Tottenham director Andre Villas-Boas has played down talk he is likely to be mounted as Real Madrid's next instructor as speculation about Jose Mourinho's potential at the Bernabeu remains. Mourinho is generally expected to leave the the Spanish capital this summer and continues to be associated with a go back to... Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has been connected with the kind of Arsenal and Liverpool, demands he'll remain at the club even if they neglect to secure Champions League football for next year. System were thought to be planning a bid for Huntelaar throughout the January move window, w... Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been connected with Manchester United and Bayern Munich, has "reached an agreement with a club", according to his agent.Lewandowski, who is going of agreement by the end of next year, won all four targets in Borussia Dortmund's 4-1 win over Real Ma... Thursday's gather of the very best shift reports from days gone by 24 hours... - Chelsea are confident of signing Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao this summer, in accordance with theA. - Manchester United story Lou Macari has toldAthat Luka Modric would be the great summer signing for Sir A... Mehdi Benatia, who has been connected with Arsenal and Manchester United, says it will need a present from a "huge" club to coax him away from Udinese come early july. The Morocco international, who can play at centre-back or right-back, mentioned last year he was unlikely to still be at Udinese be... Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been linked with a proceed to Manchester United, has an option to become listed on Bayern Munich this summer, Jupp Heynckes' representative has claimed.Lewandowski, who is going of agreement at the conclusion of next season, scored all four goals in Borussia Dortmund's 4-1 gain over... Liverpool have already been prompted to "close the gap" on the other top groups in the Premier League next season by clubAlegend Steve McManaman.The Reds will be without Champions League baseball yet again next season and supporters are hopeful that boss Brendan Rodgers will splash out in the move market... Chelsea are the odds-on favourites with bookmakers to win the race this summer to signal Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. Falcao has been connected with numerous top clubs from across Europe in recent weeks and is believed to be certainly one of Chelsea's top summer move goals. The Colombia intern... PSV Eindhoven midfielderAKevin Strootman, who has been associated with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, is only focused on seeing out the season with his current team, his agent has said. Strategy have shown interest in Strootman for quite a while and have sent scouts to view him...
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Excellent Ball-Tap Of David West, Norris Cole.
That Indiana Pacers hung around and last and last against the Miami Heat yesterday, and then lost with overtime, because the Warm are evil. Evil, nut-punching bastards, these are. Especially Norris Cole, who was simply caught in the take action of hitting David West inside the groin. Fortunately, he was caught inside act.
But he visited Cleveland State! He graduated! He's supposed to become humble! Sadly, the Heat can corrupt anyone. Perhaps even the humblest of millionaires.
Jenn Browning Will do!!: ) RT @uSTADIUM: @akemisue @JennBrown Employ a BLAST tonight, Ladies! Make sure you take a ton of pics!
Richard Deitsch You will want cool old-school @Sinow cover? Here's @kaj33 and @BillWalton from 36 in years past today: http: //t. co/XEEWXluBKZ
Serta Le Batard Show @WhitlockJason blame having a child dragon, not anyone altogether different. Can't give straight tier to rim in 2. 2 seconds off inbound. Not coaching. Execution
darren rovell 'Merica Rejoices RT @BurgerBusiness Pizza King extends delivery to help you 8 stores in Nevada, 6 in Sacramento
Rumour mill: West Brom winger watch - Birmingham Mail
West Bromwich Albion are reportedly interested in signing Peruvian winger Paolo Hurtado from Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira.
The Baggies are said to have been keeping tracks on the player who has turned in some quality performances for the club.
How Bayern Munich Beat Borussia Dortmund To Win The 2013 Champions ... - Forbes
The Bundesliga became the fourth league to provide both teams for a Champions League Final. La Liga (Real Madrid vs. Valencia '00), Serie A (Milan vs. Juventus '03) and the Barclays Premier League (Manchester United vs. Chelsea '08) all came before.
Bayern was making a third appearance in the final of the Champions League in the last four seasons having lost previously to Inter in 2010 and to Chelsea in 2012.
Bayern entered the match having already won the Bundesliga and with a date against Stuttgart next weekend in the German Cup Final. This was stage 2 of a possible treble and if achieved it would be the first ever by a German club. Last season, with Jupp Heynckes as manager, Bayern finished as runners-up in all three competitions.
