The Season Ends
By: Cesar | May 18th, 2008
And so it ends.
The 2007-2008 campaign is finally over. The season of QQ Flores, Koeman, Champions League failure, the fired Trio, the Copa Del Rey, near-relegation and now, as you can see from the picture, the squad’s snubbing of the fans during yesterday’s Copa celebrations ends … thankfully!!!
What a year it’s been.
I’ll talk more about that in the coming days, but for now, let’s take a collective breath.
WOW! That was quite a season, eh?
With today’s 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla, we have the honor of finishing 9th in La Liga … (as of press time) …
Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that we’d be estatic with a 9th place finish. Funny how things change over time.
But it is what it is … 9th place and a spot in the UEFA Cup along with the Copa Del Rey and a date with champions Real Madrid in the season’s opening SuperCopa de España.
Speaking of the Copa Del Rey, what’s up with the players not wanting to celebrate the victory with the fans?
For those that don’t know the story, our players refused to publicly celebrate the cup victory with fans during a ceremony at the city council building on Saturday.
Excuse me?? What did the fans do to upset you? Boo your horrendous play? Stuff like this just makes me so so upset …
Supporters gathered outside the building in anticipation of an appearance by the players, but were left disappointed, despite Valencia mayor Rita Barbera’s repeated attempts to persuade the squad into congregating on the balcony overlooking the street below.
“I want to ask you a favor, that you go out onto the balcony in order to show the trophy to the supporters. They would die for you and suffer for you, because you mean that much to them,” she pleaded during her speech.
But the Valencia players didn’t want to go out … apparently they forget who butters their bread and pays their salaries …
Sections of the gathered support began to goad the players with chants of “you all all just mercenaries”, “less money and more guts” and “you’ve got no balls” …
Pathetic …
Oh, but it gets better …
Sporting vice president Rafael Salom has decided to call it quits. The negotiation over Marcelino’s transfer to become our coach apparently put him over the edge … so that’s that for him.
So much stability with this club, huh??
By the way, I was wrong about next season’s shirt sponsor … here’s a picture of the new sponsor, ‘Valencia Experience’ … MY BAD!!!
But wait, there’s more …
It’s over for the one of the greatest goal keepers in Spanish history as my favorite player, Santiago Canizares was released by the club …
Ahh, what can I say? I will SO MISS ‘EL DRAGON’ … For all he’s given to the club, for his passion, his tears, his joy at winning the leagues, his amazing saves, his spectacular run as ‘Zamora’ … for everything …
He didn’t deserve to be treated the way he was by Ronald Koeman. But it is what it is.
Valencia president Agustin Morera added: “I want to thank him (Canizares) for all the time he has spent at Valencia. He has been and was an icon of our club and we wish him all the luck in the world. We hope that on Sunday, if he plays (he did), he can say goodbye to the great fans that he has because he deserves all the respect.”
More than that … you deserve your number retired, your name etched in a ring of honor, your hair dye made into a must wear for all future Valencia goal keepers …
So what’s next for the ‘keeper?
If nothing interests him, he’s done. New York Red Bulls, anyone? You can crash at my place …
You are the greatest, my friend. I will miss you greatly. I hope to see you playing very soon …
But wait, there’s more …
Spain coach Luis Aragones announced his squad for Euro 2008 today. There’s a few Valencia players on the list.
Defenders Raul Albiol and Carlos Marchena join midfielder David Silva and striker David Villa, with only three players from Barcelona and two from Real Madrid. Not bad.
Not surprisingly, David Albelda, Canizares and Angulo were left off the list. The only slight shock is that Joaquin wasn’t included. He’s too inconsistent anyways.
As far as other squads are concerned, ‘keeper Timo Hildebrand was left off Germany’s list. He’s annoyed, but what can I say? Nothing … I have nothing to say about that.
There’s more!!
