New information on the big tournaments.

Euro 2012 qual. - Ireland to face Estonia in play-offs.

2011-10-13T23:56:00.001Z

Ireland, whose only appearance at a European Championship came back in 1988, were given a huge boost in their bid to reach next year's finals when they were drawn to play Estonia in the two-legged play-offs.
The other matches will see Turkey against Croatia while Czech Republic face Montenegro and Bosnia meet Portugal after the play-off draw which included eight of the nine runners-up from the group stages of the qualifying competition.
Sweden, who finished as the runners-up with the best record, reached the finals automatically with the nine group winners.
The playoffs will take place on November 11/12 and November15 with the first named teams at home in the first leg.
The four winners will advance to next year's finals being staged in Poland and Ukraine.
Seeded Ireland, who controversially missed out on last year's World Cup finals after losing a play-off when Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up to France's winner, start as the strong favourites to progress this time.
They will be making their sixth play-off appearance in either the European Championship or World Cup.

Their only two previous matches against Estonia ended in 2-0 wins during the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the last time Ireland reached a major tournament.
Estonia, traditionally one of Europe's weaker nations, exceeded expectations by finishing second in Group C behind Italy after beating Northern Ireland home and away but they would cause a major upset if they beat Ireland over two legs.
Ireland's Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni was keen to play down expectations against a team ranked 58th in the world.
"We should not underestimate our opposition, or any team, including Estonia. To have made it through to the play-offs, they must have quality and mental fortitude," he said.
"Our build-up to this stage in the competition has shown us the importance of organisation, attention to detail and self-belief. That will be vitally important to us as we prepare for these games in November".
Estonian FA president Aivar Pohlak said: "This is what we wanted, but there shouldn't be any illusions that Ireland will be an easy opponent. They come from a very strong qualifying group which, in addition to Russia, included Slovakia and Armenia."
Turkey v seeded Croatia is a repeat of their epic Euro 2008 quarter-final clash in Vienna, when Croatia went 1-0 up in the last minute of extra time, only for the Turks to equalise with the last kick of the game.
The Croatians then missed three penalties in the shootout while Turkey scored theirs and advanced to the semi-finals.
Turkey assistant coach Oguz Cetin said: "Croatia is an opponent we know well. They are a very strong team, and have shown a great performance during the group stage. We have similar styles of football to Croatia."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic was in charge for the Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat and the CNN Turk news channel suggested he would be more fired up to win the clash than Turkey coach Guus Hiddink who did not live through the experience.
Okan Buruk, one of Hiddink's aides, said he had spoken to Croatian officials, adding: "They are not pleased with the draw either, we share the same emotions. They would have rather picked another team, and so would we."
Bosnia v seeded Portugal will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup play-offs, when the Portuguese won 2-0 on aggregate to go through to the finals in South Africa.
Portugal coach Paulo Bento expects another very tough fight, saying: "Bosnia were just minutes away from taking the first place in the group against France. They have some individual players who deserve respect.
"We are strong and I am still confident we will play in Poland and Ukraine next year. We know the kind of atmosphere that awaits us and might have some advantage from playing the second leg at home".
Portugal striker Hugo Almeida added: "Playing the second match at home is much better in terms of morale. All teams in the draw were strong, we got Bosnia who have players like (striker Edin) Dzeko but they know we have (Cristiano) Ronaldo and Nani."
Bosnia coach Safet Susic said his team's task would be harder without the suspended defenders Sasa Papac and Boris Pandza and the injured defender Mensur Mujdza.
"We were definitely unlucky to draw the strongest team in the playoffs but we will head into the tie with plenty of optimism after an outstanding performance (in a 1-1 draw) against France in Paris," Bosnia coach Safet Susic told Reuters.
"We are a bit disappointed because Portugal are the one team we wanted to avoid, but we are up for it," he told local media.
"Missing three players in the first leg will be a bigger problem than Portugal's strength, because we are a different side now and we are capable of taking the game to anyone."
Bosnia midfielder Darko Maletic added: "I have a lot of faith in my team mates and we expect to avenge the defeat by Portugal in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers."
The fourth match sees the seeded Czech Republic, who finished a distant second behind Spain in Group I, play Montenegro who, like Estonia, have qualified for a play-off for the first time after finishing behind England in Group G.
"Montenegro? Turkey or Bosnia would have been more difficult competition. Even if it is not going to be easy, I think it is doable," Czech defender Michal Kadlec, their leading scorer during the qualifiers, told daily Mlada Fronta Dnes' website.
Next year's finals take place in June and July with co-hosts Poland and Ukraine already joined by group winners Germany, Russia, Italy, France, Netherlands, Greece, England, Denmark and Spain and best runners-up Sweden.

FULL DRAW (teams drawn first to play first leg at home):
Turkey v Croatia
Estonia v Republic of Ireland
Czech Republic v Montenegro
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Portugal

http://eurosport.yahoo.com/13102011/58/euro-2012-qual-ireland-face-estonia-play-offs.html

Murray through as Nadal loses.

2011-10-13T23:48:00.000Z

Andy Murray held off a spirited effort from Stanislas Wawrinka to complete a 6-4 3-6 6-3 win in the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters in China.
But there was only frustration for world number two and top seed Rafael Nadal, who was outgunned by the inspired play of Florian Mayer in an epic match that the German player won 7-6(5) 6-3.
British number one Murray - chasing his third straight title after victories in Thailand and Japan - looked in decent shape against Wawrinka as he advanced to a quarter-final match against Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden, who completed a 6-2 2-6 7-6 (8-6) victory over eighth seed Gilles Simon of France.
Murray was playing his first match in his defence of the Shanghai tournament after Dmitry Tursunov withdrew with a thigh injury before their second-round match on Wednesday.
Murray - who is trying to rise above Roger Federer to number three in the world before the end of the year - made a blistering start to his day in breaking Wawrinka twice in the opening three games on the way to pocketing the first set 6-4.

Wawrinka is traditionally an opponent Murray has problems with having lost to him at the 2010 US Open and suffering four defeats in nine meetings against the powerful Swiss player.
Wawrinka broke Murray in the eighth game of the second set as a loose service game saw Murray drop the second set 6-3, but he recovered to win the opening five games of the third set as Wawrinka visibly began to lose the plot, illustrated by his decision to smash his racquet into pieces in falling two breaks behind at 4-0 down.
He was given a warning before rallying to recover to trail 5-3, but there was only the consolation of avoiding the bagel for Wawrinka as Murray - unbeaten since losing to Rafa Nadal in their US Open semi-final - served out the match by winning the second of two match points to progress.
"I got myself pumped up right at the beginning of the third set," said Murray. "Stan was playing very well. I was trying to control the ball.
"I was really struggling in middle of the second set. I really had to make sure I got my feet moving."
Mayer will face Feliciano Lopez of Spain, who upset the sixth seed Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic 6-4 6-4. Lopez unearthed a serving master class, aided by the indoor conditions with the stadium roof closed due to rain. Lopez broke Berdych in the ninth game of the first set and the opening game of the second set before seeing out the win with some ease. He did not face a break point in two sets.
Both Nadal and Mayer produced an immaculate opening set of tennis on serve, but Mayer edged the tie-break 7-5. Nadal narrowly missed an attempted forehand winner at 5-5 before an ace helped Mayer take out the set much to the delight of an excited crowd.
Mayer was under severe pressure in the early moments of the second set but stuck manfully to his task in twice saving break points before himself breaking Nadal in the seventh game of the set.
With Nadal clearly feeling the frustration against Mayer's superior play, Nadal dropped his final service game as Mayer - ranked 23rd in the world - bounded towards the net from a volley before seeing a passing shot drop just inside the baseline to complete a famous win.
In their first match on tour, Mayer must be one of the few men to hold a winning record against Nadal.
It is easily his finest win as he hit 29 winners while converting 21 out of 29 approaches to the net.
David Ferrer hit back from three match points down to beat fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 1-6 7-5 6-2.
Ferrer's victory over Ferrero coupled with Andy Roddick's 6-3 6-4 victory over Nicolas Almagro earlier in the day ensure third seed Ferrer of a place at November's World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, a tournament reserved for the world's top eight players.
Ferrer will face Roddick in the Shanghai quarter-finals on Friday.
Ukrainian Alexander Dolgopolov will face Kei Nishikori of Japan in the last eight.
Dolgopolov recovered from losing the first set to Bernard Tomic in completing a 5-7 6-1 6-0 victory, while Nishikori followed up his shock win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the previous round with 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-3 win against Santiago Giraldo.

Gray Matter: What makes Vettel a true champion.

2011-10-11T23:47:00.002Z

Sebastian Vettel became the eighth driver in history to retain his F1 crown at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix - so what are the crucial ingredients that make him a true champion?
At just 24 years of age, Vettel joins Alberto Ascari, Juan-Manuel Fangio, Sir Jack Brabham, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso as the sport's only back-to-back title winners, and he is the youngest to have achieved that feat.
In just 77 races, he has started from pole 27 times and finished on the podium 33 times, with 19 race wins. He's the youngest driver to score a point, the youngest winner and the youngest champion. This year, a composed campaign has seen him eliminate the mistakes and demonstrate why he has what it takes to keep going for years.

NATURAL TALENT:

To clock up the achievements Vettel has enjoyed so far is impossible without a nurtured natural talent.
The German attributes his motor racing genes to his father, Norbert, who competed in hillclimbs and karting and first put Vettel in a kart at the age of just three and a half. He's been demonstrating his raw speed ever since - and despite his dominance at the front this year, that raw racing talent has still shone through.
Right at the very start of the year, Vettel put in a thrilling move on Jenson Button, passing him around the outside of turn four at Albert Park just after his pitstop to make sure he did not spend precious time stuck behind the McLaren.
And 12 races later in Monza, with a massive championship lead, he was still fighting hard - making a nail-biting pass on Fernando Alonso for the lead, taking to the grass at 160mph and having the talent to get away with it.

HARD WORK:

Early in his career, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph in 2007, Vettel named Michael Schumacher as a personal idol, explaining that it was "not because he won 90-something grands prix... but because he loved winning and sacrificed so much in his life to get there".
That is a path Vettel has followed, committing all he can to get every element of performance out of himself and his equipment - and that commitment was clearly demonstrated by his approach to learning the new Pirelli tyres this year.
First of all, just five days after his debut title success, he was back in the car for two days and 144 laps of running on the new rubber - while his rivals from McLaren chose to sit out the test.
He followed that up with a secret but now well-highlighted trip to Italy in the winter to learn about the new Pirellis from a detailed engineering perspective. No other driver did that, and Vettel has reaped the rewards.

TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING:

In F1 there is more to winning than just driving, and Vettel has shown an important commitment inside the garage with a clear interest to learn more, to understand what makes the car tick.
In similar style to the Michael Schumacher of old, he will stay into the early hours of the morning looking over the engineers' shoulders as they analyse the telemetry if he needs to, asking and answering any question to find a solution that might gain a tenth here or there.
Early this year, for instance, he and his engineers recognised the importance of protecting the tyres and he understood how his driving affected the performance. By adapting his style to reduce the forces going through the tyre whilst still maintaining the car's momentum, he reduced the tyre wear and gave himself a crucial advantage.

QUICK LEARNING:

Vettel was quick to take an intelligent approach to this year's new challenges, picking out the key elements that would make the regulation changes work to his advantage.
The switch to Pirelli tyres and the arrival of the DRS system changed the strategic approach to racing, and right from the start Vettel and his Red Bull engineers spotted a clear formula: qualify on pole and maintain the lead into the first corner and if you can put in some fast early laps without pushing the tyres too hard, you're on your way to victory.
The first part of achieving that was learning to push the boundaries of the DRS to maximise qualifying performance, and that was something Vettel did right from the opening tests. The immense aerodynamic grip produced by the underfloor of the Red Bull made it easy to open DRS quickly when exiting a corner and Vettel proved a master in doing this, with unrestricted use allowing him to gain fractions of a second in every corner for qualifying - and that all adds up.
In the races, meanwhile, his performance in the first few laps was stunning. At the first race of the season, he took 2.4 seconds out of second-placed Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap, while his opening stints in Malaysia, Turkey and Monaco all saw him build a four-second gap within in five laps. Later on, in Singapore, the tactic was at its most dramatic, with Vettel 2.5s faster on the opening lap and a massive seven seconds clear after five.

COOL UNDER PRESSURE:

If there was one thing that Vettel used to be criticised for it was his weakness under pressure - as demonstrated perhaps most noticeably in Germany last year, during his mid-season struggles, when a ragged opening lap destroyed his race.
This year, he has not been faced with such intense situations but in the closing stages of the Monaco Grand Prix he did get the chance to prove he has learned how to handle a stressful situation.
With Alonso and Button behind on better tyres, he remained unflappable while being hounded by cars behind, driving intelligently to manage his pace and keep his car as wide as possible, slowing before the straights to stop his pursuers maintaining the speed to overtake.
Whether he would have kept it up had the safety car not intervened will never be known, but the important thing was he did all he needed to do to secure his first victory in the famous principality.

DETERMINATION AND RUTHLESSNESS:

Vettel has demonstrated a relentless determination on his way to the title this year, caring little for the points advantage he has built and racing hard every time to get the most out of every situation.
This was demonstrated in Germany where, in his worst race of the season so far, he dropped back after a spin chasing Alonso but pushed hard to jump Massa in a last lap tyre stop and claim an extra couple of points - even though he already led by 80.
Two races later, Red Bull faced what was expected to be their worst two races, Spa and Monza. By then, there was little threat to Vettel's inevitable title, but he and the team still pushed hard. When an aggressive camber setting saw him take pole but blister his tyres in qualifying, they risked taking the start rather than the safe option of changing the set-up and starting from the pitlane.
And the determination continued right up to his championship-winning race last weekend, when a ruthless move on Button at the start saw Vettel edge the McLaren driver onto the grass and force him to back off, rather than opening the door.
It's that latter ultimate ruthless streak, seen in Schumacher before him, that shows Vettel has the true unflinching determination of a champion.

REALISM:

Last but not least, Vettel has not allowed himself to be changed by his success. He may always have seemed a little cocky in his nature, but it is self-belief rather than arrogance. His personality - chatty, fun and entertaining - makes him a popular member of the paddock and despite his domination this year, it's hard not to respect a champion who has such eloquence.
In the dominant days of Schumacher and the Jean Todt-run Ferrari, the methodical manner in which they approached the sport, while ultimately successful, left everyone calling out for a personality. People looked to Valentino Rossi, who was dominating MotoGP at similar levels to Schumacher in F1, but managing to keep it entertaining.
At least, then, if Vettel does indeed have all the ingredients to continue his domination, he and Red Bull have the personalities to make it fun.

Haye set to retire from boxing.

2011-10-11T23:42:00.002Z

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye is set to retire from boxing after not renewing his licence.

Haye, who has long maintained he would not fight beyond his 31st birthday, which falls on Thursday, lost his WBA world title on points to Vladimir Klitschko in a unification bout in his last fight in July.
"I can confirm that Mr. Haye is not renewing his professional boxer's licence," Board general secretary Robert Smith told Reuters.
The retirement plans were questioned by the Klitschko camp with promoter Bernd Boente saying Haye's manager Adam Booth had told him "five minutes ago" the Briton would return to the ring if there was a fight against either of the Klitschko brothers.
"The option is still there. It really depends only on the business case," he told Sky Sports News. "We are in constant contact, we are still awaiting some numbers from British TV and then we'll see if the business case is realistic."

He said Vladimir's older brother Vitali, the WBC world heavyweight champion, was the most likely opponent and that if a fight was to take place it would be in February or March.
"A rematch (with Vladimir) makes no sense because there are no questions after the first fight, you can only promote a fight if there is a thrill," Boente said.
"Against Vitali it's a different thing, Vitali has a totally different style. Vitali said after the fight he wanted to finish what his brother didn't do, meaning knock out David Haye."
Haye, whose trash-talking before the July fight angered both Klitschkos, blamed the defeat on a broken toe and had suggested he would be prepared to postpone retirement if the Ukrainian agreed to a swift rematch.
That defeat was Haye's first in seven years and left his record at 25-2. Before joining the heavyweight division, Haye was the unified cruiserweight champion.
Haye's representatives were not immediately available for comment but local media reported the Briton was planning a news conference for Thursday.
The Klitschkos hold all the major championship belts in the division. The brothers have said they would not fight each other.

Championship - West Ham Olympic Stadium deal collapses.

2011-10-11T23:41:00.001Z

The deal to award the London 2012 Olympic Stadium to West Ham has collapsed, the Government has confirmed.

Legal challenges by Tottenham and Leyton Orient, plus an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, led to fears that court action could drag on for years while the stadium remains empty.
Sports minister Hugh Robertson said that the stadium will remain in public ownership and leased out to an anchor tenant following a new tender process.
He said: "The key point is the action we have taken today is about removing the uncertainty. The process had become bogged down in legal paralysis.
"Particularly relevant has been the anonymous complaint to the EC over 'state aid' and the OPLC received a letter from Newham Council yesterday (Monday) saying because of the uncertainty they no longer wanted to proceed.
"That was the straw that broke the camel's back and we thought it better to stop it dead in its tracks now."

It is likely that under the new tender process any costs of transforming the stadium after the 2012 Games will be covered by the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Prospective tenants will then be asked to bid for the stadium with the running track remaining in place.
The tenants would pay an annual rent to the OPLC which could actually prove to be less costly for the likes of West Ham.
A joint statement from West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady and Kim Bromley-Derry, chief executive of the London Borough of Newham, said:
"We understand Ministers will make a statement later and will not pre-empt that. Uncertainty caused by the anonymous complaint to the European Commission and ongoing legal challenges have put the Olympic legacy at risk and certainly a stadium, as we envisioned it, may not be in place by 2014 due as a direct result of the legal delay.
"Therefore we would welcome a move by OPLC and government to end that uncertainty and allow a football and athletics stadium to be in place by 2014 under a new process. If the speculation is true, West Ham will look to become a tenant of the stadium while Newham will aim to help deliver the legacy."
The move will also remove uncertainty over the stadium ahead of London's bid for the 2017 world athletics championships, although that was not a major consideration in the decision to abandon the current deal.
The Government, the London Mayor's office and the OPLC have moved to scrap the current deal in order to try to end the legal challenges over the stadium's ownership.
There has been an anonymous complaint to the European Commission, claiming that the £40 million being provided by Newham to West Ham represented 'state aid'. That complaint was regarded with particular concern with worries that it could take years to come to a conclusion.
There were also fears that the application for a judicial review by Spurs and Orient could drag on and even if their bids failed they could appeal.

Euro 2012 qual. - France sneak in, joy for Sweden and Denmark.

2011-10-11T23:38:00.002Z

France qualified for the European Championship by the skin of their teeth after a contentious penalty gave them a 1-1 Group D draw at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Sweden, Denmark, Russia and Greece also made it through.

GROUP A - Germany win group, Turkey in play-offs
Turkey secured a place in the play-offs as a Burak Yilmaz second-half goal earned Guus Hiddink's side a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan that gave them second place in Group A.
The Trabzonspor striker fired the ball into the net in the 60th minute after a through ball from substitute Selcuk Inan sent him clear.
Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey needed a win and to hope that Belgium did not win but, as the Belgians lost 3-1 to Germany, a draw would have been enough.
Turkey finish the campaign in second place with 17 points, behind Germany, who won all 10 of their games. Azerbaijan finished fifth in the six-team group on seven points.
Turkey looked the better side from the start, with Real Madrid midfielder Hamit Altintop sending several shots just wide of the Azeri goal during the first half.
They controlled the second half too and after Yilmaz made the breakthrough he was denied a second goal when his shot was well saved by Azeri keeper in the 84th minute.
Former champions Germany completed a perfect Euro 2012 qualifying campaign to claim their 10th win in as many matches and end Belgium's hopes.
Mesut Ozil and Andre Schuerrle struck late in the first half and Mario Gomez added another goal just after the restart, dashing Belgium's hopes of recording their first victory against Germany since 1954.
Marouane Fellaini pulled a goal back for the visitors after 86 minutes, but they finished third in the group.
Triple European champions Germany set a record by improving on the eight wins out of eight they notched in qualifying for the 1982 World Cup.

