The Baltimore Orioles Interested in Felipe Lopez?

In light of the Brian Roberts trade talks, the Baltimore Orioles seem to perhaps rumored to be interested in another infielder -- albeit, a currently disgruntled one.

Well, according to Fox Sports Online, Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles are looking at Washington National, Felipe Lopez.

I'll say one thing, right now, a lot of Nationals fans want to be rid of Lopez --- kind of how some feel about Jay Gibbons, though Felipe may be a lot better with the bat.

From FoxSports.com: The Nationals, trying to trade shortstop Felipe Lopez, are scouting the! Royals' Angel Berroa as a possible replacement. The Orioles are believed to have interest in Lopez, who is guaranteed $4.9 million this season.

Lopez, 27, also has played 82 games at third base and 55 at second in his career, and his ability to fit in at multiple positions could increase the number of teams that are interested in him.

Right now, it is looking more likely that Felipe Lopez will be the reserve infielder up the middle, and he's not too keen on the idea.

He came to Washington in a trade in 2006, and was slotted as the starting second baseman; however, a poor 2007, questions about his attitude along with his makeup, and the emergence of Ronnie Belliard and a healthy Christian Guzman, his fate may be sealed --- for now.

On Tuesday, when he was interviewed by various media outlets on how he feels in Spring Training, a question was thrown out on if he'd be willing to accept a bench spot.

His terse answe! r was, "Hell, no".

Although his attitude and hustle! is far improved from last season, Belliard and Guzman are simply out hitting him at the plate (Lopez's average is around .200 right now); thus, Manny Acta made the decision that's best for the team --- Lopez will sit.

With the situation as it is, Lopez could move back into a starting role if his numbers pick up and either Belliard or Guzman gets off to a slow start; however, he will more than likely be dealt.

Could he fit in with the Orioles? I don't know if this would be the place for him, but he could be a substantial upgrade over our shortstop options, is young enough, and could benefit from the change of scenery?

Now, who would the O's give up?

Olson Wins Number Five: O's Beat Twins, 3-2; The Jays On Tap...

In light of what I said about two weeks about the first part of June being very important and telling as to where the Orioles would stand for the rest of the season -- right now, needless to say -- they're doing fine.

With a record of 29-30, and still in last place in the AL East, the Orioles earned a very important series victory on Thursday as both Adam Jones homered, and Nick Markakis added a two-run shot as Baltimore beat Minnesota, 3-2.

Keeping in line of the growth of this in 2008, rookie Garrett Olson won his fifth game as he allowed two runs and eight hits through 6 1/3 innings in Baltimore's third win in four games. Although he got into trouble in the first part of the game, through guts and guile, he was able to hold off the Twins.

George Sherrill threw a scoreless ninth for his 20th sa! ve of the season.

The Baltimore Orioles next counter against a tough Toronto team that's 32-30 on the season and are fighting for a top spot in the AL East.

Matchups:

Tonight: Orioles' Brian Burres (4-5, 4.87) vs. Shaun Marcum (5-3, 2.63)
Saturday: Jeremy Guthrie (2-6, 3.58) vs. A.J. Burnett (5-5, 4.32)
Sunday: Radhames Liz (1-0, 3.38) vs. Roy Halladay (7-5, 2.94)

The Jays' strength this season as in the past has been their starting corps, and the Orioles will have it tough this series. Although the Orioles had a very respectable showing in Minnesota, they go up against a great young arm in Marcum on Friday, Burnett who has seemingly owned Baltimore on Saturday, and Halladay -- one of the best in the game -- on Sunday.

Needless to say, the offense nee! ds to be on their game, and despite the Jays only being over t! wo games above .500 along with losers of two in a row, Baltimore has a task on it's hands. Despite the Toronto offense being with Vernon Wells and a lack of power in their lineup, they will be a formidable challenge.

The good news is that the Baltimore offense has picked within the last week, and Adam Jones is starting to come around and show the promise that everyone in baseball has been raving about. As well, Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis have come out their slumps to contribute.

Now, the rest of the team needs to pick it up.

The Fighting Phils Are In the World Series

Your National League Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Now, may the Rays (the most likely victor of the ALCS) or Red Sox beat you...

Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any other sportsbook; on the web.

Izturis & Daniel Cabrera

It looks like shortstop problem for the Baltimore Orioles has been solved as Cesar Izturis officially became a member of the squad this morning. He was in the city for a physical along with a medical examination on Monday -- which he passed -- and spoke to the media an hour or two ago.

From the Baltimore Sun: An agreement on a two-year, $6 million deal was reached with Izturis last week at the winter meetings, but was pending a physical. He gives the Orioles some stability at a position filled by six players last season.!

Izturis, 28, played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008 and had a .980 fielding percentage, third-best in the National League. He won the 2004 Gold Glove at shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers and represented the Dodgers in the All-Star Game in 2005.

A switch hitter from Venezuela, Izturis hit .290 right-handed and .245 left-handed, and led the Cardinals with 24 stolen bases in 2008. He has a .260 career batting average.

Roch Kubatko has his impressions on the new kid on the block, and the Baltimore Sun has a report on the events this morning.

I'd rather have had the team go after a more offensive shortstop, but considering the options we had out on the field in 2008, it's nice to finally have a major league caliber shortstop who can play defense and actually hit in the nine hole.

***

Well, it looks like Daniel Cabrera may find employment, sooner rather than later. A report in the Baltimore Sun noted that the tall hurler despite his release from the Orioles has quite a number of suitors looking to pick him up as a reclamation project.

Despite Cabrera's up and down tenure in Baltimore, he said he no hard feelings.

There was a little sadness but no bitterness, Cabre! ra said yesterday by phone from the Dominican Republic.

"I don't know how I am going to feel; I'll have to wait for the season," said Cabrera, whom the Orioles did not offer a contract at Friday's midnight deadline. "I don't know how to feel, but I have nothing bad to say about Baltimore."

He definitely showed some flashes of brilliance; however, considering how long he was in Baltimore and just the overall lack of improvements he made over the years, one can understand why the organization would cut ties with him.

However, if someone can just hammer the art of pitching into Cabrera's head, and develop a third pitch for him, he could be a solid starter or even an arm in someone's bullpen.

Former Nasty Boy Rob Dibble Joins MASN ... But on the Nationals Side

This morning, MASN announced that former major league reliever, Rob Dibble, will join their staff as a color commentator, replacing Don Sutton.

Sutton -- a Hall of Famer and former longtime Braves broadcaster -- who held the position at the network, asked to be released from his contract presumably to rejoin Atlanta, more than likely on the radio.

