Football’s A-listers are in Munich this weekend. Quite apart from the two clubs involved, the Champions League final is a magnet for every club, every coach, every fixer who likes to consider himself a part of the elite. The mingling, preening and backslapping in Uefa’s official hotel needs to be seen to be believed. It [...]
Fans of Blackpool and West Ham are heading for Wembley Stadium for English soccer’s Championship playoff final, which will secure promotion to the Premier League and at least 90 million pounds ($145 million) for the winner. Both teams were relegated from the 20-team top flight last year, and Hammers’ manager Sam Allardyce has described today’s [...]
As the Champions League anthem so aptly reminds us in its multi-lingual, multicultural inclusiveness, this is, “Eine Grosse sportliche Veranstaltung/The main event.” After nine months of tournament play it comes down to a German side versus an English club. Yes, it’s final time and we’re looking at Bayern Munich against Chelsea. One of the lead [...]
Didier Drogba (on ground, left) and his Chelsea teammates celebrate after their victory. (Getty Images) MUNICH — Didier Drogba tied the match with a header in the 88th minute, and then scored the decisive goal in the shootout as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League final, 4-3 on penalty kicks [...]
Gameday has arrived. Double game day really. First UEFA Champions League final at 11:45; then Cascadia Cup opener at 2 p.m. Here is the TNT game story on the Sounders-Vancouver meeting, and some basics below: SOUNDERS FC (7-2-1; 22 POINTS) AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (5-3-2, 17 POINTS) 2 p.m., BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, B.C. TV: KONG [...]
Keane issues warning to new Premier League champions Saturday, May 19, 2012 – 10:04 AM Roy Keane has warned Manchester City to write off Alex Ferguson at their peril. Keane said City were worthy champions but to expect Manchester United to bounce back even stronger – and that his old United boss Ferguson will still [...]
+16 updates 2012 UEFA Champions League Final: Bayern, Chelsea Both Considering Makeshift Lineups Read More: http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/5/19/3030554/blackpool-vs-west-ham-united-2012-english-league-championship-final
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WAGS Check out the wives and girlfriends of some of the key players in Saturday’s Champions League final. There is only one thing Petr Cech wants for his birthday on Sunday, but there will not be any tantrums from the Chelsea goalkeeper if he fails to get it. Cech turns 30 within hours [...]
“When the first one went in, it gave everyone a lift,” he remembers. “It gave us our confidence back, to say we belong here, deserve to be here, and are good enough to do it.” Cole’s rap sheet is lurid and long. Item one is the day he pulled a .22 calibre air rifle on [...]
“The difference can be described as German order and British creativity,” Dennis said. Chelsea fans usually congregate in nearby pubs and make up songs, which are then repeated inside the stadium. If people like the chants, they catch on and fans sing them en masse within a short time. Chants are also created off the [...]
Drogba finishes roller-coaster Champions League final on top
Didier Drogba celebrates after his goal in the 88th minute ties the match 1-1. (Getty Images) MUNICH — From hero to villain, to man of the match. Didier Drogba went through the full range of emotions on a night when he delivered the first Champions League title to Chelsea, in perhaps his last [...]
Nigeria suffer Yobo blow ahead of crucial qualifiers
Joseph Yobo has been ruled out of next month’s 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Nigeria skipper sustained an injury during Wednesday’s Turkish Cup final, whilst playing for Fenerbahce. According to Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, the Istanbul side suggest Yobo will be out for over four weeks. Keshi has added [...]
Renard to stay assures Kambwili
Zambia captain Christopher Katongo (L) and coach Herve Renard Zambia’s sports minister says that funds are finally in place to secure the services of Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Herve Renard. Renard’s position has been unclear in recent months, with his contract having expired at the end of the 2012 finals. With the financial assistance [...]
Chelsea’s Mikel Missing from Nigeria Roster
Reuters Nigeria released their squad for their upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday. Notably missing was Chelsea stalwart, John Mikel Obi. The midfielder, who is enjoying the finest season in his Chelsea career, and patiently waiting to answer the roll call in the UEFA Champions League Final at the Allianz [...]
FOOTBALL fans have been presented with a glorious opportunity to watch the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations as Premiership sponsors Castle Lager embarked on a nationwide campaign to recruit SuperFans. Two lucky fans are assured of a ticket to go and watch the African Cup of Nations finals next year. The campaign [...]
Sierra Leone pays out for chopper crash
2012-05-18 19:15 Freetown – Sierra Leone’s transport minister said on Friday that relatives of 19 Togolese football fans who died in a helicopter crash in 2007, including Togo’s sports minister, would receive compensation. “We have accepted liability and engaged Paramount Airlines as there was a valid insurance document covering all on board the aircraft,” Transport [...]
The Champions League Team That Wouldn’t Die
By JONATHAN CLEGG Getty Images Didier Drogba of Chelsea scores the winning kick against Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the Champions League final shootout. MUNICH—What started as a season of tumult and trauma finally ended in triumph here for Chelsea, as the Premier League giant-turned-underdog beat Bayern Munich on a penalty shootout to win [...]
Cardiff City eye up clash against Premier League flyers Newcastle United
Read More: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2012/05/19/cardiff-city-eye-up-clash-against-premier-league-flyers-newcastle-united-91466-31005641/
Delme Parfitt: Brendan Rodgers not big enough name for top Premier League club
FIRST Chelsea, then Tottenham, next Aston Villa then Liverpool…you wonder how many more Premier League clubs Brendan Rodgers will be linked with before the summer is out. It is of course testament to how well he is doing at Swansea City, a ringing endorsement of the thrilling play-off promotion he won 12 months ago and [...]
Drogba finishes roller-coaster Champions League final on top
Didier Drogba celebrates after his goal in the 88th minute ties the match 1-1. (Getty Images) MUNICH — From hero to villain, to man of the match. Didier Drogba went through the full range of emotions on a night when he delivered the first Champions League title to Chelsea, in perhaps his last [...]
