Football Fanatix - Are We Soccer Lovers or are we Football Fanatics?

UEFA Champions League FINAL

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:05:49 PDT

Image via WikipediaManchester United V Chelsea in the Champions League Final

Is the English Premier League the best league in the world? The debate continues, and I am sure that English Premier League fans will continue to say it is, the final of the Champions League is an all Premiership event so perhaps that gives weight to the argument?

Manchester United beat Barcelona on their way to the final The first leg in Catalonia had been a 0-0 draw, but in the return leg at Old Trafford Paul Scholes scored the winner in some style.

Chelsea had to get past Liverpool to reach the final. In the first leg of the semi final at Anfield Chelsea were 1-0 down until an own goal from John Arne Riise in injury time made it a draw at 1-1. The second leg went to Extra Time after it was all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes. A penalty from Frank Lampard and a goal from Didier Drogba saw the Stamford Bridge outfit make it through to the final in Moscow.

team news:

Nani is expected to be recalled for Manchester United to the squad after being suspended for the final day title decider in the league. Centre-back Nemanja Vidic sat out final training yesterday but staff at the club insist he is to fit to start. Ryan Giggs is expected to start the game amongst the substitutes so Ji-Sung Park is likely to start.

Paul Scholes, who missed the 1999 Champions League final is likely to start the match. Sir Alex Ferguson has a tactical decision to make, whether to play Owen Hargreaves in midfield or start with Carlos Tevez up front. Hargreaves may be used alongside Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes to counter Chelsea's midfield trio of Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack.

Defenders Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry are both expected to start the game for Chelsea, Ashley Cole got a late injury in training and is a doubt. The England International left-back hurt his ankle after a strong challenge from Claude Makelele and went off for treatment yesterday.

Manchester United squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton; Brown, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Neville, O'Shea, Pique, Silvestre, Anderson, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Park, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Saha, Welbeck.

Chelsea squad: Cech, Hilario, Cudicini, Belletti, Ferreira, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, J Cole, Malouda, Drogba, Shevchenko, Anelka, Mikel.

factamundo's

Manchester United are targeting a first Champions League/domestic league double since their treble of 1998-99.

Chelsea go to Moscow, hoping to be crowned champions of Europe for the first time in their history.

This is the first Champions League final to be contested between two clubs from England, and the third time clubs from the same country have featured in such a match.

In 2000, the final was an all-Spanish affair (Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0), while clubs from Italy engaged in the 2003 final (AC Milan beat Juventus on penalties).

This final will produce England's 11th Champions Cup/Champions League winners, equalling the record amount of victories held by Spain and Italy.

England's previous 10 were Manchester United (1968), Liverpool (1977 and 1978), Nottingham Forest (1979 and 1980), Liverpool (1981), Aston Villa (1982), Liverpool (1984), Manchester United (1999) and Liverpool (2005).

Included this year's, England have provided 16 Champions Cup/Champions League finalists. Italy have provided the most (25).

England will also win their 29th European trophy (11 Champions League /Champions Cup, eight Cup Winners' Cups and 10 Fairs Cups/Uefa Cups). It will equal Spain's record total.

source: (BBC from Infostrada Sports.)

UEFA Champions League Final - Watch Live - Man Utd v Chelsea

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:53:14 PDT

Image via Wikipedia

Watch the Manchester United v Chelsea F.C. Champions League Final 2008 Live from the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Free live streaming online.

link here

another link

another live football stream

or try here

or here

digg story

Chelsea: King of Clubs (ITV4)

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:28:37 PDT

Image via WikipediaChelsea: King of Clubs (ITV4):

"ITV4 - Chelsea: King of Clubs
22.05.2008 20:00-20:30

Club football has never been more powerful, with superstars, giant stadia,
huge crowds, extraordinary budgets, and burning ambitions...."

Manchester United: King of Clubs (ITV4)

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:32:27 PDT

Image via WikipediaManchester United: King of Clubs (ITV4):

"ITV4 - Manchester United: King of Clubs

22.05.2008 20:30-21:00

Club football has never been more powerful, with superstars, giant stadia, huge crowds, extraordinary budgets, and burning ambitions. This series explores some of the world's top teams, details their structure, and discovers why they are kings in their own countries.

Manchester United European Champions again. Goals and highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:08:58 PDT

Image via WikipediaUEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1

Goals

26 Ronaldo

45 Lampard

Full time 1-1

Extra time - first half highlights

Extra time - second half highlights

1-1 after extra time.

