A young woman rattling French soccer claimed in an interview Thursday that she had paid sex with several World Cup national team players, but claimed that none of her customers knew she was under 18 at the time.
SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Girl Says French Stars Paid Her for Sex
A young woman rattling French soccer claimed in an interview Thursday that she had paid sex with several World Cup national team players, but claimed that none of her customers knew she was under 18 at the time.
USA Trio Proud Of New Home Kit
Officially unveiled for the first time on Thursday morning at Niketown in Manhattan, the new home kit the United States national team will wear at the 2010 World Cup has been a big hit so far with those close to the team.
The Joy of Six: Awful World Cup Songs
From the Village People (featuring Der Mannschaft) to Del Amitri, here are half a dozen of the worst anthems of all time.
England: Premier League Weekend Previews & Predictions
The races for the Premier League title and final UEFA Champions League berth are into the final straight as teams gear up for the penultimate weekend of the season.
League leaders Chelsea travel to Liverpool while second-placed Manchester United head to Sunderland. In the fight for fourth, Manchester City entertain Aston Villa while Tottenham Hotspur lock horns with Bolton Wanderers.
Preview I
Preview II
Manchester City vs. Aston Villa: Preview
Lawro's Predictions
Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview
Bayern Munich can move a step closer to the first of a possible three trophies when they host Bochum in the Bundesliga. They can move to within touching distance of the Bundesliga title on Saturday, especially if Schalke fail to beat Werder Bremen.
Preview
Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview
Roma travel to Parma on Saturday while Inter take on Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico 24 hours later. Third-placed AC Milan and Fiorentina go into Saturday's match at the San Siro licking their wounds after a dismal run of form that has left both sides failing to reach their aims this season.
Preview
Spain: La Liga Weekend Previews
Barca look to have the much trickier task this weekend as, while Madrid look to make it 17 home wins out of 18 when they host mid-table Osasuna, Guardiola's men have to go to improving Villarreal.
Preview
Guillem Balague's Previews
Tony Pulis blasts Dave Kitson and Tuncay Sanli
“Today, and I am talking about Tuncay and Kitson here, people tend to show petulance and they think that is the way to do it. I find it strange. We are in a different time now, though. You have to realise there are certain players today who are precious. They get paid enormous amounts of money. They live in a bubble and the realities of real life wash over them.”
World Cup sticker mania grips Serbia
The sticker mania has engulfed Serbia. But unlike in the rest of the world where collecting stickers of football players and teams for an official World Cup book album is mostly a school kids’ hobby, here this is done mainly by the older ones.
UEFA Europa League: Thursday's Reports & Fallout
Fulham 2 - 1 Hamburg
Jamie Jackson at Craven Cottage
Phil McNulty at Craven Cottage
David Hytner:
Fulham write their name in folklore
Liverpool 2 - 1 Atletico Madrid
Kevin McCarra at Anfield
Richard Jolly at Anfield
Benítez: Liverpool need five new signings
THE WEEK THAT WAS
This was the week in which Roma fans plastered Totti's face on the walls of Lazio's training ground, Andrei Arshavin was forced to dress up as a cub scout, "two-bit psychologist" Jose Mourinho humbled Barcelona, Michel Platini said France had no hope at the World Cup and Kansas City Wizards striker Kei Kamara produced the miss of the century.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
UEFA Europa League: Thursday's Previews
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid (0-1)
Preview I
Preview II
Kevin McCarra: Benítez's reputation on the line
Fulham vs. Hamburg (0-0)
Preview I
Preview II
Jamie Jackson: Fulham hoping for fit Zamora
USA: Injuries mean roster spots up for grabs
It was just over three years ago when U.S. men's national team manager Bob Bradley began looking at players in a bid to form his World Cup side. After playing 59 games and watching 90 players take the field, Bradley will announce his initial 30-man roster May 11, with the final 23 to be named June 1.
England: Norman Hubbard's Best Buys of the Season
Whatever their other achievements, managers' reputations can stand or fall on their dealings in the transfer market.
An effective signing is a form of validation and, over the past 12 months, some of the Premier League's finest have displayed their prowess at recruitment - and none more than Alex McLeish, as our top ten buys of the year suggests.
Nail-biting at the top of the Premier League – nailed on at the bottom
For once the predictability factor has switched to the bottom of the table – the three going down were everyone's favourites.
Rangers to complain to Boston Globe over Ibrox disaster slur
The paper has run a piece in which fears were expressed over the proposed staging of an Old Firm derby in the US city this summer. The article was critical of the behaviour of Rangers fans during a number of European away matches, including the 2008 Uefa Cup final in Manchester.
Football's Top Five Cheats: 'losing face' moments on YouTube
Fans were cringing as Barcelona's Sergio Busquets writhed in mock agony to help earn Inter Milan rival Thiago Motta a red card. It ranked among some of football's worst moments of "simulation".
