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Atletico Madrid Home Jersey

The red and white stripes of the Atletico Madrid jersey make the strip one of the most recognisable in the world. Kia sponsor Atletico Madrid with an unobtrusive red and white logo which blends in well with the shirt. The Nike Atletico Madrid Home Jersey has has a round collar but looks like a v neck style collar with the Nike sign being in blue on the right hand side of the jersey with the Atletico Madrid badge with the stars and stripes on the left-hand side. The name and numbering on the back of the shirt is in the same royal blue colour as the Nike badge and makes a fantastic contrast to the red and white background. Atletico have a host of fantastic players including Maxi Rodrigues and Diego Forlan but by far the best is Sergio Aguero who wears the number 10. I got Aguero – 10 on the back of my shirt and it looks fantastic.

Macedonia appoint new coach

Macedonia have appointed Croatian Branko Ivankovic as their new coach after the departure of Katanec last month.

Ivankovic began his managing career in 1991 and has since coached clubs as NK Varteks, Hannover 96 and NK Dinamo Zagreb. At the international level, the manager led Iran from 2003 to 2006.

Ivankovic has a tough task to try to get his new side to the 2010 World Cup ads they currently sot bottom of group 9 with only 4 points.

Positives even in defeat for NI

Northern Ireland lost 3-0 to Scotland in a friendly last night but manager Nigel Worthington took two positives from the match in the form of Corry Evans and Ryan McGivern.

“I thought those two players stood out. They looked assured and comfortable in all they were doing. They played well.

“We lost the ball in some bad positions for the goals but it is a good learning curve for the young players and their workrate and attitude has been superb.

“It was a useful exercise and gives our younger players some experience.”

“Some of them came through very well and the youngsters were fearless and gave us some energy.

“We were disappointed to lose the game but Scotland had some very experienced players out there,” said Worthington.

The Northern Ireland boss expects to field another inexperienced side in next month’s senior friendly against Italy and many of those who faced Scotland may have another chance to shine.

“A lot of the senior players will be having a well-earned break so our side to face Italy is going to be very, very young.

“Hopefully that message will get across to Italy and they will do likewise.”

Joachim Loew Selection Headaches

With the football calendar ever-expanding, international coaches must often battle to prize players from the hands of their club managers.

Germany coach Joachim Loew will not be able to put up much of a fight though as he struggles to piece together a squad for a trip to Asia to play China on May 29 and United Arab Emirates on June 2.

Though he will view these two friendlies as vital preparation before Germany resume their World Cup qualification campaign in the autumn, a number of his players are unlikely to agree.

Michael Ballack, fresh from the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League final, will be happy to miss both games as he has a FA Cup final against Everton on May 30 to concentrate on.

But it is closer to home where the fixture list will give Loew the biggest headaches.

As Ballack steps on to the Wembley pitch, a number of his compatriots will go head-to-head in the German Cup final.
 
The progress of Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen to the season’s showpiece was not the result Loew will have hoped for and it will leave him scratching his head to find replacements.

Bremen’s 4-2 win over Hamburger SV booked their place in the final but it ticks Per Mertesacker, Torsten Frings, Clems Fritz, Mesut Ozil and Tim Wiese off the squad list.

Leverkusen made harder work of their semi-final, needing extra-time to see off second division side Mainz 4-1; strikers Patrick Helmes and Stefan Kiessling, midfielder Simon Rolfes and goalkeeper Rene Adler therefore join the absentees.

The coach will have more of a case for player selection in the autumn when the battle to reach South Africa continues.

Though Germany have a relatively commanding position in Group 4, lying top of the group with 16 points from 6 games, Russia can move within a point if they beat Finland on June 10.

That would make the match in Moscow between the two sides on September 10 all-important, as only the group winners are assured a place at the finals.

Group runners-up will face the added stress of a play-off tie, a fate Loew will be keen to avoid.

The return then of his missing players will be a considerable bonus.

By Alistair Kleebauer

Scotland assistant hoping to find a gem

Speaking ahead of the Scotland B friendly against Northern Ireland tonight assistant manager Billy Stark said he as hoping to unearth some new talent within the squad tonight and that this was a real chance for some players to shine.

