The Rundown: The 5th Starter; The Saga of Gibbons, Spring Training Home, Everything Else...

Well, the 2008 regular season is upon us, and the good news is we now know who our fifth starter is --- Brian Buress. I figured he'd get the nod after his strong start, and like I said the other day, he was a great spot starter for the first half of the season, but he wilted and it seemed the more time went on, the less effective he was.

Only time will tell if he can stay consistent throughout the 2008 season. Considering the expectations of the pitching staff, he'll be given ample opportunity to get a permanent shot in holding down the role.

***

After everything, Jay Gibbons! may not be suspended, after all.

In a piece in the Baltimore Sun yesterday, "The commissioner's office and the players union are negotiating changes to Major League Baseball's drug policy in the wake of the Mitchell Report, and the result could be the rescinding of Gibbons' 15-day suspension for violating the substance-abuse prevention program."

Ok, if he's not going to be suspended -- if I were Andy MacPhail, I'd give Gibbons these two options -- either go down the minors, or be cut from the team and take his money. Baltimore made a mistake with his signing; thus, it may be time to cut the losses, or have Gibbons try to retool at the lower levels.

I could care less how much Gibbons makes -- he's not a viable player right now on the squad and he's taking up a roster spot of guys more worthy (item: Scott Moore, Tike Redman).

Basical! ly, Peter Schmuck believes that Jay Gibbons sucks and needs to be cut.

Note: Now Gibbons' suspension has been put on hold while baseball figures out what the hell to do with the drug testing procedures and penalties.

***

I usually don't have much sympathy for multi-millionaires, but what's going on with Roberts is ridiculous, and now he "does not feel a sense of closure despite Andy MacPhail's assertion that a trade for the second baseman is unlikely."

Guillermo Quiroz is the new backup catcher.

Luis Hernandez has looked awful in the field, and just as bad with the bat. He may get the starting spot; however, why do I think Brandon Fahey might sneak his way in thanks to his play this spring training.

Rocky Cherry was put on the DL with a strained shoulder; the Examiner has a piece on Andy MacPhail and where he got to today, as well Pressbox has a piece on him; Steve Trachsel's contract was purchased from Norfolk -- thus, he's officially on the team; Jones is settling in with Baltimore; and the Examiner's Tony Giro, is telling us what we all know -- it's going to a be long year, plus yet, another positive (no, negative) piece from Rafael Alvarez.

There will be a new scoreboard Camden Yards this year, and it is expected to be showcased on Opening Day.

And yes, Bedard is still pitching un-acelike in Arizona.

Amber Theoharis thinks miracles can happen for the Birds, maybe -- they will ! not sniff .500; however, they won't rival the '62 Mets.

***
Meanwhile, will the O's move to Dodgertown? I hope so, but for those who want the O's to stay in Ft. Lauderdale, there may be some good news on the horizon:

From The Sun: City and team representatives are optimistic the Orioles will stay in Fort Lauderdale. It all depends on the FAA. An FAA spokeswoman said the agency has asked the city for additional information about airport growth and an appraisal to ensure the FAA receives "fair market value" for use of the land. The city is providing some of the information and is in discussions about the appraisal.

"I think there's been some progress," Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle said. "We're in close discussions with the FAA, convincing them the land is ... recreational and they should accept our appraisal. I'm optimistic we can have a new facility not only for the Oriol! es, but multi-purpose fields for use for our community."T he Orioles have also signed an option agreement, just in case the issues with the Ft. Lauderdale site can't be settled.

Having Okajimas Number; Os Whoop on the Red Sox, 10-6

Last night, the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox, 10-6, thanks to an amazing comeback in the latter innings, and big-time clutch pitching by the bullpen. Folks, the Orioles have stormed the party in the AL East and are making things interesting in a division that features the Evil Empire (Yankees) & Evil Empire 1A (Red Sox), along with the top heavy Jays and surging Rays.

Aubrey Huff went 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and pretty much put the nail in the coffin for the Red Sox. Brian Roberts, Ramon Hernandez and Freddie Bynum also drove in two runs for the Orioles, who have won four of their last five. The big moment for the Orioles came in the seventh inning as Hideki Okajima, got hammered and took the loss he was charged with three run in 1/3 of an inning.

Daniel Cabrera was charged with seven hits and six runs over five innings with four walks, and has not looked as nearly dominant as he was in April-May. Is he slowing down, tied or reve! rting back to the form he had in 2008? It's too early to say, and he was looking fine until the fourth inning -- then the patient, and aggressive Red Sox lineup tattered him.

The beautiful thing about last night was the Oriole comeback. Unlike in previous years, when the Red Sox were ahead, O's fans might have turned off the TV -- however, now, it's unpredictable and when the bullpen holds down the opposing offense, Baltimore has a chance to win.

Yes, the Orioles don't have the best offense, but they are making the most of their opportunities, thus moments that took place in the 7th and 9th innings, separate the 2008 Orioles from teams of the past decade.

We're still a game over .500, and although we may not be considered one of the elite -- baseball is taking notice that things are changing with the Baltimore Orioles. We may not have the lure of the Red Sox or Yankees, but Baltimore is making a good run and hopefully we can start making oth! er teams' lives miserable rather than being a doormat.

Adam Loewen Now Part of The Blue Jays...

I seriously thought that Adam Loewen would resign with Baltimore; however, things have changed as he was put on waivers a few days ago.

Now he's part of the Toronto Blue Jays.

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays acquired two of the top four picks in the 2002 draft on Friday, signing converted pitcher Adam Loewen to a minor league contract and claiming right-hander Bryan Bullington off waivers.

Bullington was selected by Pittsburgh with the top overall selection and Loewen was taken fourth by the Baltimore Orioles. Neither player has panned out so far professionally.

Baltimore released Loewen on Monday, but had hoped to re-sign him to a minor league deal. Loewen, a native of Surrey, British Columbia, acknowledged leaving the Orioles was "extremely difficult," but said the chance to join Toronto was too good to pass up.

"I grew up watching the Blue Jays and was a huge fan all my life," he said. "This is a gr! eat opportunity. I'm really excited to get going."

Loewen's pitching career ended in July because of recurring stress fractures in his left elbow. Loewen worked with Baltimore batting coach Terry Crowley in September before joining the Orioles' instructional league team. He went 8-8 with a 5.38 ERA in three years as a pitcher.

Loewen, who will attempt to reach the majors as a first baseman/outfielder, said he has no regrets about giving up pitching.

"If you gave me a brand new left arm and I was able to do what I used to, I don't think I'd take it," he said.

Too bad. That's just the risk the Orioles took releasing him and not putting him on the 40-man roster.

Our New Supporter - BaltimoreHotels.Net

If you're ever coming into the Baltimore Metropolitan region either for an Orioles or Ravens game, business, a convention or just fun, take a minute and check out BaltimoreHotels.Net, one of the Oriole Post's newest supporters.

BaltimoreHotels.net is the leading hotel reservation site for those who are looking for lodging in and around Charm City. The site allows you to choose from over 150 hotels in Baltimore, ranging from low budget hotels to exclusive luxury hotels.

So take a minute, check them out and if you'll be the region anytime soon, look to BaltimoreHotels.net for booking your next room!

Super Bowl Thoughts: 17-7 at the Half...

As America tunes in to see whether the Cardinals will win their first Super Bowl, or if the Steelers manage to earn a sixth one. Both teams have been fairly solid, but the Cardinals started out fairly weak, but they picked up the tempo as both teams scored a touchdown in the second quarter and got Larry Fitzgerald in the game. Pittsburgh took a 10-0 to start the game until the Arizona score.

However, Kurt Warner gave up an interception -- a 100 yard return by James Harrison -- with mere seconds left before halftime to go up 17-7 at the half. It looked like Arizona was going to score in one way or another, but the Harrison run -- the longest play in Super Bowl history -- has given the Steelers a nice cushion.

The second half should be interesting -- real interesting.

>>> Read More

Jim Calhoun Goes Crazy on a Reporter; Should Coaches Get Paid Millions?

Ah, times are tough for everyone and one has to ask why someone should feel sympathetic to a millionaire. This may or may not be case in this instance; however, sometimes some questions should not asked in a particular forum.

>>> Read More

Orioles Down Rays, 7-5; Adam Jones: Star in the Making?

To see the change with the Baltimore franchise, you can look at the progress of one player: Adam Jones.

He served as a main catalyst in yesterday's victory over the Rays, 7-5, as he hit two home runs and drove in four runs in the winning effort. Baltimore's bullpen bailed out Mark Hendrickson -- who was nothing but terrible and only lasted 2 innings and gave up 5 runs -- and shut down Tampa Bay.

Hendrickson was solid in his last start -- granted it was only over three innings -- against the White Sox; however, could his time in the rotation be coming to an end? With the positive news coming out of the farm, Hill has done mighty fine in his rehab, and should be back up this weekend for the series against the Royals in Kansas City. Mark has been a good soldier, and perhaps was ill-suited to start, but ! the Orioles needed an arm. I'm sure he'll be sent to the bullpen, or be a swing man in the rotation, but something needs to be done about the pitching effort when it comes to this team.

