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Everything a bloke could want. General comedy and chat about all things Beer Footy and Birds,
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Enjoy...............
Mark.
Ellen Martijn Hoog was born on 26th March 1986 in Overveen, Netherlands (Overveen is a town in North Holland in the municipality of Bloemendaal). Ellen was a Dutch International field hockey player for over 12 years, earning 232 caps and scoring 60 goals.
She retired from international hockey a year ago, but she is still a playing member of the Amsterdamsche Hockey and Bandy Club. However she now dedicates more time to her interests outside of the sport, including fashion and healthy eating.
Ellen began playing field hockey at the age of seven and in 2002, aged 16 she was selected to play her first senior game the Stichtse Cricket en Hockey Club in Bilthoven.
Ellen made her debut for the Dutch National team in 2004, aged 17, during the Champions Trophy in Rosario, Argentina. The Dutch won gold that year beating Germany in the Final.
Ellen attended the University of Amsterdam and studied Media and Information Management. She studied Commercial Sports Economics at the Johan Cruyff University in Amsterdam.
She became the ambassador of the Hockey Calendar in 2005. She also became an ambassador of Holland Fit and BDO in 2006. Ellen also posed in a bikini with team-mate Eva de Goede for the American sports magazine 'Sports Illustrated' in the Swimsuit Edition in 2013 in Las Vegas.
Among Ellen's many sporting achievements are two Olympic golds (Beijing 2008 and London 2012), one Olympic silver (Rio 2016), two World Cups (2006 in Madrid and 2014 in Amsterdam), three European Championships (2005 in Dublin, 2009 in Amsterdam and 2011 in Mönchengladbach), and two Champions Trophies (2004 in Rosario and 2005 in Canberra).
She was voted the best player in the world for 2014.
In 2012, Hoog became the first player to decide a major championship match with a penalty shootout, taking the winning shot in the 2012 Summer Olympics semi-final against New Zealand.
She repeated this feat in 2016 when she took the winning shot in the 2016 Summer Olympics semi-final against Germany.
Ellen has two pre-game rituals: Firstly, before each match she first puts on my right shin guard and then her left and secondly, before the start of a big tournament and before each final, together with some of her teammates, they watch the movie 'The Notebook.'
Ellen uses almost all social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. She has a large number of national as well as international fans. She is loved by her fans because of her field hockey skills and her beautiful looks.
The finest women's footballers in Europe go head-to-head for continental glory this month at the Women's Euro's 2017. It is the 12th women’s Euro tournament and is hosted by the Netherlands. With more teams and more prize money than ever, Euro 2017 will be the largest Women's European Championship yet.
With the 'Battle of Britain' taking place tonight, as England face Scotland in Group D's opening fixture of the Women's 2017 European Championships, I feel now is a perfect time to preview the tournament, that kicked off a couple of days ago. England and Scotland are in the same group, alongside Spain and Portugal.
The competition comes around once every four years, and Germany are the holders following their 2013 triumph in Sweden. A total of 47 UEFA nations took part in the qualifications for the tournament, and this will be the first time the finals involve 16 teams rather than 12, with the top two teams from each group of four progressing to the quarter-finals.
The group stage concludes on 27th July, before the quarter-finals on 29th-30th July, the semi-finals on 3rd August and the final on 6th August.
A total of 31 matches will be played at seven different venues in the Netherlands, which is hosting the competition for the first time. Deventer, Doetinchem, Rotterdam and Tilburg will all stage group matches, plus a quarter-final each.
Breda and Utrecht will also host four group games, with Breda and Enschede the venues for the semi-finals, and FC Twente's 30,000-capacity stadium in Enschede the venue for the final.
Germany are looking to win this competition for the seventh time in a row - stretching back to 1995, and also arrive as the Olympic champions, but they will face stiff competition from France, who will call upon a number of players from a dominant Lyon team, who won their second consecutive Women's Champions League title in Cardiff in June.
Also tipped for a strong tournament are England, who want to improve on their impressive third place at the 2015 World Cup.
Since 2015, the team have been building on their success and on 1st July they beat Denmark 2-0, with both goals scored by the captain for the game, Ellen White. She is known for scoring one of the best goals in the history of the FIFA World Cup in 2011, and is definitely another player to keep an eye on in this tournament.
The Lionesses were unbeaten during qualifying for the Euros, winning seven of their eight matches, and conceded only one goal in the process.
