Boro euphoric after stunning UEFA Cup comeback
April 27, 2006Boro euphoric after stunning UEFA Cup comeback
by Europe
Middlesbrough 4-2 Steaua: Maccarone the hero
April 27, 2006Middlesbrough 4-2 Steaua: Maccarone the hero
by Europe
FC Sevilla 1-0 Schalke: Extra-time drama
April 27, 2006FC Sevilla 1-0 Schalke: Extra-time drama
by Europe
Young soccer nation Croatia has long tradition (Reuters)
April 27, 2006By Igor Ilic
Middlesbrough and Sevilla advance to UEFA Cup final (AP)
April 27, 2006Middlesbrough and Sevilla advanced to the final of the UEFA Cup with semifinal victories Thursday night. Massimo Maccarone scored twice as Middlesbrough rallied to overcome a three-goal aggregate deficit and beat visiting Steaua Bucharest 4-2, winning the home-and-home, total-goals series 4-3. "Massimo, I love him until I die," Middlesbrough forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said.
UC: Boro advances to final with dramatic win
April 27, 2006UEFA Cup: Substitute Massimo Maccarone dramatically scored in the 89th minute for Middlesbrough to beat Steaua Bucharest 4-2 Thursday and advance to its first UEFA Cup final after trailing 3-0 on aggregate.
UEFA Cup Roundup, Apr. 27
April 27, 2006UEFA Cup Wrap: Both Middlesbrough and Sevilla reached their first UEFA Cup final on Thursday. Sevilla needed an extra-time goal from reserve midfielder Antonio Puerta to advance 1-0 over 1997 champion Schalke on aggregate.
Owen ready for Toon return
April 27, 2006England striker Michael Owen believes he is ready to return to Barclays Premiership action this weekend.
Koller could play in World Cup
April 27, 2006World Cup: Striker Jan Koller, sidelined since September with a knee injury, could be ready to play in the Czech Republic's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12. Czech coach Karen Bruckner said Thursday that the Dortmund striker may still play in a Bundesliga game this season.
Norway to play Brazil in August friendly
April 27, 2006OSLO, Norway (AP)- Norway will play Brazil in a friendly on Aug. 16 as preparation for the European championship qualifying rounds, the country's football association said Thursday. "It is difficult to get a better opponent than Brazil," Norway coach Aage Hareide said. "The team has outstanding class and spectators will have a good experience." The match at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium will be the fourth between the two nations.
Moratti says Mancini, Adriano likely to stay
April 27, 2006Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti said Thursday that coach Roberto Mancini and striker Adriano are likely to be retained. "Mancini will stay with us ... Adriano will have to play well in the remaining matches (of the season) and should stay with us too," Moratti said. Mancini's job was said to be at risk after Inter's defeat in the Champions League quarterfinals by Villarreal and the Serie A title already lost.
Greek Cup final moved because of political convention (Reuters)
April 27, 2006The Greek Cup final between Olympiakos Piraeus and AEK Athens has been rescheduled after police said that they could not deploy enough officers to man the game, the Greek Football Federation announced on Thursday.
Clash of the tacticians (SI.com)
April 27, 2006AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said that Barcelona-Milan was the real final of the 2005-06 Champions...
German court rules against FIFA in patent dispute (Reuters)
April 27, 2006A German federal court ruled against FIFA in a copyright dispute on Thursday and said the soccer's world governing body could not prevent German firms from using the term "Soccer World Cup 2006" in adverts.
Ronaldinho vs. Henry in Champions League final (AP)
April 27, 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 could be a classic. Barcelona ousted another soccer heavyweight, AC Milan, in one semifinal Wednesday after Arsenal edged Villarreal in the other to set up a May 17 meeting in Paris.
Messi recovering well from thigh injury (Reuters)
April 27, 2006Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi is recovering well from a thigh injury sustained in training on Wednesday, the Argentina team doctor said on Thursday.
