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Premiership - Sanchez quits Northern Ireland for Fulham job (Fri, 11 May 2007 15:26:00 GMT)
Lawrie Sanchez has quit the Northern Ireland manager's job with immediate effect to take the reins at Fulham.
Premiership - Premiership preview (Fri, 11 May 2007 16:19:00 GMT)
Sheffield United, Wigan and West Ham all have their destiny in their own hands but one will be relegated from the Premiership on Sunday.
Euro 2008 qual. - Hamilton praises Sanchez (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:21:00 GMT)
Ex-Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton has praised departed boss Lawrie Sanchez and thinks Nigel Worthington would be the ideal choice.
Premiership - Fowler to leave Liverpool (Fri, 11 May 2007 15:14:00 GMT)
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has confirmed that he will leave Liverpool after being told that his contract will not be extended.
Premiership - Wenger confirms Arsenal's keeper signing (Fri, 11 May 2007 13:14:00 GMT)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will join the club at the end of the Polish season.
Premiership - Dawson pens new deal (Fri, 11 May 2007 13:00:00 GMT)
Defender Michael Dawson has agreed a new contract with Tottenham, tying him to the White Hart Lane club until 2012.
Premiership - Curbishley: We will not be overawed (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:58:00 GMT)
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley said the big occasion would not overawe his side on Sunday after their tribulations of the last few years.
Premiership - Warnock eyes prize (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:55:00 GMT)
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is eyeing the prize of Premiership survival - for the club and his own status within it.
Serie AÂ -Â Weekend preview: Giants eye Europe (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:44:00 GMT)
Lazio and Milan will book their places in next season's Champions League qualifying round if they manage victories in Serie A on Sunday.
Serie AÂ -Â Lopez: Concentration required (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:43:00 GMT)
Cagliari defender Diego Lopez has warned his team-mates to avoid complacency as they try to guarantee their top flight status.


BBC
Sanchez quits NI for Fulham post (Fri, 11 May 2007 12:42:49 GMT)
Lawrie Sanchez resigns as Northern Ireland manager to take over at Fulham.
Fowler to leave Anfield in summer (Fri, 11 May 2007 12:32:37 GMT)
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler confirms his contract will not be extended at the end of this season.
Man City to decide Barton future (Fri, 11 May 2007 08:52:55 GMT)
Man City say the future of Joey Barton will be decided at a meeting with club officials on Tuesday.
Woodgate eases fears over injury (Fri, 11 May 2007 12:36:58 GMT)
Middlesbrough's Jonathan Woodgate says he will be fit for next season despite undergoing knee surgery.
Arsenal to sign keeper Fabianski (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:00:01 GMT)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms the signing of Poland keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Dawson extends Spurs deal (Fri, 11 May 2007 09:52:28 GMT)
Defender Michael Dawson signs an extension to his current contract which will keep him at Tottenham until 2012.
Wembley's Moore statue unveiled (Fri, 11 May 2007 13:10:54 GMT)
A statue of Bobby Moore is unveiled outside the new Wembley by the widow of the former England captain.
SA hits back over 2010 World Cup (Fri, 11 May 2007 15:26:23 GMT)
South Africa are unhappy at the recent reports suggesting they will not be ready to host the 2010 World Cup.
Tevez questions West Ham future (Fri, 11 May 2007 09:10:44 GMT)
West Ham forward Carlos Tevez admits he does not know where he will be next season.
Refs' chief denies Poll will quit (Fri, 11 May 2007 12:26:40 GMT)
Referees chief Keith Hackett says Graham Poll is not about to quit, but will not confirm he will carry on next season.
England (Sun, 06 May 2007 18:23:48 GMT)
BBC Sport keeps tabs on the promotion and relegation issues and the race for Europe
Scotland (Mon, 07 May 2007 21:21:55 GMT)
BBC Sport provides an overview of the closing stages of the season in Scotland
Predictor (Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:56:51 GMT)
Can you predict who will win the title and who will go down?
UEFA
Schalke awaiting derby of destiny (Fri, 11 May 2007 23:55:00 GMT)
Top of the table with two games to go, FC Schalke 04 could claim their first Bundesliga title at the home of their arch-rivals BV Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Perrin perfect for slick Sochaux (Fri, 11 May 2007 23:50:00 GMT)
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard coach Alain Perrin faces his old club Olympique de Marseille in the French Cup final attempting to crown a terrific campaign with a trophy.
Fowler leaving, Leiva joining (Fri, 11 May 2007 19:53:00 GMT)
Liverpool FC manager Rafael BenÃ*tez will allow Robbie Fowler to leave in the summer when he will welcome talented Brazil U20 midfielder Lucas Leiva to Anfield.
Hosts and holders name likely lads (Fri, 11 May 2007 19:01:00 GMT)
Players from AFC Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord dominate Foppe de Haan's provisional 30-man Netherlands squad for the European U21 showpiece.
Sanchez quits Northern Ireland (Fri, 11 May 2007 18:53:00 GMT)
Lawrie Sanchez has stepped down as manager of Northern Ireland after being asked to take permanent charge of English Premiership strugglers Fulham FC.
Spartak out to break CSKA jinx (Fri, 11 May 2007 21:58:00 GMT)
Vladimir Fedotov's FC Spartak Moskva will look to end a six-year wait for a win against champions PFC CSKA Moskva when Russia's top two meet on Saturday.
Marchisio joins Italy party (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:59:00 GMT)
Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is the new face in Italy's provisional 30-man squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands.
Pudil returns to Czech fold (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:58:00 GMT)
Midfielder Daniel Pudil is in the Czech Republic's 30-man provisional squad for the UEFA European U21 Championship after a spell in the senior ranks.
Djukić calls on Serbia novices (Fri, 11 May 2007 17:56:00 GMT)
Newcomers Aleksandar Kesić, Dušan Tadić and Filip Djordjević have been named in Serbia's provisional 30-man squad for the U21 finals in the Netherlands.
Lille appeal turned down (Fri, 11 May 2007 15:57:20 GMT)
UEFA rejects LOSC Lille Métropole's appeal against a fine for violation of safety and security provisions.
Sychev continues Lokomotiv journey (Fri, 11 May 2007 13:40:02 GMT)
Russian international striker Dmitri Sychev has added four and a half years to his contract with FC Lokomotiv Moskva and will play for the capital club until 2011.
Sevilla get more of MartÃ* (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:59:02 GMT)
Sevilla FC midfielder José Luis MartÃ* has agreed a two-year contract extension, binding him to the UEFA Cup finalists until the summer of 2010.
Getafe revel in Barça's misery (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:57:00 GMT)
Champagne flowed at Getafe CF as they knocked FC Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals on "one of the toughest nights" of Frank Rijkaard's career. Frank Rijkaard was left to reflect upon "one of the toughest night's I've had" after FC Barcelona lost 4-0 at Getafe CF to miss out on the Copa del Rey final.
Antunes fresh for U21 finals bid (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:50:00 GMT)
Full-back Antunes is sure Portugal will go "beyond their limits" as they go from a hectic domestic season into the Under-21 finals in the Netherlands.
Woodgate out of Estonia match (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:46:08 GMT)
Middlesbrough FC's Jonathan Woodgate will miss England's UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ qualifier in Estonia as he is due to undergo exploratory surgery on his knee.
Saarinen sure of Finland's strengths (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:46:01 GMT)
Having now played in all four of the top Nordic leagues, FC Honka Espoo's Janne Saarinen is convinced that Finnish football has nothing to be ashamed of.
PSV release Kluivert and Reiziger (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:40:00 GMT)
Patrick Kluivert and Michael Reiziger will leave PSV Eindhoven in the summer after the Dutch champions decided not to renew their expiring contracts.
'We like to make it difficult' (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:08:00 GMT)
England striker Rhys Murphy and goalkeeper Jason Steele reflected on the nervy defeat of France last night that took them into their first Under-17 final.
Dawson nets Tottenham extension (Fri, 11 May 2007 11:07:29 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur FC defender Michael Dawson, who has played 57 games this season, has signed a contract extension that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2012.
Trio take first Scotland steps (Fri, 11 May 2007 10:30:51 GMT)
Allan Hutton, Charlie Adam and Jay McEveley have received their first Scotland call-ups for the qualifier in the Faroe Islands and a friendly against Austria.
 

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BBC
Houllier steps down as Lyon coach (Fri, 25 May 2007 14:41:13 GMT)
Lyon coach Gerard Houllier parts company with the French champions.
McClaren tight-lipped on Beckham (Fri, 25 May 2007 12:59:35 GMT)
England coach Steve McClaren refuses to play down growing speculation David Beckham will win an international recall.
O'Connor returns to Scots squad (Fri, 25 May 2007 16:48:44 GMT)
Garry O'Connor is recalled to the Scotland squad for the first time since going missing ahead of October's visit to Ukraine.
Benayoun signs West Ham deal (Fri, 25 May 2007 13:23:25 GMT)
West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun signs a new five-year contract.
Eriksson tells Man City to call (Fri, 25 May 2007 13:49:32 GMT)
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson tells Man City to give him a call over their managerial vacancy.
Newcastle call for Ashley meeting (Fri, 25 May 2007 15:51:14 GMT)
Newcastle's board request a meeting with potential new owner Mike Ashley.
Allen named new Leicester boss (Fri, 25 May 2007 10:15:09 GMT)
Leicester City appoint Martin Allen as their new manager.
Adu delivers warning to Beckham (Fri, 25 May 2007 15:59:26 GMT)
US midfielder Freddie Adu says David Beckham's profile could fade very quickly if he does not shine when he joins LA Galaxy.
Hearts challenge Webster ruling (Fri, 25 May 2007 16:36:21 GMT)
Hearts tell Fifa they want more from Andy Webster than the £625,000 compensation awarded against the Wigan defender.
Dunfermline Athletic v Celtic (Fri, 25 May 2007 13:12:56 GMT)
Team news ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.
League Two play-off final preview (Fri, 25 May 2007 10:09:39 GMT)
Danny Wilson previews the League Two play-off final
McClaren must resist Beckham call (Fri, 25 May 2007 12:08:51 GMT)
Terry Butcher on the possible comeback of the ex-England captain
Key battles: Dunfermline-Celtic (Thu, 24 May 2007 10:51:13 GMT)
BBC Sport on where the Scottish Cup final will be won and lost
UEFA
Ancelotti's odyssey is complete (Fri, 25 May 2007 23:45:00 GMT)
Also-rans in Athens six months ago, AC Milan were turned around by Carlo Ancelotti to such an extent they conquered Europe on their next visit to the city.
uefa.com users crown Kaká (Fri, 25 May 2007 23:15:00 GMT)
AC Milan's Brazil star Kaká is the Vodafone Fans' Player of the Season after over 25,000 uefa.com users voted for the UEFA Champions League winner.
Stuttgart seek icing on the cake (Fri, 25 May 2007 23:04:00 GMT)
Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart can add their name to the list of recent double winners when they tackle 1. FC Nürnberg in Saturday's German Cup final.
High stakes in Belgian Cup final (Fri, 25 May 2007 23:01:00 GMT)
There is more than just a trophy on offer when the fallen giants of Club Brugge KV and R. Standard de Liège meet in the Belgian Cup final on Saturday night.
Poland set for last-day drama (Fri, 25 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT)
There is sure to be a surprise champion in Poland on Saturday with Zaglebie Lubin looking to hold off GKS Belchatow in the final round of Ekstraklasa matches.
Last chance looms for AZ and Ajax (Fri, 25 May 2007 23:02:00 GMT)
AZ Alkmaar can snatch glory from a season of near misses when they face AFC Ajax for a UEFA Champions League place in the Eredivisie play-off final second leg.
Zeta one step from Montenegrin first (Fri, 25 May 2007 19:00:00 GMT)
The inaugural Montenegrin championship will be decided on Saturday with FK Zeta looking to hold off FK Budućnost Podgorica on the last day of the season.
French EURO rights awarded (Fri, 25 May 2007 17:19:03 GMT)
UEFA signed an agreement with TF1 and M6 for the TV broadcast rights of UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ in France.
Germany starlet Jansen joins Bayern (Fri, 25 May 2007 17:06:00 GMT)
FC Bayern München have signed 21-year-old German international Marcell Jansen from relegated VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach as they prepare for the UEFA Cup.
Juninho extends Lyon stay (Fri, 25 May 2007 17:06:00 GMT)
Juninho Pernambucano has signed a two-year contract extension with French champions Olympique Lyonnais, keeping him at the club until June 2010.
UEFA extends accreditation deadline (Fri, 25 May 2007 17:00:50 GMT)
UEFA has extended the deadline to apply for accreditation for media wishing to cover the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals - from 25 May to 3 June.
Ceulemans set for Westerlo return (Fri, 25 May 2007 15:52:54 GMT)
KVC Westerlo have announced that former Belgian international Jan Ceulemans will be their coach for the next three seasons following his short reign at Club Brugge KV.
Glory days for Favre and Zürich (Fri, 25 May 2007 15:51:00 GMT)
FC Zürich captain Hannu Tihinen said he was "on top of the world" as his side celebrated winning the Swiss Super League title with a late-night tour of their city.
Soldado gets Spain's approval (Fri, 25 May 2007 14:50:00 GMT)
Roberto Soldado has taken the place of the injured Fernando Morientes in the Spain squad for the UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ games against Latvia and Liechtenstein.
Kuhn's company prepare for success (Fri, 25 May 2007 14:31:49 GMT)
Switzerland have unveiled the management team that will take charge of the EURO co-hosts with coach Jakob Kuhn working alongside new team manager Adrian Knup.
Netherlands take Slory to Asia (Fri, 25 May 2007 12:44:30 GMT)
Andwele Slory has received his first call-up as the Netherlands prepare for their friendly fixtures against Korea Republic and Thailand in south-east Asia.
Hit squad join in finals countdown (Fri, 25 May 2007 11:06:47 GMT)
The UEFA Hit Squad were a prominent presence at the 21 Days to Go promotional event that took place on 21 May in the four cities to host the U21 finals.
Kozulin set for Kazakhstan bow (Fri, 25 May 2007 11:00:09 GMT)
FC Ordabasy Shymkent defender Sergey Kozulin could make his competitive debut for Kazakhstan in either of their UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ home qualifiers in June.
Samuel signing boosts Bolton (Fri, 25 May 2007 09:59:48 GMT)
Bolton Wanderers FC manager Sammy Lee has captured Aston Villa FC defender Jlloyd Samuel on a free transfer as he looks to build ahead of their UEFA Cup campaign.
Vardar take fifth Macedonian Cup (Fri, 25 May 2007 09:46:36 GMT)
FK Vardar will play in the first qualifying round of next season's UEFA Cup after beating league leaders FK Pobeda 2-1 in Thursday's Macedonian Cup final.
 

