Arseblog Launch Newspaper!!

Here's the first version. If you know how the Spanish press works, you know that it's all about speculation and rumors, etc. Rarely is anything true, but the rags battle each other in te never-ending ridiculous headline frenzy. So here's the Arseblogger's take on the absurdity of it all. The link to his site is on the right in the links section. -Sanford

Bradley to field young forwards against China

Building continuity within a national team program is a challenge for any head coach, especially given the short amount of time that international players spend together. For U.S. coach Bob Bradley, that task has become more difficult entering Saturday's friendly against China (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2) at San Jose's Spartan Stadium, especially as he prepares for the start of the Gold Cup next week.

USMNT China Friendly Roster

Goalkeepers:
Guzan, Brad CD Chivas (USA)
Howard, Tim Everton (England)
Keller, Kasey Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)

Defenders:
Bocanegra, Carlos Fulham (England)
Bornstein, Jonathan CD Chivas (USA)
DeMerit, Jay Watford (England)
Hejduk, Frankie Columbus Crew (USA)
Onyewu, Oguchi Standard Liege (Belgium)
Simek, Frank Sheffield Wednesday (England)
Spector, Jonathan West Ham United (England)

Midfielders:
Beasley, DaMarcus PSV Eindhoven (Holland)
Bradley, Michael SC Heerenveen (Holland)
Dempsey, Clint Fulham (England)
Feilhaber, Benny Hamburg SV (Germany)
Kljestan, Sacha CD Chivas (USA)
Marsch, Jesse CD Chivas (USA)
Nguyen, Lee PSV Eindhoven (Holland)

Forwards:
Davies, Charlie Hammarby IF (Sweden)
Hill, Kamani VfL Wolfsburg (Germany)
Razov, Ante CD Chivas (USA)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=435266&root=us25&cc=5901

England Vs Brazil at the new Wembley

One of the tabloid headlines in the UK this morning read "Terry Demands Fortress". I had images of JT banging his fists on the team bus, shouting, "Stick it Bex, I'm captain now, you can jerk off to Mission Impossible and Top Gun on your own time, we're watching my favourite sci-fi flick. It's great and it stars Christophe Lambert, who's also great. FORTRESS!" But no, it's the same old chest thumbing Terry spurts out before every England game.



Terry demands fortress


Where: Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London
When: 20:00 (Local Time), Friday 01/06/07
Who: England (World Champions: 1966) versus
Brazil (World Champions: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Friendly Preview: England-Brazil

Beckham can ride to rescue of England and McClaren

Guillem Balague

How good old Becks showed meanies Fabio and Steve how to eat humble pie


I couldn't find a picture of humble pie. Instead here's one of Lawro [yes, the ex-Liverpool player who makes the dodgy EPL predictions] about to bite into a tasty Liver bird pie.

Hertha Berlin hire Favre as New Coach

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-germanyhertha&prov=reuters&type=lgns

An A-Z Of The British 2006-07 Season

Graham Lister looks back at the British season just ended in a two-part feature...
Part I
Part II

Gabriele Marcotti

Two articles from Gabriele Marcotti on soccer in Euroland. The first is about players on the move, who's going and who ain't. The second is about cash, who's got it and who ain't.

The top European targets

How Europe’s second tier is counting the cost of the wealth gap

The Mill

Friday's Rumours

Football's men of letters generate serious pen and ink

I doubt this fellow performs well in any capacity...-Sanford









The more tattoos a player has, the worse he tends to perform:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/31/footballs_men_of_letters_gener.html

Anelka next on United's list and Pizarro to Chelsea?

Le Sulk to Old Trafford?
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2092929,00.html

Blues sign football's most beautiful man?
http://goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=317663

Euro 2008 ticket holders to get free travel

Woo Hoo! Only one year away!!