We played our final game today … a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid at a rain-soaked Mestalla. The last games ever in Valencia uniforms for Villa, Silva and Joaquin? For sure, the last for Canizares, who was given the start in a gracious move by coach Voro.
Villa scored twice and … that’s all I have to say about that … we won and it’s over.
It’s over! IT”S OVER! IT IS OVER!!!
This pathetic, awful, gut-wrenching campaign is finally over …
And now? A break … and then a synopsis of the season and what’s ahead …
It’s going to be an interesting one ….
Update: What do you think of this? Not bad!!!
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Comments
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We won. The most important thing. I miss Canizares. Briliant career!In my oppinion he is the best goalkeeper ever. Also we are not relegated, and the best _we won the Copa. I think a cool season it has been!!!!!!!!
Posted from
Armenia
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Im liking the kit i assume its the away kit??? Good result againest the rojiblancos,Never in doubt. So the sporting director has quit that kinda worries me, maybe we will finally take Monchi off sevilla and Zaragorza are relegated perhaps we could take Zapater,Olivera and Aimar i know Ali disagrees with me but Olivera has scored over 20 goals for a team that got relegated not bad eh? Banega played today as did Maduro which is positive and Sunny almost scored. Anyway enough from me but the future is bright and almost certainly ORANGE!!!! Amunt valencia!!!
Posted from
United States -
One thing about the celebration. It was said that because of the horrible season, the players wouldn’t make a great celebration out of the city council reception. No bus, no balcony, nothing. Just the formality with the authorities and the Virgin. There wasn’t an official act with the fans prepared. The small celebration was set to be at Mestalla.
But then, our populist mayor, the disgusting Rita Barberà, decided to have one more glory moment and tried to get the players in the balcony just to appear in the photo. She is the one to blame for bombing the plan.
Read this if you understand spanish: http://www.levante-emv.com/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=2008051800_11_447931__Baraja-achanta-ante-Rita
That said, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea just to show the cup from the balcony, let the captains say a few words of respect and keep the composure. No chanting nor celebrating, but just to thank the fans.
Hope you understand my english, I couldn’t express properly
Posted from
Spain -
hello guys!.. id take aimar and sergio garcia from zaragoza! no way olivera.. look at todys match, he missed sooo much!! like always hehe
Posted from
United States -
Okay…So we finished 10th.
Not bad at all.
What kept coming to my mind was “why didnt we fire Koeman earlier?”
In 22 games,he couldnt match QQ’s 9 games and Voro’s 5 games.
All that said,Im quite happy we didnt finish in the bottom half.
Still a bad season but the cup just gives a silver liningPosted from
United States -
i read yesterday that our interest repayments on the money we owe
are 1,000,000 euro every month.a milllion,that must be some loan.
also a chap called vilalonga ex president of telifonica is anxious to take over as soon as jabba can be slid out of his presidencyPosted from
Spain -
Watched a little of last night’s match against Atleti, 2 goals from Villa, was I reading too much into it or did it seem like he was not really celebrating his goals?
Lots of applause for Canizares throughout the stadium, he had quite a good game. Will miss him a lot.
Posted from
Singapore -
hi all,
Conor about the future , we are the best
with albiol , alexis , sunny , banega , silva ( as i hope ) mata , arizmendi and AARON NIGUEZ ( i really wigh to see him playing for valencia soon after he finishes his loan )
AND ABOUT THE SEASON , it was a very strange season with beating Shalke in the first ECL match and the semi good start of the liga , then some problems show and lastly FIGHT for surviving in lalige , WHAT A SEASON !!Posted from
United States -
In the end we’re finished at 10th position in Laliga, after about 21 weeks in a horroic management under soler and kuman and the team were going near the dead. Fortunately we realize soon and things became better in gradually…soler resign, we won Copa Del Ray, kuman sacked, 3 senior players returning from their exile, and ended in 10th place after threatened to relegation zone.
