There Is Only One Sinnacle

No fancy 4-5-1 or a make believe 4-3-3 like Italy and Chelsea play which is really a 4-5-1 because they are two wide players up front tying to support the lone striker. Spain on the other hands keeps with old school with a flat 4-4-2. You have a static back line with only Ramos making the run up field but that is usually covered by Senna who’s role in the midfield is to do the dirty work. The other three midfield players are all trying to create for the two strikers up front instead. That is unlike the popular lone striker holding play up trying to connect with his midfield players.

One of these weeks I’ll remember that they post it on Wednesday night.

The Italian Football Federation have moved quickly to plug the hole left by departed Italy coach Roberto Donadoni by re-appointing Marcello Lippi to the position he vacated two years ago.

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Usually I’m against looking into one’s past to fix a current day issue but exceptions are made when you are the defending World Cup winning coach. For a country that wishes to forget about a lackluster Euro 2008 performance bringing back the coach who won the previously World Cup is a great start.

Spain 3-0 Russia: Fabregas proves the inspiration

Superb Spain stormed into their first final in 24 years by rolling over in-form Russia at Euro 2008 in Vienna

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You can’t change who you are over the course of two weeks. Spain handled Russia in the group stage and history repeated itself in the semi finals. Russia hung tough for the first 50 minutes but once Xavi scored the class of Spain shown through. Spain now head off to their first major final since 1984 on Sunday against 1996 winners Germany.

Terim Likely To Stand Down

Turkey coach Fatih Terim has suggested that he will stand down as coach following his side’s heartbreaking elimination from Euro 2008 and return to club coaching…

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Even with the great job Terim has done with Turkey he’d be hard pressed to repeat the magic of Euro 08 going into the next World Cup. If Terim leaves now his profile will be raised where many European clubs at some point will come calling.

Inter Milan’s Figo in frame for Portugal job

Luis Figo could quit Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan for the Portugal job.

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Just can’t see this happening. Figo has always said that he wasn’t interested in coaching after retirement and throwing him into the top job in Portugal will raise a lot of doubts. Stay with Inter for another season Luis.

Ben Arfa Deal Not Completed – Lyon

Olympique Lyonnais have moved to swiftly deny that a deal has been brokered between themselves and Olympique Marseille over young winger Hatem Ben Arfa…

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I could see why Lyon would want to cash in on Ben Arfa since he and Karim Benzema aren’t exactly best of friends. On the other hand I can not see why Marseille would sell Nasri only to pay more for Ben Arfa.

Figo: One More Year

Portuguese legend Luis Figo has expressed his delight after confirming that he will be staying on at Inter for one more year.

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I knew someone was gasping at straws with the previous coaching rumour.

NEW YORK (AP) – France and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry can see himself following David Beckham’s path and leaving Europe to join Major League Soccer – someday.

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This won’t happen for another year or two at least it will happen at some point. Henry often makes mention of his fondness for the United States and how he can see himself playing in the MLS one day. He is also close friends to Tony Parker and makes time to watch basketball whenever possible. The MLS gets a rap for being a retirement league but the day Henry does decide to cross the pond will be a good day for MLS and its fans none-the-less.

Arsenal are lining up a move for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch as a replacement for Barcelona target Emmanuel Adebayor. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool wouldn’t mind selling Crouch to the Aston Villa’s and Portsmouth of the world but unless Arsenal pay top dollar. Something they aren’t exactly known for, Liverpool will be loath to sell Crouch to a top four rival.

A deal to bring Adebayor to AC Milan is “70-80%” likely according to Italian agent Vincenzo Morabito. (Various)

However, the Gunners striker will stay at the Emirates Stadium if Arsenal treble his wages to £120,000. (The Sun)

Now Arsenal have 120,000 reasons to sell Adebayor. A quarter million dollars a week for Adebayor is pretty steep.