“It’s a great opportunity to look at new players with different agendas.”

Stark singled out the First Division player of the year, Livingston’s Griffiths, as an example of someone who could impress the national manager.

“If people play particularly well on the night and show that they can handle international football, then it stands them in good stead further on,” said Stark.

“The nature of the thing is, you get call-offs, so the more you know about people that you’re likely to call in, the better.

“George has unearthed one or two players - Griffiths, for example, has scored 21 goals this season in total.

“For a young lad, under 19, to do that in the First Division - which is a tough environment - tells you there’s a lot of promise there.”

Motherwell’s David Clarkson will captain the Scots at Broadwood.

2 for 1 Dominoes Pizza for Champions League nights

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Offer available online only – for collection or delivery – T&Cs apply.

Visit Domino’s Pizza Football Special and select Meal Deals.

Scotland B squad hit with call offs

George Burley has had to add four players to the squad for his Scotland B friendly against Northern Ireland due to six players pulling out of the squad.

Mark Wilson, Darren Barr, Craig Bryson, Graham Dorrans, Ross Wallace and Paul Gallagher all pulled out of the squad. With Livingston striker Leigh Griffiths, Cardiff winger Chris Burke, Rangers defender Andy Webster and St. Mirrens Jack Ross all being called up to the depleted squad.

This is just the latest set of call-ups as the squad has been depleted with various injuries.

Revised Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers David Marshall (Norwich City) Iain Turner (Everton on loan to Nottingham Forest)

Defenders Scott Cuthbert (Celtic on loan to St Mirren) Brian Easton (Hamilton Academical) Steven Hammell (Motherwell) Mark Reynolds (Motherwell) Jack Ross (St Mirren) Andy Webster (Rangers)

Midfielders Scott Arfield (Falkirk) Barry Bannan (Aston Villa on loan to Derby County) Ian Black (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) Chris Burke (Cardiff City) Stephen Hughes (Motherwell)

Forwards George Boyd (Peterborough United) David Clarkson (Motherwell) Leigh Griffiths (Livingston) Steven Naismith (Rangers)

Wenger supports Alumina for England

Manuel Almunia becomes eligible in the summer for British Citizenship and his Arsenal manager has supported his consideration to play for England if he is allowed to.

“If it is possible legally, why not? I believe he is not only good enough, but he is the best,” said Wenger.

“There are international rules which have to be respected and then it is more a choice left to the English Football Association or to Manuel Almunia’s desire.”

Almunia, who joined Arsenal from Spanish side Celta Vigo, has previously expressed interest in representing England, saying: “They [Spain] have never, never called me.

“If other people want me, I have to study my situation and take a decision because it is good for me - I will not close myself to anything.”

Fabio Capello has yet to decide on a permanent number 1 with there being a few names put into the ring. David James is the current first choice but hasn’t had the best season this year and at the age of 38 could be on his way out. Paul Robinson, Chris Kirkland, Robert Green and Ben Foster are also in contention. Foster has the potential to be first choice England number 1 for many years but he must start playing regularly with Manchester United.

But Wenger believes turning to a naturalised replacement such as Almunia is a viable option.

“It is down to what you expect morally and mentally from a national team,” said the Frenchman. “I believe at some stage you have to observe just the rules and decide what you want.

“On the English side, for the national team, it is not so much a problem because if the guy decides to become English, he has had to observe and respect the rules like anybody else.

“Why should he then not be qualified to play for the national team?

“It is more a moral problem maybe for Manuel Almunia, because does he consider he has a chance to play in the Spanish national team or not?”

Scotland call up Boyd, no not that one

Scotland have called up Peterborough winger George Boyd to their B team that is set to take on Northern Ireland on the 6th of May.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Chatham, told his club website: “Any international recognition is great.

“I didn’t really know about the Scottish interest until the beginning of the week.

“I think (playing for) England is a bit far-fetched, so this is a great opportunity for me.”

Burley has limited options for the friendly due to the midweek games of some of the top SPL teams as well as the old firm game the following weekend.

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