Real Madrid and Standard Liege begin to work together

Two important clubs, Real Madrid and Standard Liege, signed an agreement to work together. The main idea is amplify the search in relation with young players from all over the world.

Standard Liege, who is coached by former goalkeeper Michel Preud´homme and will play Belgian Supercup on August 9th as the last League champion, absorbs one of the main academies in Europe: “Robert Lousi – Dreyfus”.

Now, Real Madrid and Standard can look for Belgian or Spanish players without care about the age of them.

Beijing 2008 squads

FIFA don´t care about the Olympics, so they didn´t publish the teams. But Laurie did it: 18 players for each 16 U-23 National Teams.

We have added the men schedule here.

Robbie Keane goals arrived to Liverpool squad

It is seems that the most interesting transfer during British summer it was made by Liverpool. The Irish footballer, Robbie Keane arrived at Anfield when Tottenham confirmed the movement for an initial £19m, which could rise to £20.3m

The forward is able to score 0, 40 goals per match in the Ireland National Team and he has scored 80 goals with Tottenham Hotspur t-shirt. But at Anfield Road he would be fewer obligations: Fernando "Niño" Torres will be his partner and the main striker. Together they could be one of the best duos during this season in Europe.

Look why the arrive to Rafael Benitez team is a dream for him and enjoy the best goals made by him.

Champions League: second qualifying round schedule and results

July 29th

SK Brann (NOR) - FK Ventspils (LVA) 1-0
FK Inter Baku (AZE) - FK Partizan (SRB) 1-1
Drogheda United FC (IRL) - FC Dinamo Kyiv (UKR) 1-2

July 30th

Tampere United (FIN) - FC Artmedia Petržalka (SVK) 1-3
NK Domžale (SVN) - NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 0-3
Anorthosis Famugusta (CYP) - SK Rapid Wien (AUT) 3-0
Panathinaikos FC (GRE) - FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) 3-0
IFK Göteborg (SWE) - FC Basel 1893 (SUI) 1-1
FC Sheriff (MDA) - AC Sparta Praha (CZE) 0-1
RSC Anderlecht (BEL) - FC BATE Borisov (BLR) 1-2
Beitar Jerusalem FC (ISR) - Wisla Kraków (POL) 2-1
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) - MTK Budapest (HUN) 2-0
Aalborg BK (DEN) - FK Modrica (BIH) 5-0
Rangers (SCO) - Kaunas (LIT) 0-0

Sulley Muntari: Inter Milan also has an African central midfielder

Essien, Sissoko, Touré, Appiah, Mbami, Faye… The African power continues in the European midfields.

Now it is time for Sulley Muntari. He is 23 years old and scored 4 goals in 29 matches with that English Team. The average (0.14 goals per game) seems to be interesting for any central midfielder. But his performance is better in Ghanaian National Team: 12 goals in 42 matches (0.285)

The player arrived to Internazionale from Portsmouth by £12.75 millions. These news seem to confirm that Frankie Lampard couldn’t be part of the team coached by Jose Mourinho.

Now, Muntari must battle for a place in the titular team knowing that Argentinian Esteban Cambiasso and French Patrick Vieira underwent injury troubles last seasons.

Aston Villa to UEFA Cup: Intertoto Cup 2008: third round - second leg results

Ashley Young, right, scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa qualified for the Uefa Cup.

Here we have nine of the eleven winners (in bold) who will play the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. La Coruña, Napoli (return to UEFA Cup since 1984) and Aston Villa won not so easily.

Here we have third round, second leg results. Click here for First leg results

Southern-Mediterranean region

Deportivo La Coruña v. Bnei Sachnin 1 - 0
Napoli v. Panionios 1 – 0
Chernomorets Burgas v. Grasshoppers 0 - 1
Sporting Braga v. Sivasspor 3 - 0

Central-East region

Tavriya Symferopol v. Rennes 1 - 0 (Rennes wins by penalty kicks 10-9)
FC Vaslui v. FK Neftchi 2 - 0
Budapest Honved v. Sturm Graz 1 - 2
Stuttgart v. Saturn 3-0

Northern region

Aston Villa v. OB Odense 1 - 0
Rosenborg v. NAC Breda 2-0 (27th July)
Riga v. Elfsborg 0-0 (27th July)

French Ligue 1 players at Beijing 2008

L´Equipe, the best sport newspaper in the World, published the list of the players that will be part of the Olympic Games from Ligue 1.

Let´s see if Olympique Marseille will miss Modeste M’bami and Taye Taïwo during the Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League. FC Barcelona denied Lionel Messi knowing that the Catalan team also must play this phase during the Olympic Games.

GRENOBLE: Franck Dja-Djedje (forward, 22 years old, Cote d’Ivoire ).

LE MANS: Gervais Yao Kouassi "Gervinho" (forward, 21 years old, Cote d’Ivoire).

LILLE: Aurélien Chedjou (midfielder, 23 years old, Cameroun), Kevin Mirallas (forward, 20 years old, Belgium).

LYON: Jean II Makoun (midfielder, 25 years old, Cameroun).

