..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Pearce Names GB Squad

Stuart Pearce has confirmed his Team GB squad for the London Olympic Games, with Aaron Ramsey, Tom Cleverley and Daniel Sturridge among the names included.

It had emerged that Pearce would select Craig Bellamy, Ryan Giggs and Micah Richards as his over-aged players for the tournament, which is predominantly made up of players under the age of 23, while none of England's Euro 2012 squad were considered for selection.

Gareth Bale and Jack Wilshere had also been ruled out through injury.

"It has not been an easy task to finalise my squad for this tournament, and the stature of the competition and uniqueness of the occasion has underlined the importance of every choice I have made," Pearce said.

"With just 18 places it is very different from other international tournaments, the options are limited, but it is the Olympic Games and every player in this squad should be very proud they have a chance to compete for a gold medal on home soil.

"I remember the huge advantage we gained from playing in front of our own fans during Euro 96, and I'm sure with the nation behind us it could be a fantastic tournament for us."

The final squad features 13 Englishman and five Welshmen, with no Scottish or Northern Irish players making the cut.

Great Britain men's football squad for London 2012:

Jack Butland (Birmingham), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough); Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Craig Dawson (West Brom), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Neil Taylor (Swansea), James Tomkins (West Ham); Joe Allen (Swansea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Southampton), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea); Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Marvin Sordell (Bolton), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea).

 

[panchaz]

HALA MADRID

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spain Vs Italy Euro 2012 Final in Pictures

Spain Vs Italy Euro 2012 Final in Pictures


Spanish fans are hoping to see their side make history by picking up a third successive major trophy and will be praying that 'tiki-taka' triumphs tonight

Flying the flag or rather wearing it... Italian fans have flooded into Kiev's Olympic Stadium as they prepare for Spain vs Italy in the Euro 2012 final.

Spain have reached the final after topping Group C before going on to defeat Laurent Blanc's France and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the knockout rounds

Euro 2012 mascots Slavek and Slavko pose with the Henry Delauney trophy prior to kick-off. Will it be Casillas or Buffon who lifts the cup after full-time?

Spain make one change from their triumph over Portugal, replacing Avaro Negredo with Cesc Fabregas, once again reverting to the 4-6-0 formation.

Italy start with a familiar line-up; with Pirlo and Balotelli certain to be the two men that they turn to for inspiration.

Spain have been far more positive than was expected, as they surge forwards from the off, not afraid to shoot from distance or run at the Italian defence.

Spain dominate the early exchanges, looking willing to shoot from range. Fabregas breaks into the box and picks out Silva who heads past Buffon. 1-0 Spain!

A truly brilliant goal to really kick start the Euro 2012 final. The Italians look deflated having conceded after just 13 minutes.

Italy continue to dominate, but Spain break forward on the counter. A pin point pass from Xavi finds Jordi Alba who beats Buffon one on one and it is 2-0!

A defence splitting pass finds substitute Fernando Torres clear through on goal. He takes the ball in his stride and slots it home to make it 3-0.

The goal makes the Chelsea man the joint top scorer at the tournament, and also equals the record for the largest win at a European Championships final.

Torres is involved again as Spain add a fourth. El Nino finds fellow Chelsea man Juan Mata who scores in his first game of the tournament to make it 4-0.

The final whistle goes and Spain remain European Champions and have made history by becoming the only side ever to win the competition on three occasions.

Casillas lifts the Henry Delauney trophy for a second time and fireworks fly at the Olympic Stadium to mark the end of a memorable European Championships.

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spurs Set To Name New Boss

Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is the overwhelming favourite to take charge at White Hart Lane after Harry Redknapp left his position last month.

Villas-Boas had endured a difficult first season in the Premier League after joining Chelsea from Porto 12 months ago, and he was sacked by the eventual UEFA Champions League winners in March.

However, the Portuguese looks set to be given a second chance to build on the reputation he had established at Porto by taking over at Tottenham.

Reports had suggested that Villas-Boas could have been installed over the weekend, but an announcement could now be made by Tuesday.

The likes of Laurent Blanc, Ralf Rangnick and Didier Deschamps had also been linked with the vacancy, but reports suggest Spurs have settled on Villas-Boas as their No.1 choice.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AVB next Tottenham Boss wei neh!Ahema unoth nam Joao Moutinho th Tottenham join wenna Loku Chance 1kak Thiyenawa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fergie Makes His Mou-ve

The club are understood to have approached Porto with a view to signing their attacking midfielder.

