Archive for June, 2008

Chelsea sign Portugal´s Deco

Portugal midfielder Deco has signed for Chelsea, the English Premiership club said on Monday, for eight million pounds (10.1 million euros).

Deco, the midfield maestro of Porto's 2004 European Champions League-winning campaign, leaves Barcelona, with whom he also won the Champions…

Corruption case dropped against FC Porto president

Portuguese judicial authorities announced Monday they were dropping the case against FC Porto president Jorge Pinto da Costa, relating to alleged match-fixing of a first division game during the 2003/2004 season.

A court in Porto concluded there had not been any…

Triumphant Spanish team returns to victory parade

Tens of thousands of escatic fans cheered Spain's Euro 2008 players as they were feted in a parade through Madrid in an open-top bus to celebrate the country's first major football trophy in 44 years.

The 69-year-old coach Luis Aragones and…

Deco moves to Chelsea

Portugal and FC BarcelonaÂ’s star midfielder has completed a move to LondonÂ’s Premier League side Chelsea.

This information was disclosed on the Chelsea website earlier today.

Deco now becomes ChelseaÂ’s first transfer since PortugalÂ’s ex coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was appointed manager.

Scolari…

Heroes´ welcome for Germany´s almost-champions

A huge flag-waving crowd gave Germany's not quite all-conquering football team a heroes' welcome in central Berlin on Monday despite their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2008.

“Even if you are vice-champions it is worth celebrating,” said…

Toni and Gomez head top of the Euro flops

It doesn't say much for the Bundesliga defenders that Luca Toni and Mario Gomez accrued 40 goals between them last season and yet when they got to Euro 2008 their return was – zero.

Toni had a pretty thankless task ploughing…

We´ve broken so many hoodoos, says Casillas

Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas basked in the glory on Monday of having won Euro 2008 and reflected on the ghosts Spain laid to rest by winning their first title for 44 years.

A first-half goal from Liverpool's Fernando Torres…

Spanish fan found dead, 52 held after Euro 2008: police

A Spanish football supporter was found dead on Monday in Madrid where 52 others were arrested after a night of revelry to celebrate their team's victory over Germany in the final of Euro 2008, police said.

A municipal street cleaner found…

Nihat out for up to four months

Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci could be out for up to four months after undergoing a successful operation on his right thigh that he injured in Turkey's Euro 2008 quarter-final win over Croatia.

The 28-year-old Villarreal forward played a pivotal role in…

Japan name Endo in Olympic squad

Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo was the only over-age player in Japan's preliminary 20-member Olympic football squad announced on Monday.

Endo, 28, has scored six goals in 70 full internationals, gaining a reputation for his probing passing and sharing free-kick duties…

Xavi named player of Euro 2008

Spanish midfielder Xavi was named player of Euro 2008 by UEFA on Monday.

The 28-year-old Barcelona dynamo – scorer of eight goals in 63 internationals – was judged to be at the heart of Spain's triumphant campaign which saw them top…

Spain end 44-year title drought, beat Germany in Euro 2008 final

Spain ended their 44-year wait for a major international title with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final here.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game in the first half as football's perennial underachievers finally banished…

Obafemi Martins to swap Newcastle United for Arsenal

According to the Sun, Newcastle’s Obafemi Martins has been told he can leave St James’ Park if any of his suitors should match or better his ₤15million price tag. However, the 23 year old Nigerian international could go for less…

Robinho to join Chelsea

According to a report in the Times, Real Madrid playmaker, Robinho, has emerged as the latest target of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the new Chelsea manager. Scolari, has been quick to formulate his plans for next season and views his fellow…

Gareth Barry upset with Martin OÂ’Neill

Gareth Barry, the twenty seven year old England and Aston Villa midfielder is becoming rather agitated with the fact that his desired transfer to Liverpool is no closer to being resolved.

Liverpool had offered ₤15 million for his services but Villa…

Euro 2008 – It’s all over, who was HOT and who was NOT?

Euro 2008 finished last night with a final fitting of the entire excellent tournament. Spain beat Germany 1-0 in a thoroughly deserved victory and the best team in the competition, who scored more and conceded less than anyone else, won…

Spain put their “black legend” to bed with Euro win

After 44 long years – virtually as long as the trophy drought still afflicting England – Spain finally threw off their chains on Sunday in winning the European Championship, beating Germany with a Fernando Torres strike.

The expression “Black Legend” normally…

Spanish PM sets sights on World Cup after Euro 2008 win

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is dreaming of glory for Spain at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after his side beat Germany 1-0 to win Euro 2008, its first major title in over 40 years.

“They deserved to…

Liverpool´s Alonso says Euro win rivals 2005

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso said Sunday night's Euro 2008 win over Germany was just as good as the Reds dramatic Champions League victory over AC Milan in 2005.

The 26-year-old played a key role in the 1-0 win over Joachim Loew's…

Hats off to Spain, says Metzelder

Real Madrid's German defender Christoph Metzelder praised Spain's Euro 2008 winning-performance which inflicted a 1-0 win over Germany in Vienna on Sunday night as Fernando Torres's first-half strike settled the matter.

In the build-up to the match, Metzelder had said the…

Lowe misses chance to join German greats

Joachim Loew missed out on the chance to add his name to the trio of Germany coaches who have won a European title when his side lost 1-0 to Spain in Sunday's Euro 2008 final.

The 48-year-old has earned plenty of…

Torres steps out from under Villa´s shadow

Fernando Torres showed that anything his fellow striker David Villa can do he can do too with the precious goal that gave Spain victory over Germany in Sunday's Euro 2008 final.

Villa had stolen most of the limelight away from the…

Aragones the mastermind behind Spain´s Euro success

Luis Aragones's tenure as national coach came to a glorious and deserving conclusion here on Sunday with Spain's success over Germany in the Euro 2008 final.

Approaching his 70th birthday he became the oldest coach to win the European title but…

Quick Report: Germany 0 – 1 Spain

VIENNA (SW) – The long forty four year wait for Spain to win their second European Championship is over.

A goal in the thirty third minute of the first half by LiverpoolÂ’s Spanish striker Fernando Torres sealed the fate of the…

Spain end 44-year title drought, beat Germany in Euro 2008

Spain ended their 44-year wait for a major international title with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final here on Sunday.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game in the first half as football's perennial underachievers…

Quick Report: Germany 0-1 Spain

Spain captured their first major tournament since 1964 on Sunday, claiming the Euro 2008 title with a 1-0 victory over Germany in Vienna.

Spain started out the more ambitious of the teams and nearly went in front on 23 minutes when…

Quick Report: Germany 0-1 Spain

Spain captured their first major tournament since 1964 on Sunday, claiming the Euro 2008 title with a 1-0 victory over Germany in Vienna.

Spain started out the more ambitious of the teams and nearly went in front on 23 minutes when…

German Federation give Klinsmann share of Euro credit

Jurgen Klinsmann took his place as a spectator at the final of Euro 2008 here on Sunday in the knowledge that the German Federation credit him with laying the foundations of Die Mannschaft's new rise to prominence.

Klinsmann took the Germans…

Football fans, Darth Vader celebrate Euro 2008 final

The Euro 2008 final has arrived at last and the whole world – and universe – came together on Sunday in Vienna to celebrate the culmination of three weeks of football, ahead of Germany v Spain.

The old town was drowned…

Ballack set to start for Germany in Euro final

Germany captain Michael Ballack was rated almost certain to start Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Spain despite straining his right calf in training, German media reported from Vienna as the countdown to the match reached fever pitch.

The 31-year-old Chelsea midfielder…