MARSEILLE: Modeste M'bami (midfielder, 24 years old, Cameroun), Taye Ismaila Taïwo (defender, 23 years old, Nigeria).

NANTES: Christian Bekamenga (forward, 22 years old, Cameroun), Stefan Babovic (midfielder, 21 years old, Serbia) , Filip Djordjevic (forward, 20 years old, Serbia).

NANCY: Landry Nguemo (midfielder, 22 years old, Cameroun).

NICE: Kafoumba Coulibaly (midfielder, 22 years old, Cote d’Ivoire), Onyekachi Apam (defender, 21 years old, Nigeria).

MONACO: Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu (forward, 19 years old, United States).

PARIS-SG: Albert Legrand Baning (defender, 23 years old, Cameroun).

RENNES: Stéphane Mbia (midfielder, 22 years old, Cameroun).

Letizia Filippi: Cristiano Ronaldo has new girlfriend

While another novel is finishing in Cristiano Ronaldo career; here we have another chapter of his cool life.

These days he finished the relationship with the Spanish Nereida Gallardo so now it is time for another brunette woman: the Italian Letizia Filippi.

It is time to “lose” some minutes, watch this videos from You Tube and tell: Which one would you prefer?

Red Bull Salzburg - Kapfenberger SV

On Sunday, 27 July, FC Red Bull Salzburg will meet Kapfenberger SV in the Austrian Bundesliga. Under the guidance of new head coach Co Adriaanse, Salzburg have started the new season on a scoring spree.

Salzburg, who will be part or the UEFA Cup since the Main Groups Phase have already scored 11 goals in the first three matches, an average of 3.67. That is the highest goalscoring average in the last 50 seasons.

For Adriaanse, this would by far be his most productive season as trainer if it can be sustained. So far, he had his most productive season with Ajax in 2000/2001 when they scored 85 goals in 34 matches, an average of 2.50 per match.

Ajax squad: Ismail Aissati arrived from PSV Eindhoven

PSV midfielder Ismail Aissati signed a four-year contract at Ajax, on Monday.

Aissati, who is 19 years old and is part of Under 21 Netherlands team, is only the fourth player ever to make a direct transfer from PSV to Ajax. Earlier this year, Danish striker Kenneth Perez moved back from PSV to Ajax after the club from Eindhoven had acquired him from Ajax in the summer of 2007.

According to Infostrada, Gert Bals was the first player to switch directly from PSV to Ajax in 1965.

As Netherlands Runner-Up, Ajax will go for the UEFA Cup 2008-2009 with Ismail Aissati in the squad.

Players joining Ajax directly from PSV

Year / Name / League matches for PSV / League matches for Ajax
1965 Gert Bals 120 162
1996 Peter Hoekstra 90 68
2008 Kenneth Perez 14 43
2008 Ismail Aissati 44 0

Top scorers: Linas Pilibaitis leads

Here we have the UEFA Champions League top scorers after first qualifying round.

1. L. Pilibaitis FBK Kaunas 4

2. N. Barkroth IFK Goteborg 2
3. F. Beqiraj Buducnost Podgorica 2
4. G. Bliznyuk BATE Borisov 2
5. M. Cisovsky FC Artmedia Petržalka 2
6. N. Frousos Anorthosis Famagusta 2
7. R. Ledesma FBK Kaunas 2
8. M. Mandzukic NK Dinamo Zagreb 2
9. V. Rimkus FK Ventspils 2
10. L. Zinko NK Domžale 2

Manchester United squad continues Africa tour for UNICEF

MUFC continue the pre-season international friendly matches in Africa and while they train and play they contribute with UNICEF.

On 26th July, the English team coached by Sir Alex Ferguson will finished the South Africa tour against Soweto’s Orlando Pirates – Soweto’s Kaizer Chiefs winner.

They have played two matches playing 2008 Vodacom Challenge: they draw 1–1 with Kaizer Chiefs in Cape Town and have been defeated by Orlando Pirates 0-1 in Durban.

On 27th July, Manchester United will stop off in Abuja, Nigeria, for a friendly against Portsmouth.

Champions league results: first qualifying round

Second leg

23 July (First leg result)

NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Linfield FC (NIR) 1-1 (2-0)
FC Artmedia Petržalka (SVK) v Valetta FC (MLT) 1-0 (2-0)
IFK Göteborg (SWE) v S.S. Murata (SMR) 4-0 (5-0)
FC Pyunik (ARM) v Anorthosis Famugusta (CYP) 0-2 (0-1)
FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE) v Tampere United (FIN) 1-1 (1-2)
NK Domžale (SVN) v F91 Dudelange (LUX) 2-0 (1-0)
FK Modriča (BIH) v KS Dinamo Tirana (ALB) 2-1 (2-0)
FC Levadia Tallinn (EST) v Drogheda United FC (IRL) 0-1 (1-2)
Valur Reykjavík (ISL) v FC BATE Borisov (BLR) 0-1 (0-2)

22 July

FK Rabotnicki (MKD) v FK İnter Baku (AZE) 1-1
FK Ventspils (LVA) v Llanelli AFC (WAL) 4-0
FBK Kaunas (LTU) v FC Santa Coloma (AND) 3-1
FC Sheriff (MDA) v FK Aktobe (KAZ) 4-0
NSÍ Runavík (FRO) v FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) 1-0

Bold: teams qualified to second qualifying round.

