Bilic Announces Croatia Lineup
January 31, 2009
On February 11th, the Croatia national team will travel to Bucharest for a friendly with Romania. Coach Slaven Bilic announced on Wednesday, January 28th, the lineup. Missing from the list is Niko Kovac, due to his decision to retire, and some of the usual faces, Vedran Runje, Jerko Leko, Dario Knezevic, and Ivan Klasnic are also missing from the lineup. However, Bilic has named some new players in their places and the return of Eduardo da Silva is expected. After missing his country’s campaign in the UEFA Euro 2008 because of injury, he has been very anxious to get back to the national team and his club team, Arsenal. Slaven Bilic had a chat with the Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, and they came to the conclusion that Eduardo will play about 30 minutes or a whole half, depending upon how he is doing on the pitch.
The lineup:
Stipe Pletikosa, Danijel Subasic, Vedran Corluka, Josip Simunic, Robert Kovac, Hrvoje Cale, Hrvoje Vejic, Ivan Krizanac, Danijel Pranjic, Nikola Pokrivac, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Ivan Juric, Ognjen Vukojevic, Ivo Ilicevic, Darijo Srna, Ivan Rakitic, Eduardo da Silva, Mladen Petric, Ivica Olic, Nikola Kalinic, Mario Mandzukic
Jill Guthrie
Beckhams England future undecided
January 30, 2009
Capello has stated he is unsure whether he will be calling up David Beckhams for next weeks friendly against Spain. Capello was speaking after watching Milan play Genoa a game in which Beckham scored. If Beckham is not included in the squad this could be a sign that Beckham may not take a major role in the qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals.
“I still have to decide although I was pleased with the way Beckham played, which I though was better than in his previous games,” said Capello
“I was at the San Siro to check on his form and before that I sent my assistants. It seems to me that he has fitted in very well at Milan.”
Beckham is on loan from his club LA Galaxy because the Major League Soccer off season is so long that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player needed to find a loan club to keep on playing or lose his place in Capello’s England plans.
The midfielder’s move has proved so successful, though, that the talk in Milan is about whether or not he will stay beyond the end of his proposed loan deal in March.
“We have to qualify first and only then will I think about who to select.”
2011 Champions League Final at Wembley
January 29, 2009
Wembley had been one of a number of big stadiums that had been put forward as the venue for the 2011 Champions League final and was today awarded the event ahead of Munich’s Allianz Arena and Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Dublin’s Lansdowne Road has been picked to host the 2011 final of the Europa League, previously the Uefa Cup, as Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium missed out.
The Gunners’ home ground was ruled out of the running because the same country cannot host both major European finals in the same year.
“It is acknowledgment of Wembley’s ranking alongside the very best football stadiums in the world.
“As Wembley has been chosen to host the Champions League Final this means the Emirates Stadium can’t stage the 2011 Europa League final.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Arsenal for all their valuable support during the bid process and recognise the very strong bid that they put together.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson added: “It is splendid news. There is a huge sense of excitement and passion in London for sports and indeed for the ‘beautiful game’ of football.
“London is delighted to have been successful in the bid to host the 2011 Final and Wembley is a suitably dramatic and superb backdrop for the event.”
The Allianz Arena - home of Bayern Munich - will stage the 2012 Champions League final and Bucharest’s National Stadium the Europa League final in that year.
Wembley had previously bid for the the 2010 Champions League final but was turned down due to the UK government not allowing the players to be tax exempt for the match but they loosened the rules as the event is expected to raise £30 million.
Ronaldo scoops FIFA Player Of The Year Award
January 27, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo has done it again! He has not only won the Ballon d’or and the European Golden Boot, but now also the FIFA World Player Of The Year. Ronaldo has had a remarkable year with Manchester United. In a short space of a year, he has won a FA Premier League and a UEFA Champions League with them, not to mention the FIFA Club World Cup, which was held later this year in Japan. All in which he had a vital role to play. He was the highest goal scorer. Netting 42 goals in just one season. Ronaldo is a key player and a goal provider. Not only does he scores goals but he makes goals to. Together, he and Wayne Rooney are unstoppable. Last night at the FIFA GALLA, he beat Kaka, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez, to claim the most prestigous honour in football.
