Women's round-up: April 2010(FIFA.com) Thursday 29 April 2010 Print Email my friend Share
In our latest monthly look at the major events in women’s football, FIFA.com reflects on the start of the WPS season, developments on the road to Germany 2011 and a legend's return to the international arena.
Club Football
Gold Pride, Sky Blue set WPS pace
All eyes have been on the early pace-setters since the second WPS season kicked off on 10 April, with reigning champions Sky Blue FC and Marta’s Gold Pride locked together at the top of the standings on six points apiece. Gold Pride, who also boast the likes of Christine Sinclair, Solveig Gulbrandsen and Camille Abily, lead the table by a single goal and have the psychological advantage of having beaten Sky Blue 3-1 in a match that witnessed Marta’s first goal of the season and a brace from Sinclair. The California outfit are far from invincible, however, as an opening day 2-0 defeat to Saint Louis Athletica proved. England’s Eniola Aluko scored both goals in that match, and the Nigeria-born striker has been making the early running in the top scorer stakes along with the likes of Sinclair, Ramona Bachmann and international colleague Kelly Smith.
Gunners' double vision
While the title challenge from Arsenal’s men may have collapsed over the past month, the Gunners women look to be closing in on a fifth successive league and cup double. A 2-1 win at Doncaster Belles has left Laura Harvey’s side five points clear of Chelsea with three games in hand, while third-placed Everton – who have played the same number of fixtures as the leaders – lie three points further back. The Toffees' best hope of silverware now lies in the FA Women’s Cup final, although it is opponents and old foes Arsenal – who disposed of Chelsea 4-0 in the last four – who will start as firm favourites.
Frankfurt make Potsdam wait
Turbine Potsdam’s seemingly inexorable march towards the Frauen-Bundesliga title faltered for the first time on Sunday when third-placed 1. FFC Frankfurt inflicted the reigning champions’ first defeat of the season. A 2-1 triumph in this clash of Germany’s female titans briefly revived the victors' slim hopes of reclaiming the championship, although a win for Bernd Schroder’s Turbine yesterday means that they can now only be caught by second-placed FCR 2001 Duisburg, who are five points behind. Frankfurt have been boosted by the return of vastly experienced German international Ariane Hingst, who was also set to take her place in Silvia Neid’s squad for the friendly against Sweden before that match fell victim to the volcano-induced disruption in Europe. Turbine, meanwhile, are going for glory on two fronts, having booked their place in the UEFA Women's Champions League final in Getafe, where they will face either Umea or Lyon.
National teams
Road to Germany continues
Qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ has reached the halfway stage in Europe, with most of the continent’s traditional big guns looking well placed to qualify for September’s play-offs. Scotland, still with a 100 per cent record after four matches, are offering a threat to Denmark in Group 3, while Poland and Hungary are jostling for Group 4 pole position with the Netherlands currently leading Norway in Group 2, albeit having played two more matches. Spain also hold a three-point advantage over England, although the key result of the past month was a 1-0 win for Hope Powell’s side over their Iberian rivals that left the Three Lionesses needing just two more wins to secure first place in Group 5. Sweden, Russia and France remain firmly on course to reach the play-offs, while Italy and Finland – who drew 1-1 earlier on 31 March - are battling it out in the most closely-contested of all the group races. Europe will take a back seat in the coming month, however, with Africa and Asia set to finalise the process of determining their 2011 participants.
USA relish old rivalries
Having underlined their FIFA Women’s World Cup credentials by lifting the Algarve Cup last month, USA continued their build-up to Germany 2011 with back-to-back friendly wins over regional rivals Mexico. The first instalment of the double-header ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for Pia Sundhage’s side in San Diego, with Amy Rodriguez and Shannon Boxx on target before Lauren Cheney rounded off the win with her fifth international goal of 2010. Then, three days later on a snow-covered pitch in Utah – the first time USA’s women have ever played in such conditions – a solitary Abby Wambach proved sufficient to secure victory. Now, having seen off one old foe, the Americans will turn their attention to another, with world champions Germany set to arrive on 22 May for a friendly at Cleveland Browns Stadium as these dominant female forces meet on American soil for the first time in seven years.
Draws whet the appetite
Dresden Castle provided a spectacular backdrop for the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010, which pitted the hosts against Costa Rica, Colombia and France. The holders, USA, were left to face three very different football styles against Ghana, Switzerland and Korea Republic, while it was widely agreed that Brazil – drawn against former champions Korea DPR, Sweden and the ever-improving New Zealand - had been handed the toughest section. Attention now switches to Trinidad and Tobago, where the draw for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in six days’ time on Wednesday 5 May. As always, check in with FIFA.com to find out who will be facing who in the second edition of this fledgling tournament.
Development
The undoubted highlight of the past month in women’s football development was a Com-Unity seminar staged in Lesotho. Centred on communication – the role of the media in women’s football, women’s football promotion and its communication strategy – and aimed at the entire women's football pyramid, from associations to clubs, coaches and players, the seminar was punctuated by a girls’ football festival involving around 40 players. April also witnessed four courses take place in American Samoa, Jordan, Guinea-Bissau and Samoa, while Cameroon and Burundi played host to two women’s football consultancies.
