In less than a week, Europe's top international squads will compete for the European Championship, a tournament that gives anyone in play the most random opportunity to win. Squads full of top class players from around the continent will have finished up their club seasons, and because everyone just spent a huge amount of time killing themselves to win UFEA or league titles, almost every squad will have some players tuckered out and nursing some sort of an injury.

As Euro 2012 approaches, Italian striker Mario Balotelli has made the news because of his reasonable response to the potential racist atmosphere in Poland and the Ukraine and now he's featured in the new Nike line of Football commercials - My Time is Now:

Stasera, almeno per novanta minuti, si torner a parlare di calcio, dopo le polemiche di questi giorni per lo scandalo "azzurro" del calcioscommesse. L'Italia di Prandelli sfida la Russia di Advocaat, allo stadio Letzigrund di Zurigo, ed è pronta la coppia d'attacco Cassano-Balotelli (in campo nonostante il mal di denti avuto in nottata), con ilContinua a leggere .

Kickettes, thoughts on the "other" Balotelli news this week? Image: Getty Images. Notice Mario Balotelli wears not one, not two, but three diamonds in his ears. Large ones, that sparkle and shine when held up to our jewellery appraising expert eye. The two-eared over-bling is usually something we hate, but then Super Mario could probably rock a [.

Someone with more Photoshop skills needs be on the task right about now.

With the concerns of racism in Polkraine during the Euros running long in the media, a number of players have come out with their thoughts on the situation. As ever, Mario Balotelli's are worth several photos, a graphic novel and a legal consultation.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli has vowed to "kill" racist fans during this summer's Euro 2012 tournament if they rear their ugly heads towards any minority players. Balotelli has been the subject of horrific racist incidents in the past, and has cautioned any potential racist fans and scene-makers to stay at home.

TweetItalian striker Mario Balotelli has threatened to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012 and said he would 'kill' anyone who dares to throw a banana at him. With just a week to go until the European Championships begin proper much has been made about the levels of racism and [.

By Chris Wright

There's no sitting on the fence with Mario Balotelli vis-a-vis the preemptive racism storm a-brewing ahead of Euro 2012. The new Italian No. 9 - who has endured more than his fair share of abuse in the past has vowed to 'kill anyone' who throws bananas at him in the street in Poland and/or Ukraine, telling France Football:

"If [racism] does happen I would leave the pitch and go home.

Buffon, De Sanctis, Sirigu, Abate, Ogbonna, Bonucci, Balzaretti,Barzagli, Chiellini, Maggio, Diamanti, Giaccherini,De rossi, Montolivo, Pirlo, Nocerino,T. Motta, Marchisio, Giovinco, Di Natale, Borini, Cassano, Balotelli. Questi dunque gli scudieri azzurri che, guidati da Cesare Prandelli, partiranno per la Polonia e l'Ucraina.

TweetMario Balotelli is once again the subject of red-top front pages after young waitress Lauren Thorne revealed that the Manchester City striker harangued and stalked her! 19-year-old Lauren Thorne has gone public on just how Balotelli, 21, followed her home, pestered her for a date and bored her with sanguine football talk but ultimately [.

Manchester City's controversial striker Mario Balotelli has vowed to be on his best behavior in this summer's European Championships, promising his Italian coaches that he won't see red.

"Mario will keep his word, I'm sure," Italy manager Cesare Prandelli said at his Thursday press conference.

The agent of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has revealed his client is likely staying with the Premier League champions after a less than impressive end to the campaign.

Dzeko, who had a strong start to the season, saw playing time more limited following Mario Balotelli's ascent and the improbable return of Carlos Tevez.

This dynamic striker's rep just grew by leaps and bounds.
Already a major up and comer, playing for Manchester City and the Italian National team, Mario Balotelli is gifted with charisma and Soccer talent.

