..::Football II::..

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Valdes: I would not rule out playing in Brazil in the future

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has suggested he would be open to plying his trade in Brazil in the future.

In an interview with Lance, when asked about the possibility of him moving to Brazil in the future, the Spain international left his options open.

"Possibly in the future. I do not rule out playing in Brazil. It is something I have to do with my wife... Who knows in the future? It would be very nice," he explained on Sunday.

The Barca stopper spoke of his admiration for Brazilian football, highlighting the "incredible passion" that can be seen at clubs in the South American nation.

Valdes was also asked about who he thinks should win the Golden Ball, to which he replied, "Messi should win the award again. He always does something new, always gets new numbers, great stats. He breaks records every year and is always the favorite."

On the rumours linking the Brazilian superstar Neymar with a move to Camp Nou, Valdes said: "Neymar is a player who can act in any club and any club in the world dreams of having a player like him, for the talent he has, for all that powerful contribution on the pitch and we will see [if he moves to Barcelona] because in football anything can happen."

 

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Barcelona's Rosell: I am no friend of Florentino Perez

The president of Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, confessed in an interview with Ara that he is not friends with the Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez.

"I'm not a friend of Florentino. I have four of five friends in my life, no more" said Rosell.
It is not the first time Rosell has come out with some controversial quotes this week, after he labelled last season's La Liga "strange" as his side finished second behind Real Madrid.

The 48-year old confirmed that Barcelona would not change their playing style, despite losing out in the Liga title race to their bitter rivals Real Madrid last season.

"We will go back and defend the values that define the club. What our opponents could do is immaterial... Whatever happens, we'll stay firm in our choice of a model that Barcelona fans can never give up."

Rosell also spoke about how any conflict between the two clubs should be dealt with: "If it begins with the president or the institution, I will deal with it. If it comes from the sporting director, Zubi will respond. If it's Mourinho, Tito will answer; if it's Iker, then Puyol."

He also had some harsh words to say about the Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff in the interview with Ara.

"I've tried to be his friend, but he's not particularly interested. I'm a fan of Cruyff, but the man who stopped being a fan is Cruyff himself."

And finally, on the pressures of being president of one of the largest clubs in the world, Rosell said: "The only pressure I have is when my daughters' teachers call me and ask me to come in for a meeting."

 

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Mexico defeats Team GB in Olympic warmup

Team GB was beaten by a Mexico Under-23 side in a behind closed doors friendly in Marbella on Sunday.

Chivas forward Marco Fabian scored the only goal of a game played over three 30-minute thirds in the 28th minute, as both sides continued their preparations for the 2012 Olympics in London.

All three of Team GB's senior players - Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards - featured in the friendly, in a team which also included Manchester United's Tom Cleverley, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Chelsea left back Ryan Bertrand.

There was also a start for Jack Butland - England's third-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2012 - and Tottenham's Danny Rose, along with Under-21 internationals Marvin Sordell, Craig Dawson and Jack Cork.

After the game, Rose tweeted: "Just played Mexico. Was great to get my first 60 minutes under my belt ... Lost 1-0 though."

 

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Pastore praises Lavezzi impact: He is an extraordinary person

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Javier Pastore has heaped praise on his new teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi, following the player's €30 million move from Napoli.

The Parisian outfit has considerably strengthened their side since being taken over by Qatar Investment Authority in 2011, with Pastore one of its first signings 12 months ago.

The former Palermo man was eager for his side to buy Lavezzi, having played with him for the Argentina national team, and he has been impressed by the forward's impact in his short time at the club.

"It has been obvious in his first days at PSG: Lavezzi is an extraordinary person," Pastore told Sky Sports. "He has a good character so is well integrated into the group, and he is an important player that can make a difference here. I am glad of his arrival in Paris."

"We played a friendly match against CSKA Moscow and after only four days with us, El Pocho has made a difference in attack, as always."

PSG finished second in last season's Ligue 1 table, three points behind surprise winners Montpellier.

 

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Huntelaar ready to open contract talks with Schalke

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has revealed that he is willing to open talks with Schalke about a new contract.

The Netherlands international's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2013, but the Konigsblauen are keen to hold on to the prolific hitman after an impressive 2011-12 campaign.

The 28-year-old netted an impressive 29 Bundesliga goals last term, and Schalke are supposedly ready to offer him a three-year deal worth €8 million per season.

