Archive for June, 2008

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Ballack: We can win EURO 2008

June 24th, 2008

Germany Captain Michael Ballack said he was confident that his side will make it through to the final of the EURO 2008 before their match against a resurgent Turkish side.

Even though Turkey showed great spirits for defeating Croatia in the penalty shootout, he felt that the Germans had the ingredients for emerging out as the winners. With players like Schweinsteiger and Podolski in great form, Chelsea mid-fielder is sure that they can break the defense of the Turkish side.

The only blemish in EURO 2008 campaign for the Germans has been a defeat against Croatia, 2-1. Apart from that they have had a professional outing with no slipups.

They followed the Croatian defeat with 1-0 win over host Austria and then a comprehensive victory over possible title contenders, Portugal (3-2). German attack was unquestionable against Portugal. With players like Miroslav Klose yet to show their true color, they might be tough to beat now.

Ballack felt that the only area, which they needed to work on, was their defense. With 4 goals already scored against them, they would be looking to stop the Turkish attack to penetrate their defense and test the skills of their keeper, Jens Lehmann.

Coach Joachim Low is all set to come out with his best squad for this all-important semifinal clash against Turkey. Now with Torsten Frings almost recovered from his rib injury and Ballack & Co. already in top flight, the coach will be relishing the opportunity and would be hoping that the team can take the cup home.

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Posted in EURO 2008, General, UEFA Cup

Injury worries cloud the Turkish camp before semifinal against Germany

June 23rd, 2008

The Turkish camp before their all-important semifinal against Germany

After an inspiring performance against a strong Croatian side, Turkey will be looking forward to repeat the feat against Germany, who everyone believe will take the cup home after Holland were sent packing by the Russians.

Apart from a strong attack and defense of the German side, there are several injury worries clouding the Turkish camp. They were able to field only 15 fit players for their tie against the Croatians. Now with three of them having received the second yellow cards of the tournament, Turkish will have only 12 available players for their semifinal clash.

Nihat Kahveci along with Tumer Metin, Emre Belozoglu and Servet Cetin are all serving injuries and will probably miss the game. Again with Emre Gungor already out of EURO 2008, Turkish coach Fatih Terim will only be comfortable, if the suspension on their goal keeper is lifted after they made an appeal against it.

Terim has already refused calling up replacement for their injured lot. Even if he desired to rig in changes, this is the final moment to take the necessary step by communicating with UEFA. William Gaillard, Communication Director of UEFA confirmed that a team can call up for an urgent meeting, if they only have 8 players available to them. Again, he also said that there was no communication made to him by the Turkish camp till date for taking action in this regard.

The probable inclusion in the team from the previous game will be of Colin-Kazim Richards (Fenerbahce forward) & Mehmet Aurelio, midfielder who is returning to action after serving a suspension giving Terim some of a fight in their tie against the Germans.

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Posted in EURO 2008, General

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Russia Vs Netherlands: Netherlands sent to pack their bags by impressive Hiddink’s men

June 23rd, 2008

No one could have expected such a turn of events, then what actually happened at the St. Jakob Park. In what was considered to be the easiest of encounters in the knockout stage, David again conquered the Goliath. An inspired Russian side under their Dutch Coach Guus Hiddink tamed Van Basten’s Netherland side 3-1, who were looking all set to take the EURO 2008 Championship home.

The game was completely dominated by the Russians in all departments. From the kickoff only, they were making it difficult for the Dutch side to have a strike on their net. Simultaneously, there were several attempts from their end on their goal.

If it was not for Dutch keeper Edwin Van der Sar, who was playing his last game, Russians would have murdered the Netherland side. He made some miraculous saves in the first & second half and was the busier of the two keepers. He was defending against a resurgent Russian attack, which was targeting him by penetrating the weak Dutch defense.

The 0-0 score line that was carried into the second half broke from an excellent shot in the 56th minute by Roman Pavlyuchenko. It was difficult for the Dutch side, which included the likes of Nistelrooy, Schneider, Van der Waath & Van Persie, to break into a solid Russian defense. However, a Schneider free kick eventually caught the head of Nistelrooy taking the game into extra time.

Extra time saw two sides fighting it out to get one up on one another, yet it seemed that there will be the second penalty shootout in as many days. However, with late strikes from Dmitri Torbinski in the 112th minute and hero of the game against Sweden, Andrei Arshavin (also the Man of the Match of this game) sealed the game for Russia and ended a dream run of the Dutch side in EURO 2008.

Russia will be looking forward to continue the momentum in semifinal, where they will face off against the winner of Spain Vs Italy encounter at Ernst Happel Stadion.

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Posted in EURO 2008, General

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Real Madrid Warns Man U We Will Pay What It Takes

June 22nd, 2008

Real Madrid warned Manchester United “we will pay what it takes” to signup Ronaldo.

Spanish giants Real Madrid are desperate to signup the Portuguese star but manchester United have promised to suspend him and leave in in the reserves, and indicated that he is not for sale at any price. Real madrid are said to be willing to handout up to £ 90m for the portuguese and man utd player, real are ready to break the world record £ 48m the actual rate madrid paid by Zinedine in 2001.

