Live From Opening Day -- Thoughts & Something You Can Win From Bank of America...

At Camden Yards now, catching opening day here with Beatlefanatic, and her friend Amanda.

Well, I'll have a full writeup of FanFest when I have more than five minutes to myself this week. Between dealing with my lovely girlfriend, baseball, more baseball, plus my media commitments, I have not had much time to blog.

I am little sad but at the same time rejoicing the release of Jay Gibbons. Like I have said over and over, he was always a nice guy when I talked to him; however, if you seemingly lose all talent and everything else, you don't deserve to have a job.

He could not take a up roster spot that a better, more versatile guy could not have held; alas, he got sent on his way.

I hope the guy the best of luck, but I think his days may be numbered as an MLB player unless he can latch on with someone who will give him regular at bats.

Brian Roberts: I wanted the guy traded for the long-term future of the organization, but ! you have to respect how's he handled the news and everything else.

Baseball season is here -- the question is now how bad will the Orioles be, or will there be some kind of miracle?

At least the scoreboard looks awesome.

Oh yeah, I saw the first game in Washington yesterday, so if you care, check out the DC Sports Box...

***
From our friends at the wonderful banking institution, the super massive Bank of America...

It's Spring -- the usual inability to focus at work is expected, but this? Affectionately calling your wife A-Rod? Using hand signals at the dinner table? Slapping the butt of a potential client when a handshake would have been appropriate? It happens -- especially to those baseball fans experiencing "Opening Day Syndrome." Not sure what it is, or if you or someone you love has it? Check out www.bankofamerica.com/youkn! owbaseba ll and take the "Are You a Real Fan" poll to find out. And just in case you're in really deep, the site has downloadable tools like wallet card affirmations, office door "do not disturb" signs (see attached sample) , and a boss' excuse note to help get you through it. You can also take the Trivia Challenge for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip for two to the 2008 All Star Game in NY. Now THAT's what the doctor ordered!

Also, per a recent poll of avid baseball baseball fans by Bank of America, did you know:

-20 percent spend less time with their significant other during baseball season
-20 percent would miss an important business meeting to attend an Opening Day game
-15 percent "made up an excuse" about their whereabouts on Opening Day to their boss, spouse or significant other
-25 percent listen to or watch the game on the Internet at work; 40 percent listen on radio at work
-20 percent consider the distance to the stadium when shopping for a home

Red Sox and Yankees fans, among the most passionate, take some of the these behaviors to the next level

-35 percent of Red Sox fans would blow off an important business meeting to attend the first baseball game of the season at Fenway Park; by comparison
-60 percent of Sox fans would allow their child to skip school for an opening day game; 50 percent of Yankee fans said the first home game of the season was an acceptable excuse fo! r skipping school.

Oriole Magic Happens Again? Trembley Your Manager of The Year?

Seriously, is this team charmed, lucky or just that damn good? The Orioles once again staged one of their amazing comebacks -- their 19th! -- as they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the ninth, 8-7.

After coming back from behind twice, it looked the Orioles had their backs against the wall as Adam LaRoche hit a 2-run homer to put the Pirates up 7-6.

Well, in the spirit of the 2008 Orioles, the game is never over until the final out. Against Pitt! sburgh closer Matt Capps, Oscar Salazar led off the bottom of the ninth with the tying homer and three batters later, Ramon Hernandez singled in the winning run with two outs, as the Baltimore Orioles garnered another improbable victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Baltimore is now 34-33, and seemingly have all the confidence in the world. In a year in which gloom and doom was expected, the Orioles are competing in the AL East -- something no one would have imagined in March.

Thus, it brings to mind one question -- should Dave Trembley -- 67 games into the season be given AL Manager of the Year consideration? Well, seeing what I have, if the Orioles continue their nice little run, he should! In today's Baltimore Sun, Rick Mease asks that question and it causes you to wonder how much of a difference has Trembley made (could you imagine this happening to Sam Pe! rlozzo?)

The Oddsmakers Say...

Now that we are at the start of a long off-season, the oddsmakers at BetOnline.com have already come up with some preliminary odds for the 2009 season for the World Series.

I'm sure all of the odds can change depending on who goes where, injuries, etc.; however, the usual suspects are on the top of the list, while BetOnline gives Tampa a 10-1 shot to return to the promised land.

Obviously, they are not giving the Orioles a chance, and the Nationals sadly look like they have no chance in hell next season.

Boston Red Sox 3/1
Chicago Cubs 5/1
LA Angels 5/1
Philadelphia Phillies 6/1
New York Yankees 6/1
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10/1
Chicago White Sox 10/1
New York Mets 12/1
Milwaukee Brewers 15/1
Minnesota Twins 15/1
LA Dodgers 15/1
Toronto Blue Jays 20/1
Detroit Tigers 25/1
Florida Marlins 30/1
Houston Astros 30/1
St. Louis Cardinals 30/1
Cleveland Indians 30/1
Atla! nta Braves 30/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 40/1
Colorado Rockies 40/1
Texas Rangers 50/1
Cincinnati Reds 50/1
Oakland Athletics 50/1
San Francisco Giants 80/1
KC Royals 100/1
Baltimore Orioles 100/1
Seattle Mariners 100/1
San Diego Padres 100/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 200/1
Washington Nationals 300/1


Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bo! nuses than any other sportsb ook; on the web.

THKC Podcast: Teixeira, Salary Cap & Manny Ramirez

Ian of Sox and Dawgs and I taped our weekly show this afternoon that aired on the Fantasy Sports Channel at Blog Talk Radio.

We talked about the Mark Teixeira signing and it's impact on the game as well as gave our thoughts.

Lenny Melnick of Melnick and Greco Fantasy Sports stopped by at the end of the show as well. You can check it out by following the link provided at the end here. [The Hits Keep Coming - 12.24]


Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any other sportsbook; on the web.

The Idiot File: Our First 2009 Entry, Christian Bale. He Goes Psycho, Really Psycho

Between Baltimore's own and Olympic legend Michael Phelps being busted for smoking pot with a bong and hearing it all over sports talk radio, the Rich Hill trade, watching the Washington Wizards lose badly in person and it being a nice spring like day out in the dead of winter, all is well here.

Before I go to bed, I need to bring back the "Idiot File" again for this special occasion, and too bad it involves one of my favorite actors who had proven himself now to be a psycho. Or perhaps just a spoiled megalomaniac.

Christian Bale, ugh, you're whacked. This clip is from via TMZ (note: if you have young kids or you're at work, you may want to wait to hear this). This tape was recorded a while ago as it was recorded on the set of "Terminator 4" after a director of photography accidentally ruined a scene by walking on it while t! aping a scene. The star -- Bale -- flipped out and ended up screaming, yelling, plus threatening to quit if the bosses didn't fire the man who broke his concentration,

This is a classic vent by a celeb, but also quite disturbing.

Link: http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_audio/020209_christianbale.mp3

>>> Read More

Wieters Homers; Pauley Bounces Back; O's Beat Nationals, 7-5

The Baltimore Orioles improved their Grapefruit exhibition record to 3-2 as they downed the Washington Nationals by a score of 7-5.

Well, the highlight of the day was Matt Wieters and he showed why all of baseball is enamored by his ability at the plate, as he hit a two-run home run off Washington reliever Garrett Mock in the sixth inning. On the day, Wieters was 2-for-3, and Justin Turner -- a non-roster second baseman -- hit a two-run home run in the third inning off Tyler Clippard. Baltimore's other runs were batted in by Luke Scott -- who was a perfect 3-for-3 and drove in two runs -- and Adam Donachie.

>>> Read More

The End of Eaton? Yankees Sweep Orioles, Nolan & Trembley

The New York Yankees won again and swept the Baltimore Orioles in their three-game set up in the Bronx, 7-2. Well, the game started ugly and Adam Eaton gave up seven runs in the first two innings to pretty much put Baltimore out to pasture. The Orioles did chip away at the lead, thanks to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis both hitting solo home runs and a Ty Wigginton two-run double, but they were out done by the Yankee offense again, but this time early. I'm just glad Baltimore is out of there and don't have to face the resurgent New York juggernaut for a while.

Eaton took the loss, while his opponent, Joba Chamberlain left the game in the first inning after being hit on the knee by Adam Jones. There was no huge rematch between Huff and Chamberlain, though the first baseman did single off the demon! strative pitcher.

>>> Read More

O's Win Again in the Bronx; Matusz Brilliant, Is This His Last Start of '09?

