tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43280348165742630382024-02-20T21:24:07.998-08:00WorldWide - LatestFootballNewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-16198532651888373352010-09-25T14:10:00.001-07:002010-09-25T14:21:00.972-07:00<OBJECT id='mediaPlayer1' width="500" height="300" <br />classid='CLSID:22d6f312-b0f6-11d0-94ab-0080c74c7e95' <br />codebase='http://activex.microsoft.com/activex/controls/mplayer/en/nsmp2inf.cab#Version=5,1,52,701'<br />standby='Loading Microsoft Windows Media Player components...' type='application/x-oleobject'><br /><param name='fileName' value="http://www.vipcanals.org/ch1.html"><br /><param name='animationatStart' value='true'><br /><param name='transparentatStart' value='true'><br /><param name='autoStart' value="false"><br /><param name='showControls' value="true"><br /><param name ="ShowAudioControls"value="true"> <br /><param name="ShowStatusBar" value="true"><br /><param name='loop' value="false"><br /><EMBED type='application/x-mplayer2'<br />pluginspage='http://microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/download/'<br />id='mediaPlayer' name='mediaPlayer' displaysize='4' autosize='-1' <br />bgcolor='darkblue' showcontrols="true" showtracker='-1' <br />showdisplay='0' showstatusbar='-1' videoborder3d='-1' width="420" height="380"<br />src="http://www.vipcanals.org/ch1.html" autostart="true" designtimesp='5311' loop="false"><br /></EMBED><br /></OBJECT>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-71979466347310744952010-09-25T13:37:00.000-07:002010-09-25T13:41:59.538-07:00BARZA<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="400" height="251" id="utv257012"><param name="flashvars" value="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=4299906&locale=en_US"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="movie" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/4299906?v3=1"/><embed flashvars="autoplay=false&brand=embed&cid=4299906&locale=en_US" width="400" height="251" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv257012" name="utv_n_23464" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/4299906?v3=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-68959932141662445702010-08-03T15:00:00.000-07:002010-08-03T15:02:57.176-07:00Japanese international Makino mimics the Icelandic fishing goal celebration<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Makino is a Japanese international soccer player known for his excellent freekick ability, cheerful character and love for unique goal celebration. Apparently he was inspired by the famed Icelanders.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><object width="300" height="193"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fXCrpIpRk9Q&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fXCrpIpRk9Q&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="193"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-35005811470087427192010-07-30T07:12:00.000-07:002010-07-30T07:15:07.416-07:00Bristol City have secured the surprise signing of former Portsmouth goalkeeper David James<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.skysports.com/10/06/218x298/DavidJames_2467512.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 298px;" src="http://img.skysports.com/10/06/218x298/DavidJames_2467512.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">SkySports.com on Thursday that the Championship Robins were close to completing the major coup of landing the England shot-stopper and the deal has now been confirmed.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Celtic and Sundeland</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> had been interested in James</span></span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://topics.skysports.com/David+James/?section=football" class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">,</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> but the clubs dropped their pursuit because they could not reach an agreement with the soon-to-be 40-year-old.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">It is understood that the ex-Liverpool, Aston Villa</span></span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://topics.skysports.com/Aston+Villa/?section=football" class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">,</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> West Ham and Mancheter</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://topics.skysports.com/Manchester+City/?section=football" class=" lingo_link" title="Mouse over ^ icon to search." style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-style: normal; "> </a>City</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> No.1 wanted a one-year deal with an option to extend the terms, which, crucially, was on offer at Ashton Gate.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">James passed a medical with Steve Coppell's side on Friday and his contract will become active on 1st August, allowing him to make his expected debut in City's season-opener against Millwall.</span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-70670303133919244562010-07-30T06:55:00.000-07:002010-07-30T07:06:44.438-07:00Five thousand unsold gold-plated Frank Lampard iPods are to be "melted down" following England's dismal World Cup flop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2009/12/lampard-ipod.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2009/12/lampard-ipod.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The soccer star teamed up with Dragons' Den firm</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Goldgenie to launch the 24-carat iPod Touch, costing up</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to £599.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But now bosses are set to salvage the gold from all the remaining iPods, which feature Lampard's laser-etched signature on the back.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Goldgenie, backed by BBC Dragon James Caan, is said to be planning to rebrand them with kids' cartoon character Hello Kitty. A TV source said: "They're melting down all the Frank Lampard iPods.</span></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"It's not exactly melting down - it's a chemical process. But basically Goldgenie are recovering all the gold so they can use it again.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"They thought loads of people would want them during the World Cup but the backlash against England was so bad that they've had to scrap the whole thing."</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chelsea ace Lampard, 32 - dating new GMTV host Christine Bleakley - launched the 64GB gold-plated iPod at Harrods. A spokesman for the star said: "Frank donated all his royalties on the sale of the iPods to the Teenage Cancer Trust. He also made an up-front donation to the charity.