Keane to impress!

Standard Liege v Liverpool

If Robbie Keane scores the last goal, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on this match.

* Applies to 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles placed before kick-off only.
* Max Refund €300/£200 per customer/bet.
* Applies to win part of each way goalscorer bets only.
* Own goals do not count.
* If the Robbie Keane plays no part in the game, the special will refer to ' if the last goal is scored outside the box'.
* Paddy Power football rules apply.

Lampard wants Inter move - Moratti

Inter chairman Massimo Moratti claims that number one target Frank Lampard has given the green light to move to Italy. The Nerazzurro supremo has admitted for the first time that the club have reached an agreement with the England international.

Lampard has reportedly accepted the chance to reunite with former manager Jose Mourinho at the Giuseppe Meazza, news that will surely disappoint his numerous supporters.

Nevertheless, Moratti understands patience is needed for Inter, as Chelsea could snub the offer and block the exit of their talismanic midfielder. "For the acquisition of Lampard we need to have patience,” Moratti told the club’s official website. “We have the player's approval but we have to respect Chelsea's rights. His club has every right to keep him."

Source: sport.setanta.com

Euro 2008 is over - Congratulations to Spain

Euro 2008 is over, after some fantastic nights with spectacular games. Spain obtained a deserved win, after winning all games except for the draw against Italy in the quarter-finals. Germany played well and reached the finals, but it didn't shine.

Some strong teams were big disappointments, like France and Italy who played very bad. There were others who impressed, and left the tournament with the head up, like it was the case of Turkey, Russia or Croatia. Personally, I liked Turkey most during this tournament, because of their determination and offensive style. They never surrendered and managed to turn the game in their favor in some situations when nobody believed there is anything else that could be done. The games against Switzerland, the Czech Republic or Croatia were unforgettable, and I can say that Terim's team won my respect in this tournament.

I think the most unlucky teams were Netherlands, Croatia and Portugal, who showed good football in all their games, but didn't manage to get to the semi-finals.

The conclusion is that the most constant team won the tournament. Congratulations to Spain for this extraordinary performance!

Paddy Power weekend bulletin

Paddy Power (Friday 20th June – Sunday 22nd June)

Euro 2008
Croatia v Turkey Friday, 7.45pm
Holland v Russia Saturday, 7.45pm
Spain v Turkey Sunday, 7.45pm

Other Sport
Amir Khan v Michael Gomez Boxing Saturday 10pm
French Grand Prix F1 Sunday, 1pm

PADDY POWER MONEY-BACK SPECIALS

Penalty Points
If you back a team to win in 90 mins and they go on to reach the semi-finals via a penalty shootout Paddy Power will refund losing win-draw-win 90 minute match bets on that team.

Terms & Conditions: Applies to win-draw-win 90 minute single bets placed before kick-off only. Max Refund €300/£200 per customer/bet. Paddy Power football rules apply.

PADDY POWER QUARTER FINAL SPECIALS

To Reach Semi Finals
2/5 Croatia
7/4 Turkey
1/3 Holland
2/1 Russia
8/11 Spain
Evs Italy


To Win On Penalties

9/1 Croatia
9/1 Turkey
9/1 Holland
9/1 Russia
15/2 Spain
15/2 Italy


To Win in Extra Time

15/2 Croatia
14/1 Turkey
15/2 Holland
17/1 Russia
17/2 Spain
10/1 Italy


Spain v Italy
13/1 Spain to come from behind and win
4/1 Match to go to penalties

Luca Toni Specials
The Italian striker has looked more like the leaning tower or Pisa than a Roman gladiator so far this tournament, missing even the barn door let alone the actual goal. How will he perform against Spain? (90 mins only)

How many shots will Luca Toni have?
Evs Three or less
8/11 Four or more

Will Toni have more shots on target or off target?
Eve More off target than on
11/5 More on target than off
11/5 Tie


How many shots will Luca Toni have off target?
4/5 Two or less
10/11 Three or more

Who will have most shots on target?
6/4 Villa
6/4 Torres
11/5 Toni

Latin Temperaments - First player to be sent off

20/1 Ramos
20/1 Marchena
22/1 Puyol
22/1 Senna
25/1 Fabregas
28/1 Alonso
28/1 Capdevilla
33/1 Casillas
33/1 Iniesta
33/1 Xavi
33/1 Juanito
33/1 Albiol
33/1 Arbeloa
40/1 Garcia
40/1 Silva
50/1 Torres
50/1 Villa
50/1 Guiza



16/1 Materazzi
22/1 De Rossi
25/1 Perrotta
25/1 Camoranesi
25/1 Zambrotta
28/1 Grosso
28/1 Panucci
33/1 Buffon
33/1 Toni
33/1 Cassano
33/1 Ambrosini
33/1 Barzagli
40/1 Quagliarella
40/1 Borriello
40/1 Aquilani
40/1 Gattuso
40/1 Chiellini
50/1 Del Piero
50/1 Di Natale


Holland v Hiddink’s Russia
10/1 Hiddink to be sent to the stands
9/2 Hididnk to sing the Dutch anthem
66/1 Hiddink to wear an orange tie
250/1 Hididnk to celebrate a Dutch goal

How Many Will Holland Score?
7/2 None
7/4 One
23/10 Two
9/2 Three
17/2 Four or more

EURO 2008 WEEKEND MATCHES


Match Betting
Home Draw Away
Croatia v Turkey 10/11 23/10 7/2
Holland v Russia 5/6 12/5 4/1
Spain v Italy 6/4 2/1 11/5

Correct Scores & First Scorers

Croatia v Turkey
1-0 2-0 2-1 3-0 3-1 3-2 4-0 4-1 4-2
5/1 7/1 7/1 14/1 14/1 25/1 40/1 40/1 80/1

0-0 1-1 2-2 3-3 0-1 0-2 1-2 0-3 1-3 2-3 4-0 4-1 4-2
7/1 5/1 13/1 80/1 9/1 22/1 12/1 80/1 45/1 50/1 375/1 225/1 250/1

First Goalscorer

6/1 Petric
6/1 Olic
7/1 Budan
15/2 Klasnic
9/1 Kalinic
10/1 Kranjcar
11/1 Modric
14/1 Srna
18/1 Kovac
18/1 Vukojevic
25/1 Pranjic
25/1 Leko
33/1 Vejic
33/1 Corluka
40/1 Knezevic
40/1 Simic
40/1 Simunic
50/1 Kovac

7/1 No Scorer e/w odds 1/3 places 1, 2, 3

15/2 Nihat
9/1 Semih Senturk
10/1 Tuncay
10/1 Mevlut
16/1 Kazim-Richards
16/1 Arda Turan
18/1 Tumer Metin
22/1 Karadeniz
22/1 Hamit Alintop
25/1 Sabri Sarioglu
25/1 Emre B
33/1 Ayhan Akman
33/1 Hakan Balta
40/1 Ugur Boral
40/1 M Topal
50/1 Emre A
66/1 Servet Cetin
66/1 Emre G



Holland v Russia
1-0 2-0 2-1 3-0 3-1 3-2 4-0 4-1 4-2
11/2 7/1 13/2 13/1 12/1 22/1 30/1 30/1 60/1

0-0 1-1 2-2 3-3 0-1 0-2 1-2 0-3 1-3 2-3 4-0 4-1 4-2
17/2 5/1 12/1 66/1 10/1 25/1 13/1 90/1 45/1 45/1 425/1 225/1 225/1


First Scorer

5/1 Van Nistelrooy
6/1 Van Persie
13/2 Huntelaar
7/1 Vennegor
8/1 Kuyt
8/1 Robben
8/1 Sneijder
10/1 Van Der Vaart
20/1 Engelaar
22/1 De Zeeuw
25/1 Van Bronckhorst
28/1 Heitinga
28/1 De Jong
33/1 Ooijer
40/1 Mathijsen
40/1 Bouma
40/1 Boulahrouz
50/1 De Cler

17/2 No Scorer e/w odds 1/3 places 1, 2, 3

8/1 Pavlyuchenko
10/1 Arshavin
10/1 Sychev
11/1 Adamov
11/1 Saenko
18/1 Semak
18/1 Bystrov
18/1 Ivanov
18/1 Zyrianov
20/1 Semshov
25/1 Zhirkov
28/1 Ignashevich
28/1 Torbinsky
28/1 Shirokov
40/1 Anyukov
40/1 Kolodin
50/1 Yanbayev
66/1 V Berezutskiy



Spain v Italy
1-0 2-0 2-1 3-0 3-1 3-2 4-0 4-1 4-2
11/2 10/1 17/2 25/1 22/1 35/1 90/1 80/1 125/1

0-0 1-1 2-2 3-3 0-1 0-2 1-2 0-3 1-3 2-3 4-0 4-1 4-2
6/1 9/2 13/1 90/1 13/2 13/1 9/1 40/1 30/1 40/1 150/1 100/1 175/1


1st Scorer

11/2 Torres
11/2 Villa
7/1 Guiza
15/2 Garcia
12/1 Silva
14/1 Fabregas
14/1 Iniesta
18/1 Xavi
18/1 De La Red
22/1 Alonso
25/1 Senna
25/1 Ramos
33/1 Capdevilla
40/1 Juanito
40/1 Marchena
50/1 Puyol
66/1 Arbeloa
66/1 Navarro

6/1 No Scorer e/w odds 1/3 places 1, 2, 3

13/2 Toni
8/1 Del Piero
8/1 Di Natale
9/1 Borriello
9/1 Cassano
9/1 Quagliarella
16/1 Perrotta
16/1 Camoranesi
18/1 Aquilani
18/1 De Rossi
28/1 Ambrosini
33/1 Panucci
40/1 Grosso
40/1 Materazzi
40/1 Chiellini
50/1 Zambrotta
66/1 Barzagli