England manager Mark Sampson announced his squad three months before the tournament – and there has been a bit of a shake up with him selecting a mixture of experience and young, up-and-coming players.
There are some familiar stars from the 2015 world cup, including Fara Williams, Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Laura Bassett and Fran Kirby – but also some new names, Demi Stokes (defender), Isobel Christiansen (midfielder), Millie Bright (midfielder) and Nikita Parris (striker) who all make their tournament debuts for England.
Spain also have a talented squad, and four years ago they stunned England with a 3-2 win in the group stages of the Euros.
Norway, runners-up in 2013, have reached two of the past three finals and and are two-time winners (1987 and 1993)
The Norwegian side includes 2017 BBC Women's Footballer of the Year Ada Hegerberg who helped club side Lyon win another treble this term.
Hosts the Netherlands, meanwhile, have six players from English Women's Super League clubs.
Teams making their debuts in the finals this year include Belgium, Austria, Portugal and Switzerland.
Scotland women have qualified for their first major championship at the 14th attempt.
Led by coach Anna Signeul, who will leave her role following the Euros after 12 years in charge, the Scots qualified as runners-up to Iceland, but injuries have robbed them of some of their key players, including Arsenal playmaker Kim Little and Manchester City centre-back Jen Beattie.
The star of European women's football going into this tournament is Norway striker Ada Hegerberg (right). UEFA's player of the year has scored a phenomenal 112 goals in 97 games over the past three seasons for Lyon, firing them to back-to-back Champions League titles - and she is still only 22.
Tournament favourites France and Germany, meanwhile, will be led by Amandine Henry and Dzsenifer Marozsan respectively. They have a bit of a rivalry going: Henry has pipped Marozsan to second place in the European Player of the Year voting two years in a row, while Lyon signed Marozsan to bolster their midfield after Henry left for the Portland Thorns. After less than a year with Portland, she returned to France to join Lyon's biggest rivals Paris Saint-Germain.
Other players to watch!
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway) - The Wolfsburg striker missed the 2015 World Cup due to injury, but her ability is without question. Now, she has a big stage to show it off again. Often played on the right of a front three for both club and country, the 22-year-old’s quality on the ball and ability to run at defenders is almost unrivaled.
Pernille Harder (Denmark) - Wolfsburg forward Pernille Harder is the national team captain and the player that makes Denmark tick. She's the focal point, the leader and the player that's key to helping her country progressing out of the most difficult group of the first round. Harder’s goal-scoring record in Sweden for her previous club, Linkopings, was remarkable. It led her side to a league title over a Marta-inspired Rosengard in 2016, which earned Harder the league’s MVP award and a move to her current club in Germany.
Lieke Martens (Netherlands) - Vivianne Miedema is the face of the Dutch team, a deserved recognition. But playing just to the left of her in a front three - or wide in a midfield four is her team-mate, Lieke Martens. This summer, she completed a move to ambitious Women’s Champions League semi-finalists Barcelona. She has an ability to run at players with pace, Playing alongside the likes of Marta at Rosengard for the past two years has seen the 24-year-old Dutch attacker raise her game to another level.
Jordan Nobbs (England) - The Arsenal girl (below) has developed into one of England’s most dynamic midfielders and is now vice-captain in Mark Sampson’s side, despite still only being 24. Her energy and ability to play almost anywhere in midfield has ensured she is one of the first names on the England team sheet.
Uefa is using the competition to continues trialling rule-changes. Teams will be allowed to make a fourth substitution during extra time of matches. European football's governing body has already trialled the change at the men's European Under-21 Championship and both the men's and women's under-19 tournaments.
Additionally, referees will have the power to show yellow and red cards to non-playing staff in the technical area
Media coverage of the sport in the UK is improving with Channel 4 announcing that it will be showing all of the games featuring England and Scotland. Other games will be shown on British Eurosport 2.
England's first game versus Scotland, takes place tonight (July 19) in Utrecht at 19.45 UK time, live on Channel 4.
A full tournament fixture list is available on the official UEFA website
Italy's Alessio Cerci is elite in a free-roaming central role.
Cerci can play as a winger or second striker. He is not exactly a No. 9, nor is he a No. 10, but playing predominantly in a forward role for Torino in Serie A, he ended this season with 13 goals and 11 assists.
Cerci is a naturally left footed player, with excellent technique and remarkable quickness, playing mainly as a winger. He can play on both wings, but prefers the right, from which he can cut inside and shoot with his preferred foot, but if Italy need a game-winning moment, then throw Cerci up front and see what he can do. He is a trump card for Italy.
