.

CL 8 april

2009-04-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

CL 8 april

Barcelona 4-0 Bayern Munich

1-0 Messi Goal

Two first-half goals from Lionel Messi plus one each from Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry ripped through the resistance of a Bayern side who had themselves scored a record 12 times against Sporting Clube de Portugal in the previous round, comprehensively ending the German club's 100 per cent competitive record against Barça here.

2-0 Eto'o goal

Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea

1-0 Torres Goal

1-1 Ivanovic Goal

Two headers by Branislav Ivanovic and a clinical finish by Didier Drogba brought Chelsea FC to the verge of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals as they ended their barren run of European visits to Liverpool FC.

10 March

2009-03-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

Juventus VS Chelsea 10 March 2009

1-0 Iaquinta Goal

1-1 Essien Goal

2-1 Del Piero Goal

2-2 Drogba Goal

Liverpool VS Real Madrid 10 March

1-0 Torres Goal

2-0 Gerrard goal

3-0 Gerrard Goal

Bayern Munchen VS Sporting Lissabon

1-0 Podolski Goal

Champions League 26 february

2009-02-26T05:56:00.001-08:00

Champions League 26 february

Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool 25/02/2009

Yossi Benayoun headed home a late winner as Liverpool beat in-form Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabeu to take control of their Champions League last-16 showdown.

Benayoun nodded in Fabio Aurelio's 82nd-minute free-kick to earn a crucial first leg victory, making Rafael Benitez's side firm favourites to make the quarterfinal stage.

Liverpool also went close through Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, who were both denied by fine saves from Iker Casillas, while Madrid's best effort was an Arjen Robben piledriver that Jose Reina tipped over.

Chelsea 1-0 Juventus 25/02/2009
Drogba Goal

Didier Drogba scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Juventus 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to give Guus Hiddink's side a slender advantage ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg in Turin.

In the 15th minute, Drogba should have made it two when he met a corner from Frank Lampard inside the six-yard box, but he inexplicably headed wide.

Chelsea also had chances to double their lead, notably when a 20-yard effort from Nicolas Anelka flashed inches wide, but Chelsea

Ricky Hatton VS Manny Pacquiao

2009-01-29T14:03:00.000-08:00

Ricky Hatton VS Manny Pacquiao

A deal is close to completion that will see Ricky Hatton fight the Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on 2 May. Talks were continuing today aimed at securing a site to stage the contest with the MGM Grand and Planet Hollywood casinos both prepared to pay multimillion-dollar fees to the promoters.

Pacquiao has become one of the sport's hottest properties with his brilliant win over Oscar De La Hoya, while Hatton remains hugely popular, not least with casinos who can be guaranteed to have their business boosted by the thousands of fans who will travel in support of the hero. The winner of such a high-profile contest would be likely to entice the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr, –conqueror of Hatton in 2007, out of retirement for another lucrative superfight.

Even allowing for the economic downturn, which has had major repercussions for the Las Vegas gaming industry, it is estimated that Pacquiao-Hatton could generate around $20m (£13.4m) for each fighter. Not only would there be a guaranteed sell-out crowd at either the MGM Grand Garden or the Thomas and Mack Center, which will be the venue if Planet Hollywood wins the right to host the fight, but there would also be huge revenue to be made from television sales. Watch the fight live.

Although all Hatton's major fights have been televised in Britain by Sky, with his most recent contests shown as pay-per-view attractions with Sky Box Office, they will face serious competition for British rights from Setanta Sports, who recently signed a deal with Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, to show all his Top Rank promotions.

Similarly in the United States Arum is testing the market to see if the cable network Showtime might be prepared to outbid boxing's major player HBO, with the support of its free-to-air parent company CBS.

Hatton's promoters Golden Boy have already verbally acquiesced in the face of Arum's insistence that the fight should be in the US rather than an open-air venue in the UK, such as Wembley Stadium, which would have been Hatton's preference. Arum, 77, has been the dominant force in forging the deals surrounding the fight.

Hatton, 30, is currently fulfilling a series of speaking engagements and is planning a cruise with friends and family before going into a likely 12-week training camp for the contest, which is to be made at Hatton's normal 10-stone fighting weight, the light-welterweight division limit, even though Pacquiao beat De La Hoya at welterweight.
match live stream.
Floyd Mayweather Sr, Hatton's trainer, has said he believes Hatton's strength will help him to a stoppage victory. But the bookies disagree, having installed Pacquiao as the 2-1-on favourite, with Hatton quoted at 6-4 against.

Hailing from the streets of Manchester, England, Ricky Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) has a tenacious fighting style and a devout following. The 30-year-old suffered his only professional loss in December 2007 when he battled future Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a welterweight. Now back in the junior welterweight ranks, he wants to prove himself the most formidable fighter in the division. K.O Knock Out.

VfB Stuttgart VS Bayern Munich 27 january

2009-01-27T13:51:00.000-08:00

VfB Stuttgart VS Bayern Munich 27 january

0-1 Schweinsteiger Goal

0-2 Ribery Goal

0-3 Tony Goal

0-4 Schweinsteiger

0-5 Ze Roberto Goal

1-5 Gomez Goal

DFB-Pokal

2009-01-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

DFB-Pokal

Der DFB-Pokal (bis 1943: Tschammer-Pokal) ist ein seit 1935 ausgetragener Fußball-Pokalwettbewerb für deutsche Vereinsmannschaften. Er wird jährlich vom Deutschen Fußball-Bund (DFB) veranstaltet und ist nach der Deutschen Meisterschaft der zweitwichtigste Titel im nationalen Vereinsfußball.

Der Sieger des DFB-Pokals wird nach dem K.-o.-System ermittelt. Die Paarungen werden vor jeder Runde ausgelost. Für die erste Hauptrunde sind die 36 Vereine der 1. und 2. Bundesliga qualifiziert, dazu kommen 28 Mannschaften aus den unteren Ligen. Wenn eine Profimannschaft und eine Amateurmannschaft zusammengelost werden, erhalten die Amateure automatisch Heimrecht. Endet ein Spiel nach regulärer Spielzeit unentschieden, kommt es zu einer Verlängerung. Ist das Spiel auch nach der Verlängerung nicht entschieden, wird der Sieger durch Elfmeterschießen ermittelt. Seit 1985 wird das Endspiel des DFB-Pokals im Berliner Olympiastadion ausgetragen.

Genau genommen ist „DFB-Pokal“ nicht die Bezeichnung für den Wettbewerb, sondern für die dort ausgespielte Trophäe. Von 1935 bis 1943 hieß der Wettbewerb offiziell Deutsche Vereinspokalmeisterschaft, im Volksmund Tschammerpokal (nach dem damaligen Reichssportführer und Initiator des Wettbewerbs Hans von Tschammer und Osten). Seit 1953 wird der heutige Wettbewerb ausgespielt. Bis in die 1980er war zur Abgrenzung vom Länderpokal die Bezeichnung „DFB-Vereinspokal“ üblich. Inzwischen hat sich die Kurzform „DFB-Pokal“ durchgesetzt.

Der Titelträger (üblicherweise als „DFB-Pokal-Sieger“ bezeichnet) ist nach offizieller Sprachregelung des DFB „Deutscher Pokalmeister“.

Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg dauerte es in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland bis 1952, als der Deutsche Fußball-Bund den nun DFB-Pokal genannten Vereinspokal wieder ins Leben rief. In den ersten Jahren des neuen Pokalwettbewerbs wurden der nationalen Endrunde die Pokalwettbewerbe der Regionalverbände, also Berliner Pokal, Norddeutscher Pokal, Süddeutscher Pokal, Südwestdeutscher Pokal sowie Westdeutscher Pokal, vorgeschaltet. Teilweise qualifizierten sich auch die Teilnehmer am Endspiel um die Deutsche Meisterschaft sowie der Deutsche Amateurmeister für die Endrunde des DFB-Pokals.

Football Live

2009-01-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

Football Live

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations). Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate.

Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations (which qualify automatically) compete in a qualifying process. The championship winners earn the opportunity to compete in the following FIFA Confederations Cup, but are not obliged to do so.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. It will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by a nation in the Confederation of African Football, leaving the Oceania Football Confederation as the only FIFA Confederation never to have hosted the event.

Following the decision of the FIFA Executive Committee not to allow co-hosted tournaments, Tunisia withdrew from the bidding process. The committee also decided not to consider Libya's solo bid as it no longer met all the stipulations laid down in the official List of Requirements.

Football Live Stream Streaming , Watch Uefa , Highlights ,The soccer goals ,football manager 2009 , Euro 2008 Euro 2012 , the matches online ,news pictures,Champions League fixtures , standings ,Fifa Manager .

The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1992 (or overall in its older format since 1955) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup (more commonly known as the European Cup), is the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. The UEFA Champions League is separate from the UEFA Cup.

Liverpool 5-1 Newcastle United

2008-12-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

Liverpool 5-1 Newcastle United -28/12/2008

Liverpool cemented their place at the Premier League summit with a ruthless demolition of Newcastle United.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given denied Liverpool before Steven Gerrard stroked home from 12 yards after 31 minutes.

Sami Hyypia headed a second five minutes later, but David Edgar pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

Ryan Babel scrambled home Liverpool's third five minutes after the break. Gerrard raced clear for a fourth and Xabi Alonso made it five from the spot.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez surprisingly left Robbie Keane, a two-goal hero in the Boxing Day win against Bolton, on the bench - and how the Republic of Ireland striker must have wished he had been on the pitch in an encounter that was embarrassingly one-sided from start to finish.

Benitez was in the directors' box recovering from surgery for kidney stones as Liverpool exposed Newcastle's every flaw throughout 90 minutes of torture for the home fans - providing further confirmation that the Merseysiders' are in this title race for the long haul.

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley took the "For Sale" signs down from the club prior to kick-off - and their players then produced the sort of performance that would have sent potential purchasers heading for the hills.

Liverpool created chances at will, and only a combination of brilliant goalkeeping from Given and poor finishing from Liverpool stopped Newcastle from shipping at least six goals in the first half alone.

Given set the tone for his one-man show of defiance by blocking Dirk Kuyt and saving brilliantly twice from Gerrard inside the first 13 minutes.

Hyypia then headed wide of an open goal from Gerrard's free-kick before Lucas somehow failed to turn in from a yard following a goalmouth scramble. The Brazilian then had a header turned away by Given before Charles N'Zogbia cleared another Hyypia header off the line.

Newcastle's survival for the first 31 minutes had been almost miraculous - but it could not last and to say Liverpool deserved the lead Gerrard gave them was a massive under-statement.

Javier Mascherano carved Newcastle open down the right flank, and when Yossi Benayoun pulled back a cross for Gerrard the Liverpool captain obliged with a thumping finish high past Given.

Newcastle's defending from set-pieces would have shamed a Sunday league side, and they paid the price again six minutes later when Hyypia rose to head Gerrard's corner beyond Given.

Hyypia had another header saved by Given before Newcastle astonishingly gave themselves a lifeline seconds before the interval.

This time Liverpool's defending was slack as Edgar got in front of Jamie Carragher to head past the previously unemployed Pepe Reina.

If Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear had ordered his side to improve their defending after the break, his plea had clearly fallen on deaf ears as they conceded another cheap goal after 50 minutes.

Gerrard's unremarkable corner created an outbreak of mass confusion in the six-yard area, and as a variety of Newcastle defenders stood motionless, Babel jabbed home the simplest of goals.

Substitute Geremi almost gave Newcastle slim hopes of a revival when his 25-yard free-kick clipped the bar, but in reality Newcastle had been outclassed.

Newcastle had been appalling, but credit must also go to Liverpool for a hugely impressive destruction and Gerrard underscored their superiority with their fourth goal after 66 minutes.

Lucas slipped an inviting through ball into Gerrard's path, and he was in no mood to let Given deny him again as he chipped a clever right-foot finish over the advancing keeper.

Gerrard was then withdrawn, even drawing applause from Newcastle fans, but there was no let up in the pressure on Newcastle.

Liverpool's fifth goal came with 13 minutes left, substitute Alonso scoring from the spot after another replacement, David Ngog, had been hauled down by Edgar.

The game ended as it began, with Given saving brilliantly from Lucas' header and Liverpool remaining at the head of the race for the Premier League title.

Uefa matches

2008-12-17T14:02:00.003-08:00

Uefa matches

Lech Poznan 1-0 Feyenoord Rotterdam

1-0 Ambrosini - Milan AC vs Wolfsburg

Ajax VS Slavia Prague

1-0 Goal

Uefa Cup Live

2008-12-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

Thursday 18 December 2008

UEFA Cup hopefuls set to learn their fate
The draw for the UEFA Cup Round of 32 will take place in Nyon on Friday from 13.00CET and will be followed by the draw for the Round of 16 after the final round of matches in the group stage was concluded on Thursday.

Thursday 18 December 2008

Olympiacos hit top gear to sink Hertha
Olympiacos CFP 4-0 Hertha BSC Berlin
Second-half goals from Dudu, Luciano Galletti, Vassilis Torosidis and Diogo Luis Santo ended Hertha's adventure with the Piraeus side moving on.

Thursday 18 December 2008

Stuttgart secure second with dominant display
VfB Stuttgart 3-0 R. Standard de Liège
Goals at the beginning of each half laid the platform for a dominant Stuttgart to beat their Belgian opponents and finish second in Group C.

Thursday 18 December 2008

Sampdoria shock Sevilla to seal qualification berth
UC Sampdoria 1-0 Sevilla FC
Substitute Jonathan Bottinelli struck the only goal late on as the Italian side booked their last-32 spot and eliminated two-time winners Sevilla.

The UEFA Cup 2008–09 is the 38th edition of the UEFA Cup football tournament. The final will be played at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home ground of Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul, Turkey on 20 May 2009.[1] This season will be the final one using the current format; starting in 2009, the event will be known as the UEFA Europa League.

19 teams qualified directly for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup from 53 UEFA associations. An additional three teams qualified via the UEFA Fair Play league, while 35 further teams will qualify from the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Each association enters a certain number of teams to the UEFA Cup based on its league coefficient. Through domestic competitions (national championships and cups and league cups in certain countries) an association may qualify up to four teams. Below is the qualification scheme for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup:

The final of the UEFA Cup 2008–09 will be held on 20 May 2009 at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. This will be the first time that the UEFA Cup Final has been held in Turkey and follows the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final which was held in Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium.

The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is the second most important international competition for European football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League. Clubs qualify for the UEFA Cup based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. This competition will be rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.[2][3] come July 2009.

The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is the second most important international competition for European football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League. Clubs qualify for the UEFA Cup based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. This competition will be rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.[2][3] come July 2009.

The competition began in 1971 and replaced the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. In 1999, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was abolished and merged with the UEFA Cup.[4]

Zenit St. Petersburg are the current holders of the UEFA Cup, having beaten Rangers in the 2008 final on 14 May 2008. The 2009 UEFA Cup Final will be played at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home ground of Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul, Turkey, on 20 May 2009.

Hamburg too hot for Villa to handle
Hamburger SV 3-1 Aston Villa FC
Mladen Petric and Ivica Olic shared three goals between them as Martin Jol's men guaranteed themselves top spot in UEFA Cup Group F.

Live Stream Uefa Cup
The UEFA Cup 2008–09 is the 38th edition of the UEFA Cup football tournament. The final will be played at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home ground of Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul, Turkey on 20 May 2009.[1] This season will be the final one using the current format; starting in 2009, the event will be known as the UEFA Europa League.

19 teams qualified directly for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup from 53 UEFA associations. An additional three teams qualified via the UEFA Fair Play league, while 35 further teams will qualify from the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Each association enters a certain number of teams to the UEFA Cup based on its league coefficient. Through domestic competitions (national championships and cups and league cups in certain countries) an association may qualify up to four teams. Below is the qualification scheme for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup:

The draw for the group stage of the 2008–09 UEFA Cup was held at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on 7 October 2008. The 40 teams in the draw were divided into five pots based on their UEFA coefficients. The eight teams with the highest UEFA coefficient were allocated to Pot 1, the next eight teams to Pot 2, and so on. One team from each pot was drawn for each group, with the restriction that no team could be drawn with one from the same country.[17]

The final of the UEFA Cup 2008–09 will be held on 20 May 2009 at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. This will be the first time that the UEFA Cup Final has been held in Turkey and follows the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final which was held in Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium.

The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is the second most important international competition for European football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League. Clubs qualify for the UEFA Cup based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. This competition will be rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.[2][3] come July 2009.

The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is the second most important international competition for European football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League. Clubs qualify for the UEFA Cup based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. This competition will be rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.[2][3] come July 2009.

The competition began in 1971 and replaced the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. In 1999, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was abolished and merged with the UEFA Cup.[4]

Zenit St. Petersburg are the current holders of the UEFA Cup, having beaten Rangers in the 2008 final on 14 May 2008. The 2009 UEFA Cup Final will be played at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home ground of Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul, Turkey, on 20 May 2009.

Hamburg too hot for Villa to handle
Hamburger SV 3-1 Aston Villa FC
Mladen Petric and Ivica Olic shared three goals between them as Martin Jol's men guaranteed themselves top spot in UEFA Cup Group F.

Live Stream Uefa Cup

Paris Saint-Germain

2008-12-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

PSG 4-0 FC Twente Enschede - 18/12/2008 UEFA Goals : 11'[1 - 0]P. Luyindula 23'[2 - 0]S. Sessegnon 84'[3 - 0]M. Kezman 85'[4 - 0]P. Luyindula Paris

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, or PSG, is a French football club based in Paris. Their home stadium is Parc des Princes, and the team has always played in the French top flight, since its foundation in 1970.

The club was founded 1904 with the name "Stade Saint Germain". The current name appeared in August 1970 by the merger of Paris FC (a pool of financial investors) and Stade Saint-Germain. Gathering funds from nearly 20,000 subscribers, the creation of Paris FC marked the reappearance of a major club in Paris after the demise of R.C. Paris, Red Star and Stade Français (among others).

The union of F.C. Paris and Stade Saint-Germain was motivated by the need to find players, structures, and a place in a higher division, and it resulted in the creation of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club. The new club played in the Division nationale (second division) for the 1970–71 season, emerging as league champions and achieving a first division promotion in their first season.

After finishing 16th in the 1971–72 season and under pressure from the Paris city council to remove the reference to Saint-Germain, the club split in May. The professional part of the club joined C.A. Montreuil and remained in the top division as Paris FC, while the amateur part of the club continued in the third division as Paris Saint-Germain. The latter were promoted to D2 in 1972–73 as champions, following the disqualification of US Le Petit-Quevilly. The following season the club returned to professional status and finished second in the league, winning promotion to the top division in a play-off with Valenciennes FC. In an ironic twist, Paris FC was relegated in that season and Paris-Saint Germain would henceforth always play at the newly rebuilt Parc des Princes, once the ground of the former.

[edit] Francis Borelli era (1978-1991)

Francis Borelli took over as club chairman in 1978; under his control, Paris-Saint Germain conquered its first major trophies: two French Cups (1982, 1983) and the 1985-1986 French league.

The most notable players of this period were Carlos Bianchi, Dominique Baratelli, Luis Fernandez, Ivica Surjak, Dominique Bathenay and Dominique Rocheteau first, Safet Susic, Joël Bats, and Gabriel Calderón later, with Georges Peyroche, Gérard Houllier, Lucien Leduc and Tomislav Ivic as some of the coaches.

[edit] Canal + era (1991-2006)

In 1991, Borelli was forced to hand over control to Canal+, which invested the team in order to compete with Olympique de Marseille, starting an intense rivalry. After three years, the club enjoyed some success, 1st in 1993 league after Marseille's title was revoked for match fixing AND winning the 1993-1994 league . However, the TV network refused Paris-Saint Germain permission to accept the title relinquished by l'OM after their forced demotion to the second division for corruption. Canal+ feared the reactions of its subscribers in Provence, and even threatened to withdraw from football completely if the title was allocated to Paris-Saint Germain. Therefore, both the League and the Federation accepted and the 1993 title remained “not allotted”. The team were not even allowed by main sponsor to enter the UEFA Champions League after Marseille's exclusion.[1] The club's fortunes in Europe also took an upturn as they won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996, beating Rapid Vienna 1-0 in the final. They also reached the following year’s final, only to lose, again 1-0, to FC Barcelona.

During this period, Paris-Saint Germain also fared well in the French Cup, winning it in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2004, and 2006. In addition, they won three French League Cups (1995, 1998 and 2008).

Matches

2008-12-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

Lyon VS Bayern Munich

Manchester United VS Aalborg

Champions League

2008-12-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

The Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised since 1992 (or overall in its older format since 1955) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup (more commonly known as the European Cup), is the most prestigious club trophy in the sport.

