While everyone else here is twitterpating over the semi-finals of Lord Stanley’s Cup, or the Red Wings/Avs series in particular, I feel like I should mention the other semi-finals that are going on, that being the European club competitions…

UEFA Champions League

This could be viewed as the same old same old as 3 of these teams were in the same stage last year, only Barcelona are different. But nothing can be taken for granted, with the first legs already taken care of, both ties are on the proverbial knife edge…

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

High drama at Anfield on Tuesday night, it took 95 minutes and a last gasp own goal from John Arne Riise to cap this night off. Now these teams are no strangers having met each other 3 times in the last 4 years at this stage in he competition. That vital away goal for Chelsea means one thing, the return leg at Stamford Bridge next week promises to be an attacking affair as Liverpool must score.

I’m predicting a 1-0 win for Liverpool, don’t ask me to pick a scorer…

Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

United had their chance early, a 2nd minute penalty boched my the usually reliable Cristiano Ronaldo, and sadly that was the only notable event of a (personal opinion) boring-ass game. Both sides were, frankly, poor and I never though two teams of such pedigree would roll out a nil-nil draw with very little to write home about.

Like the Liverpool Chelsea tie, someone has to come out next week and attack. Barcelona have the edge as they can nip an away goal and make things very difficult for United. I’m predicting a 1-1 draw in the end, Barcelona advance on away goals.

UEFA Cup

First I must apologize, last week I mentioned Bayer Leverkusen and Getafe, unfortunately I go this so wrong as both those teams lost their quarter finals, doh!

Bayern Munch vs. Zenit St. Petersburg

Even though Bayern snuck through on away goals to get here, you have to have them as favourites in any kind of European competition. But a Russian team won this competition only a couple of yeas ago, so Zenit have that on their side, and never underestimate a Dick Advocaat coached team. This one will be tight, I can see it going to away goals with Bayern sneaking through yet again to meet the winner of…

Rangers vs. Fiorentina

As much as a bias I am, and indeed a lover of European nights at Ibrox, this might be a game too far for Rangers. Fiorentina are 4th in Serie A right now, and you don’t get there for playing bad (unless you bribe referees, but I digress) and Rangers are struggling after a bad defeat again Celtic and barely overcoming St. Johnstone in the Scottish cup semi’s, and don’t get me started on the injury list. Rangers are going to lose both legs, not badly, but a 2-0 aggregate for Fiorentina.

Both games are on Fox Soccer Channel today, Rangers vs. Fiorentina is live at 2:30 (EST) with the other game on delay right after. You can get back to your hockey right after then…