From MASN Sports: MASN has added two-time All Star and 1990 NLCS MVP Rob Dibble to the Washington Nationals broadcast booth for the 2009 season and beyond.

Upon joining the MASN broadcast team, he will be reunited with Bob Carpenter, who he worked with at ESPN in the 1990's.

>>> Read More

Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any othe! r sportsbook on ! the web.

Ray Lewis a Cowboy? Oh, God No!

I root for the Redskins, and have the Ravens as my second favorite team; therefore, I know all too well that Ray Lewis -- Baltimore Ravens linebacker -- is a free agent. He's spent 13 years in the purple & black and is an indelible part of the franchise's history; however, my stomach recoiled when I read that he wants to join one of the sports teams I revile the most -- the Dallas Cowboys!

The Ravens stuck with Ray Lewis when he had his legal trouble, and I understand football is a business; therefore, loyalty has to count for something.

>>> Read More


Bet on Baseball at BetUS.com - America's favorite sports betting destination for all sports fans; adding more excitement and bonuses than any other sportsbook on the web.

Bergesen Delivers; Huff Daddy Hits Two Bombs, O's Down White Sox, 10-3

Last night at a cool Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles snapped a five game losing streak, and perhaps a potential mainstay of the rotation may have been introduced.

The Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox, 10-3, as they broke a five-game losing steak and the offense also came alive again as Aubrey Huff delivered with two home runs and Nick Markakis -- who leads the American League in RBI -- had a perfect night at the plate with four hits. As well, Luke Scott went 3-for-4.

More importantly, Tuesday's game was so important because it brought forth the introduction of Brad Bergesen. The righty, who pitched well out of Spring Training, but didn't make the squad because he had not pitched above Triple-A found himself inserted into the rotation after Alfredo Simon went on the disabled list for an elbow injury.

>>> Read More

Huff Daddy (Aubrey Huff) Traded to Tigers

It looks like the rebuilding plan is really in full motion now -- this afternoon, Aubrey Huff got traded to the Tigers. Here's the latest from Roch's blog:

The Orioles have traded first baseman Aubrey Huff to the Detroit Tigers for Single-A pitcher Brett Jacobson, a 6 foot 6 reliever who was 1-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 35 games at Single-A Lakeland. He was drafted in the fourth round last year. More to come.

The Baltimore Sun has more on the deal and it looks like Luke Scott will be starting at first base tonight.

I'm not surprised that he was traded only for the fact that he's going to be a free agent at the end of the season; furthermore, I don't think he was going to be re-signed in Baltimore unless he accepted arbitration.Well, Huff has some value to a contender who needs a left handed bat, plus, he gets into the thick of a pennant chase and may find himself in the playoffs. The Orioles in making this trade are simply perhaps looking for more depth -- especially arms.

>>> Read More

Rangers Lose Big Game: Carolina Shuts Out NY 3-0

Umberger Starting To Make This a Habit

Tonight against the Wings:


Right away it brought back the memories of that hit a few seasons back in the playoffs when Brian Campbell destroyed Umberger:

Rangers Select Chris Kreider In 1st Rd

With the 19th pick of the first round in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft the Rangers selected Chris Kreider. According to Rangers' Director of Player Personnel, Gordie Clark, the Rangers were expecting Kreider to be drafted earlier in the round:

"We had a number of things we tried to move up to get him, but nothing worked out; but it did work out in the end," explained Gordie Clark, the Rangers Director, Player Personnel.

"He is an elite athlete, physically and mentally," continued Clark.

Kreider starred for Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., last season. He led his team in goals (33), assis! ts (23), and points (56), and was the top-rated high school prospect in the draft. Overall Kreider was the 14th-highest rated North American skater, according to the final Central Scouting Rankings of 2009-draft eligible players.

What sets Kreider apart from others in this draft, in Clark's opinion, is his tremendous speed. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder was acknowledged by most experts to be the fastest skater available.

"He's the fastest kid in the draft, and that's the first thing that stands out about him," stated Clark. "He just dominated with his speed. He gets so many breakaways because he is so bloody fast. He's got that (Alexander) Mogilny-type speed."

Skating faster than everybody else on the ice is not Kreider's only skill, however.

"He can shoot the puck at full speed and from the tops of circles, which is sniper-range," said Clark.

Kreider is not NHL ready and won't be seeing an! y NHL action for at least a few seasons down the road.

Canucks Improve Blue Line Today

The Vancouver Canucks made a couple of moves today that if nothing else adds experience and depth to their blue line for next season.

In two separate deals the Canucks acquired Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich and signed UFA Mathieu Schneider.

The trade for the Canucks to acquire Ehrhoff and Lukowich is a cap clearing move for the San Jose Sharks who in ! return acquired Patrick White and Daniel Rahimi, neither who have yet played an NHL game. White was drafted 25th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft and is about to enter his Junior year at the University of Minnesota. Meanwhile, Daniel Rahimi a 2006 3rd Round pick of the Canucks has spent the last two seasons playing in the AHL.

It appears that the Sharks may be preparing for a trade because they have effectively cleared over $4.6M off the cap for the coming season (per CapGeek) and it's unlikely that either player that they acquired will see any NHL action this season.

Outfoxed.

Sunday night ratings even with Athens.

WNBA not a hit among female basketball players.

Weekend ratings predictions.

Giants/Cowboys draws 15.4 overnight.

Licey lost 9-8 against Escogido

Leones del Escogido are in second place

Santo Domingo .- A's pinch sacrifice fly Ambiorix Concepcion gave a dramatic 9-8 victory last night at the Lions of the Chosen who left the field to the Licey Tigers in a match full of expectations held at the Quisqueya Park. The Conception fly came with the bases loaded and one out against reliever Yhency Brazoban shipments.

Licey won against Toros

Licey played hard ball

Santo Domingo .- Catcher Matt Tupman hit RBI single in the seventh inning to bring the race rubber that gave him victory 6 to 5 on the Licey Tigers to the Toros del Este, in a match full of options held at the Quisqueya Stadium. Reliever Onelio Perez managed to save a dangerous situation in the ninth, when the Bulls threatened, scoring a run.

Perez scored his tenth rescue of the season, while fellow reliever Carlos Perez (1-0) notched its first win of the tournament and the substitute pitcher Luis Valdez (3-1) suffered its first setback.

Foursquare movement with a runner on blue receptor Salvador Paniagua in the fourth inning off shipments of the Bulls starting pitcher Wesley Wright was instrumental in the Tigers victory that evened the score at four runs.

