The 2019 Champions League Final

The Money Team -v- Tralfamadore Zoo

Two teams, at the top of their game, at the top of their Leagues, collided for the first time in one of the most anticipated Finals in the BFFA’s history. After 60 exciting fantasy matches, only one game remains and only one team can be crowned The Champion of Champions.

The winner will not only become the new Champions League Champions tonight, but will be able to look forward to a tasty* $150 at the end of the season. Not only that, but both Finalists are guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League.
* Levels of tastiness are entirely dependant on how the money is spent.

The Teams:
The Money Team
Tralfamadore Zoo
The Match:
The Final – Compiled
Half Time Score
Full Time Score

The Teams and how they got to The Final:

The Money Team

First up, The Money Team, qualified for this year’s Champions League as Premier League Runners-Up, after missing out on the title on the final day of the season. The last time they were in the CL they reached the Quarter-Finals in 2017 (again after finishing the season in second place) but were knocked out by Smash & Grab, the team that had won the League that previous year. They also lost all four Premier League matches to S&G in the 2017/18 season and finished seventh, missing out on a Champions League qualification place by just one point.

Hardcore Money Team supporters will always be keen to let you know that had they beaten Smash & Grab in that Quarter-Final, they would’ve gone on to win the Champions League that year. In the following CL gameweeks, The Money Team outscored the teams that would have been their opponents all three times. And Money fans have been hungry for a title ever since. Last season they won three of their four games against S&G and this year they got some revenge by beating them home and away in the Champions League Group Stage.

They finished the Group Stage at the top of Group A and set up a Quarter-Final against Boss – a team that they’d knocked out of the BFFA Cup in 2017 but a team that they had also lost to in the Premier League this season six weeks before. The first leg finished in a 34-34 draw. The Money Team had never got past the QF stage anywhere in the BFFA before, but in GW12 their luck changed. They won 49-33 and broke through to the Final Four.

However, what might have felt like luck initially would have quickly turned to apprehension. Their next opponents were Group B winners and current Champions All Star Gunners. ASG had reached the Semis after seeing off the current Championship Champions, the current Premier League Champions and the previous Champions League Champions. (Also a Bigger than Brolin team that had beaten them in all of their last six meetings). On top of that, Money had only beaten ASG twice in their 11 matches in all competitions, and both of those wins were taken by a single matchpoint. Again, they had met in the Premier League six weeks earlier and had lost. The omens weren’t good for Money.

Both legs of the Semi-Finals proved to be a close affair between Money and ASG. The first match resulted in a 34-27 win for Money and wasn’t nearly enough to settle their nerves. But, as you know, they came through it so that I would be writing about them tonight. The second leg was even closer but, once again, The Money Team prevailed. In the lowest-scoring Semi-Final in BFFA history, Money took the win 23-20, wiped the sweat from their brow and wrote their name into the 2019 Final.

Tralfamadore Zoo

Many managers have suffered the heartache of losing a Final and Peter Blake is one of them. Last year Tralfamadore Zoo reached this stage and was beaten 39-31 in the final game. They did however finish the season as League One Champions and qualified as one of the #1 seeds in this year’s draw.
It looked for a while like there may be a repeat of last year’s Final until The Money Team knocked out All Star Gunners, just two weeks ago. With Money only seven points ahead and only scoring 23 in the second leg, the door was wide open for ASG to step in and go to the Final as defending Champions. However, ASG were unable to raise the 30 points they needed and passed away without so much as a whimper. So it goes.

Although they were one of the favourites to win the Champions League this season, last season’s Runners-Up got off to a bad start with a 38-28 loss to League rivals AFC Chester. It was the first time that the Zoo had lost to Chester (at their sixth meeting) and that was just a week after they had beaten them 48-43 in the Premier League.

They returned a week later much stronger and managed to put up 50 points, which was more than enough to see off an average 36 from FC Santa Barbara. After that they played two matches against Hung Like a Bony, whom they’d last faced in League Two, two seasons ago. They exchanged blows home and away in the back-to-back fixtures and took a win each from the games. This left Tralfamadore in second place in the Group, above Hung only by seven matchpoints and a win behind FC Santa Barbara. Losing their next game would’ve left them seen them drop to third place and possibly go out of the CL.