>>> Read More

It Was a Great Game For Eight Innings, Then the Yankees Annihilate Orioles

I went to the game last night, and for eight innings, I had a great seat, ate some good food, had fun, and watched the Orioles battle for eight innings against C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees. However, when Jim Johnson came on for the ninth inning, you could smell the Yankees plotting a comeback, planning a attack, and trying their best to warn another victory despite having a comfortable lead over the Red Sox in the American League East.

The New Yorkers might have a store-bought team; however, they have a killer instinct, and each guy on that team is fighting for a worthy cause -- that's of course, a championship. They used a nine-run seventh inning, where they drew walks and got hit after hit to dismantle the Orioles, 10-2, in what was a fell-fought game which later turned into a mess. Johnson gave up five runs in the fateful frame, and replacement Dennis Sarfate was not even better by a longshot. Kam Mickolio -- who came into the game in the sixth inning with the ! game tied, gave up two runs off an Alex Rodriguez two-RBI single in the seventh-- took the loss.

The Bronx Bombers came to win, and by the end of the night on Wednesday, they got the brooms out and swept the Orioles.

>>> Read More

O'Sullivan Traded To Oilers in Three Way Deal

According to TSN:

Patrick O'Sullivan &! 2nd round pick to Carolina
Justin Williams goes to Los Angeles
Eric Cole traded to Carolina

Easter Sunday: Rangers Headlines

• The Rangers will start the 2009 NHL Playoffs off in Washington against the Capitals. The Alexander Ovechkin led Capitals were 3-1 against the Rangers this season. Including that miserable game two days before Christmas when the Rangers blew a 4-0 lead against the Capitals and Ovechkin had two goals. [Link]

• John Tortorella not happy with the Rangers "shit practice!" [Link]
  
  
• With one last regular season game today that doesn't mean anything to the Rangers (as far as the standings go), I wonder if Lundqvist will get the evening off. There are some who will say that Valiquette should get the start because he's had success against Philly in the past and also because the last thing the Rangers need is to have Lundqvist injured right before the playoffs in a game that doesn't mean much. Others will say that Lundqvist needs to be kept sharp for the Capitals. In my opinion giving Lundqvist the night off would be a wise decision but either way I won't really care (unless he gets injured! - knock on wood).
  
  
• All other Eastern Conference matchups determined. [Link]
  
  

Rangers playoff tickets on eBay, StubHub & RazorGator

I'll have a playoff preview up within the next day or so - with all of my predictions.

Brian Leetch On Hall of Fame Selection Ballot

This is taken from the Official Rangers website:

On Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET, the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee will announce the members of the 2009 Hall of Fame induction class, which promises to be one of the best in history.

You don't have to be a hockey historian or scholar to know that Steve Yzerman and Brett Hull will be chosen. And y! ou don't have to be a die-hard Rangers fan to fully expect that former Blueshirts star Brian Leetch, whose No. 2 was retired by the team on Jan. 24, 2008, will be right there with them.

After all, if Brian Leetch isn't a Hall of Famer, then who is? His statistics alone are mind-boggling. He is the seventh-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history with 1,028 career points in 1,205 career games. He holds more than 40 Rangers team records, including the career assists mark, and was named to the NHL All-Star Game 11 times. The list of achievements goes on and on

The one statistic that best illustrates Leetch's greatness on the NHL stage is this: Leetch is the only player other than Bobby Orr to win the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year, the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman (he won that one twice), and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. To do this, you have to be great when you come into the league, great on a consistent basis th! roughout the regular season, and great in the postseason. Leet! ch was a ll three.

Since the selection committee can add only four players in any given year, the most interesting decision on Tuesday will likely involve the potential fourth spot. Luc Robitaille, who spent two years with the Rangers in the mid-1990s but is best known for his many seasons in Los Angeles, appears to have the best chance. He will get in at some point, if not this year.

Although the class will be named on Tuesday, this year's actual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Nov. 9 in Toronto. If Leetch reaches the Hall, it would mark the third straight year that a member of the 1994 Stanley Cup championship team is honored at the induction ceremony. Mark Messier joined the Hall in 2007, and Glenn Anderson was part of last year's class.

With both Leetch and Robitaille in the mix, Tuesday afternoon's announcement promises to be a thrilling moment for Blueshirts fans. The selection of Leetch alone would be historic, because Leetch! stands to become the first U.S.-born defenseman to reach the Hall in more than 60 years worth of induction ceremonies.

The first American defenseman to become a Hall of Famer was Rod Langway, but he was born overseas before coming back to the States with his family as a youngster.

Leetch was born in Texas but raised in Cheshire, Conn., and attended Boston College for one year. Former BC star Joey Mullen, a native New Yorker, is already in the Hall of Fame, which means Leetch would become the second former Eagles star to get there for his accomplishments as an NHL player. Both Leetch and Mullen are members of the United States Hockey Hall, which is based in Minnesota.

For the Rangers organization, and its scouting staff in particular, the potential to see Leetch to reach the Hall of Fame just three days before the 2009 NHL Entry Draft is truly inspiring. Leetch was drafted by the Rangers in 1986, and the man who discovered him, Ray Clearwate! r, is still scouting for the Blueshirts and will be at the dra! ft table on June 26-27 in Montreal.

Leetch would not be the first Rangers draft pick to reach the Hall of Fame. That honor will always belong to Brad Park, who played the same position and wore the same number as Leetch. Park was selected in 1966, however, when the draft was still limited to the handful of players not already sponsored by NHL teams under a system that predated the first draft in 1963.

That old sponsorship system did not fully end until 1969, which means Leetch can become the first Rangers draft pick of the "universal" draft era to reach the Hall. It would make the Rangers the 18th of the 30 current NHL teams to have drafted a Hall of Famer in the past 40 years.

PuckCentral Launches New Forums

We are announcing the launch of the new PuckCentral Forums

The Forums will allow members to talk about all aspects of the NHL, discuss trade rumors and get information from each other. The Forums will have a board for General NHL Discussions as well as individualized sections for each of the 30 NHL teams. The Forums will also include messageboards to discuss other leagues besides the NHL such as the KHL, AHL, College and International tournaments.

You can either visit the new forums by clicking the link above or by using the new button on the upper right side of this page, which looks like this:

Yankees/Red Sox give FOX new season high.

Big names.

Local NFL ratings.

Big names.

Quote of the day.

MLB Stars will join Big Papi´s Gulf

David OrtizSanto Domingo .- A constellation of stars of Major League Baseball and the artistic field will join the second version of the Celebrity Golf Classic to be held David Ortiz in the first week of December.The fair will be held on the exclusive Punta Espada Resort at Cap Cana, one of the most spectacular tourist communities in the world and have the hotel Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa as accommodation for the celebrities.The...

Francisco Buried Licey

Juan FranciscoSanto Domingo .- Gigantes del Cibao have chosen the best time to start playing their best baseball. The team from San Francisco de Macoris, struggling for the classification after three wins in a regular series followed, scored his fourth straight victory last night 5-3 by defeating the Tigres del Licey in match played at the Quisqueya Stadium last night.Juan Francisco's double in the seventh inning broke a tie at three and...

AFC U 19: Timnas Indonesia VS Australia Berakhir Imbang 0-0

Sports Hot News

Tim Indonesia U-19 gagal untuk lolos ke putaran final Pra Piala Asia. Kondisi itu tercipta setelah Garuda Muda hanya meraup satu angka hasil skor imbang 'kacamata' melawan Australia.

Tambahan satu angka ini membuat Indonesia berada di posisi empat klasemen Grup F dengan poin empat dari empat laga yang telah digelar. Sedangkan Australia yang merupakan juara bertahan U-19 Asean, bertengger di peringkat dua dengan 10 angka. Dengan hanya menyisakan satu laga, praktis Indonesia sudah tidak dapat mengejar poin dua tim teratas tersebut....

Piala Dunia 2010: Russia Membuat Peluang, Kamerun Lolos

Sports Hot News

Rusia membuka asa meraih satu tiket ke Piala Dunia 2010 mendatang, setelah mengungguli Slovenia 2-1. Sementara itu, Kamerun sudah memastikan diri meraih satu tiket ke Afrika Selatan.

Dalam laga di Stadion Luzhniki, Minggu (15/11/2009), jual-beli serangan terjadi sejak babak pertama berlangsung pada petarungan antara Rusia dan Slovenia....

Robert Kubica Menabrak

Sports Hot News

Robert Kubica mendapat pelajaran berharga dari aksinya di balap reli. Disinyalir karena kurang terbiasa dengan pacenote, pembalap Polandia ini mendapati mobilnya menabrak dinding pembatas.

Kubica yang mengikuti gelaran reli Sicilian Taormina-Messina sebenarnya menunjukkan awal yang menjanjikan di hari pertama, Jumat (13/11/2009) lalu. Dengan mobil Clio R3 yang dikendarainya, ia sukses menjadi yang tercepat di kelas R3C....