The stat
344 – Kristine Lilly extended her own world record haul of international appearances, adding caps number 343 and 344 by playing in USA’s two recent victories over Mexico. The 38-year-old’s return to the international fold also enabled her to become the first female player in history to represent her country across four different decades. The US legend, who will turn 39 in July, won the first 15 of her caps in the 1980s, added 176 during the 1990s, 151 between 2000 and 2009, and has now claimed two in 2010, with more seemingly set to follow.
The quote
"It was competitive in Brazil and also when I played in Sweden. But without a doubt, the WPS is the best league in the world."
Marta relishes the challenge of a second WPS season
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Eriksson: Revenge not an issue
Eriksson: Revenge not an issue
(PA) Saturday 1 May 2010
Getty ImagesCôte d'Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is relishing the chance to face Portugal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ this summer but insists there will be no feeling of revenge as he prepares to meet his old foes.
Portugal defeated Eriksson's England on penalties in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004 before doing the same two years later in a controversial FIFA World Cup contest which saw Wayne Rooney sent off.
Côte d'Ivoire kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal before facing Brazil and North Korea and, while Eriksson recognises the importance of their first match, he claims he will not be thinking of his England days.
"Brazil is favourite to win the group and second should be us or Portugal or North Korea on paper," Eriksson said. "But that's on paper. "But the first match for us is really important. There's no sense of revenge, this time it can't be penalty shoot-outs that's for sure. I'm looking forward to that but first we have to start the preparation and it's still far away. But it's important."
To go through would be a success from a group like that. If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team.Eriksson on being drawn in a tough group this summer
Despite being drawn in the so-called 'group of death' Eriksson insists a quarter-final spot is their target and is not even considering failing to progress from their pool. "To go through would be a success from a group like that,' he said. "If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team, for the Ivory Coast. That's the first target.
"I don't know if finishing third would be a failure. But I haven't thought about that. We have to work, to believe we can pass the group and go further of course," he continued.
Eriksson left his job as England coach at the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup after the Football Association decided not to renew his contract but he still looks back with fondness at his time in charge. And the 62-year-old is confident this could be the year his former charges live up to their billing as one of the tournament favourites.
"England have good chances. Absolutely," said Eriksson. "They have a very experienced team. Most of the players have been in big tournaments like the World Cup before. You have Wayne Rooney who is coming from a great, great season and he is an extremely important player. So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?
So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?Eriksson on England's chances in South Africa
"We had a good chance in the last World Cup and I think we should have done better than we did but they have maybe an even better chance because players like (Rio) Ferdinand, (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, Rooney, Ashley Cole...they have more experience now, (they are) more mature than they were four years ago," he said.
"I was extremely happy for five-and-a-half years to have that job and very very proud. Regrets? Losing the last World Cup on penalty shoot-outs, but that's history. It was a great time, fantastic."
(PA) Saturday 1 May 2010
Getty ImagesCôte d'Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is relishing the chance to face Portugal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ this summer but insists there will be no feeling of revenge as he prepares to meet his old foes.
Portugal defeated Eriksson's England on penalties in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004 before doing the same two years later in a controversial FIFA World Cup contest which saw Wayne Rooney sent off.
Côte d'Ivoire kick off their World Cup campaign against Portugal before facing Brazil and North Korea and, while Eriksson recognises the importance of their first match, he claims he will not be thinking of his England days.
"Brazil is favourite to win the group and second should be us or Portugal or North Korea on paper," Eriksson said. "But that's on paper. "But the first match for us is really important. There's no sense of revenge, this time it can't be penalty shoot-outs that's for sure. I'm looking forward to that but first we have to start the preparation and it's still far away. But it's important."
To go through would be a success from a group like that. If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team.Eriksson on being drawn in a tough group this summer
Despite being drawn in the so-called 'group of death' Eriksson insists a quarter-final spot is their target and is not even considering failing to progress from their pool. "To go through would be a success from a group like that,' he said. "If we can reach the quarter-final I think everyone should be thinking it's a great success from an African team, for the Ivory Coast. That's the first target.
"I don't know if finishing third would be a failure. But I haven't thought about that. We have to work, to believe we can pass the group and go further of course," he continued.
Eriksson left his job as England coach at the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup after the Football Association decided not to renew his contract but he still looks back with fondness at his time in charge. And the 62-year-old is confident this could be the year his former charges live up to their billing as one of the tournament favourites.
"England have good chances. Absolutely," said Eriksson. "They have a very experienced team. Most of the players have been in big tournaments like the World Cup before. You have Wayne Rooney who is coming from a great, great season and he is an extremely important player. So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?
So I think they have a great chance of reaching the semi-final and why not the final?Eriksson on England's chances in South Africa
"We had a good chance in the last World Cup and I think we should have done better than we did but they have maybe an even better chance because players like (Rio) Ferdinand, (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, Rooney, Ashley Cole...they have more experience now, (they are) more mature than they were four years ago," he said.
"I was extremely happy for five-and-a-half years to have that job and very very proud. Regrets? Losing the last World Cup on penalty shoot-outs, but that's history. It was a great time, fantastic."