See the Second qualifying round schedule which include Rangers, Fenerbahçe, Beitar Jerusalem, Rapid Vienna, Dynamo Kyiv, Panathinaikos, Partizan, Wisła Kraków, Anderlecht, Basel, Aalborg BK, MTK Budapest, Sparta Prague and Brann.

Intertoto cup results

Third round: first leg

Southern-Mediterranean region
Bnei Sakhnin Deportivo La Coruña 1–2
Panionios Napoli 0–1
Sivasspor Sporting Braga 0–2
Grasshopper Zürich Chernomorets Burgas 3–0

Central-East region
Saturn Moscow Oblast Stuttgart 1–0
Neftchi Baku Vaslui 2–1
Rennes Tavriya Simferopol 1–0
Sturm Graz Budapest Honvéd 0–0

Northern region
NAC Breda Rosenborg 1–0
Odense Aston Villa 2–2
Elfsborg Riga 1–0

Fiorentina squad: Luciano Zauri will play another Champions League

The Fiorentina squad is moving again. It was time for Alberto Gilardino, and these days the Viola improves the defensive line.

Zauri moved to ACF Fiorentina for a fee of 3.2 million Euros. He had played five matches with the Italian National Team and he hopes that if his performances in UEFA Champions League are great they could return to the team coached by Marcelo Lippi.

He began his professional career in Atalanta in 1996 and moved to Lazio for the 2003/04 season.

UEFA Cup 2008 – 2009 Second Qualifying Round results

First Leg

17-07-2008 FH Hafnarfjordur 3 - 2 CS Grevenmacher
40 T. Guðmundsson Y. Schreiner 20
50 B. Gunnlaugsson D. Maric 25
65 T. Guðmundsson

17-07-2008 HNK Hajduk Split 4 - 0 Birkirkara FC
3 M. Ljubicic
24 N. Kalinic
54 T. Busic
71 M. Ticinovic

17-07-2008 Glentoran FC 1 - 1 Liepajas Metalurgs
30 M. Halliday P. Surnins 25

17-07-2008 Cork City 2 - 2 Haka Valkeakoski
63 D. Mooney J. Mahlakaarto 17
67 D. Murray T. Lehtinen 52

17-07-2008 Cliftonville FC 0 - 4 FC København
H. Nørregaard 22
J. Junior 67
Z. Pospech 79
J. Junior 82

17-07-2008 KP Legia Warszawa 0 - 0 FC Gomel

17-07-2008 FC Salzburg 7 - 0 Banants Yerevan
22 I. Sekagya
29 L Ngwat-Mahop
37 L Ngwat-Mahop
46 L Ngwat-Mahop
48 E. Obster
66 A. Zickler
34 A. Zickler

17-07-2008 Zeta Golubovci 1 - 1 NK Ljubljana
28 Savio I. Jolic 90

17-07-2008 FC Koper 1 - 2 Vllaznia Shkoder
71 M. Viler X. Sukaj 7
X. Sukaj 43

17-07-2008 Bangor City FC 1 - 6 FC Midtjylland
24 L. Davies G. Florescu 19
W. Reid 41
K. Christensen 54
K. Christensen 58
K. Christensen 63
M. Thygesen 72

17-07-2008 Hertha BSC Berlin 8 - 1 FC Nistru Otaci
15 M. Pantelic Andrei Tcaciuc 78
81 L. Piszczek
71 Rafael
68 M. Stein
40 L. Piszczek
38 G.Kacar
33 L. Piszczek
22 Rafael

17-07-2008 FC Spartak Trnava 2 - 2 WIT Georgia Tblisi
74 V. Kozuch D. Lomaia 14
90 L. Bernath
L. Razmadze 43

17-07-2008 NK Široki Brijeg 0 - 0 Partizani Tirana

17-07-2008 Marsaxlokk FC 0 - 4 NK Slaven Koprivnica
M. Kristic 15
D. Poldrugac 29
F. Tepuric 34
B. Vrucina 77

17-07-2008 EB Streymur 0 - 2 Manchester City FC
M. Petrov 9
D. Hamann 28

17-07-2008 Györi ETO FC 1 - 1 FC Zestafoni
58 Z. Böőr G. Vieira 45

17-07-2008 FC Vaduz 1 - 2 HŠK Zrinjski Mostar
32 B. Fischer V. Djuric 23

17-07-2008 Brøndby IF 1 - 0 B36 Torshavn
49 M. von Schleebrügge

17-07-2008 Racing FC Union Lëtzebuerg 0 - 3 Kalmar FF
A. Dauda 33
A. Dauda 79
D. Elm 90

17-07-2008 PFC Cherno More Varna 4 - 0 UE Sant Julia
84 A. Aleksandrov
88 M. Manolov
90 A. Aleksandrov
90 R. Bachev