Berbatov Siap Mundur Dari Timnas

Sports Hot News

Dimitar Berbatov pulang ke Manchester United dengan cedera usai membela timnas. Sir Alex Ferguson niscaya kesal dibuatnya, meski mungkin juga tersenyum karena itu bisa saja jadi cedera terakhir Berba bersama Bulgaria.

Berbatov tak bermain penuh ketika Bulgaria dipermalukan Serbia dengan skor 6-1. Penyerang tersebut harus meninggalkan lapangan dengan langkah terpincang-pincang setelah 30 menit pertandingan berjalan.

Pemain NFL Dipecat Gara-Gara Twitter

Sports Hot News

Twittermu harimaumu. Itulah peribahasa yang sedikit dibengkokkan dari peribahasa aslinya yang pas ditujukan untuk Larry Johnson. Pemain football Amerika (NFL) itu dipecat akibat twitter.

Johnson adalah running back yang bermain untuk Kansas City Chiefs. Klubnya memecat Johnson pada Senin (9/11/2009) dengan alasan membuat masalah di luar lapangan....

Kecaman Dunia Sepakbola atas Aksi Henry

Sports Hot News

Publik sepakbola dunia mengecam Thierry Henry atas aksi membelokkan bola dengan tangan yang mengantar Prancis lolos ke Piala Dunia 2010. Tapi di mata Zinedine Zidane, aksi itu tak masuk kategori curang.

Henry terlihat dua kali menyentuh bola dengan tangannya untuk mengindarkan si kulit bundar keluar dari zona permainan saat Prancis menghadapi Republik Iralndia. Dari aksi tersebut dia kemudian mengirim umpan yang bisa diselesaikan gol oleh William Gallas....

Evra: Pertandingan Ulang di Playstation Saja

Sports Hot News

Patrice Evra setuju saja kalau laga Prancis kontra Republik Irlandia diulang kembali. Namun bukan di dunia nyata melainkan di area maya menggunakan media Playstation.

Duel kedua tim di leg 2 Playoff Piala Dunia pertengahan pekan ini memang jadi polemik berkepanjangan akibat handball Thierry Henry yang membuat William Gallas dapat mencetak gol. Alhasil mimpi Irlandia untuk memesan tiket ke Afrika Selatan tahun depan jadi buy

Kekhawatiran Barca Atas Cederanya Messi

Sports Hot News

Hasil imbang 1-1 kontra Athletic Bilbao membuat Barcelona tergusur dari puncak klasemen. Kabar buruk buat The Catalans bertambah karena cedera yang didapat Lionel Messi.

Barcelona gagal meraih kembali puncak klasemen yang beberapa jam sebelumnya direbut Real Madrid usai mengalahkan Racing Santander. Cuma dapat satu poin karena bermain 1-1 dengan Bilbao, El Barca kini tertinggal satu angka dari seteru abadinya itu....

Arsenal Kalah Bukan Karena Van Persie Absen

Sports Hot News

Manajer Arsenal Arsene Wenger menegaskan bahwa kekalahan timnya bukan akibat absennya Robin van Persie. Wenger mengatakan bahwa kekalahan itu tidak disebabkan oleh satu orang saja.

Tanpa Van Persie yang harus absen setidaknya enam pekan, Arsenal dibekap Sunderland 0-1 dalam laga yang berlangsung Sabtu (21/11/2009) malam WIB.

Penampilan Totti Masih Memukau

Sports Hot News

Cedera sebulan lebih ternyata tak mempengaruhi penampilan Francesco Totti. Sekembalinya ke lapangan hijau tiga gol langsung dicetak. Sebuah penampilan sempurna dari Il Capitano AS Roma itu.

Menjamu Bari di Stadion Olimpico, Minggu (22/11/2009) malam WIB, Totti dan Roma langsung tancap gas di babak pertama. Keunggulan tiga gol di babak itu pun hanya bisa diperkecil menjadi 1-3 di babak kedua oleh lawan. Alhasil tiga poin pun berhasil dijaga dan Roma perlahan menapak naik dengan berada di posisi ke-11 dengan 18 poin....

Spurs Pesta Gol Atas Wigan 9-1

Sports Hot News

Tottenham Hotspur mungkin membuat Wigan Athletic merasakan mimpi terburuknya dalam sejarah klub itu. Spurs tak tanggung-tanggung menggilas Wigan dengan skor sangat mencolok 9-1, Minggu (22/11/2009) malam WIB.

Laga di White Hart Lane berjalan sembilan menit Spurs sudah unggul lewat gol Peter Crouch. Memaksimalkan umpan silang Aaron Lennon tandukan Crouch merobek jala Wigan yang dijaga Chris Kirkland. Skor 1-0 pun bertahan hingga turun minum....
Read more...

Rosberg Bergabung Dengan Mercedes GP

Sports Hot News

Nico Rosberg dikabarkan sudah di ambang pintu tim Brawn GP yang kini telah menjadi Mercedes GP. Dia pun berharap calon rekan setimnya nanti bukan orang yang hanya memikirkan diri sendiri dan bisa berperan dalam tim.

Di musim 2010, Rosberg takkan lagi membela Williams yang sudah dia bela semenjak tahun 2006. Belum pasti ke mana nanti dia akan berlabuh, tapi spekulasi yang berhembus kuat si pembalap Jerman akan bergabung dengan Mercedes GP....

Weekend ratings.

Torre daze.

Yankees hit ratings home runs during spring training.

Weekend ratings.

Celtics beating Bruins, but barely.

Kornheiser leaving Monday Night Football.

Little League hits home run for ESPN, ESPN2

(Belated) weekend ratings

Info Sepakbola | Teknik Shooting

Adalah tendangan kearah gawang. Tehnik ini kelihatannya gampang, tapi sebenarnya dibutuhkan konsentrasi dan waktu yang tepat agar shooting yang kita lakukan mengarah ke gawang atau menjadi sebuah gol. Latihan ini bisa dilakukan dengan mengharuskan penendang berlari..... mengejar bola sebelum melakukan shooting. Sebagai contoh : pemain A dan B berhadap-hadapan, pemain A mengumpan bola kepada pemain B, setelah mengumpan pemain A berlari 90 derajat kearah belakang pemain B, setelah pemain A berlari..... pemain B segera berputar 90 derajat dan memberi umpan pada pemain A untuk kemudian di shooting oleh pemain A. Umpan yang diberkan pemain B harus pada waktu yang tepat agar pemain A dapat melakukan shooting dengan sempurna. Jika sudah semakin bagus, peran pemain A bisa digantikan pemain B. Dengan cara ini berati kita sudah melakukan 2 latihan tehnik sekaligus, yaitu tehnik passing (oleh pemain B) dan tehnik shooting (oleh pemain A).

Hasil Pertandingan | Kualifikasi Pilala Dunia 2009/2010 | Drogba Loloskan Pantai Gading

Pantai Gading memastikan satu tempat di Piala Dunia 2010 usai bermain imbang 1-1 dengan Malawi. Satu-satunya gol Pantai Gading diciptakan oleh bintang mereka, Didier Drogba.

Bertanding di kandang lawan, Stadion Kamuzu, Minggu (11/10/2009) dinihari WIB, Pantai Gading tampil dengan sejumlah pemain andalannya. Tampak dalam starting eleven ada pula nama Didier Zokora dan Salomon Kalou. Dro! gba sendiri baru dimainkan di babak kedua.

Meski demikian, Malawi terlebih dulu meraih keunggulan. Adalah Jacob Ngwira yang membuat Les Elephants tertinggal lewat golnya di menit 63. Dua menit berselang Drogba pun masuk untuk menggantikan Sekou Cisse.

Dari penyerang Chelsea itulah kemudian tim tamu menyamakan kedudukan. Berawal dari pelanggaran Peter Mponda, Pantai Gading pun memperoleh tendangan bebas. Lewat sepakan bebas ini bola kemudian sempat dihalau oleh Mponda, tetapi malah jatuh di kaki Drogba. Ia pun menaklukkan kiper Swadick Sanudi dengan satu sontekan pelan.

Dengan tambahan satu nilai ini, Pantai Gading memimpin klasemen Grup E dengan nilai 13. Mereka hanya tinggal menyisakan satu laga lagi. Dengan raihan poin itu, mereka sudah tak mungkin dikejar oleh Burkina Faso yang berada di posisi dua.

Burkina Faso kini mengoleksi poin 6 dan masih menyisakan dua pertandingan lagi. Tetapi ca! paian poin maksimal mereka di dua laga itu, 12, sudah tak bisa! melewat i perolehan Pantai Gading.

Dengan demikian, Pantai Gading lolos untuk kedua kalinya ke Piala Dunia. Keikutsertaan mereka yang pertama adalah pada tiga tahun silam pada Piala Dunia 2006 di Jerman.

FANTANEWS: Acciuffatelo!!!!

