I Know You Haven't Made Your Mind Up Yet

In the spirit of further alienating my readership by engaging in a process of self-aggrandizement, I'm taking this opportunity to get my Champions League predictions out there for all the world to see (as if it, or you, cared) before the Knockout Stages begin later today back on "The Continent" and Mother England.

If you are like my Dad and wonder,"Now which competition is this one?", well, I have the answer for you, courtesy of that fount of all (slightly reputable) knowledge, Wikipedia:

The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1992 (or overall in its older format since 1955) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup (more commonly known as the European Cup), is the most prestigious club trophy in the sport.

Armed with that knowledge, I give you the following predictions for which clubs will advance to the Round of 8 (predicted winners in bold):

• Chelsea FC (England) vs. Juventus FC (Italy)

Readers of this blog know that my dislike for Chelsea is only surpassed by my dislike for the English Evil Empire, but my choice of Juventus here is not motivated solely by dislike for the West Londoners, but my belief that Juventus will be able to put the defensive vise-grip on a Chelsea side that has struggled to score goals as of late. Sorry, Johnny Boy.

• Villareal FC (Spain) vs. Panathinaikos FC (Greece)

I would be lying to you if I thought that I could provide any type of in-depth insight on this matchup, but since Villareal is playing well right now in La Liga and they have the American-born scoring machine that is Giuseppe Rossi leading the attack, I'm going with the "Yellow Submarine" from Spain to advance.

• Sporting CP (Portugal) vs. FC Bayern Munich (Germany)

Toni, Ribery, Klose, Podolski, Ze Roberto, Schweinsteiger and the rest of the reigning German Bundesliga champs will be too much for one of weaker teams remaining in the competition to handle. Bayern wins this one going away.

• Atletico Madrid (Spain) vs. FC Porto (Portugal)

Atletico Madrid, besides being the former club of one Fernando Torres, gave Liverpool all they could handle during the Group Stages, and I fully expect them to advance past a Porto side that is not quite as strong as they have been in past years. Atletico striker Sergio Aguero, who is Argentinian, is currently adjusting to life on the Argentine national team playing for his father-in-law, Diego Maradona, who is widely known as one of the greatest players of all time. It's the Argentinian equivalent of LeBron playing on the U.S. National Team for his father-in-law Michael Jordan, only if Jordan had history as a rampant cheater and one time cocaine addict. So, basically it's nothing like that.

• Olympique Lyon (France) vs. FC Barcelona (Spain)

In what should be one of the more high-scoring matchups of the round, look for Barcelona to mow through the French like the German Army in 1940. Also, if you have not been following the exploits of the phenom that is Barcelona's Lionel Messi, here's a sample of what he's capable of with a soccer ball at his feet.

• Arsenal FC (England) vs. AS Roma (Italy)

Out of the other clubs in England's so-called "Big Four" I have the most affection for Arsenal, but they have been quite toothless recently in front of the goal, and I think the Italians can steal a crucial win today at the Emirates Stadium in England. Also, when Arsenal goes to Rome in early March for the second-leg, their fans will be less concerned with supporting their team and more concerned with how to avoid getting shanked by the Roma fans. Hooligans, they're FANNNNTASTIC!!!!

• FC Internazionale Milan (Italy) vs. Manchester United FC (England)

It's the English Evil Empire versus the club that Liverpool knocked out of the tournament at the same stage in last year's competition. At this point, I'm going with the "Doubting Thomas" corollary, in that I have to see Man. U. actually lose before I'm going to pick against them in a two-legged competition. That was as painful for me to write as it was for you to read.

• CF Real Madrid (Spain) vs. Liverpool FC (England)

Even though the Reds have had some recent hiccups, including Sunday's home draw against Manchester City, and Real Madrid has been lighting La Liga on fire lately, I still think Liverpool will emerge victorious. Torres is going to relish his trip to Madrid tomorrow night to play against the club he grew up despising, and Gerrard's return to the lineup after a three-week absence will provide the necessary spark that Liverpool needs to get past the Spanish juggernaut.