F1

F1 2008 Driver’s Championship

5/4 Raikkonen
15/8 Hamilton
7/2 Massa
7/1 Kubica
50/1 Heidfeld


Constructor’s Championship

1/4 Ferrari
5/1 McLaren
11/2 BMW


French GP
Driver Outright Podium 1st to Retire
Raikkonen 5/4 2/7 33/1
Massa 15/8 4/11 25/1
Kubica 13/2 4/5 33/1
Hamilton 8/1 5/4 28/1
Kovalainen 14/1 15/8 18/1
Heidfeld 25/1 7/2 28/1
Alonso 28/1 4/1 18/1
Webber 80/1 18/1 25/1
Trulli 100/1 25/1 20/1
Coulthard 200/1 33/1 12/1
Button 200/1 40/1 18/1
Rosberg 200/1 50/1 20/1
Piquet 200/1 50/1 8/1
Glock 200/1 40/1 14/1
Barrichello 200/1 50/1 20/1
Nakajima 250/1 66/1 8/1
Bourdais 300/1 80/1 15/2
Vettel 300/1 66/1 9/1
Fisichella 500/1 100/1 10/1
Sutil 500/1 100/1 15/2

BOXING

Amir Khan v Michael Gomez
1/25 Khan
33/1 Draw
8/1 Gomez




Round Betting

Khan Round Gomez
9/2 1 66
4 2 66
7/2 3 80
9/2 4 80
7 5 80
10 6 125
14 7 125
16 8 125
20 9 125
25 10 125
33 11 125
50 12 125
6 Points 25
1/10 KO/TKO 16

Italy vs Romania preview

Italy must bounce back from their Dutch disappointment when they take on Romania in Zurich. The world champions were among the favourites to lift the trophy prior to the start of the tournament, but Monday's 3-0 loss has left them in a precarious position and piled the pressure on boss Roberto Donadoni.

Anything less than victory for the Azzurri against Romania would be deemed a disaster, while a second successive defeat would eliminate them from the tournament.

Changes

Donadoni has revealed that he could make up to five changes and has confirmed that Alessandro Del Piero and Giorgio Chiellini will come in. Fabio Grosso, Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano have also been tipped to feature from the start, while Marco Materazzi, Andrea Barzagli, Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi could be the ones who find their places under threat.

Donadoni realises the importance of picking up three points but has stressed that his side will have to find the right balance between attack and defence. He said: "Winning is fundamental for us. We have worked towards that goal and will do everything to achieve it. We must not think if we have not scored by the fourth minute it is a disaster. The game lasts 90 minutes and we must be patient."

Piturca hope

Romania tested France's patience in their opening match and held out for a goalless draw to boost their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals. They were impressive in defence and will look to similarly frustrate Italy, but coach Victor Piturca has hinted at a slightly more attacking approach.

Striker Ciprian Marica is set to miss out after suffering a blow to his head in training on Tuesday but Piturca has no other injury concerns. Adrian Mutu toiled away up front against Les Bleus with little support but still managed to pose problems and Piturca is hoping his side can break down the Italian backline. "I haven't decided who will start yet, but I might make some changes from the game against France," he said. "We will have to be vigilant in defence but there will also be times when we press in the opponents' half. The team that's better organised and can produce moments of inspiration will have the best chance of winning. Italy are the favourites, but we came here to put on a good display and our main aim is to qualify for the knockout stage."

Source: skysports.com

Dutch fans eagerly await opening Euro 2008 match

The Swiss city of Bern is slowly turning orange as hundreds of Dutch football fans descend on the city to watch the Netherlands play its first Euro 2008 match. The Dutch squad faces Italy on Monday evening. The Swiss authorities expect around 30,000 Dutch football fans to come to Bern to support their team. Most of the fans don't have tickets for the match but will follow the action on large outdoor screens throughout the city.

Marco van Basten, coach of the Dutch squad, says that striker Arjen Robben will probably miss the Netherlands' second match against France on Friday as well as tonight's opening game. The striker suffered a groin strain during training on Saturday and will need about a week to recover. It is possible that Robin van Persie will be in the starting lineup for this evening's match. Earlier, coach Van Basten said van Persie would not be fit but he is making a rapid recovery from his thigh injury.

Source: radionetherlands.nl

Euro 2008 special bets

Euro 2008 is starting this week, and we would like you to take the opportunity and place your bets now! We managed to make a list with some interesting bets and their odds from Expekt, one of the bookmakers we recommend most for Euro 2008.

Euro 2008 winner of group A:

Portugal - 2.35
Czech Republic - 3.50
Switzerland - 3.85
Turkey - 7.50

Euro 2008 winner of group B:

Germany - 1.70
Croatia - 3.25
Poland - 6.75
Austria - 17.00

Euro 2008 winner of group C:

Italy - 2.75
France - 3.05
Holland - 3.10
Romania - 11.00

Euro 2008 winner of group D:

Spain - 1.85
Greece - 5.00
Sweden - 5.00
Russia - 5.50

Euro 2008: Which group does the winner belong to?

Group A - 4.00
Group B - 3.40
Group C - 3.10
Group D - 4.25

Euro 2008 winner:

Germany - 4.50
Spain - 6.00
Portugal - 7.50
Italy - 7.50
France - 9.00
Holland - 11.00
Croatia - 12.00
Czech Republic - 16.00
Russia - 20.00
Switzerland - 23.00
Greece - 26.00
Sweden - 30.00
Turkey - 34.00
Poland - 34.00
Romania - 34.00
Austria - 76.00

Euro 2008 UEFA Player Of The Tournament:

C Ronaldo - 5.50
M Ballack - 8.00
F Torres - 8.00
C Fabregas - 11.00
M Klose - 15.00
L Toni - 15.00
F Ribery - 15.00
D Villa - 21.00
R van Nistelrooy - 26.00
T Henry - 26.00
A Pirlo - 26.00
Deco - 26.00
K Benzema - 29.00
L Podolski - 34.00
Z Ibrahimovic - 34.00
A Del Piero - 34.00
I Casillas - 34.00
G Buffon - 34.00
R Van Persie - 34.00
N Kahveci - 51.00
M Gomez - 51.00
A Frei - 67.00
A Mutu - 67.00
H Larsson - 67.00
P Pogrebnyak - 67.00
L Modrić - 67.00
T Sanli - 81.00
N Kranjčar - 81.00
M Petrić - 81.00
E Smolarek - 101.00
J Koller - 101.00

Source: Expekt.com

Kuyt Hoping For Euro 2008 Place

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is hoping that his goal-scoring return to the Netherlands national side will secure a place in Marco Van Basten’s Euro 2008 squad.

Kuyt scored the opener in his nation’s 3-0 over Ukraine on Saturday evening, but is still not guaranteed to be on the plane to this summer’s championships. Coach Marco Van Basten still has one more cut to make before the announcement of a 23 man panel on Wednesday. FC Twente goalkeeper Sandor Boschker and Feyenoord midfielder Denny Landzaat were the victims of Van Basten’s decision to cut his provisional panel from 26 to 24 in the wake of the Ukraine win, and the 36 times-capped Kuyt will not rest on his laurels.

The 27-year old had been largely ignored in favour of Klaas Jan Huntelaar of late, and the ex-Feyenoord man is eager to grasp the chance to make a positive impression before Wednesday’s squad deadline. With Van Basten’s decision imminent, Kuyt’s seventh international goal may earn him a place in the manager’s final plans. He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraf: “I am glad that I am part of the Holland team again. I think we made a good impression as a team. Only at the end of the match we got tired. That is logical looking at the efforts of the last weeks.”

Although a prolific front man in his native country, since his 2006 transfer to Liverpool, Kuyt has toiled mostly as a right winger. His work-rate and attitude have endeared him to the Anfield crowd but his goal scoring record plummeted. However, the former Feyenoord man seems happy in the role, despite admitting to being unsure at first. "It's gone well for me," he said of his right-wing berth. "Sometimes things just fall into place. I had the feeling when it started that it was temporary, but it went so well we carried on. The way we play now for the Netherlands is very similar to the Liverpool system, and I think I have shown I can play there. You have players who can turn a match with one touch and players who perform in service to the team. I have no problem playing for the team. I feel really strong. That is the advantage of playing in the Premier League. It is the physically toughest league in the world and you only get better and stronger from playing there."

Author: Peter Staunton
Source: goal.com

David Beckham scores from 60 yards!

David Beckham scored an amazing goal from a 60 yards distance in the MLS away game against Kansas City Wizards. In the 90th minute Galaxy were leading 2-1, and Wizards' goalkeeper came for a corner. Galaxy recovered the ball and Becks scored from his own half with an amazing 60 yards shot! Here is the video with the most important match facts of this spectacular game:

Anelka questions Blues role

Striker Nicolas Anelka has warned Chelsea that he is unhappy after being asked to play out of position since joining the club. The France international has scored just two goals since joining the Blues from Bolton Wanderers in a £16million deal during the transfer window.

But speaking after making a brief cameo appearance at the end of Champions League Final defeat to Manchester United, the well-travelled striker has revealed his disenchantment with his start to life at Stamford Bridge. Anelka has been employed in a wide role on the few occasions he has started games for Avram Grant's side.

"I didn't come here to play on the left or right," he told L'Equipe. "When I came here, people told me I would play in a 4-4-2. "In England, I no longer need to prove that I am better through the middle. Since I arrived, I haven't played in my position. Never as a number nine, always on the left or the right. Until now, I haven't said anything. I was a newcomer, I haven't wanted to make a story out of it because I still didn't know the club. But from next season, I insist I will no longer be the little newcomer."

Source: http://www.football.co.uk

Champions League Final Preview

FA asks Grant to explain himself

The Football Association have written to Chelsea coach Avram Grant to ask him to explain his remarks about referee Steve Bennett.

Grant called Bennett's integrity into question after Manchester United's 2-0 win at Wigan last Sunday earned a 10th Premier League title for Sir Alex Ferguson. Chelsea, level on points with United before kick-off, could only draw at home with Bolton.