Internationally, Cerci has represented Italy right through from under-16 to Italy under-21 levels. He made his senior international debut in March 2013 in a friendly match against Brazil.
Italy are in Group D with Uruguay, Costa Rica and England.
#2James Rodriguez (Columbia)
A strong, powerful, explosive attacking midfield player that loves to run at defenders. The 22 year-old is considered as one of the very best young talents in South America. He is a massively important player for both his club, French giants AS Monaco and his country.
In May 2013, Rodríguez joined French side AS Monaco from FC Porto for a transfer fee of €45 million, thus making it the second most expensive transfer in Portuguese football. At Porto Rodriguez won the Portuguese Golden Ball award in 2012 becoming the second Colombian after Radamel Falcao to win the award, as well as being the youngest player ever to hold the honor.
In his debut season for Monaco he helped them secure a spot in the Champions League, was named in the French Ligue 1 star XI team, as well as becoming the French Ligue 1 top assist player.
Rodriguez is an exiting player and it will be interesting to see how he does in the 2014 World Cup.
Columbia are in Group C along with Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
#3Paul Pogba (France)
Pogba is a French international footballer who plays for Italian club Juventus in Serie A. He began his career at Le Harve before joining Manchester United in 2009. Pogba made his Premier League debut against Stoke City on 31st January 2012. On 3rd July 2012 Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Pogba had left the club, after not signing a new contract, and on the 3rd August he joined Juventus on a four-year contract.
Pogba is a French youth international and has earned caps at all levels for which he has been eligible.
Pogba was the captain of the team that won France's first ever FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2012. In that tournament held in Turkey. He was named the best player of the tournament.
He received the 'Golden Boy' award for 2013, given to the best under-21 player in Europe.
On 22 March 2013, Pogba made his debut for the French senior team in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
In January 2014, he was named by The Guardian as one of the ten most promising young players in Europe.
France are in Group E with Honduras, Ecuador and Switzerland.
#4Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
The young Beligian is one of many exiting young talents in a Belgian squad, that have a fantastic set up, with a great mix of experienced players and young talent. The former Genk and Chelsea man is now plying his trade in Germany with Vfl Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg signed De Bruyne for a fee of £18 million in January 2014.
While at Stamford Bridge the West London club loaned the 22 year-old out to Werder Breman. His spell there was hugely successful and he won the 'Bundesliga Young Player of the Year 2012–13.'
He is a great player and he has been capped by Belgium at under-18, under-19, and under-21 level. He made his debut for the Belgian senior team on 11th August 2010.
De Bruyne became a regular member of Belgium's team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where he scored four goals as the Red Devils qualified for their first major tournament in 12 years.
Belguim are in Group H with South Korea, Russia and Algeria.
#5Josip Drmić (Switzerland)
Born of Croatian descent Drmić began his playing career at FC Zürich.
In July 2013, Drmić joined Bundesliga club FC Nürnberg. He finished his first season with 17 league goals, the third most by any player in the league, but his team were relegated.
Less than a month ago Drmić agreed to sign a five-year deal with Bayer 04 Leverkusen, for an undisclosed fee, despite interest from Arsenal.
On 11th September 2012, Drmić won his first cap for the Switzerland senior team in a 2–0 2014 World Cup qualifying win over Albania.
Switzerland are in Group E with Honduras, France and Ecuador.
#6Daley Blind (Netherlands)
Daley Blind has gone from an easy target for disgruntled Ajax fans believing he was only in the team due to his father (Danny Blind, a five-time Eredivisie winner with Ajax) to one of the most complete footballers in the Netherlands.
On 7th December 2008, Blind made his debut in the Ajax first team.
In 2013 Blind was voted 'AFC Ajax Player of the Year' for the 2012/13 season.
He is a high quality left-back who has also has become a wonderful orchestrator of play in midfield.
With Roma's Kevin Strootman set to miss the FIFA World Cup after a cruciate ligament injury, Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal may consider playing 24 year-old Blind in midfield.
Daley Blind made his debut for the Netherlands national team on 6th February 2013, in the starting left back position, against Italy in a friendly encounter at the Amsterdam Arena.
The Netherlands are in Group B with Chile, Australia and Spain.
#7Fernandinho (Brazil)
Fernandinho may not have the superstar reputation of Neymar or a widely recognised name like Hulk, but the Manchester City central midfielder is one of the best players in his position.