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BBC
Derby secure place in Premiership (Mon, 28 May 2007 15:52:36 GMT)
Stephen Pearson scores as Derby beat West Brom 1-0 in the Championship play-off final for a place in next season's Premiership.
Keane signs new Spurs deal (Mon, 28 May 2007 13:56:56 GMT)
Tottenham striker Robbie Keane commits himself to the club for another five years.
Crouch backed to stay at Anfield (Mon, 28 May 2007 09:59:42 GMT)
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says manager Rafael Benitez has told him he has a future at the club.
Berger agrees to remain at Villa (Mon, 28 May 2007 11:54:16 GMT)
Aston Villa midfielder Patrik Berger will sign a one-year contract extension with the club.
Emergency op for Gascoigne (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:03:19 GMT)
Former England star Paul Gascoigne is recovering in hospital after emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer.
Platini asks clubs to disband G14 (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:32:04 GMT)
Uefa president Michel Platini calls for Europe's elite clubs to disband the pressure group G14.
Nigerian FA angry with Chelsea (Mon, 28 May 2007 15:54:34 GMT)
The Nigeria FA orders Chelsea to release John Mikel Obi for next Saturday's Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda.
Nugent delays move decision (Mon, 28 May 2007 14:21:42 GMT)
Preston striker David Nugent will wait until after the European Under-21 Championships before making a decision on his future.
Tim Vickery column (Mon, 28 May 2007 11:26:27 GMT)
"Many Brazilian journalists had never heard of Afonso Alves"
Play-off final photos (Mon, 28 May 2007 14:49:43 GMT)
Derby beat West Brom to clinch promotion to the Premiership
Kevin Ratcliffe on Wales (Sun, 27 May 2007 15:10:01 GMT)
"The partnership of Gabbidon and Collins is a major concern"
UEFA
Platini - A new and innovative page (Mon, 28 May 2007 23:10:00 GMT)
UEFA President Michel Platini has looked forward to a new and innovative page in football history in the wake of the extraordinary UEFA Congress in Zurich.
Congress approves Statute changes (Mon, 28 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT)
At its extraordinary meeting in Zurich, the UEFA Congress has voted to approve changes to the UEFA Statutes proposed by the UEFA Executive Committee.
Platini calls for football unity (Mon, 28 May 2007 22:50:00 GMT)
UEFA President Michel Platini has called on the football family to make peace with each other in his opening address at the tenth extraordinary UEFA Congress.
Liverpool sign Hungary starlets (Mon, 28 May 2007 18:03:00 GMT)
Liverpool FC have continued to build for the future by acquiring Hungarian youth international duo Krisztián Németh and András Simon, both from MTK Budapest.
Basturk makes Stuttgart move (Mon, 28 May 2007 18:00:00 GMT)
German champions VfB Stuttgart have signed the 28-year-old Turkey midfielder Yildiray Basturk from Bundesliga rivals Hertha BSC Berlin on a free transfer.
Tottenham to keep Keane (Mon, 28 May 2007 17:51:00 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur FC striker Robbie Keane has signed a new five-year contract that will keep the Republic of Ireland international at the club until 2012.
Championship joy for Zaglebie (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:35:52 GMT)
After one of the most exciting finishes to the Polish season in recent years, Zaglebie Lubin have won the title for the second time following their success of 1991.
In-form Inzaghi back in Italy squad (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:34:00 GMT)
Having fired AC Milan to UEFA Champions League glory last week, Filippo Inzaghi has been recalled for Group B qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania.
Experienced look to Jong Oranje (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:32:00 GMT)
Uncapped Newcastle United FC goalkeeper Tim Krul lines up alongside six past winners in the final Netherlands' UEFA European U21 Championship squad.
Totti edges clear in goal chase (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:30:00 GMT)
ESM Golden Shoe: Francesco Totti scored twice in AS Roma's final game of the season to move clear at the top in the race to finish as Europe's leading marksman.
Lyon hand Réveillère new deal (Mon, 28 May 2007 16:29:00 GMT)
French champions Olympique Lyonnais have handed full-back Anthony Réveillère a new four-year contract, keeping him at the Stade de Gerland until 2011.
Toulouse enjoy unlikely passage (Mon, 28 May 2007 15:45:00 GMT)
Few teams will take a more unlikely route into UEFA Champions League qualifying than Toulouse FC, who finished third in France's Ligue 1 against all the odds.
Slovakia missing key trio (Mon, 28 May 2007 14:09:53 GMT)
Slovakia coach Ján Kocian will be without Marek Mintál, Martin Jakubko and Szilárd Németh when his side meet Germany in a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier on 6 June.
Nürnberg bask in return to glory (Mon, 28 May 2007 13:45:00 GMT)
After two generations of frustration, 1. FC Nürnberg fans turned out in huge numbers to hail the German Cup winners - "a beautiful moment" said Hans Meyer.
Marseille make double signing (Mon, 28 May 2007 13:20:00 GMT)
Olympique de Marseille have boosted their squad for next term's UEFA Champions League by signing Jacques Faty and Vincent Gragnic on three-year deals.
BenÃ*tez's new Reds blueprint (Mon, 28 May 2007 13:00:36 GMT)
Reaching the UEFA Champions League final again was not enough for manager Rafael BenÃ*tez who now aims to rebuild Liverpool FC with some big-name signings.
Lucescu makes Rapid exit (Mon, 28 May 2007 11:40:00 GMT)
AFC Rapid Bucuresti, Romanian Cup final winners on Saturday, and high-flying CFR Ecomax Cluj-Napoca will enter next season's UEFA Cup with new coaches.
Slovakia mourning forward KrejÄ?Ã* (Mon, 28 May 2007 10:46:59 GMT)
Slovakian football is mourning the death of Marek KrejÄ?Ã*, a 26-year-old forward who earned one cap, in a car accident in Germany on Saturday.
Mintál setback for Slovakia (Mon, 28 May 2007 10:33:00 GMT)
Marek Mintál suffered a knee ligament injury in Saturday's German Cup final victory, ruling him out of a return to the country in Slovakia colours next week.
Thrilling end to Israeli season (Mon, 28 May 2007 09:27:55 GMT)
The Israeli season ended in a thrilling Tel-Aviv derby on Sunday, a match which contrasted with one of the most lacklustre campaigns in recent memory.
 

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BBC
Ferdinand, Dawson out for England (Tue, 29 May 2007 13:15:41 GMT)
Rio Ferdinand and Michael Dawson pull out of England's matches against Brazil and Estonia with groin injuries.
Hargreaves near Man Utd move (Tue, 29 May 2007 12:30:05 GMT)
Owen Hargreaves is expected to complete his transfer to Manchester United next week, BBC Sport understands.
FA to have independent chairman (Tue, 29 May 2007 13:49:29 GMT)
The Football Association will have an independent chairman after voting in favour of Lord Burns' structural review.
Derby chief seeks Davies talks (Tue, 29 May 2007 09:11:51 GMT)
Derby chairman Peter Gadsby is to have discussions with Billy Davies to clarify the future of the Rams manager.
Everton target £4m Jagielka deal (Tue, 29 May 2007 14:51:17 GMT)
Everton are closing in on a £4m deal for Sheffield United's Phil Jagielka.
Bates warning over Leeds future (Tue, 29 May 2007 17:13:05 GMT)
Leeds chairman Ken Bates believes the club will find it hard to survive if creditors vote against his bid to buy back the Yorkshire side.
Pompey's Muntari talks drag on (Tue, 29 May 2007 15:43:54 GMT)
Portsmouth are still to finalise terms with Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari over his £7m signing.
Fulham plan spending spree (Tue, 29 May 2007 12:14:09 GMT)
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed promises manager Lawrie Sanchez "significant funds" will be made available for players this summer.
McLeish unfazed by Scots injuries (Tue, 29 May 2007 14:30:21 GMT)
Scotland manager Alex McLeish says he can cope with a lengthy casualty list ahead of the friendly in Austria.
Referee Poll confirms retirement (Tue, 29 May 2007 15:33:22 GMT)
Premiership referee Graham Poll, who caused controversy at the 2006 World Cup, is to retire after Finland's Euro 2008 qualifier with Belgium.
Can Derby stay in the Premiership? (Tue, 29 May 2007 13:45:08 GMT)
How Derby County must try to build on their play-off success
End of the road for England (Tue, 29 May 2007 11:18:13 GMT)
Wembley's return halts the England team's tour of the nation
UEFA
AEK ambition appeals to Rivaldo (Tue, 29 May 2007 23:42:00 GMT)
AEK Athens FC have signed Rivaldo on a free transfer after the veteran Brazilian forward ended his three-season stay with Greek champions Olympiacos CFP.
Gerets splits with Galatasaray (Tue, 29 May 2007 22:03:00 GMT)
Belgian coach Erik Gerets has parted company with Galatasaray SK by mutual consent after the Istanbul club failed to hold on to their Turkish league crown.
Witschge endorses U21 finals (Tue, 29 May 2007 14:59:15 GMT)
The UEFA European Under-21 Championship received heavyweight backing in Amsterdam as the promotional tour advertising the event reached the big Dutch city.
Eintracht take chance on Inamoto (Tue, 29 May 2007 14:52:14 GMT)
Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt have signed Japanese international midfielder Junichi Inamoto from Galatasaray SK on a two-year deal until summer 2009.
Platini - A new and innovative page (Mon, 28 May 2007 23:10:00 GMT)
UEFA President Michel Platini has looked forward to a new and innovative page in football history in the wake of the extraordinary UEFA Congress in Zurich.
Friedrich leaves Mainz for Leverkusen (Tue, 29 May 2007 19:04:00 GMT)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed German international defender Manuel Friedrich from relegated Bundesliga rivals 1. FSV Mainz 05 for an undisclosed fee.
Braga pick up César Peixoto (Tue, 29 May 2007 16:29:04 GMT)
Europe-bound SC Braga have signed César Peixoto from FC Porto for an undisclosed fee, with the versatile midfielder agreeing a three-year contract.
McDonald takes reins at Glentoran (Tue, 29 May 2007 15:55:26 GMT)
Glentoran FC have appointed Alan McDonald as manager after their initial choice for the job, Roy Walker, was found to lack the necessary coaching certificates.
Georgia to go on without Arveladze (Tue, 29 May 2007 12:06:38 GMT)
AZ Alkmaar's Georgian forward Shota Arveladze has announced his international retirement ahead of next month's Group B games against Lithuania and France.
Finland urged to fight for points (Tue, 29 May 2007 11:52:24 GMT)
Finland coach Roy Hodgson is staying confident despite his squad being short on fitness for their Group A double-header against Serbia and Belgium.
Young Boys suffer Shi Jun setback (Tue, 29 May 2007 11:13:26 GMT)
BSC Young Boys' preparations for next season's UEFA Cup have been hit by the news that striker Shi Jun will be sidelined for three months with torn knee ligaments.
Mouscron move for Leekens again (Tue, 29 May 2007 10:30:01 GMT)
R. Excelsior Mouscron have announced that the former Belgium coach Georges Leekens will take charge of the club for the third time next season.
Dinamo cheer but Charleroi fall (Tue, 29 May 2007 10:01:41 GMT)
UEFA Futsal Cup holders MFK Dinamo Moskva have clinched the Russian title - but Action 21 Charleroi's hold on the Belgian league crown is over.
Solid foundation inspires Sparta (Tue, 29 May 2007 08:12:36 GMT)
A resolute rearguard ensured AC Sparta Praha are plotting a UEFA Champions League return after the league title was added to their Czech Cup success.
Congress approves changes (Mon, 28 May 2007 23:00:00 GMT)
UEFA's Congress voted to approve changes to the Statutes proposed by the Executive Committee.
Platini plea for football unity (Mon, 28 May 2007 22:50:00 GMT)
The UEFA President called on the football family to make peace with each other.
Gillot quits after Lens collapse (Mon, 28 May 2007 20:28:46 GMT)
Francis Gillot has stepped down as coach of RC Lens after the club missed out on a UEFA Champions League place on the final day of the Ligue 1 season.
Czech double delight for Sparta (Mon, 28 May 2007 19:53:22 GMT)
AC Sparta Praha became the first club to do the double in the Czech Republic after following their Czech Cup victory with a title-clinching 5-0 win against SIAD Most.
Liverpool sign Hungary starlets (Mon, 28 May 2007 18:03:00 GMT)
Liverpool FC have continued to build for the future by acquiring Hungarian youth international duo Krisztián Németh and András Simon, both from MTK Budapest.
Basturk makes Stuttgart move (Mon, 28 May 2007 18:00:00 GMT)
German champions VfB Stuttgart have signed the 28-year-old Turkey midfielder Yildiray Basturk from Bundesliga rivals Hertha BSC Berlin on a free transfer.
 

