Monthly Archives: July 2010

Webb proud at final acheivement

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World Cup final referee Howard Webb says he is very proud to have been given the honour of taking charge of the showpiece match.

The Yorkshireman, supported by his assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, will become the first English referee of a World Cup final (Spain 8/15, Holland 6/4 to win) since Jack Taylor in 1974.

Webb, 38, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for the game, it is a wonderful honour and a privilege. It is the ultimate honour for a referee.

“We are proud to be representing the English FA as well as FIFA and all the other officials here at the World Cup.

“We will be proud to be able to show the ability and quality of match officials in England when we take to the field tomorrow evening.

“This is the World Cup, and it’s massively important for the world. We understand the importance of the game and we will need total focus and concentration.

“We will try to be a calming influence where we can and use all our experience of being involved in big games.”

The three fathers of Webb, from Rotherham, Cann, from Norfolk, and Mullarkey, from Exeter, will be at the Soccer City stadium on Sunday to watch the game. The trio of dads, all former refs, have been at all of their sons’ three matches of the World Cup so far.

Mullarkey said all three officials were close to tears when they were told they had been chosen for the final.

He said: “We had not been chosen for any of the quarter-finals or the semi-finals so you do start to wonder about things.

“When we were actually told it was an incredible moment. When I was sitting at home watching the 2006 World Cup on television I never envisaged that I would be here doing the final.

Cann added: “This is the culmination of 20 years’ hard work and is the greatest honour we can receive as match officials.

“It was a very emotional moment in truth when we were told. When match number 64 was read out and the name Webb that was what we were waiting for. Everything became a blur for a few seconds and neither Mike nor I can remember hearing our names read out afterwards.”

Taylor, the last Englishman to referee a World Cup final, will be in the stadium to watch Webb follow in his footsteps.

The 80-year-old has been flown to South Africa as a guest of the Premier League along with referees’ chief Mike Riley.

Taylor said: “It’s a wonderful feeling to have come to South Africa to watch the final. It all happened so quickly. I got the call from Mike Riley on Thursday night asking if the Premier League could arrange it would I like to go. I jumped at the chance.”

Taylor said he always knew Webb had it in him to reach the very top.

He added: “I remember speaking to Richard Scudamore shortly after Howard received the call that he was to start officiating Premier League games and I told him he had someone special, someone who would go all the way to the top, and he has.

“I believe he’s the best referee this country has ever produced and I couldn’t be more pleased for him.”

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Davies committed to Forest

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Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies insists he is not about to walk out on the 8/1 joint favourites to win the Championship in 2010/11, with the new season less than a month away.

The Scot took Forest into the play-offs last season where they were knocked out by eventual winners Blackpool over two legs.

Davies’ future has been in the spotlight after he was linked with the Celtic job before Neil Lennon got the nod on a permanent basis.

The former Preston and Derby boss also revealed in April that he would make a decision over his role at the City Ground once the season ended, saying: “In the summer I will sit down and I will discuss with my advisors and representatives the way the situation is with regard to the future and we will look at the future and we’ll make decisions.”

However, speculation resurfaced after he admitted right-back James Perch was sold to long-time suitors Newcastle last week without his knowledge.

But Forest chief executive Mark Arthur has played down any suggestion of a breakdown in the relationship between manager and board.

He told the Evening Post: “The chairman had informed Billy on three separate occasions that, should we get another offer for James Perch from Newcastle that was acceptable to the business of the club, then we would not stand in his way.

“Newcastle had also offered to quadruple Perch’s salary and therefore, with our reluctance to offer him a new contract, it would have been wrong to stand in his way.

“When an offer came through that was acceptable to the board I phoned Billy to tell him of the offer and his response was ‘that is the board’s decision and so be it’.”

Davies himself added: “I have two years left on my contract and I will continue to do my job to the best of my ability until somebody else decides otherwise.”

Along with Forest, Middlesbrough are also 8/1 to win the Championship next season with QPR (10/1), Cardiff, Burnley and Reading (all 11/1) also among the frontrunners.

Forest kick off their campaign with a trip to relegated Burnley on August 7 (Clarets 11/10, draw 11/5, Forest 21/10 – 90 minutes).

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Scharner eyes ‘dream move’

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Paul Scharner has said the prospect of being part of Liverpool’s title push next season (10/1 – Premier League Outright) would be a ‘dream move’ as new Reds boss Roy Hodgson is reportedly lining up a free transfer swoop.

The 30-year-old Austria international is a free agent after his contract at Premier League outfit Wigan expired at the end of last season. And there are reports that Hodgson will now look to take him to Anfield ahead of the new campaign having tried to sign him on numerous occasions while in charge at Fulham.

The likes of Aston Villa and Sunderland are also thought to be interested in taking Scharner, but the versatile player’s agent Valentin Hobel has revealed that Liverpool would be his preferred destination.

