Home is Where the Heart Is For The Nationals: The Team Checks Out Its New Digs (From the DC Sports Box)

Home is Where the Heart Is For The Nationals:! The Team Checks Out Its New Digs (From the DC Sports Box)

Okay, this is an Oriole blog, but I am a fan of baseball in general. Here's a story I did for the DC Sports Box, as I got to attend the event at Nationals Park where the players got to see the completed ballpark last night.

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With one the biggest days ever in Washington sports history ready to be ushered with the new ballpark opening on the Anacostia waterfront, the spotlight of the baseball world will be on the area Sunday night against the Atlanta Braves.

On Thursday night, the Nationals' players along with manager Manny Acta and his staff finally got to see their new digs at the ballpark.

For many, it was the first time.

It was like Christmas for many, and for the players – all of whom are obviously grown men, acted like kids who had gotten a present that they ever-so-wished for.

They came immediately on two chart! ered buses from Dulles Airport en route to Nationals Park, whe! re they rolled into their new home.

The team, flanked by Mark Lerner, principal owner, and Stan Kasten, team president, immediately walked to the playing field, and needless to say they were in awe.

Everyone's attention immediately went to the super huge high-definition scoreboard which everyone gazed at, pointed and commented about to no end.

Players split up into packs, and just walked on the crisp, flowing, perfectly manicured green grass and just gazed in amazement seemingly forever.

General Manager Jim Bowden commented briefly when asked about the ballpark, "Amazing – 10 out 10, and you could not have asked for anything better."

Upon leaving the field, the players went directly to the large oval-shaped clubhouse and for many, it was like stepping into a newly purchased house --- alas, only with the finest amenities and somewhere you can be at peace and as All-Star Dmitri Young simply quipped, "wow".

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Empathy For Jay Gibbons

If you have a chance to check out ESPN.com this evening, you should probably read "Players like Bonds, Gibbons, Logan Struggle To Find Work". It's a pretty eye-opening piece on how some unemployed players who implicated in the Mitchell Report have had a very hard time finding work and are still on the market.

Obviously, we know the saga of Barry Bonds, but much of the piece is devoted to former Oriole Jay Gibbons.

Thus, if you read the piece, you'll also see a letter -- an impassioned one -- that he wrote to all 30 teams within baseba! ll.

Here's some of what he wrote:

I have faith and hope that some team will give me the chance to prove that I can not only be a productive player but also be a stellar member of their organization. My faith in a second chance has inspired me to work harder than I have at any time in my life. My faith has gotten me through this most difficult period in my life.

All I need is a chance -- any chance -- anywhere. I am more than willing to begin the process of proving that I can and will be a productive major league player by playing in the minor leagues.

Also...

I am so willing to prove myself as a player, and a person, that I will donate ALL of my minor league earnings to your Club's charity. In the event that I earn the right to play at the major league level, I will gladly donate a significant sum to that same charity.

Once again, all I need is a chance and I will prove that I can be an extremely! productive player and a great addition to your organization.Well, I have chastised our former slugger, but also feel tremendous empathy for him, as I have talked to him a few times and seen him interact with others -- especially kids -- in PR/community for the team.

I'll say, he may have cheated for whatever reason, but honestly, I think he should get another chance to play baseball, considering some of the other players who were in the report are employed and still have their careers intact. Furthermore, not to criticize other players, but he's unemployed mostly for the fact HE DIDN'T PRODUCE.

That's really it. If he were a .300 hitter with 35 homers a year annually, someone would justify him being employed and take the sword for him. It's that simple.

I do think Jay cheated and stole money? Yes. However, there's a long list -- perhaps maybe multiplied by the amount of players not in the Mitchell Report who have profited handsomely from the specter of drugs and the brass of Major Baseball turning! it's back to an obvious problem.

Perhaps Gibbons may be closer to finding work as the Sun posted this:

From The Baltimore Sun:Gibbons, whom the Orioles released in March, several months after he admitted to using human growth hormone and agreed to a Major League Baseball-imposed suspension, said he expects to sign with a New York- or New Jersey-based Atlantic League club by tomorrow and should be in uniform within days.

"I want to continue my career and start over," said Gibbons, 31. "This is an opportunity, and that is all I have been looking for."

Gibbons has split time in his native California and his offseason Arizona home waiting to catch on with another organization. In May, he sent a letter to the other 29 baseball organizations asking for an opportunity to play.

I think he's served his punishment by just the embarrassment factor alone. He was hung out to dry by Maj! or League Baseball, and was pretty much tried and convicted by! most fa ns on the 'net, sports talk radio as well as the press.

In the end, I only wish Jay Gibbons the best of luck getting a spot back into the sport, as I believe he's truly sorry, wants forgiveness, and a chance to play again -- unlike some of the others who have been implicated, who have either lawyered up or refused to talk.

Why would I want him to be employed again? I think despite Jay Gibbons have been a multi-millionaire several times over and over should be given another shot despite his inclusion in the Mitchell Report. Obviously, he's starting from square one and will need to earn his spot, but from the letter I have read he's shown a lot of contrition, and considering some of his peers are playing despite also being in the document -- Gibbons should be given a chance to prove and redeem himself.

Before I go, one person needs to be singled out for his compassion -- Tigers' GM Dave Dombrowski for at least responding to Gibbons letter with ! dignity and decorum, despite the team not being interested in his service.

Loewen and the Jays

Upon reading today's Sun article on Adam Loewen signing with the Blue Jays, I don't think anyone can begrudge him.

I respected the kid because he was a bulldog on the mound and seemed to work hard; however, it looks like wanted for play for Toronto, simply because he is a Canadian and rooted for them growing up.

I'm sure a lot of fans and people will miss him in the organization, but he's got a hill to climb in order to transition from pitching to become a big league hitter.

"I don't think it's about money," MacPhail said. "The way it was explained to me, it's all about playing for his national team in Canada and it's not about terms or anything. The way it was explained to me is he grew up there and it's his lifelong dream to play for Toronto. I have no interest in having Baltimore become part of Canada. We're proud members o! f the United States, and there isn't much we can do about it."

It was assumed Loewen would re-sign with the Orioles -- until the Jays looked into getting him...

That apparently changed when Toronto came calling. Loewen said he and his representation told the Orioles there were "other offers on the table and they knew fully that there were other teams interested.

"It has been something I've been struggling with ever since I got put on waivers and the possibility presented itself," Loewen said. "[The Orioles] fully did what they had to do and I was aware of that. They did everything on their part that they could do to try to sign me back. I love playing in Baltimore and I loved the coaching staff. Even when I went to instructional league, the coaching staff was outstanding. There was no animosity at all. I just thought this was an opportunity that doesn't come along very often. It was tougher than I could say. I'm excited to be a ! Blue Jay, but I'll never forget my time in Baltimore."Spo rts is a huge business, and no matter what we think, if Loewen struggled horribly -- he could have been released anyway. However, it looked like the Orioles were going to have him every chance in the world to succeed.

The ball was in Adam's court, but instead, he wanted to play for the Jays, and we shouldn't judge him. This move will be simply one the Orioles could afford to not get emotional about -- he was not going to help the team in 2008, 2009 or perhaps beyond.

I'll be rooting for him to make it back to the Big Leagues.

Teixeira Goes to Washington?

Well, I think we may have a reason why the Teixeira sweepstakes dubbed by some on internet "As The Teixeira Turns" has gone on and on from a posting from MASN's Roch Kubatko just a few hours ago.

And, yes, it involves the team to the south -- the Washington Nationals.

According to multiple sources, the Washington Nationals have sweetened their proposal to first baseman Mark Teixeira, offering him an eight-year deal worth $178 to $184 million.

The Nats were belie! ved to have an eight-year, $160 million offer on the table. They apparently have increased the total value, putting them ahead of the other contenders, based on the numbers that have been reported.

I'm also told that they're willing to go nine years - and there's been talk of 10 - which could be one reason why agent Scott Boras is dragging along negotiations. He's also trying to get the Red Sox back in the game and see if the Yankees and Orioles will react.

So just how flexible is that Orioles offer?

Right now, the Nationals need him in a big way -- they finished with 102 losses in '08, their TV and radio ratings are minuscule, and they drew slightly north of two million in their new ballpark. They'll have a franchise face along with Ryan Zimmerman and no doubt be the cornerstone of the young organization.