United are now preparing a £25million bid after getting fed up with Spurs’ demands for Luka Modric.

SunSport revealed last month that Modric was boss Alex Ferguson’s No 1 target and United were ready to bid £25m rising to £30m.

But Spurs have now quoted £40m for the Croatian and United will not pay that.

Moutinho, 25, would follow Ronaldo and Nani on the successful track from Portugal to Old Trafford.

Spurs and Chelsea are also interested in the player, who this week praised Andre Villas-Boas.
AVB is set to take over at White Hart Lane and was Moutinho’s old boss at Porto. But, despite that, Moutinho still prefers the move to United.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Target karagena Hitiyata wadak naha SAF thama onama Karana Deals tika karaganna Bari una neh

Joao Moutinho ganna Puluwan unoth nam Patta!But ithin Tottenham lath 1kka lesi wenne naha

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Linked with Moutinho Swoop

Manchester United have sounded out Porto over the possibility of signing midfielder Joao Moutinho this summer, according to reports.

Moutinho, a creative midfielder, played in each of Portugal's matches at Euro 2012 as they reached the semi-final stage, where he missed a penalty in the shootout defeat to Spain.

He made 28 league appearances last season for Porto, who he joined for £8 million from Sporting Lisbon two years ago, scoring three goals and contributing six assists.

Should Moutinho move to Old Trafford he would become the third Sporting academy graduate to do so, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already reinforced the Red Devils' midfield ranks once this summer, bringing in Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £17.6 million.

They are thought to hold an interest in Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, who could leave White Hart Lane in the coming weeks, but are believed to have baulked at the fee they would have to stump up for the Croatia international.

 

[rcccc]

RVP Not For Sale​

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists the club "are not in the remotest bit interested" in selling striker Robin Van Persie, while dismissing claims of a transfer offer from Juventus.
Van Persie's future at the Emirates has been the subject of much debate in recent months as the Dutchman enters the final year of his Arsenal contract.

Hill-Wood denied reports of a failed €10 million bid from Juventus, and despite interest from Manchester City, Paris-Saint Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Gunners remain resolute in their desire to keep Van Persie in north London.

"As far as I am aware, nobody has made any offer for him and he is away so we are not in any dialogue at all.

"We are not in the remotest bit interested in selling him," Hill-Wood is quoted as saying in the Mirror newspaper.

Meanwhile, widespread reports in the English press claim Van Persie is set to hold decisive contract talks over the phone with Arsenal this week, while the 28-year-old continues his post-Euro 2012 holiday.

ammo ahannath santhosayi machan muwa wikunuwa nam Arsenal laa anathayi

 

[zome]

Football IIත් පටන් අරන්..... එළ එළ දිගටම කරගෙන යමු.......

 

[zome]

Who's the daddy now, Mario? After suffering heartache in Euro 2012 final, Balotelli is due to become father

It has been a rollercoaster week even by the standards of Mario Balotelli.

First he scored two stunning goals in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany. Then it was heartache in the final against Spain on Sunday.

But now Balotelli has received perhaps the biggest news of all - that he is to become a father.

Down and out: Mario Balotelli reacted angrily to Italy's Euro 2012 defeat

The 21-year-old has been told by his pregnant former girlfriend Raffaella Fico that it is his child.

He was told on the eve of the match against Germany when he grabbed a brace to book his country's place in the final. He reportedly told her: 'You gave me the best news of the world.'

And Italian model Raffaella has claimed that the pair are patching up their relationship.

She said: 'Mario and I are rebuilding our relationship. He never stopped loving me. Those who think I've wanted to trap the rich and famous footballer will have to think again.

'Last Christmas, he told me: "Let's get married and make a son" and I accepted. Now I'm waiting for Mario to discover the sex of the child, although he would prefer a boy, and to choose the name.'

Meanwhile, AC and Inter Milan have been warned that Balotelli is worth £200million following his star showing at Euro 2012.

Baby bump: Mario Balotelli's ex-girlfriend Raffaella Fico sparked rumours after showing off her baby bump

As they were: Mario and Raffaella dated for a year until they broke up two months ago

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

ammo ahannath santhosayi machan muwa wikunuwa nam Arsenal laa anathayi

he he Matath hithuna Thibba widiyata RVP wa sell karai kiyalaBut RVP Arsenal inna 1ka hodai

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Football IIත් පටන් අරන්..... එළ එළ දිගටම කරගෙන යමු.......