Under manager Jürgen Klopp Borussia Dortmund did the German domestic double last season but had also failed to qualify from the group stage of the Champions League.
This season a poor start left Dortmund 12 points behind Bayern at the half way mark in the Bundesliga and the gap was to more than double as Dortmund finished second and 25 points behind the eventual champions.
Going into this season Dortmund had beaten Bayern five straight times but that ended when the Munich side beat Dortmund 1-0 in the season opening German Super Cup. Two league games ended 1-1 but Bayern got the better of Dortmund in the quarter finals of the German Cup.
Borussia Dortmund was missing the services of Mario Götze through injury. In a few weeks' time Götze will transfer his allegiances to Bayern Munich. The $50M move will make the soon to be 21-year-old Germany's most expensive player.
Marco Reus moved infield to take Götze's regular position behind lone striker Robert Lewandowski and hardworking Grosskreutz took Reus' role on what initially appeared to be an attacking bank of three.
There were no surprises in the Bayern Munich starting eleven. Dante returned to the back four after being left out of the 3-0 second leg win over Barcelona with a yellow card suspension hanging over his head.
Toni Kroos was hobbled during the quarter-final win over Juventus and Arjen Robben had taken his place since with Thomas Mueller moving inside and the Dutchman normally playing in a wide position on the right side of midfield.
Borussia Dortmund: 1-Roman Weidenfeller; 26-Lukasz Piszczek, 4-Neven Subotic, 15-Mats Hummels, 29-Marcel Schmelzer; 8-Ilkay Gündogan, 6-Sven Bender, 16-Jakub Blaszczykowski, 11-Marco Reus, 19-Kevin Grosskreutz; 9-Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich: 1-Manuel Neuer; 21-Philipp Lahm, 17-Jerome Boateng, 4-Dante, 27-David Alaba; 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8-Javi Martinez; 10-Arjen Robben, 25-Thomas Mueller, 7-Franck Ribery; 9-Mario Mandzukic.
When the line-ups were announced it looked as if both sides would line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Within seconds of the kick-off it became obvious that Dortmund had opted for something different. Reus pushed up field in support of Lewandowski in a 4-4-1-1 formation that on occasion reverted to a 4-4-2 or even a 4-2-2-2.
With Reus pushing forward Bayern was unable to find a way to play the ball easily from defense to Schweinsteiger and Martinez in midfield. Dortmund was by far the better team in the first quarter of the game until Bayern made an adjustment.
Often the first 20 minutes of a match proves to be a poor predictor of the next 70 minutes and so it was in this game.
Schweinsteiger started to drop deeper and often slotted in between centre-backs Dante and Boateng. Schweinsteiger's change in position offered Bayern more passing options and the ability to play around Lewandowski and Reus.
When Schweinsteiger dropped deeper Martinez played five to ten yards further forward and Dortmund had to acknowledge Martinez's more aggressive positioning and a gap started to form between the Dortmund midfield and the front two.
As the game edged towards half time Klopp moved Gündogan further up field to engage Martinez while Bender took over the deeper lying role in front of the Dortmund centre backs. But perhaps more importantly the initial high pressure pressing employed by Dortmund early in the game waned.
The most decisive tactical move of the second half came from Juup Heynckes. He gave Arjen Robben more freedom and untethered him from his primary role on the right side of midfield.
It started with Robben pushing inside to offer Philipp Lahm an attacking lane down the right side. It became obvious that Dortmund's left back Schmelzer was not going to take advantage of the new space on offer and that only served to embolden Heynckes. Robben traveled further afield and started attacking through the middle and even from the inside left position.
Mueller also pinched in so suddenly the centre of Dortmund defense was getting overloaded and sometimes overrun. However, the threat of Piszczek at right back for Dortmund meant that Heynckes never deviated with his positioning of Franck Ribery on the left side of the Bayern Munich attack in order to block Piszczek's forward runs.
Both goalkeepers played extremely well and both had an array of attacks to deal with. Neuer and Weidenfeller chose to parry and block long-range efforts and to come quickly off their goal lines to close down and to smother short range chances.