If the Nationals win this derby, it will go to show that Teixeira along with his agent Scott Boras are nothing more than mone! y-grabbers. More or less, the slugger will be nothing more tha! n a merc enary in the eyes of many, and may find himself in A-Rod territory with an albatross of a contract defining his career.

Then again, maybe Boras is using Washington to get him an even larger payday from New York or Boston. Heck, maybe Baltimore ups their offer!

Whatever happens with Teixeira, I will think of him as nothing more than your typical, greedy, self-centered athlete. Not that I am against him making money; however, the reception he'll get if he comes to Baltimore in an opposing uniform will be chilly.

SoBe Water Super Bowl Spot Featuring Ray Lewis...

If you all have not seen it, here's the Sobe commericial that features the Ravens' Ray Lewis. I find the spot a little weird, I'm not sure what quite to think...

>>> Read More

Koji Debuts on the Mound for Baltimore This Afternoon

In about an hour, Koji Uehara -- the newest Oriole import -- starts on the mound for Baltimore as they take on the Marlins in Jupiter, Florida. I'm sure his start will be eagerly anticipated by the organizational brass, along with some in the Japanese media. It will be interesting to see how he faces off against major leaguers and what stuff he's got on the mound.

>>> Read More

O's Lose to Tampa; Nolan Reimold Called Up...

There's really no need to discuss what happened last night in the ninth inning. The Orioles lost 8-6 to the Rays in a game that was not as close you'd think.

Baltimore scored four times in the bottom of the ninth to close what had become a six run deficit thanks to home runs by Roberts and Pie; however, the bullpen -- mainly Bob McCrory blew the game wide open.

With the Rays leading 4-2 in the ninth, Bob McCrory came in and suddenly forgot how to throw strikes; moreover, the Rays pounded his fastball and put it in play for hit after hit. When all was said and done, McCrory gave up four runs, allowed three hits, and walked four in the course of 1 2/3 innings. After the game, he wa! s sent down to Norfolk and Nolan Reimold -- who has been nothing but scorching hot in in Triple-A -- is now in the majors.

Brad Bergesen took the loss on Wednesday as he gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings. Jeff Neimann won the game for Tampa as he went five innings and only gave up two runs.

The Orioles got hit by the injury bug again as Adam Jones hit a sure double to right field in the second inning that drove in a run; however, he had trouble running to first, and was pulled from the game a minute later due to a sore hamstring. It is unknown if Jones will go the disabled list, but with Luke Scott ailing with a bad shoulder, and Pie being out sick -- food poisoning, although he was summoned to play after Jones went out Wednesday -- the outfield situation is definitely in flux.

>>> Read More

O's Beat Rangers 5-4 on Saturday and Honor the Negro Leagues...

On Saturday, Brian Matusz earned his fourth major league win and Melvin Mora had a huge day with a 3-for-4 afternoon plus drove in three runs as Baltimore beat Texas, 5-4, in second contest of a three game set.

Texas jumped all over Matusz to take a 3-0 lead in the first inning and scored again in the thirs, but the Orioles chipped away at their lead and ended up tying the game at four in the bottom of the third inning. Baltimore took the lead in the fifth inning thanks to a Mora RBI-single. He also had a solo home run in the second inning, plus drove in another run in the third.

>>> Read More

Oilers Acquire Ales Kotalik

Edmonton acquired Ales Kotalik from Buffalo for a 2nd rd pick

Round 1: Rangers vs Capitals Playoff Schedule

Game 1 Wed. April 15, 7pm et on MSG Rangers @ Capitals
Game 2 Sat. April 18, 1pm et on NBC Rangers @ Capitals
Game 3 Mon. April 20, 7pm et on VERSUS Capitals @ Rangers
Game 4 Wed. April 22, 7pm et on VERSUS @ Rangers
*Game 5 Fri. April 24, 7pm et on VERSUS Rangers @ Capitals
*Game 6 Sun. April 26, 2pm et on NBC Capitals @ Rangers
*Game 7 Tue. April 28, TBD on VERSUS Rangers @ Capitals

* If Necessary

Not sure about the rest of you NYR fans, but I sure hate watching "my" team on a national broadcast, I'd much rather listen to the analysis & commentating brought to the table by Rosen and Michaletti.
Here's a network by network look at what channel to find the first round games for every series. [>Link]

Rangers vs. Capitals playoff tickets on eBay, StubHub & RazorGator

Pascal Dupuis With Some New Ink

Rumor: NYR Sign UFA Francis Bouillon

This is a rumor, so don't take this as set in stone yet.

A couple of days ago another radio station in Montreal had said that it was a done deal. But, according to a Twitter post a short while ago:

La Presse and Team 990 reporting Francis Bouillon to Rangers - deal is for 1yr @ $1M

Voice your opinion about this in the new Forum

When/if this is confirmed I will update

Decent numbers for Olympic trials.

Reviews not kind for Barber, Olympic Update.

Idle notes.

BCS to ESPN?

College football ratings on broadcast.

Idle notes.

Barkley on his arrest, Phelps.

Duke/North Carolina draws highest overnight in four years.

Weekend ratings predictions.

Double-overtime thriller gives ABC a boost.

Idle notes.

Phils of the future

Titans/Steelers scores touchdown for NBC

Info Sepakbola | Sliding Tackle

Adalah merebut bola dari lawan menggunakan kaki dengan cara meluncur dan menjatuhkan badan. Sliding tackle termasuk tehnik yang beresiko. Jika dilakukan dengan cara dan timing yang tepat maka bisa membuat cidera lawan dan bisa dikenai hukuman oleh wasit. Saat melakukan, pemain harus..... menekuk lutut sebagai penopang tubuh disaat pe! main meluncur dengan bertumpu pada kaki itu. Saat kaki yang satunya memnyentuh bola, pindahkan berat badan ke kaki yang melakukan serobotan. Biasanya gerakan ini langsung bisa merebut bola. Jika gagal, coba lakukan secara rutin dan bertahap. Timing sangat penting dalam melakukan sliding tackle. Untuk itu perkirakan dengan cermat saat melakukannya.

Hasil Pertandingan | Kualifikasi Pilala Dunia 2009/2 010 | Kamerun Atasi Togo 3 - 0

Kamerun tinggal selangkah lagi memegang tiket ke Piala Dunia 2010. Hal itu berkaitan dengan kemenangan terakhir mereka di Grup A Zona Afrika, di mana mereka menekuk Togo 3-0.

Pada laga yang dihelat di Stadion Stade Omnisport, Sabtu (10/10/2009) waktu setempat, tuan rumah Kamerun tampil dengan diperkuat bintang Inter Milan, Samuel Eto'o. Se! mentara di kubu seberang tampil pula striker Manchester City, Emmanuel Adebayor. Namun tak ada satu pun dari keduanya yang mencetak gol di laga ini.

Tiga gol 'Tim Singa Afrika' dihasilkan Geremi pada menit 30, Jean Makoun 18 menit berselang dan terakhir oleh Achille Emana, ketika laga memasuki menit 57. Dengan tiga gol tersebut, poin penuh pun didapat.

Kamerun kini memimpin klasemen sementara Grup A zona Afrika dengan koleksi nilai 10, berselisih satu angka dengan Gabon yang ada di urutan dua. Dengan satu pertandingan tersisa, pasukan Paul Le Guen itu memiliki peluang yang relatif lebih besar ketimbang Gabon untuk lolos.

Jika lolos, maka ini akan menjadi obat bagi kegagalan mereka empat tiga tahun silam, kala gagal melaju ke Piala Dunia 2006 di Jerman.

Gabon sendiri pada pertandingan lainnya sukses menekuk Maroko 3-1. Tiga gol tersebut dihasilkan lewat gol bunuh diri Hicham Mahdoufi (menit ! 44), Eric Mouloungi (71) dan Daniel Cousin (76). Satu-satunya ! gol Maro ko diciptakan oleh Adel Taarabt di menit 89.

Sementara untuk Togo dan Maroko sendiri, mereka sudah dipastikan tak memiliki peluang untuk lolos. Keduanya terdampar di urutan tiga dan empat klasemen sementara. Togo hanya mengoleksi lima poin, sedangkan Maroko baru tiga.