In that fifth Group game, Tralfamadore did just enough to get that crucial win over FCSB, narrowly stealing the three points in a 30-28 victory. But with Hung LaB beating AFC Chester that week, there were then three teams fighting for two places, all level on nine points and with only eleven matchpoints between them. AFC Chester were eliminated having only won that first game, leaving them six points adrift and unable to qualify for either tournament’s Quarter-Finals. So it goes. So the Zoo went into the final matchday of the group stage needing both games to go their way. They had to face an AFC Chester team that had nothing to lose and had beaten them last time out. That week, all four teams in Group C hit forty points or more; Tralfamadore beat Chester 44-40 and qualified for the Quarter-Finals in second place.

The knockout stages of the Champions League can be a rollercoaster. Last season, the Zoo cruised through the Quarters, doubling the score of their opponents PSV, then put 78 up against MFF in the first leg of the Semis on their way to the Final. This year it was far from easy. They were up against Group D winners KH Granitza Sting in the Quarter Finals. KH qualified for the Quarter-Finals with the highest points tally of all sixteen teams, thirty more than the Zoo. As well as that, last season the Zoo had played against KH in League One, winning once and losing three times. True to this form, the Sting beat the Zoo in the first leg, albeit by only two matchpoints, winning 37-35. However, as Tralfamadore often do, the Zoo came back the next week with an above-average score and beat Granitza Sting 49-44. Although it was far from the convincing QF aggregate win of last season, those three matchpoints in their favour was enough to put them into the Semi-Finals and cut KH Granitza Sting loose. So it goes.

The Semi-Finals gave Tralfamadore another chance to prove themselves in front of League rivals. This time they were up against Sporting Wicker Park. In GW 6, Tralfamadore had beaten them 50-27. In GW 13 the Semi-Final first leg was a much closer affair. The game ended is a high-scoring draw and the pair went into the second leg all-square.
Only one team has had more wins in the Champions League than SWP (you’ll remember that team we mentioned earlier, All Star Gunners) and no team has more silver medals in the BFFA. But this year, as you’ve already seen, Wicker Park didn’t make it to the Final. They came within six matchpoints of reaching a third Final, but Tralfamadore didn’t let them past. They went out 87-81 on aggregate and the Zoo entered their second consecutive CL Final.

The 2019 Champions League Final – Compiled

The key events that shaped The Final have been amalgamated into a single match summary, using the live text reports from BBC Football. Statistics are provided by Who Scored.com. Only eight of the ten Premier League matches this gameweek were involved in the Final and the players points were confirmed on Tuesday, 17th December 2019.

FIRST HALF

1′ Kick Off

2′ GOAL! Tralfamadore Zoo
Kevin De Bruyne right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal.

7′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Mason Holgate right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Richarlison.
8′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Mason Mount right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.
8′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Son Heung-Min left-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner.

8′ GOAL! Tralfamadore Zoo
Lucas Moura right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner.

10′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Chris Wood right-footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ashley Barnes with a headed pass.
11′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Dwight McNeil left-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ashley Barnes.
12′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Dele Alli right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
12′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Emerson left-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
14′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Youri Tielemans right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by James Maddison.

15′ GOAL! Assist for Tralfamadore Zoo
Raheem Sterling left-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin de Bruyne.

20′ Attempt missed. The Money Team
Raúl Jiménez header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
21′ Attempt missed. Tralfamadore Zoo
Wilfred Ndidi header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by James Maddison.
23′ Attempt missed. Both teams
Jordan Henderson right-footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
24′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Christian Pulisic header from the centre of the box is blocked.
25′ Attempt missed. The Money Team
Mohamed Salah left-footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.

25′ Substitution for Tralfamadore Zoo
Leighton Baines replaces Lucas Digne because of an injury.

26′ Attempt missed. The Money Team
Raúl Jiménez right-footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
34′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Ashley Barnes right-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
34′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Raúl Jiménez left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
38′ Attempt missed. Tralfamadore Zoo
Jamie Vardy header from the right side of the six-yard box misses to the left. Assisted by James Maddison.

