The Gazzetta dello Sport is arguably the most famous sports newspaper in Italy, selling more copies than rivals Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport. It is world famous for it's pink pages and has been printed in pink since 1899. The current head editor of the Gazzetta, Luigi Garlando, has always been a critic of Lippi since his return to the national team, has always been pro-Cassano, and doesn't understand why Lippi hates to answer questions at press conferences.

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The securities have been tightened, people has been pouring in from all circles and the atmosphere has started to be nerve wrecking as Egypt will face Algeria at Khartoum, Omdurman. This is going to be highly tense encounter between these two African nations and both are ready to fight it out again after a tense [. Click to continue reading...

Before the largest crowd in New Zealand football history, New Zealand beat Bahrain 1-0 to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Over 35,000 fans packed into Wellington's Westpac Stadium to see the All Whites reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982. Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Fallon headed the decisive goal just before half time and Wellington Phoenix keeper Mark Paston saved a second half penalty five minutes after the restart from Sayed Mohamed Adnan. Click to continue reading...

Here, let me help all of you with my short interview with the Creeper today:

On the Sounders FC inaugural season . . .
"Obviously at the end of the day when you look at the whole thing it was a pretty special year.

I made a lot of money.

It was a special year from the standpoint of what went on in Seattle in terms of the fans, the enthusiasm, the connection to the sport, the unique atmosphere that got created on a game and game basis and I think it was a special year for our team.

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The Fire couldn't have asked for much more from last Saturday's 2-0 win over New England.

Advance in the Eastern Conference playoffs? Check.

Do it against a bitter rival? Check.

And do it all in style? Oh my, yes. Check.

That's what can happen when the Fire plays some of its most inspired soccer at the best time of year before a packed house at Toyota Park.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Nasty old November has never been too kind to the Gunners under our esteemed leader's reign and this morning's Mirror claims the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to break the curse.

It claims the Frenchman has claimed that this month will be decisive in determining whether Arsenal can maintain their challenge for the Premier League title and, in particular, avoid injuries which have hurt them badly in the past.

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Check this out from Freddy Ljungberg's blog people:
THE BRAWL IN HOUSTON
I'm sorry that it has taken quite some time after the game to post something, but I have actually been quit pissed off and in a bad mood after the game and wanted to think things through before I said anything. Click to continue reading...

The Los Angeles 'Super Clasico' will determine a playoff winner for the first time as the LA Galaxy play host to Chivas USA at Home Depot Center in Game Two of their Western Conference playoff series.

The teams tied, 2-2, in Game One, and tonight the Galaxy will be the home team.

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The headline pretty much sums it up... as headlines are wont to do. Another 4 goals for the Arsenal, another late consolation goal for our poor victims. Wanderers came out into the amped up atmosphere of Molineux and really took it to us for the first 25 minutes. Until a Arsenal went ahead, completely against the run of play on a Zubar own-goal, that is.

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It's Ask the Oppo time again and this week Carl Eldridge talks to Molineux regular Peter Hayes ahead of the Gunners' trip to Wolves in the Premier League...

CE: Wolves are back on the big stage after such a long and painful period so life in the top flight must be enjoyable?

PH; Yes it certainly has been a journey supporting the Wolves over the years and yes we are loving it, it really is the place to be.

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Ringside and the atmosphere is steamy. It's minutes to go and ‘Rocky' Birrell and ‘Riddler' Roberts slip off their silky gowns to the cheers and jeers from of crowd, prompting Buttkiss to leave an urgent message at the feet of the Chairman. Topping the scoring with 8 points and no joker played, Birrell is favourite [. Click to continue reading...

Many have taken the piss out of the atmosphere at the Emirates in the past. They did about Highbury too. But they can't deny that it wasn't a wall of noise on Saturday against the Spuds!
It was electric and a right smack in the face for those who have a dig about us Gooners being the silent type. Click to continue reading...

Happy Monday to you. It's always good starting a new week when Arsenal won. It's even better when that happens against Tottenham. After 2 consecutive draws, Arsenal maintains their 100% winning record at Ashburton Grove with a comprehensive victory against a side who started the week mouthing off about how great their team are, but has now gone home with their heads firmly between their legs.

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Today was in stark contrast to the mediocre playoff showings of yesterday, as all teams were playing with a little extra something. Maybe they were bored out of their minds while watching Columbus play yesterday too. Regardless, there was a great atmosphere in todays games, especially in anticipation of David Beckham's first venture [. Click to continue reading...

Rarely can a football game be so very enjoyable. I think everyone was a bit twitchy before the game, there is just so much more for us to lose in these games, we are the big club there to be knocked down and if we win then everyone just says that that's what was expected. The atmosphere before the game was a bit special, I think all of us wanted to see all the spuds' pre match boasting rammed Click to continue reading...

I was genuinely excited when the FFA announced that one of the new clubs to join the A-league this year was to be Gold Coast United. Here was a team to be based in the fastest growing area of Australia, was backed by one of Australia's richest men and would have one of the more interesting (if slightly insane) characters of the game here in Australia guiding them in Miron Beilberg. Click to continue reading...

The "incredible" home support witnessed during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Manchester United has increased Italian international Alberto Aquilani's desire to make his long-awaited debut for his new club.
Aquilani was purchased by Rafael Benitez in August for an estimated £17 million, as a direct replacement for Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso, but the former Roma star has been unable to represent the Reds in competitive action as his season has been beset with ankle trouble. Click to continue reading...