He started his career at Brazilian club Atlético Paranaense before moving to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005, where he became one of the best foreign players to ever play in the Ukraine Premier League.
With Shakhtar, he won six Ukrainian Premier League titles, four Ukrainian Cups and the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.
He is well known for his blistering pace and ability to shoot from long distances. He is described as 'a defensive midfielder' with a box to box style of play, contributing in large part to the defense and the attack. With a powerful shot and great passing range, Fernandinho plays an important part in breaking up opposition attacks and creating goal scoring opportunities.
The five time tournament winners are hot favorites to be crowned World Champions again, but Fernandinho must start every game if Brazil are to win the tournament for the sixth time.
Brazil are in Group A with Cameroon, Croatia and Mexico.
English Premier League: Winners: Manchester United Runners-Up - Chelsea Automatic Champions League Qualification - Man City Relegated - Birmingham, Blackpool, West Ham. Top scorers: Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd 20 goals), Carlos Tevez (Man City 20), Robin Van Persie (Arsenal 18), Darren Bent (Aston Villa 17).
Spanish La Liga: Winners - Barcelona Runners-Up - Real Madrid Automatic Champions League Qualification - Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia Relegated - Deportivo La Coruna, Hércules, Almería. Leading scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid 40 goals), Lionel Messi (Barcelona 31), Sergio Agüeroright, (Atletico Madrid 20), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla 20), David Villa (Barcelona 18), (Giuseppe Rossi Villarreal 18), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao 18), Roberto Soldado (Valencia 18).
Italy's Serie A : Winners - AC Milan Runners-Up - Inter Milan Automatic Champions League Qualification - AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli Relegated - Sampdoria, Brescia, Bari. Top scorers: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese 28 goals), Edinson Cavani (Napoli 26), Samuel Eto'o (Inter 21), Alessandro Matri (Cagliari 20).
German Bundesliga: Winners - Borussia Dortmund Runners-Up - Bayer Leverkusen Automatic Champions League Qualification - Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen Relegated: Eintracht Frankfurt, St Pauli. Top scorers: Mario Gomezright, (Bayern Munich 28 goals), Papiss Demba Cisse (SC Freiburg 22), Milivoje Novakovic (FC Koln 17).
French Ligue 1 League Table: Winners - Lille Runners-Up - Olympique Marseille Automatic Champions League Qualification - Lille & Olympique Marseille Relegated - Monaco, Lens, Arles. Top scorers: Moussa Sow (Lille 22 goals), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient 21), Youssef El-Arabi (Caen 17).
Dutch Eredivisie League Table: Winners - Ajax Amsterdam Runners-Up - Twente Enschede Automatic Champions League Qualification - Ajax Relegated - VVV Venlos, Willem II, SC Excelsior Rotterdam. Top Scorers: Björn Vleminckx (NEC 23 goals), Dmitriy Bulykin (ADO Den Haag 21), Mads Junkerright, (Roda JC 21).
Ukrainian Premier League Table: Winners - Shakhtar Donetsk Runners-Up - Dynamo Kiev Automatic Champions League Qualification - Shakhtar Donetsk Relegated - Metalurh Zaporizhya, Sevastopol. Top Scorers: EvgenLast Seleznev (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 17 goals), MarkoLast Dević (Metalist 14).
Portuguese Liga Sagres League Table: Winners: FC Porto Runners-Up - Benfica Automatic Champions League Qualification - FC Porto Relegated - Portimonense, Naval 1º de Maio. Top scorers: Givanildo 'Hulk' Vieira de Souzaright, (FC Porto 23 goals), Radamel Falcao García Zárate (FC Porto 16), João Henrique Tomás (Rio Ave 16).
Belgian Jupiler Pro League Table : Winners - Anderlecht Runners-Up - Racing Genk Champions League Group Stage Qualification - Racing Genk, Standard Liege Relegated - AS Eupen, Royal Charleroi SC. Top Scorers - Jelle Vossen (Racing Genk 17 goals), Ivan Perišić (16), Ronald Vargas Aranguren (Club Brugge 15).
Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig Table: Winners - Fenerbahce Runners-Up - Trabzonspor Automatic Champions League Qualification - Fenerbahce Relegated - Bucaspor, Konyaspor, Kasimpasa. Top Scorers - Alexsandro 'Alex' Souzaright, (Fenerbahce 28 goals), BurakLast Yilmaz (Trabzonspor 19), Mamadou Niang (Fenerbahce 15).
