The wait is over and the four groups have been unveiled for this coming summer's Euro 2012 event in Poland and Ukraine.

Friday's draw, hosted by the latter nation, saw Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal placed together with joint-favorites Germany and Netherlands in Group B, which has emerged as the clear 'group of death'.

Bad luck. Just about to start the biggest game of this fall, and possibly of this season, Olympique Lyonnais is in disarray. After a promising start to the season, both in the game and in the mindset, OL is so far in a series of three defeats, regardless of the competition. Rémi Garde's men are ineffective upfront and fragile behind.

Seriously, you'll never guess which one was protected...Less than 24 hours after Galaxy lifted the MLS Cup, it's back to business at Don Garber's Playhouse. Aside from the Cup Final, it has been a busy few days for league administrators with a few major announcements: future MLS Cup Finals to be held at the home of the highest seeded finalist (Good); a tweak to the playoff structure (Meh); and, the introduction of a conference-heavy unbalanced schedule (Fugly)
　
Today's paperwork however, was the release of the Expansion Draft Protected Lists with each club shielding certain players from L'Impact du Montreal avec le Bibliotheque's grubby, petite, Joe Louis-grabbing fingers.

By Ulysse Pasquier

Les Bleus wrapped up 2011 with a 0-0 draw at home against Belgium, an unconvincing performance that unsettled many critics in France. Just over a year since taking the top seat, the grace period and overall optimism linked to Laurent Blanc's appointment have clearly evaporated.

The international break being over, in Lyon, it's recovery time, after losing ground, both in the Championnat and in the Champions League, to an unexpected extent : four away defeats in a row.

It is not sure yet whether it's time to announce the OL nouveau, like people celebrated the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau, but one thing is likely: it should be stronger, more mature and probably more sparkling.

By Alan Duffy

Luscious-locked footballing woman's crumpet, David "Because I'm worth it" Ginola is to sue his former France boss Gerard Houllier over offensive comments allegedly made by the former Liverpool manager in a new book, Coaches' Secrets.

Results don't matter – well, until they do. Let me explain.

We keep hearing that results don't matter when it comes to friendlies. U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann keeps saying it. He doesn't give a German lick about results, he told us again last week.

Heck, I've written the same thing time and again.

Another friendly. Another 1-0 loss.

The U.S. men's national team was unable to score for the fourth time in six games under new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and as a result fell, 1-0, to France at Stade de France on Friday.

Loic Remy scored the game's only goal minutes after entering in the second half, but the result could have been worse for the Americans if not for several quality saves from Tim Howard.

It's USMNT game day and we're pumped as always to see what Klinnsmann and the Nats have in store for us, but it's the above retro clip that has us buzzing as well.
Dave Brett (who's based in FBM HQ's city of Austin) collects historic videos of American soccer and he sent us a link to the above clip that he posted to YouTube yesterday.

Paris' Stade de France is one of the world's most storied stadiums. Though it has only been used for 13 years, it has already hosted a FIFA World Cup and a Rugby World Cup-the only stadium to do so. On Friday, the Stade de France will welcome the U.S. Men's National Team for the first time.
The 81,338 seat venue was built in 1995 in preparation for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

France has shuffled its roster ahead of the game on Friday with the U.S. MNT. Samir Nasri will miss the game due to a knee injury. Manager Laurent Blanc has not elected to call up a replacement but there are a few other injury doubts for Les Bleus ahead of Friday's game. Both Yohan Cabaye and Florent Malouda have fitness concerns.

Euro 2012 Qualifying Playoffs: Portugal, Czech Rep, Turkey & Croatia on the line - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The likes of Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and England have all booked their places in Euro 2012 already, but four tickets to the festivities in Poland and Ukraine still have yet to be punched.

United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann will lead his side into a highly anticipated friendly fixture against Les Bleus in Paris on Friday evening and hopes to see the man who once taught him invaluable lessons in France Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Wenger coached Klinsmann for two years in Monaco and although the former Germany international striker had already enjoyed prolific spells at Stuttgart and Inter Milan earlier in his career, his stint in the Ligue 1 made him enjoy attacking football on a whole new level.