17-07-2008 FC Dacia Chisinau 1 - 1 Borac Cacak
50 V. Bulat
B. Stojanovic 83

17-07-2008 Omonia Nicosia 2 - 0 FK Milano Kumanovo
64 A. Zlogar

17-07-2008 Djurgardens IF 0 - 0 Flora Tallinn

17-07-2008 Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona 1 - 1 Mogren Budva
18 O.Peretz M. Neric 82

17-07-2008 Vojvodina Novi Sad 1 - 0 Olimpik Baku
59 D. Drinic

17-07-2008 Khazar Lankaran 0 - 1 KKS Lech Poznan
R. Lewandowski 76

17-07-2008 Vetra Vilnius 1 - 0 Viking Stavanger
14 A. Ostap

17-07-2008 Suduva Marijampole 1 - 0 The New Saints FC
89 S. Koziuberda

17-07-2008 Hapoel Tel Aviv FC 3 - 0 AC Juvenes Dogana
16 I. Srur
27 I. Antebi
33 I. Srur

17-07-2008 FK Pelister Bitola 0 - 0 APOEL Nicosia

17-07-2008 FC Honka Espoo 3 - 0 IA Akranes
24 T. Koskela
28 R. Heilala
55 N. Otaru

17-07-2008 TVMK Tallinn 0 - 3 FC Nordsjælland
J. Lundberg 28
M. Bernburg 86

17-07-2008 MTZ RIPO Minsk 2 - 2 MŠK Žilina
17 A. Camara A. Vladavic 41

17-07-2008 Olimps Riga 0 - 1 St Patricks Athletic + Details
R. Guy 75

17-07-2008 Ararat Yerevan 0 - 1 AC Bellinzona + Details
A. Mangiarratti 20

17-07-2008 Tobyl Kostanai 1 - 0 FK Austria Wien + Details
59 A.Golban

17-07-2008 Shakhter Karaganda 1 - 1 Debreceni VSC
62 I. Peric G. Rudolf 61

Aliaksandr Hleb: Barcelona FC is his new team

Aliaksandr Paŭlavič Hleb is part of Barcelona squad, since Tuesday. Belarusian forward arrived at Barcelona for a fee of 15 Millions Euros.

His partner Gerard Piqué already have said about him that: “He’s a very good player. He was great with Arsenal; he’s amazing with the ball at his feet and very hard to play one-on-one. He’s very talented and brings clarity to the offensive game; he’s one of the players that Barca fans love to watch.”

What a welcome!

Barcelona will endanger the arrive at Champions League Group Stage while Lionel Messi will be in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Ronaldinho confirmed in Milan squad

What a shock! Finally Ronaldinho has new club: Associazione Calcio Milan. Barcelona have agreed to sell Ronaldo de Assís Moreira to AC Milan for around 21 million euros (33, 38 million dollars).

Manchester City had offered more money but the Brazilian player prefers the Italian club, team that will play UEFA Cup since first round on September.

Ronaldinho will have as partners Brazilians Dida, Emerson, Alexander Pato, Kaká and Digão. If Ronaldinho Gaucho recover his fitness, we will able to see things like these ones:

Alberto Gilardino: goals for Fiorentina

Alberto Gilardino is already working in Firenze. The striker have moved to ACF Fiorentina for €15 million and signed a five-year deal. Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli previously guided him when they were in Parma FC.

Gilardino scores 94 goals in Serie A. Fiorentina fans hope that he will reach a hundred this year.

We are just waiting how he can play next to Adrian Mutu and if Fiorentina can increase his own European history after Gabriel Batistuta era and UEFA Cup 2007-2008 performance.

Look what Alberto Gilardino does best:

Manchester City FC – Streymur history: who could win?

People say that history is not important in football, when the match starts. But during circumstances like UEFA Cup first round, always seems to be decisive. On Thursday, EB/Streymur (Faroe Islands) and Manchester City FC (England) will be playing the first leg of the first round.

Streymnes city’s EB/Streymur, which t-shirt seems Inter Milan, is a result of a merger in 1993 between Eiðis Bóltfelag, who were founded in 1913, and Streymur, founded in 1976. The club won a spot in UEFA Cup because they won Faroese Cup on June. But since 1913 foundation, the team never won the top division League. By the way, they are in the first position, played 15 matches at 2008 League.

This UEFA Cup it is the second competition that Streymur will play in Europe. They have played only two matches in UEFA Cup before.

EB/Streymur Director, Roland Hojsted, announced that the home leg of the tie will be held at one of the larger grounds in the Faroe Islands, Tórsvøllur Stadium, as the club's Við Margáir ground has a capacity of only 1,000.

Streymur players in Faroe National Team? They are five: goalkeeper René Tórgarð; defender Marni Djurhuus, midfielders Hans Pauli Samuelsen and Mikkjal Thomassen and forward Arnbjørn Hansen. But wait: no one could score during an international match.

Christian Poulsen is part of Juventus squad

Juventus FC confirmed that Christian Bager Poulsen will be arriving from Sevilla FC on Thursday. The transaction was confirmed as a result of 9.75 M Euros that the Turin club will be paying until July 2010.