Coach Joachim Loew left out Bayern Munich duo Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng after they picked up knocks in Friday's 3-1 win over Turkey and made four more changes to his starting lineup.
The hosts survived early pressure from Belgium but should have taken the lead on the half hour when Gomez was denied by keeper Simon Mignolet from close range.
Ozil, who did not play against Turkey, opened the scoring when he rifled the ball in from 19 metres on the half hour.
Three minutes later Schuerrle, starting instead of Lukas Podolski, chipped Mignolet to notch his fifth goal in 10 international appearances.
Bundesliga top scorer Gomez squandered another golden opportunity seconds before the break but the striker, who was also on target against Turkey, made amends three minutes into the second period after combining well with Ozil.
GROUP B: Russia top group, Ireland in play-offs
Russia secured a place in the Euro 2012 finals with a 6-0 thrashing of Andorra in their last qualifier to finish top.
Alan Dzagoyev, who scored the only goal in a pivotal 1-0 away win over Slovakia on Friday, led the way with a first-half double while Sergei Ignashevich and Roman Pavlyuchenko struck to make it 4-0 before the break.
The Russians, who needed only a draw against the rank outsiders Andorra to stay ahead of Ireland at the top of the group, added two more through Denis Glushakov and substitute Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after the interval.
CSKA Moscow forward Dzagoyev opened his account in the fifth minute and also fired a superb volley on the turn into the far corner just before half-time.
Defender Ignashevich headed an Andrei Arshavin free kick for Russia's second in the 26th minute before Pavlyuchenko made it 3-0 four minutes later.
It was Pavlyuchenko's 20th goal in 45 internationals while Glushakov scored his first for Russia just before the hour.
Bilyaletdinov completed the rout with a low strike six minutes after coming on for Igor Semshov.
Republic of Ireland came second in the group to move into the play-offs with a 2-1 home win over Armenia (click on link below photo for full report).
GROUP C - Italy win group, Estonia in play-offs
Slovenia beat Serbia 1-0 in their final Euro 2012 Group C qualifier to deny the visitors a place in the two-legged play-offs, which instead goes to Estonia, for the first time in the Baltic nation's history.
The result left Serbia, who missed a penalty in the match, third in the group on 15 points, one behind Estonia who finished their campaign on Friday with a 2-1 win in Northern Ireland.
Italy, who had won the group and qualified automatically with two games to spare, finished top with 26 points after a 3-0 home win over Northern Ireland.
Needing a win to leapfrog Estonia, the Serbs threw men forward from the kick off but were downed by a freak goal from Dare Vrsic on the stroke of halftime.
The midfielder floated a free kick from 40 metres into the penalty area and the ball bounced over the line off the underside of the bar after it caught keeper Bojan Jorgacevic stranded, too far off his line.
Both sides had missed several good chances in a lively first half, with Vrsic firing just over the bar from 20 metres while Milos Ninkovic skied a close-range shot over the bar after a sharp low cross from Aleksandar Kolarov.
Defender Nemanja Vidic missed Serbia's best chance to get back into the match in the 65th minute, allowing keeper Jasmin Handanovic to easily smother his feeble penalty after Kolarov was hauled down by centre back Marko Suler.
Substitute Marko Pantelic had the ball in the net for Serbia in the closing stages but his effort was rightly disallowed for marginal offside after Handanovic parried a fierce shot by Dragan Mrdja.
The Slovenia keeper produced another fine save when he kept out a Milos Krasic volley, while Tim Matavz shot just wide after a good solo run at the other end.
GROUP D - France win group, Bosnia in play-offs (click on link below photo for full report).
France qualified for the European Championship by the skin after a contentious penalty gave them a 1-1 Group D draw at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The visitors had led since the 40th minute thanks to a wonderful goal by Edin Dzeko and were on the brink of a historic first qualification for a major tournament.
But, with 12 minutes remaining, Samir Nasri won and converted a controversial penalty after Emir Spahic tangled with him on the edge of the box.
That gave Les Bleus the point they needed to top the group and send the Balkan nation into the play-offs.
GROUP E: Sweden clinch best runner-up spot
Striker Ola Toivonen scored the winner as Sweden beat the Netherlands 3-2 to qualify automatically for the Euro 2012 finals as best group runners-up.
The Dutch had already qualified, winning nine qualifiers on the trot to secure top spot in Group E.
Toivonen, who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch championship, scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute and Sweden held on after withstanding heavy pressure from the visitors.
Kim Kallstrom fired the hosts ahead on 14 minutes when he curled a free kick into the top corner but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar equalised nine minutes later, heading home past a static Andreas Isaksson in the Swedish goal.
Dirk Kuyt then put the Dutch ahead when he nodded home early in the second half but Sweden hitback immediately with a two-goal burst.
Sebastian Larsson slotted home a penalty and Toivonen sidefooted home a rebound from Johan Elmander's shot.
GROUP F - Greece win group, Croatia in play-offs
Striker Angelos Charisteas scored a late winner on his international comeback to send Greece to the Euro 2012 finals as Group F winners after a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Georgia.
Greece scored twice in the final 11 minutes after David Targamadze had fired the hosts into a 19th minute lead.
Substitute Giorgos Fotakis levelled for the 2004 European champions on 79 minutes from long range and Charisteas struck five minutes from time on his return to the squad for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.
Greece, who finished the group unbeaten in their 10 games, end with 24 points with Croatia second on 22 following their 2-0 home win over Latvia.
Greece are now unbeaten in 16 games since coach Fernando Santos took over from Otto Rehhagel in July 2010.
Following their 2-0 win over Croatia in Athens on Friday, Greece needed simply to avoid defeat but they fell behind after making a lethargic start.
Dimitris Salpingidis gave a away a cheap free-kick close to the left touch-line with a foul on Levan Mchedlidze and Targamadze whipped over an inswinging dead-ball which curled past keeper Alexandros Tzorvas.
The goal sparked Greece to life, however, and home keeper Nukri Revishvili twice denied the visitors, saving from Kostas Katsouranis and Loukas Vintra.
Greece almost fell 2-0 behind at the start of the second half but left-back Nikos Spiropoulos cleared off the line from a corner.
Santos replaced the labouring Alexandros Tziolis with Fotakis 11 minutes into the second half and the midfielder pulled Greece level, drilling home from 20 yards via a slight deflection off Georgia defender Aleksandr Amisulashvili.
Charisteas, the man who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2004 final, then put the game to bed in the 85th minute with a clinical low, right-footed finish from just inside the penalty area following an assist from Katsouranis.
The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes among the Greece players who gathered in a circle in the centre of the pitch to celebrate.
GROUP G: Already settled - England top, Montenegro in play-offs
GROUP H: Denmark win group, Portugal in play-offs
Denmark reached Euro 2012 with an impressive 2-1 win over Portugal which condemned the visitors to a place in next month's play-offs.
Denmark started strongly as Michael Silbarbauer tipped Christian Eriksen's free kick into keeper Rui Patricio's goal but his effort was ruled out for a foul.
The home side, who won the 1992 European title, only had to wait until the 13th minute to go ahead, however, when midfielder Michael Krohn-Dehli cut in and fired a curling shot past Patricio.
Portugal struggled to overcome Denmark's possession but they lacked aggression, looked vulnerable at set pieces and long balls and rarely threatened.
Denmark's second came when veteran forward Dennis Rommedahl punished Portugal on the break, racing past left back Eliseu on the right wing to square for a simple tap-in by Nicklas Bendtner on 63 minutes.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, ineffective throughout, scored a consolation with a trademark dipping free kick at the start of stoppage time but it was too late for the visitors who will go into the playoffs.
Ronaldo's low shot was well held by Thomas Sorensen on 38 minutes and moments later Nani could have levelled but his shot went just over Sorensen's bar in two rare moments of danger inside Denmark's box.
Ten minutes into the first half Nani jinked past two defenders on the right and layed the ball off for Carlos Martins whose left-foot shot inside the box was safely caught by Sorensen.
Portugal lacked speed in attack and were shaky at the back throughout, struggling with the Danes' physical game and acute tactical organisation.
Denmark's second came when veteran Dennis Rommedahl punished Portugal on the break, racing past left back Eliseu on the right wing to square for a simple tap-in by Bendtner on 63 minutes.
The Danes could have added a third but were wasteful in attack with both Bendtner and Rommedahl missing good chances before Ronaldo's consolation.
GROUP I: Czech Republic in play-offs
Czech Republic qualified for the Euro 2012 play-offs at Scotland's expense after a 4-1 win at Lithuania.
Scotland had an unlikely task in facing world and European champions Spain, who had already won the group: that match finished 3-1 to the Spanish in Alicante (click on link below photo for full report).
The Czechs, meanwhile, simply had to claw back the one-point deficit on Scotland and did so in style, two goals apiece from Michal Kadlec and Jan Rezek giving them a comfortable win despite going down to 10 men. Darvydas Sernas pulled one back from the spot for the hosts.
Full list of nations qualified for Euro 2012: Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Russia, Italy, France, Netherlands, Greece, England, Denmark, Spain, Sweden
Full list of nations to contest Euro 2012 play-offs: Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Estonia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Czech Republic, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal
Reuters

World Cup - France unchanged for Wales semi-final.

2011-10-11T23:36:00.001Z

France coach Marc Lievremont has stuck with the squad of 22 players that turned around their rugby World Cup campaign with their quarter-final defeat of England for their last four encounter against Wales at Eden Park on Saturday.

France beat the Six Nations champions 19-12 last Saturday after only qualifying for the knockout stage following unconvincing pool phase victories over Japan and Canada and reports of division within the team camp.
"Once again, the same team that played Tonga and England," Lievremont said. "I would not have hesitated to name a different team if I felt that would have been better.
"The danger is for the players to start thinking they are too good ... we are Latin, so there is always a risk. The Anglo-Saxons are far more pragmatic.
"I hope the prospect of playing in the final is enough."
Lievremont continued with the tactic of playing two scrum-halves with Morgan Parra again slotting in at fly-half and Dimitri Yachvili taking the number nine jersey, though the veteran will first rest a bruised thigh he sustained against England.
"Yachvili is going to be rested in training until at least Thursday ... but he will play," Lievremont said, before adding that his side must adhere to what they do best to have any chance of advancing to the final.

"We have to be capable of imposing our own style of rugby. Wales have been playing with great intelligence ... I have been impressed by their spirit and they have been playing world class rugby."
Veteran number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, who was outstanding last week against England, will again form a bruising loose forward combination with captain Thierry Dusautoir and Julien Bonnaire.
However, one area of concern could be that the side lacks a specialist open-side flanker to combat Wales captain Sam Warburton, who has been a revelation at the tournament.
Tight-head prop Nicolas Mas, who had missed three pool matches with a hamstring injury before playing against England, was retained in a front row that includes William Servat and Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Lievremont had given organisers a matchday 22 but said that because of injury concerns he would finalise his bench by Thursday.

