ECC Challenges: The Road to Europe

[Gorayfle]

Overview

Hey guys since we always get the same boring challenges year after year I decided to create some based on the European Champions League. I devised two sets of Challenges all culminated in the ECC. Obviously these challenges apply to Manager Mode. To make the challenges more interesting there are some criteria. Also to fit the 3 season cycle of each challenge that little cheat is recommended. The cheat is of course buying free agents and selling them to gain funds. Although I know some of you will abhor this so its just a loose guideline. I guarantee that you will take longer than 3 seasons to complete these without it though. So here are the challenges are:

Challenges Section 1 - From Anonymity to Glory

Premise

Carry a team from the second division of each applicable league (i.e France, Germany, Spain, England and Italy) to the first division of and get them into the ECC. Here is the real challenge for the three seasons cycle.

Season 1- Win promotion, Win Cup
Season 2-Through Cup Participate in EFA, qualify for Champion's League
Season 3-Participate in Champions League

The aim is not really to win the ECC at all but to see what you can accomplish over the cycle (is it just me or did that sound really corny?). But winning the second division, the first division, the cup, the EFA and the ECC doesn't sound too bad (this would be the zenith of the challenge).

When you're finished post what you won in each season and any memorable moments. Then post the team and the substitutes that you had at the end after the ECC.



Challenges Section 2 - Return to Glory

This consists solely of recreating the long lost glory days of some of Europe's former big clubs by winning the Champion's League (except no.7).

1. Dutch Eredivisie-AFC Ajax



Long gone are the days when AFC Ajax were champions of Europe. Their last trophy was in 1995 and before that they won it for three consecutive years from 1971-73. Bring the glory days of total football to the fore once again and lead Ajax to their fifth European Cup.

NB. As an added challenge try having a squad with more than half the players being Dutch.

2. French Ligue 2- Stade de Reims*



Stade de Reim was on the pinnacle of French Football in the 1950's and 60's where the y reached two European Cup Finals but never won the competition. Now languishing at the bottom of Ligue 2 recreate the club's days of glory and lead them to the cup they never got.

*I guess this could overlap with the first set of challenges (also number 3)

3. Cocoa Cola Championship-Nottingham Forest

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/...9b363b.jpg?v=0

Nottingham Forest holds the peculiar record of being the only club to win the European Cup more than the trophy of its country's top flight. After winning the European Cup in 1979 and 1980, The Reds have been on a slow decline and now rest in the basement of the championship. Lift the club out of the gutter and on to its third European Cup.

4. German Bundesliga- FC Bayern München/ Bayern Munich

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/d...unich_Logo.png

The club known as "Hollywood FC" has won the European Cup four times, in 1974-76 and 2001. Lead the Germans to their fifth European Success.

5. German Bundesliga- TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

http://www.hallensportfest-dueren.de...hoffenheim.gif

Who saw Hoffenheim coming? Noone that's who. Now the little club from the the town of three thousand inhabitants is looking to burst unto the European Stage. Can you lead them to their first ECC? (Bonus win EFA too)

Question: With a town of three thousand people and a new twenty thousand seater stadium ready who's going to fill the seats?

6. Clydesdale Bank Premier League- Celtic/Rangers



Lead Celtic to their second European Cup or Rangers to their first.

NB. I put Rangers there also because I pull for them in the Scottish League, a bit biased.

And finally....

7. Liga do Portugal-FC Porto



The seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 are arguably the best in the club's history where the charismatic Jose Mourinho led the club to European success in the EFA and then the Champion's League. Recreate the magic of "The Special One" and show that Os Dragões are still to be feared.

NB. Winning the league and the Portuguese Cup would be good too.

Special Jose Moment



“If I wanted to have an easy job... I would have stayed at Porto - beautiful blue chair, the UEFA Champions League trophy, God, and after God, me.”

Honourable/Honorable Mention

8. Barclays Premiership-Manchester City



Why lead The Citizens and their Arabian rich uncle to the European Cup? It's simple. We all know that they're never going to win it in real life. Look how hard Chelsea tried.

NB. Caution John Terry T-Shirt

Sorry I'm a Man United fan (so you know I won't be completing this challenge).

