I don't understand why Lippi broke the cardinal rule by taking back the job. That's really weird! He left that job on a high note - winning the world cup and should have left it that way.

He'd now be under too much pressure to deliver and I doubt that he can pull it off again. The Italian team were the oldest in Euro 2008 and are definitely past their prime. Lippi now has the unenviable task of re-building the team from scratch. He has to build a younger, hungrier squad to carry them to SA 2010.

YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!

What a disappointing match!!

I expected much more from the Russians and wound up disappointed. I'm still trying to make up my mind on who was more disappointing, Fernando Torres or Ashavin. Arshavin should win this, especially after the hype. He was completely played out of the game by Puyol and Senna.

Senna was my man of the match by miles. The Villarreal strongman has been surprisingly solid in the tournament.

Torres was sickening, especially with those silly dives. The Arrow looked like he had developed a sudden allergy to leather.

Germany's defense is much worse than the Russians and Spain still banged in 3 goals. I wonder what they'd do to Germany's shaky defense on Sunday. A defence that conceeded 4 goals in 2 matches. Per Metersacker and Madrid's Metzelder just haven't been a convincing enough partnership.

Russia made that arrogant Arrow Sergio Ramos look like a superstar. How annoying! Ewwwwwwww

Guus Hiddink absolutely got it wrong tactically. He played too defensively. Pavlychenko had a decent game, but there was no support from midfield. I've never seen a more spineless Russian side. They just had no fight in them.

What a massive letdown by the Russians!
What a massive letdown by Andrei Arshavin!
I wonder if Barca would still be keen on signing him after today's disgusting performance. He definitely has knocked some digits off his price.

Jackal:

Chelsea can never get their hands on Ashavin.
Stop dreaming!!!!

Says who? Are you his agent? See his head.

Jackal:

John Terry is a bloody defender. . . . . . He should never have been in top 5 penalty takers.
The decision makers in Chelsea should be blamed. . . .Terry's primary responsibility is to keep opponents from scoring goals.
He did that magnificently for 120 mins . . . . .He headed Giggsy's goal bound shot off the line even after Cech was clearly beaten.
Give this dude a break. . . . .Ronaldo also missed his penalty(He is the best player in the world).

Defenders these days are being proven to be good penalty takers, so there was nothing wrong with his selection. All the players in the team are trained in the art of penalty kicks and defenders are no exception.

But that aside, you're missing ma point. Terry is not only the captain of the team. The fecker is also the highest paid player in the PREM on 150,000 pounds a week. When duty calls, he's supposed to answer and that's what he should have done! That's what he's fecking paid for!!!!!!!!!

According to SkySports news, Andrei Arshavin's agent has refuted claims that Barcelona has placed an 18 Million pounds bid for the lad. When asked if Ashavin could play in a Premier League club next season, he gave an emphatic YES!
Who knows, we might see this young lad in a Chelsea shirt next season, especially if he gives another stellar performance tonight.

In other news, a stunning revelation has emerged from Stamford Bridge. We all thought Captain John Terry was on 130,000 pounds a week, but in the recent court hearings on the Paul smith versus Chelsea case, it has emerged from the court that John Terry's salary is actually 150, 000 pounds.

According to the report, after Terry signed the contract, a discussion between Mr. Smith and Peter Kenyon ensued. A discussion that went along these lines -

Mr. Smith, on hearing the details of the contract said "That's good. Will it be enough do you think?"

With Kenyon replying,

"I don't know. It is never enough, is it? They always want more."

I can't help it, this takes ma mind back to Moscow and also back to the Spain versus Italy game in Euro 2008. Cesc Fabregas, a young Spanish and Arsenal player was called upon by his country to take the most difficult penalty kick of the game. A penalty kick that would keep the hopes of the Millions of people in his country alive. And what did he do? He fecking scored!
Now, excuses aside, was it too much to ask for Mr. Chelsea(John Terry) to score a simple fecking penalty kick in the most important game of his clubs history? A man on 150,000 pounds a week!!!!!!!!!!

dayokanu:

So where was the self-proclaimed best player in the world tonight, ? Truly great players take charge of the biggest games at the highest level-Ronaldo still hasn't shown yet that he can do that.
Can anyone really imagine a Zidane, Kaka, Ronaldinho being as quiet in the big games as Ronaldo seems to be on a regular basis.
Ronaldo isn't even on the same level as a Figo in terms of his ability to inspire a team against world class opponents.