The real madrid boss Bernd Schuster argues money is not a problem and he will buy Ronaldo from man u at any price.

German said: “If you have a player with such quality, you would`nt want to let him go and for a player of ronaldos status, you have got pay what is required”.

“The most important thing for us real madrid go to the Champions League and win, and with the help of ronaldo and we can do this.”

Real madrid and France legend Zidane and Ronaldo say that there are great expectations to play well in every game when it comes to playing at real Madrid, He said: “If he does come to real Madrid, the significant amounts that are willing to pay for him or more than what was payed for me and will lift the weight of my back.

“Ronaldo as had a super season at manchester utd and even though he and Portugal lossed in the quarter-finals finals means nothing, because they lossed to a great German team.

“It all depends on ronaldo and if manchester utd are ready to let there star player leave, It looks like he wants to play for madrid but are manchester utd going to block the trasnfer ?.”

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, General, Man U, Real Madrid

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Paul Ince became the first black English Premiership Manager

June 22nd, 2008
Paul Ince became the first black English Premiership Manager, after he was appointed head of Blackburn Rovers. Ince on a three-year contract, was Rovers “goal number one Mark Hughes left Ewood Park

In his first season with MK Dons, Ince, 40, led them to two league titles and Johnston in Paint Trophy.

Ince was officially as director of Blackburn on Tuesday.

Former West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool and England midfield player was allowed two years to earn his license.

To create a football manager at the top divisions in countries such as Spain, Italy, France and Germany, buses, UEFA Pro licence qualifications.

Licence required 240 hours of work and usually takes a year to win.

See the new Blackburn boss Paul Ince in action in England to the European Championship 96
But in the past in England, had special exception for approval by Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, the former Chelsea manager Avram Grant and ex-Southampton boss Steve Wigley.
League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has insisted that no lobbying against the appointment Ins.

Former England manager Steve McClaren, the former Newcastle boss Sam Bilyaletdinov and former Getafe coach Michael Laudrup has been linked with the Rovers post.

His management services interest from Leicester City, made an official approach to Milton Keynes for services Ince earlier this month.

Ince was the last former Manchester United star played under Sir Alex Ferguson managed in the Premier League.

Hughes is now in Manchester City, Steve Bruce at Wigan, while Roy Keane is the head of Sunderland.

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire that targeted Rovers Ince, because “he was looking for someone young, hungry, enthusiastically and with great attraction.

“Paul knew he wanted to come to the hunger and desire in his belly, as a good administrator.

“In showed that in Macclesfield, as he managed to hold them, and have led several trophies for MK Dons.

“So it’s good performance at a low level, and we hope he can bring some fortunate that with him at Blackburn.”

Gallacher Hughes acknowledged that “hard act to follow” at Ewood Park

But he added: “If Paul can keep a vessel flies, maintain good players at the club, go to Mark has done a good job, and add them a little bit, Blackburn can only be stronger.”

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Posted in General

Christiano Ronaldo: Bernabeu going to be his next stop ?

June 22nd, 2008

After a long debate over the future of Manchester United winger Christiano Ronaldo, it was revealed by him that he made a decision to move from the ‘Stadium of Dreams’ even before the final of Champions League to the Bernabeu. However, he did not reveal it so that the preparation of his side for the big game was not hampered.

According to a report in The Sun, it was confirmed that the Portuguese Star made his decision for realizing the dream of Dolores, his mother, who wanted her son to play in the Los Merengues, before the Red Devils defeated Chelsea for the crown.

Most experts feel that this will be a huge loss to the Red Devils, if and when he decides to move to Real Madrid. However, after yesterday’s comments on their refusal for putting him up for sale, this statement of Ronaldo could throw disappointment for his Scottish Coach Sir Alex Ferguson and his men. Sources even told that that the Scot and the Portuguese winger were going to have a meeting (one-on-one confrontation) in a short time for discussing his future with the club.

During an interview after Portuguese loss to the Germans, Ronaldo said that it was his national coach Scolari, who advised him to move to Madrid when he was playing an international friendly for his country. However, he cleared that although he will release a statement in a couple of days time in Old Trafford (where he will be having a surgery on his foot) about his personal viewpoint, his future is in the hand of others rather then his own.

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Posted in Champions League, Football Transfer Market, General, Man U, Real Madrid, UEFA Cup

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Turkey Vs Croatia: Another nail biting win for the Turkish Side

June 22nd, 2008

 It was the second quarter final of EURO 2008, where two dark horses of the tournament, Turkey & Croatia, went head-to-head. Both these teams were through to the second round on the back of some wonderful performances with the Croatians winning all their matches including a win over the first Semifinalist Germany and Turkish side, who defeated a resurgent Czech side in nail biting finish to storm into the knockout stage.

The two sides had a grueling start to the game with Slaven Bilic Croatian side putting up a solid attack and pitting the Turkish Side on the back foot. For most part of the game, there were attacks from both the sides and it seemed that any one of them could score at any stage. However, the score line finished at fulltime 0-0 with the match going into the overtime and the chances of a penalty was looming over it.