REGOLA SCAMBI

Ho raccolto il suggerimento di Luigi e da buon presidente sono andato a verificare il regolamento ufficiale visto che quest'anno non abbiamo votato fino a che punto della stagione era possibile effettuare scambi. Essendo necessaria l'unanimità, direi di seguire alla lettera il regolamento ufficiale della Federazione Fantacalcio che nell'appendice 4, paragrafo 13, recita quanto segue:

13. Gli scambi di calciatori durante la stagione sono permessi sino alla settimana successiva alla chiusura ufficiale del Calciomercato Invernale di Serie A (31 gennaio)

Stando così le cose, dichiaro valido lo scambio avvenuto tra Paolo e Tommaso e tutti quelli che entro le 21.00 di venerdì 6 febbraio verranno effettuati (ricordate che il totale lo abbiamo stabilito ed è di un massimo di 4 scambi).

Con affetto
il Presidente

UEFA CUP GROUP STAGE 2008/09: GREAT NIGHT FOR SPANIARDS

RID ALL FOOTBALL & SPORTS OF RACISM!!!

SAMUEL ETO´O & INTER MILAN TALKING?

EURO 2008 FINAL: SPAIN SUMMONDS THE SPIRIT OF 1964

EUROPEAN U/17 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2008: FRANCE 0 - SPAIN 4

THE DOOR MAY OPEN FOR QUARESMA: PORTUGUES FOOTBALL SCANDAL

ALFREDO DI STEFANO - REAL MADRID & THE FOOTBALL WORLD PAYS TODAY HOMAGE

SPANISH CUP: SEVILLA 1 - FC BARCELONA 1 - 1º LEG VIDEO HIGHLIGHT

REAL MADRID NEWS: HEINZE-ROBBEN OFFICIALLY PRESENTED

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2007 PREVIEW: FC BARCELONA & SEVILLA FC

U/17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. SYRIA 1 - SPAIN 2

VILLAREAL NEWS. FORLAN & SENNA FIST FIGHT AT TRAINING - SEE VIDEO

SPANISH FOOTBALL. REAL BETIS & ATHLETIC DE BILBAO HAVE NEW COACHES

EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE: WILL THIS BE THE FUTURE?

SPANISH FOOTBALL: JOAQUIN CORTIZO HISTORICAL RECORD GAMES SUSPENSION HOLDER

THE MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO USED BY COACH GUARDIOLA BEFORE THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009 FINAL

FIFA RANKING: SPAIN LOSE TOP SPOT TO BRASIL

EUROPA LEAGUE PRELIMINARIES 2009: YOUNG BOYS 1- ATH BILBAO 2 (VIDEO)

VALENCIA CF: LIVERPOOL FC PREPARING A 50M OFFER FOR DAVID VILLA?

Ibagaza: Güiza Must Grasp Opportunity

We Want Arshavin, Says Guardiola

Ferguson Bombshell: If Ronaldo Leaves, So Will I

Sinama: Agüero Is One Of The Best

Jiménez: Players Gave Their All

Yaya Touré: Messi Will Win Ballon d'Or Next Year!

Bilbao Peg Back Espanyol For Share Of The Points

This Is The Espanyol We All Want - Mauricio Pochettino

Ramos focused on beating Reds

Predictors Of Risk Face Scrutiny

Serena Williams wins at Key Biscayne

Federer weds longtime girlfriend Vavrinec

City deny Messi rumours

Cadiz capture Tristan

Alonso receives injury boost

Raul Gonzales on Real Madrid FC

Raul Gonzales on Real Madrid FC

La Liga Transfer Window: Ibracadabra Becomes Ibracabarca

Ibrahimovic When Announced as New Football Player of Barcelona

Ibrahimovic Kisses His New Cost! ume, Barcelona FC

Ibrahimovic Shows His New Number 9 in Barcelona

Ibrahimovic With Mr. ! Joan Laporta, Barcelona's President

Barcelona New Reqruits:
Ibrahimovic Is Very Glad Can Play Gathering With Messi

Barcelona Football Club, La Liga Champions for 2008/2009 season, gets what it wants. Yup! he is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Barcelona Gets Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan After hard negosiating in Milan. And so Ibrahimovic, he wants to much can play in Barcelona for the nexh season competition. For Ibrahimovic, Barcelona is the greatest football team in the world.

Barcelona got Ibrahimovic after the Italian outfit want to receive €10 million plus the services of the Cameroonian striker, Samuel Eto'o. Samuel Eto'o became the unexpected player to play in Barcelona for the next season. Furtunately, samuel eto'o accept this deal and he will play in Inter Milan when Ibra plays in barcelona for the next season. Actually, in this clausul also mentioned Alexander Hleb, but he don't! want play in Inter Milan, so he decide to go to Bundes Liga.

In Barcelona Ibrahimovic wears coetume number 9 which ever wore by samuel eto'o. This number 9 is also the same number which Ibra wore in Inter Milan. Ibrahimovic wants to get more championship title with Barcelona in Nou Camp. He is also very happy can play gathering with Lionel Messi in Barcelona. in Barcelona ibracadabra, the famous name of Ibrahimovic, will change to Ibracabarca, Good luck Ibra!

Robbo Signs!

By PoshSpur
For THBN

Paul Robinson has signed his new 7-year contract.

This is great news. I hated all the rumours that Manchester United were after him. He's proving to be one of the all-time Tottenham great players.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Issue - Part II

In November 2007, Tottenham Hotspur hired the services of Tony Winterbottom. Mr. Winterbottom was the Executive Director of the London Development Agency/Authority (LDA) and was also the leading development consultant in the pre/post building of the Emirates Stadium.

"Our priority for this year [2008] is to make sure that we have a plan in action in relation to where we will be playing our football matches in the future". - said a club spokesperson in January 2008.

"The club is reviewing its options and will commit to one option in the first half of 2008,"! commented Daniel Levy in November 2007.

Thus far, Mr. Winterbottom and his team have been working on a secondary stadium plan. We know that an initial plan was submitted to Tottenham Hotspur management in April 2008, although this plan could not be put into use as "the strategy behind it was unfeasible at this time", said one club official to THBN.

"Mr. Winterbottom has taken into his employ another three professionals who are well versed in stadia law, design and development. " – added another club spokesman.

Out of the three professionals that have been employed to lead the Winterbottom team, are Ken Shuttleworth and Paul Phillips, who are heading the strategic development & design aspects of the project and the project management side respectively. The third individual has not been named by the club.

Mr. Shuttleworth was the chief designer of the famous gherkin building in central London and headed the design team that dr! ew the architectural drawings for the New Wembley.

! Mr. Phil lips is a buildings project manager and has already undertaken the Emirates Stadium project. Paul Phillips is responsible, under the supervision of Tony Winterbottom, for calculating the project costs.

When we asked the club if the figure-work Mr. Phillips was analysing was for an expansion of White Hart Lane, or a new stadium altogether, we were told that "this information could not be disclosed at present".

We also asked the club why the statement they released in November 2007 and January 2008, stating that "a final stadium decision is expected in the first six months of next year [2008], had not been kept to? We were informed that "a decision has been put back until February 2009".

Why wait until February 2009? It has been four months since the first Winterbottom report was handed to the club in April 2008. We know that the initial report was declined by the club, but no reason was given other than the fact that it was "unfeasible". Maybe! the costs involved were too high?

Maybe the Winterbottom team needs a further six months in order to submit their final report?

Or maybe, just maybe, ENIC, the company that own the majority of the shares in Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sell the club. After all, why spend extra funds on a new stadium, when you are looking to sell?

Some may argue that by commencing development either on a current stadium or new project would increase the value of the club. Whilst others claim that it would be commercial suicide to sell your stock in a club whilst managing such a large project.

We believe that ENIC are not looking to sell. This doesn't mean that they won't sell the club in the future, but at present, we are in safe hands.

The first-team squad is looking healthy (bar the loss of Robbie Keane and most probably Dimitar Berbatov), the new training ground at Bull's Cross is currently being developed an! d should be completed in March 2010, which leaves the big ques! tion of when we will know what will happen with our stadium; will we be watching our team play at an expanded White Hart Lane, or will the club move to pastures new?

