Tjena!
I have been getting a bit keen lately, and honestly I just couldn’t stay away from my Varbergs BOIS story. One of the reasons that this is so early is because I got an idea in one of the comments about simulating matches. I never thought of the idea until now really and as the domestic side of my club is getting a little tedious, I decided that it was probably best to just simulate all the matches. With the assistant taking care of matters in Sweden, I had full focus on the European adventure that lay ahead..
As you know from the previous update, our lads had just come top of our champions league group consisting of Inter Milan. Having won at the San Siro in the last match, I thought that the draw would be nice to me this time. Alas, I was so wrong and unfortunately for me it was another hard draw against none other than Barcelona. So lets crack on eh?
Barcelona vs Varbergs BOIS (Champions League 1st Rnd, Leg 1)
First game was away at the Nou Camp, a tough place to go at the best of times, especially having not beaten them in the previous 5 games we had faced them in. Still, with over 90,000 fans packed into the stadium we would sure put up a good fight! Things didn’t get off to the best of starts I have to say and we were scraping to not concede inside the first 10 minutes as Bertolotti had to be at his very best to save a few lethal shots. Belyakov had our first real chance of the match as we tried to fight our way back in. A low drive from 18 yards well held by the Barcelona keeper. From then on, it was all Barca. As you can imagine, their crowd really revved them and just before half time they had a golden chance to go infront! A low ball in from the left hand side saw Piasani hit the post from only a couple of yards out.
Half time score: 0-0
The second half started much the same way as the second, another flurry of Barca chances just barely over from two corners. We hung on, but eventually our lads were broken. A few one-twos in the middle saw Alvaro set free through our defense. Bertolotti saved, but unfortunately it went straight into the path of the ever present Piasani to score on the 80 minute mark. We didn’t stand a chance from there on in and were lucky to see the game out 1-0. If Barca would have been more clinical in front of goal, it would have been a rout. Could that just bite them in the backside when we host them at home?
Full time score: 1-0
The stage was set then I guess, and with a rather good result from our perspective away at the Nou Camp, I wasn’t feeling as bad as I would usually do. Two goals is all we needed, and with home advantage on our side and the roar of our home fans (albeit, only 25,000 of them..) we were feeling as confident as ever that we could pull this off.
Varbergs BOIS vs Barcelona (Champions League 1st Rnd, Leg 2)
Things started the brighter for Barca, and with a few tame shots under their belt during the first 5 minutes, they went in search of that goal. A ferocious shot from 20 yards out made sure Bertolotti was at his best, palming the ball away to saftey. We had a couple of chances of our own, but unfortunately Luciano couldnt convert a free header from a corner. Barca had the last laugh of the half however, a freekick 20 yards out flashing past the post. That could have been game over..
Half time: 0-0
I told the lads to do it for the fans at the break but that did little to spur them on. Golden chance for Barca to get that second goal, with Krebs sliding in Roca from the left hand side. 7 yards out, with only the keeper to beat he managed to smash it straight down the middle and into Bertolotti’s arms to palm away. Massive chance! Although, I was wondering what had happened to my defence, it was all too easy for them. They kept coming too, and we were holding on to thin air at this point. Something needed to change… PENALTY! Never, but we will take it. A ball in from Lecomte just off to the right, about 30 yards out got swung into the area. A mass sprawl of people went for it, Adriano tumbled and the spot kick was given. Pressure… Ravlo steps up to take, and smashes it right into the top right hand corner. Get in! Totally undeserved but then so was the draw so you cant complain ;). We saw out the final minutes with a great attacking display, but we couldn’t get that second goal to kill the tie off.
End of 90 minutes: 1-0 (1-1 aggregate)
A half hearted display had got us to extra time against one of the best footballing sides in the world. Call it newbie luck, but we had a chance! The first half of extra time saw us come out all guns blazing, Taylor with the shot that just whizzed past the post just 30 seconds after the restart. Barcelona had the possession dominance and controlled the tempo of the game. A misplaced pass saw us grab hold of it just inside our half though, and we made no mistake. A defence splitting pass saw Lecomte run through one on one, he shot was saved but Taylor managed to smash the rebound home from a tight angle! Extacy around the stadium.. But wait, it wasn’t finished there? Just 5 minutes after we had a two goal cushion! I couldn’t believe my eyes.. A ball down the left to Svensson was exchange to Ronaldo. His pass found Talyor, and just to the left of centre, he let fly.. Shot smashing off Itturralde into the far corner.
Extra time, First Half: 3-0 (3-1 aggregate)
No? Still cant believe it? Well neither can I. Still we had a job to do in the second half of extra time. As you can imagine, Barcelona came out of the blocks on a mission.. A few snap shots saw Bertolotti produce some outstanding saves to his right hand side. He couldn’t stop this one though.. A massive 30 yarder from Colonnette was rifled in the bottom left hand corner, with 10 minutes of the match left! We didn’t stop pressing though, and nearly found a goal straight after the restart. Svensson cutting in on his left foot, curling a wonderfully hit shot just wide of the mark. Chance! Blimey that was close. A counter attack from the right left Barca able to cross into the box, and all but two yards out, Cebalios should have done much, much better.. rolling it softly into the gracious arms of Bertolotti. Game over!
End of 90 minutes: 3-1 (3-2 aggregate)
Video highlights: Here (Not sure why, but it doesn’t show the Talyor goal)
Cmon! SI, you can stick that where the sun doesn’t shine. I’m so proud of my lads for what they have done, even if the performance was below par. They just beat one of the best club sides in the world, to storm through into the Quarter finals. You better believe it :)
So SI, who have you got for me now then eh?