What should Liverpool do with Robbie Keane?
January 27, 2009
What should we do with Robbie Keane? Those are the most probable words on every Liverpool fans’ minds and mouths right now! Paying 20 million euros for a player that does not even make the bench for Liverpool was just plain stupid. Keane did not even make the trip to Anfield on Sunday for the FA Cup Fourth Round tie with Liverpool. Although Rafa Benitez is dissmissing all speculation that Keane might be leaving Liverpool, it seems mightas well go back to his old club. Liverpool could have bought Gareth Barry for 18 million. He would have suited Liverpool’s midfield rather that Keane, who has only scored 5 goals this season for the club. Now that Fernando Torres is back from a hamstring injury, Keane will get a backseat as Torres will be preferred. The Torres-Gerrard partnership is strong, so will Keane get his desrvered place in the squad?
Ronaldinho returns to Brazil squad
January 27, 2009
Brazil are set to play Italy in a friendly at Arsenals Emirates on the 10th of February and Ronaldinho has been recalled by Dunga to take part in the match.
The 28-year-old striker, also the FIFA World Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005, is part of a Europe-based squad also including his AC Milan team-mates, midfielder Kaka, striker Alexandre Pato and keeper Thiago Silva.
Manchester City’s Robinho and Inter Milan’s Adriano are also in the squad, adding to Dunga’s attacking options.
Brazil squad for friendly against Italy on February 10
Keepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Doni (AS Roma/ITA)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan (AS Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Adriano Correia (Sevilla/ESP)
Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Anderson (Manchester United/ENG), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina/ITA), Elano (Manchester City/ENG), Julio Baptista (AS Roma/ITA), Ronaldinho (AC Milan/ITA), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA)
Strikers: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Adriano (Inter Milan/ITA), Robinho (Manchester City/ENG)
Kovac considering international future
January 27, 2009
Robert Kovac, in December of 2008, was considering quitting club football and returning to the Croatia national team; but, since the event of his brother Niko Kovac quitting the national team earlier this month, he is considering to do so as well. Robert, like Niko, has not been a first choice defender at his club, Borussia Dortmund. His lack of time on the pitch has resulted in him not being fully-fit for the national squad.
Robert’s contract at Borussia Dortmund expires in June of this summer and according to the German Bild, that is when he will retire from club play. However, he has stated, “Only an extremely-interesting offer would make me change my mind.”
As for the Croatia national team, Robert received a red card in their match versus England along with a four game suspension, two of which he has already served. He is expected to return to the Croatia lineup following the expiration of his contract with Dortmund, which will provide a perfect time to quit football altogether if he desires to do so.
Hopefully, his decision will be to stay with Croatia through the World Cup 2010, as he is a valuable defender. Coach Slaven Bilic has said they can recover if both Kovac brothers are to quit; yet, it is not to anyone’s liking that Croatia lose both players.
Jill Guthrie
Fings gets German recall
January 26, 2009
Germany midfielder Torsten Frings is being recalled into the International set-up by Joachim Low. Low controversially dropped one of his biggest stars from the squad so he could give younger players a shot in the team.
This led to very public criticism from Chelsea midfielder and Germany captain Michael Ballack who later settled his differences with his manager and respected his decision.