If this is Brian Matsuz's last start of 2009, he sure made it worthwhile to watch. He went into one of the most intimidating places in all of sports and just dominated as the Orioles won their second straight in the Bronx, defeating the Yankees, 7-3. Baltimore put a six-spot on the scoreboard in the second inning off a very shaky A.J. Burnett -- who has been struggling for a while with the Yankees and took the loss -- and that was all they needed.

Matusz -- the young lefty -- went into the Lion's Den and pitched seven innings of one-run ball, allowing only four hits, striking out three and walking two. The only run he gave up came in the first inning as Mark Teixiera hit a sacrifice fly to center allowing a run to score, but after that, Matusz was on and didn't yield anything else.

Nolan Reimold tied the game at one as hit he went deep by hitting a solo home run -- his 15th of the year -- in the second inning, but the fun was only starting. Burnett allowed a! walk and back-to-back to singles, loading in the bases and then Robert Andino plated in a run with yet another single. With one out in the frame, and the bases still loaded, the next batter, Brian Roberts took Burnett deep for a grand slam home run to put Baltimore up 6-0.

>>> Read More

Caption This Carolina Hurricanes Photo

Erik Cole is back in Carolina after being part of a three team deal on Wednesday. Rod Brind'Amour and Cole seem to be enjoying themselves (perhaps a little too much!) at practice yesterday.

Thanks to Red & Black Hockey for the image

Rangers Win Game 1 in The Capital

Rangers 4 - Capitals 3 [Boxscore]
Rangers Lead Series 1-0

The Rangers went into the Nation's capital and came away with a huge win. The win was huge because not only did they take the first game of the series away from home, but the Rangers won the game despite the fact that they gave up three goals. New York also won the game without Captain Invisible (Drury) who really was invisible tonight, opting to sit out for game one after coming out for the pre-game skate (more on that later).

It was a great all around team effort, and honestly when they blew a 3-1 lead I thought that the Rangers had blown their shot at taking the series lead. Ovechkin was good (13 shots!) but he didn't get a goal (h! e was in on a few of the goals though). Despite giving up 3 goals, Lundqvist made several awesome saves. The game winning goal came off the stick of Brandon Dubinsky who completly undressed Washington defenseman Jeff Schultz before firing it past Jose Theodore.

The Rangers also got goals from Antropov, Gomez and Naslund. Not only did the Rangers score four goals, but two of them came on the power play.

As for Chris Drury, I really have to wonder what is possibly wrong with him. He was able to participate in a full practice yesterday and come out for the pre-game skate. If you are the Captain, you don't miss a playoff game unless there is something seriously wrong. I don't know what is wrong with Drury or how serious that injury of his is, but I'm definitely thinking that it must be more serious than the Rangers or letting on. Or, well...after a Rangers victory I'd rather not start questioning Drury's decision not to play.

As I already said, ! a huge win for the Rangers tonight in Washington. A big game o! n Saturd ay afternoon again at the Verizon Center, but worst case scenario the Rangers come back to the Garden on Monday night for what will be a crazy atmosphere at MSG with the series tied at one. Let's hope they come back up two games!



Series Schedule:

Game 1 Rangers win 4-3
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

Rangers vs. Capitals playoff tickets on StubHub & RazorGator

Brian Leetch Highlight Video

Prospal Signing Official

As we mentioned yesterday, it was reported in the NY Post that Vinnie Prospal had signed a one year contract to play this season for the Rangers.

The New York Rangers today made the signing official with this press release.


Discuss this signing & more over at the Forum

Yanks/Sox gives ESPN boost.

Weekend ratings predictions.

Weekend ratings predictions.

Weekend ratings predictions.

Idle notes.

Barkley no longer in T-Mobile's Fave Five.

Bad start for NASCAR.

NBC likely to air Cowboys' first game at new stadium.

The ratings game.

Question of the day.

Philling up the ratings.

FOX on pace for MLB record low

ESPN scores with USC/Ohio State

Info Sepakbola | Scudetto Inter Milan

Gelar scudetto Inter Milan musim ini terasa spesial, selain scudetto ini menyamai raihan gelar rival satu kota AC Milan sebanyak 17 kali, ini juga menjadi scudetto ke-4 secara berturut-turut. Hal ini juga dirasakan oleh sang pemilik klub Massimo Moratti karena kepastian juara bertepatan dengan ulang tahunnya pada 16 mei yang lalu. Sukses Inter..... tentu tak lepas dari sosok Jose "The Special One" Mourinh! o. Yup......meski dikenal kontroversial tapi pelatih asal Potugal ini punya strategi yang ampuh dan metode kepelatihan yang sangat disiplin. Selain itu ini juga menjadi hadiah special bagi Luis Figo sebelum mengakhiri kariernya bersama Inter Milan.

Hasil Pertandingan | Kualifikasi Pilala Dunia 2009/2 010 | Portugal Dekat ke Play-off

Dua gol dari Simao Sabrosa dan satu dari Liedson membawa Portugal meraih kemenangan 3-0 atas Hongaria. Seleccao pun merapat ke babak play-off.

Pada pertandingan yang berlangsung di Stadion Magalhaes Pessoa, Minggu (11/10/2009) dinihari WIB, Portugal turun dengan skuad terbaiknya. Cristiano Ronaldo yang baru fit dari cedera engkel juga ditu! runkan sejak awal.

Simao membuka keunggulan Portugal ketika laga baru berjalan 18 menit. Gol ini tercipta setelah umpan crossing Cristiano Ronaldo sempat diblok kiper Gabor Babos, tetapi kemudian berhasil disambar olehnya.

Namun demikian, Ronaldo hanya mampu bermain selama 27 menit. Cedera engkelnya kambuh lagi dan ia pun terpaksa digantikan oleh Nani.

Zoltan Gera sempat hampir menyamakan kedudukan di ujung babak pertama. Sial baginya, sundulannya malah membentur tiang gawang. Setelahnya praktis pertandingan menjadi milik Portugal.

Sementara dua gol tambahan lainnya datang di babak kedua. Liedson mencetak gol di menit 74, sementara gol kedua Simao datang lima menit sesudahnya lewat sebuah sepakan voli.

Dengan hasil ini Portugal untuk sementara berada di urutan dua dengan nilai sembilan di klasemen sementara Grup 1. Mereka bisa melaju ke ba! bak play-off apabila hari Rabu depan bisa mengalahkan Malta.
Sementara tiket langsung dari grup ini sudah menjadi milik Denmark. 'Tim Dinamit' lolos usai menyungkurkan Swedia 1-0 di kandang sendiri. Denmark memimpin dengan nilai 21.

Quelli che ... non vincono mai al fantacalcio

Secondo me i giocatori di fantacalcio si dividono in due categorie: quelli che vincono sempre (o cmq spesso) e quelli che non vincono mai.
Ovviamente io appartengo alla seconda.
Ma non è solo una divisione di tipo ludico, è una divisione di classi, di filosofia di vita, e forse addirittura religiosa!

Quelli che vincono sempre alle 20.29 e 50 secondi modificano il secondo panchinaro e questa modifica sarà determinante per l'esito della partita.
Quelli che non vincono mai cambiano formazione anche più volte, ma alla fine daranno quella sbagliata.

Quelli che vincono sempre hanno un centrocampo formato da 4 esterni o meglio ancora seconde punte che l'almanacco dei ruoli classifica come centrocampisti.
Quelli che non vincono mai hanno un centrocampo che ha 2 centrali e 2 esterni, perchè il calcio è dogma.

Quelli che vincono sempre schierano un portiere di una grande che gioca in casa con una piccola e che in più para il rigore ! all'attaccante di Quelli che non vincono mai.
Quelli che non vincono mai schierano quel portire ma gli prenderà 3 gol. Inoltre avranno schierato come costruttore il difensore del Catania contro l'Inter, perchè deve esserci una speranza di una grande partita contro la paura..

Quelli che vincono sempre fanno trattative solo ed esclusivamente a loro vantaggio.
Quelli che non vincono mai comprano un giocatore di fantasia che forse dopo 2 anni esploderà e andrà in nazionale.

