Fabrice Muamba faces a "crucial" 24 hours after collapsing during a
live televised FA Cup tie in north London, Bolton Wanderers manager Owen
Coyle has said.
The midfielder remains critically ill after collapsing during the quarter-final tie against Tottenham.
Muamba, 23, is being treated in the intensive care unit of the heart attack centre at the London Chest Hospital.
Worried Coyle said: "It's very serious. There's no getting away from that. God willing, he makes it through."
He added: "Fabrice is critically ill. The next 24 hours are going to be absolutely crucial.
"We've obviously been inundated with people wishing him well and we
hope that if everybody can pray strongly tonight that Fabrice is able to
recover."
Concerned staff: Muamba receives CPR treatment on the pitch
Getty
Game stopped: Muamba is taken off on a stretcher
Getty
The club and the hospital issued a joint statement yesterday evening
saying: "Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been
admitted to the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital where
he is in a critically ill condition in intensive care.
"The club and hospital request that the media and public respect the family's privacy at this time." Fabrice Muamba came to the UK speaking no English at 11 years old and went on to play for his country
Muamba had walked away from the action towards the side of the pitch before collapsing face first onto the ground.
He was immediately surrounded by players and medical staff.
Vigil: Muamba collapsed away from the action
Getty
However the player was not breathing and CPR was administered before a defibrillator was called for.
The former England Under-21 star was taken off on a stretcher as fans held their heads in their hands, with some in tears.
The incident was so serious the match at White Hart lane was abandoned after 41 minutes by referee Howard Webb.
The footballer was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Commentating on ESPN, John Barnes said: "From the players' reaction on both sides it seemed that things were pretty serious."
Kevin Keegan added: "Jermain Defoe seemed absolutely distraught.
"The fans are in a state of shock. I've never seen anything like that on a football pitch before.
"Our hearts go out to his family."
There was nobody around Muamba when he went down and he was not involved in a challenge.
Coyle ran on to the pitch to see what had happened as players
gathered and a defibrillator was used on the star, who has also played
for Arsenal and Birmingham.
As a message was relayed around the stadium that the game was off, the fans applauded and chanted Muamba's name.
The scene recalled memories of Cameroon's Marc Vivien-Foe who
collapsed and died during a Confederations Cup match in 2003.
Former football manager and pundit David Pleat relived the horrific
moment when the player collapsed, saying Muamba's arms were seen to
"jerk" which he described as "terribly traumatic" and "eerie".
He described Muamba, who played for England all the way through Under-16s to Under-21s, as a good athlete.
He said players were rigorously tested for heart and other problems frequently.
"These things can be genetic and you never know," he told Radio 5 Live.
"The only thing that makes us sit up and think tonight is there are
many things more important than football and what's happened tonight is
far more important than football."
Tottenham Hotspur released a statement on the club's website
following the abandoned game, which read: "Tottenham Hotspur can confirm
that Fabrice Muamba has been taken to hospital following his collapse
on the pitch during the match at White Hart Lane this evening. The match
was immediately abandoned.
"Everyone at the club sends their best wishes to Fabrice and his family."
Fans filing out of White Hart Lane after tonight's abandoned FA Cup tie spoke of their shock when Fabrice Muamba collapsed.
They said an eerie silence had descended over the ground and it was clear the situation was serious.
"The player went down with no-one near him. He just collapsed," said
Tottenham fan Paul Bowman, 53, from London Colney, Hertfordshire.
Mr Bowman, who was at the match with his three children, said: "The
other players saw immediately that this looked bad. We could see they
were trying to resuscitate him. Everyone was in shock. We all watched
and waited.
"All the support staff and substitutes were on the pitch. Fans from both teams were chanting Muamba's name."
Mr Bowman said that abandoning the match was the only option.
He went on: "The players were in shock. No-one wanted it to go on.
"It was eerie coming out of the ground. No-one was saying anything.
There was hush, a silence. No-one could quite believe it. It was
terrible."
Muamba has previously played for Arsenal and Birmingham City.
He was born in Kinshasa, Zaire, (Now the Democratic Republic of
Congo) but came to England as a child in 1999 aged 11 after his father
fled as a political refugee.
Italian sources claimed on Thursday that the Netherlands international would consider a transfer to Inter's cross-town rivals at the end of the season as the Nerazzurri look to start a new project in the summer.
"A move to Milan? That's nonsense," Sneijder told reporters. "Those reports lack foundation."