The inclusion of Frings in the squad for February’s friendly with Norway seems to signal a u-turn form the manager and Frings is expected to be included in the squad for Germanys remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Liverpool Transfer Fees
January 25, 2009
Transfers In
Player Signed Cost Came from
Fernando Torres July 2007 20,200,000 Atletico Madrid
Robbie Keane July 28 2008 19,000,000 Tottenham Hotspur
Ryan Babel July 2007 11,500,000 Ajax
Xabi Alonso August 20th 2004 10,750,000 Real Sociedad
Dirk Kuyt August 18 2006 9,000,000 Feyenoord
Andrea Dossena July 2008 8,000,000 Udinese
Albert Riera September 1 2008 8,000,000 Espanyol
Peter Crouch July 20th 2005 7,000,000 Southampton
Lucas Leiva 11 May 2007 6,750,000 Gremio
Jermaine Pennant July 26 2006 6,700,000 Birmingham City
Martin Skrtel 11 January 2008 6,500,000 Zenit St Petersburg
Craig Bellamy July 1st 2006 6,000,000 Blackburn Rovers
Jose Reina July 4th 2005 6,000,000 Villareal
Luis Garcia August 20th 2004 6,000,000 Barcelona
Dan Agger January 2006 5,800,000 Brondby
Mohammed Sissoko July 2005 5,600,000 Valencia
Fernando Morientes January 2005 5,500,000 Real Madrid
Yossi Benayoun July 2007 5,000,000 West Ham United
Diego Cavalieri July 2008 4,000,000 Palmeiras
Alvaro Arbeloa January 31 2007 2,600,000 Deportivo La Coruna
Sebastian Leto July 2007 2,500,000 Lanus
Gabriel Paletta July 1st 2006 2,000,000 Banfield
Jose Miguel Gonzalez Rey (Josemi) July 2004 2,000,000 CD Malaga
David Ngog July 24 2008 1,500,000 Paris St Germain
Mark Gonzalez July 4th 2005 1,500,000 Albacete
Scott Carson January 21st 2005 750,000 Leeds United
Mikel San Jose July 2007 270,000 Athletic Bilbao
David Martin January 2006 250,000 MK Dons
Antonio Barragan July 4th 2005 240,000 Sevilla
Besian Idrizaj August 2005 190,000 Linzer ASK
Jack Hobbs August 2005 150,000 Lincoln City
Alex Cooper January 2008 100,000 Ross County
Alexander Kacaniklic June 2007 75,000 Helsingborgs
Robbie Fowler January 2006 0 Manchester City
Marvin Pourie July 2007 0 Borussia Dortmund
Krisztian Nemeth 27 May 2007 0 MTK Hungaria
Andras Simon 27 May 2007 0 MTK Hungaria
Dani Pacheco July 2007 0 Barcelona
Nikolay Mihaylov July 2007 0 Levski Sofia
Andriy Voronin July 2007 0 Bayer Leverkusen
Gary Mackay Steven June 2007 0 Ross County
Ryan Crowther July 2007 0 Stockport County
Vitor Flora September 1 2008 0 Botafogo FC
Emmanuel Mendy July 23 2008 0 Murcia Deportivo
Nikola Saric July 2008 0 Herfolge
Philipp Degen July 1 2008 0 Borussia Dortmund
Lauri Dalla Valle January 2008 0 Jippo
Vincent Lucas Weijl July 2008 0 AZ Alkmaar
Gerardo Bruna September 2007 0 Real Madrid
Damien Plessis August 2007 0 Lyon
Peter Gulacsi 1 September 2008 0 MTK Hungaria
Charles Itandje August 2007 0 Lens
Mihail Alexandrov July 2007 0 CSKA Sofia
Ryan Wilkie July 2005 0 Trainee
Javier Mascherano January 2007 0 West Ham United
Miki Roque August 2005 0 Llieda
Nabir El Zhar June 2006 0 St Etienne
Mark Smyth June 2004 0 Trainee
Jay Smith July 2005 0 Trainee
Stephen Darby July 2006 0 Trainee
Craig Lindfield July 2006 0 Trainee
Adam Hammill January 2006 0 Trainee
Danny Guthrie July 2005 0 Trainee
Paul Anderson January 2006 0 Hull City
Lee Peltier July 2005 0 Trainee
Fabio Aurelio July 5 2006 0 Valencia
Jan Kromkamp January 2006 0 Villareal
Boudewijn Zenden July 4th 2005 0 Middlesbrough
Mauricio Pellegrino January 2005 0 Valencia
Godwin Antwi August 2005 0 Real Zaragoza
Robbie Threlfall July 2006 0 Trainee
Calum Woods January 2006 0 Trainee
Paul Willis July 2005 0 Trainee
Danny O’Donnell July 2005 0 Trainee
Ramon Calliste August 2005 0 Manchester United
Steve Irwin July 2008 0 Trainee
Ronald Huth January 2007 0 Tacuary FC
Jordy Brouwer January 2007 0 Ajax
Francisco Manuel Duran January 2007 0 Malaga
Emiliano Insua January 2007 0 Boca Juniors
Ray Putterill June 2007 0 Trainee