But Bennett came under fire for not awarding the home side a penalty for handball and then opting not to send off Paul Scholes for a second bookable offence when he fouled Wilson Palacios. At his Champions League media conference on Wednesday, Grant said: "I told you that I believed in the tradition of the fair English game. I will not say anything against it. But what happened is what I expected. In England there are very good referees, but there are some - a few that you can influence, like you saw. I think in our game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the referee (Mike Dean) influenced the result for sure. We know that. I think the red card for Mikel John Obi in that game should not have been a red card, I think that Paul Scholes should have had a red card on Sunday and Wigan a penalty also. But it is finished. I congratulate Manchester United."

Grant has until May 28 to reply.

Source: teamtalk.com

Rangers' Tetris defence is something to be admired

The Uefa Cup final was an absorbing contest, not an example of anti-football. Rangers may not have won the Uefa Cup, but this was a wonderfully spirited and intelligent performance - and one that was entirely in keeping with the thrillingly cussed and belligerent displays that had brought them to Eastlands.

You didn't need to be a Rangers fan to be gripped by this Uefa Cup final. It's a point that needs to be made. Rangers in Europe - so we have been told - are a team in thrall to a nihilistic blanket defence, pioneers of a neurotically cautious Scotch Bolt. Five goals were scored in nine knockout ties including tonight. This, it has been suggested by some, just isn't on. What game do they think they're playing? Where are the thrills? Where are the spills?

It's still one of the most irritating aspects of football's flowering into a global light entertainment product that this kind of thing gets punted about the place. Increasingly, the skills valued by the mass market of football consumers are limited to those that are lightest on the palate - and most telegenic.

Everybody likes a little flair. But moments of individual flourish should be hard-won, their impact decisive. Teams such as Rangers - well organised, physically resilient, highly-skilled in defence - preserve the value of these game-breaking skills. Put simply, they make you work for it.

True, Rangers did start this final with four centre backs across their back line in Kirk Broadfoot, Sasa Papac, David Weir and Carlos Cuellar. They left out the attacking midfielder Nacho Novo. Their opening move of the game, after three seconds, was a diagonal pass from right-back for Jean-Claude Darcheville to hare after.

And as expected we saw contrasting styles: a team that played the ball to its forwards' feet at interesting angles around the penalty area; against a team that steeled itself to defend and then break to support its front man. But Rangers also played some nice stuff, keeping the ball in midfield before springing forward - to dramatic effect as early as the eighth minute when Darcheville almost found Steven Whittaker with a pull-back close to goal. These were isolated moments. Much of the joy of watching Rangers play in Europe is what could be called a Tetris Defence: that sense of gaps constantly plugged and holes filled with hard-running cover from midfield and back four. Zenit stretched Rangers on the flanks. Andrei Arshavin roamed across the front line. Konstantin Zyryanov pulled out wide on the right. Rangers tracked doggedly.

The closest Zenit came in the first half was a shout for a penalty when a cross hit Broadfoot's outstretched arm from close range inside the area. Some referees give them, but not this one. He was consistent too: Rangers went unrewarded in the second half when the ball ricocheted into Igor Denisov's upper arm in the six-yard box. Zenit's goal came after Rangers had looked to be changing tack and chasing a goal in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Denisov's run in behind Cuellar was well timed. The goal was made by Arshavin's perfectly weighted pass.

And yes, even for a Rangers-centric neutral, there was a thrill of delayed gratification in this isolated moment of skillful execution . This was an opening you knew the Russians had worked for. It was Zenit's goal - but you applauded it partly out of appreciation for the skill of Rangers' defending to that point. So, Zenit held on and even got another in the 94th minute, again created by a clever pass by Arshavin. In truth Rangers never looked like having the attacking variations, or the resources within their squad, to chase the game with 15 minutes remaining. Arshavin was the most talented attacker on display. Rangers' cussed defence gave him a stage to show his skills and he rose to the challenge. This isn't anti-football. It's just football.

Another thought about Rangers' progress in Europe. It's worth considering the recent record of English teams in this tournament. For all the potency of the Premier League's executive elite, the Uefa Cup tells us this isn't a strength with any depth. This year Blackburn went out in the first round. Bolton, Everton and Spurs in the last 16. Going further back Liverpool in 2001 are the only English team to win the Uefa Cup in the last 24 years, in which time the English league has provided only three finalists.

Recently the suspicion has arisen that, perhaps, some of them just don't care enough to work at this the way Rangers have. Last season Steve Coppell said he didn't want Reading to qualify for the Uefa Cup because it wasn't a lucrative enough competition. This year Gary Megson scandalously fielded a second team when Bolton played Sporting.

All the more reason, then, to applaud both Rangers and Zenit; and to enjoy the spectacle of two teams competing for a prize they genuinely coveted. In the build-up both teams admitted to feeling an additional burden of expectation. "It would give more credibility to the game in our country if we could win," Walter Smith pointed out. Russian football has a similar agenda. CSKA Moscow's success in this tournament three years ago was hailed as an era-defining, floodgates-opening moment. Tonight might just be another step in that direction. But Scotland can also be proud.

Author: Barney Ronay

UEFA Cup Final Preview: Zenit Sankt Petersburg vs Glasgow Rangers

LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) - Zenit St Petersburg chase their first European silverware when the free-scoring Russian champions take on Rangers in the UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester stadium on Wednesday (1845 GMT).

Zenit, bidding to become the second Russian side in four seasons to lift the trophy after CSKA Moscow's success in 2005, have produced some memorable performances en route to their first European final. The Russians overcame Villarreal and Olympique Marseille in the early knockout rounds before making the rest of Europe sit up with a 4-1 quarter-final, first-leg demolition of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Then, in the semis, Zenit held Bayern Munich at home before stunning the four-time European champions with a 4-0 rout in the return to qualify for the final in style.

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat said the UEFA Cup final was the most important game of the season for his club, who have made an indifferent start to the defence of their Russian title. 'That's what I told my players,' the Dutchman told reporters on Friday following training. 'After we beat Bayern I told them if you play like you did against the Germans you have a good chance of winning the trophy.'

Zenit will be without Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, the competition's joint top-scorer with 10 goals, who is suspended but welcome back influential playmaker Andrei Arshavin who missed the second leg of the semi-final. 'I don't like to talk about individual players, especially those who will be missing,' said Advocaat. 'The important thing is how the team responds to the challenge. We have done this (overcome suspended players) in the past and I hope we can do it again.' The final pits Dutchman Advocaat against the club he managed for three and a half years between 1998 and 2002, winning two league titles with the Glasgow side.

'I've said from the beginning that I would love to play Rangers in the final and it's great that it will happen,' he said. Rangers are bidding for the quadruple of UEFA Cup and three domestic trophies in a remarkable season that has already yielded one piece of silverware in the shape of the Scottish League Cup. But their quest for success on four fronts has caused a fixture pile-up which is fully testing the depth of Walter Smith's squad. Rangers have the Scottish title destiny in their own hands - they trail arch rivals Celtic by four points but will be crowned champions if they win their remaining three games, and their season will end with a Scottish Cup final appearance against Queen of the South on May 24.

The foundations for their fine UEFA Cup run have been laid on a rock-solid defence that has conceded just two goals in eight matches since they parachuted into the competition after finishing third in their Champions League group. Rangers have knocked out Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting and Fiorentina, in a penalty shootout, to reach the final, their first European showpiece since they lifted the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972. Rangers striker Daniel Cousin is banned following his dismissal in the semi-final second leg.

Romania - Gigi Becali accused of bribe in the football championship scandal

Anti-Graft prosecutors accuse the real estate mogul Gigi Becali of bribe, after arresting five of his close collaborators yesterday. The group was found carrying 1.4 million euro, money designed - prosecutors say - for bribing the players of Universitatea Cluj. In the football game last night, between Universitatea Cluj and CFR Cluj, an even result or a victory of Universitatea would have turned Steaua Bucharest, Becali's team, into champion. Becali declared last night than his collaborators were in Cluj for real estate deals, not to bribe the Universitatea players.

Sources say that the money didn't have to be paid to the Universitatea players, the simple promise of a bribe being a criminal act.

The editor in chief of Romanian sports daily Gazeta Sporturilor, Catalin Tolontan, declared in a TV interview that Becali's collaborators were detained before the game begun and that there are suspicions that the 1.4 million euro were about to be paid to an Universitatea Cluj official, in case the game result would have turned out fine for Becali.

According to Gazeta Sporturilor, the Anti-Graft Prosecution Office (DNA) carefully monitored the way the football championship evolves in its last games and were certain that Becali would attempt to financially stimulate Universitatea, in order to prevent CFR from winning the title. All five collaborators of Gigi Becali were released during the night, around 3.00 AM. Along with them, the prosecutors also detained one of the Universitatea Cluj players, Gigel Coman.

In case the prosecutors prove that the money was for Universitatea, Steaua risks to lose up to 9 points in its ranking and a severe fine.

Source: hotnews.ro

Carvalho doubt for Chelsea

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho is a fitness doubt for the Premier League finale at home to Bolton on Sunday.

Carvalho was substituted 11 minutes from time in the Blues' 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Monday afternoon after twice falling heavily on his back. The Portugal international underwent intensive treatment on Tuesday and is desperate to be fit in time to face Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea must better Manchester United's result at Wigan if they are to lift the Premier League crown, while Bolton are all-but safe from relegation.

Vital

Carvalho is a vital member of Avram Grant's side and has not been on the losing side in the last 42 league games he had played in. It is a run that stretches back to Chelsea's away defeat at Tottenham in November 2006. Striker Salomon Kalou is also struggling with an ankle injury but he should be fit in time.

Cole

Meanwhile, England left-back Ashley Cole, rested for their win over Newcastle on Monday, believes Bolton will not make it easy for them. "Bolton will be coming to the Bridge wanting to win whether they are safe or not, we'll be so focused and determined to beat them," said Cole. "We have a lot of big players with big hearts and everyone wants to win. We have to win because it would be a killer if Manchester United got a draw and we didn't get a result."