France team to play Wales: 15-Maxime Medard, 14-Vincent Clerc, 13-Aurelien Rougerie, 12-Maxime Mermoz, 11-Alexis Palisson, 10-Morgan Parra, 9-Dimitri Yachvili, 8-Imanol Harinordoquy, 7-Julien Bonnaire, 6-Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5-Lionel Nallet, 4-Pascal Pape, 3-Nicolas Mas, 2-William Servat, 1-Jean-Baptiste Poux
Replacements: 16-Dimitri Szarzewski, 17-Fabien Barcella, 18-Julien Pierre, 19-Louis Picamoles, 20-Francois Trinh-Duc, 21-David Marty, 22-Cedric Heymans

Jenkins: History beckons for Wales:

Neil Jenkins says that Wales' semi-final against France in the World Cup is the biggest match in the country's history.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11102011/58/world-cup-france-unchanged-wales-semi-final.html

France - Bosnia: the last rock station.

2011-10-11T14:57:00.001Z

Who scored in the first leg in Sarajevo a year ago, Florent Malouda (left) invited his teammates to not be satisfied with the draw.

A draw is enough for the Blues on Tuesday night at the Stade de France to clinch their place at Euro 2012.

At the end of the tunnel, light flickers. It is also necessary to succeed out to be irradiated, and finally burned the painful memories of a fateful Sunday in June in Knysna. The team of France Laurent Blanc has the option to remove this shameful past by getting as soon as Tuesday evening at 9:00 p.m. at the Stade de France against Bosnia and Herzegovina Safet Susic, its direct qualification for the finals of the Euro 2012 to be held next June in Poland and Ukraine. "There is the atmosphere but it's not a real final because there is a behind-up session, a net with dams," says the coach lights.
To head to the East without passing through the dam in November, the Blues must provide at least a draw against the Bosnians to preserve the point lead they have at the top of Group D. A goal well within their rope if one refers to their successful first leg, there are thirteen months in Sarajevo (0-2). "It will repeat this performance, but with other players. Since then, the team composition has changed, "cautions the coach. As if to underline the crucial role played by Benzema, Diaby and Mexes in the successful founding after the two defeats inaugural era Laurent Blanc (Norway and Belarus).

"Managing a game like that is not my philosophy":

Remaining from a series of fourteen unbeaten matches, the team of France has a capital trust enough to try and validate qualification for Euro victory by convincing on Bosnia. Ignite the Stade de France to reinstate a passionate relationship with the French fans still love despite marked by the fiasco that followed the 2010 World Cup. "The public likes the teams that win," repeats at every Laurent Blanc, who sees the infirmary French drain at the best of times. Thus, Abidal, Evra, Cabaye, Gameiro and are suitable for the final group match qualifier.
Despite the challenge, the coach seems determined to finish off. The demon of the game rather than the fear of heights. This fearlessness before the risk could prevent the French to cogitate over. Attack or defend, that is the question? And when it is decided, the uncertainty often foreshadows the disaster to come. Laurent Blanc, who had the terrible experience as a player in the removal of the World 1994 by Bulgaria, thus favors the taking of initiative to the attention pernicious: "Managing a game like that is not my philosophy. The team will produce the most play impose itself. We have great respect for Bosnia, but we do not fear. We will not prepare for a draw. This is the best way to lose. "

"We are not Italians":
Otherwise Bleus stunned to see the jitters as in the disastrous playoff against Ireland punctuated by the hand of Thierry Henry. Rare survivor (with Lloris, Evra, Abidal, Diarra, Mandanda and Remy) with an episode lasting tarnished the international reputation of the team of France, Florent Malouda challenges others to let go of fifa.com: "It is imperative win. It's a good opportunity to test the quality of our group. "Samir Nasri continues:" We are not Italians. I am not sure that we can aim for the zero success. The Bosnians will meet present at the physical level e. They will play. The game will be open. "
A reminder that the Blues will not surprise their opponents on the commitment and dry as the first leg. In order to have a better technical foundation and density to the "heart of the game", Laurent Blanc should not align as two strikers against Albania. A tactical option to bet more than a denial attack.

Safet Susic men dream to surprise the Blues:
Another story. Bosnia and Herzegovina (22 th in the FIFA rankings), led by Safet Susic selection, because this argument offensive significantly higher than those posted on Friday, with modest Albanians. With effective as their trump card center forward Edin Dzeko (19 goals in 39 caps). A threat all the more worrying that the powerful striker Bosnian walking on water since the beginning of the season with Manchester City (6 goals in the Premier League). What monopolize the attention of Adil Rami, who, as in the French victory of going to Sarajevo (0-2), will destroy the lanky striker surface (1.93 m): "He likes s'excentrer left. I'll be on my side. "A delicate as the talent of Dzeko (25) is protean. "It reached a plateau. It is a very complete player. It is good to head in the game and back to goal but it is especially a great finisher, "explains Samir Nasri, who supplies assists in the tunic of Manchester. Before insisting on the "formidable tandem" that Dzeko shape selection with playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic. Their complicity was blind even led Wolfsburg under German champions in 2009.
"Do not fixate on Dzeko, says Laurent Blanc. Bosnia has other talented players. "Especially in midfield where the trio Misimovic, Medunjanin, Pjanic often imposes its technical and creative. And sometimes his craftiness, if one believes Rami "Pjanic is a mourner." One way to alert officials that the former Lyon, transferred in the offseason in Roma, do not hesitate to add in order to obtain the well-placed kicks. Another weapon in Bosnia as the accuracy of Miralem Pjanic is terrible in this exercise.

Map of the intox:
"Bosnia has nothing to lose but everything to gain," warns Nasri. Tactically smart, durable since Safet Susic has strengthened the defense (no goal scored in its last five games) and released by the sense of accomplishment (qualifying for the dams are at least assured), the selection seems determined to Susic play its all in the Stade de France. Rewarding victory Friday in the Luxembourg (5-0) a temporary midnight and a rest day, the star of the 1980 PSG has put his team in the best frame to achieve the feat most resounding in the history of the selection Bosnian (his first official match back only to November 1995).
By constantly repeating that France is archifavorite, Susic obviously plays the card of intoxication. One way to remove any unnecessary pressure on his players, who had declined entrance pavilion in the first leg against the impact of athletic Blues. You can count on the former defender Emir Spahic Montpellier this time to meet the challenge of physical commitment. A prerequisite to doubt the team of France and a chance to snatch the first Bosnian qualification for the finals of a tournament.

The route unveiled by mistake?

2011-10-10T23:21:00.004Z

The organizer of the Tour de France, Amaury Sport Organisation, have published Monday by mistake on the official website of the Tour the Tour 2012 will start in Liege, Belgium, June 30.

Only on October 18 that the route of the Tour in 2012 to be unveiled. But on Monday, the organizer, by mistake, put forward the outline of it on the official website of the event. The page was quickly unpublished and is no longer accessible.
Cyclingnews our colleagues have tried to contact one of the leaders of ASO. Only a member of the organizing company of the Tour, Claude Rasch, has said, without confirming or deny: "I can not tell you for now, we're finalizing it internally. The only person qualified to comment would be the race director Christian Prudhomme. "

The Tour 2012 broken down as follows:

nine flat stages, four stages, one with a rugged mountain top finish, five mountain stages, two with mountain top finish, two-steps against the individual time trial and a prologue. Two rest days are also scheduled. The Tour de France would have a total of 25 passes and second ribs, 1st class or out: one in the Vosges, Jura in the three French and four in the Swiss Jura, six and eleven in the Alps to the Pyrenees. If we stick to the ASO announced for a few minutes, this is what should look like the 2012 edition of the Tour.

The Tour 2012?
30/06: Prologue Liege-Liege (6.1 km)
01/07: Stage 1: Liège - Seraing (198 km)
02/07: Stage 2: Affected - Tournai (207 km)
03/07: Stage 3: Orchies - Boulogne-sur-Mer (197 km)
04/07: Stage 4: Abbeville - Rouen (214 km)
05/07: Stage 5: Rouen - Saint-Quentin (197 km)
06/07: Stage 6: Epernay - Metz (210 km)
07/07: Stage 7: Tomblaine - La Planche des Belles girls (199 km)
08/07: Step 8: Belfort - Porrentruy (154 km)
09/07: Step 9: Arc-et-Senans - Besançon (38 km individual time trial)
10/07: Rest
11/07: Stage 10: Macon - Bellegarde (194 km)
12/07: Step 11: Albertville - La Toussuire (140 km)
13/07: Stage 12: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - Annonay (220 km)
14/07: Stage 13: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Le Cap d'Agde (215 km)
15/07: Stage 14: Limoux - Foix (192 km)
16/07: Stage 15: Samatan - Pau (160 km)
17/07: Rest
18/07: Stage 16: Pau - Bagneres-de-Luchon (197 km)
7.19: Step 17: Bagneres-de-Luchon - Peyragudes (144 km)
20/07: Stage 18: Blagnac - Brive-la-Gaillarde (215 km)
7.21: Step 19: Bonneval - Chartres (52 km individual time trial)
7.22: Step 20: Rambouillet - Paris (130 km)

Capello will dispense with Rooney.

2011-10-10T23:17:00.001Z

Fabio Capello has said he does more permanent appointment Wayne Rooney for England by Euro 2012. Expelled in the last qualifier against Montenegro (2-2), the England striker will be suspended for at least the first match of the Euro in the selection of the Three Lions.

Wayne Rooney may regret his long unsportsmanlike conduct with England in Montenegro. Guilty of giving a blow to an opposing player, the England striker was sent off when his team finally held in check (2-2) but certain to be directly qualified for Euro 2012, had the advantage to score. Already suspended for the first game of the event, the Manchester United star could be more heavily punished by UEFA, will reconsider his actions Thursday.

Fabio Capello, he has taken the lead. The England coach has decided to dispense with the services of the center-forward, at least at kick-off matches for preparations to Euro 2012. And he has already ruled out the presence of the Manchester United striker for the friendly match scheduled against Spain in November. "Definitely, Rooney will not play against Spain. I want to test new players, a different style, something different. Thereafter, he could make some entries in the half, but it will never be present at kick-off. It will never start. We must prepare the starting lineup starting the Euro, "said the Italian technician, who will leave his post after Euro.
Capello has not indicated whether it will reconsider its decision if UEFA does Rooney suspended for one match. The England coach prefers not to have to consider the center-forward, and instead focuses on its potential replacements. "If other players are good, he will play. In my life as a manager, I have put a lot of players on the bench. I have always decided according to the shape of the time, every time," he said. Darren Bent, owner and Montenegro striker, should see his role grow in importance while the likes of Bobby Zamora, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Danny Wellbeck, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Daniel Sturridge could seize the opportunity to shine under the shirt of the national team in the absence of Rooney.