Ticket holders at Euro 2008 will enjoy free public transport throughout Austria and Switzerland, the first time that such a step has been taken at a major sports event, the organisers said Thursday.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbleur2008autsuitransport&prov=afp&type=lgns

The Mill

Thursday's rumours

More on Beckham's Return to the England Fold

Marina Hyde: David Beckham's return to the England squad is only a good thing if you can't let go of the past.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/31/becks_quenches_national_thirst.html

Gary Lineker: David Beckham's triumphant return to the England squad may be the move that rescues England's Euro 2008 qualifying bid and helps Steve McClaren save his job.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6704207.stm

Sinister Sinisa's moment of truth

After a playing career defined by controversy, the infamous Sinisa Mihajlovic is set to take his first managerial job at Red Star.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/31/on_second_thoughts_sinisa_miha.html

Beckham to Visit Minnesota

When Pele made an appearance in Minnesota three decades ago, many considered it the impetus that allowed the sport’s growth across the Midwest. Thirty years later, the sport’s newest ambassador, David Beckham, will try to do the same thing on October 10 when he plays at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=316150

Nani And Anderson: A Quick Bio

A look at Manchester United's newest signings:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=316316

Anderson: the next Ronaldinho?
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/31/anderson_the_next_ronaldinho.html

Euro 2008 Qualifying - France vs. Ukraine: Preview

This is pretty much it in terms of Euro 2008 matches this weekend. Denmark/Sweden, Wales/Czechs and Belgium/Portugal could be OK. But it's a slow weekend all in all. -Sanford
*****
Leading strikers Thierry Henry and Andriy Shevchenko will be missing from France's Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Ukraine on Saturday when both sides will be looking to take command of Group B.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=197347&cc=5901

United Plunder Portugal, Parker Prefers Hammers to Spurs

Hargreaves to join Manchester United in July:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=435274&cc=5901

United also get Nani from Sporting and Anderson from Porto:
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=316278

Parker gets out of Newcastle and choses West Ham over Spurs:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=435222&cc=5901

Hey Dunga! Why no Mancini?

Perhaps I'm missing something but I find it startling that there is no room in Dunga's Brazilian team for Roma's Alessandro Mancini. He had an excellent run of form this season and practically carried the team on his back when Totti was out injured last year. He's also incredibly versatile. He can play pretty much anywhere on the pitch, including in defence at left or right back. Lately he's been used by the Giallorossi primarily for his offensive ability but you gotta think that a guy like him would be a very valuable asset in terms of late-game substitutions since he can play multiple roles. With guys like Josue (Sao Paulo), Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk), and Mineiro (Hertha Berlin) in Dunga's midfield it's not like any big egos would have to make way to give Mancini a shot. -Sanford

Marcelo Salas to MLS?

The Fire have been on a brutal 0-4-1 streak and have had serious issues scoring goals. They're hoping that former Chile/Lazio/River great Marcelo Salas could be the answer to their scoring problems. He's nearly 33 and not the player who inspired Chile at WC'98 but if he's got anything left in the tank then his addtion to the team will be greatly appreciated.

Chilean legend Salas to get look from flailing Chicago

Sven's lessons go unheeded as McClaren blinks first .

Martin Samuel's second thoughts about Steve McClaren, the England midfield and the returning David Beckham...

Liverpool fan to sue Uefa over Athens chaos

Hell, I'd sue too! Can you imagine? You go through all the crap, get a flight, get a ticket and then you can't get in?

*************
Michel Platini, the president of Uefa, is facing legal action for compensation from an enraged Liverpool supporter denied entry to last week's Champions League final in Athens, despite having a ticket. The action is seen on Merseyside as a test case which, if successful, could lead to a flood of further litigation against Uefa.

With two friends, Paul Gregory, an architect, spent €3,490 (£2,370) on flights, accommodation and tickets. "I would like this to be reimbursed by Uefa,'' wrote Gregory in a letter sent to Platini. "It's the least you can do for putting our lives at risk. If this is not forthcoming we intend to take action against Uefa through the British judicial system, and through the European Courts if necessary. It was only through good luck that Uefa avoided deaths.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/05/30/sfnliv30.xml

The Mill: Wednesday's Rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,2091322,00.html

Dunga's no-nonsense approach wins over Brazil public

Brazil have undergone a sea change under new boss, Dunga, and his hard-line tactics are restoring national pride, reports Alex Bellos.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/29/dungas_nononsense_approach_win.html

