The Latest Football News and Opinions From 90 Minutes Online

Bundesliga: The bubble's burst for Hoffenheim and there's a Wolf at the door!

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Created: Wednesday, 22 April 2009 19:46

Written by Darren Douglas

Since I summarised the Bundesliga during it's winter break in January, there has been a consistent shift in the standings at the top end of the table. If you recall, a certain team called TSG 1899 Hoffenheim had shocked the Bundesliga by being top of the table by the winter break. With this season being their first ever in the top flight and a culmination of several promotions in the last eight years, 1899 Hoffenheim were an amazing Cinderella story- at least until January.

By being top of the table up until the mid-season winter break, 1899 Hoffenheim had the title of the "Herbstmeister" (Autumn Champions) bestowed upon them. It's an unofficial term, and as we all know history would be very different if all seasons were judged on the half-way stage, take Hull in the Premiership this season for example.

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It’s not the winning but the losing that counts

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Created: Tuesday, 21 April 2009 10:46

Written by Ian Shine

As seasons across Europe come to a close everyone is supposedly neglecting the rear parts of their seats and experiencing bouts of incontinence.

But why? Most seasons ended a long time ago when certain teams decided to lose the odd game or two.

The Portuguese league was decided in favour of Porto when Benfica lost at home to Guimarães in March and Sporting lost at home to Braga in February.

The Premiership is supposedly wide open but you know Man U are going to win it.  This was decided when Middlesbrough popped a cap in Liverpool’s ass in February and Chelsea were guffed on by Tottenham in March.

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Groundhog day in La Liga, but judgement day is just around the corner

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Created: Monday, 20 April 2009 22:13

Written by Benjamin Cullen

Those of you who read Last week's liga review could be forgiven for thinking this report describes the very same round of fixtures. But despite Real and Barca squeeking to narrow victories again,

Valencia securing fourth spot, again,

Sevilla and Villareal stumbling again,

Atletíco Madrid making up for lost ground with a win, again,

Emana repeating 2 goal heroics for Betis and Racing and Bilbao continuing their slide from mid-table mediocracy to relegation flirtation.

I assure you, this really is a completely different report! 

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The Joys and Woes of an FA Cup Semi-Final!

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Created: Monday, 20 April 2009 16:28

Written by Darren Douglas

Just a few weeks and games remain in the season, every upcoming game is tagged with a reminder that at this stage all fixtures are must-win and of intense importance. The FA Cup semi-finals are in some ways like a paradox, it is make or break for the next few days, on the one hand there is tantalising glory, and then on the other, bitter disappointment.

The pre-match hyping had both semi-finals reasonably well matched, and all four clubs concerned were in relatively good form. Arsenal had many reasons to be optimistic before taking on Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. It was the first visit to the new version of the national stadium for the Gunners, and only one defeat since mid-December had given fans like myself a reaffirmed faith in our ability to win trophies.

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