OWEN TO LEAVE ON A FREE?

Owen's current contract expires next summer, and is in talks to extend his deal at St James' Park.

However, The Guardian reports that Newcastle are reluctant to match or increase his current £105,000-a-week wage as they look to cut costs.

Owen and his representatives know that he could get a better deal elsewhere should he not sign a fresh contract, and could begin negotiations with other clubs from January.

The paper claims Owen would rather stay at Newcastle, but is negotiating from a position of considerable strength considering the offers he might receive from elsewhere.

MAN U AGREE TEVEZ DEAL

Hopefully you'll have spotted the news that Manchester United have agreed a deal for Mr Carlos Tevez.

If not, firstly I'd pay more attention, but secondly, click here.


VILLA OPEN TO SPURS MOVE
And you also may have seen those juicy quotes from David Villa's agent saying he might be interested in moving to Spurs.

No? Click here then.


KEANE SET FOR LIVERPOOL MEDICAL
Speculation continues apace about Robbie Keane's impending move to Liverpool.

The Daily Mail claims Keane is due at Anfield at the start of next week for a medical, ahead of a move that will cost £18million intially, but could rise to £20million should Liverpool win the Premier or Champions League. No sniggering at the back.

The Sun reports similar news, and goes on to claim that Rafa Benitez will turn his attention away from Gareth Barry, and instead make a bid for Valencia's David Silva.

With Los Che in oodles and oodles of debt, Silva will apparently be a smidgen cheaper than Barry, and will provide a hell of a lot more hassle.


NEW SUITORS FOR XABI?
However, should Liverpool find someone else to stump up for Xabi Alonso, they might come back in for Barry.

And The Daily Mirror reckons they have found someone, and that someone is Fenerbache.

Now, whether it's another textbook piece of 2+2=5 rumour-mongering we're not sure, what with Luis Aragones being Fener's new boss, but hell - we're just the messenger.


ROBINHO 'DESPERATE' TO JOIN CHELSEA
The Independent reports that Brazilian party-boy Robinho is 'desperate' to leave Real Madrid and sign for Chelsea.

They claim a deal is more or less in place to take the 24-year-old to Stamford Bridge in exchange for the meaty sum of £25million.

The paper quotes a 'source' (him again) as saying Robinho will do whatever it takes to secure the move, including making a - gasp! Shock! Horror! - statement against the Spanish champions.

That's right kids - you read right - a statement.

If you listen carefully, you can probably hear Ramon Calderon quaking in his boots.


POMPEY TO NICK KABOUL?
Who thought that Younes Kaboul's transfer from Spurs could be so very interesting?

Sunderland thought they had their man on Thursday, only for him to ask for more time as Aston Villa came in with a late bid.

Now, The Sun claims that Portsmouth will gazump the pair of them and take the French 'defender' to Fratton Park.

The cheeky scamps.


CITEH TO NICK FRIEDEL?
And in more cheeky news, The Independent reports that Manchester City will nip in ahead of Aston Villa to sign Brad Friedel from Blackburn.

The big American was given permission to speak to Villa on Friday as Paul Robinson completed his move from Spurs to Ewood Park.

However, if Citeh fail then The Sun reckons they will go for Fulham's Antti Niemi instead.

Complicated it may be, but at least something is bloody happening.


AND THE REST...
Everton boss David Moyes will use the Andy Johnson transfer cash to buy Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho...Middlesbrough have blocked Rangers' bid to sign Adam Johnson...Hull have signed Tottenham's Anthony Gardner on a six-month loan...Michael Mifsud's £1m switch from Coventry to Bristol City has hit a snag...Portsmouth have snatched Younes Kaboul from under the noses of Sunderland and Aston Villa...Leicester have signed Liverpool centre-back Jack Hobbs on a season-long loan...Birmingham are lining up a new £2m bid for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson...Nottingham Forest have signed Carlisle striker Joe Garner for £1.2m...Roque Santa Cruz wants clear-the-air talks with Blackburn after being linked with a £15m move to Manchester City...Sulley Muntari's £12m move to Inter Milan means Portsmouth can go for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nickey Shorey...West Brom are in talks with Bolton to sign Abdoulaye Meite...Andy Johnson's £10.5m move to Fulham has moved a step closer...Rangers inability to agree terms with Fulham's Steven Davis could signal a move for him by Blackburn.


