First teams arrive in Poland for Euro 2012

Warsaw, Poland: The Czech Republic and Greece on Sunday became the first teams competing in Euro 2012 to arrive in Poland, a UEFA official said, with the opening matches in the tournament less than a week away.

Both teams have been drawn with tournament co-hosts Poland and Russia in Group A, with the first matches on Friday. Poland take on Euro 2004 champions Greece in the opener in the capital Warsaw, while Russia play the Czech Republic in the southwestern city of Wroclaw.

A UEFA official told AFP that the Czech Republic arrived in Wroclaw from Prague in a specially-chartered high-speed train, with the locomotive pulling the squad decked out in the red, white and blue livery of the team colours.

"I don't even remember the last time I caught a train," defender Theodor Gebre Selassie was quoted as saying on UEFA.com before boarding the service that took them over the border.

"It could be when I was small and went to visit my grandfather. It's certainly more convenient than going by bus. I hope a lot of our fans will follow the same tracks to come and support us for a few days.

The Czech team had a scare last week after reports suggested there were traces of the potentially-deadly Legionella bacteria at their training camp hotel but Polish health inspectors later declared the venue safe.

Fernando Santos' Greece, surprise winners of the tournament eight years ago in Portugal, also jetted in on Sunday and will be based near Warsaw. They beat Armenia 1-0 in a friendly in Austria last week.

Dick Advocaat's Russia, fresh from a 3-0 warm-up win over Italy in Zurich on Friday, were due to arrive in Warsaw on Sunday evening.

Their central Warsaw hotel, Le Meridien Bristol, has been at the centre of a diplomatic spat because of concerns about a scheduled rally on June 10 by Poland's Moscow-critical opposition.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski even stepped in last month, saying he had no problem with the Russians staying at the five-star hotel after sports minister Joanna Mucha had suggested they move.

The Russian football federation and Advocaat refused, dismissing the concerns as a media exaggeration.

Poland, who beat Andorra 4-0 in a warm-up game on Saturday, meanwhile held a public training session at Polonia Warsaw's ground on Sunday in front of several thousand good-natured fans, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
Article Source: http://sports.ndtv.com/euro-2012/news/item/191234-first-teams-arrive-in-poland-for-euro-2012

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Fernando Torres: Champions League winner with nowhere to go

Fernando Torres wants to keep Several weeks but Roman Abramovich says the 50 thousand lb man is going nowhere. So what does the long run carry for the one-time Speaking language hitman?

Poor Fernando Torres. Two times after successful the Winners Group, including team football's top honor to his Western Tournament and Community Cup awards, he's unveiled how disappointed he is at Several weeks. In the beginning gambling, he's 1.2 to leave Stamford Link september but the Doldrums structure have said that Torres is going nowhere.

Didier Drogba, the man who began one more before Spaniard, obtained his crew's equaliser and successful charge in the shootout, is almost certain to go to Shanghai Shenhua. Torres says that being known as instead against Bayern Munich was, "Perhaps the greatest frustration in my lifestyle." A jarring declaration from a man who comes from a nation with a 50 % younger generation lack of employment amount.

Perhaps that's unjust. In the lifestyle of a footballer, being snubbed for a 34-year-old in the Winners Group last has got to harm. Spain's gamers can carry their infamous inhabitants some much required joy september by successful a successive Western name and, at 3.85, Betfair gamblers are support them to do so. You can get 38.0 on Spain/Torres in the winner/top goalscorer industry but that's probably one to prevent because Torres has an uncommon connection with wonder.

In 2008, following a amazing period with Luton, he obtained the victorious one in one more but that was one of only two competition objectives and he was overshadowed in advance side by Mark Property. Two decades later, when The nation won the Community Cup, Torres never ranking and missing his position in the beginning line-up for both the semi-final and last. He cut a desolate determine during Spain's parties as he discovered himself in an uncommon position - it was local plumber in his nation's baseball record and yet he had sustained one of the most befuddling several weeks of his profession.

He has never retrieved and Luton, for all their following problems, were right to take 50 thousand for him in Jan 2011. He has decreased off as Andriy Shevchenko did before him at Several weeks and Juan Sebastian Veron at Stansted U. s.. It's agonizing for all worried and you'd need a center of rock to wish a decrease as extraordinary as Torres' on any sportsman.