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"It's disappointing the iPods have not reached sales targets as Frank wanted to help the TCT for which he's a patron." A Goldgenie spokesman said: "We may have over-ordered due to World Cup hopes, but that's no reflection on Frank's popularity."</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span><br /><span></span></span></span></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-85412564622463082782010-07-30T06:48:00.000-07:002010-07-30T06:51:11.659-07:00Breaking News : Real Madrid Sign Stuttgart Midfielder Sami Khedira<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://u.goal.com/104900/104929_hp.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 230px;" src="http://u.goal.com/104900/104929_hp.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Bundesliga side Stuttgart have confirmed the departure of holding midfielder Sami Khedira to Real Madrid. A report in </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Bild </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">claims that the Blancos have agreed a fee of €14 million for the services of the Germany international. However, Stuttgart have not disclosed any details about the transfer fee.<br /><br />The 23-year-old midfielder had already agreed personal terms with Madrid on Wednesday and will sign a five-year deal with the Merengues after undergoing a medical.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">However, on the other hand, we couldn't deny Sami his dream move to Real Madrid. We'd like to wish him all the best at his new club."<br /><br />Khedira had attracted the interest of Real Madrid with his excellent performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup and was since continually being linked with a move to the Spanish powerhouse.<br /><br />The midfielder is a product of the Stuttgart youth academy and has made over 100 official appearances for the Schwaben since making his debut in October 2006.</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-45160141795899042112010-07-29T14:55:00.000-07:002010-07-29T15:21:27.834-07:00Robinho desperate for Santos stay as Manchester City await Brazil striker's return in August<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Robinho is set for another clash with </span></span></span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Manchester City</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> after begging to stay on loan at Santos.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">City's record signing is due back at Eastlands in mid-August after being cleared by the club to play for Brazil in a friendly against the US on August 10.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">But the forward, 26, insists he wants to stay in his homeland.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Robinho, who is due to say farewell to Santos after the second leg of the Brazilian Cup final on August 4, is irritated that a new loan deal has not been drawn up and claimed that City are refusing to negotiate with Santos.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">He said: 'I hope I can stay, but it depends on Manchester City. I hope this is not my last game here but, for now, what I have been told is that they (the negotiations) are on a standstill and that I have to go back.'</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">City sources told </span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Sportsmail</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> that Santos have not yet made an approach about a new loan. Nevertheless, the Manchester club understandably want to recoup as much as possible of the £30million they paid Real Madrid in 2008 by way of a permanent deal.</span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Mancini said: 'He'll stay in Brazil for another week, play for the national team and then return.'</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Asked if he had any issues taking him back, Mancini said: 'At this moment, no. But it depends on him.'</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Mario Balotelli's £30m move from Inter is expected to be wrapped up on Friday. The player's agent, Mino Raiola, is at Eastlands to close the deal.</span></span></span></p><span><br /></span><p></p><span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-1084761331042087512010-07-29T14:28:00.000-07:002010-07-29T14:31:09.659-07:00BREAKING NEWS: Fulham appoint Mark Hughes as manager on two-year contract<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 50); font-family:Verdana, Arial;font-size:13px;"><p><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/101/fulham" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Fulham</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> have confirmed that they have appointed </span></span></span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/wales/10041/mark-hughes" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Mark Hughes</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> as their new manager.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Much has been made of who would lead the Cottagers into the new season after Ajax manager Martin Jol recently turned down the post with the likes of Dave Jones and Sven-Goran Eriksson mooted as potential candidates.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Despite being second choice to Jol, however, that didn't put off Hughes, who has signed a two-year deal with the Cottagers.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"I am happy to have joined Fulham</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> following much speculation regarding the appointment of a new Manager. I have discussed my aspirations with both the Chairman and Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," the Welshman told the club's official website.<br /><br />"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the Club’s history, and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition. I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this Club forward in the right direction.<br /><br />"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season’s campaign and we will work hard to achieve that. I’m looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and in making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Goal.com UK</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> exclusively revealed that </span></span></span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/07/28/2046334/mark-hughes-set-to-be-appointed-new-fulham-manager-and-wants" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Hughes is targeting Manchester City's Craig Bellamy</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> as his first signing at the club and chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is adamant that the former Manchester United striker will prove a "great guy" for the job.