VillaChris Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Apologies if I've missed the French football thread ( ) but surprised no one on here is mentioning what will probably be the most unlikely title winners of a major european league since I dunno Deportivo in 2000? I thought Paris Saint Germain would walk the league with the team they've got and correct me if I'm wrong but Montpellier are a bit of a yo yo club between ligue un and deux? Great story. They're 5 points clear with four games to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Major European league? France? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 I'd probably just rank it ahead of Holland and Portugal. 1. La Liga 2. Premier League 3. Bundesliga 4. Seria A 5. Ligue un 6. Holland 7. Portugal 48. Iceland 49. SPL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villarule123 Posted April 29, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted April 29, 2012 I hope they win it just for Remi Gaillard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 It's 6th in terms of UEFA coefficients, behind Portugal, ahead of Russia and Holland. I'd only say there are four major leagues in Europe though, England, Spain, Germany & Italy. France are in the next tier. Not that that is taking anything away from Montpellier, they have done really well but is it any better than Twente breaking the PSV/Ajax stranglehold on the Dutch league? Somewhat related, Portugal might overtake Italy in the coefficient race next season. Italy are 59.981 at the moment, Portugal 55.346 The coefficient takes your teams scores for the previous five seasons and adds them together, whoever gets the highest score is the best league (and so on) and a couple of years where Italy hugely outscored Portugal are about to drop off. If Portuguese clubs match Italian ones next season then Portugal might go 4th. It doesnt mean much in terms of Champions League spots, but it must be slightly embarrassing for Serie A when you consider how far ahead of the rest of Europe Italian football was for what, 15 years or so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted April 29, 2012 Moderator Share Posted April 29, 2012 Apologies if I've missed the French football thread ( ) but surprised no one on here is mentioning what will probably be the most unlikely title winners of a major european league since I dunno Deportivo in 2000? FC Twente Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomzep Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Just took a look at their squad and its a great achievement. The only names I recognise there are Hilton and Utaka, neither who are exactly world beaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaGoMarching Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Belhanda looks like a player who'll come over here eventually, Giroud on the other hand I'm less convince by, a talent but think he could turn out similar to Gignac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS-T Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I hope they can win it. I hate how football is dominated by the big clubs in every country. If they do do it, they will be the 5th different French Champion in 5 years. 2007-2008 - Lyon 2008-2009 - Bordeaux 2009-2010 - Marseille 2010-2011 - Lille 2011-2012 - Montpellier? Quality that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Of course you are being very selective in what you show there. You could have added: 2001/02 - Lyon 2002/03 - Lyon 2003/04 - Lyon 2004/05 - Lyon 2005/06 - Lyon 2006/07 - Lyon 2007/08 - Lyon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogso Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 They're my French team When I was about 9 my mum used to work in a sports/toy shop, the ultimate amalgamation of which was, of course, Subbuteo. So I had quite a lot of teams, and my favourite based both on their name but mostly their kit was Montpellier. It was actually their away kit, but I've kept half an eye on their results ever since Allez Allez Montpellier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SikhInTrinity Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thats because Lyon had Houllier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted April 30, 2012 Moderator Share Posted April 30, 2012 While Rev is right, it does show that in the last 5 seasons the French league has drastically changed. I wonder if there's one incident we can put it down to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanvilla_1994 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 While Rev is right, it does show that in the last 5 seasons the French league has drastically changed. I wonder if there's one incident we can put it down to. Houllier got his hands on them :winkold: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsimonw Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Ancelotti really isn't as great a coach as some think. They got rid of their old manager when they were top as well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I'd probably just rank it ahead of Holland and Portugal. 1. La Liga 2. Premier League 3. Bundesliga 4. Seria A 5. Ligue un 6. Holland 7. Portugal 48. Iceland 49. SPL.I'd put the Premier League top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theunderstudy Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I said a while back Portugal would overtake Serie A. The German league is the brightest star at the minute though, great crowds, very very good players and competitively priced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I'd probably just rank it ahead of Holland and Portugal. 1. La Liga 2. Premier League 3. Bundesliga 4. Seria A 5. Ligue un 6. Holland 7. Portugal 48. Iceland 49. SPL.I'd put the Premier League top. It's top this season and next season. La Liga will overtake in in 2013/14 according to the UEFA rankings. England and Spain remain well ahead of other countries though. One thing worth questioning is what happens if (when?) the socialists win the election in France. The top rate of income tax will rise from 41% to 75% according to their manifesto and that will have a huge effect on the number of footballers wishing to play there, surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted April 30, 2012 Moderator Share Posted April 30, 2012 One thing worth questioning is what happens if (when?) the socialists win the election in France. The top rate of income tax will rise from 41% to 75% according to their manifesto and that will have a huge effect on the number of footballers wishing to play there, surely? It should mean Monaco will fly back up through the leagues though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Montpellier have done amazing but whatever happens in the summer id say the team will probably be ripped apart. as for surprising league winners I wouldnt rank Twente as surprise as came 2nd year or two before winning it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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