-------- ACCIUFFATELO !!!!!! ------------
.
In attesa dei risultati ufficiali vediamo le nostre previsioni per i risultati: Marcina-Cele: 1 a 0, Leo-Raf: 0 a 4, Gigi-Gio: 0 a 0, Pasq-Felix: 3-3 (forse ha vinto Felix non so), Piero-Paolo: 0-1.

La classifica si spacca in 3 gruppi: Armata, il gruppone all'inseguimento e il gruppo di coda:
Armata 40; Il giorno dei giorni 31; I Love Giorgia e Selecao 29; Armammece e Blucrociata 28; MLK United 23; Dinamo Tofa 22; Nuanda 21; Real Marcina 19.

Quindi Raf Lamb va in fuga, espugna anche la stadio San Vallonito e si porta a +9 punti. L'avversario di turno di Raf Lamb è stato Leo De Vallonis. Travolto 4 a 0 in casa dall'Armata. Qualsiasi ulterione commento può sembrare fazioso e allora diamo solo i nu! meri. 18 punti in 6 giornate. 6 vittorie di fila. La migliore media (71), il secondo miglior attacco (47 gol).

Raf Lamb soddisfatto ai nostri microfoni: "Si tratta di una piccola fuga. Il campionato è lungo. Sono contento ma il mio desiderio è ritrovare Borriello e Mutu. Sono loro gli uomini che possono regalarci il 5 titolo e farci diventare PENTACAMPIONI". Voto per Raf Lambertoski: 9. Voto per Leo: 5. Si arrende alle furie Armate.

Al secondo posto, inchiodato a 31 punti, Pancraziotto che realizza il peggior punteggio in attacco della storia Quagliarella 1.5, Zarate 3, Riserva d'ufficio 4. Totale attacco solo 7 punti, recor! d negativo!! L'avversario gongola: Mr. Passalacqua co n i golletti di Vucinic e Rocchi porta a casa 3 punti. Voto per Mr. PPPP: 4.5. Chiamate il sarto, c'è da scucire lo scudetto dalle maglie. Voto per Mr. Passa: 6.5. Altri 3 punti preziosi che valgono il podio.

Insieme alla Selecao al terzo posto troviamo I Love Giorgia che (forse) ha pareggiato con la Dinamo Felix in una partita rocambolesca e spettacolare. Il risultato dovrebbe essere stato di 3 a 3. (oppure 2 a 3, siamo in dubbio). Essendoci questo dubbio rimandiamo i voti. O meglio diamo un bel 7 a tutte e due le squadre perchè lo spettacolo è stato fantastico: rigori, parate, gol, ottime prestazioni.

Al quarto posto insieme al delusissimo Leo De Vallonis troviamo il polletto Giò che realizza 65.5 e non riesce ad avere la meglio sulla squadra di Mr. Giggiozzo: 0 a 0. Gio Lamb dichiara: "Colpa mia, potevamo ! vincere. Ho inserito Diakitè costruttore, un erroraccio!". Voto per Gio: 5.5. Senza Ibra è dura. Voto per Giggios: 5.5. Le assenze di Miccoli e Treze pesano. I tifosi sono un pò delusi ma il punticino fa bene alla classifica.

Infine la sfida salvezza Tommy-Cele ha visto prevalere Mr. Trap, che vive gioia e dolori per un Adriano ritrovato ma riperso per squalifica (3 giornate). Ad ogni modo 3 punti d'oro per Mr. Trap che si porta a 19 a ridosso del gruppetto in coda. Mr. Trap dichiara: "la salvezza è possibile". Voto per Trap: 7. Segnali di ripresa. Voto per Ceg: 6.

Ci sarà poco tempo per riflettere. Mercoledi è già campionato. Le sfide sono tante: Nuanda - Armata; Dinamo - MLK United; Blucrociata - Il Giorno dei Giorni; Selecao - Armammece; Real Marcina - I Love Giorgia

A! questo punto tutti tifano per Mr. Celestino che cercherà di "! acciuffa re" Mr. Raf. Cele ai nostri microfoni dichiara: "Mi fido di Totò Di Natale, venderemo cara la pelle".

Ciao, Rafilozzo Cannavò

HUMOUR: FERNANDO TORRES FINALLY STOPPED

DIEGO MARADONA GIVES ADVISE TO LIONEL MESSI

ATLETICO DE MADRID MEXICAN TOUR 2008 - SECOND DEFEAT

REAL MADRID NEWS 2008: ROBINHO & HIS FUTURE

FC BARCELONA TRANSFER UPDATE 2008

DIEGO FORLAN SEEN AS SUBSTITUTE FOR BERBATOV AT TOTTENHAM

SPANISH FOOTBALL - ROUND 24 SATURDAY /2008 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

SPANISH CUP 2008 - LAST 16 TEAMS: 1º LEG WEDNESDAY GAMES

CRAZY 24 HOURS OF TRANSFER SIGNNINGS IN SPANISH FOOTBALL ...ROBBEN, CICINHO, BELLETTI...

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF LA LIGA ROUND 6/2007. GETAFE, REAL MADRID, RECREATIVO, VALENCIA, ATLETICO DE MADRID, OSASUNA, VALLADOLID, MURCIA, BETIS & MALLORCA

PRE-VIEW TO GREECE vs SPAIN FRIENDLY - IN DANGER OF CANCELATION. MAYOR EMBARRASSMENT FOR GREEK FOOTBALL

EURO 2008. LIECHTENSTEIN - SPAIN. PRE - MATCH NEWS

REAL MADRID NEWS. JAVIER SAVIOLA OFFICIALLY PRESENTED AS NEW PLAYER

FC BARCELONA & REAL MADRID SOME HUMOUR

THE PEPE & CASQUERO CASE: AN ALTERNATIVE ANGLE

REAL MADRID: FLORENTINO PEREZ PRESENTS HIS TEAM & AGREEMENT FOR PELLEGRINI AS NEXT COACH

REAL MADRID SIGN OLYMPIQUE DE LYON FORWARD KARIM BENZEMA

SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM: DEL BOSQUE GIVES HIS LIST FOR MACEDONIA

FORMULA 1: ALONSO 3ºRD IN SINGAPORE GP

Deco: I'm Leaving

Rampant Spain Crush Russia

Getafe Confirm Soldado Arrival

Mourinho Vows To Take Calcio Back To The Top

Agüero: I Still Have Much To Learn

Figo Delighted With Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or Win

Goal.com Forum Special: How Good A Scout Are You?

Kaká To Real Madrid Rumours Continue In Spain

Torres out to break hoodoo

Fed Chairman’s Comments In Line with NAMIC View of Systemic Risk Regulation

Rafa reveals Silva approach

Senna out of Gunners tie

Maicon rules out Inter exit

Zigic staying at Valencia

Messi eyes top prize

Del Piero on Juventus

Del Piero on Juventus

Top Football News: CR-7 Is Over!

Ronaldo when announced as a new Real Madrid football player

CR-7 was! changed CR-9

Ronaldo on his debute with Real Madrid FC


Cristiano Ronaldo:
The Most Expensive Football Player on The Universe

CR-7 is trully over! CR-7 for Cristiano Ronaldo number 7 is the famous name of Ronaldo when he was in Manchester United FC. Now, CR-7 is Over! because Manchester United have accepted an offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo with an ! £80m ($131.6m or €93.9m). Ronaldo has been became the most exp! ensive f ootball player in the world, breaking Zidane's record for years. Ronaldo will leave Old Trafford stadium, goes to Santiago Bernabeau. the Champions League final Manchester United versus Barcelona was Cristiano Ronaldo's last game for United.

In Real Madrid, Ronaldo will not wear costume number 7 as he wore as in Manchester United. because number 7 in Real Madrid just only their prince, prince of bernabeau, Raul Gonzales. So, Ronaldo will be given number 9 for him. Then, Ronaldo in Real Madrid is not CR-7 anymore but he becomes CR-9, The New Famous Name for him. All of Madrisitas hope Ronaldo can lead a new galacticos that built by florentino perez, to get more victories for real madrid. Ronaldo gathering with Kaka, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol, Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso are the new galacticos of real madrid who must bring more champions tittle for el-Real. Good luck Guys!

Rumours Of A Takeover

By Jaymes Payten-Marsh
For THBN

Reports of a takeover are currently circulating around the business world. With Tottenham Hotspur's share price jumping from 29.60 to 34.00 within a matter of hours, reports are rife that Daniel Levy has received an offer and rejected it for the majority shares owned by ENIC from an unknown source.

Other sources claim that an offer was made for the shares owned by Sam Hamman & Alan Sugar. Combined, those shares equal 14.7% of the overall holding of the club.

Some forums are even claiming that they have heard the rumour that former Manchester United major shareholders JP McManus and John Magnier are interested in owning the majority shares in Tottenham.

The Premiership has become the place to own shares as a football club can become a very profitable enterprise if run correctly and so this has attracted various business men into the world of football.
!
I think that if we are going to be taken over, be it now, or in the future, at least let Spurs be owned by some billionaire like Roman Abramovich. If we are going to be taken over by someone like Levy again, they may as well forget the whole thing as life under Levy's leadership looks as though the good times at Spurs are not that far away.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Issue - Part I

What is the current status of the stadium issue?