Ronaldo is not the best player in the world. A player outshined by a second half substitute in the mold of Nani in a game as crucial as last night's game can definitely not be said to be the best player on the planet.

He is the best player in European club football, but we can't call him the best player on the planet.
All he has proven in Euro 2008 is that he is the most over-rated player in the tournament.

Sorry Jackal.
Let the Arrow go to Real Madrid where he'd be exposed big time.

I can count over ten players that have given better accounts of themselves in Euro 2008 so far.

1. Andrei Ashavin - Russia

2. Bastian Schweinsteiger - Germany

3. Ruud Van Nistelrooy - Holland

4. Wesley Sneijder - Holland

5. Nani - Portugal

6. Micheal Ballack - Germany

7. Arjen Robben - Holland

8. David Villa - Spain

9. Niko Kranjcar - Croatia and Portsmouth

10. Deco - Portugal

11. Lukas Podolski - Germany

12. Robben Van Persie - Holland

13. Roman Pavlychenko - Russia

I can go on and on. It's ridiculous, but all these players had much better impact on their teams than the so-called world player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo.

It's a shame.

Lovely concept!!

I absolutely love it!

I'm g'onna convert this format into a report and air it on any one of the Euro2008 highlight shows on STV(Silverbird TV), sometime between tomorrow and next week. I'd keep you posted on the time.

Thanks!

Jackal:

Hahahaha, hot sex on a sunny African evening!!!!

You're crazy!

I've got a three horsepower A/C + Duvet!
I've got ice cold bubbly to cool off after our sweaty business + a 50 inch plasma screen to watch Quaresma's idiocy!

@Jackal

You better stop arguing with our son Udeme and go watch the blockbuster games coming up in Euro 2008 in a few minutes.

Or better still, hop over to ma crib for 'you know what'. We both know it'd be more pleasurable than arguing with this clown.

@Ibime The Arrow (nice name )

First things first, you are the one who needs to take his head out of his ass, cause had you done so long ago, you'd have realised that I'm Miss Razorr Ramon(or feckever) and not a Mr.

Secondly, I'm not shocked at the rubbish you just posted! Trust me, no amount of bunkum you ever spew would faze me. Not after that your daft campaign for Monsieur Sparky.

Nigerian Pundits spew shit? Boy o boy, I'm really sorry, I didn't realize you were Chinese!

Since you joined this site, I am yet to read a post from you that made sense. Infact, the first day I noticed you, my initial conclusion was that you were a 13 year old boy away from school and missing his mum. That's how immature and stupid you sounded and boy-o-boy was I shocked when I discovered you are in your fifties!

An old man like you should be more intelligent than this. Like I said earlier, I can't waste two words on you so I'd try to be as brief as possible.

Ibime:

If Jose Mourinho and Luis Figo are big fans of Quaresma, I am supposed to change my opinion based on the opinion of idiots like Razorr and Jackal?

If Quaresma gives Jose such erections, why didn't he make him his first priority buy at Inter instead of Lampard? I'm yet to hear Jose sing Quaresma's praises of late.

Ibime:

A report even came out stating that Ronaldinho did a fitness test and Doctors warned he may never be able to play top flight football again. I am sure that news did not reach your studio in Naija, Mr Razorr Ramon. A player who cannot be motivated to keep fit for Barcelona can never be motivated to keep fit for Chelsea. AC Milan took one look and said NO WAY! Man City are the only team left in contention for Ronaldinho - and Chelsea, if Scolari deems him fit enough and motivated enough to play at the top level again. Razorr, please take your head out of your ass. Ronaldinho is a gamble which may or may not pay off. We need something more sure.

As usual, you have a knack for saying too much without saying anything.

Players lose fitness all the time for various reasons, ranging from injuries to indiscipline(Ronnie suffered from both), but gain back their fitness with time and motivation!

Scolari would be a big motivation considering that the boy in question peaked during his time under Scolari.
I would rather sign a player who's been proven at both club and national levels!

A player whose presence on the pitch alone would send shivers down ma opponent's spine!