The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in a group stage. Eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout rounds, which end with the final match in May. Previously only the champions of their respective national league could participate in the competition; however, this was changed in 1997 to allow the runners-up of the stronger leagues to compete as well.

The title has been held by 21 different clubs, 12 of which have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holder is Real Madrid with their nine wins.

The current holders Manchester United defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties, after the scores were level at 1-1 after extra time in Moscow on 21 May 2008.

The tournament was inaugurated in 1955, at the suggestion of the French sports journalist and editor of L'Équipe Gabriel Hanot,[1] as a continental competition for winners of the European national football leagues, as the European Champion Clubs' Cup, abbreviated to European Cup.

The competition began as the 1955–56 using a two-leg knockout format where the teams would play two matches, one at home and one away, and the team with the highest overall score qualifying for the next round of the competition. Entry was restricted to the teams that won their national league championships, plus the current European Cup holder. Champions League Match Live Streaming Champions League Live Matches This qualification system continued until 1992. In the 1992–93 season, the tournament was renamed Champions League and in 1997–98, eligibility was expanded to include not just domestic champions but also the best performing runners up according to coefficient ranking list[2]. In coefficient nytimes system, a team finishing second in the Spanish La Liga would be more Video Goals deserving of an automatic place in the Champions League than a team finishing first in, for example, Polish Ekstraklasa. As a result, the system was restructured so that national champions from lower ranked countries had to qualify for the group stages, while runners-up from higher ranked countries would automatically get places.

FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and FC Porto are the teams that have appeared most often in the group stages: fifteen each. FC Porto and Barcelona have only won the tournament once each since the establishment of the Group stages (2004 and 2006 respectively), whilst Manchester United have won it twice in 1999 and 2008.

Sporting Lisbon 2-5 Barcelona

2008-11-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

Today Matches

Sporting Lisbon 2-5 Barcelona

CFR Cluj 1-3 AS Roma

Liverpool 1-0 Marseille

Champions League

The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organized by UEFA since 1992 (or overall in its older format since 1955) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup (more commonly known as the European Cup), is the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. The UEFA Champions League is separate from the ..

League Cup England

2008-11-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

League Cup England

The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or Carling Cup, is an English football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout (single elimination) basis. Unlike the FA Cup where 731 teams entered in 2007–08 only 92 clubs can enter—the 20 clubs of the FA Premier League, and the 72 clubs of The Football League, which organises the competition. Unlike the FA Cup, the semi-finals are played over two legs. The winners qualify for the UEFA Europa League, if they have not qualified for European competition in some other way. (If the winner qualifies for the Champions League, the UEFA Europa League spot is given to the team that finishes highest in the Premier League that has not already qualified for a European competition.)

Since 1982, the League Cup has been named after its sponsor, giving it the following names:

* Milk Cup (1981–82 to 1985–86), sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board
* Littlewoods Challenge Cup (1986–87 to 1989–90), sponsored by Littlewoods
* Rumbelows Cup (1990–91 and 1991–92), sponsored by Rumbelows
* Coca-Cola Cup (1992–93 to 1997–98), sponsored by Coca-Cola
* Worthington Cup (1998–99 to 2002–03), sponsored by Worthington Draught bitter
* Carling Cup (2003–04 to present), sponsored by Carling

The League Cup is less prestigious than the FA Cup,[citation needed] which also involves all other league teams (the Football League Trophy does not include the top two divisions)[1]. The League Cup is seen by some larger clubs as a lower priority than other competitions. Some clubs have made a point of fielding a weaker side in the competition, making the opportunity for so-called 'giant-killing' of the larger clubs more likely. The Video Highlights Live Many of the top English sides, Arsenal and Manchester United in particular, have used the competition to give young players valuable big-game experience.

Manchester United 5-3 Blackburn Rovers - 03/12/2008 Goals League Cup England goals : 36'[1 - 0]C.A. Tevez 40'[2 - 0]Nani 48'[2 - 1]B. McCarthy 51'[3 - 1]C.A. Tevez (pen.) 54'[4 - 1]C.A. Tevez 84'[4 - 2]M. Derbyshire 90'[5 - 3]C.A. Tevez B. McCarthy Manchester U. 5- 3 Blackburn R.

Manchester United Football Club is an English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and is one of the most popular football clubs in the world,[3] with over 330 million supporters worldwide[4][5] – almost 5% of the world's population.[6] The club was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the exception of the 1974–75 season. Average attendances at the club have been higher than any other team in English football for all but six seasons since 1964–65.[7]

The club is the second most successful in the history of English football and by far the most successful of recent times, having won 20 major honours since the start of Alex Ferguson's reign as manager in November 1986.[8] They are the Premier League's reigning champions, and have won England's top division 17 times, one short of Liverpool's record of 18 league titles. In 1968, they became the first English club to win the European Cup, beating Benfica 4–1. They won a second European Cup as part of an unprecedented Treble in 1999, before winning their third in 2008, 40 years almost to the day after their first. The club also holds the record for the most FA Cup titles with 11.[9]

FA Cup

2008-11-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association. The name "FA Cup" usually refers to the English men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held.

The FA Cup was first held in 1871–72, and is the oldest association football competition in the world. Because it involves clubs of all standards playing against each other, there is the possibility for "minnows" from the lower divisions to become "giant-killers" by eliminating top clubs from the tournament, although lower division teams rarely reach the final. The holders of the FA Cup are Portsmouth, who beat Cardiff City 1–0 in the 2008 final on 17 May 2008.

At the end of the final, the winning team is presented with a trophy, also known as the "FA Cup", which they hold until the following year's final. Traditionally, at Wembley finals, the presentation is made at the Royal Box, with players, led by the captain, mounting a staircase to a gangway in front of the box and returning by a second staircase on the other side of the box. At Cardiff the presentation was made on a podium on the pitch.

The cup is decorated with ribbons in the colours of the winning team; a common riddle asks, "What is always taken to the Cup Final, but never used?" (the answer is "the losing team's ribbons"). However this isn't entirely true, as during the game the cup actually has both teams sets of ribbons attached and the runners-up ribbons are removed before the presentation. Individual members of the teams playing in the final are presented with winners' and runners'-up medals. The present FA Cup trophy is the fourth. The first, the 'little tin idol', was used from the inception of the Cup in 1871–2 until it was stolen from a Birmingham shoe shop window belonging to William Shillcock while held by Aston Villa on 11 September 1895. It was never seen again. The FA fined Villa £25 to pay for a replacement. Almost 60 years later, the thief admitted that the cup had been melted down to make counterfeit half-crowns.[5]
Arsenal 3-1 Plymouth
Three second-half goals saw Arsenal take their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory over Plymouth.
Captain Robin van Persie put the home side in front two minutes after the interval before on-loan defender David Gray turned the ball into his net.
Live text - FA Cup third round
Twenty-two FA Cup third-round ties are under way after Hartlepool shock Stoke in the opening game of the day.

FA Cup matches are shown live by both ITV and Setanta Sports across the UK and Ireland. Setanta Sports shows three games and one replay in each round from round three to five, two quarter-finals and one quarter-final replay (if any are required) and one semi-final. ITV shows sixteen FA Cup games per season, including first pick live matches from each of the 1st to 6th rounds of the competition plus one semi-final exclusively live. The deal additionally includes highlights of all weekend and mid-week FA Cup matches. Both ITV and Setanta screen the final live. Radio broadcast are covered by BBC Radio Five Live.

The FA Cup 2008–09 early rounds are being covered for the first time by ITV's online property, ITV Local. The first match of the season, between Wantage Town and Brading Town, was broadcast live online. Highlights of eight games of each round are being broadcast as catch up on ITV Local.[12][13]

The FA sells overseas rights separately from the domestic contract. In Australia, the FA Cup is broadcast by Setanta Sports Australia, while Setanta Sports North America and Fox Soccer Channel split the rights in the United States.

Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya

2008-11-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya has only been knocked out once in his 44 career fights. Manny Pacquiao has been knocked out twice in his 52 fights.

So when De La Hoya and Pacquiao meet on Saturday night, the odds seem stacked against a knockout.

But De La Hoya says a knockout is precisely what's going to happen.

"This type of fight, at this stage of my career, I'm so hungry for a knockout," De La Hoya said on HBO's De La Hoya-Pacquiao 24/7. "That's why I'm working as hard as I am. My style and his style, sooner or alter, we're going to clash. Knockout. There will be a knockout."

Pacquiao's camp seems to have the same mindset. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told me in October that he believes Pacquiao will knock De La Hoya out.

So how's it going to happen? I don't think either De La Hoya or Pacquiao has the kind of punching power to deliver a one-punch knockout, but I like Pacquiao to do just what Roach said he'll do: Chop De La Hoya down over the course of the fight and finish him in the late rounds.

We'll have a Pacquiao-De La Hoya live blog on Saturday night here at FanHouse.

Manny Pacquiao unequivocally established himself as the finest fighter in the world Saturday.

But he accomplished an even more stunning feat when he not only defeated Oscar De La Hoya but battered him into retirement with a shockingly one-sided victory in their welterweight bout before 15,001 at the MGM Grand Garden.

De La Hoya, the 1992 Olympic gold-medal winner and a professional world champion in six weight classes, was hammered as he never was in 44 previous bouts before trainer Nacho Beristain mercifully asked referee Tony Weeks to halt the carnage after eight one-sided rounds.

The fight ended any debate whether Pacquiao or light heavyweight Joe Calzaghe deserves the top spot in the mythical pound-for-pound race, but it also sent a one-time legend into retirement.

De La Hoya, who was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary examination, never in his illustrious career had absorbed such a beating. Pacquiao’s hands were far too quick and, despite the fact that he was moving up from lightweight, his punches were much too hard for the Golden Boy to handle.

It was clear by the third round that De La Hoya was going to need a miracle to reverse the pummeling he was taking.

Pacquiao displayed every punch in the arsenal, raking the Golden Boy with straight lefts that nearly closed De La Hoya’s left eye and stunning him with hooks, jabs and uppercuts.

It was so savage of a beating that it was hard not to feel sorry for De La Hoya. At the end of the bout, a thoroughly beaten De La Hoya trudged across the ring and met his one-time trainer, Freddie Roach.

“You’re right,” De La Hoya said to Roach, who had prepared Pacquiao brilliantly. “I don’t have it any more.”

Pacquiao was a 2-1 underdog, largely because he was challenging a man who had fought at super welterweight or middleweight exclusively for the last seven-and-a-half years. Pacquiao had only fought once as high as lightweight and had fought 75 percent of his bouts before Saturday at super bantamweight or lower.

But Pacquiao unofficially weighed a pound-and-a-half more than De La Hoya – 148½ to 147 – and was clearly stronger and better Saturday.

Oscar De La Hoya versus Manny Pacquiao Match Live Stream

UFC...

2008-10-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

UFC 92: Rashad Evans Beats Forrest Griffin

Rashad Evans is the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

Evans beat Forrest Griffin by TKO with a dominant ground and pound display in the third round of tonight's main event of UFC 92, taking the title belt in the UFC's marquee weight class.

Griffin dominated the early part of the fight: In the first round, it was completely a stand-up battle, with Griffin doing a good job of using his superior height and length to land kicks to Evans' legs and body. In the second Evans landed a couple of solid punches, but for the most part Griffin wasn't hurt, and he continued to control the fight with his superior reach.

But in the third, Evans caught a kick, took Griffin down, and punished Griffin on the ground. Although Griffin got Evans into his guard, Evans was doing significant damage when the fighters were on the canvas, and Evans eventually pounded Griffin out.

Griffin, who became the champion when he beat Rampage Jackson in July, was making his first title defense. Now Evans may end up defending the belt against Rampage, who knocked out Wanderlei Silva in an undercard fight. Evans vs. Rampage would be a great fight.

Evans improves his record to 13-0-1. Griffin falls to 16-5.

Knockout Night at UFC 92

Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans go toe-to-toe in a three-round slugfest.

Rashad Evans was ripped left and right on his season of "The Ultimate Fighter." He was too small and Matt Hughes said his attitude sucked. UFC president Dana White thought he was the worst prospect of all the heavyweights on Season 2. He overcame everything thrown his way that season to win the title and now he's blazed his way through some of the best 205-pounders in the world to become the UFC light heavyweight champ. In an all-out slugfest, it was ground work that did it for the former Michigan State wrestler who stopped Forrest Griffin via TKO at 2:46 of the third round Saturday.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, currently recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world.[2] The UFC is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The UFC began as a single-event tournament to find the world's best fighters irrespective of their style, and was based upon Brazilian vale tudo fighting. Although there were a few limited number of rules, fighting in the UFC was marketed as no holds barred, and contests were often violent and brutal. Early UFC fights were less sport than spectacle, which led to accusations of brutality and "human cock fighting" by Senator John McCain and others.[3] Political pressures eventually led the UFC into the underground, as pay-per-view providers nixed UFC programming, nearly extinguishing the UFC's public visibility.

26 October Matches

2008-10-26T14:50:00.001-07:00

29-30 October Matches

Real Union 3-2 Real Madrid - Copa Del Rey

Lyon 2-0 Sochaux

26 October Matches

AC Milan 1-0 Atalanta

Udinese 3-1 AS Roma

NFL player's costly snowball

2008-10-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

NFL player's costly snowball

New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis was fined $10,000 by the NFL for throwing snow at fans following the team’s loss at Seattle on Sunday.

Several fans threw snowballs at New York players and staff as they walked off the field after the Seahawks’ 13-3 victory. As he approached the walkway leading to the locker room, Ellis reached into a pile of snow, picked up a large chunk and tossed it into the stands at Qwest Field, appearing to hit at least a few fans. No one was believed to have been injured.

Ellis said Tuesday that he wasn’t angry at the time, and there was no malicious intent on his part.

“It was all in fun,” he said.

Video of the incident originated on YouTube after a fan captured it on film and posted it on the site. As of early Tuesday afternoon, the 53-second clip had been viewed nearly 340,000 times. Several other Web sites have also posted links to the video.

“It was kind of like a little battlefield out there, so to speak,” Ellis said. “I mean, it was just all in fun, going to the locker room.”

According to an NFL spokesman, players are notified before each season that any contact with fans that potentially presents crowd-control issues and risk of injury is prohibited. Players are also informed that they must not confront fans during games and must leave any issues to security personnel.

Coach Eric Mangini thought his team was put in a dangerous predicament as it walked off the field, saying several people were pelted with snowballs.

“That situation in the stadium in general was not a very safe situation for anybody involved,” Mangini said. “That doesn’t justify us getting involved in it on the flip side of that. He understands that. We thought that there could’ve been more done to prevent what was happening in terms of the safety from snowballs coming down.”

Mangini seemed to indicate the Jets could file a formal complaint to the league regarding the behavior of Seattle’s fans.

“I wouldn’t want that to happen at our stadium,” he said. “I’m sure Seattle didn’t want that, either. It’s just something that hopefully can be avoided whether it’s us, Seattle, whoever in the future. You just don’t want someone to get struck and hurt in that environment.”

Mangini said Ellis wouldn’t face additional discipline from the Jets, and the defensive captain would play Sunday in the regular-season finale at home against Miami.

It’s the latest troublesome incident involving Ellis, who was arrested for speeding and marijuana possession last month and could face a suspension next season under the league’s substance-abuse policy. The league is still reviewing that incident.

“I’m just continuing to go out and just play football,” Ellis said. “In the end, we’re all human.”

Referee hit a player in NFL game

2008-10-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Referee hit a player in NFL game

Sometimes an official, through no fault of his own, will get caught up in the middle of a play and inadvertently make contact with a player. Sometimes an official just feels like making a tackle. Sometimes an official is concerned that a player has been programmed to kill the Queen of England and is forced to take matters into his own hands.

Whatever happened yesterday, here are some terrific action shots of NFL umpire Lieutenant Frank Drebin Garth DeFelice taking out Rams running back Kenneth Darby yesterday. Getty Images photographer Dilip Vishwanat was johnny-on-the-spot yesterday, and the world thanks him for it.

As most of you know I was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. Considering my profession I have had the ability to travel to a lot of places and right now I think I am ready to be adopted by another city. The only thing that could be worse than being a Saint Louis sports fan (which I have never been even though I live here) is being a Detroit sport fan.

The Rams are a disgrace, but when a NFL Umpire is taking out your running back like he is Ray Lewis you know it is time to close down shop. I understand Kenneth Darby is just trying to make a living, but come on homie that is an old man who just laid you out with a forearm shiver.

I am embarrassed for the entire state of Missouri (it isn't like the Chiefs are any better). I just have to hold my head down in shame. It is pathetic. They were giving away free tickets to the game for Christmas and people were turning them down. The funny thing was they weren't just turning them down they were insulted that they were being offered in the first place. What more can I say?
int Louis Rams Running Back Kenneth Darby Gets Jacked Up!!! by NFL Umpire Garth De Felice. To hear Darby and DeFelice'

Barcelona 5-0 Basel

2008-10-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Barcelona 5-0 Basel

FC Basel 1893 wore the red and blue but there was no mistaking FC Barcelona at St. Jakob-Park, the Blaugrana totally outclassing their Group C rivals to record a 5-0 win and march ever closer to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.

Equal best
Their 200th triumph in UEFA club competition, it was also their equal best in this tournament and looked nigh on inevitable as soon Lionel Messi had buried his 50th goal for the club with just four minutes gone. Sergi Busquets then doubled their advantage eleven minutes later before teenager Bojan Krkic buried a third seven minutes after that, giving the visitors a perfect start that they repeated after the interval, when Bojan added his second and Xavi Hernández notched goal number five in the space of two minutes.

Explosive start
The early murmurs suggested Basel might prove the more ambitious team from the start, Christian Gross electing to accommodate both Marco Streller and Eren Derdiyok up front while counterpart Josep Guardiola left key trio Samuel Eto'o, Andrés Iniesta and Thierry Henry on the bench. Such thinking quickly proved foolish, however, with Messi feeding Daniel Alves on the edge of the area and running on to the Brazilian's delightfully chipped ball to sidefoot in from almost point-blank range.

Damage increased
Hardly had the Rotblau recovered from that crushing blow than they found themselves two down, Xavi picking out Busquets on the right and the Spanish midfielder driving between the legs of Franco Costanzo. The Basel goalkeeper then denied Xavi's sliding effort but Barça continued to press and registered again when surprise starter Bojan made space for himself in front of goal and speared a shot low into the left corner.

Chasing shadows
Only a goal-line block from another Bojan effort and a Costanzo save from Alves's follow-up spared the hosts a four-goal deficit in the first half an hour, but the punishment continued as Gross's shell-shocked troops were left chasing shadows. Bojan blasted off-target from an excellent position and Aleksandr Hleb had a low attempt turned wide, prompting a relief equally palpable when the whistle finally blew for half-time.

Bojan double
Gross sent on Valentin Stocker for Eduardo Rubio after the break, but within 60 seconds Costanzo was picking the ball out of his net again, Bojan crowning a swift counterattack with a firm finish after being released by Busquets. Two minutes later, Hleb and Messi combined to set Xavi up for his share of the spoils, and although the sight of Henry then coming on for the UEFA EURO 2008™ winner cannot have done much for the local's nerves, they at least got to experience a reprieve when Bojan lobbed narrowly over.

Rare chance
At the other end, Streller finally threatened Víctor Valdés's goal when he beat Carles Puyol and dug out a hopeful shot that was swept clear. That said more about Barça's diminished intensity than anything else, though, and Basel must already be dreading their trip to the Camp Nou on 4 November. Mathematically, they still have a chance of qualifying – but according to that criteria their conquerors may still fail to progress. Those scenarios ought to resolve themselves soon.

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Liverpool

2008-10-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Liverpool

A late equaliser from Simão denied Liverpool FC a third successive UEFA Champions League victory and earned Club Atlético de Madrid a point that kept the Spanish side top of Group D.

Perfect starts
Both teams had won their first two fixtures yet the visitors who began brighter and took an early advantage when Robbie Keane raced clear of the home defence to score his second goal of the season. For a long time it seemed as if that solitary strike would be enough for the five-time European champions to take a firm grip on the section, but Javier Aguirre's stuck to their task and finally gained their reward with seven minutes left, Simão finding the bottom corner of the net with a low shot.

Young additions
Aguirre had suggested there would be changes to the side that lost to Real Madrid CF at the weekend and kept his word with Sergio Agüero dropping to the bench and teenagers Ignacio Camacho and Álvaro Domínguez given their competition debuts in midfield and at centre-back respectively. The youngsters made a nervy start as the visitors launched several high balls into the box early on, although it was one of Atlético's more experienced campaigners who was caught out on six minutes, Andrea Dossena leaving Luis García standing on the left but failing to pick out a team-mate when well placed.