As before post your season to season results with any memorable moments and at the end after participation or winning the ECC post your first 11 and the seven subs.



Overall Challenge

Try not to buy players from the top flight of the three top leagues when using a "lower league" eg. Portugal/ Germany.

I hope you guys enjoy these challenges, I have already started and its really entertaining. It'll keep us busy until Fifa 2010. Have fun.

[Gorayfle]

Challenge Section 1

Team: Real Zaragoza



Season 1

Winner Liga Adelante
Winner Copa Del Rey

Memorable Moments: High:None Low: None

Season 2

Winner Super Copa De Espana
Winner Liga BBVA
1/4 round Copa Del Rey
Semis EFA

Memorable Moments:

High:Beating Barca to win the Super Copa De Espana

Low: Losing to Olympiacos in the EFA 2-0 on aggregate. Lost 2-0 in Greece and the game in Spain was drawn after I hit the bar FOUR TIMES.

Season 3

Winner Liga BBVA
Winner Copa Del Rey
Winner Super Copa De Espana
Winner ECC

Memorable Moments:

High: Equalizing in extra time against Man United in the ECC Final and then scoring two goals in the second extra time period to win the Cup.

Low: Marc Crosas and Daniel Sturridge injured for the majority of the post January season.

Funny: Buying Lucas from Liverpool for 15 mill. Euros in Season 2. Then selling him for 34 mill to Liverpool in Season 3 and using the money to buy Jonathan De Guzman.

Squad at the end

Rui Patricio-82
Barragan-84
H. Nordveit-86
T. Heleno-85
E. Insua-83
E. Andrade-83
M. Crosas-80
J. De Gusman-82
C. Villaluz-85
Marquinhos-81
D. Sturridge-80

Subs

E. Castillo-82
M. Bastos-82
J. Lopez-79
L. Bender-74
J. Caffa-75
L. Remi-80
Pedro-75

[Gorayfle]

I just mention my Challenge with Parma.

Season 1

Winner Serie B
Finalist Coppa Italia

Memorable Moments: High:None Low: Losing 4-0 to Juventus in the Copa Italia Final.


Season 2

Winner Serie A

Memorable Moments:

High:Going from 20th after 28 games to win Serie A. Ten game win streak with 9 clean sheets including drubbings of AC Milan 4-0 and Inter Milan 3-0. One of the most intimidating strike partnerships in the game being formed, i.e. Guilherme and Alberto Paloschi.

Low: None

Season 3

Nothing

Memorable Moments:

High:None

Low: Losing to Sampdoria in Coppa Italia in the quarters, losing to Chelsea on penalties in the ECC semis and losing AGAIN to Juventus 3-0 , destroying my title hopes,sigh, at least there's the UEFA Cup next year....

Squad at the end

V. Fiorillo-82
L. De Silvestri-75
Geromel-83
C. Zapata-85
T. Taiwo-85
I. Abate-83
A. Salami-85
A. Nocerino-86
A. Cerci-82
A. Paloschi-86
Guilherme-86

Subs

A. Boka-75
D. Biondini-74
K. Asamoah-80
D. Svento-76
K. Mizuno-80
J. Vonlathen-82
B. Karadeniz-83

[WinterHammer]

u got some good challenges there i liked the ajax one i might try it after i get bored with juventus doubt i will but who knows x)

[Jezza789]

Nice ideas. So you play all the games then

[NECforever]

think im gonna try it without the free agent cheat but i have to do it on world class i guess cause im a little overgrown on pro won ECC last season with Macclesfield Town on pro

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by WinterHammer

u got some good challenges there i liked the ajax one i might try it after i get bored with juventus doubt i will but who knows x)

I support Juventus in the Serie A too but I am putting of using them for a while since they squad is so loaded, not much room for improvement except to buy back Nocerino from Palermo and get Lanzafame from Bari (he isn't special but he's a Juventus youth product). I can't beleive Juve let go Nocerino in th swap for Amauri, I mean Amauri is great but Nocerino is one for the future. I have him in my Parma team as captain.

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by Jezza789

Nice ideas. So you play all the games then

If you want I guess. However in season three I usually only play the ECC matches and sim the rest except for big matches against Barca, Valencia etc. (while using Real Zaragoza).