Aniwa

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Who's the daddy now, Mario? After suffering heartache in Euro 2012 final, Balotelli is due to become father

It has been a rollercoaster week even by the standards of Mario Balotelli.

First he scored two stunning goals in the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany. Then it was heartache in the final against Spain on Sunday.

But now Balotelli has received perhaps the biggest news of all - that he is to become a father.

Down and out: Mario Balotelli reacted angrily to Italy's Euro 2012 defeat

The 21-year-old has been told by his pregnant former girlfriend Raffaella Fico that it is his child.

He was told on the eve of the match against Germany when he grabbed a brace to book his country's place in the final. He reportedly told her: 'You gave me the best news of the world.'

And Italian model Raffaella has claimed that the pair are patching up their relationship.

She said: 'Mario and I are rebuilding our relationship. He never stopped loving me. Those who think I've wanted to trap the rich and famous footballer will have to think again.

'Last Christmas, he told me: "Let's get married and make a son" and I accepted. Now I'm waiting for Mario to discover the sex of the child, although he would prefer a boy, and to choose the name.'

Meanwhile, AC and Inter Milan have been warned that Balotelli is worth £200million following his star showing at Euro 2012.

Baby bump: Mario Balotelli's ex-girlfriend Raffaella Fico sparked rumours after showing off her baby bump

As they were: Mario and Raffaella dated for a year until they broke up two months ago

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AVB Handed Spurs Reins

Tottenham Hotspur have appointed former Chelsea and FC Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager.

Villas-Boas, who was sacked by Chelsea in March after less than a season at Stamford Bridge, has signed a three-year contract and replaces Harry Redknapp, who was dismissed by Tottenham in June.

Villas-Boas said: "Tottenham Hotspur is a great club with a strong tradition and fantastic support, both at home and throughout the world. I feel privileged to be its coach. For me, this is one of the most exciting coaching positions in the Premier League.

"I have had several discussions with the chairman and the board and I share their vision for the future progress of the club. This is a squad any coach would love to work with and together I believe we can bring success in the seasons ahead."

Spurs also considered former France coach Laurent Blanc and Schalke 04 boss Ralf Rangnick, while Everton manager David Moyes had been a serious contender before chairman Daniel Levy cooled his interest.

Villas-Boas, 34, will be charged with creating a young Spurs side that can challenge for a place in the top four of the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League.

The Portuguese was hugely successful at Porto prior to his move to Chelsea, winning the Primeira Liga, Portuguese Cup and the Europa League in his one season in charge at Estadio do Dragao.

Commenting on the new appointment, Levy told Tottenham's official website: "I am delighted that Andre has agreed to become our new head coach. He has an outstanding reputation for his technical knowledge of the game and for creating well-organised teams capable of playing football in an attractive and attacking style.

"Andre shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world class training centre.

"We are constantly looking to move the club forward. It is important that we now look to develop the potential within the squads at all levels, whilst strengthening the first team in the summer in key positions with players who will become part of the future success of the club."
Villas-Boas will be joined by fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha and Daniel Sousa, head of opposition scouting, at White Hart Lane.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United Confirm Pogba Exit

Manchester United have confirmed Paul Pogba has completed his move to Juventus.

Pogba's future at Old Trafford has been the subject of speculation for some time with a move to Juventus strongly mooted.United have now confirmed Pogba has sealed his switch to Turin after seeing out his contract at Old Trafford.Pogba left Le Havre to join United's youth academy in 2009 and was highly-rated by United's coaching staff.

United were keen to keep hold of Pogba, but the 19-year-old rejected their offer of a new contract to join Italian champions Juventus.Pogba made seven appearances for United last season, but the talented midfielder has decided to leave in search of regular first-team football.Sir Alex Ferguson has aimed a swipe at Pogba accusing the French youngster of not showing the club 'any respect at all.'

"Paul Pogba signed for Juventus a long time ago as far as we're aware," Ferguson told MUTV.
"It's disappointing. I don't think he showed us any respect at all. To be honest, if they carry on that way, they're probably better doing it away from us."
Fryers uncertainty

Ferguson also revealed he is yet to hear anything from young defender Zeki Fryers about his future with the full back also out of contract.

Sky Sports understands Fryers has rejected United's offer of a new deal and is weighing up a move to Tottenham.Ferguson admits he is in the dark about Fryer's long-term future.