If he does keep Several weeks, where will Torres go? He may quit on Britain and it's unlikely that any of the few organizations who can manage his income would bet on him. Stansted Town's rip-roaring assault doesn't need reducing down by a gamer who's brief of assurance, Several weeks wouldn't provide to Tottenham and Arsene Wenger is dedicated to another summer period of austerity. Veron and Shevchenko gradually came back to the organizations where they began their professions - Estudiantes and Generator Kyiv respectively - where they still perform nowadays.

Is Torres set for obscurity and ignominy? Probably not, but he might advantage from a stint in the comfortable location, at a team where he is still recognized. Atletico The city, though, have just won the Europa Group thanks to Radamel Falcao's reviewing achievements. Would you alternative a man who created 24 objectives in 34 looks last period for one who handled 11 in 46? If Several weeks provide Atletico a wad of money to products under the bedding as well as Torres, you never know.

But there is one Leading Group administrator who might harbor a smooth identify for Torres. Sir Alex Ferguson was an beginning admirer and Stansted U. s. were the British team most likely to area Torres before Rafael Benitez convinced his compatriot to be a part of him at Anfield. Ferguson, who is set to get rid of both Dimitar Berbatov and Eileen Owen september, will be viewing Torres' shows at Dollar 2012 with attention.

Best Odds on Sportsbook: www.m88.com

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I-League Weekly Watch: Top half and relegation scenarios

As the I-League enters the home straight, Goal.com has a look at the situation at the top and bottom of the table...

As the season reaches it's conclusion, Goal.com presents a weekly feature which would guide you through the I-League title race as well as the relegation scramble till the end of the season.

So, let us start off with a glance at the complete table, as of 16th April 2012.

				Matches										Goals
			PTS	GP	Won	Drawn	Lost							GS	GA
1		Dempo Sports Club	53	24	17	2	5							56	21
2		Mohun Bagan	44	25	12	8	5							49	32
3		East Bengal	44	23	13	5	5							42	22
4		Churchill Brothers SC	44	24	13	5	6							44	26
5		Pune FC	43	24	12	7	5							42	32
6		Prayag United	42	25	11	9	5							41	29
7		Salgaocar SC	40	23	11	7	5							31	17
8		Sporting Clube de Goa	37	24	10	7	7							46	40
9		Air India	32	25	9	5	11							30	36
10		Shillong Lajong FC	27	25	7	6	12							24	44
11		Mumbai FC	24	25	7	3	15							29	47
12		Chirag United Club Kerala	17	23	5	2	16							23	44
13		Pailan Arrows	9	22	0	9	13							10	36
14		HAL Bangalore	8	24	1	5	18							18	59

Now, getting into the technicalities first, teams level on points are separated by their head-to- head records and not the goal difference. Therefore, suppose Mohun Bagan and Dempo end up level on points, it will be the Goans who will be placed higher because of a better head-to-head record, that includes a 5-0 thrashing in Goa and a 2-2 draw away at Kolkata.

So, let us now delve a bit deeper into the different 'segments' of the league table...

The Champions Elect

1

Dempo Sports Club

53

24

17

2

5

56

It will take a blistering run by East Bengal to prevent Dempo from being crowned the I-League champions in 2011-12.  As luck goes, Dempo will face East Bengal next in what may as well end the latter's slim chance of an unlikely I-League truimph. For all intents and purposes however, Dempo have done everything except lifting the I-League trophy. Even if they lose against East Bengal on Friday, a point against Prayag United will be enough to guarantee them the championship no matter what the Red and Gold may do.