Come vedete far parte di Quelli che non vincono mai comporta un pò di sofferenza, ma tutto sommato vuol dire anche concedersi il lusso di sognare...

con affetto
celeste

CARLOS TEVÉZ ATTRACTED TO THE REAL MADRID OPTION

UEFA CUP QUALIFIERS 2008/09:GREAT NIGHT FOR SPANISH TEAMS

PRE - SEASON 2008: ATLETICO DE MADRID NEWS

SPANISH FOOTBALL HUMOUR: FC BARCELONA

SCHUSTER & THE MEDIA - MUTUAL INTEREST

REAL MADRID PLAYERS MAKE THE BULK OF THE IDEAL TEAM FOR DECEMBER 2007

SPANISH FOOTBALL HUMOUR: VALENCIA CF vs FC BRACELONA

REAL MADRID NEWS: KARIM BENZEMA ON THE AGENDA

EURO 2008: ICELAND 1 - SPAIN 1.

SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER GOSSIP BRIEFS

FORMULA 1 SPANISH GP 2007 . FERNANDO ALONSO 3º

MANCHESTER UNITED ENTERS THE FERNANDO TORRES TRANSFER "BATTLE"

WILL KARIM BENZEMA END UP AT REAL MADRID?

LIVERPOOL TEST FC BARCELONA WITH 32.5M OFFER FOR ETO´O

REAL MADRID: PEPE IN THE CRISTIANO RONALDO TRANSFER OPERATION?

MOTO GP: GOOD DAY FOR SPANIARDS, GREAT DAY OF RACING

REAL MADRID ALVARO NEGREGO ABOUT TO SIGN FOR TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS?

ZINEDINE ZIDANE & HIS BILLIARD "SHARK", CARD & PIANO SKILLS: NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Betis Stadium Ban Reduced To One Game

Ronaldo: News In Three Days

Van Der Vaart: Madrid? Much Ado About Nothing

Juve Working On Appiah Deal Agent

Casillas Wary Of Wounded Atlético

Emery: Copa Clash No Waste Of Time

Ronaldo 'Very Happy' At Manchester United

Villarreal's Cazorla Wary Of 'Hurt' Osasuna

Domenech Launches Stinging Attack On 'Farcical' Mourinho

Hleb Won't Be Leaving Barcelona

Use the Internet to Your Advantage

Serena voted WTA player of the year

Serena Williams withdraws from Family Circle Cup

Atletico release Seitaridis

Engaged? Kournikova sporting diamond ring

Real rule out Ribery swoop

The USA National Basketball Team

The USA National Basketball Team

Messi, Top Scorer of UEFA Champions League 2009

Messi, Top Scorer of UEFA Champions League 2009

Lionel Andres Messi FC Barcelona football player has been became top scorer in UEFA Champions league. Messi, the young master football player of Argentine, certainly become top scorer after he made nine goals in all champions league matchs. His last goal was made in champions league final against Manchester United. Messi made a score through his heading in 70th minute. He also became man of the match in that match.

Messi Collected nine goals over up Steven Gerrard from Liverpool FC that made seven goals. Messi's goal in champions league final also brought Barcelona became the champions of champions. With nine goals, Lionel Messi will get golden boot. He also has a big chance ! to be best Europe football player, Balloon d'Or, and also to b! e FIFA P layer of the year. Congratulations Messi!

Injury Free

By Jaymes Payten-Marsh
For THBN

Tottenham Hotspur have an injury free squad for the first time in pre-season history since the Premiership began.

Paul Robinson has completely recovered from the knee injury which affected him in the last two games of the campaign and ruled him out of England's tour of the USA.

Also recovered and set to be back in training is Tottenham's Portuguese midfielder Pedro Mendes.

Spurs head coach had this to say earlier today: "It's a great situation to be in at the moment. We don't have any injuries, but some players will be taking pre-season a little easy.

"Paul (Robinson) has recovered ahead of time and wil! l rest for another week. Hopefully we will have a full squad going into the friendly games and the new season."

Good Luck Pascal

We would like to wish Pascal Chimbonda the best of luck at his new club, Sunderland.

Juande Ramos is really looking to offload players that were used under Jol and is slowly bringing in his own players.

Expect an announcement on Robbie Keane in the next 72 hours or so.

£18 million will come in handy, especially with Arshavin's agent banding him about to every club in Europe, you can expect him to be linked even stronger once Keane puts on the red of Liverpool.

Also in the news.....is Fergie playing mind tricks by stating that he's lost interest in Berbatov?

We think so!

"Signing Downing could be a mistake", according to agent

Stewart Downing's former agent, Ian Elliott, has warned that Tottenham Hotspur could be in for a "wild time" if they sign Stewart Downing.

"Stewart and Woody (Jonathan Woodgate) got up to a lot when they were together at Middlesbrough. Alone, they are both great lads, but pair them together, and you're asking for trouble, especially in a city like London".

Boro fans have also made similar statements, claiming that Woodgate and Downing had been known to like the clubbing scene a little too much.

Kaka Minta Madrid Rekrut Pirlo

PRETORIA - Masa depan gelandang elegan Andrea Pirlo bersama AC Milan di musim depan memang masih tanda tanya. Untuk itu, Ricardo Kaka pun mengajak mantan rekan setimnya itu bergabung dengannya di Real Madrid jika nantinya memutuskan meningggalkan San Siro.
Ya, sejak allenatore Carlo Ancelotti dan Kaka meninggalkan Milan beberapa waktu lalu, kubu Rossoneri memang terus diterpa isu tak sedap. Salah satunya adalah kabar bakal hengkangnya sejumlah pilar lain seperti Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedor! f dan yang terakhir, Andrea Pirlo.
Sejauh ini, nama gelandang timnas Italia itu ramai dihubungkan bakal mengikuti jejak sang pelatih dan merapat ke Stamford Bridge. Namun, Kaka tenyata memiliki usul berbeda dan menyarankan agar gelandang yang piawai mengeksekusi tendangan bebas itu kembali bermain bersamanya di Santiago Bernabeu.
"Jika Pirlo memutuskan hengkang, maka saya sarankan agar Madrid segera merekrutnya," papar Kaka dalam konferensi pers sesaat setelah Brasil membungkam Italia 3-0 pada ajang Piala Konfederasi dini hari tadi yang dikutip Goal, Senin (22/6/2009). Hingga saat ini, Pirlo sendiri memang belum memutuskan masa depannya di Milan.
Namun, beredar gosip jika gelandang 30 tahun itu menyatakan siap hengkang meninggalkan klub yang dibelanya sejak 2001 itu, jika mendapat proposal menarik. Jadi, apakah Madrid siap mewujudkan keinginan Kaka kembali berduet dengan Pirlo di era Los Galacticos II yang tengah dibangun Presiden klub Florentino Perez?

Adebayor Dipersilakan Pergi

LONDON - Pelatih Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, berharap Emmanuel Adebayor bertahan di Arsenal. Namun, bila Adebayor ingin pergi, Wenger juga tak melarang. Adebayor memang sudah memperpanjang kontrak di Arsenal.
Namun, ia masih diragukan bakal tahan lama di Emirates. Apalagi, ia masih menjadi target pembelian AC Milan. Wenger sendiri tidak menutup mata soal itu. Namun, ia menyerahkan semuanya kepada Adebayor. "Bila Adebayor tidak ingin bertahan, ia akan pergi.
Meski begitu, saya pikir, ia masih akan di Arsenal musim depan," ujar Wenger sep! erti dikutip The Sun. Wenger tetap menyiapkan antisipasi kepergian Adebayor. Ia mengaku berminat kepada penyerang Bordeaux, Marouane Chamakh. Ia juga menegaskan pembelian Chamakh hanya dilakukan bila ada pemain yang meninggalkan Emirates.
Arsenal terus memantau Chamakh sejak ia memulai debutnya di Bordeaux 2006 silam. Chamakh dinilai memiliki karakter bermain sesuai kebutuhan Arsenal. Ia unggul dalam permainan bola atas, berteknik bagus, dan seorang pekerja keras. Musim lalu, ia tampil sebanyak 34 kali dan mencetak 13 gol di Ligue-1.

Punya 13 Juta, Milan Bisa Beli Hernanes

MILAN - Milan memiliki kesempatan terbuka untuk menggaet Hernanes di bursa transfer musim panas ini. Soalnya agen pemain bersangkutan menilai nilai jual Hernanes bisa ditawar.
"Untuk saat ini, harga untuk Hernanes tak lagi di kisaran €25 juta, tapi menurut saya kesepakatan bisa dicapai di angka €12-13 juta," ungkap Frederico Pena kepada Calciomercato.
Nilai tersebut tentunya jauh lebih kecil dari nilai transfer yang sempat disebut sebelumnya oleh Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes, direktur teknik Sao Paulo, klub di mana Hernanes saat ini. Beberapa saat lalu, dia sempat men! yebut angka €40 juta.
Namun ada masalah lain yang terlebih dahulu harus dituntaskan Milan jika ingin membeli Hernanes, yaitu mendepak salah satu pemain non-Uni Eropa mereka. Dengan hal ini, tenaga Hernanes bisa dimanfaatkan Milan untuk musim depan, itu pun jika pihak klub jadi merekrutnya.
"Masalah Milan saat ini adalah pemain dengan status non-UE mereka. saya tahu Leonardo tertarik dengannya, tapi Milan harus menyediakan ruang terlebih dahulu untuk pemain non-UE mereka kelak," tandasnya.

