MADRID, Spain -- Madrid is celebrating the success of its two major football clubs after Atletico Madrid ensured a historic Champions League final derby against crosstown rival Real Madrid. Atleticos 3-1 victory at Chelsea saw it progress to its first European Cup final in 40 years, where record champion Madrid awaits after crushing titleholder Bayern Munich 5-0 over two legs. Atletico is on the verge of an historic double as it closes in on its first Spanish league title in 18 years, while Madrid is chasing a treble after winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona. The feat is all the more impressive for Atletico, which under coach Diego Simeone has completely turned from a club with a history for underachieving and late collapses into a European heavyweight. "Atletico is a real team," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said after Wednesdays defeat. "It knows how to be strong in defence and when to come out and attack. Its a great team." One year after an all-German Champions League final, the continents top competition has its first ever final between clubs from the same city. "Im happy that its an all-Spanish final," Atletico playmaker Koke said of the May 24 date in Lisbon. "Its going to be a special day, a very nice day because all of Madrid will be in Lisbon." The final will also highlight the teams different philosophies and history. Atleticos blue-collar base is far removed from Reals home in the northwest Chamartin area with its leafy avenues, luxury homes, and expensive cars. Madrid is the record 32-time Spanish champion with nine European Cups, and record revenues that are nearly five times that of Atletico allow it to pay for Ballon dOr recipient Cristiano Ronaldo and world-record 100 million euros signing Gareth Bale. Atleticos payroll is a fraction of Madrids or Barcelonas, and it is a club with a history of dubious finances. Yet Simeone, who was on the team that won the league-cup double in 1996, has nurtured a winning culture from a squad that has changed little since his arrival more than two years ago, and despite the sale of star striker Radamel Falcao in the off-season. "Its crazy to think were in the Champions League final," Atletico midfielder Tiago Mendes said. "But this team deserves it after everything it has accomplished." Madrid and Atletico have met just once before in the competition, in the 1959 semifinals, where Madrid won a replay 2-1 when their two-leg series finished 2-2. Atleticos only final appearance in 1974 saw it succumb to Bayern Munich 4-0 in a replay following a 1-1 draw. While Madrid beat Atletico en route to this seasons domestic cup trophy, Atletico still enjoyed a breakthrough year against its city neighbour, which is returning to the final for the first time since 2002. Atletico beat Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last season for its first win over its city rival in 25 games. It followed that up with a league victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium followed by a draw at home at the Vicente Calderon. Spanish leader Atletico is six points ahead of Madrid, which has one game in hand, with three left to play, while Barcelona trails the Spanish leader by four points. The league has been dominated by Madrid and Barcelona since Valencia was the last club besides the big two to win the championship in 2004. But Atletico could clinch its first title since 1996 with a victory against Levante on Sunday if both Madrid and Barcelona lose their games. The all-Spanish final also proves the domestic league is healthy despite continued economic problems. Either Sevilla or Valencia will also advance to the Europa League final. Even the citys cleanup crews should have an easy time co-ordinating their work following the victors celebrations. Madrid traditionally celebrates its triumphs at Plaza de Cibeles, while Atleticos fans gather just down the street at Plaza de Neptuno. "This is the final all Madridistas have been waiting for," Madrid fan Jose Luis Marron Rodriguez said. "Whatever the result, the European Cup stays at home. Now, let the best team win -- I just hope its Madrid." Fake Athletics Jerseys . It was just time for him to make a big play. Nicolas Batum had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Wesley Matthews scored 18 points, and the Trail Blazers overcame poor-shooting nights by two of their best players in a 94-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Stitched Athletics Jerseys . While coach Doc Rivers high-fived fans and pumped his fist at the crowd, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul quietly congratulated each other. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/. After falling 5-0 on home ice in a game that could have tied them for second in the wild card standings, Washington head coach Adam Oates had some strong words for Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin. Athletics Jerseys China . On a hot, sweaty day, the Hall of Famer looked cool and comfortable. Cheap Athletics Jerseys .com) - On a night the Bulls played without Derrick Rose, it was time for Pau Gasol to take charge.The Toronto Argonauts could be sold within a matter of weeks, either to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment or its chairman, Larry Tanenbaum, according to multiple sources. Talks between David Braley and MLSE have heated up in recent months to the point that the MLSE board, which includes Tanenbaum as well as representatives from Bell and Rogers, was asked to vote during December on acquiring the CFL team. While the board could not agree on the matter, there remains the possibility that MLSE could revisit buying the team or that Tanenbaum himself may purchase it. An Argo purchase by MLSE or Tanenbaum makes potential sense from both ends of the deal. From the Argos perspective, the team is in desperate need of a new practice facility, having been told by the University of Toronto that its Mississauga campus can no longer house the football team. With three months until the opening of CFL training camps, a sale would presumably open the door to the Argos taking up residence at the KIA Training Ground, the practice home of Toronto FC which includes three full-size grass fields, four artificial fields and a 40,000 square foot field house in Downsview. Being sold to Tanenbaum or MLSE would make the Argos part of the plan for a redesigned BMO Field, thus solving their need to build a new home from scratch when they vacate Rogers Centre after the 2017 season. MLSE president and CEO Tim Leiweke has stated several times in recent months that the Argos could factor into future plans at BMO, a position in stark contrast to that of his predecessors, who saw the facility as soccer-only. From the perspective of Tanenbaum or MLSE, owning the Argos could be a chip towards the goal of securing a National Football League team, based on the NFL wanting assurance that moving a team to Toronto would nott kill the Argos or the CFL.dddddddddddd "(Tanenbaum) has always had an affection for them," said former MLSE president and CEO Richard Peddie. "Everything Im hearing is that that the NFL is telling them that if you want an NFL team, you better make sure the Argos are okay. I dont think its out of the realm that he may do it." As well, having the Argos as a second tenant at BMO Field could help MLSEs drive to secure investment from government to redevelop the stadium, which is a publicly-owned facility operated by MLSE exclusively for soccer at this time. "Ive got to believe that theyre thinking of the Argos in that facility," said Peddie. "Can you design a stadium with moveable sections and not lose the intimacy? Yes, you probably can." The Argonauts are currently owned by Hamilton businessman David Braley, who has been exploring options for a new stadium in the Greater Toronto Area in recent months.Though the Argonauts have consistently lost money at Rogers Centre, it is believed their business model could continue to improve with the right arrangement at BMO, combined with increased revenues from the CFLs new television deal which kicks in this season. This isnt the first time MLSE has looked at a potential Argo purchase. The Argos had been offered up to MLSE when the team was owned by David Cynamon and Howard Sololowski, who sold to David Braley in February of 2010. However, the ownership of MLSE and many of the dynamics within the citys professional sports scene have changed since those days, most notably with Liewekes arrival and the notion of trying to land an NFL team.In November, reports surfaced of Tanenbaum, Lieweke and rock star Jon Bon Jovi teaming up to pursue a future relocation of the Buffalo Bills to Toronto. ' ' '