Your Comments

THFC6061

"I think it's a huge mistake for Spurs to off-load Younes Kaboul. He was brought-in last year for his potential, not as the finished article, and due to unforseen circumstances he was thrown-in at the deep end and played almost the entire first half of the season. It takes time to develop as a good centre-half - the best don't reach their prime until their late 20s or early 30s - which is why I believe Spurs are being unduly hasty in getting shot of Kaboul. The fact that at least three other Premier League clubs are vying for his services must say something about the lad. "

Arsene Wenger believes Aaron Ramsey is the key to resolving Arsenal's midfield problems

Arsenal could turn to summer recruit Aaron Ramsey to solve their central midfield quandary. Manager Arsene Wenger admitted he fought off fierce competition to sign Ramsey, 17, from Cardiff City and following the departures of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva, there is an urgent need for a midfielder.

Ramsey, ordinarily, is a winger, but Wenger, talking exclusively in the official Arsenal magazine, revealed that he believes the Welshman could be the answer.

"We watched him throughout the whole season," said Wenger. "We were always on the case, but unfortunately we weren't the only ones because Liverpool, Man United and Everton were strongly behind the case."

Ramsey is set to make his first-team debut in a friendly at Barnet today and Wenger added: "It was a big satisfaction for us that we were able to beat these teams to signing him.

"Overall he can play wide, he can play centrally. I think in the future he will be a central midfielder. How is down to him and down to us on how well we work with him. In my mind though there are no restrictions on his development, because he has played a lot already."

Wenger, who has signed only one other player, Marseille's Samir Nasri, has also criticised the way some clubs have conducted their transfer business in the open, with particular mention of Real Madrid and their courting of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

"If you don't show respect to other clubs football is moving in the wrong way. You cannot come out like [president Ramon] Calderon has done at Real Madrid with Manchester United and tell them you cannot stop a player from leaving."

From Liverpool Fans On Their 'Grotesque' Club


To Jan de Clare; no, you might not be the only one who thinks Liverpool have been 'grotesque' in their half-arsed (and half-funded) pursuit of Barry, but you are certainly the only United fan who would dare to criticise another club for tapping up players!

Sir Red Nose literally invented manipulation of the media for the benefit of himself and his club, to the extent that he now cherry picks who he will talk to based on whether or not they will toe his party line. It is utterly disgraceful and has contributed to the current environment where the media has far too much influence.

Apart from your hypocrisy Jan, there is also the fact that you appear to be brain dead: 'Clubs complain about lack of loyalty and player power but they are all hypocrites and whenever it suits them they try to envoke player protest etc to force moves' - your words. This tirade seems to acknowledge that all clubs use the media, although perhaps you meant 'red clubs on merseyside' instead of 'all', in the same way that you meant 'invoke' instead of 'envoke'? Muppet.
Morgan (United fans. Can't live with them, can kill them. Food for thought) Goford
P.S. Do not compliment Robert Melia on his sinister pursuit of Kelly Brook - I used to go to school with him and can report that he is definitely not joking.


...Someone might want to point out to Jan De Clare what 'tapping up' is. Liverpool have approached Villa and Spurs about signing their players, and in the case of Villa, a willingness to do business was expressed by them, therefore the term 'tapping up' is completely erroneous. While the whole Barry saga has been embarrassing for all, Villa have said they are willing to sell, and all Liverpool have done wrong is being unwilling/unable to meet the exorbitant fee demanded by Villa. In the Keane case, Liverpool made a bid for the player and mentioned to the press that they had and that it was rejected. Perhaps a little underhanded, but a tactic that's used by clubs all over the world, so hardly 'grotesque'.

The real reason we're interested in Barry and Keane is because, shock of shocks, they're both quite excellent players. And delightfully, they both qualify for home-grown status with the new regulations for Europe next year, where Liverpool are caught short, after letting Crouch and Kewell depart and with reports of Carson and Pennant heading for the exit door as well. It's also a sign that, in a year that Benitez must challenge for the Premiership if he wants to stay in the job, he doesn't want to take risks on foreign imports who may take time to settle and instead wants to bring in proven Premiership class and experience.

Finally, I wonder was Jan De Clare quite so outraged with United's public courting of Owen Hargreaves for over a year, or the delightful timing of Alex Ferguson declaring he would quite like to sign Karim Benzema the week before a crucial Champions League clash with Lyon, and that he liked the look of Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios the week before a rather important League clash with Wigan last year. People on glass houses shouldn't throw stones, the pot calling the kettle black, do as I say not as I do etc. etc.
The (first three-paragraph compliant mail) Geek


...I don't think I can agree with Jan de Clare that Rafa Benitez has been out of order in his attempts to sign Gareth Barry. Liverpool have put in FOUR offers for Barry, and Villa have never moved an inch in their valuation. Does Jan think that Liverpool should pay Villa's "grotesque" over-valuation for the player when they don't think he's worth that much?