Inter Mobbed Upon Return to Milan
Inter Milan return as heroes after beating Barcelona.
Not the best time to be at the airport if you're not an Inter fan...
UEFA Champions League: Wednesday's Match Reports & Fallout
Barcelona 1 - 0 (2-3) Inter Milan
Report
Richard Williams at Camp Nou
Roberto Gotta: Inter wall stands firm
Amy Lawrence: Mourinho milks his moment
Jon Carter: Barca need a Plan B
Matt Dickinson: Mourinho's finest hour
The Media in Italy & Spain
Player Ratings
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
UEFA Champions League: Previews for Today's Match
What: Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg (1-3)
Who: Barcelona vs. Inter Milan
When: 2:45pm EDT
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
U.S. TV: Fox Soccer Channel
Preview I
Preview II
Preview III
Preview IV
Richard Williams: This will be a feast for the neutral
Phil Minshull: Mourinho's defining moment
Jose: Barca obsessed with final in Madrid
The media in Italy & Spain
USA Striker Charlie Davies Resumes Full Training With Sochaux
Charlie Davies participated in full training with club side Sochaux Monday, marking another step in the U.S. international's recovery.
The Revenge of the WAGs
For some observers in England, the abiding memory of a lacklustre 2006 World Cup campaign will not be Wayne Rooney's red card, Michael Owen's injury or David Beckham's tears at relinquishing the captaincy. Instead it will be the invading hordes of WAGs pillaging the boutiques of Baden-Baden to establish a particularly tiresome cultural phenomenon.
McCarthy's Musings: Midfield Absences Create Fallout For Three MLS Clubs
Recent developments ruled David Beckham and Geoff Cameron out for remainder of the season and placed Shalrie Joseph on the shelf for an undetermined amount of time. Kyle McCarthy assesses the ramifications in McCarthy's Musings.
The Question: How do Fulham do it?
By adhering to modernist methods and melding disciplined shape with hard work, Fulham have exceeded expectations.
First XI: Attacking Midfielders
We've had goalkeepers, defenders and defensive midfielders, but this week the focus turns to those concerned with the business of making and scoring goals.
This First XI incorporates goal-scoring and creative central and attacking midfielders. Second strikers and inside forwards will be incorporated into a later selection of attackers. For those who blur the boundaries, a judgment call has been made.
Martin Keown on the Defensive
Whether due to controversy, injury or genuine loss of form, England's defensive options must be giving Fabio Capello some cause for concern with less than 50 days to go before the start of the World Cup finals. Former England defender Martin Keown, who travelled to the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals with his country, gives Soccernet the lowdown on the defensive contenders for a place in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad.
Liverpool tie up Shelvey deal
The England Under-17 international, tipped as one of the hottest prospects outside of the Premier League, passed a medical and agreed personal terms on Tuesday and will complete his move to Anfield on May 10.
Quotes & Chants of the Week
"The way they are, tomorrow we will probably read I am to blame for the volcano. Maybe I have a friend in the volcano and I am responsible for that."
Jose Mourinho erupts after Barcelona express their disappointment at decisions in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
"That is it for the German porn star look, I'm afraid. It's gone for good because my missus just wasn't happy about it. She said she struggled to kiss me, even though she helped me dye the moustache in the first place. But I'll be keeping the mullet, even though I get loads of stick."
Coventry midfielder Aron Gunnarsson on the decision to shave off his dodgy lip caterpillar.
"It's hard to motivate yourself at this stage of the season, let alone the players. I had an extra glass of wine the night before the match, an extra fried egg. You do things you don't normally do."
Neil Warnock goes crazy ahead of QPR's game at Barnsley.
"It is a fantastic achievement. It's like swimming the Channel, doing the Tour De France and then climbing Everest."
Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins refuses to exaggerate his side's achievement of securing Championship safety.
"They were far the better team, we were lucky to get nil. We had our pants pulled down and our backsides slapped."
Tony Pulis on Stoke's humiliating 7-0 defeat by Chelsea.
"Oh Ledley, Ledley,
He's only got one knee,
He's faster than John Terry,
Oh Ledley, Ledley."
Tottenham fans pay tribute to Ledley King.
The Rest
Jose Mourinho erupts after Barcelona express their disappointment at decisions in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
"That is it for the German porn star look, I'm afraid. It's gone for good because my missus just wasn't happy about it. She said she struggled to kiss me, even though she helped me dye the moustache in the first place. But I'll be keeping the mullet, even though I get loads of stick."
Coventry midfielder Aron Gunnarsson on the decision to shave off his dodgy lip caterpillar.
"It's hard to motivate yourself at this stage of the season, let alone the players. I had an extra glass of wine the night before the match, an extra fried egg. You do things you don't normally do."
