Signature Showcase on March 8th

Signature Showcase; March 8th - BWI

The rainy Saturday morning, when many prefer to stay in their pajamas, brought baseball fans of all ages and loyalties together at the BWI Hilton Hotel.

The Signature Showcase, presented by MAB Celebrity Services and Ironclad Authentics, was an event including autographs from a number of former pro athletes and a variety of vendors promoting teams, new products, or selling items. Attending players included Bill and Cal Ripken, Reggie Jackson and many more. A full list, in order of appearance, is included below.

The Orioles, Redskins, Reds, and Yankees are some of the teams that were represented. However, the star of the day was Cal Ripken Jr. He signed autographs for hundreds of people for two hours, stopping occasionally to pose of pictures and shake hands. Ripken made it a point to take time with each seeking person. He was polite, kind, gracious for each item (including an old chair from Memorial Stadium) he autographed! , and was enjoying the time to catch up with a few old friends! .

The other highlighted player was Reggie Jackson, a former Yankee. In the past, Jackson had portrayed a dislike for the city of Baltimore. On Saturday he was nothing but smiles as he signed balls, pictures, bats, and other memorabilia and chatted casually with other players and the personnel.

The inviting firm, Maroon PR, led by Bonnie Shenahan, was promoting Cal Ripken's Real Baseball. Real Baseball is an online video game which has been compared to fantasy ball. This free program allows a person to pick players for a team and then use the 'characters' to compete against friends or other teams. For more information or getting started yourself check out www.playrealbaseball.com.

The event was well planned and a great place for a fan to meet his/her favorite player, make memories, and collect memorabilia. Pictures of the event will be incoming shortly.

Attending Players:
Billy Ri! pken
Benny Ayala
Jim Palmer
Dick Hall
Curt Mutton
Cal Ripken Jr.
Tony Perez
Brooks Robinson
Johnny Bench
Davey Johnson
Don Buford
Reggie Jackson
Cesar Geronimo
Eddie Murray
Dave Concepcion
Harmon Killebrew
Ernie Banks
Mike Cuellar
Dave Leonhard
Joe Morgan
Frank Robinson
Andy Etchenbarren
Merv Rettenmund
Mike Devereaux
Boog Powell
Ed Watt
Earl Weaver
Clay Dalrymple
Paul Blair
Pete Richert

Guest Writer - Amanda

Man-Ram Goes For His 500th Home Run in Baltimore...

Lord, (as my significant other would say) I don't want this to happen in Baltimore this weekend...

I always want to be part of a milestone and history; however, never, ever on the wrong side of it.

I've already seen it once in person with this team, and sure as hell don't care to see it again...

America, The Rays Are In The ALCS; Boston Finishes off the Angels...

Yes, America -- the Rays are in the ALCS. After a decade losing and just plain awful teams, they are one step closer to the World Series; however, they've got to get through the Evil Empire 1A, the Red Sox.

Tampa clinched a ticket to the playoffs as they beat the White Sox, 6-2, thanks a strong performance from Andy Sonnanstine and two home runs from B.J. Upton. Gavin Floyd, who had a strong past couple of weeks got lit up, and the bullpen could not save them.

Meanwhile, the Rays sailed through game four in Chicago, and in the end, Grant Balfour -- yes him -- closed out the game.

Congrats to the Rays as they've given all small market and bad teams hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel if you stick with a plan to rebuild, luck, and extremely good management from top to bottom.

Chicago had a nice little run and clutch performances to get into the playoffs; however, their luck ran out as they went head to head with a comple! te Tampa team.


***
The Red Sox finally punched their ticket to the ALCS as they downed the Angels 3-2, thanks to a Jed Lowrie walk-off single that played Jason Bay -- who slid head first -- in the bottom of the ninth.

In what has to be a deflating loss for the Angels, it was an action packed game filled with lost opportunities. They've lost 12 out 13 to the Red Sox, and in each game, they could not seem to land the knockout punch.

The Angels scored in the eighth plating two with Torii Hunter's single in the eighth to tie the score, but they could not chop off the head of the Sox.

Boston got two runs in the fifth, one thanks a botched groundball that could have been a double play would have ended the frame, but allowed Mark Kotsay to score.

For the second year in a row, Boston find itself closer to the World Series thanks on the part of the Angels being unable to score when needed and finishin! g off their opponents.

The Rays and Red Sox meet ag! ain in 2 008, this time for all the marbles. This should be "The Series" to watch and both have teams have a compelling storyline that has built up over the season.

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 Orioles Not Going Higher With Offer To Teixeira?

Well, here's somewhat discouraging news if you have been following the whole Mark Teixeira drama. Granted, he's not signed with anyone and no one knows what the Angels, Yankees along with the Red Sox have offered the slugger; however, it looks like Andy MacPhail may be focusing on fixing the team's other problems (IMO, should be key).

Right now, the thought that is on many fans minds is whether Teixeira is going to come back to the Orioles, be the hero on the white horse and save the franchise, or spurn the organization and look for riches elsewhere.

I'm not sure if the Orioles are just going to give up on this adventure, or make one final honest effort in the end, but I think fans want to see the team fight as hard as it ! can to get Mark at Camden Yards 81 times per year.

From the Baltimore Sun: As the winter meetings concluded, the Orioles, one of four teams believed to be bidding on Teixeira, had a seven-year offer on the table worth between $140 million and $150 million, according to an industry source. The club had not dramatically sweetened the offer and had no ! immediate plans to do so, according to the source. However! , Oriole s president Andy MacPhail told reporters he believed the club is still in the running to land the slugger, who grew up in Severna Park and prepped at Mount St. Joseph.

"We have no reason to believe [they're not in it]," MacPhail said. "I won't get into the he said, she said. The best way to say it is that until we're told otherwise, we believe we are part of the process. ... We've never been dogmatic about saying this is it and this is all it would be. I'm sure if there is interest on the other side, there will be more dialogue. If they choose to go another way, that's their choice."

The general feeling around the lobby at the posh hotel was that the Boston Red Sox are the clear front-runners, though their offer is unknown. It is believed the Washington Nationals have extended the biggest bid, an eight-year deal worth $160 million, though there has been plenty of speculation their offer is even larger.

Aside from the Nationals and Orioles, n! o one else has shown their cards yet. I've pretty much stated my thoughts on where the slugger is going, and I think he's going to the team that will pay him as well where he can win. It's evident Boras has a lot of influence in Teixeira's choice, so there is more than likely a lot more to the story than what is being reported.

Speaking of Scott Boras, our ace Jeremy Guthrie has fired him as his agent.

Keith Law Reviews The O's Minor Leagues; Quick Hits

Yesterday, ESPN Senior Baseball Analyst, Keith Law a list of all 30 baseball organizations ranked by the strength of their minor league teams.There's good news for the Baltimore Orioles -- he's ranked them 10th in all of baseball.

Law's ranking of the organization isn't all that bad considering the state it was years ago due to just poor drafts & players that didn't work out. For most fans, despite the lack of success on the field, you cannot dispute the lower levels have gotten a lot better.

>>> Read More

Griffey's Career Comes Full Circle: Returns to Seattle in 2009...

For Mariners fans, they got a dose of good news on Wednesday night as Ken Griffey -- a future Hall of Famer -- decided to return where his career began.

Although this may be sort of a marketing ploy to make fans somewhat happy after a disastrous season in 2008, the Mariners need to make a statement. Whether the return of Griffey out West is a just fool hearted attempt to relive history or add a piece that may help the organization, it's good thing that he's returning to where he had his most success and got to build up a legendary career.

As a baseball fan in general, I'm happy to have read the news.

>>>! Read More

Rest in Peace, A Legend, Harry Kalas: 1936-2009

I was in Washington for the Nationals Opening Day this afternoon and everyone in attendance heard about the untimely passing of Harry Kalas, longtime announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies and NFL Films. Well, I just got home, listened to some memories of him on WFED -- the flagship radio station of the Nationals -- and I was even more shocked to learn that he died in the broadcast booth at Nationals Park literally a few hours before game time.