Serie A Daily Transfer Speculation Round-up

Let's take a look at who is linked to which team according to the latest transfer rumours coming from Italy.
http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=315557

Galaxy should move to reunite Zidane with Beckham

Frank Dell'Apa's column...what genius wrote this headline?
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=434713&root=mls&cc=5901

Norman Hubbard on Michael Owen's fading star

Whatever absence does for the heart, it is a fail-safe method of elevating a reputation. Michael Owen, having made his England comeback in the incongruous setting of Turf Moor on Friday night, returns to the senior squad to face Brazil with Steve McClaren suggesting his impact is comparable to that of Thierry Henry. Once, the comparison would have flattered the Frenchman, but that has long ceased to be the case. McClaren's hyperbole is, not for the first time, misplaced.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=434805&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1&cc=5901

Henry: I'm an Arsenal player...for now

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry is fed up with finishing fourth in the Premier League and thinks the club needs a more experienced squad if they are to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=434945&cc=5901

Richard Jolly at Wembley

Derby County 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

It used to be 39 steps at Wembley. Now there are 112 that Matt Oakley had to climb to lift the Championship play-off trophy. And yet the strides Derby County have taken are far, far greater than that. Finishing in 20th place 12 months ago and burdened by huge debts, they are now a Premiership club. It is a remarkably rapid journey, albeit via the scenic route of the play-offs.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=434517&root=england&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos2&cc=5901

Udinese And The Sacrifice Of Three Stripes

If you are an Udinese fan you won’t be too happy to know that next season your favourite team will be playing its first ten home games away from home, more precisely at Bologna. The reason is the Friuli Stadium needs some profound restoration. But the bad news is not over, as the Bianconeri could also have to watch a quite depleted team, if they’ll make the trip to the Dall’Ara Stadium. In fact it looks like a summer exodus is about to begin: Antonio Di Natale, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Sulley Muntari are all reportedly leaving for different destinations.

http://goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=314816

The Mill

Tuesday's rumours

FIFA bans high-altitude international matches

Bolivia are screwed. No more matches at their stadium that sits 3,600 meters (just under 12,000 feet) above sea level...
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=434361&cc=5901

And a classic Sepp Blatter comment:
"People said then that Americans didn't know what football was, but we taught them."

Allen Hopkins: Beckham might inspire a British invasion

David Beckham's arrival this summer still could provide the spark for a full-fledged 21st century "British Invasion." Reports continue to surface linking two former England internationals to MLS, Liverpool's Robbie Fowler linked to the New England Revs and Teddy Sheringham to New York Red Bull.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=433581&root=mls&cc=5901

Roma 4 - 3 Messina -- all the goals

Including a sublime chip from Mancini and a pathetic penalty from Totti...

Fiorentina allow striker Toni to leave

Toni, who has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich in the Italian press, held a meeting with Fiorentina President Andrea Della Valle and made it clear he wanted to go.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=434562&cc=5901

Rams Up!

Well, Derby have made it to the Prem. Nice of them to do it the easy way by messing up direct promotion, needing a penalty shoot-out and then the play-off final. Now they might loose their manager...

Davies keeps Derby waiting

That would indeed be classic Derby. It happened years ago with Brian Clough, so why not a mini version with Billy Davies? They'll be favourites for the drop, and rightly so. Perhaps only 2 or 3 of their present team would get into Watford's starting 11. That said, Davies is a canny leader. The Rafa Benitez of the Championship. He goes against the traditions of club, as his teams offer little in the way of flowing football. But they get results [also against the traditions of the club]. We also have a few good young players to watch out for, Barnes, Jones and Pearson.

West Brom were arguably the better team yesterday, but Derby were 8 points ahead of them at the end of the season, so they can't really complain.

Now have some cash to spend...

Derby gamble hits the jackpot

...or perhaps pay off our huge debt.

Mission accomplished – but staying up is harder

Keep dreaming Michel...