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BBC
Man Utd seal deal for Hargreaves (Thu, 31 May 2007 11:16:37 GMT)
Man Utd confirm England midfielder Owen Hargreaves will join them from Bayern Munich on 1 July.
Worthington set to be NI manager (Thu, 31 May 2007 13:58:52 GMT)
Nigel Worthington is to be unveiled as the new Northern Ireland manager on Friday, BBC Sport understands.
Terry ready to save McClaren (Thu, 31 May 2007 11:30:31 GMT)
England skipper John Terry admits coach Steve McClaren could lose his job if they lose in Estonia.
Newcastle consider Ashley offer (Thu, 31 May 2007 14:19:11 GMT)
Newcastle are considering an offer from Mike Ashley after talks with the businessman on Thursday.
Shorey and Brown set for England (Thu, 31 May 2007 10:05:33 GMT)
Wes Brown and Nicky Shorey could be drafted into the England side for the friendly against Brazil.
West Ham close on £7m Parker (Thu, 31 May 2007 07:27:14 GMT)
West Ham fight off late interest from Tottenham to move in on a £7m deal for Newcastle's Scott Parker.
Man Utd go for Anderson & Nani (Thu, 31 May 2007 06:50:33 GMT)
Man Utd agree "in principle" deals to sign FC Porto's Anderson and Sporting Lisbon's Nani.
Celtic confirm signing of Killen (Thu, 31 May 2007 13:12:13 GMT)
Hibernian striker Chris Killen signs for Celtic instead of Cardiff.
Estonia coach fearful of the sack (Thu, 31 May 2007 06:10:35 GMT)
Estonia coach Jelle Goes is worried he will lose his job if his side lose to Croatia and England in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Blatter secures third Fifa term (Thu, 31 May 2007 12:28:44 GMT)
Sepp Blatter will continue as Fifa president after standing as the only candidate for the post.
Lineker on Beckham and England (Thu, 31 May 2007 06:18:18 GMT)
"Beckham's return could save Steve McClaren his job"
Who are Anderson & Nani? (Thu, 31 May 2007 12:33:35 GMT)
BBC Sport gets the lowdown on Man Utd's expected new arrivals
Why are Brazil so good? (Thu, 31 May 2007 06:36:00 GMT)
Brazil greats on the chemistry that makes them so successful
UEFA
Positive welcome for Strategy Council (Thu, 31 May 2007 23:59:00 GMT)
The creation of UEFA's Professional Football Strategy Council, bringing together clubs, leagues and players, has been afforded a positive welcome in many circles.
Hargreaves heads United acquisitions (Thu, 31 May 2007 23:58:00 GMT)
Manchester United FC have signed Owen Hargreaves from FC Bayern München, with FC Porto's Anderson and Sporting Clube de Portugal winger Nani to follow.
Inter tie up Júlio César deal (Thu, 31 May 2007 23:27:00 GMT)
FC Internazionale Milano have secured a deal to keep Júlio César at the San Siro until 2012, with the Brazil goalkeeper accepting a four-year contract extension.
Magath handed power at Wolfsburg (Thu, 31 May 2007 22:30:00 GMT)
Felix Magath has reached agreement with Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg to become their English-style boss, acting as sporting manager in addition to head coach.
Injuries impede Italy and Israel (Thu, 31 May 2007 22:27:00 GMT)
Italy and Israel are among the countries having to think again as injury problems take their toll on plans for Saturday and Wednesday's EURO qualifying games.
'Football on the Coke side of life' (Thu, 31 May 2007 22:27:00 GMT)
With nearly one year to go before UEFA EURO 2008â„¢, UEFA's EUROTOP partner Coca-Cola is already warming up for the big tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
Celtic swoop for Killen (Thu, 31 May 2007 20:47:00 GMT)
Celtic FC have strengthened their attacking options for next season by signing Hibernian FC's New Zealand international Chris Killen on a three-year contract.
Stuttgart delighted with Delpierre (Thu, 31 May 2007 19:37:00 GMT)
VfB Stuttgart have handed French defender Matthieu Delpierre a new contract to keep him with the German champions until summer 2012 but Benjamin Lauth is leaving.
Flachi to sit out 16 months (Thu, 31 May 2007 19:35:00 GMT)
UC Sampdoria captain Francesco Flachi has been suspended for 16 months, ruling him out of the 2007/08 season, after he tested positive for a banned substance.
Opportunity knocks for Portugal pair (Thu, 31 May 2007 19:21:00 GMT)
Newcomers Duda and Bruno Alves hope for a first chance to prove their worth for Portugal as Luiz Felipe Scolari's side take on Belgium and Kuwait this week.
Giggs to remain the Welsh wizard (Thu, 31 May 2007 16:48:00 GMT)
After ending his 16-year career with Wales on Saturday, Ryan Giggs will be remembered as the greatest player to have donned the famous red jersey.
Bentley drive to energise England (Thu, 31 May 2007 16:45:00 GMT)
England coach Stuart Pearce has told uefa.com that he had no hesitation about selecting the "outstanding" David Bentley in his 23-man squad for the finals.
Strasser back for Luxembourg (Thu, 31 May 2007 12:13:39 GMT)
Luxembourg welcome back Jeff Strasser for their double-header against Albania with Portuguese-born forward Daniel Da Mota also named in Guy Hellers' selection.
Stocklasa nears Liechtenstein milestone (Thu, 31 May 2007 12:13:08 GMT)
Michael Stocklasa is set to win his 50th cap for Liechtenstein on Saturday after being named in a 19-man squad to face Iceland and Spain by coach Hans-Peter Zaugg.
Rudar celebrate historic cup triumph (Thu, 31 May 2007 10:08:24 GMT)
FC Rudar Pljevlja have become the first winners of the Montenegro Cup with a 2-1 victory against FK Sutjeska in Podgorica, much to the delight of coach Mirko Marić.
Kasımpaşaspor move up in Turkey (Thu, 31 May 2007 10:08:00 GMT)
Kasımpaşaspor will be the fifth Istanbul team to compete in the Turkish top flight next season after their success in the domestic promotion play-offs.
Double life suits Escura (Thu, 31 May 2007 09:51:00 GMT)
Andorra stars Jordi Escura and Toni Lima are expecting another exciting break from the day job in the upcoming qualifiers against Russia and Israel.
Tuncay ready for new chapter (Thu, 31 May 2007 09:51:00 GMT)
Tuncay Sanli told uefa.com he will ponder a move "to play abroad" after Turkey's bid to hang on to the Group C lead in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.
Riou ready for Toulouse step (Thu, 31 May 2007 09:40:29 GMT)
The 27-year-old goalkeeper Rudy Riou has become Toulouse FC's first signing of the summer as they contemplate a first crack at the UEFA Champions League.
All change for Belenenses (Thu, 31 May 2007 08:07:00 GMT)
CF OS Belenenses have begun a major overhaul of their squad as they prepare to improve on their fifth-place finish in Portugal and compete in the UEFA Cup.
 

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BBC
Giggs bows out in Czech stalemate (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 15:59:15 GMT)
Ryan Giggs ends his international career as Wales hold the Czech Republic to a 0-0 draw in Cardiff.
Wales future looks bright - Giggs (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:45:18 GMT)
Wales captain Ryan Giggs retires from internationals hailing the draw with the Czech Republic as 'a benchmark performance'.
Referee abandons Euro qualifier (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:29:25 GMT)
Sweden's Euro 2008 qualifier away to Denmark is abandoned after a fan tries to attack the referee in Copenhagen.
Croatia hold on to Group E edge (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:45:07 GMT)
Croatia, Russia and Israel all record wins to pull away from England at the top of Group E.
Pennant aims for England's right (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:09:29 GMT)
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant tells BBC Sport he could be the man to play on the right of midfield for England.
England return delights Beckham (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:46:06 GMT)
David Beckham thanks England fans for helping to make his international return a special one.
McClaren hails Beckham display (Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:28:02 GMT)
England coach Steve McClaren hails David Beckham as the best right-sided midfielder in the world after England's draw with Brazil.
Chelsea complete Pizarro signing (Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:18:53 GMT)
Chelsea sign Bayern Munich's Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro on a free transfer.
O'Neill hints at Davis exit fears (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 16:27:19 GMT)
Martin O'Neill reveals that Steven Davis' lack of first team opportunities could persuade the youngster to seek pastures new.
It's just not like watching Brazil (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:05:28 GMT)
Why the magic is missing from football's greatest show
BBC pundits on England v Brazil (Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:16:45 GMT)
Alan Hansen and Co reflect on England's friendly against Brazil
England v Brazil photos (Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:32:31 GMT)
England draw in their first game at the new Wembley
UEFA
Turkey thwarted by Ćustović winner (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:55:00 GMT)
Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-2 Turkey
Adnan Ćustović scored a dramatic last-gasp winner to revive Bosnia-Herzegovina's aspirations of qualifying.
Second-half strikes spur France forward (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:33:00 GMT)
France 2-0 Ukraine
Franck Ribéry and Nicolas Anelka struck second-half goals as the home side took command of Group B.
Solid Spain continue to climb (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:33:00 GMT)
Latvia 0-2 Spain
The visitors earned a third successive Group F win thanks to goals from David Villa and Xavi Hernández.
Inzaghi double just enough for Italy (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:25:00 GMT)
Faroe Islands 1-2 Italy
The home side provided the world champions with a nasty fright in Torshavn after Filippo Inzaghi's double.
Copenhagen contest called off (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:20:00 GMT)
An investigation is to be launched after referee Herbert Fandel abandoned the Group F qualifier between Denmark and Sweden in Copenhagen.
Greece seize Group C initiative (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:15:00 GMT)
Greece 2-0 Hungary An authoritative first-half showing in Crete helped lift the defending European champions to the top of their section.
Postiga keeps Portugal pressing (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:07:00 GMT)
Belgium 1-2 Portugal Hélder Postiga hit a sumptuous long-range winner in Brussels as Portugal kept the pressure firmly on Group A leaders Poland.
Germany clear after six-goal romp (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:07:00 GMT)
Germany 6-0 San Marino Germany edged closer to the finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ with an emphatic win in Nuremberg.
Kerzhakov treble overwhelms Andorra (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:50:00 GMT)
Russia 4-0 Andorra Aleksandr Kerzhakov's hat-trick helped earn a solid Group E victory against David Rodrigo's visitors.
Baku comeback pushes Poland on (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:45:00 GMT)
Azerbaijan 1-3 Poland Jacek Krzynówek scored twice and made another as the Group A leaders came from behind to win in Baku.
Berbatov at the double for Bulgaria (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:45:00 GMT)
Belarus 0-2 Bulgaria A virtuoso display from Dimitar Berbatov inspired the visitors to produce a polished away performance.
Romania rise to Group G summit (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:30:00 GMT)
Slovenia 1-2 Romania The visitors lead Group G on goal difference after winning in Celje thanks to goals from Gabriel Tamas and Banel Nicolita.
Streller leaves Switzerland satisfied (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:17:26 GMT)
Switzerland 1-1 Argentina A quick-thinking Marco Streller ensured a respectable friendly draw for the co-hosts in rain-sodden Basle.
Estonia undone by Eduardo (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:11:00 GMT)
Estonia 0-1 Croatia Another Eduardo da Silva goal has kept Croatia on course for the finals and left Estonia still looking for a first goal.
Norway march to Malta victory (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:50:00 GMT)
Norway 4-0 Malta The home team got their qualification hopes back on track in Oslo after three Group C games with a win.
Israel hold on for welcome win (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:15:00 GMT)
F.Y.R. Macedonia 1-2 Israel Barak Itzhaki scored on his debut but it was Dudu Awat who was the hero as the visitors prevailed.
Serbia soar after Helsinki triumph (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT)
Finland 0-2 Serbia Boško Janković and Milan Jovanović scored as Serbia secured a vital win to stay in contention in Group A.
Czech Republic keep Wales at bay (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:59:00 GMT)
Wales 0-0 Czech Republic The visitors stayed in Group D contention and ensured Ryan Giggs would not enjoy a farewell win with Wales in Cardiff.
Awayday win cheers Armenia (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:45:00 GMT)
Kazakhstan 1-2 Armenia The visitors moved off the bottom of Group A with their first win in six qualifiers thanks to two first-half goals.
Lithuania lifted by Mikoliunas strike (Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:43:00 GMT)
Lithuania 1-0 Georgia A late goal from substitute Saulius Mikoliunas took the home side above their opponents in Group B.
 

