Thursday's Rumours
+
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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Michael Ballack says Chelsea axe was Roman Abramovich's decision
"Chelsea was always my first choice as I had four great years at the club and enjoyed every minute, but it was not to be. It's still my first choice, even now, but it was not up to me. The decision was down to Roman," Ballack said.
South Africa: More Than a Game
David Beckham's torn Achilles tendon, Michael Ballack's injured ankle and Michael Essien's and Rio Ferdinand's busted knees all will not be fixed until after the 2010 World Cup, but that's not the injury that South African administrators want to see healed when the final whistle blows. It's the cracks in South African society that they hope will be filled with feelings of nation-building and unity when the tournament ends.
Referees learning English swear words
The Brazilian referee and his assistants who will work the England-United States match at the World Cup have been studying English-language obscenities the players might use.
This is the only photo I could find of the English class in Stripes. Son of bitch! Shit!...
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Three Foreign Journalists Robbed At Gunpoint In South Africa, Korean Man Strangled
Two journalists from Portugal and one from Spain were last night victims to armed robbery in South Africa.
The three reporters, from Expresso, Global Noticias and Marca, were sleeping in their hotel located 15 km away from Magaliesburg when the robbers broke into their rooms at around 0400 BST.
One of the rooms...
Chelsea release Joe Cole and Michael Ballack
Chelsea are to release Joe Cole and Michael Ballack when their contracts expire at the end of the month after failing to agree terms over new deals with the experienced internationals.
Suited and muted: corporate set stays away from World Cup
They were reviled as the prawn sandwich brigade but, for this World Cup at least, they will have to stay at home and make their own sandwiches and buy their own champagne. Corporate hospitality has slumped at the World Cup in South Africa.
One estimate claims that bookings are down by 46 per cent on the 2006 World Cup in Germany and Fifa has admitted defeat by putting 38,000 corporate tickets on the open market.
Fabio Capello confronts photographers as World Cup tension builds
The outburst, which lasted no more than a minute, is out of character for the normally controlled Italian.
Inter Milan strike Rafa deal
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has confirmed that Rafael Benitez will be appointed as the new head coach of the Italian champions on Wednesday.
This one's for you, Virginia...
Carlisle: Men's team is prepared -- even for Rooney
With practices open to the media only for the first 15 minutes, and news conferences usually restricted to manager Bob Bradley and a select player or two, gauging the mood of the U.S. team is often akin to reading tea leaves. Amid the usual platitudes, words are parsed and body language is interpreted for any hint of what the players are really thinking.
Marcotti: The 30 players set to light up the World Cup
Plenty of reasons to watch the World Cup, of course, here’s a list of thirty guys I’m excited to watch, for different reasons. Note: this is not a top 30, I don’t believe that Karim Ziani is the best player in the world (or in the World Cup, or even on the Algerian team). I’ve limited myself to players outside the Premier League (so no England players, I think we’ve seen enough of them already) and I haven’t selected any Italy players (I’ve seen enough of them, too). Instead, I’ve picked one from each of the other 30 teams.
Watch out -- the Aussies have Jesus...
USA draft in Top Gun hero to give pre-England game pep talk
Coach Bob Bradley called up legendary military man Commander Dan Jollota, and the veteran Top Gun gave the footballers a lecture in bravery and team work, passing on the US soldier's motto of "no man gets left behind."
Eleven times NBA champion coach Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics has also spoken to the USA team.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Tim Vickery in South America
Once the World Cup hosts have got the action under way in South Africa on Friday afternoon the drone of the vuvuzelas might die down and the sound of drums should come through as the second game kicks off in Cape Town. They might sound straight out of Africa but the drums will be pounding for Uruguay, telling a tale that stretches across oceans, religions and races.
It is entirely fitting that Uruguay grabbed the last place in the 2010 tournament - and not only because they were the first champions. Africa's World Cup is surely strengthened by the presence of the country that did most to pioneer the selection of people of African descent.
The Big Interview: Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o talks about the day he arrived in Madrid as a 15-year-old, racism in Europe and his World Cup dream.
Top 10 Wrong Pele Predictions
Pele may have been one of the greatest players in the history of the game, having been part of three victorious World Cup teams in 1958, 1962 and 1970, but, since retiring, he has become less respected as a pundit off-the-pitch.
The Brazilian is infamous for his numerous wrong predictions over the years. Romario once declared that "Pele is a poet when he keeps his mouth shut", while coach Luiz Felipe Scolari delivered the legendary line, "I believe Pele knows nothing about football. His analysis always turns out to be wrong. If you want to win a title, you have to listen to Pele and then do the opposite."
In light-hearted celebration of 'The King', Goal.com have put together the Top 10 Wrong Pele Predictions.
Best & Worst: The Rafael Benitez Era At Liverpool
Now he has gone, and set to take take on a new trabajo (that's job in Spanish, don't ever say Goal.com isn't cultured) at current Champions League holders Inter. For better or worse, Liverpool fans will always have the memories…
Portugal's Nani out of World Cup
Portugal winger Nani has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a shoulder injury.
"After tests we conclude he is unfit to participate in the World Cup," said a team statement.