Does anyone have a clear understanding of when the club's management is set to make a definite decision on whether Tottenham Hotspur will continue to play their football at White Hart Lane or elsewhere?

In this two part article about expanding or moving, we have contacted the club and other media sources such as the BBC. Both sources, we are glad to say, assisted us as much as they could.

In June 2005, the clubs supporter! s were told by Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy, "that White Hart Lane will not be redeveloped until the first-team squad has reached its potential, and we have a new and improved training center and academy".

Our chairman went onto add that "any future development depends solely on the transport authorities upgrading their systems in and around the Tottenham area."

Since those statements, the club have met with officials of TFL (Transport For London) and Haringey officials.

What was the outcome of these meetings? Tottenham Hotspur did not get the backing they needed from TFL. The council are fully aware that if the club were to move away from Haringey, the financial implications to the council would be huge, catastrophic even.

Daniel Levy has heaped an enormous amount of pressure on the council, even giving them an ultimatum; TFL place the ! required infrastructure in and around White Hart Lane, or the ! club loo k at other possibilities, one of which would be moving the club away from the London Borough of Haringey.

In part II of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Issue, I will discuss what moves the club has since made and where the club go from here.

Part II as been scheduled for publishing tomorrow.

Join the THBN FaceBook group now by clicking on this link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27991165395

Why we'll beat Arsenal

Written by Jaymes Marsh

I may be putting my neck out on the line here, but I am pretty confident that we'll beat Arsenal come Sunday.

The reason; Robbie Keane.

Here's what Harry had to say on our new signing; "You can already see the difference [within the squad when Robbie signed]. Training on his second morning was the best since I arrived. His enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone. That is why I made him skipper."

For me, signing Robbie Keane will prove to be the ultimate master-stroke Harry Redknapp has pulled off since being at the club. His enthusiasm and drive are just the ingredients needed for a relegation dog-fight, and trust me guy's and girl's, we're in one.

Keane will prove to be the player that has been distinctly missing this season. I expect us to win 2-1 with Keane scoring a penalty.

Pato Ingin Bantu Milan Menangkan Liga Champions

MILAN - Sejak kepergian Carlo Ancelotti ke Chelsea dan hijrahnya Kaka ke Real Madrid, beberapa pemain Milan dikabarkan akan segera eksodus. Alexandre Pato dikabarkan masuk dalam daftar pemain yang berencana minggat itu.
Chelsea disebut-sebut akan menjadi tim Pato berikutnya. Namun pemain berusia 19 tahun itu memastikan jika dirinya akan bertahan di klub karena masih memiliki target pribadi bersama Milan.
"Milan adalah hidup saya. Saya ingin memenangkan Liga Champions dan juga Serie A Italia," ungkap Pato kepada Datasport. "Saya adalah pemain Milan dan semuanya ters! erah klub untuk memutuskan apa yang akan terjadi pada saya.
Saya pribadi memiliki satu setengah musim yang hebat di sini. Saya ingin membawa ilan menjadi juara Liga Champions," tukasnya lagi.

Ambrosini Bangga Sandang Ban Kapten

MILAN - Massimi Ambrosini baru saja ditunjuk sebagai kapten baru AC Milan. Gelandang 32 tahun itu pun menyambut gembira kepercayaan yang diberikan pelatih anyar Leonardo Araujo kepada dirinya. Ya, Leonardo menggelar latihan pra-musim perdana Rossoneri, Senin (6/7/2009) waktu setempat.
Saat itulah, Leonardo mengumumkan secara resmi bahwa Ambrosini akan mengenakan ban kapten yang ditinggalkan Paolo Maldini setelah dirinya pensiun akhir musim lalu. Kepercayaan serta tanggung jawab baru yang diemb! an Ambrosini tentu saja membuatnya bangga. Meski begitu, mantan punggawa Cesena tersebut menyiratkan bahwa kemungkinan besar dirinya akan berbagi tugas dengan pemain-pemain veteran Il Diavolo lainnya.
"Saya sangat gembira dan bangga. Peninggalan Maldini (di klub ini) sangat besar, tapi yang lebih penting adalah karisma yang ada dalam dirinya. Saya merasa sangat beruntung bisa mengenakan ban kapten Milan," ujar Ambrosini seperti dilansir Goal, Selasa (7/7/2009). "Saya sudah berada di klub ini selama 15 tahun.
Saya pikir, ini sesuatu yang akan saya bagi bersama teman-teman saya yang juga berada cukup lama di klub. Ini bukan hanya karena rasa penghormatan, tapi karena itu hal yang adil," imbuhnya. Meski Ambro tidak menyebut nama, namun hampir seluruh media Italia meyakini jika pemain yang dimaksud adalah gelandang Gennaro Gattuso dan striker Filippo Inzaghi.
Sementara itu, agen Ambro juga menyebutkan bahwa kliennya bakal segera memperpanjang kontraknya yang hab! is pada 2010 mendatang. "Tidak lama lagi kami akan mencapai ke! sepakata n," tegas agen Ambrosini.

Ancelotti Bilang Pirlo Pemain Chelsea

Pasadena - Datangnya Carlo Ancelotti ke Chelsea bikin masa depan sejumlah pemain AC Milan jadi spekulasi, salah satunya adalah Andrea Pirlo. Ancelotti kini bahkan sudah menyebut Pirlo sebagai pemain Chelsea. Benarkah? Menukangi Milan sedari tahun 2001, Ancelotti dikenal dengan para pemain Rossoneri.
Itu mengapa ketika dia hijrah ke Chelsea musim panas ini, beberapa mantan pemainnya itupun langsung diduga bisa ikut serta. Maka atas dasar itulah usai Chelsea meraih kemenangan 2-0 atas Inter Milan dalam laga pra-musim, para ! wartawan pun menanyakan perihal peluang Chelsea menggaet Pirlo yang belakangan memang acap dikaitkan dengan Stamford Bridge. Jawaban Ancelotti pun mencengangkan.
"Tak ada situasi secara khusus. Saat ini dia adalah pemain Chelsea," tukasnya di Channel 4. Meski demikian, usai jeda sesaat pria yang juga akrab disebut Don Carletto menambahkan, "Apapun, Anda sekalian tahu kalau aku suka bergurau. Andrea adalah seorang teman dan pemain yang hebat."
Tampaknya di Chelsea Ancelotti memang sedang membentuk kesan sebagai manajer yang doyan guyon. Sebelumnya, dia juga pernah bicara tentang kemungkinan melepas ban kapten John Terry, yang ternyata juga cuma candaan belaka.

Huntelaar Inginkan Ujung Tombak Milan

MILAN - Sebentar lagi Klaas-Jan Huntelaar akan ditahbiskan sebagai striker baru di AC Milan. Pemain asal Belanda itu berharap akan menjadi ujung tombak "I Rossoneri" musim depan.
Saat ini Huntelaar sudah berada di Milan untuk menjalani tes medis di sana. Jumat (7/8) waktu setempat, ia akan meneken kontrak selama empat tahun bersama tim "Merah-Hitam" dan resmilah ia menjadi bagian dari "Il Diavolo Rosso".
Sebelum menjejakkan kakinya di San Siro, Huntelaar mengharapkan dirinya menjadi bagian penting dalam skuad bentukan pelatih Leonard! o Araujo. Pemain 25 tahun itu mengakui, ia belum tahu persis gaya permainan sepak bola Italia, namun ia siap menjelajahi Serie A. Ia pun berharap dapat menjadi ujung tombak di tim tersebut.
"Aku seorang striker yang senang bermain bagi tim, aku mencoba membantu tim mencetak gol, aku senang bermain di sentral serangan, aku selalu mencetak banyak gol dengan bermain seperti itu," kata Huntelaar seperti dilansir ACMilan.com.
Selama ini Milan selalu mengandalkan Filippo Inzaghi sebagai senjata paling depan. Alexandre Pato juga diberi kesempatan yang sama, tapi ia lebih sreg berperan sebagai striker kedua. Milan yang sebelumnya memakai formasi 4-3-2-1 pada era pelatih Carlo Ancelotti belum menentukan formasi yang tepat saat ditangani Leonardo. Pelatih asal Brasil in pernah memakai pola 4-3-3 dalam duel pramusimnya, tapi pernah pula menggunakan 4-4-2.