صدمة فى لبنان بعد قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته
صدمة فى لبنان بعد قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته
01/05/2010
قال القنصل المصرى فى بيروت كريم السادات إن السفارة المصرية تتابع مع السلطات اللبنانية التحقيقات فى حادث قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته فى بلدة كترمايا بإقليم الخروب فى لبنان على خلفية اتهامه بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من أسرة واحدة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى أن التحقيقات كشفت دخول الشاب القتيل محمد سليم مسلم دخل إلى لبنان بطريقة غير مشروعة، حيث يعيش مع والدته المصرية المتزوجة من رجل لبنانى.
وكان العشرات من أهالى حى «كترمايا» هاجموا الشاب وسحلوه بسيارة فى أرجاء القرية وقاموا بقتله، ومثلوا بجثته ثم علقوه على عمود كهربائى فى إحدى الساحات الرئيسية بالقرية أمام جميع سكانها، وذلك بعد اعتقاله للاشتباه فى قيام بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من عائلة واحدة بعد رفضها ارتباطه بإحدى بناتها.
من ناحيته قال القنصل كريم السادات فى اتصال هاتفى مع «الشروق» إن هناك السفارة تتابع الإجراءات ساعة بساعة مع كل الوزراء المعنيين ومديرية الأمن الوطنى فى العاصمة اللبنانية. وأضاف: «نطالب الدولة اللبنانية بالقيام بما يستلزمه الأمر من إجراءات، التى من شأنها إحقاق العدالة وتطبيق قواعد القانون بما يتناسب مع جسامة الأفعال التى ارتكبت فى حق القتيل».
فى الوقت نفسه أدان وزير الداخلية والبلديات اللبنانى زياد بارود جريمة كترمايا، وقال: «ليس مقبولا أن يأخذ الشخص حقه بيده، حتى ولو كان ذلك ردا على جريمة مروعة، وافهم غضب الناس فى كترمايا، لكن مواجهة الجريمة يكون بالقانون والقضاء، وما حصل مع القاتل، هو جريمة بالمعنى القانونى».
وقال الوزير فى تصريح لمحطة «أو.تى.فى» اللبنانية إن «رد الفعل أعطى صورة سيئة عن البلد، لا أفهم هذه الطريقة التى تم التعاطى بها»، مضيفا: «هناك خطأ حصل من قبل قوى الأمن الداخلى فى سوق هذا المتهم إلى مسرح الجريمة»، لافتا النظر إلى أن «الموضوع أصبح قضائيا بالدرجة الأولى، ولنا كل الثقة بالقضاء لمعالجة هذا الأمر».
أما وزير العدل اللبنانى محمد نجار فقال إن الصور التى تم بثها لحادث التمثيل بجثة الشاب المصرى كشفت عن هوية 10 أشخاص على الأقل سوف تتم ملاحقتهم قضائيا لأن الجريمة التى كان محمد سليم مسلم متهم فيها مهما كانت همجية لا «يمكن أن تكون أساسا قانونيا لردة الفعل الجماعية التى حصلت والتى ستنعكس سلبا على صورة لبنان فى العالم وستحطم ما تبقى من هيبة القضاء والقانون والأمن فى لبنان».
فى الوقت نفسه قال القنصل كريم السادات إن السفارة تحاول جمع المعلومات حول الشاب محمد مسلم، الذى تبين انه دخل لبنان بطريقة غير قانونية «وهو ما سيفتح ملف المصريين المقيمين بشكل غير شرعى فى لبنان وذلك على نحو سلبى. وأوضح ان القتيل غير مدون لدى الدوائر الرسمية، وهو ما يعوق التعرف على كثير من التفاصيل بشأنه.
وأضاف السادات أن مسئولا من السفارة ومحامية تم تعيينها لمتابعة القضية لم يتمكنا من الحصول على معلومات كافية من مركز الشرطة الذى تتبعه كترمايا. وقال: «اتصلنا بوالدة القتيل التى تقيم على مقربة من المكان الذى وقعت به الجريمة وأبلغتنا أن ولدها جاء إلى لبنان بدون جواز سفر وأقام معها». وبحسب المسؤول المصرى، فإن الوالدة مطلقة من والد القتيل، وهى لا تعرف عنه شيئا حاليا ولم تتمكن السفارة المصرية من الوصول إليه سواء فى مصر أو لبنان.
وقال السادات إن المدعى العام اللبنانى أعلن أن القتيل لا يزال مشتبها به، لكنه أشار فى السياق ذاته إلى أن نتائج تحليل الحمض النووى أثبتت أن الدماء التى وجدها الأمن على قميص القتيل هى دماء القتلى اللبنانيين الأربعة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى وجود معلومات «غير مؤكدة» تشير إلى اتهام القتيل فى جريمة سابقة تتعلق باغتصاب طفلة لم تتجاوز تسعة أعوام. وقال السادات إنه تم التحفظ على الجثة فى مستشفى «بعبدة» الحكومى لحين استكمال التحقيق والتحاليل.
وفيما يتعلق بإجراءات تسليم الجثة، قال القنصل إن السفارة تدعو والد المجنى عليه إلى التقدم بطلب يحدد فيه إذا ما كان يرغب فى تسلم جثة ولده ودفنها فى مصر أو تسليم الجثة لوالدته فى لبنان لدفنها هناك. وأضاف أنه فى كل الأحوال لن يتم شىء قبل انتهاء السلطات من التحقيقات.