The last night of the Licey victory was his number 16 and were placed ½ games of first place that keep the Toros (18-11) along with Leones del Escogido (18-11) won last night 3-1 to the Giants Carolina, match played in Puerto Rico as part of interleague play.

Gulf City won Horse Duel

Gulf City was the winner

Santo Domingo .- Gulf City, Kalil Hache Classic winner of 2008, set a comfortable pace in the first meters, withstood an early attack Kalil Hache winner 2009, Sailor's Salute and reacted in the final stretch before the onset of Buck Eye Tiger to win the fifth race yesterday at the Hippodrome V Centenario, in a day where six winners who matched all charged RD $ 1545.25, but the parties of five, whose payment was RD $ 81.00 per share.

The winners were valid Yuleidy (3) on first, rookie Tour Of Duty (5) in the second, Marant And Johec (2) in the third, Big Wave Dave (5) in the fourth, Gulf City (1) the fifth and Trompo Loco (1) in the sixth. Sensing the output Gulf City, with Alejandro Gomez in the saddle, took control of the event while Ace Up My Sleeve and Villa Juana's Son was placed nearby, with Tiger Eye Buck Sailor's Salu fourth and the fifth position from where he moved through the inside of the track to second place, putting pressure on the line far from the pointer that is off when entering the last elbow, the point where Buck Eye Tiger, Luis Jimenez in the bridle, put a strong step by thinking that he realized the pointer . Falling down the stretch the two copies were head to head and both riders gave the best of each, making Gulf City unstuck on the inside and win for the body and a half in front. The win was the 184 of the season for Gomez and 44 for coach John Paul Racing stable, Demetrio A. Correa (Corombo).

Aguilas won against Puertorricans Team

Santiago .- Cesar the hero donned last night here when connecting single with the bases loaded that allowed leave the field to the Puerto Rico, in play, which finished 5 - 4 .

Caesar, with his second hit, took the dish to Julio to a dramatic victory in the his second straight and sixth in home (6-9).

Las their victory total to 14 (14-15), preserving the fourth, four of the co-leaders today Toros and the Lions with 1.5 and above iants, who also won last night.

The hit came off Bill Simas, who was hit the other way around. Frank Herrmman who pitched the ninth, earned the win.

Messi has a little injury

Sant Joan Despi - Barcelona does not rule out the Lionel Messi to play Tuesday's match against Inter Milan, despite having a grade I lesion in the adductor of the left leg, as well collect the medical report provided to media.

The player has now undergone some explorations in the Hospital de Barcelona, where he has practiced ultrasound and MRI, followed by medical services did not rule out that the players can play against Inter at the Camp Nou, in a decisive match to the aspirations of qualifying the boat for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Real Madrid reach first place in Spain

MADRID. AP. The goal by Gonzalo Higuain put Real Madrid yesterday as leader of the Spanish soccer season, beating Racing Santander 1-0 and match the Barcelona 1-1 at Bilbao.

The setback of Barcelona, which scored its third successive draw at home, allowed Madrid to overtake his rival and get to next Sunday's Super Clasico 29 in the Camp Nou with a point lead over the defending champion. With 28 points the Madrid tops the table alone. Barca escort him with 27 and 25 is the Seville.

Real beat in the Bernabeu on a goal by Argentine striker in the 22nd minute, taking in face of goal to head a cross from compatriot Ezequiel Garay, former player of Racing.

Bay reject Bosox

Bostont Jason Bay officially test the waters after declining the initial contract offer made by the according to a report published by the

"Nothing will happen at the end of the day, but we will continue talking," said agent Joe Urbon Bay to SI.com. It is believed that the offer of the Red Sox Bay was in the range of four years and $ 60 million, according to unnamed sources told SI.com.

The Boston window to negotiate exclusively with Bay expired last friday at 12:01 a. m. when free agency begins and players can receive and accept offers from other teams.

Lincecum won second straight Cy Young

Tim Lincecum


San Francisco .- For Tim Lincecum, represented more win fewer games in 2009. The right of the San Francisco Giants won fewer games than last year, but he repeated as winner of the coveted Cy Young Award in the National League, beating the favorite Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals in the vote taken by the Baseball Writers Association of America yesterday.

Lincecum is the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in consecutive seasons since the left-hander Randy Johnson won four straight to Arizona from 1999-2002.

Lincecum was a decline compared to last year, when he had record of 18-5 and joined the Cy Young winner Mike McCormick in 1967 to become only the second Giant to win the award.

Dominican Contreras won 4th place

Yudelkis Contreras

Goyang, South Korea. The Dominican Yudelkis Contreras earned a fourth place in the World Weightlifting Championships to be held since the last day 19 in this South Korean city to 29 this month.

Contreras confirmed his status as world-class athlete in the 53 kg category. The 23 year old Dominican had a performance above expectations considering that it was his first competition since last August, when he finished fifth in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Contreras, from San Pedro de Macoris, made full marks of 202 kilos lifted in competition, winning Zulfiya Chinshanlo of Kazakhstan, with 219 kilos, to finish fifth in starting with 90 and lead the specialty of the two times (or shove clean & jerk) with a lump of 129.

Yudelkis competition began with a weight of 88 kilos in this specialty and finished fourth with 91, behind leader Chen Xiaoting, China, who scored 95, the Korean Yoon Jin-Hee, second with 93 and Svetlana Heremshanova, of Kazakhstan, with 92 kilos. The Dominican missed a third attempt to start trying to lift 92 kilos.

The quisqueyana tried to compensate in clean & jerk (clean and jerk) to try to get into the medals, but their total maximum of 111 kilos was not enough for the podium. This test began with 106 kilos, then scored 111 and finally could not complete a third and final attempt of 114.

Azua, Samaná and National District won Volleyball

Jugadores de Bahoruco y El Seibo se disputan la bola por encima de la red
Bahoruco against el Seibo

Volleyballs Womem teams from Azua, Samana and the National District advanced to the knockout stages of the last stage of Tour Beach Volleyball National which takes place in the tennis arena Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.

In the men moved the National District, La Vega, Azua Bahoruco and to come through on their commitments on Saturday.

The pair Azua, comprising Restituyo and Yina Selmo Isairis defeated the marker Mocana with 25.06 winning Group A.

Samana, integrated by Ana Yorkira and Soledad Jimenez, won 25-19 at La Vega, leading the group B.

And the district pair, consisting of Ana Ligia Fabian and Selmo Ginet, beat banileja slate of 25-10, leading the Group C.

In the men, the couple Amauris district and Antonio Martinez Pozo, beat San Pedro de Macoris with marker 25-18.

La Vega, made by Frederick Corporán and Luis Ramos, Salcedo won 25-22.

