How very refreshing to see two of Europe's biggest leagues dominated by two new boys - two teams in unfamiliar waters.
OK, Hull City aren't dominating the Premier League, but they are joint second, unbeaten away from home with four wins out of five and are the surprise success story of the season so far.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are top of the Bundesliga with six wins out of nine, have scored more goals than any other team and destroyed Martin Jol's Hamburg at the weekend.
![]()
Like Hull, Hoffenheim were expected to struggle - a team new to the big time, in unchartered territory.
But they have stormed to the top of the table playing attractive, attacking football along the way. Much like Hull.
The wheels will more than likely fall off of Hull City's bandwagon, but their impressive start has added an extra dimension to what could be perceived as a predictable Premier League, with the Big Four seemingly untouchable.
As for Hoffenheim, Jurgen Klinsmann, Bayern Munich's coach, believes they are serious Bundesliga contenders.
Udinese top Serie A, with Napoli in third, and Catania in sixth. Roma, runners-up last season and in this season's Champions League are 15th!
And in Spain Valencia are the early pace setters with Malaga in sixth.
Lyon, of course, are top in France.
European football, for the time being anyhow, isn't quite as predictable as it once was.
*Latest on the new, new Zizou*
![]()
Yoann Gourcuff has continued to light up Le Championnat and is living up to his billing as the new, new Zidane.
He scored a Zidane-esque goal the weekend before last that left me little shy of moist in the pantalon department.
There's more from Yo here and here.
Interesting Yoann - Petit Zidane - Gourcuff fact - Gourcuff's hero is not Zidane, it is in fact Remi Garde.![]()
OK, Hull City aren't dominating the Premier League, but they are joint second, unbeaten away from home with four wins out of five and are the surprise success story of the season so far.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are top of the Bundesliga with six wins out of nine, have scored more goals than any other team and destroyed Martin Jol's Hamburg at the weekend.
Like Hull, Hoffenheim were expected to struggle - a team new to the big time, in unchartered territory.But they have stormed to the top of the table playing attractive, attacking football along the way. Much like Hull.
The wheels will more than likely fall off of Hull City's bandwagon, but their impressive start has added an extra dimension to what could be perceived as a predictable Premier League, with the Big Four seemingly untouchable.
As for Hoffenheim, Jurgen Klinsmann, Bayern Munich's coach, believes they are serious Bundesliga contenders.
Udinese top Serie A, with Napoli in third, and Catania in sixth. Roma, runners-up last season and in this season's Champions League are 15th!
And in Spain Valencia are the early pace setters with Malaga in sixth.
Lyon, of course, are top in France.
European football, for the time being anyhow, isn't quite as predictable as it once was.
*Latest on the new, new Zizou*
Yoann Gourcuff has continued to light up Le Championnat and is living up to his billing as the new, new Zidane.He scored a Zidane-esque goal the weekend before last that left me little shy of moist in the pantalon department.
There's more from Yo here and here.
Interesting Yoann - Petit Zidane - Gourcuff fact - Gourcuff's hero is not Zidane, it is in fact Remi Garde.
