I always wondered how many people watched the Champions League matches on line from UEFA.com and ESPN360.com.
Well, my wondering ended!...In Washington Times newspaper ,there was an article done by Tim Lemke about this topic!
According to his article,Turks lead the online traffic for Champions League matches. Here is the Article..
European Champions League
I'm not an enormous soccer fan, but I have to admit a certain delight in following the Champions League, a hugely popular and remarkably intense tournament featuring the best teams from Europe. With many matches taking place this week, I pondered writing a story about the growing number of games available live on the Internet at places like ESPN360 and UEFA.com. I was operating on the theory that the availability of more matches online might actually pique the interest of casual American fans, who are less likely to pay big bucks for a special soccer television package like Setanta Sports or Fox Soccer Channel.
But, my reporting uncovered a lot of mixed information on the subject.
It's clear there is a market for streaming of live matches here in America. ESPN360 reported 3 million streams of the World Cup in 2006 and 500,000 streams for Champions League games earlier this spring. And for the 2007-08 Champions League tournament, ESPN360 will show three times as many games, so the number of streams should top 1 million.
"It's certainly growing," said John Zehr, ESPN's senior vice president of digital media production, of the popularity of Champions League games. "There are pockets of the country where European soccer has a pretty big following."
The network appears to be using the Champions League as highlighted programming as it seeks broader distribution of its new version of its video player, launched in September. (Currently, about 17 million people have access to the service and that will grow to 20 million by 2008, officials said.)
It's still unclear, though, who is tuning in to these online broadcasts. Zehr admitted the Champions League is "long tail" programming, meaning that it's highly appealing to a niche audience. He pointed out that die-hard Champions League fans who would prefer to watch games on big-screen televisions often can't in America because the games are played at 2:30 p.m. ET, smack dab in the middle of the workday. For those fans, a good online broadcast is the next best thing.
UEFA officials said they are specifically targeting the American audience for their online broadcasts at UEFA.com, because the sport can't get more popular in Europe.
"Our live online market is indeed in the USA and South America," said Andy Pattison, production manager for UEFA.com. "This does reflect the increased interest in soccer but also the saturation of the Champions League within Europe."
But Pattison also said the online games have been most popular in places where only the top games are available on television. (Turkish ex-pats are driving the most online traffic at the moment, he said, because UEFA.com is one of the few places fans can see games of top Turkish clubs Fenerbahçe and Besiktas.)
So is that the audience for online soccer? Die-hard fans who are stuck at the office and Turkish people who can't otherwise see their team's games?
I interviewed a number of European soccer fans who live in the U.S., and most said that they prefer to pay for a special satellite package or go to a bar to watch international soccer, if possible.
"The online games really don't impact us, because anyone who wants to get our games can get them on television," said Jim O'Donnell, president of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs. "I'm sure there are some football fans without an allegiance who might watch online, but I can't say what kind of effort they'd make."
Mike Kavanagh, president of Arsenal America, a club for American fans of Arsenal FC, said he knows a number of fans who were once uninterested in soccer but became huge supporters after watching online broadcasts of the World Cup last year.
"There were guys who couldn't have cared less about soccer, but they had ESPN360, and now they're into international football, which is fantastic," he said.
- Tim Lemke
http://video1.washingtontimes.com/sportsbiz/2007/11/european_champions_league.html
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Fenerbahce in strong position
Fenerbahce beat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 in their Champions League Group G match on Wednesday to put the Turkish team in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
Fenerbahce took the lead after 28 minutes through an own goal by PSV defender Dirk Marcellis who deflected a shot from Kazim Kazim into the Eindhoven net.
Two minutes later Kazim's strike partner Semih Senturk doubled their lead, driving a shot beneath goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes after being put through by Brazilian playmaker Alex.
The result left Fenerbahce second in the group on eight points, one point behind Inter Milan who beat CSKA Moscow 4-2. PSV remained third on four points while the Russian side are bottom with just one point and have been eliminated.
'This was a big game and every player fought well and I congratulate them,' said Fenerbahce's Brazilian coach Zico. 'We tried to exert pressure on them throughout and the team got the result they deserved.'