Sneijder has been strongly linked with the exit door at Inter after failing to reach the same heights of his first season at the club, when he helped the Nerazzurri win the treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League.
Manchester United are believed to be still interested in Sneijder after being linked with the 27-year-old in both the past summer and winter transfer windows.
The former Real Madrid midfielder will miss Inter's Serie A match against Atalanta on Sunday after sustaining a groin strain during the club's 2-1 Champions League victory over Olympique de Marseille in midweek, through that win was not enough to see the Italians reach the final eight of the competition.
The 34-year-old has not featured for Milan since the opening Serie A match against Lazio on September 9, when he collided with team-mate Alessandro Nesta.
He was diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy, a disorder associated with the dysfunction of cranial nerve VI, which controls eye movement, and resumed training only two weeks ago after several months of recovery.
The news will come as an important boost for Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has learned that Robinho and Ignazio Abate have joined the club's long list of absentees for Saturday's match because of injury.
Milan are four points clear at the top of the Serie A standings, while Parma are 16th, six points above the relegation zone.
Sources from within Arsenal have confirmed that the North London club is set to offer Robin van Persie a new deal worth £150,000 a week. The reports of the new deal came into light after Persie’s superb performance in the London derby against arch rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.
Arsenal had a disappointing start to their Premier League game against Spurs. A deflection and an unfortunate penalty helped Spurs to gain a 2-0 lead early in the game. Arsenal looked destined for defeat but fate had other plans.
By half-time a thunderous header from Bacary Sagna and Persie’s sublime shot from outside the box helped Arsenal level the game at 2-2. When the game resumed after the break Arsenal was commanding the tempo of the game. The Gunners seldom lost the ball and continuously produced attacking opportunities.
Tomas Rosicky’s goal helped Arsenal to a 3-2 lead a few minutes after the game restarted. Theo Walcott scored a quick brace to finish the game for Spurs. A comeback at this stage was impossible but Spurs didn’t give up hope and tried to score till the end of the game. Final Score: 5-2 at the Emirates.
Such results have been rare for Arsenal this season, which is why top class players have been linked with away moves. Arsenal’s skipper and their star striker, Robin van Persie is speculated to make a move to Barcelona, AC Milan or Real Madrid this summer.
The current contract of the Netherlands international will expire in 2012. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not in a strong position to negotiate an extension contract with Persie however he would to retain the services of his captain.
Gunners’ dismissive form can be categorized as the main reason behind Persie’s potential exit. Arsenal now has to decide, whether to keep Persie or sell him for some cash.
Wenger and the Arsenal board are desperate to keep Persie at the Emirates. This is why they are willing to make Persie the highest-paid player in the club’s history. The deal will offer a salary of £130,000 a week and a signing-on fee of £5 million.
Persie understands that he could get similar or better deals with Barcelona, AC Milan or Real Madrid, therefore club loyalty and Arsenal’s future will be the main reservations for Persie. The 28-year-old forward has won just one major trophy in the eight years he has spent with Arsenal.
Persie has shown desire to win some silverware, therefore before he puts pen to paper he would need an assurance from Wenger that Arsenal will be competing to challenge for honors next season.
Name: Lionel Andrés Messi Position: forward Place of birth: Santa Fe (Argentina) Date: 24-06-1987 Height: 1'69 Weight: 67 Debut: RCD Espanyol-FC Barcelona (0-1, League), 16/10/2004 Personal Website: http://www.leomessi.com/
Statistics 10/11
Lionel Andrés Messi
Leo Messi, with two Ballon d'Or awards to his name (2009 and 2010), is the best player in the world. This modest Argentinian has speed, dribbling and shooting skills. But despite so many individual virtues, he is also a remarkable team player.
This Argentinian striker's footballing career started in 1995 at Newell's Old Boys, where he played until the year 2000. At the age of 13, Lionel Messi crossed the Atlantic to try his luck in Barcelona, and joined the Under 14s.
Messi made spectacular progress at each of the different age levels, climbing through the ranks of the different youth teams and then Barça C, followed by Barça B and the first team in record time.
In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).
With several first team players seriously injured, the services of several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old. That record would eventually be beaten by Bojan.
At the Under 20 World Cup in Holland, Messi not only won the title with Argentina, but was also the leading goalscorer and was voted best player in the tournament. Aged 18 years, he had become one of the hottest properties in the world game. Shortly after, he made his first full international appearance in a friendly against Hungary.