Gattuso: Madrid Tidak Akan Juara Liga Champions

MILAN - Real Madrid memang sukses di bursa transfer dengan mengumpulkan deretan pemain bintang, mulai dari Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema dan disusul Xabi Alonso.
Dengan membentuk Galacticos jilid kedua dari presiden baru Florentino Perez, Madrid menjadi salah satu favoritkuat meraih gelar juara Liga Champions. Hanya, gelandang AC Milan Gennaro Gattuso menilai Madrid tak akan juara Liga Champions. "Apakah Real Madrid bakal memenanginya?
Saya justru tidak takut menghadapi mereka karena kesan yang saya tangkap, mereka adalah tim yang tidak memiliki keseimbang! an," kata Gattuso kepada La Gazzetta Dello Sport. "Real memang memiliki banyak pemain juara. Tapi, Anda tidak bisa membentuk tim hanya dengan mengandalkan pemain juara.
Menurut saya, 11 pemain belakang masih bisa menang atas 11 striker," jelasnya. Menurut Gattuso, tim-tim Liga Primer Inggris masih difavoritkan di ajang Liga Champions. Selain itu, tim-tim Serie A Italia juga harus diperhitungkan.
"Menurut saya, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona masih difavoritkan. Begitu pula Bayern Muenchen. Juventus dan Inter Milan juga bisa diunggulkan setelah melakukan perekrutan. Namun Inter mengalami kerugian besar dengan menjual Zlatan Ibrahimovic," tandas Gattuso.

Galliani Ikat Kaladze

MILAN - Adriano Galliani tidak akan melepas Kakha Kaladze dalam bursa transfer pemain, tengah tahun ini. Bek veteran asal Georgia ini akan tetap berada di San Siro. Lepas kemenangan atas Siena di laga pembuka musim, dini hari tadi, wakil presiden Milan ini memang sudah punya gambaran pemain yang akan dilepas atau dipertahankan.
Namun, Galliani bersikukuh mempertahankan mantan pilar bertahan Dinamo Kyiv tersebut. "Jika memungkinkan, Massimo Oddo akan pergi dan Cristian Zaccardo menjadi target p! engganti," kata Galliani seperti dilansir firenzeviola.it, Minggu (23/8/2009). "Tapi satu hal yang pasti, Kaladze tidak dijual," tegasnya.
Milan pantas khawatir. Pasalnya, Kaladze gencar diberitakan bakal hengkang ke Fiorentina, setelah Leonardo mengumumkan skuadnya kelebihan pemain. Namun, pernyataan Galliani agaknya mengamankan posisi Kaladze.

Juande Ramos Gantikan Leonardo?

MILAN - Wacana baru mencuat seputar kursi kepelatihan AC Milan. Mantan pelatih Real Madrid Juande Ramos disebut-sebut bakal menggusur posisi arsitek anyar Leonardo Araujo.
Benarkah? Media Spanyol AS mengklaim, Rabu (9/9/2009), kubu Rossoneri tengah mendekati Ramos guna membicarakan kemungkinan dirinya mengambil alih kepelatihan di San Siro. Hal itu menyusul kinerja Leonardo yang dinilai mengecewakan pada awal musim 2009/2010.
Armada Merah Hitam memang belum menampilkan performa terbaik ya! ng mengantarkan mereka merengkuh mahkota Liga Champions, 2007 silam. Selain tampil buruk pada persiapan pra-musim, Milan juga hanya menuai tiga angka dari dua laga pembuka Serie A.
Kendati menang 2-1 atas Siena di laga perdana, Milan dilumat habis rival sekotanya, Inter Milan (4-0), satu pekan berselang. Leonardo ditunjuk sebagai suksesor Carlo Ancelotti awal musim ini. Masih terlalu dini untuk menilai kemampuannya mengarsiteki Massimo Ambrosini dkk.
Namun, banyak pihak mensinyalir, petinggi klub tidak akan segan-segan melepasnya jika Milan gagal bersaing di papan atas. Kabar ini jelas membuat pelatih asal Brasil itu semakin berada dalam tekanan kala Il Diavolo menghadapi Livorno pada lanjutan Serie A, Minggu (13/9/2009) dini hari WIB.

Storari: Milan Kehilangan Ketajaman

MILAN - Setelah bermain imbang tanpa gol melawan Bari, kiper AC Milan Marco Storari mengakui lini depan timnya ompong. Meski demikian, Storari melontarkan pujian terhadap lini belakang yang memperlihatkan penampilan solid dan bisa dijadikan sinyal positif I Rossoneri tengah meningkatkan level permainan.
"Bari adalah sebuah tim yang teroganisir baik, mereka tak henti-hentinya berlari selama 90 menit dan tidak memberi! kan kesempatan kepada kami untuk menyusun serangan baik," kata mantan kiper Messina itu pada Milan Channel. "Kami tengah mengarungi masa sulit.
Hanya kerja keras yang mampu mengeluarkan kami dari masalah." "Tim terlihat hidup di lini belakang dan mereka bermain taktis. Mungkin kami hanya kurang beruntung gagal memanfaatkan peluang. Semua harus terus bersatu dan membantu lini depan untuk menciptakan peluang berbahaya."
"Hal paling penting adalah kami tidak mengalami kekalahan. Kami bermain menghadapi sebuah tim solid yang mampu memberi kesulitan kepada Inter. Kami adalah Milan dan tidak boleh senang dengan hasil seperti ini."

sumber : goal.com

Cassano Sang Pangeran Sampdoria|Bola Lover

Bola Lover, Siapa yang tidak mengenal Sampdoria? tim asal italia Serie A bukan english premier division loh ini kini tengah berada diatas agin. Sampdoria kini berada di peringkat 1 liga serie A musim ini.Grafikmenanjak sampdoria ini tidak lepas dari pangeran mereka "antonion Cassano" Pemain yang pernah bermain untuk AS roma dan Real Madrid ini ternyata menjadi tumpuan di club barunya.
Permainan ciamik yang di tunjukkan cassano melirik perhatian juventus dan inter milan.Ke-2 tim ini berharap agar mereka bisa mendapatkan tanda tangan pemain ini.Namun orang nomor 1 Sampdoria ,Giuseepe Marota tentu tidak ingin melego pemain bola ini dengan harga murah kaya lelang barang aja dah ==". Big boss ini menetapkan ! 20 juta euro atau kurang lebih 286 Miliar Rupiah bagi old lady dan la beneamatta bila menginginkannya. Go Sepak Bola !!

Leave me a Comment.....no spam ,sara,and komentar aneh.haha...

Rafa hopeful over Mascherano

And Benitez is keen to have the midfielder available for selection after the combative Argentina international missed the midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Fiorentina.

"Javier trained today so hopefully he will be fit for Sunday," said Benitez.

"For us he is a key player. He is a very good worker in the middle and he can keep the balance of the team."

Benitez also admitted that defender Dan Agger had returned to contention after a reserve team outing following his recent back problem.

"I watched the DVD of the reserve game and he did well," said the Anfield boss.

"Maybe he will have a chance for Sunday, we will see.

"He is a player who can defend really well but he also has quality in possession. It will be good to have him back."

Olimpiade 2016 - Rio Tutup Mimpi Delapan Dasawarsa

Janeiro,-

Rio de Janeiro pertama kali mencalonkan diri untuk menjadi host Olimpiade tahun 1936. Ketika itu mereka gagal, demikian juga dua upaya setelahnya. Kini, setelah hampir 80 tahun menanti, mimpi itu menjadi nyata.

Akhir mimpi Rio terjadi setelah komite Olimpiade internasional IOC menunjuk kota yang dikenal dengan Pantai Copacabana-nya itu sebagai tuan rumah Olimpiade musim panas 2016, Sabtu (3/10/2009) dinihari WIB.......

