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(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

Futbolda el denilince akla Maradona'nın eli -pardon Tanrı'nın eli- gelir. Bu kez söz konusu el Gattuso'nun. İtalya milli takım antrenmanında yedek kulübesine düşerek sakatlanmış. Kadrodan çıkarıldı, ancak basit bir operasyon sonrası sahalara dönebilecek. Bizde elinden sakatlanan isimleri düşününce (kaleciler hariç! Click to continue reading...

(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

Yikes, look at Europe because here come A.C. Milan. As reported in Sports Illustrated, Ronaldinho will be joining the ever-growing contingent of Brazilians at A.C. Milan. Can you imagine Ronaldinho, Pato, Kaka, all together next season with the likes of Pirlo, Gattuso, etc.? Its a scary proposition for Serie A and those in the UEFA Cup. Click to continue reading...

Some of world football's biggest super stars are signed up to play in a charity match in Germany next week to help raise money for Africa. Among the players signed up to raise money for this great cause are: Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, Gennaro Gattuso, Michael Ballack, and Steven Gerrard. Fans will make a donation for each goal scored by their favorite player; too bad young David Villa's not on the list. Click to continue reading...

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, THE match of the quarters is nearly upon us. A mouth watering, tactical who's who in the making. Will it be an attacking extravaganza or will they cancel each other out? Will catenaccio return or will this constipated match end up with the hated penalties? Will Spain blow it again or will Italy miss Pirlo, Totti, Gattuso, Nesta, and Cannavaro?

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With the group stages complete, it's time to take a final look at the sweet 16.

1. Holland (1)
2. Spain (3)
3. Portugal (2)
4. Croatia (4)
-Not to punish Portugal too much for the loss to Switzerland, since they had nothing at stake, but it's worth noting that the other three teams that wrapped up their groups early all won their final games. Click to continue reading...

With the group stages complete, it's time to take a final look at the sweet 16.

1. Holland (1)
2. Spain (3)
3. Portugal (2)
4. Croatia (4)
-Not to punish Portugal too much for the loss to Switzerland, since they had nothing at stake, but it's worth noting that the other three teams that wrapped up their groups early all won their final games. Click to continue reading...

None of my quarterfinal matchups appeared as I last predicted, so I guess I'll have to try again.

Portugal vs. Germany

Like many, I thought this would be the semifinal from the top of the bracket. Sadly we'll have to watch this one a little early.

Though through to the semis, neither of these teams have been overly impressive. Click to continue reading...

The "biscuits" are only Scandinavian. The miracle of bern repeats itself, but this time it is Italian and not German, like in the 1954 World Cup. Italy gets rid of the Portuguese nightmare and advances to the second round. Italy was great against France and while they beat the French team coached by Domenech 2-0, something they have not done in regular time since the 1978 World Cup, The Netherlands beat Romania 2-0, allowing us to advance to the quarterfinals that will be played on Sunday, the 22nd, in Vienna, against Spain. Click to continue reading...

Player of the Day: Daniele De Rossi. There was absolute outrage after the Dutch game because De Rossi was left on the bench, now you see why. Lived up to the honor of the #10 Azzurri shirt today, with a tip of the hat to Titi Henry for his deflection (or was it actually Benzema?), and will need to put on another show sans Pirlo and Gattuso against Spain.

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Despite Holland resting 8 of its eleven starters the Dutch still managed to win out and give Italy the opportunity of survival.What it tells me is this Dutch side is very good.Maybe too special for the rest of Europe.This Romanian side are no slouches and the win verifies the quality of this Dutch side. Click to continue reading...

Ives clearly thinks Italy is doomed and while he makes a good point about the three-man all-AC Milan midfield of Pirlo, Gattuso and Ambrosini struggling, but they aren't doomed yet. I think they can squeak a win against Romania and then beat a French team who frankly looks even worse than the Italians. Click to continue reading...

Tonight was a good night for Italy but not in the conventional sense. I loved Donadoni as a player and i have no doubt he will one day make a good manager but he is out of his depth right now.From playing people in the wrong spot (Zambrotta at left back instead of Right back,Panucci on the left) To choosing the 4-3-3 against a nation that has mastered its intricacies in the least is naive. Click to continue reading...

Yowza. I'm alarmed. And having a soft spot for strongarm midfield enforcers, I'm thoroughly enjoying the sensation.
From UEFA:

Gennaro Gattuso is confident an attack-minded Italy will be able to survive arguably the toughest group of UEFA EURO 2008™ and believes striker Luca Toni will be the guiding light to show them the route past the Netherlands, Romania and France.

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Arsenal progressed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after knocking out holders AC Milan in their round of sixteen tie. The Gunners overcame a resilient Milan side after two late strikes sent the Rossoneri spinning out of European competition. It was Milan's first European loss at the San Siro. Click to continue reading...

Arsenal travel to the San Siro this Tuesday to face off against AC Milan in the return leg of their Champions League round of sixteen match up against the Champions League Champions. Arsenal failed to leverage their home advantage at the Emirates in a 0-0 draw, but the Gunners will take confidence from their dominance of the home leg. Click to continue reading...

UEFA Champions League Champions AC Milan travel to the Emirates this Wednesday to face Premier League leaders Arsenal in a clash of giants. Arsenal will be looking to leverage their home advantage before a tough second leg at the San Siro while Milan will be searching for a few crucial away goals.

Both teams suffered disappointing results over the weekend, with Arsenal on the receiving end of a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United, while AC Milan failed to score in a boring 0-0 draw with lowly Parma. Click to continue reading...

I've seen this list posted on a few sites and still can't believe how unbelievably retarded it is. First of all, what is FourFourTwo's criteria? The opinion of Nike, Adidas, and FIFA? They certainly didn't take all-round play into account, because Kaka is a second rate defender at best. That's why they have Gattuso on Milan. There's no doubting the Brazilian's attacking skills, but he's utterly useless and a borderline burden on the other end. Click to continue reading...