Fans of his in Philadelphia and around the world have lost a voice that can surely never be replaced. Although I heard his voice from time when it came to baseball, his beautiful voice made NFL Films broadcasts -- which I love to watch -- so interesting and enthralling.

>>> Read More

David Ortiz Now Snared Into the Steroid Mess Based on a Positive Test in '03...

Not good, and as a fan of baseball in general, I really enjoyed David Ortiz as a personality in the game...

From the AP: The New York Times is reporting David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were among the more than 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.

The report posted on the newspaper's Web site Thursday cites lawyers involved in pending litigation over the testing results. They spoke anonymously because the information is under seal by a court order.

Ortiz declined comment to the paper. In 2004, he and Ramirez led the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series championship since 1918.

The results from the 2003 tests were supposed to remain anonymous, but they later were seized by federal agents. Alex Rodriguez admitted using performance-enhancing drugs after he was linked to the 2003 list.

>>> Read More

John Tortorella Replaces Tom Renney as Rangers Coach

John Tortorella is a former New York Rangers assistant coach (interim head coach for 4 games), a former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach and now a former TSN analyst, as he was announced this evening as the replacement for Tom Renney (announced by Glen Sather via a conference call), who was fired by the Rangers this morning. It appears based on player comments this afternoon that Renney wil! l be taking on another role within the organization.

According to the NY Post, Tortorella was signed to a multi-year contract and Jim Schoenfeld will join Tortorella's staff as an assistant coach.

John Tortorella is the complete opposite of Tom Renney, who was a very patient and laid back coach while behind the bench for the Rangers. All post game remarks were calculated and he never called out his players in the media, even during the current losing streak. Tortorella on the other hand is known for his violent temper (has b! enn ejected from a game three times as an NHL head coac! h), scantalizing remarks of key players after losses (i.e. Vinny Lecavalier) and his interesting confrontation (to say the least) w/ the NY Post's Larry Brooks (video below):




According to NHL Live today on XM Home Ice Glen Sather actually asked the Tampa Bay Lightning for permission last week to speak with John Tortorella, who was still under contract with the Lightning and currently an analyst for TSN. Interestingly, Sean Avery may be one of the first topics of conversation that Sather and Tortorella had when discussing Rangers coaching position. Why? Because in the past few months, John Tortorella has on at least two occasions voiced his dislike for Sean Avery in the media. After Avery's comments two months ago while working for TSN Tortorella was asked ! if the Rangers should bring Avery back and he responded "No, a! nd I don 't even want to talk about Avery."In another interview around the same time he also said that Avery's "a selfish ass." What do you think are Avery's chances of being claimed off of re-entry waivers with Tortorella as head coach?

However, Andrew Gross of Ranger Rants reports that Sather was questioned about Avery during the conference call to announce that Tortorella was the new head coach:

Sather is aware that Tortorella has expressed some negative feelings toward Avery but it didn't sound like that would stop Sather from bringing Avery to the Rangers if the Stars place Avery on re-entry waivers.

"He doesn't have the history with Sean that we do. Over time, you learn to love him like I do."

Rangers Headlines for Wednesday

• Jay Greenberg analyzes Nik Zherdev's goal - the one that "98 percent of NHL players miss 99 percent of the time." [Link]
  
  
• Dan Fritsche spoke after the game about enjoying his time in New York, joking with Lundqvist about letting him get a goal and feeling Aaron Voros' pain (being a healthy scratch night after night). [Link]
  
  
• Tortorella talks about the Rangers power play (29th best in the NHL). [Link]
  
  
• I think Stan Fischler likes Sean Avery. [Link]
  
  
• Puck Daddy recaps ! the two first period fights at the Garden last night, the first between Avery & Clutterbuck, the second between Orr & Nolan. I also have the videos and discussed the two fights myself in last night's recap of the Rangers vs. Wild game. [Link]
  
  
• Game recaps here, here and here
  
• A look at the Rangers' top prospects. [Link]
  

Zherdev Heading to KHL?

According to the Daily News:

According to unconfirmed information, the club forward NHL New York Rangers' Nikolai Zherdev soon could move to one of the top clubs of Continental hockey league.

Zherdev who is an RFA this summer had a cap hit last season of $2.5M but his salary last season was actually $3.25M. In my opinion he won't sign in the NHL for less than he made last season, so instantly his cap hit will be at least $3.25M (that's without a pay raise). Zherdev is/was probably the most skilled player on the Rangers, but there were long spells during the season (and entire playoffs) where he was invisible. As good as he was to watch at times, he was frustrating to watch at other times (earning the nickname Alexei Kovalev Jr.) I think this could make Sather's decision a little easier; he'll sign Antropov an! d look for another forward to replace Zherdev.

Korpikoski Traded to Phoenix

This move was definitely an unexpected one, as yet another Blueshirt heads to the desert. Korpikoski, a RFA, was rumored to be heading to the KHL last week, as it seems he wasn't happy with the contract that was offered to him by the New York Rangers.

According to Kukla's Korner:

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have acquired left wing Lauri Kor! pikoski from the New York Rangers in exchange for right wing Enver Lisin.

Korpikoski, 22, appeared in 68 games with the Rangers last season as a rookie, recording 6-8-14 and 14 penalty minutes (PIM). He also collected two assists while appearing in all seven of the Rangers' playoff games last season.

Enver Lisin was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2nd round (50th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. [Career Stats] He is also a RFA, he had a cap hit from his last contract of $910K. I don't see there being a problem getting Lisin signed to a contract and he might actually be signed for less than what the Rangers could've signed Korpikoski for.

According to Hockey's Future:

Lisin is a talented two-way forward with a huge offensive upside and a signi! ficant defensive upside. The young forward was more than likel! y the fa stest forward eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He is fully capable of developing into a top line forward in the NHL. He's an amazing skater, who's a good finisher, has a great wrist shot, is very precise and has a deceivingly quick release.

Sounds very similar to Korpikoski in my opinion.

3 Week NHL Center Ice Free Preview

Just found out that NHL Center Ice will be running its longest free preview ever. Usually if memory serves me correctly the preview runs for about a week into the season. Great for anyone that wants to try out the service, or for anyone that just wants to watch some extra hockey for three weeks but doesn't intend on coughing up the dough for the entire season.


According to MultiChannel.com

The National Hockey League drops the puck on its 2009-10 season on Oct. 1 and In! Demand will extend a free preview of the circuit's out-of-market package, replete with a number of enhancements, for three weeks to cable customers.

Distributor In Demand Networks said the NHL Center Ice out-of-market subscription package will skate into its longest-ever free preview, from Oct. 1 until Oct 24, 2009.
Among the cable operators offering the package distributed by In Demand this year are: Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks, Cablevision Systems, Bresnan Communications, Midcontinent, plus a number of independent MSOs.

There's a slight discrepancy in some of the articles that I've seen. Some of the articles state that the free preview runs from October 2nd and others say that it runs from October 1st. Since the season starts tonight it would make more sense if it was the first. But, the logical answer is never the right answer when it comes to cable providers.

Update: Also, j! ust found out that NHL Game Center (online version of Center Ice) is also offering a free three week preview

After the jump, I've included more details from the press release...

Read More

NEW YORK, Sept. 30 2009 –! NHL Center Ice out-of-market subscription package of professional hockey games skates into the new season with the longest-ever free preview, from Oct. 1 until Oct 24, 2009, announced package distributor iN DEMAND Networks.  Digital cable customers will have free access to the package which gives fans who live away from their favorite team an opportunity to follow the games, and superfans a way to follow the whole league.  The package provides up to 40 live out-of-market game! s per week across 14 channels, and includes a wealth of enhanc! ements t o enrich the viewing experience.  Customers who order by October 31 will save with the early bird price of only four installments of $40.95 each.


MULTI-SCREEN MOSAIC: This season, fans will continue to receive free enhancements, including the popular rotating mosaic of multiple screens that shows all the live action games being played around the league, along with score, time clock and channel location. The multi-screen mosaic can be found on the first channel of the system's package lineup.