01/05/2010
قال القنصل المصرى فى بيروت كريم السادات إن السفارة المصرية تتابع مع السلطات اللبنانية التحقيقات فى حادث قتل شاب مصرى والتمثيل بجثته فى بلدة كترمايا بإقليم الخروب فى لبنان على خلفية اتهامه بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من أسرة واحدة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى أن التحقيقات كشفت دخول الشاب القتيل محمد سليم مسلم دخل إلى لبنان بطريقة غير مشروعة، حيث يعيش مع والدته المصرية المتزوجة من رجل لبنانى.
وكان العشرات من أهالى حى «كترمايا» هاجموا الشاب وسحلوه بسيارة فى أرجاء القرية وقاموا بقتله، ومثلوا بجثته ثم علقوه على عمود كهربائى فى إحدى الساحات الرئيسية بالقرية أمام جميع سكانها، وذلك بعد اعتقاله للاشتباه فى قيام بقتل أربعة لبنانيين من عائلة واحدة بعد رفضها ارتباطه بإحدى بناتها.
من ناحيته قال القنصل كريم السادات فى اتصال هاتفى مع «الشروق» إن هناك السفارة تتابع الإجراءات ساعة بساعة مع كل الوزراء المعنيين ومديرية الأمن الوطنى فى العاصمة اللبنانية. وأضاف: «نطالب الدولة اللبنانية بالقيام بما يستلزمه الأمر من إجراءات، التى من شأنها إحقاق العدالة وتطبيق قواعد القانون بما يتناسب مع جسامة الأفعال التى ارتكبت فى حق القتيل».
فى الوقت نفسه أدان وزير الداخلية والبلديات اللبنانى زياد بارود جريمة كترمايا، وقال: «ليس مقبولا أن يأخذ الشخص حقه بيده، حتى ولو كان ذلك ردا على جريمة مروعة، وافهم غضب الناس فى كترمايا، لكن مواجهة الجريمة يكون بالقانون والقضاء، وما حصل مع القاتل، هو جريمة بالمعنى القانونى».
وقال الوزير فى تصريح لمحطة «أو.تى.فى» اللبنانية إن «رد الفعل أعطى صورة سيئة عن البلد، لا أفهم هذه الطريقة التى تم التعاطى بها»، مضيفا: «هناك خطأ حصل من قبل قوى الأمن الداخلى فى سوق هذا المتهم إلى مسرح الجريمة»، لافتا النظر إلى أن «الموضوع أصبح قضائيا بالدرجة الأولى، ولنا كل الثقة بالقضاء لمعالجة هذا الأمر».
أما وزير العدل اللبنانى محمد نجار فقال إن الصور التى تم بثها لحادث التمثيل بجثة الشاب المصرى كشفت عن هوية 10 أشخاص على الأقل سوف تتم ملاحقتهم قضائيا لأن الجريمة التى كان محمد سليم مسلم متهم فيها مهما كانت همجية لا «يمكن أن تكون أساسا قانونيا لردة الفعل الجماعية التى حصلت والتى ستنعكس سلبا على صورة لبنان فى العالم وستحطم ما تبقى من هيبة القضاء والقانون والأمن فى لبنان».
فى الوقت نفسه قال القنصل كريم السادات إن السفارة تحاول جمع المعلومات حول الشاب محمد مسلم، الذى تبين انه دخل لبنان بطريقة غير قانونية «وهو ما سيفتح ملف المصريين المقيمين بشكل غير شرعى فى لبنان وذلك على نحو سلبى. وأوضح ان القتيل غير مدون لدى الدوائر الرسمية، وهو ما يعوق التعرف على كثير من التفاصيل بشأنه.
وأضاف السادات أن مسئولا من السفارة ومحامية تم تعيينها لمتابعة القضية لم يتمكنا من الحصول على معلومات كافية من مركز الشرطة الذى تتبعه كترمايا. وقال: «اتصلنا بوالدة القتيل التى تقيم على مقربة من المكان الذى وقعت به الجريمة وأبلغتنا أن ولدها جاء إلى لبنان بدون جواز سفر وأقام معها». وبحسب المسؤول المصرى، فإن الوالدة مطلقة من والد القتيل، وهى لا تعرف عنه شيئا حاليا ولم تتمكن السفارة المصرية من الوصول إليه سواء فى مصر أو لبنان.
وقال السادات إن المدعى العام اللبنانى أعلن أن القتيل لا يزال مشتبها به، لكنه أشار فى السياق ذاته إلى أن نتائج تحليل الحمض النووى أثبتت أن الدماء التى وجدها الأمن على قميص القتيل هى دماء القتلى اللبنانيين الأربعة.
وأشار القنصل المصرى إلى وجود معلومات «غير مؤكدة» تشير إلى اتهام القتيل فى جريمة سابقة تتعلق باغتصاب طفلة لم تتجاوز تسعة أعوام. وقال السادات إنه تم التحفظ على الجثة فى مستشفى «بعبدة» الحكومى لحين استكمال التحقيق والتحاليل.
وفيما يتعلق بإجراءات تسليم الجثة، قال القنصل إن السفارة تدعو والد المجنى عليه إلى التقدم بطلب يحدد فيه إذا ما كان يرغب فى تسلم جثة ولده ودفنها فى مصر أو تسليم الجثة لوالدته فى لبنان لدفنها هناك. وأضاف أنه فى كل الأحوال لن يتم شىء قبل انتهاء السلطات من التحقيقات.