Manchester United win 6-5 on penalties

presentation of the Champions League Trophy

Euro 2008 Preview (ITV4)

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:15:01 PDT

Euro 2008 Preview (ITV4):

"ITV4 - Euro 2008 Preview

28.05.2008 19:00-19:30"

BBC - BBC ONE - Match of the Day Live

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:21:38 PDT

Image via WikipediaBBC - BBC ONE - Listings

Match of the Day Live

Wed 28 May, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm 120mins

England v USA

Gary Lineker and guests are at Wembley where the USA provide the opposition for Fabio Capello's third match in charge of England.

This is only the second time England have hosted the USA, with the first coming in 1994 when Alan Shearer scored twice to give England a 2-0 victory ...

The teams last met in 2005 when Kieran Richardson scored twice on his England debut as the Three Lions won 2-1.

The USA have triumphed in just two of the eight meetings between the sides but they have won the only competitive fixture, a 1-0 win in the 1950 World Cup, a result that sent shockwaves throughout football. [S]

Subtitles Stereo Widescreen

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/matchoftheday

England v USA

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:38:33 PDT

Beckham starts tonightLive tonight from 8:05PM

England team: James, Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Hargreaves, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Defoe

post the USA team in comments if you know it.

Landan Donavan misses out on his 100th cap due to injury.

watch it live here (possibly)

England v USA (Friendly) kick off 8:05PM BST

SUPERSPORT 3 - TVAnts
STAR SPORTS - PPMate - Sopcast - TVU - UUSee - TVAnts - TVAnts
GUANGDONG - PPStream - VGO - PPMate - TVAnts - TVAnts - TVAnts - Sopcast - Sopcast - Sopcast - Sopcast
SHANGHAI SPORTS - Sopcast - Sopcast - TVU - TVAnts - TVAnts
SHANGHAI SPORTS - PPStream - PPStream - PPMate - PPMate - PPMate - UUSee - WMP

BBC FIVE LIVE - Real Player * UK commentary only *

Goal.com - Player Ratings - England 2-0 United States

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:01:43 PDT

Steven Gerrard

Image via WikipediaGoal.com - Player Ratings

England 2 United States 0

England cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the United States at Wembley thanks to goals from John Terry and Steven Gerrard.
Goal.com looked at all the participants and awarded each of them marks out of ten.

follow the link to see the ratings

editor:

Q How would you rate the players tonight?

I thought it was not a great match, the USA played well, and England showed what they were capable at times but there was nothing much at stake in this friendly and neither team really excited the crowd. Two well taken goals though!

Leave your comments below.

England vs USA - 28th May 2008 Steven Gerrard Goal

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:04:57 PDT

Here is the goal from Steven Gerrard in the international friendly between England and USA

read more | digg story

England Vs USA International Friendly Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:05:43 PDT

Watch highlights here.

read more | digg story

Sky Sports | Football | Features | Sven's City exit

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:54:19 PDT

Sky Sports | Football | Features | Sven's City exit

Manchester City have confirmed that Sven Goran Eriksson has left the club by mutual consent

Latest news from the English Premier League

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:35:09 PDT

Image via WikipediaManagerial merry go round, Premiership, summer of 2008.

With Sven Goran Erikson being sacked by Manchester City yesterday, the Eastlands, Manchester club have wasted no tim in appointing a replacement. Conraversial owner Thaksin Shinawatra sacked the Swedish former England manager, after just one season in charge.

Manchester City are said to have reached an agreement with Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers for compensation, and it looks highly likely that Mark Hughes will be on his way to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce looks like the favourite for the Blackburn job, if so he will be returning to football after a disastrous short lived term at Newcastle United.

Chelsea have reportedly made their first move for Carlo Ancelotti and it is being widely reported that the London club have opened preliminary discussions with representatives of the AC Milan coach.

Ancelotti not going to Chelsea

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:16:50 PDT

Image via Wikipediabreaking news:

Sources close to Carlos Ancelotti have said that he does not want to leave Italy, according to Gabriel Marcotti, on BBC Radio 5 live.

Also in the last few minutes Chelsea have denied making an approach.

read between the lines, he is not going to Chelsea.

more if and when ...

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:22:42 PDT

Image via Wikipedia"The artist (coach) formerly known as the Special One" Jose Mourinho held a press conference at Inter Milan today as he starts his new job.

"I am Mourinho - period. I believe I am a great coach,"

So the former Chelsea manger is the "Great One" now?

"I need to start a new cycle after that of Mancini, who I consider a great coach, but I am a different tactician," said Mourinho.