"I am keen to open talks with Schalke. We will meet either in the upcoming weeks or months to discuss a contract extension," Huntelaar stated at a press conference. "I want to play an important role at Schalke. I'm ready to take on more responsibilities."

Huntelaar joined Schalke from AC Milan in the summer of 2010 and has since become a key player at the Bundesliga side.

 

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Huntelaar ready to open contract talks with Schalke

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has revealed that he is willing to open talks with Schalke about a new contract.

The Netherlands international's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2013, but the Konigsblauen are keen to hold on to the prolific hitman after an impressive 2011-12 campaign.

The 28-year-old netted an impressive 29 Bundesliga goals last term, and Schalke are supposedly ready to offer him a three-year deal worth €8 million per season.

"I am keen to open talks with Schalke. We will meet either in the upcoming weeks or months to discuss a contract extension," Huntelaar stated at a press conference. "I want to play an important role at Schalke. I'm ready to take on more responsibilities."

Huntelaar joined Schalke from AC Milan in the summer of 2010 and has since become a key player at the Bundesliga side.

 

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Mokakda me Scene 1ka

 

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Hamsik: Napoli can challenge Juventus

Marek Hamsik is of the opinion that Napoli has what it takes to challenge Juventus for the Scudetto in the new campaign.

The Partenopei had to settle for fifth spot in the table last term, 23 points behind the Serie A champions, but the attacker is confident that they'll do better in 2012-13.

"We have shown over the past five years that we've grown and made progress. We have to continue this path. There are many teams that can challenge Juventus and Napoli are one of them," Hamsik was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We are obviously not the only team capable of challenging them. We also have to count on AC Milan, Inter, Roma and Lazio. Milan obviously lose a lot of quality without Thiago Silva and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], but they always have a strong team."

Napoli will start the 2012-13 campaign with the Supercoppa Italiana clash versus Juventus.

 

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Totti's labrador rescues 8-year-old girl and 64-year-old man

Roma star Francesco Totti's labrador has saved an eight-year-old girl and a 64-year-old man who were in danger of drowning, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

The animal, named Ariel, was donated at young age and was trained to become a professional sea rescue dog.

The accident happened around noon in the Sant'Agosto area where the girl found herself in trouble some 20-30 meters away from the shore due to the strong wind.

The man was also exposed to the difficult weather conditions and was even further off the shore, but Ariel and its trainer managed to spot the danger and intervened.

The labrador previously saved the life of a young woman back in July 2008.

 

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Gundogan: Dortmund is only getting stronger

Ilkay Gundogan has voiced his opinion that Borussia Dortmund has only got better compared to last season.

Although the midfielder believes Bayern Munich is still the team to beat in the Bundesliga, he is adamant that BVB doesn't have to fear anyone in the upcoming season, and stressed that the club has set its sights on making an impact in the Champions League.

"Bayern are the favorites [for the Bundesliga title], just like they were in the past few years. We don't have to fear anyone, though. We have shown what we're capable of last season," Gundogan was quoted as saying by Bild.

"We have all developed further and the team has been strengthened. Our squad is of absolute top level. We are still getting stronger and better.

"We want to show more of ourselves in the Champions League. We have learned from our mistakes. Our players have gained a lot of international experience, and that will help us, too. It is our goal to at least survive the group stage."

Dortmund failed to reach the knockout stages in last year's edition of European club football's elite competition.

 

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Berbatov: It's better for everyone if I say goodbye to Manchester United

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has signaled his intention to leave the club after announcing he is fed up with not being a part of the first team set-up at Old Trafford.

The 31-year-old Bulgarian made only 21 appearances for United last season as he was overlooked in favor of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez as Wayne Rooney's strike partner.

The former Bayer Leverkusen man's future first came into question when he was surprisingly left out of United’s matchday squad for the 2011 Champions League final clash with Barcelona at Wembley, despite being the joint-leading goalscorer in the Premier League that season.

And after a summer of speculation about a proposed move away from Manchester, Berbatov took to social media to vent his frustrations.

“The truth is, I love this club, but I am not going to be useful to anyone, if I am not playing,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “And I want to play, I want to help. But for unknown reasons its not going to happen, or my chances will be limited, so it's better for everyone if we say goodbye.

“If not, I am professional and I will keep doing everything I can, to help my team and my teammates, whenever I have opportunity to do so.”