"The club will make an announcement by February 2009", was the last word on the matter by a club official.

Let's play the waiting game a little longer. After all, we have waited this long, what's another six months?

Join the THBN FaceBook group now by clicking on this link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27991165395

You know where the door is sunshine

I'm sure that you've all read or heard about the threats Darren Bent has made this week. If not, here's a snap of the comments he made;

"I've spoken to the manager a couple of times about my position but I can only hear the same thing so many times," Bent told The Sun. "I'm not one of those players who will just sit back and let his career pass him by.

"But I'm only 25 and there is so much more to come from me as a player. I'm not the finished article and I will get better.

"I'd like to think that improvement will be with Tottenham. But if nothing is happening for me by the end of the season then I will look to go elsewhere."

Darren....don't let the door hit you on your way out!

AC Milan Harus Bayar £25 Juta Untuk Dapatkan Fabiano

MILAN - Diwartakan sebelumnya, Luis Fabiano mengungkapkan impiannya untuk bergabung dengan AC Milan. Pemain Sevilla itu mengaku ingin berduet dengan Ronaldinho. Rossoneri juga kabarnya menaruh minat yang sama.
Luis Fabiano juga sudah masuk dalam daftar pemain untuk dibeli musim depan, terutama bila usaha mendatangkan Edin Dzeko dari VfL Wolfsburg terganjal. Namun AC Milan harus membayar mahal untuk bisa mendatangkan Luis Fabiano ke San Siro. Pasalnya dia memiliki kontrak dengan klausul buy-out dengan nilai £25 juta.
"Fabiano masih memiliki sisa kontrak dua musim d! an buy-out clause senilai £25 juta. Realistis saja, ada empat atau lima klub yang bisa memenuhi harga tersebut," Jose Fuentes, agen Luis Fabiano, menjelaskan kepada Radio Radio TV. "Siapa pun yang tertarik untuk membelinya bisa datang ke Sevilla, lalu saya akan datang dan melihat apakah tawaran yang datang cukup layak dipertimbangkan," tambahnya lagi.

Ambrossini: Ada Pemain Loyo Musim Lalu

MILAN — Kapten AC Milan, Massimo Ambrosini, tidak menutupi fakta bahwa musim lalu para pemain Milan tidak bermain maksimal. Oleh karena itu, musim depan mereka berjanji tampil all out.
Sudah dua musim "I Rossoneri" tak mengantongi satu pun gelar juara. Setelah juara Liga Champions 2007, mereka tak juara dan justru gagal menembus Eropa pada musim 2008/2009.
Musim lalu, Paolo Maldini dkk kembali tak kebagian piala, meskipun berhasil lolos ke Liga Champions musim depan. Ambrossini mengakui, kegagalan timnya itu disebabkan oleh penampil! an mengecewakan dari sejumlah pemain. Pemain yang baru saja menggantikan Maldini sebagai kapten itu bertekad untuk memimpin rekan-rekannya bermain optimal musim depan.
"Ada antusiasme besar dalam diri kami dan kami tidak dapat menunggu untuk mulai bekerja dengan pelatih baru," kata gelandang Italia itu kepada Milan Channel. "Kami semua sangat termotivasi dan kami tak bisa menunggu untuk menampilkannya di lapangan. Kami masing-masing tahu bahwa selama tahun ini kami harus memberikan lebih."
"Di masa lalu, kami tidak menunjukkan potensi kami sepenuhnya, beberapa pemain tidak memberikan potensi mereka," tambahnya tanpa menyebut siapa saja yang bermain loyo. Jika merujuk pada penampilan Ronaldinho, pemain Brasil ini bisa jadi masuk dalam hitungan Ambrosini tadi. Dinho yang ditransfer dari Barcelona gagal menunjukkan permainan terbaiknya.

Milan Alihkan Perhatian ke Arsenal, Bidik Bendtner

MILAN - AC Milan masih terus berburu striker baru. Setelah gagal mendapatkan Luis Fabiano dari Sevilla, "I Rossoneri" dikabarkan mengalihkan perhatiannya ke Arsenal untuk membidik penyerang muda Nicklas Bendtner.
Media Italia berspekulasi bahwa Milan rela memberikan Marco Borriello jika pemain asal Denmark tersebut mau hijrah ke San Siro untuk bergabung dengan Massimo Ambrosini dan kawan-kawan.
Bulan lalu, Milan sudah mengutarakan niatnya untuk menggaet pemain jangkung yang pernah dipinjamkan ke Birmingham City itu. Tetapi Arsenal mala! h menawarkan Emmanuel Adebayor yang kini sudah hengkang ke Manchester City. Kini Milan kembali berusaha mendapatkan pemain dengan tinggi 1,92 meter tersebut agar lini depan semakin kuat untuk menyambut Serie-A musim 2009/2010.
Untuk merayu Arsenal, Milan siap melepas strikernya yang jarang mendapat tempat di tim inti, Borriello, meskipun presiden Adriano Galliani membantahnya. Sejauh ini, Milan belum mendapatkan pemain bintang setelah melepas gelandang yang merupakan roh tim, Kaka, ke Real Madrid.
Jika sampai penutupan bursa transfer musim panas ini tim besutan Leonardo tersebut tak mampu mendaratkan striker baru, maka mereka bakal kesulitan bersaing pada musim mendatang.

Huntelaar Ingin Sukses seperti Van Basten

MILAN - Penyerang anyar AC Milan, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, berharap bisa meraih sukses seperti Marco van Basten. Menurutnya, Milan sangat spesial bagi Belanda dan dia ingin mengikuti jejak kompatriotnya tersebut yang selama merumput di San Siro telah mempersembahkan banyak trofi.
Pemain berusia 26 tahun ini juga mengaku sangat senang dan tertantang bisa bermain dengan Milan. Meskipun demikian, dia tidak bisa memastikan kapan memulai debutnya bersama "I Rossoneri". "Aku tidak tahu kapan akau akan m! embuat debutku saat memutuskan untuk bergabung dengan Milan.
Namun di sisi lain, aku sangat antusias dengan petualangan baru ini," ungkap Huntelaar yang sudah tiba di Milan. Huntelaar dibeli dari Real Madrid dengan harga 13 juta poundsterling (sekitar Rp 216 miliar). Menurut jadwal, mantan pemain Ajax Amsterdam ini akan menjalani tes medis pada Kamis (6/8) waktu setempat atau sehari setelahnya.
Memang, Milan pernah mengalami masa kejayaan pada era 1980 hingga 90-an, ketika memiliki tiga pemain Belanda yang dikenal dengan sebutan trio Belanda, yaitu Ruud Gullit, Van Basten dan Frank Rijkaard. Ketika itu Milan mencapai masa keemasan sehingga tim merah-hitam ini dijuluki "Il Squadra di Sogno" alias "The Dream Team".

Janji Dinho Buat Milan

MILAN - Di pertandingan pertama musim ini, Ronaldinho sudah membuktikan kalau dirinya pantas diharapkan jadi pengganti Kaka. Penampilan gemilang Dinho mungkin tak lepas dari janji yang sudah dia ikrarkan buat Rossoneri. Dinho tampil atraktif dan jadi nyawa permainan Milan saat menundukkan Siena di pekan perdana Seri A.
Pesepakbola yang musim lalu dianggap gagal itu menunjukkan kalau ekspektasi besar yang disandarkan pada dirinya tidaklah sia-sia. Sanjungan langsung mengalir deras ke arah pesepakbola 2! 8 tahun itu. Meski baru menjalani satu pertandingan, Rossoneri dianggap telah menemukan pengganti sepadan untuk mengisi lubang yang ditinggalkan Kaka.
"Ronaldo bermain baik, saya pikir dia menjalani pertandingan kontra Siena dengan luar biasa. Saya pikir dia bisa menggantikannya (Kaka). Dia sudah melakukannya. Dia bermain baik menghadapi Siena," sahut Thiago Silva di Goal.
Setelah gagal musim lalu, peningkatan performa Dinho di musim ini jelas jadi kabar yang sangat mengembirakan kubu Diavolo Rosso dan Milanisti. Salah satu hal yang mungkin ikut memotivasi Dinho adalah janji yang sempat dia ucapkan pada rekan-rekannya. "Jelas sekali kalau menggantikan Kaka tidaklah mudah, tapi dia kini berada di lintasan yang tepat, dan saya pikir dia akan bisa melakukannya.
Dia telah berjanji pada kami kalau dia akan menanggung sendiri beban itu di pundaknya, dan saya percaya padanya," sambung defender yang juga berkebangsaan Brasil itu. Dinho perlu membuktikan lagi kapasita! snya sebagai pengganti Kaka saat Milan berhadapan dengan Inter! di akhi r pekan ini.
Meski kompetisi masih sangat panjang, mampu atau tidaknya Milan memenangi scudetto disebut akan diketahui dari hasil pertandingan tersebut.