Platini urges G14 to break up

France

Houllier steps down as Lyon coach
Sochaux: Perrin will go to Lyon

A bit of Maths

The nation’s top ten – no arguments

EPL News

Reo-Coker holds out for big move
Al Fayed ready to unveil his summer collection
In-demand Nugent will bide time

England

Beckham reveals England's weakened state
McClaren slips up in turning to a faded idol
U-turn was making of McClaren - can the latest save him?

Italia

James Richardson reports that Chievo's Flying Donkeys were relegated on the final day of the strangest-ever Serie A season.
Drop the dead Donkeys

Deutschland

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger says: The Bundesliga season just past has, as always, brought many intriguing stories and subplots. You'll be pretty familiar with many of the fairy tales and/or dramas which unfolded in the top flight, so let's cast our glance to the floor below, the 2nd Bundesliga.
A season of redemption

España

Sid Lowe: Illegal incentive payments are rumoured to be rife as the La Liga season reaches its climax, and nobody is safe from the finger-pointing. La Liga dreams built on suspicious minds
Real: We wanted Becks to stay
Phil Ball: Last Lap Delay
Madrid eye Heinze

Liverpool

Bring Owen home, pleads Gerrard
Future bright for striker under Benitez
Reds confirm Simao interest

Derby County Win Promotion

After five years in the Championship the Rams have played their way back into the Premiership. Special congratulations to lifetime season ticket holder and The News contributor Alec "TSB" Thomson!





Pearson puts Derby in dreamland
Oakley disbelieving after Derby victory

La Liga Roundup

Real, Barca and Sevilla all win as the race for the title stays hot. The relegation picture is coming into focus.

Van Nistelrooy optimistic of Liga title
Real Madrid 3-1 Deportivo La Coruña
Barcelona hold on for Getafe win
Sevilla Keep Pressure On
Relegation Zone Takes Shape

Serie A Wrap Up

The Italian season has drawn to a close. It played out pretty much as one might have expected; with Juventus relegated and several other of the top clubs docked points for their roles in the Calciopoli scandal Inter had the title handed to them on a silver platter. A lack of challengers for top honors did little to dent their ambition however and the laid waste to the competition, winning the league with weeks to spare and topping the table with a mind boggling 97 points and a +46 GD. Much of the real drama took place below them on the table as the big clubs battled through points deductions to secure spaces in Europe for next season. Lazio and Milan, both players in the Calciopoli scandal, managed to overcome deductions of 3 and 8 points respectively to secure the final two Champions League berths while Fiorentina's scintillating second half form saw them overcome an 18 point deduction to finish 6th, just 3 points out of the top four. It's a pretty astounding effort though one can't help but think that they achieved it by cheating. Unsurprising struggles at the foot of the table saw Chievo, Ascoli and Messina relegated. Juventus have won Serie B and will be promoted so barring any unforeseen summer scandals the balance of power should be restored and we'll have a chance to see Roberto Mancini's Inter have a chance to prove that they're capable of winning on a level playing field.

Serie A Round 38

Team W D L GD Points

1 Inter 30 7 1 46 97
2 Roma 22 9 7 40 75
3 Lazio 18 11 9 26 62*
4 Milan 19 12 7 21 61*
5 Palermo 16 10 12 7 58
6 Fiorentina 21 10 7 31 68*
7 Empoli 14 12 12 -1 54
8 Atalanta 12 14 12 2 50
9 Sampadoria 13 10 15 -4 49
10 Udinese 12 10 16 -6 46
11 Livorno 10 13 15 -13 43
12 Parma 10 12 16 -15 42
13 Catania 10 11 17 -22 41
14 Torino 10 10 18 -20 40
15 Siena 9 14 15 -10 40**
16 Reggina 12 15 11 2 40*
17 Cagliari 9 13 16 -11 40
18 Chievo 9 12 17 -10 39
19 Ascoli 5 12 21 -31 27
20 Messina 5 11 22 -32 26


* Calciopoli points deductions : Fiorentina 15, Reggina 11, Milan 8, Lazio 3
** Siena deducted 1 point for financial irregularities