Monday, April 19, 2010
European Leagues review
European Leagues review(FIFA.com) Monday 19 April 2010
The title tussles in both England and Spain took another unforeseen twist at the weekend as defeat for Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona’s goalless draw at neighbours Espanyol allowed the teams leading the chase to close the gap at the top.
Roma, Bayern Munich and Marseille all fared better with the finishing line now firmly in sight, but in each case their closest pursuers also came out on top to keep the suspense alive.
FIFA.com casts a glance back over the last few days of action in Europe’s most prestigious championships, where the sprint for the tape is very much on.
Premier League: Chelsea chastened, United on a high
Uncertainty reigns in England with three games to go, but only two teams can now realistically hope to lay their hands on the crown. The race for honours took an unexpected turn on Saturday as pacesetters Chelsea suffered a 2-1 reverse at Tottenham, with their London rivals surging into fourth spot thanks to a dramatic last-gasp win for Manchester United. Paul Scholes’s injury-time decider sunk neighbours Manchester City at Eastlands to drop Roberto Mancini’s men to fifth and leave the Red Devils a solitary point shy of the Blues.
The front two now lie comfortably clear of Arsenal after the Gunners shipped three late goals at Wigan Athletic to come away with a surprise 3-2 loss. In the lower reaches, promoted side Burnley were undone 2-1 at Sunderland and Hull City drew 0-0 at Birmingham City, leaving both in bad shape and favourites to join Portsmouth in the second tier next term.
Top three: Chelsea (77 points), Manchester United (76), Arsenal (71)
Bottom three: Hull City (28), Burnley, (27), Portsmouth (15)
Top scorers: Wayne Rooney (26 goals), Didier Drogba (25), Darren Bent (23)
Weekend stat: 3 – Wigan registered as many goals in the final ten minutes against Arsenal as in their last six matches.
Ligue 1: Marseille maintain momentum
The 33rd instalment of games in France was marked by Marseille taking another significant stride towards the Ligue 1 title that has eluded them for the past 18 years. The Mediterranean side almost fell short at second-bottom Boulogne, but a Taye Taiwo penalty in added time earned them a priceless 2-1 success to stay five points clear. They can probably stop worrying about two more of their rivals too, after champions Bordeaux and third-placed Lyon drew 2-2 in wine country.
Auxerre remain the club closest to Marseille after they masterminded a 4-1 success at Lorient, while Lille reinvigorated their hopes of contesting European football next term by overcoming Monaco 4-0 and climbing to fifth. Les Dogues are now hot on the heels of Montpellier, who boast just one point more and could only draw 1-1 with Toulouse as their end-of-season struggles continue.
Top three: Marseille (68 points), Auxerre (63), Lyon (59)
Bottom three: Le Mans (28), Boulogne (24), Grenoble (16)
Top scorers: Mamadou Niang (15 goals), Nene, Kevin Gameiro (both 14)
Weekend stat: 6 – Like all good champions, Marseille have thrived under pressure at the business end of the campaign, putting together a run of six consecutive victories and claiming four of those wins by a single goal.
La Liga: Barça out of breath
Nothing looked like stopping Barcelona last weekend as the Catalan juggernaut put eternal rivals Real Madrid to the sword, but Josep Guardiola’s scintillating side were brought to a halt at the home of their city neighbours. Despite lying 13th in the standings, Espanyol held the Spanish and European champions to a goalless stalemate on Saturday that ratcheted up the title tension, with second-placed Real hauling themselves to within a point on Sunday after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain inflicted a 2-0 setback on Valencia in third.
Beaten 2-1 at relegation-threatened Valladolid in midweek, Sevilla returned to winning ways by disposing of Sporting Gijon 3-0, though they could lose fourth spot again when Mallorca, in fifth, host Osasuna on Monday. A place lower than the islanders, Villarreal remain on course for a UEFA Europa League berth after winning 2-1 against an Atletico Madrid side that has now lost its last three encounters.
Top three: Barcelona (84 points), Real Madrid (83), Valencia (59)
Bottom three: Tenerife (32), Valladolid (29), Xerez (27)
Top scorers: Lionel Messi (27 goals), Gonzalo Higuain (25), David Villa, Cristiano Ronaldo (both 20)
Weekend stat: 6 – Barcelona’s sixth draw of the Liga season ended their sequence of seven straight triumphs.
Serie A: Roma refuse to stumble
The most recent round of games in Italy was littered with high-stakes contests, kicking off on Friday with Inter Milan’s 2-0 triumph over seventh-placed Juventus. That result took the Nerazzurri back to the summit ahead of Roma, but the capital side responded with a 2-1 derby success against rivals Lazio. Mirko Vucinic helped himself to a double as the Giallorossi advanced a little further down the road to the Scudetto.
For their part, AC Milan dropped even further out of the running after they fell 2-1 to Sampdoria, in fourth, a setback that surely knocked them out of the race once and for all. As for the winners of that game, they now look favourites to sew up the final UEFA Champions League berth and will look to maintain their lead over Palermo, Napoli and Juve, who also have Europa League spots to compete for.