His breakthrough as a player came in the 2005-06 season, starting with an amazing performance in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Juventus. He was also outstanding at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Barcelona's unforgettable 3-0 win, and also at Stamford Bridge, in the Champions League match against Chelsea. Injury kept him sidelined for much of the latter stage of the season. Messi played a total of 17 league games, 6 in the Champions League and 2 in the Copa del Rey. Messi scored eight goals.
The following season Messi moved up a gear and astounded the world with goals such as the one he scored against Getafe in the King’s Cup. In the 2006/07 season, and even though the team didn’t win any titles, the Argentine was second in the FIFA World Player awards and third in the Golden Ball. He continued to develop in the 2007/08 campaign, when he scored 16 goals and gave 10 assists in the 40 games he played in. In 2008, Leo Messi was runner up in the FIFA WORLD PLAYER AWARD for the second season in a row.
In the 2008/09 season, and now without Ronaldinho alongside him, Messi continued to be the main star of the Barça line up. He managed to stay injury free all season, and played 51 games, scoring 38 goals. The Argentinian was also fundamental in the two finals, scoring Barça’s second goals in both. El año 2009 ganó el FIFA World Player y Balón de Oro.
How far can Leo Messi go? He was the league’s top scorer in the 2009-10 season and equalled Ronaldo’s historic total of 34 goals (96-97). He scored the goal against Estudiantes de La Plata that gave Barça the Club’s first World Club Cup.
But without settling for that, the Argentinian went even further in the 2010/11 season, scoring no fewer than 53 official goals, a Spanish record only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo (that very same season). Messi, like in Rome, played a vital role in the Champions League final at Wembley were scored a scorcher from outside the area to put his team ahead.
Messi also consolidated his place in the national side, now having played at two World Cups (2006 and 2010) and Copa America (2007) for Argentina. In 2008 he also went to the Olympic Games in Beijing, where his country won gold.
PROFILE
Messi is an excellent, sensational, unique player. He is astoundingly creative, has amazing individual skill and is able to constantly put his rivals at unease. A natural left footer, he is stunningly versatile, and can play either in the middle or on whichever of the wings required, although it is out on the right that he feels most comfortable.
He may not be very tall, but his speed and physique enable him to cope with even the toughest of defenders. He is surprisingly strong, and can hold on to the ball in style, as if it were stuck to his feet. There is simply nobody like him anywhere else in the game. He is also a specialist at all dead ball situations, especially free kicks and penalties.
His cold blood and ability to take on responsibilities are other virtues that make Leo Messi simply the best footballer on the planet.
HONOURS
FC Barcelona 2010/11 Champions League 2010/11 Liga 2010/11 Spanish Super Cup 2009/10 Liga 2009/10 World Club Cup 2009/10 European Super Cup 2009/10 Spanish Super Cup 2008/09 Champions League 2008/09 Liga 2008/09 Copa del Rey 2006/07 Spanish Super Cup 2005/06 Champions League 2005/06 Liga 2005/06 Spanish Super Cup 2004/05 Liga Argentinian National Team 2008 Gold Medal Beijing'08 2004/05 World Cup Under-20
Individual awards 2010 Ballon d'Or 2009/10 Golden Boot 2009/10 Spanish League Top Scorer 2009 FIFA World Player 2009 Ballon d'Or 2008 2nd best FIFA WORLD PLAYER 2007 2nd best FIFA WORLD PLAYER
CAREER
2010-11 FC Barcelona 2009-10 FC Barcelona 2008-09 FC Barcelona 2007-08 FC Barcelona 2006-07 FC Barcelona 2005-06 FC Barcelona 2004-05 FC Barcelona
“It looks like Lech, Čech and Rus will meet again in Wrocław,” proclaimed Rafał Dutkiewicz, Mayor of Wrocław, making reference to the legend of the origins of the three Slavic nations of Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia and the fact that these three countries will play each other during Euro 2012. On the other hand, Ryszard Grobelny, Mayor of Poznań, hopes that fans from Ireland, Croatia, and Italy will arrive in their hordes to the Poznań area. Both mayors hope fans from across Europe will breathe new life into their respective cities. However, the authorities of Gdańsk do not conceal their disappointment as they believe that fewer fans will appear in Gdańsk than in cities where the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, England, and Denmark are playing their group games. Poland, Russia, Greece, and the Czech Republic will play their matches in Wrocław much to the delight of the Wrocław authorities. The Euro 2012 schedule includes the following: on 8 June Russia plays the Czech Republic, on 12 June the Czech Republic faces Greece, and on 16 June Poland plays the Czech Republic. “We are extremely happy our southern neighbour is in our group because it means that thousands of Czech fans will come to see the match between Poland and the Czech Republic in Wrocław, which of course is not too far away from the Czech Republic. The Greeks like to have fun, but most do not know Poland and Wrocław, so we hope that the Greeks will discover our city for themselves and will later return at some point,” Dutkiewicz emphasised. wyborcza.pl