There has been debate about what asking price Manchester United have put on the player they signed for a club record 30 million pounds in 2008 from Tottenham.

And Berbatov also revealed his frustration about the transfer figure on his head on Facebook.

“Because I am tired of speculation,i am telling you this. I read the papers and I see they say 10 million pounds is my price," he added. "I go and talk with Sir Alex, and he says to me 5 million...So who is telling the truth, what do you think??"

 

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Barcelona's Cuenca: Vilanova has said he's counting on me

Isaac Cuenca is confident that he still has a role to play at Barcelona under new head trainer Tito Vilanova.

The 21-year-old made his first team debut at the Blaugranas under Pep Guardiola last term, and the youngster has been assured that the change of coaches this summer won't affect his situation.

"Every coach is different. They all want a certain kind of player, but Tito has said he’s counting on me, so I'm happy," Cuenca was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

Cuenca is currently recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the London Olympics, and is determined to return to full match fitness.

"The most important thing is for my knee to get better. I hope to be fit as soon as possible and be able to help the team play some good games."

Cuenca netted twice in 16 La Liga appearances last term for Barcelona.

 

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Adam: Liverpool didn't deserve to finish eighth

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has insisted the Reds deserved more than their eighth-placed Premier League finish last season.

Though the Anfield outfit lifted the League Cup and reached the FA Cup final, its worst league position in 18 years eventually cost Kenny Dalglish his job - paving the way for Brendan Rodgers to take charge.

And Adam believes the Merseyside club must work hard to earn the luck which will cure its indifferent home form if it is to do itself justice next time round.

"They say the table doesn't lie but we didn't deserve to finish eighth. If we had had a bit of luck on our side we probably would have finished higher," Adam told the Daily Star. "But it's done and gone now. We move forward and hopefully we will finish better than we did last season.

"I can't believe the amount of times we drew at home. It was incredible but you have got to change your own luck. If we work hard and do the right things next season we will be further up the table. This is one of the best clubs in the world and the opportunity to play here is a dream for any player.

Liverpool went on to finish 17 points short of the top four last term, and Adam conceded that the Reds lacked the consistency needed to truly trouble the league leaders.

"Manchester City and United were up there last time because they were consistent the whole season," he added. "We were inconsistent. We drew too many games."

The 26-year-old also targeted helping Liverpool return to the Champions League whilst expressing his belief that the Europa League will be taken seriously next term.

"Everyone wants to play in the Champions League. It's the pinnacle," he continued. "For us, we're in the Europa League. We want to try and get into the group stages and try and win every game. That's the expectation of this club. It's the expectation of the supporters and the players inside the dressing room."

 

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Ashley Cole 'choc ice' comment was not racist, insists Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has denied accusations that a comment he replied to on Twitter calling Ashley Cole a "choc ice" was racist.

A user of the social networking website made the derogatory suggestion - which implied that Cole is 'white on the inside' - whilst tweeting the Peckham-born center back on Saturday.

And Ferdinand's reply appeared to back those sentiments, saying: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahha!!" The tweet has since been deleted.

"What I said yesterday is not a racist term. Its [sic] a type of slang/term used by many for someone who is being fake," the United man tweeted on Sunday morning in response. "So there."

The comments had caused a storm just a day after Chelsea captain John Terry was acquitted of a racially aggravated public order offense for an incident involving 33-year-old Ferdinand's brother, Anton - a trial in which Cole appeared as a witness to defend his team-mate.

The left-back quickly released a statement following the initial tweet which insisted that his and Ferdinand's friendship would remain unaffected by the controversy.

"Ashley Cole wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and [he] has no intention of making any sort of complaint," it read.

"Ashley appreciates that Tweeting is so quick it often results in offhand and stray comments."

 

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Mascherano set to sign new Barcelona deal

Javier Mascherano is close to signing a new contract with Barcelona, Sport claims.

The Argentina international has developed into an important first-team player at Camp Nou since his 22 million euro transfer from Liverpool in the summer of 2010, where he was originally drafted in as a midfield reinforcement following Yaya Toure's exit.

However, he was frequently deployed as a center back in his second season at Barca, and it is now understood that he will commit his future to the club once he returns from holiday, having recently stated his willingness to extend his stay in Catalunya.

The 28-year-old's agent, Walter Tamer, reportedly received positive signs from sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta during a first meeting in May, and was told that everything would be sorted out before the start of the new campaign.