Top three: Roma (71 points), Inter Milan (70), AC Milan (64)
Bottom three: Atalanta (34), Siena (30), Livorno (26)
Top scorers: Antonio di Natale (24 goals), Diego Milito (19), Fabrizio Miccoli (16)
Weekend stat: 24 – Roma have gone 24 matches without defeat, winning 18 of those and drawing the other six to build up a real impetus with four fixtures remaining.
Bundesliga: Bayern in top gear
As statements of intent go, Bayern Munich’s 7-0 defeat of Hanover was decidedly ominous. Louis van Gaal’s men have entered the final straight in peak condition and thrilled their fans with an Arjen Robben hat-trick and two goals apiece for Ivica Olic and Thomas Muller. Second-placed Schalke refuse to fade from view, though, having seen off Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1, and they now have five matches in which to attempt to overtake the leaders.
Behind the front two, disappointment was the order of the day for Bayer Leverkusen, who said a final farewell to their title hopes with a 2-1 loss at Stuttgart. That left them nine points off the pace and, to make matters worse, they also surrendered third spot to Werder Bremen, 4-2 victors at Wolfsburg. At the opposite end of the table, a single point separates Nuremberg, Bochum, Freiburg, and Hanover, all of whom will be desperate to avoid accompanying a Hertha Berlin side seemingly destined for relegation.
Top three: Bayern Munich (63 points), Schalke (61), Werder Bremen (54)
Bottom three: Freiburg (28), Hanover (27), Hertha Berlin (23)
Top scorers: Edin Dzeko (20 goals), Stefan Kiessling (19), Kevin Kuranyi (18)
Weekend stat: 20 – Bayern put in a performance worthy of champions as they dismantled Hanover 7-0 for their biggest Bundesliga victory in 20 years.
Elsewhere
Glasgow Rangers are on the brink of glory in Scotland and need just one more win to guarantee their 53rd league crown, and their second in succession, after they overcame Hearts 2-0. Second-placed Celtic kept them waiting another weekend at least as they earned a late 3-2 victory over Hibernian.
The wait is over for Anderlecht, on the other hand, as they celebrated their 30th Belgian title by downing closest challengers Club Brugge 2-1. After two years on top for Standard Liege, the Brussels giants reacquainted themselves with success to confirm their standing as the country’s most titled team.
The title tussles in both England and Spain took another unforeseen twist at the weekend as defeat for Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona’s goalless draw at neighbours Espanyol allowed the teams leading the chase to close the gap at the top.
Roma, Bayern Munich and Marseille all fared better with the finishing line now firmly in sight, but in each case their closest pursuers also came out on top to keep the suspense alive.
FIFA.com casts a glance back over the last few days of action in Europe’s most prestigious championships, where the sprint for the tape is very much on.
Premier League: Chelsea chastened, United on a high
Uncertainty reigns in England with three games to go, but only two teams can now realistically hope to lay their hands on the crown. The race for honours took an unexpected turn on Saturday as pacesetters Chelsea suffered a 2-1 reverse at Tottenham, with their London rivals surging into fourth spot thanks to a dramatic last-gasp win for Manchester United. Paul Scholes’s injury-time decider sunk neighbours Manchester City at Eastlands to drop Roberto Mancini’s men to fifth and leave the Red Devils a solitary point shy of the Blues.
The front two now lie comfortably clear of Arsenal after the Gunners shipped three late goals at Wigan Athletic to come away with a surprise 3-2 loss. In the lower reaches, promoted side Burnley were undone 2-1 at Sunderland and Hull City drew 0-0 at Birmingham City, leaving both in bad shape and favourites to join Portsmouth in the second tier next term.
Top three: Chelsea (77 points), Manchester United (76), Arsenal (71)
Bottom three: Hull City (28), Burnley, (27), Portsmouth (15)
Top scorers: Wayne Rooney (26 goals), Didier Drogba (25), Darren Bent (23)
Weekend stat: 3 – Wigan registered as many goals in the final ten minutes against Arsenal as in their last six matches.
Ligue 1: Marseille maintain momentum
The 33rd instalment of games in France was marked by Marseille taking another significant stride towards the Ligue 1 title that has eluded them for the past 18 years. The Mediterranean side almost fell short at second-bottom Boulogne, but a Taye Taiwo penalty in added time earned them a priceless 2-1 success to stay five points clear. They can probably stop worrying about two more of their rivals too, after champions Bordeaux and third-placed Lyon drew 2-2 in wine country.
Auxerre remain the club closest to Marseille after they masterminded a 4-1 success at Lorient, while Lille reinvigorated their hopes of contesting European football next term by overcoming Monaco 4-0 and climbing to fifth. Les Dogues are now hot on the heels of Montpellier, who boast just one point more and could only draw 1-1 with Toulouse as their end-of-season struggles continue.
Top three: Marseille (68 points), Auxerre (63), Lyon (59)
Bottom three: Le Mans (28), Boulogne (24), Grenoble (16)
Top scorers: Mamadou Niang (15 goals), Nene, Kevin Gameiro (both 14)
Weekend stat: 6 – Like all good champions, Marseille have thrived under pressure at the business end of the campaign, putting together a run of six consecutive victories and claiming four of those wins by a single goal.