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"I would like to welcome Mark Hughes to Fulham. I know that he understands my vision for the Club, and believes in what we want achieve," he said.<br /><br />"We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue. I am confident that with his Premier League and National Team successes, Mark will be a great guy for the job."</span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Hughes will be officially unveiled as Fulham's new boss at a press conference on Friday.</span></span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-38266445826776515292010-07-29T12:36:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:41:28.200-07:00Hilarious moment at Women's U20 World Cup<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">At 1:41 min of this video you will witness a hilarious moment in football history.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><object width="400" height="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mzc0zh3gqJg&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mzc0zh3gqJg&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="325"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-42004518997865761952010-07-29T09:54:00.000-07:002010-07-29T09:58:31.698-07:00Portsmouth are made to pay<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 13px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Portsmouth face the bleak prospect of paying out more than £500,000 in wages at the end of this week to players no longer at the club.</span></span></span></p><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">England keeper David James is set to become the biggest recipient in a bizarre salary structure. He will pick up about £140,000 from the club he turned his back on provided he does not sign for anyone else by Saturday night. James has been linked with Celtic and Sunderland, but has so far failed to agree any deal.</span></span></span></p><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">It means that, although his Pompey contract ran out in June, he is entitled to another four weeks’ wages.</span></span></span></p><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Regulations state any club is bound to pay an extra month’s salary to a player whose contract has expired but has not signed for another club as part of normal severance.</span></span></span></p><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Also entitled to another month’s money are defenders Steve Finnan, Ricardo Rocha and Tal Ben Haim and midfielders Angelos Basinas and Kevin Prince Boateng.</span></span></span></p><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Ben Haim and Boateng have yet to move on.</span></span></span></p><p class="introcopy" style="padding-top: 7px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top; margin-top: 2px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/285x214/189839_1.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 214px;" src="http://images.dailyexpress.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/285x214/189839_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-34108977585499835872010-07-29T09:25:00.001-07:002010-07-29T09:29:08.840-07:00Jose Mourinho lauds 'world's best' Ricardo Carvalho as Portuguese pair prepare to be reunited<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">J</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">ose Mourinho has given the clearest indication yet that he will be reunited with Ricardo Carvalho at Real Madrid before the start of the season.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">The Portuguese pair worked together at Porto before the manager moved to </span></span></span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Chelsea</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> in 2004. Carvalho duly followed that same summer in a deal worth £19.8m and has proved a sturdy foundation ever since.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">However, after six years at Stamford Bridge the defender has revealed his desire to move on, claiming that he would go 'swimming or running' to the Bernabeu if his former mentor came calling.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:10px;"></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">And it seems the feeling is mutual. When pushed on Spanish TV as to the likelihood of a deal, Mourinho said: 'I always said that Carvalho is one of the best in the world. We'll see what happens.'<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Carvalho, who turned 32 in May, has seen his place in the Chelsea come under-threat from the younger Alex and Branislav Ivanovic.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Mourinho, though, is unconcerned by the player's advancing years.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'He is in the period of his greatest maturity,' he added.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Carvalho sat out the second part of last season with ankle ligament damage as Chelsea romped to their first ever 'Double'.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">He said earlier this month that an agreement was in place with Chelsea that allows him to find a new club this summer.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running,' he said. 'It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which for me is the best club in the world.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know.' </span></span></span></p><br /></span><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/29/article-1298627-05F6E3D40000044D-226_468x366.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 468px; height: 366px;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/29/article-1298627-05F6E3D40000044D-226_468x366.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-58420686720917635442010-07-29T09:23:00.000-07:002010-07-29T09:24:36.009-07:00Mario Balotelli set to be unveiled by Manchester City in £24m deal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Manchester City </span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">are set to unveil Mario Balotelli to take their summer spending past the £100million mark.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">The Inter Milan striker is on the verge of signing a five-year deal at Eastlands to complete his £24m switch.