Oh.. I see. Smartarse’s
Story continues on the next page..
Stromson
1 июня, 2011 at 02:28
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I’ve been waiting all night for this post (ever since you told me you’d be updating), and I’m not the slightest bit disappointed! I don’t really even know what to say or where to begin. Those were some ammmaaaaaaaazzzinngggg results, and it’s hard to believe that after all these years, you’ve finally booked yourself a spot in the CL final! I can’t wait for the next post now. :) Again, incredible results, way to go. :)
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 12:42
Arrrrrrrrrrrr!! I told you, you wouldnt be :D
Thanks bud, I’m still shocked that we have managed to get through some of these games.. But I couldn’t be happier. (well I could if we won it.. ;))
To my favourite supporter, this is for you :)
CsAtlantis
1 июня, 2011 at 04:50
You know, as much as SI tries to draw some big teams for you, they at least let you play away first so you can come back to your home ground knowing what result you need, great stuff knocking out barca, arsenal, and now lyon
Just one team left then, Inter Milan, oh yeah, where is the final going to be played?
Good luck :D
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 12:46
Haha yeah I guess, the stadium is our fortress :)
Game will be played in Florence I think, just hope it’s filled with those fans that supply our players with so much energy at home!
Liam101
1 июня, 2011 at 08:18
Excessive i love your posts. have followed this story from the beginning and i just love it. Keep it up hope you win
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 12:50
Thanks Liam, I know you have.. Just glad I can share something like this with everyone :)
Johnny Karp
1 июня, 2011 at 09:39
Wonderful post Jake, just great! The fightback against Arsenal was amazing, your team proved right there that it has what it takes to beat anybody! Now get that silverware, will you? :) Best of luck!
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 12:52
Cheers Johnny :D
I sure hope so, it will be tough but we have shown we have what it takes to beat Inter!
Sibo
1 июня, 2011 at 09:46
OMG! :O
Brilliant. Incredible. Fantastic! Well done, every round I was thinking «he can’t…can he?» Then I saw the first legs and I just thought «hmmmm, it’s gonna be tough…» but you seem to be able to do incredible things at home, well done mate, those results are honestly just incredible!
I really hope you beat Inter, it would be great to see the culmination of all those years at Varberg, and even though you have improved a lot it would still be pretty spectacular for a Swedish club to win the Champion’s League!
Good luck mate! :D
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 12:55
Haha, thanks Sibo I’m glad you enjoyed it ;)
It was a brilliant run by the BOIS, just hope that they can show the same spirit as they have throughout.
Martin
1 июня, 2011 at 11:55
hahaha nice post mate…congrats in getting to the champions league final…you deserve to win it after beating the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Lyon. All the best for the final…i can’t wait to see the out come :)
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 12:57
Cheers Martin :D!
Pawn_pt
1 июня, 2011 at 11:57
I wonder where you got that silly idea of simulating matches :D Great job till the Final! Very close matches but you did it!! :D KUTGW!
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 13:00
What a great idea! 100% in the league and only conceded once in 10 games. Cheers ;)
Darren Smith
1 июня, 2011 at 11:58
Absolutely fandabidozeylishess!!!!! Couldn’t think of a word to describe your feat. Varbergs BOIS have climbed from the depths of Swedish football to play in the CL final but also done it in style. You couldn’t have wished for a worse run IMO, so your boys deserve this. I can’t wait for the grand finale!!! Excellent work mate, ps. when will we celebrate the famous final? And when will we see the first games for FMS Patriots?
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 13:05
Absoluteibootilicious :D
Haha thanks Darren, SI gave all they could throw at us so I’m chuffed that we have been able to come through it.
I don’t know about celebrating, but the post will probably be tonight, with all the explanations of what I am going to do next ;)
vaibhavc
1 июня, 2011 at 11:58
Hey Excessive
Brilliant run in the Champions League, you are really doing well. You had a really tough run and you managed to beat them all. I wish you had put the the final up, I was so excited.
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 13:08
Thanks Vaibhav,
Trying to hold the suspense that’s all ;)
Sears
1 июня, 2011 at 14:54
Haa what a post, I’m guessing the final will be posted either tonight or tomorrow, yeh :-D?? God I can’t wait… Still pinching myself in disbelief that you actually made the final, with a Swedish club! Absolutely stunning… One question though: If you win, or if you have already won, will you be continuing this story or beginning a new one?
ps can you post up the download link to your tactic as well bud? Cheers
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 15:03
Thanks Sears :). It should be tonight with any luck, yeah :D.
If I go on to win the trophy, ill reveal all my intentions for the future of the save etc at the end of the post.
P.S I’m on patch 11.2, but I can send you them both when I get home if you want?
Sears
1 июня, 2011 at 15:10
Ahhh I see, but yeah that would be great thanks…
Darthbane999
1 июня, 2011 at 16:07
I am at a loss of words… ARRRRRrrrrhH how on Earth did you bloody do that??? I never expected this at all!!! Even with my Bayern it’s crazy enough to get to the final and yet your team has reached the final! All I’m saying is that you didn’t do a good job but a brilliantly crazy one (and some would say lucky but I don’t think so; it’s skill). Win the Champions League and you can go Copa, Liga i Champions! If you don’t get it never mind, it’s Crackovia.
Excessive
1 июня, 2011 at 17:53
Thanks DB! :)
You know, I have no idea. My lads did brilliantly and full credit goes to them for their outstanding performances, they might have been a little lucky (even I would say that) but thats the aim of the game at the end of the day and i’m so chuffed :)
Just hope they can pull off the same in the final…