'The victory today was very important in terms of qualifying. Our goal is clearly to be the top team so the remaining two games are just as important,' he said.
Alex, orchestrating the Turkish side's attacks, nearly added a third goal after 34 minutes when he tried to lob the PSV goalkeeper but the ball just cleared the bar.
The home side eased up in the second half but still occasionally looked dangerous in front of goal.
After 55 minutes, Kazim fired in another shot from the right, forcing a good save from Gomes who gathered the ball after Mehmet Aurelio, another of Fenerbahce's Brazilian contingent, failed to latch on to the rebound.
Gomes again came to his side's rescue after 68 minutes, diving to save a shot from Senturk.
'We lost the ball a lot and of course Fenerbahce played well,' said PSV caretaker coach Jan Wouters, who stepped into the role after Ronald Koeman left for Valencia this month.
'Unfortunately, we made mistakes and that is why we lost.'
PSK exerted a flurry of pressure in the final stages as they tried to make up the deficit but most of their efforts were waywward while Fenerbahce's Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel easily gathered the few efforts on target.
Source:ESPN
Fenerbahce took the lead after 28 minutes through an own goal by PSV defender Dirk Marcellis who deflected a shot from Kazim Kazim into the Eindhoven net.
Two minutes later Kazim's strike partner Semih Senturk doubled their lead, driving a shot beneath goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes after being put through by Brazilian playmaker Alex.
The result left Fenerbahce second in the group on eight points, one point behind Inter Milan who beat CSKA Moscow 4-2. PSV remained third on four points while the Russian side are bottom with just one point and have been eliminated.
'This was a big game and every player fought well and I congratulate them,' said Fenerbahce's Brazilian coach Zico. 'We tried to exert pressure on them throughout and the team got the result they deserved.'
'The victory today was very important in terms of qualifying. Our goal is clearly to be the top team so the remaining two games are just as important,' he said.
Alex, orchestrating the Turkish side's attacks, nearly added a third goal after 34 minutes when he tried to lob the PSV goalkeeper but the ball just cleared the bar.
The home side eased up in the second half but still occasionally looked dangerous in front of goal.
After 55 minutes, Kazim fired in another shot from the right, forcing a good save from Gomes who gathered the ball after Mehmet Aurelio, another of Fenerbahce's Brazilian contingent, failed to latch on to the rebound.
Gomes again came to his side's rescue after 68 minutes, diving to save a shot from Senturk.
'We lost the ball a lot and of course Fenerbahce played well,' said PSV caretaker coach Jan Wouters, who stepped into the role after Ronald Koeman left for Valencia this month.
'Unfortunately, we made mistakes and that is why we lost.'
PSK exerted a flurry of pressure in the final stages as they tried to make up the deficit but most of their efforts were waywward while Fenerbahce's Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel easily gathered the few efforts on target.
Source:ESPN
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
DISASTER FOR BESIKTAS IN LIVERPOOL! .8-0
I TOLD YOU SO! ....here is what I wrote after Fenerbahce match......
Looking at both of the teams last night, before the big games in the Champions League , both teams defense and goal keepers looked really bad!..... Let me say it again, Big teams need a good goal keepers!....Did you see Hakan Arikan ,yesterday on second goal!.... he dropped the ball, on a cross and Semih scored the second goal....give me a brake!.....this was another factor, why Besiktas lost yesterday, besides the referee Ismet Arzuman. Fenerbahce did not deserve to win the match yesterday......
Striker Lisandro Lopez scored a late header to give Porto a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille to move atop of the UEFA Champions League Group A while Liverpool recorded an 8-0 win over Besiktas on Tuesday.
Israel international Yossi Benayoun scored a hat-trick for Liverpool, winners of the Champions League in 2005 and runners-up last season.
Liverpool, who failed to win any of their opening three games, could not afford to drop more points against the Turkish club, who beat them 2-1 in Istanbul last month.
Peter Crouch and Benayoun scored in the first half to pave the way for a torrent of goals after the break.
Benayoun added two more, with other goals from captain Steven Gerrard, substitute Ryan Babel with two, and Crouch his second.