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Balotelli's arrival is likely to be confirmed today after he agreed a contract worth around £65,000 a week. </span></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">The 19-year-old will now compete for a place in the starting line-up with Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor, with Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho all heading for the exit.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">On Wednesday night, when asked about Balotelli during the Serie A fixture presentation at the Milan Stock Exchange, Inter director Ernesto Paolillo said: 'We are in the Stock Exchange Building where the basic rule is to announce business when it is final. A few things have yet to be sorted out but we are on the right road.'</span></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">According to Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport, Inter's legal chief Vittorio Rigo was in Manchester earlier this week to finalise the deal. He is expected to be joined by Balotell's agent Mino Raiola at Eastlands today.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">In an interview with Gazetta, City boss Roberto Mancini said: 'Good players do well wherever and he can demonstrate his value in England.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'We are looking for a striker and he is one of the those we have been following. As a player I like him - I gave him his debut in Serie A because he has talent and like many of the Inter players I know him well.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'It's not true that he has a difficult character - at that age everybody has made mistakes. Mario is a good lad.' </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Mancini has already signed £24m David SIlva, £28 Yaya Toure, £17m Aleksandar Kolarov and £10m Jerome Boateng this summer.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Despite Balotelli's volatile reputation in Italy, Inter team-mate Marco Materazzi has defended the youngster.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">He said: 'When you are young you make mistakes. I think he has made mistakes becaue of his talent which has made him feel stronger than he is.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'But I believe he knows he has made mistakes because otherwise after our fight he wouldn't have texted me during the summer and said "Where are you big brother?"'<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'I think we have reached the stage where it's better for everybody. Mario picked the agent he has because he believed he was going to leave Inter. Inter paid zero for him – it's a question of balance.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">'However I'm sure that when he leaves (owner} Massimo Moratti will be heartbroken because he has always been his biggest fan and I'm sure Mario will cry as well the day he leaves.'</span></span></span></p><span><br /></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-59396405995508815432010-07-29T07:53:00.000-07:002010-07-29T08:00:29.045-07:00Manchester United embarrassed "Mls All Stars" Full Time Highlights<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px; font-family:arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Manchester United won 5-2 the game against the MLS All-Stars, led by Bruce Arena.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- text-align: justify; background-position: initial initial; font-size:16px;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">The English super power has proved much too strong for Bruce Arena’s boys, that lost the game by 3 goals, but still managed to score twice.</span></span></p><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- text-align: justify; background-position: initial initial; font-size:16px;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Here’s the MLS All-Stars first eleven: Donovan Ricketts, Kevin Alston, Jamison Olave, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce, Sebastien Le Toux, Javier Morales, Shalrie Joseph, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Marco Pappa and Juan Pablo Angel.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- text-align: justify; background-position: initial initial; font-size:16px;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- text-align: justify; background-position: initial initial; font-size:16px;color:transparent;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"> Alex Ferguson sent the following lineup onto the pitch: Edwin van der Sar, Rafael, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Fabio, John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Frederico Macheda, Nani and Obertan</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">.</span></i></p></span></span></div><br /><object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSv_PKlZ9VY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSv_PKlZ9VY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-31844167386514445752010-07-29T07:28:00.000-07:002010-07-29T07:40:50.895-07:00A Failed Panenka By Neymar<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><div><br /></div>Last weekend we saw an example of a </span></span></span><a href="http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/19275/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">brilliantly inventive penalty courtesy of Spain's Ezequiel Calvente</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.<br /><br />Now here's an example of just how stupid you can look when a cheeky spot-kick goes wrong.<br /><br />Teenage Santos forward Neymar is one of football's hottest properties, and has been linked with some of Europe's top clubs including Chelsea and West Ham</span>.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;font-size:130%;color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><object width="400" height="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nX9UEwcvEfs&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nX9UEwcvEfs&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="325"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-67992710412378023012010-07-28T14:08:00.000-07:002010-07-28T14:21:03.637-07:00SP.Braga VS Celtic Amazing Goal<span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">An amazing goal you probrably havent seen from the Braga man Matheus Vs Celtic.</span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;color:#999999;"><br /><object width="425" height="360"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=106024925,t=1,mt=video"><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=106024925,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-31892879405237168682010-07-28T06:53:00.000-07:002010-07-28T06:54:42.361-07:00Raul Schalke Move Confirmed<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Raul, 33, was a hero with the Madrid faithful, making 741 appearances and scoring 323 goals in a 16 year spell with the club he joined as a teenager, a spell which yielded 16 trophies including six La Liga titles and three Champions League successes.