Morocco-Tunisia: CAN is playable?

2011-10-10T22:56:00.002Z

Moroccan and Tunisian supporters spent a memorable weekend with the qualifications of the two national teams for the CAN 2012. So question: the Carthage Eagles and the Atlas Lions have a shot at they play in this competition?

Big bikes will not go to:
The Egyptian , the Cameroon and Nigeria will not be the appointment of the CAN 2012! As incredible it may appear there, these three ogres of African football have been eliminated.
Better still, the six African teams who participated in the 2010 World Cup, only two teams qualified for the CAN (Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire).
The games thus remain open for a competition where the major favorite not lining up at the gate.
Mali, Guinee, ROC, Tunisie, Ghana, Soudan, Libye, Zambie, Botswana, Gabon, Guinee Equatoriale, Angola, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso et Niger: tels sont donc les 16 qui CAN qualifies pour une des plus s'annonce serrées .

The ogre Ivorian:

On paper, the Elephants ahead as the favorites of the CAN 2012. Ironically, the comrades of Didier Drogba could cross on their way to the Atlas Lions, they will face in the CAN 2012.
Ivorians contain an exceptional offensive potential with Drogba, Kalou, Doumbia, Gervinho et al. But they have so far solved their defensive problems and internal strife flattened, who had come to light in the CAN 2010?

What a draw for the Tunisians and Moroccans?
Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and Ghana should be the logical seeded pools of 4 of the CAN 2012. Tunisians in turn should certainly be included in the second cap, which is not necessarily the case for the Atlas Lions. It all depends on the criteria used by the CAF (or FIFA ranking former members of the CAN).
One thing is certain, however: Lions of the Atlas and the Carthage Eagles will absolutely want to avoid the Black Stars of Ghana and Elephants of Ivory Coast during the first round.

What ambitions for the two North African teams?
Eric Gerets has completed the first part of his contract that binds him to the FRMF, that to qualify for CAN 2012. If one refers to contract terms, the Lion of Rekem is obliged to conduct the Moroccans to the semifinals.
Still, the main objective of the Atlas Lions remain the qualification in the final stages of the 2014 World Cup, even if the Moroccans will want to definitely look good in the CAN.
Same story for Sami Trabelsi and his men. Miracles of the last hour, the Carthage Eagles will have nothing to lose in the CAN 2012. Tunisia holds the group in any case a host of talented players that could surprise on the next visit Africa.

Abidal on time.

2011-10-09T23:53:00.000Z

Two days before France, Bosnia, Tuesday, Eric Abidal and Kevin Gameiro have been training with the rest of the group Sunday. A first for the Barcelona defender retains a chance to play the "final" at the Stade de France. Evra, Rami, and Cabaye M'Vila, themselves, have the right to a specific session.

Laurent Blanc was given until Sunday night to a final point on the injured and call for reinforcements in case of any new defections before the decisive match against Bosnia on Tuesday. Finally, unless very late, it should not be called new. During the training session behind closed doors scheduled in the day, one last chance, "Kevin Gameiro and Eric Abidal have joined the group of players made available" the coach, said a statement from the FFF. The two players, respectively injured knee and hamstring and unavailable against Albania, thus remain in contention for the "final" deal with Bosnians, Tuesday.

"It will be 100%":

A priori, it is finally good news. Gameiro had been able to train normally on Thursday. But for Eric Abidal, who was wounded with Barca, this is its first collective training since he arrived at the rally of the Blues. "If Abidal can not participate in collective training Monday, I do not see how it can play an international match, the deadline will be Sunday night , "warned Lawrence White, Saturday, while Barcelona met including biking this week. The deadline has passed. The hope is therefore permissible, even though nothing says they will play Tuesday. The Blues boss has insisted: "Every day they progress in the evolution of the injury.'s a good thing but it is not a guarantee, especially since it will be 100%."
Other uncertainties include the wounded of Albania. Affected to varying degrees, Patrice Evra , Adil Rami , Yohan Cabaye and Yann M'Vila were treated to a single specific session, according to the FFF. A precautionary measure for some. If Rummy did not inspire a lot of fear (the Lille even said Saturday that his injury was "Piper"), Yohan Cabaye the case was rather more worrying in the eyes of White. "Yohan is a dirty trick , he explained Saturday. I hope the ankle is twisted, we expect the reviews but our friends Albanians have much shaken. " If the player Newcastle package does not declare this Sunday is that his ligaments do are not affected, as staff had initially feared. The coach should know more Monday before removing the remaining question marks. A final drive is scheduled at 18:00 at the Stade de France. For the lame, the against the clock continues.

From here, Andy Schleck.

2011-07-21T23:47:00.000+01:00

We knew Andy Schleck dripping with talent. It remained to be fully accomplished. It's done. In the vast stage of the Alps, he had everything: the head, with this bold but impeccably orchestrated strategy. Legs, having to have to take from the Izoard. And heart, more than he had ever had. A great champion for a great day. We can only bow. But the hard part: winning the Tour.

WHAT REMAINS: Thursday morning we published the first part of a Top 10 major mountain stages of the Tour's history. Something tells me it will soon incorporate the 18th stage of the 2011 edition. The highest stage finish in the history of the Tour gave birth to a great moment in cycling. This is due in large part to Andy Schleck, author of a number worthy of the great ones. I will come back. But which ranged combat with Cadel Evans! The Australian started the Galibier shabby not to lose the Tour and Thomas Voeckler has done well to keep his yellow jersey. Twenty days in yellow for the Alsatian. Two times ten. It's beautiful. But beyond the epic that has raised this point in the legend and anchor it permanently in our memories, there is an information, gross: four riders are now 1'12 "to Evans in Voeckler passing through the two Schleck. The others dropped out. This is not what he will in ten years, but it's all that matters today.

What we liked: Andy Schleck has become someone else on Thursday. He joined the galaxy of great champions of the Tour that, until now, it was not. He finally erupted into the open what was in it for so long. It made us mad to procrastinate. But to win the Tour, he had no choice. He had to do what he had never done: take risks. This could happen to him better at the bottom. Last year, he calculated, finassé and it cost him the Tour. There, it was not possible. The plan of the Leopard-Trek was well mounted, with Posthuma and Monfort as scouts, and was perfectly realized. But this feat is that of Andy Schleck. From the Izoard was worthy of the greatest. Resist the Galibier, it is very strong. He had already won the Tourmalet. Nice collection. But this victory-there is none. I hope now that Andy Schleck will win this Tour. Obviously, I'd be happy to see Voeckler in yellow in Paris and I have nothing against either Evans or against Frank Schleck. But after such a feat, Andy deserves this Tour. But then, the Tour does not care about a lot of merit.

WHAT A DISAPPOINTED: He had taken the bull by the horns the past two days, suggesting that the real Alberto Contador was back. But such a step, beyond Agnel, Izoard and Galibier, it is no more pretense. Double defending champion, the Spaniard has probably made his crown today. In the morning, we saw the car to visit medical. Her knee pain had awakened, according to his manager Bradley McGee. It was not a good sign. It was not more to see trainer back of the pack in the first two climbs. In the Galibier, Contador held onto, but at home, simply is not to attack the confession of weakness. I have not been surprised to see it collapse to three kilometers from the summit. But I regret the collapse, because if Contador had legs, this end could have been even grander. The Giro and Tour in early fall will have had the better of him. Bad day for Spain, as Samuel Sanchez sold too.

NOW WHAT? Hard not to imagine that we have just experienced the climax of the Tour. After a stage as beautiful, intense, then the risk of sounding bland. Except that this 98th edition has yet to deliver its verdict. And something tells me we are not at the end of our surprises. The day on Friday looks terrible with the Telegraph, Galibier in the other direction and, finally, Alpe d'Huez. A menu scary. Watch out, especially since the stage is only 109 km. How will Andy Schleck he recovered from his great raid? And Cadel Evans? He has not tapped into its reserves in the last 20 miles? Frank Schleck will he pick up all this beautiful world with a spoon vengeance to his disillusionment in 2008, mounted on the same? Thomas Voeckler will he extend the deadline again? The Tour is often played in Alpe, do not forget.

Sanchez finally to Barcelona.

2011-07-21T23:43:00.001+01:00

Expected for weeks, the arrival ofAlexis Sanchez to FC Barcelone was made official Thursday night. The Chilean striker, who was operating theUdinese, Signed a five-year contract with Barcelona. The transfer amount is 26 million, which could be added 11.5 million euros.

Sanchez finished the series. The Chilean striker, aged 22, officially left FC Barcelona to Udinese on Thursday night after several weeks of negotiations between the two clubs. "FC Barcelona and Udinese have reached an agreement for Alexis Sanchez. The contract is for five years. The transfer amount is 26 million, with a variable cost of 11.5 million euros," said the Catalan club, reigning European champion, in a statement on its official website. Sanchez will sign his contract Monday after passing his medical and will be presented in stride.
Expected today, formalizing the transfer was almost delayed again. "The agreement is total", had announced yesterday at Gino Pozzo, the son of the owner of Udinese, who joined the Catalan city on Thursday night. The club got down, it remained to be one of the player. The negotiations have taken longer than expected. Fernando Felicevich, Agent Sanchez, Andoni Zubizarreta, Raul and Josep Maria Bartomeu Sanllehi respectively athletic director, football manager and vice president of Barcelona, met today to discuss the terms of the contract of the player. It took more than four hours to find common ground. It was announced that time to formalize the transfer would expect the actual signing of the player. Barça finally the thing early on Thursday night by announcing the arrival of Sanchez.