To my mind, it's Martin O'Neill that has acted the most unreasonably. He didn't want to sell Barry at all so he set the asking price artificially high and expected that to be that. I'm certain he didn't expect Liverpool to get as close to the asking price as they did. So now it's become a pride thing. He thinks if he gets the asking price it will prove he has the biggest bollocks in the Premier League. Well good for him, but don't expect Barry to be impressed as he watches his chance of Champions League football receding into the distance.
Vaughan Davies


...I know it's a wind-up, but having a ManYoo fan tell us we've behaved 'grotesquely' in terms of tapping up players is bloody hilarious.

Also, and I may be wrong, but wasn't it the lovable Martin O'Neill that highlighted our first Barry bid - criticising us for publishing in the press our intent when no-one could actually find a statement from the Pool actually doing so? Even after our first bid he seems to have spoken to the press more than Rafa.

And surely you should be allowed to say whatever the heck you like (especially if actually asked about it first by some hack) as long as you continue to put in reasonable bids.

As for your suggestion that we should sell first, then bid, that makes so little business sense it barely warrants a comment, but I'm bored so I will. What happens if you want a player, but before making contact ensure you've the money by selling a central squad player. Then make first contact and he goes 'actually mate I'm happy being the perennial understudy to Fat Frank and have no ambition to dislodge him...' You'd be a bit stuck wouldn't you. Muppet.
Tom (still think Rafa should keep it down a bit, and leave the soap-boxing to Carra) G


Blame Barry, Not Benitez

I think it is a little unfair to label Liverpool's behaviour over the Gareth Barry affair as 'grotesque'. Lets be fair, they did actually back up their interest with a number of bids and if one of those bids had been accepted I'm sure Barry would be a Liverpool player regardless of whether Alonso had gone to Juventus or not. In the end the two clubs failed to reach an agreement and now Liverpool are turning their attentions elsewhere. I don't see the problem.

The reason Barry is now in limbo is because he opened his big mouth and slated O'Neill before a deal was done. If he had kept his mouth shut there would be no reason why his Villa career couldn't just carry on as normal, Ok he may have been privately disappointed a bid was not accepted but that's life! Even now I don't hear him coming out saying 'of course I would have been interested in playing Champions League football but if it doesn't happen I'll continue to give my best for Villa' I really do feel that Barry has created this situation he finds himself in on his own.
Martyn, Loyal Royal


Villa Fans Should Not Diss Barry

I cant believe the treatment being meted out to Gareth Barry by Aston Villa fans. I am an Arsenal fan and can understand when people get angry with Adebayor as he is completely motivated by monetary reasons. He has hardly been at Arsenal a couple of seasons and the first good season he has he starts thinking of himself as the best striker in the world.

Barry on the other hand has been a very loyal servant of AVFC for a decade and his reasons for moving to Liverpool is all about progressing in his career as a footballer. He will get to play Champions League football (if AVFC had gotten that, I am sure Barry wouldn't have left). I cant see why someone who has served you so well and helped AVFC get where they are right now being slated so badly by his fans. All of us would do exactly the same, or even worse, in our day-to-day jobs.

No wonder footballers dont care about fans nowadays. If footballers know you are going to slate them for leaving, for any and every reason, why the hell should they care about what fans think. Might as well make all the $$ you can. Aston Villa fans could have done a lot worse than having a Barry who served them for a decade before leaving to fulfill his career ambitions (and not for money).
Shantanu


Villa Fans: Not All Stupid

To Conor Byrne in this morning's mailbox; it's unfortunate that you seem to be the most consistent Villa supporter to write into 365 to bang on about the club, as you seem to have an unenviable propensity for talking utter bollocks - "It has made my day, now lets keep his valuation at 18mil so nobody will buy him and let him rot in the reserves, then maybe let him be a squad player if we get some injuries". What on earth are you talking about? This is shaping up to be a nightmare scenario for the villa - Barry wants to leave but unless wenger has a punt (very unlikely) or Benitez wrings out some transfer funds from somewhere (again unlikely unless alonso goes, but even then their interest in Keane might scupper it), we are stuck with a prize asset to the club, worth 15-18million quid, who doesn't want to play and can't be sold! Barry leaving could have funded the transfer of someone like David Bentley, or the big-name signing we're all crying out for (which Sidwell, ahem, is not).

Also, the greediness of Gareth's behaviour in the last three months does not (for me at least) tarnish the last ten years of service he has put in, from floppy-haired left back to tenacious midfield dynamo, and your delight in the idea of him sitting on the bench shows you have neither any concept of what is best for the club or any appreciation or knowledge for the career Barry has had as a player. Unless you forgot that when we were s**t (not so long ago) - Barry and Mellberg were the only bright sparks in an otherwise bleak few seasons. Or I suppose being before our 'billionaire' takeover it may have been before your time...
Jim (just realised ludicrous notion of Villa 'glory' hunters! whoops.), AVFC


Competition? What Competition?