SAME DAY REPLAYS: One new enhancement available for the first full season this year is replays of same day games. Free to all NHL Center Ice customers, the package will re-air each current day's game beginning approximately one hour after the live game ends so that fans can see games they might have missed.  Each game will replay in its entirety, repeated continuously overnight and the next day, on the same channel, until the following day's live games begin.


DUAL FEEDS: Returning this year are the popular "dual-feed" telecasts to deliver home team announcers. Whenever possible, iN DEMAND will deliver both local market broadcasts of the same game so that fans can choose which telecast they want to watch.


STAT CHANNEL: In addition, customers receive NHL CENTER ICE EXTRA™, a live source for scores, statistics, game previews, game recaps and schedule informat! ion. This can be found on the second channel of the system's package lineup.


HD GAMES: The package also offers up to 12 games each week in high definition. HD availability varies by system.


Throughout the regular season, NHL Center Ice provides fans the opportunity to watch over 1,000 live NHL games, plus select games from the first two rounds of Stanley CupÒ Playoff competition, as in past seasons.  More information about NHL Center Ice is available at www.gethockey.com. Residential customers as well as commercial establishments can order by calling 1-888-SPORTS-iN or their local cable provider. Blackout and other restrictions apply.

Braves' Caray dies at 68.

(Belated) weekend ratings.

Should FOX dread Phillies/Rays?

Olympics rights negotiations may be postponed.

Overtime thriller boosts Wild Card ratings.

Super Bowl XLIII overnights.

Ratings continue to rise for NHL.

Connecticut's win sees big increase.

Week in review.

NHL's story a regional one.

The ratings game.

The ratings game

Nice boost for college football on ABC

Hasil Pertandingan | La Liga Spanyol 2009/2010 | Kekalahan Pertama Madrid

Real Madrid menuai kekalahan untuk pertama kalinya di kompetis La Liga spanyol musim ini. Mereka tertunduk malu setelah pada pertandingan Senin (05/10/2009) dinihari WIB, dikalahkan Sevilla dengan skor 2 - 1.

Bertandang ke Stadion Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Madrid tanpa diperkuat Cristiano Rona! ldo yang mengalami cidera engkel. Skuad Manuel Pellegrini sebenarnya lebih menguasai jalannya pertandingan. Statistik pertandingan, seperti ditulis Soccernet Madrid unggul dalam penguasaan bola 58:43.

Namun Raul cs. tidak mampu meredam serangan yang dibangun anak-anak Sevilla. Tuan rumah merobek gawang Iker Casillas sebanyak dua kali lewat Jesus Navas (menit 33) dan Renato (66). Madrid hanya mampu membalas lewat Pepe di menit 49.

Lima menit laga berjalan, Sevilla langsung meraih peluang lewat Abdoulaye Konko. Setelah dirinya tak terkawal, Konko melepaskan sebuah sundulan, tetapi bola masih menyamping di sisi gawang Madrid.

Semenit berselang Jesus Navas lolos dari jebakan offside, tetapi ia gagal memanfaatkan kesempatan ini. Setelah berhadapan satu lawan satu dengan Iker Casillas, Navas gagal menaklukkan kiper internasional Spanyol itu. Casillas berhasil memblok sepakannya.

Menit 13, Luis Fabiano melepaskan tembakan keras dari jara! k sekitar 23 meter. Hasilnya? Casillas kembali menunjukkan ket! angguhan nya. Sepakan Fabiano berhasil ia blok.

Tetapi 20 menit kemudian, Sevilla akhirnya bisa membobol jala Casillas. Navas yang berlari dari sisi kanan menerima umpan matang dengan satu sundulan. Akhirnya jala Madrid pun koyak untuk pertama kalinya.

Empat mening menjelang turun minum, Navas memberikan umpan kepada Fabiano. Nama terakhir menyambutnya dengan sebuah sundulan, tetapi lagi-lagi ia gagal mengkonversikan kansnya menjadi gol. Sundulan Fabiano melenceng dari gawang.

Dua menit babak kedua berjalan, Negredo mengirim umpan ke kotak terlarang di mana di sana ada Diego Perotti. Tetapi Casillas lagi-lagi bereaksi cepat. Ia menyambar bola tersebut sebelum bisa dicapai oleh Perotti.

Madrid akhirnya menyamakan kedudukan pada menit 49. Berawal dari sebuah tendangan bebas, bola kemudian disambut Pepe dengan sebuah sundulan. Bek internasional Portugal ini pun sukses menyamakan kedudukan menjadi 1-1.

Tim tamu terus memberikan ancam! an kepada Sevilla. Menit 57, Guti mengirim umpan ke kotak penalti. Mahamadou Diarra yang berada di sana menyambut umpan tersebut dengan sundulan, tetapi bola masih melebar dari gawang.

Bukannya menyamakan kedudukan, Madrid malah kebobolan gol kedua. Menit 66, umpan Fernando Navarro mengarah tepat ke kotak penalti Madrid. Di sana berdiri Renato yang tak terkawal. Dengan tenang ia pun menanduk bola ke jala Casillas. Skor berubah menjadi 2-1.

Hingga akhir pertandingan tak ada lagi gol tercipta.

Hasil ini meruntuhkan kesempurnaan mereka di mana selalu meraih di lima laga awal La Liga. Pun demikian di dua pertandingan Liga Champions. Mereka pun tertahan di posisi dua klasemen sementara de! ngan nil ai 15, berselisih tiga angka dari Barcelona yang kokoh di puncak.

Sementara Sevilla tetap berada di urutan tiga dengan nilai yang sama dengan Madrid. Hanya saja mereka kalah untuk urusan selisih gol.

Jelang Valencia vs Barcelona | Silva: Tanpa Villa Tak Masalah

Valencia kemungkinan tanpa David Villa saat menghadapi Barcelona. Namun David Silva tetap yakin bahwa El Ches masih dapat menang meski striker andalannya itu absen.

Villa masih diragukan tampil dalam bigmacth menjamu Barca di Estadio Mestalla, Sabtu (17/10/2009). Striker internasional Spanyol ini! mengalami cedera otot paha saat menghadapi Racing Santander dua pekan lalu.

Sementara Villa pun berharap bisa segera pulih guna menghadapi Barca. Namun rekan setimnya, Silva menyarankan Villa untuk tidak terburu buru bermain yang bisa membuat cederanya semakin parah.

"Jika David (Villa) telah baik dia akan bermain menghadapi Barca tapi jika tidak lebih baik dia tidak mengambil risiko. Akhirnya bisa membuat cedera semakin parah," kata Silva seperti dilansir Espn.

Silva juga menegaskan bahwa Valencia tidak khawatir meski tanpa diperkuat top skorer Primera Liga ini. Gelandang serang valencia ini tetap yakin mereka masih memiliki pemain yang berkualitas untuk mengalahkan Barca.

"Pilihan yang mana pun baik karena (Nikola) Zigic memberi kami kemenangan di pertandingan terakhir (melawan Racing Santander) dan (Juan) Mata memasuk! kan gol dengan timnas," pungkas Silva.



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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/09 GROUP QUALIFIERS WEDNESDAY GAMES: TOUGH NIGHT FOR SPANIARDS

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ATLETICO DE MADRID TRANSFER RUMOUR QUICKIES 2008

FORMULA 1 BAHRAIN 2008: FERNANDO ALONSO 10TH

UEFA CUP RETURN GAMES 2008: 1 OUT OF 3 FOR SPANISH TEAMS

FERNANDO TORRES GOAL AGAINST MIDDLESBOROUGH 12.01.08 - SEE VIDEO

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FC BARCELONA PLAYERS PIQUE & BUSQUETS CALLED UP TO THE SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM

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SPANISH SUPERCUP 2009 - 1º LEG: AT BILBAO 1 - FC BARCELONA 2 (VIDEO GOALS)

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Zhang Ning on Badminton

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Raul Albiol New Squad Member of New Galacticos

Real Madrid New Squad:
Raul Albiol, New Squad of New Galacticos


Raul Albiol, now is becoming a member a new squad that built by Florentino Perez as a President of Real Madrid Football Club. Raul Albiol is transferred from Valencia FC. Raul Albiol is a good defender in Valencia, also in Spain Football Team. Now, Raul Albiol will cooperate with another galacticos to get Madrid's supremacy in Spain La Liga, also in European League.