Besiktas have only won once away from home in 10 Champions League fixtures.
Crouch opened the scoring after 19 minutes. However, it was Benayoun who was the star of the show. He opened his tally in the 32nd minute by volleying in a cross from Voronin, and scored twice in three minutes to register his first hat-trick for Liverpool.
Gerrard then blasted home the fifth before Babel came off the bench to help himself to two goals in three minutes.
Looking at both of the teams last night, before the big games in the Champions League , both teams defense and goal keepers looked really bad!..... Let me say it again, Big teams need a good goal keepers!....Did you see Hakan Arikan ,yesterday on second goal!.... he dropped the ball, on a cross and Semih scored the second goal....give me a brake!.....this was another factor, why Besiktas lost yesterday, besides the referee Ismet Arzuman. Fenerbahce did not deserve to win the match yesterday......
Striker Lisandro Lopez scored a late header to give Porto a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille to move atop of the UEFA Champions League Group A while Liverpool recorded an 8-0 win over Besiktas on Tuesday.
Israel international Yossi Benayoun scored a hat-trick for Liverpool, winners of the Champions League in 2005 and runners-up last season.
Liverpool, who failed to win any of their opening three games, could not afford to drop more points against the Turkish club, who beat them 2-1 in Istanbul last month.
Peter Crouch and Benayoun scored in the first half to pave the way for a torrent of goals after the break.
Benayoun added two more, with other goals from captain Steven Gerrard, substitute Ryan Babel with two, and Crouch his second.
Besiktas have only won once away from home in 10 Champions League fixtures.
Crouch opened the scoring after 19 minutes. However, it was Benayoun who was the star of the show. He opened his tally in the 32nd minute by volleying in a cross from Voronin, and scored twice in three minutes to register his first hat-trick for Liverpool.
Gerrard then blasted home the fifth before Babel came off the bench to help himself to two goals in three minutes.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Delgado: We can sink Reds
Besiktas midfielder Matias Delgado insists he will not be 'surprised' if his side defeat Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Besiktas travel to Anfield having beaten Liverpool 2-1 in Istanbul a fortnight ago to leave Rafa Benitez's side struggling for European progression.
Delgado is adamant Liverpool's current squad lacks the capabilities of previous years, which saw the club appear in two Champions League finals in three years, and believes he and his team-mates can gun down the Reds.
"Besiktas is prepared for a battle at Anfield,"
In Istanbul we deserved the victory and played a sensational match. On Tuesday a point would be positive, but we desire a victory.
"For me, it would not be a surprise if we triumph at Anfield. This Liverpool side is vulnerable and not the super team of previous seasons.
"Now they suffer many problems in defence and concede many goals in matches.
"The pressure is on them and this is positive for us. The tie is nearly goodbye to the former champions and there is a big chance for us to exploit that.
"Before the match in Turkey no one believed in Besiktas. Now the circumstances have changed and Liverpool are nervous at Anfield.
"A victory at Anfield in the Champions League is something I would remember for the rest of my life and I want to experience it."
Monday, November 5, 2007
IT IS DO OR DIE MATCH FOR LIVERPOOL AND BESIKTAS
Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam sees Peter Crouch as the biggest danger to his side's hopes of progress in the Champions League.
Saglam, who returns to the touchline after being banned from the dugout for the Turks' 2-1 win over Liverpool in Istanbul last month, fears Crouch can exploit the visitors weakened defence at Anfield.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez has given no indication whether Crouch will be allowed a rare outing in his starting line-up, but Saglam expects the England striker to be plunged into tomorrow's Group A game.
Besiktas are without key central defender Gokhan Zan, who is out for a month with torn tendons in his right foot.
Gokhan was outstanding in the first match, and only under pressure when Crouch came on as a late substitute.
Now Saglam says: "Crouch is an important player for Liverpool. His height gives him an advantage over virtually every defender.
"We do not have Gokhan for this match, and maybe for our next Champions League game. I am aware of the advantage that will give Liverpool and Crouch.