22.05.2012 - El perfil de Mario Balotelli no permite menos que el protagonismo exclusivo en la Peluquería de Nike", uno de los nueve túneles del novedoso comercial "My time is Now" que vimos en este post.
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22.05.2012 - El perfil de Mario Balotelli no permite menos que el protagonismo exclusivo en la Peluquería de Nike", uno de los nueve túneles del novedoso comercial "My time is Now" que vimos en este post.
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Mario Balotelli is the star of this new viral from Nike. The Manchester City striker visits a barber shop for a pre-Euro 2012 trim. Rather than requesting a short back and sides or just a bit of a trim, the Italian asks "to be remembered". The barber tries out some very familiar haircuts on Mario [..

Mario Balotelli is the star of this new viral from Nike. The Manchester City striker visits a barber shop for a pre-Euro 2012 trim. Rather than requesting a short back and sides or just a bit of a trim, the Italian asks "to be remembered". The barber tries out some very familiar haircuts on Mario [..

TweetMario Balotelli is the star of a hilarious new Nike advert set in a barbershop! The Manchester City ace is looking for a style he wants to, quote, 'be remembered' for having assumed his seat in the Barber's chair. One-by-one 'Super Mario' is given a makeover ranging from Ronaldinho's mullet, Brazilian Ronaldo's famous pie-o-chauffeur look [.

By Chris Wright

Bet you a barm cake to a wine gum, you'll love this one of the 'hidden tunnels' that you may have missed from Nike's new 'My Time Is Now' ad sees Mario Balotelli (along with Mamadou Sakho and Javier Pastore) visiting the barbershop to try out a number of new looks; including a superb, picture-book mullet which makes him look like an extra from Road House which is a good thing in our book.

Former Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola says he would "be dead" if he got up to some of the antics of compatriot Mario Balotelli. But he says the Manchester City striker can be the star of Euro 2012 if he manages to control himself. Zola, who briefly coached Balotelli during his time with Italy under [.

Former Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola says he would "be dead" if he got up to some of the antics of compatriot Mario Balotelli. But he says the Manchester City striker can be the star of Euro 2012 if he manages to control himself. Zola, who briefly coached Balotelli during his time with Italy under [.

Samir Nasri almost cost City the title when he mistakenly let the ball go out of bounds thinking it was off QPR

The former Arsenal midfielder couldn't sit back and enjoy City's historic season. He had to resort to a cheap shot at his old club underlining that very true adage, "money doesn't buy you class.

Manchester City beat a 10-man QPR 3-2 with two goals in added time to make Manchester United's 1-0 win over Sunderland irrelevant and win their first league title in 44 years. It was an ending so incredible that it will probably take a few months of intense analysis to make sure it actually happened, but in the meantime, Mario Balotelli has a message for his critics.

Arsenal FC Should Lead The Movement For Reformation By JG Arsene Wenger, speaks out in regards of "official decisions" quite regularly during the course of any season; and this season hasn't been any different. Wenger has always been one to point out the absolute nonsensical tendencies of the so-called "football justice system", and has been [.

Arsenal FC Should Lead The Movement For Reformation By JG Arsene Wenger, speaks out in regards of "official decisions" quite regularly during the course of any season; and this season hasn't been any different. Wenger has always been one to point out the absolute nonsensical tendencies of the so-called "football justice system", and has been [.

TweetRock-star Manchester City fan Liam Gallagher gatecrashed City's press conference and after City beat Manchester United 1-0 in the derby. The former Oasis musician emulated the antics of striker Mario Balotelli by walking in unannounced during the post-match press conference to revel in his sides' triumph.

Manchester City fan Liam Gallagher featured prominently in the post-match celebrations after their 1-0 win over Manchester United last night but few expected him to be involved in the post-match analysis. The ex-Oasis frontman pulled what's known in the trade as 'a Balotelli' by turning up to a press conference that was nothing to [.