So Rafa's trying to destabilise his rivals for 4th spot right? If my undrerstanding is correct, over the past five seasons Everton, Spurs and Villa have trailed the Reds by an average 14, 15 and 18 points respectively. Last season the nearest of these so-called rivals was 11 points adrift, the Reds were just as close to the top as the Toffees were to the Reds. So please help me understand just why Rafa's quaking in his boots at the prospect of these rivals and has gone on a crusade to destabilise them?
AfricanScouser


Barca Should Have Held On To Ronnie

So today's news in the wacky world of pre-season sees arguably one of the brightest lights of this century, Ronaldinho, depart Barçelona for, if Gazetta dello sport are to be believed, a mere £14.6million. And as fate has it, his replacement has finally stumbled through the revolving door on the same day: Alex Hleb, an £11.8million signing from Arsenal.

Now, the extent of the little Ronnie's downfall cannot be understated: with countless reports of the Brazilian being spotted out in the nightclubs of Catalonia until very late; which, in Catalan terms is probably lunchtime the next day. Even the rosiest-tinted Barça fan will admit that, aside from the odd flash in the pan, his performances have not been anywhere near the stellar heights that himself and Barça were treading over 2004-05 and 05-06.

But I can't help feel that, despite all this, the powers-that-be at the club are giving up on him a little too easily. After all, form is temporary, class is permanent. As a United fan, I remember the reasonably vociferous backlash against Ryan Giggs' place in the side in 97-98, and look what happened shortly after. I know it's not like-for-like, but having faith in a player, particularly one of your greatest, doesn't always turn out to be foolhardy.

And in his place will be Alex Hleb, who hasn't exactly drawn out the kind of 'b*stard for leaving' or 'better off without him anyway' responses that you might expect from fans of a club losing one of their better players. I know which I'd rather have anyway.
Andy Suggitt


Dissing Dating365

With all respect to Pam/Mrrion (not having a go at you), I always thought this was a football website, not a dating one. Are most of your readers that sad, ugly or desperate that they can't find a girl? If your trying to find a gf, go on a dating website, go out to a nightclub, etc. Get out! It's not impossible to find someone of the opposite sex who likes football. It's like setting up a date for your ugly mate with an ugly bird who you know because you feel sorry for your ugly mate.

I support Wolves and my gf (bless her) supports Forest. Living in Nottingham, most of my mates support Forest. Last season, watching Forest against Southend (on a Tuesday night and tickets being a fiver) with my mates I managed to start chatting to this girl next to me who was with her girly mates. After chatting to her during the game, she gave me her number. Get in! Since then, met up with her few times and started going out with her. It's not difficult and it's not as sad.

I don't need a football website to set me up with someone.
Martin (Football365 Reader, Not Blind Date contestant) Brez, Nottingham


...You know what? I think I prefer the vapid, mind-numbing transfer sagas to the bilious whoring by the mailbox's male audience to the women who have written in of late. A distraction to a boring close season it might be, but then so too is Boris Johnson's barnet. Or the new season of Top Gear. Hell, even the credit crunch fits the bill.

So men - and I use the word liberally - re-read your messages and have a word with yourselves (not with the mailbox... ever). I wonder how many of these boring, stodgy sycophants would continue writing in with their pathetic pleas for any kind of female contact if were it known that Marion and Pamela were complete mingers?

Actually...don't answer that.
Daniel Parncutt, North London


A Warning About Gooner Sex
A word to the Wise for Marion and Pamela...

If you're thinking of hooking up with any Arsenal fans, be warned, if their love making is anything similar to how they support their team, they will turn up after you've started, leave before you've finished, and then when you dump them for someone better, despite being madly in love with you, claim they never thought much of you in the first place.

That is all.
Gary Sargent


Pam Is Back...

If I had known (and being quite a clever girl, I certainly should have thought of it) that a footballing website could yield such rich pickings, I certainly would have at least feigned an interest in the beautiful game some time ago (or at least taken the time to find out what the off-side rule is).

Albeit as someone who knows absolutely nothing about football (except what Marion has taught me!) - and has nary a sensible cardie to her name (think Ibiza, think Mustique, think music biz chick) - so there, Miss 'I'm-not-being-mean-honest!' - Marion and I would be delighted to accept all your lovely offers of a drink or two.
Pamela, London (NO, NOT BIRMINGHAM)

German/ Chealsea football skipper Ballack weds


Chelsea and German soccer ace Michael Ballack married Simone Lambe in a small register office ceremony in Germany on Tuesday.

