BMT : UEFA Champions League Final - Experience vs. Inexperience

The biggest game in European and possibly world football is just a day away, Wembley is the stage & two teams will be watched by the world. The question on everyone's lips is, who will win?.

The obvious answer to that question is, a German team will win. The Germans have dominated this season's competition and rightly deserve to have two teams in this years final. Both Dortmund & München have been worthy adversary's, both have ruled the German leagues in recent times and both will be gunning for the trophy.Both managers have had the ability to get the best out of their players, perhaps in then case of Dortmund...playing beyond themselves as their manager has said. This is not meant in a disrespectful way towards his charges, rather a leveler and mind game perhaps.

Earlier this week Klopp mentioned that if they manage to lift the trophy this weekend they will not be the best team in the world, instead they have beaten the best team in the world. 

After Bayern's demolishion of Barcelona, many pundits have put them as favourites. It is a safe bet and you can't really argue, they have set the standard domestically (league wise) and in Europe. They have it all, strength, power, pace, skill, experience and leadership all over the pitch. You can't really see them losing, but they have found themselves in Europe's major final in recent times and not been able to get the W.

This may not be such a big concern because of their form this season but it does stick in the back of player's minds, its all about BMT. Physically a team can be prepared for such an occasion but mentally they could struggle, yes everyone will focus on the players, stats, injuries and so on. I felt we should look at the encounter differently, I believe what will count is how they manage the occasion in their heads.

Bayern have experience to rely on, they have played in games of this magnitude before so perhaps their players will be more at ease. As for Dortmund, this is their first time and the occasion perhaps could get the better of them...this isn't any old game its possibly the biggest competition in the world.

KEY POINTS

Experience vs. Inexperience

Positives

Knowledge and firmiliarity, the surroundings are not daunting. The crowd, cameras, press and media will not shake Bayern and the players will be able to relax more and gather routine to adjust. The anticipation will not be as great, sleep before the game will be easier, nerves before the game will be there but not as stomach turning. Experience of losing two finals, will drive them on to make right the third time.

Dortmund don't know the feeling of playing in a Champions League final, in their minds its perhaps just another game. Nobody gave them a shout to get this far, so what's stopping them from winning. No fear of the unknown, to Dortmund they have beaten Bayern in finals before so they believe they can do it again.

Negatives

Over eagerness to make the past wrongs-right, over thinking and trying too hard to make things work. Doubt, because of their awful record in the finals of late, any hint of doubt and self pity will destroy morale and form. 

If things take the wrong turn for Dortmund early on, the panic button could be pressed and everything could go tumbling down. The occasion could be too much for some the youngsters, these athletes thrive on pressure but a final is another ball game.

This is destined to be a wonderful battle, we praying for good football and not a cagey affair.

Prediction

My head tells me Bayern but my gut tells me Dortmund, I'm all for the underdog so I say Dortmund to win in a penalty shoot-out.

Enjoy tomorrow's game and thanks for reading. 

By Denis Lugemwa

Boot review: Nike vs Adidas

The Ultimate Speed Boot

Mercurial Vapour IX vs. Adizero F50

  

Having recently acquired the Adidas Adizero F50 FG and the Nike Mercurial Vapour IX, I got to test arguably the two most advanced football boots available to the mainstream market. Nike and Adidas have been going neck and neck for almost a decade to give football loves the perfect boot to suit their game.

First up was the Nike: Mercurial Vapour-Fire berry, the ninth edition in the Mercurial vapour series and definitely the best one yet.  The most striking thing about the boot is first and foremost the colour way. The perfect boot for the player that (like me) likes to stand out and to be noticed, not only for their footballing ability, but their style as well. It’s no coincidence some of the games most charismatic characters chose to wear the Mercurial Vapour. The new “golf ball’ like design was something that had never been seen before. It helps improve the touch of its user when running at defender at full speed. Definitely an added advantage especially when combined with ACC technology for wet conditions.

I found the boot extremely light and comfortable, sometime forgetting I’m even wearing any footwear yet protecting the foot when striking the ball. Something that gives you a psychological advantage when running at speed. The boots very comfortable even and fits well considering it’s a narrow boot and I have a wide foot, which in the past has been an issue.

Rating

Design: 9/10

Performance: 8/10

Price: 8/10

The Adidas: Adizero F50-Vivid Yellow Leather boot really surprised me. It took a quick run out to get used to leather version of the boot. Surprisingly is its still very light and provided a more natural “padded” fit compared to the Nikes. The leather allows for a good touch o the ball even in wet conditions and keeps water away to prevent it getting heavier as you play. And couple that with the famed Sprint Frame, it allows you greater traction and change of direction while keeping your foot from moving too much.

The soft ground version of the boot is perfect for wet weather, but my main concern with it is that Adidas do not provide you with replacement studs. And having done some searching on the net it seems once you lose a stud, the boot is practically useless.

Rating

Design: 7/10

Performance: 8/10

Price: 8/10

In conclusion I would say that choosing between these two boots is an impossible task for me personally, as they both have many positives and very few negatives. Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference, and with that I can honestly tell you whatever your choice may be, you definitely won’t be left disappointed in your purchase.

So get yourself down to CrosstrainSA and get yourself a pair. Before you know it defenders will be admiring the bottom of your boot while you leave em chewing up your dust.