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BBC
Barton has medical at Newcastle (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:05:55 GMT)
Joey Barton undergoes a medical at Newcastle as they - and West Ham - agree £5.5m deals for the Man City star.
Viduka set for Newcastle transfer (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 06:41:33 GMT)
Newcastle agree in principle to sign Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka.
Rozehnal eager to join Newcastle (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:34:53 GMT)
Czech Republic centre-back David Rozehnal is keen on a move to Newcastle United, according to his representatives.
Dyer may get England call (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:36:17 GMT)
Kieron Dyer could be handed the right-back slot for England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on Wednesday.
Gerrard backs Lampard (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:45:11 GMT)
Steven Gerrard backs his England midfield partner Frank Lampard to silence his critics against Estonia.
Maloney handed start for Scotland (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:46:13 GMT)
Shaun Maloney will make his second Scotland start against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.
Harewood to leave Hammers (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:09:23 GMT)
West Ham tell striker Marlon Harewood he can leave after three-and-a-half years at Upton Park.
Caborn & Platini hold Reds talks (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:00:40 GMT)
Sports Minister Richard Caborn meets Uefa president Michel Platini to discuss problems with Liverpool fans at the Champions League final.
Smith wants new Man Utd deal (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:28:29 GMT)
Man Utd's England striker Alan Smith wants a new contract at Old Trafford.
Seville to hold Ramos deal talks (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:33:26 GMT)
Seville will re-open contract talks with coach Juande Ramos at the end of the Spanish season after he was linked with the Man City job.
Premiership hurts England - Poom (Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:56:45 GMT)
Estonia keeper on the pitfalls of a powerful Premier League
Quotes of the Week (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:54:45 GMT)
Graham Poll on his yellow peril, plus Frankie Dettori and the legendary Sid Waddell
Terry Butcher view (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:20:13 GMT)
"Frank Lampard will hopefully silence his critics with a goal in Estonia"
UEFA
Lens tempt Roux out of retirement (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:25:00 GMT)
Guy Roux, who gained legendary status as a coach at AJ Auxerre, has made a surprise comeback to top-level football by taking the helm of RC Lens aged 68.
Peseiro answers Panathinaikos call (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:26:00 GMT)
Panathinaikos FC have unveiled 47-year-old former Sporting Clube de Portugal boss José Peseiro as their new coach in the wake of VÃ*ctor Muñoz's departure.
Galatasaray appoint veteran Feldkamp (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:24:00 GMT)
German coach Karl-Heinz Feldkamp has been handed the reins of Istanbul giants Galatasaray SK at the age of 73 following the departure last week of Erik Gerets.
Marino replaces Malesani at Udinese (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:26:00 GMT)
Udinese Calcio have parted company with Alberto Malesani following a tenth-placed finish in Serie A and have appointed Pasquale Marino as his successor.
Belgium U21s aid EURO effort (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:24:40 GMT)
Belgium will go into Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ qualifier in Finland with ten of the players who will represent the country at this month's Under-21 finals.
Estonia set goal for England encounter (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:54:00 GMT)
Midfielder Ragnar Klavan hopes Estonia can mark an historic first meeting with England with the first goal of their UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ qualifying Group E campaign.
Katsouranis calls for Greece calm (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:51:00 GMT)
Greece midfielder Konstantinos Katsouranis is urging his team-mates to stay "serious and focused" as they aim to beat Moldova and extend their lead in Group C.
Benjaminsen eager for shot at Scotland (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:48:00 GMT)
Fródi Benjaminsen's return from suspension has given the Faroe Islands a selection headache as Scotland prepare to revisit the scene of an infamous debacle.
Geraldo follows fraternal path to AEK (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:30:00 GMT)
Portuguese centre-back Geraldo is set to follow in the footsteps of brother Bruno Alves after joining AEK Athens FC on a three-year deal from FC Paços de Ferreira.
Nesmachniy accepts Dynamo deal (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:22:54 GMT)
Ukrainian international defender Andriy Nesmachniy has signed a new two-year contract with FC Dynamo Kyiv, extending his stay at the club until 2010.
João Paulo rejoins Young Boys (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:44:58 GMT)
Brazilian striker João Paulo has returned to BSC Young Boys after a loan spell with RC Strasbourg, signing a new two-year contract with the UEFA Cup qualifiers.
Modest sides make it big in Denmark (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:24:00 GMT)
FC København's Danish title success was long regarded as inevitable but FC Midtjylland and Aalborg BK are thrilled to have finished just behind the giants.
Czechs count cost of injuries (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:31:00 GMT)
Mario Holek has withdrawn from the Czech Republic squad due to injury while captain Martin Latka remains doubtful because of a thigh complaint.
Taylor lauds England's chances (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:25:31 GMT)
Steven Taylor insists England "don't fear anybody" at the UEFA European U21 Championship as the side prepare for their final warm-up match against Slovakia.
Returning heroes boost Serbia (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:10:00 GMT)
Serbia's four senior internationals have arrived at the U21 training camp and Miroslav Djukić believes their experience will be a major boon.
Time to prove our worth, says Moreira (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:02:50 GMT)
Portugal forward João Moreira has called on his side to live up to their reputation in the Netherlands after disappointing on home soil this time last year.
Italy striving for peak condition (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:42:49 GMT)
Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi is concentrating on "technical and tactical preparation" as he works with his Italy squad in Coverciano as the Dutch finals loom.
Sergio GarcÃ*a commits to Zaragoza (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:57:12 GMT)
Sergio GarcÃ*a has received an early birthday boost after signing a two-year contract extension with Real Zaragoza, committing until summer 2011.
Strong Norway side for qualifiers (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:56:00 GMT)
Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen has named a virtually full-strength squad for their opening qualifiers against Israel and Austria next week.
Marquès signs on at Santa Coloma (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:17:00 GMT)
Former FC Rà nger's coach Vicenç Marquès will return to European competition next season to lead FC Santa Coloma in the UEFA Cup following Xavi Roura's departure.
 

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BBC
Live - Estonia v England (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:35:57 GMT)
England face Estonia in Tallinn in a must-win Euro 2008 qualifier.
Faroe Islands 0-2 Scotland (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:05:31 GMT)
Scotland earn three vital Euro 2008 qualifying points with victory in the Svangaskard Stadium, Toftir.
Reds hero Smith has heart attack (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:04:16 GMT)
Former Liverpool captain Tommy Smith is in hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home.
West Ham sign Parker for £7m (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:59:14 GMT)
West Ham complete the £7m signing of midfielder Scott Parker from Newcaste.
Nani completes Man Utd medical (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:49:12 GMT)
Man Utd move a step closer to completing the signing of Sporting Lisbon winger Nani after he passes a medical.
Knee surgery for Man Utd's Foster (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:06:18 GMT)
Man Utd goalkeeper Ben Foster needs surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury and will miss the start of the season.
Carlos set for Fenerbahce switch (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:50:52 GMT)
Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos agrees to join Turkish champions Fenerbahce at the end of the season.
Wolves takeover nears end (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:22:20 GMT)
Steve Morgan's takeover of Wolves is likely be completed within the next two weeks.
Premiership hurts England - Poom (Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:56:45 GMT)
Estonia keeper on the pitfalls of a powerful Premier League
Scotland qualifying photos (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:27:34 GMT)
Photos from Scotland's key match in the Faroe Islands
Quotes of the Week (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:54:45 GMT)
Graham Poll on his yellow peril, plus Frankie Dettori and the legendary Sid Waddell
Terry Butcher view (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:20:13 GMT)
"Frank Lampard will hopefully silence his critics with a goal in Estonia"
UEFA
Armenia bring Poles down to earth (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:15:00 GMT)
Armenia 1-0 Poland
Poland's place at the top of Group A looks vulnerable after Hamlet Mkhitaryan's goal gave the hosts victory.
Fortune favours ten-man Kazakhstan (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:45:00 GMT)
Kazakhstan 1-1 Azerbaijan
A heavily deflected equaliser earned the home side a point in Almaty after they were reduced to ten men.
Israel brave storm to take points (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:45:00 GMT)
Andorra 0-2 Israel
Roberto Colautti set up a goal for Toto Tamuz then scored himself amid torrential conditions as Israel won.
Nani relishing United transfer (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:31:00 GMT)
Portuguese winger Nani has passed a medical at Manchester United FC and has told uefa.com that he is looking forward to linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Netherlands maintain superb run (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:25:15 GMT)
Thailand 1-3 Netherlands
Captain Rafael van der Vaart scored again as the Oranje made it eleven matches unbeaten in 2006/07.
Tugay bows out in Turkey draw (Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:58:00 GMT)
Turkey 0-0 Brazil Retiring midfielder Tugay KerimoÄŸlu won his 94th and final cap as Turkey recovered from a weekend defeat to draw with Brazil.
Parker heads south to West Ham (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:30:00 GMT)
West Ham United FC have signed the England midfielder Scott Parker from Premier League rivals Newcastle United FC for a fee in the region of €10.3m.
Zebina agrees Juventus extension (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:28:00 GMT)
Claudio Ranieri has concluded his first piece of business since taking charge of Juventus - convincing Jonathan Zebina to sign a new four-year contract.
Bulgaria warming to stand-in Stoilov (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:25:00 GMT)
The clamour for Stanimir Stoilov to make his contract as Bulgaria coach permanent is increasing as the 40-year-old prepares for tonight's rematch with Belarus.
Cissé looks forward to 'special night' (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:20:00 GMT)
Olympique de Marseille striker Djibril Cissé is thrilled to be returning to his footballing roots as France take on Georgia tonight at Auxerre's Stade Abbé Deschamps.
Croatia to measure Russia's resolve (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:12:00 GMT)
Guus Hiddink thinks a draw against Croatia would be "a good result" for Russia while striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov is hungry for goals in Zagreb this evening.
Time to shine, says Moreira (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:59:00 GMT)
Portugal forward João Moreira has called on his side to live up to their reputation in the Netherlands after disappointing on home soil this time last year.
Klose testing Germany's patience (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:54:00 GMT)
As Miroslav Klose looks to end a goalscoring famine against Slovakia in Hamburg, some German fans feel uncertainty over the future is unsettling the striker.
Torino turn to Novellino (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:47:46 GMT)
Torino FC have appointed Walter Novellino as their new coach on a two-year contract with the 54-year-old former UC Sampdoria boss replacing Gianni De Biasi.
Roberto Carlos to join Fenerbahçe (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:47:00 GMT)
Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos has confirmed that he will join Turkish champions Fenerbahçe SK next season after an eleven-year spell at Real Madrid CF.
Czechs lose U21 captain Latka (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:37:00 GMT)
The Czech Republic have been dealt another blow after captain Martin Latka was forced to withdraw four days before the start of the finals tournament.
Week of woe for Czech coaches (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:29:31 GMT)
No fewer than nine Czech clubs changed their coaches in the week following the end of the season with some big names being hired and fired.
Van der Leegte back in Eindhoven (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:09:38 GMT)
PSV Eindhoven have signed Tommie van der Leegte from VFL Wolfsburg for an undisclosed fee with the midfielder returning to the club where his career began.
Foster to miss season start at United (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:06:07 GMT)
Manchester United FC goalkeeper Ben Foster has been ruled out for several months after tests confirmed he had suffered cruciate ligament damage in his knee.
Aragonés announces retirement plan (Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:50:50 GMT)
Luis Aragonés has said he will not look to carry on as Spain coach beyond the finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ as his side prepare to meet Liechtenstein tonight.
 