He is part of the Danish National Team since 2001 and he played 2002 World Cup and 2004 EURO Cup. After Korea - Japan World Cup, Poulsen made a €7M move, the most expensive sale by a Danish club at the time, to German FC Schalke 04

The central midfielder is 28 years old and was named 2005 and 2006 Danish Player of the Year while he was defending FC Shalke 04 t-shirt.

Now it is time to play UEFA Champions League since Third Qualifying Round. Let´s see if Claudio Ranieri will prefer him.

Darren Huckerby at San Jose Earthquakes

Another player is travelling at Major League Soccer this week. Now it is time for Darren Huckerby.

The striker was born 32 years ago in Nottingham and he is living the last seasons as footballer. The decision to play in United States of America seems to be right: next season he wouldn’t be part of the main team of Norwich City Football Club.

By the way, The Quakes fans are very happy because Huckerby have scored 104 (!) goals in his career - included 22 for Manchester City until 2003- and they hope that he could continue that good work.

Just watch this video from You Tube to know what he is able to do.

Pablo Aimar in Benfica: "one of the best players in the world"

The Argentinian player, Pablo Aimar, will be presented on Monday as the new Benfica player. The team have paid 7, 5 M Euros to replace Rui Costa, who is the Benfica manager right now.

The historical Portuguese player said that only Deco and Riquelme are better players than Aimar in his playing position.

Pablo Aimar, known as "El Payaso (The Clown)", is 28 years old and Benfica will be his fourth club after River Plate, Valencia and Real Zaragoza (relegated to Second Division).

It is time to wait if Benfica will be playing the Uefa Champions League since third qualifying round, with Aimar in the main squad.

Intertoto Cup 2008: second round results: Second leg

Second leg: july 12th and 13th july 2008

July 12th

Elfsborg (Swe) - Hibernian (Sco) 2-0
Besa (Alb) - Grasshoppers (Sui) 0-3
FK Neftchi (Aze) - GBA (Bel) 1-0
Kispest Honved (Hun) - Teplice (Cze) 0-2
Bnei Sachnin (Isr) - Renova (Mkd) 1-0
Bohemians (Irl) - FK Riga (Lat) 2-1
ND Gorica (Slo) - Chernomorets Burgas Burgas (Bul) 0-2

July 13th

Rosenborg (Nor) - Ekranas (Ltu) 4-0
Shakhtyor Solig. (Blr) - Sturm Graz (Aut) 0-0
Etzella Ettelbruck (Lux) - Saturn (Rus) 1-1
OB Odense (Den) - Turku PS (Fin) 2-0
Panionios (Gre) - OFK Belgrad (Scg) 3-1
Sivasspor (Tur) - Grbalj Radanovici (Mne) 1-0
Tavria (Ukr) - Tiraspol (Mkd) 3-1

First leg results

Samir Nasri and Arsenal are together

Good news for The Gunners: French Samir Nasri is the new player of the London team being one of the most important transfers this summer.

Known as the new Zidane, Samir scored only 11 goals in Olympique Marseille, but the performances during 145 matches with that t-shirt were enough.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: "We are delighted to be signing Samir Nasri. He is young, quick and technically an outstanding player. He has shown great potential with his performances for Marseille and the French national team over the past two seasons and he will add great quality to our squad." He is 21 years old and a lot of seasons to play in a great level at Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Qualification round: best historical performances

Champions League qualification begins on Tuesday with 28 clubs entering at this stage.

The first qualification round was included in 2002. Dynamo Kyiv arrived to semifinals in 1998/1999 season, leads by Andriy Shevchenko.

Since the current system of qualification was introduced in 1999/2000, only two clubs entering at the first qualification round have extended their run to the group phase.

Liverpool and Artmedia Bratislava both qualified for the 2005/2006 Champions League group phase having entered the competition in the first qualification round.

Liverpool’s task was easier as they were seeded in all three qualification rounds. The Reds beat Welsh club TNS FC 6-0 on aggregate, Lithuanians FBK Kaunas 5-1 and CSKA Sofia from Bulgaria 3-2 over two matches.

Slovakian club Artmedia Bratislava reached the next round after beating Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty 4-3 on aggregate in the first qualification round.

After this Artmedia Bratislava were unseeded but beat Celtic 5-4 on aggregate after a 5-0 win in the home leg and Partizan Belgrade 4-3 on penalties after two 0-0 draws.

Artmedia went on to third place in their group and Liverpool reached the last 16 of the tournament where they were knocked out by Benfica.