"I am the same person I was before with the same mission and the same passion for my work. I want to change the football philosophy of the team, this is my challenge."

News Round Up - Managerial

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:31:35 PDT

the latest managerial news from the last couple of days in the world of soccer.

Mark Hughes was confirmed as Manchester City manager and unveiled at a Press Conference yesterday.

The former Blackburn manager, who used to play for their fierce local rivals Manchester United told the World's media:

“I am absolutely delighted to be here, I have already had some great support from the fans and I’m pleased with the positive reaction to the appointment.
“They will know from my experiences as a manager that my teams work extremely hard and are committed, but I am an advocate of attacking football. "
"The players that have played for me week-in, week-out in the past are technical players that play the type of football that I want to be played. Hopefully the fans will see that very quickly in the teams that I will produce."
“It was made plain to me very, very quickly that there was a huge project here that I wanted to be part of, it was a very easy decision for me. I am at a club that matches my ambitions.”

Meanwhile, former Manchester City manager & failed England Head Coach Sven Goran Eriksson has been appointed as Head Coach of Mexico. The Swede will oversee the First Team of their highly rated International Squad.

euro2008.uefa.com - Tournament - Matches

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:58:54 PDT

Image via Wikipediaeuro2008.uefa.com - Tournament - Matches

Go to the above site to see the fixtures for EURO 2008, which starts this weekend.

The first 2 days of matches:

Saturday 7 June 2008
1	Grp A	Switzerland	18:00	Czech Republic	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
2	Grp A	Portugal	20:45	Turkey	Geneva - Stade de Genève
Sunday 8 June 2008
3	Grp B	Austria	18:00	Croatia	Vienna - Ernst Happel
4	Grp B	Germany	20:45	Poland	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee

Euro 2008 Day 1 Czech Republic 1 Switzerland 0

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:58:18 PDT

Image via WikipediaGroup A Czech Republic 1 Switzerland 0

The Czech Republic beat the joint hosts Switzerland in the opening game of Euro 2008

Watch the official highlights here

Vaclav Sverkos scored the winner and gave the Czech Republic a winning start to Euro 2008 in the second half of the opening match.

more later ...

Euro 2008 Day 1 Portugal 2 Turkey 0

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:51:29 PDT

Portugal 2 Turkey 0

Portugal opened their Euro 2008 campaign with an emphatic performance to beat Turkey in Geneva.

Pepe scored the first goal after 61 minutes, and Portugal had dominated the match for the most part, Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post in the first half with a free-kick and in injury time went on a dazzling run, linking up well with Moutinho who set up Raul Meireles for the second goal.

Euro 2008 Official Song

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:56:01 PDT

Euro 2008 - Shaggy - Like a superstar
by BriKO

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 05:09:05 PDT

Portugal 2 Turkey 0

here are the goals from yesterday.

1-0 Pepe 61′

2-0 Raul Meireles 90′+3

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 05:14:08 PDT

Czech Repuplic 1 Switzerland 0

Goal highlights from Day 1 (yesterday) at EURO 2008

0-1 Vaclav Sverkos 70′

Riise transfers to Roma

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:59:41 PDT

Riise ends Liverpool stay with £4m Roma move | Football | The Guardian

John Arne Riise has ended his seven-year association with Liverpool after Roma said last night that they had signed him on a four-year contract. Riise yesterday had a medical in the Italian capital after Liverpool accepted a deal that could rise to just over £4m.

read the full article

EURO 2008 - and then there were four

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:33:05 PDT

Alice Jones
BellaOnline's Soccer Editor

EURO 2008 - and then there were four

The road to Vienna.

And then there were four: Germany, Russia, Spain and Turkey will compete in the Semi Finals of Euro 2008 from Wednesday as the competition enters it's final week.

A dramatic round of Quarter Finals produced some upsets as the World Champions Italy were knocked out on penalties and the highly favoured Dutch team came undone at the hands of the resurgent Russians.

Three out of four group winners had been knocked out in the first three days.

The fourth group winner, Spain had to overcome their demons, having been knocked out of three major championships on that date - June 22nd.

Read the full article - Euro 2008 Soccer

Semi Final - Germany 3 Turkey 2

noreply@blogger.com (Alice Jones) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:48:45 PDT

Germany reached the final of EURO 2008 last night with a dramatic victory over Turkey.

The comeback kings were undone by a comeback from the German's who will have to play better against Russia or Spain, one of which they will meet in the Final on Sunday.

Russia v Spain is tonight.

Goals.