A player who would draw some attention off Drogba and give him some room to roam.

A player whose signing would improve our darling club's profile and merchandise sales!

If you call signing Ronaldinho a gamble, I'd take it over signing an arrogant Arrow like Quaresma who is yet to prove himself at both club and National levels!

Finally, I w'anna re-iterate this bit of information, just incase your myopic brain was too small too accomodate it. Razorr is a miss, not a mister!
Bloody Arrow!

I wonder what all the noise about Quaresma is.

The idiot has an ego bigger than his ability! - FACT!!

He's a one-trick pony! - FACT!

Scolari would not sign him! - FACT! He's not a fan of the Arrow. He starts Simao ahead of him, so what does that tell you?

Ronaldinho is currently the most under-rated player on the planet! - FACT!

I'd rather sign a Ronaldinho who alongside his agent is practically begging us to sign him! Only a complete nincompoop would not acknowledge that Ronaldinho is singularly the most gifted player on this planet! He had one injury prone disappointing season and people are putting him down.

Finally, as God is ma witness, I cannot take sides with Ibime cause he got into ma bad books the day he said Mark 'Sparky' Hughes was the best candidate for the Chelsea coaching job. That was the day I confirmed his status as a Arrow!

VIVA CHELSEA!

VIVA ORANJE!

@Xerxes

Yea sweety, but the difference btw Ronnie and Kaka & Cesc is that Ronnie is head over heels in love with Madrid. Plonker's been having wet dreams on life with the Galacticos and has come out to clearly state that he'd love to leave.

@Xerxes

Sweetheart, you know I love you loads and won't w'anna do anything to hurt you, but I've gotta burst your bubbles a bit.
It seems Ronaldo is g'onna leave you after all.

Have you heard the breaking news from SkySports?

[size=18pt]Real - Ronaldo price no issue[/size]

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon insists that he will not be put off Cristiano Ronaldo by any asking price.

Calderon, who has refuted Manchester United's suggestions that his club are trying to unsettle the brilliant Portuguese ace, says money does not matter in this instance.

He points to the fact that Real paid nearly £50million for Zinedine Zidane, still the biggest transfer fee in football history, yet that was money very well spent.

Real are very much on the trail of Ronaldo and appear confident they can get him, and it seems they would be more than willing to smash the world record they paid for Zidane.

Money not an issue

"The price is not important," Calderon is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"We had a player like Zidane who came here for £47m and it was a magnificent investment.

"It's not a question of money but a question of efficiency."

United have lodged a formal complaint with Fifa about Real's advances for their prized asset - but Calderon says they should be flattered by their interest.

"The case of Cristiano does not affect the image of the club abroad. I would be proud if big clubs made multi-million offers for Real Madrid players," he said, also stating that Ronaldo will decide his own future and not United.

"In the end, if a player wants to leave - whatever the offer is - he will walk. The question is to give him guarantees of success."

Reports in England suggest that Sir Alex Ferguson has told the United's board to make Ronaldo one of the highest paid players in football to try and fend off Real.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3676117,00.html

@Xerxes

He's a cheat! That ain't no secret! Even the lad in question knows it.


As for Van Brockhorst, I understand your admiration for the chap! He was outstanding against Italy, but I disagree witcha! He's far from being the best in the tourney so far.

~Xerxes~:

He is a Portugeezer!!!

What do you mean by that, last time I checked, he was Brazilian?

~Xerxes~:

Deco, Carvalho, Nuno Gomez and Nani are born-cheats!!!

I've got two serious problems with that statement. Firstly, Carvalho ain't no cheat. Torres said so! And secondly, There's a name conspicuously missing from your list. Oilsheen ring a bell?

~Xerxes~:

If the offside rule that kept Ruud onside was not in place, it means Carvalho and Terry can run off the pitch as soon as they see Rooney clear on goal to keep him OFFSIDE.

Hahahahahahahahaha Ma thoughts exactly!


More Q's for ya!

1. Who's been your favourite player in the tourney so far?

2. If you were Roman Abramovich, who'd you give the Chelsea job to? I'd personally go for Marco Van Basten, but what do ya think? (No sentiments please).

~Xerxes~:

Petr Cech!!!!