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Raul joins Schalke on a free transfer and will undergo a medical this morning before training with his team-mates for the first time later in the afternoon.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">“It’s great news for FC Schalke 04,” said manager Felixe Magath in a statement on the club’s official website.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">“I'm delighted we've been able to inspire such an exceptional footballer and world-class striker to move to the Bundesliga and Schalke. Raul's qualities will help us move forward.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">“His signing marks a decisive step in our efforts to strengthen and restructure our squad for the tasks ahead and I look forward to working with such a likeable pro," he added.</span></span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-16596146697846751842010-07-28T06:24:00.000-07:002010-07-28T06:41:54.544-07:00Top 10 Reflex Saves Ever Made<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">10. Ed de Goey (Chelsea)<br />9. Alan Main (St. Johnstone)<br />8. Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)<br />7. Santiago Cañizares (Valencia)<br />6. Peter Schmeichel (Denmark)<br />5. Rinat Dasaev (Soviet Union)<br />4. Bogdan Lobont (Ajax)<br />3. Gregory Coupet (Lyon)<br />2. Gordon Banks (England)<br />1. David Seaman (Arsenal)</span></span></span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="343"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OtRsYDIjblc&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OtRsYDIjblc&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="343"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-12926777815603877142010-07-28T06:16:00.000-07:002010-07-28T06:24:56.123-07:00Best Goal Celebration Ever<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">This has to be the best celebration you have ever seen.The player who scores is called Halldor Orri and the man playing the flapping fish is Johann Laxdal.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span><object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AKlucE-5nIM&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AKlucE-5nIM&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-78396989000830006502010-07-28T06:06:00.000-07:002010-07-28T06:09:13.850-07:00Cesc Fabregas transfer bid under threat as Barcelona reveal debts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">The latest financial audit of the club showed that the La Liga champions made a loss of over £64 million last season. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">This is in stark contrast to the claims made at the end of June by the previous board, led by Joan Laporta, which claimed the club was only £9.2m in debt.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Barcelona have already had a £29m bid for Arsenal's talismanic midfielder turned down, and may have to resign themselves to a long wait before Fabregas will step out at the Nou Camp.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Arsene Wenger has so far refused to negotiate over the sale of Fabregas, who has five years left to run on his current Arsenal contract </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Fabregas is set to sit down with Wenger later this week for a series of crunch talks, designed to end the speculation over a possible move to Barcelona. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Source : Metro.co.uk</span></span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-76644586299571303332010-07-27T16:51:00.000-07:002010-07-27T16:53:20.202-07:00Argentina drop Maradona as coach<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - The Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Tuesday elected not to renew Diego Maradona's contract as national team coach, a spokesman said.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Doubts had surrounded the 49-year-old's future ever since a tense meeting with AFA head Julio Grondona on Monday and newspapers had spent the day speculating on who would succeed the man who led the team to victory as star player at the 1986 World Cup.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">As an inexperienced coach, Maradona's record over 18 months was less than stellar and the team only qualified for the World Cup finals by the skin of their teeth.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Although several players had spoken up for him after a run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where Germany proved too strong, the AFA decided it was time to give the job to someone else.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">One name in the frame to succeed him is Alejandro Sabella, who led Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores last year.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Other potential candidates include Miguel Angel Russo (Racing Club) and Sergio Batista, currently in charge of the Argentine youth set-up and who helped steer the country to Olympic glory in the Beijing Games in 2008.</p><p class="last" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Fans reportedly have a soft spot for Carlos Bianchi, who has enjoyed success with Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, but his chances are believed to be slim due to a poor relationship with Grondona.</p><p class="last" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Source : Soccerway.com</p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-72957661421015397562010-07-27T16:30:00.000-07:002010-07-27T16:42:58.100-07:00Diego Maradona criticises Messi treatment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/thumbnails/199_150/Imatges/2007-2008/futbol/primer_equip/plantilla/MESSI.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 299px;" src="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/thumbnails/199_150/Imatges/2007-2008/futbol/primer_equip/plantilla/MESSI.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Maradona played down controversy over Argentina's first goal in a 3-1 victory against Mexico, when goalscorer Carlos Tevez was clearly offside, and claimed referees were as guilty for not protecting Messi as missing obvious offsides.<br /><br />"Messi gets kicked around and the referee does not act," said Maradona. "I have lived that myself 20 years ago, when I was a player when you had three players on you."