Leonardo: Penyelesaian Milan Buruk

LIVORNO - Pelatih AC Milan, Leonardo, menyesal timnya gagal menang saat melawat ke kandang Livorno, Sabtu (12/9). Menurutnya, harusnya Milan menang. Karena penyelesaian buruk, timnya pun dipaksa bermain seri 0-0. Hasil ini memang tak menggembirakan.
Sebab, Milan sebelumnya bertekad menjadikan pertandingan lawan Livorno sebagai awal kebangkitan, setelah dihajar Inter Milan 0-4. "Kami harusnya menang dengan mudah. Di babak pertama, kami memang kesulitan dan harus bekerja keras untuk membantu kerja striker," jelasnya.
"Namun di babak ke! dua, kami benar-benar menginginkan kemenangan dan mencetak banyak peluang. Kami harusnya menang jika melihat apa yang sudah kami lakukan," sesalnya. Andrea Pirlo menjadi pemain cadangan dan baru dimasukkan pada menit ke-55, menggantikan Ronaldinho. Dia langsung menghidupkan permainan, bahkan nyaris mencetak gol.
"Ketika Pirlo turun lapangan, dia bermain sangat bagus. Tapi, yang menentukan adalah permainan kolektif. Kami hanya bisa bermain bagus dan kurang beruntung dalam penyelesaian," katanya. Presiden Livorno, Aldo Spinelli, tak setuju dengan pernyataan Leonardo itu. Menurutnya, Livorno yang bermain lebih bagus.
"Penampilan kami mengesankan dan setiap pemain bermain bagus. Saya lihat, Antonio Candreva bermain bagus bersama Francesco Tavano dan Cristiano lucarelli," ucapnya.

Milan Belum Hubungi Van Basten

MILAN - AC Milan dikabarkan tengah melirik Marco van Basten untuk mengisi kursi kepelatihan. Namun, agen mantan penyerang Timnas Belanda itu membantah telah menjalin kontak dengan I Rossoneri.
Ya, spekulasi bakal berlabuhnya Van Basten di San Siro pertama kali merebak setelah pelatih Leonardo Araujo berada dalam tekanan pascakekalahan 0-1 Milan dari FC Zurich di Liga Champions. Namun, kabar itu langsung dibantah pihak Van Basten. "Tapi, semua berita itu tak benar.
Marco van Basten dan s! aya belum pernah dihubungi Milan," tegas sang agen Perry van Overeem. "Van Basten juga belum ingin kembali melatih setelah meninggalkan Ajax Amsterdam musim lalu. Dia mungkin baru akan mencari klub baru pada musim dingin nanti," tandasnya dikutip Goal, Jumat (2/10/2009).
Sejumlah media Italia mengabarkan bahwa, Leonardo kini telah kehilangan kendali di ruang ganti pemain. Moral timnya juga sedang menukik tajam. Bahkan, masa depannya tengah diujung tanduk.
Kabarnya, pelatih asal Brasil itu sudah diberi ultimatum untuk memetik kemenangan atas tuan rumah Atalanta, Minggu nanti (4/10/2009) pada lanjutan Seri A, jika tak ingin kehilangan kursinya.

sumber : okezone.com

Henry criticises Adebayor

The former Gunners star played alongside the Togo international at the Emirates for 18 months prior to his switch to Barcelona in the summer of 2007.

The Frenchman went on to declare that Adebayor would have gained a lot of respect if he had simply not celebrated the goal at all.

The Manchester City man has been hit with an improper conduct charge as a result of his controversial celebration.

"The fans at Arsenal were great. They were and always will be my family," he told the Sunday Mirror.

"I never saw them behave badly so to react like they did at the weekend shows just how angry and upset they were.

"No matter what Adebayor's emotions were, he could have earned himself a lot of respect by not celebrating the goal.

"That would have shown real class and that to be honest is what most players choose to do when they score against their old clubs.

"I don't really understand why he didn't do that.

"Arsene (Wenger) puts a lot of investment in you when he sees talent and I don't think it would hurt for Adebayor to show him, the club and the fans a little respect."

Toure ke City

Manchester City dikabarkan telah mendapatkan defender asal pantai gading yang sebelumnya merumput bersama Arsenal dengan durasi kontrak 4 tahun.

Defender berusia 28 tahun ini sebelumnya tiba di Arsenal dan menjadi bagian dari the Gunners selama 8 tahun.

Sekarang Kolo Toure telah melewati pemeriksaan medis dan sedang melengkapi kontraknya dengan City.

Manager City yaitu Mark Hughes yang sebelumnya telah mendatangkan Gareth Barry dari Aston Villa, Carlos Tevez dari United, Emanuel Adebayor dari Arsenal, Roque Santa Cruz dan penjaga gawang Stuart Taylor percaya bahwa defender asal pantai gading ini akan menambah pengalaman bagi pemain city lainnya.

"Saya senang atas kedatangan Toure ke Manchester City. Bukanlah suatu rahasia bila kami harus memperkuat sektor pertahanan dan menurut saya Toure adalah pemain bertahan kelas dunia ! yang kami butuhkan. Dia akan membagikan pengalamannya yang ban! yak sela ma di Arsenal." kata Hughes.

Sementara itu, defender City Nedum Onuoha mengakhiri spekulasi masa depannya dengan menandatangani perpanjangan kontraknya selama 5 tahun.

Pemain yang kini berusia 22 tahun dan merupakan produk asli akademi City ini berjanji akan berjuang untuk mendapatkan kursi tim inti setelah sebelumnya dikabarkan menjadi pemain yang akan ditukarkan Hughes demi mendapatkan pemain-pemain anyar lainnya.

Onuoha sebenarnya ha! nya tampil biasa dengan City pada musim lalu. Namun dia ikut menjadi kunci permainan timnas Inggris dalam mencapai final kompetisi U-21 Championship dengan mencetak gol ke gawang Swedia di laga semifinal.

"Saya merasa bangga dapat bermain melewati musim lalu, namun dalam waktu yang sama saya tidak yakin kemampuan saya cukup menjadi bagian dari tim inti selanjutnya." Ujar Onuoha di situs resmi City.

ROMA,NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!

La Roma si presenta all'Old Trafford per una "mission impossible" dove importante sarà non pensare al risultato dell'andata o alla serata amarissima del 7-1.

Spalletti:"Cercare dall'inizio di ribaltare il risultato potrebbe essere controproducente contro una squadra delle potenzialità del Manchester. Dovremo essere umili ma determinati". Il Manchester è già in semifinale?

"Visto il successo dell'andata,ha grandi possibilità. Noi dobbiamo crederci e provare a fare l'impresa".

ZAMBROTTA E' ROSSONERO

Il Milan mette a segno un altro acquisto dopo l'arrivo del francese Flamini. Il club rossonero con una nota pubblicata sul sito internet, ufficializza l'ingaggio di Gianluca Zambrotta, nazionale azzurro, proveniente dal Barcellona. "Ufficiale dalla società: Gianluca Zambrotta è un giocatore del Milan", il testo del sintetico comunicato. Il difensore azzurro avrebbe firmato un contratto triennale da 4 milioni circa l'anno. L'operazione sarebbe costata 8 milioni al Milan.