Rio de Janeiro menjadi kota pertama di kawasan Amerika Selatan yang menggelar kejuara! an olahraga multicabang antarbangsa empat tahunan itu.

Upaya pencalonan kota terbesar kedua di Brasil itu bukan hanya kali ini saja. Mereka pertama kali mencalonkan diri untuk menjadi host Olimpiade 1936. Ketika itu Rio de Janeiro kalah dari Berlin.

Selanjutnya, Rio kembali mengajukan diri untuk tuan rumah tahun 2004 dan 2012. Namun kota yang terletak di pantai Samudera Atlantik ini kalah bersaing dengan Athena dan London.

Terpilihnya Rio disambut meriah ratusan ribu warga masyarakat Brasil yang berkumpul di Pantai Copacabana. Diberitakan AP, mereka menari, bersorak, mengibarkan bendera, singkatnya suasana pesta tercipta di sana.

Di Pantai Copacabana, dibentangkan spanduk seukuran lapangan sepakbola bertuliskan "Rio Loves You".

Terpilihnya Rio de Janeiro direspon positif oleh pasar Brasil. Dikutip dari Reuters, saham milik maskapai penerbangan dan juga perusahaan real estat naik hingga hampir li! ma persen. Nilai tukar mata uang real Brasil terhadap dolar AS! menguat 1,783 persen pada sesi penutupan perdagangan Jumat sore.

Kemenangan Rio ini juga memiliki arti tersendiri bagi legenda sepakbola negeri Samba, Pele. "Jika IOC menunjuk Rio maka bagi saya hal itu senilai dengan trofi Piala Dunia keempat," seru Pele seperti dilansir dari AFP.

Kini, Pele telah merengkuh "trofi" Piala Dunia keempatnya, Rio mengakhiri delapan dasawarsa penantiannya, dan untuk pertama kalinya Olimpiade digelar di Amerika Selatan.

Parabens, Rio! Selamat, Rio!

VERSO LA FINALE DI CHAMPIONS. ARBITRA MICHEL

?uboš Miche? arbitrerà la finale di UEFA Champions League tra Manchester United FC e Chelsea FC, in programma mercoledì allo stadio Luzhniki di Mosca.

Regalo di compleanno
Miche?, che venerdì ha compiuto 40 anni, sarà assistito dai connazionali Roman Slysko (34) e Martin Balko (36), mentre Vladimir Hrinak sarà il quarto uomo. Nato a Stropkov, Miche? ha esordito nel 1987 dirigendo la gara della serie minore tra FK Duplin ed FK Strocin. Nel 1993 è stato promosso nel massimo campionato slovacco e, a novembre dello stesso anno, ha esordito al Campiona! to Europeo UEFA Under 21 arbitrando l'incontro tra Inghilterra e San Marino.

Grande esperienza
Miche? ha anche arbitrato alle Olimpiadi di Sidney del 2000 e ha diretto la finale di Confederations Cup FIFA 2005 tra Brasile e Argentina (in cui Carlos Tévez del Manchester è entrato al 72'). È stato il primo fischietto slovacco dopo l'indipendenza ad arbitrare in Coppa del Mondo FIFA: nel 2002, ha diretto la gara tra Paraguay e Sud Africa, mentre ai Mondiali 2006 ha diretto Portogallo-Messico (in cui sono scesi in campo Paulo Ferreira e Ricardo Carvalho del Chelsea, mentre Cristiano Ronaldo è rimasto in panchina), Brasile-Ghana (in cui Michael Essien è rimasto in panchina) e quella Argentina-Germania (con Michael Ballack e Tévez in campo).

Finale di Coppa UEFA
Miche? ha arbitrato la finale di Coppa UEFA 2003 tra FC Porto e Celtic FC, occupandosi della semifinale tra Liverpool FC e Chelsea del 2005. A UEFA EURO 2004™, in! vece, ha diretto Grecia-Spagna, Svizzera-Francia e Svezia-Olan! da. Ha e sordito in UEFA Champions League nel 1998. Attualmente al primo posto nelle graduatorie arbitrali, è diventato il secondo direttore di gara dopo il danese Kim Milton Nielsen a raggiungere le 50 presenze nella competizione.

©uefa.com

EURO 2008: XAVI IL MIGLIORE

Xavi Hernandez, centrocampista della Spagna, è stato eletto miglior giocatore di Euro 2008 dalla commissione tecnica della Uefa. Il 28enne centrocampista del Barcellona ha giocato 5 partite nel torneo continentale vinto dalla selezione iberica. Xavi ha realizzato un gol nella semifinale che la Spagna si è aggiudicata 3-0 contro la Russia e ha servito a Torres l'assist per il gol decisivo della finale contro la Germania. Il centrocampista del Barcellona "ha dettato i tempi alla formazione di Aragones", come ha spiegato Andy Roxburgh, ct della Scozia ai tempi del Mondiale italiano del '90 e componente l'organismo dell'! Uefa, che è stato nominato per esprimere pareri tecnico-tattici sul torneo
La Commissione tecnica dell'Uefa ha scelto anche il team ideale di Euro 2008, nel quale figurano ben nove calciatori della selezione spagnola che ha vinto il torneo. Nella Nazionale ideale figurano, inoltre, tre tedeschi, quattro russi, due fra olandesi e portoghesi, un calciatore di Croazia e Turchia. Per l'Italia è stato scelto Gigi Buffon. Questi i 'convocati' dall'Uefa: Portieri: Gianluigi Buffon (Italia), Iker Casillas (Spagna), Edwin van der Sar (Olanda)Difensori: Bosingwa (Portogallo), Philipp Lahm (Germania), Carlos Marchena (Spagna), Pepe (Portogallo), Carles Puyol (Spagna), Yuri Zhirkov (Russia)Centrocampisti: Hamit Altintop (Turchia), Luka Modric' (Croazia), Marcos Senna (Spagna), Xavi Hernandez (Spagna), Konstantin Zyryanov (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germania), Cesc Fabregas (Spagna), Andres Iniesta (Spagna), Lukas Podolski (Germania), Wesley Sneijder (Olanda)Attaccanti: Andrei Arsha! vin (Russia), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia), Fernando Torres (Sp! agna), D avid Villa (Spagna)

"3-1 PER RANIERI MA IL MIO GOL E' BELLISSIMO"

Se lui la vuole finire, io la voglio finire". Una frase dedicata da Jose Mourinho a Claudio Ranieri pronunciata nel dopopartita di Bayern-Inter e che farebbe pensare alla conclusione del piccante scambio dialettico degli ultimi giorni. In realtà "Mou" pizzica ancora: "Ha parlato tre volte ed è stato felice, io una volta sola e si è arrabbiato. Quindi è finita 3-1 per lui. Ma il mio gol è stato bellissimo".
Mourinho quindi sembra voler mettere la parola fine alla polemica a distanza con il tecnico della Juventus ma lo fa a modo suo, con una 'stoccata' che lascia aperta la strada a un'ulteriore ri! sposta. "Perdere tre a uno non piace a nessuno ma va bene così accetto la sconfitta - ha proseguito -. Comunque nel preliminare di Champions League io tiferò per la Juventus e per Ranieri". Tra i due il battibecco va avanti dalla fine di luglio e ogni volta si arricchisce di particolari. Nell'ultima puntata il portoghese, per rispondere a un affondo di Ranieri ("Non mi serve vincere per sentirmi sicuro come Mourinho") aveva usato parole 'pesanti' nei confronti del collega bianconero, definendolo "vecchio" e rinfacciandogli di aver conquistato soltanto "una piccola coppa e una Supercoppa" a differenza sua. La replica di Ranieri con un laconico "Ci ha fatto vedere la sua personalità, il suo vero stile e cosa pensa dei colleghi...Per lui sarà difficile vincere tutto". E adesso un accenno di tregua da parte di Mourinho, ma chissà se durerà.

Riguardo alla gara contro il Bayern, il tecnico portoghese è soddisfatto della prestazione offerta dalla squadra. "Partita dopo ! partita giochiamo sempre meglio. Mi è piaciuto anche lo spirit! o di gru ppo della squadra. C'è stata una notevole empatia fra tutti noi. Evidentemente dobbiamo analizzare qualche aspetto tattico del gioco, ma questo fa parte dell'evoluzione della squadra. Per noi è stato un buon allenamento - ha proseguito -. Abbiamo giocato contro un grande squadra che tra pochi giorni esordirà in Bundesliga e che ovviamente è più avanti di noi nella preparazione, una formazione molto ben organizzata".