UEFA Champions League qualification – teams competing in first qualifying round

Qualification / Best teams

2007/2008 Three qualification rounds (28 teams) BATE Borisov, FK Sarajevo, Dinamo Zagreb, Tampere United, IF Elfsborg: 3rd qualification round
2006/2007 Three qualification rounds (22) Rabotnicki Skopje: 3rd qualification round
2005/2006 Three qualification rounds (24) Liverpool: Last 16
2004/2005 Three qualification rounds (20) HIT Gorica, Shelbourne: 3rd qualification round
2003/2004 Three qualification rounds (20) Vardar Skopje: 3rd qualification round
2002/2003 Three qualification rounds (20) APOEL Nicosia, Zeljeznicar Sarajevo: 3rd qualification round
2001/2002 Three qualification rounds (20) FC Haka: 3rd qualification round
2000/2001 Three qualification rounds (20) Crvena Zvezda, Zimbru Chisinau: 3rd qualification round
1999/2000 Three qualification rounds (18) Partizan Beograd, Skonto Riga, Zimbru Chisinau: 3rd qualification round
1998/1999 Two qualification rounds (32) Dynamo Kyiv: Semi-finals
1997/1998 Two qualification rounds (30) Dynamo Kyiv: Quarter-finals
1996/1997 All small nations in UEFA Cup
1995/1996 All small nations in UEFA Cup
1994/1995 All small nations in UEFA Cup
1993/1994 Prelim, 1st and 2nd rounds (20) 10 clubs: All eliminated in 1st round
1992/1993 Prelim, 1st and 2nd rounds (8) Four clubs: All eliminated in 1st round

Source: Infostrada Sports

Vincent Weijl: who is this new Liverpool FC player?

Liverpool FC squad continues growing up. Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena and Nikola Saric had arrived some days ago.

Now Vincent Lucas Weijl is the surprised name. The Holland player is a 17 year-old striker from AZ Alkmaar and has played for AFC Amsterdam and Ajax before.

While Arsenal added 15-year-old midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup to their squad, we would like to know what it is the meaning of another teenager in Liverpool FC like Weijl.

Champions League 2008 - 2009 Schedule

2008/2009 Champions League match calendar:

First qualifying round, 1st leg 15/16.07.2008
First qualifying round, 2nd leg 22/23.07.2008
Second qualifying round, 1st leg 29/30.07.2008
Second qualifying round, 2nd leg 05/06.08.2008
Third qualifying round, 1st leg 12/13.08.2008
Third qualifying round, 2nd leg 26/27.08.2008

Group stage, Matchday 1 16/17.09.2008
Group stage, Matchday 2 30.09/01.10.2008
Group stage, Matchday 3 21/22.10.2008
Group stage, Matchday 4 04/05.11.2008
Group stage, Matchday 5 25/26.11.2008
Group stage, Matchday 6 09/10.12.2008

First knockout round, first leg 24/25.02.2009
First knockout round, second leg 10/11.03.2009
Quarter-finals, first leg 07/08.04.2009
Quarter-finals, second leg 14/15.04.2009
Semi-finals, first leg 28/29.04.2009
Semi-finals, second leg 05/06.05.2009
Final (Stadio Olimpico, Rome) 27.05.2009

Dani Güiza goals travel to Fenerbahçe

Fenerbahçe confirmed that Daniel González Güiza is part of the 2008-2009 squad of this Turkish team that spent 17,4 M Euros. So, Dani is the most expensive foreign player to be transferred in Turkey League !!!

The 27-year-old was the top scorer in the Spanish Liga last season with 27 goals and scored twice during Spain's EURO triumphant campaign. Despite he played fewer minutes than Fernando Torres, El Niño scored twice too.

Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü is the last Turkey Super League runner-up and will be playing the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League.

Turkish Fans would be very grateful if Dani lives in Kadıköy with his girlfriend, Nuria Bermúdez (it's hard to find a picture of her in which she's dressed or at least partially covered).

Said Husejinović: goals and future

Said Husejinović was born on May 13, 1988 in Tuzla City. He is part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team that would like to be in South Africa 2010 although the FIFA Ranking says that it is difficult (74th). On September 6, Bosnia will visit European Champion Spain in the first match of the 2010 - Qualifying.

The forward was playing two seasons in the league of his country. Representing Sloboda Tuzla, he scored 21 goals in 47 games. Despite Sloboda isn’t the best team of the League, Werder Bremen was attracted by his scoring average (0, 45 goals per game!) and could be part of the squad that will be playing the UEFA Champions League.

Via You Tube, let’s know more about him (German)

Beijing 2008 Football Schedule Men

GROUP A

2008-08-07
17:00 Australia v Serbia Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

2008-08-07
19:45 Côte d'Ivoire v Argentina Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

2008-08-10
17:00 Argentina v Australia Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

2008-08-10
19:45 Serbia v Côte d'Ivoire Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

2008-08-13
19:45 Côte d'Ivoire v Australia Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin

2008-08-13
19:45 Argentina v Serbia Beijing Workers' Stadium, Beijing


GROUP B

2008-08-07
17:00 Japan v USA Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin

2008-08-07
19:45 Netherlands v Nigeria Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin

2008-08-10
17:00 Nigeria v Japan Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin

2008-08-10
19:45 USA v Netherlands Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin

2008-08-13
17:00 Netherlands v Japan Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang

2008-08-13
17:00 Nigeria v USA Beijing Workers' Stadium, Beijing

GROUP C

2008-08-07
17:00 Brazil v Belgium Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang

2008-08-07
19:45 China PR v New Zealand Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang

2008-08-10
17:00 New Zealand v Brazil Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang

2008-08-10
19:45 Belgium v China PR Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang

2008-08-13
19:45 China PR v Brazil Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Qinhuangdao

2008-08-13
19:45 New Zealand v Belgium Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai


GROUP D

2008-08-07
17:00 Honduras v Italy Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Qinhuangdao