The best chance of the first half fell to Arjen Robben who thumped his effort off the face of keeper Weidenfeller. That opportunity came from a simple ball down the centre of field and with Robben getting in behind Dortmund's defensive cover – it was a warning of things to come.
If a goal was to come Dortmund's it would seem most likely to come from a turnover while Bayern's strength and height offered encouragement on corner kicks and other set plays.
The second half chances were very similar to the first 45 minutes although a clearance just short of the goal line by Subotic as Ribery was about to score will remain in the memory for some time.
The opening goal came after the ball traveled the length of the field in a matter of seconds and it all started with a dangerous pass back from Schweinsteiger that put his goalkeeper Neuer under severe pressure.
Unable to use his hands Neuer calmly controlled the ball on his thigh then cleared the ball to midfield. Mandzukic controlled the clearance on his chest and Robben then picked the ball up in the central circle and started to run at the Dortmund defense.
About 25 yards out he fed Ribery who drew three defenders towards him. As the defenders advanced on Ribery Robben accelerated behind the defensive cover, took a wonderful pass from Ribery, rounded the Dortmund keeper and cut the ball back to Mandzukic who had an easy tap in.
Defensively Dortmund had a 5 on 4 advantage but the edge was negated by the one-on-three decision to shut down Ribery. First blood to Bayern Munich.
Dortmund drew level only eight minutes later from the penalty spot. Reus broke into the Bayern penalty area and Dante badly mistimed a challenge and caught Reus full in the stomach and none of the ball.
The referee did not hesitate to point to the spot and with Dante already booked for a first half challenge on Reus the crowd awaited a second yellow card which would have ended Dante's Champions League Final and reduced Bayern to ten men for the rest of the game.
Dante avoided punishment and Gündogan stepped forward to coolly slot home the equalizer by sending Neuer the wrong way.
Rather than buckling Bayern doubled their efforts and took the game to Dortmund. Schweinsteiger pushed further forward, Lahm started raiding down the right and Dortmund could not find a way to hold the ball up in attack.
With many minds beginning to turn to extra time the game was suddenly decided and again it was a simple attack down the middle.
A ball forward from Boateng found Ribery who had made a diagonal run from left to centre. As Robben broke from outside of the Dortmund penalty box Ribery shoveled a back heal into his path.
There will be questions about referee Nicola Rizzoli's decision not to give a second yellow card to Dante. However, the Italian official had an excellent match. He played advantage a couple of times when it was warranted, he stayed up with the play and generally kept the play flowing.
After a first 45 minutes it looked as if Arjen Robben would once again be left to model the goat horns in a big match. But the positional switch offered him freedom and Heynckes' adventure was rewarded with an assist and the winning goal from the Dutchman.
Honorable mentions go to both goalkeepers Neuer and Weidenfeller, Gündogan, Ribery, Reus and Schweinsteiger who was able to adapt his game to the circumstances.
Jürgen Klopp's summer job will be to find undervalued players that can go some way to filling the hole left by Mario Götze and most likely Robert Lewandowski.
The shadow of Pep Guardiola and his imminent arrival at Bayern seemed to hang over much of the post-match analysis. The most prominent question "how does Guardiola match this" being one of the most short sighted that has been heard for many a day.
Simply put Guardiola does what he was hired to do which is win as many trophies as possible and to help contribute to the development of FC Bayern Munchen. Why Bayern winning the Champions League would suddenly call into question the advisability of hiring Guardiolla or that somehow the completion of a treble (if it is achieved) marks some sort of point where a club has achieved everything possible is ludicrous.
More Info: Abidal: "I wanted to keep playing in the boat, but the club looks so different"
San Antonio's 'We Did It' Guy Improves List of Overly Thrilled Spurs Fans.
Your 17-point lead dissolved plus the Memphis Grizzlies forced overtime, nevertheless San Antonio Spurs needed care of business at your home and notched a Sport 2 win. One Spurs fan might have been the most excited person to the face of the universe.
Just as time runs out and also the Spurs are passing hugs available, a man starts shouting, "We did it! WE ACHIEVED IT! " in close proximity with the camera crew.
There have been a huge amount of fans in the running to become this year's honorary very funny fan audio bite within the year, but I think this person finally takes the food.