And the pair of Bahoruco, comprising Yewddys Germain Perez and Recio, exceeded the Seibane, 25-13.

The positions

After the first four stages in the female ranking was led by the National District (760), Moca (640), La Vega (640), San Juan de la Maguana (400), La Romana (360), Bonao (360), Montecristi (325), Bam (210), Azua (175), El Seibo (115), San Pedro de Macoris (80), Samana (80), Higuey (70), Santo Domingo (60), San Cristóbal (35) and Monte Plata (35).

In the men is leading La Vega (760), Bahoruco (720), National District (680), Monte Plata (435), Nagua (380), Samana (255), El Seibo (255), San Pedro de Macoris (235), Hato Mayor (230), La Romana (205), Puerto Plata (195), Bam (145), Sánchez Ramírez (140), Salcedo (95), Moca (90), Azua (45).

Bolt won Best 2009 World Athlete

Usain BoltMONTECARLO .- Usain Bolt and Sanya Richards, two athletes born in Jamaica, although the latter acquired U.S. citizenship in 2002 were selected athletes in the world of the year by the International Federation (IAAF) from a list of five nominees in each category.Both received the award for the second time. Bolt, triple world champion in Berlin, he obtained it last year after his epic triple Olympic in Beijing and Richards was honored...

Rose Bowl ratings up.

Super Bowl XLIII draws most female viewers in 15 years.

NFL Draft start time pushed back.

SportsCenter to get new look.

The ratings game.

Question of the day.

Idle notes

Miami/Florida State a huge ratings hit

Info Sepakbola | Klasemen Premier League (2009/2010)

Klasemen Liga Inggris 2009/2010

No	Nama Klub	M	M	S	K	CG	KG	Poin
1	Man. United	8	6	1	1	19	8	19
2	Chelsea	7	6	0	1	16	6	18
3	Tottenham	8	5	1	2	19	12	16
4	Liverpool	7	5	0	2	22	10	15
5	Man. City	6	5	0	1	14	7	15
6	Sunderland	8	4	1	3	16	13	13
7	Arsenal	6	4	0	2	18	8	12
8	Aston Villa	6	4	0	2	9	5	12
9	Burnley	8	4	0	4	7	16	12
10	Everton	6	3	0	3	8	10	9
11	Wigan	8	3	0	5	8	15	9
12	Bolton	7	2	2	3	10	11	8
13	Stoke	7	2	2	3	5	9	8
14	Blackburn	6	2	1	3	6	9	7
15	Brimingham	8	2	1	5	5	8	7
16	Wolverhampton	8	2	1	5	7	14	7
17	Hull	8	2	1	5	8	20	7
18	Fulham	6	2	0	4	4	8	6
19	West Ham	6	1	1	4	6	9	4
20	Portsmouth	8	1	0	7	4	13	3

Keterangan :

M :Main
M : Menang
S : Seri
K : Kalah
CG : Memasukkan gol
KG : Kemasukan gol


Daftar Pencetak gol


8 Darren Bent (Sunderland)
8 Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
6 Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
6 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
5 Louis Saha (Everton)
5 Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
5 Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
5 Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland)
4 Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City)
4 Ga! briel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
3 Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic)
3 Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
3 Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
3 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
3 Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
3 Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
3 Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United)
3 Tamir Cohen (Bolton Wanderers)
3 Marcio Geovanni (Hull)
3 Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool)
3 Craig Bellamy (Manchester City)
2 Stephen Hunt (Hull)
2 William Gallas (Arsenal)
2 Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
2 Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
2 Younes Kaboul (Portsmouth)
2 Michael Owen (Manchester United)
2 Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)
2 Carlton Cole (West Ham United)
2 Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
2 Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
2 Kevin Davies (Bolton Wanderers)
2 Dave Kitson (Stoke)
2 Paul Scharner (Wigan Athletic)
2 Matthew Taylor (Bolton Wander! ers)
2 David Dunn (Blackburn Rovers)
2 Robin! van Per sie (Arsenal)
2 David Nugent (Burnley)
2 Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton)
2 Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)
2 Ryan Babel (Liverpool)
2 Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)
1 Bobby Zamora (Fulham)
1 Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic)
1 Ryan Shawcross (Stoke)
1 Stephen Jordan (bd) (Stoke)
1 Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
1 Mark Noble (West Ham United)
1 Matthew Upson (West Ham United)
1 Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal)
1 Denilson Neves (Arsenal)
1 Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur)
1 Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham Hotspur)
1 Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
1 Deco de Souza (Chelsea)
1 Andrew Keogh (Wolverhampton)
1 Robbie Blake (Burnley)
1 David Ngog (Liverpool)
1 James McFadden (Birmingham City)
1 Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur)
1 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
1 Kamel Ghilas (Hu! ll)
1 Gael Givet (Blackburn Rovers)
1 Nani (Manchester United)
1 Wade Elliott (Burnley)
1 Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
1 Curtis Davies (Aston Villa)
1 Lucas (bd) (Aston Villa)
1 Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur)
1 Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City)
1 Richard Stearman (Wolverhampton)
1 Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal)
1 Abou Diaby (bd) (Manchester United)
1 Abdoulaye Faye (Stoke)
1 Leighton Baines (Everton)
1 John Paintsil (bd) (Aston Villa)
1 Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
1 Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers)
1 Stefan Maierhofer (Wolverhampton)
1 Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers)
1 El-Hadji Diouf (Blackburn Rovers)
1 Andy Reid (Sunderland)
1 Kamil Zayatte (bd) (Sunderland)
1 Kamil Zayatte (Hull)
1 Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
1 Anderson (Manchester United)
1 Manuel Almunia (bd! ) (Manchester City)
1 Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchest! er City)
1 Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
1 Paul Konchesky (Fulham)
1 Damien Duff (Fulham)
1 Tim Cahill (Everton)
1 Graham Alexander (Burnley)
1 James Milner (Aston Villa)
1 Gary O'Connor (Birmingham City)
1 Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal)
1 Alessandro Diamanti (West Ham United)
1 David Edwards (Wolverhampton)
1 Danny Murphy (Fulham)
1 Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
1 Joseph Yobo (Everton)
1 John O'Shea (Manchester United)
1 Titus Bramble (Wigan Athletic)
1 Christopher Samba (Blackburn Rovers)
1 Jermain Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur)
1 Kevin Phillips (Birmingham City)
1 Chung-yong Lee (Bolton Wanderers)
1 John Mensah (bd) (Wolverhampton)
1 Michael Turner (Sunderland)
1 Martin Petrov (Manchester City)
1 Anton Ferdinand (bd) (Manchester United)
1 Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth)
1 Steven F! letcher (Burnley)
1 Andre Bikey (Burnley)
1 Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham City)
1 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Hull)
1 Scott Sinclair (Wigan Athletic)
1 Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers)
1 Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham Hotspur)
1 Vedran Corluka (Tottenham Hotspur)

Liga Spanyol 2009/2010 | Madrid Tanpa Ronaldo Lagi

Real Madrid akan kembali menghadapi beberapa pertandingan ke depan tanpa Cristiano Ronaldo. CR9 dipastikan harus absen selama sebulan setelah dibelap cedera engkel.