2008-08-07
19:45 Korea Republic v Cameroon Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Qinhuangdao

2008-08-10
17:00 Cameroon v Honduras Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Qinhuangdao

2008-08-10
19:45 Italy v Korea Republic Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Qinhuangdao

2008-08-13
17:00 Korea Republic v Honduras Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

2008-08-13
17:00 Cameroon v Italy Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin


Quarter Final

Match 25 2008-08-16
18:00 Group C Winner v Group D Runner-up Shenyang Olympic Stadium, Shenyang

Match 26 2008-08-16
18:00 Group D Winner v Group C Runner-up Beijing Workers' Stadium, Beijing

Match 27 2008-08-16
21:00 Group A Winner v Match 27 Group B Runner-up Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

Match 28 2008-08-16
21:00 Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Qinhuangdao


Semi Final

Match 29 2008-08-19
18:00 Match 26 Winner v Match 28 Winner Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

Match 30 2008-08-19
21:00 Match 25 Winner v Match 27 Winner Beijing Workers' Stadium, Beijing

Bronze Medal Final

2008-08-22
19:00 Semifinals Losers Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai

Gold Medal Final

2008-08-23
12:00 National Stadium, Beijing

Who is Nikola Saric?

Last week was confirmed that Liverpool Football Club has another forward: Nikola Saric. But who is he?

He was born during the terrible war in Sarajevo but he left it with his family when he was young. The striker arrived to Liverpool having previously played for the Danish team Herfølge Boldklub. He has also represented Denmark at youth level as U-16, U-17 and U-18.

He is only 17 years old and he played only 3 matches with the Herfølge t-shirt.

We would like to know what this player had done to be one of the most requested players in Europe, included Barcelona. Maybe he is another Marko Marin...

Take a look at what he is able to do with teenagers like him… Let’s see how long he must wait to be part of the lineups of Liverpool.

Intertoto Cup 2008: Second Round results

First Leg: 5 and 6 July 2008

5th july

Saturn (Rus) - Etzella Ettelbruck (Lux) 7-0 (4-0)
Grasshoppers (Sui) - Besa (Alb) 2-1 (0-0)
Grbalj Radanovici - Sivasspor 2-2 (2-2)
Sturm Graz (Aut) - Shakhtyor Solig. (Blr) 2-0 (1-0)
Teplice (Cze) - Kispest Honved (Hun) 1-3 (0-1)
Chernomorets Burgas Burgas - Gorica 1-1 (0-0)
Tiraspol (Mda) - Tavria (Ukr) 0-0 (0-0)
GBA (Bel) - FK Neftchi (Aze) 1-1 (1-1)

6th july

Ekranas (Ltu) - Rosenborg (Nor) 1-3 (1-2)
Hibernian (Sco) - Elfsborg (Swe) 0-2 (0-1)
OFK Belgrad (scg) - Panionios (Gre) 1-0 (0-0)
FK Riga (Lat) - Bohemians (Irl) 1-0 (1-0)
Turku PS (Fin) - OB Odense (Den) 1-2 (1-1)
Renova (mk) - Bnei Sachnin (Isr) 1-2 (0-1)

Cristiano Ronaldo: 85M Euros = from Manchester United to Real Madrid

While we are waiting for the resolution of this historical / film / novel, here we have the most important transactions in the history (in Euros).

75 M Zidane, from Juventus Turin (ITA) to Real Madrid (SPA), 2001.
61,7 M Figo (POR), from FC Barcelona (SPA) to Real Madrid (SPA), 2000.
56,4 M Crespo (ARG), from Parma (ITA) to Lazio Rome (ITA), 2000
53,3 M Buffon (ITA), from Parma (ITA) to Juventus Turin (ITA), 2001
52 M Ronaldo (BRA), from Inter Milan (ITA) to Real Madrid (SPA), 2002
46,8 M R. Ferdinand (ENG), from Leeds (ENG) to Manchester Utd (ENG), 2002
46 M Shevchenko (UKR), from AC Milan (ITA) to Chelsea (ENG), 2006
45,8 M Veron (ARG), from Lazio Rome (ITA) to Manchester United (ENG), 2001
45,1 M Mendieta (ESP), from Valencia CF (SPA) to Lazio Rome (ITA), 2001
43,7 M Rui Costa (POR), from Fiorentina (ITA) to AC Milan (ITA), 2001

Harry Kewell: Galatasaray S.K. needs you

Since this month Harry Kewell is part or Galatasaray Spor Kulübü squad. The Turkish team will be playing the UEFA Champions League since third qualifying round.

Kewell is part of Australian National Team and he has scored 78 goals in his career.

Here we have some of them:

Andrea Dossena would be playing Tranmere Rovers vs. Liverpool

The Italian will play UEFA Champions League defending The Reds because he was a direct replacement for the outgoing John Arne Riise (AS Roma).

His first match would be on Saturday vs. Tranmere Rovers FC. team founded in 1884 as Belmont F.C. and now it is part of The English League 1.

What Dossena said?
His move to Merseyside had been confirmed, with Dossena saying: "Liverpool is a great team and it is great to be linked to such a famous club. I want to play Champions League football. The Reds have already won it and they often get to the big games. In England, they are on the same level as Manchester United."