Scramble For Being Runners Up

				Matches										Goals
			PTS	GP	Won	Drawn	Lost							GS	GA
2		Mohun Bagan	44	25	12	8	5							49	32
3		East Bengal	44	23	13	5	5							42	22
4		Churchill Brothers SC	44	24	13	5	6							44	26
5		Pune FC	43	24	12	7	5							42	32
6		Prayag United	42	25	11	9	5							41	29
7		Salgaocar SC	40	23	11	7	5							31	17

Among all the teams chasing Dempo, only East Bengal have a mathematical chance of actually catching up with the runaway league leaders and infact they need to script a miraculous run to actually take the I-League to Kolkata for the first time. With 44 points from 23 matches, a total of 9 points from their  last three matches of the campaign will see them tied on points with Dempo provided the Goan side lose their next two fixtures. Their next match against Dempo thus is a must win for them, as a point there will see Dempo winning the title. The rest of the two ties against SC Goa at home and Air India away are certainly winnable and with some luck, hoping Dempo lose against Prayag, East Bengal can actually make this miracle a reality.

Mohun Bagan looked like serious title contenders for the large part of the season, but consecutive draws against Dempo and bottom placed HAL has seen their ambitions fade away. Their hopes of finishing runners up too have taken a beating as they drew against Salgaocar SC. The most they can hope for now is a top 5 finish.

Meanwhile Churchill's hopes of a late surge for the title was extinguished as Dempo beat them 4-2 in the Goan derby. Even though they bounced back by easing out Pune FC from the title race, Subhas Bhowmick's team can at best finish runners up.

Pune FC's hot streak has been ended by a home defeat to Churchill after they had won five games on the trot. While they currently lie fifth with two games to play they can finish anywhere from 2nd to 7th.

Salgaocar's late renaissance could also see them finishing in second or third place this season, but this will also be subject to them doing well after their AFC Cup troubles.

Too many draws have cost Prayag United a top half finish. Although they came out with great results against many of the teams above them, a league maximum of 9 draws sees them not among the Top 5 contenders. However they still have a role to play since if they manage to defeat Dempo in the last round, they will have helped in bringing the I-league to Kolkata, provided the Red and Gold keep their side of the bargain.

The Safe Haven: 

				Matches										Goals
			PTS	GP	Won	Drawn	Lost							GS	GA
8		Sporting Clube de Goa	37	24	10	7	7							46	40
9		Air India	32	25	9	5	11							30	36
10		Shillong Lajong FC	27	25	7	6	12							24	44

Sporting Clube de Goa too have been guilty of being inconsistent throughout the whole I-League season. Their late run of good form has however covered up their disastrous start to the season. But difficult ties remaining means they are hardly expected to move up from their present state.

Funnily enough, both Air India and Shillong Lajong have nowhere to go. Neither do they stand a chance to finish within the top 8, with Sporting 5 points ahead of Air India also have a game in hand, nor can they go down , with Chirag United 10 points behind Shillong Lajong. They would be definitely looking forward to an improved display next season.

The Relegation Scramble:

				Matches										Goals
			PTS	GP	Won	Drawn	Lost							GS	GA
11		Mumbai FC	24	25	7	3	15							29	47
12		Chirag United Club Kerala	17	23	5	2	16							23	44

Now to put things in perspective, HAL are already relegated with just 8 points so far, inspite of scoring four against Pune FC ( they conceded six!!).  And although they have a compatriot in the form of Pailan Arrows, the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) development  outfit won't be relegated as per norms set prior to the start of the I-League.

So, it comes down to Mumbai FC and Chirag United Kerala as to who will join HAL in the I-League Division 2 next season. Now this presents a fascinating end to the I-League now that the winners are almost as good as decided.

Mumbai FC are 7 points clear of Chirag with one game left to play with their opponents being Chirag.

The Keralites however have two games in hand,  They can easily get 3 points against whipping boys Pailan Arrows, who haven't won yet this season. And their last match is against Mumbai FC which may be a decider between the two to decide who avoids the drop. However for that last match to be of any signifance, Chirag have to somehow find the will and the performance to defeat the reigning I-League champions Salgaocar SC in their penultimate match.

With Biswajit Bhattacharya's men having all to play for, and Salgaocar concentrating on the AFC Cup more, now that their title hopes have vanished, the side from Kerala can certainly do the unthinkable and set up a cracker of a last match against Mumbai FC.

For the record Chirag also have a better head-to-head record, having beaten Mumbai FC 2-0 in January.

Article Source: http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/04/16/3030272/i-league-weekly-watch-top-half-and-relegation-scenarios

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ONGC book their berth in next season's I-League

The Mumbai based club become the first team this season to have won promotion back to the elite division, as a point against Aizawl FC proves to be enough for them....