Ronaldo telah kembali ke Madrid setelah mengalami cedera saat memperkuat timnas Portugal di laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2010. Pemain berusia 24 tahun ini sebelumnya meman! g baru saja dibekap cedera engkel.

Pada pertandingan yang berakhir bagi kemenangan Portugal 3-0 tersebut Ronaldo hanya bisa bermain selama 27 menit. Pelatih Portugal Carlos Queiroz mendapatkan kritikan karena tetap memainkan Ronaldo meski sedang cedera.

Pihak Real Madrid pun akhirnya mengumumkan bahwa pemain termahalnya itu mengalami cedera engkel. "Sesudah melewati pemeriksaan klinis dan pemindaian MRI dipastikan dia mengalami cedera di engkel kaki kanannya."

"Ia juga mengalami keseleo dengan pembengkakan di tulangnya. Waktu penyembuhannya diperkirakan tiga sampai empat minggu," ungkap pihak Real dalam statementnya seperti dilansir Sky Sport.

Cedera itu ersebut membuat Ronaldo kemungkinan harus absen dalam beberapa laga Los Merengues, termasuk dua laga Liga Champions. Sedangkan Portugal tidak dapat membawa Ronaldo menghadapi Malta midweek ini.
!

40 CAPPELLI

Pieruccio ho saputo che ieri per i tuoi 40 anni (di nuovo auguri!) hai mangiato 40 cappelli rosicando per i miei scambi! Nientedimeno hai proposto l'antitrust per lo scambio consigli! Inverosimile. Smile :)

E vedo che continui a fare il micciarolo bombarolo e mi scateni contro tutta la lega (in modo silente, non sul blog ma a telefono). Bravo bravo. Dai fastidio a tutti per far passare la voglia a tutti di fare scambi con me. Ma alla fine ottieni l'effetto contrario perchè ad esempio Felix mi ha dato IAQUINTA proprio per farti rosicare!!!!!!

Nientemeno ho saputo che vuoi anche proporre la regola del secondo portiere. Illuso: serve l'unanimità e io voto NO!!!!!!!! Vorrà dire che ci sarà ancora più gusto ad ogni gol della coppia AMAURI-IAQUINTA. E comunque saranno in molti a divertirsi. Anzi pensavo di regalarti una buona scorta di cappelli per l'inverno: preferisci bombette, cilindri, coppole siciliane? Smile :)

REAL MADRID OFFICIALLY PRESENTS HUNTELAAR

TENNIS: SPANIARD RAFAEL NADAL REMAINS WORLD ATP Nº1

FC BARCELONA COMFORTABLY WINS FIORENTINA 1-3 IN FRIENDLY 2008

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 32/ 2008 SATURDAY MATCH RESULTS

SPANISH INDOOR SQUAD BEGINS ITS ROAD TO BRAZIL 2008

SPANISH FOOTBALL HUMOUR

REAL MADRID NEWS: ROBBEN & BRENO

IKER CASILLAS STOPS OLYMPIAKOS

BASKETBALL: SPAIN GOES INTO THE SEMIS OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

FC BARCELONA ASIAN TOUR 2007: YOKOHAMA 0 - BARCELONA 1 (SEE VIDEO) & NEWS

SPANISH FOOTBALL - "LA LIGA" - ROUND 35/07 RESULTS

MOTO GP. JORGE LORENZO SHINES FOR SPANIARDS IN 250CC

LIVERPOOL FC MORE "SPANISH" THAN REAL MADRID

REAL MADRID: A BLAST FROM THE PAST FOR FLORENTINO PEREZ

JUVENTUS ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF CANNAVARO: CIAO Y GRAZIE

DAVID VILLA: THE STORY & SITUATION WITH THE REAL MADRID TRANSFER SAGA

FC BARCELONA: IBRAHIMOVIC A MATTER OF HOURS

FC BARCELONA: 14 PLAYERS IN WORLD CUP ACTION PLAYING FOR THEIR NATIONAL TEAM FUTURE

Figo Returns To Madrid

Agero-Stankovic Part-Exchange Mooted?

Calcio Debate: Ronaldinho Top Or Flop?

Cani: Competition Is Tough

Renan Believes In Valencia Success

Van Der Vaart - Two Wins And It's All Good!

Sinama-Pongolle: Atletico Will Fight For All Three Titles

Spanish Comment: Valencia's Season Finally Shaping Up

Sampdoria's Bruno Fornaroli To Espanyol Or Betis Agent

Gers on Baha trail

Federer advances to Indian Wells semifinals

Serena beats sister Venus in Key Biscayne semis

Swans - No bid for Gomez

Defending champ Ivanovic ousted from French

Santana close to Atletico exit

Primera Liga round-up

Gianluigi Buffon in Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon in Juventus

Arnesen admits Chelsea appeal

Taken from the Evening Standard

Tottenham's suspended sporting director Frank Arnesen has reportedly told friends that a move to Chelsea would be too good to turn down.

The Dane was stood down from his duties on Saturday after Spurs claimed the Barclays Premiership champions had made an illegal approach for his services.

However, the two clubs expect to continue discussions today over a financial settlement that will clear the way for Arnesen to join Roman Abramovich's Stamford Bridge revolution.

"Well I think there's an ongoing dialogue between the clubs still," the Blues' director of communications Simon Greenberg told Chelsea TV.

"The relationship has not irretrievably broken down, so there are discussions ongoing and we wait to see if! they progress or they do not progress."

Spurs have yet to make any formal complaint to the Premier League over the matter and Chelsea may escape any inquiry if they can reach an acceptable cash compromise.

Tottenham are holding out for a £5million compensation package in order to release the Dane from his current White Hart Lane contract while Chelsea are prepared to pay just over half of that amount.

But Arnesen has made it clear to close friends that he is ready to make the switch across London because the deal Chelsea are prepared to offer him will financially set him up for life.

Arnesen is expected to pocked £4.3million over three years as head of scouting and the club's academy and his position is not expected to conflict with manager Jose Mourinho.