The Tottenham Strikers Department

By Jaymes Payten-Marsh
For THBN

With Kanoute and Keane being linked with so many clubs, and Mido seemingly wanting out, it poses the question of who will be in the Tottenham strikers department come Saturday 13th August 2005.

If reports are true, then it would seem as though Kanoute is no longer wanted by Martin Jol as his patience with the Mali international snapped when Kanoute decided not to go on tour with the squad to Mauritius.

Jol even accepted a bid from West Brom, only for Fredi to turn down the move. I still believe that he'll be at Spurs come the opening game against Portsmouth. To some fans, the news of Kanoute staying will go down well, but to many others, including myself, it won't.

And what of Robbie Keane? It seems as though the Irish striker has made his mind up about quitting the club he said he would spend the rest of his career at.

The subs be! nch fiasco didn't help either. Martin Jol said that they would get on and that the dispute was now firmly behind them. But how true is that? Towards the end of last season, I saw a change in Keane's attitude. He didn't get up after he was tackled, instead he would run after the ref for the next five minutes asking him to book the player.

Then he openly says that Strachan is the best manager he has ever had. I mean, come off it Robbie! You are a great player, but for heavens sake, show some respect to Jol. With only a year on his over-inflated salary, I believe he will try and sit out the 05/06 season at Spurs until he can get his wish granted and play for Celtic under the guidance of Strachan.

Last but not least, Mido. The Egyptian striker has been ordered by his national coach to get fit, lose weight and play regularly. Mido feels he may not be able to hold down a regular position at Spurs. I believe that if he takes his national coaches ad! vice and does finally get fit and lose the little excess weigh! t he's c arrying, he will play alongside Defoe.

Unfortunately for us fans, we will have to wait and see what fortunes, if any, the merry-go-round will provide the somewhat questionable Tottenham strikers department.

Press Claim that Arshavin will Sign for Spurs

A fair few newspapers and other media sources such as Sky Sports News, have stated that Russian International, Andrei Arshavin, is close to signing for Tottenham Hotspur.

All I can say is that if these stories are true, then it would be a sensational signing for us! With David Bentley currently undergoing his medical, the capture of another Euro 2008 star (Modric being the other) would be absolutely fantastic!

What we already know about Arshavin, apart from the fact that his surname is somewhat ! disturbing, is that he can play as a withdrawn striker, or anywhere in midfield. Judging from the video below, he is also two-footed. Being 27, he's in his prime, and that prime is exactly what is needed at Spurs.

One thing which I did notice is that he's extremely tenacious. You won't see Arshavin shy away from a challenge. Some pundits have said that he'll be "way too fragile for the Premier League". Why do they say that? Are Michael Owen and Aaron Lennon "too fragile"?

If we do end up signing him (fingers crossed) then here's what we can all expect;

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Spurs 3 - 1 Stoke

Last night reminded me of how we played at home just a few seasons back under Jol.

Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson were on target as we blitzed Stoke in the first half.

Prior to this match, we had managed just one point in our last four Premier League matches.

Coupled with a recent run of just three points out of the last 18, it had left us talking about relegation again.

As I mentioned above, we did play some great attacking football, but the defending and marking by Stoke was way below par.

In the eighth minute, Spurs capitalised on some of the aforementioned poor defending by Stoke.

Defoe was able to pick out Lennon in so much space out on the right.

Stoke right-back Andy Wilkinson tried to make up ground, along with Abdoulaye Faye, but neither got near the pacey winger as he darted into the box.

Lennon then slotted home with his left through Thomas ! Sorensen's legs from 12 yards to claim his first goal since the last-minute equaliser at Arsenal in the fantastic, heart-stopping 4-4 draw last October, and his first goal at the Lane for over a year, with his previous home strike coming also against the Woolwich Wanderers on January 22, 2008.

Why Stoke gifted so much room to both Bentley and Lennon was beyond me, and also beyond their manager, Pulis, as he stood shaking his head in absolute shock, time and time again.

Better was to come in the 21st minute when a superb passing move through the heart of the Stoke defence led to a second.

Modric picked out Roman Pavlyuchenko, whose first-time pass was perfectly weighted and directed for the diagonal run of Defoe into the box.

Defoe was able to take the pass in his stride and blasted a powerful shot past Sorensen into the left side of the keeper's goal.

The third goal came after Bentley played the corner short to Modric, ! who deceived Amdy Faye with ease before crossing with his left! .
< br />The centre in the 25th minute was perfect for Dawson to rise and send a thumping header into the net.

Cudicini, making his Spurs début, had a solid game, and was unfortunate to concede after Etherington lofted the ball into the box for Beattie, who controlled and slotted home with his right foot for his seventh career goal against Spurs.

The few points I picked up from the game was that Modric, who undoubtedly has an abundance of talent, is better when he's playing at the Lane. Also, if Pavlyuchenko and Defoe continue playing the way they do, we won't need another striker as it seems to me that they are gradually developing a great understanding.

Tawaran Baru untuk Cissokho

MILAN - Aly Cissokho masih punya peluang mengenakan seragam Rossoneri musim depan. AC Milan akhirnya kembali mengajukan penawaran kepada FC Porto untuk memboyong wing bek kanan itu. Sebelumnya Cissokho sudah hampir bergabung dengan Milan.
Dia diboyong dari Estadio Dragao dengan biaya transfer sebesar 15 juta euro. Nahas, segala kesepakatan yang sudah rampung itu tiba-tiba gugur. Cissokho dinyatakan gagal lulus tes kesehatan karena mengalami masalah pada gigi.
Seperti disitat La Gazzetta ! dello Sport, Selasa (23/6/2009) harapan pemain 20 tahun itu berlabuh di San Siro kini kembali terbit setelah Il Diavolo bersedia mengajukan penawaran baru dan tentunya dengan materi kesepakatan yang berbeda pula.
Milan hanya mau merekrut pemain asal Prancis tersebut dengan status pinjaman dan nilai transfer 3 juta euro. Setelah satu tahun, klub satu kota Inter Milan itu berhak mempermaenkan Cissokho hanya dengan menambahkan uang 12 juta euro.

Tekad Silva 'Gantikan' Kaka & Maldini

MILAN - AC Milan sudah kehilangan Kaka dan Paolo Maldini. Ini coba ditambal Thiago Silva, bek yang bertekad membawa kesuksesan seraya jadi andalan Milan sebagaimana peran Maldini dan Kaka.
Kaka sudah menjadi bagian terpenting di Milan selama enam musim terakhir dan berbagai gelar juara telah ia persembahkan. Tapi uang 68 juta Euro dari Real Madrid tak kuasa ditahan manajemen Milan. Mungkin sulit membayangkan apa jadinya Il Diavolo Rosso tanpa kehadiran Kaka musim depan.
Namun, Silva yang dibeli Milan dari Fluminen! se awal tahun ini yakin bakal mampu memberikan yang terbaik untuk timnya seperti yang telah dilakukan Kaka dulu. Tak tanggung-tanggung, pemain usia 24 tahun itu langsung menargetkan titel juara di kompetisi Seri A dan Liga Champions musim 2010.
Hal tersebut dirasanya adalah bayaran setimpal baginya yang sudah enam bulan tidak merasakan pertandingan kompetitif. Itu dikarenakan jatah pemain non-Eropa yang dimiliki Milan musim lalu telah habis ketika ia digaet. "Tidak bermain selama enam bulan sangat menyakitkan bagiku, namun banyak hal hebat yang akan datang seperti Scudetto dan Liga Champions dan Milan akan dapat melakoni dua kompetisi itu dengan baik," tegas Silva kepada Jornal do Brasil yang dilansir Channel4.
"Aku ingin membuat sejarah di Milan, seperti yang Kaka lakukan. Jika aku dapat menunjukkan kemampuanku, aku juga dapat kembali ke timnas Brasil," sambungnya. Munculnya Silva di skuad Leonardo itu bisa dibilang sebagai suksesor Paolo Maldini di jantung perta! hanan Milan. Diakui Silva, Maldini adalah figur penting yang m! embantun ya beradaptasi cepat dengan kultur sepakbola Italia.
"Maldini bilang padaku untuk mempelajari bahasa Italia, sehingga aku mudah berkomunikasi di lapangan, seperti bagaimana aku tahu caranya bermain," pungkasnya.