Austrian Bundesliga League Table: Winners - SK Sturm Graz Runners-Up - FC Red Bull Salzburg. Champions League Group Stage Qualification - SK Sturm Graz Relegated - LASK Linz Top scorers: Roland Linz (Austria Wien 20 goals), Roman Kienast (SK Sturm Graz 19), Hamdi Salihi (Rapid Wien 17), Roman Wallner (Salzburg 17).
Spanish skipper Iker Casillas lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy aloft as he celebrates his sides 1-0 extra-time victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg tonight.
Andres Iniesta (right) struck a dramatic winner four minutes from the end of extra time to give Spain World Cup glory for the first time, and in turn condem the Netherlands to their third defeat in a final, following defeats to the host nations in 1974 and 1978. European 2008 champions Spain deserved their victory, after gradually taking a grip on a tense and bad-tempered contest which saw referee Howard Webb produce 14 yellow cards, including the dismissal of Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga, sent off for a second bookable offence, seven minutes before Iniesta drilled home the only goal of the game.
After all the hype about the South American teams impressing at the World Cup, it comes down to two European sides to battle it out in the 2010 World Cup Final.
The Netherlands looked impressive in beating a lacklustre Uruguay in their semi-final, the 3-2 scoreline making the game seem a lot tighter than it actually was.
As for Spain, despite all their intricate play and crisp passing, it took a bullet header from a set-piece by 'the perm haired old rocker' Carlos Puyol to book their place in Sunday's final.
It was a narrow win over a well-drilled German side, and perhaps the most surprising statistic was that Spain striker David Villa did not get on the score sheet.
Now, the Dutch are 11/4 outsiders in the World Cup Final betting with Betfred, while their Iberian opponents are favourites at 11/10.
In the final it will be a battle for the Golden Boot as Villa and Wesley Sneijder are both level on five goals apiece - with Villa priced at 4/5 to finish the tournament as top goal scorer compared to 9/4 for Sneijder.
While Holland look reliant on Sneijder and Arjen Robben to provide the pace, skill and the goals, it is clear the likes of Mark van Bommel, John Heitinga and Dirk Kuyt are the Dutch work horses and ball winners.
Spain showed against Germany how effective their midfield is. Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Alonso all look comfortable knocking the ball around, and the entire side seem able to play a sharp and direct passing game. With Villa up front they also look to have the best striker in the entire competition, and the betting odds suggest he is likely to find the net again.
Last night, Pedro impressed when coming off the bench, and he can offer a lot to the side if he is called upon in the final. However, despite a relatively poor tournament thus far it would be foolish for any football fan to write off the dangers of Fernando Torres, who is 6/1 to score first in the final.
Whatever happens, a new name will be on the trophy after the two great underachievers of world football collide in what should be an open game between two teams who both play attractive, free-flowing and attacking football.
My Tip Of The Weekend:
Both sides look impressive going forward, so 6/4 for there to be more than 2.5 goals in the final looks like good value.
World Cup Final 2010: The Netherlands v Spain - Sunday 11th July, kick-off 7.30pm GMT
By Drew Swainston (Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)
After terrific results so far in this World Cup for most of Latin America's teams, Paraguay hope to keep the roll going against Slovakia in Sunday's first game in the quest for a second round place. The South Americans have not passed the second stage in seven attempts but are buoyed with self-belief after wins over big guns Brazil and Argentina in the qualifiers, and a creditable 1-1 draw with world champions Italy in their opening game - Reuters
Just 15 days after undergoing surgery on a broken arm, Didier Drogba is set to start tonight for the Ivory Coast against Brazil, and that would be a huge boost for a side that has already taken a point off Portugal. The Chelsea striker made a difference when he came on late in the 0-0 draw and Brazil, having been stretched by North Korea, will be aware of his threat in this most unpredictable of World Cups. Brazil could keep faith with the side that won 2-1 against North Korea ahead of the final game, against Portugal - Telegraph.co.uk
Paul Le Guen insists he will not step down as Cameroon coach after they became the first nation to be knocked out of the World Cup. The Indomitable Lions' hopes of reaching the second round are already over after suffering a 2-1 defeat by Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday - Skysports.com
The Netherlands and Denmark will both be missing key players when they face each other on Monday. Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben will definitely miss out for the Netherlands with a hamstring injury, while Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is likely to be missing for Denmark with a groin problem - BBC Sport