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BBC
Sweden given win after ref attack
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:29:22 GMT)
Sweden are awarded a 3-0 victory after their Euro 2008 qualifier in Denmark was abandoned when a spectator ran on to the pitch.
Beckham warned over flight risks
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:23:36 GMT)
David Beckham's commute from Los Angeles to London could have career-threatening effects on his health, according to experts.
Robben close to new Chelsea deal
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:01:35 GMT)
Arjen Robben's father brushes off reports that he is close to signing for Real Madrid and says the winger is set to sign a new Chelsea deal.
Everton to win £4m Jagielka fight
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:49:04 GMT)
Everton are poised to win the £4m transfer battle for Sheffield United's Phil Jagielka.
McCann has Bolton medical
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:13:30 GMT)
Aston Villa's Gavin McCann will complete a £1m move to Bolton if he passes a med
Alonso extends Liverpool contract
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 07:30:23 GMT)
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso signs a new long-term deal with the club.
Henry casts fresh doubt on future
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 07:09:37 GMT)
Thierry Henry admits he is flattered by AC Milan's interest after being unsettled by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein's departure.
Bentley withdraws from U21s
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:58:06 GMT)
Blackburn winger David Bentley pulls out of the England Under-21 squad for the European Championship, citing fatigue.
SPL concern over Uefa's cup idea
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:21:17 GMT)
The Scottish Premier League hits out at a proposal to give cup holders entry to the Champions League.
Dons withdraw Langfield offer
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:57:50 GMT)
Aberdeen withdraw a contract offer to goalkeeper Jamie Langfield after a stag night bust-up.
Graham Taylor's verdict
(Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:30:30 GMT)
Graham Taylor reflects on England's win over Estonia
Long-haul Beckham
(Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:19:02 GMT)
Can England's returning hero handle the air miles?
Parkin keen to prove his worth
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:12:59 GMT)
Luton's Sam Parkin hopes to put his injury nightmare behind him
UEFA
EURO 2008â„¢ - the ultimate high
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:28:00 GMT)
All-star Austria and Switzerland teams drew 5-5 on Friday in a special game 3,545 metres up in the Alps to celebrate a year to go until UEFA EURO 2008â„¢.
Copenhagen contest goes to Sweden
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:00:00 GMT)
Sweden have been awarded a 3-0 victory against Denmark with the Danish Football Association to stage the next four home qualifiers away from Copenhagen.
Mexes prolongs Roma relationship
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:45:00 GMT)
Philippe Mexes expressed his delight at continuing his "long relationship" with AS Roma after the defender extended his Stadio Olimpico stay until 2011.
Young stars take centre stage
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:46:00 GMT)
The UEFA European Under-21 Championship gets under way in the Netherlands on Sunday as eight sides compete to be crowned continental champions.
Canny Ivanović leads Serbia
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:45:00 GMT)
Branislav Ivanović will bring plenty of experience to the Serbia side he will captain as he is poised to play in his third final tournament at this level.
Run-down Bentley out for England
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:40:00 GMT)
England midfielder David Bentley has withdrawn from the UEFA European Under-21 Championship citing fatigue after three weeks away with the senior squad.
Alonso loves it at Liverpool
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:12:00 GMT)
Xabi Alonso has followed in the footsteps of his team-mates Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard in happily pledging his future to Liverpool FC.
Bordeaux take a chance on Blanc
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:02:00 GMT)
Laurent Blanc has been named FC Girondins de Bordeaux coach with the 41-year-old replacing Ricardo Gomes who has left for the top job at AS Monaco FC.
Qualifying race too close to call
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:08:00 GMT)
With one year to go until the UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ finals the 14 qualifying positions alongside hosts Austria and Switzerland remain very much up for grabs.
Donk in doubt for the Dutch
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:57:13 GMT)
Ryan Donk may miss the Netherlands' UEFA European Under-21 Championship opener against Israel after being forced to return home for family reasons.
De Sart wants Belgium's backing
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:15:00 GMT)
Belgian fans do not traditionally come out in numbers to support the Under-21 side but coach Jean-François de Sart is hoping to change that this month.
Palermo kick off summer spree
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:05:47 GMT)
Midfielder Giulio Migliaccio and Belgian goalkeeper Samir Ujkani are the first summer signings at US Città di Palermo as they prepare for the UEFA Cup.
Dainelli seals Viola deal
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:02:59 GMT)
UEFA Cup contenders ACF Fiorentina have rewarded captain Dario Dainelli with a new four-year contract that will tie him to the Serie A side until 2011.
Israel savour the spotlight
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:57:21 GMT)
Israel's appearance in the U21 finals is their greatest footballing achievement since reaching the 1976 Olympic Games but they are not stopping there.
Nani's dreams come true
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:50:14 GMT)
Manchester United FC signing Nani will bring senior international experience to Portugal's Under-21 bid and tells uefa.com that he is relishing the challenge.
De Haan plots Dutch double
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:16:00 GMT)
Coach Foppe De Haan has "a good feeling about making the last four" as the Netherlands defend their UEFA European Under-21 Championship title on home soil.
Bratu rejoins Dinamo from Nantes
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:03:07 GMT)
Striker Florin Bratu has joined UEFA Champions League hopefuls FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti with the Romanian side paying FC Nantes Atlantique a €700,000 fee.
Babel urged to emulate Afonso
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT)
The Netherlands' Ryan Babel has been taking notes while watching SC Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves as he prepares for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Couceiro sweating on injured duo
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT)
Portugal coach José Couceiro is facing a nervous wait on the fitness of striker Ricardo Vaz Té and midfielder Organista who both sat out of training on Thursday.
Mixed fortunes for Jong Oranje
(Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT)
Twelve months after winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, the Dutch starlets of Portugal 2006 are battling to earn senior team recognition.
 

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Gerrard confident of Moscow win

Steven Gerrard, England's vice-captain, last night voiced the renewed belief in the camp by insisting the team would go to Russia and win on October 17th, that David Beckham was playing well enough to be a force at Euro 2008 and that players' support for Steve McClaren had been unwavering during a storm-tossed season. "I am confident we can go to Moscow and win - we have definitely got the character and the ability. The confidence is back."

(Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph)
“We want Becks at Euro 2008. If he keeps playing at the level he is now, whichever club he is at, I don't see why he can't be at Euro 2008.” — Steven Gerrard believes David Beckham is still England's key man
Sheffield ask MSI to give evidence

Sheffield United are preparing a massive surprise on the Premier League and West Ham after requesting that Carlos Tevez's owners MSI give evidence on their behalf. United chairman Kevin McCabe has asked Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's closest adviser, to help with their bitter legal fight. McCabe believes Joorabchain can provide the evidence they hope will keep them in the Premier League.
(Matt Lawton, Daily Mail)
Real Madrid offer £13.6m for Robben

Real Madrid are hoping to sign Chelsea's Arjen Robben for a fee of around €20m (£13.6m ), with the Dutch winger understood to be keen to leave Stamford Bridge and move to Sp ain. Robben is believed to have grown weary of his fractious relationship with Jose Mourinho and accepts that with the manager due to stay for one more season, it may be time to move on.

(Jason Burt, The Independent)
Allardyce confident with Viduka

Sam Allardyce last night claimed that Newcastle boast an attacking armoury to strike terror into any Premiership defence after concluding the signing of Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka on a two-year deal. With Michael Owen set to stay on, Shola Ameobi fit again and the manager indicating Oba Martins still figures in his plans, the Geordies now have four proven forwards battling it out for two places in Allardyce's new-look side.
(Ian Murtagh, Daily Star)
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Windies show fighting spirit

England 296-7. West Indies enjoyed by far the best day in the field so far on the opening day at Old Trafford yesterday. They maintained a discipline that tottered only when Alistair Cook (60) and Michael Vaughan (41) were romping along at around four runs and over and, in the final session, when Ian Bell (77 n.o.) and Matthew Prior (40) rescued England from a potentially perilous situation at 166-5 with a stand for 98 for the sixth wicket.

(Mike Selvey, The Guardian)
Ivanovic faces first grand slam final

When Ana Ivanovic was growing up in Belgrade she learnt to play tennis on a court marked out on the bottom of an emptied swimming pool. And yet she will tomorrow appear in her first Grand Slam final as she takes on defending champion Justine Henin for the French Open title. The smiling, sunny Serbian gave the most assured performance of her career when she annihilated Maria Sharapova, the world Number 2, 6-2, 6-2. But Jelena Jankovic was unable to join her for an all-Serbian final when she was stopped 6-2, 6-2 by Belgian Henin.
(Mark Hodgkinson, Daily Telegraph)
Virtuoso Fallon gets back in the saddle

Disgraced jockey Kieren Fallon returned to the track in Ireland last night and hit the target at the first time of asking. The former champ rode The Bogberry to win at Tipperary after serving a six-month ban for failing a drug test in France. Despite his lengthy absence, Fallon showed he had lost none of his skill in the saddle when driving the 4-7 favourite home under a virtuoso ride.
(Claude Duval, The Sun)


“It’ great to be back. The crowd are unbelievable here and it gave me the confidence knowing they are behind me. The reception I got was really great. ” — Kieren Fallon in ecstatic mood after a winning return to action
Authorized goes to Darley Stud

Authorized, whose five-length Derby victory last weekend made him one of the best three-year-olds in recent years, has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud for an undisclosed sum. He will be leased back to his former owners for the remainder of the season and still be trained by Peter Chappell-Hyam, with the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on July 7 as his next outing.

(Greg Wood, The Guardian)
 

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Uefa give Swedes win over Danes
Sweden have been awarded a 3-0 win over Denmark by Uefa following the abandonment of last weekend's Euro 2008 qualifier after the referee was attacked by a fan.
The game in Copenhagen turned ugly in the closing stages when a supporter ran onto the pitch to attack German referee Herbert Fandel after he sent-off Danish defender Christian Poulsen.
Poulsen was shown the red card for punching striker Markus Rosenberg in the stomach and Sweden were awarded a penalty as a result.
Before the penalty could be taken the spectator ran onto the pitch towards Fandel but was intercepted by Danish players.
Fandel immediately blew the whistle and walked off the pitch and the game was abandoned soon after.
Uefa's disciplinary committee looked into the incident and they have decided to award Sweden a 3-0 victory.
Denmark have also been fined £41,000 and must play their next four home games 250km away from Copenhagen.
They have also been ordered to play their next home qualifier behind closed doors.
The news is sure to anger Sweden's Group F rivals Northern Ireland, with Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce calling for the match to be replayed behind closed doors
Uefa's decision to award the match to Sweden sees them move three points clear at the top of Group F.
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Investor confirms Blackburn talks
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:20:32 GMT)
American-based businessman Daniel Williams reveals he has held talks with Blackburn about taking over the club.
Thaksin's Man City deal on track
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:40:52 GMT)
Ex-Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's bid to buy Man City is still on, despite him being ordered to back to Bangkok to face corruption charges.
FA makes Huddlestone ban appeal
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:31:22 GMT)
The FA will appeal against England Under-21 midfielder Tom Huddlestone's two-match ban.
League probes Kabba deal
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:49:19 GMT)
The Premier League tells BBC Sport it is looking into Steve Kabba's move from Sheffield United to Watford.
Man Utd silent over Quagliarella
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:24:20 GMT)
Manchester United remain tight-lipped over claims by Sampdoria's Fabio Quagliarella that they have made an increased bid for him.
Wigan clinch deal for Granqvist
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:01:13 GMT)
Wigan make a fourth summer signing, with Swedish defender Andreas Granqvist sealing a permanent move from Helsingborg.
Delvecchio considers Celtic move
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:58:30 GMT)
Sampdoria midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio is likely to choose between Celtic, Napoli and Palermo this week.
Capello unsure over Real future
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:49:05 GMT)
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello fears he may not be in charge of the Spanish champions next season.
Blades await outcome of hearing
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:03:16 GMT)
Sheffield United are expected to find out on Tuesday whether their appeal against relegation from the Premier League has been successful.
Kishishev seals move to Leicester
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:27:17 GMT)
Leicester sign Bulgaria international midfielder Radostin Kishishev from Charlton on a two-year deal.
Adios Beckham
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:54:11 GMT)
As David Beckham says goodbye to Real Madrid, what legacy has he left in Spain?
Quotes of the Week
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 09:59:39 GMT)
Mohamed Al Fayed on 'stupid' footballers, plus Angel Cabrera and Sir Viv Richards