38′ GOAL! The Money Team
Mohamed Salah right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.

39′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Christian Pulisic header from the left side of the six-yard box is blocked.

40′ GOAL! Tralfamadore Zoo
Kevin De Bruyne left-footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.

42′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Kevin De Bruyne right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.

43′ Yellow Card. Both teams
Jordan Henderson is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

44′ Attempt blocked. Tralfamadore Zoo
Lucas Moura right-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

HALF TIME: The Money Team 25 – 38 Tralfamadore Zoo

SECOND HALF

48′ Attempt off the woodwork! Tralfamadore Zoo
Jamie Vardy hits the left post with a left-footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left. Assisted by James Maddison.
49′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Raúl Jiménez right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
49′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Mohamed Salah left-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
52′ Attempt saved. Both teams
Jamie Vardy right-footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ben Chilwell.
55′ Attempt blocked. Tralfamadore Zoo
Kevin De Bruyne left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

57′ Yellow Card. Tralfamadore Zoo
Richarlison is shown the yellow card.

57′ Attempt missed. The Money Team
Jack Grealish header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
58′ Attempt missed. Tralfamadore Zoo
Dele Alli right-footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
58′ Attempt blocked. Both teams
Harvey Barnes right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Chilwell.
59′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Çaglar Söyüncü with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Maddison.
59′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Christian Pulisic right-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
59′ Attempt blocked. Tralfamadore Zoo
James Maddison left-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked.
62′ Attempt blocked. Tralfamadore Zoo
Raheem Sterling right-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
63′ Attempt missed. Both teams
Mohamed Salah right-footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.

65′ Substitution for The Money Team
Mateo Kovacic replaces Christian Pulisic.

67′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Anwar El Ghazi right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Grealish.

67′ GOAL! Assist for The Money Team
Adama Traoré right-footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Raúl Jiménez.

67′ Attempt missed. Tralfamadore Zoo
Wilfred Ndidi header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by James Maddison.
69′ Attempt missed. Both teams
Jack Grealish header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt Targett.
69′ Attempt missed. Both teams
Jordan Henderson right-footed shot from outside the box is too high.

69′ Yellow Card. Tralfamadore Zoo
Matt Targett is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

72′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Emerson header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.

73′ Second goal conceded. Tralfamadore Zoo
Matt Targett and Aston Villa concede a second goal, scored by John Fleck.

75′ Attempt blocked. Tralfamadore Zoo
James Maddison right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
76′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Mohamed Salah left-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
77′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Harry Kane header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
77′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Kevin De Bruyne right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

78′ Penalty missed! The Money Team
Jack Grealish hits the bar with a right-footed shot.

79′ Attempt blocked. The Money Team
Raúl Jiménez right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
79′ Attempt missed. Tralfamadore Zoo
Harry Kane right-footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
79′ Dangerous tackle. The Money Team
VAR Decision: No card for Ashley Barnes.
84′ Attempt saved. The Money Team
Mohamed Salah right-footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
89′ Attempt missed. The Money Team
Jack Grealish right-footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.

89′ Substitution for Tralfamadore Zoo
Christian Eriksen replaces Lucas Moura.

90′ GOAL! The Money Team
Mohamed Salah right-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box to the bottom left corner.

90′ Attempt missed. Tralfamadore Zoo
Raheem Sterling left-footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.

90’+2′ Substitution for Tralfamadore Zoo
Juan Foyth replaces Son Heung-Min.

90’+5′ Attempt saved. Tralfamadore Zoo
Sadio Mané left-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold with a headed pass.

Full Time Scores

90’+4′ Full Time:
Arsenal 0, Manchester City 3.

90’+5′ Full Time:
Burnley 1, Newcastle United 0. Clean sheet for Nick Pope – Tralfamadore Zoo.
Leicester City 1, Norwich City 1.
Manchester United 1, Everton 1.

90’+6′ Full Time:
Chelsea 0, Bournemouth 1.
Liverpool 2, Watford 0. Clean sheet for Trent Alexander-Arnold – Tralfamadore Zoo.
Sheffield United 2, Aston Villa 0.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Tottenham Hotspur 2.