According to the publication, Mascherano will add two years onto his contract with the Blaugrana, which presently expires in 2014.

 

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Congratulations Spain U19!!!

Spain 1-0 Greece:Jesé secures sixth Under-19 title for slick Spain

Top scorer Jesé Rodríguez's late goal gave holders Spain a sixth UEFA European Under-19 Championship triumph on a wet night in Tallinn.

A late goal from Jesé Rodríguez continued Spain's dominance of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, securing a sixth title in 11 years – and a second in succession – at the expense of a tireless Greece team.

In the final for the third year in a row, La Rojita characteristically monopolised possession but without breaking down their opponents, José Campaña's shot striking the crossbar to encapsulate their frustrations. Julen Lopetegui's team finally made their pressure tell ten minutes from time as Jesé's calm finish gave them the trophy yet again in front of a crowd of almost 8,000 spectators – and ensured a repeat of their 2007 final defeat of Greece by the same scoreline.

The day had featured prolonged bursts of heavy rain in Tallinn and, though the skies had cleared by kick-off, the playing surface was slick and rapid – suiting Spain's sharp passing style perfectly. La Rojita duly settled the quicker, Jesé's angled strike bringing goalkeeper Sokratis Dioudis – in for the suspended Stefanos Kapino – into action in the second minute before Kostas Stafylidis kicked Gerard Deulofeu's shot off the line.

With a starting lineup including three players who appeared in the 2011 final – Deulofeu, Paco Alcácer and Campaña – Spain continued to press at relentless speed, Dioudis making another smart stop from Jesé at his near post. Deulofeu then freed Jesé down the right and raced into the box to meet the low return cross himself only to flick wide.

Greece, however, had shown their voracious appetite for defensive duty in their semi-final win against England and served notice of a threat of their own shortly before the break. Giannis Gianniotas got away from two defenders down the Greece left and picked out Giorgos Katidis with his cross, but the captain's looping header dropped wide.

Spain, though, picked up the pace again as the second half got under way, Campaña testing Dioudis with a swerving shot and then beating the goalkeeper from the edge of the area after a typically incisive passing move; only the crossbar came to Greece's rescue. Moments later Dioudis was their saviour, blocking Jesé's low drive with his outstretched right foot and recovering instantly to palm away Alejandro Grimaldo's follow-up effort.

The goalkeeper was exposed again ten minutes from time, however, and this time there was no escape. Deulofeu collected possession midway inside the Greece half and drew defenders to him before slipping a shot through to Jesé; the finish was unerring and Spain were champions again.

 

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Congratulations Spain U19!

Congratulations Spain U19!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

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'Record' deal for Oscar

'Record' deal for Oscar

Internacional claim Chelsea are close to smashing the Brazilian transfer record to sign Oscar.

Chelsea have thrust themselves to the head of the chase for the midfielder Oscar who had been strongly linked with Tottenham and Inter Milan.Internacional claimed at the weekend that they had fielded an approach from Chelsea, but insisted no offer had been made for the 20-year-old. But it would appear as if the Blues have followed up that approach with a bid - which Internacional hope will be a Brazilian record.

"I want the transfer of Oscar to be the biggest deal ever in Brazilian football," Internacional president Giovanni Luigi told Radio Gaucha. "And the Chelsea offer isn't that far from that."

Luigi has insisted that the club will only sell if they feel the bid is value for money. He said: "If regarding Oscar we get offers that match our expectations, we'll negotiate. But they have to be of the value that mean significant resources for Internacional."

Oscar, who has made six senior appearances for his country, is set to showcase his skills in London after being named in Brazil's Olympic squad.

 

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Van Persie to report back

Van Persie to report back

Robin van Persie returns to Arsenal on Monday following his summer break and he will hold talks with the club.

However, there is no indication that Van Persie's stance over a new contract has changed - as he awaits further developments on his future.Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United all maintain an interest in landing the coveted signature of the Dutchman - who has a year left on his current deal.

Arsenal would seemingly be loath to be dragged into another situation similar to that of Samir Nasri last summer, and it is believed they would rather a deal be done sooner rather than later.
Arsenal are due to depart for a pre-season tour of the Far East this weekend, and it remains to be seen whether their captain will be involved or if the situation over his future moves on in the coming days.

Van Persie revealed earlier month that he would not be extending his contract with Arsenal, due to disagreements on how the club should move forward.

 

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