Report: Sacha Kljestan To Sign For Anderlecht Within The Week
Persistent rumors continue to link Sacha Kljestan with Anderlecht. The latest, from Het Laatste Nieuws, claim that Chivas USA's captain will sign with the Belgian club within the week.
Monday (Tues.) MLS Breakdown: Wonder Goal Could End Seattle Scoring Drought
Sometimes, it takes something special to end a barren run in front of goal. Kyle McCarthy wonders whether Leo Gonzalez's stunning opener in Seattle's 3-0 win over New England may lead to a more ruthless Seattle attack before discussing all of the Week 11 action.
Manchester City release Petrov, Sylvinho and Benjani
A statement on the club's official website read: "Martin Petrov, Sylvinho and Benjani are senior players who will leave City this summer. All three are out of contract and free to negotiate deals at new clubs.
Doing this every time he scored obviously wasn't enough...
David Villa's Barcelona Contract Makes History With Anti-Racism Clause
"It is the first time that a contract has been signed with an anti-racism clause included as introduced by the European Club Association," said Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Monday, June 07, 2010
The Joy of Six: World Cup Memories
From Northern Ireland beating Spain to Scotland holding Brazil, Guardian writers share their fondest World Cup reminiscences.
+%281%29.jpeg)
Carlisle: The Bad Old Days
When the United States clinched qualification for the 2010 World Cup last October, it marked the country's sixth consecutive appearance in the finals of soccer's biggest party, and in every respect it wasn't a surprise. Given the resources the sport enjoys in the U.S. these days, qualifying for the World Cup is the bare minimum that is expected. Any other outcome is borderline unthinkable. Yet there was a time when such expectations were the stuff of fantasy.
Between 1950 and 1990, not only did the U.S. fail to qualify, on only one of those occasions could it claim to have gotten as close as the final hurdle. That came in 1954, when the qualifying journey consisted of a single round of games.
Monday's World Cup 2010 Round-up
Argentina defender Martin Demichelis has defended coach Diego Maradona against criticism that the nation's legendary former midfielder could be a hindrance to their chances of World Cup glory.
Round-Up
Eyes of the world more anxious as they focus on South Africa
It could have been worse. That was the only consoling thought on a day when Africa’s World Cup euphoria evaporated.
For 20 people, including a policeman, to be injured in a stampede at the friendly match between Nigeria and North Korea in the Johannesburg suburb of Makhulong was nonetheless bad enough. This, after all, was one of those low-key fixtures designed to tune national teams for tournaments at which passion is usually hard to summon.
England's opening World Cup 2010 referee branded a 'crook'
The Brazilian referee appointed for England's opening Group C game against the USA was suspended last season by his national federation amid accusations of bribery and incompetence.
Carlos Eugênio Simon, who has officiated at the last two World Cup finals, was stood down by the Brazilian football confederation for the final six weeks of the domestic campaign after a build-up of perceived errors culminated in the president of Palmeiras denouncing him as "a crook, a scoundrel and a shameless bastard".
Plenty to ponder for U.S. team
United States 3 - 1 Australia
As dress rehearsals go, the U.S. men's national team had plenty to be happy about following its 3-1 victory over Australia. Yet while the scoreline implies a resounding victory, it was a result that flattered the Americans to an extent, giving them plenty to ponder as they prepare for their long-awaited matchup with England next week.
Kevin McCarra's Report
Winners and Losers
2010 World Cup Tuneups: Serbia storms back, Italy held by Swiss
Forward Marko Pantelic scored in first-half injury time as Serbia twice came from a goal down on Saturday to win 4-3 over a Cameroon side playing without its captain Samuel Eto'o.
In other World Cup tuneups, Switzerland and slumping world champion Italy drew 1-1 and Honduras lost in Austria to non-qualifier Romania 3-0.
In Belgrade, Serbia, CSKA midfielder Milos Krasic scored first for Serbia in the 16th minute, kicking in a ball that bounced off Cameroon goalie Souleymanou Hamidou.
Friday, June 04, 2010
The father & son plotting England's downfall
Michael sounds relaxed and laid back during our conversation, often spending a long time considering his answers. On the field, he is a different proposition.
A tenacious midfielder who thrives on breaking up play, he is equally adept at initiating attacking moves with raking defence-splitting passes.
World Cup 2010: Serbia seek to banish discord under Raddy Antic
Serbia qualified impressively and have an experienced operator for a coach, but recent setbacks have reawakened old doubts.
Rio Ferdinand a World Cup worry for England after knee injury
"Rio picked up a knee problem in training. It happened near the end. He has gone to hospital for a scan and we will have to see how things are."
Liverpool: Who will succeed Rafa?
Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish has been asked to find Rafael Benitez's successor as Liverpool manager, with Roy Hodgson and Martin O'Neill among the frontrunners.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Fabio Cannavaro completes move to Al Ahli
Fabio Cannavaro, the Italy captain, has signed a two-year deal with Al Ahli, the defending UAE League champions.
Theo Walcott, England's World Cup flier, will remain forever grounded
There is an air of sadness around Fabio Capello's decision to dash the dreams of England's boy wonder.
Barcelona open talks with Arsenal over Fabregas
The club's director confirmed on the official website that a written offer has been submitted and formal talks are underway.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)