I am far from the best person to write a scouting report on Olympique de Marseille, but no one else is volunteering. (Add comments if you have any thoughts.)

Match: Champions League Group Phase Away to the Arsenal

Result: 0-0

Standings after this 4th match
1.

New Zealand defeated France by a score of 8-7 to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday. The victory gives the IRB ranked #1 All Blacks their first title since 1987. A try after 15 minutes from prop Tony Woodcock and a penalty from fourth-choice flyhalf Stephen Donald put [..

By Connor Walsh The United States has finalized its next pair of matches with double European dates in November. The team will travel to France for a match with the 1998 World Cup Champion Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Nov. 11, followed four days later with a trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia for [..

Marvin Martin has ruled out the prospect of signing for Arsenal in January, insisting that he will not leave Sochaux in the middle of the season.

Martin led the French Ligue with 17 assists last year and immediately appeared on Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's radar as a potential replacement for either Samir Nasri or former skipper Cesc Fabregas.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

With the latest batch of international friendlies in the rear view mirror, the U.S. national team is looking forward to its next set of games, which will both take place in Europe.

The United States' next two friendlies will be played during the Nov.

By JOEY SAMUEL

During the qualifying process for the 2010 World Cup, France put on a number of disappointing performances and was forced to get in through the playoff round. On Tuesday, Les Bleus made sure that wouldn't happen again.

A Samir Nasri penalty in the 78th minute rescued a 1-1 draw for France against Bosnia-Herzegovina, allowing France to remain in first place in Group D and seal a place in EURO 2012.

By Alan Duffy

Pies' pick of the ten finest snaps from Friday night's selection of Euro 2012 qualifiers (other than England's game, that is).

Kevin Doyle and Co. celebrate scoring against the mighty Andorra

Gareth Bale scores as Wales start to get their act together, albeit too late for Poland and Ukraine

Estonia's Raoi Piiroja beats Northern Ireland's Kyle Lafferty to the ball

Spain celebrate Juan Mata's opening goal against the Czech Republic

Robin van Persie leaps with Moldova's Stanislav Namasco and Igor Armas

Greece celebrate vital win against Croatia

The much-coveted Eden Hazard is swamped by team-mates after scoring for Belgium

Les Bleus celebrate second goal against Albania.

France ended England's Rugby World Cup 2011 hopes with a 19-12 win over the 2003 champions at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night. Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard scored first half tries to put Les Bleus 16-0 up after thirty minutes. England responded with second half tries from Ben Foden and Mark Cueto to [.

France ended England's Rugby World Cup 2011 hopes with a 19-12 win over the 2003 champions at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night. Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard scored first half tries to put Les Bleus 16-0 up after thirty minutes. England responded with second half tries from Ben Foden and Mark Cueto to [.

Former French international and one of the games greats Zinedine Zidane is considering the option of returning to the French national team as a coach. Zidane who retired from the side after he infamously head butted Marco Materazzi during the 2006 world cup finals, made the statement when questioned by Le Parisien.

As league action takes a break this coming weekend and into the new week, more and more shocking surprises are emerging from team camps all round Europe. After England coach dramatically left out established players Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, his French counter part Laurent Blanc will have to look for other attacking options as he 2 main men are out injured.

As league action takes a break this coming weekend and into the new week, more and more shocking surprises are emerging from team camps all round Europe. After England coach dramatically left out established players Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, his French counter part Laurent Blanc will have to look for other attacking options as he 2 main men are out injured.

By Alan Duffy

Having apparently missed out on another footballing bad boy in the shape of El Hadji Diouf, Doncaster Rovers boss Dean Saunders has now snapped up former Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda.

The 32-year-old Frenchman, a free agent since leaving QPR in April, was part of Les Bleus' squad at the 2006 World Cup Finals and has also had spells at Wigan, Sunderland and Blackburn.