I Take the Checks and Face the Facts

In an attempt to embrace the all-encompassing commercial morass that is Christmas in the YEAR OF OUR LORD 2008, I'm bringing you my Top 5 Nike commercials OF...THE...PAST...YEAR.

Why aren't there any Reebok commercials on the list?

Well, because if you can name a good Reebok commercial, you're a better man, woman, or child than me.

Why aren't there any Adidas commercials?

Because I'm still angry about World War II.

Why are you asking needless rhetorical questions?

I don't know. Let's move on.

Without further ado...the Top 5, in no particular order.

"Take It to the Next Level"

It's directed by Guy Ritchie, the background music is provided by Eagles of Death Metal, and it features some of the European football clubs that I love to hate the most. Plus, who doesn't love a little projectile vomiting in their commercials?

"Leave Nothing"

A steroid-abusing protagonist in Shawn Merriman? Check. One of the league's most enigmatic performers in Steven Jackson? Check. A cut from the soundtrack for Last of the Mohicans? Check. What's not to love?

"Fate"

Call me a sucker for being pulled in by a video directed by David Fincher that features a remix of "Ecstasy of Gold" from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, but I'm a huge fan of the latest edition of Nike's "Leave Nothing" series.

"Courage"

Due to the affinity that I have for "All These Things I've Done", especially after it was played non-stop during Insanity for Humanity, I liked this spot from the first viewing, but if you're giving me shots of the Serengeti, Lance Armstrong-homage footage, and John McEnroe's frizzy afro? Well, that's solid gold, my friends.

"Candyman"

Perhaps if you've never held chalk, baby powder, or flour in your hands and felt its power, this commercial might not mean anything to you. If you have, though, and know that feeling of pure joy when the flour leaves your hands bound for some poor sap's face, you can relate to LeBron.

As always, dear readers, let me know where I've gone wrong with my picks.

P.S. Any blame for the idea of Top-5 lists should fall on this guy.

All of That's What the Point is Not

Despite the likelihood that this commercial is shot from the perspective of Arsenal FC, and Netherlands international, striker Robin Van Persie, it still gets the Running Down a Dream seal of approval.

The video was directed by Guy Ritchie, he of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Madonna spousal fame.

Statue of Liberty Play, Only Works Once, Don't Throw It Away

In what is becoming a regular occurrence 'round these parts, Mr. Joey Halbert has once again won the Caption Contest (related to last week's photo of Brett Favre on Draft Day) with this submission:

"A deal with Wrangler? No, they're way too baggy. It's Girbaud or nothing. Yeah, make sure they know I shave my quads."

It really was a simpler time back in the early 90's when people could wear jorts without looking like a renegade member of New Kids on the Block. Ah, if the early 90's were the Golden Age for jorts, surely Brett Favre was the Pericles of that age.

(Turning to Camera Two)

If you missed it, and I'm sure you did, Liverpool pulled off what the press are labeling "An Italian Job" in securing a great win 1-0 yesterday in Milan against Internazionale to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. I would regale you with video of the wonder strike by Fernando Torres that ensured the Reds' place in the Final 8, but UEFA polices the internet like the Feds police Eliot Spitzer (and the hits just keep on coming, folks). The draw for the quarterfinals and semifinals is taking place Friday in Nyon, Switzerland, and you can rest assured that Running Down a Dream will have full coverage of the festivities.

Light Another Candle and Release Me

With goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard, Liverpool captured a 2-0 home victory in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 encounter with Inter-Milan:

For some perspective, this was only the second loss of the entire '07-08 season for the Italian club, and with a good showing on March 11th at the San Siro in Milan, the Reds will move on to the Champions League Round of 8.

Programming Note: At the request of Cris Carpenter, Sing Song 2008 thoughts and analysis will be given later this evening.