Arnesen is alleged to have told a close pal: "I can't tu! rn this down. It will make me for life. I've found myself in t! he middl e of this situation but I'm very calm," quotes The Sun.

Meanwhile, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, one of the players discovered by Arnesen at PSV Eindhoven, reckons he will be a massive hit at Stamford Bridge.Arnesen paved the way for Robben's move to the Londoners when he was still with PSV and Robben said: "I was with Frank for two years at PSV and I know him as a great person.

"He brings players into a club and brought some great players to PSV. That's why they want to take him.

"I am sure he will do a good job if he comes to Chelsea. It would be good for the club."
Meanwhile, Chelsea look to have lost out on the race to sign Lyon midfielder Michael Essien. The French Player of the Year was one of Mourinho's top transfer targets but it now looks increasingly likely that the 22-year-old will be staying with the French champions.

A spokesman! for Lyon told their fans: "Lyon are surprised to hear of the imminent signing of Michael by Chelsea. We can inform you of the agreement of the player and his agent for an extension of his contract."

However, Scott Parker's £7million departure from Stamford Bridge continues to get ever closer with Newcastle now clear favourites to win the race for his signature.

Everton's chances have diminished with manager David Moyes unhappy to break the Goodison wage structure to accommodate the England international.

Parker is understood to bank around £55,000-a-week with the Londoners and Moyes is not prepared to meet that figure.

He was hoping that the lure of Champions League football would sway Parker but Graeme Souness is now confident of landing the midfielder.

The Tynesiders can afford to match his pay demands and So! uness is understood to be working on the deal while on holiday! .

Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell's hopes of moving on appear to have been dashed for the present after his knee injury flared up once again.

Forssell spent much of last season sidelined with knee ligament damage and played just 10 minutes of Finland's friendly with Denmark last week.

He was all set for a move to Everton and flew into Merseyside at the weekend for a medical but did not sign a contract.

Everton will now look to get the striker on a reduced deal instead of the planned £6million outlay.

Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur!!

By Matthew Moles
For THBN

What is it about this great club that makes every single one of you love it so much? For me it's everything about Tottenham that makes it so special. For me, as with a lot of you I have never known any other way. I was never given a choice because my father was a die hard Spurs fan ever since the day his parents took him to see his first game at the Lane in the early 60's. Would I have supported them otherwise? Maybe, but more than likely I would have been swept along with all the children of my generation supporting Man U from afar, never venturing to the north of England to watch my so called heroes as is the case with the majority of their so called 'FANS'.

Am I glad I wa! s never given a choice… you bet your frigging life I am. Had it not of been for the influence of my dad, I would never have witnessed some of the most enthralling and memorable moments of my life, and some of the most painful too.

I am not a religious man by any means, but I do sometimes find myself praying in the hope that something good will happen once more to our mighty club and that we will once again be at the top of the English and European leagues.

The same goes for my beliefs, I stopped believing in Santa and the tooth-fairy long ago but one thing that has never stopped, and probably never will stop is my love for THFC and my belief that one day we will be back where we belong.

How many teams have a history as rich as ours? How many teams can boast being FA Cup winners on no less than 8 occasions or the first team to win 'The Double'? How many teams can boast having some of the best players to have ever graced the game; Blanchflower! , Mackay, Greaves, Hoddle, Gascoigne, Lineker, Klinsmann and G! inola? N ot many, that's for sure.

Our current board has done very well in putting this young, gifted team together in a relatively small amount of time. Yet they are constantly chastised by a small section of our fans and for what? Doing their best? Doing everything they can to bring the glory days back to the Lane?

How many of our current crop will go down in history and be mentioned alongside the players above? I think three of our players are already on their way. The three are King, Robinson and Defoe with potentially another on their way into the club in Edgar Davids. Routledge, Dawson and Ziegler all have the potential to do the same, but is Martin Jol the man that can make these players excel? I certainly think so, do you?

The future looks bright, the future looks lillywhite!!

COYS!!

All Square - Match Analysis

I am sure that a lot of us read in the week that the Berbatov saga was having a real drain on the players, both at training and in the games.

Berbatov finally looks to be out of the door and it truly showed. This Tottenham team was resolute, hard, and knew what they needed to do. We had shape and guile.

Didier Zokora was employed as a defensive midfielder and was entrusted to fill in just in front of the back four. He did just that. Our Ivory Coast midfielder did lay a fair few passes astray, but he was sharp.

Our defence, marshalled by King & Woodgate was superb. I also thought that Gomes was commanding, gathering everything he could and preventing Lampard from scoring within the first 15 minutes with a great save.

Tottenham conceded a goal from a corner when Darren Bent took his eyes off his marker, allowing Belletti to swing his left foot at the ball from 6 yards.

A mistake b! y Lampard allowed Bent, just before half-time, to slot the ball in under the Chelsea keeper.

Ramos made some key changes after the break, bringing on Huddlestone, Lennon and O'Hara.

Huddlestone and O'Hara joined Zokora as anchormen, which allowed Modric to flourish. For the first time in three games, we finally saw what Modric is made of. He was everywhere, breaking up play and flying forward.

With a few more signings, we will be on our way.

COYS!!!

Harry wants another tough tackling midfielder

Various papers are running the article that Harry Redknapp is interested in signing England under-21 tough tackling midfielder, Lee Cattermole from Wigan.

With Downing persistently linked, it looks as though Harry is opting for a sold central pairing in the middle of midfield, with the flair coming directly from the wings.

He employed a similar system at Pompey when he paired Muntari & Diop in the centre.

If we do sign Cattermole (or another tough midfielder) and a left winger, it begs the question; what will happen to Luka Modric?

Milan Minta Chelsea Jauhi Pato

MILAN - AC Milan mulai gerah dengan pendekatan Chelsea kepada Alexandre Pato. Pihak I Rossoneri meminta The Blues agar tidak mendekati striker mudanya ini.
Chelsea belum menyerah untuk mendapatkan tanda tangan Pato. Bahkan media Inggris mengklaim The Blues menyiapkan penawaran 60 juta euro atau sekitar Rp 866 miliar untuk memboyongnya ke Stamford Bridge.
Namun, Wakil Presiden klub Milan Adriano Galliani menolak tawaran besar tersebut. Ia menegaskan bahwa Chelsea hanya membuang waktu saja mendekati pemain terseb! ut. "Kami sebelumnya telah mendapatkan penawaran superior untuk satu ini (60 juta euro) dan kami telah mengatakan tidak untuk itu.
Sebab itu jawabnya adalah tidak," kata Galliani seperti dilansir Sporting Life. Milan tidak ingin melepas Pato setelah mereka menjual Kaka ke Real Madrid. Pato masih terikat kontrak hingga Juni 2012. Musim lalu striker berusia 19 tahun ini telah mencetak 15 gol dari 36 penampilannya di Seri A.