Euro 2012 may host three times fewer foreign fans than the organisers originally predicted. As well as the positive news of completed stadiums, there is also negative news. Namely, during meetings conducted in the host cities, the reps of foreign fan organisations are amending their figures regarding the number of fans that will attend. At the beginning of 2012, the organisers estimated that Euro 2012 group stage matches will host between 470,000 and 710,000 people. However, present figures suggest that only about 200,000 people at most will turn up. Dariusz Łapiński of PL.2012 (which coordinates and oversees the preparation of Euro 2012 in Poland) who is responsible for all projects concerning football fans admits that after the initial declarations by football fan organisations, they have been forced to modify their previous estimations. The latest data reveals that the number of Czech fans coming to see all the games played by the Czech team in Wrocław is estimated at 10,000-12,000. A similar estimation has been made for Russian, Croatian and Irish fans coming to see their teams. However, the lowest number of fans travelling to see their teams will be the Italian, Spanish and Greek games with only 5,000 fans from each country. biznespolska.pl
With the draw just starting and the stage for Euro 2012 now set, right as the draw is set is as good as any to prognosticate which Spurs players are going to star and play for their countries in one of the most illustrious competitions in the world. With only 7 months to go until the elite teams of Europe meet in Poland and the Ukraine to decide the champion of Europe, lets dive in and examine which Spurs players have a chance at playing in the competition, and what kind of impact they can make.
(Predicated on health status)
Definite Squad Members
Kyle Walker - With Glen Johnson not finding the field regularly at Anfield, the three right backs in favor for Capello right now are Chris Smalling, Micah Richards, and Kyle Walker. Walker picked up his first cap for England in a friendly against Spain, subbing in for Scott Parker, and made his first start against Sweden in the next match, picking up Man of the Match. It's likely that two of the three will make the squad, with my money being on Walker and Richards. Walker has gotten by far the most run of the three, and is in the best form of all three. I find it difficult to imagine a 23 man roster without Walker on it for June.
Probable Squad Members
Scott Parker - The very definition of a late bloomer, Parker has made 7 of his 10 international caps for England in the past year. Ever since Capello started playing a 4-3-3 Parker has been the holding midfielder of choice for Capello. With his superb Premier League form and his great form for the national team, the only thing holding me back from proclaiming him a definite for Euro 2012 is age and competition. Gareth Barry has seemed to supplant Parker as the preferred holding mid, and I don't know if Capello will want a 33 year old bench player with limited versatility. With all the competition in the midfield, I could see Parker making the squad but won't call it for certain.
Unlikely Squad Members
Aaron Lennon - The simple matter is, Lennon doesn't do anything that Theo Walcott couldn't do equally or better. They're both blazing down the wing, poor to adequate with their delivery into the box, good on the ball. The issue then becomes why would Capello want two of the same player for right wing, limiting his versatility. Lennon isn't much of a goal scoring threat, and I think this is what will kill him and keep him out of the 23 man side. Adam Johnson and Walcott will be the right wingers of choice on this team. Sorry Aaron.
Slim Chance in Hell Squad Members
Michael Dawson and Ledley King - Dawson is out injured with achilles, but besides that youth has supplanted his spot in the team as Phil Jones and Gary Cahill are better cover in the center. Despite King's resurgence, I don't think Capello is going to gamble on him again after he left the World Cup with injury. King's international career will be over when he isn't picked here, and Dawson will likely become a spot call up from this point on.
Jermain Defoe- 46/15 is not an inspiring goal scoring record, and this will likely also spell the end for Defoe. Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck, Gabby Agbonlahor are almost set in stone as the strikers for Capello.
Tom Huddlestone - Not playing for us, so not playing for England. Getting snubbed will likely cause him to want a move out of Tottenham, unless Levy can convince him he'll get back into the rotation when Parker stops being immense or retires for no reason. He's not in a good situation right now.