Neil Warnock goes crazy ahead of QPR's game at Barnsley.
"It is a fantastic achievement. It's like swimming the Channel, doing the Tour De France and then climbing Everest."
Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins refuses to exaggerate his side's achievement of securing Championship safety.
"They were far the better team, we were lucky to get nil. We had our pants pulled down and our backsides slapped."
Tony Pulis on Stoke's humiliating 7-0 defeat by Chelsea.
"Oh Ledley, Ledley,
He's only got one knee,
He's faster than John Terry,
Oh Ledley, Ledley."
Tottenham fans pay tribute to Ledley King.
The Rest
Are United the Retro Devils?
These are the new Manchester United home and away strips for next season - and they have gone back to the future.
Maybe...
Martin Rogers Column
It says a lot about Jozy Altidore’s first season in the English Premier League that his final action of the campaign – an immature and ill-conceived head butt – generated more attention than anything he did in the preceding eight months at Hull City.
Gabriele Marcotti's Column
I think I may have touched upon this before, but watching Bayern recently brought it all back. Footballspeak is filled with cliches and one of the absolute dumbest goes like this: "To win you need a strong spine. Your goalkeeper, your central defenders, central midfield and a strong centre-forward... no good team will be lacking in those departments!"
UEFA Champions League: Tuesday's Match Reports & Fallout
Lyon 0 - 3 Bayern Munich
Report I
Report II
Robin Hackett:
Lyon fail to provide true test of Bayern credentials
Barney Ronay: Bayern deserved finalists
Ribery banned for final
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Anfield dilemma – win over Chelsea could hand title to United
Liverpool's upcoming match against Chelsea brings back memories of Blackburn's visit to Anfield in 1995.
UEFA Champions League: Previews For Today's Match
What: Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg (0-1)
Who: Lyon vs. Bayern Munich
When: 2:45pm EDT
Where: Stade Gerland, Lyon, France
U.S. TV: Fox Sports Net
Preview I
Preview II
Preview III
Van Gaal tipped for Euro Glory
Top 10 Football Sex Scandals
In tribute to John Terry and the latest sordid headlines from France, Goal.com's Patrick Reilly ranks the most outrageous stories from down the years. With so many bad boys we could have done a Top 100...
Americans In The UK: Brad Friedel Bags Two Clean Sheets, Resurrects Villa's Champion’s League Hopes
Brad Friedel played very well on Wednesday, stopping efforts from Jan Vennegoor of Heselink and Kevin Kilbane, among others, as Aston Villa triumphed on the road 0-2 over Hull. Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner each tallied for the visitors.The big keeper outdid himself on Saturday, making seven saves en route to 1-0 derby victory over Birmingham. The win keeps Villa's Champions League aspirations alive as they're now tied with Spurs for the final spot. On an individual note, Friedel also notched his 13th and 14th clean sheets of the campaign last week.
The Rest
Americans On The Continent: Title Spoiler
Michael Bradley and Borussia Monchengladbach held Bayern Munich to a point on Saturday, leaving them equal on points with Schalke and opening the title race up once more.
The Rest
Tim Vickery in South America
Without Colombian defender Luis Amaranto Perea, Liverpool may well have returned from last week's Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid with a vital away goal.
Perea made his name in another red shirt, that of Medellin back in Colombia, after first working at their stadium selling ice creams and in 2003 he was one of the star attractions in a side that reached the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.
Seven years later in the same competition Medellin have paraded a young defender with many of the same attributes. Leiton Jimenez has a similar slight build and like Perea, he is not great on the ball, but he has an excellent anticipation, recovers quickly, times his tackles well and takes responsibility for things around him.
Raphael Honigstein in Germany
Without the banned Franck Ribéry and maybe even a defence to speak of, Bayern Munich face a tough task in France tonight.
Bayern's appetite for adversity will feed their hunger against Lyon.
Sid Lowe in Spain
Even Getafe's president thinks his team are wet, but they showed huge cojones to keep their European hopes alive.
Getafe's 'bunch of mothers' prove their manliness in seven-goal Sevilla thriller.
Paolo Bandini in Italy
Ugly victory had been the calling card of Roma's 24-game unbeaten run but Sampdoria turned the story on its head at the Stadio Olimpico.
Sampdoria dissect Roma's unbeaten streak with clinical precision.
The WAGS are back for England
England coach Fabio Capello is set to do a U-turn and allow his players to mix with their wives and girlfriends at the World Cup finals - and could even sanction family barbeques to foster team spirit.
Race for fourth place in Premier League and final Champions League qualification place
As an electrifying battle for the fourth Champions League qualifying spot comes to its climax, The Telegraph analyzes the merits of the four teams still in the mix to claim the coveted final place at Europe’s top table.
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