Fabio Capello has warned his underperforming England side that he is prepared to get tough if necessary.The Italian has made it clear that he will make his selections based on form, meaning nobody is immune from the axe. Two lacklustre showings in their opening Group C games at the 2010 World Cup have left Capello pondering sweeping changes. Some difficult decisions may have to be made before the midweek encounter in Port Elizabeth, with the performances of too many players having fallen below the required standard. Capello accepts as much and has informed those still feeding their feet that he is running out of patience. The former AC Milan and Real Madrid is renowned for his no-nonsense approach to management and has revealed that he would not be afraid to drop any of his so-called stars against the Slovenians. "No-one is untouchable, not in my mind," he said - Skysports.com
It is has been reported that France striker Nicolas Anelka has retired from international football. Anelka was sent home from the World Cup squad on Saturday following a dressing-room bust-up with manager Raymond Domenech. It is reported that the 31-year old directed a foul-mouthed tirade at Domenech during half-time of Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Mexico. Anelka, capped 60 times accepted his exclusion and wished the team well, but it now appears he has called time on his international career. A win over South Africa in their final group game may not be enough for France as they will still be eliminated if Mexico and Uruguay draw their match - Skysports.com
Honduras' three Palacios brothers are forever assured a place in the annals of the FIFA World Cup. They became the first ever trio of brothers to appear at the tournament after Jerry was given a late call-up by Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda, as a replacement for the injured Julio Cesar de Leon. Jerry thus joined his two younger brothers, Jhony and Wilson, who were named in the original squad for South Africa 2010 - Fifa.com
The thought of Chile against Switzerland as a top-of-the-table clash in the same group as World Cup favourites Spain would have been inconceivable only a few days ago. But both teams are in the unlikely position of joint Group H leaders after the Swiss stunned the Spaniards 1-0 and Chile beat Honduras by the same scoreline, to seal their first win at a World Cup in 48 years. Although far from a mouth-watering matchup, Monday's encounter has taken on added significance that might just be enough to wake sleepy Port Elizabeth from its World Cup snooze. The defeats for Spain and Honduras, who meet later on Monday in Johannesburg, means a win for either Switzerland or Chile would give them one foot in the next round. The winning side may be able to advance with a defeat in their final game - Reuters
Coach Bob Bradley and the USA team are putting the controversy of the tie against Slovenia behind them, with the focus switching to Wednesday's key match against Algeria. USA coach Bob Bradley firmly believes his team's apparent game-winning goal against Slovenia in the 85th minute should not have been disallowed by referee Koman Coulibaly, who overnight became one of most well-known figures of this World Cup back in America. Bradley said he watched and rewatched footage of the controversial call on Maurice Edu's close-range shot and did not see anything out of the ordinary pushing and shoving that goes on in the penalty area during a free kick. Instead of a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory, the United States had to settle for a 2-2 draw - Miamiherald.com
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac declined to criticise his men for failing to kill off 10-man Australia in their 1-1 draw yesterday. Harry Kewell was sent off for a first-half handball on the line, and although Ghana equalised from the spot, they could not find a winning goal. But the result leaves the Black Stars needing only one point from their final Group D match to reach the last 16. Ghana, who play Germany on Wednesday, top the group with four points, one more than the Germans and Serbia. Australia have one point and must beat Serbia to have any chance of progressing to the next phase - BBC Sport
Australia's Harry Kewell has been suspended for one match following his sending off for a deliberate handball during Friday's 1-1 draw against Ghana. Kewell could have been handed a two-game ban, but Fifa's disciplinary committee opted not to impose a stiffer punishment on the ex-Liverpool player. It means he will miss Wednesday's final Group D match against Serbia but will be available if Australia progress - BBC Sport
English Premier League: Winners: Chelsea Runners-Up - Manchester United Relegated - Hull City, Burnley, Portsmouth. Top scorers: Didier Drogba (Chelsea 29 goals), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd 26), Darren Bent (Sunderland 24).
Italy Serie A : Winners - Inter Milan Runners-Up - Roma Relegated - Atalanta Bergamo, AC Siena, AS Livorno. Top scorers: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese 29 goals), Diego Milito (Inter 22), Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo 19), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria 19).
Spanish La Liga: Winners - Barcelona
Runners-Up - Real Madrid
Relegated - Valladolid, Tenerife, Xerez CD.
Leading scorers: Lionel Messi (Barcelona 34 goals), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid 27), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid 26), David Villa (Barcelona 21).
