Friday, August 22, 2008

2008 Beijing Olympics Final: Nigeria vs. Argentina


Goal.com's Juan Lirman and Ewan Macdonald take a look at the historic Nigerian Olympic victory over Argentina in the final of the 1996 Games, and what it means today...
Argentina and Nigeria: Twelve Years On

Nigerians warn against diving Argentina

Preview

Marcela Mora y Araujo in Argentina




The Argentina manager hopes winning the Olympic title will help change the way South American stars of the future are coached.


Batista has one eye on gold, and the other on a football revolution.

The Mill + ++





Friday's Rumours


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England: Premier League Weekend Previews



Playing on Saturday

Blackburn vs. Hull City
Fulham vs. Arsenal
Liverpool vs. Middlesbrough
Newcastle
vs. Bolton
Stoke vs. Aston Villa
Tottenham vs. Sunderland
West Brom
vs. Everton

Playing on Sunday
Manchester City vs. West Ham
Wigan vs. Chelsea

Playing on Monday
Portsmouth vs. Manchester United



Preview

Team News

Nick Webster's Predictions


Lawro's Predictions

Team News II

MLS: Arena's Return Can't Douse Fire





Bruce Arena's return to the hot seat as a manager of an MLS team didn't go as smoothly as he would have hoped as his recently inherited LA Galaxy fell 1-0 to a surging Chicago Fire squad led by striker Brian McBride.

Arena makes first move for the Galaxy with Lewis signing, Ruiz to Toronto





Lewis, 34, represented the U.S. at the World Cup in 2002 and 2006 and has scored 10 goals for his country in 81 appearances. Last season, he played for English team Derby County, who were then in the Premier League.

Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Previews

Friday 22nd August
Hannover – Energie Cottbus

Saturday 23rd August
Werder Bremen - Schalke
Hamburg - Karlsruhe
Borussia Dortmund – Bayern Munich
VfB Stuttgart – Bayer Leverkusen
Hertha Berlin – Arminia Bielefeld
1899 Hoffenheim – Borussia Mönchengladbach

Sunday 24th August
Bochum - Wolfsburg
FC Köln – Eintracht Frankfurt

Match Previews

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Phil McNulty's Blog: What Now For England and FA?





Capello and Barwick Suffer As England Struggle

Jonathan Wilson in Eastern Europe




The remarkable life led by his father means the most astonishing thing about Shakhtar Donetsk skipper Darijo Srna is that he exists at all.

The Mill + ++ +++


Thursday's Rumours


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Arsenal Sign Silvestre From Manchester United





Wenger says Silvestre will add savvy to young Gunners




It's been 34 years since United sold a player to Arsenal (Brian Kidd).

2010 World Cup Qualifying: Guatemala 0 - 1 United States




"Carlos kicked me straight in my head," Howard said. "With Carlos you expect that. He is dirty. I wish I could say it otherwise, but he's played MLS for five years and I've seen him."


Bocanegra Heads Winner

Capello upbeat despite England's lacklustre display + Euro Wrap



Fabio Capello
insists England are ready for next month's World Cup qualifiers despite his side's lacklustre display in a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.



Euro Wrap

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

2010 World Cup Qualifying Previews: Guatemala vs. U.S.

Guatemala vs. U.S.
Guatemala City, Guatemala
10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Preview

Greg Lalas:

U.S. Needs Standup Performance in Opener


Ives:

U.S. Forwards Need to Step Up


Group A Preview:

U.S. Heavy Favorites to Progress

Euro big guns in friendly tests ahead of WC 2010 qualifiers



Less than two months after Spain were crowned as the best team in Europe, the continent's big guns take to the stage anew Wednesday for friendly tests as they finalise preparations for their 2010 World Cup qualifiying campaign.



SSN is not a big fan of the International Friendly...

David James Column



Football isn't helped by the fact that players are willing to endorse anything if the money is right.

New designer gear is just a load of balls

International Friendly: Wales vs. Georgia




Players send out a message after risking their lives to play against Wales tonight.

'This game is to show Russia you can bomb us but you will never stop our people'

The Mill + ++





Wednesday's Rumours



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US Players Go Around the Globe




Maurice Edu has pretty much gone around the world in six days.

He left Beijing when the United States was eliminated from the Olympic soccer tournament last Wednesday, and flew to Toronto. Then he went to Scotland to sign a contract with Glasgow Rangers before heading to Guatemala for the U.S. national team’s World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night.

A jet-lagged Edu was sleeping at hotel room in Guatemala City on Tuesday, then briefly spoke with The Associated Press by telephone.

