all the way to the Champion's League Final. Veteran leadership on the pitch, superstar acquisitions and staunch defense are just a portion of the success this team has enjoyed. I dare take a moment to give credit to one that I absoloutely HATE, but must respect, and even admire. Knighted tactician, Sir Alex Ferguson. Brilliant coach. I must admit, in taking his team to the Champion's League Final, I found him cocky and too overconfident in his team because he sat most of the starters against Shalke 04, resting them for the upcoming and pivotal EPL match against Chelsea. But, in a game of tactics, if your opponent has been outwitted, your reserves could come in for you and beat a semifinalist in the Champion's League 4-1. Brilliant. What can I say....? Hats off to Sir Alex and Manchester United Football Club. (I HATE THEM) But congratulations all the same...(he said, eying the trophy)

The brilliance of manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played a big role in Manchester United's continued success....

On to Spain now where for the longest time, it has seemed to be only a matter of time before Barcelona claimed yet another La Liga title. Their third in a row. The one team that has challenged them for the league tittle has been as a fly, buzzing in the ear of a lion, Real Madrid. After their first encounter back in the fall when Barcelona beat them 5-0, Los Blancos have been in the rear view mirror playing catch up ever since. This year has seen Messi with 31 league goals, and will probably see him win the Balloon D'Or once more (earth's best football player). Barcelona have competed a dominant season with dominant football. Their acquisition of David Villa in the offseason has paid tremendous dividends and this year alone, Barcelona broke a 50-year old league record with 16 consecutive away wins and smashed a club record with 31 rounds without tasting defeat. In my mind their arrival into the finals of the Champion's League was controversial, with red cards limiting their opponents to ten men in the second leg of both contests. Once against Arsenal, and again vs Real Madrid. Otherwise, this team has played lights out football. BALLING. No question. Congratulations (yet again) Barcelona. Without a doubt, this team is one of the greatest to ever play soccer together. Clearly "Mas que un club".....

Barcelona have been simply amazing to watch and are one of the best teams ever assembled.

Oui....on to France you say? Well.... in an earlier posting, I mentioned that there was the possibility that nothing at the top could change...also countless other scenarios about how miracles could happen. Um, well, this MANIAC isn't convinced that all is settled at the top. Marsielle trail Lige 1 front-runners Lille by only four points with three games remaining. A total of 9 points are available but a tough season finish is ahead for Lille, with a matchup against PSG, who they will also face in the French Cup Final. My last battle cry for hardware this season!!!!!!! Marsielle should finish out strong with games against Lorient, Cannes, and Valenciennes, so while the four point lead is comfortable, I'm not quite ready to crown Lille just yet.....

As for me maniacs, I salute you. Losers? Mediocre squad? Coulda had 'em? I get it. I understand totally and completely, unfortunately: There can be only one champion to rule each realm. And as a Soccer MANIAC, I begrudgingly offer my congratulations. I'll leave off with one of my favorite champion poses and a thought... Championship beer always tastes better.