Keane opener
Camacho might have done better from Simão's free-kick as Atlético looked to gain a foothold in a game that the visitors were controlling. Instead, Liverpool made their early territorial dominance pay in the 14th minute as Keane doubled his goal tally for the club after Steven Gerrard's through pass had sprung the home defence, the Irishman sliding a low shot past Leo Franco. Thereafter both teams were restricted to efforts from long range, Giourkas Seitaridis firing too high for Atlético and Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso trying their luck for the visitors, before one of Atlético's young starlets made his presence felt as half-time approached. Camacho's pass from the left picked out Diego Forlán, although the striker could only direct his shot wide of the target.

Simão denied
With Atlético seeking a spark Agüero was brought into the fray at half-time yet the Argentinian took time to adjust to the pace of the game and it was Liverpool who threatened first, Yossi Benayoun having a goal ruled out for offside. Seitaridis then did likewise at the other end and Atlético came closer still with their very next attack, Pepe Reina diving full length to touch Simão's shot against his left-hand post. Leo Franco then flicked wide Xabi Alonso's strike, yet the home side continued to threaten and a Seitaridis free-kick from the left could have caused problems had Jamie Carragher not headed away.

Late reward
Just as it looked as if Liverpool would hold on to their slender lead, however, Carragher failed to deal with a long ball forward and Forlán picked up possession before finding Simão, whose well-directed effort left Reina with no chance. There could have been more for the hosts had the Liverpool goalkeeper not tipped away a Miguel de las Cuevas shot, although Ryan Babel's diving header just past the post emphasised either side might have won, or lost, an entertaining contest.

Chelsea 1-0 AS Roma

2008-10-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

Chelsea 1-0 AS Roma

Chelsea FC strengthened their hold on Group A when a header from John Terry 13 minutes from time finally broke the resistance of an AS Roma side who had battled hard and intelligently to keep the Blues at bay.

Improvement
Terry rose to guide in Frank Lampard's corner just when it seemed Chelsea might have to settle for a point. There were precious few clear-cut chances in the game with the visitors closing down the spaces and defending well every time the ball came in from the flanks. Roma remain on three points – four behind Chelsea ahead of the return fixture in a fortnight – but will take comfort from a performance that was a considerable improvement after a run of poor results in Serie A.

Flicks and tricks
Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had predicted that spectators would be treated to a "beautiful" game and the early stages bore that out as both teams passed the ball around with purpose and accuracy, every player eager to get involved. Francesco Totti was prominent for the visitors with his control and eye-catching flicks while there was further evidence of the close rapport enjoyed by Frank Lampard and Deco and the threat it poses to the opposition. Lampard, loitering in that area just behind the attack where he has plundered so many goals, brought down a bouncing ball and put a volley on target though it barely caused Doni to stretch.

Solid defence
Almost immediately Totti had a shooting chance at the other end but from distance he watched it slip tamely wide. Roma coach Luciano Spalletti had demanded a 'roll your sleeves up' work ethic following Sunday's 4-0 defeat by FC Internazionale Milano, and his team were responding, with the defensive axis of Philippe Mexès and Christian Panucci also appearing particularly solid. After 20 minutes Mirko Vucinic found Totti and then made a forward run into the danger area, the return pass from the Roma captain only just missing its target. At the other end John Mikel Obi's strong surge was stopped illegally by Mexès. Deco rolled the free-kick to Lampard and a searing shot scraped the frame of the goal on its way into the crowd.

Belletti on
Scolari took off Florent Malouda at the break with Juliano Belletti coming on, yet still his team failed to penetrate a stubborn visiting rearguard with Roma making life difficult with the bodies they put behind the ball. Belletti had scored with a thunderous long-range shot at the weekend and the crowd were imploring him to try his luck again. The Brazilian did so almost immediately but the effort travelled harmlessly wide. When Lampard launched a free-kick from the right it looked as if it would lead to the opening goal with Salomon Kalou allowed a free header which Doni did well to repel as Roma breathed a sigh of relief. The keeper could do nothing to keep out the winner, though, as Terry rose imperiously to glance Lampard's left-wing corner into the net and move Chelsea ever closer to the last 16.

Ligue 1 France

2008-10-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

Ligue 1 France

Le championnat de France de football, dénommé Ligue 1 depuis 2002, est une compétition annuelle mettant aux prises les vingt meilleurs clubs de football en France. La première journée de l'édition inaugurale s'est tenue le 11 septembre 1932. Nommé « National » en 1932-1933, le championnat prend le nom de « Division 1 » de 1933 à 2002 avant d'être rebaptisé « Ligue 1 » durant l'été 2002. L'Olympique lyonnais est le tenant du titre depuis 2002 ce qui est un record (7 titres consécutifs). L'AS Saint-Étienne reste toutefois le club le plus souvent couronné avec dix titres de champion de France professionnel.

Le football français résiste au professionnalisme jusqu'en 1930. En juillet de cette année, le Conseil national de la Fédération française de football se prononce par 128 voix contre 20 (Paris, Alsace et Auvergne) et 1 abstention (le président Jules Rimet) pour la mise en place du professionnalisme en France[1]. Les pères fondateurs du professionnalisme français sont Georges Bayrou, Emmanuel Gambardella et Gabriel Hanot. Il est mis en application en 1932.

Ligue 1 (Première division or Division 1 until 2003, now called Ligue 1 Orange) is the top division of French and Monegasque football, one of two divisions making up the LFP, the other being Ligue 2. It has been an all-professional league since its inception in 1932 except for the 1943-44 season, during which the Vichy regime abolished professionalism. Since the end of World War II, the French first division has switched several times between an 18- and a 20- team format, the latter being in force today and having the preference of clubs in spite of a busier schedule for the players.

Bordeaux (Bordèu en gascon, Burdigala en latin) est une ville du sud-ouest de la France, chef-lieu de la région Aquitaine et préfecture du département de la Gironde. Elle fait partie de la Communauté urbaine de Bordeaux. La commune est peuplée de 250 082 habitants (2008)[1], tandis que l'aire urbaine compte plus d'un million d'habitants. Ses habitants sont appelés les Bordelais. La ville est connue dans le monde entier pour ses vignobles, surtout depuis le XVIIIe siècle, qui fut pour elle un véritable âge d'or. Capitale de l'ancienne Guyenne (approximativement le nord de l'Aquitaine actuelle), Bordeaux fait partie de la Gascogne et elle est située en bordure des Landes de Gascogne.

Une partie de la ville, le Port de la Lune, est classée depuis juin 2007 au Patrimoine Mondial de l'Humanité par l'UNESCO pour l'ensemble urbain exceptionnel qu'il représente[2].

Manchester United 3-0 Celtic

2008-10-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

Manchester United 3-0 Celtic

Dimitar Berbatov struck twice as Manchester United FC moved a step closer to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Celtic FC.

Air of inevitability
Once Bulgaria forward Berbatov had broken the deadlock on the half-hour there was an air of inevitability about the outcome of this one-sided Anglo-Scottish contest, and he duly added his fourth goal in two UEFA Champions League outings after the break, before Wayne Rooney rounded off the scoring with 14 minutes remaining. United proceeded to seven points at the Group E summit, leaving Celtic with just a point to their name and plenty of soul-searching to do before the teams meet again in a fortnight's time.

Van der Sar saves
Sir Alex Ferguson had speculated beforehand about finding a way of fitting the trio of Berbatov, Rooney and Carlos Tévez into the same attack. Applying the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' theory, however, he kept Rooney and Berbatov up front in a 4-4-2 formation. Yet it was Celtic, missing target men Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras and starting with a lone forward in Scott McDonald, who threatened an early goal. After 12 minutes Aiden McGeady drew a full-stretch stop from Edwin van der Sar with a low strike from the edge of the box. Then from McGeady's left-wing cross, defender Gary Caldwell – playing in an unaccustomed midfield holding role – advanced to crash in a half-volley that the goalkeeper tipped over.

On the back foot
Yet United soon had the Scottish champions on the back foot. With the half-hour approaching, Berbatov's quick feet fashioned a shooting opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo whose first-time effort rustled the side-netting. Moments later, however, United were in front. Nani's corner deflected off Caldwell to John O'Shea and he headed the ball back towards goal where Berbatov, on the edge of the five-metre box, turned it past Artur Boruc.

Berbatov tap-in
Given Celtic's record of nine successive away losses in the competition, you feared for them as United really began to find their stride, threatening Boruc's goal again as Rooney sent a strong drive at the keeper. And they should have gone into the break with their lead doubled by Darren Fletcher but the Scotland captain shot wastefully over the crossbar after Nemanja Vidic had flicked a Rooney cross on to him at the far post. By the 51st minute it was 2-0 with Berbatov claiming his second following a Ronaldo free-kick. Although Boruc saved the No7's attempt, the ball deflected off his body and across goal where the Bulgarian was quick to accept the tap-in.

Rooney ices the cake
With Old Trafford sensing further goals, Rooney had an effort ruled offside before blazing over when Boruc's spill left him with an empty net to aim for. United were so on top that Sir Alex felt confident enough to take off Berbatov on the hour; yet it hardly constituted good news for a Celtic defence now asked to contain his replacement, Tévez, who soon saw a shot deflected centimetres wide. Rooney finally iced the cake by concluding a sweeping five-man move which began with Van der Sar's roll-out and ended with the England forward driving a precise low shot into the corner from the edge of the box for his fourth goal in as many games for United.

Arsenal 5-2 Fenerbahce

2008-10-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

Arsenal 5-2 Fenerbahce

Arsenal FC ended Fenerbahçe SK’s 15-match unbeaten home European run in stunning style after early strikes by Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott gave them an advantage they never relinquished.

Frantic start
The first two goals were in similar style as Adebayor and Walcott sprinted clear within a minute of each other and a Mikaël Silvestre own goal did not stop the momentum thanks to Abou Diaby. That was all in the first 22 minutes, and despite some frantic Fenerbahçe efforts, Alexandre Song made it 4-1 early in the second half. Athough Daniel Güiza pulled one back, teenager Aaron Ramsey had the last word and Arsenal look in control of UEFA Champions League Group G.

Early chance
Fenerbahçe coach Luis Aragonés opted to start with Chilean midfielder Claudio Maldonado, omitting Turkey winger Kazim Kazim altogether, but while Ugur Boral forced Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia into a save on four minutes, it was the visitors who were making the running. Gökhan Gönül started at right-back with an injection in his foot due to Önder Turaci's last-minute injury, but Fenerbahçe's defence were stretched by the pace of Arsenal and were soon breached twice in quick succession by the guile of Cesc Fàbregas.

Quickfire goals
On ten minutes the Spain midfielder's through ball was timed just right for lone striker Adebayor to beat the Fenerbahçe offside trap and slotted past Volkan Demirel. Seconds later the goalkeeper was picking the ball out of his net again. This time Fàbregas found Walcott, who sprinted clear of Edu and rounded Volkan Demirel before tapping in.

Comeback thwarted
However, Fenerbahçe's fans were not about to give up and hopes of the sort of comeback that took them to last season's quarter-finals were raised eight minutes later when Alex's free-kick fell to Güiza, whose shot deflected in off Silvestre, making only his second start in an injury-hit Arsenal defence. Arsenal did not lower their tempo, though, and three minutes later made it 3-1 with yet another quick break, Diaby showing pace this time to claim his first goal for the club with a calm finish. Yet that might not have been all of the scoring before the break. Güiza had a strike ruled out for offside just past the half-hour and both he and Semih Sentürk came close on several occasions.

Song goal
Those misses were to prove costly as within four minutes of the restart it was 4-1. Selçuk Sahin's attempted clearance from a Fàbregas free-kick hit the head of Edu and the grateful Silvestre nodded the ball down to Alexandre Song to claim his first Arsenal goal. Although Aragonés soon introduced Ali Bilgin on the right, the visitors had shut up shop and Fenerbahçe were not finding chances as easy to come by as before the interval.

Late consolation
Güiza did end his personal frustration 12 minutes from the end when he pounced on a Song back-header and elegantly chipped Almunia, but 17-year-old substitute Ramsey, on his competition debut, struck from otuside the box in added time. Arsenal now lead Group G by two points from FC Dynamo Kyiv; Fenerbahçe are bottom with just one draw to their name and desperately need a result in London on 5 November.

Champions League

Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid

2008-10-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid

Goals early in either half from Alessandro Del Piero and Amauri sent Juventus to the top of UEFA Champions League Group H as they rolled back the years with an impressive win against Real Madrid CF.

Spectacular opener
Del Piero was the architect of Juve's 1-0 win here against FC Zenit St. Petersburg last month, firing in a free-kick from long range and he repeated the feat tonight, opening the scoring after only five minutes with a strike that just as spectacular. Amauri's header deservedly stretched Juve's lead just after the restart before Madrid woke up, gaining a foothold through Ruud van Nistelrooy's 66th-minute header, though the hosts held fast at the back.

Tragedy
'You're in our soul, immense and unique' read the banner in the Curva Filadelfia Sud as the Bianconeri fans lent their support to a side struggling on the domestic front. The message was particularly resonant as the stadium observed a one-minute silence in memory of the two Juventus supporters who today died in a coach accident in Etroubles while on their way to the game.

Unstoppable effort
Spurred by the rousing welcome, the hosts were quickly into their stride as Pavel Nedved sent over two dangerous crosses from the left, while from the other side Zdenek Grygera picked out Amauri, whose header was held by Iker Casillas. The Spain captain could do nothing about the next attempt on goal, though. Picking the ball up from deep, Del Piero fed it to Amauri who somehow squeezed it back for the No10 to surprise Casillas with an unstoppable effort from fully 25 metres. Madrid were stunned, and laboured as their three-man midfield struggled with the tenacious tackling of Mohamed Sissoko and the drive of the lively Nedved. The visitors soon began to find their feet, though, with Rafael van der Vaart his waspish best, thrice giving Alex Manninger cause for concern before the half-hour.

Marchisio injury
At the other end Grygera found Amauri with another fine right-wing cross which the striker headed wide. Juventus were forced to replace the injured Claudio Marchisio and Nicola Legrottaglie with Hasan Salihamidžic and Olof Mellberg, but the hosts did not appear weakened by the change against the strangely flat Merengues. Quite the opposite, in fact, as they quickly extended their advantage.

Amauri header
Not for the first time Nedved escaped the attentions of Sergio Ramos on the Juve left and dispatched a deep left-wing cross for Amauri to head in at the far post. Madrid reacted by bringing on Arjen Robben for the ineffectual Gonzalo Higuaín and the Dutchman almost made an immediate impact, heading Wesley Sneijder's cross just wide, moments after Van der Vaart had done likewise. The Spanish champions were rejuvinated and Manninger denied Van Nistelrooy and Sneijder again, before the midfielder's swerving shot come back off the post.

Madrid pressure
The pressure soon paid off as Van Nistelrooy rose highest to head in Gabriel Heinze's left-wing cross. The visitors were now rampant, their Dutch midfielders first to every ball and seeking out their compatriot leading the line up front. Yet Juve defended in numbers and held on to make it seven point in three outings, one more than their opponents.

Champions League Match World Cup 2010 Qualifiers

UEFA Cup

2008-10-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

UEFA Cup

The UEFA Cup 2008–09 is the 38th edition of the UEFA Cup football tournament. The final will be played at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home ground of Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul, Turkey on 20 May 2009.[1] This season will be the final one using the current format; starting in 2009, the event will be known as the UEFA Europa League.

19 teams qualified directly for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup from 53 UEFA associations. An additional three teams qualified via the UEFA Fair Play league, while 35 further teams will qualify from the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Each association enters a certain number of teams to the UEFA Cup based on its league coefficient. Through domestic competitions (national championships and cups and league cups in certain countries) an association may qualify up to four teams. Below is the qualification scheme for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup:

The final of the UEFA Cup 2008–09 will be held on 20 May 2009 at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. This will be the first time that the UEFA Cup Final has been held in Turkey and follows the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final which was held in Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium.

The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is the second most important international competition for European football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League. Clubs qualify for the UEFA Cup based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. This competition will be rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.[2][3] come July 2009.

The competition began in 1971 and replaced the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. In 1999, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was abolished and merged with the UEFA Cup.[4]

Zenit St. Petersburg are the current holders of the UEFA Cup, having beaten Rangers in the 2008 final on 14 May 2008. The 2009 UEFA Cup Final will be played at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home ground of Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul, Turkey, on 20 May 2009.

Bayern Munchen 3-0 Fiorentina

2008-10-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

Bayern Munchen 3-0 Fiorentina

Luca Toni enjoyed his reunion with ACF Fiorentina as the Italy forward helped FC Bayern München to a 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory against his former club on Tuesday.

Unbeaten start
Though he failed to get on the scoresheet, Toni had a hand in both of Bayern's first-half goals as Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger put the home side in command. Zé Roberto curled in a delightful third late on as the German champions maintained their unbeaten start to Group F and cemented their hold on top spot in the section ahead of their reunion with the Viola in two weeks' time.

Delightful finish
Roundly whistled by the travelling support, Toni did little to endear himself to the purple-clad fans who once worshipped him as he was at the heart of a bristling Bayern start. His flick just four minutes in released Klose, and the German international outpaced Juan Manuel Vargas before producing a delightful flicked finish which left Sébastien Frey flat-footed. Toni's link-up play then freed Zé Roberto a minute later, but the Brazilian could only shoot straight at the French goalkeeper from an acute angle.

Mutu threat
Adrian Mutu was one of the chief reasons Toni was such a success in Florence, and the Romanian threatened to bring his side level with a long-range drive that had Michael Rensing flying to his left. The Bayern No1 perhaps deserved his luck at the subsequent corner as Riccardo Montolivo's carefully steered shot was deflected wide of the mark. Mutu was again influential as the visitors almost drew level on 22 minutes, tricking his way past two Bayern defenders and flashing a shot across goal which the in-form Alberto Gilardino only narrowly failed to touch into the net.

Measured shot
Toni also contributed to Bayern's second on 25 minutes when his header fell to Franck Ribéry raiding down the left. Vargas's lunge failed to stop the Frenchman's pass across the penalty area from reaching Schweinsteiger, who had time to cut inside before measuring a left-foot shot past Frey. Gilardino volleyed acrobatically wide as half-time beckoned, and Cesare Prandelli's side also came out brightly after the break with Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Felipe both testing Rensing.

Hastily cleared
Toni's presence on the pitch had been in doubt up till kick-off with the 31-year-old nursing bruised ribs sustained in Bundesliga action last weekend, and with Bayern enjoying a two-goal cushion, he was replaced to the acclaim of the home supporters by Lukas Podolski before the hour mark. Yet Bayern remained dangerous, and a point-blank Martín Demichelis header brought a stunning stop from Frey to keep the visitors' ambitions alive, before the keeper had to be alert to deny Klose.

Glaring miss
Substitute Tim Borowski then dithered after Ribéry's penetrating burst had given him a shooting opportunity, while Mutu was also profligate as he somehow headed Kuzmanovic's deep cross wide of the far post. Zé Roberto showed them how to do it in the final minute, curling in a delicious effort to set the seal on an emphatic win.

Inter Milan 4-0 AS Roma

2008-10-18T23:47:00.000-07:00

Inter Milan 4-0 AS Roma

Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked up where he left off with two more extraordinary goals for Inter at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Swedish forward, whose sublime backheeled goal saw the Nerazzurri on their way to a 2-1 victory over Bologna before the international break, scored in each half of Sunday evening's Serie A showdown.

Dejan Stankovic and Nsofor Victor Obinna added the others in a spectacular second-half scoring spree as Inter went on to rout Roma 4-0.

The victory puts Inter two points clear of Napoli, Catania and Udinese at the top of the table after seven rounds of matches.

Ibrahimovic silenced the home fans after just five minutes, collecting Maicon's looping pass down the right flank and lobbing Doni from a tight angle.

He added his second two minutes after restart, receiving from Muntari and sliding under the Roma keeper after a surging run on goal.

Dejan Stankovic made the result safe on 54 minutes, half-volleying beyond the despairing Doni for his first goal at club level since his strike against Udinese on the opening day of the 2007/08 season.

Inter weren't done though and within two minutes Obinna opened his scoring account for the Nerazzurri, finding the top right corner with a perfectly executed 20-yard shot.

Maicon almost capped a superlative performance with a fifth goal when he stole in to head Mancini's cross on to the post.

Roma 0-4 Inter (HT: 0-1)

Scorers: Ibrahimovic 5, 47, Stankovic 54, Obinna 56.