“Roy Hodgson and Paul Scharner – this is a special relationship,” said Hobel.

“Hodgson thinks that Paul’s strengths in midfield are better than his attributes in central defence.

“Liverpool would be a dream, of course, but we are in contact with several clubs. Because he is a free transfer, he can choose.”

Meanwhile, Hodgson will be sweating on the fitness of star striker Fernando Torres after he was stretchered off in Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final win against the Netherlands on Sunday having pulled up sharply chasing a long kick up field.

Torres has been linked with a big money move from Liverpool this summer, but Hodgson was looking to persuade him to stay put in talks which were planned for when he returns from South Africa.

However, if Torres does agree to stay at Anfield, the chances of him being fit to play in Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Arsenal (Liverpool 5/4, Arsenal 7/4, draw 23/10 – 90 Minutes) in mid-August look very slim.

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Casillas reveals nerves

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Spain captain Iker Casillas has admitted that his side have struggled with nerves throughout the World Cup Finals ahead of Sunday’s final (Spain 8/15 to win).

The Euro 2008 champions – who face Holland in the final to be played at Soccer City in Johannesburg – have come under fire in the tournament and have not always been at their thrilling best. Now, Casillas readily admits that the pressure of being one of the favourites has affected them.

“We’ve felt a bit anxious all the way through the tournament, even the early matches,” said the Real Madrid keeper.

“This is a very important match – the most important of our careers – and we do feel nervous.”

La Roja began the tournament as one of the favourites but lost their first group match 1-0 to Switzerland before recovering with victories over Honduras and Chile to qualify for the knock out rounds.

They have continued to progress through the finals with single goal victories over Portugal, Paraguay and Germany but have struggled to reach the heights that have seen them lose only three times in 50 games.

In contrast, the Dutch, who have been accused of being pragmatic, have been involved in a number of high scoring games.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque heads into the match with a number of selection dilemmas, with the main issue being whether Liverpool striker Fernando Torres starts up front with David Villa switching to the wing.

Torres (7/4 to score in the final) was dropped for the semi in favour of Barcelona wide man Pedro who impressed. However, the veteran coach was reluctant to reveal what his starting line-up will be but said he was confident in whatever side he settles on and wasn’t afraid to change tactics if he needed to.

“We’ve got a team filled with many possibilities – Plan A, plan B and other distinct solutions,” said the former Real Madrid coach.

Del Bosque also revealed that he hadn’t made any specific plays to counter the threat of Holland playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who has scored five goals in the tournament so far and has been described by team mate Arjen Robben as “the best player in the world over the last 12 months.”

However del Bosque insists that he’s not making any special plans to take care of the Inter player and was confident his midfielders would be able to deal with the threat the Dutchman poses.

“An anti-Sneijder plan? No,” said del Bosque. “Teams nearly always have a player like this that drifts between the lines and that is difficult to mark. We have midfield players who are used to marking these types of players.”

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Ferguson denies Sneijder link

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex FergusonManchester United (12/5 to win the Premier League)  boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed speculation that the club have had an offer turned down for Wesley Sneijder by Inter Milan.

The Dutch midfielder has attracted interest from a number of clubs after putting in some impressive performances at the World Cup in South Africa.

Sneijder is currently preparing for the final of the competition as Holland take on pre-tournament favourites Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

The Inter midfielder is currently joint top goalscorer at the World Cup and could win the golden boot award if he scores and Spain’s David Villa fails to find the back of the net.

United are just one club that have been linked with a move to buy the 26-year-old however Ferguson has refuted claims the club have had an offer rejected for the player.

He said: “I don’t know where those reports about Sneijder came from.

“How can anybody turn me down when I haven’t even made a bid?”

“I believe the squad is stronger than last season with the younger players having another year under their belts,” he added.

The United manager has also denied claims that the Old Trafford club are lining up a bid for Wolfsburg’s Mesut Ozil who has also had an impressive World Cup with Germany – who finished in third place in the tournament after they beat Uruguay 3-2 on Saturday.

Sneijder could win his fourth trophy this season after helping Inter Milan win a domestic double and the coveted Champions League title and a World Cup trophy would complete a stunning season.

Jose Mourinho, who led the Italian giants to an astonishing season, has moved on to Real Madrid and it is now former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez’s task to keep hold of their key players ahead of next season.

Manchester City and United have both been linked with Inter striker Mario Balotelli, who was not a regular first-team player under Mourinho.

The 19-year-old has revealed his admiration for both Manchester clubs and could be tempted by a move to the Premier League if Benitez does not offer him regular football.

United begin their Premier League campaign against newly promoted Newcastle United as the club look to win back the top flight title from rivals Chelsea (Manchester United 1/5, draw 9/2, Newcastle United 11/1).