Jelang Milan-Inter : The Hunter Ingin Bobol Gawang Inter Lagi

MILAN - Klaas Jan Huntelaar sangat antusias menjelang laga debutnya di Seri A. Menghadapi lawan berat Inter Milan, Huntelaar langsung menyatakan satu tekad: kembali merobek gawang Inter. Laga Derby della Madonnina akhir pekan ini akan menjadi sejarah tersendiri bagi Huntelaar.
Bomber anyar AC Milan itu kemungkinan besar akan diturunkan pelatih Leonardo, entah sebagai starter atau pengganti. Bila bermain, maka itu akan menjadi debutnya di Seri A. Lawan berat langsung menanti Huntelaar, yakni Inter. Menghadap! i juara bertahan, ujung tombak berjuluk The Hunter itu tidak kecil hati.
Dia bahkan berhasrat untuk mengulangi sesuatu yang pernah ia lakukan terhadap Nerazzuri tiga tahun silam. Tepatnya 22 Februari 2006, ketika itu Huntelaar yang masih berseragam Ajax sukses merobek gawang Inter di ajang Liga Champions. Gol tersebut sekaligus menjadi gol perdana Huntelaar di Liga Champions. Ada pun laga itu berakhir dengan skor 2-2.
"Bila dimainkan, saya ingin mencetak gol. Saya sudah pernah merobek gawang Inter ketika masih berseragam Ajax Amsterdam dan saya berharap bisa melakukannya lagi dengan Milan," seru Huntelaar seperti dikutip dari Football Italia.
"Sungguh luar biasa memulai debut di laga derby. Saya berada dalam bentuk terbaik dan sudah berlatih keras untuk meningkatkan kemampuan," pungkas pemain yang diboyong dari Real Madrid tersebut.

Milan Diimbangi Livorno Tanpa Gol

Livorno - AC Milan gagal meraih kemenangan dalam lawatannya ke Livorno. Di Armando Picchi, Minggu (13/9/2009) dinihari WIB, Rossoneri pulang membawa satu poin usai bermain imbang 0-0.
Pulang tak membawa poin penuh jadi hasil yang merugikan Milan mengingat pada laga terakhirnya di Seri A mereka menderita kekalahan 0-4 atas Inter Milan. Dengan begitu, Masimo Ambrossini cs cuma mengumpulkan empat poin dari tiga laga perdananya di awal musim ini.
Tambahan satu angka membuat Milan terdongkrak posisiny! a ke urutan delapan klasemen sementara. Namun karena banyak klub lain belum melakoni pertandingannya, posisi Diavolo Rosso sangat mungkin kembali merosot.

Jalannya pertandingan

Berlaga di depan pendukungnya sendiri, Livorno mengawali laga dengan sangat meyakinkan. Memanfaatkan buruknya lini belakang Milan, di 10 menit pertama saja Cristiano Lucarelli berhasil melepaskan dua tandukan ke arah gawang Milan, meski tak satupun yang menemui sasaran apalagi berujung gol.
Milan yang mencoba bangkit usai dipermalukan Inter dua pekan lalu melancarkan serangan melalui tendangan jarak jauh Mathieu Flamini. Sementara Klaas Jan Huntelaar, yang untuk kali pertama dipasang sebagai starter, juga tak bisa memanfaatkan peluang yang dia miliki. Tekanan ke arah Milan berlanjut melalui tendangan bebas Antonio Candreva yang membentu! r mistar gawang Marco Storari.
Kiper kedua Rossoneri itu ! kembali dibuat jatuh bangun saat menghadang tendangan keras Cristian Raimondi dari jarak dekat. Peluang matang pertama yang dimiliki pasukan Leonardo baru datang di menit 38 lewat sebuah serangan balik. Lolos dari jebakan offside dan sukses memperdaya Raimondi, sepakan mendatar Pato berhasil diantisipasi Alfonso De Lucia.
Di sisa paruh pertama Storari kembali menyelamatkan gawang Milan saat dia menepis bola tendangan bebas Candreva yang berbelok arah setelah membentur pemain tuan rumah. Sementara upaya Diavolo Rosso menyudahi babak pertama dalam posisi memimpin juga gagal loantaran tandukan Huntelaar saat menerima umpan Flamini masih terlalu lemah.
Di awal babak kedua, barisan pertahanan Milan kembali dibombardir Livorno. Umpang cungkil Lucarelli pada Francesco Tavano nyaris menjadi gol kalau Tavano tidak terlambat menyambar bola. Dianggap tak banyak memberi kontribusi, Huntelaar dan Ronaldinho ditarik dan digantikan Pippo Inzaghi serta Andrea Pirlo.
Dalam hitungan me! nit Pirlo memberi Milan kesempatan terbaik bikin gol saat tendangan bebasnya membentur bagian bawah mistar gawang dengan De Lucia tak bisa berbuat banyak. Namun gol tetap tak lahir dari prosesi tersebut. Lewat sebuah serangan balik, Pato berhasil mengirim bola buat Inzaghi.
Namun sontekan striker gaek itu berhasil dihalangi De Lucia dan membuat bola melayang tipis di atas mistar. Tak lama berselang, Inzaghi kembali menebar ancaman, namun sekali lagi dia gagal meneruskan bola yang dilepas Flamini dari jarak sangat dekat.
Ignazio Abate yang masuk menggantikan Flamini sempat kembali menghidupkan harapan Milan saat dia melepas umpan akurat pada Pato. Berusaha melepaskan tendangan gunting dalam posisi yang sulit, upaya Pato tak mengubah skor pertandingan.
Di sisa pertandingan Milan masih berusaha menggedor pertahanan tuan rumah. Peluang yang dimiliki Inzaghi cuma berakhir dengan bola membentur sisi luar jala gawang, sementara upata Clarence Seedorf juga tak berbua! h gol. Skor 0-0 bertahan hingga laga berakhir.

Susunan Pemain
Livorno: De Lucia; Raimondi, Perticone, Miglionico, Vitale; Pulzetti, Mozart (A Filippini 64), Candreva, Moro (Bergvold 69); Tavano (Marchini 83), Lucarelli

Milan: Storari; Oddo, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Flamini (Abate 78), Ambrosini, Seedorf; Ronaldinho (Pirlo 55); Pato, Huntelaar (Inzaghi 55

Van Basten, Bersiaplah!

MILAN - Mantan striker AC Milan Marco van Basten bakal segera dipanggil bekas klubnya. Van Basten diharapkan bisa menyelamatkan Milan dengan menggantikan pelatih Leonardo yang terancam pemecatan.
Menurut Il Corriere Dello Sport, mantan pelatih tim nasional Belanda dan Ajax Amsterdam ini bahkan sudah dihubungi klub menyusul masa depan Leonardo yang kian tak pasti.
Terutama setelah Milan secara mengejutkan menelan kekalahan memalukan 1-0 dari FC Zurich di Liga Champions, Rabu (1/10) dinihari WIB. Kekalahan itu merupakan pukulan ! bagi Rossoneri karena terjadi di kandang sendiri. Apalagi, mereka menghadapi tim yang tak istimewa dan tak memiliki tradisi panjang di kompetisi Eropa. Bandingkan dengan Milan yang merupakan salah satu legenda Liga Champions.
Media setempat mengungkapkan Leonardo sempat emosi dan lepas kontrol di ruang ganti pemain karena kekalahan tersebut. Wakil presiden Adriano Galliani memang tetap memberi dukungan kepada Leonardo. Namun, ia diberi kesempatan untuk terakhir kalinya saat Milan menghadapi Atalanta di kompetisi Serie A Italia.

sumber : goal.com

Arsenal display delights Wenger

The Gunners had lost their last two Premier League matches but they bounced back in midweek with a 3-2 win against Standard Liege in Europe.

And they were in fine form on Saturday as they swept aside a poor Latics side to pick up three important points.

"We scored many goals and didn't concede, and three days after a very physically demanding game in Liege it is good to see we could repeat a good performance," Wenger told Sky Sports.

"We have shown the right attitude and quality today and I am very optimistic there is something special in this team."

Vermaelen
Wenger singled out Thomas Vermaelen for special praise after the Belgian defender scored two goals, including an excellent second.

"He scored two great goals. He has a great left foot and can score these kind of goals," said the Arsenal boss.

Wenger admits it was vital for Arsenal to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats on the road aga! inst Manchester United and Manchester City.

He explained: "If you don't get points you are quickly off the pace in the Premier League so this was a big game for us and it was important to get three points.

"But in the first four games we played three away games and we have only played twice at home now."

Arbeloa Kembali ke Madrid

Arbeloa akhirnya resmi pindah dari Anfield ke klub raksasa Spanyol yaitu Real Madrid dengan nilai transfer 3.5 juta poundsterling.

Pemain asal Spanyol ini merupakan pemain ketujuh yang diboyong El Real sejak era kepemimpinan presiden Madrid yaitu Florentino Perez di bul! an Juni lalu. Pemain lain yang telah diboyong sebelumnya antara lain Cristiano Ronaldo yang memecahkan rekor transfer yang telah dipegang bintang Prancis Zinedine Zidane selama beberapa tahun, Ricardo Kaka, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Negredo dan Esteban Granero.

Pemain asal Spanyol yang ikut menjadi bagian keberhasilan tim matador dalam meraih juara piala eropa tahun 2008 silam itu sebenarnya tidaklah asing dengan atmosfer di Real Madrid sebab pemain ini pernah menghabiskan 5 tahun menjadi pemain muda El Real sebelum akhirnya pindah ke Deportivo La Coruna tahun 2006 dan hijrah ke Liverpool 6 bulan kemudian tepatnya pada jendela transfer Januari dengan nilai transfer sebesar 2.6 juta poundsterling.