Roma: 32 Doni; 3 Cicinho, 15 Loria, 4 Juan, 17 Riise; 16 De Rossi, 8 Aquilani; 11 Taddei (89 Okaka 75), 20 Perrotta (33 Brighi 78), 9 Vucinic; 10 Totti (24 Menez 69).
Subs not used: 25 Arthur, 7 Pizarro, 22 Tonetto, 23 Montella.
Coach: Luciano Spalletti.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 26 Chivu, 4 Zanetti; 5 Stankovic (15 Dacourt 78), 19 Cambiasso, 20 Muntari; 21 Obinna, 8 Ibrahimovic (9 Cruz 83), 77 Quaresma (33 Mancini 69).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 10 Adriano, 25 Samuel, 45 Balotelli.
Coach: José Mourinho.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Bologna).

Booked: Vucinic 33, Chivu 76.

PRIMO TEMPO
Sinistro di Riise dal limite dell’area al 4’ Julio Cesar blocca a terra. Vantaggio dell’Inter al 5’ gol di Ibrahimovic solo davanti a Doni, in dubbio fuorigioco, mette dentro con un pallonetto. Cross di Stankovic dalla destra, Juan allontana rischiando l’autorete. Tiro rasoterra di Cicinho, nessun problema per Julio Cesar. Fallo su De Rossi al 13’, Rizzoli lascia correre. Al 17’ destro potente di De Rossi tiro di poco fuori. Fallo di Chivu su Totti. Quaresma prova l’esterno al 19’, palla alta. Destro di Maicon al 22’, Doni devia in angolo. Fallo di Riise su Quaresma al 25’ punizione per i nerazzurri. Muntari prova la conclusione cercando il primo palo, palla respinta. Totti per Perrotta al 27’ ma sbaglia il tiro. Ancora un tiro dalla distanza di De Rossi al 28’, palla deviata in angolo. Cartellino giallo per Vucinic al 32’. Gol di Perrotta annullato al 33’ per fuorigioco. Destro di Vucinic al 35’, Julio Cesar blocca a terra. Bravo Juan che anticipa Ibrahimovic. Colpo di testa in tuffo di Muntari al 38’, palla alta. Bella azione dei giallorossi al 41’ Totti per De Rossi che crossa per Taddei ma la conclusione è difficile. Cross di Totti per Vucinic che colpisce di testa ma la palla è deviata di testa e termina sopra la traversa. Colpo di testa di Loria al 44’, impreciso. Un minuto di recupero. Il primo tempo termina 1-0 per l’Inter.

SECONDO TEMPO
Le squadre rientrano in campo con le medesime formazioni. Doppietta di Ibrahimovic al 2’ della ripresa: lo svedese fulmina Doni dopo aver superato Loria. Risponde subito la Roma con Cicinho servito da Perrotta, parata di Julio Cesar. Bolide di Aquilani da fuori area, ancora Julio Cesar che manda in angolo. Gol di Stankovic dal limite dell’area al 9’ della ripresa, la palla si infila alla destra di Doni. Gol di Obinna all’11’st conclusione dal limite, palla dentro. Cross di Aquilani per Totti ma la palla finisce tra le braccia del portiere nerazzurro. Grande calore da parte dei tifosi giallorossi che incita la squadra. Assist di Taddei per De Rossi che manda altissimo sopra la traversa. Conclusione di Totti dalla distanza, Julio Cesar devia in angolo. Doppia sostituzione al 24’ per l’Inter entra Mancini al posto di Quaresma, per la Roma entra Menez al posto del capitano Francesco Totti. Punizione per l’Inter al 27’: palo di Maicon su punizione di Mancini, ci prova Ibrahimovic che manda a lato. Sostituzione per mister Spalletti esce Taddei ed entra Okaka. Ammonito Chivu al 31’ della ripresa. Punizione di Riise al 32’, palla deviata in angolo. Menez prova il tiro su cross dalla destra, palla oltre la traversa. Ultima sostituzione per i giallorossi al 32’ esce Perrotta ed entra Brighi. Cambio per Mourinho al 33’, esce Stankovic ed entra Dacourt. Tiro centrale di Cordoba al 35’, nessun problema per Doni. Terza sostituzione per l’Inter esce Ibrahimovic ed entra Cruz. Tre minuti di recupero. La partita termina 4-0 per l’Inter. Versus

Manchester United 4-0 West Bromwich

2008-10-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Manchester United 4-0 West Bromwich

Wayne Rooney sparked Manchester United into life against a limited West Brom as the champions moved ominously up to fourth in the Premier League table.

The visitors frustrated United in the first-half and referee Mark Halsey disallowed a Rooney effort for a push.

But the in-form England international cut inside Ryan Donk to fire a superb opener on 55 minutes before setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for a simple second.

Dimitar Berbatov added a casual third before Rooney created Nani's late goal.

With perennial rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all winning and United sitting in eight prior to the late kick-off, the home side were under a degree of pressure to get a win which would really kick-start their league campaign.

They had an unusual look to their midfield with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher in the centre, but this did not hamper Ronaldo, who provided a regular early outlet and looked his usual threatening self with the ball.

West Brom, however, made a disciplined start and Chris Brunt had a decent long-range effort with United stretched at he back.

Their industrious five-man midfield formed a black-and-white barrier with the Old Trafford crowd quiet but United had the ball in the net after 21 minutes.

Ronaldo slipped a neat pass in for Rooney who muscled in front of a defender and delayed his shot before scooping the ball past Scott Carson.

But referee Mark Halsey disallowed the effort from the in-form England marksman, adjudging that Rooney, much to the Liverpudlian's annoyance, had pushed a Baggies man as he got to the ball.

Sixty seconds later Rooney lost his marker in the box and got his head to a whipped Ryan Giggs cross to force a decent low save from Carson.

The visitors were increasingly restricted to long-range efforts with Robert Koren firing a woeful effort into the Stretford End crowd behind Van Der Sar's goal after 28 minutes.

Rooney and Ronaldo soon linked up to good effect but Paul Robinson stayed admirably close to the Portuguese winger in order to nullify his attempts to get a shot off on goal.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had to make a change after 35 minutes bringing on John O'Shea for Patrice Evra, with the Frenchman seemingly having collected a knock.

The home side continued to press but lacked any real urgency around the box, with Dimitar Berbatov particularly quiet.

Rooney whipped over a dangerous corner after 40 minutes which Nemanja Vidic headed powerfully towards goal but the impressive Donk hacked away and both sides trudged down the tunnel without anything to show for their efforts.

Berbatov sprang into a semblance of life just after the break as he crossed well but Rooney could not make a proper connection in order to test Carson.

After persistent work from O'Shea in the 61st minute Rooney stung the hands of Carson with a powerful strike though he could have laid the ball off to Ronaldo, who was standing in space to his right.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray brought the hard-working but largely anonymous Roman Bednar off for Ishmael Miller to inject some fresh life into West Brom's flagging efforts just before Carson saved a Berbatov shot which was too straight.

The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute when Berbatov slipped a simple pass to Rooney.

Lurking on the left and with West Brom holding a high-line, the England man raced into the box to cut inside Donk before firing a superb low shot inside Carson's post for his eight goal in six game for club and country.

Rooney had Carson pushing the ball just around his post soon after following a creative through-pass from Giggs.

Ferguson sent Gary Neville on for Rafael Da Silva in the 65th minute with the young Brazilian fading after a strong first-half.

With West Brom offering very little, an inevitable second goal followed when Rooney turned provider for Ronaldo to finish easily through the legs of the over-worked Carson.

And West Brom's discipline slipped further when, after 72 minutes, substitute Nani's cross was allowed to pass through the legs of Jonas Olsson for Berbatov to stick out a leg and poke the ball high into the net from four yards almost with disdain.

Miller went close with a decent left-footed effort with three minutes remaining and tested Van Der Sar just before the final whistle and, with a late consolation proving beyond West Brom, Nani added a fourth with a simple finish after Rooney's slide-rule cross.

Man of the match :

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney 8.77 (on 90 minutes).
World Cup football 2010

Liverpool 3-2 Wigan

2008-10-18T09:19:00.001-07:00

Liverpool 3-2 Wigan

Dirk Kuyt's scissor-kick five minutes from time gave Liverpool all three points against 10-man Wigan in a pulsating game at Anfield.

Amr Zaki gave the visitors the lead after a mistake from Daniel Agger, but Kuyt fired Liverpool level.

On the stroke of half-time Zaki scored a spectacular overhead-kick to restore Wigan's lead, before Antonio Valencia was sent-off for two bookable offences.

The home side hit back through Albert Riera, before Kuyt's late winner.

The result is harsh on a Wigan side who, until Valencia's sending off, looked good value for at least a point.

Wigan played with great confidence and, with the inspirational Zaki up front, they always looked as though they would cause Liverpool problems.
Even without the injured Emile Heskey, missing with a back injury, Liverpool struggled to cope with Wigan's movement, pace and greater desire.

In contrast Liverpool, missing striker Fernando Torres, appeared disjointed and failed to put any meaningful attacks together.

Olivier Kapo, playing in a front three alongside Zaki and Daniel de Ridder, was the first to test Pepe Reina as his low left-foot shot was turned away by the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Robbie Keane curled wide as Liverpool started to feel their way into the game, but a minute later Zaki gave his side the lead after a horrendous error by Agger.

The Danish defender received the ball from Reina on the edge of his own area, but he was far too casual in possession and the Egyptian striker was on hand to rob the ball before coolly slotting it home.

However, Agger made amends 10 minutes later as he drove forward from defence, exchanged passes with Andrea Dossena and cut the ball back for Kuyt to fire home.

Suddenly the confidence returned to Liverpool's play and Kuyt nearly grabbed a second as he unleashed a rasping shot from 20 yards that Kirkland somehow managed to tip onto the crossbar.

But they were stung on the stroke of half-time as Zaki met Antonio Valencia's cross with a brilliant scissor-kick that gave Reina no chance.

After the break Liverpool started to turn the screw and Lee Cattermole was on hand to clear Daniel Agger's header back across goal with Robbie Keane lurking at the far post.

Kuyt was then denied again by Kirkland from six yards as the home side struggled to break Wigan's resistance.

However, when Valencia was given his marching orders for two bookable offences, the game swung in Liverpool's favour.

The Ecuador international was shown a yellow card for failing to retreat 10 yards as Gerrard lined up a free-kick and just a minute later he was on his way down the tunnel for a reckless tackle on Alonso.

Liverpool immediately looked to make their man advantage count and Alonso saw his shot from 25 yards deflected wide by Titus Bramble, before Riera drew them level with a right-footed shot from 20 yards.

It was the Spaniards first goal in a Liverpool shirt, but Liverpool were not done yet.

They sensed victory as Wigan began to tire and Kuyt sealed the win with his fourth goal in three games.

He met Jermaine Pennant's pin-point cross with a flying volley that hit the ground before flying over the despairing dive of Kirkland.

Arsenal 3-1 Everton

2008-10-18T09:18:00.001-07:00

Arsenal 3-1 Everton

Link:

Arsenal kept themselves in the title hunt as they came from behind to win.

Leon Osman put Everton ahead when he exchanged passes with Steven Pienaar and converted at the near post.

Samir Nasri equalised with a low shot from 20 yards and Robin Van Persie headed Arsenal in front after Tim Howard parried Cesc Fabregas' shot.

With Arsenal then in the ascendancy, substitute Theo Walcott played a one-two with Abou Diaby before slotting in the third through Howard's legs.

It was a remarkable turnaround for Arsenal, who had looked far from assured at the start - largely because of their untried defence, which included debutant Mikael Silvestre in the centre.

With William Gallas and Bacary Sagna out, Arsenal were hoping their emergency line-up would be enough to keep out an Everton side that had won only once in their last eight matches.

But within nine minutes, the Gunners' backline had been breached.

Osman started and finished the move, passing the ball out wide to Pienaar before sliding in ahead of Silvestre to covert the South African's low cross into the box.

The goal sparked Arsenal into life and a superb ball over the top by Fabregas gave Van Persie the chance to restore parity but his volley was saved well by Howard.

But Everton refused to panic and on the counter attack they went close to doubling their lead when Osman's shot was deflected wide.

The visitors continued to defend with discipline and kept their shape as Arsenal attempted to raise the tempo.

Everton did well to clear a corner under strong pressure for Kolo Toure, who suffered a shoulder injury in the process and was unable to come out for the second half.

Joleon Lescott nicked the ball off Nasri's toes as he was set to score, while Van Persie smashed over when well places and later saw his free-kick punched away by Howard.

They might have paid for their misses when Lescott headed goalwards from a corner but Clichy was in the right position to chest the ball away.

Arsenal brought on Walcott at the start of the second half as Toure made way, and Arsenal reshuffled their defence in the Ivory Coast man's absence.

Perhaps sensing the need to protect an unfamiliar back four, Arsenal piled forward and quickly got the reward for their adventure.

Everton failed to completely clear a corner and Silvestre laid the ball of to Nasri to rifle in through a crowded penalty area and make it 1-1.

Van Persie then should have put Arsenal in front but smacked the ball high and wide from 12 yards.

Tempers flared soon after following a late challenge by Tony Hibbert on Denilson, and Clichy and Hibbert were both cautioned after squaring up to each other.

It seemed to unsettle Everton the most and it was not long before they fell behind.

Emmanuel Adebayor slid the ball to Fabregas and his shot was beaten out by Howard but only as far as Van Persie, who nodded home from eight yards.

Arsenal had been the superior team after the break, and Everton's lack of ambition cost them when they had looked good value for their lead in the opening half.

And the final word went to Walcott, who swapped passes with Diaby on the right flank before coolly slotting in the arsenal's third goal.

Middlesbrough 0-5 Chelsea

2008-10-18T06:57:00.001-07:00

Middlesbrough 0-5 Chelsea

Chelsea completely outclassed Middlesbrough to extend their lead at top of the Premier League table.

Salomon Kalou began the rout, stroking in after Julian Beletti's shot had been blocked and Belletti made it 2-0 after the break with a stunning 30-yard shot.

Kalou got his second when his low strike deflected off David Wheater before Frank Lampard's diving header rounded off a superb Chelsea breakaway.

And Florent Malouda tapped in after Nicolas Anelka's shot hit the post.

Chelsea's intent was clear from the start - move the ball quickly, play with fluency and control and retain possession.

They achieved their aims to the extent that Boro barely had a kick from the outset.

And while Boro failed to put pressure on the ball, Kalou, Malouda and full-backs Jose Bosingwa and Wayne Bridge in particular exploited the space.

It was through Bridge that Chelsea fashioned their opener as the left-back's cross fell to Belletti, whose shot ricocheted off two Boro defenders allowing Kalou to stroke the ball in.

More Chelsea goals seemed inevitable as they totally dominated a Boro side short on confidence after only one win in five games.

Only a last-ditch block from Jonathan Grounds prevented Lampard's shot providing the finishing touch to Malouda's low cross from the right.

Soon after the interval, Malouda raced clear after Grounds misjudged the bounce of the ball, but the winger shot wide when he should have scored.

But there was no such profligacy from Belletti when he took aim from 30 yards and arrowed a superb shot into the top corner to finally give Chelsea the second goal they deserved.

The sensational strike had the effect of deflating Boro even further - and Chelsea went on the rampage.

Malouda's exquisite cut-back found Kalou and, with everything going Chelsea's way, the striker's low shot diverted off Wheater to leave keeper Ross Turbull no chance.

But if Chelsea's third goal was fortunate, their fourth was pure class.

Kaloua and Anelka exchanged passes as the Blues came storming forward, before Kalou dinked a perfect cross for Lampard to send a diving header into the corner.

Worse was to come for Boro as four minutes later Anelka broke and sent in a low shot that Turnbull could only spill onto the post and Malouda tucked away the rebound.

Turnbull did much better shortly after when he got down well to save Anelka's shot but by then Boro had been embarrassed and outplayed by a Chelsea team missing seven first-team players,.

The Blues remain unbeaten in 2008 and are in sparkling form under Luis Felipe Scolari.

Man of the Match
Chelsea's Salomon Kalou 8.09 (on 90 minutes).

2010 WC Football
Buy tickets for WC football 2010 in South Africa.

Alexei Cherepanov died

2008-10-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Alexei Cherepanov died

Alexei Cherepanov, the New York Rangers' first pick (No. 17) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has died after suffering an apparent heart attack Monday during a game with Avangard Omsk, his club in the Kontinental Hockey League.

The 19-year-old Cherepanov had 8 goals and 13 points in 15 games this season, his third with Omsk.

Cherepanov had scored the game's first goal in what ended as a 5-4 loss for Omsk against Vityav Chekhov.

"We are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Alexei," said Rangers General Manager Glen Sather. "On behalf of the New York Rangers organization, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Alexei was an intelligent, energetic young man, with tremendous talent and an extremely bright future."

The Rangers had been hoping to bring Cherepanov to New York for the club's prospect evaluation camp or training camp, but with the lack of a formal transfer agreement between the NHL and International Ice Hockey Federation, Cherepanov remained in Russia, with the Rangers hoping to bring him over for the 2009-10 season.

"It (the Russian league) is not as physical as our hockey over here, but it's very skilled," Gordie Clark, the Rangers' director of player personnel, told NHL.com this summer. "It's a fast-moving, very skilled league, and he manages to continue scoring points in it."

Cherepanov was the top-ranked European skater heading into his draft year, and backed up his credentials with 29 points in 47 games with Omsk when it played in the Russian Super League. He had more points in his first year in the RSL than Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk, and his 18 goals in 2006-07 broke Pavel Bure's RSL rookie scoring record.

"He was close to a complete package," said Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting. "Very fast skater. He was a goal scorer and a passer.

"I think he could have been a big spectator favorite because he was that kind of player. Sometimes you could hardly notice him, but on one shift, he could do unbeliveable things with the puck -- passing, shooting, skating, extremely skillful. A finesse player with a capital 'F.'"

That he slipped to No. 17 in the draft was a major surprise, one the Rangers were extremely thankful for.

"There are going to be a lot of teams that say, 'Geez, I can't believe he was still there,' " Clark told the New York Daily News after the team picked Cherepanov." But we had him going way, way before this. The guy has got an incredible pair of hands and head on him."

Cherepanov represented Russia at numerous international tournaments. He was named the best forward at the 2007 World Junior Championships after he finished with a tournament-high 5 goals, and his 8 points led the Russian team in scoring and to the silver medal. He had 3 goals and 6 points in six games at the 2008 WJC as Russia won the bronze.

"He was a great kid," Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. "He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It's both shocking and devastating news for all of us."

Copa del Rey Espana

2008-10-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

Copa del Rey Espana

The Copa del Rey is an annual cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Don Juan Carlos I (His Majesty King John Charles I's Cup), referring to the current King of Spain, Juan Carlos I of Spain. It was initially known as the Copa del Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Madrid City Council's Cup). Between 1905 and 1932, it was known as the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Alfonso XIII (His Majesty King Alfonso XIII's Cup). During the Second Spanish Republic it was known as the Copa del Presidente de la República (Republic President's Cup) or Copa de España (Spanish Cup) for short and during the years of the Franco dictatorship it was known as the Copa de Su Excelencia El Generalísimo or Copa del Generalísimo ((His Excellency) The Supreme General's Cup). Teams from upper and lower divisions will get to play against each other but the number of clubs allowed to participate is restricted. Spanish basketball teams compete for the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto.

The competition was first played in 1902 after Carlos Padrós, later president of Madrid FC, suggested a football competition to celebrate the coronation of Alfonso XIII. Four other teams joined Madrid FC for the first competition: FC Barcelona, Club Espanyol de Foot-Ball, Club Vizcaya and New Foot-Ball de Madrid. The competition featured the first recorded game between FC Barcelona and Madrid FC, with the former emerging 3-1 winners. Club Vizcaya eventually beat FC Barcelona in the final.

The 1902 competition was won by Club Vizcaya, a team made up of players from Athletic Club and Bilbao FC. In 1903, these two clubs merged as Athletic Club Bilbao, the modern Athletic Bilbao.[citation needed] As a result, the tally of Copa wins by Athletic Bilbao is disputed.[citation needed] The 1902 cup is on display in the Athletic museum, [1] and the club includes the victory in its honours list.[2]. However LFP and RFEF official statistics do not include this as an Athletic win.[citation needed]

Athletic Bilbao were declared winners in 1904 after their opponents Club Español de Madrid failed to show up. In both 1910 and 1913, there was a split among the clubs and two rival associations, the Unión Española de Clubs de Fútbol and the Federación Española de Fútbol, organised rival competitions, the Copa UECF and the Copa FEF. In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War clubs in the Republican area of Spain entered the Copa de la España Libre, with Levante FC beating their city rivals Valencia CF 1-0 in the final. This competition officially recognised by the RFEF in 2007. No competition was played in 1938.

[edit] Statistics

Because of the dispute regarding the 1902 competition (see above), the statistics regarding the leading winners are also disputed. FC Barcelona have won the Copa 24 times; Athletic Bilbao are joint-leaders with 24 titles, or just behind with 23 titles, depending on the source.