2008 Beijing Olympics: Argentina oust oddly defensive Brazil



Argentina 3-0 Brazil
Aguero dares to inspire Brazilian demise



Nigeria 4 - 1 Belgium

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Italian Fencers Clash With Footballers




The Italian Olympic fencing team has come out with some scathing words regarding the unequal treatment of their footballing compatriots...

The Mill + ++




Tuesday's Rumours


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Ronaldo may have to adapt to a drop in adulation


If the fanzines are an accurate representation then it is fair to say Ronaldo is being viewed in a much different light and that, to some, the damage might be irreversible.




No more chin stroking from the United faithful...

Benny Feilhaber Leaves Derby for Aarhus





Bye, Bye, Rammy...

Raphael Honigstein in Germany



Bayern coach's attacking tactics backfire on opening weekend while Hoffenheim's travelling dozens have much to celebrate.

Cavalier commitments put Klinsmann under pressure

Norman Hubbard: The Summer of Stagnation




Tottenham have complained about Manchester United. United have moaned about Real Madrid. Aston Villa are unhappy with Liverpool. Liverpool can't decide whether Villa are asking for too much money or whether the problem lies with themselves.

Americans On The Continent: Subotic Rising

Just 19, Nevin Subotic showed exactly why Borussia Dortmund paid $5 million for him this summer, says Goal.com's Aaron West, while Steve Cherundolo could do nothing to stop Hannover's stumbling.

Carlos Bocanegra, Rennes (France)
vs. Grenoble, 90 minutes
Bocanegra has played every competitive minute for his new club since his summer move from Fulham. But he was powerless to prevent Rennes from falling 1-0 to newly promoted Grenoble, who have enjoyed a dream start to the season with wins in their first two games. Next up: home to Lille, Sunday, August 24

The Monday MLS Breakdown: Rating The Imports




This transfer window saw a strong contingent of foreign-based players join MLS, which is a perfect excuse for Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy to rate how the teams fared in the global player market.

2008 Beijing Olympics: Brazil-Argentina Matchup Eagerly Awaited

If you were to select an ideal group of semifinalists, you'd probably want a healthy dose of the tournament's big guns along with an overachieving team that has played the role of ultimate party crasher. On that basis, the four teams that have reached the semifinals of the men's Olympic soccer tournament are as absorbing a quartet as you'll find. In Argentina and Brazil, you have two teams who were on everyone's list of favorites. Nigeria was also tipped as a team to watch prior to the competition's start. Then there is Belgium, which ignored its curfew and has decided to stick around a while longer.

Bruce Arena Hired as Galaxy Coach



Former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena was hired Monday as coach and general manager of David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy, who haven't won a game in over two months.


Ives' View

Monday, August 18, 2008

2008 Beijing Olympics: Argentina, Brazil to clash in Olympic men’s semis



Argentina and Brazil advanced to a South American showdown and Belgium scored three goals with a man disadvantage to shock Italy 3-2 in men’s Olympic soccer on Saturday, earning a semifinal match against Nigeria and a chance at its first medal since winning gold in 1920.

The Mill + ++




Monday's Rumours


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Ronaldo Wins ‘Gay Icon’ Award




Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo now has another winners’ medal to add to his impressive collection after he was awarded the prestigious 'Gay Icon' award by 'gaygolddiggers'...

Germany: Bundesliga Roundup + Team of the Week




Roundup



Team of the Week

Americans in England: Opening Week Jitters


In the wake of an unsure start to the season, Goal.com's Matthew Braine takes his first gander at the Yanks in England.


Eddie Johnson, Fulham
vs. Hull City: DNP
Johnson was not included on the substitutes list and depending on how the next few weeks pan out, we could see the striker either loaned out or playing for the reserves come September.

Official: Rangers Sign Edu, Agree Davis Fee




Rangers have finished off a busy week in the transfer marked by Maurice Edu's arrival at Ibrox subject to a successful work permit application.

England: Premier League Reports, Reflections and Team of the Week




Hull win, Totttenham lose, Manchester United draw, Arsenal win, Villa win, Blackburn win, Chelsea win...

Reports

Reflections

Team of the Week

First Impressions Can Be Deceptive



Geovanni may be the bargain of the summer, but there were many debuts on the opening Premier League weekend to please fans and managers alike.

Richard Jolley at the Stadium of Light



Terrific Torres proves his class again

Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool

The Insider at Emirates Stadium




Arsenal suffer same old problems

Arsenal 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Richard Jolley at Old Trafford



Lack of firepower fully exposed

Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United