BLATTER"LO UNITED LASCI ANDARE RONALDO"

Anche il presidente della Fifa, Sepp Blatter, è intervenuto nella querelle che riguarda Cristiano Ronaldo, auspicando il suo passaggio al Real Madrid e paragadonando l'attuale calciomercato a una forma di schiavitù moderna. Parole destinate a irritare non poco il Manchester United che, non più tardi di tre settimane fa, si era rivolto proprio alla Fifa per denunciare le indebite ingerenze degli spagnoli su un giocatore sotto contratto fino al 2012. Ma Blatter, che non ha esitato ad accostare il mercato dei calciatori a una versione moderna di schiavismo, si è schierato dalla parte dell'asso portoghese.
"Sono sempre dalla parte dei calciatori, se vogliono ! andarsene è giusto che il club li lasci andare - le parole del numero uno della Fifa -. Se un giocatore decide di giocare altrove, una soluzione si può sempre trovare. Anche perché, se non si sente più a proprio agio, non va bene nè per il giocatore nè per il club". Quindi, il controverso accostamento: "Credo che, nei trasferimenti di oggi, ci sia una forma di schiavismo, comprandoli qui e là per poi rivenderli. Stiamo cercando di intervenire, perché dopo la legge Bosman i club hanno reagito con contratti più lunghi. Ma un giocatore dovrebbe essere libero di andarsene, pagando il proprio contratto".

HLTS ROMA,MANCHESTER UTD & LIONE

TOTTENHAM-ROMA 5-0



COMMUNITY SHIELD



LIONE-TOLOSA

FANTA ALLENATORI ECCO I VOSTRI GIOCATORI!

PALERMO-ROMA sabato 13/9 ore 18
Palermo (4-3-1-2): Amelia; Raggi, Carrozzieri, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Nocerino; Miccoli; Cavani, Succi. In panchina: Fontana, Capuano, Dellafiore, Guana, Simplicio, Bresciano, Lanzafame.
Indisponibili: Budan

Roma (4-2-3-1): Doni; Cicinho, Loria, Panucci, Riise; Pizarro, De Rossi; Taddei, Aquilani, Tonetto; Vucinic. In panchina: Artur, Cassetti, Brighi, Menez, Baptista, Okaka, Montella.
Indisponibili: Juan, Perrotta, Totti, Mexes.

INTER-CATANIA sabato 13/9 ore 20:30 SU TV CALCIO
Inter (4-3-3): Toldo; Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Maxwell; Vieira, Cambiasso, Muntari; Quaresma, Ibrahimovic, Mancini. In panchina: Julio Cesar, Santon, Chivu, Zanetti, Figo, Balotelli, Cruz
Indisponibili: Stankovic, Jimenez, Rivas, Burdisso, Samuel

Catania (4-3-3): Bizzarri; Silvestri, Stovini, Terlizzi, Sabato; Biagianti, Ledesma, Tedesco; Martinez, Paolucci, Mascara. In panchina: Kosicky, Sar! do, Silvestre, Morimoto, Izco, Baiocco, Dica.
Indisponibili: Spinesi, Carboni, Alvarez

BOLOGNA-ATALANTA domenica 14/9 ore 15
Bologna (4-4-2): Antonioli; Zenoni, Castellini, Terzi, Bombardini; Marchini, Mudingayi, Volpi, Valiani; Adailton, Di Vaio. In panchina: Colombo, Lanna, Coelho, Mingazzini, Amoroso, Marazzina, Bernacci.
Indisponibili: Lavecchia, Moras, Confalone.

Atalanta (4-4-1-1): Coppola, Garics, Talamonti, Pellegrino, Manfredini; Ferreira Pinto, Cigarini, Guarente, Padoin; Doni; Floccari. In panchina: Consigli, Rivalta, D'Agostino, Defendi, Manzoni, Valdes, Marconi.
Indisponibili: Vieri, De Ascentis, Bonaventura, Capelli, Cisse, Bellini

GENOA-MILAN domenica 14/9 ore 15 SU TV CALCIO
Genoa (3-4-3): Rubinho; Potenza, Ferrari, Criscito; Rossi, Milanetto, Juric, Modesto; Sculli, Milito, Gasbarroni. In panchina: Scarpi, Biava, Bocchetti, Mesto, Olivera, Jankovic, Palladino.
Indisponibili: Paro.

Mil! an (4-3-2-1): Abbiati; Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Bonera; Fl! amini, P irlo, Ambrosini; Ronaldinho, Kakà; Shevchenko. In panchina: Dida; Senderos, Jankulovski, Pirlo, Emerson, Seedorf, Pato.
Indisponibili: Inzaghi, Nesta, Gattuso.

LAZIO-SAMPDORIA domenica 14/9 ore 15
Lazio (4-3-1-2): Carrizo; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Rozenhal, Kolarov; Brocchi, Ledesma, Meghni; Mauri, Zarate, Pandev. In panchina: Muslera, Cribari, Radu, De Silvestri, Manfredini, Foggia, Makinwa.
Indisponibili: Del Nero, Firmani, Matuzalem, Rocchi, Dabo

Sampdoria (3-5-2): Mirante; Lucchini, Gastaldello, Bottinelli; Stankevicius, Sammarco, Palombo, Franceschini, Pieri; Delvecchio, Cassano. In panchina: Fiorillo, Krsticic, Ziegler, Dessena, Padalino, Bonazzoli, Fornaroli.
Indisponibili: Bellucci, Castellazzi, Campagnaro, Accardi

LECCE-CHIEVO domenica 14/9 ore 15
Lecce (4-3-1-2): Benussi; Polenghi, Stendardo, Diamoutene, Giuliatto; Munari, Zanchetta, Ariatti; Giacomazzi; Cacia, Tiribocchi. In panchina: Rosati, Angelo, Fabia! no, Caserta, Boudianski, Konan, Castillo.
Indisponibili: Ardito, Felstcher, Lorenzo, Schiavi.

Chievo (4-3-3): Squizzi; Malagò, Mandelli, Cesar, Mantovani; Bentivoglio, Italiano, Marcolini; Luciano, Pellissier, D'Anna. In panchina: Sorrentino, Frey, Moro, Patrascu, Pinzi, Iunco, Bogdani.
Indisponibili: nessuno.

NAPOLI-FIORENTINA domenica 14/9 ore 15
Napoli (3-5-2): Iezzo; Cannavaro, Contini, Aronica; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Vitale; Lavezzi, Zalayeta. In panchina: Navarro, Grava, Rinaudo, Montervino, Pazienza, Denis, Pià.
Indisponibili: Santacroce (squalficato: 1 giornata), Bogliacino.

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Frey; Zauri, Kroldrup, Dainelli, Gobbi; Kuzmanovic, Donadel, Montolivo; Santana, Gilardino, Mutu. In panchina: Storari, Da Costa, Vargas, Almiron, Semioli, Jovetic, Pazzini.
Indisponibili: Gamberini, Jorgensen, Felipe Melo (squalficato: 1 giornata).

REGGINA-TORINO domenica 14/9 ore 15
Reggina (! 4-4-2): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Valdez, Cirillo, Costa; Vigiani, ! Barreto, Tognozzi, Sestu; Di Gennaro, Corradi. In panchina: Puggioni, Brienza, Barillà, Santos, Hallfredsson, Cascione, Stuani.
Indisponibili: Cozza, Giosa.

Torino (4-3-2-1): Sereni; Diana, Di Loreto, Pratali, Rubin; P.Zanetti, Corini, Saumel; Rosina, Amoruso; Bianchi. In panchina: Calderoni, Colombo, Ogbonna, Dzemaili, Barone, Stellone, Abbruscato.
Indisponibili: Natali, Abate.

SIENA-CAGLIARI domenica 14/9 ore 15
Siena (4-3-1-2): Curci; Del Prete, Rossettini, Portanova, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Codrea, Galloppa; Kharja; Calaiò, Frick. In panchina: Eleftheroupolos, Rossi, Moti, Barusso, Rossettini, Forestieri, Jarolim.
Indisponibili: Belmonte, Sansone, Ghezzal, Coppola, Ficagna, Maccarone (squalificato: 3 giornate).

Cagliari (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Ferri, Bianco, Canini, Agostini; Fini, Pani, Parola; Cossu; Jeda, Larryvey. In panchina: Lupatelli, Astori, Magliocchetti, Burrai, Lazzari, Matri, Acquafresca.
Indisponibili: Pisano, ! Conti, Lopez (squalificato: 1 giornata).

