|
Henry joins élite band of centurions |
|
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
Thierry Henry became only the sixth France player to win 100 caps after being named in the starting lineup for Tuesday's friendly against Colombia in Paris.  South Africa debutThe FC Barcelona striker was a little nonplussed as he considered his achievement, saying: "It's not that important. It's just a detail in our preparations for EURO." Henry joins Lilian Thuram (139), Marcel Desailly (116), Zinédine Zidane (108), Patrick Vieira (105) and Didier Deschamps (103) in an élite band of centurions, also becoming the first Les Bleus forward to reach the milestone. The 30-year-old, who should spearhead his country's attack at UEFA EURO 2008™, made his debut in a friendly against South Africa in October 1997 and registered the first of his 44 goals against the same opponents in a group match at the FIFA World Cup eight months later. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Cygan to extend Villarreal stay |
|
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
 French defender Pascal Cygan has signed a one-year contract extension with Primera División runners-up and 2008/09 UEFA Champions League contenders Villarreal CF.
'Great opportunity'
The 34-year-old's previous deal was due to expire this summer, but Cygan will now remain a Villarreal player until 30 June 2009.
Cygan has made 42 league appearances and scored twice since arriving at El Madrigal from Arsenal FC ahead of the 2006/07 campaign. "I didn't think I was going to be continuing here so I'll be doing everything to take advantage of this great opportunity," said Cygan. (uefa.com)
|
|
|
Emery to take on Valencia challenge |
|
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
UD Almería boss Unai Emery will be unveiled as the new coach of Valencia CF after agreeing a two-year contract at the Mestalla.  Merry-go-round
The 36-year-old will be unveiled at a media conference on Friday and will begin work officially on 1 July. He will fill the void left by Ronald Koeman's sacking in April, with Salvador 'Voro' González – who led Valencia away from relegation trouble – having been in caretaker charge. Almería success
It is reported that Emery accepted the Valencia offer after being assured that the east-coast club would not be selling key players this summer. The Basque trainer has caught the eye with Almería, winning promotion last season and then gaining an eighth-placed finish this term. Previously, the former Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Racing Club de Ferrol player coached Lorca Deportiva CF, lifting them from Spain's Segunda División B. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Barcelona splash out for Cáceres |
|
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
 FC Barcelona have struck an agreement with Villarreal CF for the signature of highly-rated defender Martín Cáceres for €16.5m. Short stay
The 21-year-old centre-back moved to Spain on a free transfer from Defensor SC in his native Uruguay last summer and was sent out on loan to RC Recreativo de Huelva, where he made 33 Primera División starts in 2007/08. Cáceres, who has already won five caps for his country, has signed a four-year deal at the Camp Nou and is Barcelona's third signing of the summer with Gerard Piqué and Seydou Keita having already been brought in. New coach Josep Guardiola will lead the Blaugrana into the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after the team finished the campaign in third position, one place below Villarreal. (uefa.com) |
|
|
Madrid grab Garay from Racing |
|
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
Real Madrid CF have signed centre-back Ezequiel Garay from Real Racing Club Santander for a reported fee of €10m – but have loaned him back to the UEFA Cup qualifiers for next season.
 Goalscoring defender
The 21-year-old, who has been capped once by Argentina, has agreed a six-year deal with the Primera División champions. Garay arrived at Racing during the 2005/06 campaign from CA Newell's Old Boys yet it was his form the following season that alerted Europe's leading clubs – he scored nine goals in 31 league games, including three against Madrid.
European finish
Despite missing the latter part of this term with a knee injury, Garay still played 22 times in the top flight, scoring three goals, as Racing finished sixth to qualify for the UEFA Cup. The set-piece specialist was part of the Argentina team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005. (uefa.com) |
|
|
Gibernau test to conclude todayFormer MotoGP World Championship runner-up Sete Gibernau will undertake a third and final day of testing in Mugello for Ducati today. Sete Gibernau in the Ducati Marlboro team garage in 2006Sete Gibernau´s three-day test in Mugello for Ducati will conclude today (Thursday) with the Spaniard...
Nicklaus amazed at Tiger's victory(AP) — Jack Nicklaus always thought the U.S. Open was the hardest and most complete test in golf. That's what made Tiger Woods' victory even more impressive to the man whose major record Woods is trying to beat."To have a will as strong as that, I take my hat off to him,"...
Indonesia's flag flies high at Super SeriesIn men’s singles, a new generation of stars is definitely born: Kenichi Tago, Jan Jorgensen and Simon Santoso were the authors of brilliant wins against more experienced players. The small Chinese contingent on hand in Jakarta scored a perfect 10 with all shuttlers going...
Madrid to host Fed Cup final in SpainMADRID, Spain (AP) -- Madrid will host the Fed Cup final between Spain and defending champion Russia on September 13-14.The venue will be Club de Campo de Madrid, the Spanish tennis federation said Thursday. The United States won the 1979 final at the venue.Five-time winner Spain will play its 11th final and its first since...
Face tricky away trips as 2008 FIVB World LeagueLausanne, June 19, 2008 - The second Intercontinental Round in the 2008 FIVB World League starts Friday, with some of the big guns in Volleyball on their travels this weekend as competition heats up in the annual showcase for the world's finest Volleyball players competing for more than USD 20...