Arsenal's Henry named Player of the Year (SportsTicker)
April 27, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Striker Thierry Henry of Arsenal was named Player of the Year for a record third time by the Football Writers' Association on Thursday.
Getafe's Romanian striker Craioveanu to retire (Reuters)
April 27, 2006Getafe's Romanian striker Gica Craioveanu said on Thursday he will retire at the end of the season.
Henry lands FWA award for a record third time
April 27, 2006Henry lands FWA award for a record third time
by England
Premier League consider UK TV rights bids
April 27, 2006Premier League consider UK TV rights bids
by England
'Players unsettled by Real changes', says Casillas
April 27, 2006'Players unsettled by Real changes', says Casillas
by Europe
Terry eyes Harris' record
April 27, 2006Chelsea captain John Terry has set his sights on eclipsing Blues legend Ron Harris' appearance record for the club.
Final hopes for red card duo
April 27, 2006West Ham and Liverpool will this morning lodge appeals with the Football Association against the red cards shown to Hayden Mullins and Luis Garcia in the hope both players will be cleared to play in the FA Cup final.
West Ham 1 Liverpool 2
April 27, 2006Hayden Mullins and Luis Garcia could miss the FA Cup final after both players were sent off nine minutes from time in Liverpool's Barclays Premiership victory over West Ham.
Totti returns from injury to play friendly
April 27, 2006Italy playmaker Francesco Totti returned to competitive soccer two months after breaking his left leg to play on AS Roma's junior team in a friendly on Thursday. The quicker-than-epected recovery of the classy AS Roma captain was expected to lead to his inclusion in Italy's roster for this year's World Cup in Germany. About 3,000 Roma fans and the player's mother, Fiorella, cheered Totti as he started in the game against Cisco Lodigiani at Stadio Flaminio.
Bayern buy out TSV 1860's share of World Cup stadium (Reuters)
April 27, 2006Bayern Munich have bought out TSV 1860 Munich's share in the new Allianz Arena for 11 million euros ($13.67 million) to save the "Lions" from the threat of bankruptcy.
EU to fight racism, forced prostitution during World Cup (AP)
April 27, 2006The European Union is taking steps to fight racism and forced prostitution during the World Cup. The campaign will coincide with EU efforts to curb hooliganism and prevent terrorism at the tournament, EU Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini said Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world are expected to attend the monthlong competition, which begins June 9.
Ex-Sweden striker Selakovic charged (Reuters)
April 27, 2006Former Sweden striker Stefan Selakovic was among three people charged on Thursday with financial crimes linked to ongoing tax investigations into first division club IFK Gothenburg.
Totti plays in exhibition game two months after breaking leg (AP)
April 27, 2006Italian playmaker Francesco Totti returned to competitive soccer in an exhibition game with AS Roma's junior team Thursday, two months after breaking his left leg. Totti was injured Feb. 19 and had surgery a day later for the broken leg and strained ankle ligaments. He hopes to be healthy in time for the World Cup, where Italy opens against Ghana on June 12 and plays the United States five days...
German police to take tough stance at World Cup (AP)
April 27, 2006Police promise to take a hard line on security at the World Cup. Officers will be friendly and open, but also show "zero tolerance for disturbances," Juergen Bischoff, who is leading the federal police force's World Cup preparations, told a meeting of security officials Thursday. Federal police are responsible for security at the borders, railways and airports.
Koller could return for World Cup (AP)
April 27, 2006Jan Koller, sidelined since September with a knee injury, could be ready to play in the Czech Republic's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12. Czech coach Karel Bruckner said Thursday that the 33-year-old forward may return to action for Borussia Dortmund before the Bundesliga season ends on May 13.
Scottish Premier League announces record television deal (Reuters)
April 27, 2006The Scottish Premier League (SPL) has announced a record 54.5-million-pound ($97.22-million) television deal with satellite station Setanta Sports in a two-year extension to their current contract.