Definite Squad Members
Roman Pavlyuchenko - It is simply amazing that the best goal scoring threat for Russia is buried on his league team. There is no chance the man who wears the 9 for Russia will miss Euro barring major injury, and for good reason: he and Aleksandr Kerzakhov are the only consistent goal scoring threats at the top for Russia. Along with Arshavin, they are this teams attack. All the more reason why figures within Russia will be pressuring some teams in the RPL to get Pav into the league at all costs just for the sake of consistent playing time. His bags are already packed.
Definite Squad Members
Luka Modric- It shouldn't even be a question that this man will be on the team barring injury. He is the heart of Croatia, and will largely determine how the team will perform in the competition with his passing and playmaking. Him, Srna, and Kranjcar will lead the Croatian midfield.
Niko Kranjcar - Like Pav, doesn't play for his league team but the depth of the national team means that his talent trumps any possible cover Croatia has. He will be a wild card for Croatia due to his lack of play for Tottenham, and if he can come out on fire it will make Croatia a very deadly team. If he comes out flat then Croatia will funnel almost all of its offense down the right flank of the field, which will spell doom for the teams chances at reaching the knockout rounds.
Vedran Corluka - With the emergence of Kyle Walker, he lost his starting spot for Tottenham and is in the same spot as Kranjcar. He is the second most capped defender that Croatia has, and will be guaranteed to start for the team. He and Josip Simunic will largely be the only class defense Croatia will feature, and headline the weakest part of the team. Corluka and Simunic will have to elevate their play and become Supermen to give Croatia a fighting chance, otherwise will have to pray Eduardo and Ivica Olic become prolific in front of net.
Definite Squad Members
Younes Kaboul - If someone made a bet two years ago that Mamadou Sakho and Younes Kaboul would be the center back pairing to begin Euro 2012, that person would have been laugh at, derided, and could possibly be making a whole lot of money in seven months. Kaboul is having an immense season for Tottenham, finally becoming the player he was expected to be seasons ago. His cover for the team as Dawson, William Gallas, and Ledley King have been unavailable at times has been immeasurable. Sakho is starring for the probable French Champion right now, the probable centerpiece for the French defense this decade, and will likely be assured his spot. Kaboul has competition to be his partner though, in Adil Rami. Both are similar players, and whoever has the best form for their club in 2012 will likely get the nod. A possible dark horse does exist in Laurent Koscielny, but the real competiton will be between Kaboul and Rami.
Slim Chance in Hell Squad Members
William Gallas - Has barely seen the field this year, no caps in a year. His service for France is likely done at this point.
Definite Squad Members
Rafael Van der Vaart - There is no explanation needed, because of this:
CONCLUSIONS:
Projected Best Spurs Performer at 2012: Luka Modric
Probable Top Goal Scorer: Roman Pavlyuchenko
Most Likely to Make a Horrifying Gaffe: Vedran Corluka
Most Likely to Have Best Hair of Tournament: Scott Parker
Less than a week is left till December, and this means that it is only half a year till UEFA European Football Championship 2012or as it is usually called “Euro 2012“. But everyone is already in the expectation of this event.
Euro 2012 does not only refer to stadiums, but also to roads, airports, public transport, and hotels.
High requirements are set to all these indispensable constituents. At the moment the problem with the stadiums is solved. According to Markiyan Lubkivsky, Director of UEFA EURO 2012 in Ukraine, four Ukrainian stadiums in Kiev, Kharkov, Donetsk and Lvov are already ready for the championship. As for hotels, that is accommodation of football fans and tourists, the problems are not expected.
It is worthwhile to say that Mr. Michel Platini sets very high standards to the number and quality of the hotel room capacity in all cities, taking part in UEFA European Football Championship 2012. Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Lvov, and Odessa all feel the lack of hotels. At the same time, the increase of hotel room capacity by means of constructing of new hotels is not always possible because of the lack of investors. Despite all promises of the authorities to secure all necessary conditions for the potential foreign investors, the volunteers did not line up.
