Premiership Recap, Apr. 17-19
April 19, 2006EPL Recap: Mikael Forssell scored his first Premiership goal in open play for two years to lift Birmingham out of the bottom three and wreck Robbie Savage's return to St Andrews with Blackburn.
CL: Arsenal takes 1-0 lead over Villarreal
April 19, 2006Champions League: Kolo Toure scored the lone goal Wednesday, giving Arsenal a 1-0 win over Villarreal in the first leg of the semifinals and a huge boost in its quest to reach the final of Europe's No. 1 club competition for the first time.
CTL: Goias draws Union Espanola 0-0
April 19, 2006Copa Libertadores: Chile's Union Espanola was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores after a 0-0 draw against Brazil's Goias on Wednesday. Goias finished atop Group 3 with 11 points, three more than Union Espanola and Argentina's Newell's Old Boys.
Angola striker Akwa to retire
April 19, 2006Angola captain Fabrice Akwa said Wednesday he will retire from the national team after the World Cup. The 10-year national team veteran, who scored the goal against Rwanda that helped Angola qualify for the World Cup for the first time in its history, told The Associated Press that making the tournament in Germany was the pinnacle of his sporting career.
Arena: U.S. team ready to compete
April 19, 2006Bruce Arena thinks the United States is on equal footing with some of the world's top teams as the Americans prepare for the World Cup. "Are we ready yet to win a World Cup? I don't think so, but I think we're ready to compete with the best countries in the world. We've demonstrated that," the U.S. coach said Wednesday.
Arena: U.S. team ready to compete in World Cup (AP)
April 19, 2006Bruce Arena thinks the United States is on equal footing with some of the world's top teams as the Americans prepare for the World Cup. "Are we ready yet to win a World Cup? I don't think so, but I think we're ready to compete with the best countries in the world. We've demonstrated that," the U.S. coach said Wednesday.
Arsenal 1, Villarreal 0 (AP)
April 19, 2006Kolo Toure scored his first goal of the season in the 41st minute Wednesday night, giving Arsenal a 1-0 win over Villarreal in the first leg of the European Champions League semifinals. After dominating with a half-dozen chances, Arsenal took the lead after Thierry Henry's corner kick was deflected out of the penalty area.
Forssell's late winner hauls Birmingham out of drop zone (Reuters)
April 19, 2006A late goal by Mikael Forssell gave Birmingham City a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, hauling the midlands club out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Arsenal beats Villarreal in Champions League semis (SportsTicker)
April 19, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Kolo Toure's rare tally helped Arsenal bid a fond "adieu" to Highbury and one step closer to saying "bon jour" to Paris.
Austria Vienna thrash Ried to reach cup final (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Austria Vienna stayed on course for a league and cup double on Wednesday when they crushed top-flight rivals Ried 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Austrian Cup.
Birmingham 2-1 Blackburn: Forssell lifts Blues
April 19, 2006Birmingham 2-1 Blackburn: Forssell lifts Blues
by England
Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal: Tense night at Highbury
April 19, 2006Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal: Tense night at Highbury
by UEFA Champions League
Wenger content as Arsenal edge first leg
April 19, 2006Wenger content as Arsenal edge first leg
by UEFA Champions League
Quinn confirms interest in Sunderland takeover
April 19, 2006Quinn confirms interest in Sunderland takeover
by England
United States moves up to fourth
April 19, 2006FIFA Rankings: The United States moved into fourth place in the FIFA world rankings for April - its highest showing ever. Argentina, which had been fourth, dropped into a tie for eighth place with Portugal.
PSG and Marseille win back docked point (Reuters)
April 19, 2006By Patrick Vignal
West Ham want FA Cup semi-final win as tribute to Lyall (Reuters)
April 19, 2006By Marc Isaacs
Bayern defender Ismael banned for three games (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Champions and Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be without French defender Valerien Ismael for three games after he was banned on Wednesday for elbowing another player.
Romanian midfielder Petre to join CSKA Sofia (Reuters)
April 19, 2006CSKA Sofia have signed Romania midfielder Florentin Petre from Dinamo Bucharest on a three-year contract from July 1, the Bulgarian champions said on Wednesday.
Viduka out of Middlesbrough UEFA Cup semi-final squad (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Australian striker Mark Viduka withdrew from the Middlesbrough squad with a thigh strain on Wednesday, the eve of the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Steaua Bucharest.
Steaua boss asks God for help against Middlesbrough (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Steaua Bucharest's owner travelled to Greece this week to ask God to help his club win the UEFA Cup.
Solskjaer: United on the brink of greatness
April 19, 2006Solskjaer: United on the brink of greatness
by England
Police to investigate Gaydamak's Portsmouth investment
April 19, 2006Police to investigate Gaydamak's Portsmouth investment
by England
Bruce braced for final-day drama
April 19, 2006Bruce bracing for final-day relegation drama
by England
Schalke bench star duo for UEFA Cup semi
April 19, 2006Schalke bench star duo for UEFA Cup semi
by Europe
Steaua boss asks God for help against Boro
April 19, 2006Steaua boss asks God for help against Boro
by Europe
Racism campaigners welcome World Cup plans
April 19, 2006Racism campaigners welcome World Cup plans
by World Cup
Aimar leaves hospital after meningitis treatment
April 19, 2006Aimar leaves hospital after meningitis treatment
by Europe
Henry remains loyal to fans
April 19, 2006An angry Thierry Henry has accused the press of attempting to "turn the Arsenal fans against" him. Before the Champions League clash with Villrareal, the papers are awash with reports that an irate Henry believes that he doesn't owe Arsenal fans anything.