"We will aim to stop him, but that may mean we will have to work in other areas to stop the ball being played into him. Competing against someone with his physique is always difficult."
Saglam is unmoved over whether Fernando Torres will be risked after his adductor strain, saying: "I have no preference as to which of Liverpool's strikers play.
"If it is not Torres, it will be Dirk Kuyt, if not Kuyt then (Andriy) Voronin, or then Crouch. Any of the four are good players. All I know is that Liverpool will not start with all four!"
Saglam believes his side can all but end Liverpool's involvement in the competition.
He said: "We played very well to beat them in Istanbul, we will be aiming to repeat that result.
"We believe we can do that. It will be difficult because we are playing a special club, a special team and in a special stadium. We understand how important Liverpool's crowd is for them.
"But we can handle that pressure. We had practised at the weekend at Fenerbahce where there were 50,000 people against us."
Besiktas are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle), Marcio Nobre (calf) and Ibrahim Akin (knee) for the match, but have restored Rustu Recber to the side, after the Turkey goalkeeper missed the first game in preference to Hakan Arikan.
Saglam concedes the importance of the match, saying: "This game will decide who qualifies for the next stage. To make sure that it is Besiktas going through, we know we must get a good result, and we are aiming to win.
"We have already shown how to beat Liverpool once. Now we aim to do it again. We know we cannot hope to defend for 90 minutes, it is not possible.
"So we will be hoping to keep the score at 0-0 for a long time, and then they will have to come out and attack us. Liverpool have to win, and when they do that we will be able to hit them on the break.
"Because of the results in their three previous group matches, they are under a lot of pressure, and the longer we are level, the more pressure will mount on them."
Torres return
Spanish striker Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a major boost when he returned to full training on the eve of Tuesday's must-win Champions League clash against Besiktas at Anfield
Saglam, who returns to the touchline after being banned from the dugout for the Turks' 2-1 win over Liverpool in Istanbul last month, fears Crouch can exploit the visitors weakened defence at Anfield.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez has given no indication whether Crouch will be allowed a rare outing in his starting line-up, but Saglam expects the England striker to be plunged into tomorrow's Group A game.
Besiktas are without key central defender Gokhan Zan, who is out for a month with torn tendons in his right foot.
Gokhan was outstanding in the first match, and only under pressure when Crouch came on as a late substitute.
Now Saglam says: "Crouch is an important player for Liverpool. His height gives him an advantage over virtually every defender.
"We do not have Gokhan for this match, and maybe for our next Champions League game. I am aware of the advantage that will give Liverpool and Crouch.
"We will aim to stop him, but that may mean we will have to work in other areas to stop the ball being played into him. Competing against someone with his physique is always difficult."
Saglam is unmoved over whether Fernando Torres will be risked after his adductor strain, saying: "I have no preference as to which of Liverpool's strikers play.
"If it is not Torres, it will be Dirk Kuyt, if not Kuyt then (Andriy) Voronin, or then Crouch. Any of the four are good players. All I know is that Liverpool will not start with all four!"
Saglam believes his side can all but end Liverpool's involvement in the competition.
He said: "We played very well to beat them in Istanbul, we will be aiming to repeat that result.
"We believe we can do that. It will be difficult because we are playing a special club, a special team and in a special stadium. We understand how important Liverpool's crowd is for them.
"But we can handle that pressure. We had practised at the weekend at Fenerbahce where there were 50,000 people against us."
Besiktas are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle), Marcio Nobre (calf) and Ibrahim Akin (knee) for the match, but have restored Rustu Recber to the side, after the Turkey goalkeeper missed the first game in preference to Hakan Arikan.
Saglam concedes the importance of the match, saying: "This game will decide who qualifies for the next stage. To make sure that it is Besiktas going through, we know we must get a good result, and we are aiming to win.
"We have already shown how to beat Liverpool once. Now we aim to do it again. We know we cannot hope to defend for 90 minutes, it is not possible.
"So we will be hoping to keep the score at 0-0 for a long time, and then they will have to come out and attack us. Liverpool have to win, and when they do that we will be able to hit them on the break.