Tottenham will offer Blackburn Aaron Lennon in a £15m player-plus-cash offer for midfielder David Bentley. (Daily Mirror)

I’d send Bentley on the first train out to London. Lennon at 21 currently can easily turn into the player that Bentley is currently at 23.

Wigan are planning an £8m move for Everton striker Andrew Johnson. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland have already made a £10m offer for the England striker. (Daily Mail)

Wigan’s offer will come up short. At £10m with James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe waiting in the wings I’d cash in on Johnson and use those funds in other areas.

Wigan are close to signing Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas, who is the current South American Player of the Year. (Various)

You see Cabanas on TV and you’d think this player is fat and lazy. Then he is 1v1 with the goalie and finds the bottom corner with regularly. How that translate to the English game would be interesting.

Sacked Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been offered the coaching job of the Georgian national side. (Daily Mail

No idea what would insult me more. Being hung out to dry by Chelsea or being offered the coaching job at Georgia.

Lahm’s Late Show Kloses The Door On Turkish Passage

They came, they saw, they very nearly conquered. An extremely fortuitous Germany are on the way to the Euro 2008 final after being pushed so close by Turkey. The Turks took a first half lead through Ugur Boral before a swift equaliser by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Late drama ensued as Miroslav Klose and Semih Senturk swapped goals, before Phillip Lahm popped up with the winner.

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Lightning struck in Basel which knocked out the television coverage for most of the second half. Lightning however did not strike twice for Turkey in the knockout round as it was they who had a suffer a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Germany.

Phillip Lahm’s beautiful taken goal in the last minute ended Turkey dream run to the semi finals. It was interesting since previously to that Lahm’s wasn’t having his finest hour out there but all of that is now forgotten as Germany heads to the finals.

In the last couple of days article like the ESPN one found here. have linked Queiroz with Portugal’s top job. Previously Queiroz had been linked with the Benfica and Lyon job but that was quickly rebuffed by Queiroz when asked. Managing the Portuguese national team is a totally different proposition.

On one hand you have Queiroz who would have to be interested in the challenge of taking over the national team again. He gets to work with Ronaldo plus the Portuguese team isn’t that far from being able to win a World Cup.

On the flip side Queiroz has shown he is fiercely loyal to Sir Alex Ferguson who took him back as his number two after the Real Madrid job blew up in Queiroz’s face. Add to that if Queiroz decides to leave it may just push Ronaldo to step it up a notch in his quest to play for Real Madrid. Something I doubt Queiroz wants to take the blame for.

My own opinion is that Queiroz wants the job but will delay making a decision until the whole Ronaldo/Real Madrid mess gets sorted out one way or another.

Only €5m Separates Milan From Adebayor

The difference between Emanuel Adebayor leaving Arsenal for Milan depends on the sum €5m according to Sportmediaset. And, if Adriano Galliani can reach deep into his pockets to find the extra cash, the striker could sign for the Serie A club within the next few days.

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Considering the amount of money that Adebayor is going for if these two teams are only 5 million apart one of the two teams will blink to get this deal done.

Seaman fears for Arsenal if Adebayor sold

Arsenal legend David Seaman has big concerns for the club if they sell Emmanuel Adebayor.

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It does send a bad message but Arsenal has sold better players than Adebayor and came out better for it at the end. Cesc Fabregas is the heart and soul of that team, provided that he is happy then Arsenal will be a threat.

Lazio Enter Samaras Frame

Celtic fans will hardly be happy to hear that Serie A side Lazio have become the latest outfit to join the queue of suitors for Greek striker Georgios Samaras

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Lazio having an interest in Georgios Samaras means that Manchester City fans can enjoy another season of Rolando Bianchi.

Messi To Barca: I’m Going To The Olympics

Argentine ace Lionel Messi has insisted he will defend his country’s title at the Olympic Games this summer, regardless of Barcelona’s stance on the situation…

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In this day and age where players are accused of only being in it for the money. While I can’t argue against that but football players still jump at the chance to play for their countries which is good to see.