UEFA
Levy tipping Dutch to triumph
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:14:00 GMT)
Israel's Under-21 dream might be over but their coach Guy Levy has seen enough of the competition to underline the chances of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Finals spotlight suits De Haan
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:41:00 GMT)
Foppe de Haan told uefa.com he was glad his side had avoided the worst effects of the "Klinsmann syndrome" after earning a place in the semi-finals.
Kircher to get semi-finals under way
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:45:00 GMT)
UEFA has named the officials to take charge of the semi-finals and Olympic play-off, with German referee Knut Kircher overseeing the Netherlands-England tie.
Hodgson impressed by U21 fare
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:44:00 GMT)
UEFA technical observer Roy Hodgson says the quality of football in the Netherlands has improved as the tournament has progressed with much more to come.
Juve splash out on forward Iaquinta
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:22:00 GMT)
Vincenzo Iaquinta wants to help Juventus scale the heights of European football once again after joining the Turin club in an €11.3m switch from Udinese Calcio.
Krul confident of Netherlands progress
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:53:00 GMT)
Netherlands keeper Tim Krul is looking forward to seeing two of his Newcastle United FC team-mates on Wednesday, but believes England will be going home soon after.
Pereira poised for perfect painkiller
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:21:00 GMT)
As Portugal prepare to meet Italy for a place in next summer's Olympic Games, right-back João Pereira will be hoping to erase painful memories of the Azzurrini.
Milner predicts more from England
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:12:00 GMT)
James Milner insisted "the best is to come" after playing a pivotal role in the win against Serbia which booked England a first semi-final spot since 1986.
Under-21s set for thrilling finale
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:42:00 GMT)
With worldwide TV coverage and fine attendances helping to boost the appeal of the finals, organisers predict an exciting knockout stage in the Netherlands.
De Boer hails Dutch spirit
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:42:00 GMT)
Former Netherlands captain Frank de Boer says the superb "team spirit" within the Jong Oranje camp could spur them on to a second successive triumph.
Izmailov to take Sporting chance
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:31:00 GMT)
FC Lokomotiv Moskva are to loan Marat Izmailov to Sporting Clube de Portugal as the attacking midfielder looks to reignite a career that once promised so much.
Roberto Carlos ready for Fenerbahçe
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:19:49 GMT)
Roberto Carlos has spoken in Istanbul of his pride at signing for Turkish champions Fenerbahçe SK after finalising his free transfer move from Real Madrid CF.
Duo boost Osasuna forward line
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:03:42 GMT)
CA Osasuna have confirmed the signings of CG Tarragona forward Javier Portillo and Switzerland striker Xavier Margairaz from FC Zürich.
Rossoneri raid Cagliari for Suazo
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:52:00 GMT)
AC Milan have pipped city rivals FC Internazionale Milano to the signing of the prolific 28-year-old Honduras striker David Suazo from Cagliari Calcio.
Aguirre gets thumbs up from Atlético
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:52:00 GMT)
Club Atlético de Madrid have handed coach Javier Aguirre a new contract while signing Spain starlet Raúl GarcÃ*a as attention turns to the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
Regions' Cup hosts feel pressure
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:22:17 GMT)
UEFA Regions' Cup Group A kicks off on Wednesday and host team South-East Region AMA of Bulgaria admit they will be under pressure to succeed.
Portugal leaves Racing Santander
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:41:11 GMT)
Real Racing Club Santander's head coach Miguel �ngel Portugal is to stand down after a solitary campaign at the helm of the Spanish Primera División side.
Cherchesov to arrest Spartak slide
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:14:15 GMT)
Russian UEFA Champions League contenders FC Spartak Moskva have responded to a poor run of form by sacking coach Vladimir Fedotov and appointing Stanislav Cherchesov.
Espanyol confirm De la Peña deal
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:38:06 GMT)
RCD Espanyol have finally reached an agreement with midfielder Iván de la Peña to extend the former Spanish international's contract by two years until June 2009.
U21 BLOG: Stars reveal Olympic dream
(Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:21:16 GMT)
Thirtysomethings Clarence Seedorf and Mark van Bommel could both be set for a shock return for the Jong Oranje as Olympic Games fever hits the Netherlands.
 

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O'Connor to join Birmingham City
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:56:11 GMT)
Birmingham agree to sign Scotland striker Garry O'Connor for £2.65m from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Boro sign Turkey striker Tuncay
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:21:19 GMT)
Middlesbrough sign Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli on a four-year deal.
Two clubs in for Preston's Nugent
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:44:12 GMT)
Preston give two clubs permission to speak to £7m-rated striker David Nugent.
Quagliarella awaits Man Utd move
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:12:39 GMT)
Fabio Quagliarella's agent says Man Utd are interested in signing the Italy and Sampdoria striker.
Liverpool include Carson in plans
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:42:05 GMT)
Goalkeeper Scott Carson will be a part of Liverpool's first-team plans next season.
City reveal Eriksson back-up plan
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:06:56 GMT)
Man City say three other bosses are in their sights if Sven-Goran Eriksson turns down Thaksin Shiniwatra's offer to manage the club.
Premier League trio want Kanoute
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 05:18:33 GMT)
Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute wants to come back to England and Newcastle, Portsmouth and Bolton are interested.
Norwich's Eastwood offer snubbed
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:01:39 GMT)
Southend reject Norwich's £1.5m bid for striker Freddy Eastwood.
QPR fined by FA for China brawl
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:31:49 GMT)
The FA fines QPR following the brawl in the friendly match against China's Olympic team.
Home international plans on cards
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:39:31 GMT)
Discussions take place for a revival of the Home Internationals Championship - without England but with the Republic of Ireland.
Chris Waddle on England's U21s
(Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:35:58 GMT)
"England can be proud of themselves - to me they are all heroes"
Man City Q&A
(Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:59:21 GMT)
Is the summer of confusion at Eastlands about to end?


UEFA
De Haan braced for 'tough' decider
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:26:00 GMT)
Reaching the final for the second year running is an achievement in itself, but Foppe de Haan will make sure there is no let-up from the Dutch against Serbia.
Djukić leads by example
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:19:00 GMT)
Miroslav Djukić tells uefa.com that leading Serbia into Saturday's Under-21 final against the Netherlands may be the "greatest success" in his nation's brief history.
De Ridder's staying power
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:10:00 GMT)
With Netherlands captain Ron Vlaar injured, winger Daniël de Ridder is likely to be the only player to feature in successive U21 finals for the Jong Oranje.
Mrdja savours sweetest success
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:12:00 GMT)
Serbia striker Dragan Mrdja has been enjoying the moment after "one of the most significant goals of my career" set up a final showdown with the Netherlands.
Intertoto intrigue set to begin
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:02:00 GMT)
The 2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup gets under way this weekend with 28 clubs taking part in the first of three rounds and all dreaming of securing a UEFA Cup place.
Beijing beckons for Viviano
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:03:00 GMT)
After helping Italy to victory on penalties against Portugal, goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano's only complaint was that their meeting "should have been the final".
Pocognoli replaces De Cler at AZ
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:01:00 GMT)
Belgium left-back Sébastien Pocognoli has been rewarded for impressive U21 finals form with a transfer to AZ Alkmaar who are losing Tim de Cler to Feyenoord.
U21 BLOG: Best goal so far?
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:01:00 GMT)
Can a penalty be the goal of the tournament? Graziano Pelle has certainly made a strong case, but Maceo Rigters and Manuel Fernandes may disagree.
Getafe threat to Sevilla's treble bid
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:01:00 GMT)
The Spanish season concludes on Saturday with Sevilla FC chasing a third trophy of 2006/07 in the Copa del Rey final against Bernd Schuster's upstarts from Getafe CF.
Da Costa: Portugal deserved better
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:00:00 GMT)
Defender Manuel da Costa said Portugal "deserved to go the Olympic Games, not Italy" after a penalty shoot-out defeat denied them a trip to Beijing.
Maribor mount Intertoto defence
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:00:00 GMT)
NK Maribor will look to go from the first round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup to the UEFA Cup for the second year in a row as they visit Birkirkara FC on Sunday.
Slovan strive for European success
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:55:00 GMT)
Coach Boris Kitka said Å K Slovan Bratislava have a "duty" to overcome FC Differdange 03 in the UEFA Intertoto Cup as the Slovakian club start a new era.
Achnas working wonders in Cyprus
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:48:00 GMT)
Ethnikos Achnas FC of Cyprus are hoping to repeat their historic triumph of last season by winning through to the UEFA Cup from the UEFA Intertoto Cup again.
Grbalj to make Montenegrin history
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:48:00 GMT)
FK Grbalj coach Dragan Pican is eagerly anticipating his side's European bow against AFC Gloria 1922 Bistrita in the first round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
Tiago and Almirón join Juve
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:47:00 GMT)
Juventus have made another foray into the market by signing Portugal midfielder Tiago from Olympique Lyonnais together with Empoli FC's Sergio Bernardo Almirón.
Puyol problem leaves Barça short
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:40:00 GMT)
FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol may miss the first month of the new Spanish season and the start of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League with a knee injury.
Givet made for Marseille
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:36:00 GMT)
Olympique de Marseille have made Gaël Givet their latest new recruit with the AS Monaco FC centre-back committing for four seasons at the Stade Vélodrome.
Zé Roberto back at Bayern
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:35:00 GMT)
FC Bayern München have brought Brazilian midfielder Zé Roberto back to the Bundesliga on a two-year contract after 12 months in his homeland at Santos FC.
Rakitic fills the gap at Schalke
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:27:00 GMT)
German runners-up FC Schalke O4 have signed gifted teenager Ivan Rakitic from FC Basel 1893 while allowing midfielder Lincoln to join Galatasaray SK.
Arizmendi to join Valencia attack
(Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:20:00 GMT)
Valencia CF have signed �ngel Javier Arizmendi less than a month after he left RC Deportivo La Coruña to return to his first side Club Atletico de Madrid.
 

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Emotional Henry salutes Gunners
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 20:37:45 GMT)
Thierry Henry is confident Arsenal still have a bright future despite his impending move to Barcelona.
Arsenal confirm Henry departure
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 09:41:17 GMT)
Arsenal confirm they have reached an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of striker Thierry Henry.
Eriksson set to take Man City job
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:28:00 GMT)
Sven-Goran Eriksson is close to agreeing to become Manchester City manager, BBC Sport understands.
Donati poised for Celtic switch
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 09:29:03 GMT)
AC Milan holding midfielder Massimo Donati will move to Celtic in a £3m deal should he pass a medical.
Winger Faubert linked with Ibrox
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:44:57 GMT)
Bordeaux winger Julien Faubert is to join Rangers, according to L'Equipe.
Llanelli suffer Mingorance blow
(Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:35:08 GMT)
Llanelli playmaker Jacob Mingorance will miss Sunday's Intertoto cup match in Lithuania because of contract dispute.
Beasley close to Rangers transfer
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:31:16 GMT)
Rangers target DaMarcus Beasley says his transfer away from PSV Eindhoven has been agreed.
McClaren in plea over Lampard
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:00:34 GMT)
England boss Steve McClaren calls on fans of his national team to stop booing Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.
Holland U21 retain Euro title
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 20:35:06 GMT)
Holland brush aside Serbia to retain the European Under-21 Championship title with a convincing victory.
Cliftonville draw with Dinaburg
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:38:52 GMT)
Cliftonville draw 1-1 with FC Dinaburg in their Intertoto Cup first round first leg tie at Windsor Park.
Henry's Arsenal career in photos
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:21:20 GMT)
Highlights from Thierry Henry's eight years with the Gunners
Man City Q&A
(Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:59:21 GMT)
Is the summer of confusion at Eastlands about to end?
Saturday's gossip column
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:22:19 GMT)
Arsenal target striker Carlos Tevez, plus other rumours