Who is Andrea Dossena?
Liverpool FC TV
BBC.CO.UK

The UEFA Champions League has started!

Today were defined the draws for the first two qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League.

Fenerbahçe SK v MTK Budapest will be played since July 29 or 30.

2008/09 UEFA Champions League
First qualifying round draw matches
First leg: 15/16 July
Second leg: 22/23 July

1 Linfield FC (NIR) v NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
2 Valetta FC (MLT) v FC Artmedia Petržalka (SVK)
3 FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) v NSÍ Runavík (FRO)
4 FC Santa Coloma (AND) v FBK Kaunus (LTU)
5 S.S. Murata (SMR) v IFK Göteborg (SWE)
6 Llanelli AFC (WAL) v FK Ventspils (LVA)
7 Anorthosis Famugusta (CYP) v FC Pyunik (ARM)
8 FK İnter Bakı (AZE) v FK Rabotnicki (MKD)
9 Tampere United (FIN) v FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)
10 F91 Dudelange (LUX) v NK Domžale (SVN)
11 KS Dinamo Tirana (ALB) v FK Modriča (BIH)
12 FK Aktobe (KAZ) v FC Sheriff (MDA)
13 Drogheda United FC (IRL) v FC Levadia Tallinn (EST)
14 FC BATE Borisov (BLR) v Valur Reykjavík (ISL)

Second qualifying round draw matches
First leg: 29/30 July
Second leg: 5/6 August

Rangers FC (SCO) v Winners Match 4
SK Brann (NOR) v Winners Match 6
Winners Match 8 v FK Partizan (SRB)
Winners Match 9 v Winners Match 2
Winners Match 7 v SK Rapid Wien (AUT)
Winners Match 10 v Winners Match 1
Panathinaikos FC (GRE) v Winners Match 3
Winners Match 5 v FC Basel 1893 (SUI)
Winners Match 12 v AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
Winners Match 13 v FC Dinamo Kyiv (UKR)
RSC Anderlecht (BEL) v Winners Match 14
Beitar Jerusalem FC (ISR) v Wisla Kraków (POL)
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) v MTK Budapest (HUN)
Aalborg BK (DEN) v Winners Match 11

2008 / 2009 UEFA Cup First qualifying round schedule

Today the First qualifying round of the 2008/09 UEFA Cup has been drawn. Manchester City vs. EB / Streymur (Faroese club based in Streymnes) is the most important match.

Here we have all the matches to be played on July 17, 31:

PFC Cherno More Varna (BUL) v UE Sant Julià (AND)
FK Pelister (MKD) v APOEL FC (CYP)
FC Vaduz (LIE) v NK Zrinjski (BIH)
NK Široki Brijeg (BIH) v FK Partizani (ALB)
Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC (ISR) v FK Mogren (MNE)
FC Koper (SVN) v KS Vllaznia (ALB)
NK IB Ljubljana (SVN) v FK Zeta (MNE)
AC Juvenes-Dogana (SMR) v Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)
HNK Hajduk Split (CRO) v Birkirkara FC (MLT)
FK Milano (MKD) v AC Omonia (CYP)
Marsaxlokk FC (MLT) v NK Slaven Koprivnica (CRO)
FC Salzburg (AUT) v FC Banants (ARM)
Győri ETO FC (HUN) v FC Zestaponi (GEO)
FC Ararat Yerevan (ARM) v AC Bellinzona (SUI)
FC Dacia Chisinau (MDA) v FK Borac (SRB)
FC Tobol Kostanay (KAZ) v FK Austria Wien (AUT)
Hertha BSC Berlin (GER) v FC Nistru Otaci (MDA)
FK Khazar Lenkoran (AZE) v KKS Lech Poznań (POL)
Legia Warszawa (POL) v FC Gomel (BLR)
FC Spartak Trvana (SVK) v FC WIT Georgia (GEO)
FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk (BLR) v MŠK Žilina (SVK)
FC Shakhtyor Karagandy (KAZ) v Debreceni VSC (HUN)
FK Olimpik Baku (AZE) v FK Vojvodina (SRB)
FH Hafnarfjördur (ISL) v CS Grevenmacher (LUX)
FK Vėtra (LTU) v Viking FK (NOR)
FC Racing Union Luxembourg (LUX) v Kalmar FF (SWE)
FC Honka Espoo (FIN) v ÍA Akranes (ISL)
Glentoran FC (NIR) v SK Liepájas Metalurgs (LVA)
Brøndby IF (DEN) v B36 Tórshavn (FRO)
FC Nordsjælland (DEN) v FC TVMK Tallinn (EST)
EB/Streymur (FRO) v Manchester City FC (ENG)
JFK Olimps (LVA) v Saint Patrick's Athletic FC (IRL)
Djurgårdens IF FF (SWE) v FC Flora (EST)
FK Sūduva (LTU) v The New Saints FC (WAL)
Cliftonville FC (NIR) v FC København (DEN)
Cork City FC (IRL) v FC Haka (FIN)
FC Midtjylland (DEN) v Bangor City FC (WAL)