JUVENTUS-UDINESE domenica 14/9 ore 20:30 SU TV CALCIO
Juventus (4-3-3): Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Mellberg, Molinaro; Sissoko, Poulsen, Nedved; Iaquinta, Amauri, Del Piero. In panchina: Chimenti, Chiellini, Knezevic, Marchisio, Salihamidzic, Camoranesi, Trezeguet.
Indisponibili: Andrade, Zebina; Zanetti.

Udinese (4-3-3): Handanovic; Ferronetti, Coda, Domizzi, Pasquale; Inler, D'Agostino, Isla; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale. In panchina: Belardi, Motta, Nef, Tissone, Lukovic, Floro Flores, Sanchez.
Indisponibili: Felipe, Zapata

SPALLETTI:"VOGLIO UNA GRANDE REAZIONE"

"Abbiamo bisogno di fare risultato". Martedì sera la Roma riceve all'Olimpico il Chelsea per la quarta giornata di Champions League: l'obiettivo è una vittoria scacciacrisi. "Delle prossime tre partite è la più importante di tutte - ha detto Spalletti alla vigilia - I problemi sono soprattutto psicologici. Non ho paura, trasmettere timore alla squadra sarebbe la cosa peggiore. Certo, bisogna essere realisti e analizzare la situazione".

MILAN,ALEX O GALLAS?

Non solo Gallas dell'Arsenal oDossena, l'ex Udinese ora al Liverpool. Il Milan, alla ricerca di un difensore, è interessato anche adAlex: in attesa di conoscere il futuro del francese, i rossoneri sono sempre più interessati al brasiliano. Secondo il Sun l'affare potrebbe andare in porto visto che i Blues hanno bisogno di fare cassa prima di intervenire sul mercato e accontentare Scolari che vuole il difensore del Santos Kleber.

Valutato circa 10 milioni di euro, il 26enne nazionale brasiliano rappresenterebbe inoltre per il club di via Turati un investimento più oculato rispet! to a Gallas che ha già compiuto 31 anni.

E così aspettando di conoscere il futuro del nazionale francese, per il quale secondo la stampa inglese il Milan sarebbe pronto a sborsare  una cifra compresa fra i 4,1 e i 6,2 milioni, in via Turati si penserebbe al brasiliano.  E Alex potrebbe essere la scelta giusta, visto che il Chelsea vorrebbe stringere i tempi per poter poi puntare su Kleber, obiettivo anche del Manchester City.

BUFFON E PIRLO SI,DEL PIERO E CASSANO NO

Tornano Buffon e Pirlo, assenti da settembre per infortunio, ma anche Aquilani, Di Natale e Zambrotta, che avevano saltato l'ultima amichevole con la Grecia. E poi c'è anche Giuseppe Rossi, reduce da un infortunio, come Camoranesi, tra i ventitrè giocatori convocati dal commissario tecnico Marcello Lippi per la partita che l'Italia giocherà martedì contro il Brasile allo stadio Emirates di Londra (ore 19.45 locali, le 20.45 italiane). Ancora una volta non è stato convocato Alessandro Del Piero.
IL PROGRAMMA - Con Brasile-Italia inizia il 2! 009 degli azzurri, con un'amichevole di lusso tra le due nazionali più titolate della storia del calcio. I giocatori si raduneranno domani entro la mezzanotte a Milano, lunedì sosterranno il primo allenamento allo stadio Giuseppe Meazza (ore 10.30) e nel pomeriggio partiranno per Londra. Prima della seconda seduta di lavoro allo stadio Emirates (ore 19 locali, le 20 in Italia), il c.t. terrà una conferenza stampa, mentre i giocatori incontreranno i giornalisti al termine dell'allenamento.
Questo l'elenco dei 23 convocati
Portieri: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray); Difensori: Bonera (Milan), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Lione), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Zambrotta (Milan)
Centrocampisti: Aquilani (Roma), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Pepe (Udinese), Perrotta (Roma), Pirlo (Milan)
Attaccanti: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (! Juventus), Quagliarella (Udinese), Rossi (Villarreal), Toni (B! ayern Mo naco).

TABLOID VS MOU:"NON SEI PIU' SPECIAL ONE"

Nessuna corsa trionfante sulla riga di porta, nessuna esultanza scomposta. Quella è stata roba di cinque anni fa. Oggi la realtà è che Josè Mourinho non è più "special any more", come gli ha cantato per tutta la partita l'Old Trafford, mentre lo United batteva 2 a 0 l'Inter, portando a termine "la partita perfetta" che sanciva il passaggio ai quarti di Champions League. E proprio quel coro si è fatto titolo sul "Daily Mirror", diventando "You're not special any Mour" nell'inserto sportivo, con tanto di editoriale nel quale si sottolinea c! ome il portoghese sia "all style but no substance" (in pratica, tutto fumo e niente arrosto), mentre la prima pagina si apre con la doppia fotina di Cristiano Ronaldo e Mourinho e la scritta "Who's special now?".
ONORE A GIGGS - Domanda che trova risposta sul "Sun" che celebra "Special Ron" che manda "ko Jose", con gigantografia del portoghese in ginocchio sotto la curva per festeggiare il suo gol, anche se il migliore in campo è stato Ryan Giggs, 9 in pagella e la conferma di essere un pezzo sì vintage ma garantito. E "all'usato sicuro" gallese rende omaggio anche il "Times", considerandolo una spanna sopra a tutti e parlando, al tempo stesso, di "end of an aura", quella, manco a dirlo, di Josè Mourinho, mentre per il "Guardian" Giggs e Scholes vincono "la battaglia della nostalgia" contro "il fantasma di Vieira", lasciando il tecnico dell'Inter "full of regret" per quello che poteva essere e non è stato.
FERGUSON ONESTO - Insomma, "No way, Jose", come titola a t! utta pagina il "Daily Mail", che ironizza sulla polemica del p! allone ( Mourinho non voleva che si giocasse con quello rosso, ma con quello solito della Champions) che segue quella sull'arbitraggio dell'andata, salvo poi riportare le parole di Ferguson che ha parlato di "United leggermente fortunato" visti i due legni colpiti dall'Inter. Un Ferguson che sul "Daily Express" si prende la sua rivincita ("Fergie's revenge") grazie a un "perfect start" che manda a casa l'Inter. Non a caso, il solo momento in cui Mourinho è davvero riuscito a "toccare" il Manchester è stato quando il tecnico ha abbracciato il collega Ferguson a fine partita, come velenosamente sottolinea il "Daily Telegraph" nell'attacco del pezzo.
BYE-BYE MOU - Un concetto ripreso anche da "The Independent", che rende omaggio ai campioni dello United, capaci di avere la meglio sul tecnico dell'Inter, e dal "Daily Star", che esalta la prova dei Reds, superiori anche alla jettatura Mourinho (Reds slay Jose Jinx!) per merito di uno "Special Ron" che, dispensando "tocchi di classe",! stende il suo connazionale, mentre dagli spalti si leva quell'ironico ma al tempo liberatorio "bye bye Mourinho" che saluta la sconfitta di quello che, fino a ieri sera, era l'allenatore più temuto all'Old Trafford.

numero 23 (giugno 2008)

Terra di Scozia, il Football ad Edimburgo.

IL MALEDETTO UNITED di David Peace

Le Doppie facce del calcio: da Diamanti a Cristiano Ronaldo

ROMA - E'giunta ieri la notizia della clausola rescissoria di Cristiano Ronaldo: 1 miliardo di euro. Con un miliardo di euro sono infinite le cose possibili da acquistare: 500 squadre di serie A da classifica medio-alta, 10 quartieri nel centro di Roma e risanare il 20% circa il debito mondiale. Un miliardo di euro tradotto in lire per i nostalgici, equivale a circa 2 biliardi di vecchie lire. Praticamente un numero a 18 zeri! Probabilmente si tratta di una clausola simbolica ma che comunque ci permette di capire come è avanti la Spagna nei nostri confronti. In Serie B un ! certo Alessandro Diamanti ha trascinato a suon di gol e giocate spettacolari il Livorno in Serie A. Bene il giocatore in questione guadagna ad oggi 50mila euro all'anno. Per gli appassionati: Cristiano Ronaldo, facendo un calcolo, guadagna 50mila euro ogni 3 minuti. Riflettete lettori, riflettete...

