CTL: Palmeiras holds Brazilian rival Sao Paulo
April 26, 2006Copa Libertadores: Veteran striker Edmundo scored a first-half equalizer and Palmeiras held defending champion Sao Paulo to 1-1 in the first leg of their all-Brazilian second-round Copa Libertadores match on Wednesday.
France begins its fond farewell to 'Zizou'
April 26, 2006Thanks for the memories, Zizou. Few have matched the career highlights of Zinedine Zidane, the star Real Madrid and France midfielder whose newly announced retirement plans will leave a huge void in French and international soccer.
CL: Ronaldinho puts his skills up against Henry
April 26, 2006Just two goals in more than 360 minutes of soccer might not bode well for the Champions League final. Yet this is FC Barcelona vs. Arsenal and it's looking to be a classic. Barcelona ousted another soccer heavyweight, AC Milan, in one semifinal on Wednesday after Arsenal edged out Villarreal in the other to set up a May 17 meeting in Paris. Each matchup was decided by one goal over two legs.
UPDATE 2-Soccer-Barca shut out Milan to clinch final place (Reuters)
April 26, 2006(Repeats, fixing typo)
FA ready to offer England job to Scolari - report (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Luiz Felipe Scolari will be offered the job of manager of the English national soccer team, The Sun newspaper claimed on Thursday.
Barcelona 0, AC Milan 0 (AP)
April 26, 2006FC Barcelona used a 0-0 tie with AC Milan on Wednesday to advance to the Champions League final against Arsenal. The Spanish team won the series 1-0 thanks to a victory at Milan in the first leg last week. Ludovic Giuly's goal at San Siro last week was decisive. Barcelona will play Arsenal at the Stade de France outside Paris on May 17.
Two sent off as Liverpool beat West Ham in Cup rehearsal (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Two goals from Djibril Cisse gave Liverpool a 2-1 victory over West Ham United on Wednesday to keep alive their slim chance of finishing second in the Premier League.
Ajax beat Groningen 2-0 in first leg of playoff final (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Ajax Amsterdam beat Groningen 2-0 in the first leg of the Dutch playoff final for a spot in the Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday.
West Ham 1-2 Liverpool: Garcia, Mullins see red
April 26, 2006West Ham 1-2 Liverpool: Garcia, Mullins see red
by England
Barcelona 0-0 AC Milan: Toothless Milan bow out
April 26, 2006Barcelona 0-0 AC Milan: Toothless Milan bow out
by UEFA Champions League
Rijkaard delighted with battling display
April 26, 2006Rijkaard delighted with battling display
by Simon Baskett
Real president Martin 'voted out by board'
April 26, 2006Real president Martin 'voted out by board'
by Europe
Two Cisse goals gives Liverpool 2-1 win
April 26, 2006EPL: Djibril Cisse scored twice and Liverpool beat West Ham 2-1 to keep the pressure on second-place Manchester United in the English Premier League on Wednesday. Liverpool's Luis Garcia and West Ham's Hayden Mullins are likely to miss the FA Cup final on May 13 after both were shown straight red cards.
CL: Barcelona through to final after Milan draw
April 26, 2006Champions League: FC Barcelona drew 0-0 with AC Milan on Wednesday to advance to the Champions League final. Barcelona will play Arsenal at the Stade de France in Paris on May 17 after it won the first leg of the semifinals 1-0 on forward Ludovic Giuly's goal at the San Siro last week.
Ajax earn Champions League berth
April 26, 2006Markus Rosenberg and Angelos Charisteas scored and Ajax beat FC Groningen 2-0 Wednesday in the first leg of its Dutch league playoff for a berth in European Champions League qualifying. The second leg is set for May 3 in Groningen. Rosenberg put Amsterdam ahead in the ninth minute, and Charisteas capitalized on a Groningen defensive lapse - apparently expecting him to be called offside - to add the second in the 69th.
Chief says security cooperation excellent
April 26, 2006The European Union's anti-terror chief is confident all possible measures have been taken to prevent attacks at the World Cup in Germany. "I am absolutely convinced that everything possible has been done and is being done," EU Counterterrorism Coordinator Gijs de Vries said in an interview Wednesday with The Associated Press. NATO will have AWACS surveillance planes patrolling the skies over Germany during the June 9-July 9 tournament.
AP Interview: EU anti-terror chief says security cooperation for World Cup is excellent (AP)
April 26, 2006The European Union's anti-terror chief is confident the World Cup will be safe from terrorism. "I am absolutely convinced that everything possible has been done and is being done," EU counterterrorism coordinator Gijs de Vries said in an interview Wednesday with The Associated Press. NATO will have AWACS surveillance planes patrolling the skies over Germany during the June 9-July 9 tournament.
Poland name two new faces for Lithuania friendly (Reuters)
April 26, 2006World Cup finalists Poland have named two debutants in a 16-strong squad for a friendly against Lithuania on May 2, the Polish FA said on its website on Wednesday.
Veteran Costacurta starts for AC Milan against Barca (Reuters)
April 26, 2006AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta was in the starting line-up for the second leg of his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at the Nou Camp just two days after celebrating his 40th birthday.
Messi pulls up in training, not serious - reports (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, still recovering from an injury to his right thigh, pulled up during a training session in his native Argentina on Wednesday, media reports said.
Pernia can play for Spain after getting dual nationality (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Getafe's Argentine defender Mariano Pernia is available for selection by Spain coach Luis Aragones after securing dual nationality on Wednesday.
