Posted by Kenny Hassan

Just when you thought a loudspeaker could not get any cheesier at a football match, seconds after Arjen Robben chipped Hanover6 keeper Florian Fromlowitz for his 12th league goal of the season in this year's highest scoring Bundesliga game, 69,000 in attendance at the Allianz Arena were seen knocking their knees together to the awful tune 'Tulips from Amsterdam'.

I hate to quote Sir Alex, but I will, "Typical Germans" indeed. Robben went on to beat Olic and the brilliant young Muller to be the first man to a hat-trick in this Bavarian demolition job.

Well here we go heading to another round of fixtures not yet knowing who will be champions of England, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands whose respective league leaders are separated by one solitary point. One! It is truly remarkable that at the very end of the 'business end' of the season we have so many title's as yet undecided, the afore-mentioned Munchen are only 2 points ahead of Magath and his Schalke group, Marseille are 5 ahead of Auxerre and look out Bursaspor because Fenerbache are a mere 4 behind with a game in hand in the always competitive Turkcell Super Lig.

Chelsea slipped this weekend and it was no surprise to many as Tottenham Hotspur have, as I said on many occasions, kept playing a very attack minded and enjoyable brand of football. Fair play to Redknapp, he's not everyone's cup of tea but he has meshed those lads together, made them fight for their spot and instilled belief in all of his squad. No better example than Gareth Bale who had that horrid stat where when he played, they couldn't buy a win. Fantastic performance from the new Welsh-Wizard and if only Cappello could pick him many problems would be solved for the England manager while he awaits Ashley Cole's recovery. Dawson has been magnificent, Modric looks back to his crafty and creative best and low and behold, having not seen that much action under 'Arry, David Bentley still shows a subtle touch when he gets the chance. Spurs and Man City are surely the contenders now for ECL fixtures next season and that could be decided when they face off on May 5th at Eastlands, look out for some fireworks in that one, a game that almost certainly will see Howard Webb take charge of, I would think. Arsenal tossed it away at Wigan who have been somewhat of the giant killer's this year, pity their form lacked focus in many other spells this year. Utd pulled off a typical late drama 3 pointer in a mundane match with their local and cash rich neighbors. Scholes played particularly well and it was his experience that showed up right when the Red Devils needed it most. Not sure about the kissing on the lips from Captain Neville though.

Italy saw Mr Mourinho these past few days keep his incredible home league record in tact that has been going for what seems like an eternity. Juventus just don't have any cohesion as a unit and on top of some injuries which were not that damaging still fielded a strong team. Maicon showed superb skill at the arc and buried a difficult shot from his viewpoint and then at the death Eto'o finished it in stoppage time. Roma went back on top after a pulsating derby which saw the Serie A frontrunners go behind to a Rocchi goal and then Ranieri made a bold move to replace De Rossi and Totti. Floccari missed a woeful penalty attempt and then Vucinic took the game and maybe the biggest 3 points of the year, on his own shoulders. 2 super goals including a truly memorable rocket free kick, sealed it. Sampdoria took it to Milan in stretches but against 10 men should have done better than wait for Pazzini's unreal header as the clock was ticking away in added time. Cassano won a penalty and also converted after Borriello had given the visitors a glimmer of hope that the title was still possible. Not now.

Barcelona were given a great contest with their old foe's Espanyol. Alves went for an early bath and Messi as hard as he tried just couldn'tt conquer a determineddefensee, Pareja and Didac did well in front of the home crowd. Real sit a point behind the Champions and if only CR9 would pass now and then maybe we see finishing. He did try and get Benzema in on the act but the game was already won by that stage and the Frenchman continues to be a shadow of the player we know. Old Trafford looms in the summer. Fine set up by Marcelo for Ronaldo to score and the opener was a thing of beauty with Gonzalo showing tremendous technique. Valencia still have some work left to do to stake their claim as Spain's 3 rd best team. A massive 24 pts separate them and Madrid in 2nd.

Hey guys, look out and take a moment if you can on May 2nd to see if Steve McLaren can win the Dutch Eredivisie, what an achievement that would be given the talent Martin Jol has in his Ajax squad that are finally coming back to the forefront of football in the Netherlands, 03-04 was their last title and with Twente leading by 1 pt it will be a day to remember in 2 weeks.

Rangers have to wait another week in Scotland, the 11pt cushion is very nice mind you.

Champions League semi's this week and 2 cracking games in store for us. I'll leave my thought's to the show if it's all the same...(Inter !).Both teams traveling by road because of the Volcanic ash from Iceland which has crippled air travel, so it's 'on the buses' for Barcelona to Milan and Lyon to Munich.

Many great guests lined up again this week, Pat Dolan, Graham Spiers, Andy Brassell, Tim Vickery and a few surprises along the way.

Check out the RSL segment the boys did at the Home Depot Center last week and don't forget to buy the WFD shirts before they run out, selling like hot cakes. Thanks everyone!


Cheers,
Kenny.