Throughout the history of the competition there have been 12 actual trophies. Trophies have been permanently awarded to clubs for winning the competition three times in a row and/or on five separate occasions. Thus, four trophies have been permanently awarded to FC Barcelona, three to Athletic Bilbao and one to Real Madrid.

Club Vizcaya kept the first trophy as inaugural winners, Sevilla FC were awarded the Trofeo del Generalísimo in 1939 and Atlético Madrid, winners the previous year, were awarded the 11th trophy following the death of Franco. The remaining trophy is the one in current usage.

Copa del Rey Matches

Romania 2-2 France

2008-10-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Romania 2-2 France - 11.10.2008 World Cup Qualifiers

The future of France coach Raymond Domenech was left hanging in the balance on Saturday after a spirited Romania took a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw with the 1998 FIFA World Cup™ winners.

Florentin Petre and Dorin Goian scored a goal apiece in a dominant first half to leave the hosts with the advantage after Franck Ribery had managed to claw a goal back for Les Bleus in the 36th minute.

It took until the 69th minute for France to draw level thanks to a stunning 30-yard drive from Yoann Gourcuff, who chose arguably the best time to score his maiden international goal.

"I was worried in the first 15 minutes," admitted Domenech, who had to shuffle his team when skipper Patrick Vieira was injured in the warm-up. "We had a few little worries, especially because of the Vieira injury and the team was very young. But I liked the spirit we showed in the second half and we proved that we have a future in qualifying."

Barcelona forward Thierry Henry and Bayern Munich striker Franck Ribery both spurned chances late in the second half, during which France appeared to find their rhythm after a conspicuously shaky first period. But on the face of their much stronger performance, Romania were unlucky not to steal all three points.

After picking up a point each, the result will do little to boost the group hopes of either team. France and Romania both now have a paltry four points from three games.

Domenech's future as coach of the 1998 FIFA World Cup winners has been in doubt since France exited this summer's UEFA EURO Championships after the first round. Calls for his head to roll gathered pace after France were stunned 3-1 by Austria in their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier, and the were maintained despite a 2-1 home defeat of Serbia.

Win or else
Prior to this match the general feeling on Domenech's future as coach was unequivocal: win, or else. But it took only five minutes, and some slack defending, for Romania to throw a spanner into the works.

Domenech must have been wondering what was going on as Petre, left on his own just outside the penalty area, went unchallenged and met a cross that he drove past France keeper Steve Mandanda.

Barely ten minutes had passed before Goian handed the hosts a 2-0 lead after he rose above France defender Jean-Alain Boumsong to head a Petre corner past the beaten Mandanda. Bayern Munich striker Ribery managed to limit the damage, firing home a perfectly-weigted shot from a pass by Yoann Gourcuff.

Domenech and his Romanian counterpart Victor Peturca made no changes for the second half, in which France appeared to finally find their feet. Nevertheless it took until the 69th minute for Les Bleus to put themselves within sight of a win, and they did so in style.

This time Ribery turned provider for Gourcuff, who turned his marker superbly before unleashing an unbeatable dipping drive from near on 30 yards.

Free Video Romania Vs. France score.

England 5-1 Kazakhstan

2008-10-11T14:52:00.000-07:00

England 5-1 Kazakhstan - WC 2010 qualifiers

England continued their winning start to FIFA World Cup qualifying but they were made to work hard for their three Group 6 points by a stubborn young Kazakhstan team.

Headed goals
Hopes were high at Wembley after England's September victories in Andorra and, notably, Croatia but Kazakhstan caretaker coach Bernd Storck had his side well drilled and they only fell behind when two Frank Lampard set-pieces were headed in by Rio Ferdinand and visiting defender Aleksandr Kuchma early in the second half. Zhambyl Kukeyev reduced arrears with a debut goal but Wayne Rooney made sure of the win with two late strikes, before substitute Jermain Defoe added a fifth that made the scoreline hard on Kazakhstan.

Five debutants
Steven Gerrard's return from injury allowed England coach Fabio Capello to adopt a 4-3-3 formation and on the right Theo Walcott showed he was determined to build on his hat-trick in Croatia with a run and cross that Emile Heskey nearly forced in. Dealing with the pace of Walcott was proving tough for a Kazakhstan team that included new caps Alexander Kirov, Alexander Kislitsyn, Tanat Nusserbayev, Sergey Skorykh and Kukeyev but by defending in numbers the visitors were soaking up the England pressure.

Ferdinand goal
Two minutes after the restart Kazakhstan so nearly took the lead. Sabyrkhan Ibrayev strode down the right and his centre was headed down for Nusserbayev, who shot over from close range. Within five minutes Ferdinand had nodded England in front, meeting an inswinging Lampard corner at the far post.

Lead doubled
Almost immediately England goalkeeper David James had to be alert to deny the lively Nusserbayev. But England doubled their advantage on 64 minutes from another set-piece, Lampard's free-kick being headed into his own net by Kuchma under pressure from Rooney. Three minutes later Kukuyev pulled one back after intercepting an Ashley Cole ball across defence and calmly slotting past James.

Late goals
England responded well and Walcott combined with Wes Brown to cross for Rooney to power in another headed goal, before he struck again with five minutes left after a free-kick from David Beckham was touched back by Matthew Upson. Defoe came off the bench to add another on the break in the last minute and further boost England's morale before Wednesday's trip to Belarus. Kazakhstan have three points and the first qualifying task for their new permanent coach will be the visit of Belarus on 1 April.
Poland 2-1 Czech Republic - 11 october 2008 - WC 2010 Qualifiers Polska 2-1 Czechy - 11 pazdziernika 2008 - WC Kwalifikatory World Cup
World Cup 2010 Goals Video Free.

Poland 2-1 Czech Republic

2008-10-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Poland 2-1 Czech Republic - 11/10/2008 - WC 2010 Qualifiers

Ten sam dzien roku - 11 pazdziernika, ten sam stadion - Slaski w Chorzowie, ten sam wynik, ten sam sedzia - Wolfgang Stark z Niemiec. I rzeczywiscie na Stadionie Slaskim w Chorzowie bylo dzis "stark" (niem. mocno). Polscy pilkarze rozegrali dzis wspanialy mecz pokonujac silna reprezentacje Czech 2:1.

Po sobotnim wystepie Jakub Blaszczykowski ma prawo oczekiwac, ze oprócz oferty ze strony Liverpoolu z ostatnich dni, pojawia sie nastepne, z kolejnych klubów europejskiej elity. W sobotni wieczór pomocnik reprezentacji Polski zachwycil ponad 40-tysieczna publicznosc na Stadionie Slaskim. Najpierw po jego akcji marzen bramke strzelil Pawel Brozek, a w drugiej czesci bohater spotkania z Czechami podwyzszyl na 2:0.

REKLAMA Czytaj dalej

Podobnie jak dwa lata temu z Portugalia (2:1) polski zespól rozegral w Chorzowie bardzo dobre spotkania. Zaskoczyl Leo Beenhakker, decydujac sie na desygnowanie od pierwszej minuty na lewej obronie Jakuba Wawrzyniaka. Ale to wlasnie zawodnik Legii Warszawa, po swietnym podaniu kolegi klubowego Rogera Guerreiro, mógl jako pierwszy wpisac sie na liste strzelców. W 18. minucie znalazl sie przed Petrem Cechem, ale fatalnie przestrzelil.

Momentami Polacy zamykali rywali na ich polowie. Bardzo grozna byla polska lewa strona, gdzie co najmniej dwukrotnie, mimo asysty dwóch przeciwników, przedzieral sie Euzebiusz Smolarek. 27- letni pilkarz znów byl blyskotliwy i skuteczny w swych zwodach, a po kasliwym strzale niewiele zabraklo aby z boku boiska przelobowal bramkarza Czech. "Ebi, Ebi" - skandowala publicznosc, która zachwycala sie umiejetnosciami techniczmymi Smolarka.

Ale w sobotni wieczór zdecydowanie najlepszy byl Blaszczykowski. Najpierw niemal na kolanach ogral w srodkowej strefie dwóch czeskich pomocników, czubem buta uprzedzil Tomasa Ujfalusiego i dogral do Brozka, który znakomicie przymierzyl i bylo 1:0.

Chwile pózniej doszlo do niepotrzebnych zamieszek na stadionie, miedzy kibicami obu zespolów. Zdecydowana wiekszosc widzów dalej dopingowala pilkarzy, a z trybun nioslo sie: "Jeszcze jeden, jeszcze jeden".

Czesi w pierwszej polowie rozczarowali. Co prawda w pierwszej akcji defensorom "urwal sie" Milan Baros, potem strzal Miroslava Slepicki z pola karnego nogami wybronil Artur Boruc, jednak po ósmej druzynie rankingu FIFA mozna sie bylo spodziewac o wiele wiecej. Publicznosc ucichla jeszcze raz, kiedy Cech wyrzucil reka pilke na 50 metrów, niefortunnie przedluzyl ja Wawrzyniak (pod koniec pierwszej polowy zszedl kontuzjowany, a jego miejsce zajal Jacek Krzynówek), a Boruc znów bronil grozne uderzenie, tym razem Barosa.

Druga polowa rozpoczela sie fantastycznie dla Polaków. W 53. minucie Blaszczykowski wyszedl sam na sam i sprytnym strzalem podwyzszyl na 2:0. Kibice oszaleli z radosci, a Beenhakker wymownymi gestami dziekowal 23-letniemu graczowi za zdobycie gola. Z kolei kilkadziesiat minut wczesniej, jeszcze przed pierwszym gwizdkiem, za wiele lat wystepów w kadrze podziekowano Jackowi Bakowi. Tym samym 96-krotny reprezentant Polski oficjalnie pozegnal sie z druzyna narodowa.

Trener gosci Petr Rada po stracie drugiej bramki zdecydowal sie na dwie zmiany i zmienil ustawienie na 3-5-2. Niewiele to jednak zmienilo, bowiem wciaz grozniejsi byli podopieczni Holendra. Bliski powodzenia po strzela glowa byl Dariusz Dudka. Wczesniej boisko opuscil Brozek, a widowni zgotowala mu owacje: "Dziekujemy, dziekujemy".

W 81. minucie niewiele pomylil sie czeski stoper David Rozehnal. Gdyby w tym momencie rywale zdobyli kontaktowego gola, z pewnoscia dodalby im skrzydel, a tym bardziej, ze wczesniej pojawil sie na placu gry grozny Martin Fenin. W taki obrót sprawy - na korzysc Czechów - nie wierzyli polscy kibice, którzy odspiewali hymn kraju.

W 84. minucie znów Polacy swietnie odebrali pilke, Blaszczykowski zagral z pierwszej pilki do wychodzacego Roberta Lewandowskiego, ale niestety jego podanie do Smolarka bylo zbyt lekkie. W tym momencie moglo byc juz po spotkaniu. Tymczasem w rewanzu zacentrowal z lewej strony Sverkos, a bramke uzyskal Fenin. To byla znakomita akcja rezerwowych. Na szczescie dla polskich graczy wynik 2:1 utrzymal sie do konca. A sam Beenhakker jeszcze zagrzewal kibiców do pomocy swej reprezentacji.

El. MS, grupa 3.

Polska - Czechy 2:1 (1:0)
Bramki: Pawel Brozek 27, Jakub Blaszczykowski 53 - Martin Fenin 87-glowa
Zólte kartki: Dariusz Dudka (Polska), Radoslav Kovac (Czechy).
Sedzia: Wolfgang Stark (Niemcy). Widzów: 45 000.

Polska: Artur Boruc - Marcin Wasilewski, Michal Zewlakow, Dariusz Dudka, Jakub Wawrzyniak (43-Jacek Krzynówek) - Jakub Blaszczykowski, Mariusz Lewandowski, Rafal Murawski (90+1-Tomasz Jodlowiec), Euzebiusz Smolarek - Roger Guerreiro - Pawel Brozek (69-Robert Lewandowski).

Czechy: Petr Cech - Zdenek Grygera (58-Libor Sionko), David Rozehnal, Tomas Ujfalusi, Marek Jankulovski - Zdenek Pospech, Radoslav Kovac, Jaroslav Plasil, Radek Sirl - Milan Baros (81-Martin Fenin), Miroslav Slepicka (58-Vaclav Sverkos)

Video Free

World Cup Qualifiers :

2008-10-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

World Cup Qualifiers :

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. It will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by a nation in the Confederation of African Football, leaving the Oceania Football Confederation as the only FIFA Confederation never to have hosted the event.

Africa was chosen as the host for the 2010 World Cup as part of a new policy to rotate the event between football confederations (which was later abandoned in October 2007). Five African nations placed bids to host the 2010 World Cup:

England ended 2008 on 12 points from four FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures but they had to work hard to claim victory in Belarus.

Rooney goals
Steven Gerrard's early goal only spurred into action and Pavel Sitko equalised before the break. , repeated the trick in the second half to give England a five-point lead over Ukraine and Croatia in Group 6 with no more games until April. World Cup South Africa 2010

Belgium 1-2 Spain
Spain Beats Belgium in World Cup Qualifiers football.
David Villa was the hero again as his late strike completed a Spanish comeback victory in Brussels and made it four wins out of four for Vicente Del Bosque's side in Group 5.

Vast support
An estimated 13,000 visiting fans flocked to the Roi Baudouin Stadium to support the European champions but they were given an early shock when Wesley Sonck headed the hosts in front on seven minutes. Andrés Iniesta hauled his side level later in the first half, though, before Villa ended Belgium's unbeaten start to qualification with a header of his own in the 88th minute.

Belgium domination
The home team should have been behind two minutes in but Stijn Stijnen made a double save from Fernando Torres and Villa. The feat spurred on René Vandereycken's men and, when their first corner was not properly defended by Spain, Vincent Kompany crossed from the left for Sonck to nod it past Iker Casillas. Belgium had begun with a barracade of five defenders and two defensive midfielders, and with Axel Witsel, Steven Defour and Sonck providing attacking intent, and for half an hour they seemed comfortable with their lead, particularly after Fernando Torres limped off injured.

Spain spirit

But, nine minutes before the interval, Iniesta was given possession by Marouane Fellaini and broke into the area before firing past Stijnen and into the right corner from a narrow angle to restore parity. At the start of the second period, Belgium found fresh impetus and it led to opportunities for Fellaini, Defour and Witsel, with the third-mentioned forcing Casillas into a fine save. However, Spain came again with Cesc Fàbregas forcing Stijnen into a stop before Daniel Güiza crossed from the left and Villa evaded Thomas Vermaelen to seal a thrilling revival.

Slovakia 2-1 Poland
Two goals in a minute from Stanislav Šesták were enough for Slovakia to beat Poland in Bratislava, sending them top of FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 3.

With anticipation growing ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the official Match Schedule has been released. To find out where the games will be played in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Tshwane/Pretoria between 11 June and 11 July 2010.
The Free Video and Pictures from World Cup 2010 Will apear soon !.

Barcelona 6-1 Atletico Madrid

2008-10-04T15:08:00.001-07:00

Barcelona 6-1 Atletico Madrid

1-0 Marquez sélectionné dans Sport et Football

Enjoy The Free Video Highlights !!

El Barça fa una exhibició de futbol ofensiu a la primera part i escombra l'Atlètic amb gols de Márquez (3'), d'Eto'o, de penal (5') i en el 17, de Messi (8'), de Maxi R. (13'), de Gudjohnsen (28') i d'Henry (73').

L'alineació del Barça és la següent: Valdés, Puyol, Piqué, Márquez, Abidal, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Sergio Busquets, Messi i Eto'o.

A la banqueta hi seran, per tant, els següents homes: Pinto (ps), Cáceres, Touré Yaya, Sylvinho, Keita, Bojan i Henry.

Comença el partit

min. 3: Gol del FC Barcelona. Gol de Márquez, qui remata de cap un llançament de còrner de Xavi.
min. 5: Gol del FC Barcelona. Eto'o transforma una pena màxima. La falta havia estat d'Ujfalusi sobre Messi.
min. 8: Gol del FC Barcelona. Gol de Messi. L'argentí no demana distància a l'hora de llençar una falta i sorprèn la defensa atlètica.
min. 8: Targeta groga per a Maxi Rodríguez.
min. 13: Gol de l'Atlètic de Madrid. Gol de Maxi Rodríguez. L'argentí sorprèn Valdés amb un xut llunyà.
min. 17: Gol del FC Barcelona. Gol d'Eto'o, després d'una gran passada en profunditat de Xavi.
min. 21: Canvi a l'Atlètic de Madrid: De las Cuevas entra per Maxi Rodríguez, lesionat.
min. 24: Gol anul·lat al Barça per fora de joc d'Iniesta.
min. 28: Gol del FC Barcelona. Gol de Gudjohnsen, qui aprofita molt bé un rebot al pal d'un xut inicial d'Iniesta.
min. 30: Nova pilota al pal d'Iniesta, qui és ovacionat pel públic del Camp Nou.
min. 31: Targeta groga per a Antonio López per una entrada sobre Messi.
min. 33: Targeta groga per a Heitinga.
min. 37: Gudjohnsen xuta massa alt després d'una molt bona jugada de Xavi.
min. 40: Impressionant jugada individual de Messi, que creua tot el camp i a qui només li ha faltat marcar.
min. 41: De nou Messi, qui cau a l'àrea de l'Atlètic de Madrid.
min. 45: S'afegeix un minut al temps reglamentari.

Final de la primera meitat

Comença la segona part

min. 46: Canvi a l'Atlètic de Madrid: Pernía entra per Luis García.
min. 50: Henry surt a escalfar.
min. 52: Targeta groga per a Ujfalusi per protestar.
min. 54: Targeta groga per a Márquez per una falta sobre Agüero.
min. 57: Canvi a l'Atlètic de Madrid: Banega entra pel Kun Agüero.
min. 60: Canvi al FC Barcelona: Henry entra per Eto'o.
min. 62: Targeta groga per a Henry per una falta sobre Perea.
min. 65: Puyol, a punt de marcar a la sortida d'un còrner.
min. 69: Gudjohnsen, a punt de sorprendre Coupet després d'una bona passada en profunditat de Xavi.
min. 69: Canvi al FC Barcelona: Bojan entra per Messi.
min. 73: Gol del FC Barcelona. Gol d'Henry. Triangulació entre Henry, Xavi i Bojan que acaba en gol del primer.
min. 74: Canvi al FC Barcelona: Keita surt per Xavi.
min. 77: Xut de Bojan que surt desviat per poc.
min. 79: Centrada de Gudjohnsen que no troba rematador.
min. 85: El Barça insisteix en atac malgrat l'avantatge en el marcador.

Final del partit

En breus moments els oferirem la crònica completa del partit

El Barça Atlètic ha millorat notablement actuacions anteriors lluny del Miniestadi però no ha pogut sumar la primera victòria fora de casa. El filial blaugrana ha sabut reaccionar després d’encaixar molt aviat l’1-0, però ha vist com, en el tram final del partit, el filial osasunista empatava el matx.

Champions League ,Uefa Cup , Matches , World Cup 2010 South Africa Goals
The Camp Nou will get the chance on Saturday to enjoy two of the most spectacular players in world football right now. The magic of Messi and Agüero’s amazing goalscoring talent are the main attractions of this weekends Barça v Atlético encounter.

Inter Milan 1-1 Werder Bremen

2008-10-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

Inter Milan 1-1 Werder Bremen

FC Internazionale Milano and Werder Bremen shared the spoils in an eventful Group B draw as Claudio Pizarro returned to haunt the Nerazzuri with another goal.

Pizarro again
Pizarro had scored against Inter for FC Bayern München at the same stage of the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League and, after a glaring first-half miss, made amends two minutes past the hour with another crucial strike. That cancelled out Maicon's opening goal, negated Inter's dominance and kept alive the European hopes of Thomas Schaaf's men, who have two points from as many games ahead of two games against Panathinaikos FC. Inter, on four, are dead level at the top with their next opponents Anorthosis Famagusta FC.

Strong start
If Inter were on the back foot for long spells during their defeat in Sunday’s Milan derby, the opposite was true tonight. José Mourinho made five changes and his charges took to their task with relish, attacking from the outset and threatening to take the lead inside the first minute as Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked out Adriano's run into the penalty area for a spectacular bicycle kick that flew narrowly over. Adriano and Ibrahimovic were at the centre of much of Inter's excellent play, the former delivering a crossfield pass which his strike partner fired wide via Naldo's deflection. Ibrahimovic soon returned the favour, dispossessing Petri Pasanen before teeing up a run and shot from the effervescent Adriano.