You would think they had won the cup the way they celebrated, but I can confirm Liverpool were only awarded three points for their win against United on Sunday.As I start to digest the result from Anfield, I feel it would be easy to blame the referee for his inconsistent decisions throughout the game. Click to continue reading...

Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be in trouble with the FA again. Sir Alex made some remarks about referee Andre Marriner, questioning his experience.
It was obvious to everyone that the refereeing display yesterday by Marriner wasn't at his best. Early on in the game, Fernando Torres clipped the back of his own leg and fell over, the referee thought Patrice Evra had fouled him. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool's dynamic full back Glen Johnson is relishing Sunday's showdown with Manchester United, and insists the regional rivalry as well as the added pressure for Rafael Benitez's Reds, are just two of the reasons why he was determined to join the Anfield outfit.
"This type of game is everything I have worked for," Johnson explained to the club's official website. Click to continue reading...

The English Premier League began its Saturday with the early match of Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa. Here's a recap of the Saturday, October 24, 2009 match along with video highlights.

Aston Villa draws with Wolverhampton 1-1 Video Highlights

The match began with both teams getting chances and some open play.

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It was his birthday and the AGM was conducted in a very different atmosphere from the last meeting. So of course, in the warm bask of accolades and affection, one tends to become magnanimous.

But I saw the AZ Alkmaar match and if we are to win a major trophy, we need to do much much better.

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American billionaire Stan Kroenke faces a grilling at today's Arsenal AGM.
The Times says the American has increased his stake substantially in recent months to a level that is a little short of that which would trigger a mandatory takeover bid, but he has never spoken about the reasons for investing about £160 million in the stock. Click to continue reading...

Man United captain Gary Neville believes that the rivalry between United and Liverpool is bigger than the one between United and Manchester City. Neville has said this ahead of the massive game between United and Liverpool this Sunday at Anfield.
Neville has also suggested that he may not like Liverpool but he does respect them because of their history. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has urged Reds fans to give fit-again Alberto Aquilani time to adapt to English football.
Aquilani, who joined the Reds in the summer from Roma, made his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt on Wednesday night for the reserves as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has urged the club's supporters to get behind Rafa Benitez and the team. The former prolific Anfield marksman claims it would be wrong to sack the Spaniard at this stage in the season, and instead urged the current squad to step up and drag the club out of its current crisis. Click to continue reading...

After Liverpool lost to Lyon 2-1 last night at Anfield; what do you think went wrong? Do you think it was the formation, the players, the lack of atmosphere, the injury to Gerrard or was it a combination of all of these things that cost Liverpool the win? When we have Gerrard and Torres fit, the 4-2-3-1 [. Click to continue reading...

Book Review: Genius Does as it Must - Liverpool FC Banners Compiled by Chris McLoughlin and Adam Oldfield
When people talk about the atmosphere at Anfield, particularly on a European night, they often refer to the singing and the raw emotion that there is in the ground. Too often, they fail to pick up on an important element that distinguishes Liverpool fans from many of their English counterparts: the banners that adorn the stands. Click to continue reading...

In a game with few chances on either side, LA Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts made enough big plays to deny the Houston Dynamo in a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon at Robertson Stadium. For the fifth straight MLS game, Houston finished with 10 men, as Brian Ching was sent off in the 84th minute.
David Beckham's celebrity probably helped account for the season-high crowd of 29,470 that nearly filled Robertson today. Click to continue reading...

Thomas Vermaelen is delighted with his progress at Arsenal this season.
The former Ajax defender says he is enjoying playing for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
Vermaelen told the Independent on Sunday: "He's very intelligent and has a great vision of football. He knows how he wants to play and it's always the same every game we play. Click to continue reading...

Bosnia-Herzegovina have made it to a playoff for World Cup qualification for the first time in their brief history and manager Miroslav Ciro Blazevic (picture above, second from right) says the secret to their success is all down to one thing: passionate mouth kisses.

Wait what?

"I take two of my players and tell them, 'Love him!

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Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is desperate to score at Anfield to put his injury nightmare behind him.
The Italian has yet to play for the Reds after arriving from Roma in the summer during his recovery from surgery on his ankle.
The 25-year-old, bought for £20million as a replacement for Xabi Alonso as the Spaniard joined Real Madrid, told LFC Weekly Magazine: 'It's not been easy for me. Click to continue reading...

Alberto Aquilani has revealed the motivation that has seen him through some tough times on his road to recovery.
The Italian midfielder has yet to appear for the Reds since signing from Roma in the summer, but he's told LFC Weekly Magazine the thought of scoring a goal in front of his new fans has spurred him on. Click to continue reading...

Viewers watching BBC1's Saturday evening candyfest "Strictly Come Dancing" might have been somewhat surprised to see Bruce Forsyth announce the news that, after everything, the BBC had managed to secure the rights to show highlights of the World Cup qualifying match between Ukraine and England and that they would be shown later that evening on BBC1.

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Do excuse me while I momentarily don my England hat: this missive, from one of the souls frequently to be found loitering around AANP Towers, appeared on football365.com earlier today:

Whatever the rights and wrongs of Rio's concentration lapse, the curious manner in which Green was sent off, the withdrawal of Lennon and the fact that we lost, it strikes me as far more useful than if we'd played with 11 and coasted to a comfy victory.

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