La Liga: Barça out of breath
Nothing looked like stopping Barcelona last weekend as the Catalan juggernaut put eternal rivals Real Madrid to the sword, but Josep Guardiola’s scintillating side were brought to a halt at the home of their city neighbours. Despite lying 13th in the standings, Espanyol held the Spanish and European champions to a goalless stalemate on Saturday that ratcheted up the title tension, with second-placed Real hauling themselves to within a point on Sunday after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain inflicted a 2-0 setback on Valencia in third.
Beaten 2-1 at relegation-threatened Valladolid in midweek, Sevilla returned to winning ways by disposing of Sporting Gijon 3-0, though they could lose fourth spot again when Mallorca, in fifth, host Osasuna on Monday. A place lower than the islanders, Villarreal remain on course for a UEFA Europa League berth after winning 2-1 against an Atletico Madrid side that has now lost its last three encounters.
Top three: Barcelona (84 points), Real Madrid (83), Valencia (59)
Bottom three: Tenerife (32), Valladolid (29), Xerez (27)
Top scorers: Lionel Messi (27 goals), Gonzalo Higuain (25), David Villa, Cristiano Ronaldo (both 20)
Weekend stat: 6 – Barcelona’s sixth draw of the Liga season ended their sequence of seven straight triumphs.
Serie A: Roma refuse to stumble
The most recent round of games in Italy was littered with high-stakes contests, kicking off on Friday with Inter Milan’s 2-0 triumph over seventh-placed Juventus. That result took the Nerazzurri back to the summit ahead of Roma, but the capital side responded with a 2-1 derby success against rivals Lazio. Mirko Vucinic helped himself to a double as the Giallorossi advanced a little further down the road to the Scudetto.
For their part, AC Milan dropped even further out of the running after they fell 2-1 to Sampdoria, in fourth, a setback that surely knocked them out of the race once and for all. As for the winners of that game, they now look favourites to sew up the final UEFA Champions League berth and will look to maintain their lead over Palermo, Napoli and Juve, who also have Europa League spots to compete for.
Top three: Roma (71 points), Inter Milan (70), AC Milan (64)
Bottom three: Atalanta (34), Siena (30), Livorno (26)
Top scorers: Antonio di Natale (24 goals), Diego Milito (19), Fabrizio Miccoli (16)
Weekend stat: 24 – Roma have gone 24 matches without defeat, winning 18 of those and drawing the other six to build up a real impetus with four fixtures remaining.
Bundesliga: Bayern in top gear
As statements of intent go, Bayern Munich’s 7-0 defeat of Hanover was decidedly ominous. Louis van Gaal’s men have entered the final straight in peak condition and thrilled their fans with an Arjen Robben hat-trick and two goals apiece for Ivica Olic and Thomas Muller. Second-placed Schalke refuse to fade from view, though, having seen off Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1, and they now have five matches in which to attempt to overtake the leaders.
Behind the front two, disappointment was the order of the day for Bayer Leverkusen, who said a final farewell to their title hopes with a 2-1 loss at Stuttgart. That left them nine points off the pace and, to make matters worse, they also surrendered third spot to Werder Bremen, 4-2 victors at Wolfsburg. At the opposite end of the table, a single point separates Nuremberg, Bochum, Freiburg, and Hanover, all of whom will be desperate to avoid accompanying a Hertha Berlin side seemingly destined for relegation.
Top three: Bayern Munich (63 points), Schalke (61), Werder Bremen (54)
Bottom three: Freiburg (28), Hanover (27), Hertha Berlin (23)
Top scorers: Edin Dzeko (20 goals), Stefan Kiessling (19), Kevin Kuranyi (18)
Weekend stat: 20 – Bayern put in a performance worthy of champions as they dismantled Hanover 7-0 for their biggest Bundesliga victory in 20 years.
Elsewhere
Glasgow Rangers are on the brink of glory in Scotland and need just one more win to guarantee their 53rd league crown, and their second in succession, after they overcame Hearts 2-0. Second-placed Celtic kept them waiting another weekend at least as they earned a late 3-2 victory over Hibernian.
The wait is over for Anderlecht, on the other hand, as they celebrated their 30th Belgian title by downing closest challengers Club Brugge 2-1. After two years on top for Standard Liege, the Brussels giants reacquainted themselves with success to confirm their standing as the country’s most titled team.
Olympiacos claim Champions League
Olympiacos claim Champions League berth(PA) Monday 19 April 2010
Olympiacos secured their place in the qualifying rounds of next season's UEFA Champions League as they beat Aris Salonika 2-1 to secure second place in the Super League.
The hosts went 1-0 up after 33 minutes through Michal Zewlakow but their task got tougher six minutes later when Rafael Urko was sent off. Aris levelled through Antonio Calvo's penalty, but parity lasted just two minutes before Olympiacos were awarded a spot-kick of their own, which Enzo Maresca levelled. Aris also finished the game with 10 men as Carlos Arano saw red 10 minutes after the break.
The result meant PAOK Salonika could not leapfrog Olympiacos into second, but they did all they could by beating Ergotelis 4-1. PAOK leapt out of the traps and were 4-0 up inside half an hour thanks to goals from Olivier Sorlin, Zlatan Muslimovic, Bruno Cirillo and Thanassis Papazoglou.
Half-time substitute Christos Chrissofakis pulled one back a minute after the restart, but the result proved irrelevant for both clubs, with PAOK having to settle for the consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Europa League. They are joined by Aris and AEK Athens, who beat Asteras Tripoli 2-0 with goals from Rafik Djebbour and Pantelis Kafes, while champions Panathinaikos won 1-0 at relegated Giannina thanks to Gabriel's second-half strike.