German Bundesliga: Winners - Bayern Munich Runners-Up - Schalke 04 Relegated: Bochum, Hertha Berlin. Top scorers: Edin Dzeko (Vfl Wolfsburg 22 goals), Stefan Kiessling (Bayern Leverkusen 21), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund 19).
French Ligue 1 League Table: Winners - Olympique Marseille Runners-Up - Lyon Relegated - Le Mans, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, Grenoble. Top scorers: Mamadou Niang (O.Marseille 18 goals), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient 17), Lisandro Lopez (Lyon 15), Mevlut Erdinc (PSG 15).
Dutch Eredivisie League Table: Winners - Twente Enschede Runners-Up - Ajax Amsterdam Relegated - Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II Tilburg, Rkc Waalwijk Top Scorers: Luis Suarez (Ajax 35 goals), Bryan Ruiz (Twente 24),Mads Junker (Roda 21).
Portuguese Liga Sagres League Table: Winners: Benfica Runners-Up - Sporting Braga Relegated - Belenenses Lissabon, Leixoes SC. Top scorers: Oscar Cardoza (Benfica 26 goals), Radamel Falcao Garcia (Porto 25),Liedson (Sporting CP 13).
Danish SAS Ligaen League Table: Winners - FC Copenhagen Runners-Up - Odense BK Relegated - Aarhus GF, HB Køge. Top Scorers - Peter Utaka (Odense 18 goals), Tim Janssen (Esbjerg 15), Dame N'Doye (FC Copenhagen 14).
Greek Super League Table: Winners - Panathinaikos FC Runners-Up - Olympiakos Pireus Relegated - Pae Levadeiakos, Pas Giannina, Panthrakikos. Top Scorers - Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos 17 goals), Giorgos Barkoglou (Levadiakos 11), Javier Campora (Aris 11), Victoras Lacob (Iraklis 11).
Austrian Bundesliga League Table: Winners - FC Red Bull Salzburg Runners-Up - Austria Wien Relegated - SC Austria Kelag Kärnten Top scorers: Steffen Hoffman (SK Rapid 20 goals), (Roman Wallner LASK Linz 19), Marco Janko (FC Red Bull Salzburg 18).
Italy coach Marcello Lippi has dropped Juventus defender Fabio Grosso and Udinese midfielder Antonio Candreva from his World Cup squad ahead of a training camp this weekend and two warm up matches. Grosso, 32 was a pivotal player for Italy in their World Cup success four years ago, while Candreva who made his international debut last November also misses out, after failing to shine in a poor Juventus side - ESPN Soccernet
Marcell Jansen remains on course to shake off a foot injury in time to make Germany's World Cup squad. The Hamburg defender has been named in Joachim Low's 27-man preliminary party and is making is making encouraging progress, despite having been sidelined with the problem since March - Skysports.com
The Ghana Football Association says German midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has been cleared to play for them. This means the 23-year-old Portsmouth midfielder will be available to line up for the Black Stars at this summer's World Cup in South Africa. Boateng was named in Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac's 30-man squad for the finals despite the delay in his application to switch nationality - BBC Sport
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has trimmed his provisional World Cup squad from 30 to 27 players. PSV Eindhoven forward Otman Bakkal and midfielders Wout Brama (FC Twente) and David Mendes Da Silva (AZ Alkmaar) were all omitted. Earlier in the week, van Marwijk omitted former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy from his 30-man squad admitting he had doubts over his injuries - BBC Sport
Argentina coach Diego Maradona named a 23-man squad on Wednesday ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, dropping seven players from the provisional list named last week. The seven men cut from the provisional squad are Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini, Newell's Old Boys defender Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Jose Sosa of Estudiantes, Olympiakos midfielder Jesus Datolo, Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lanus' Sebastian Blanco and Juan Mercier of Argentinos Juniors - Fifa.com
Brazil midfielder Kaka claims that he will be ready for the start of the World Cup, having struggled with form and fitness throughout the season for Real Madrid. Kaka endured a groin problem and a thigh injury through parts of the season and he was the subject of criticism for the length of time it took him to get over the injuries, but now maintains he will be in peak condition for the World Cup - ESPN Soccernet
Gordon Banks believes David James should start in goal for England this summer, even though he has not been the most consistent performer in that position. The goalkeeper for England's World Cup-winning side of 1966 said that while Joe Hart had enjoyed the most impressive season and Robert Green had played well in a struggling side, experience would be a vital asset in South Africa - The Guardian
Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is confident about winning his fitness race for the World Cup. The Stoke City shot-stopper thought he had blown his chances of featuring in South Africa after dislocating his elbow in the Premier League loss at Chelsea on 25th April. But the Dane is now 'very optimistic' he will be ready for his country's opening Group E match against Holland on 14th June - Skysports.com
With the 2010 World Cup only 58 days away I thought it time to wet the appetite of all football fans, right across the globe, by selecting MY OWN personal 'Greatest Football Team Of All-Time.'