For the future if Villa really leaving Mestalla but if we can hold Silva, Joaquin, Banega, Albiol and our other stars.Get a new decent coach i thing it’s better if the coach still from the Spain.All component of the team is unite.I believe we could do something big next season!!!
Posted from
Indonesia -
That away kit looks sick. I might have to swoop that, thinking Mata, especially given that he is the only player certain to stay on next year. Villa was definitely nonchalant with his celebrations. I dunno if that was because the game didn’t mean anything, if he was upset that he wasn’t passed the ball (the first instance), or if he’s simply pissed off at the club. I dunno, but I hope he stays. VIVA ESPANA EN LA COPA!
Posted from
United States -
Just wondering, any tributes to Voro? He’s unlikely to be manager for next season and to be honest I think he’ll be grateful to take a step back into the shadows and do his behind-the-scenes job without scrutiny, but his record stands at 4 wins and 1 loss. Barring the result of that loss, hasn’t Voro now matched Koeman in terms of games won? In 5 games? And would Koeman have actually done any better against Barcelona?
And saddening to see one of Spain’s best goalkeepers leave Valencia and possibly retire. It’s saddening that his last season will, unfortunately, be remembered for all the wrong reasons…
Posted from
United States -
Hi Ali, you do give us a laugh,dont sign Olivera “look at the misses” why not look at the fact that he scored 2 goals !! thats what counts.The top goal scoring record in the liga is 27, that averages at .71 per game or to round off 2 goals in 3 games.So you will always get misses.I can remember Baraja missing 2 penalties in 1 game. They all wear light running shoes now and if you look closely you will she that generally the shots are put in with the side of the foot, anything else is not accurate.The football Assosations have traded speed for safety & accuracy. As regards new players, Garay who I mentioned would be a great asset in defence for Valencia was bought yesterday by Madrid for 10 million. With the present funding problem and Villa’s uncertainty. I think it would be good to sell him and go for GUIZA His 27 goals equals the top score for Spain and thats playing for Mallorca,he is second only to Ronaldo in Europe this year, but I am afraid Ali he might do a few misses.No confirmation yet on Trainer Sanchez has agreement with Emery but is waiting for Soler to agree. Adios,Almendras
Posted from
Spain -
hi all ,
i want to know who is the nearest coach to lead us next season ????
thanxPosted from
United States -
Hi Ahmed, The only name that is in mind at present and who has the blessing of Sanchez is Unai Emery the Trainer from Almeria, but we wait for Soler’s agreement.
It has just been announced that Soriano the 2nd biggest shareholder has forced an EXTRA General Meeting. He wants to know the exact economic position of the club so
the Pot is boiling againPosted from
Spain -
just found out our bank loan is 200,000,000 euro.no idea how that compares to other clubs.
Posted from
Spain -
saw interview in dutch newspaper with koeman some days ago.
he basicly told the 3 were benished cause they created a negative athmosphere when he benched them in the dressing room and that they found support from Joaquin.Also he told that he wanted to put canizares back in the goal in the 5-1 game vs bilbao because mora wasnt ready in his opinion. But then VORO told him to definatly not put cani in the goal.
Posted from
Netherlands -
hi all ,
thanx Almendras , WooooooW Unai Emery is class gifted manager ,
check his results :
he has beated : Deportivo La Coruna , Real Murcia , Valencia )-: , Sevilla , Espanyol AWAY
also beated : Osasuna , Sevilla
(home&away) , Valladolid , Espanyol , Deportivo La Coruna , Real Madrid (WoW) Real Murcia , Levante , Villarreal CF HOME
he drawn with : Real Mallorca , Athletic de Bilbao , Atletico de Madrid , Villarreal CF , Recreativo de Huelva , Real Mallorca , Athletic de Bilbao , Barcelona WoW , Real Zaragoza , Real Betis ,
he looks like a good minded coach who knows exactly what he want from a match ( Almeria just wanna stay , we Just wanna WIN LA LIGA )
sorry for the long comment , and i wish we sign him ,
thanxPosted from
United States
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