Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years! Two years actually.
I continued my UEBA game on 23 but stopped posting because the 23 forums weren't getting much love.
But I've moved the game to 24 and I'm partway through the 2015 season, so it's time for an update.
2012 ended with England capturing the European championship. They have two years to stay in form and follow it up with a World Cup win in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the 2013 season kicked off with the Big Five Cup Tournaments.
As usual, these preseason trophies are full of surprises.
In England, newly-promoted side Brighton & Hove Albion had a Cinderella run to the Semifinals, but lost to a strong Chelsea side coming off their Champions League run. The other side of the bracket was a Manchester derby with United versus City. Ultimately the sky blue Cityzens triumphed, signaling City's status as a rising superpower in English baseball.
A Classico rematch in the Copa del Rey (Barca and Madrid met in the Round of 16 in 2012, with the Blancos coming out on top). Madrid was stunned in the second round of the Copa by Villarreal. Barcelona ran rampant to the final and defeated Real Betis. The 2013 season is looking like a good one for Messi and Barca.
The German Pokal features the ultimate Cinderella story. newly-promoted from the 3 Liga, Arminia Bielefeld went the distance, defeating all comers and standing tall against the kings of German baseball: Bayern Munich. The Blues stunned the Reds in the final, winning 3-2, and hoisted their second trophy in team history. Munich has to rebound in the Bundesliga while Bielefeld will look to capitalize on their success and try to win promotion to the Bundesliga in their first season in the Second Division.
AB MIlan, coming off their Serie A title came to the Coppa Italia ready to win. To raise the trophy they would have to face their archrivals, Inter, in the Semis. The San Siro was packed with opposing fans, but ultimately it was the red half of Milan who emerged victorious. AB Milan swept Inter 2-0 to advance to the Finals, where they made short work of Fiorentina. Milan fans hope to follow up the Coppa win with another Serie A scudetto in November.
Surprise Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux started the Coupe de France determined to prove that their championship was no joke. The champions benefitted from a favorable draw and went undefeated to reach the Stade de France and a showdown with another surprise finalist, Dijon. The Hiboux of Dijon came in strong with wins over titans Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. But Dijon's luck ran out against the big bats of Bordeaux. The Girondins won the cup 8-2 and hope to make it two league championships in a row.
Some big roster moves:
Euro MVP Frank Lampard left Chelsea for Man City (something that happened to the real Super Frank in 2014)
John Terry joined the exodus, leaving for Liverpool.
Gigi Buffon left Juve for Sparta Prague (???) in the Europa League, which is wild and awesome.
Sergio Ramos went to a struggling German club, Weisbaden, from Madrid, which I think has something to do with not having financials enbaled (since fixed!) in that league.
And American hero Brad Friedel signed a deal with Man City, the 42 year old joins from Spurs where he posted a 10-1 record with a 2.41 ERA.
More on the 2013 season to come!