Dodo, we didn't come here to celebrate Real's title by badmouthing Barca. We were just replying to this topic cause we're not that stupid at Real Madrid. Of course, having just won the European Cup for the eight time, don't you expect us to bask in the glory of seeing our big advantage over our great rivals when it comes to European Cups grow? I agree that Barca have been La Liga's dominant team in the 90's, but see now, 2000 is not the 90's anymore. And judging by the way the 00's started, it's gonna be a wholly different decade! One last thing, since you insist, go ahead and enjoy your second place in La Liga!
Dutch, I don't understand. You said "I wrote this topic before Real held the cup" Is that supposed to change anything?
To sum things up and to end this misinformed topic. No they're not that stupid at Real Madrid. Del Bosque was right in saying that winning the European Cup (which they did thank you very much) was they're only chance at getting into the competition next year.
Only the top 4 teams in Spain's national league can take part (Deportivo, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza) in the Champion's League, except if the holders are from Spain as was the case yesterday, whichever team won.
Had Valencia won, they would've qualified as holders and 3 other top teams from Spain would join them.
(Valencia; Deportivo, Barcelona, Zaragoza)
Real madrid won and they qualify next year as holders joined by Spain's top 3
(Real Madrid; Deportivo, Barcelona, Valencia).
As you can see, Valencia was going to qualify for next year's competition regardless of the final's result. Real Madrid had to win.
P.S.
I edited this post taking into acount what Juanele said. I said Dutch was right and Barca had to pre-qualify whichever team won the Cup. Turns out Barca did not have to qualify whichever team won the Cup. I stand corrected.
[This message has been edited by dwMB (edited 26-05-2000).]