La priorité de Guardiola:

With Cesc FabregasThe Chilean international (40 caps, 14 goals) was the priority recruitment of FC Barcelona this summer. Hired by Udinese in 2006 before being loaned to River Plate and Colo Colo, Alexis Sanchez has exploded in the last two seasons with the club from Friuli. Pocket Player (1.70 m), the native of Tocopilla has become a poison for the Italian defenses with his speed and quality of dribble. Last season was the best for the Chilean author of 12 goals in 31 league games with Udinese, including a memorable four-fold during the past carton Palermo (0-7). Architect of the qualification of the Friuli club for the dam for the next Champions League, Sanchez has continued its momentum in the Copa America, despite the early elimination of Chile in the quarterfinals with a goal and two awards of Man of the match in four games.
Josep Guardiola was imperative to recruit Alexis Sanchez who also has the advantage of being able to play all positions on the front of the attack, given a still important to integrate into the community of the Catalan club. "He is very young, he can play three positions on offense, he puts a lot of intensity in his defensive duties. It is vertical, destabilizing. And besides, it's a good guy"Said the coach of Barca who raved about his new recruit. Sanchez will however be required to obtain a starting spot in the European Champion. The trio Messi, Pedro Villa, has proved its evidence last year. The International Chile will face a competition he did not know in Udine. But he has the talent to succeed in any team. Even in Barcelona.

Schleck and Voeckler, the giants.

2011-07-21T23:35:00.004+01:00

Andy Schleck sign a beautiful stage win in the Galibier.

The price of a fantastic solo raid, Andy Schleck sign a beautiful stage win in the top of the Galibier, at the 18th step. Again heroic Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow jersey for 15 seconds!

Two large for the giant. We waited it for so long. The Tour de France took us very high on Thursday on the slopes of the Izoard and Galibier, where began the great history of the giant of the Alps a hundred years ago. The show was so poor until then that the fear of a centenary had ruined his way. Fortunately, Andy Schleck was there to liven the day. The Luxembourg has written a page of legend between Pinerolo and Serre-Chevalier by embarking on a solo run of winning 60 km. It had to be done. But up there, near the snow, there was an indomitable Gaul. Heroic, Thomas Voeckler still in yellow to three days in Paris. Better, he now leads a list of potential winners reduced to four names after a watershed.

The plume of Andy Schleck:

Because he did not want to use the Pyrenees, Andy Schleck found himself in the position to risk losing everything to win everything. What we did not know is that he would actually try the jackpot. The plan was gallows in the morning. Send two scouts (Posthuma, Monfort) in the break. Then erode the pack in Agnel and Izoard. Finally, the usual large ropes. The novelty of the attack was Andy Schleck, mid-rise of the Izoard, without looking back and worrying about where her brother. At that time, there were 60 km to cover, the end of the Izoard, a valley with a headwind and the Galibier. Almost a suicidal operation. Reason also why no one has flinched in the group of favorites. Andy Schleck, he, for once forgot his calculations grocer, engaging in a bravura with an uncertain outcome. That was the beauty of the gesture. When the clock shows four minutes apart in the first slopes of the Galibier, through the sacrifice of Maxime Monfort, we realized that it was seriously behind.

Voeckler the Musketeer:
Alberto Contador was the first to sound the revolt. But the Spaniard did not have the legs of his ambitions Thursday. The Pistolero has even lost the Tour de France. When stopped 2 km from the summit, Contador took a terrible explosion (+3'49' '). It is only seventh overall (at 4'44''). So Cadel Evans, who has endorsed its responsibilities. In a strong position before the stage, the Australian was well aware that the situation was about to escape him. From a distance, the former mountain biker has delivered a mano-a-mano with Andy Schleck, little concern to hang on his wheel the other leaders (F. Schleck second, fourth Basso, Cunego seventh, sixth Rolland), including Thomas Voeckler (5e). Imperial, the yellow jersey was still there among the best, so much so that wondered if he could not even do more. His grin at the finish showed no. After exercise (5 to 2'21''), he's finally back to Jersey 15 seconds . The company keeps Cadel Evans and Andy Schleck, who consoles himself with a stage victory meritorious to take power even if it's Frank who finished second in the stage. The Australian also retrograde in fourth place overall at 1'12''Thomas Voeckler. Andy points to 15'', 1'08''to Frank. The winner of the Tour de France is among those four. Thomas Voeckler is one of them, not Alberto Contador. The dream is taking shape. But beware, there is still the Galibier and the Alpe d'Huez to swallow tomorrow, before the time of Grenoble.

Rank 18th stage:
1. A. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) 6h07'56''
2. F. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) at 2'07''
3. Evans (Aus, BMC) at 2'15''
4. Basso (Ita, Liquigas) at 2'18''
5. Voeckler (Fra, Europcar) at 2'21''

Classement général:
1. Voeckler (Fra, Europcar) 79h34'06''
2. A. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) à 15''
3. F. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) à 1'08''
4. Evans (Aus, BMC) à 1'12''
5. Cunego (Ita, Lampre) à 3'46''

Paraguay vs Venezuela.

2011-07-21T17:05:00.003+01:00

Paraguay

0 (5) vs 0 (3)

Venezuela

Played
July 20, 2011 8:45 PM EDT
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza — Mendoza, Provincia de Mendoza
Referee:‬ F. Chacon‎

120+1′ (PSO) Néstor Ezequiel Ortigoza

Giancarlo Maldonado 120+2′ (PSO)

120+3′ (PSO) Lucas Ramón Barrios

José Manuel Rey 120+4′ (PSO)

120+5′ (PSO) Cristian Miguel Riveros

Miku 120+8′ (PSO)

120+7′ (PSO) Osvaldo David Martínez

120+9′ (PSO) Darío Anastacio Verón

That's the end of extra time. Penalties will decide this. Who will be the hero? Vega has built a reputation as a good shot-stopper, but Villar was on great form against Brazil, and saved one of the four penalties. Only time will tell who will go through here...

Manchester United enjoying popularity in emerging U.S. soccer market.

2011-07-21T17:03:00.002+01:00

SEATTLE – Forget the 7-0 scoreline, the real gaudy stat of this summer's Manchester United preseason tour of North America has been the attendance numbers.

Fitness is always the primary concern, but Manchester United is also reeling in the fans stateside during its preseason tour.

A full 67,052 piled into CenturyLink Field to see the reigning English Premier League champion, which scrapes at the record for the Pacific Northwest. Earlier, 51,523 showed up at Gillette Stadium, which hasn't posted an MLS regular season average attendance over 20,000 since 1997, to watch the friendly against the New England Revolution. Sir Alex Ferguson sees the emerging market in North America as the perfect setting for a bit of proselytizing.
“We think that the United States is an emerging country in terms of soccer and there’s also potential for us to increase our support base, which we’re always conscious of,” the manager said after defeating the Sounders. “We had good support tonight. It’s pleasing to us when we try to spread the gospel about the way we play, the romance of the club, the history of the club. The United States is a growing market in terms of support.”
One of his key evangelists, off-field indiscretions aside, is Ryan Giggs. The Welsh winger has been at the club since his teenage years, and still performs well now as he approaches his fourth decade. Giggs says the club's popularity – the Red Devils have the most fans of any club worldwide – is down to a combination of history and attacking play.

“I think the history, the way that we play football, the success, the fans that we have around the world – it's a mixture really, of a lot of things, but obviously the history is a big part of it,” Giggs said, before talking about how aesthetics play into the formula. “We've always played with wingers, we've always played to excite. I think if we won things and we weren't playing the right way the fans wouldn't stand for it.”
Giggs might be slightly overstating the players' importance. The players are certainly the visible part, but the unseen roles need quality personnel, too, pointed out goalkeeper Anders Lindegarrd.
“The way the club has managed to market itself is extraordinary,” the Danish international said. “It's the biggest sports brand in the world and that's because there's some people in the background who know how to run a football club.”
Manchester United posts the highest domestic average attendance in Europe, but the support in Seattle wasn't far off that number. Ferguson said he especially enjoyed the amenability of the fans.
“The pleasing thing for me was the number of fans all mixed together,” Ferguson said. “That was like the old days of England and Scotland, when fans could mix together and [have] no trouble. I don't know if we could ever get back to that, but it was a pleasure to watch that tonight.”
As Manchester United goes about converting fans in the United States, it has found there's less convincing needed that initially assumed.
“What comes over is the fanatical fans, really,” Giggs said. “We got told that the Seattle fans are the best in MLS, and I think we witnessed that tonight.”

Chivas Guadalajara 0-3 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo proves unstoppable with a hat-trick.

2011-07-21T17:01:00.000+01:00

SAN DIEGO - American competition, Mexican competition, it makes no difference for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former World Player of the Year came alive scoring a hat-trick in the match's final 20 minutes.

The former World Player of the Year came alive late in the second half with a hat-trick to push Real Madrid past a difficult Chivas Guardejera side in a 3-0 victory at Qualcomm Stadium.
Playing against an extremely stingy defense led by goalkeeper Luis Ernesto Michel for 72 minutes, it almost appeared as if the game would end in a draw. Then came the 73rd minute. Running into the penalty box with just one man on him, Madrid forward Karim Benezema found Ronaldo charging full-speed at goal. The France international crossed the ball into the Portuguese winger’s legs and the 26-year-old had an emphatic finish past Michel.
Real Madrid's manager Jose Mourinho believes that no matter where Ronaldo plays, he is always motivated to show what he's capable of and displayed that with his goal.
"Cristiano is Cristiano," said the former Chelsea and Inter boss. "Always happy, always motivated and proud to play no matter if he's in China, Japan or the USA. He's self-motivated when it comes to playing well and scoring. We knew we wanted to play this way, to play well."

After that moment, it became easy for the Spanish capital club. Ronaldo’s Portugese compatriot Pepe was idiotically fouled in the penalty area by Chivas' Omar Arellano as he hip-checked the defender in the 76th minute. Seconds later, even the goal’s netting couldn’t stop Ronaldo. He fired his penalty attempt past Michel with such strength that the ball ripped through the net.
Ronaldo finally capped off his hat-trick a few minutes later as Mesuit Ozil found space on the right channel of the pitch and darted the ball into the box to find Ronaldo for an easy finish. Another easy night carving apart North American competition for the star player. Yet, Madrid was given a good test by the Mexico Primera Division club.
Despite having 66 percent of possession and 11 shots on goal, Jose Mourinho’s men had a difficult time cracking a Chivas defense that stayed compact and countered well.
"This was very good training for us," said Mourinho.
With Iker Casillas across the pitch, Michel seemed determined to show what he was capable of in front of arguably the world’s best goalkeeper. Up against an offense that cost over 250 million euros, he had nine saves, blocking shot after shot, including a point blank attempt by Ronaldo in the first half. Unfortunately for the 31-year-old, his offense couldn’t muster much against Los Blancos.
Chivas only had seven shots, none of them were on target.
That isn't going to cut it against Los Galácticos.

Seattle Sounders FC 0-7 Manchester United: Wayne Rooney hat-trick lifts Red Devils.