It is because there are too many issues to be solved before the construction starts. Only in Kiev the state planned to build 7 five-star, 10 four-star, and 17 two- and three-star hotels. But it appears that this will remain a plan, so rent apartments in Kiev Euro 2012 will be popular. The authorities have allocated about 125 billion of hryvnias to the preparation for Euro 2012. The state planned to get the most part by means of attraction of foreign investors. But it appeared to have a lot of underlying potential problems. For example, in order to build a hotel, it is necessary to visit various authorities and collect about 250 signatures. And it is only the beginning. Such issues as planning and constructional design take about 300 days, as well as land issues (land acquisition) take not less than 200 days. Besides, at least a year is required for the construction work of the hotel itself. This very approach has frightened foreign investors.
When it became clear that the problem of the hotel market development is impossible to be solved individually, the state chose another method, such as to attract agencies and apartment owners to the accommodation of foreign visitors of Kiev. In this connection Rent apartments in Kiev Euro 2012 were united under the project “Hospitable Accommodation 2012″. This project foresees the accommodation of fans at Euro 2012, with the provision of a wide range of services, including transportation and hotel service.
Kiev is widely regarded as not only cultural and political, but also business capital of Ukraine. As a result of high business activity hundreds of people visit it every day. Besides, a lot of guests visit Kiev as tourists in order to get acquainted with famous places of interest and monuments of architecture of the historic center, and just to change the surroundings and relax. And during “Euro 2012″, which takes place from June 8 to July 1, a big inflow of tourists is expected in Ukraine. The maximum tourist traffic is expected in the cities, where football match games will be held, especially in Kiev. Taking into account that the majority of the capital hotels have four and five stars, the accommodation of fans at Euro 2012 there is twice or even three times more expensive than in the apartments for Rent for the EURO 2012. During Euro 2012 they will have even higher rate, not nearly everyone will be able to have such accommodation. Thus, rent apartments in Kiev Euro 2012 will be in great demand. Besides, the number of stars in the hotels says not much about high quality service. There are, of course, economy class hotels, but their service level will hardly ever satisfy the requirements of foreign visitors. Such cost effective variants are most likely to become not so cheap, thus, they will not be able to gain much popularity among foreign visitors of Ukraine.
Rent apartments during Euro 2012 will be a fine alternative to hotels in the capital. Companies, who are professionally engaged in the apartment renting at the capital real estate market, are able to provide apartments and service, which is highly competitive with hotels, and even better. And the rent rate of such rent apartments during Euro 2012, for example in “Luxury Apartments”, the company with 10-year experience, will be much lower than the rate for hotel rooms in 4-5-star hotels.
Apart from a readily available price, rent apartments in Kiev Euro 2012 will be able to provide a wider range of services, such as on-line reservation, transfer, apartment cleaning, laundry, change of bed-linen, delivery of food, and organization of excursions. And the most important thing is that every client is guaranteed individual attention. And this is what is impossible to get at any hotel.
Thus, rent apartments during Euro 2012 have an undeniable advantage over hotels, which will make your stay in the Ukrainian capital comfortable. You will get maximum conveniences and more independence with the same level of safety, but for fewer expenses. If you are interested in the Rent Apartment Ukraine Euro 2012 Kiev, just turn to our company. We offer over 100 of our own apartments for daily rent, which are located in the center of Kiev, very close to the main places of interest, such as Khreschatyk, Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Sofia Square, and others. The best restaurants, cafes, clubs, shopping and leisure centers, business centers are all situated at your fingertips. You will get one-, two-, three, four room rent apartments during Euro 2012 in Kiev of luxury or VIP class at your disposal. All our Euro 2012 accommodation apartments for rent have contemporary and stylish interior design, a lot of them have authors design, furnished with stylish new furniture, and equipped with all necessary multimedia and household appliances. The Euro 2012 accommodation apartments for rent have cable and digital television, Internet, and telephone.
We are sure that we will be able to propose you apartments for Rent for the EURO 2012, which meet all your expectations and desires. If you want to have comfortable conditions in the apartment you like while staying in Kiev, we recommend you to reserve Rent Apartment Ukraine Euro 2012 Kiev beforehand.
In order to reserve rent apartments in Kiev Euro 2012 in “Luxury Apartments”, you need to get in touch with us using any convenient method for you: on-line-reservation, with the help of a phone call, or via e-mail.
As you may have gathered by now, Manchester United went a whole point clear over City at the top of the Premier League pile yesterday, overtaking their bestest chums in the standings after trailing behind since October 15th of last year.
Chasing down league title number 20, United snaffled all three points with a 2-0 win over West Brom at Old Trafford while City huffed and puffed their way to a 1-0 defeat against Swansea at the Liberty – thus finding themselves in second place at the close of play for the first time in nearly five months.