Galliani: Tak Ada Nego Untuk Vucinic

MILAN - Kabar jika Milan tertarik mendatangkan Mirko Vucinic menuai bantahan dari beberapa pihak. Setelah sebelumnya agen Vucinic menyanggah kabar tersebut, Adriano Galliani ikut menguatkan sanggahan tersebut.
"Untuk saat ini saya tak ingin berbicara mengenai pasar transfer, tapi ada satu hal yang harus dijelaskan dan itu adalah tidak ada negosiasi untuk pembelian Mirko Vucinic," tandas wakil presiden Milan itu kepada ForzaRoma.info.
Sebelumnya agen Vucinic juga membantah kabar tersebut dengan menegaskan kliennya masih betah bermain untuk Roma. Milan sendiri masih ! dikabarkan mencari striker baru setelah usaha untuk mendatangkan Edin Dzeko dan Luis Fabiano tidak lagi memiliki prospek cerah.

Berlusconi: Pirlo Tetap di Milan

MILAN - Menggelar rapat mendadak untuk membahas maslah transfer, kubu AC Milan akhirnya mengeluarkan keputusan penting. Mereka menyatakan tidak akan melepas gelandang andalannya Andrea Pirlo.
Dalam rapat tersebut hadir para petinggi klub diantaranya presiden Silvio Berlusconi, wakil presiden Adriano Galliani dan sang pelatih Leonardo Nascimento. Salah satu wacana yang mengemuka adalah penjualan Pirlo ke Chelsea. Sebagaimana diketahui, pemain Timnas Italia tersebut tengah menjadi incaran The B! lues. Topik lain yang juga dicermati adalah kebutuhan tim akan pemain di lini depan yang lebih mumpuni. Usai rapat tersebut digelar Berlusconi pun membuat pernyataan.
"Pirlo tidak dijual, dia akan bertahan dan menghabiskan karirnya di Milan. Chelsea memang tertarik memboyongnya, setelah berbicara dengan Pirlo langsung dan menanggapi permintaan pelatih kami sepakat untuk mempertahakannya," ujar Berlusconi kepada Corriere dello Sport, Kamis (6/8/2009).
"Keputusan lain adalah bahwa kami akan segera mendatangkan penyerang. Tidak perlu ragu, Milan masih punya cukup dana untuk itu," pungkasnya lagi.

Berlusconi Minta Formasi Tridente

MILAN - Patron AC Milan Silvio Berlusconi sudah menyatakan posisi Ronaldinho tidak akan tergantikan. Tapi, Berlusconi menganjurkan agar Milan menerapkan formasi tiga penyerang. Berlusconi cukup puas dengan kemenangan perdana yang diraih Milan, pada laga pembuka Serie A melawan Siena.
Peran Ronaldinho cukup vital di laga itu, dengan menjadi motor serangan serta otak di balik dua gol Alexandre Pato. Berdasarkan hasil laga itu, Berlusconi meminta kepada pelatih Leonardo untuk tetap mempertahankan! Ronnie, bahkan mendukungnya dengan memajukan peran Clerence Seedorf.
"Saya yakin Ronaldinho bisa bermain semakin baik. Dia sangat bagus bermain di sekitar kotak penalti lawan. Bila saya boleh menganjurkan, tempatkan Seedorf diantara Ronaldinho dan Pato," jelas PM Italia ini kepada Corierre dello Sport, Selasa (25/8/2009).
Berlusconi meyakini bila mantan pemain Barcelona itu sangat bisa dimaksimalkan bila agak sedikit didorong kedepan. Tapi pelatih Leonardo, memilih menempatkannya di tengah. Hasilnya memang memuaskan dengan lahirnya dua gol Pato.
"Leonardo? Kami sudah berbicara tentang semua ide strategi tim. Ronaldinho adalah pemain baik. Dia hanya perlu dukungan yang besar. Saya sangat senang bila melihatnya sebagai penyerang," lanjut Berlusconi. Milan sendiri masih punya striker tangguh dalma diri Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Mantan pemain Real Madrid itu bisa dimaksimalkan Leonardo bila ingin menjajal formasi menggunakan dua bomber.

Milan Undang Beckham ke San Siro

MILAN - Manajemen AC Milan menyatakan siap menerima gelandang LA Galaxy David Beckham bila ingin kembali ke San Siro. Kabarnya, kesepakatan antara Milan, Beckham dan Galaxy sudah terjalin. Pemain asal Inggris tersebut akan kembali ke Serie A, Januari 2010.
Suami artis Victoria Adams tersebut pernah dipinjamkan Galaxy ke Milan selama tiga bulan yaitu Januari-Maret lalu. Namun Beckham merasa kerasan bersama Rossoneri dan membayar kompensasi dari kantongnya sendiri untuk memperpanjang tenggat hi! ngga Mei.
David dianggap banyak orang sebagai sebuah ikon. Tetapi bagi kami dia adalah di atas semua pemain bintang yang ingin kembali," kata direktur AC Milan Umberto Gandini seperti dilansir Skysports, Jumat (11/9/2009). Becks mengatakan telah menerima berbagai penawaran klub Eropa pada beberapa bulan menjelang dilansungkannya Piala Dunia.
Menurut Skysport, Galaxy telah menyetujui kesepakatan dengan Milan untuk kembali meminjamkan pemainnya pada Januari 2010. Hal ini dimungkinkan Beckham membeli dirinya sendiri agar bisa mengakhiri kontraknya pada Oktober 2009.
Tapi ada laporan Rossoneri tidak akan menawarkan kontrak jangka panjang yang bisa membuat Beckham berharga.

Milan Dihantui Tiang Gawang

MILAN - AC Milan bertekuk lutut 0-1 dari FC Zurich. Gianluca Zambrotta pun menyesali bola tendangannya yang hanya mengenai tiang gawang sehingga pertandingan tak berakhir imbang. Hasil mengecewakan diraih Milan di kandang, Kamis (1/10/2009) dinihari WIB.
Cukup mendominasi permainan, Milan malah menuai kekalahan. Dari statistik di Soccernet Milan unggul penguasaan bola sampai 61%, menyisakan 39% saja buat Zurich. 'Rossoneri' 21 kali melepaskan tembakan dalam upaya bikin gol, kendati hanya empat yang mengarah ke gawang! .
Lawannya cuma bikin sepuluh tembakan, empat di antaranya tepat ke gawang. Meski demikian, keunggulan itu tak dapat Milan maksimalkan. Usai gawang Marco Storari kebobolan oleh gol Hannu Tihinen di menit ke-10, Pato cs tak dapat menyamakan kedudukan dan membalikkan keadaan.
Di menit-menit akhir Milan sebenarnya memiliki peluang emas untuk bikin skor kembali 1-1 dan menyelamatkan muka tim raksasa Italia tersebut di kandang sendiri. Peluang itu diciptakan oleh Zambrotta yang baru dimasukkan di babak kedua.
Setelah melewati pemain lawan, dia melepaskan tembakan keras dari luar kotak penalti. Bola sepakan Zambrotta kemudian deras melaju ke arah gawang lawan walau akhirnya cuma menghantam tiang gawang. Alhasil, Zurich-lah yang keluar jadi pemenang.
"Bukan hanya tiang gawang saja yang akan menghantui kami, tapi juga sejumlah kesempatan (yang gagal dimaksimalkan jadi gol) yang kami catatkan di paruh kedua pertandingan," sesal Zambrotta di Football Italia.
! Kekalahan itu melengkapi derita Milan yang kini sudah tiga lag! a berunt un tanpa kemenangan. Sebelum lawan Zurich, di kompetisi lokal tim besutan Leonardo itu diimbangi Bari dan ditekuk Udinese.
"(Melawan Zurich) Kami sudah terus-terusan merangsek maju dengan sepenuh hati dan jiwa kami sampai akhir, berusaha tidak hanya main imbang tapi juga bisa menang." "Saat ini keadaan kami tidak berjalan dengan baik dan kami berharap periode (buruk) ini segera lewat," ucap Zambrotta menyisipkan harapan.

sumber : detik.com

Torres brace sinks Hammers

The Spanish sensation, who has been below his top form this term, scored two fine goals in the 3-2 victory over Gianfranco Zola's side.