Now football is without doubt a game of opinions, and you may consider the players I have selected as not worthy of their place in my greatest team, or feel I have missed out players who you would deem as more laudable of selection, which I fully appreciate.
This was not as tricky an exercise as I had initially thought, as so few players are the cream in all the fundamental categories deemed in my selection process.
The criteria for which I based my miscellany on was as follows:
* No pre-war players (footballer was a cruder game back then & the competition was less fierce) * Great technical ability * Sustained excellence over a number of years * An ability to inspire others * Fervour for battle
There are 12 Europeans and 4 South Americans, and they all satisfy the criteria in abundance.
Four of them played in the 1950's, seven started in the 1960's, two in the 1970's, two in the 1980's and one in the 1990's.
No one country is represented by more than two players.
Goalkeeper:
Lev Yashin - 1954-70 (USSR)
Defenders:
Paulo Maldini - 1988-02 (Italy) Franz Beckenbauer - 1965-77 (West Germany) Bobby Moore - 1962-73 (England) Carlos Alberto Torres - 1964-77 (Brazil)
Midfield:
Alfedo Di Stefano - 1947 (Argentina) , 1957-61 (Spain) Michel Platini - 1976-87 (France) Johan Cruyff - 1966-78 (Netherlands) George Best - 1964-77 (Northern Ireland)
If you feel you would like to agree or disagree with any of the players I have chosen in my 'Greatest football team of all-time,' or you would like to suggest a player who you feel should be included, then please do not hesitate to post any comments below. All feedback is received with interest and thanks.
It is certainly not new news when I tell you that Klass-Jan Huntelaar hasn't really had the impact at AC Milan that many had hoped he would. In fact he has already been linked with a move away from the club as early as January, but team mate Alexandre Pato has come out in support of the under fire striker, as have coach Leonardo and fellow Dutch team-mate Clarence Seedorf.
Pato, the Brazilian striker said of Huntelaar:
"I’m sure he will give much to Milan."
"I had a hard time too, when I just arrived here,”
"I found it difficult to speak Italian and off the field I could not communicate with others, I was afraid to make mistakes."
"Everyone saw that he was the best player in Holland and scored plenty of goals when he played for Ajax, has done well at Real Madrid and I am sure that even here he manages to make his contribution to Milan."
Huntelaar currently sits as fourth choice striker for Milan at the moment with Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi all ahead of him. there is no doubt the Dutch international knows how to find
He has failed to hit the ground running at Milan since his arrival in August 2009, and has not scored in any of his eleven appearances for the club, and with three strikers in front of him his opportunities are looking somewhat limited.
There is no doubt the Dutch international knows how to find the back of the net. At Ajax he scored 76 goals in just 92 appearances, prompting Real Madrid to get out the cheque book in January 2009, and pay £17m to secure his services. He scored eight times for the 'Galaticos' in twenty appearances, before he joined Italian giants AC Milan for a fee in the region of £12m, just seven months later. Huntelaar has also scored 14 times in 25 appearances for the Dutch national side (below).
Not helping matters are the rumours that Milan are continually being linked with a move for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who if signed from the Bundesliga club would push the Dutch striker further down the pecking order.
However reports coming out of Italy say rivals Juventus are trying to hijack the deal and bring the Bosnian hitman to Turin in January. Huntelaar's fate with Milan is not yet sealed, even though most of the Italian press have already written off the striker.
However things will have to start to change quickly on the pitch for the Dutchman, or Huntelaar may soon find himself back on the transfer list, and looking for his third club in a year.
In October, Huntelaar was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and a possible swap deal with Roman Pavlyuchenko during the January transfer window. The North London side were again reportedly linked with the Dutchman earlier this month, although German side Hamburg are also now thought to be in the race to sign him.
Roll on this weekend where in Serie A, AC Milan and Hunlelaar entertain Cagliari in a league fixture at the San Siro Stadium.
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, 1957-61 (Spain) 
, 1961-62 (Spain) 