UEFA
Jong Oranje clinch European crown
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:58:00 GMT)
Netherlands 4-1 Serbia
The 2007 hosts claimed the European title for the second year running after overcoming ten-man Serbia.
De Haan delighted in Groningen deluge
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:56:00 GMT)
The teams and supporters might have been drenched by the torrential rain but nothing could dampen the spirits of victorious Netherlands coach Foppe de Haan.
Experience counts in coaches' contest
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:54:00 GMT)
Foppe de Haan may be about to turn 64 but his know-how was all-important in sealing a final victory against an opponent at the other end of his coaching career.
Hagi takes charge at Steaua
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:25:21 GMT)
Former Romania captain Gheorghe Hagi has become FC Steaua Bucaresti coach following Cosmin Olaroiu's decision to leave and take up a post in Saudi Arabia.
Promising starts for Tobyl and Slovan
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:00:00 GMT)
FC Tobyl and SK Slovan Bratislava are among the sides happiest with their UEFA Intertoto Cup first round first leg results after recording solid victories.
Santos supplies Aveiro hope
(Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:46:00 GMT)
Portugal's Aveiro AMA are back in contention for the UEFA Regions' Cup thanks to the goalscoring prowess of 21-year-old striker Javier Santos.
Three-way tussle for final berth
(Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:45:00 GMT)
Just one point separates three teams at the top of UEFA Regions' Cup Group A - and any one of them could clinch first place on Sunday make it to the final.
Dolnoslaski in pole position
(Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:44:00 GMT)
UEFA Regions' Cup Group B has already had more than its share of drama and there is plenty to come when matters are decided on Sunday.
Kanouté seals Sevilla treble
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:30:00 GMT)
Sevilla FC crowned an outstanding season as Frédéric Kanouté's first-half strike proved enough to earn them a 1-0 Copa del Rey final victory against Getafe CF.
Janković salutes Serbia heart
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:05:00 GMT)
Boško Janković conceded "it was not our day" after Serbia were swept aside by the Netherlands yet insists the runners-up are heading in the right direction.
Rigters relishes 'fantastic' feat
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:55:00 GMT)
Netherlands striker Maceo Rigters spoke of his pride after scoring in his side's 4-1 victory against Serbia to finish as the tournament's leading scorer.
Arsenal announce Henry sale
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:18:00 GMT)
Arsenal FC have agreed a deal to sell captain Thierry Henry to FC Barcelona for a fee reported to be in the region of €23.8m to end an eight-year stay in London.
TV partners pleased at progress
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 19:25:00 GMT)
The first UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ Broadcast Partner Workshop, organised by UEFA Media Technologies SA and held in Vienna, proved to be a great success.
Paços de Ferreira sign Carioca
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:21:03 GMT)
FC Paços de Ferreira have added further fire power to their squad by completing the signing of Brazilian forward Márcio Carioca who has agreed a two-year deal.
Braga bring in new recruits
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:35:29 GMT)
SC Braga have improved their attacking options by signing two new recruits for season 2007/08, with Zé Manel and Lenny agreeing terms with the UEFA Cup hopefuls.
Rossoneri cancel Suazo signing
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:51:00 GMT)
AC Milan have cancelled the signing of striker David Suazo from Cagliari Calcio because of the player's previous agreement with FC Internazionale Milano.
Club Brugge bring Geraerts home
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:27:35 GMT)
Belgian international defender Karel Geraerts has made a long-awaited "homecoming" to Club Brugge KV, signing a five-year contract as a free agent.
Celtic capture Milan's Donati
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:32:59 GMT)
Celtic FC have acquired AC Milan midfielder Massimo Donati, who has signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions subject to passing a medical.
Sablé severs St-Etienne ties
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:58:09 GMT)
RC Lens have confirmed the signing of AS Saint-Etienne captain Julien Sablé, who made a "heartbreaking" decision to end his 12-year association with Les Verts.
Hanić the Tuzla talisman
(Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:10:34 GMT)
Tuzla Canton AMA's Admir Hanić shares the lead in the UEFA Regions' Cup goalscorers table and coach Fuad Grbešić paid tribute to his No7.
 

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Henry passes medical at Barcelona
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:35:14 GMT)
Thierry Henry is close to securing his move from Arsenal to Barcelona after completing his medical.
Onuoha pens new Man City deal
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:16:51 GMT)
Man City defender Nedum Onuoha signs a new four-year deal at Eastlands.
Barca deny Eto'o exit rumours
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:07:31 GMT)
Barcelona quash talk that Samuel Eto'o could join Arsenal following Thierry Henry's switch to the Nou Camp.
Hibernian swoop to sign O'Brien
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:39:23 GMT)
Hibernian snap up Newcastle winger Alan O'Brien on a three-year contract.
Magpies close on Rozehnal
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:34:07 GMT)
Newcastle are close to completing the signing of David Rozehnal from Paris St Germain after he arrives on Tyneside to seal the deal.
Gers must 'double Faubert bid'
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:23:05 GMT)
Bordeaux warn Rangers they would have to double their offer to have any chance of landing French midfielder Julien Faubert.
Emre commits future to Newcastle
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:09:03 GMT)
Turkey international midfielder Emre dismisses reports of a return home and says he wants to stay at Newcastle.
Owls up ante in Sharp bidding war
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:33:11 GMT)
Sheff Weds are granted permission to talk to Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp, who is being chased by Norwich, Wolves and Sheff Utd.
Uefa alters World Cup qualifying
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:24:57 GMT)
Uefa tweaks the qualifying system for the 53 European countries who will bid to reach the 2010 World Cup.
Ince named as new MK Dons boss
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:06:57 GMT)
Milton Keynes Dons appoint Paul Ince as their new manager.
Tim Vickery column
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:51:02 GMT)
"It is the strongest line-up the Copa America has had for some time"
Dougan's career in photos
(Sun, 24 Jun 2007 15:06:03 GMT)
Pictures from the life of ex-Wolves star Derek Dougan
Monday's gossip column
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 06:05:34 GMT)
Liverpool to swap Crouch for Torres, plus other rumours


UEFA
Countdown to Sweden 2009
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:58:00 GMT)
Having watched a successful tournament in the Netherlands, Sweden U21 coach Jörgen Lennartsson is relishing the chance to stage the event in 2009.
Heerenveen hails hero De Haan
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:57:00 GMT)
Hours after clinching his second successive UEFA European Under-21 Championship title, coach Foppe de Haan was given a hero's welcome in Heerenveen.
Platini praise for Under-21 showcase
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:31:00 GMT)
UEFA President Michel Platini has spoken of the "great success" of the UEFA European U21 Championship, both on and off the pitch in the Netherlands.
Capdevila veers toward Villarreal
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:02:25 GMT)
Villarreal CF have signed defender Joan Capdevila from RC Deportivo La Coruña as they prepare to return to Europe in the UEFA Cup first round later this summer.
Amateur champions to be crowned
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:33:00 GMT)
Either Bulgaria's South-East Region AMA or Dolnoslaski AMA of Poland will become Europe's amateur champions after Tuesday night's final in Sliven.
Babel pays tribute to best vintage
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:24:00 GMT)
Ryan Babel believes the class of 2007 were superior to the Netherlands team which triumphed in 2006 after lifting the Under-21 crown without losing a game.
Dević eager for Belenenses challenge
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:05:20 GMT)
Vukasin Dević expressed his delight at the prospect of playing UEFA Cup football next season after signing a year-long loan with CF Os Belenenses.
Couto prolongs Parma stay
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:35:00 GMT)
In his second spell at the club, Parma FC have rewarded veteran defender and former Portuguese international Fernando Couto with a new one-year contract.
England starlet earns City reward
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:23:00 GMT)
England Under-21 defender Nedum Onuoha has signed a new contract at Manchester City FC to complete a month to remember for the versatile 20-year-old.
Season start nears for Trabzonspor
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:24:00 GMT)
Trabzonspor are among 14 sides who have good reason to pay close attention to the UEFA Intertoto Cup first-round ties when they conclude this weekend.
Lotina leaves Real for Deportivo
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:18:24 GMT)
Miguel Ã?ngel Lotina is to replace JoaquÃ*n Caparrós as coach of RC Deportivo La Coruña having resigned from his position at relegated Real Sociedad de Fútbol.
Hagi takes charge at Steaua
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:11:00 GMT)
Former Romania inspiration Gheorghe Hagi has begun work today at FC Steaua Bucuresti after the departure of Cosmin Olaroiu to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Huggel back at Basel
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:10:00 GMT)
FC Basel 1893 have made Benjamin Huggel the latest Swiss international star to return home after the signing of Marco Streller last week.
Ventura starts Legia adventure
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:09:00 GMT)
The 23-year-old defender Iñaki Astiz Ventura will hope to get a taste of UEFA Intertoto Cup action with Legia Warszawa after moving on loan from CA Osasuna.
TV partners pleased at progress
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:53:00 GMT)
The first UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ Broadcast Partner Workshop, organised by UEFA Media Technologies SA and held in Vienna, proved to be a great success.
Núñez signs on for Olympiacos
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:41:49 GMT)
Greek champions Olympiacos CFP have signed 22-year-old forward Leonel Núñez from AA Argentinos Juniors for a reported fee of €3m as they prepare for Europe.
Armenian sides make more changes
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:10:00 GMT)
With just eleven rounds played of the Armenian season, five of the eight league clubs have already changed coach with three of those appointments coming this month.
No homecoming for KovaÄ? brothers
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:58:00 GMT)
Croatian fans have been denied the chance of seeing Robert and Niko KovaÄ? in action after both players saw transfers home fall through at the final hurdle.
Bełchatów bank on Stolarczyk
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:12:00 GMT)
Polish runners-up GKS Bełchatów have signed the veteran former international defender Maciej Stolarczyk from Ekstraklasa rivals Wisła Kraków.
Wales ponders Intertoto play-offs
(Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:05:00 GMT)
The Welsh Premier League is considering introducing an end-of-season play-off competition to decide who should enter the UEFA Intertoto Cup from next season.
 

RIDER

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Carroll is not content to play a supporting role


IT NEVER ceases to amaze, the number of Old Firm supporters who will front up to watch their team anywhere, on any pretext. As Rangers opened up their German pre-season tour on Friday night with a 3-0 win at a thicket-surrounded ground in deepest suburbia that belonged to fourth division amateur side Gutersloh, guttural Scottish accents drowned out those of the guttural Teutonic variety.

Without even opening their mouths, however, one group of Rangers fans stood out from the rest. That was the band who stepped off the club's team bus and who double up as the core of the recast squad Walter Smith has assembled since replacing Paul Le Guen in January. Seven of the 12 players signed by the Rangers manager can point to feelings for the club ****** from childhood, the figure swelled by the arrival of Roy Carroll and Lee McCulloch in the past week.

Growing up in Enniskillen, a love of Rangers was passed down to Northern Irish goalkeeper Carroll as just another aspect of his family heritage. The former Manchester United keeper sketchily remembers taking boats, planes and trains with friends to come to watch the club where his "heart has always been". These trips came in his mid-teens, before a YTS contract with Hull City at the age of 17 put an end to them.

It is a stash of strips in a cupboard of his London home that form the bounty from a more recent trip to Ibrox that tell of his affection for a club he "always wanted to play for but didn't think would so soon". Carroll makes plain he doesn't intend to sit on the bench as understudy to Rangers No.1 Allan McGregor next season. But sitting on the bench for United when they met Rangers in the Champions League at Ibrox in November 2003 was where he hatched a plan to bag himself a rare set of mementoes.

"The game that night was a big thing for me," Carroll says. "The atmosphere was unbelievable and while it is hard to pick out particular games I watched as a Rangers fan - because so much has happened playing football myself at Old Trafford and stuff like that - I'll always remember getting all the swapped Rangers tops that night. I picked them all up from the dressing room and kept them for myself. The other lads were happy to give me them because they knew I was a Rangers supporter."

Carroll has yet to regale family and friends about fulfilling a long-held ambition. He has other matters in mind. Two weeks behind the rest of the Rangers squad in their pre-season preparations, he will not feature against SV Lippstadt this evening or in Tuesday's friendly with Hanover. "It happened that quickly I haven't spoken to anybody," he says. "I've kept my phone off and I'm just concentrating getting myself fit and pushing to get in the team."

Although Carroll feels "honoured" simply to be "sitting in Germany wearing the Rangers kit", he says it won't kick in that he is actually a player of the club until he is turning out in one of the upcoming friendlies at Ibrox. How extensive his input into first-team affairs will prove beyond the pre-season is uncertain. McGregor pulled off three superb stops against Gutersloh and, though in Carroll he may had an experienced rival, the Irishman is perhaps best known for his aberrations. Yet, the four years he spent at Old Trafford on joining from Wigan were productive - a championship and an FA Cup medal bagged and Fabien Barthez ousted as United's first-choice keeper.

"That is probably my greatest achievement," he says. "He was a World Cup winner and to take over from him and win the league with Man Utd was a great honour. When I went to the club I was only 23 and had to learn my skills as I hadn't really got goalkeeping training in the lower leagues. I learned a lot in my time there and played a few games."