Hapoel Tel Aviv reach Israeli State Cup final (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Hapoel Tel Aviv reached the Israeli State Cup final on Wednesday with an easy 2-0 win over Bnei Sakhnin in their semi-final.
Allardyce forces Diouf in to extra training
April 26, 2006Allardyce forces Diouf in to extra training
by England
Matthaus tips Robinson as major player for England
April 26, 2006Matthaus tips Robinson as major player for England
by World Cup
Frustrated Messi suffers another injury setback
April 26, 2006Frustrated Messi suffers another injury setback
by Europe
Lehmann to miss Germany's first gathering
April 26, 2006Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will miss Germany's first gathering before the World Cup because of the Champions League final.
Old Firm pair named in Scotland squad for Japan
April 26, 2006Old Firm pair named in Scotland squad for Japan
by Euro 2008
Zidane steps down so Real can rebuild
April 26, 2006Zidane steps down so Real can rebuild
by Europe
Blind facing Ajax sack despite play-off success
April 26, 2006Blind facing Ajax sack despite play-off success
by Europe
Spartak coach Starkov quits after poor start (Reuters)
April 26, 2006(Adds Starkov quotes)
Dalian win hits Gamba's Champions League playoff hopes (Reuters)
April 26, 2006By Nazvi Careem
Ronaldinho: Champions League win can start a dynasty (SportsTicker)
April 26, 2006BARCELONA, Spain (Ticker) - Barcelona forward Ronaldinho believes Wednesday's Champions League semifinal clash with AC Milan is a defining moment for the Catalan side as it bids to make a mark on the world stage.
Steaua ready to blunt Boro in UEFA Cup (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Steaua Bucharest are confident of keeping a clean sheet against Middlesbrough on Thursday which would guarantee the Romanian side a place in the UEFA Cup final.
Zidane set example for everyone, says Real president (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Zinedine Zidane set an example on and off the field, Real Madrid president Fernando Martin said on Wednesday after the Frenchman's decision to retire.
UEFA president Johansson may apply for re-election (Reuters)
April 26, 2006UEFA president Lennart Johansson may run for another four-year term when his presidency expires in 2007, he has told Swedish public television.
Zidane made early decision to help Real's plans (Reuters)
April 26, 2006(Adds quotes from news conference)
Morocco federation suspends five players for doping (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Morocco's soccer federation has suspended five players from four leading clubs after they tested positive following a surprise anti-doping crackdown, the governing body said on Wednesday.
Cahill facing prospect of World Cup KO
April 26, 2006Cahill facing prospect of World Cup KO
by World Cup
'No Big Phil decision until July' - Portugal chief
April 26, 2006'No Big Phil decision until July' - Portugal chief
by World Cup
Young on course for timely comeback
April 26, 2006Young on course for timely comeback
by England
Pires eyes move to vanquished Villarreal
April 26, 2006Pires eyes move to vanquished Villarreal
by UEFA Champions League
Bridge to be the first in Chelsea clear-out?
April 26, 2006Bridge to be the first in Chelsea clear-out?
by England
Wenger: It's been a long road
April 26, 2006Champions League: Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal's progress to the Champions League final is the result of almost a decade of hard work. The Gunners drew Tuesday's semifinal second-leg 0-0 against Villarreal to advance.
CL: Villarreal rues Riquelme's penalty miss
April 26, 2006Villarreal is contemplating what might have been.
Cahill injury puts his WC participation in doubt
April 26, 2006World Cup: Tim Cahill will be sidelined for six week with knee ligament damage, putting his World Cup chances with Australia in doubt. Cahill hurt his left knee during Everton's 0-0 draw with Birmingham in the English Premier League on Saturday.
World Cup tickets for Brazil deposited in German bank (Reuters)
April 26, 2006A travel agent has deposited 12,000 World Cup tickets for Brazil matches in a vault in a German bank for safe keeping until their owners arrive for the tournament that starts on June 9.
Soccer-Slavia fined for fans' racist abuse (Reuters)
April 26, 2006In SOFIA item headlined "Slavia fined for fans' racist abuse" please delete reference in second para to Brazilian Vava who did not play in game.
Taylor blasts 'pathetic' FA selection process
April 26, 2006Taylor blasts 'pathetic' FA selection process
by England
Reyes would relish Paris final with Barca
April 26, 2006Reyes would relish Paris final with Barca
by UEFA Champions League
Villarreal's Venta admits pain of Euro exit
April 26, 2006Villarreal's Venta admits pain of Euro exit
by UEFA Champions League
Aussies announce seven-year TV rights deal
April 26, 2006Australia soccer's governing body Wednesday announced a television rights deal with broadcaster Fox Sports worth more than A$120 million (US$88 million, €72 million) over the next seven years.
Garber on the NASL, Cosmos and MLS
April 26, 2006In Part I of a two-part series, MLS commissioner Don Garber discusses the ghosts of the NASL and in particular the New York Cosmos with Jamie Trecker as the league's newest owners, Red Bull New York, are rumored to be instigating some major changes within the league's structure.
Barcelona prepare to weather Milan storm (Reuters)
April 26, 2006Barcelona expect AC Milan to go all out for victory at the Nou Camp with the Serie A side trailing 1-0 going into the return leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Scurry rejoins U.S. women's team (AP)
April 26, 2006Goalkeeper Briana Scurry was picked Tuesday for a two-game trip to Japan by the U.S women's team, her first appearance on a game roster since 2004. Scurry, the starting American goalkeeper at the 2003 Women's World Cup and 2004 Olympics, took 2005 off from international soccer. Hope Solo, who started six of the Americans' seven games this year, also was among 18 players picked for the trip.