FC Xanthi secured their place in the Super League for another season by winning 4-2 at Iraklis, condemning Levadiakos to the drop. Xanthi let a two-goal half-time lead slip, but Mauro Poy (70) and Nathan Ellington with a 79th-minute penalty settled the visitors' nerves. That meant Levadiakos were relegated despite their 2-1 win at Larissa.
Elsewhere, Atromitos beat relegated Panthrakikos 3-1, while Kavala and Panionios drew 1-1.
Olympiacos secured their place in the qualifying rounds of next season's UEFA Champions League as they beat Aris Salonika 2-1 to secure second place in the Super League.
The hosts went 1-0 up after 33 minutes through Michal Zewlakow but their task got tougher six minutes later when Rafael Urko was sent off. Aris levelled through Antonio Calvo's penalty, but parity lasted just two minutes before Olympiacos were awarded a spot-kick of their own, which Enzo Maresca levelled. Aris also finished the game with 10 men as Carlos Arano saw red 10 minutes after the break.
The result meant PAOK Salonika could not leapfrog Olympiacos into second, but they did all they could by beating Ergotelis 4-1. PAOK leapt out of the traps and were 4-0 up inside half an hour thanks to goals from Olivier Sorlin, Zlatan Muslimovic, Bruno Cirillo and Thanassis Papazoglou.
Half-time substitute Christos Chrissofakis pulled one back a minute after the restart, but the result proved irrelevant for both clubs, with PAOK having to settle for the consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Europa League. They are joined by Aris and AEK Athens, who beat Asteras Tripoli 2-0 with goals from Rafik Djebbour and Pantelis Kafes, while champions Panathinaikos won 1-0 at relegated Giannina thanks to Gabriel's second-half strike.
FC Xanthi secured their place in the Super League for another season by winning 4-2 at Iraklis, condemning Levadiakos to the drop. Xanthi let a two-goal half-time lead slip, but Mauro Poy (70) and Nathan Ellington with a 79th-minute penalty settled the visitors' nerves. That meant Levadiakos were relegated despite their 2-1 win at Larissa.
Elsewhere, Atromitos beat relegated Panthrakikos 3-1, while Kavala and Panionios drew 1-1.
Cabore stuns Al Sadd
Cabore stuns Al Sadd(PA) Monday 19 April 2010
Five-time Crown Prince Cup winners Al Sadd were knocked out of the semi-finals of this year's competition after they were beaten 1-0 by Al Arabi on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Cabore scored the only goal four minutes after the hour mark to steer his side to secure his side's place in the final.
Al Arabi will meet the winners of the match between Al Gharafa and Qatar SC, who will meet today, in the final on Saturday 24 April.
Five-time Crown Prince Cup winners Al Sadd were knocked out of the semi-finals of this year's competition after they were beaten 1-0 by Al Arabi on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Cabore scored the only goal four minutes after the hour mark to steer his side to secure his side's place in the final.
Al Arabi will meet the winners of the match between Al Gharafa and Qatar SC, who will meet today, in the final on Saturday 24 April.
Poor start continues for Toronto
Poor start continues for Toronto(PA) Monday 19 April 2010
The Colorado Rapids handed Major League Soccer rivals Toronto FC their third defeat in four games with a 3-1 win in Denver on Sunday.
Conor Casey converted a 24th-minute penalty, which was awarded after the referee saw a handball as Toronto defender Adrian Cann slipped in the box under pressure from Omar Cummings. The Canadian visitors were back on level terms in the 58th minute after Colorado keeper Matt Pickens felled Sam Cronin, allowing Dwayne De Rosario to score his second penalty in four days after grabbing the winner against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night in Toronto.
The Rapids, though, regained control through a Jeff Larentowicz goal in the 71st minute, the Colorado midfielder curling a right-footed free-kick through the Toronto defensive wall and past keeper Stefan Frei. And the three points were secured six minutes from time when Casey was fouled in the box by Maksim Usanov, the USA international striker scoring his second spot-kick of the match to hand Colorado the victory.
The Rapids now have two wins, a draw and a loss after their opening four games of the season while Toronto have one victory and three defeats
The Colorado Rapids handed Major League Soccer rivals Toronto FC their third defeat in four games with a 3-1 win in Denver on Sunday.
Conor Casey converted a 24th-minute penalty, which was awarded after the referee saw a handball as Toronto defender Adrian Cann slipped in the box under pressure from Omar Cummings. The Canadian visitors were back on level terms in the 58th minute after Colorado keeper Matt Pickens felled Sam Cronin, allowing Dwayne De Rosario to score his second penalty in four days after grabbing the winner against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night in Toronto.
The Rapids, though, regained control through a Jeff Larentowicz goal in the 71st minute, the Colorado midfielder curling a right-footed free-kick through the Toronto defensive wall and past keeper Stefan Frei. And the three points were secured six minutes from time when Casey was fouled in the box by Maksim Usanov, the USA international striker scoring his second spot-kick of the match to hand Colorado the victory.
The Rapids now have two wins, a draw and a loss after their opening four games of the season while Toronto have one victory and three defeats
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