ONGC have bounced straight back into the I-League Division I on their first attempt after being relegated from the elite tier in the 2010-11 season. They assured themselves of a top 2 finish in the final stage of the qualifiers which are currently underway at Gangtok with a 1-1 draw against Aizawl FC in their last league encounter.

The point, which was gained after Alhassan Abubakr had restored parity for ONGC, who had fallen behind to a strike by Sumaila Safianu in the 30th minute, meant that the Mumbai based club finish with 22 points from their 12 outings, and with the second and third placed teams, United Sikkim SC and Mohammedan Sporting set to face each other on Tuesday, ONGC are sure of promotion.

Knowing that they just needed a point, the league leaders started on a cautious note, as they looked to earn a ticket to the top tier. However their plans were upset by Safianu putting Aizawl ahead and it was only after going behind that ONGC settled down and started their regular passing game and interchanged well between themselves. Infact by the end of the game they could have easily gone home with all three points, but for the profligacy of their strikers upfront.

The second team which shall join the Mumbai based club in the top tier next season will be decided by the clash between Mohd. Sporting and United Sikkim S.C. Bhaichung Bhutia’s side, who are on 21 points and need just a point, have the upper hand against the Kolkatan side, who will have to go all out for a win, as they are a point behind United Sikkim in the standings.

Article Source: http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2012/04/16/3040662/ongc-book-their-berth-in-next-seasons-i-league

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Ronaldo: We are closer to winning La Liga

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has highlighted the importance of Wednesday's 4-1 victory against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon, believing it was a vital step towards claiming the Primera Division title.

The Portugal international grabbed a hat trick before Jose Callejon helped to make the result even more expressive with a goal of his own. Radamel Falcao had earlier drawn Atleti briefly level.

Victory allows Madrid to maintain the four-point gap between itself and Barcelona at the top of the table, and Ronaldo believes that his side has taken an important step towards winning the tournament.

"There is a lot left, but winning La Liga has got closer now," Ronaldo told reporters.

"There was pressure on us because we knew Barcelona had won their match. We are still four points clear."

Ronaldo then expressed his happiness to have taken his league tally to 40 goals following Wednesday's hat trick.

"I am very happy to have scored and picked up an assist," he noted. "We have to continue like this.

"I am very happy, but without my teammates I could not have done it.

"We knew this was going to be a tough match, but we gave a good account of ourselves against a very strong Atletico side."

Los Blancos will host Sporting de Gijon on Saturday in its upcoming La Liga fixture.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2012/04/11/3030500/ronaldo-we-are-closer-to-winning-la-liga

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Frank Isola: Mario Balotelli does not belong in the world's best domestic league

If Mario Balotelli’s days at Manchester City are over – and by all means they should be – the lasting image of the talented and volatile Italian will be of his “studs up” challenge on Arsenal’s Alex Song.

His actions were reckless, classless and should lead to a one-way ticket out of the Premier League. The world’s top domestic league needs to cut its losses before Balotelli ends up ruining someone’s career other than his own.


That the Football Association has decided not to take retrospective action against Balotelli only proves that the FA is tone deaf. It doesn’t clear Balotelli of any wrongdoing. He should have been given a straight red for that potentially career-ending tackle on Song. As it were, Balotelli eventually earned two yellow cards for two more mindless tackles and was sent off in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory.

The team City is chasing but will never catch, Manchester United, would never tolerate a player like Balotelli. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has created a culture where no one player is bigger than the club. It’s a rule of thumb in every sport: you don’t win with players of poor character. Is it any surprise that a malcontent like Carlos Tevez is no longer at United and instead creating problems, not goals, at City?

Tevez famously refused to warm up in the closing stages of a match at Bayern Munich in September. He was banished to the reserve team but because of his contract he was not banished entirely. Tevez is a fool and is merely hurting himself.

Balotelli, though, is much more lethal. His attitude and violent outbursts are beyond disturbing.  Some of his actions – like his back heel shot during a friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy in July – are amusing. It’s harmless. Balotelli is 21 years old and a bit of a knucklehead.