Milan Naikkan Tawaran untuk Fabiano

ROMA - AC Milan akan menaikkan penawaran kepada Sevilla untuk menggaet penyerang Luis Fabiano. Menurut Corriere dello Sport, Milan bersedia menyepakati transfer dengan nilai potensial mencapai 22 juta euro atau Rp 313 miliar. Pada penawaran pertamanya, Milan mengajukan angka 14 juta euro atau Rp 200 miliar untuk Fabiano.
Sevilla menolak proposal ini karena menganggap nilai Fabiano tak kurang dari 32 juta euro atau Rp 456 miliar. Agen Fabiano, Jose Fuentes mengatakan, Sevilla kemudian bersikap lunak karena mengerti bahwa Fabiano ingin berg! abung bersama "I Rossoneri". Fuentes pun mendesak Milan menaikkan tawaran.
Menurutnya, Fabiano bisa diboyong dengan penawaran 18-20 juta euro. Milan yang sudah membulatkan tekad memboyong Fabiano langsung mengikuti saran Fuentes. "Il Diavolo" memberikan proposal baru senilai 18 juta euro. Adapun empat juta euro sisanya akan diberikan jika Fabiano berhasil mengantar Milan meraih scudetto atau Liga Champions.
Kini Wakil Presiden Milan Adriano Galliani akan segera merundingkan tawaran baru itu kepada Sevilla. Negosiasi akan dilakukan di Spanyol pada Senin (13/7) atau Selasa (14/7) mendatang.

Berlusconi Minta Milan Cari Pemain Muda

MILAN - Pemilik AC Milan Silvio Berlusconi yang juga tengah menjabat sebagai Perdana Menteri Italia meminta klubnya untuk mengambil kebijakan baru dalam hal pembelian pemain.
Berlusconi berharap agar Rossoneri lebih memprioritaskan pembelian pemain yang berusia di bawah 23 tahun. "Kami akan berkonsentrasi untuk membeli pemain yang berusia kurang dari 23 tahun," tegas Berlusconi di luar gedung parlemen Italia di Roma seperti dikutip dari channel4.com.
Ia juga menambahkan kalau ini akan menjadi akhir kebijakan Milan dalam membeli pemain yang berusia lebih dari 30 t! ahun. Berlusconi juga tidak ingin membeli pemain dalam kisaran angka tersebut karena mereka otomatis juga mendapatkan bayaran yang lebih tinggi.
Milan memang tengah berupaya untuk meremajakan tim mereka yang dimulai dengan menunjuk pelatih baru Leonardo dan membeli pemain muda seperti Alexandre Pato.
Penegasan Berlusconi ini mungkin setelah ia mendengarkan kritikan yang menyebutkan Milan sebagai sebuah "tim jompo" karena banyaknya pemain senior dalam tim itu.

RESMI : Flavio Roma ke Milan, Kalac ke AS Roma

MILAN - AC Milan telah resmi mendapatkan kiper Flavio Roma dari AS Monaco. Kehadiran Roma langsung diikuti dengan pemutusan kontrak Zeljko Kalac. "AC Milan mengumumkan telah memutuskan kontrak Kalac berdasar kesepakatan bersama," kata Milan dalam situs resminya.
"Kami berterima kasih atas semua yang telah dilakukannya dalam pengalamannya bersama "I Rossoneri" dan mengharapkan yang terbaik untuk Kalac di masa mendatang," lanjutnya. Pemberitaan media Italia menyebutkan, Kalac belum akan pensiun.
Ia masih mungkin bergabung dengan AS Ro! ma atau bermain di salah satu klub di negeri asalnya, Australia. Sementara itu, Milan juga menyatakan telah menyelesaikan proses transfer Roma. Ia telah dinyatakan lulus tes medis dan menerima penawaran kontrak untuk satu musim, yang akan berakhir pada 30 Juni 2010.

Lepas Adik Kaka 'Digao' , Milan Tutup Bursa Transfer

MILAN - Walaupun bursa pemain masih tersisa beberapa jam lagi, namun AC Milan memastikan bahwa mereka sudah menyudahi perekrutan pemain baru. Yang ada adalah mereka melepas adik Kaka, Digao. Sampai berita ini diturunkan, tidak terdapat adanya aktivitas Milan dalam membeli pemain.
Hal ini senada dengan ucapan direktur yang mengurusi transfer, Ariedo Braida, bahwa pihaknya sudah mencukupkan skuadnya. "Takkan ada operasi apa-apa lagi di pasar transfer. Bursa Milan sudah ditutup," demikian Braida kepada Tuttomercatoweb.com, S! enin (31/8/2009).
Kehilangan Paolo Maldini yang pensiun, David Beckham yang kembali ke LA Galaxy, dan Kaka yang dijual ke Real Madrid, Milan hanya merekrut tiga pemain baru yaitu Oguchi Onyewu, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, dan Flavio Roma. Beberapa yang lain umumnya mereka yang kembali setelah masa peminjamannya habis.
Tidak menambah pemain, Milan malah melepas seorang pemain mudanya. Rodrigo Izecson dos Santos Leite alias Digao, dipinjamkan ke klub Seri B, Lecce, sampai akhir musim. Hal ini telah diumumkan melalui situs resmi Milan. Digao, 23, adalah adik kandung Kaka yang berposisi sebagai bek tengah.
Berbeda dengan kakaknya yang sukses besar, ia bahkan belum bisa menembus ke tim pertama Rossoneri walaupun sudah bekerja di San Siro sejak 2005. Ia baru satu kali tampil di Seri A, yakni saat menjadi pengganti Marek Jankulovski saat Milan berduel melawan Lazio pada 1 Maret 2008. Musim lalu Milan meminjamkan Digao ke klub Belgia, Standard Liege, tapi di sana pun ia han! ya main satu kali di level liga.