Whew! Thank goodness!!! Ma respect for you has done doubled!


More questions 4 your highness -

1. If Spain were to meet Holland today, who'd win in your opinion? And if Portugal were to bump into the same dutch, who'd win?

2. With the quality you've seen so far in all the teams, do you see Germany as capable of winning this tournament?

3. I know UEFA has said that Ruud's goal was onside based on the FIFA rule that says a man is still in play after crossing the line until the ref acknowledges him as out of play. But do you agree with the referees' panel? Was Ruud's goal onside or off?

~Xerxes~:

Fernando Torres was the best player on the pitch yesterday. His forward bursts and positioning was a thorn in the flesh of the Russians.
He was explosive and selfless. . . . . . The 1st goal he set up for David Villa epitomises vision, awareness and stealth.

Ok. Fair enough. But why was he taken off at the 53rd minute? His partnership with Villa seemed great, so what did Aragones see that we missed?

~Xerxes~:

Karim Benzema is a waste-pipe.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm Same player that was giving you guys blueballs just a few days back.


Another question - I know your obvious answer to this question would be Van Der Sar, so I'd rule him out.
Who has been the best keeper in the tournament so far. (No sentiments please.)

@Xerxes


Naaaaaaaaaa There actually is a school of thought that thinks Grant has got quite sexy eyes. It's just his teeth and entire mouth region that have spoilt what would have made him a terrific looking bloke. SAF on the other hand is blood ugly. He's got blood nearly gushing out of his face for feck's sake. That his pink face and red nose.

Two more questions for you.

1. Villa aside, who was the second best man on the pitch for Spain last night.

2. After watching Karim Benzema play for France on Monday, are you still as obsessed with signing him as you initially were?

@Xerxes

I got involved in an argument with a colleague this morning and I need your opinion ASAP.
Question is who's sexier, Avram Grant or SAF?

Please be objective in your reply. No sentiments.

~Xerxes~:

Ronaldo and his agent have vowed never to talk about this transfer saga until after Euro 2008. . . . .

It's in the same interview that Ronaldo said he wouldn't say a word till the end of the Euro's, which makes the interview valid!

~Xerxes~:

SKYSPORTS made the journalist look stupid when they were on a live phone conversation with him. . .

I've called a coupla friends of mine in England (sports journalists and the like) and none of them saw the so-called interview you've been screaming about!
Did you record the interview off your Sky Digibox? If you didn't, then you have no proof, so stop grabbing at straws and give it up!

@Jackal

Do you know how silly you sound by still insisting that the interview is fake? Geezzzz Stop disgracing me jo!!!!
Even your fellow mancs have told you to give up on your denials, but you w'anna play stubborn.

If the interview is as fake as monsieur Jackal would have us believe, how come neither ronaldo nor his agent have denied it? It's been over 48 hours for feck's sake!!

And how come neither Sky, BBC nor any other media agency for that matter have figured out that its fake?

Only Jackal's private investigation agency have deducted the fake nature of the interview!

~Xerxes~:

I heard the guy on SKYSPORTS yesterday evening and he was not sure of himself.

He is BRAZILLIAN! Not English. He musta had problems understanding and interpreting the questions, which is perfectly normal.
You'd have problems if a French TV station called you to answer questions in French.

~Xerxes~:

u have got shit brains to believe this exclusive shiznit.

I've got shit brains huh?

See what I'm saying? You turn an argument into exchange of insults at the drop of a hat. I'm out of here.

I haven't got shit brains but might develop em if I continue this pointless convo.

@JK

Does the word 'exclusive' mean anything to you? Jesus! What's wrong with you United fans?

You think life begins and ends with Sky and BBC! For feck's sake, what is wrong with Ronaldo giving an interview to a journalist in his Euro2008 training camp, especially a journalist from their coach's(Scolari) country.

Even Skysports and BBC refer to Terra as 'the respected Brazillian website'. So who are JK and Jackal to call them a rubbish tabloid.

Please get over yourselves! If Ronnie wants to go, let him go! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

By the way, whether the interview took place yesterday or four days ago is not the issue.
The issue is - did it take place or not? Answer being an emphatic YES!

@Jackal

I wish to death that I were Bill Gates' first child. But it don't make it true.
I wish to death that Terry's penalty went it.
I wish to death that i were Beyonce.