Zavon Hines almost put the Hammers ahead in the second minute when he hit the post.

But Torres responded with a stunning individual goal in the 20th minute which saw the Spaniard beat James Tomkins on the edge of the box before firing home.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher then brought down Hines in the box for a Hammers penalty which Alessandro Diamanti duly despatched, although the Italian appeared to slip before slotting home with his second touch.

Dirk Kuyt then restored the Reds' advantage on 41 minutes when getting a touch on Steven Gerrard's goal-bound header.

But the Hammers again drew level when Carlton Cole glanced home a header from a corner in first-half stoppage time.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the second period before Torres headed home in the 75th minu! te to seal a vital three points for the Reds.

The victory, Liverpool's fourth successive win, lifted Rafa Benitez's side into third place in the Premier League and left West Ham in 14th.

The first half was full of incident and it was the home side who squandered a great chance to take the lead in the second minute.

Liverpool defender Carragher dithered over Glen Johnson's pass and let Hines in.

The striker could not have asked for a simpler chance but although he beat Pepe Reina, his shot hit the near post before the Spanish goalkeeper gratefully gathered the rebound.

Mistake
Another Carragher mistake on the halfway line gave Cole room to run at the Liverpool goal but this time Martin Skrtel made a wonderful saving challenge.

In the 15th minute the home team had another chance, Cole bundling the ball to Hines from Julien Faubert's cross but the chance came too quickly and Hines' connection was minimal.
Torres, meanwhile, acrobatically volleyed wide after! 17 minu tes before opening the scoring three minutes later.

The Spaniard broke down the left flank, bamboozled Tomkins and poked home at the near post.

Matthew Upson was injured as he tried to prevent the goal and was replaced by Danny Gabbidon.

Torres was proving to be a real thorn in West Ham's side and was confident enough to try his luck from 30 yards in the 26th minute but his shot was far too high and failed to trouble Robert Green in goal.

West Ham's woes continued moments later when Valon Behrami was forced out of the action through injury and replaced by Radoslav Kovac.

But the home side were back in the game in the 29th minute when referee Andre Marriner adjudged that Hines had been pushed by Carragher in the box.

Diamanti, making his first start for the Hammers, stepped-up to take the penalty and even though he put the ball into the net, the striker appeared to slip as he connected with the ball and touched! it twice.

Angry Liverpool players protested that the penalty should be ruled out as Diamanti had touched the ball more than once but Marriner rejected their protests.

But Liverpool went back in front four minutes before the end of an eventful opening first period.

An outswinging corner from Yossi Benayoun was headed towards the far post by Gerrard only for Kuyt to stick out a foot and poke the ball into the corner of the net.

But in first-half stoppage time, England striker Cole rose highest in the six-yard box to meet Mark Noble's corner and head the Hammers level for the second time in the game.


Second period
In the second period, Hines was giving Liverpool's defence a great deal of cause for concern.

Javier Mascherano could only bring the winger down in the 49th minute and his mistimed tackle earned the Liverpool player a yellow card.

A rare West Ham corner in the 59th minute then al! most caught the Reds out. Diamanti sent an inswinging corner i! nto the Liverpool six-yard box and Reina had to tip the ball away for another flag-kick as it threatened to end up in the net.

Liverpool replaced goalscorer Kuyt with Ryan Babel on the hour as the Merseysiders searched for a winner.

A fabulous run into the West Ham penalty area by Benayoun almost brought Liverpool a third but the home defence cleared the ball at the last hurdle.

West Ham were suffering from the lack of a killer final ball. Kieron Dyer, on for Diamanti, made a superb run deep into the Liverpool half in the 68th minute but he could not supply the final ball to put Cole clear.

Liverpool's Babel tried his luck from 25 yards but his accuracy was found wanting as the ball went high over the bar and into the crowd.

But the Reds clinched the game in the 75th minute when Babel's cross was headed into the corner of the net by Torres from eight yards.

Villa Bahagia di Valencia

Striker timnas spanyol yang kini berseragam Valencia David Villa yang telah lama menjadi incaran 2 klub raksasa Spanyol yaitu Real Madrid dan Barcelona, pada hari selasa lalu menyatakan bahwa dia bahagia menetap di Valencia.

"Saya telah mengatakan bahwa saya harus meninggalkan Valencia untuk kebaikan klub, namun mereka (Valencia) akhir mengurungkan niat itu."

"Situasi saya tergantung pilihan klub. Mereka telah memutuskan saya tetap tinggal dan saya gembira dengan hal itu untuk memulai musim baru." Tutur Villa di situs resmi klubnya.

Valencia ! pernah b erencana untuk menjual beberapa pemain pilarnya termasuk Villa untuk menyelesaikan masalah keuangan klub.
Striker yang kini berusia 27 tahun dan menjadi top skor di Euro 2008 nyaris pindah ke Real Madrid, namun Valencia menginginkan tawaran yang lebih tinggi, begitu juga Barcelona.

Optimisme Tinggi Lorenzo Kalahkan Rossi

Sempat tertinggal 50 poin, Jorge Lorenzo kini hanya terpaut 18 angka dari Valentino Rossi di puncak klasemen. Dengan tiga balapan tersisa musim ini, dia yakin bisa mengalahkan The Doctor.....
Meski jadi penantang serius Rossi diperebutan titel juara dunia, Lorenzo hampir tak punya peluang lagi setelah dia terjatuh di Brno dalam gelaran MotoGP Republik Ceko. Akibat gagal finis di seri ke-11 itu, dia sempat tertinggal 50 angka dari rekan setimnya itu di posisi teratas.

"Perburuan gelar juara belum berakhir sekarang. Setelah saya terjatuh di B! rno dan tertinggal 50 poin, saya pikir akan cukup baik jika saya bisa menyelesaikan musim di urutan dua," ungkap Lorenzo di MCN.

Namun peruntungan pembalap Spanyol itu berubah di tiga seri selanjutnya. Dia mampu meraih podium tertinggi di Indianapolis dan Estoril, sementara Rossi memetik satu kemenangan di San Marino. Ditambah fakta bahwa Rossi cuma bisa finis keempat di Portugal, jarak kedua jagoan Yamaha itu kini hanya 18 poin saja.

Dengan masih ada tiga balapan tersisa, kans Lorenzo untuk mensuksesi Rossi dari tahta juara dunia jelas masih terbuka lebar. Berbekal hasil di Estoril, pemuda 22 tahun itu yakin bisa menyusul perolehan poin Rossi di Australia, Malaysia dan Valencia.

"Awalnya saya pikir tak mengapa jika finis di posisi dua, tapi saya juga bisa memenangi titel juara. Jadi saya akan melakukannya," pungkas pembalap yang dua kali menjadi juara dunia kelas 250 cc di tahun 2006 dan 2007.

IL CHIEVO RITORNA IN SERIE A

Il Chievo vola in serie A. Grazie al pareggio per 1-1 con il Grossetto (in gol Ciaramitaro e Danilevicius su rigore) la formazione veneta conquista quel punto necessario per vincere la serie B e approdare dopo un anno di assenza nella massima serie. La squadra allenata da Iachini ha conquistato la matematica promozione con un turno di anticipo sulla fine del campionato. Nella penultima giornata invece amaro verdetto per l'Avellino, il Ravenna e lo Spezia che retrocedono in C1 con il Cesena. Gli irpini sono stati battuti a Bari restando così a 35 punti e a sei lunghezze dal Treviso (differenza che non consente secondo il rego! lamento la disputa dei play-out), i romagnoli hanno perso a Vicenza mentre i liguri sono usciti sconfitti dal campo del Pisa.