"Because of the results in their three previous group matches, they are under a lot of pressure, and the longer we are level, the more pressure will mount on them."
Torres return
Spanish striker Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a major boost when he returned to full training on the eve of Tuesday's must-win Champions League clash against Besiktas at Anfield
LIVERPOOL V BESIKTAS MATCH WILL BE BROADCAST IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY ESP2 LIVE..
LIVERPOOL V BESIKTAS MATCH WILL BE BROADCAST IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY ESP2 LIVE..
Liverpool v Besiktas: Preview
Jamie Carragher insists Liverpool thrive on pressure as he prepares for the must-win Champions League clash with Turkish side Besiktas.
The teak-tough defender demands character from his colleagues, and believes the Reds are more than capable of defying the odds to win their last three Group A games, which would secure unlikely qualification for the last 16.
Carragher said: ``We should have pressure, that's what comes from playing for a big team.
``If the results don't go well, and it is same for Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and all the big clubs around Europe, you are under pressure.
``But we want to be under pressure, because it is a big game, it is only what we expect.
``We have a lot of respect for Besiktas, they beat us in Turkey and played well. It was a great atmosphere and they did well, but we know we can put that right on our own pitch.
``Hopefully this will bring the best out of our squad. We have been in this position before and produced the goods then.
``This club is built on character, and we know we need that. We must start the game well and turn it into a great European night.''
Carragher added: ``Looking at the group table, we know it is not good, but I feel it will look a lot better after the game.
``It is a competition we have done really well in, so we are scratching our heads a bit to understand what has gone wrong this season.
``Maybe it was because we started so badly in the first 20 minutes of the opening game in Porto, then we had a man sent off and conceded a penalty.
``It wasn't a great start although the draw was a good result in the circumstances. Then we played really badly in losing at home to Marseille and they got an amazing goal near the end and we didn't recover.
``Away to Besiktas, we were unfortunate. We had so many chances. But that is the way it goes.
``It is right that people expected us to breeze through this group considering how well we had done in the last few years.
``But it is never as easy as that. This is the Champions League and anyone can beat even the best - that has been proved over these first three games.
``There's nothing wrong with our confidence, we have only lost a couple of games this season. But we have not played that well, and that has got to change now.''
Carragher maintains that people have had every right to be critical of Liverpool this term, saying: ``We expect criticism if we don't do well. We are Liverpool, we are expected to win and when we don't then we know people will have their say. What's different about that?
``We are English football's most successful side in Europe, we expect people to have a go at us if our standards drop. That is when you realise you are playing for a special club.
``One good result and we will be on a run again. People always write us off but it never bothers me, it is part of playing for a big club.
``There's always one time a season when all hell breaks lose. In the manager's first season, it was when we lost to Burnley in the (FA) Cup. The following season it came after a defeat at Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup.
``Last season, it was when we lost to Arsenal twice in a week. Everyone was going nuts but it wasn't long before we were all back to normal.''
Source:PA
Liverpool v Besiktas: Preview
Jamie Carragher insists Liverpool thrive on pressure as he prepares for the must-win Champions League clash with Turkish side Besiktas.
The teak-tough defender demands character from his colleagues, and believes the Reds are more than capable of defying the odds to win their last three Group A games, which would secure unlikely qualification for the last 16.
Carragher said: ``We should have pressure, that's what comes from playing for a big team.
``If the results don't go well, and it is same for Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and all the big clubs around Europe, you are under pressure.
``But we want to be under pressure, because it is a big game, it is only what we expect.
``We have a lot of respect for Besiktas, they beat us in Turkey and played well. It was a great atmosphere and they did well, but we know we can put that right on our own pitch.
``Hopefully this will bring the best out of our squad. We have been in this position before and produced the goods then.
``This club is built on character, and we know we need that. We must start the game well and turn it into a great European night.''
Carragher added: ``Looking at the group table, we know it is not good, but I feel it will look a lot better after the game.
``It is a competition we have done really well in, so we are scratching our heads a bit to understand what has gone wrong this season.
``Maybe it was because we started so badly in the first 20 minutes of the opening game in Porto, then we had a man sent off and conceded a penalty.