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Benayoun slams Benitez

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Former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has revealed that former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez was the reason he left the club and joined Chelsea this summer (Chelsea 6/4 to win the Premier League title).

The 30-year-old moved to the London club after failing to secure regular first-team football at Liverpool and will now be helping Chelsea try and retain the Premier League title and push on in Europe next season.

However the Israeli has come out and slammed his former manager for his behaviour during their time at the Merseyside club (Liverpool 10/1 to win the Premier League).

He told the News of the World:  “I made up my mind to leave a long time ago because of Benitez. He never treated me with the respect I deserved. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit.

“And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn’t understand why.”

Benayoun stated that on a number of occasions last season he was put down by the Spaniard after the player himself thought he had performed well.

He said: “There are many examples of him treating me badly.

“Last season, against Fulham  and Lyon,  the fans booed when I was subbed. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised they booed because I was not good enough,? he added.

The midfielder joined Liverpool from West Ham United in July 2007 and became a good utility player at the club but found it difficult to claim a starting eleven spot under Benitez.

Despite Roy Hodgson taking over as a manager at the Anfield club Benayoun decided it was time to leave and, after being given plenty of offers from clubs around Europe, he decided to join the Blues.

The player decided not to express his opinions of his former manager whilst at the club but has stated how Benitez damaged the player’s self belief.

He said: “He tried to destroy my confidence. You can’t treat a player like this and expect him to be happy.

“I felt so unhappy but, out of respect to the club, I never spoke out. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt.”

Liverpool will be looking to improve on last season’s seventh place in the Premier League and begin their campaign against Arsenal at Anfield on August 14 (Liverpool 5/4, draw 23/10, Arsenal 7/4).

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Benayoun slams Benitez

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Former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has revealed that former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez was the reason he left the club and joined Chelsea this summer (Chelsea 6/4 to win the Premier League title).

The 30-year-old moved to the London club after failing to secure regular first-team football at Liverpool and will now be helping Chelsea try and retain the Premier League title and push on in Europe next season.

However the Israeli has come out and slammed his former manager for his behaviour during their time at the Merseyside club (Liverpool 10/1 to win the Premier League).

He told the News of the World:  “I made up my mind to leave a long time ago because of Benitez. He never treated me with the respect I deserved. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit.

“And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn’t understand why.”

Benayoun stated that on a number of occasions last season he was put down by the Spaniard after the player himself thought he had performed well.

He said: “There are many examples of him treating me badly.

“Last season, against Fulham  and Lyon,  the fans booed when I was subbed. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised they booed because I was not good enough,? he added.

The midfielder joined Liverpool from West Ham United in July 2007 and became a good utility player at the club but found it difficult to claim a starting eleven spot under Benitez.

Despite Roy Hodgson taking over as a manager at the Anfield club Benayoun decided it was time to leave and, after being given plenty of offers from clubs around Europe, he decided to join the Blues.

The player decided not to express his opinions of his former manager whilst at the club but has stated how Benitez damaged the player’s self belief.

He said: “He tried to destroy my confidence. You can’t treat a player like this and expect him to be happy.

“I felt so unhappy but, out of respect to the club, I never spoke out. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt.”

Liverpool will be looking to improve on last season’s seventh place in the Premier League and begin their campaign against Arsenal at Anfield on August 14 (Liverpool 5/4, draw 23/10, Arsenal 7/4).

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Xavi confident goals will come

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Midfielder Xavi is confident that his team-mates can find their shooting boots and score the goals that will propel Spain to their first ever World Cup title (Spain 21/20 to win World Cup final).

The Spaniards take on Holland in the showpiece final on Sunday evening in Johannesburg hoping to shake off the tag as the great under-achievers in world football and back-up their success at Euro 2008.

Spain came into the tournament as favourites but doubts were cast over their title credentials when they suffered a 1-0 reverse to Switzerland in their opening group fixture.

However, they bounced back to beat Honduras and Chile and top Group H to progress to the last 16 in South Africa.

Three 1-0 victories over Portugal, Paraguay and Germany followed to set up Sunday’s showdown with the Dutch as the Spanish put in solid, if unspectacular performances.

They do possess a plethora of talented attacking players but have had to rely on a resolute defence to see them through to the final as goals have been at a premium, and Xavi hopes that things will change against the Netherlands on Sunday.

“It is clear we have not scored many goals,” he said. “But we are feeling very comfortable with the way we are playing, and we are creating plenty of opportunities. Usually when you do that, you tend to get goals.

“But we are not converting the chances to our normal percentage. Let’s see if we can lift that because it will be particularly important.”

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has a lot to think about ahead of the match, with a striking dilemma to solve.