"We haven't heard anything from Zeki Fryers," added Ferguson. "I don't know what's happening there but he's not been in touch with the club. His agent hasn't been in touch with the club and I can only assume he'll be back for training today."

 

[charitha chandi]

As they were: Mario and Raffaella dated for a year until they broke up two months ago

wot wait..! wow...! Haffaa..!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reja confirms offers from Ligue 1 clubs

Former Lazio boss Edy Reja is currently considering offers from several Ligue 1 clubs.

The 66-year-old coach parted company with the Biancocelesti at the end of last season, having failed to secure a Champions League spot, but is now on the verge of moving to France.

"Let's see," Reja told Lazio Style Radio. "There is something there. I have received some offers."

The veteran trainer offered to resign twice during last season's Serie A campaign but was persuaded to continue on both occasions by president Claudio Lotito.

Reja subsequently admitted that he was upset by the club's refusal to splash some cash during the January transfer window but insists that while he did clash with Lotito and sporting director Igli Tare over the failure to strengthen the squad, he holds no ill feeling towards the pair.

"They are both loyal people and I have a good relationship with Lotito," he explained. "There is regret over having missed out on the Champions League, but the group did very well and has grown a lot. I gave so much and I feel that I did my duty."

When asked if he had any advice for his successor, Vladimir Petkovic, Reja stated: "He must do his own thing. But I left behind a strong group, made up of players of good quality."

However, Reja is unsure if the Bosnian coach should pin his hopes on Mauro Zarate, who has returned to Lazio after a loan spell with Inter.

"If he [Zarate] stays, I hope that he returns to being decisive, as he has shown himself to be on more than one occasion in the past," the former Napoli boss mused. "I love him as a player. I gave Mauro many opportunities during my reign. However, he must change some of his behavior. I did not like his behaviour in that final year at Lazio."

Reja arrived at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer of 2010 after a short spell with Hajduk Split.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Forlan reveals imminent Brazil move

Diego Forlan has revealed that he is on the verge of leaving Inter, amidst speculation that the Uruguay international is set to join Internacional.

The veteran forward only moved to the Nerazzurri last summer from Atletico Madrid and still has a year to run on his current contract with the Serie A side, but he struggled for both form and fitness last season.

Forlan has been linked with a surprise switch to Inter's city rivals AC Milan in recent days but has now all but confirmed that he is bound for Brazil.

"After 14 years spent playing football around the world, for me to be able to play for a team close to my country, Uruguay, is something that makes me very happy," the former Manchester United striker told Tele Doce.

Forlan netted just two goals in 18 league appearances for Inter during his debut campaign in Italy.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Balotelli: I want a paternity test

Mario Balotelli is demanding a paternity test after Italian showgirl Raffaella Fico claimed on Monday that she is carrying the Manchester City forward's baby.

The Italy international's former girlfriend told Chi magazine that she informed the striker on the eve of last Thursday's Euro 2012 semi-final clash with Germany that she was four-months pregnant with his child.

Balotelli has now issued a press release in which he claims that he has no intention of shirking his responsibilities, but is seeking a DNA test to prove that he is indeed the father.

"Although I would have preferred not to speak about my private life in public, I feel obliged to clarify, once and for all, my relationship with Raffaella Fico," the 21-year-old explained.

"Our relationship ended at the start of April and since then we have not met, nor heard from one another.

"I have not had anything to do with her life and Raffaella has not had anything to do with my life.

"Raffaella knows well that since we parted company with one another that I had, and have, no intention of returning to her.

"But because of what there was between us, I never wanted to talk about it, even when there were untrue things being said and written about us.

"A few days ago I came to learn from others that Raffaella was pregnant. For this reason, I decided to contact her and only after my question was it confirmed to me that it was true.

"I am very disappointed. I do not think it's normal not to know anything until the fourth month [of the pregnancy].

"I do not understand why she did not contact me immediately to tell me something of such importance.

"I'll assume all my responsibilities when I have the proof of my paternity."

Balotelli continued: "Also, it annoys me to see that she has already sought to make money from this story by selling photos and interviews.

"I think that Rafaella is already famous enough not to have to take advantage of this story for publicity purposes.

"This is the first and only time I will discuss this topic in public and so I have no intention of replying independently to what is said or written by Raffaella."

Fico had claimed that Balotelli, who netted twice in the Azzurri's 2-1 victory over Germany, had been overjoyed with the news that she was expecting.