Champions League is live at Wethersfield High School

By: Kenan Mujic and Matthew Zapata

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi Final matches kicked off last Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7 and 8, at 3:00 p.m., and Wethersfield High School is filled with supporters scattered around the school, hoping that their team goes through to the final in Madrid.

Pre-match:
The first finalist with be confirmed Tuesday, as Liverpool and Barcelona fight for a trip to Madrid.

Although Barcelona took the first game with a scoreline of 3-0, you can never count Liverpool out at home, and that is exactly how Liverpool supporter, and WHS junior Rei Koni described it.

“Liverpool is a different animal at Anfield, and they will surprise a lot of people with their performance on Tuesday,” Koni said.

Liverpool dug themselves a huge hole, especially against a giant like Barcelona. However, if they can somehow pull this miracle off, it will cause shock across the entire soccer nation at Wethersfield High School.

The second semi final game is the battle of the two underdogs, as Tottenham Hotspurs travel to Amsterdam to face Ajax Wednesday night.

Ajax grabbed a key away goal and took the first game with a scoreline of 1-0 in a hard fought game.

However, if Spurs can continue the dominance that they showed in the second half of that first game, they can come out with the victory, but it will take a lot of work and that is how WHS teacher and Tottenham Hotspur supporter, Mr. John Martin, views it.

“We know when Tottenham plays open, and gives Son and Dele Alli space, that’s when they’re at their best, and that’s their only hope to come out on top,” Martin said.

It will be an interesting match between two very evenly split teams, but only two teams can book a ticket to Madrid. Wethersfield High School soccer nation is anxious to see who it will be.

Post-match:
Various reactions lead the way through the halls of our very own Wethersfield High School, varying from Liverpool supporters chanting “You’ll never walk alone” to Barcelona fans whining themselves to class with their heads down in pure disbelief.

Liverpool has actually done it; they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history, overcoming a 3-0 deficit to go on and win the second leg 4-0 and advance with the final score line of 4-3 on aggregate.

Liverpool fans wander the halls with a bright smile on their face, while Barcelona fans walk in misery as they can’t hear enough of it. Bragging rights are a huge thing at this school, and Liverpool sure has to the right to brag, just like how Koni described it.

“It feels amazing being able to walk up to your friends who have been on you about losing 3-0 and get back at them. It’s a feeling every soccer fan wants to experience,” Koni said.

As Wednesday hit and soccer fans were still reacting to Liverpool’s incredible comeback against Barcelona, it was time for the other Champions League semi-final match. The Tottenham Hotspurs and Ajax were set to kick off with millions of fans watching, including many from Wethersfield High School.

Ajax was up 1-0 after the leg and after 30 minutes of action, they were up 3-0 on aggregate. Everyone thought it was over, but as the second half hit, Tottenham Hotspurs did not agree, they came out and went completely lights out, as brilliant build up led to Lucas Moura’s second half hat trick, tying the aggregate scoreline at 3-3 but nodding Tottenham past Ajax on away goals in an incredible comeback performance.

Many Tottenham fans cannot believe that their team pulled this off, including Martin, as he expressed his emotions to us the next morning. “I had a real thought of turning my TV off after the first half,” Martin said, “But as they scored one, and then two, and when they scored the third in the 95th minute, I as more than okay. That was one of the most incredible games I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Well Mr. Martin, you weren’t the only one. If you cheer on Barcelona and Ajax, school will be miserable for a very long time, but if you cheer on Liverpool and Tottenham, you are one lucky supporter.

However, in June, there will be only one team standing, and we’re anxious to see which supporter at Wethersfield High School remains standing as the final whistle blows in Madrid.

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