They are due to exchange vows again on Wednesday in front of about 400 guests at a church near Munich.

According to The Sun , the couple would be holding two days of celebrations at an exclusive yacht club on idyllic Lake Starnberg, where German captain Ballack, 31, had a house when he played for Bayern Munich.

He now lives in Wimbledon, South West London, with Simone, 30, and their three young sons.

Hleb targets Barca success

The Arsenal midfielder is expected to complete his move to Camp Nou within the next 24 hours and is having a medical on Wednesday.

He is looking forward to a new challenge after recently admitting he had become 'tired' of living in London.

Hleb has spoken to Pep Guardiola to discuss the Barca coach's plans for him next season and is determined to be a success in the Primera Liga.

Giving his best

"I love this club," the Belarussian told the club's official website.

"I spoke with Guardiola and it's good to know that he wants me.

"I will give my best to this team and I want to win everything with Barca."

When asked about the qualities he will bring to the Barcelona team following three years at Arsenal, Hleb sidestepped the question.

He added: "I cannot speak for me. I will give my best on the pitch, but it is better that people and the coach talk about me."

Ronaldinho 4 AC

The Barcelona president was locked in talks with the Rossoneri's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, on Monday and Tuesday before emerging with a deal finally sealed.

Manchester City's offer had been much higher, but Ronaldinho had always wanted to go to Milan and from then on it was a case of negotiating with the Serie A side.

Barca appear to have lowered their demands from earlier in the summer after new coach Pep Guardiola stated that the player was not part of his plans.

From then on it was difficult for the Blaugrana to consider holding out for their highest valuation and in the end a deal was struck with Milan that suits all three parties.

Satisfied

"We have reached the principle of an agreement and Ronaldinho will go to Milan to have a medical with the club," Laporta told reporters.

"I want to thank the effort made by Milan and the player in order for us to be able to reach this agreement. Everyone has done what we had to do."

Blatter - Let Ronaldo leave

"The important thing is, we should also protect the player," he told tell it like it is news.

"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club.

"I'm always in favour of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave.

"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere.

"We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."

Forget '39th game'

Meanwhile, Blatter has reiterated his stance over the Premier League's proposal to play a '39th game' overseas.

He said: "The 39th game as presented will never happen. To my knowledge what they (the Premier League) want to do is perhaps to play some of the League Cup matches somewhere outside of England. That's the last information I got.

"They should just forget about that."

Its Spain 4shizzo

Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a deserved victory over Germany!

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was Spain's goal hero, striking after 33 minutes when he cleverly lifted Xavi's pass over Germany keeper Jens Lehmann.

Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna almost adding a second from close range after 80 minutes.

Michael Ballack came close for Germany, shooting narrowly wide after the break.

606: DEBATE
SM

Spain have long had a reputation as under-achievers on the big occasions, but this was a richly-merited victory for veteran coach Luis Aragones and a team that played outstanding football throughout the tournament.

Germany were outclassed, and for captain Ballack his catalogue of misery in major finals continues having lost two Champions League finals and also been suspended for the 2002 World Cup final when they lost to Brazil.

Match-winner Torres enhanced the reputation he forged at Liverpool last season, but this was an all-round effort for a side that is young enough to already be marked down among the favourites for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Germany were lifted by Ballack declaring himself fit after a calf injury - but he had little impact on a first 45 minutes in which Spain were the vastly-superior side.

Andres Iniesta almost created the opening goal for Spain in the 13th minute when his driven cross took a deflection off Christoph Metzelder, but Lehmann pulled off a fine reflex save.

And they came even closer nine minutes later when Torres rose to meet Sergio Ramos's cross, but his header bounced to safety off the post.

But he was not to be denied and put Spain ahead with a trademark piece of sharpness in front of goal after 33 minutes.

Xavi's pass created uncertainty for Germany defender Philipp Lahm and Torres shrugged him off the ball to lift a superb finish beyond Lehmann.

Germany's problems threatened to worsen when Ballack needed lengthy treatment for an eye wound after a clash of heads with Marcos Senna.

David Silva then wasted a perfect opportunity to double Spain's advantage when he was set up by Iniesta, but he rushed his finish and shot wildly over the top.

Germany made a change at half-time, sending on Marcell Jansen for Lahm, but it was still Spain who dominated.

Xavi and Silva were both off target - but Germany were sticking to their task and almost grabbed an equaliser when Ballack shot just wide after Carles Puyol had conceded possession in a dangerous area.

Spain continued to look the more threatening side, but there was still the lingering prospect of Germany's refusal to accept defeat yielding an unlikely equaliser.

Casillas lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy for Spain

Silva was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he appeared to motion to head-butt Germany's Lukas Podolski, but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti decided against taking any action.