Simone Pizzi

KALA AND ODDO PRESENT

Adriano Galliani's words today at San Siro: "Oddo won a lot in 2006 and 2007 and he's training well. Kaladze is OK with playing on the left of the defence, we talked about it yesterday."

(ON THE ARCHIVE PHOTO: Adriano Galliani and "Kala" Kaladze)

Milan's delegate administrator Adriano Galliani talked about the current themes concerning the Rossoneri after the press conference to present Monday evening's charity match at San Siro.

Starting from Saturday! night's derby: "The team played well for half an hour, until the penalty. Then it happened what happened, the match changed, we conceded four goals and we have to stay quiet. That is football. But in our season there hasn't been just the derby, there was also the victory at Siena against a team who won 3-1 at Cagliari on Sunday. But in football people only remember the last match. After the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy and Siena, the wind changed. Then in the comments people look at the result and then think about why this result came about. The only reality, as of today, is that Inter have four points and we have three. Nothing else. Ronaldinho? He did well in the first league match and in the second one he played for half an hour. All these criticisms on Ronaldinho don't consider that it was a very anomalous derby. Then, after the penalty, the team gave up also because we remained with ten men, because of the problem of the substitution that wasn't made, and the way thing! s happened. If we had remained with ten men because of a norma! l sendin g off without further repercussions, we could have organised ourselves differently. I don't want to talk about that episode, in any case. Seedorf? No, we can't say it was Seedorf's fault, there were more factors to blame. Seedorf is a player who has done well in all our best games in the last seven years. In any case, amid all the bitterness from Saturday night, I must say thank you to our fans, who did well not to whistle and continue supporting the team."

The other themes: "Yesterday I reminded Oddo that he came in January 2007 and that a few months later we won the Champions League with him. I don't see why he can't get back to doing well. The coach is telling me he's training well, he's full of desire and good intentions. He was a World Champion in 2006 and European Champion with us in 2007. Kaladze? When the Champions League list was made up we ta! lked with all our international players, along with Leonardo, to see if everything was OK. We also asked if Kaladze was prepared to play on the left side of the defence, and he said yes. Concerning the national teams, at Livorno we will be the first team to go on the pitch after the international matches, Saturday at 18.00, but there were no alternatives. It will be up to the coach to make the right selection, because the called up players will return to us on Thursday and on Friday there will be the departure for Livorno. Cissokho? I think he's an important player, in fact he came to us to do the medical checks after Milan had reached an agreement with Porto, but I don't want to come back on this argument because in the end the player didn't come to Milan for reasons that are not technical. Viudez's contract rescission? Certainly, not only for this operation but also for others, Milan now have a free place for a non-EU player to buy during the January transfer window."

h! ttp://ww w.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=89815

Liverpool in pole position to sign un-wanted Madrid ace

Reports in Spanish publication Sport have claimed that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Dutch international Rafael Van de Vaart from Real Madrid.

Rafael Van de Vaart will surely be a great addition to the Liverpool team.But the only question which arises is that this news contradicts to the news that Liverpool don't have any transfer money left with them.So unless and untill Liverpool sell someone, this deal seems unlikely.

The 26-year-old playmaker has been! told by the Bernabeu hierarchy that he has no future in the famous white jerseys and has been desperately searching across Europe for a new club. Having already rejected a move to former club Ajax and indicated that he does not want to stay in Spain, the former Hamburg man has made clear he pictures a future in either Germany, England or Italy. Linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the mooted £11.5m fee could represent something of a coup for the Anfield outfit who have already spent £20m securing the services of Alberto Aquilani from AS Roma as a replacement for Xabi Alonso.

Akinfeev keen on United

The young Russia international has attracted admiring glances from some of Europe's leading teams after his impressive displays for club and country.

Akinfeev has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Arsenal, while Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been credited with an interest.

With Holland international Edwin van der Sar approaching the latter stages of his career, Ferguson could be tempted to bring in further competition for England hopeful Ben Foster.

And the 23-year-old has intimated that he would find it hard to ignore the prospect of a move to the Premier League champions.

The Sun quotes Akinfeev as saying: "CSKA is a great club but every player would love to prove their worth at United."

Manchester City and Liverpool star in the duel of the day

Beckham completes his trilogy Europe

Brazil beat Portugal 6-2

Manchester United looms leader

Fergie: Tevez Goal Both fantastic!

Cape Town World Cup 2010 Stadium

Cape Town is building a new stadium for the 2010 World Cup in the suburb of Greenpoint, 500 metres from the Atlantic Ocean with Table Mountain as a backdrop.

Upon completion, the stadium should seat 70,000.

Federer ends Murray run in semis

World number one Roger Federer brought Andy Murray's unbeaten run to an end with a superb display in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters. In a battle be! tween the world's top two, Murray saw his eight-match winning ! streak e nd in a 6-2 7-6 (10-8) defeat. It was only Federer's third win in nine meetings with Murray, stopping a run of four straight losses to the Scot. Novak Djokovic will face the Swiss in Sunday's final after beating Rafael Nadal 6-1 6-4 in their semi-final. Federer gained the first-set advantage when he broke Murray in the fourth game courtesy of one of the Scot's many unforced errors. Murray disappointed to lose to Federer The world number one held his serve in the next game and claimed the set in the eighth game when he broke Murray again. This time the crucial point was won when Federer asked for computer technology to decide whether his fluked return was in after t! he shot had been called out. It ruled in the Swiss player's favour. Luck favoured Federer, but he also played some delightful shots during the match. Murray improved in the second set although he needed two big serves to avoid being broken in the eighth game. The set went to a tie-break, and after an early mini-break Murray bounced back and earned two set points - but he could not convert either. I deserved it and went after my shots. I was not scare or worried to go after them and so I am very happy ! Roger Federer With the scores 9-8 in Federer's favour, the Scot double faulted - his third of the match - to hand his opponent victory. "If you let Roger play well, then he's very, very difficult to beat," said Murray. "The first set I was leaving the ball short and giving him a lot of second serves to look at and not making a whole a lot of returns, so I couldn't to put any pressure on him. "He was going for his shots because I was leaving the ball in the middle of the court. "I was happy that I managed to up my game in the second set." Federer, 28, was delighted to have got back to winning ways against the man closing fastest on his world number one ranking. "Matches against Andy hav! e been similar when I win the first set and then lose my edge in the second set and it is hard to get back into the match," said the Swiss. "Today I was able to close him out even though it was very tight to the end. I deserved it and went after my shots. I was not scare or worried to go after them and so I am very happy. It all paid off. "I was able to raise my game and I hope I can go all the way tomorrow. It is great to have Rafa back from injury. "He is such a wonderful character for the game. It is nice to see him back and healthy. Whoever I play in the final it will be tough." But Nadal, playing only his second tournament back after spending two months out of the game with tendonitis in both knees, found Djokovic in inspired form. The 22-year-old, who finished as runner-up to Murray in last year's event, hit 13 winners as he seized the initiative in the opening set. ! Djokovic has now won 5 of his 19 matches against Nadal He secured an early break in the fifth game of the second when a Nadal backhand strayed into the net and pressed home his advantage for victory. "This has been one of the best matches in the season so far," said Djokovic. "I was trying to be in control of the match from the first point, be very aggressive and take the chances on each shot or ball that I had." Despite his defeat Nadal was pleased with how his comeback is progressing. "These two weeks, winning three matches here and two matches in Montreal, winning five matches and playing seven matches in total, it's enough matches I think," he said. "It's anothe! r step. Physically and mentally it's difficult for me to be ready. But I think this match is going to be a good experience for me right now to try to make this step in the US Open." The fourth Grand Slam event of the season starts on 31 August at Flushing Meadows.

Illness ends Pechonkina's career

Pechonkina won World Championship gold in Helsinki in 2005

Russia's Yulia Pechonkina, the current 400m hurdles world record holder, is to retire from athletics after suffering three years of health problems.

The 31-year-old, whose August 2! 003 time of 52.34 seconds still stands as a world best, has battled chronic sinusitis and various allergies.

After missing 2008's Beijing Olympics, Pechonkina returned to the track in July after a year out of action.

But she then pulled out of this summer's World Championships in Berlin.

Melanie Walker won the event in Pechonkina's absence, registering the second fastest time in history to come within eight hundredths of a second of the world record.