``It wasn't a great start although the draw was a good result in the circumstances. Then we played really badly in losing at home to Marseille and they got an amazing goal near the end and we didn't recover.
``Away to Besiktas, we were unfortunate. We had so many chances. But that is the way it goes.
``It is right that people expected us to breeze through this group considering how well we had done in the last few years.
``But it is never as easy as that. This is the Champions League and anyone can beat even the best - that has been proved over these first three games.
``There's nothing wrong with our confidence, we have only lost a couple of games this season. But we have not played that well, and that has got to change now.''
Carragher maintains that people have had every right to be critical of Liverpool this term, saying: ``We expect criticism if we don't do well. We are Liverpool, we are expected to win and when we don't then we know people will have their say. What's different about that?
``We are English football's most successful side in Europe, we expect people to have a go at us if our standards drop. That is when you realise you are playing for a special club.
``One good result and we will be on a run again. People always write us off but it never bothers me, it is part of playing for a big club.
``There's always one time a season when all hell breaks lose. In the manager's first season, it was when we lost to Burnley in the (FA) Cup. The following season it came after a defeat at Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup.
``Last season, it was when we lost to Arsenal twice in a week. Everyone was going nuts but it wasn't long before we were all back to normal.''
Source:PA
Galatasaray keeps the top spot with a goal in last minute!
SUNDAY WRAP:
Galatasaray have seen their lead at the top of the Turkish Turkcell Super League cut after stuttering to a 1-1 draw with midtable Gaziantepspor.Karl-Heinz Feldkamp's side were on the brink of their first defeat of the season when Erdal Kilicaslan blasted Gaziantepspor ahead 11 minutes into the second half, but a last-minute leveller from Servet Cetin rescued a point.It ensured Galatasaray, who started the day two points clear of second-placed Sivasspor, stayed top of the table on goal difference after their rivals crushed Kasimpasa 4-0.Musa Aydin got the ball rolling in the first minute before Muhammet Kurtulus made it 2-0 in the 31st minute and Mehmet Yildiz killed the game with a penalty.
Kurtulus got his second to complete the rout in the second half, leaving Sivasspor just two goals off the table summit.
Elsewhere, goals from Velice Sumulikoski and Herve Tum sandwiched one at the other end from Joao Jaba to give struggling Bursaspor a 2-1 win over Ankaragucu.Manisaspor fought back from a goal behind to see off Caykur Rizespor 4-1.Fahri Tatan had fired Caykur ahead in the fifth minute, but strikes from Selcuk Inan and Sener Askaroglu, added to a brace from Filip Holosko, gave Manisaspor their third win of the season.
Finally, Genclerbirligi lost 2-1 to Denizlispor and Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK drew 1-1 with Kayserispor
Galatasaray have seen their lead at the top of the Turkish Turkcell Super League cut after stuttering to a 1-1 draw with midtable Gaziantepspor.Karl-Heinz Feldkamp's side were on the brink of their first defeat of the season when Erdal Kilicaslan blasted Gaziantepspor ahead 11 minutes into the second half, but a last-minute leveller from Servet Cetin rescued a point.It ensured Galatasaray, who started the day two points clear of second-placed Sivasspor, stayed top of the table on goal difference after their rivals crushed Kasimpasa 4-0.Musa Aydin got the ball rolling in the first minute before Muhammet Kurtulus made it 2-0 in the 31st minute and Mehmet Yildiz killed the game with a penalty.
Kurtulus got his second to complete the rout in the second half, leaving Sivasspor just two goals off the table summit.
Elsewhere, goals from Velice Sumulikoski and Herve Tum sandwiched one at the other end from Joao Jaba to give struggling Bursaspor a 2-1 win over Ankaragucu.Manisaspor fought back from a goal behind to see off Caykur Rizespor 4-1.Fahri Tatan had fired Caykur ahead in the fifth minute, but strikes from Selcuk Inan and Sener Askaroglu, added to a brace from Filip Holosko, gave Manisaspor their third win of the season.
Finally, Genclerbirligi lost 2-1 to Denizlispor and Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK drew 1-1 with Kayserispor
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