[NECforever]

would be a challenge Ajax back to it's glory with only dutch players
maybe gonna do it but i wait to strat a new one till the transfers are over and i updated it, means i don't have huntelaar for the challenge

[jona21aua]

But even in the glory days Ajax had a buncha nigerians and a Fin

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by NECforever

would be a challenge Ajax back to it's glory with only dutch players
maybe gonna do it but i wait to strat a new one till the transfers are over and i updated it, means i don't have huntelaar for the challenge

Yeah thats not cool but I have started a little and I replaced him with Keirrison from Coritiba. Also trying to use mainly Dutch players is going to be a problem since most of the good Dutch players in the Eredivisie play for Feyenoord(sp?) and PSV who apparently won't even consider selling players to Ajax. This is one of the ridiculous things on the game. Didn't Aisatti move from PSV to Ajax.

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

Yeah thats not cool but I have started a little and I replaced him with Keirrison from Coritiba. Also trying to use mainly Dutch players is going to be a problem since most of the good Dutch players in the Eredivisie play for Feyenoord(sp?) and PSV who apparently won't even consider selling players to Ajax. This is one of the ridiculous things on the game. Didn't Aisatti move from PSV to Ajax.

In my game Aisatti plays for Ajax but i guess i've changed it. The problem of Ajax is their rivals, they have like the most in whole Fifa 09 cause most clubs don't have a rival, so they choose ajax. You are rivals with ADO Den Haag, AZ, FC Utrecht, Feyenoord, PSV, Roda JC and Volendam. That's seven! Big problem but it's a challenge. If you want a very promising dutch player you should get Michiel Kramer from NAC Breda, he's a striker

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by NECforever

In my game Aisatti plays for Ajax but i guess i've changed it. The problem of Ajax is their rivals, they have like the most in whole Fifa 09 cause most clubs don't have a rival, so they choose ajax. You are rivals with ADO Den Haag, AZ, FC Utrecht, Feyenoord, PSV, Roda JC and Volendam. That's seven! Big problem but it's a challenge. If you want a very promising dutch player you should get Michiel Kramer from NAC Breda, he's a striker

Yeah he plays for Ajax now but he moved from PSV last summer if I recall correctly.

You would think that most clubs would hate PSV since they've been winning the league for so long.

Kramer from Seinfield? Thanks but I have my eye on Ricky von Wolfswinkel, now thats a cool name.

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

Yeah he plays for Ajax now but he moved from PSV last summer if I recall correctly.

You would think that most clubs would hate PSV since they've been winning the league for so long.

Kramer from Seinfield? Thanks but I have my eye on Ricky von Wolfswinkel, now thats a cool name.

yea he's promising too but he's from Vitesse, my rival

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by NECforever

yea he's promising too but he's from Vitesse, my rival

OK then

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

OK then

i have a very funny movie about van Wolfswinkel where he gets hammered by the goalie from AZ YouTube - romero vs. van Wolfswinkel
but az has some promising players though some aren't dutch and NEC also has a very young squad but they won't peak so high. You can try Davids, John, Otten or Tshibamba (don't know if he's dutch though), but i think they're a bit to weak for Ajax

[jona21aua]

Originally Posted by NECforever

i have a very funny movie about van Wolfswinkel where he gets hammered by the goalie from AZ YouTube - romero vs. van Wolfswinkel
but az has some promising players though some aren't dutch and NEC also has a very young squad but they won't peak so high. You can try Davids, John, Otten or Tshibamba (don't know if he's dutch though), but i think they're a bit to weak for Ajax

John has been a dissapointment so far, NEC has one of the best coaches in the eredevisie. Heerenveen has also got some good young players

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by jona21aua

John has been a dissapointment so far, NEC has one of the best coaches in the eredevisie. Heerenveen has also got some good young players

All true, but John is on his way back and he saved himself some time by scoring against Udinese in the UEFA Cup. Mario Been really one of the best, already linked with Feyenoord, Italy and Southampton. And your right about heerenveen, a lot of good youngsters, but almost everyone is from Scandinavia and the challenge was to built a team with as many dutch players as possible

[jona21aua]

Yeah but I was speaking in general. But for the game purpose they can at least get Beerens from Heerenveen

[Gorayfle]

You guys are Dutch experts. I am just going to wait for a long time to see if Feyenoord and PSV let go some of their players hopefully and build my squad in the meantime.