Defender ini sebelumnya pernah gagal mendapatkan kursi pemain inti di Bernabeu saat masih menjadi pemain muda sehingga dia memutuskan untuk pergi mencari pengalaman baru di klub lain. Dan sekarang adalah kedua kalinya dia menginjakkan kakinya di Bernabeu, tentunya dia akan berjuang untuk terus medapatkan kursi pemain inti.

"Sejak kesempatan itu datang lagi, saya berharap itu benar-benar terjadi dan sekarang saya merasa sangat bahagia." Kata Arbeloa.

"Saat kamu meninggalkan sebuah klub karena tidak berhasil mendapatkan kursi pemain inti, maka kamu akan kesulitan ketika kamu kembali. B! egitu juga untuk saya, ketika kesempatan itu datang maka tujuan saya adalah bermain sebagai pemain inti dan saya sudah di sini sekarang."

Sejak bermain di Anfield, Arbeloa menjalani 99 penampilan di semua laga dan defender ini percaya bahwa pengalamannya bermain di Liverpool dapat membantu Real Madrid yang telah menghabiskan dana besar-besaran untuk kembali merajai eropa.

"Liverpool adalah klub dengan sejarah yang luar biasa, dengan banyak kesuksesan." tuturnya.

"Saya telah mendapatkan banyak pengalaman berharga di sini dan sa! ya berharap itu dapat membantu menghadapi tantangan terbesar d! alam hid up saya."

"Saya rasa saya telah menjadi pemain yang lebih berkualitas dan lebih matang sekarang. Ketika kamu bermain dalam tim sekelas Liverpool maka itulah kesempatan kamu untuk menjadi pemain besar. Saya telah dipanggil timnas Spanyol dan kami memenangkan piala eropa.. Jadi inilah tahun-tahun saya belajar banyak."

"Hal inilah yang membentuk saya menjadi lebih baik dan saya berharap saya dapat melakukannya lagi di Madrid."

MAGIC ENGLAND!!!

Spettacolo doveva essere e spettacolo è stato. All'Anfield,il Liverpool di Rafa Benitez supera 4-2 i Gunners. Al 13' Diaby porta in vantaggio la formazione di Wenger. Il Liverpool non si demoralizza e pareggia al 31'con Hyppia e raddoppia con uno splendido gol di Fernando Torres (69'). I minuti finali sono densi di emozioni e colpi di scena:all'83' Adebayor regala il momentaneo gol qualificazione all'Arsenal,ma un rigore di Gerrard (86') e una terribile incursione di Babel(91') fanno esplodere di gioia il pubblico dell'Anfield che adesso sogna un'altra finale.
Nell'altra gara della serata,il Chelsea batte 2-o i turchi del Fenerbahce. A segno Ba! llack(4') e Frankie Lampard all'87'.
Il 22 e 30 Aprile sarà ancora Chelsea-Liverpool,un'altra sfida infinita.

M.Lestingi

E' UFFICIALE:AMAURI E' DELLA JUVE

Amauri è un giocatore della Juventus. Dopo giorni di accordo ma senza firma e dopo aver sostenuto martedì le visite mediche, l'attaccante si è recato a Vinovo dove ha firmato il contratto che lo legherà alla società bianconera per quattro anni a circa 4 milioni di euro a stagione (3,5 di ingaggio più vari premi per il raggiungimento di obiettivi personali e di squadra). Al Palermo vanno invece 12,5 milioni di euro più il cartellino di Nocerino e la comproprietà di Lanzafame. "Amauri meritiva una grande squadra" ha dichiarato dopo la firma il ds del Palermo Foschi.

Ecco le sue parole da neo juventino:""Sono arrivato in Ita! lia da sconosciuto e dopo otto anni mi ritrovo futuro protagonista di una squadra che ha la vittoria nel dna. Per me è un sogno, una vittoria personale".

POULSEN VICINISSIMO ALLA JUVE,CON LO SCONTO E' FATTA

Evento importante, decisivo per sbloccare definitivamente la trattativa è stato il ridimensionamento delle richieste di Poulsen, che ai primi abboccamenti con la Juventus aveva sparato alto chiedendo un ingaggio annuo di 3,8 milioni, cifra assolutamente fuori parametro in Corso Galileo Ferraris. Anche in questo caso è stata fondamentale la mediazione della sua scuderia, la Img e del manager Jose Segoui. L'arrivo di Poulsen, ovviamente, farà calare definitivamente il sipario su Xabi Alonso e Aquilani, mollati al loro destino. Un finale che non piace al popolone bianconero: nel sondaggio lanciato da Sport! mediaset.it sulla opportunità di portare il danese più bollente che c'è alla Juve il "no" ha stravinto a mani basse, mentre altre web-fanzines legate al tifo bianconero hanno addirittura lanciato petizioni on-line. Prima Stankovic, adesso Poulsen: il "no" è il monosillabo più gettonato dell'estate juventina.

BAPTISTA,MERCOLEDI' IL SI

Dopo il brutto ko in casa del Tottenham la Roma pensa al mercato. Il colpo che potrebbe arrivare già nei prossimi giorni è quello annunciato da tempo di Julio Baptista. Il brasiliano del Real Madrid ha ormai un biglietto di "sola andata" per la Capitale. La chiusura della trattativa potrebbe avvenire già mercoledì. Domenica c'è stato un nuovo incontro tra Padrè e Mijatovic. C'è ancora una piccola differenza tra la domanda e l'offerta.

Il problema è ancora l'ingaggio. Si dovrebbe giocare bene con gli equilibri e garantire così al giocatore i 2 milioni e mezzo di euro che percepisce ora al Real. Malouda , invece, non arriverà perché ha fatt! o sapere di volersi giocare le sue carte al Chelsea. I giallorossi, a questo punto, hanno riallacciato i contatti con Benayoun. Anche per l'israeliano il problema è prettamente economico.

IL CUORE AZZURRO DI CANNAVARO

Fabio Cannavaro ha un sogno: arrivare al Mondiale del 2010 con la maglia del "suo" Napoli. Lo ha fatto capire in un'intervista rilasciata agli spagnoli di "As". "Di certo voglio giocare un anno a Napoli, però prima di Natale devo parlare con il Real e vedere se continuano ad avere fiducia in me. Ma non mi ritiro. Ho 35 anni e sto bene, voglio arrivare fino al Mondiale", ha detto il difensore, il cui contratto con il Real scade a fine stagione.

LAVEZZI NON BASTA CONTRO IL MILAN

La vittoria sul Napoli è valsa al Milan la vetta della classifica quattro anni e mezzo dopo ma Carlo Ancelotti lascia intendere che il bello deve ancora venire: "Da un po' ci manca Pirlo, che per il nostro gioco è fondamentale - ha detto - Rientrerà e giocheremo meglio. Non vedo che l'ora, anche se senza di lui la squadra è diventata più solida ma con meno qualità. E lui resta insostituibile. Il segreto del primato è volontà e sacrificio".

MILAN-NAPOLI 1-0 con il commento di F.Caressa

CALCIOMERCATO LIVE

Appuntamento dalle 11,30 alle 14 con le ultime news dal calciomercato:

ZOLA POTREBBE LASCIARE LONDRA-Gianfranco Zola potrebbe dire addio alla panchina del West Ham in caso di partenze eccellenti nel mercato invernale, su tutte quella di Craig Bellamy. Zola considera l'attaccante fondamentale per la permanenza della squadra in Premier League. L'indiscrezione è riportata dal tabloid inglese 'Daily Mirror'.(Sportmediaset)

LAZIO, CRESCE L'INTERESSE PER ESCUDERO A riflettori spenti, come tante operazioni di mercato, Lotito sta lavorando per rinforzare la Lazio. E il nome, importante, è quello di Damian Escudero, l'ex compagno d'attacco di! Zarate, numero 10 in prestito al Real Valladolid, ma di pro prietà del Villarreal.MAURI, LA CHAMPIONS ATTIRA - «Prenderemo un giocatore capa ce di migliorare la Lazio», aveva spiega to Igli Tare. Ed Escudero sarebbe davvero un gran colpo: 21 anni, trequartista puro, dribbling ubria cante, visione di gioco, tiro fulminan te. E' mancino, inventa calcio. Nel Velez Sarsfield, due anni fa, era l'ispi ratore di Maurito. Lui pennellava as­sist, il suo amico metteva il pallone in rete. E Lotito pensa a riproporre la coppia in maglia biancoceleste, cedendo ai Sottomarini Gialli l'ex fantasista dell'Udinese, a cui non dispiacerebbe giocare la Champions.(Corriere dello Sport)

DUELLO PARMA-LIVORNO PER BOGLIACINO Per Mariano Bogliacino, cen­trocampista del Napoli, in questo momento è un duello fra Palermo e Parma. Il club emiliano si è fatto avanti con insistenza, ri tiene l'uruguaiano il rinforzo ideale per il proprio centrocampo. Ma! il peso del Paler mo si fa sentire: il tecnico Ballardini lo ! ha avuto con sè alla Sambe nedettese, mentre lo stes so ds Sabatini è un suo estimatore. (Corriere dello Sport)