Source: Sky Sports

Keane: I'm lucky to still be in a job

Sunderland boss Roy Keane launched a withering attack on his side and warned he is ready to discard several players in a huge summer overhaul.

The Black Cats arrived at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday safe from relegation and were second-best throughout to a Bolton side fighting desperately for their lives, who came away with a 2-0 victory.

Afterwards Keane renewed his calls for a massive transfer kitty to bring in new players and vowed to wield the axe in the coming days on members of his squad he feels have consistently failed to take their opportunities.

The Manchester United legend even went so far as to say he is fortunate not to have been shown the door himself.

"We've lost 22 games this season and people keep telling me we've had a good season - but I'm lucky to still be in a job," said Keane. You learn a hell of a lot about your players all the time and this match just confirmed what I'm thinking anyway. People say to me that we achieved our goal last week, but do we keep living in last week? Every game is an opportunity to impress me, but there will be changes in the summer because I'm saying the same thing week in, week out. I'm fed up of saying it and really bored with myself now at this stage - really, really bored."

Keane will throw out the players he feels are not up to the job after a superb strike from El-Hadji Diouf and an own-goal from Daryl Murphy handed Bolton victory.

Keane continued: "Gordon Strachan and one or two other managers have said that if you tell a player something more than two or three times and he doesn't do it, then get shot of him. I've been very patient and very kind to some of my players. But we need to invest and we need invest wisely and we need to move certain people on. That will be done this week - if not this week then the following week. It's irrelevant to me whether players are under contract or not. If they are you just pay them up to go because you want certain characters. You pay them to come and you pay them to go and that's what we'll have to do. I'll have a very busy week, trust me."

It was a scathing assessment, even by Keane's standards, and a revealing insight into the winning mentality which brought the Irishman seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and Champions League glory during his glittering Old Trafford career.

Keane is disgusted with the idea that surviving relegation should be considered success for Sunderland.

"I remember a few years ago Everton stayed up on the last day of the season and people were on the pitch crying," he said. "But you're thinking 'that's Everton Football Club'. I don't want us walking round the pitch next week and accepting the supporters' applause for survival. I want to think bigger than that because I don't think survival is anything to celebrate. When I'm on my holidays in the summer I'll be thinking of those 22 defeats. I've not forgotten about the games at Luton (3-0 defeat in the Carling Cup) and Wigan (3-0 defeat in the FA Cup).

"I've not forgotten about Everton away, Tottenham away, Man City at home and Newcastle away. These are the games I remember - I don't really remember the victories and I've always worked that way. I must be a naturally miserable person - there's no way getting away from it - and it's my family who I feel sorry for because I've got to go home to them. So my players are very lucky they don't actually live with me - very, very lucky."

Source: teamtalk.com

Scholes earns second chance at Champions League final

Nine years ago, when Manchester United won the Champions League final at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Paul Scholes was a face in the crowd.

Manchester's most recognized ginger head, he was suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards for his ill-timed tackles. The other side of Scholes, his exquisitely weighted passes and his eye for a spectacular goal, has now carried United to this season's final.

We are never likely to know what Scholes thinks or feels when he produces such moments. After he scored the only goal of the semifinal against Barcelona, he left by the back door, going home to his wife and three young children.

His goal Tuesday came after 14 minutes. Gianluca Zambrotta, an Italian World Cup winner, failed to look before hitting a clearance straight to Scholes. He responded with an act that every child and many seasoned pros should study.

Scholes's balance was balletic. He was on the toes of his left foot, his head was over the ball, eyes facing the target 25 meters away. The shot with his right foot sent the ball arching away from goalkeeper Victor Valdés, into the furthermost top corner of the net.

Inept defending, exquisite finishing, a picture book goal that sent United to the final and Barcelona to an uncertain future.

Barcelona could not match such brilliance. "The blame lies with the players, the coaches and the technical staff," said a club statement Thursday reviewing the season and the coach. "Frank Rijkaard now has to find a way of finishing the season in a dignified fashion and making people remember his successes."

Scholes hastened that by obeying an instinct was evident 20 years ago, when United signed him as a 14- year-old. They say that when he strikes a ball in training the sound is sweeter than the rest, a ping of perfection.

It is a gift that, all being well, affords him a long overdue final on May 21.

Author: Rob Hughes

CL Preview: Chelsea - Liverpool

Can Liverpool do something they haven't previously managed under Rafael Benitez - score a goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? They will have to if they want to reach their third Champions League final in four seasons. The Reds need at least a score-draw at the Bridge, a venue that Chelsea have turned into a formidable fortress. The Blues have suffered a solitary defeat in their last 125 home games, while Liverpool have failed even to score on Chelsea's ground in eight attempts under Benitez.

Chelsea are unbeaten in eleven Champions League home ties, a run spanning eight victories and three draws, dating back 26 months to a 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the first knockout round of 2005-06.

So, is the tie firmly in Chelsea's favour? Well, not necessarily, although John Arne
Riise’s stoppage-time howler has given Liverpool a far steeper hill to climb than had seemed probable when last week's first leg entered its fateful 94th minute.

The away goal Chelsea secured via Riise's largesse will only be significant if the score at the Bridge finishes 0-0. Any other result and its importance diminishes, although another 1-1 draw would force extra-time and, possibly, penalties. Chelsea know all about spot kicks, having succumbed to the Merseysiders in a shoot-out after extra-time at the same stage of last year's competition.

A higher scoring draw than 1-1 and Liverpool will go through.

Liverpool's focus will be clear - go for victory. Chelsea could be tempted to gamble on a goalless draw, but that would be a high-risk strategy and one that manager Avram Grant and his players will almost certainly reject - particularly after going for the jugular at home to Manchester United last Saturday in the Premier League title race and being rewarded with a priceless win. That outcome should have given Chelsea plenty of confidence as they strive to reach a Champions League final for the first time in their history, even though Liverpool have never lost a semi-final tie to Chelsea, either domestically or in Europe....

The Reds have also not lost a semi-final in this competition since being controversially defeated 4-3 on aggregate by Internazionale in 1964-65, subsequently beating Zurich (1976-77), Borussia Monchengladbach (1977-78), Bayern (1980-81), Dinamo Bucharest (1983-84), Panathinaikos (1984-85) and Chelsea (2004-05, 2006-07).

In contrast, the Blues have fallen at the semi-final hurdle three times previously. Those three semi-final appearances have all come since Roman Abramovich bought the club and launched them into football's financial stratosphere. Claudio Ranieri's side stumbled against Monaco in 2004, and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea were thwarted twice by Wednesday's opponents Liverpool in the last three seasons. Now Avram Grant has the opportunity to put those heart-breaks behind the West London club and make it third time lucky against Liverpool.

But Benitez is undaunted by history or venue, and has challenged his players to break their dismal Stamford Bridge scoring hoodoo to set up a Moscow date with either Barcelona or Manchester United. The identity of the other finalists will be known when Chelsea and Liverpool kick-off on Wednesday, following Tuesday's conclusive second leg at Old Trafford, with the first all-English, all-Premier League final one of the two possible prospects. The chance to meet and try to beat United in Moscow next month is likely to provide additional incentive to the protagonists at Stamford Bridge - although taking on Barca in a showpiece event is also the stuff of dreams.

Benitez played it cool when journalists asked him if Chelsea's home record concerned him. “Not really,” he said. “I don't know how many games they are without losing. When you talk about Chelsea over the past four or five years, they are a team that are progressing and improving so I think it is normal. The majority of teams have problems there. This is something we can change tomorrow. It's another competition, it's totally different. The mentality, the atmosphere, the time of kick-off - everything will be different.”

Liverpool have now guaranteed themselves fourth place in The Premier League after Everton were held to a draw by Aston Villa on Sunday, so the Reds can afford to concentrate solely on Champions League glory. For Chelsea, their win against United at the weekend means they are neck-and-neck with the Red Devils at the top of the table. Only goal difference separates the two sides, who both have two League games left in which to clinch the title. Grant's strategic and therefore tactical considerations will be rather more complex as a result.

It might be said that Benitez has the potential distraction of Anfield's boardroom civil war to shut out of his pre-match thinking, though given Liverpool's failure to mount a serious title challenge, the Champions League has assumed disproportionate importance for the Spaniard, and he will be desperate to avoid a semi-final defeat in the competition.

Benitez insists: “I'm not really worried about how the season will be judged. It is more about how can we progress in this competition and can we feel happy with ourselves after the game? I think it is important to know we have guaranteed fourth position. That has been the key over the past few years and now we must try to go to the final.”

Meanwhile Grant can argue that his job has been on the line since succeeding Mourinho in September, with a hostile media and unsympathetic fans choosing to ignore his impressive record as Chelsea boss and instead focusing on the negatives. The Israel has been repeatedly told, at least by the newspapers, that anything less than triumph in the Premier League and Champions League will spell his exit from the Bridge. Yet he has carried that burden while steering the Blues to the brink of ultimate success in both competitions, and deserves credit and respect for that.

Deja-Vu

The rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea intensified following the appointment of Iberian adversaries Benitez and Mourinho at the respective clubs in the summer of 2004. They have since met six times in Champions League encounters, excluding this season's semi-final. Liverpool have shaded the meetings, with two wins to Chelsea's one.

Their first Champions League clash was in the 2004-05 semi-final when Luis García's fourth-minute goal in the second leg at Anfield was enough to earn the Reds a 1-0 aggregate victory on the way to their epic final triumph on penalties against AC Milan in Istanbul.

The following season, Liverpool and Chelsea were paired in the group stage, and produced two goalless draws as both reached the knock-out rounds, Liverpool as group winners.

Then last season Liverpool proved to be Chelsea's nemesis again at the semi-final stage. They lost the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a 29th minute strike from Joe Cole, but won the return on 1st May, also 1-0, when Daniel Agger netted after 22 minutes. Extra-time failed to separate the sides but in the penalty shoot-out, Liverpool emerged 4-1 winners.