LAMPARD NON VUOLE PIU' ASPETTARE,INTER SUBITO

Lunedì, non un giorno di più. Frank Lampard non vuole aspettare oltre. Il desiderio del fuoriclasse inglese è quello di raggiungere José Mourinho a Milano. Vuole giocare in Italia, vuole giocare nell'Inter e, soprattutto, vuole conoscere al più presto il suo destino.
Il Chelsea nei giorni scorsi ha fatto pervenire un'offerta da 140 mila sterline a settimane (circa 8.5 milioni di euro netti a stagione) per quattro stagioni a Lampard pur di trattenere il suo campione a Stamford Bridge, ma il destino del vice-capitano dei blues è segnato. Secondo le (ben informate) fonti inglesi, infatti, Lampard avrebbe gentilmente declinato l'offerta di Roman Abramovich in! attesa di sviluppi che, in realtà, non ci sono stati.
A questo punto nemmeno un'offerta ancor più importante (150 mila euro a settimana) potrebbe far cambiare idea al giocatore che vuole l'Inter a tutti i costi. La speranza del centrocampista è che il Chelsea vada incontro ai suoi desideri, ma se così non sarà nell'incontro di lunedì Lampard farà sapere al Chelsea di essere disposto a restare un altro anno a Londra per poi liberarsi a parametro zero. La stessa 'minaccia' utilizzata da Mourinho una settimana fa. Stessa tattica, identico obiettivo: chiudere (con il lieto fine) una telenovela dal finale già scritto.

NAPOLI, BENE COL FROSINONE IN ATTESA DELLA UEFA

MILANO, 7 agosto 2008 - Il Napoli ha vinto 2-1 a Frosinone nell'ultimo test impegnativo in vista del match di Uefa in Albania con il Vllznia. La squadra di Reja si è porta in vantaggio in chiusura di primo tempo grazie ad una conclusione di Maggio. Il pari del Frosinone in apertura di ripresa al 4' con Dedic. La rete della vittoria dei partenopei al 36' del secondo tempo grazie ad Hamsik.
RISCATTO PALERMO - Il Palermo supera i greci del Larissa per 1-0 nella terz'ultima amichevole precampionato. I rosanero metteno osì definitivamente in soffitta la sconfitta con il Portugruaro. La rete della vittoria è stata siglata al 31' della ripresa da Jankovic che ha fulminato il portiere Baimakis
CATANIA! OK - Il Catania ha superato per 2-1 la Paganese. Decisiva la doppietta messa a segno da Antenucci che prima trasforma un rigore e poi finalizza un assist di Biagianti. Nel finale la rete della bandiera dei campani ad opera di De Lorenzo.

fonte : www.gazzetta.it crediti foto: Cuomo

CHIELLINI:"CONTRO LO ZENIT VOGLIO ESSERCI"

La sensazione è che Chiellini giocherà almeno uno spezzone della gara di domenica sera all'Olimpico per tornare titolare con i russi la settimana dopo. "Per me giocare è tutto e spero di proprio di esserci", ha ribadito, mettendo in guardia i suoi compagni sul valore della squadra di San Pietroburgo:"Sono la mina vagante del gruppo, avrei preferito evitarli. Sarà una gara più impegnativa che con il Real Madrid".

In molti hanno sentito la mancanza di Chiellini, ma lui non si sente insostituibile: "Penso che Buffon sia l'unico indiscutibilmente superiore agli altri nel suo ruolo. Ci sono delle gerarchie, ma insostituibili in squadra non ce ne sono. Sento che il centro è il mio ruolo stabile, però devo migliorare moltissimo". 

Quanto agli obiettivi della sua Juve, il difensore ha le idee chiare. "Io rinuncerei a tante cose per vincere la Champions - ha spiegato - . Per noi che abbiamo vissuto un duro travaglio in serie B, sarebbe bellissimo vincere la Champions, sarebbe il giusto premio di tanto lavoro. Il campionato? La forza dell'Inter è avere una rosa di 25 giocatori fortissimi. Noi ci siamo migliorati, però a livello di rosa siamo ancora sotto i nerazzurri. Loro partono come favoriti su tutti anche quest'anno, ma potrebbero magari pagare un po' il periodo di transizione, con un nuovo allenatore che non conoscono. Sotto l'Inter, noi, Roma, Milan e Fiorentina siamo sullo stesso livello".

Intanto, dopo il pari di Firenze, ecco l'Udinese, che lo scorso anno inflisse la prima sconfitta ai bianconeri proprio a Torino."Di Natale st! a attraversando uno splendido momento di forma. I miei compagn! i dovran no cercare di accorciarlo e raddoppiarlo il più possibile. Lui tende a rientrare da sinistra, per questo il terzino e il centrale dovranno collaborare molto",ha detto.

Sulla Nazionale: "L'Italia ad agosto e settembre ha sofferto sempre per via della condizione fisica non ottimale. Penso sia normale un inizio un po' incerto. Io ho fatto molto bene agli Europei, ma ora spero di tornare ad ottobre e di riconfermarmi".

In allenamento scontro Nedved-Brazo
De Ceglie, Marchisio e Giovinco hanno fatto ritorno al quartier generale bianconero dopo l'impegno con l'Under 21. Solo il primo, però, ha lavorato sul campo, saltando comunque la partitella finale. Il resto della squadra, invece, era regolarmente al suo posto ad eccezione di Zebina che continua il recupero in palest! ra. Nella partitella, Ranieri ha schierato da una parte Chiellini, Tiago, Molinaro, Salihamidzic e Zanetti, mentre dall'altra c'erano Yago, Amauri, Marchionni, Nedved e Trezeguet. Verso la conclusione della seduta si è temuto il peggio quando, dopo uno scontro tra Nedved e Salihamidzic, il bosniaco ha accusato una botta alla caviglia abbandonando in anticipo il terreno di gioco. Nulla di grave, per fortuna. Chiellini ha minimizzato l'episodio, conclusosi con un po' di tensione tra i due protagonisti. ''Niente di grave - ha tagliato corto - , sono cose che capitano. Per loro partitella o Champions non fa differenza: vogliono sempre vincere".

MOU:"A MAGGIO I PARAGONI CON MANCINI"

Niente Adriano e Cruz con la Reggina. Mourinho ha deciso di applicare la linea dura, non convocando i due attaccanti. "La mia filosofia è che i giocatori devono saper adattarsi al modo di pensare dell'allenatore", ha detto l'interista. Sul brasiliano: "Non so se capirà. Sarebbe stato importante averlo con la Reggina, ma per me è più importante il rispetto dei professionisti e della società". Sul campionato: "A maggio i paragoni con Mancini".

Proprio il rapporto con Adriano è quello su cui l'allenatore portoghese ha speso più parole alla vigilia dell'anticipo di sabato. "Posso dire che se ! c'è qualcuno che si è dedicato a lui con il cuore come allenatore, ma anche come compagno di lavoro, sono stato io. Ma dopo arriva il momento in cui io sono il leader di un gruppo di 29 giocatori, un gruppo in cui ci sono regole e dove un allenatore non può avere un giocatore diverso che può permettersi di fare quello che gli altri non possono fare. Il mio affetto nei suoi confronti è lo stesso, non cambia, ma io devo difendere prima di tutto, come indica la mia storia di allenatore, prima il club, poi la squadra e alla fine noi, il gruppo", ha spiegato.

Il futuro è pieno di dubbi: "Ci sono cose che per me non è possibile accettare. La strada per ritornare è lunga, ma non impossibile".