Chelsea fined £10,000 for failing to control players
April 27, 2006Chelsea fined £10,000 for failing to control players
by England
Cup Final rivals lodge red-card appeals
April 27, 2006Cup Final rivals lodge red-card appeals
by England
Hibbert misses end of season with hernia op
April 27, 2006Hibbert misses end of season with hernia op
by England
Pearce expects Barton and Distin to sign
April 27, 2006Pearce expects Barton and Distin to sign deals
by England
Hamburg must hang on to second spot
April 27, 2006Hamburg surprised most this season and is five points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with just a few games remaining. Oliver Hinz warns that HSV losing second place would almost certainly hold major consequences for the club.
Bayern set to take first step in bid for repeat
April 27, 2006Bayern Munich can lift its first title of the season when it plays Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Cup final on Saturday.
Barcelona bids to clinch Spanish title
April 27, 2006Life could hardly be better for FC Barcelona.
AC Milan focuses on last trophy
April 27, 2006No longer in contention for the Champions League title, AC Milan now can focus on trying to win the Italian championship.
Barca wins plaudits after reaching final
April 27, 2006Champions League: Even Real Madrid supporters give credit to Barcelona for reaching the Champions League final for the first time in 12 years. Barca advanced to the final against Arsenal by drawing 0-0 with AC Milan.
Rooney hopes to put Blues party on hold
April 27, 2006EPL Preview: Wayne Rooney is out to put Chelsea's title celebrations on hold for a few more days. The Blues need just a point from three games to capture its second title in a row but come up against the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
FA chief returns to London after Scolari talks (Reuters)
April 27, 2006(releads with Barwick returning to England)
FA chief executive Barwick back in London from Lisbon (Reuters)
April 27, 2006FA chief executive Brian Barwick flew back to London on Thursday from Lisbon after talks with Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but refused to say if the ex-Brazil coach has been offered the England manager's job.
Mixed reaction over move for Scolari (Reuters)
April 27, 2006The prospect of Luiz Felipe Scolari being appointed England manager drew a mixed reaction on Thursday, with former caretaker boss Howard Wilkinson leading criticism of the move.
Owen finally ready for Newcastle comeback
April 27, 2006Owen finally ready for Newcastle comeback
by England
Scolari offered England post
April 27, 2006Big Phil Scolari offered England post
by England
Pearce sympathy for homegrown candidates
April 27, 2006Pearce sympathy for homegrown candidates
by England
Scolari deal 'blow to British coaching' - Hughes
April 27, 2006Scolari deal 'blow to British coaching' - Hughes
by England
Todd faces anxious wait over knee surgery
April 27, 2006Todd faces anxious wait over knee surgery
by England
McClaren looks to strikers to repeat heroics
April 27, 2006McClaren looks to strikers to repeat heroics
by Europe
Dismissed Mullins, Garcia facing Cup Final agony
April 27, 2006Red card duo facing Cup Final agony
by England
Weaver could make rare start for Man City
April 27, 2006Weaver could make rare start for Man City
by England
Gunners 'dread' the day Wenger leaves
April 27, 2006Gunners 'dread' the day Wenger leaves
by England
Van Bronckhorst keen to court Henry in Euro final
April 27, 2006Gio keen to court Henry in Euro final
by UEFA Champions League
Milan blame referee for Champions League exit
April 27, 2006Milan blame referee for Champions League exit
by UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid in turmoil after call for elections
April 27, 2006Real in turmoil after call for elections
by Europe
Hungry Marseille face bitter rivals in Cup final
April 27, 2006Hungry Marseille face bitter rivals in Cup final
by Europe
Dalglish backs Scotland boss over Japan trip
April 27, 2006Dalglish backs Smith over Japan trip
by Europe
CTL: River defeats Corinthians 3-2
April 27, 2006River Plate defeated Brazilian champion Corinthians 3-2 Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores second round series.
Copa Libertadores Roundup, Apr. 26
April 27, 2006Copa Libertadores Wrap: Mexico's Chivas of Guadalajara thrashed Independiente of Colombia 3-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores second round series. Elsewhere, Argentina's River Plate beat Brazilian champion Corinthians 3-2.