Cada selección nacional tiene su apodo, y las 53 que son miembro de la UEFA hacen un alarde de la diversidad cultural de Europa. Los colores de las camisetas y las referencias históricas aparecen de modo brillante. ¿Cómo le dicen a cada una?
Albania: Kuqezinjte (Rojinegra, en albanés)
Alemania: Die Mannschaft (El Equipo, en alemán)
Andorra: La selecció tricolor (la selección tricolor, en catalán)
Armenia: Azgayin havaqakan (Equipo Nacional, en armenio)
Azerbaiján: Odlar yurdu komandasi (Equipo de la Tierra del Fuego, en azerí)
Austria: Das Team (El Equipo, en alemán-inglés), Die Rot-Weiss-Roten (Los rojo-blanco-rojos, en alemán)
Belarús: Nacionalnaya sbornaya (Equipo Nacional, en bielorruso)
Bélgica: Les diables rouges o Rode Duivels (los diablos rojos, en francés o en flamenco)
Bosnia-Hercegovina: BH Representacija (Selección de BH, en bosnio) o Zuto-Plavi (los azul y amarillos, en bosnio)
Bulgaria: Lavovete (Leones, en búlgaro)
Chipre: Galanolefki (los blanquiazules, en griego)
Croacia: Vatreni (Ardientes, o llenos de fuego, en croata)
Dinamarca: Danish Dinamite (Dinamita danesa, en inglés)
Escocia: The Dark Blues (los de azul oscuro, en inglés)
Eslovaquia: Narodny Tim (Equipo Nacional, en eslovaco)
Eslovenia: Reprezentanca (Selección, en esloveno)
España: La Furia o La Roja
Estonia: Sinisargid (los azules, en estonio)
Finlandia: Sinivalkoiset (los blanquiazules, en finés)
Francia: Les Bleus (los azules, en francés)
Gales: The Dragons (los Dragones, en inglés)
Georgia: Jvarosnebi (Cruzados, en georgiano) o Erovnuli nakrevi (Selección, en georgiano)
Grecia: To Peiratiko (el Barco Pirata, en griego) o Ethniki Ellados (Selección Griega, en griego)
Holanda: Oranje (la Naranja, en flamenco)
Hungría: Valogatott (Selección, en magyar)
Inglaterra: Three Lions (Tres Leones, en inglés)
Irlanda: The Boys in green (los Muchachos de verde, en inglés)
Irlanda del Norte: Green and White Army (Ejército verdiblanco, en inglés)
Islas Feroe: Landslidid (Equipo Nacional, en feroés)
Islandia: Strakamir Okkar (Nuestros muchachos, en islandés)
Israel: Nivheret Hatchelet (la selección celeste, en hebreo)
Italia: La Nazionale (la Selección, en italiano) o Azzurri (azules, en italiano)
Kazakstán: Kazakhstanskie barsy (Leopardos de las nieves, en ruso)
Letonia: Izlase (Selección, en letón)
Liechtenstein: Nati (abreviación de Nationalmannschaft, Equipo Nacional, en alemán)
Lituania: Rinktine (Selección, en lituano)
Luxemburgo: D'Leiwen (los Leones, en alemán)
Macedonia: Creveni Lavovi (Leones rojos, en macedonio)
Malta: Kavallieri Ta Malta (Caballeros de Malta, en maltés) o IT-Team Nazzjonali (Equipo Nacional ,en maltés)
Moldavia: Selectionata (Selección, en moldavo)
Montenegro: Sakoli (Halcones, en serbio)
Noruega: Landslaget (Equipo Nacional, en noruego)
Polonia: Bialo-czerwoni (Rojiblanca, en polaco) o Polskie Orly (Águilas polacas, en polaco)
Portugal: Seleçao das Quinas (Selección de los Escudos, en portugués)
República Checa: Cesti Ivi (Leones checos, en checo) o Narodni Tym (Equipo Nacional, en checo)
Rumania: Tricolorii (Tricolores, en rumano)
Rusia: Sbornaya (Selección Nacional, en ruso)
San Marino: La Serenissima (La Serenísima, en italiano)
Serbia: Orlovi (Águilas, en serbio)
Suecia: Blagult (Azul-amarilla, en sueco) o Kronors (Coronas, en sueco)
Suiza: Nati (abreviación de Nationalmannschaft, Equipo Nacional, en alemán)
Turquía: Ay Yildiz (el equipo de la Luna y la Estrella, en turco)
Ucrania: Sbirna (Selección, en ucraniano)
Apodos de todas las selecciones de la FIFA Todas mis notas en Periodismo de fútbol internacional

This team got relegated last year.

