‘We’re on the brink of Euro greatness’, insists Fergie May 26, 2009 SIR ALEX FERGUSON says victory in the Champions League final will put his current Manchester United crop among the list of all-time greats. United lock horns with Spanish giants Barcelona in Rome tonight, looking to become the first team ever to successfully defend the Champions League trophy following their dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea [...]
Final looks too close to call May 26, 2009 TONIGHT is the biggest game of the season and everybody is asking me: ‘Where’s the money going?’ The bookies can’t split them with odds of 17/10 on either Man United or Barcelona winning in 90 minutes. But it’s nearly all United in the eyes of Paddy Power punters. Ronaldo and Messi will be expected to [...]
Guilty Ashley issues apology for relegation ‘catastrophe’ May 26, 2009 NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley last night sensationally apologised to the club’s fans for the mistakes which led to the “catastrophe” of relegation from the Premier League. The sportswear magnate issued a club statement acknowledging the errors of his ways which contributed to the club’s losing their top-flight status after 16 years. At the same time, [...]
Adebayor: I want to stay at Arsenal May 26, 2009 ARSENAL striker Emmanuel Adebayor insists he remains committed to staying in north London, despite seeming destined to move on this summer. Adebayor missed Sunday’s victory over Stoke with an injury some conspiracy theorists thought convenient, and admits he is flattered by interest from AC Milan. “If a club like Milan are interested in me then [...]
United should have the edge in a feast of stylish football May 26, 2009 WHEN it comes to defining the ‘beautiful game’, it really doesn’t come any sexier than Barcelona versus Manchester United. With Europe’s two best sides locking horns and less than the width of a cigarette paper separating them, tonight’s Champions League showdown in Rome is set to be the most exciting for many, many years. Unlike [...]
European champions set to claim 100m windfall May 26, 2009 VICTORY in tonight’s Champions League final is worth more to Manchester United than mere sporting glory – the winners stand to make a cool £100m. The figure takes into account prize money, more lucrative sponsorship deals and television rights, an increase in squad value and a boost to season ticket sales. Even if they lose [...]
AT A GLANCE May 26, 2009 &9679; Of the previous three European Cup finals to be held at the Stadio Olimpico, two have been won by English sides (both Liverpool) and two have needed penalties to find a winner, including one of Liverpool’s wins &9679; United are the first defending champions to reach a Champions League final since Juventus in 1997 [...]
Brit women humbled at French Open May 25, 2009 BRITISH No1 Anne Keovathong admits she will have to swallow a few jokes after her French Open debut ended swiftly with a humbling 6-0, 6-0 defeat to top seed Dinara Safina. The Londoner’s thrashing was the start of a miserable day for British women at Roland Garros, with Katie O’Brien and Melanie South both falling [...]
Prepare for an onslaught, warns Geech May 25, 2009 BRITISH and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan insists this summer’s tour of South Africa will be more difficult than when he last triumphed there 12 years ago. The Scot famously led the Lions to a 2-1 victory over the hosts back in 1997 to follow up his success there as a player 23 years previous. [...]
Travelling fans hit by booze ban as Rome chiefs get tough May 25, 2009 FANS of Manchester United and Barcelona have been hit with a total alcohol ban in order to prevent crowd trouble ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League final in Rome. Local authorities have enforced the ban from 11pm tonight to 6am on Thursday throughout the entire city. Over 67,000 fans are expected in the Italian capital [...]