Ramos should have put the game beyond Germany's reach after 66 minutes when he headed straight at Lehmann from point-blank range as he got on the end of Xavi's free-kick.

Iniesta then had a shot cleared off the line by Torsten Frings and another effort saved by Lehmann as Spain looked in the mood to add a second.

And Germany had a remarkable escape after 80 minutes when substitute Daniel Guiza - on for Torres - headed the ball straight into Senna's path right in front of goal, but he could not apply the final touch.

Spain were not made to pay for their generosity in front of goal and ran out worthy winners.

What are your thoughts on Spain's success? Does their stylish brand of football demonstrate that a bucannering approach can work in what is normally a more defence-orientated international arena?

No-one can deny Spain deserved to win on the night, but were they the best side in Austria and Switzerland over the course of the whole tournament?

Russia Crushed

Its spain 4 shizzo now and from what i can see i think they deserve to be crowned the CHAMPIONS!

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas was the driving force behind the win after coming on as substitute for injured David Villa.

Xavi turned home Andres Iniesta's cross after 50 minutes and substitute Daniel Guiza converted a superb pass from Fabregas with 17 minutes left.

Fabregas played in David Silva for a simple third after 82 minutes as a disappointing Russia ended well beaten.

The only cloud on Spain's horizon was the first-half injury to Villa, who will now miss the final clash with Germany in Vienna.

606: DEBATE
FB

Russia never threatened to produce the attacking firepower that saw them dump out Holland in the last eight, and playmaker Andrei Arshavin was an anonymous figure throughout.

Arshavin entered the game with a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders, as well as transfer interest from Barcelona, but failed to deliver.

Spain were outstanding as they inflicted another heavy defeat on Guus Hiddink's side, as they had done in the group stages and were rarely under pressure.

Veteran coach Luis Aragones now looks to have put together a side capable of ending the years of under-achievement, even making light of that injury to the influential Villa.

Spain made a positive start, with the partnership of Villa and Torres demonstrating their threat early on.

Villa slipped in Torres for a shot that was saved by Igor Akinfeev, then forced the Russia keeper into a smart save down at his post with a long-range drive.

Spain 0-0 Italy (4-2 pens)

Marcos Senna came closest in normal time when Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon fumbled his shot on to a post.

Spain keeper Iker Casillas was the hero in the shoot-out, saving from Daniele de Rossi and Antonio di Natale.

Daniel Guiza saw his spot-kick saved by Buffon, but Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas slid home the crucial penalty to set up a last four clash with Russia.

606: DEBATE

The game never touched the heights and penalties was an almost inevitable outcome given the approach of both sides.

There will now be an intriguing backdrop to the semi-final in Vienna on Thursday, with Spain having beaten Russia - admittedly minus the inspirational Andrei Arshavin - 4-1 in a group game earlier in the competition.

And it was a change of fortune for the Spanish, who have gone out of three major championships on 22 June, the World Cups of 1986 and 2002 and Euro '96 - all in the quarter-finals on penalties.

The opening 45 minutes was a cautious affair, with chances - and quality - at a premium. David Villa, predictably, was the first player to pose a serious threat with a low drive drive from long range that was comfortably held by Italy keeper Buffon.

Fernando Torres had been kept quiet by some trademark Italian defending, but he escaped the shackles after 31 minutes to help set up a chance for David Silva, who curled a shot only inches wide from 25 yards.

Spain tried to break the stalemate by making a double substitution on the hour, sending on Fabregas and Santi Cazorla for Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

But it was an Italian substitute, Mauro Camoranesi, who almost made the breakthrough seconds later when he ended a chaotic goalmouth scramble with a shot that was blocked by the legs of Spanish keeper Casillas.

It had been a frustrating evening for the much-vaunted Spanish strike force of Torres and Villa - and the latter was booked for diving by referee Herbert Fandel after 71 minutes when he tumbled under challenge from Giorgio Chiellini.

Italy keeper Buffon suffered an anxious moment with 11 minutes left when he was forced to punch away a long-range free-kick from Senna.

He had an even bigger scare seconds later when he fumbled a routine shot from Senna, and was relieved to see the ball bounce back into his arms off an upright.

Torres had been disappointing, but it was still a surprise to see him hauled off again by Spain coach Luis Aragones with six minutes left and replaced by Guiza.

Spain had the first chance of extra time, with Silva sweeping an effort just wide with Buffon beaten.

Italy's response saw swift as Casillas turned over a header from Di Natale and Luca Toni headed just over the top.

The stalemate was soon resumed, although Cazorla shot across the face of goal with seconds left as the last chance of avoiding penalties was wasted.