2011-07-21T16:56:00.003+01:00

SEATTLE - Glancing at the score, you would think it was an American football game.

Seattle

0 vs 7

Man Utd.

Played
July 20, 2011 10:00 PM EDT
Seattle, WA

Michael Owen 15′

Mame Biram Diouf 49′

Wayne Rooney 52′

Wayne Rooney 69′

Ji-Sung Park 71′

Wayne Rooney 72′

Gabriel Obertan 89′

The star striker put on a show as his Manchester United squad easily defeated one of Major League Soccer's stronger teams.

Manchester United rolled into Seattle's NFL stadium and destroyed the Sounders 7-0 in front of over 60,000 at CenturyLink Field in the English Premier League club's second game of its preseason tour of the United States.Wayne Rooney recorded three goals and an assist in the second half alone to guide Manchester United, which only led by one at halftime. Michael Owen, Mame Biram Diouf, Ji Sung Park, and Gabriel Obertan also got on the scoreboard.
"Every chance we got, we scored," Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs said. "That's what sometimes separates good players from great players."
Rooney was not in the starting lineup for manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who opted to bring the star striker off the bench at halftime instead. But the English striker let his presence be known shortly after entering the game along with names like Michael Carrick and Park Ji-Sung.
“Obviously we saw their bench," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. "When you come with Carrick off the bench and you come with Rooney off the bench and come with Park off the bench, you’re going to create some problems. Our bench is not the same."
Rooney scored his first goal in the 52nd minute after Diouf gave the team a two-goal cushion three minutes earlier. He went on to score again in the 69th minute, assist Park's strike in the 71st minute and add one more goal of his own in the 72nd.

For those counting at home, the 25-year-old star was involved in three goals during a three-minute span.
"He’s worked hard," Ferguson said of Rooney. "He’s done really well in training.”
Seattle was strong out the gate, outshooting Man United 6-0 in the first 15 minutes. But Owen, who had a goal in a win over the New England Revolution last week, quickly changed that trend as he knocked in a header off a cross from Evra.
“A strange game because the score didn’t reflect the chances," Ferguson said. "In the first half, the Sounders had two or three good chances and our goalkeeper made two great saves. Kasey Keller made a couple good saves himself. I think our second goal opened the game for us."
Diouf had Manchester United's second goal in the 49th minute, receiving a long feed and taking advantage of some poor goalkeeping from Terry Boss, who replaced starter Kasey Keller at the half.
Boss certainly wasn't the boss in the second half. That title belongs to Rooney.

Tour de France: Schleck win, Voeckler still yellow jersey .

2011-07-21T16:51:00.003+01:00

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck won solo on Thursday the 18th stage of Tour de France found on the summit of Col du Galibier after 200.5 km of racing. His brother Frank was second and Australian Cadel Evans third at the Italian Ivan Basso and French Thomas Voeckler, who retains the yellow jersey.

Voeckler, fear.

2011-07-20T23:55:00.002+01:00

Thomas Voeckler got a scare at the 17th step .

Thomas Voeckler was close to the correctional at the 17th step. Recent past of the fall, the yellow jersey grants 27 seconds of the favorites. Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway extends the festival in Pinerolo, Italy.

The Tour de France is played everywhere. The precept is well known riders. Thomas Voeckler almost see his dream finally collapsing in a turn on Wednesday, between Gap and Pinerolo. Descended the yellow jersey at full speed in the tortuous descent leading to the arrival of the 17th stage in Italy when suddenly everything went too fast. A first alarm had not stopped in his cavalcade. But when he took too wide a right turn, he was happy to land in a small courtyard at the cost of acrobatics rider. Time to hit the road, the others were gone. Ivan Basso unless he could take the wheel for the final conceding 27 seconds on Evans, Contador, Sanchez and Schleck, who came all grouped.

Voeckler is very afraid:

, however, Alberto Contador has tried to reproduce the copy and paste the stage of Gap. The end of the first Alpine stage, which will be summarized at the last quarter of an hour, proposed a final similar to the previous day. Either side of a second category in the vicinity of the arrival, chained to an extremely technical downhill. Fertile ground to exclude rivals reluctant to this kind of danger. Contador has again shook the coconut. Three times. But this time, Andy Schleck did not pick up his luggage. Unable to make a difference in the climb, the Spaniard has taken all the risks on the descent. And it failed to pay. Accompanied by the faithful Samuel Sanchez, like yesterday, Pistolero was en route to a successful operation to finally be caught up by the rest of the favorites (Evans, A. Schleck, F. Schleck ...) on the line. So status quo. Except for Thomas Voeckler.

Boasson Hagen, the phenomenon of:
the yellow jersey had felt that there was a stab in the raid. A want to follow too closely the duo Contador-Sanchez, he narrowly missed out final drive. It has only 1'18''ahead of Cadel Evans in general. While it is true that all men who wore the yellow jersey on the evening of the 17th stage since 1990 (except in 2006 with the Floyd Landis case) then won the Tour, this may be short in view of the cons- trials. This scare should not overshadow the victory of Edvald Boasson Hagen. To believe that the Tour de France becomes a Tour of Norway. Frustrated the day after his compatriot Thor Hushovd, the wonder of Sky has done a great number to extricate a breakaway of 14 riders in this famous coastal Pramartino and sign his second victory after Lisieux. To the chagrin of French Sandy Casar (third), Julien El Fares (4th) and Sylvain Chavanel (5th), which must be satisfied with the places of honor. In fact, the sun came in the Tour de France. It should have melted the snow falling on the Galibier in recent days. The big fight tomorrow through Agnel, Izoard and Galibier will not be retracted. That's entertainment.

Classement de la 17e étape:
1. Boasson Hagen (Nor Sky) 4h18'00''
2. Mollema (BP, Rabobank) à 40''
3. Casar (Fra, FDJ) à 50''
4. El Fares (Fra, Cofidis) mt
5. Chavanel (Fra, Quick Step) mt

Classement général:
1. Voeckler (Fra, Europcar) 73h23'49''
2. Evans (Aus, BMC) à 1'18''
3. F. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) à 1'22''
4. A. Schleck (Lux Leopard-Trek) à 2'36''
5. Sanchez (Esp, Euskaltel) à 2'59''

The 17th stage in pictures:

Uruguay holds its final.

2011-07-20T15:55:00.000+01:00

After three consecutive failures, the Celeste has finally passed the semi-finals by dominating Peru (2-0) last night, thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez. Sunday, against Venezuela and Paraguay, it will seek a fifteenth Copa America. It would be a record.

Sunday in Buenos Aires, Uruguay will play his 22nd Copa America final. Against Venezuela and Paraguay, the tape run for a fifteenth Diego Forlan crown on the South American continent. It would be one more than Argentina, she had beaten in the quarterfinals on Saturday (1-1 aet, 5-4 pens). It would be a record. On the night of Wednesday, the Celeste has succeeded where it failed in the last three editions, but last year at the World: it has surpassed the last four. Finally.

She knew she was expected to face Peru. She did not tremble (2-0). Two goals from Luis Suarez was enough to make him happy. Striker Liverpool was first made his selection on the right track by scoring from a tight angle after a heavy strike Forlan rejected by Fernandez (53). "The first goal has solved the problems we had, and it arrived as we had hoped, after a shot midway"Welcomed Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay coach. Five minutes later, launched by Pereira, killed the suspense Suarez (2-0, 58th) by signing the third embodiment in the 2011 Copa. Joining, by the way, the Argentine Kun Aguero leads the scoring charts.

Forlan: "No favorites of the final":

Peru was then a knee. He asked when the second Vargas, previously the only player in the Albirroja enterprising, lost his nerve. Elbow on Coates. Red Card (69th). And a boulevard to Uruguay. Despite some cold sweat late in the game, the Celeste has maintained its advantage until the end. "We are very pleased to have achieved the goal, dropped keeper Fernando Muslera, Heroic late in the game. Now we have yet to reach the dream. "
The dream is to revive a glorious past, not so long ago. For the generation 2011, when ever Regout to victory. Like the good old days of Enzo Francescoli, sacred in 1983, 1987 and 1995. Public pressure and media looks extraordinary. Forlan, silent since the competition tries to channel it. "Careful journalists who we are favorites, but we know very well that we will not be favorites in the final." Uruguay has had too many disappointments to ignite.

Transfers.