We’ve got 10 games left to play. Sir Alex has solemnly vowed that United will ‘hold their nerve’ during the run-in, while Roberto Mancini has declared that City’s defeat against Swansea was ‘not critical’ and that the title will be decided ‘with three games to go’, i.e, - by the potentially monumental Mancunian derby at the Etihad on April 30th.
Sure, City have out-scored and out-not-conceded (to coin a phrase) all comers this season, but the salient stat – the one that really matters, their points total – has just become ever-so-slightly insufficient.
The oft-trotted out idiom is that it’s far easier to chase than be chased. However, given City’s lengthy reign at the top of the table this season, you’d have to fancy that the pressure will be on them to retake the throne before the curtain comes down on May 13th. And Sir Alex knows it. He feels it way down in his Irn Bru.
Mancini’s no duck egg, but Ferguson has been here before several times over. He knows the lay of the land. City may be able to call on a phalanx of £20+ million replacements in the 80th minute, but there’s no real substitute for experience.
(Apologies. That last sentence was trite to almost nausea-inducing levels. I will go outside and flog myself with birch thickets until the shame is gone)
Any road up, the question goes out to the Pies’ faithful: Who are you backing to hold their collective nerve and take the Premier League title this season? Manchester United or Manchester City?
Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle United – Premier League – 12th March 2012
By snatching a last-gasp victory over Newcastle at the Emirates on Monday night, Arsenal became the first team in Premier League history to come from behind and win in four games in a row.
That win also puts them to within one point of third-placed Tottenham, bu the Gunners had to work hard for the three points against a well-drilled and disciplined Newcastle side.
The first two goals came within a bizarre spell in the 15th minute of the first-half, with Hatem Ben Arfa’s strike cancelled out almost immediately by Robin van Persie.
After the break it was all Arsenal, but a combination of bad luck and dismal finishing looked to have scuppered the home side’s chances of moving to within a point of Spurs. However, with seconds remaining, Thomas Vermaelen popped up to win the game for the Gunners.
Van Persie then goaded ‘keeper Tim Krul (who had been time wasting all through the second half) which lead to a bit of a fracas between the two Dutchmen at the end.
While Arsenal now have their eye on a top three finish, for Alan Pardew’s Magpies, the Champions League dream is starting to fade.
A pulled hamstring or a twisted ankle are all part and parcel of the game of football, but you don’t expect to hear about a footballer breaking his back during a training session. However, that’s exactly what has happened to Exeter City defender Danny Coles.
At the Grecians’ (fabulously named) Cat and Fiddle training ground on Monday, the 30-year-old was involved in an accidental collision with goalkeeper Arthur Krysiak which left him with a fractured bone in his spine.
Coles was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and will miss the rest of the campaign. However, the exact seriousness of the injury is yet to determined. Exeter’s Director of Football, Steve Perryman, said:
“Normally people get a scrape or a bruise in training, but this was a bit more serious. He’s a very experienced player who has done very well for us. But it’s part and parcel of what happens in football.”
Let’s hope that the injury doesn’t keep the unfortunate Coles out of action for the League One side for any longer than just this season.
Corinthians have announced that they have terminated and torn up Adriano’s contract after giving up on ever rescuing the wayward Brazilian from his ongoing career funk – with imminent retirement looking like a very real prospect for the former Inter Milan battering ram.
After being jettisoned by Roma last March after a fractious 10-month stint in the Italian capital, Adriano returned home to Brazil proclaiming that he would put his heart and soul into regaining his place in the national side for the 2014 World Cup, but suffered a fairly serious Achilles injury just days after resuming training and spent six months on the sidelines before making his debut in October – after which he only made six further appearances, scoring two goals.
Reports from Brazil are suggesting that the decision was made after Adriano failed to report for training two days on the spin and then refused to let the Corinthians doctor weigh him once he finally sauntered into the club’s training facilities.
The 30-year old had been staying in a private health club at Corinthian’s expense to help him shed weight (he apparently last clocked in at a burly 15st 10lbs), but has now severed all ties with the club, despite his contract running up until the summer.
Neto, once of Corinthians and now a preeminent commentator in Brazil, summed up Adriano’s stint at his former club in withering terms:
“Myself, many other analysts and the entire Corinthians support had a real desire to see him do well, but the reality is that this guy is not professional.