However unfairly, mention of Carroll's name tends to bring to mind the goal that never was. It came when he palmed out from behind his line a shot that squirmed from his grasp against Tottenham Hotspur and was spared punishment. High-profile errors against AC Milan and Lyon caused him to swap regularly with Tim Howard for senior status at United, though in his final season he made more than 30 appearances. He then declined the offer of a new deal at Old Trafford in summer 2005, preferring to join newly promoted West Ham. The move was supposed to further his career in allowing him first-pick privileges but instead he endured professional and personal nightmares in London.

The latter came in the form of Carroll checking himself into Capio Nightingale hospital in Marylebone last November to seek help for gambling and alcohol problems. Forced on to the sidelines for six months with a back injury, boredom and frustration ensued. In seeking releases he reputedly lost £50,000 in card games with teammates and indulged in binge drinking sessions each weekend.

"That is in the past now, that's gone, that's finished and I'm looking forward now," Carroll says. He refuses even to see the West Ham experience as a career low point. "It wasn't the worst. I met a lot of good friends in London and played about 30-odd games, which wasn't bad."

With two young children at school in the capital, for the moment the keeper is reluctant to put down roots north of the Border. That could change, though. "I just decided to come up for a year and push on and see how I enjoy it," Carroll says.

"I know I will enjoy it but I'm just hoping the year goes well and you never know what will happen in the future."

His manager wants the Irishman to engage in a battle royal with McGregor for the goalkeeping berth. Walter Smith stresses, meanwhile, that it is mere coincidence so many of his recruits have a Rangers leaning. Rather, his plan is to establish a broad base of Scots in a squad he has added eight nationals to since January and supplement these with a smattering of foreign imports to enhance team spirit.

Carroll serves both ends. For, whatever it says on his passport, his affection for the club makes him a naturalised Rangers player. He has the strips to prove it.
 

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New boy not shirking from Celtic limelight


THE hooped shirt may still look incongruous on Scott Brown, but if the guy who spent his early years in Rangers garb and his initial spell in the football limelight in Hibs gear, looks slightly out of place in Celtic apparel, he already appears completely at home in the side's midfield.

In Switzerland, while so many of his team-mates ran out of steam against Young Boys of Bern, a by-product of two games in three days during their first week back from holiday and an over-ambitious training session, according to manager Gordon Strachan, the bustling and industrious summer recruit was his usual combative and incisive self.

It had been the same in his first 45 minutes, against FC Basel. No settling in period required. Like a lodger instantly at one with new digs, the bags were already unpacked and the individual touches applied.

In one of the most over-populated areas of the Celtic squad, Brown has been warned that he will have to fight for his place. Rather than shirk from a battle, the 22-year-old has been bequeathed a reputation by skirmishes gone by. It's something he relishes. Combative and dominating, in his quieter and more private moments he may succumb to the notion of awe but in public, particularly on a football field, there is no sense of inferiority. He stalks the area as though it was his very own. None of that appears to have been lost from his game in his switch from Easter Road to Parkhead.

"I'm treating it exactly the same as I did at Hibs," he says, matter of factly. "I'm just getting in about it and getting on the ball. The gaffer said when he signed me that there would be a lot of competition for places and that if I don't play my game, I won't be in the team. There's a demand to produce your best form but I wouldn't say that's any different to what I was used to at Hibs. John Collins would just as easily have taken me out the team if I wasn't performing, so I don't think that's a new thing for me to handle."

With the equivalent of a verbal shrug, like a top notch tennis player who can take the venom and power from an opponent's serve, harness it and turn it back on them, the Scotland international has learned to live with expectation and close scrutiny, hijacking the intensity and using it to power him. It simply fuels the desire which already consumes him.

In Switzerland, every nick of his heels or crunching tackle which belied the pre-season 'friendly' tag, saw him grow in stature, more determined than ever to make his mark in ways other than studs scraped down shins. Dynamic off the ball as he chased and made a pest of himself, with the ball at his feet he was a force breaking forward.

There was a day at Easter Road when a journalist was attempting to seek him out. In a game of cat and mouse he was only discovered when his mate Kevin Thomson pointed out his hiding place: under a table, already set up for a function, hidden by the draped cloth. There is no such quest for anonymity on the pitch or on the training ground.

While others ran out of puff in Grenchen, he was building up a head of steam. On occasions, cartoon-style, it blew from his ears and nostrils as he faced down opponents, complexion reddening and finger wagging. Booked for a late tackle just 17 minutes into a narky encounter, he would bemoan the fact that bets were being taken on whether he would have lasted the full 90 minutes had his new gaffer not decided to make wholesale changes at half-time.

Speaking previously he has pointed out a solitary red card blemishes his record in the Scottish Premierleague, an indication that while he can still challenge hard and occasionally lose the rag, he is learning how to temper the temper.

He is a midfield engine fuelled by ambition rather than rage. A team spirit and winning endeavour. If the leaning towards a little bit of aggro is still evident, so too are the skills which saw him top the most wanted lists at both Celtic Park and Ibrox and eventually forced the reigning league champions to part with a significant £4.4m to lure him on a five-year contract, which will earn him millions.

The step up to Champions League platform will be a personal promotion but he is undaunted by anything the Celtic experience has to offer. Asked to describe the biggest difference thus far between Celtic and Hibs, "there's a lot more folk at training" was, initially, the best he could muster. "It's been good so far, getting my fitness up and that. The lads are getting there slowly and I have to say it's been really hard work. The training has been hard but I've enjoyed it - that's exactly what we need at this stage and training is supposed to be hard in pre-season. We're all being pushed in order to get us fit for the season.

"But all the guys have been brand new. They all want the ball and they can all pass it. I've really enjoyed working with them. The team creates a lot more. I'm going to enjoy that."

In the pre-season try outs he has also had the chance to witness the ability of Massimo Donati, the player most expect him to be paired up with in the centre of the park. "He's good. Very skilful on the ball."

The fact Brown believes his new team create more and have a greater wealth of skill is unlikely to curtail his penchant for fetching and foraging but what the knowledge has done is, almost implausibly given the levels it was already at, heightened his enthusiasm. The new season won't arrive in time to stave off impatience.

"Aye, ah can't wait. It can't come quickly enough for me." It is the same with the ball. He never has been the best observer, preferring to be in the thick off the action. He is renowned by those who have trained with him for being an ardent student, so much so he once claimed he could operate at right-back having listened so intently to the instructions dished out to Steven Whittaker. Which is exactly why he is likely to prosper under Strachan. His gaffer is never more at home than on the training field, honing the talents at his disposal but he admits he sees little merit in having to repeat things time and again.

At first glance, Brown and Celtic may have seemed incongruous, but in reality they seem destined to prove they were made for each other.
 

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Copa runs over with inspiration

THREE weeks, 24 games, 79 goals, $1bn and a Copa America that got its mojo back. It has been an enthralling summer for the world's oldest international football tournament.

Today in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina will line up for the final, looking to provide a fitting denouement to what has been one of the most exciting and open football events in recent history. These are the most exotic teams in the world and they will face off on a hot and steamy night in front of 42,000 fans, who will provide the spectacle present at every game since the start on June 26 - with beating drums, ticker-tape, Mexican waves, fireworks, and political tensions crackling for good measure. Most of all, surely there will be goals.

For this Copa America has put recent World Cups in the shade. The ball has entered the net 79 times in the 24 ties so far, at an average of 3.29 per game. The last time the World Cup saw that many was in Sweden in 1958.

When asked if he thought the glut of goals would continue, Argentina's entertaining manager, Alfio Basile, quipped: "Maybe, at least until the next World Cup." Basile's team have been outstanding, scoring 16 goals in five games, and tormenting opponents with a thrilling brand of play that turns midfield possession into attack with lightning fluidity.

The Argentines' most recent major triumph was the Copa America in 1993, and in a bid to end that drought, Basile put together a side combining youth and experience, recalling veterans Juan Sebastian Veron, Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Zanetti, and adding the pace and creativity of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez.

The Albicelestes have played the purest football, with Riquelme ambling about the midfield looking to create, and leaving the spadework to Liverpool's Javier Mascherano, Veron and Esteban Cambiasso.

Up front, Lionel Messi has been immense, and the loss of Hernan Crespo in the second game was resolved by the introduction of the always-determined Tevez.

Their performances have enchanted not just Venezuela's untutored fans. Basile, the manager who was also in charge of the early-1990s team that featured Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Simeone, said that the performance against Peru in the quarter-finals ranked with anything that the stellar generation had produced.

"We're doing things the way I like them to be done," Basile observed after his side scored four goals in a second-half rout. "Not just winning, but beautiful football. We're patient, we knock the ball about, we wait for spaces, and when they open up, we are ready. It makes me proud to win this way."

Arch-rivals Brazil have taken on the role of spoilers, with Dunga's ultra-defensive formation a cruel negation of the beautiful game they made famous. Without Kaka and Ronaldinho, both of whom chose to spend the summer resting, Dunga has been without an experienced playmaker and so has gone with three holding midfielders, and has relied almost exclusively on Robinho's slippery creativity to get goals.

The Real Madrid winger responded admirably, accounting for all four in their three group games, but his performances aside, Brazil have been most disappointing. They reached the final after a nail-biting penalties win over Uruguay in the semi, and Argentina are firm favourites to beat them today.

"Argentina are ahead of us because they've been playing together much longer," said Brazilian goalkeeper Doni. "They started the competition at full speed, and we didn't. We've needed to correct things, and improve on a game-by-game basis. So Argentina are ahead."

Brazil are not used to being underdogs, and if they don't perform well against their old rivals, knives will be out for Dunga. The former midfield hard-man has managed as he played, with the accent on determination, running and passion. For Brazilians accustomed to the silky skills of Pele, Socrates, Zico and Garrincha, it is akin to sacrilege.

The sad thing for Brazilian fans is not just that Argentina have played more attractive football, but that teams such as Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and even Colombia, who lost all three of their matches, have made more of an attempt to attack than Brazil. Mexico were unbeaten until they went down in Wednesday's semi to Argentina; Colombia and Ecuador played open football, that was a large part of the reason for their early exits; Venezuela notched up their first Copa America win in 40 years on their way to an unprecedented place in the quarter-finals.

Indeed, in every aspect the hosts proved worthy participants in a competition presented to them because they were the only one among 10 South American nations not to have staged the extravaganza. Many observers doubted whether the tournament could work in a country where baseball is the national passion, and where political tensions have split the populace between those for and against revolutionary socialist President Hugo Chavez.

The tourism infrastructure for such a major influx of visitors was clearly lacking, and the government were accused of withholding as many as two-thirds of the tickets to give to their supporters. Nevertheless, anti-Chavez chants were heard in many of the grounds. Moreover, though they reportedly spent more than $1bn to prepare for the tournament and to build or renovate nine stadiums, some venues were unfinished. In Barquisimeto, for instance, two corner sections and various parts of the roof were missing.

Amazingly, it all went off well in spite of the glitches and new life was breathed into a competition that had lost the respect of participants. Unlike recent years, when the big nations arrived with weakened or under-21 squads - in 2001 Argentina did not even bother to take part - most of the teams were at full strength this time.

Even more importantly, Conmebol seem finally to have decided on a defined spot for the tournament: every four years, and in the year after the World Cup. Holding it at that time means that it will be the only major international competition of the summer, and it will allow managers to try out players and formations before the World Cup qualifiers begin the following September.

Good news all round, and the icing on the cake would be a classic final, which is a genuine possibility. Almost everything else about this Copa America has proved memorable.
 

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O'Neill hails his new version of Lennon

MARTIN O'Neill believes he has found the new Neil Lennon after splashing out £8.5m for Nigel Reo-Coker.

The Aston Villa manager has scoured Europe for a younger version of the former Celtic captain and is confident his new signing from West Ham will be his new on-field leader.

O'Neill said: "I worked with Lennon for five years at Leicester and another five years at Celtic. I'm not so sure he was captain that many times under me, but he played like a captain every single week and he was a leader at Leicester and Celtic. I definitely see similarities in terms of personality when it comes to Nigel."
 

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Sunderland's Riera on trial with Falkirk

FALKIRK have taken former Barcelona B captain Arnau Riera on trial as Bairns boss John Hughes weighs up a move for the Spaniard.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been told he can leave Sunderland this summer. He joined the Black Cats on a three-year contract from Barca B last August but the Mallorca-born player made just two appearances for the club - the second being marked by a red card against Bury in the Carling Cup.

Riera is now looking for a new employer and Hughes has taken the chance to run the rule over him at the club's pre-season camp in Holland.
 
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