Extra time was a continuation of the match with both sides having equal attempts at the net and none converting them. It was only in the 119 minute that the deadlock was broken by Croatia, when Ivan Klasnic headed home a goal past Turkish keeper Rustu Recber what looked to be the end of the game.

However, there was another twist in the tale when a long pass by keeper Rustu allowed Semih to shot an equalizer past Pletikosa and made the match to go into penalties in the injury time.

In the penalty kicks, three of the four penalties where missed by Croatia with Modric, Rakitic & Petric failing to convert and Turkish side hit all three to allow the latter with a win on a penalty score line 3-1.

Now it will be a battle between the fancied Germans against the dark horse Turkish side with everyone hoping for yet another thriller of a game.

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Posted in EURO 2008, UEFA Cup

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Germany Vs Portugal: Schweinsteiger show stuns Portugal

June 21st, 2008

 Germany Vs Portugal: Schweinsteiger show stuns Portugal

The showdown between Germany & Portugal was felt to be the EURO 2008 Final by most experts. However with this awaited encounter coming early in the knockout stage of the tournament, fans were in for an enthralling time, as both sides knew that a single mistake might lead to their downfall.

At St. Jakob Park, it was a capacity crowd seeing a spirited German side defeating Portuguese in an excellent football game. Although everyone had an eye out for Ronaldo, it was the Bayern Munich & German Star, Bastian Schweinsteiger with similar number 7 shirt as his archrival, who eventually stole the show for his side.

First Half

With fast-paced game from both the sides, there were several close calls in the first quarter. However, the deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute by a Podolski pass that found Schweinsteiger’s boot and into the back of Portuguese net. Another goal followed only four minutes later rattling the Portuguese defense, when a free kick from ‘Man of the Match’ Schweinsteiger found Miroslav Klose, who headed a goal past Portuguese keeper Ricardo. If it was not for a goal from Nuno Gomes, it would have been tough for Portugal to make a comeback.

Second Half

If first half was amazing, then second one was not far behind. With shots from both sides flying pass the keeper, it was thrilling to watch this battle. However, the match was sealed by another Schweinsteiger free kick that found German Skipper, Ballack’s head and went into the Portugal net for the third time. Although there was a goal minutes before the end from the Portuguese substitute Postiga, who headed a Nani pass into the German net, it was too late for them to recover and the final score line was 3-2 for the Germans.

Germany will next play the winners of the game between Turkey & Croatia in the semifinal.

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Posted in EURO 2008, UEFA Cup

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Christiano Ronaldo: Manchester United not ready to sale their star winger

June 21st, 2008

There have been speculations from the past month over a possible move of the Portuguese and Manchester United Star Christiano Ronaldo to Spanish Giants Real Madrid. Now, with Inter Milan also joining the race for bidding on this wonderful gifted player, his current club has declared that the player is not available for anyone.

With a defeat against Germany, Ronaldo told the reporters in the post match interview that he will make the decision in the coming three days about his future with his current English club. He said that since his journey in the tournament, he will take sometime to make the final decision. He also made his strong desire to move to the Spanish Giants clear but confirmed that the eventual decision was not in his hands.

After the release of his statements in regards to the future, the Premier League & UEFA Champions League winners, United, denied any desire to put the 23-year old master winger on sale. They feel that he is an integral part of the team and putting him up on the transfer board is out of question. However with a heavy bid on cards from Real Madrid and his failure in putting up the commitment towards United, there is every possibility of Ronaldo leaving the Red Devils den for good.

Everyone, from Real Madrid to Manchester United, will be eagerly awaiting the Portuguese Player to come up and speak in their favor in the coming days, as they know that he has the magic to turn the tide in their favor at any given stage of a football game.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Inter Milan, Man U, Premier League, Premiership

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Christiano Ronaldo

June 20th, 2008

 Christiano Ronaldo: Inter also showing interest in United’s Star Winger

There has been a lot of speculation over the future of Manchester United and Portugal star, Christiano Ronaldo. There has been a rife all through this summer for the current FIFA Player of the Year. However, the major focus has tilted upon the debate in between Real Madrid and Manchester United, his current club.

Now there is another twist in the tale, as yet another European Club is seemingly in the race for this wonderful winger from Portugal.

Jose Mourinho, new manager of Inter Milan, is sure to start the coming season with some fresh faces and has Deco (Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Chelsea) & Frank Lampard (Chelsea) topping his wish list. Inter Manager might also add the name of the Portuguese winger, if the club will be offered big money from Nerazzuri, which has been in the news for long. However, it seems unlikely for him to sign the player, as Spanish Giants clear desire for him.

The only advantage with Mourinho is that he shares the same agent with Ronaldo, Jorges Mendes, who might simplify negotiations between Star of Old Trafford & former boss of Chelsea. Again, there are reports that both of them share respect for one another, which might encourage the move.

Manchester United is continuing to fervently deny their willingness for selling him. Still, with the massive bid from Real Madrid going along with another one from Inter Milan, it is very much unlikely to see Christiano Ronaldo in the Red Devil’s jersey this season.

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Posted in Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Football Transfer Market, General, Inter Milan, Man U, Premier League, Premiership

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