If you recall, this we had, "Good career, good effort" kid, with finally been supplanted by the "WE DID IT! inches guy.
He easily bumped off "Screaming Spurs Lovely women, " who was doing nothing more than shrieking for what seemed like an eternity during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
There's still time for another person to take the throne using nearly two full units of basketball still to go, but he's going as a tough one to bump off.
More Info: Dagger and Cejudo signed the permanence of Osasuna
Pantilimon wants to quit City on a high after FA Cup final to fulfil ... - Daily Mail
Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon admits that Saturday's FA Cup Final could be his last game for the club.
The 6ft 8in Romanian keeper has been given the nod ahead of first-choice Joe Hart to play against Wigan at Wembley after appearing in every round of the competition this season.
However, none of Pantilimon's 11 games for City since arriving from Timisoara two years ago have been in the Premier League, and the 26-year-old is ready to leave this summer in search of regular first-team football to improve his international prospects.
'I don't know if Saturday will be my last game for the club, it depends on what happens. I am only sure that I want to play – that's what is best for me.
'For a keeper it is difficult. Players in other positions get to play for a few minutes but it's not like that for a keeper.
'I'm happy I'm here but it's normal that I want to play. I am young, not 35 or something waiting to finish my career.
'The manager of the national team tells me every time I speak to him "please try to play more" so it's also important for my country as well as for my career.'
City boss Roberto Mancini has rewarded Pantilimon for only conceding one goal in the FA Cup this season – against Chelsea in the semi-final.
'The manager stopped all the speculation,' added Pantilimon. 'It's an important game and you don't want everyone to speculate about what is happening.
'I think Joe is okay about it. He is a good colleague and a friend, and I know he understands the position. He plays in all the games, and I've waited for my chance in the cup.
'I still think City was a good choice by me. I have been waiting for my chance, and now I am playing in the FA Cup final.'
Via: The end Jessica Alonso will play next season at Le Havre French
Bayern Munich vs. Hamilton Academical Barcelona Winners League kick-off time - Crunchsports.com
Rafael Nadal may be the bookmakers' preferred to gain this week's Open Bancao Sabadell as he appears to land his EIGHTH Barcelona title. Nadal has won the ATP Barcelona seven times since 2005, and he's widely likely to claim the title again this week. Without Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray in the sketch, D... Bayern Munich versus. Barcelona takes place on Tuesday evening in the Champions League.The semi-final first knee sport, which takes place at the Allianz Arena, is scheduled to kick off at 19:45 BST and airs stay in the Uk on ITV/ITV HD.Barcelona have included star striker Lionel Messi in a 21-m... Manchester United vs. Aston VillaAtakes place today in the Premier League.The game, which takes place at Old Trafford, is scheduled to start up at 20:00 BST and airs reside in the UK on Sky Sports 1/Sky Sports 1 HD.Man Utd will undoubtedly be crowned Premier League winners when they win the game after Man... Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is in the "last opportunity saloon" at the club following his "embarrassing" bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, according to Reds legend Graeme Souness. Suarez was fined by Liverpool on Monday morningAafter once more making the news headlines for the wrong re... Luis Suarez has reiterated that he is content at Liverpool and speaking prior to Sunday's controversial incident against Chelsea said he intended to see out his contract at Anfield. Suarez has been in excellent form for Liverpool this season, but with a high four finish from the issue, the Uruguay i... Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona's team for the Champions League semi-final first knee sport against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening. While he is yet to get the all-clear to go back to action, the Argentina global experienced on Sunday and will travel to Germany within a 21-ma... Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Manchester United could face competition from Bayern Munich if they opt to step up their curiosity about Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.Lewandowski has been related to United for some time, and reports in the Germany press at the conclusion of last year ha... Arturo Vidal, who has been linked with Manchester United, says he has no intention of leaving Juventus this summer.Vidal joined Juve from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2011, choosing a transfer to the Italian giants after being linked with several leading clubs from across Europe.United are believed to h... AZ Alkmaar celebrity Adam Maher, who has been connected with Arsenal and Manchester City, has revealed that he already knows which side he really wants to join come early july. Maher has been linked with a number of top groups over the past couple of years and has previously been on the radar of the loves of AC Mil...
More Info: The penultimate concrete platform of 'Mou'