Maicon strike
Bremen were creaking at the back under the relentless pressure and on 13 minutes their defence was breached, albeit in slightly unfortunate fashion. Adriano was again involved and, although his attempt to play in his compatriot required several deflections to spring the defence, having been put clear Maicon made no mistake, lifting the ball deftly over the advancing Tim Wiese. The hosts then had a good chance to double their lead following a sweeping move which began with a crunching Sulley Muntari tackle but it ended with Wiese saving at the feet of Dejan Stankovic following a measured Mario Balotellui pass. That could have been costly within three minutes as Sebastian Prödl's right-wing cross found Pizarro two metres out, yet the Peruvian's miscued effort came back off the upright.

Pizarro leveller
There was still time before half-time for Inter to carve out another glorious chance as Adriano's cross was met by Balotelli from close range. Somehow, though, Wiese denied the 18-year-old a UEFA Champions League debut goal. After the break Inter continued to look comfortable but so long as their lead was slender Bremen were still in with a chance – and on 62 minutes Pizarro took it, appearing unmarked to turn in Mesut Özil's low cross from the right.

Maicon frustration
Mourinho now sent on Ricardo Quaresma and Julio Cruz as the Italian champions attempted to regain their advantage. Cruz almost obliged, narrowly failing to connect with Quaresma's 'trivela' cross while three minutes from time Maicon was unlucky to see his swerving 30-metre strike hit the base of the post. It was a frustrating night for Inter, but it might have been worse as Pizarro missed again in the final seconds when following up Naldo's parried free-kick.

Liverpool 3-1 PSV

2008-10-01T14:09:00.001-07:00

Liverpool 3-1 PSV

Liv1_Join_to_AVI sélectionné dans Sport et Football

Enjoy the Video Goals from Champions League Match !

Robbie Keane's first goal since his £20.3m move from Tottenham helped Liverpool ease to victory over PSV Eindhoven in Champions League Group D.

Dirk Kuyt put the Reds ahead after four minutes, following up after Andreas Isaksson saved Fernando Torres' volley.

Keane made it 2-0 before half-time when he hooked home Torres' bouncing cross.

Steven Gerrard wrapped up the win with a ferocious free-kick - his 100th goal for Liverpool - before Danny Koevermans bundled home a consolation for PSV.

There are sure to be sterner tests ahead for Liverpool in Europe this season than the visit of the Dutch champions but Reds boss Rafa Benitez has plenty of reasons to be satisfied after his side's convincing display.

PSV clearly came to Anfield with the intention of frustrating their hosts but they managed to do so for only four minutes before Kuyt broke the deadlock.

Visiting keeper Isaksson did well to deny Torres, who had ghosted in unmarked to meet Steven Gerrard's cross, but he should have done better with Kuyt's shot which span out of his grasp and into the top corner.

From then on it was hard to see how Huub Stevens' side were going to emulate Stoke City, the only visiting side to avoid defeat at Anfield this season.

PSV persevered with five men across the back - which at least kept Liverpool quiet immediately after they had scored - but with Nordin Amrabat on his own up front they were restricted to long-range efforts in their search for an equaliser.

Liverpool, meanwhile, continued to look menacing and, even before his goal, Keane might have had a penalty when he was tripped in the area by Carlos Salcido.

Torres was next to threaten, rising unmarked to head a Fabio Aurelio corner wide, and it was fitting that he was involved in Liverpool's second goal on 34 minutes.

Much has been made of the potential potency of Torres' partnership with Keane but the common consensus is that it will be the Republic of Ireland international who will be creating chances for his Spanish team-mate.

The opposite was the case here, with Torres combining well with Kuyt on the right before sending over an inviting cross that Keane despatched past the helpless Isaksson to end his Liverpool goal-drought in his 11th game for the Reds.

Aside from his fruitless spell with Inter Milan, Keane has never had to wait this long for his first goal for a club and the relief in his trademark tumbling celebration was obvious.

PSV, to their credit, continued to work hard and Otman Bakkal and Amrabat both sent shots skidding wide of Pepe Reina's goal.

But Liverpool were still more than comfortable and Torres should have made it 3-0 when he ran on to Jan Kromkamp's sloppy backpass only to see his attempted flick drift wide.

The third goal did arrive on 74 minutes, courtesy of Gerrard, who marked his century of Reds goals with an absolute scorcher.

Gerrard, so often Liverpool's saviour in the past, has scored more crucial goals for his club in the past but few have been better strikes than his free-kick, which left Isaksson with no chance.

That should have capped a fine night for the Anfield faithful but instead it was PSV who had the final word, Koevermans meeting a deep cross and getting enough on the ball to beat Reina.

The end result was never in doubt, however, and Liverpool will head into back-to-back fixtures with Atletico Madrid in a strong position to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Zurich 0-1 AC Milan

2008-10-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Zurich 0-1 AC Milan

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Back to something like their best form after a turbulent spell, FC Zürich are optimistic about turning around a 3-1 deficit against AC Milan in their UEFA Cup first-round tie, with captain Hannu Tihinen saying: "We have worked hard to get better."

Mass defections
The price of success can be even higher than the cost of failure, as Zürich discovered in the wake of their 2005/06 and 2006/07 Swiss title successes. A team built around young talent and the short passing game of coach Lucien Favre was quickly stripped bare by foreign clubs. Favre was lured to Hertha BSC Berlin along with Steve von Bergen and Brazilian star Rafael, while Gökhan Inler (Udinese Calcio), Blerim Dzemaili (Bolton Wanderers FC) and Xavier Margairaz (CA Osasuna) all sought new opportunities in Europe's top leagues.

Huge gap
Replacing so many talented individuals proved to be a massive task for Favre's successor Bernard Challandes, and captain Tihinen – who has battled a series of injuries in the recent seasons – said: "Integrating so many new players did give us some problems." Zürich's big signing of 2007, Tunisian Yassine Chikhaoui, was laid off for long spells last season, and given the changes in the squad, it was hardly a shock that Zürich finished third in the league last season, 18 points adrift of champions FC Basel 1893.

Genuine hope
That was enough to earn the consolation of a place in the UEFA Cup, however, but having got past SK Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round, Challandes' side were handed the unenviable task of taking on Milan. They lost 3-1 in the first leg at San Siro, but with the sold-out return at the Letzigrund Stadion fast approaching, there is genuine hope that Zürich are showing the kind of form that can cause the Italian giants problems.

Undoubted potential
After claiming a fourth successive Super League win at home to Neuchâtel Xamax FC at the weekend, Zürich are second in the standings behind Basel, their success aided by a clutch of young stars. Senior national team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has called 21-year-old midfielder Almen Abdi into his side, and both Heinz Barmettler and striker Admir Mehmedi are impressing in the junior ranks. "I have never doubted the potential of this team," explained Tihinen, who hopes his side's good form can help him regain a regular spot back into the Finland senior team. "We have worked hard to get better, and we know our playing style off by heart."

ZURICH - The second leg of Zurich-Milan of the Uefa Cup just ended 0-1. Andriy Shevchenko scored the winning goal in the 70th minute. The first leg ended 3-1 in favour of Milan who qualified for the Group phase of the Uefa Cup 2008/09.

ZURICH - Zurich-Milan just finished 0-1 in the second leg of the Uefa Cup qualifying round. The victory came thanks to a goal by Andriy Shevchenko in the 70th minute. The first leg finished 3-1 for Milan, who are thereby qualified for the group stages of the 2008/2009 Uefa Cup.

MILAN - Lazio will be Milan's opponents in the eighth finals of the Coppa Italia: the Biancocelesti in fact beat Atalanta 2-0 in the fourth elimination round, with goals by Ledesma (17'), and Pandev (84').

ZURICH - Milan, departed at 11am from the international airport of Malpensa and has just landed at Zurich. The squad was welcomed by a windy climate and variable sky.

MILAN - After Zurich, it will be back to Serie A against Cagliari for Milan. Before this afternoon's friendly game of the Sardi at 3pm, the official website of Cagliari announced that Roberto Acquafresca, was guest this morning of the primary school "Casa del Fanciullo La Salle" in Tito Livio street 44 at Monserrato. He inaugurated the School Tour 2008-09, important initiative of the club.

AaB Aalborg 0-3 Man Utd

2008-09-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

AaB Aalborg 0-3 Man Utd

Dimitar Berbatov got off the mark with a double strike as Manchester United cruised to Champions League victory against Aalborg in Denmark.

Wayne Rooney slid home a pass from Ryan Giggs - on for Paul Scholes after he was stretchered off with a knee injury - to open the scoring after 22 minutes.

Berbatov opened his goal account when he took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score 10 minutes after half-time.

He then volleyed in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross for his second after 79 minutes.

United outclassed Bruce Rioch's minnows, but injuries to Scholes and Rooney cast a shadow over the win, which leaves them with four points from their first two group games.

Scholes was left on crutches, while Rooney limped off in some discomfort just before the hour mark.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson kept faith with Berbatov, despite a lacklustre start to his Old Trafford career, but he made an undistinguished start with a dreadful miss after five minutes.

Aalborg keeper Karim Zaza's clearance ricocheted off Ronaldo straight to Berbatov, but he shot wide of an open goal.

Zaza then had to block a drive from Rio Ferdinand after Nemanja Vidic flicked on Nani's corner.

United suffered a blow after 16 minutes when Scholes was stretchered off with a knee injury following a challenge by Thomas Augustinussen.

Giggs came on and demonstrated his enduring quality six minutes later with a perfect through ball into Rooney's path and he slipped home a simple finish.

Rafael had looked promising at right-back, and he almost showed his goal-scoring talent with a fine left-foot shot that was turned over by Zaza.

United needed to kill the game off, and they did so when Berbatov was gifted his first goal following his £30m move from Spurs in the 55th minute.

Augustinussen's dreadful control presented Berbatov with possession on the edge of the area, and he wasted no time in hammering an emphatic finish past Zaza.

There was a concern for United after 58 minutes when Rooney pulled up injured and limped off to be replaced by Carlos Tevez.

Tevez had the ball in the net almost immediately, but referee Olegario Benquerenca ruled out the effort for handball.

United were now carving out a succession of chances, with Ronaldo failing to take advantage of good work by Tevez and the Argentine shooting wide after cutting in from the left.

Berbatov got his second with 11 minutes left, showing great technique to hook home Ronaldo's right-wing cross.

The Bulgarian almost repaid the compliment with six minutes left when he set Ronaldo racing clear with a glorious pass, but he was unable to provide the final flourish to a comfortable win.

AaB: Zaza, Bogelund, Olfers, Beauchamp (Caca 38), Pedersen, Augustinussen, Risgaard, Curth, Johansson, Enevoldsen, Saganowski.
Subs Not Used: Stenild, Due, Braemer, Sorensen, Kristensen, Ronnie Schwartz Nielsen.

Booked: Johansson, Zaza.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Brown 66), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes (Giggs 16), O'Shea, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney (Tevez 59).
Subs Not Used: Amos, Anderson, Park, Evans.

Booked: Rafael Da Silva.

Goals: Rooney 22, Berbatov 55, 79.

Att: 10,346

Ref: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).

Game Champions League Match Video ,Enjoy.

Arsenal 4-0 Porto

2008-09-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

Arsenal 4-0 Porto

L1 sélectionné dans Sport et Football

Arsenal comfortably overcame Porto to get their home campaign in Champions League Group G off to a perfect start.

Cristian Rodriguez's header hit the bar and Lisandro's shot was cleared off the line as Arsenal were lucky early on.

But Robin van Persie slid in to convert Emmanuel Adebayor's cross to open the scoring and the Dutchman's corner was headed in by Adebayor to make it 2-0.

Van Persie toe-poked his second on 48 minutes before Adebayor's penalty after a foul on Nicklas Bendtner sealed it.

Arsenal could even afford to miss a host of chances - unlike at the weekend in a shock defeat by Hull - as they cantered to a vital three points.

Following that loss at the weekend, manager Arsene Wenger had vowed to ring the changes but instead he made only one, bringing in Samir Nasri for Emmanuel Eboue.

However, it was soon evident that while the Gunners' personnel was virtually unchanged, their attitude from the weekend could not have been more different.

On eight minutes Nasri nudged the ball out to Theo Walcott, whose shot from a tight angle was beaten away at the near post.

That was an indication of what was to come from the England winger, who gave a performance of pace, trickery and confidence.

And in midfield, Cesc Fabregas was afforded space and time to pick his passes - and Van Persie almost opened the scoring from one threaded ball from the Spaniard but his curling shot was well saved.

Yet if all was working smoothly in attack, Porto soon exposed Arsenal at the back and Rodriguez's downward diving header bounced up onto the top of the bar.

Soon after, the visitors came even closer to taking the lead when Arsenal failed to clear a corner and Lisandro's shot from six yards was scrambled off the line by Gael Clichy.

Fortunately for Arsenal, Van Persie soothed any home nerves when he struck on 31 minutes following a superb Fabregas pass that picked out Adebayor to supply a cross that made it easy for the Dutchman.

Ten minutes later, Arsenal doubled their lead when Van Persie turned provider, planting a corner on to the head of Adebayor, who headed the ball down and in off the underside of the bar.

Soon after the restart Porto threw away any hopes they had of clawing their way back into the game when a defensive mix-up handed Van Persie the chance to clinically finish from just inside the box.

After that it was all Arsenal and a question of how many goals they would score - or how many opportunities they would miss.

Walcott was first up to scuff from six yards - which provoked a smile from watching England boss Fabio Capello - and then Nasri did the same.

Fabregas then saw a shot spilled and Adebyaor could not convert the follow-up.

But Arsenal were to get a fourth when Bendtner was felled in the area and Adebayor confidently stroked home the spot-kick.

The giant striker should have had a hat-trick but scuffed a shot wide late on, but by then it was all academic.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott (Vela 71), Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri (Eboue 64), Van Persie (Bendtner 64), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Silvestre, Djourou.

Booked: Clichy.

Goals: Van Persie 31, Adebayor 40, Van Persie 48, Adebayor 71 pen.

FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Benitez, Guarin, Costa, Fernando (Lucho Gonzalez 46), Raul Meireles (Hulk 64), Rodriguez (Candeias 79), Lopez.
Subs Not Used: Nuno, Pedro Emanuel, Stepanov, Lino.

Booked: Costa.

Att: 59,623

Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany).
Champions League Matches Live Highlights Goals Live

Champions League 30 sept

2008-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

Champions League 30 september 2008

BATE Borisov 2-2 Juventus

Real Madrid 2-1 Zenit

Bayern 1-1 Lyon

Manchester United claimed their first win in this year's competition thanks to two Dimitar Berbatov volleys against AaB Aalborg.

Berbatov's goals - his first for the club - followed Wayne Rooney's opener in Denmark and sealed an emphatic 3-0 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

Villarreal join United on top of the group with four points after Marcos Senna's brilliant curling free-kick sank a battling Celtic side.

GROUP F
Bayern Munich stay top of the group but needed a second-half header from Ze Roberto to pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Lyon.

Bayern missed a string of first-half chances - with Luca Toni particularly wasteful - and trailed to Juninho's goal before Ze Roberto met a Miroslav Klose cross to level.

Fiorentina dominated possession in their 0-0 draw against Steaua Bucharest but the closest they came to scoring was when Adrian Mutu hit the post with a free-kick.

Steaua almost stole a late winner but Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastian Frey superbly denied Portuguese forward Antonio Semedo, saving with his foot.

GROUP G
Arsenal eased past FC Porto with Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor both scoring two goals apiece in a routine 4-0 victory.

Dynamo Kiev, who drew with the Gunners in their opening game, picked up another point in a 0-0 draw with Fenerbahce in Turkey.

Fenerbahce had chances through Alex, Guiza and Emre Belozoglu but were unable to break Kiev down.

GROUP H

Juventus needed two goals by Vincenzo Iaquinta to salvage a 2-2 draw in Belarus after trailing 2-0 against BATE Borisov.

Igor Stasevich set up Sergei Kryvets for Borisov's first goal on 17 minutes and extended his side's lead soon afterwards.

Iaquinta pulled one goal back when he headed home Sebastian Giovinco's cross and levelled from another Giovinco pass on the stroke of half-time.

Real Madrid were also given a tough battle by Zenit St Petersburg but maintained their 100% winning start thanks to Ruud van Nistelrooy's winner in Russia.

An own goal by Zenit defender Tomas Hubocan, who put Rafael van der Vaart's low cross into his own net, put Real ahead but Andrei Arshavin set up Danny to level before Van Nistelrooy's opportunistic strike gave Real a 2-1 victory - their first away win in Europe since October 2006.

Bundesliga Matches

2008-09-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Bundesliga Matches

The Bundesliga is the highest level of Germany's football league system. The term Bundesliga also applies to football in Austria and is used to refer to the highest level league competitions in several other sports in those two countries.

Germany was unusual, in that, unlike in other countries, a unified national league structure was quite late in developing. The Bundesliga was not formed until 1963 and the structure and organisation of the nation's football leagues have undergone frequent changes right up to the present day. The league was originally founded by the German Football Association, but is now operated by the Deutsche Fußball Liga.

The Bundesliga is composed of two divisions: the 1. Bundesliga (although it is rarely referred to with the First prefix), and, below that, the 2. Bundesliga (Second Bundesliga), which has been the second tier of German football since 1974. The Bundesligen (pl.) are professional leagues. Since 2008, the 3rd League in Germany is also a professional league, but may not be called Bundesliga because the league is run by the German Football Association (DFB) and not, as are the 2 Bundesligen, by the German Football League (DFL).

Below the level of the 3rd league, leagues are generally often subdivided on a regional basis. For example, the Regionalligen are currently made up of Nord (North), Süd (South) and West divisions, and the Oberligen (upper leagues) are composed of nine divisions representing federal states or large urban and geographical areas. The levels below the Oberligen differ between the local areas. The league structure has changed frequently and typically reflects the degree of participation in the sport in various parts of the country. In the early 1990s, changes were driven by the reunification of Germany and the subsequent integration of the national leagues of East and West Germany.

Every team in the Bundesligen must have a licence to play in the league, or else they are relegated into the regional leagues. To obtain a licence, teams must be financially healthy and meet certain standards of conduct as organisations.

As in other national leagues, there are significant benefits to being in the top division:
* A greater share of television broadcast licence revenues goes to Bundesliga sides.
* Bundesliga teams draw significantly greater levels of fan support. Average attendance in the first league is 40,000 per game — more than twice the average of the 2. Bundesliga.
* Greater exposure through television and higher attendance levels helps Bundesliga teams attract the most lucrative sponsorships.
* Bundesliga teams develop substantial financial muscle through the combination of television and gate revenues, sponsorships and marketing of their team brands. This allows them to attract and retain skilled players from domestic and international sources and to construct first-class stadium facilities.

The Bundesliga is financially strong, and the 2. Bundesliga has begun to evolve in a similar direction, becoming more stable organisationally and financially, and reflecting an increasingly higher standard of professional play.

Milan 1-0 Inter

2008-09-28T13:46:00.001-07:00

Milan 1-0 Inter

Milan beat Inter 1-0. The decisive goal was scored by Ronaldinho in the 36th minute of the first half. The Brazilian commented on this evening as follows: "I'm very happy, I hoped in a night like this. I feel at home here and this goal is for all the fans who always cheered me on. We are working a lot to improve and this is also a present for president Berlusconi."

ILAN - Here are the formations of Milan and Inter for tonight's game:

MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Pato.
INTER: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Burdisso, Materazzi, Chivu; J.Zanetti, Cambiasso, Vieira; Quaresma, Ibrahimovic, Mancini.

MILAN - Ahead of tonight's derby, here are the results of the 5th matchday of Serie A: Bologna-Napoli 0-1; Catania-Chievo 1-0; Lecce-Cagliari 2-0; Palermo-Reggina 1-0; Roma-Atalanta 2-0; Torino-Lazio 1-3; Udinese-Siena 2-1. Yesterday: Sampdoria-Juve 0-0; Fiorentina-Genoa 1-0.
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MILAN - Inter coach Jose Mourinho talked during a press conference: 'A derby is a normal match - he said - I don't think that in a derby one team is stronger than the other. Normally the team who is going through a negative period arrives more strong and determined to a derby than otherwise. I am happy that Milan played well in the last few games and won, they come to this game with a few points less than us, but with an identical emotional situation.'

MILAN - Inter's official site communicates the list of players called up for the match against Milan:
Toldo, Julio Cesar, Orlandoni, Cordoba, Zanetti, Maicon, Burdisso, Materazzi, Rivas, Chivu, Stankovic, Vieira, Cambiasso, Mancini, Bolzoni, Quaresma, Ibrahimovic, Cruz, Adriano, Crespo, Balotelli.

