by Rocwood on September 4, 2008
Unemployed Players Starting 11
The Italian newspaper ‘Gazetta delo Sport’ have posted today an interesting article. They formed a starting 11 using famous players that are currently out of contract.
Among them we can find the likes for Ronaldo and Recobba as well as Tiago Motta and other famous players that have failed to sign an engagement for this season.
European clubs can still transfer players for this season until 31st March 2009. The only problem is that they won’t be allowed to play in European competitions, like Champions League, UEFA Cup and others. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on September 3, 2008
FIFA World Rankings lead by Spain
Spain continue to lead the FIFA World Rankings for the 3rd consecutive month. The European Champions are edging in front of Italy and Germany in the September rankings. Spain consolidated their position after the categoric 3-0 friendly game win in Denmark.
Italy have managed to climb over Germany and take the second spot, although they played a poor 2-2 home draw against Austria.
Brazil are the first non-European squad in the rankings, on the 6th spot, just ahead of arch rivals Argentina. Argentina did not get any points for the Olympic Gold Medal as the tournament did not count for the FIFA rankings. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on September 3, 2008
Manchester City 500 million Pounds Dream Team
Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, an Arabian multimillionaire, and in the same time the new Manchester City boss, has announced his dream of building a dream team at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The new Man City boss hit the headlights as his club managed to sign Robinho yesterday for a record fee of 32.5 million pounds. The transfer was even more glorious as he managed to snatch the gifted Brazilian attacking midfielder, from Chelsea, who where strongly pursuing the player in the last couple of weeks. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on September 3, 2008
Oliver Kahn retires from professional activity
The 39-year-old, Oliver Kahn, has officially retired tonight from professional activity during a friendly game. The match was played at the Allianz Arena and featured Bayern Munich vs Germany.
Oliver Kahn played for his club team, that helped him to win 8 Bundesliga titles and proposed him as the national team goalkeeper. Kahn was switched-off in the 75th minute, with Michael Rensing. The legendary goalkeeper was cheered by the sold out Allianz Arena. He made a tour of honor and shared his shirt with the crowd.
Oliver Kahn was voted player of the tournament at the World Cup 2002 and also won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2001. The German goalkeeper played for Karlsruher SC between 1987-1994 and for Bayern Munich during the 1994-2008 period, registering a total of 557 matches. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on September 2, 2008
Kevin Keagan quits Newcastle again
In the day when Manchester City, Man Utd and Everton registered transfer fee records, Newcastle lost its manager because of failing to add new forces to the squad.
Kevin Keagan was at his second managing attempt with the Magpies. He took the job last season and was expected to prove his skills in this new season. Sadly for Newcastle, Keagan has decided to quit his job as he was disappointed with the clubs transfer policy.
Newcastle have failed to record any major signing in the summer signing campaign that ended yesterday. More, the Magpies have sold James Milner to Aston Villa for a 12 million pounds fee, although Keagan did not agree with the move. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on September 2, 2008
Dimitar Berbatov upgrades to Manchester United
Manchester United have finally managed to seal the 27-year-old Dimitar Berbatov. The Red Devils have paid an impressive £30.75 million to buy the Bulgarian striker from Tottenham Hotspur.
This transfer has occupied headlines for quite some time now, but things seemed to stagnate. The Premier League Champions have managed though to snatch the Bulgarian International in the last day of the summer signing transfer period.
Alex Ferguson seems the happiest with this new signing. Berbatov is considered the most important signing of the season for the Red Devils. Ferguson has also kept all his important players with the club and he is now ready to aim for another great season with Man Utd. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on September 2, 2008
Robinho sealed by Manchester City
Manchester City have managed to shock the European transfer marker with a surprise 32.5 million pounds move. The Citizens have secured themselves the services of the Brazilian international star, Robinho.
The 24-year-old will switch from Real to Manchester City after a sensational transfer that surprised everyone. The reports stated during the last few weeks that Chelsea are pursuing the Brazilian offensive midfielder.
The Citizens have edged in front though and managed to accomplish the transfer with only a few hours left until the summer signings deadline. It seems that Manchester City have obtain easier the agreement with the Spanish side, as Real would have been more confident to sell at such a high price and to a club that is not directly competing with them in the European competitions. [click to continue…]
by Alex Stamp on September 1, 2008
Yesterday afternoon’s match between Aston Villa and Liverpool had many little sideshows surrounding it, Rafa v Martin in a managerial grudge match, comparable to Arsene and Fergie.
Gareth Barry, lining up against the club he so desperately wanted to join, yet now must desperately want to beat in order to win back his place in the hearts of the Villa faithful. But perhaps most importantly the match should illustrate just where Aston Villa are heading, is it same old same old? Or can they really develop into realistic challengers to the ‘top four’?
Certainly on the face of it, Villa have what it takes to challenge, for their long suffering fans these are heady times, a club whose previous owner seemed intent on choking the club financially have been revived through the grand ambitions and considerable finances of Randy Lerner. [click to continue…]
by Rocwood on August 29, 2008
The UEFA Cup has set today its first round pairings. 84 teams where involved in the draw. Most of them qualified directly the others after last night’s, second leg qualifying round. The winners of this first round duel will qualify for the 2008-09 UEFA Cup group stage. Check below all the pairings that where established today in Monaco.
UEFA Cup First Round Draw Results
AC Milan (ITA) v FC Zürich (SUI)
FC Timisoara (ROU) v FK Partizan (SRB)
Hertha BSC Berlin (GER) v Saint Patrick’s Athletic FC (IRL) [click to continue…]
by Carl Stevenson on August 29, 2008
So, after a lot of anticipation, the Champions League group draw for the 2008/09 season is complete. Current holders Manchester United have drawn Scottish champions Celtic in their group but nonetheless one would feel Sir Alex Ferguson and co. will be quietly satisfied with their group. Spanish outfit Villareal and Danish side Aalborg make up the numbers in Group E. The Premier League champions will be favourites to win the group, but it will be interesting to see who can occupy the 2nd spot, with Celtic and Villareal looking very evenly-matched on paper.
Although the toughest group looks to be Group H (which occupies Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg and Bate), out of the “Top Four” in the EPL it seems Liverpool have drawn the hardest group, with PSV, Marseille and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid joining them to form Group D. [click to continue…]