But age and immaturity are no excuse for trying to take out one’s frustrations on an opponent’s knee as Balotelli did with Song in the first half at Emirates Stadium. It was beyond disgraceful.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, who has been Balotelli’s strongest ally, admitted afterwards that he would "probably" look to move Balotelli over the summer. Mancini even allowed that Balotelli should have received a straight red and was expecting Balotelli to be banned for the rest of the season, with his player facing a nine-match suspension if he had been charged with violent conduct.

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But Balotelli somehow avoided punishment for his tackle on Song. The two separate bookings for careless tackles will now only cost Balotelli the matches against West Bromwich Albion, Norwich and Wolves. Mancini is not ruling out playing Balotelli in City’s final three matches, including its showdown with Manchester United on April 30. Ryan Giggs, considered yourself warned.

I find it hard to believe that Balotelli will play again this year. Even he knows that his act is wearing thin.

"I'm really sorry for what happened, for the disappointment I've given to Man City and, particularly, to Roberto Mancini, for whom I have a great respect and who I love," Balotelli toldAnsa news agency. "As for my future, we will see at the end of the season. I'll talk with the club and we will see."

There is already talk of Balotelli returning to Italy and perhaps landing at AC Milan. But even his home country hasn't embraced him.

The national team dropped him for the February friendly against the United States after Balotelli was penalized for stomping on Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker in January. Italian boss Cesare Prandelli is making no promises that Balotelli will represent the Azzurri at Euro 2012.

"I'm really keen to play for the national team," Balotelli said. "I made two fouls in the game. I've already lost out on the national team for one bad thing, I wouldn't do it for a second time."

He just did.


Source: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/3837/frank-isola/2012/04/12/3029571/frank-isola-mario-balotelli-does-not-belong-in-the-worlds

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Reasons Why Soccer Fans Are the Craziest in the World

Soccer fans are known for being obsessive and even fanatical about their sport. If you're a genuine soccer fan and supporter of your club or your national team - you are attached to them for your entire life and everything that they go through. The moments of elation in victory are matched only by those of utter despair in defeat. Soccer is a magnification of all the intense emotions related to winning and losing. It is an extremely tribal sport, arguably the most out of all of the team sports around.

This tribal aspect also means that you have rival "tribes". In soccer this rivalry can go from a heated debate about your club to a passionate argument, and in extreme cases hooliganism and actual physical confrontation.

Naturally, club matches spark impassioned rivalries but it's the international (National club Teams) across the world which really gets the blood boiling. International football tournaments are amazing events and are by themselves sporting rituals. There is this cliché about soccer that the national team represent elements of the country's character in the way the team plays. For example: the English team plays with a kind of doggedness, they do not necessarily play with a lot of flare, but with a lot of determination. The German team plays with order and precision, while Spain plays with panache and a Latin grace.

The sense of national identity that is coupled with this international sport is important and cannot be ignored. It is for this reason that soccer fans sometimes seem to go overboard with their zealous support of their team. One group of soccer supporters are known as "Ultras". They are distinguished by their elaborate displays of support which includes the use of flares, chanting and carrying large banners. They do this not to only encourage their own team but also to intimidate the apposing team and fans.

While" ultras" can become violent, the vast majority of matches they attend are concluded with no violent incidents. Unlike these fervent supporters soccer hooligans are also a part of the scene in some games. Unlike the "Ultras" they don't usually wear their team colors, in order to avoid being detected by the authorities. Hooligans exhibit destructive behavior and are knows for their street fighting, vandalism and intimidation. Fights between supporters of rival teams can take place before or after football matches, or they can explode suddenly at the stadium.

It is unfortunate that it these hooligans receive most of the attention from the media and have therefore characterized in some way the view that a lot of the people have of soccer fans. The truth however is that this group only represents a very small percentage of the "real soccer fans"

The" real fans" may seem to a lot of people as slightly "crazy" but they are peaceful and just simply love their team and the beautiful game of football/soccer. The most common way to show your support for your team would be wearing your team's "colors". Soccer jerseys are a multibillion dollar industry, which shows you just how much soccer fans relate to this sport and their teams.

To find the latest Euro 2012 shirts come visit us at Jersey99.com to buy the latest soccer shirts online.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6950763

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