Inzaghi Waspadai Kekuatan Chelsea

MILAN - Bomber veteran AC Milan Pippo Inzaghi berbagi pendapat seputar perhelatan Liga Champions 2009/2010. Nama Inzaghi kembali menjadi buah bibir setelah mengantarkan Rossoneri bercokol di peringkat dua klasemen sementara Grup C.
Striker 36 tahun itu memborong dua gol kemenangan Milan atas Olympique Marseille (2-1), Rabu (16/9/2009) dini hari. Hasil ini berhasil mengobati kekecewaan Milanisti setelah tim kesayangan mereka terseok-seok di kompetisi Serie A. Memprediksi siapa yang akan meng! angkat trofi di Santiago Bernabeu Mei 2010 memang masih terlalu dini. Namun, Inzaghi menyebutkan dua nama yang harus diwaspadai.
"Barcelona masih menjadi kandidat favorit untuk saya. Tapi, saya pikir, mereka harus berhati-hati terhadap armada Chelsea asuhan Carlo Ancelotti," ujarnya seperti disitat channel-4, Jumat (18/9/2009). Dua gol Inzaghi tengah pekan lalu menjadikannya sebagai topskor Liga Eropa dengan torehan 68 gol.
Mantan bomber Juventus itu unggul satu gol atas ikon Real Madrid Raul Gonzalez. Milan sendiri akan menjamu FC Zurich pada matchday 2 (30/9/2009) sebelum melakoni dua laga back-to-back dengan Los Galacticos. Inzaghi pun mengingatkan rekan-rekan setimnya agar tidak cepat puas dengan hasil yang mereka peroleh di Marseille.
"Ini adalah turnamen yang aneh. Kami menang di laga pertama, tapi kini kami wajib memenangkan pertandingan selanjutnya sebelum menghadapi dua laga penting melawan Real Madrid," tandas Inzaghi.

sumber : okezone.com

Dapat Kontrak Baru, Storari Girang

MILAN - Kiper AC Milan Marco Storari tengah berbahagia, pihak klub akhirnya memberikan kontrak baru kepadanya. Storari dilaporkan telah menandatangani perjanjian kerjasama anyarnya dengan Rossoneri.
Dia mendapat tambahan durasi kontrak hingga dua tahun kedepan. Atas hal itu portiere yang sempat membela Cagliari dan Fiorentina tersebut merasa gembira.
Dia juga berharap kedepannya bisa melanjutkan karir di San Siro. "Saya sangat senang. Kontrak saya akan berakhir musim ini dan sekarang saya! mendapatkan apa yang saya inginkan," ungkapnya. "Milan selalu memeperlakukan saya dengan baik.
Kami duduk bersama dan sepakat meperpanjang kerjasama hingga 2012," tandas Storari seperti disitat Goal, Kamis (8/10/2009). "Jika semuanya berjalan dengan baik, maka kontrak itu akan berlanjut kemusim berikut, kecuali salah satu pihak membatalkannya. Setidaknya ini membuat saya semakin percaya kepada tim dan rekan-rekan semua," tutupnya.

sumber : okezone.com

Benitez pleased with Cup win

David Ngog got the only goal at a packed Elland Road to see the Reds through to the last 16 of the competition, subsequently ending Leeds' 15-match winning streak on home soil.

Benitez had named an unrecognisable starting Xl, with Javier Mascherano and Jamie Caragher the only first-team regulars in the line-up.

Still, the Reds' second string put up a decent performance against a determined Leeds side who were unlucky in defeat.

Leeds had their chances and were hard done by when having a goal disallowed early on for offside.

Asked if he thought that was the turning point in the game, Benitez shrugged, telling Sky Sports: "I haven't seen the replay but from what I saw in the game we had our chances and they had theirs too.

"It was a typical cup competition game."

Praise
Keen to praise the opposition, he added: "It was important for the players to play well and work hard it was a very difficult game and cre! dit to Leeds they played fantastic.

"Playing against a top side in the Premier League we knew would be massive for them.

"We knew it would be tough but the response from the players was fantastic tonight."

Asked how important it is to progress to the next phase, he said: "You need to win every game to get to the final.

"We know that we have to win and that is our target."

Arshavin Beri Arsenal Kemenangan

Pemain timnas Rusia Andrey Arshavin berhasil mencetak 2 gol pada pertandingan melawan Atletico Madrid yang berakhir dengan skor 2-1.

Tiga gol yang tercipta pada pertandinga! n yang memperebutkan piala Emirates ini tercipta di lima menit terakhir sebelum peluit wasit dibunyikan.

Gol pertama di menit 86 diawali umpan dari Cesc Fabregas dari sisi kanan yang disambut Andrey Arshavin dengan tendangan volley ke gawang Sergio Asenjo.

Atletico Madrid hanya butuh waktu 1 menit untuk menyamakan kedudukan melalui gol German Pacheco setelah bebas dari jebakan offside.

2 menit berselang, Arshavin kem! bali men jadi pahlawan the Gunners setelah memanfaatkan kesalahan pemain belakang Atletico, Tomas Ujfalusi.

Laga ini juga penting untuk pemain asal Ceko, Tomas Rosicky yang kembali dari cedera panjang sejak Januari 2008. Hal ini membuat Wenger senang setelah dia harus kehilangan Samir Nasri yang mengalami cedera patah kaki.

Di pertandingan lain, Ranger mengalahkan Paris St Germain 1-0 berkat gol yang disumbangkan pemain bertahan Madjid Bougherra di menit ke 75.

"Saya puas karena tidak kebobolan dan saya senang dengan penampilan tim hari ini." tutur manajer Ranger, Walter smith.

"Penjaga gawang kami (Neil Alexander) tampil biasa saja tapi kami juga melihat barisan depan Paris St Germain tidak tajam saat di depan gawang."

"Pertandingan hari minggu (melawan Arsenal) akan menjadi pertandingan penting untuk kami menguji kemampuan kami."

Smith juga merasa senang atas kembalinya Kevin Thomson yang mulai menjalani rehabilitasi usai mengalami cedera lutut.

Gelandang tersebut mengalami cedera ligamen pada lututnya di bulan November tahun lalu dan diprediksi baru dapat tampil 100% bulan September.

Gelandang usia 24 tahun tersebut masuk di babak kedua dan smith berharap Thomson dapat bermain 90 menit sebelum akhir bulan.

"Kevin telah kembali." kata Smith. "Namun kami haru! s sedikt berhati-hati."

"Ini adalah bagian dari rehabilitasi saat kami memainkannya beberapa menit."

"Tapi dia mempunyai target dan kami berharap dia dapat bermin selama 90 menit sebelum akhir Agustus."!

Di sisi lain, pelatih Paris St Germain Antoine Kombouare kecewa dengan penampilan buruk anak asuhnya.

"Saya tidak senang karena saya tidak suka kalah." kata Kombouare.

"Tim tidak benar-benar bersemangat dan tidak menunjukkan permainan agresif. Mereka bekerja keras dan baik dalam mengatur serangan. Namun mereka tidak dapat mencetak satu gol pun."