Michael*

It was starting to feel like they were trying to tie up certain loose ends in preparation for a conclusion (especially all this business with the Observers), so I'm a bit surprised to hear that there's another season in the offing. Still, it's most welcome news.

So apparently, the word on the street is that Guardiola will walk in the summer. I'm a bit surprised, but I suppose this has been a strong possibility since the end of last season. He's only ever signed one year deals so the option to leave in relatively painless fashion has been a constant, and the level of commitment and attention to detail that his coaching style requires seems rarely conducive to long term appointments. What next for Pep? An extended lie down followed by a call from Roman Abramovich? If so, I don't envy him.

The more I see of Bregje, the more she reminds me of Melanie Laurent (which of course, I use as a compliment). Thanks to all for the pics.

5

Zuzana

The footballing purist in me wants Bayern to win, while the vindictive Sunderland fan in me thinks it would be funny for Newcastle to finish 4th and Chelsea to win the Champions League, ensuring only the Premier League's top three qualify for next season's tournament. :evil:

A reminder that baiting, bashing and flaming are not allowed here at BZ. Thread cleaned.

I'm suffering from such an acute case of 'anticipation fatigue' just now, that I'm beginning to think it's all a ruse, and that there is no movie.

Batman Begins

They'll be giving them the vote next. Two by Jack White and one by Grimes from Tuesday evening's edition of Later with Jools Holland.

Natasha Barnard [4] Nicole Harrison [1]

A Chelsea/Bayern final, who'd have thunk it (apart from Fred)? Hopefully, the contributions of Neuer and Schweinsteiger last night will put paid to the popular misconception that penalties are a lottery. Between them, they absolutely owned that shoot-out.

Natasha Barnard [7] Robin Holzken [3]

Despite Terry's undoubted gift for finding new and original ways to stab his teammates in the back, Chelsea were a lot more comfortable than I would have expected, particularly in the latter stages of the game when a sustained Barca onslaught looked to be on the cards. Also, way to rain on Ivanovic's parade Geoff Shreeves!

Leighton Meester [5] Adrianne Palicki [1]

Natasha Barnard [7] Tanya Mityushina [2]

Random cover version corner: Caitlin Rose (me neither) does Arctic Monkeys/Alex Turner's 'Piledriver Waltz' in countrified fashion.

^Not an artist I'm at all familiar with, but I like the sound of that one. So apparently, a new album by Metric is due in May. If like me you're a raging Emily Haines addict, this is great news. Looks like they're 'doing a Hives' in terms of keeping their return low-key though.

Great job as always Jennka, looking forward to the next one!

^Probably the greatest emoticon ever. And as if it wasn't cool enough to keep badgers as pets and ride around parks on penny farthings, no-one in the other universe has heard of Bono either. Consider me incredibly jealous!

Can't our season just be over already? Though it's reasonably heartening to still see us grinding out points despite entirely lacking in cutting edge up front, the squad's numerous limitations have once again become all too apparent in recent weeks, and it's clear now that the magnificent form following O'Neill's appointment was down to the players simply running on adrenaline. Let's carry on scrapping for those last few available points, finish in the top half (fingers crossed), hang on to Stephane 'Lionel Sessi' Sessegnon (fingers, toes and eyes crossed) and regroup in the summer. As for yesterday's game, well, there was an air of inevitability about it ending scoreless. After several weeks of indifferent form and bore-draws, I'm getting used to it - but sorry Fred for dragging Villa down with us to our now-customary position of last place on Match of the Day's running order. Villa will be alright though, I'm fairly certain of that. The fact that McLeish is still in a job is to say the least, puzzling, but I still see Bolton and Blackburn as strong favourites to join Wolves in the Championship next year.

Johanna Wahlberg [1] Natasha Barnard [4]

Keira

Leighton Meester [9] Isabel Lucas [8]

Cara Delevingne [3] Natasha Barnard [5]