Martin Hansen June 2007 0 Trainee
Jay Spearing June 2007 0 Trainee
Dave Roberts July 2006 0 Trainee
David Mannix July 2004 0 Trainee
Ryan Flynn July 2006 0 Trainee
Antonio Nunez August 2004 0 Real Madrid
Transfers Out
Player Signed Cost Left for
Peter Crouch July 2008 11,000,000 Newcastle United
Mohammed Sissoko January 29 2008 8,200,000 Juventus
Michael Owen August 2004 8,000,000 Real Madrid
Craig Bellamy July 2007 7,500,000 West Ham United
Milan Baros August 2005 6,500,000 Aston Villa
Djibril Cisse July 2007 6,000,000 Marseille
Scott Carson July 18 2008 4,000,000 West Bromwich Albion
Luis Garcia July 2007 4,000,000 Atletico Madrid
John Arne Riise June 2008 4,000,000 AS Roma
El Hadji Diouf June 2005 3,500,000 Bolton Wanderers
Chris Kirkland January 2007 3,500,000 Wigan Athletic
Mark Gonzalez July 2007 3,500,000 Real Betis
Fernando Morientes May 2006 3,100,000 Valencia
Florent Sinama-Pongolle May 2007 2,700,000 Recreativo Huelva
Danny Murphy August 2004 2,500,000 Charlton Athletic
Danny Guthrie July 2008 2,250,000 Newcastle United
Jan Kromkamp August 2006 2,000,000 PSV Eindhoven
Antonio Nunez August 2005 2,000,000 Celta Vigo
Alou Diarra June 2005 2,000,000 Lens
Djimi Traore August 2006 2,000,000 Charlton Athletic
Stephen Warnock January 2007 1,200,000 Blackburn Rovers
Antonio Barragan August 2006 680,000 Deportivo La Coruna
Neil Mellor August 2006 500,000 Preston North End
Darren Potter January 2007 250,000 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Danny O’Donnell June 2007 100,000 Crewe Alexandra
Lee Peltier 31 January 2008 0 Yeovil Town
Paul Harrison June 2005 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Richie Partridge June 2005 0 Sheffield Wednesday
Zak Whitbread June 2006 0 Millwall
Carl Medjani July 2006 0 L’Orient
Ryan Wilkie May 2006 0 Released
Calum Woods May 2006 0 Dunfermline
Ramon Calliste May 2006 0 Released
Paul Willis May 2006 0 Released
Dave Roberts June 2007 0 Released
David Mannix January 2007 0 Released
Besian Idrizaj 31 January 2008 0 Wacker Tirol
Robbie Foy May 2006 0 Released
Mark Smyth June 2005 0 Accrington Stanley
Jay Smith December 2007 0 Stockport County
Robbie Fowler June 2007 0 Released
Gabriel Paletta August 2007 0
Salif Diao January 2007 0 Stoke City
Bruno Cheyrou July 2006 0 Rennes
Jerzy Dudek June 2007 0 Released
Gregory Vignal July 2005 0 Portsmouth
Igor Biscan June 2005 0 Panathinaikos
Markus Babbel July 2004 0 VFB Stuttgart
Stephane Henchoz January 2005 0 Celtic
Vladimir Smicer June 2005 0 Bordeaux
Harry Kewell June 2008 0
Steve Finnan September 1 2008 0 Espanyol
Patrice Luzi July 2005 0 Released
Boudewijn Zenden June 2007 0 Marseille
David Raven July 2006 0 Carlisle United
Mauricio Pellegrino June 2005 0 CD Alaves
Jose Miguel Gonzalez Rey (Josemi) January 2006 0 Villareal
Jon Otsemobor June 2005 0 Rotherham United
John Welsh January 2006 0 Hull City
Anthony Le Tallec 1 July 2008 0
Dietmar Hamann July 2006 0 Bolton Wanderers
Total Buys 171,425,000
Total Sales 90,980,000
FIFPro World XI
January 25, 2009
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF and Spain)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF and Spain)
John Terry (Chelsea FC and England)
Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona and Spain)
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United FC and England)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC and England)
Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona and Spain)
Kaká (AC Milan and Brazil)
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona and Argentina)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC and Spain)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC and Portugal)
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- Spain’s Route To The Final
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