VOCI PORTOGHESI: FIORENTINA SU LUISAO Secondo quanto riportato da Il Correio de Manha, la Fiorentina starebbe pensando al centrale brasiliano del Benfica Luisao (seguito anche da Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Portsmouth e Marsiglia) per rafforzare la difesa. Il tutto - come riportato da fiorentina.it - si farebbe pero' nella prossima estate, non a gennaio. Pantaleo Corvino, contattato dal quotidiano portoghese, avrebbe detto: "Non parlo coi giornalisti portoghesi". Luisao ha il contratto col Benfica in scadenza 2011 ed una fonte vicina al giocatore dichiara a Il Correio de Manha: "Sa da tempo dell'interesse della Fiorentina, ma lui affezionato al Benfica e solo una grande proposta gli farebbe cambiare idea". Il procuratore del giocatore, Giuliano Bertolucci, ha detto: "Ancora non abbiamo ricevuto nessuna proposta concre! ta da parte della Fiorentina". Secondo lo stesso media portoghese, anche Bruno Alves, centrale del Porto, sarebbe sul taccuino dei dirigenti viola. (Sportmediaset)

PARMA E LIVORNO SU VANTAGGIATO Gianni Prete, procuratore dell'attaccante del Rimini Daniele Vantaggiato, insieme a Giovanni Tateo, ha spiegato la posizione del suo assistito: Con l'Atalanta c'è stato un incontro e abbiamo anche parlato di cifre, poi la trattativa si è arenata. In questo momento, tra le diverse squadre che ci hanno richiesto Vantaggiato, possiamo dire che Parma e Livorno si sono rivelate quelle maggiormente interessate.(TMW)

FLOCCARI VICINISSIMO ALLA ROMA-
Contrariamente a quanto smentito ieri il suo procuratore Vincenzo Morabito e il ds bergamasco Carlo Osti, secondo Sky Sport 24 l'attaccante Sergio Floccari sarebbe già un giocatore della Roma. Infatti se per gennaio ! è impensabile un suo trasferimento alla corte di Spalletti, il! discors o sarebbe diverso per giugno.
La sua cessione nella sessione del mercato invernale sarebbe saltata perchè l'Altalanta non è riuscita ad arrivare all'acquisto di Vantaggiato. Il costo dell'operazione si aggirerebbe sugli 8 milioni di euro e potrebbe essere raggiunta con diverse formule per abbassare la liquidità che la Roma dovrebbe versare. Non è un mistero infatti l'interesse degli orobici per Okaka anche per la sessione del calcio mercato di gennaio e per Loria per il quale ci sarebbe un vero e proprio ritorno di fiamma.
Secondo nuovi aggiornamenti l'operazione Floccari potrebbe anche nascondere un intreccio di mercato tra Roma e Udinese per il passaggio di Fabio Quagliarella in maglia giallorossa. (Calciomercato.com)

DI MICHELE RESTA AL WEST HAM-In questi giorni erano circolate le voci su un possibile ritorno di Di Michele in granata nella sessione invernale di mercato. Dopo che De Biasi è andato via ed è tornato Novellino è possibile rivedere il giocatore indossare nuovamente la maglia del Toro, ma se sarà così, succederà solamente in estate. Zola, tecnico del West Ham, ha dichiarato che la sua squadra non cederà nessuno in questi giorni. (TMW)

ARSENAL: ARTETA Offerta di 12 milioni di sterline dell'Arsenal all'Everton per lo spagnolo Mikel Arteta, identificato come il sostituto dell'infortunato Fabregas. La proposta verrà difficilmente rifiutata dal club di Liverpool(Sportmediaset)

VIC-BECKS PROGRAMMANO IL TRASFERIMENTO

La trattativa per trattenere David Beckham a Milano è partita. I Los Angeles Galaxy chiedono 15 milioni di euro, ma i rossoneri non voglio andare oltre i 5 milioni. Intanto, per pianificare il futuro di David al Milan, si sta muovendo anche la moglie Victoria che oggi sarà in Italia per parlare della situazione, poi in serata sarà in tribuna a San Siro. Anche Vic, a quanto pare, sta cambiando idea sul futuro calcistico del marito.



Dagli Usa, invece, arrivano le dichiarazioni stizzite di Tim Leiweke, direttore generale! della AEG, la compagnia proprietaria della franchigia californiana: "Abbiamo ricevuto un'offerta. E' stata respinta. Se David vuole dare un contributo importante a questa squadra, lo rivogliamo indietro. Se ha una voglia matta di aiutarci a lasciare il segno sul campo, cosa che ancora non si è verificata, allora lui è un elemento importante di questo team e la nostra intenzione è riportarlo qui". Il giocatore, in realtà, è già uscito allo scoperto: vuole rimanere al Milan.

"Ne parleremo -dice Leiweke- se David vuole finire la stagione al Milan e se il Milan indennizza i Galaxy, in modo che noi non subiamo danni per quanto riguarda i tifosi e la squadra". Insomma, l'affare è possibile. "Ma abbiamo detto chiaramente che aspettiamo David qui il 9 marzo. Loro sono d'accordo e comprendono che il contratto è nostro. Loro -aggiunge riferendosi alla trattativa con il Milan- capiscono che la cosa si fa solo se i Galaxy ne traggono beneficio. Se i Galaxy saranno migliori ! senza Beckham di quanto lo possano essere con lui, allora ci p! enseremo ".

INTER,IL CUORE NON BASTA

L'Inter viene sconfitta dal Manchester United per 2-0, abbandonando così per il terzo anno consecutivo la Champions League agli ottavi di finale. Nonostante la sconfitta, la prova dei nerazzurri è migliore di quella della gara andata, che si era chiusa sullo 0-0. Le reti decisive sono di Vidic in avvio di partita e di Ronaldo al 4' della ripresa. La squadra di Mourinho recrimina per una traversa di Ibrahimovic e per un palo di Adriano.

LA PARTITA

Uscire dalla Champions League disputando un'ottima gara all'Old Traff! ord è sicuramente un uscire a testa alta. Se però nelle menti dei nerazzurri tornano i "suicidi" contro Anorthosis e Panathinaikos, che hanno causato l'accoppiamento con lo United, allora le teste si abbassano. Perchè l'Inter vista a Manchester avrebbe avuto ragione di moltissime squadre europee, ma non ce l'ha fatta contro quella cinica e spietata di Sir Alex Ferguson.

Quattro minuti e i Red Devils sono già avanti: Ronaldo imperversa sulla destra, guadagnando un calcio d'angolo. Sulla battuta Vieira omette la marcatura di Vidic, che di testa trafigge Julio Cesar. Se mai una rete subita può avere delle conseguenze positive, allora questo è il caso, perchè dopo l'1-0 lo United non mostra la consueta furia, al cospetto di un'Inter inizialmente timida: la manovra è lenta e il 4-3-2-1 è in realtà un 4-5-1, con Ibrahimovic troppo isolato davanti. I nerazzurri si fanno vedere dalle parti di Van Der Sar al 28' ed è una grandissima occasione, perchè proprio Ibra di testa! trova la traversa. Da lì la banda di Mourinho prende coraggio! e gli u ltimi 15' del primo tempo sono di marca nerazzurra, con Stankovic e ancora Ibrahimovic che sfiorano il gol. Dall'altra parte Julio Cesar salva su O'Shea, mandando l'Inter al riposo in svantaggio, ma apparentemente con le carte in regola per far saltare il banco.

E' ancora il quarto minuto, ancora con un gol di testa, a condannare però i nerazzurri. Stavolta è Ronaldo a concretizzare l'azione di Rooney e di un fantastico Giggs. Nonostante un passivo troppo pesante, l'Inter non demorde e al quarto d'ora trova il secondo legno, con una bellissimo sinistro al volo del neo-entrato Adriano che si stampa sul palo. Purtroppo per i nerazzurri però, se spesso in Italia sono proprio loro a essere campioni di cinismo, qui vengono penalizzati dalla sfortuna, cedendo comunque a quella che è la squadra migliore del pianeta. Se dal punto di vista tecnico il Barcellona ha forse qualcosa in più di questo Manchester United, solo all'Old Trafford si possono vedere giocatori del calib! ro di Rooney e Ronaldo comportarsi come dei gregari, inseguendo i terzini rivali. Si chiama mentalità vincente, una mentalità che l'Inter ha sicuramente acquisito in questi anni, ma non abbastanza per superare campioni di questo calibro in una serata in cui la fortuna non l'assiste.

Così come Mancini, dunque, anche Mourinho si inchina agli ottavi di finale. Sia pur uscendo a testa alta, sia pur disputando una buona partita, l'eliminazione fa molto male. E la speranza dei tifosi nerazzurri è che, come nella scorsa stagione, l'abbandono della Champions League non abbia ripercussioni negative sul campionato.