Este lunes por la noche en Inglaterra todos los ojos se posaron en el estadio de los citizens, quienes por muchos años esperaron este momento ganar a los red devils el campeonato, para mayor gusto en Manchester.
En Old Traford Manchester City golearon 6 -1 al United , el juego ahora en casa del City se esperaba que fuera para ganar de manera fácil, incluso Noel Gallager férreo y polémico aficionado de lujo del City lo vaticinaba.

TweetMario Balotelli is ready to be recalled to first-team action for Manchester City's crucial Premier League derby match with Manchester United on Monday. Balotelli has served his three match ban after being sent-off during City's 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal and is now back in contention for Monday's crunch Premier League derby against Manchester United.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yuppers, it's another Manchester City post. They've got a lot of creative energy to output, doncha know.

In this case, five first teamers were recruited by Umbro to help promote an initiative that involves fans in the club's 2012/13 kit launch.

Mario Balotelli is one of the most enigmatic and reportedly difficult footballers in the Barclay's Premier League and like many sports stars, his name is as synonymous with descriptions of arrogance as it is with words of praise. So is ...
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Ashley Young's diving (or failed rocket-boot experiment to those in the know) has become a big story and while that is something no one wants to see, the fact that it's led to Taiwan's NMAtv to put one of their odd videos about it really makes it all worthwhile. I mean, the first two seconds of the video alone -- with Young running around in a Speedo, swim cap and goggles above the title "Ashley Young is a diving wanker" -- is just a tremendous way to start a YouTube video.

TweetMario Balotelli has promised to fix himself up in a desperate bid to save his Manchester City career. The Italian striker has been the subject of some unsavoury front as well as backpage headlines in recent weeks after having an affair with Jenny Thompson the same hooker who once bedded Wayne Rooney.

Why...always...because we love ya!

Worlds are colliding!

George is actually really happy!

First Mario Balotelli joins twitter today.

The, stolen from our friends at the Jay DeMerit Story documentary, Stu nabs DeMerit in the shower singing the Biebs!

The behavior of Mario Balotelli is even for #FIFPro no longer acceptable. He desperately needs professional mental support.

- Theo van Seggelen (@theovanseggelen) April 10, 2012

The latest and greatest after Mario Balotelli's latest and greatest moment, seeing a red card end his Manchester City career.

TweetSex with hookers, obscene levels of cash and flash cars. Why are footballers so vilified by the media? It is a question In The Stands' Rolly Pelovangu tackles by arguing that footballers today are just misunderstood No sooner had Mario Balotelli issued a seemingly heartfelt apology to boss Roberto Mancini, Italian head coach Cesare Prandelli, [.

Just saw this posted on Arseblog, from ESPN Brasil:

Speaking to ESPN Brasil, he said, "In the first half Balotelli almost broke Song's leg, than he harshly tackled Sagna. Someone had to be hard on him, put him in his place.

"Someone had to say something to him because he was doing what he wanted, and that's not how things work.

As Mario Balotelli trotted around Arsenal's pristine Emirates pitch last Sunday, floating lazily through the game, only making his mark on proceedings when driving his studs into various areas of the opposition, it makes you wonder what a horrible job Prandelli sometimes has.

After Cesare's imposed disciplinary scheme based on meritocracy [read more]

Just like with Carlos Tevez at Manchester City, Mario Balotelli's fall from grace has been fairly dramatic. After being hailed as a hero and a legend, City fans quickly became tired of his antics after his selfishness at the Emirates on Sunday helped end their hopes of winning the league.

Speaking to Dutch magazine Voetbal International, first-team coach Rene Muelensteen has claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson would never sign a destructive player like Balotelli.

There was a time when Arsenal's Theo Walcott couldn't brush his teeth without dislocating his shoulder, but now he is a fearless Spartan warrior (who also writes children's books) and it seems to be benefiting his game. He's made 30 Premier League starts for Arsenal this season (his previous high was last seasons' 19) and he says he is now a totally different Theo Walcott.