The Reds took the first spot-kick, Boudewijn Zenden converting (1-0); Arjen Robben's shot was saved (1-0); Xabi Alonso scored to make it 2-0; Frank Lampard pulled one back (2-1); Steven Gerrard, scored (3-1); Geremi's effort was saved by Pepe Reina (3-1); and Dirk Kuyt score to make it 4-1 and take it beyond Chelsea's grasp.

Previous Meetings In The Champions League

27.04.2005 Semi Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
03.05.2005 Semi Liverpool - Chelsea 1-0
28.09.2005 Group Liverpool - Chelsea 0-0
06.12.2005 Group Chelsea - Liverpool 0-0
25.04.2007 Semi Chelsea - Liverpool 1-0
01.05.2007 Semi Liverpool - Chelsea 1-0 (Liverpool win 4-1 on pens aet)
22.04.2008 Semi Liverpool - Chelsea 1-1

Liverpool and Chelsea have also met three times in domestic competition this season. The first clash was early on and produced a 1-1 draw at Anfield on 19th August, though Chelsea enjoyed good fortune when referee Rob Styles unaccountably awarded them a penalty when Florent Malouda fell over in the box, Lampard making the most of the 62nd-minute gift to equalise Fernando Torres' first goal for his new club in the 16th minute.

When the two sides squared up again, Grant had replaced Mourinho as manager. It was a Carling League Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on 19th December, and Lampard (59) and Andriy Shevchenko (90) scored the goals that ended Liverpool's interest in the competition.

The third meeting this season yielded no goals in a Stamford Bridge stalemate in the Premier League on 10th February.

Then came last week's first leg of this Champions League semi-final. Riise's own goal four minutes into added time at Anfield cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's 43rd-minute strike and shifted the balance of the tie in Chelsea's direction.

Asked if Chelsea were fortunate to take a 1-1 draw from that first leg, Benitez said: “Yes, clearly they were lucky because Petr Cech made two or three saves, so they were lucky, yes."

He added: "I was really surprised and of course very disappointed with the own goal. The reaction in the dressing room was one of great disappointment."

Overall the clubs have now met 151 times. There have been 67 wins for Liverpool, 52 for Chelsea, and 32 draws.

Chelsea's home record against Liverpool in all competitions is P73 W41 D16 L16, while Liverpool have managed three draws and five defeats in eight visits to Chelsea under Benítez. Their last goal at the Bridge was scored by Bruno Cheyrou in a 1-0 Premier League victory on 7th January, 2004.

The Teams For Last Week's First Leg:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Riise 61), Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun 75), Gerrard, Torres. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia, Crouch, Pennant, Lucas.
Goal: Kuyt 43.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack (Anelka 86), Joe Cole (Kalou 63), Drogba, Malouda. Subs Not Used: Hilario, Shevchenko, Obi, Alex, Belletti.
Booked: Terry.
Goal: Riise 90 og.

APRIL FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

26 Apr (Premier League) v Man Utd (H) WON 2-1 (Ballack 2, 1 pen)
22 Apr (Champions League) v Liverpool (A) DREW 1-1 (Riise og)
17 Apr (Premier League) v Everton (A) WON 1-0 (Essien)
14 Apr (Premier League) v Wigan (H) DREW 1-1 (Essien)
08 Apr (Champions League) v Fenerbahce (H) WON 2-0 (Ballack, Lampard)
05 Apr (Premier League) v Man City (A) WON 2-0 (Dunne og, Kalou)
02 Apr (Champions League) v Fenerbahce (A) LOST 1-2 (Deivid og)

Liverpool

26 Apr (Premier League) v Birmingham (A) DREW 2-2 (Crouch, Benayoun)
22 Apr (Champions League) v Chelsea (H) DREW 1-1 (Kuyt)
19 Apr (Premier League) v Fulham (A) WON 2-0 (Pennant, Crouch)
13 Apr (Premier League) v Blackburn (H) WON 3-1 (Gerrard, Torres, Voronin)
08 Apr (Champions League) v Arsenal (H) WON 4-2 (Hyypia, Torres, Gerrard pen,
Babel)
05 Apr (Premier League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1 (Crouch)
02 Apr (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1 (Kuyt)

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Midfielder and top scorer Frank Lampard looks set to return, having played in the 1-1 draw at Anfield but missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Manchester United following the death of his mother Pat from pneumonia.

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

Last Starting XI (v Man Utd): Cech, Ferreira (Anelka 66), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Obi, Essien, Kalou (Shevchenko 81), Drogba, Joe Cole (Makelele 87). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Belletti.

Liverpool

Norwegian full-back John Arne Riise, who scored that injury-time own goal after coming on as a substitute in the first leg, could replace injured Fabio Aurelio, the Brazilian defender having been ruled out by a groin injury.

Benitez could also recall Sami Hyypia to centre-back, switch Jamie Carragher to right-back and Alvaro Arbeloa to the left - or recall Steve Finnan to one of the full-back berths.

Striker Fernando Torres is sure to start after being rested for Saturday's draw with Birmingham. Peter Crouch, who has scored when used recently, could partner Torres at the expense of Ryan Babel.

Squad: Reina, Carragher, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Finnan, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

Last Starting XI (v Birmingham): Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise (Insua 64), Pennant, Plessis, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

On such an occasion as this managers and fans look for their biggest names to perform, although often it is the unsung hero who changes the course of the match.

For Chelsea, the biggest names are John Terry, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and (if he plays), Frank Lampard. Terry and particularly Ballack were outstanding at the weekend against United, though Drogba was well below his best apart from the superb ball in for Ballack's headed opener. It is impossible to predict what frame of mind Lampard will be in; he was distinctly below par in the first leg, however understandably. An intriguing statistic is that Terry, who will undoubtedly lead by example, has scored only one goal in a very long time. Given that a set-piece is likely to determine the outcome of another tense, tight encounter, maybe Terry will be the scorer. As for Ballack, he is in top form and the best bet in blue to dictate the play. His experience and cool in high-pressure situations could be helpful to Chelsea.

Liverpool's key players will probably be Jamie Carragher at the back, Steven Gerrard in midfield and Fernando Torres up front. Carragher's tussle with Drogba could prove significant, and the Scouse defender will be anxious to keep the Ivorian out of the Reds' penalty area for all the obvious reasons. Gerrard's ability to impose his will on the game from midfield will probably be aided by Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, but challenged by Ballack and Michael Essien, with Mikel or Makele lending support and - if he plays - Lampard looking to run from deep positions and strike.

In attack Liverpool look to have the edge with Torres, given that Chelsea's strikers have not delivered much lately. On Chelsea's last ten goals in all competitions, three have been scored by their opponents, six by midfielders and only one by a striker (Salomon Kalou). Torres, in contrast, is in clinical mood.

Connections

Kalou in fact is a former team-mate of Liverpool's Dutch striker, Dirk Kuyt. The two were together at Feyenoord in Rotterdam between 2004 and 2006 and struck up a productive partnership. Kuyt netted 51 League goals and Kalou 35 during their two seasons together.

As for Liverpool's Israeli midfielder, Yossi Benayoun, he played for Chelsea boss Avram Grant when the pair were employed by Maccabi Haifa in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. They won two League titles together, and Benayoun later also played under Grant for the Israel national team.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka spent the second half of the 2001-02 season on loan to Liverpool, scoring four goals in 20 League appearances for the Reds and professing disappointment when then manager Gerard Houllier chose not sign his compatriot on a permanent deal.

Andriy Shevchenko may feature in a cameo role but he will be particularly keen to inflict defeat on Liverpool. The Chelsea striker's penalty for AC Milan in the shoot-out at the end of the 2005 Champions League final was saved by Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek, sealing the Reds' amazing comeback against the Rossoneri and allowing Steven Gerrard to hoist the trophy.

PREDICTION

If past clashes are a reliable guide, this will be tense, incredibly tight and unlikely to be laden with goals. The subtle changes this time around are that the second leg is at Chelsea not Anfield, and that Liverpool will have to go out to try and win the game. Both camps have been making the expected pre-match noises, but when the match kicks off it will be decided on the margins, by a flash of brilliance or momentary lapse. It is almost impossible to pick a winner, but Chelsea may just have a jot more momentum after Saturday, and have forgotten how to lose at the Bridge. They might just shade it and give Grant the satisfaction of going one better than Mourinho.

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Author: Graham Lister
Source: goal.com

Inter set to retain title

Internazionale could retain the Serie A title if they beat city rivals AC Milan next weekend after they secured a 2-1 victory against Cagliari on Sunday. Goals by Patrick Vieira and Marco Materazzi put Inter in control of the match and Davide Biondini's late goal proved to be no more than consolation for Cagliari. AS Roma kept the title race alive with a 4-1 victory against relegation-threatened Torino. David Pizarro's penalty gave Roma the lead before Mirko Vucinic doubled their advantage and a Mancini brace put them 4-0 ahead at the interval.

Nicola Ventola scored for a well-beaten Torino side early in the second half before Roma defender Juan was sent off. Juventus also led 4-0 at half-time before eventually clinching a 5-2 victory against Lazio. Defender Giorgio Chiellini scored the first and last goals for Juve with Mauro Camoranesi making it 2-0 before Alessandro Del Piero grabbed his 18th goal of the campaign. David Trezeguet made it 4-0 before the interval but Lazio responded with goals of their own after the break from Rolando Bianchi and Sebastiano Siviglia.

Daniele Gastaldello scored with a stoppage-time header as Sampdoria drew 2-2 at Fiorentina while Filippo Inzaghi notched a hat-trick as AC Milan won 4-1 at Livorno. Udinese remain on track for a UEFA Cup spot after beating Catania 2-1 and Empoli won 1-0 at Genoa thanks to Ignazio Abate's goal which gives them a chance of avoiding the drop. Francesco Cozza scored twice as Reggina beat Parma 2-1 in a crucial relegation battle but the game between Napoli and Siena, and Palermo's clash with Atalanta ended goalless.