To discuss more on boots, players or the beautiful game in general follow me on Twitter.com/Tumelo13

Wembley awaits

So there we have it folks, the first all German final. After a scintillating 11-3 aggregate victory over their Spanish counter parts, the Germans will now shift their focus to a mouth watering derby.

After watching both legs of the Champions League Semi finals, it’s clear the Germans were just too good for their Spanish opponents. Many a Madrid fan will feel hard done. After a Lewandowski inspired 4-1 drubbing the men from the Spanish Capital put together an inspiring PR campaign to galvanize their fans: “You Strength Is Our Strength”. And Galvanised they were. Madrid started like a house on fire, but missed chances from the like Higuain, Ronaldo and Oezil had many fans thinking those opportunities would come back to haunt them. Dortmund was comfortable throughout the match knowing they didn’t need to chase the result. With the game winding down and many Madrid fans feeling dejected, Karim Benzema capitalised and put the ball in the net. That was all the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu need to lift their voice for one last final push. As the 12 man they pushed and chanted their men forward, Madrid, bombarding the Dortmund goal did the un-imaginable: they got a second in a matter of minutes, with time plus extra time left on the clock. Now 4-3 on aggregate and momentum in Madrid’s favour, the impossible began to look possible. Could Madrid really do it?

Madrid threw everything at the Germans hoping their away goal would be invaluable, but the third goal remains elusive. The final whistle game and Dortmund  celebrated ,filled with pride and ecstasy, while Madrid were left  filled with anguish and despair, wondering what could’ve been.

Unlike the Madrid-Dortmund clash, the clash between FC Barca and Bayern was rather disappointing. Having seen the line ups before kickoff, I had a feeling Tito had already conceded defeat. Having scored a wonder goal over the weekend, I was convinced Messi was back to his old self. But Tito knew and thought differently. Bayern continued where they left off, playing with a swagger and confidence e that has been synonymous with Barca in recent history. Barca lacked urgency and had I not seen the first game, one would have thought Bayern were the ones chasing the result. For a team that has been heralded as the Greatest of All time, Barca certainly didn’t go about the match as a great should. Part of what makes someone or an organisation great, is not their victories alone, but their spirit and Never Say Die attitude in the face of adversity.

Now we head to the final where the Champions League veterans (Bayern) will come up against the New Kids on the block (Dortmund). With last season’s defeat still fresh in the players’ minds, Bayern will be looking to go one step further and win the coveted title this season. Dortmund come into the clash as somewhat of an underdog, but remember they’d had success against their Bavarian neighbours in recent time and will definitely be backing themselves up.

Wembley is the venue for the final. The home of the Old Enemy (England), and many German fans would love nothing better than a celebration on English soil. And considering it’s an all German final i can guarantee not only will we be in for a game to remember but the atmosphere from the passionate Germans will live long in football’s memory 

Friday Focus - Spanish Football & Player Plus (Michael Koopowitz) Nike Academy

When the world of football has moved its' attention to Germany, we thought we would fly you back to Spain. Before the football hyenas out there convince you otherwise, we should not forget the accomplishments this country has had. Over the past few years Spain has dominated European & World football at club and intentional level, the rest of the world has had to play catch up and it seems some countries have caught up. Our respect for Spanish football should not diminish and vanish as quickly as we fell in-love with their achievements, the strength of their rise was built on development and that is how it shall recover.

Last week, #TeamGlobal athlete Michael Koopowitz traveled to Spain with his Nike Academy team-mates to take on RCD Espanyol and F.C Barcelona. The young South African and his team were able to experience an opportunity that many young footballers dream of, F.C Barcelona and RCD Espanyol much like other Spanish teams have well established youth development systems. Spain has been able to produce talented footballers from these set ups and enhanced their reputation across the globe. Investing in the future pays off, the titles Spanish football at International and Club level is proof, I believe this is something we still lack in South African football.

Koopowitz spoke about his trip as being a ''once in a lifetime opportunity'',  the organisation and professionalism is of a high standard. We may think Spain has the finances to back them but in truth this isn't a wealthy country, yet they are still able to use what they have to produce such talents as Xavi, Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, Santi Carzola, Juan Mata and etc.



Development is such a key element in football, its not something that can be quickly fixed...it takes time, sufficient judgement and management. Koopowitz and his side came away with 2-0 and 3-0 defeats but what they learnt from their trip was invaluable, it also shows the strength of these outfits. The young South African had this to say about the F.C Barcelona game in particular, ''They played 'Barcelona football'...brilliant, although we played well in the later stages of the game and I feel I did well when I came on.''. The 'tiki-taka' style of play isn't something that only the first team can do, this is a system and style the entire club follows. Yes La Masia is arguably the best academy in the world but the other Spanish clubs are able to produce their diamonds too, at a national level the system is the same. They may not all be Barca players, but they are able to adjust to the system and play winning football for the country.

I believe as a country we could learn a lot from the Spanish, our development systems are good but we have the means to make them better. Our coaches also need to understand that the future is the youth, not enough of teens are given regular opportunities in first teams. Coaches may argue they not good enough but that shows a lack of management on their behalf, give the young-guns a chance to prove themselves. Kudos to Michael Koopowitz on representing himself and the country during his trip to Spain, we hope more young South Africans can experience such things in the future.

If you would like to follow Michael Koopowitz and The Nike Academy you can do so on these social network platforms :

• Twitter - @MichaelKoop7
• Facebook - NikeAcademy

Here are clips of F.C Barcelona's 'Tiki-Taka' warm ups.