2011-07-20T15:51:00.003+01:00

- 16:32
- CITY WANTS TO ROSSI AT ANY PRICE: Manchester City wants Daniele De Rossi (27 years) and would be willing to put the package to achieve this. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Citizens would provide 23 million euros for the midfielder from AS Roma and offered him a salary of nine million euros. But the Roman club will not listen ...
- 15:51
- TIAGO IS THE ATLETICO: Tiago, who was previously under contract with Juventus, has signed for two years with Atletico Madrid where he had been paid, the team said in Madrid. "Tiago Mendes is now playing at Atletico Madrid after having terminated his contract with Juventus and have reached an agreement for two years" with the Spanish club said it, without specifying financial details. Former Lyonnais on Wednesday signed his contract.
- 15:14
- TEVEZ MORE EXPENSIVE IN EUROPE? : While the Corinthians have officially given up, Carlos Tevez should still leave Manchester City. According to Sky Sports, Argentina is expected to join a European club. Real Madrid would be on pole but Inter would also be in the running. But the Citizens have raised the stakes and would require 56 million now!
- 15:03
- MONACO READY THE HOST: Monaco goalkeeper Franck L'Hostis, 21, was loaned for one season at FC Martigues in changing National. It will replace Reynet Baptist who joined Dijon (L1) - J.Ri.
- 14:52
- Aquilani TOO EXPENSIVE FOR FIORENTINA? : On the departure to Liverpool, Alberto Aquilani was announced at Fiorentina. But according to the Corriere Fiorentino, the Viola could not afford to attract the Italian midfielder. "Alberto has a big contract in Liverpool (80 000 euro per week) and Fiorentina operates according to some economic parameters. I do not know if the operation is feasible," said his agent.
- 13:59
- Redknapp CONFIRMED FOR ADEBAYOR: Harry Redknapp has confirmed Tottenham's interest in Emmanuel Adebayor. "Yes, it's a name I spoke with my president, as a loan if possible," he said in the English press.
- 13:17
- R. Riou NANTES: Rudy Riou, which evolved in Charleroi last season after three years in Marseille, has reached agreement with FC Nantes, the club announced. The guard, who had conducted a trial in Auxerre, must meet the traditional medical before his initial contract, said the FCNA.
- 12:21
- JACKPOT FOR NASRI? : To keep Samir Nasri, Arsenal could offer almost 7 million euros a year according to the Daily Star. A salary of 130,000 euros per week should convince him. The Gunners are also expected to make a financial effort for Robin Van Persie.
- 12:15
- Gecova FULHAM A: The Czech midfielder Marcel Gecova (Slovan Liberec), Hopes International, has signed a two-year contract with Fulham, said the player's agent Jiri Muller, quoted by the CTK agency.
- 12:08
- GALATASARAY MUSLERA A: Le gardien de la Lazio Nestor Fernando Muslera to sign a contrat de cinq saisons avec Galatasaray. L'Uruguay transfere été pour environ 6 millions d'euros.
- 11:56
- ALSO ON THE LAZIO PJANIC? : According to The Sun, Lazio entered the dance would be to try to recruit Miralem Pjanic. While Tottenham and Aston Villa were in competition, the Spurs holding the rope, the Italian club should be a last-minute to cap the two English clubs on the wire.
- 11:46
- ANELKA WANTS TO STAY: Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea would have meant his desire to stay at Stamford Bridge. According to the Daily Mirror, which lent contacts at PSG, Qatar and Major League, French striker (32) would have been impressed by Andre Villas Boas. "I can always be an important part of this team," said he.
- 11:30
- The FOR ATLETICO MOVE Griezmann: Atletico Madrid took action on the issue Antoine Griezmann. The Madrid club has opened negotiations with Real Sociedad. According to El Diario Vasco, he would have offered seven million euros over Raul Garcia and Fran Merida.
- 11:24
- J. CARRASSO TO MONACO: Rennes goalkeeper Carrasso Johann's brother, Cedric, should be paid one year with option to buy in Monaco (L2). According to Nice Matin, it should be in competition with Sébastien Chabbert for the goalkeeper.
- 11:16
- THIS WEEK IN Bisevac PSG? : According to The Voice of Sports, Leonardo would have agreed to the signing of Milan Bisevac. Valenciennes defender will sign a three-year contract before the end of the week. The amount of the transfer amount to 4 million euros.
- 10:50
- DANILO PUERTO: FC Porto reached an agreement with Santos for the transfer of midfielder Danilo Luiz da Silva, Brazilian international under-20 years for a $ 13 million, said Tuesday the club champion of Portugal. The Portuguese press on Wednesday that fell within the 20-year-old could, at the request of Santos, Brazil to stay until December.
- 10:45
- PARIS HAS MADE AN OFFER FOR ZARATE: In La Gazzetta dello Sport, PSG had offered between 17 and 18 million euros for the Lazio Mauro Zarate. The Roman club would get 20 million for its Argentine striker 24. Barred by the combined arrivals of Djibril Cisse and Miroslav Klose, Zarate has already refused an offer from Russia. He is also on the shelves of Atletico Madrid.
- 10:35
- FABREGAS, ARSENAL PRESSE LE BARÇA : Selon The Guardian, Arsenal a fixé un ultimatum au FC Barcelone : les Blaugrana ont jusqu'à la fin de la semaine prochaine pour recruter Cesc Fabregas. Après, il sera trop tard. Arsène Wenger estime qu'il n'aura plus le temps de se retourner pour remplacer son capitaine, que les Gunners aimeraient pourtant conserver.
  EXTENSION FOR FABREGAS?
- 10:15
- MU "understand" BERBATOV: Sir Alex Ferguson would like to keep Dimitar Berbatov. But according to the Daily Telegraph, the Manchester United manager écosssais "understand" that the Bulgarian striker asked to leave the Red Devils this summer. Announced on the shelves of PSG and Juventus, the co-top scorer of the last Premier League has been hard hit by the outbreak of Javier Hernandez.
- 09:36
- "TOTAL AGREEMENT" FOR ALEXIS SANCHEZ. Gino Pozzo, the son of the owner of Udinese, arrived in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday in Barcelona to seal the transfer of Alexis Sanchez in the Blaugrana. "The agreement is total," said the Italian leader in microwave radio RAC 1. The Chilean striker, eliminated from the Copa America, is expected Friday to sign the best contract. Estimated amount of the transaction: EUR 45 million, fixed and bonus included.
- 09:02
- THE REAL Neymar WANTS AND NOW: No, Real Madrid has not given up recruiting Neymar, the nugget of Santos during the summer transfer window. So says ace on Wednesday. According to Spanish sports daily, the club does not want to merengue to wait until December to fenir Brazilian striker 19. Neymar to enroll this summer, Real will pay 45 million euros. Monday, the player stated that he hoped "to stay at Santos."
- 08:52
- PSG: AROLA TO EXTENSION. In order compelling Paris Saturday against Anderlecht (1-1), Alphonse Areola plans to extend his contract with PSG, according to L'Equipe. The goalkeeper Franco-Philippine 18, related to his training club until 2012, could sign three more years. Tottenham and Manchester United follow with interest.
- 08:28
- SOCHAUX CLOSED FOR MARTIN. Marvin Martin may well have publicly expressed his desire to leave Sochaux, the club has not doubiste intends to sell its international midfielder, under contract until 2014? "At the moment, there is absolutely no offer, the president Alexandre Lacombe pounds in L'Equipe. The Championship begins in two weeks (August 6th) and my position has not changed."
  READ: MARTIN GOES ON THE MARKET
- 07:49
- Corinthians DISCLAIM TEVEZ. Through a statement released Tuesday evening, the Corinthians "officially announced the inability to hire Carlos Tevez." "While recognizing the efforts of Manchester City," the Brazilian club believes that "there is enough time" before him, the Brazilian transfer ends Wednesday night. The promise to hire Tevez Corinthians "in the near future." Translation: they will return to the load from the winter transfer window.
- 07:39
- REMINDER: On Tuesday, the day was marked by the extension of Rennais Kader Mangane and signing Sylvain Wiltord for FC Nantes. The Sochaux Marvin Martin expressed his desire to start. And Pep Guardiola, coach of Barça, assured to be "end of negotiations" to begin the Chilean Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas.
  News from Tuesday
- 07:38
- Hello to you all! Welcome to our website to watch live all the news of the transfer market.

The Blues begin without Noah.

2011-07-20T15:47:00.001+01:00

Joakim Noah had to return to Chicago and will miss the stage from Pau .

The France team begins its training camp at Euro 2011 on Wednesday without Pau Joakim Noah returned to Chicago to take stock of an old injury detected last week. The duration of his absence is not yet known.

Noah caught by injury:
Vincent Collet was probably best to perfect the course of preparation for Euro 2011 (August 31 to September 18) as the Blues begin Wednesday in Pau. Already deprived of injury and Rodrigue Beaubois Mickaël PietrasBut also Yannick Bokolo (personal reasons), the national coach can now worry about the presence or absence of Joakim Noah, convened for the first time in his career in the France team for the rest of the summer . "Medical examinations of Joakim Noah, made in Paris last week, the medical staff of the Team of France highlighted the legacy of an old injury dating back three months. Seamlessly the FFBB sent the items to his club and his agent. The latter wanted to read the situation and take stock in Chicago with the player"Alerted the French federation of basketball Tuesday night in a statement.

The Bulls pivot is returned to the United States and, at present, impossible to know when he comes back, or even if he will return. Because of the lockout, the son of Yannick can be treated by the medical staff of the Bulls and his agent, Donald Dell, could decide not to take any risks with the right ankle of his protégé, moved in late March against Philadelphia. The French Federation, which also announced on Tuesday that the problem of insurance of NBA players had been paid, is also intended prudent contract with the Bulls Noah weighs in fact $ 60 million over five years. She has already put all the chances to see his side return to the former Gator in preparation by offering "a rehabilitation protocol to treat as soon as possible for the player it can be operational with the Blues as soon as possible."It is up to Crawford Palmer, responsible for relations with the NBA and now in Illinois with Noah, his agent to convince of the merits of this protocol.

A mere inconvenience?
What Jean-Pierre Siutat does not seem to doubt for a moment. This Tuesday at Bordeaux to attend the charity match organized by Boris Diaw, the president of the FFBB assured of RMC that "Joakim Noah will miss the two friendlies against Canada (Editor's note: July 26 and 27) but should be back after. 'Even optimism on the part of Boris Diaw, one of the captains of the team drive in France with Tony Parker. "I know it has to do further tests to find out where he stands. In my opinion, his absence is temporary"Confided the player Charlotte. Vincent Collet and the team of France must also hope that the return of Noah in the United States is a mere inconvenience.

The Tour rests again.

2011-07-20T15:43:00.000+01:00

Today the riders are entitled to their second day of rest before tackling the Alps, which should bring up the real candidates for the podium.

The first two weeks of the 2011 edition of Tour de France ended yesterday with a 15th stage which meant the finish of the Pyrenees. Finish with a little relief, was the second last chance for the sprinters to show their talent. Their very last chance to be next Sunday on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Voeckler still in yellow:

I must admit, the sprinters were not disappointed. The favorite of the stage, Mark Cavendish, Once again lives up to its green jersey by winning his fourth stage already on the Tour de France and his 19th stage victory of his career. For Thomas Voeckler that was the end of the sixth day in yellow and a well deserved rest day. By cons, it does not believe in his chances to finish the Tour in yellow:

" I know that the French expect a winner of the Tour since Bernard Hinault (1985), a French on the podium since Richard Virenque (1997), Voeckler said. I will not lie I could say:''I have a chance to win.'' This would make the pub. But I have 0% chance of winning the Tour de France. The last week will be decisive. The organizers have mapped the route for the Tour is decided in the last week."

HTC dominates race:

While the sprinters will be shown again in Montpellier, adventurers have once again gave everything and tried everything. The peloton gave the impression of already being a rest day, but five runners were not the same thing. Terpstra, Delage, Delaplace, Ignatjev and Dumoulin were escaped. A 22 km from the finish Ignatjev Terpstra and went while their breakaway companions were being joined by the peloton a few km later. Unfortunately for them, the team HTC Cavendish has never really left alone. Ignatjev left the breakaway and Terpstra, who was awarded the prize for fighting spirit, was resumed at 3 km to go small.
As expected, Mark Cavendish proved again that he is the king of the sprint in the Tour de France and is almost finished on the Tour in green. Voeckler remains in yellow while Jelle Vanendert, Solo winner Saturday, keep the polka dot jersey. Finally, the white jersey remains on the shoulders of the Colombian Rigoberto Uran.