Italian Translate :
MILANO - Il Milan batte l'Inter 1-0. Il gol decisivo è di Ronaldinho al 36' del primo tempo. Il brasiliano commenta così la sua serata: "Sono felicissimo, speravo una serata così. Qui mi sento a casa e questo gol è per tutti i tifosi che mi hanno sempre acclamato. Stiamo lavorando molto per migliorare e questo è anche un regalo per il presidente Berlusconi"
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MILAN - Here are the formations of Milan and Inter for tonight's game:

MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Pato.
INTER: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Burdisso, Materazzi, Chivu; J.Zanetti, Cambiasso, Vieira; Quaresma, Ibrahimovic, Mancini.

MILANO - Silvio Berlusconi è a San Siro: il presidente è arrivato pochi istanti fa allo stadio, per seguire da vicino il derby Milan-Inter.

MILANO - Milan e Inter così tra poco in campo:

MILAN: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini; Kakà, Ronaldinho; Pato.
INTER: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Burdisso, Materazzi, Chivu; J.Zanetti, Cambiasso, Vieira; Quaresma, Ibrahimovic, Mancini.

MILANO - In attesa del derby di questa sera, ecco i risultati della 5'giornata di Serie A: Bologna-Napoli 0-1; Catania-Chievo 1-0; Lecce-Cagliari 2-0; Palermo-Reggina 1-0; Roma-Atalanta 2-0; Torino-Lazio 1-3; Udinese-Siena 2-1. Ieri: Sampdoria-Juve 0-0; Fiorentina-Genoa 1-0.

Manchester United 2-0 Bolton

2008-09-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Manchester Utd 1-0 Bolton

Manchester Utd 2-0 Bolton

A controversial penalty scored by Cristiano Ronaldo set Manchester United on their way to victory over Bolton.

Ronaldo put United ahead after referee Rob Styles awarded United a penalty even though Jlloyd Samuel's tackle on the Portuguese winger was a fair one.

The incident proved decisive because up until then United had been thwarted by Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Wayne Rooney curled in United's second after a Ronaldo back-flick as Bolton were left seething over the penalty.

The incident could spark renewed debate about video technology but in all honesty the official should never have given a penalty.

United eventually ran out comfortable winners and deserved the three points but had the penalty not been awarded the result could have been different.

Although another refereeing decision will grab the headlines following this game, United were superior in every department.

Sir Alex Ferguson rotated his side ahead of the Champions League trip to Aalborg in midweek but it was Bolton - with Johan Elmander operating as a lone striker - who took the game to United.

Ricardo Gardner saw an early shot blocked before Kevin Nolan tried his luck from long distance.

Jaaskelainen was Bolton's busiest player and his first save was a comfortable one when Darren Fletcher picked out Dimitar Berbatov but the £30m striker headed tamely at the Finnish keeper.

United - playing their first 3pm kick-off at Old Trafford since New Year's Day - began to find some rhythm and Ji-Sung Park scooped a close-range shot over the top.

Ronaldo then went close with a trademark 25-yard free-kick which Jaaskelainen did well to push wide.

Bolton were pushed further and further back as United took control and the visitors packed all 11 players into their own penalty area for a corner which Nemanja Vidic headed over.

Anderson saw his well-placed curling shot from wide on the right tipped away for a corner after Fletcher's perfect pass.

But for all of United's possession, it was Bolton who delivered a stark warning moments before the break.

Gretnar Steinsson did well down the right and crossed for Fabrice Muamba who carelessly shot wide from eight yards when he really should have sent Bolton in 1-0 up.

Bolton immediately served up another warning after the restart when Gardener fired a shot inches wide of Van der Saar's right post.

United finally got the breakthrough that they deserved - but it came from an inexplicable decision from referee Styles.

He awarded United a penalty when Ronaldo was fairly tackled by Samuel even though none of the home players or supporters appealed for a spot kick.

Ronaldo stepped up to slam home a routine penalty but it was hardly surprising that Bolton's dismayed fans were soon singing "1-0 to the referee".

Bolton were devastated and were unable to get back into the game as United brought on Paul Scholes for his 400th Premier League appearance while Rooney replaced Carlos Tevez.

And as the home side surged forward their second goal had an air of inevitability about it.

It duly arrived when Ronaldo charged into the left side of the penalty box before stopping and flicking the ball back to Rooney, who checked inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

United could have doubled their lead in the closing stages and the only talking point afterwards was that incredulous penalty decision.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Nani 80), Fletcher, Anderson (Scholes 71), Park, Tevez (Rooney 71), Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Amos, Giggs, O'Shea, Evans.

Goals: Ronaldo 60 pen, Rooney 77.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Davies, Nolan, McCann, Muamba, Gardner (Smolarek 73), Elmander (Vaz Te 66).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Taylor, Joey O'Brien, Riga, Shittu.

Booked: Elmander, McCann, Davies.

Att: 75,484.

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

Liverpool 2-0 Everton

2008-09-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

Liverpool 2-0 Everton

Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool

Video Highlights
Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

Fernando Torres ended his six-game goal drought in style, scoring twice as Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 in their Premier League Mersey derby at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Spain striker broke through in the 59th minute and snapped up his second three minutes later. He found the net a third time but the effort was ruled out.

Everton's dismal afternoon worsened when Tim Cahill was sent off for an 80th minute foul.

"Six games is too many times for a Liverpool striker," Torres said. "Now I want to keep going in the Champions League, scoring almost every game like last season and maybe improving on the 33 goals."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "It was important for him and also for us. To score two goals in a derby is a massive boost."

"From the start of the game we were passing and were well organized. We controlled the game.

"We didn't change anything at half-time. We just wanted to keep playing and we knew we would score."

The Reds, unbeaten this season, led the Premiership by two points from Arsenal after their early kick-off.

The Gunners were at home to Hull City in the late game, while Chelsea and Manchester United also had fixtures on Saturday.

It had been a frustrating 208th Liverpool derby until Xabi Alonso found Robbie Keane on the left flank with a deep pass just before the hour.

The Ireland striker worked the ball to the byline before lofting it back into the penalty area for Torres to volley home.

Keane, whose embryonic partnership with Torres has lacked potency until now, was also the architect of the second goal.

The former Spurs player -- yet to score for the 18-time English champion -- slotted through to Dirk Kuyt. The Netherlands winger was tackled by Phil Jagielka before he could shoot, but the loose ball fell for Torres to fire past Tim Howard.

Three minutes later, Liverpool had two goals disallowed in quick succession.

Kuyt's effort had only just been ruled out, when Torres' hat trick celebrations were shortlived. Referee Mike Riley had spotted Kuyt fouling before Torres found the net from an acute angle in the 66th.

Everton's brittle resistance had collapsed and the home side's situation worsened when Australia midfielder Cahill was sent off for a late challenge on Alonso.

Cahill had wasted a 14th minute chance to put Everton ahead when he fluffed the connection with Mikel Arteta's corner.

Serie A

2008-09-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Serie A

Serie A (officially known as the Lega Calcio Serie A TIM for sponsorship reasons) is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top echelon of the Italian football league system. It is widely regarded as one of the elite leagues of the footballing world. Historically, Serie A has produced the highest number of European Cup finalists. In total Italian clubs have reached the final of the competition on a record of twenty-five different occasions, winning the title eleven times.[1] As of 2008, Serie A is ranked third among European leagues by UEFA, based on the performance of Italian clubs in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. [2]

In its current format, the Italian Football Championship was revised from having regional and interregional rounds, to just one solid league for the 1929–30 season onwards; the Serie A system carries on today. The championship titles won before 1929 are officially recognised by FIGC as a championship in the same way the ones since then are.

The league hosts some of the world's most famous clubs: Juventus, Milan, Inter, Roma, Lazio and Napoli. Juventus, Milan and Inter were all founding members of the G-14 a group representing the largest and most prestigious European football clubs; Serie A was the only league to produce three founding members.[3] More players have won the coveted Ballon d'Or award while playing at a Serie A club than any other league in the world.[4] AC Milan is the club with the most official international titles in the world.[5] Juventus, the most winning Italian team, is the third in Europe and sixth in the world in the same ranking. They are, also, the only club on the planet[6] to have won all official club competitions.[7]

Since Italy is currently rated as one of the top three European countries in terms of club football ratings, the top four teams in the Serie A qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The top two teams qualify directly to the group phase, while the third and fourth placed teams enter the competition at the third qualifying round and must win a two-legged knockout tie in order to enter the group phase. Teams finishing 5th and 6th qualify for the UEFA Cup Tournament. A third UEFA Cup spot is reserved for the winner of the Coppa Italia. If the Coppa Italia champion has already qualified for one of the two European tournaments by placing in the top six of Serie A, the third UEFA Cup spot goes to the losing finalist. If both Coppa Italia finalists finish among the top six teams in Serie A, the 7th classified team in Serie A is awarded the UEFA Cup spot. The three lowest placed teams are relegated to Serie B.

The Serie A Championship title is often referred to as the scudetto (small shield) because since the 1924-25 season the winning team will bear a small coat of arms with the Italian tricolour on their strip in the following season. The most successful club is Juventus F.C. with 27 championships, followed by A.C. Milan (17), Internazionale Milano (16) and Genoa C&FC (9). From 2004-05 onwards an actual trophy was awarded to club on the field after the last turn of the championship. The trophy, called Coppa Campioni d'Italia, is official since the 1960-61 season, but between 1961 and 2004 it was consigned to the winning clubs at the offices of Lega calcio in Milan.

Anderson Silva VS Patrick Cote

2008-09-26T01:17:00.000-07:00

Anderson Silva VS Patrick Cote

Anderson Silva spent most of the fight fooling around and not fighting, yet he still retained his UFC middleweight championship with a bizarre TKO of Patrick Cote on Saturday just 39 seconds into the third round at Allstate Arena.

Silva was running circles around the cage and generally goofing off for most of the time. Silva cut Cote with a knee in a dull first round in which little happened, and then did even less in a second round in which he seemed to want to play to the crowd rather than fight.

Cote tried to throw some kind of a leaping punch and as he did, his right knee gave way. He immediately collapsed in pain and was shrieking on the ground. Referee Herb Dean, who was initially confused, stopped the bout and gave Silva the victory.

“I want to apologize to everyone in the stadium and everyone in the arena,” said Silva, who urged the upset fans not to boo Cote.

Cote apologized to the fans, but it was Silva who had the explaining to do. Cote at least was the one who was trying to make the fight, but Silva was playing with him for much of the fight.

With the win, Silva tied the UFC record for consecutive wins with eight, matching Royce Gracie and Jon Fitch.

In the semifinal match, Thiago Alves made his case as the top contender for the welterweight title with a strong victory over a game Josh Koscheck. Alves imposed his will in the stand-up and was able to fend off takedown attempts by Koscheck, who is a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion. Alves won by unanimous decision, with scores of 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.

After a lackluster event last weekend in the UK, the UFC is getting a shot at redemption this weekend with UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote. Despite a lack of a cool event title like "Unstoppable" or "Bad Intentions" the card does feature the seemingly unstoppable Anderson Silva and he probably has some bad intentions in store for his opponent, Patrick Cote. The middleweight title fight is obviously the most important reason why fans should be excited about the card, but it isn't the only one. Below are some of the other important factors, of what I believe are the three most important fights of the night.

1. Reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva has looked so dominant over the last two years, the only person seen as legitimate threat to end his reign, is himself. The "Spider" has recently mentioned his plans to retire when his current, six fight contract expires. At his current pace, that would mean Silva would call it a career, within the next two years. Why is that important now? Because retirement talks are usually never a good sign of being motivated. Part of what makes any athlete great, is a burning desire to be the best. Silva has already proven that and seems to already be thinking about his post fight career. If Silva's motivation is lacking, than Patrick Cote's chances of an upset go up. If Silva is focused and doesn't let anything distract him, than the hard hitting Canadian likely doesn't stand a chance. Anderson Silva VS Patrick Cote versus.

Premier League

2008-09-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

Premier League

The Premier League, colloquially referred to as the Premiership, is an English professional league for football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 20 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier League is a corporation in which the 20 member clubs act as shareholders. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 38 games each. It is sponsored by Barclays Bank, and is therefore officially known as the Barclays Premier League.

The competition formed as the FA Premier League on 20 February 1992 following the decision of clubs in the Football League First Division to break away from The Football League, which was originally founded in 1888, and take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal. The Premier League has since become the world's most watched sporting league.[1] It is the world's most lucrative football league, with combined club revenues of around £1.4 billion in 2005–06, which are expected to rise to around £1.8 billion for 2007–08 due to media revenues.[2] It is also ranked first in the UEFA rankings of leagues based on performances in European competitions over the last five-years, ahead of Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A.[3]

A total of 42 clubs have competed in the Premier League, but only four have won the title: Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal, and Chelsea. The current champions are Manchester United, who won their tenth Premier League title in the 2007–08 season, the most of any Premier League team.

The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is the second most important international competition for European football clubs, after the UEFA Champions League. Clubs qualify for the UEFA Cup based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions. This competition will be rebranded as the UEFA Europa League.[2][3] come July 2009. 2008.

Despite significant European success during the 1970s, the 1980s had marked a low point for English football. Stadiums were crumbling, supporters endured poor facilities, hooliganism was rife, and English clubs were banned from European competition following the events at Heysel in 1985.[4] The Football League First Division, which had been the top level of English football since 1888, was well behind leagues such as Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga in attendances and revenues, and several top English players had moved abroad.[5] However, by the turn of the 1990s the downward trend was starting to reverse; England had been successful in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals. UEFA, European football's governing body, lifted the five-year ban on English clubs playing in European competitions in 1990 and the Taylor Report on stadium safety standards, which proposed expensive upgrades to create all-seater stadiums in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, was published in January of that year.

Primera Division September 24

2008-09-24T15:38:00.001-07:00

Real Madrid 7-1 Sporting Gijon

Sporting lost 6-1 against Barcelona at their home stadium on Sunday and will try to win their first points in the championship at the Bernabéu tonight. Real Madrid and Sporting go way back and have always had strong ties. Many players have played for both teams, such as former Real Madrid academy player David Barral and Mate Bilic.

Three consecutive victories have allowed Bernd Schuster's men to forget about their Matchday 1 defeat against Deportivo. The squad is in high spirits despite the tight schedule that will see them face Sporting, Betis and Zenit tonight, on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively.

This schedule, as well as a few injuries, will force Schuster to use a rotation system again. De la Red and Higuaín have chances of making the starting lineup now that Guti, Sneijder and Gago are injured. They both started against Racing and created the play that gave the Whites their first strike of the evening.

The German coach wants his team to score a goal as soon as possible and the fans want the players to showcase brilliant football. In order to avoid this from happening, Sporting coach Manolo Preciado has made several changes on his team, leaving regulars Jorge, Sastre and Matabuena back in Gijón. On the other hand, Neru, Diego Camacho, Pablo de Lucas and Omar have made their first squad list this season. A setback for Sporting is Croatian striker Mate Bilic's niggle on the right ankle.

Half of Gijon's squad comes from its youth system, the Ángel Viejo Football Academy -popularly known as Mareo-. Its is full of talent and produces many future professionals, some of which will like to leave a good impression at the Bernabéu tonight.

Getafe 1-2 Atletico Madrid

0-1 Getafe - Atletico Madrid

0-2 Getafe - Atletico Madrid

1-2 Getafe - Atletico Madrid

El técnico azulón analizaba a su próximo rival, el Atlético de Madrid. Unos rojiblancos que en opinión de Víctor Muñoz son un gran equipo, pero que los suyos intentarán sacar el máximo partido a sus oportunidades:

"El rival creo que tiene un gran equipo, y nosotros haremos todo lo posible para contrarrestar sus cualidades, y luego intentar demostrar que también tenemos posibilidades y capacidad para plantarle cara al Atlético de Madrid".

Barcelona 3-2 Real Betis

Barça have beaten Betis to collect their second consecutive set of three points in the league. Despite Barça taking a two-goal lead, Betis levelled affairs in the second half but Gudjohnsen was at hand to grab a late winner.

Barça’s good form continues, and their victory made the city’s Mercè celebrations all the more complete. After the 6-1 win in Gijón on Sunday, they beat Betis 3-2 in a gripping encounter. Six points in less than a week, and Barça go sailing up the table.

Spain - Primera Division
September 24
FT Barcelona 3 - 2 Real Betis
FT Osasuna 0 - 0 Deportivo La Coruna
FT Villarreal 2 - 0 Racing Santander
FT Getafe 1 - 2 Atletico Madrid
FT Real Madrid 7 - 1 Sporting Gijon
FT Sevilla 2 - 0 Espanyol

Valentino Rossi Wins MotoGP in Japan - 28/09/2008

2008-09-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Valentino Rossi Wins MotoGP in Japan - 28/09/2008

Italy's Valentino Rossi clinched his sixth MotoGP world title with a thrilling victory in Japan on Sunday.

Rossi, riding a Yamaha, went clear of his arch-rival and defending champion Casey Stoner with 11 laps to go at the Motegi circuit to win by nearly two seconds from the Australian.

Spain's Dani Pedrosa was third with compatriot Jorge Lorenzo, who started from pole position, in fourth place.

But all the attention focused on the remarkable Rossi, who was claiming his eighth victory of the season and his fifth straight since he took the United States Grand Prix in July.

It left him needing just a podium finish to reclaim the title he last won in 2005.

"It's difficult to compare the titles," Rossi told Associated Press.

"This one is great because we really battled here. There have been a lot titles in my career but maybe this is the one that required the most effort."

American Nicky Hayden pipped Rossi to the title in the last race of the 2006 season while Stoner dominated in 2007.

With three races left in the season, Rossi has 312 points, 92 ahead of Stoner.

Sunday's race quickly became a contest between Stoner and Rossi as the two riders opened up a comfortable lead ahead of the pack.

"I felt good at the start of the race," said Stoner, who wrapped up his 2007 triumph with a sixth-place finish at Motegi last year.

"I needed a few laps to warm up the tires, then I got a little tired changing the direction of the bike and Valentino came forward."

Rossi is now closing fast on the all-time record of eight world titles held by compatriot Giacomo Agostini.

He pulls clear of Australian Mick Doohan who had also won five titles.

Earlier, pole sitter Marco Simoncelli of Italy won the 250cc race, increasing his overall lead in the world championship standings.

Simoncelli, riding a Gilera, crossed the finish line in 43 minutes, 09.385 seconds after 23 laps, .348 seconds ahead of Spain's Alvaro Bautista for his fourth win of the season.

Spain's Alex Debron was third.

With three races left, Simoncelli has 215 points, 32 points ahead of Bautista.

Germany's Stefan Bradl won the 125cc race, edging pole sitter Mike Di Meglio of France for his second career victory.

Reigning world champion Gabor Talmacsi of Hungary was third.

Video Highlights Will Apear in the next hours.

Italian Valentino Rossi claimed his sixth world premier-class title by winning the Japanese MotoGP at Motegi.

Rossi only needed to finish third to secure his first MotoGP title since 2005, but made sure with a fifth straight win of the season.

Japanese MotoGP result:

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha/B) 43min 09.599secs,
2. Casey Stoner (AUS/Ducati/B) at 1.943,
3. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda/B) 4.866,
4. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha/M) 6.165,
5. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda/M) 24.593,
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA/Suzuki/B) 25.685,
7. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha/M) 25.918,
8. Shinya Nakano (JPN/Honda/B) 26.003,
9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Honda/M) 26.219,
10. John Hopkins (USA/Kawasaki/B) 37.131,
11. James Toseland (GBR/Yamaha/M) 37.574,
12. Randy De Puniet (FRA/Honda/M) 38.020,
13. Marco Melandri (ITA/Ducati/B) 39.768,
14. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA/Ducati/B) 45.846,
15. Anthony West (AUS/Kawasaki/B) 55.748,
16. Toni Elias (ESP/Ducati/B) 59.320,
17. Alex De Angelis (RSM/Honda/B) 1:12.398.

World championship standings:

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 312 points,
2. Casey Stoner (AUS/Ducati) 220,
3. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 209,
4. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 169,
5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Honda) 136,
6. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 118,
7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS/Suzuki) 117,
8. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 115,
9. Loris Capirossi (ITA/Suzuki/B) 96,
10. Shinya Nakano (JPN/Honda) 95

250cc race result:

1. Marco Simoncelli (ITA/Gilera) 43min 09.385sec,
2. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Aprilia) at 0.348,
3. Alex Debon (ESP/Aprilia) 8.414,
4. Julian Simon (ESP/KTM) 9.151,
5. Mika Kallio (FIN/KTM) 17.041

125cc race results:

1. Stefan Bradl (GER/Aprilia) 39min 57.228sec,
2. Mike Di Meglio (FRA/Derbi) at 0.151,
3. Gabor Talmacsi (HUN/Aprilia) 0.281,
4. Joan Olive (ESP/Derbi) 5.945,
5. Nicolas Terol (ESP/Aprilia) 6.072

League Cup

2008-09-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Manchester United 1-0 Middlesbrough : C.Ronaldo

Manchester United 1-1 Middlesbrough : Johnson

Manchester United 3-1 Middlesbrough : Nani

League Cup Video Highlights
Late goals from Nani and Ryan Giggs put Manchester United into the Carling Cup fourth round after Emanuel Pogatetz was sent off at Old Trafford.