ITALIA VITTORIOSA, MA CHE SOFFERENZA!

GUARDA GLI HLTS DELLE QUALIFICAZIONI MONDIALI SULLA NOSTRA WEB-TV, CLICCA SU ON-DEMAND E SCEGLI TU IL! VIDEO CHE VUOI VEDERE.

Con un gol di Di Natale al 91' l'Italia vince 2-1 a Cipro nella prima gara di qualificazione ai Mondiali 2010: la partita era iniziata subito in discesa per gli azzurri, passati al 7' con Di Natale. Ma Cipro non ci sta, e prima pareggia al 27' con Aloneftis e poi rischia addirittura di andare in vantaggio. Solo al 91' il gol vittoria del napoletano, che salva da una brutta figura: infortuni per Gamberini e Grosso a inizio gara, l'Italia era rimasta senza cambi dopo l'ingresso decisivo di Gattuso nel secondo tempo.

Se con l'Austria si ! poteva parlare di disattenzioni dovute all'amichevole, la sfid! a di que sta sera è assolutamente allarmante: Lippi sbaglia la formazione iniziale (disastroso l'esperimento con le due punte centrali), i padroni di casa meritano un successo di larga misura e solo la fortuna e Di Natale salvano l'Italia dalla figuraccia.

Mercoledì ad Udine con la Georgia, sconfitta dall'Irlanda di Trapattoni, occorre una prestazione di carattere per non cadere in un pericoloso baratro di polemiche.

CIPRO (4-3-3): Gheorgollidis; Nikolau, Haralambous, Garpozis, Crhistou; Makridis, Kullis, Michail (27' st Yiasoumi); Aloneftis, Okkas, Kostantinou (18! ' st Christofi)(A disposizione: Morphis, Lambrou, Ilia, Yiasoumi, Maragos, Okkaridis,). All.: Anastadiadis
ITALIA (4-4-2): Buffon; Zambrotta, Gamberini (3' pt Barzagli), Cannavaro, Grosso (18' pt Cassetti); Camoranesi, Pirlo, De Rossi, Di Natale; Toni (1' st Gattuso), Gilardino (A disposizione: De Sanctis, Aquilani, Palombo, Iaquinta). All.: Lippi
Arbitro: Vink (Olanda)
Marcatori: - 7' pt Di Natale (I), 27' pt Aloneftis (C), 46' st Di Natale (I)
Ammoniti: -  Toni (I), Garpozis (C), Cassetti (I), Nikolau (C), Camoranesi (I)

"DINHO IN DISCOTECA? AVEVA IL PERMESSO FINO ALLE 5"

In casa Inter l'uscita notturna di Adriano ha fatto infuriare Mourinho che non l'ha convocato per Firenze. Tutt'altra aria a Milanello, dove la serata in discoteca di Ronaldinho è motivo di battute scherzose: "E' tornato in ritardo? A che ora? Alle 4? Si vede che è andato in un posto dove non stava bene - ha detto Ancelotti- perché gli avevo dato il permesso di stare fuori fino alle 5...".
Insomma, l'allenatore del Milan, non pare assolutamente preoccupato dalle indiscrezioni sulla vita notturna di Ronaldinho. La stella brasiliana, secondo alcune voci, domenica si sarebbe intrattenuto fino notte fonda in una discoteca di Milano. "La domenica può fare quello che vuole, non sono il suo tutore", ha replicato Ancelotti.
Poi passando a parlare della gara contr il Siena mercoledì e quella contro il Napoli di domenica dice: "Abbiamo l'occasione di andare in testa alla classifica con queste due p! artite, ovviamente ci vuole un pareggio dell'Inter o a Firenze o a Reggio Calabria".
Tornando alla partita di Bergamo, il tecnico ha sottolineato che "le caratteristiche della squadra sono cambiate, c'è meno qualità a centrocampo ma più sostanza - ha detto riferendosi alle assenze di Pirlo e Seedorf - La squadra ora è più tosta che soft, siamo sia da bosco che da riviera". "Lo scudetto non è un'ossessione o un peso ma un obiettivo e anche uno stimolo - ha poi aggiunto Ancelotti - Lo dico perché penso che la squadra sia in grado di vincerlo".

PRIMA GIOIA PER NOVELLINO, TORINO AI QUARTI DI COPPA

Il Torino espugna il Franchi negli ottavi di Coppa Italia per 1-0 e vola ai quarti di finale. A mandare ko la Fiorentina e' una rete di Rolando Bianchi al 19'. La Fiorentina e' scesa in campo, come le altre big del campionato, direttamente negli ottavi di finale di Coppa Italia e per l'occasione Prandelli ha dovuto schierare la coppia totale d'attacco Mutu-Gilardino, viste le defezioni di Pazzini, alle prese con la gastroenterite, e Osvaldo. Lo stesso Novellino, pero', pur con una formazione rimaneggiata, ha deciso di schierare in attacco la coppia Amoruso-Bianchi. E sono proprio i granata, arrivati agli ottavi grazie al successo sul Livorno dopo i tempi supplementari, a partire forte e ad andare in gol al 19' con Bianchi che, servito da un! perfetto assist dalla destra di Vailatti, di destro trafigge da centroarea Storari. Al 27' sono i viola a rendersi pericolosi con Mutu, ma Natali lo anticipa. Due minuti piu' tardi brivido per i granata con i viola che vanno vicini al pareggio con un tiro dalla distanza di Almiron che termina di poco alto. Alla mezz'ora Rolando Bianchi e' costretto a lasciare il campo per un problema al ginocchio, al suo posto entra Stellone. I viola spingono per trovare il pari, visto che l'accesso ai quarti si gioca con una partita secca, e vanno vicini al gol con Pasquale di testa al 71' e con un tiro dalla distanza di Zauri.Nella ripresa la partita si assopisce, e' sempre ovviamente la Fiorentina a rendersi piu' propositiva alla ricerca del pareggio che sembra arrivare al 62' con un colpo di testa di Gilardino che termina a lato di un soffio. Al 75' altra grande occasione per i viola sugli sviluppi di una punizione di Kuzmanovic su cui non riescono ad intervenire Mutu e Gilardino. All'! 84' Colombo abbatte Jovetic al limite dell'area, ma Mutu spara! la puni zione alle stelle. Nel finale, all'88', i granata vanno vicini al gol del ko con Ventola. Al 90' D'Amato concede un calcio di rigore per fallo su Ventola, ma il collaboratore gli fa cambiare idea perche' la palla prima sarebbe uscita dal campo e la gara termina qui. Il Toro resiste all'assedio e si aggiudica il passaggio del turno: ai quarti affrontera' la Lazio che si e' sbarazzata del Milan.

MUTU E GILA STENDONO IL BOLOGNA

E' Adrian Mutu, al rientro dopo tre gare di assenza, a regalare alla Fiorentina tre punti importanti sul campo del Bologna, nel recupero della gara rinviata domenica a causa della neve. L'attaccante rumeno va in rete al 6' e al 16' del primo tempo, in entrambi i casi su assist di Montolivo. In avvio di ripresa i rossoblu accorciano con Mingazzini, poi i viola controllano fino al recupero, quando Gilardino sigla un facile 3-1 a porta vuota.



LA PARTITA
La prima notizia della giornata è quella più attesa: a Bologna si gioca. E la Fiorentina lo fa consapevole del successo del Genoa sul Palermo, che porta a cinque punti il distacco dei viola dalla zona Champions, costringendoli così a ottenere un risultato positivo. Per farlo, Prandelli può contare sul rientrante Mutu, ma Mihajlovic dimostra di non aver paura, schierando dall'inizio Adailton alle spalle di Di Vaio e dell'agguerrito ex di giornata Osvaldo.

Passano sei minuti e Mutu fa capire ! perchè con lui in campo la Fiorentina è tutt'altra cosa. Su gran lancio di Montolivo, il rumeno interviene con un destro al volo in allungo, superando un Antonioli che però avrebbe dovuto provare l'uscita. La giocata del numero 10 viola è comunque da fuoriclasse. Al 14' un bel destro di Osvaldo scalda le mani di Frey, ma poco dopo la squadra di Prandelli si porta già sul 2-0 e i protagonisti sono gli stessi: Montolivo lancia in profondità, Mutu scatta alle spalle della disattenta difesa rossoblu e sigla la sua doppietta. Basta un quarto d'ora di gara, insomma, per far capire come anche quest'anno le speranze viola di Champions passeranno dai piedi dell'ex juventino. Dall'altra parte il Bologna ci prova puntando sulla qualità dei suoi attaccanti, a cui fa però da contraltare la fragilità mostrata dalla retroguardia. Il doppio vantaggio su cui le due squadre vanno al tè caldo è così un giusto premio per i ragazzi di Prandelli.