“He never made even the slightest effort to work hard and secure his future. Only a madman would sign him now.”
Just let that last remark ring for a second. So grim, so fatalistic, and so sad to see a player whose only mode was ‘Beast Mode’ back in his pomp fall from grace in such a submissive fashion, without so much as a whimper of defiance – though, considering his lapse conduct since 2005, it hardly comes as a shock.
Depression, blubber, injuries and drink have all no doubt taken their toll – but it’s that unwillingness, that sheer lack of resolve that finally signaled the death knell.
So, as Adriano re-re-enters the wilderness and stares over the precipice into the void of retirement, let us all fondly remember the very reason why his passing over into footballing limbo represents such a pitiful waste of cathartic power, bustling skill and barely-bridled aggression
No need for that! Jesus, just take the damn compliment
Oh Robin, with your salt and pepper-flecked temples and your eyes; dark, wild and darting, like two endless pools of Castrol sump oil. Your left foot: cultured and versatile. Your right foot: used mainly for standing on. You lovely, lovely Dutchman. I just want to peel off your skin and climb inside you. Y’know? Wear you like a babygro…
Sorry. Got a little carried away there. Apologies to anyone affected.
Ahem. Right. While Liverpool were occupying themselves with missing their sixth penalty and hitting the woodwork for the 21st and 22nd time this season at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, Robin van Persie left Merseyside having scored his 30th and 31st goals of 2011/12. Liverpool had the upper hand for the vast majority of the game, Van Persie won it for Arsenal like a deadly sniper lurking amidst the rubble of Stalingrad until glory beckoned and his trigger finger twitched…
‘Tis my express belief that no-one else of that pitch would have scored that volley. No-one.
While not nearly as demanding as Van Persie’s beautifully-executed volley against Everton a month or two ago, the unflinching technique and innate confidence required leaves only one other candidate who theoretically could have tucked it away in that situation: Luis Suarez, though he’d have been sprawling on the turf long before the ball reached him because – and here’s an important lesson for the kids – dredging for penalties is a lot easier than actually doing some football.
RVP had one chance to snatch victory (and three vital points) from the jaws of mediocrity for Arsenal – with an arching 30-yard ball dropping over his shoulder in the 92nd minute – and it was never in doubt. This is exactly what makes him a world class forward, as spurious and subjective-a-categorisation as that may be. ‘Prolific’ is technically a perfectly fitting description, but that doesn’t really do his total contribution to the Arsenal cause justice.
According to Opta, Van Persie has now scored ten match-winning goals in the Premier League so far this season – four more than anyone else.
Like Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas before him, as one of the sole finished articles in the club’s flux quagmire of adolescent ‘potential’, the once-cripplingly timid boy from Rotterdam has stepped into the void as Arsenal’s totemic talisman, their monolith…
‘Absolutely essential’ is somewhat nearer the mark.
Without him, Arsenal are next to nothing in terms of top four competitiveness and, perhaps more importantly, he’s begun carrying The Weight (the very same burden that eventually gave Cesc a hunchback) with a spring in his heel, a playful flexibility in his wrist, a grin across his face and a non-stop cavalcade of world class finishes to salivate over.
After his exploits at the weekend, Arsene Wenger has come out this morning and claimed that he will do ‘everything in his power’ to coax Van Persie into signing a new deal at the Emirates (his current contract expires in 2013) meaning that they may well have to blow apart their fiscally-conscientiousness wage structure to do so. That said, risking the insolvency and liquidation of the club may actually count as a calculated risk in this situation.
Speaking strictly as a neutral; Robin, if you’ve had enough and you do decide to go chasing rainbows elsewhere come next summer, please let it be Man City, because I will sob until Kingdom come if you leave Match of the Day for either one of those bickering arseholes in Spain.
*image is an artist’s recreation
With his recent retirement fresh in mind, former Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been remembering Ronaldo fondly – regaling Spanish newspaper AS with stories of the 1999 Copa America, in which the Selecao’s staff had to take special precautions to accomodate the striker’s personal fitness regime:
“Ronaldo was already overweight, and we explored every possible way of making him drop some pounds.
“The team doctor gave him medicine, Xenical, which was effective, but it also accelerated his bowel movements. So, in order to avoid any ‘incidents’ the player had to wear diapers, which embarrassed him.”
Thanks Vanderlei. Magical stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Seems like a certain Gary Lineker could have learned a few things about involuntary-poo decorum from our Ron.
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