Source: football.co.uk

Premiere League weekend preview

It’s a huge weekend in the English Premier League as the season reaches it’ climax. Who will win the title? Who will reach Europe? Who will go down? This weekend should give us some big clues!

Chelsea 2.5 Draw 3.00 Man Utd 2.7

With a three point lead going into this match a victory here for Man Utd over their closest rivals would all but secure the Premiership title. Any chance for Chelsea?

Birmingham 2.8 Draw 3.2 Liverpool 2.3

After a crushing defeat at the hands of Aston Villa last week Birmingham are in real trouble of suffering relegation. On Saturday they face a huge task as they welcome Liverpool to St Andrews.

Man City 1.85 Draw 3.4 Fulham 3.75

Fulham could be relegated this weekend if a number of results go against them but they’ll fancy their chances of taking something from a Man City side with nothing to play for.

Sunderland 2.2 Draw 3.2 Middlesboro 3.00

Both these sides are locked together on 36 points and should be clear of any relegation worries. Sunderland lost to local rivals Newcastle last week and will look to regain some North East pride here.

Tottenham 1.85 Draw 3.4 Bolton 3.75

Two wins in a row for Bolton have given their survival hopes a shot in the arm and on Saturday they look to move out of the relegation zone when they travel to White Hart Lane.

West Ham 2.4 Draw 3.2 Newcastle 2.7

After an excellent run of form lately Newcastle are now just five points behind West Ham in the Premier League. Another win for Kevin Keegan’s side?

Wigan 2.1 Draw 3.2 Reading 3.2

Reading are in real trouble after three consecutive defeats and Steve Coppell’s side can’t afford to lose again here against Wigan on Saturday.

Portsmouth 2.1 Draw 3.2 Blackburn 3.2

Both these sides have Europe on their mind as we approach the end of the season. Blackburn need to win to keep their Intertoto Cup hopes alive while Portsmouth will qualify for the UEFA Cup if they beat Cardiff in the FA Cup Final in three weeks.

Everton 2.2 Draw 3.2 Aston Villa 3.0

This is a huge game for both sides as the race for 5th place and the UEFA Cup spot reaches its conclusion. Villa are in great form and are going for their fourth win in a row.

Derby 9.0 Draw 4.75 Arsenal 1.28

Both these sides will be playing out the season with nothing to play for and for Derby it’s a season they’ll be eager to forget with just one win in the league all year!

Who will win Euro 2008?

There is not much time left before the start of Euro 2008, and people are already starting to think who the favorites are. The bookmakers have all agreed that Germany is the main favorite to win Euro 2008. Having a look at the odds for winning Euro 2008 at any major bookmaker you will notice that Germany is way ahead of the next teams.

The second favorites are Spain and Italy, considering the bookmaker's odds. Spain has a slight advantage over Italy, but the odds are pretty similar. On the fourth place comes Portugal, followed by France, Holland, Croatia and Czech Republic.

There is another thing all bookmakers agree on: the fact that Austria has the smallest chances to win. Betting on Austria could get you 100 times the money staked.

A detailed list of odds for winning the Euro 2008 for all major bookmakers can be found here: Euro 2008 winning outrights

Last-second own goal hands Chelsea draw at Liverpool

Liverpool's John Arne Riise erased 94 minutes of hard work on the final play of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal clash against English rival Chelsea.

Riise scored an own goal in the 95th minute - just seconds before the whistle was blown to end the match - and Chelsea escaped Anfield with a 1-1 tie in the first leg of their series. Chelsea hosts the second leg April 30 at Stamford Bridge.

Dirk Kuyt scored late in the first half and Liverpool was in control until the disastrous ending. Liverpool, which won the Champions League in 2005 and lost in the championship last season, is trying to advance to the final for the third time in the last four years. Liverpool and Chelsea were evenly-matched in the first half but the hosts were able to create more scoring chances. Kuyt had the first chance, playing the ball down off his chest in the 13th but before he could run onto the ball a few steps into the box, a Chelsea defender was able to touch the ball away with goalie Petr Cech also charging out. Chelsea's clearance was just in time because Kuyt's outstretched foot was only inches away from poking the ball past Cech.

One of Chelsea's best scoring opportunities was stopped by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher, who made a sliding effort at the top of the penalty area to deflect the ball away from Didier Drogba. Liverpool's Fernando Torres wasted his only chance of the first half, shooting straight into Cech in the 31st minute. Torres broke free on the left side of the area and would have scored if he would have placed the ball to either side of the Chelsea goalie. Liverpool finally got the goal it was looking for in the 43rd minute when Kuyt volleyed a shot through Cech's legs from about eight yards out.

Javier Mascherano's poorly-hit shot looped into the box and dropped to Kuyt in behind Chelsea's defense. Kuyt was able to hold off Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele, who then fell into the Liverpool striker, and convert the goal. Chelsea nearly equalized in the 67th minute on Michael Ballack's header but it was poorly directed and Liverpool goalie Pepe Reina made an easy save. Less than a minute later, Ballack helped set up another chance when he passed to Frank Lampard, who made a quick pass to Florent Malouda on the left side of the area. Malouda unleashed a hard shot, but Mascherano came out of nowhere to slide and knock the ball away for a corner kick.

With four minutes of extra time added, Liverpool was within seconds of taking a 1-0 lead to Chelsea for the second leg. But just a few seconds into the fifth minute of stoppage time, Chelsea took a quick throw in and Salomon Kalou crossed low cross to the front of the net. Riise dove to the ground to try and head the ball wide, but it deflected into the upper left corner past a helpless Reina. Riise remained on the ground and could only put his hands to his head in disgust as Chelsea celebrated.

On Wednesday, England's Manchester United hosts Spain's Barcelona in the first leg of their semifinal series. The second leg is at Barcelona on April 29.

Source: sportsnetwork.com

Serie A top scorers

19 Borriello M. (Genoa)
18 Trezeguet D. (Juventus)
17 Del Piero A. (Juventus)
16 Di Natale A. (Udinese) , Mutu A. (Fiorentina)
15 Ibrahimovic Z. (Inter)
14 Kaka' R. (Milan) , Totti F. (Roma)
13 Amauri C. (Palermo)
12 Bellucci C. (Sampdoria) , Pandev G. (Lazio) , Rocchi T. (Lazio)
11 Cruz J. (Inter) , Doni C. (Atalanta)
10 Maccarone M. (Siena) , Quagliarella F. (Udinese) , Tavano F. (Livorno)

Serie A results

April 19
AS Roma 1 - 1 Livorno
Fiorentina 1 - 0 Palermo

April 20
AC Milan 5 - 1 Reggina
Atalanta 0 - 4 Juventus
Cagliari 2 - 0 Empoli
Catania 1 - 0 Lazio
Parma 1 - 2 Napoli
Sampdoria 3 - 0 Udinese
Siena 0 - 1 Genoa
Torino 0 - 1 Inter Milan

Great Players - Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi (born September 23, 1956, Santa Lucia, province of Prato, Tuscany) is a former Italian football (soccer) player. In 1982, he led Italy to the 1982 World Cup title, scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot. Rossi made his debut in the professional Italian soccer with Como, to which Juventus had sent him to gain experience after three operations to his knees. His career come to a turing point when Vicenza, then Lanerossi Vicenza, engaged him: in the 1976-'77 season Rossi's qualities of implacable striker led his team to the promotion to Serie A, Italy's soccer first division. In the following season Rossi realized 24 goals, and was selected by Italian national football team's manager Enzo Bearzot for the 1978 World Cup. Rossi confirmed his growth in the tournament, gaining international fame as one of world's best strikers.

Rossi's property as footballer had been till then shared by Vicenza and Juventus. When the two clubs were called to set the property, Lanerossi offered the shocking sum of 2,7 billions lire for Rossi, who therefore became Italy's most costly sportsman ever to that date. In 1979 Vicenza was declassed to Serie B, and he was loaned to Perugia. Here he was involved in a famous betting scandal, and was disqualified for three years (later reduced to two).

Rossi returned just in time for 1982 World Cup, but Italian journalists and tifosi lamented he was in very poor shape. This view seemed to be confirmed by Italy's first, appalling three matches, in which he was allegedly described as a ghost wandering over the field aimlessly. Bearzot, however, staunchly confirmed Rossi for the decisive round robin, in which his team was to face Argentina, the last World Champion, and Brazil, then considered the No. 1 favorite for the final title. After Italy surprisingly beat Argentina, Rossi shattered the latter signing three memorable goals and leading Italy to semi-finals. Here his two goals again won the match for Italy against Poland. He also opened the series of three goals with which Italy beat Germany in the final, to gain win third World Cup. Rossi's accomplishments in the Spanish World Cup gained him the title of European Footballer of the Year in 1982. After 1982 Rossi played with Juventus, winning one European Winners Cup (1985), one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1984) and one Intercontinental Cup. After his stint with Turin's club, he was ceded to a then straggling AC Milan. Rossi's abilities, however, were declining. After a dismaying participation to 1986 World Cup, he ended his career at Verona in 1987. He is currently a construction entrepreneur, together with his former team mate Giancarlo Salvi.

Rossi scored a total of 20 goals in 48 caps for Italy. Rossi was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

Source: netglimse.com

Standings for major European leagues

We are proud to announce that we added a new feature on this blog. We added the standings for the most important leagues in Eurpe: English Premiership, Spanish Primera Division and Italian Serie A. They can be found on the right side of the blog, and are automatically updated, so you don't have to worry about the updates.

We are planning to add more cool features in the future to the blog, so you can enjoy the stay. Live scores and odds, player biography or match previews with betting suggestions are some of the features we're planning to implement.

Wenger insists trophies will come

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed their attacking style will bring them silverware as he conceded the Premier League title was now out of reach.The club are set to be trophyless for a third season after their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday, but Wenger was unequivocal.