Wishing for things never make em true.

Your wishing Ronaldo didn't say what he said doesn't make it true.

That news has been all over every major media outlet and yet Ronaldo has not come out to deny it!

Ronaldo hasn't denied it!

His agent hasn't denied it!

His mum didn't deny it in her interview!

Manchester United have not denied it! It took Chelsea less than 6 hours to deny the Ancelloti story.

If the interview was as fake as you say it is, then Ronaldo and Man United should sue the magazine, but all parties are silent on the issue which gives the interview credence.

And please Terra is one of the most respected magazines in Brazil (Big Phil Scolari's country), so your trying to damage their credibility won't work.
Stop trying to play on our intelligence.

Nadal (that arrogant arse) wins yet again.
I wish Monfils would defeat Federer this afternoon and then whoop Nadal's ass in the final.

If wishes were horses. . .

~Xerxes~:

The interview is fake. . . .

Ohhh Puhleease! Ronaldo's agent has verified that interview. Skysports and every major news source have verified the interview.
Only Jackal hasn't verified it.

I know Ronaldo's betrayal is a bitter pill to swallow, but [size=13pt]GET OVER IT![/size]

Don't worry, you'd win the PREM again in 7 years time!

[size=18pt]Ronaldo Snubs Sir Alex Ferguson[/size]

Cristiano Ronaldo's relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly deteriorated to the extent that the Portugal winger is unwilling to meet with the Manchester United manager to discuss his future.

Despite being granted permission to talk to the 23-year-old at Portugal's Euro 2008 training base by Luiz Felipe Scolari, Ferguson has effectively been barred from doing so by Ronaldo himself. The player is understood to be so angry with Ferguson's claim at the weekend that the Glazers would prefer to see the forward "rot" than sell him to Real Madrid that he has vowed not to speak to the Scot.

The snub will only darken Ferguson's mood as he attempts to enjoy the sunshine in the south of France. Already seething over what he perceives as Real Madrid's unethical pursuit of his star player, Ferguson is bound to have reacted angrily to confirmation from Ronaldo on Thursday that he wants to move to the Spanish capital.

Ferguson will stubbornly resist Real's overtures, even if they formally offer a world-record bid in excess of £75m, but the apparent deterioration of his relationship with Ronaldo puts a new slant on matters and one that only increases the likelihood of the Portuguese forward leaving.

-Football365.com

[size=18pt]Ronaldo breaks silence - Admits he desires Real move[/size]

"I want to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true they are eager to pay me and Manchester United what they have been saying they will," said Ronaldo.

"However, it does not depend on me. It is important to send a message.

"From now on I will not talk again about this until the end of the Euros. It is not worth asking me because I will not reply."

On Wednesday, Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said he would not risk ruining his club's relationship with Manchester United by bidding for a player under contract.

However, now Ronaldo has signalled his intent for a future in Spain, it could be Madrid that make the next move.

- skysports.com

'Sparky' signs for Man City!!

Xerxes(Jackal), you owe me 100 Pounds and please don't chicken out like you always do! Pay Up!

Next time don't go into bets till you're 100% sure.

@Xerxes

Please let Ancelotti come to Chelsea. If what Roman really wants is to win trophies, especially the C/L, then Ancelotti is the man.

The dude is just 48, but has won every major trophy in club football. He won the C/L twice in 4 yrs - 2003 and 2007. He won the UEFA super cup, the Serie A and the club world cup.

The guy's an ACE!!!

Pray let him come to Chelsea.

I know you won't admit it, but you'd have sleepless nights if he came.

For a young man, the dude is just too hot!!

@Xerxes

You owe me 100 pounds if Chelsea don't sign Sparky and please make sure you pay up for once!

Just this morning you were screaming at the top of your voice that Chelsea would sign Hughes and now, you are cleverly trying to redeem yourself by saying you meant both Sparky and Ancelloti.

Just this morning you were screaming bookmakers this. . . bookmakers that, saying bookmakers were swearing on their asses that it was Hughes for the Chelsea job and now its Anceloti they're screaming about.

I was right, your bookmakers don't have a clue as to what they're talking about. It's all speculation.

Now go down on both knees and apologize for your mistake!