The FA Cup final of Chelsea and Portsmouth this weekend present the 'David and Goliath' final that only this tournament can produce. What makes the FA Cup unique is that, very much like the US Open in golf, everyone gets a chance to participate at some level of the tournament.
To have a team that has been relegated like Portsmouth facing off with the English Premier League title holders in Chelsea makes for great drama, much like 'Rocky'.
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has claimed that his side's run to the FA Cup final has boosted the competition.
"Nobody remembers if Chelsea or Man United win the Cup. This final is good for English football," he said.
Grant, who led Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final during his stint in charge at Stamford Bridge, added: "There will be a final between Chelsea and Manchester United - so what? Chelsea and United is good for the Champions League final. But it doesn't add anything to the FA Cup.
"Everybody remembers when Sunderland beat Leeds United. This is what football in England is about. This is the fairytale," added the Israeli, recalling the 1973 final when the then-second division north east club stunned FA Cup holders Leeds 1-0 at Wembley.
"This is the only place in the world where this can happen."
No comments:
Post a Comment