Parlando del campionato, Mourinho gioca in difesa. "Se vogliamo fare paragoni, facciamoli a maggio. Lo scorso anno, al primo di novembre, l'Inter non aveva vinto la Supercoppa e aveva perso la prima partita di Champions League. Aveva 3, 4 o 5 punti in più in campionato r! ispetto ad ora. Non 20... Non è possibile fare paragoni, non è! corrett o. Ma se vogliamo farli, facciamoli...", ha dichiarato.

Secondo lo "Special One", lo scorso anno era tutto diverso: "Quanti punti avevano lo scorso anno Udinese e Napoli? Non si possono confrontare due campionati, sono situazioni completamente differenti. Quando il Milan era in difficoltà, io dicevo che era una grandissima squadra e che sarebbe arrivato alle vittorie. Se siamo fuori dalla Champions, se abbiamo perso la Supercoppa e siamo a 20 punti dalla vetta del campionato allora siamo in una situazione orribile: ma non è così. La nostra situazione è migliore di quella di tanti altri. Se poi mi chiedete se sono contento, dico di no. Non sono felice di essere dietro al Milan e di non aver segnato nelle ultime 2 partite".

L'attacco nerazzurro, però, è sterile. "Contro la Roma abbiamo fatto tre gol in dieci minuti, a Firenze abbiamo creato quattro grandissime opportunità e non abbiamo fatto gol contro un'ottima squadra. Una cosa è non segnare, un'altra ! è far fatica a costruire", ha concluso.

TOTTI E L'ITALIA NON SONO TANTO LONTANI

Potrebbe davvero non essere un capitolo chiuso quello di Francesco Totti in Nazionale dal momento che i segnali per un ritorno del capitano della Roma in maglia azzurra si susseguono.
Nei giorni scorsi era stato il ct Marcello Lippi a parlare di rispetto per la scelta del giocatore, lasciando però intendere che sarebbe stato ben felice se avesse cambiato idea, adesso invece è addirittura il presidente della Federcalcio a sbilanciarsi, augurandosi di vederlo protagonista in Sud Africa.

"Totti ha l'età giusta per un altro Mondiale" ha detto Giancarlo Abete, confermando l'ipotesi che la Figc sarebbe ben lieta di poter contare su di lui per la prossima avventura iridata, quando l'Ital! ia dovrà difendere il titolo di campione del mondo.

Lo stesso giocatore, prima del nuovo infortunio di domenica, aveva lanciato qualche segnale dichiarando di sentirsi completamente ristabilito, anche se ora il nuovo stop costituisce un ulteriore ostacolo.

MAMMA MIA,TEVEZ ALL'INTER!

Carlos Tevez è libero di cercarsi una nuova squadra. A fine gennaio è scaduta l'opzione del Manchester United verso l'Msi, la Media Sports Investment, proprietaria del cartellino. Dietro ai diversi rifiuti del giocatore verso le proposte di rinnovo avanzate da Ferguson ci sarebbe l'Inter. Piace a Mourinho e Moratti e da un anno e mezzo è nel mirino nerazzurro. Il club di via Durini giudica Tevez il partner ideale per Ibra.



Oltre al probabile ritorno dello United, sull'argentino ci sarebbero anche il City, l'Arsenal e il Chelsea in Inghilterra, il Real Madrid in Spagna. I Merengues, secondo la stampa britannica, s! arebbero i manovratori del mancato rinnovo contrattuale. Tornando però all'ipotesi nerazzurra, sarebbe affascinante appurare il feeling tra un tecnico spilungone come Ibra e un torello da corsa come Tevez.

Se dal punto di vista tattico il progetto sarebbe fattibilissimo, bisognerà superare alcuni ostacoli pratici. Prima di tutto, la convivenza con una sfilza di attaccanti: Adriano, Balotelli, Cruz, Crespo, Acquafresca (probabile) e Drogba (chissà mai). Anche se l'affare non sarebbe completamente 'gratis'...

IL FENOMENO E' TORNATO

Ecco le immagini della prima rete di Ronaldo con la maglia del Corinthians. Da notare come l'esultanza del Fenomeno e la conseguente esultanza della torcida abbiano provocato il cedimento della rete di protezione con gravi rischi per l'incolumità dei tifosi...

numero 13 (dicembre 2005)

Il figlio di Brian

Nell'East Anglia anche i Posh!

Za-pa-ro...si o no?

Non è solo il dilemma di Delio Rossi ma un pò quello di tutti i tifosi laziali.

E già perchè dopo l'ottimo avvio di campionato, nonostante l'assenza di capitan Rocchi, ora si pone un "problema" per il mister romagnolo.
Non che il rientro di Tommy-goal sia in discussione, vista anche la caterva di reti segnate nelle ultime stagioni, ma comunque ora come ora tirare fuori uno tra Zarate e Pandev sarebbe un vero e proprio suicidio, considerando lo stato di grazia dei due.
Da qui nasce l'idea di un tridente che s! ulla carta farebbe sognare qualunque tifoso ma che nella pratica avrebbe bisogno di determinati equilibri tattici, di certo non facili da trovare in una squadra a trazione anteriore.
Quella che infatti potrebbe sembrare una soluzione ottimale per sfruttare al meglio le potenzialità offensive della squadra potrebbe rivelarsi un peso troppo grosso da sopportare in futuro.
Schierare contemporaneamente Rocchi, Zarate e Pandev significherebbe sottoporre il centrocampo ad uno sforzo atletico-tattico enorme e di certo Foggia e Mauri dovrebbero far posto a uomini di quantità come i vari Dabo, Brocchi, Firmani.
Non solo ma togliere lo stesso Foggia dallo scacchiere biancoceleste in questo momento risulterebbe una mossa alquanto azzardata, vista la gran vena del centrocampista napoletano.
Questi sono solo alcuni dei dubbi che attanagliano Delio Rossi prima della trasferta di Bologna, in cui farà il suo esordio in campionato il capitano biancoceleste.
Anche se! molto probabilmente in terra emiliana si continuerà con la st! essa for mazione delle ultime apparizioni con Rocchi pronto a subentrare nella ripresa.
Ma se da una parte il tridente può rappresentare un rischio dall'altra invece è una piacevole tentazione.
Tutti, laziali e non, aspettano di vedere in campo i tre "folletti", come li chiama il presidente Lotito.
Soprattutto perchè un simile potenziale merita di essere messo in pratica, se non altro per vedere fino a che punto i tre possono coesistere.
Delio Rossi ci pensa e non ci dorme la notte. Ma contrariamente alla stagione passata i suoi sono problemi di abbondanza.
E c'è da dire che già in passato quando era alla guida di Foggia, Salernitana, Lecce e la stessa Lazio non ha avuto timore schierare tre uomini estramamente offensivi.
Probabilmente l'esordio del "Za-pa-ro" non sarà a Bologna, come qualcuno poteva fantasticare, ma l'appuntamento è rimandato solo di una settimana, quando la compagine biancoceleste accoglierà il Napoli tra le mura amiche.
Chissà ch! e mister Delio tra un esperimento e l'altro non riesca a trovare la giusta quadratura ad una squadra che già vola...Beh questo lasciamolo dire al campo...

Pubblicato da Mariano Ciaraldi - CAPOREDATTORE S. S. LAZIO

Calcio Mercato Results: NAPOLI

NAPOLI

! ! ! !

data trasferimento	nome giocatore	tipo movimento	squadra di provenienza
31/08/2009	VARONE DANILO	TEMPORANEO	BACOLI SIBILLA FLEGREA
05/08/2009	HOFFER! ERWIN	DEFINITIVO	RAPID VIENNA
03/08/2009	DE SANCTIS MORGAN	DEFINITIVO	SIVIGLIA
13/07/2009	CAMPAGNARO HUGO ARMANDO	DEFINITIVO	SAMPDORIA
10/07/2009	ZUNIGA MOSQUERA JUAN CAMILO	DEFINITIVO	SIENA
03/07/2009	CIGARINI LUCA	DEFINITIVO	ATALANTA
03/07/2009	QUAGLIARELLA FABIO	DEFINITIVO	UDINESE

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