"We will continue to play the way we do but better," Wenger said. "The trophies will come. The main target is to keep the team together. They are absolutely amazing." And striker Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Wenger's "vision" for Arsenal - and declared the Gunners will come out fighting next season. "Arsene is a great man and a great manager," declared Adebayor, who now has 20 Premier League goals this season. He has achieved a lot of things with this club. For sure he is going to be here. He has a vision to bring a lot of good players to this club like Alex Hleb, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas. They are his players. So, for sure, we will win something, no doubt about that."

The Gunners are now nine points behind leaders United with just four fixtures remaining, and three points behind Chelsea having played a game more. A disappointed Wenger hinted that certain decisions which went against Arsenal at Old Trafford highlighted a recent trend, but was keen to stress the pride he felt in a team which were controversially knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in midweek. "Overall, I am very proud of my team's performance," he said. "We had to be exceptionally strong after the Liverpool game - and we were. I feel the difference between success and failure is very little. We do not feel there is much between ourselves, United and Chelsea when it comes to technical ability and quality. So it is difficult to accept we will not win the title. I want to win trophies and it is sad we cannot win a trophy this season. On the other hand, I feel we have done a lot for the Premier League this season by the way we have promoted it."

Arsenal needed to win at Old Trafford to start clawing back the Premier League leader's six-point advantage but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty cancelled out Adebayor's opener before Owen Hargreaves grabbed the winner to effectively end Arsenal's hopes. Hargreaves' free-kick came after Gilberto had been punished for a challenge on Patrice Evra while Ronaldo's penalty was awarded following a handball by William Gallas. Wenger said: "Those two decisions made it difficult for us but overall we have to take it. With the penalty you can give it or not give it. As for the free-kick I do not think Gilberto touched Evra."

Paddy Power special offers for this weekend

Please find to follow Paddy Power's Weekend Football Bulletin.

Paddy Power specials this week look at the clash between Man Utd and Arsenal and managers under pressure. For the big game, and with Ronaldo seemingly unable to stop scoring, Paddy Power are betting on the inevitable with odds for when the Portu-geezer scores his first v Arsenal on Sunday.

We are also offering sack race head-to-head betting between Wenger & Fergie as well as Benitez and Avram Grant whilst for the first time in a long time due to customer requests Paddy Power are offering betting on the next Arsenal manager.

Finally, with the awarding of penalties (or not in some cases) proving hugely topical of late Paddy Power are betting on who next gets a penalty favour between Liverpool and Arsenal, how many penalties will be awarded this weekend and whether Arsenal or Man Utd get a spot kick at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Paddy Power Weekend Bulletin

Premiership outright
Championship Outright & Relegation
Man Utd v Arsenal penalties
When will Ronaldo score his first v Arsenal
Arsenal v Liverpool - first penalty favour
How many Prem penalties this weekend
Wenger v Ferguson Sack Race
Benitez v Grant Sack Race
Next Arsenal manager
Ronaldinho next season

Correct score and 1st scorer betting for live TV games

Match betting for all English & Scottish domestic matches

Bent' it like Beckham!

International Friendly Weds 26th March KO 8pm

Live Sky Sports 1

France v England

If David Bentley or David Beckham score at any time, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast single bets.

Top Bookmakers

We have released a list with the best football bookmakers on the internet, to help our visitors to find the best place to bet on football. The top 10 online bookmakers can be easily spotted in the upper right part of the blog. We consider that betting at a serious bookmaker is a big advantage for any bettor, because we care about the odds you get and the safety of your money. All the bookmakers mentioned in the top are of the highest quality standards.

Lampard left frustrated and confused over Chelsea's delay on deal

Frank Lampard admits he has been left frustrated and confused by his failure so far to agree terms on a new contract at Chelsea, with the club only expecting talks to reopen with his representative at the end of the season.

The England midfielder, who has 15 months to run on his deal, scored four times in the 6-1 demolition of Derby County on Wednesday night to take his season's tally to 17, but claims the uncertainty over his future is unsettling. Discussions had begun over a new long-term contract last summer only to stall with no agreement reached, prompting both parties - apparently with Lampard's blessing at the time - to postpone their resumption until the summer.

Source: football.guardian.co.uk

Keep 'em Keane!

Man City v Tottenham

If Robbie Keane scores the last goal, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.

Sevilla 3 Fenerbahce 2 (Agg 5-5, Pens 2-3)

Volkan Demirel was the hero for Fenerbahce as they advanced from a penalty shoot-out into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in their history. After 90 minutes Sevilla led 3-2 to cancel out the first-leg deficit and make the scores 5-5 on aggregate, and with no goals in extra time it was left to visiting goalkeeper Volkan, who saved from Julien Escude, Ivica Dragutinovic and Dani Alves.

Volkan had earlier gifted Sevilla a two-goal lead within nine minutes, as four goals were scored in a pulsating first half. He failed to deal with long-range efforts by Dani Alves and Seydou Keita, and although Brazilian forward Deivid pulled a goal back for Fenerbahce on 20 minutes, Sevilla restored a two-goal advantage with a deflected Frederic Kanoute shot just before half time.

Deivid pounced for his second with 11 minutes left, and with no more goals after extra time it was left to Volkan to make amends for his earlier errors. He saved Sevilla's second penalty from Escude, and although Palop kept out Edu Dracena's powerful effort in response, Volkan then stopped Enzo Moresca's blasted shot and punched away Alves' powerful effort to send the Turkish side through.

Sevilla had dominated from kick-off, their early pace troubled the Fenerbahce defence, and when Keita was held back by Selcuk Sahin the home side fortuitously took a fourth-minute lead with the resulting free-kick. Alves' powerful 35-yard strike was straight at Volkan, who could only punch the ball into the top corner putting Sevilla ahead in the tie under the away goals rule.

Their confidence yielded a second goal just five minutes later, Keita striking a left-foot swerving shot from a similar range which deceived the 26-year-old Turkey goalkeeper and flew into the top-left corner. Fenerbahce began to recover and Deivid scored on 20 minutes, shooting low from 12 yards through an advancing crowd after a Mehmet Aurelio corner had not been cleared.

Both sides then went close as space opened in midfield, and Sevilla took advantage five minutes before the break. Alves crossed from the right to Kanoute, who controlled with his chest from 12 yards and fired a low volley at goal, which was deflected by Gokhan Gonul past the helpless Volkan. Sevilla held on for the rest of the half, Christian Poulsen clearing off the goal-line deep into injury time after Aurelio had set-up Deivid's shot.

Fenerbahce played with more fluency in a quieter start to the second half, and came close to an aggregate equaliser through Alex and then two chances for Ugur Boral. And the home side paid the price for their own missed opportunities on 79 minutes as Fenerbahce drew level on aggregate.

Deivid crept unmarked behind the defence to latch onto a long free-kick from Alex, and first hit the post before pouncing on the rebound to score from two yards. The game remained 3-2 after 90 minutes and went into extra-time, where both sides struggled to maintain their earlier intensity.

Deivid had chances for a hat-trick, but missed two 20-yard efforts within a minute while Alves shot a 25-yard free kick wide on 99 minutes. Alves hit a 25-yard free kick against the wall in injury time, and the game went into penalties, where Volkan's saves ensured a safe passage for Fenerbahce.

Teams:

Sevilla Palop, Daniel, Escude, Dragutinovic, Adriano Correia, Jesus Navas (Kone 105), Poulsen (Maresca 94), Keita, Diego Capel, Kanoute, Luis Fabiano (Renato 77).

Subs Not Used: De Sanctis, Duda, Mosquera, De Mul.

Booked: Keita, Daniel.

Goals: Daniel 6, Keita 9, Kanoute 41.

Fenerbahce Demirel, Gonul, Edu Dracena, Lugano, Wederson, Deivid, Aurelio, Sahin (Senturk 62),Boral (Kazim-Richards 111), Alex (Bilgin 112), Kezman.

Subs Not Used: Kulbilge, Cakmak, Arat, Turaci.

Booked: Sahin, Deivid, Gonul, Wederson, Kezman.

Goals: Deivid 21, 80.

Agg (5-5) Fenerbahce win 3-2 on penalties

Att: 38,626

Ref: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).

Source: sportinglife.com

Rafa savours Reds victory

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was a happy man after seeing his side beat Internazionale 2-0 at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie. Late goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steve Gerrard gave the Reds a comfortable advantage for the return leg in Milan, with Inter having had to play for an hour with ten men following the dismissal of central defender Marco Materazzi. That left Benitez to reflect on the perfect response to the weekend's FA Cup humiliation at home to Barnsley.

He said: "This result is good for the confidence of the team, the supporters and the club. I always had confidence in my players. They played well, with passion, and they passed the ball excellently. It was clearly much better than the last match and even though Inter Milan had ten men for a long spell, they were still formidable opponents who were organised, defended well and were always capable of scoring on the break. I accept that we needed this win as a team, we needed to progress in the competition. As a manager, you are always pleased with a win like this and this is now the time to be happy. I know people will say they cannot understand how we can lose to Barnsley and then beat Inter Milan. But on Saturday we changed the team, we had ten internationals on the pitch and missed a lot of chances. This time we were better, we had far less chances but we scored two good goals. It gives us a great chance in the second leg."