United dominated and Cristiano Ronaldo, making his first start after injury, headed them into a 25th minute lead.

Substitute Adam Johnson volleyed an unlikely second-half equaliser before Pogatetz was given a straight red for a nasty challenge on Rodrigo Possebon.

Veteran Giggs finished coolly and Nani made sure of the win in injury-time.

Arsenal 6-0 Sheff Utd

Carlos Vela
Meixcan teenager Vela was in sparkling form as Arsenal ran riot

Arsenal's youngsters handed Sheffield United a football lesson as they raced into the Carling Cup fourth round.

Nicklas Bendtner started the rout on the half-hour with a shot from 20 yards and soon struck again from close range.

Carlos Vela curled in a superb third before half-time and the 19-year-old striker made it 4-0 five minutes after the break with a sublime dinked effort.

Jack Wilshere, 16, drilled in a fifth goal for Arsenal before Vela completed his hat-trick with another fine finish.

More soon.

Liverpool 2-1 Crewe
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger celebrates the opener against Crewe
Agger celebrated being recalled with a goal

Lucas Leiva grabbed Liverpool's winner as the Anfield side saw off the challenge of League One side Crewe.

Daniel Agger put the Reds ahead when he drove in a free-kick awarded for Michael O'Connor's foul on David Ngog.

O'Connor atoned for his foul as he shot home from close range after keeper Diego Cavalieri parried Calvin Zola's header from a Billy Jones corner.

But Leiva timed a run to perfection to meet a Jermaine Pennant cross and headed in to wrap up a narrow Reds win.

Manchester City 6 : 0 Portsmouth

2008-09-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Video Goals
Manchester City 6-0 Portsmouth

Manchester City 6 : 0 Portsmouth

Date: 21/09/2008
Location: home

Manchester City v Portsmouth

Sunday September 21, 2008, 3.00pm
City of Manchester Stadium - Att: 40,238.

City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne (c), Garrido, Kompany, Ireland (Fernandes 77), Elano, Wright-Phillips, Robinho (Sturridge 85), Jo (Evans 72).

unused subs: Schmeichel (GK), Ball, Ben-Haim, Hamann.

Portsmouth:
James, Johnson (Pamarot 82), Distin, Campbell (c), Traore, Kaboul (Utaka 46), Belhadj, Diarra, Davis (Bouba Diop 34), Crouch, Defoe.

unused subs: Ashdown (GK), Kanu, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba.

Goals: 1-0 Jo 13, 2-0 Dunne 20, 3-0 Robinho 57, 4-0 Wright-Phillips 68, 5-0 Evans 78, 6-0 Fernandes 83

Bookings

City:

Portsmouth: Diarra 90

Referee: A. Wiley

Pre match news

Mark Hughes names a first unchanged team for the important Barclays Premier League visit of Portsmouth. It gives the City faithful the second chance to see Robinho and Jo in action for the Blues.

For Pompey, David James and Sylvain Distin make their returns to the City of Manchester Stadium.

The match

City kicked off with the press box still abuzz following the news that the takeover of the Club had been agreed between Thaksin Shinawatra and Sheikh Mansour with the deal to be completed on Tuesday. Indeed both wealthy investors were watching on in the stands.

On the pitch City almost took the lead after three minutes with a move made in Brazil. Elano's pass found Garrido who slid the ball infield to Jo and a cheeky back flick found Robinho on the edge of the box.

The former Real Madrid man found himself with space and time to shoot, and with James scrambling, the former City man turned the ball behind for the game's first corner.

In the 11th minute Elano played it to Robinho who fed Wright-Phillips and despite being under pressure the diminutive winger got a shot off which James turned over thanks to his quick reactions for another set-piece.

But City didn’t have to wait too much longer for the opener...two minutes precisely. As Robinho played a lovely throughball to Jo and in trademark fashion (as City fans know all too well) James came racing out of his goal which gave the Brazilian striker no option but to shimmy past the keeper and finish well from a difficult angle.

And after 20 minutes it got even better for City as they made it 2-0.

Elano’s low corner from the left bamboozled the player standing on the post, the ball then hit the post and rebounded about five-yards out, where Richard Dunne threw himself in for the ball and looked to have got the final touch as it crossed the line.

It was a great present for the defender who was celebrating his 29th birthday.

On 28 minutes Portsmouth should have reduced the arrears. Glen Johnson did well down the Pompey right and has great low cross was met well by Peter Crouch but his snap-shot flew wide of Hart left-hand post.

The game quietened down a little after the early goal activity, but on 39 minutes Robinho tested James again from distance, this time the former City stopper held the shot.

Three minutes before half-time City made a wonderful move involving Elano, Wright-Phillips and Robinho, who produced some amazing skills to leave James on the floor before his fine chip was cleared.

City had Zabaleta to thank a minute later as he volleyed away a goalbound header from Sol Campbell following a left sided corner. After which the Argentine had the song 'There's only one Zabaleta' ringing in his ears.

HALF TIME: City 2-0 Portsmouth

Pompey made one change at the break, Utaka for Kaboul and there was almost a change to the scoreline within the first 30 seconds after the restart.

Micah Richards’ headed clearance hit Defoe on the head and he controlled the ball and broke clear to cut into the left edge of the box. He flicked at the ball with the outside of his foot and whether it was a shot or cross for Crouch, only he will know, but the ball thankfully went wide of the goal.

On 53 minutes Stephen Ireland put in the tackle of the game on Armand Traore. Pompey broke clear with pace and as Utaka fed Traore, Ireland kept pace with him and timed his challenge to perfection, earning a standing ovation in the process.

It was Stephen Ireland again, having a fantastic game, who set City on the way to a third goal on 57 minutes. His well flighted ball over the top was taken with ease by Jo and as the challenge came in on the edge of the box, he shifted the ball to Robinho who made no mistake, firing beyond James.

The City fans were in full voice now, giving the players and Manager the type of atmosphere he'd asked for in his programme notes.

And the fans were up again on 68 minutes as the rampant Blues made it 4-0 and rightfully so because it was a fantastic goal.

It all started in the right-back position as Pablo Zabaleta, not to be shown up by his Brazilian team mates, showed a touch of Argentinean flair in beating two men before finding Ireland.

The young midfielder then delivered a great ball for Wright-Phillips to race on to and after breaking the offside he drilled it home much to the delight of the South Stand as the Academy Graduate slide on his knees in front of his adoring fans.

Referee Wiley was clearly feeling sorry for Redknapp’s men because substitute Ched Evans was denied a certain penalty when Belhadj pulled him down on 77 minutes but it didn’t matter because the fifth goal was just around the corner.

Vincent Kompany sprayed a fine ball out to the left and after a couple of step-overs Robinho whipped a great cross in for Wright-Phillips, he backheeled to Ched Evans who tapped home his first Premier League goal for the Club from close range.

It was 6-0 on 83 minutes as Gelson Fernandes got in on the act with his first goal of the season.

Kompany again was the supplier, he found Garrido and his wicked left wing cross saw Wright-Phillips and James clash as they both tried to meet the cross, the ball fell to the Swiss midfielder who gleefully slid in to fire into the unguarded net.

And it was almost seven as Wright-Phillips found Fernandes who's cross was met on the full volley by Evans and it fizzed just over the bar drawing 'ooh's' from the crowd.

City then just played out time to round off a fantastic exhibition of football by Mark Hughes's men and send a message to the rest of the Premier League.
Video ,pictures ,goals match live bet

Barcelona 6-1 Sporting Gijon

2008-09-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Barcelona 6-1 Sporting Gijon
1-0 Xavi min.27

2-0 Eto`o Goal

3-0 Jorge Goal

3-1 Maldonado Goal

4-1 Iniesta Goal

5-1 Messi Goal

FC Barcelona have thrashed Sporting Gijon in a master display of good football and good goals. Xavi, Eto’o, Jorge (og), Iniesta and Messi (2) were on the score sheet for Barça.

The first league win came in the third game, but it was an exceptional win which almost touched perfection. The 1-6 result was a clear representation of the difference between the two sides over ninety minutes and the stars of the show were applauded off the pitch.

And the manner of the victory? Well, it came via a style of football championed by Barça and Josep Guardiola and it led to the creation of a mountain of opportunities and some beautiful goals for Xavi, Eto’o, Iniesta and Messi (2), (the other being a Jorge own goal).

High intensity

Pace and intensity were the distinctive characteristics of the first few minutes of the game. Barça pegged Sporting back in their own box but they still tried to hit on the counter attack. However, little by little, the tie began to clearly swing in favour of the azulgranas, with Alves and Iniesta running freely down the wings. And this led to the opening goal: the ball was centered from the left and Xavi arrived late to head home.

Corners with prizes

Barça’s dominance was such that they won eleven corners in the first 32 minutes. And it was the eleventh corner that saw Barça score their second. Puyol glanced the corner goalwards and Eto’o was on the far post and only had to put his head to the ball to score his first of the season. But it won’t be his last.

A goal each

The first corner of the second half saw Barça score their third. This time it was one of Sporting’s centre-halves, Jorge, who knocked a cross into his own net. But this led to a small reaction from Sporting and they pulled a goal back through Maldonado in the 50th minute.

Red for Gerard

Despite the home team’s goal, Barça continued to dominate. They were playing neat triangles with ease in their opponents half but also won the ball back quickly when they lost it. One of these moments put Messi through and he raced in on the last defender. Gerard had no option but to bring the Argentinian down rather than leave him clean through on the keeper. The tackle was rewarded with a deserved red card which left Barça in even more control.

Extra man: 1-3 becomes 1-6

Being a man down, Sporting were forced to retreat even further into their own box. It was only a question of time and Barça’s fourth came via a stroke of genius drawn up by Messi and Iniesta (69 min). A quarter of an hour later it was 1-5. Messi picked up a messy ball in the box and fired home. Not satisfied with their lot, Barça pushed on for more and got a sixth when Messi headed home.

The last few minutes served little more than to give an official debut to Caceres. The Uruguayan came on in the 82nd minute as a substitute for Sergio Busquets and he played very well in the centre of the park.

Werder Bremen 6-2 Bayern Munchen

2008-09-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

Bayern M - Bremen 0-1

Bayern M - Bremen 0-2

Bayern M - Bremen 0-3

Bayern M - Bremen 0-4

Bayern M - Bremen 0-5

Bayern M - Bremen 1-5

Bayern M - Bremen 2-5

Totally out-of-sorts Bayern were left with plenty to ponder after a numbing 5-2 home defeat to perennial title rivals Werder Bremen on Saturday.

A 69,000 full house at the Allianz Arena watched in mounting horror as the champions faded catastrophically after a bright start. Markus Rosenberg and Naldo handed the compact and efficient visitors a two-goal lead at half-time, but the real damage was done during a horror show in the 15 minutes around the hour mark.

Mesut Özil, ex-FCB man Claudio Pizarro and a second from Rosenberg put the visitors five goals clear, and although Tim Borowski netted a late brace against his former club, there was no disguising the champions’ utter lack of conviction on the day.

The heavy defeat put an end to Munich’s proud record of never having lost at home on the first day of the Oktoberfest, with 15 wins and nine draws from 24 matches up until Saturday, and means the champions slip to fifth in the standings on eight points from five matches.

Start for Poldi

Coach Jürgen Klinsmann made one enforced change to the side which beat Steaua Bucharest in midweek. With Miro Klose unable to shake off the after-effects of a dead leg, Lukas Podolski took over as Luca Toni’s strike partner as Bayern once again lined up in a 3-5-2 formation.

Arsenal 3-1 Bolton Wanderers

2008-09-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

1-0 Bolton vs Arsenal

1-2 Bolton vs Arsenal Goal

Arsenal are top of the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Bolton 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Kevin Davies powered home a header after 14 minutes to put the hosts in front. But Arsenal responded by whipping up a tornado before the half-hour. They hit both posts almost immediately and then created another couple of clear chances.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Bolton 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Kevin Davies powered home a header after 14 minutes to put the hosts in front. But Arsenal responded by whipping up a tornado before the half-hour. They hit both posts almost immediately and then created another couple of clear chances.

Only after those gilt-edged opportunities did the visitors score twice in two minutes. Eboue fired home the opener, his first Premier League goal, in the 26th minute. Almost immediately a sweeping move ended with Nicklas Bendtner stabbing in a low cross from Denilson.

Manuel Almunia made a stunning save from Kevin Nolan just before the break and Bolton piled on the pressure in the second half. However Arsenal were organised and resilient. The keeper was always involved but, as the game went on, rarely overworked.

The visitors ended the argument three minutes from time when Denilson stroked home a low cross from Emmanuel Adebayor.

Of course, Arsenal may be top for less than 24 hours. Chelsea can overtake them on Sunday if they beat Manchester United.

Primera Division

2008-01-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Primera Division

La Primera División de España (oficialmente Liga BBVA) es un torneo organizado y regulado (conjuntamente con la Segunda División) por la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP), cuyos miembros son los propios clubes participantes.

La competición se disputa anualmente, empezando a finales del mes de agosto o principios de septiembre y terminando en el mes de mayo o junio del siguiente año.

Como en temporadas precedentes, la Primera División 2008/09 consta de un grupo único integrado por veinte clubes de toda la geografía española. Siguiendo un sistema de liga, los veinte equipos se enfrentan todos contra todos en dos ocasiones -una en campo propio y otra en campo contrario- sumando un total de 38 jornadas. El orden de los encuentros se decide por sorteo antes de empezar la competición.

La clasificación final se establece con arreglo a los puntos obtenidos en cada enfrentamiento, a razón de tres por partido ganado, uno por empatado y ninguno en caso de derrota. Si al finalizar el campeonato dos equipos igualan a puntos, los mecanismos para desempatar la clasificación son los siguientes:

Equipos

En esta división han participado 55 equipos diferentes pero sólo tres han permanecido en Primera división desde el principio. Los únicos clubes que han disputado todas las competiciones de la Liga, siempre en Primera división, son el Real Madrid, el FC Barcelona y el Athletic Club de Bilbao. Estos tres, junto con Osasuna, son los únicos que siguen siendo entidades deportivas propiedad de sus socios, y no Sociedades Anónimas Deportivas propiedad de accionistas.

Actualmente hay 20 equipos en el torneo. Aunque en los primeros años sólo participaban 10 equipos, más adelante se fue incrementando paulatinamente la cifra hasta los actuales 20 equipos, aunque se llegó incluso a los 22 durante las temporadas 1995/96 y 1996/97.

El Fútbol Club Barcelona (Futbol Club Barcelona en catalán y como nombre oficial) es una entidad deportiva de la ciudad de Barcelona, (España). Fue fundado como club de fútbol el 29 de noviembre de 1899 por doce jóvenes futbolistas aficionados, liderados por el suizo Hans Gamper. El FC Barcelona es conocido popularmente como Barça (abreviación de la pronunciación de «Barcelona» en catalán central) y sus seguidores como «culés» (pronunciación del catalán culers).

Inicialmente no estaba autorizada la participación de extranjeros en la Liga; sólo podían competir los llamados "oriundos", extranjeros que se nacionalizaban o que acreditaban tener antecedentes familiares españoles. La "normativa de los oriundos", sin embargo, fue objeto de muchas polémicas y origen de corruptelas. Por ello, se abolió finalmente en 1974 y se autorizó la participación de dos extranjeros por club, hecho que incrementó la calidad y atractivo de la Liga, comenzando con el fichaje de Johan Cruyff por el FC Barcelona.

Barca VS Mallorca

2008-01-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

Barca VS Mallorca

Football for 2009 gets under way at the Camp Nou and Barça want to start this year as they ended the last, with three more points. Mallorca will be hoping to cause the first surprise after the Christmas break (20.00, live on TV3 and La Sexta).

The run of four games against the league’s top clubs is now in the past and in January Barcelona will face some less glamorous sides, but that does mean they can afford to relax. This season’s results speak for themselves. Barça dropped their last points against Getafe at the Camp Nou in game twelve (1-1). Racing and Numancia have also avoided defeat to the Catalans.

Chance to widen the gap

The first month of the year offers new opportunities to increase Barça’s lead on the chasing pack, some of whom still have to meet each other. Valencia v Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid v Villarreal this week and Valencia v Villarreal next week will all see some of the top teams drop points somewhere.

A special game

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona will be looking to get the full three points at home to Mallorca. It will be a special game, coming as it does so close to King’s Day and after more than ten days without football. The Christmas break has allowed players like Alves and Messi to travel home, and they only returned on Friday, although some of the players that were given extended holidays returned earlier than scheduled, as was the case with Eto’o, Keita and Cáceres. All of these, along with the rest of the squad, are available to manager Josep Guardiola. The only doubt is Piqué, who was still suffering from the flu on Friday evening.

Iniesta is back

One man expected back after being sidelined for two months with an injury is Andrés Iniesta. He has missed ten games, and has said this week that he is hungry to get back onto the pitch. The supporters are also eager to see him in action again, and his return would be a further guarantee that 2009 will continue as 2008 ended, with Barcelona on winning form.

El Barça comença l'any com el va acabar: amb una remuntada i una victòria. Els gols, a càrrec d'Aduriz, en el minut 15, d'Henry, en el 30, i d'Iniesta, en el 75.

El Barça jugarà amb Valdés, Víctor Sánchez, Márquez, Puyol, Abidal, Touré Yaya, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Henry, Hleb i Eto'o.

A la banqueta hi són Pinto (ps), Sylvinho, Alves, Busquets, Keita, Iniesta i Bojan.

El Fútbol Club Barcelona (Futbol Club Barcelona en catalán y como nombre oficial) es una entidad deportiva de la ciudad de Barcelona, (España). Fue fundado como club de fútbol el 29 de noviembre de 1899 por doce jóvenes futbolistas aficionados, liderados por el suizo Hans Gamper. El FC Barcelona es conocido popularmente como Barça (abreviación de la pronunciación de «Barcelona» en catalán central) y sus seguidores como «culés» (pronunciación del catalán culers).

Una de las principales características del FC Barcelona es su carácter polideportivo. Además de su sección principal, la de fútbol, el club cuenta con otras cuatro secciones profesionales: las de baloncesto, balonmano, hockey sobre patines y fútbol sala. Entre las cinco secciones profesionales, el FC Barcelona suma 27 Copas de Europa.

Murray VS Nadal

2008-01-03T10:53:00.000-08:00

Murray VS Nadal

Andy Murray underlined his growing stature Saturday by beating Rafael Nadal in final of Capitala World Tennis Championship, following a victory over Roger Federer the previous day.

The fourth-ranked Murray defeated Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to claim the winner-take-all $250,000 prize money, and the Briton is now aiming to try to win his first Grand Slam title when the Australian Open starts Jan. 19.

"I am looking forward to winning a Grand Slam this year and this victory was good before I go to Australia. I have never been past the fourth round there," Murray said. "I trained hard over the break and the victories over the past three days have given me confidence."

Murray, who will first defend his Qatar Open title in Doha, paid tribute to the support he received at the exhibition event. The shootout tournament, not part of the ATP Tour, fielded six of the world's top 10 players.

"The atmosphere here was pretty special over the last three days," he said. "I am tired. It was a tough match and we both played well."

Murray's only previous victory over Nadal in six matches was at the U.S. Open semifinals in September, but the Spaniard had played 111 matches in 2008 and had to pull out of the Davis Cup final against Argentina in November due to an injured knee.

Murray, who has added more muscle to his frame during the offseason, broke Nadal in the third game of the first set. Nadal broke back in the eighth but dropped serve immediately and Murray wrapped up the set by holding serve in the next game.

Both players exchanged service breaks in the second set on the sixth and seventh games. Two unforced errors saw Murray concede serve and the set in the 12th game.

In the decider, both players played out long rallies but held serve. Murray broke Nadal after a marathon seventh game and then held serve to go up 5-3. Murray's court coverage helped him run everything down and he broke Nadal one more time.

Nadal was happy with his display despite the loss.

"It has been an amazing three days. I feel I played well but Andy played a bit better," Nadal said. "He has carried his form over the last four months and he has a good chance to win in Australia. For me it was a very good test. Playing 2 hours, 45 minutes at the best level is good. I forgot about my knee and my injury. I am looking forward to the year."

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are wasting no time to resume their rivalry in 2009, joining four other top-10 ranked players vying for a winner-take-all prize of $250,000 at this week's inaugural Capitala World Tennis Championship.