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LONDON, England - Probably the best stadium in the world, Wembley will play host to the Chelsea vs Manchester United FA Cup final on May 19.This is the first time the great stadium will host the FA Cup since they demolished the old structure in year 2000.
I went to London’s Heathrow airport recently to pick up my sister-in-law and was very excited when I saw the extravagant stadium with its massive signature arch upon reaching Brent Cross. `Wow’ was all I could say and I promised myself that one of these days I will visit the world’s biggest covered football stadium. I enjoyed the view along London’s M4. The structure is eye popping.
In spite of its massive structure, you would think that Wembley is already the biggest in the world or in Europe. The biggest according to Wikepedia, is Barcelona’s Camp Nou which can host 98,000 people. Wembley is just 8,000 short. The stadium however pride’s itself as the biggest covered football stadium in the world. Its’ famous arch was not built for decoration. It is responsible for pulling the sliding roof to keep the fans dry in case the rain pours like cats and dogs.
How does the arch pull the sliding roof? Well, we will ask the designers HOK Sport and Foster and Partners, Multiplex and Mott MacDonald. But, if we ask how much was spent for building the stadium? Then the financers, Sport England, the FA, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the London Development Agency will tell you that they have paid more or less £798 million. That was the reason why the opening was postponed for a year. They have to scrape for funds somewhere to find money for the over budget project.
The stadium was supposed to host the FA Cup final last year but construction did not finish in time. Finally the official opening was held in March 9 this year. It hosted the friendly match between England and Italy’s U23 teams. The match attracted the largest crowd for an U23 with 55,700 turning up. Last Saturday and Sunday the stadium hosted also the playoff matches for the Coca Cola Cup Championship Divisions.
Aside from football matches, the stadium can also host athletics events, however with reduced capacity of only 66,000. Music events are also lined up at the stadium. George Michael will perform live in June 9 and 10. Prince William and Prince Harry have also organized a concert at the stadium in honour of their late mother Lady Diana on July 7. Surprisingly, the NFL will hold one of its official game here on Oct. 28 between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins.
Wembley stadium was first known as the Empire stadium when it was built first for only £750,000 in 300 days. It was opened by King George V on April 23, 1924. (My mother was not yet born.) The famous towers were demolished during the start of the construction of the present building.
CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER UNITED
Wembley will get its’ true baptism of fire this Saturday (May 19) when it will plays host to the FA Cup final between new rivals Manchester United and Chelsea. It will be the Red Devils 18th Cup appearances and the Blue’s 8th. Man United last won the Cup in 2004 beating Milwall 3-0 in Cardiff city, Wales. Chelsea also won the Cup for the last time in 2000 beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the final.
The match is the most awaited contest this season as both teams can not wait to end 2006-07 season in a high note. Both teams clashed only twice this season, all Premiership matches. Both matches ended in draw, 1-1 at the Old Trafford in Nov. 26 last year and 0-0 at Stamford Bridge recently in May 9. So, as you can see its 50-50 when they go against each other.
Gamblers will troop England’s top betting shops this week to put their stakes on who ever their favourite teams are. There are really no `favourites’ in this match as both teams have equal firepower to defeat each other. Man for man both teams are talented. Whoever scores the first goal will win the match.
As a Londoner, I want Chelsea to win. With the millions spent by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Chelsea should have no excuses to win all the competitions in this planet. But they always say money can not buy everything. The Blues have only the Carling Cup in their trophy cabinet this season and must go all out to add the FA Cup after missing out on the more prestigious titles, the Champion’s League and Premiership titles.
Manchester United on the other hand are still on high after winning their 9th Premiership title at the expense of Chelsea. Another trophy and again at the expense of Chelsea, will seal the Red Devil’s astounding year although they also missed the Champion’s League finals by a hairline.
Chelsea will be missing key players in this clash. Andriy Shevchenco, the most expensive player in England, is out with a hernia operation so as Germany’s Michael Ballack who suffered a groin injury recently. Dutchman Arjen Robben has been plagued with injuries the entire season and is also a doubtful starter. But their key players are intact with Didier Drogba leading the attack in front of the goal. Drogba, who scored 20 Premiership goals this season, will get help from shifty winger Shaun Wright-Philips and the revived Joe Cole.
At the back, team captain John Terry will lead the cast with Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Peter Cech. Without Ballack at midfield, Frank Lampard should be contented with the ever reliable Michael Essien and John Mikel. The ageless Claude Makelele will also provide a great support at the middle.
The young guns of Manchester United will be once again at the front act of this 90-minute tussle. PFA player-of-the-year awardee Ronaldo and star striker Wayne Rooney will take charge up front. They will get support from Paul Scholes, Allan Smith and Michael Carrick at the midfield while Rio Ferdinand will man the backline with his partner Nemanja Vedic. Giving them support are John O’Shea, Patrice Evra and goalie Edwin Van De Sar.
WEST HAM TO LOSE TEVEZ
West Ham United’s season savior Carlos Teves is heading to Real Madrid for £30 million. That’s the top sports story in London’s tabloids today. But not a single cent of that large sum will go to West Ham. Tevez is officially owned by Israeli businessman Kai Joorahchian and the company he represents MSI. West Ham tore up their agreement with Teves’ owners so that he could play in their last three games of the season.
The gamble paid off as Teves scored West Ham’s goal in their win over Manchester United in their final match. The victory saved them from relegation and earned them more TV money for the coming season. The agreement has raised a complaint from four Clubs. These clubs now want West Ham deducted with points instead of the fine given. I can not discuss the details of this issue because of lack of space. Maybe next issue I will write about this.
CEBU SPORTS BLOG
John Pages was a colleague in Cebu’s Sportswriting community. He wrote for The Freeman Newspaper when I was with Sunstar Cebu. Now John is with Sunstar while I am in this damp and cold place they call London. John’s family own The Bright Academy, the school for inteligent kids in Cebu city. Aside from being a school executive, John is also a tennis officionado and an official of the Philippine Tennis Association.
If you want to read about unreported sports stories from Cebu city, click on his Cebu Sports Blog at www.pages.ph. The page is crisps and nice. Easy to read and full of informations. Best of all you can see my photo with the legendary Bobby `Knight’ Inoferio inside. Enjoy. PS. Happy Birthday to my mates in Austin Texas, Jong-jong Gacasan and in Davao city lawyer Ricardo Sumalpong Jr. God Bless
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