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

You guys are Dutch experts. I am just going to wait for a long time to see if Feyenoord and PSV let go some of their players hopefully and build my squad in the meantime.

what difficulty are you playing on? And do u use the free agent cheat?

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by NECforever

what difficulty are you playing on? And do u use the free agent cheat?

I'm on World Class but I can't bother with the challenges to unlock legendary so I made these. The problem is they require you to complete the challenges in a twelve minute game which is too long. I usually play a four minute game.
In regard to my use of the free agent cheat, I must admit that I use it a bit liberally sometimes but only with smaller clubs, i.e. taking Shrewsbury to the Premier League. Also I use it when completing the first set of challenges, but I am going to stay away from it for the second set. Maybe I'll just scout players and then sell them.

What did Ricky do to Romero to deserve that? I assume he got sent off, I think I see the penalty area behind them.

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

I'm on World Class but I can't bother with the challenges to unlock legendary so I made these. The problem is they require you to complete the challenges in a twelve minute game which is too long. I usually play a four minute game.
In regard to my use of the free agent cheat, I must admit that I use it a bit liberally sometimes but only with smaller clubs, i.e. taking Shrewsbury to the Premier League. Also I use it when completing the first set of challenges, but I am going to stay away from it for the second set. Maybe I'll just scout players and then sell them.

What did Ricky do to Romero to deserve that? I assume he got sent off, I think I see the penalty area behind them.

I'm playing pro atm but think im gonna start a new mm on wc maybe try the challenge on wc and i really want to do it without the free agent cheat.

about ricky He didn't do anything to Romero, he just tried to reach the true ball but it went to fast and Romero came out of his goal and played the ball, atleast that was the ref's opinion. So it was nothing, no penatly and no booking. Well, if you look closely you'll see he plays the ball first but a tackle like that should always be a foul and a booking, no matter what he hits first.

[Gorayfle]

Originally Posted by NECforever

I'm playing pro atm but think im gonna start a new mm on wc maybe try the challenge on wc and i really want to do it without the free agent cheat.

about ricky He didn't do anything to Romero, he just tried to reach the true ball but it went to fast and Romero came out of his goal and played the ball, atleast that was the ref's opinion. So it was nothing, no penatly and no booking. Well, if you look closely you'll see he plays the ball first but a tackle like that should always be a foul and a booking, no matter what he hits first.

Good luck with the new mm and if you do it all without the cheat that would be brilliant.

Yeah when you look at it closely he did get the ball first but I agree with you you should have at least got a yellow for going in studs ups.

I actually just noticed that you in the Netherlands so I'm assuming you're Dutch. I really respect you guys and your aptitude for languages. You are actually here on an English forum, while someone like me would be lost on a Dutch forum. Hell, I've been learning Spanish for five years and my translation when watching Spanish tv still goes like this:

Car.....he ran.....store...gun...shoot...

[NECforever]

Originally Posted by Gorayfle

Good luck with the new mm and if you do it all without the cheat that would be brilliant.

Yeah when you look at it closely he did get the ball first but I agree with you you should have at least got a yellow for going in studs ups.

I actually just noticed that you in the Netherlands so I'm assuming you're Dutch. I really respect you guys and your aptitude for languages. You are actually here on an English forum, while someone like me would be lost on a Dutch forum. Hell, I've been learning Spanish for five years and my translation when watching Spanish tv still goes like this:

Car.....he ran.....store...gun...shoot...

thanks and i'll have to adjust myself when i'm here, cause the Dutch forums aren't so well especially the fifa forums. And if i want to be on an UK forum i'll have to speak english, but i've already found some other dutchies here so i'm not the only one thinking that.
What really helps learning english is our TV system. In France and Germany and many other countries they synchronize all english/american programs and replace it with their own language. In Holland, we always have subtitles so that realy helps improving your english. And i'm learning a lot at school. Can speak english, german and france so that's nice to have