<br /><br />Argentina will meet Germany in the quarter finals, after benefiting from an official's error of judgment to rank alongside the one which denied England's Frank Lampard in a game against Germany four hours earlier. Tevez was beyond all 11 Mexico players in the move leading to the goal, when there should have been at least two when the ball to him was played.<br /><br />After the replay flashed up on the big screen angry Mexico players surrounded the Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and linesman Stefano Ayroldi but the goal stood as it was too late for the officials to change their mind.<br /><br />Mexico went into meltdown and a defensive howler by Ricardo Osorio allowed Gonzalo Higuain to make it 2-0. It was Tevez who sewed the match up in brilliant fashion - and legitimately this time - early in the second half with Mexico left only to savour a stunning reply by Manchester United's new signing Javier Hernandez.</span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-14602280480767082142010-07-27T16:22:00.000-07:002010-07-27T16:28:57.249-07:00Ronaldo returns to training ahead of schedule<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">MADRID — Real Madrid's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo cut short his holidays by one day and started training on Tuesday under the club's new manager Jose Mourinho for the first time before the team heads to the United States.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">During Tuesday's training session the Portuguese coach divided the players into two teams to play two practice games.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The team will head to California on Wednesday morning for a pre-season training camp where they will remain until August 7.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Several other of Real Madrid internationals who took part in the World Cup in South Africa will meet up with the squad in California, such as Brazil's Kaka, who will arrive on Saturday.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Portuguese defender Pepe on Monday became the first Real Madrid international who took part in the tournament to have resumed training with the Spanish club.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player whose transfer to Real from Manchester United in cost the club 94 million euros in June 2009, failed to shine for Portugal during the World Cup.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The 25-year-old announced shortly after the final of the tournament which was won by Spain that he had become a father in June but refused to reveal who the mother of the baby boy is, sparking a media frenzy.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Real will play two pre-season friendlies while in California. The club will face Mexican side Aguilas de America in San Francisco on August 4 and US side LA Galaxy in Los Angeles three days later.</span></span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-80941196411731819502010-07-27T16:19:00.000-07:002010-07-27T16:22:24.718-07:00Real Madrid edge closer to Khedira capture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.skysports.com/08/10/218x298/SamiKhedira_1413350.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 298px;" src="http://img.skysports.com/08/10/218x298/SamiKhedira_1413350.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Real Madrid expect to complete the signing of Sami Khedira this week.<br /><br />The German international has just twelve months left of his contract at Stuttgart, who are prepared to sell him now rather than lose him for nothing next summer.<br /><br />Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with the midfield player, but Real are in pole position and should complete the €10million signing within days.<br /><br />Indeed, AS claim Khedira, 23, is so keen to make the move to the Bernabeu, he has offered to lower his wage demands to accelerate the transfer.</span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-50080987648770200532010-07-27T16:16:00.001-07:002010-07-27T16:16:48.273-07:00Manchester United urged to keep Carrick<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Bryan Robson believes Michael Carrick can be a key player for Manchester United Football Club.<br /><br />The midfielder joined the Reds from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2006, and he helped win the Premier League in each of his first three seasons at Old Trafford.<br /><br />Last season, though, the £17million man had his most disappointing campaign in Manchester to date, and he has been linked with a £7million move to Sunderland.<br /><br />However, United legend Robson has urged Sir Alex Ferguson to keep faith in Carrick, who he feels can become a key member of the starting eleven in the coming season.<br /><br />“Michael's got a massive part to play for United,” he said. "He's proved that he's a top player. He reads the game really well, he's a great passer of a ball, and he's very good at intercepting things.<br /><br />"If I was picking the England team, Michael would have been in my team. But quite a few of the boys have got to pick themselves up and prove themselves again."</span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4328034816574263038.post-71092212093603568672010-07-27T16:12:00.000-07:002010-07-27T16:15:38.269-07:00United have money to spend<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the go-ahead to strengthen his squad with a player of "very high quality".</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Ferguson insists he is pleased with his additions - defender Chris Smalling and striker Javier Hernandez. However Smalling has limited top-flight experience with Fulham while Hernandez has none at all after arriving from Guadalajara, and chief executive David Gill insists cash is available for Ferguson to enter the transfer market again before the window closes.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">"The money is there if we believe there is a player who can improve what we believe is a very good squad," Gill told MUTV. "The team has been together for a number of years and done very well. In order to improve it a player has to be of a very high quality."</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">He added: "We are always looking at players. We are looking 365 days a year - it does not just start when the transfer window opens.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">"Overall I think Sir Alex is very comfortable with the squad composition. That's not to say something won't happen, but I think it is a 'might', not a 'will'.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">"We will see what happens over the next six weeks."</span></span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0