L'avvio della ripresa pare ricalcare l! a prima frazione, ma al 7' è Mingazzini a trovare la rete che ! ridà spe ranze ai rossoblu, con un destro su cui la finta di Di Vaio beffa Frey. Poco dopo Mutu lascia, al solito, sul posto la difesa rossoblu, andando però stavolta a fallire il probabile colpo del ko. Graziato dai viola, che intanto perdono anche Santana per infortunio, Mihajlovic inizia a crederci e inserisce prima Valiani e poi Bernacci, rendendo sempre più offensiva la sua squadra. In questa fase è però la capacità della Fiorentina di fare un buon possesso palla, controllando i ritmi, a essere decisiva. Solo una sbavatura, però gravissima, regala una buona opportunità a Bernacci, che spreca malamente, schiacciando troppo il suo destro. Nel recupero Semioli, forse più tranquillo vista la sua probabile permanenza, regala a Gilardino la gioia del gol che chiude definitivamente i conti..

I viola di Prandelli conquistano così un successo meritato e prezioso, portandosi due punti dal Genoa, con in tasca una prestazione convincente che fa morale. Seconda sconfitta per il Bo! logna nella gestione Mihajlovic, e anche un passo indietro dal punto di vista del gioco e della grinta.

Bologna-Fiorentina 1-3

"ANCELOTTI AL REAL?NON E' FANTALLENATORI"

A fine stagione, le strade di Carlo Ancelotti e del Milan potrebbero davvero dividersi. La conferma arriva direttamente da Ernesto Bronzetti, agente-Fifa e consulente del Milan per la Spagna. Bronzetti, intervenuto a Serie A News su Mediaset Premium, ha dichiarato: "Aspettatevi di tutto la prossima stagione, perché ci sarà un grande movimento di allenatori. Uno come Carlo piace a tanti club, in Inghilterra e in Spagna, in particolare al Real Madrid".

"In questo momento, però, il presidente in pectore, Florentino Perez, non può ancora m! uoversi. Ancelotti, comunque, arriverà al terzo posto, quindi manterrà la panchina del Milan - ha anche detto Bronzetti -. Questa è la mia previsione, ma dire che lui piace al Real non è un'eresia. Ci saranno tanti movimenti, anche il Barcellona potrebbe cambiare. Mourinho a Madrid? No, questo penso di poterlo escludere"

numero 2 (marzo 2003)

Perche' amo gli inglesi.

Paolo Di Canio - L'autobiografia (P. Di Canio) - Gabriele Marcotti

Calcio Mercato Results: CATANIA

CATANIA

! ! ! ! ! ! !

data trasferimento	nome giocatore	tipo movimento	squadra di provenienza
31/08/2009	MARCHESE GIOVANNI	TEMPORANEO	CHIEVO VERONA
31/08/2009	BONANN! O TIZIAN O	DEFINITIVO	PELORO ANNUNZIATA
27/08/2009	IRRERA ANDREA	DEFINITIVO	VILLAFRANCA
21/08/2009	SEVERINO ANGELO	DEFINITIVO	LA MERIDIANA
12/08/2009	MORETTI FEDERICO	DEFINITIVO	PARMA
11/08/2009	RICCHIUTI ADRIAN	DEFINITIVO	RIMINI
05/08/2009	RICCIARDO GIOVANNI	DEFINITIVO	IGEA VIRTUS
03/08/2009	SPOLLI NICOLAS FEDERICO	DEFINITIVO	NEWELL'S OLD BOYS
27/07/2009	SCANDURRA SALVATORE	TEMPORANEO	BIANCAVILLA
03/07/2009	BARRIENTOS PABLO CESAR	DEFINITIVO	FC MOSCA
02/07/2009	AUGUSTYN BLAZEJ	DEFINITIVO	LEGIA VARSAVIA
02/07/2009	DELVECCHIO GENNARO	DEFINITIVO	SAMPDORIA
02/07/2009	ANDUJAR MARIANO GONZALO	DEFINITIVO	ESTUDIANTES
26/06/2009	BELLUSCI GIUSEPPE	DEFINITIVO	ASCOLI
25/06/2009	CAMPAGNOLO ANDREA	DEFINITIVO	REGGINA

http://www.lega-calcio.it/it/Serie-A-TIM/Calciomercato/CATANIA.page

El-Nino expresses his happiness on signing new contract

Fernando Torres has revealed he wants to spend the best years of his career at Liverpool after signing a new and improved deal last week.

The KOP already has made torres a Anfield Legend and want to see him in the merseyside for years to come.

The Spaniard put pen to paper on a new £110,000-a-week contract which will keep at the club until until 2013.
The deal also has a option of a one-year extension and Torres hopes it will not be the last contract he signed wit! h Liverpool.
Torres, who has scored 50 goals in 85 games in two seasons, said: 'I'm happy because I went right from Atletico, I had never played in the Champions League before, and Liverpool gave me the opportunity to play against the best teams in the world.
'I am really happy to sign a new contract with Liverpool and I hope I can sign more contracts in the future here.
'It is one of the most important clubs in Europe with the best fans in the world.'

Aquilani continues progress

It was revealed when the ex-Roma star joined the Reds at the start of August that he was possibly eight weeks away from fitness following an ankle operation.

But Benitez hinted at the beginning of September that Aquilani was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation after resuming work in the gym and swimming pool.

The Liverpool boss is now hopeful that the Italy international, a ?0million replacement for Xabi Alonso, will soon join his new team-mates in training.

Benitez said: "Aquilani has improved, he has progressed in the way that we expected and now maybe in two or three weeks we will see him training.

"Then we will see how he progresses, but the last scan he had was very good."

Experiment
Meanwhile, Benitez has sounded his delight that Spain and England have recently joined Holland in booking a place at the 2010 World Cup.

The early qualification of the nations means that the likes of Steven Gerrard,! Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt can relax a little when on international duty.

Benitez said: "I am not sure now what various international managers will do with their players in final qualifying games now they are sure of going to the finals.

"They may try to rest players, experiment or plan, but for sure everyone will now be relaxed and not playing under such pressure.

"Now that the English and Spanish players have qualified this week it should make things easier for us.

"At least mentally they do not need to worry any more about their qualification.

"They need to go to internationals now and enjoy the situation, and that will be another plus point for us because there are no distractions with regard to qualifying or not now. They are there."

Another double Torres saves Liverpool

Indignant, Mourinho Want surprises players

Messi, low to play against Getafe by a muscular problem

Al Fayed: Kaka Transfer Damage Football

Prediction Score Serie A: 14-15 March 2009

Sharapova defeats Azarenka in LA

Russia's Maria Sharapova continued her return from injury with a second-round win over third seed Victoria Azarenka at the Los Angeles Championships.

The former world number one, 22, who is returning from shoulder surgery, battled back from a set down to beat the Belarusian 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-2.

Current number one Dinara Safina eased into the third round with a 6-2 6-4 win over Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova.

Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea beat fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki 1-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5).

Urszula Radwanska upset seventh seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-4.

Poland's Radwanska will play China's Li Na, who defeated Canada's Alexandra Wozniak 4-6 6-4 6-2.

Other winners included Russia's number five seed Nadia Petrova, who beat Israel's Shahar Peer 6-4 2-6 6-3, and Polish eighth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who eliminated Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-2 6-1.

Australia's Samantha Stosur set up a third-round meeting with Serbian eighth seed Ana Ivanovic by beating Russia's Maria Kirilenko 6-2 6-4.

Golf & rugby set to join Olympics

World number one Woods would play at the 2016 Olympics

Golf is set to return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence in 2016, and rugby sevens will also be recommended to be part of that year's Games.

The International Olympic Committee's executive board voted to incl! ude both at its Berlin executive board meeting.

The recommendation must be rubber-stamped by a full meeting of the IOC congress in Copenhagen in October.

Softball, squash, baseball, karate and roller sports were also hoping to be included, but have all missed out.

Golf was played at the Paris Games in 1900 - when Walter Rutherford and David Robertson won silver and gold respectively for Great Britain - and four years later in St Louis, but has never returned to the Olympic agenda.

One of the main issues has been whether top players will compete in the Olympics when they alread! y have a full schedule, but superstar Tiger Woods indicated on! Tuesday he would play.