Villa and Fabio Grosso exchanged successful penalties and Cazorla scored for Spain before Casillas saved brilliantly from De Rossi.

Senna and Camoranesi scored, but when Buffon saved from Guiza Italy were back in contention - only for Casillas to repeat his heroics to stop Di Natali's spot-kick.

Fabregas, on as substitute, was left to settle the affair and calmly beat Buffon to spark wild Spanish celebrations.

Italy goes thro as France Exit

So whos gonna be the Euro champion 2008. Iz it one of the teams in the Group of death? What went wrong with the France team?

FRANCE STILL HopeFUL

France striker Thierry Henry said Friday's 4-1 humbling by the Netherlands was "difficult to accept" but insisted Les Bleus will pick themselves up before Tuesday's vital match against Italy.

Missed chance
Goals from Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Schneider inflicted the heaviest defeat on a French side in UEFA European Championship history, although the contest was closer than the scoreline suggests. Indeed, had Henry's 54th-minute lob over Edwin van der Sar dropped under the crossbar, France would have been level and back in the contest. It sailed over, however, and despite the FC Barcelona man later converting a Willy Sagnol cross, the Oranje ran out comfortable winners.

'A strange game'
With France's destiny now no longer in their hands, Henry was struggling to hide his disappointment. "It's difficult to accept," he told euro2008.com. "We didn't get the breaks. I missed a good opportunity, but then I put the next chance away to make it 2-1. At that point I really thought we'd come back. There were 20 minutes left and we felt the Dutch were vulnerable. It was a strange game because we had a lot of chances, but we were behind from an early stage and never managed to get back."

Govou regret
Fellow forward Sidney Govou was equally perplexed by the way the evening panned out. "It's difficult to say what went wrong," the Olympique Lyonnais man mused. "We feel really frustrated because we created a lot of chances and could have come back a number of times. They were more efficient than us in front of goals and they also got some breaks at important times. The score leaves us with a real headache, but overall the biggest regret is that we didn't covert more of our chances. We were a bit too indecisive when it mattered."

Henry vow
Raymond Domenech's side can still salvage their campaign with a victory over world champions Italy on Tuesday, providing Romania do not defeat the Dutch on the same night. Henry remains determined to keep fighting until the end, saying: "We have to give everything against Italy to make sure we aren't left with any regrets. We've beaten Italy before and we can do it again. If Romania win [against the Netherlands] then they'll deserve to go through, but we have to beat Italy before worrying about anything else."

Holland outshines Italy

Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes when he scored from close range - but looked suspiciously offside.

Wesley Sneijder swept in a second from Dirk Kuyt's header five minutes later.

Edwin van der Sar then denied Italy with stunning saves from Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo before Giovanni van Bronckhorst headed in after 80 minutes.

Euro 2008 has made a low-key start, but this was a game to set any tournament alight as the Dutch played in a stunning counter-attacking style and Italy also showed flashes of brilliance, despite ending up well beaten.

Holland are in pole position to qualify after France's dismal goalless draw with Romania, but World Cup holders Italy - even in defeat - suggested they can still go through from this tough group.

Obama 4shizzo

Barack Obama has sealed the Democratic presidential nomination in an historic step toward his goal of becoming the first black US president.

Obama: 'I will be Democratic nominee'
Obama: 'I will be Democratic nominee'

A defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared to manoeuvre for the vice-presidential spot on his ticket without conceding her own defeat.

Obama's victory sets up a five-month campaign against Republican John McCain.

It will be a race between a 46-year-old opponent of the Iraq War and a 71-year-old former Vietnam prisoner of war and staunch supporter of the current US military mission.

They will vie to succeed President Bush, whose popularity has plummeted as the economy weakens, fuel and food prices soar and the war continues into its sixth year.

Clinton praised Obama warmly in an appearance before her supporters in New York.

But she neither acknowledged Obama's victory nor offered a concession of any sort.

Lets have some change now, the US need it and the whole world does ....and like 2pac said" We aint blind to see a black president"

Go Barack Go >>>>>

Inter confirm Mourinho

Mourinho has signed a three-year deal with the Italian side in his first job since he and Chelsea parted company by mutual consent in September 2007.

The 45-year-old succeeds Roberto Mancini, who was sacked after leading the club to a third consecutive Serie A title last season.

Mourinho is expected to have plenty of money to strengthen the side and he has reportedly maintained contact with some of his former Chelsea charges.

He has already been linked with Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and no-one would be too surprised if one, or both, joined Mourinho at Inter before the new season begins.

Inter president Massimo Moratti said: "I have read lots of names but I have yet to speak with him (Mourinho) about the transfer market.

"I would like to change very little of this squad which has won so much."

General manager Ernesto Paolillo added that there would be "few, but good players" arriving this summer.