• Like Miami drapes in the 80's. (Football Fashion)
• The right man. (The Carvalho Peninsula)
• Deciphering the lingo. (Surreal Football)
• Les Bleus get a varsity jacket. (Freshness Mag)
• Possible denial at work. (Serie Aaaargh)
• Atletico fans, possibly feeling scorned.

Romania plays host to the UEFA European Under-19 Championships from today with eight teams hoping to take the title which was won by the French last year. The champions, however, will not be there to defend their title as they failed to get past the qualifying rounds this time around.

The team that eliminated France in the Elite Round of qualifying is Greece who topped Group 3 over Les Bleus as well as Slovakia and Belarus.

It is always sad when a World Cup ends. No more matches at all hours of the day, no more constant media coverage, no more excitement with new heros daily emerging from obscurity. This year's 2011 Women's World Cup was as entertaining an affair as we have seen from this (or any other tournament) in quite some time.

szólj hozzá: France 1-3 United States

Lauren Cheney's goal and set piece assist proved vital to the US semi-final win over France. The US fought off a very impressive French attack and then launched some very opportunistic counterattacks against some questionable defending to prevail. Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan were the other US goalscorers.

Carli Lloyd's clever back heel has Heather O' Reilly doing what she does best -haring down the left flank and with a sliver of space curls in a cross which Lauren Cheney arriving near post turns into into goal. Perfect finish.

The USA got off to an early start for the second time in a row.

TSG's Maura Gladys with a peek into the US ladies' match-up with France

It'd be nice to just stay suspended in the few days after the United States' monumental win over Brazil, relishing the glory and beauty of the performance. But alas, it's on to Mönchengladbach and a semifinal date with France.

Rachel Yankey, Arsenal star takes on Les Bleus in the WWC quarters

In a few minutes, Hope Powell's squad take on Les Bleus in the quarterfinals. The English are finally gelling after a slow start with Kelly Smith, their top scorer yet to open her account. But their spark has come from other players like Rachel Yankey, Jill Scott, Stephanie Houghton, and Ellen White.

szólj hozzá: France 2-4 Germany

The Germans who had huffed and puffed their way against Canada and Nigeria finally showed their class in the much anticipated final group encounter against Les Bleus. Sylvia Nied opted to open with Ilka Grings and Fatmire Bajmaraj. It was Kristin Garefrekes who got them on the frontfoot with her header with Grings following suit to put Germany two up.

Upon hearing the news that a gaggle of French females from the Les Bleus Women's World Cup team posed in the buff for a magazine spread, one word should come to mind:

Bild.

And you would, of course, be correct. Three of the French ladies posed nude for the German beacon of couth though without anything really showing in order to "bring awareness to their sport".

We have the first blow out in a tightly contested Women's World Cup. Les Bleus overwhelmed Canada with their pace and superior passing leaving the defense and Erin McLeod in goal in sixes and sevens.

Emily Zurrer, Candace Chapman, and Desiree Scott all had nightmare performances.

I fell in love with the Super Falcons during the 2008 Olympics, watching them slug out the ultimate group-of-death: Germany, Brazil, Nigeria and North Korea. None of the games in that tournament were as exciting as those Nigeria played in this group.
Nevertheless, Nigeria didn't make it past that stage.

Marie Laure- Delie has 22 goals in 21 matches

The opening match of the 2011 Women's World Cup between Group A contestants France and Nigeria just ended with Les Bleus emerging 1-0 victors. The winning goal was scored by in form striker Marie-Laure Delie in the 56th minute. The women's team have already gotten off to a better start than their male counterparts in South Africa.

By Chris Wright

For no other reason other than today being his 39th birthday, we've trawled the archives and fished out ten of the best photos of the young (and not-so-young) Zizou for you to give the once-over...

The 10-year old (and captain) Zidane poses with his first club, local side US Saint-Henri de Marseille, approx.