The proposed format would be a 72-hole strokeplay competition for men and women, with 60 players in each field. The world's top 15 players would qualify automatically, and all major professional tours would alter tournament schedules to avoid a clash with the Olympics.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said winning an Olympic gold medal would remain one of the main ambitions for top golfers, despite the traditional lure of the four major championships - the Masters, the Open, the US Open and the USPGA.

Rogge said: "This is the young generation that will be at its peak in 2016. The same question was raised time and time again when tennis and ice-hockey were introduced.

"! Ask [top tennis players] Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, ask the NHL players, ask the NBA basketball players. They all want to go to the games - they are absolutely not concerned about that."

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient club and co-leader of golf's Olympic bid, described Thursday's news as "a historic moment for golf."

He went on: "It will be a huge grow-the-game opportunity for us, not just be in countries where golf is already big but in those countries in eastern Europe and Asia where golf is relatively small.

"We were able to show the IOC footage of all the top men and women players coming out in support. We will put the Olympics right at the forefront of golf. It is going to add to golf, no doubt about that."

Ty Votaw of the US PGA added: "We presented a very compelling case for our sport to be includ! ed. We have had unprecedented, unified support across the enti! re golfi ng world."

And European Ryder Cup 2010 captain Colin Montgomerie said: "I heard that Tiger will play, and I'm delighted he's put his name forward."

Rugby union, which was played in four different Olympics between 1900 and 1924 in the full 15-a-side format, proposes the seven-a-side version for both men and women.

The International Rugby Board would scrap its Sevens World Cup ! to ensure the Olympics is the sport's top event. Sevens rugby is already part of the Commonwealth Games.

Rob Andrew, elite rugby director at the RFU, said: "Rugby Union is played in more than 100 countries and has a superb opportunity to further develop and grow through its new partnership with the IOC.

"This is a massive boost for the sport, which will raise its profile, encourage more and more people to play and watch the game at all levels not only in England but worldwide."

Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis said: "The lure of winning an Olympic medal will inspire participation in sevens and 15-a-side rugby at all levels.

Squash ! laments Olympic omission

"Here in Wales we are currently World Cup sevens champions and I know we have the players to compete for inclusion in any team selected to represent the United Kingdom."

World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran said the whole sport was "hugely disappointed" after being rejected.

He added: "I believe that squash has come a long way in the last four years, not just in order try and gain Olympic inclusion but for the benefit of the sport as a whole. We have invested in developments and listened to players at all levels in order to help progress the sport."

The 15-member board selected the proposed sports for 2016 by secret ballot over several rounds, with the sport receiving the fewest votes eliminated each time. Rogge, ! who chairs the board, did not vote.

Rugby was the clear winner overall, getting seven votes in the first round and a majority of nine in the second. In a separate ensuing vote, golf needed four rounds to get through.

Karate actually led the first round with five votes, with golf getting three. Golf then got six votes in the second, seven in the third and nine in the fourth.

McAllister to take on Pompey role

McAllister's time at Leeds ended with a run of five defeats

Former Leeds United boss Gary McAllister will be named as Portsmouth assistant manager on Tuesday, BBC Radio Solent understands.

McAllister, whose playing days at Leeds coincided wi! th boss Paul Hart's time in charge of the club's youth academy, has been out of a job since December 2008.

The 44-year-old turned down an offer to become an assistant to Scotland manager George Burley last week.

Bottom-of-the-table Pompey have yet to win a point this season in the league.

The struggling side, recently acquired by Arab businessman Sulaiman Al Fahim, have scored just three goals in their first seven league matches.

Players such as Peter Crouch, Glen Johnson and Niko Kranjcar left over the summer while chief executive Peter Storrie's future at the club has also been the subject of speculation.

McAllister is expected to fill the vacan! cy left by Brian Kidd's rejection of a new contract at Fratton! Park in August.

It would be a return to the game for the former midfielder, who represented Motherwell, Leeds, Coventry and Liverpool as well as winning 57 caps for Scotland.

After taking charge at Elland Road in January 2008, McAllister led Leeds to the brink of promotion with defeat to Doncaster in the League One play-off final.

But his second season with the club failed to reach the same heights with Leeds lying ninth when chairman Ken Bates called an end to his tenure.

McAllister's previous managerial experience came at the end of a illustrious career on the pitch as he became player-manager with Coventry in April 2002.

He took the Sky Blues to 19th place in the Championship in his first full season in charge, but was hindered by a tight budget.

Midway through the f! ollowing season, he stood down to care for wife Denise who died from cancer in January 2006.

After informal stints assisting then-Scotland boss Walter Smith in October 2006, McAllister ruled himself out as a possible successor when Alex McLeish left the national job on to take charge of Birmingham in November 2007.

Dennis Wise's decision to take on a controversial executive director role at Newcastle, gave him the chance to take on day-to-day duties at Leeds.

Resu;ts for 15th March 2008

Arsenal Almunia, Sagna (Bendtner 61), Toure, Gallas, Clichy (Senderos 89), Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Van Persie (Walcott 61). Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Silva.	1-1 (HT 0-1)	Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Shawky (Cattermole 46), Boateng, Downing, Sanli (Taylor 68), Aliadiere (Mido 78). Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Arca.
Toure 86		Aliadiere 25
		Bookings: Wheater 27 O'Neil 80
Att: 60,084 Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).		Sent off: Mido 88

Derby Carroll, Edworthy (Todd 55), Leacock, Moore, McEveley, Sterjovski (Robert 83), Savage, Jones, Lewis, Miller, Earnshaw (Villa 77). Subs Not Used: Price, Ghaly.	0-1 (HT 0-0)	Man Utd Fos! ter, O'Shea, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Park (Saha 62), Scholes (Carr! ick 62), Anderson (Fletcher 74), Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Heaton, Hargreaves.
		Ronaldo 76
Bookings: Moore 6 Jones 23 Savage 71 McEveley 89		Bookings: Carrick 72
Att: 33,072 Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

< table class="competitionResults" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0">

Liverpool Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher! , Skrtel, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Benayoun 80), Gerrard (Hyypia 90), Babel (Riise 83), Torres. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Crouch.	2-1 (HT 1-1)	Reading Hahnemann, Rosenior, Bikey, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Oster (Kebe 72), Harper, Matejovsky (Cisse 74), Hunt, Doyle, Long (Kitson 63). Subs Not Used: Federici, Sonko.
Mascherano 19 Torres 48		Matejovsky 5
Att: 43,524 Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).		Bookings: Hunt 59 Ingimarsson 65 Mate! jovsky 74 Bikey 79 Cisse 87
Portsmouth James, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Distin, Lauren, Diop, Diarra, Muntari, Kranjcar, Baros (Kanu 83), Defoe (Utaka 81). Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Aubey, Pedro Mendes.	2-0 (HT 2-0)	Aston Villa Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma (Salifou 79), Maloney (Harewood 57), Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Petrov, Osbourne
Defoe 11 Reo-Coker o.g. 38
Bookings: Muntari 36 Lauren 65 Diop 85		Bookings: Mellberg 64
Sent off: Muntari 81 Att: 20,388 Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside)		Sent off: Mellberg 89

Sunderland Gordon, Bardsley, Evans, Nosworthy, Collins, Edwards (Prica 62), O'Donovan (Yorke 73), Whitehead, Leadbitter (Harte 85), Reid, Jones. Subs Not Used: Fulop, McShane.	0-1< /b> (HT 0-1)	Chelsea Cudicini, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Obi, Ballack (Essien 73), Lampard, Joe Cole (Wright-Phillips 82), Kalou, Drogba. Subs Not Used: Hilario, Carvalho, Shevchenko.
		Terry 10
Bookings: Leadbitter 58 Whitehead 51 Att: 44,679. Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).		Bookings: Obi 60

West Ham Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Spector, McCartney, Solano (Sears 75), Parker (Noble 75), Mullins, Ljungberg (Pantsil 88), Ashton, Zamora. Subs Not Used: Wright, Tomkins.	2-1 (HT 1-1)	Blackburn Friedel, Emerton (Khizanishvili 46), Samba, Ooijer, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn (Derbyshire 71), Pedersen (McCarthy 90), Roberts, Santa Cruz. Subs Not Used: Brown, Mokoena.
Ashton 39 Sears 81		Santa Cruz 19
Bookings: Ferdinand 80 Att: 34,006 Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire). !		B ookings: Bentley 22 Dunn 38 Reid 74