Fifa backs Blatter on quota plan

He wants to bring in the proposal by 2012/2013 - but the European Commission says it is discriminatory and illegal.

"The Fifa congress has merely backed Blatter to explore the idea - nothing more than that," said BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.

"The vote was about a wish list and does not represent any rule change."

Bose added: "There is no timescale on it either, so there is no knowing if and when this wish list would actually become a reality.

"This vote is exactly what Blatter told me he would do last week in Moscow, following a meeting with the Uefa executive.

606: DEBATE
BBC Sport's Phil McNulty
"But he is under no illusions that the Europeans are against it, and that this would fall foul of European law."

Speaking after the vote, which took place at the Fifa Congress in Sydney, Blatter declared: "The congress was very happy in a result of overwhelming majority, with 155 votes in favour and five against. 155 yes and five no.

"It is an overwhelming support to this resolution.

"The Fifa president has asked, together with the Uefa president (Michel Platini), to explore - and explore is not to discuss, it's to go in depth - within the limits of the law."

Blatter has a meeting with the EU on 5 June and he added: "Speaking about it is illegal? For whom? For when? If there is a law, a law can be amended."

But the Commission believes a quota on foreign footballers would be incompatible with European Union law which allows workers to move freely between member countries.

John McDonald is a spokesman for the European Commissioner for Sport and he told BBC Radio 5 Live he does not expect Blatter's ambitions to succeed on this front.

"It is a non-starter as far as we are concerned," he said.

"Interestingly the wording that Mr Blatter mentioned this morning at his press conference was that the resolution of Fifa is to explore within the limits of the law the six plus five rule.

"And they can explore as much as they like but unfortunately a six plus five rule is against Community legislation."

Blatter wants to restrict the number of foreign players in teams by the start in the 2010/11 season, with a minimum of four home-grown players.

He added he expects it to grow to six, with a maximum of five foreigners, by 2012/13 - and claims the plan has the backing of key European delegates.

In contrast, the "home-grown players" rule, which is set to be expanded from next season, has received EU backing.

That means four players in a Champions League or Uefa Cup squad must have been developed by the club, with another four having been produced by clubs from the same federation.

To be eligible, a player of any nationality must have been developed by the club for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

Jan Figel, EU Commissioner for Education, Training and Youth, said Uefa's proposals did not discriminate against nationality and encouraged clubs to develop their academies.

"Measures which require the top European clubs to preserve quality training structures seem to me to be necessary," said Figel.

"The Uefa rule thus avoids the risk of professional football clubs abandoning training structures."

FA chief executive Brian Barwick is unconvinced by Blatter's strategy and he said: "It's about balance.

"We still believe in the meritocracy of players in the team on performance and on ability first and foremost."

Ferguson and Queiroz may still face action


he Manchester United manager and his assistant were charged over their criticism of referee Martin Atkinson and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) general manager Keith Hackett after the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

They were found not guilty by an independent commission but reports later emerged that the main reason for them escaping action was a transcription error by the FA.

Queiroz had been transcribed as saying of Atkinson "that is my opinion of this robber today", when in fact he is believed to have said, "that is my opinion of his job today."

An FA spokesman has refuted suggestions that there was any such error, and confirmed that an appeal may be lodged.

However, the governing body will await receipt of the full judgement and 'written reasons' before considering further action.

"The charges were brought on more than just the issue of the word 'robber'," said an FA spokesman.

"At any disciplinary hearing the FA, as the prosecutor, argues its case, as does the defence.

Probability

"The fact that the commission found the charge was not proved does not mean that the FA made any errors in putting the case together.

"The commission has to make a decision based on the applicable standards of proof, which is balance of probability."

United had a claim for a penalty turned down in the clash with Pompey, before Atkinson awarded Harry Redknapp's side a spot-kick and sent off goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak after he had brought down Milan Baros.

Ferguson was furious after the game, saying: "Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week.

"He [Hackett] is not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed.

"I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance should not be accepted by our game."

Grant sacked

Grant was sacked on Saturday after the Chelsea board deemed a trophyless, near-miss season unacceptable.

The former Israel manager had been in charge at Stamford Bridge for just eight months and guided his side to within two points of the Premier League title and one penalty kick - missed by club captain John Terry - from winning the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

"It's very, very unfair particularly because of the success he did," hissed Cohen.

"You know, John Terry should have scored the penalty and Chelsea would have been champions of Europe and Avram would have stayed, so you can't blame Avram Grant because John Terry missed a penalty."

The Blues have yet to identify who Grant's replacment will be, but they are said to have put together a shortlist consisting of Guus Hiddink, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Marcello Lippi and Mark Hughes.