Barcelona stays cautious despite win
April 19, 2006It may be heading for one of the greatest seasons in its history but FC Barcelona is attempting to quell any premature celebrations.
McLeish wants strong finish
April 19, 2006Alex McLeish is desperate to bow out as Rangers manager with a win from his final Old Firm game.
Jewell hails half century
April 19, 2006Wigan manager Paul Jewell hailed his side's achievement in hitting a point tally he never believed possible back in August.
Austrians investigating coach, player
April 19, 2006Austrian authorities said Wednesday they were investigating whether a coach and player at first-division club Sturm Graz were involved in match fixing.
Romanians asked to take lie detector tests
April 19, 2006Romanian club National Bucharest reportedly asked its players and staff to take lie detector tests to prove they haven't been involved in match fixing.
Real Madrid target Gerrard as 'priority' signing
April 19, 2006Real Madrid target Gerrard as 'priority' signing
by Europe
Bruce braced for final day drama
April 19, 2006Bruce bracing for final day relegation drama
by England
Hreidarsson's season over after FA charge
April 19, 2006Hreidarsson's season over after FA charge
by England
Okocha not planning a move into coaching
April 19, 2006Okocha not planning a move into coaching
by England
Aimar leaves hospital after viral meningitis treatment (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Valencia's Argentina midfielder Pablo Aimar left hospital on Wednesday after being treated for a form of viral meningitis.
Austrian police open match-fixing investigation (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Austrian police have opened an investigation into two alleged attempts at match rigging involving the coach of first division Sturm Graz and one of the team's players.
Schalke bench Lincoln, Kuranyi for UEFA Cup semi-final (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Playmaker Lincoln and Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi will be on the Schalke 04 bench for the first leg of Thursday's UEFA Cup semifinal against Sevilla.
Real confirm interest in Gerrard, Adriano and Schuster (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Real Madrid's director of football Benito Floro has proposed the club buy Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Inter Milan's Adriano, and suggested Bernd Schuster as the next Real coach.
Former West Ham and Ipswich manager Lyall dies at 66 (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Former West Ham United and Ipswich manager John Lyall has died of a heart attack at the age of 66, West Ham said on their website on Wednesday.
Van Wijk takes charge at Willem II (Reuters)
April 19, 2006Dennis van Wijk has signed a two-year contract as coach of Willem II Tilburg, the Dutch first division club announced on Wednesday.
Former West Ham manager John Lyall dies
April 19, 2006Former West Ham manager John Lyall dies
by England
CTL: Internacional beats Maraciabo 4-0
April 19, 2006Adriano, Bolivar, Michel and Renteira scored to give Internacional a 4-0 victory over Venezuela's UA Maracaibo in Group 6 of the Copa Libertadores soccer tournament.
Copa Libertadores Roundup, Apr. 18
April 19, 2006Copa Libertadores Wrap: Jorge Martinez scored with 12 minutes to play Wednesday, allowing Nacional of Uruguay to salvage a 1-1 draw with Mexico's Pumas and advance to the second round of the Copa Libertadores.
Wednesday's Cracking Gossip
April 19, 2006Michael Ballack could snub Chelsea, Ruud could leave Man Utd (again), Pacsal Chimbonda could leave Wigan, and more...
Arsenal hosts Villarreal in Champions League semis Wednesday (SportsTicker)
April 19, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Manager Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal troops to make their last great European night at Highbury "a special occasion."
Wenger wants winning Euro farewell for Highbury
April 19, 2006Wenger wants winning Euro farewell for Highbury
by UEFA Champions League
Villarreal to use 'zonal defence' to counter Henry
April 19, 2006Villarreal to use 'zonal defence' to counter Henry
by UEFA Champions League
Ron warns of complacency after San Siro win
April 19, 2006Ron warns of complacency after San Siro win
by UEFA Champions League
'We can still do it', says Milan coach Ancelotti
April 19, 2006'We can still do it', says Milan's Ancelotti
by UEFA Champions League
Shearer plans a 'few years off' before management
April 19, 2006Shearer plans a 'few years off' before management
by England
Weary Boro ready for Steaua UEFA Cup test
April 19, 2006Weary Boro ready for Steaua UEFA Cup test
by Europe
UC: Sevilla tries for first trophy since 1948
April 19, 2006The UEFA Cup may be European soccer's No. 2 trophy. Don't tell that to fans of Sevilla. "We can't wait for Thursday to arrive," Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said, looking forward to the first-leg semifinal in Gelsenkirchen against Schalke. In the other semifinal, Middlesbrough plays at Steaua Bucharest. "Not just me, but all Sevilla fans are nervous because we have never faced such an important game," del Nido said.