Source: football.co.uk

All transfers in 2008: Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United

Liverpool Transfers:

Players In:
Martin Skrtel (Zenit St. Petersburg - £6.5million)
Javier Mascherano (West Ham United - £18.6million)

Players Out:
Jack Hobbs (Scunthorpe United - on loan)
Craig Lindfield (Chester City - on loan)
Mohamed Sissoko (Juventus F.C. - £8.2million)
Lee Peltier (Yeovil Town - undisclosed)
Besian Idrizaj (FC Wacker Innsbruck - undisclosed)

Manchester City Transfers:

Players In:
Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk - on loan)
Felipe Caicedo (FC Basle - £5.2million)
Filippo Mancini (Inter Milan - on loan)

Players Out:
Danny Mills (Derby County - on loan)
Marc Laird (Millwall - undisclosed)
Ched Evans (Norwich City - on loan)
Matthew Mills (Doncaster Rovers - on loan)
Rolando Bianchi (SS Lazio - on loan)
Georgios Samaras (Celtic - on loan)
Ishmael Miller (West Brom - undisclosed)
Ousmane Dabo (SS Lazio - undisclosed)
Paul Dickov (Blackpool - on loan)

Manchester United Transfers:

Players In:
Manucho Goncalves (Petro Atletico, Angola - undisclosed)
Robert Brady (St. Kevins Boys - undisclosed)
Rodrigo Possebon (Sport Club Internacional - undisclosed)

Players Out
Michael Barnes (Chesterfield - on loan)
Adam Eckersley (Port Vale - free transfer)
Kieran Lee (QPR - on loan)
Jonny Evans (Sunderland AFC - on loan)
Lee Martin (Sheffield United - on loan)
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City - £1million)
Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland AFC - £2million)
Febian Brandy (Swansea City - on loan)
Manucho Goncalves (Panathinaikos - on loan)

Egypt defy doubters and odds

Despite being reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, few Egypt fans would have predicted their team would contest the final in Ghana. However, in defiance of all that doubt, the Pharaohs are now on the verge of claiming a sixth title with a second successful back-to-back defence. They have made it this far in some style too, with a 4-1 demolition of pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast in Thursday's semi-finals and a 4-2 win over finalists Cameroon in their opening Group C game.

After a relatively poor qualifying campaign, nothing was really expected from the team in Ghana, and fans are reported to be happy to make it as far as the final. But during the tournament a togetherness has emerged which has yet to be matched by the other competing teams.

"We have a side that plays for each other and maybe even for me as coach," said coach Hassan Shehata. "I think there is an understanding that we have, a special bond. I think we will win."

The Pharaohs' unity could be attributed to their strong domestic league and the fact that many of the players in the squad are based on home soil. "They prove that you don't need to play in Europe to be a top quality footballer - just look at midfielder Hosny Abd Rabou who has had a great tournament," said BBC World Service commentator Richard Connelly.

And in Shehata, they have a man who knows what he wants and how to achieve it, even if that means making tough decisions. He famously substituted Mido in the semi-finals two years ago to the disgust of the star striker, only for his replacement Zaki to score with his first touch. Shehata has also had to rebuild much of the team that won in 2006 due to unforeseen circumstances and injuries.

Rising star in the Egyptian game and 2006 medal winner, left-back Mohamed Abdul-Wahab, died of a heart defect during a training session in August 2006. Key players such as 2005 BBC African Footballer of the Year Mohamed Barakat and striker Mido were both ruled out for the tournament through injury.

And midfielder Hossam Ghaly decided not to travel to Ghana in order to complete his transfer to English Premier League side Derby. The loss of such big names would trouble even the best teams in the world, but Egypt have shown they have a large pool of talent to call on. Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh, who made it to the final in 1994 and 2000 says the team element is key to the Pharaohs' success.

"I was surprised Egypt made it through the semi-finals because I really thought Ivory Coast had the capability to overcome them," he said. "But it turns out that this Egyptian team is even stronger than we thought because not only did they play well, but they are stronger as a team than they are as individuals and that makes them very hard to beat."

Connelly added: "They're an exceptional team who are comfortable with the system they play; they all know their own responsibilities and what to expect from their team-mates." Shehata is also looking to become only the second coach to win successive Nations Cup titles - the only other person to do it is Ghana's CK Gyamfi in 1963 and 1965.

Source: bbc.co.uk

Capello demands winning mentality

Steven Gerrard says new England coach Fabio Capello wants his squad to demonstrate a winning mentality. The Italian held his first training session on Monday ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland.

Gerrard said: "We had a quick meeting last night [Sunday] and he told us it is a fresh start for everyone. He has made it clear he wants a winning mentality around the place and wants to build a winning team with players pulling in the same direction."

Sunday's team meeting and Monday's open training session was Capello's first with the squad since replacing Steve McClaren as head coach two months ago. He will take his players for a second training session at Wembley on Monday evening before a final session at Arsenal's training ground on Tuesday. The Liverpool skipper added: "He thinks we can improve going forward and defensively also. "He said to us in a team meeting and also on the training ground that he has paid attention to watching how we perform individually and as a team. He has watched a lot of our games. I don't think it is about enjoying yourself with the manager off the pitch. It is all about seriousness and getting results in an England shirt. That is the most important thing, not having a laugh and a joke. I think everyone was nervous because it is a new manager but we're certainly excited."

Much has been made of Capello having to learn English in order to communicate with the squad, with the 61-year-old insisting he would learn the language within a month of arriving in England last December. Capello is still expected to give his news conference on Tuesday in Italian, with a translator alongside him. But Gerrard said he was understood fully by the players when he spoke to them in a meeting and at training. "It was all English. It surprised me, he was really good," he said. "All the session was put across to the players in English. He got some help from a translator but it was better than I thought."

Defender Rio Ferdinand was also impressed by Capello's command of English and admitted he was excited at the chance to work with the former Real Madrid coach. He said: "He has addressed us all in English, surprisingly good English too. He commands your respect, just knowing what he has achieved gives him an aura, but there is no fear involved. It is like the first day at a new school, going to secondary school from primary school. You are intrigued and excited to see what new ideas and methods the manager has got and what he is going to bring. We are like school kids, soaking up all the information he has got."

Scouting for African talent

At the end of the 19th Century, European countries, in what became known as the scramble for Africa, sought to carve up the continent between them. But in 2008 the scramble is of an altogether different nature - to secure the continent's finest footballing talent.

The regard in which African players are now held by Premier League clubs is plain for all to see. When Mali hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002, England's top flight was stripped of just eight players. Fast forward to the 2008 edition in Ghana and that figure has risen to a staggering 35.

And, despite many a manager's criticism of the tournament's mid-season scheduling, it appears likely that the trend will only continue to grow. BBC Sport understands that all bar five Premier League clubs have sent scouts to the Nations Cup, not only to spot potential recruits for the here and now but, more importantly, for the future.

"We already know the players and I don't think any clubs of our calibre go there to sign a player - they should know who they want a long time before," said Chelsea's chief scout and head of youth development Frank Arnesen. "We are monitoring for the future." Chelsea's four players competing at the Nations Cup - Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Jon Mikel Obi - were purchased from other European clubs at a total cost of more than £50m.

Part of Arnesen's job is to ensure the club secure the best possible talent at the best possible price. If a club can identify and buy talent before African players make their name in the major European leagues, there are huge savings to be made. But even if they have made a name for themselves, BBC Sport found a widespread belief in the Premier League that African players offer excellent value for money.

"Look at Habib Beye, who we signed from Marseille for £2m," said Newcastle first-team coach Steve Round. "For a full international of his pedigree and the amount of games he has played in Europe and the Champions League, to get an English player of the same pedigree could cost you in the region of £8m-10m."

Just as important as the financial advantages are the physical and technical perks. "One of the most significant changes to the Premier League over the past five years is how much the high intensity output has improved - it has gone up about 2.5km in the last five years which is a colossal amount," added Round.

"That is partly due to better training methods and better athletes being produced but also because of the influx of a lot of these African players who, physically, are very good." Tord Grip, a member of the Manchester City coaching staff under Sven-Goran Eriksson, added: "They seem to be well-suited to the style of play in the Premier League. "African players are strong, athletic and good technically. You also find that they are very motivated, because they have come from a difficult and poor background."

Arnesen insists individuals from any background can make it to the top, but the Dane concedes the amount of football played by Africans as they grow up is key to their development, a point echoed by Damien Comolli. "When you go to any country in Africa, people, especially kids, play football from eight in the morning until late at night," said Tottenham's sporting director. "When you have millions of kids playing street football all day long, players will come through, exactly like in Brazil."

Scouting is a time-consuming and expensive business and BBC Sport has learned that one major Premier League club's scouting wage bill runs close to £1m. If monitoring players in Europe is a difficult logistical exercise it is even harder in Africa, given the sheer size of the continent - Nigeria's population alone is more than 130 million. Arsenal, who have former player Gilles Grimandi scouting for them in Ghana, have had an advantage over many of their Premier League rivals because of manager Arsene Wenger's close relationship with compatriot Jean-Marc Guillou.

As well as giving Wenger his break in management - the two worked together at Cannes - Guillou helped set up an academy in the Ivory Coast, run in co-operation with the local team ASEC of Abidjan. Graduates of that Academy include Arsenal's Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue, Chelsea's Kalou, and half the Ivory Coast 2006 World Cup squad. "They are now well-coached because some of them are coming through various coaching systems or development centres that are producing quality players now," said Wigan assistant manager Eric Black.

"The indiscipline that was there maybe 10 years ago is disappearing. They're being coached by European coaches who are in Africa, or when they are at clubs in Europe." With players from just four Premier League clubs - Derby, Aston Villa and Manchester City and Wigan - not present in Ghana and the country awash with their scouts, England needs little convincing of Africa's worth.

African players in Premier League:

Arsenal: Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Alexandre Song
Birmingham: Richard Kingson, Mehdi Nafti, Radhi Jaidi
Blackburn: Aaron Mokoena
Bolton: El-Hadji Diouf, Abdoulaye Meite
Chelsea: John Obi Mikel, Didier Drogba and Saloman Kalou, Michael Essien
Everton: Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Steven Pienaar
Fulham: Diomansy Kamara
Liverpool: Momo Sissoko
Manchester United: Manucho
Middlesbrough: Mohamed Shawky
Newcastle: Obafemi Martins, Geremi, Abdoulaye Faye, Habib Beye
Portsmouth: Papa Bouba Diop, Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka, Sulley Muntari
Reading: Andre Bikey, Emerse Fae, Ibrahima Sonko
Sunderland: Dickson Etuhu
Tottenham: Didier Zokora
West Ham: John Paintsil, Henri Camara

Additional reporting by Simon Austin, Russell Barder, Chris Bevan and Phil McNulty.

Sorce: bbc.co.uk