Liverpool forward Fernando Torres, who scored the winning goal for Spain at Euro 2008, has not really ignited at the World Cup and was dropped for the semi-final win over Germany in favour of Pedro.

But his experience may see the former Atletico Madrid man back in the fray for the final with Pedro dropping back to the bench.

Whatever side the Spanish tactician decides to put out, Xavi believes that the 2010 squad will be worthy winners of the World Cup if they can edge what looks set to be a very tight affair.

“Football around the world is very even at the moment, very balanced. It’s the minor details that can be decisive,” he added. “If there is a change in the world order I hope it’s in favour of Spain. It’s time for Spain to take its place at the top and I think this generation of players fully deserves that.”

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Germany wait on key man

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Germany striker Miroslav Klose (5/1 to win the World Cup Golden Boot) will have a late fitness test ahead of Saturday evening’s World Cup 2010 third-place play-off against Uruguay.

The 32-year-old, who is one strike away from equalling Ronaldo’s World Cup goal record, suffered a back injury in the semi-final defeat to Spain.

Klose, who has four goals in the tournament, missed Friday’s final training session but Germany remain upbeat about his prospects of facing Uruguay in Port Elizabeth (Uruguay 19/5, Draw 14/5, Germany 7/10 – Match Betting).

Assistant coach Hansi Flick admits it will be Klose “who will decide” whether he is fit to play, with the squad keen to help him reach the impressive goalscoring feat.

Flick stated: “He can go down in history if he scores one or two goals. The whole team wants to help him do it.”

Germany will also make late decisions on Philipp Lahm and Lukas Podolski having been suffering with a bout of flu this week, which has also laid low coach Joachim Low.

Midfielder Thomas Muller is also set to return to the starting line-up after suspension, while Joachim Low has minor doubts over Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

Assistant Flick, who faced the press conference in the absence of Low, insists that the squad will be going all out for victory, despite outside apathy about the third-place match.

Low’s number two stated: “Third place is our minimum target and the match allows us to finish on a positive note.

“We are facing a Uruguayan side who are hard to unsettle, but we have shown against England and Argentina that the players are not frightened by this task.”

Meanwhile, the South Americans will look to Diego Forlan to deliver the goods, with four goals in the tournament so far.

The Atletico Madrid frontman picked up a slight thigh problem in the semi-final loss to the Netherlands, forcing him to be withdrawn in the last five minutes.

But Forlan is expected to start and is likely to be paired alongside Luis Suarez, who is available again after suspension following his sending-off against Ghana.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has warned Germany that they will “fight to the death” and that Saturday’s game is very important to them.

Tabarez insisted: “We will go in with the same commitment and enthusiasm as always. We will prepare to fight to the death.”

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Robben predicts pain for Spain

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Arjen Robben says he and his Holland team-mates are determined not to let their opponents Spain control Sunday’s World Cup final (Holland 11/4 to win – 90 minutes).

The Spaniards dominated their semi-final against a very defensive Germany side and the Bayern Munich midfielder is determined his side will not suffer the same fate.

“We will defend from the front,” said Robben. “No-one here feels they are too special to get their hands dirty.

“I was surprised with how freely Germany let Spain play. We have to start pressing them earlier.”

Spain have dominated possession in their games so far in the tournament with players such as Xavi, Iniesta and Xabi Alonso controlling the pace of the game with their patient passing approach.

The key to a Dutch success could be down to the performance of the Oranje’s defensive midfielder Mark Van Bommel who has been key alongside Nigel De Jong in breaking down play and winning the ball in order to give it to Holland’s more creative players.

The Bayern midfielder came under criticism for a number of robust challenges in the semi-final against Uruguay, one which led to Holland’s first goal and was eventually shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away in the final moments.

However, Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk, who is also Van Bommel’s father-in-law says he sees no problem in the midfielder’s aggressive approach.

“I don’t agree with what people are saying,” said Van Marwijk. “The yellow card on Tuesday was his first in the entire competition. He has shown a lot of discipline in his play.”

Despite winning all of their six games so-far in the tournament, the Oranje have come under fire for shunning the traditional Dutch style of ‘total football’ in favour of a more pragmatic approach.

The total football philosophy was first employed by the Dutch side in 1974 who went on to lose 2-1 in the final to hosts West Germany. They went on to lose again in the final in 1978 and Robben says his side are happy to expense with his nation’s traditional flair in the favour of winning football (Robben 9/1 first goal scorer).

“I would much prefer to win a very ugly game than lose a beautiful one,” said Robben. “We can still play attractive football but we can always rely on our good organisation as well.

“If you are organised, you know one goal could be enough, which has been the case so far. The point is, we are in a World Cup final. From now on how you actually play no longer matters.

“Of course, the intent is there to play good football but the result is far more important.

“We have heard enough of talk about how our football is very nice. But it gets you nowhere. We want to achieve something.”

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