Torres’ Return To Fitness Boosts Spain’s World Cup Chances

post thumbnail

fernando torres spain 199x300 Torres Return To Fitness Boosts Spains World Cup ChancesSpain striker Fernando Torres has revealed he is optimistic of being fit to play in Spain’s opening game of the tournament on June 16 against Switzerland.

“I’m very well, happy with the progress of the injury. Since January I’ve had two operations, and that isn’t easy,” he told Marca.

“Everything went very well with the first and in the second the objective was to be ready between six and seven weeks, and I’m at the start of the sixth.

“I will do a few more days of specific work and, God willing, I’ll be 100 per cent for the first game of the World Cup for sure.”

Torres was asked if he feels any additional pressure to become the tournaments leading goalscorer and claim the golden boot.

“No, but I know that, along with (David) Villa, I’m lucky enough to be one of the strikers in a team that are among the favourites, and that brings certain privileges,” he explained.

“It’s been a very difficult season. When you start a campaign you hope you will be able to fulfil your dreams, winning titles, not having injuries, enjoying yourselves, and it has been just the opposite,” he added.

“But there is always a tomorrow in football and this summer, the World Cup.

“I’ve put aside the club, the bad season, and I want to finish in the best way possible way by making history with my county.

Spain are currently favourites to win the World Cup at 5.25 with Fernando Torres available at 21.00 to win the Golden Ball.  Be sure to catch those odds as Torres is bound to attract a lot of interest in the Golden Ball stakes with the news of his recovery.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Line: 66
    Message: Duplicate entry ‘w2ruk’ for key ‘code’+&source=shareaholic” rel=”nofollow” title=”Tweet This!”>Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Spain Look To Send A World Cup Message Against France
  2. Will Torres feature when Liverpool fixtures start in July?
  3. Four European Places Left at the 2010 World Cup Finals


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Italy’s Old Men Attempt To Roll Back The World Cup Years

post thumbnail

daniel di rossi 300x194 Italys Old Men Attempt To Roll Back The World Cup YearsThe World Cup is just around the corner now and the anticipation is already building for the greatest show on earth.

The Italian team have been getting rather annoyed however, with suggestions by various punters and commentators alike that collectively the squad is too far over the hill in the age department to be able to win this summer’s show piece in South Africa.

The Azzuri defender Gianluca Zambrotta has attacked the doubters regarding their World Cup chances, he said:

“In 2006 we knew it would be difficult, but we won. We are here to get to the end once again,” he said at a press conference.

“We are old? We have nine winners from the World Cup in Germany, but that’s just a percentage. This is an Azzurri side with a mix of younger and experienced players, they have just as much desire to do well and want to bring home a major trophy like the World Cup.”

“There has always been scepticism surrounding the national team, but we have gotten used to it and all know how to deal with the situation,” he concluded.

The Italians are currently training in Sistriere as Marcello Lippi looks to fine tune his squad before their opening game against Paraguay on June 14th.

If you fancy the Italian granddads to retain their trophy in South Africa, you can back them at a very long 15.00 – this is well worth a punt considering France are also 15.00 to win the World Cup even though they have looked an awful side in recent years.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Line: 7
    Message: Too many connections+&source=shareaholic” rel=”nofollow” title=”Tweet This!”>Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. World Cup Outsiders Italy Offer Great Betting Value
  2. 2010 World Cup Starting to Take Shape
  3. World Cup 2010 Qualification is Almost Complete


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Can Rooney And Drogba Top the Scoring Charts In South Africa

Drogba V Rooney Premier League 300x185 Can Rooney And Drogba Top the Scoring Charts In South AfricaDidier Drogba and Wayne Rooney fought a season long battle to finish as the Premier League’s top goal scorer. The Chelsea striker just managed to pip the Manchester United man but the two might be back in competition in less than three weeks.

BET ON TH WORLD CUP – TOP SCORER “GOLDEN BOOT”

Both players will be selected as the main striker for their respective countries and if they carry their stunning form into the World Cup, each man is a good bet to win the competition Golden Boot.

Rooney and Drogba both play for teams that have every chance of having a strong competition- an essential to win the Golden Boot. England have one of the easiest groups and while the Ivory Coast are in a tough line up, they will feel it can’t be worse than the ‘Group of Death’ they endured in 2006.

This is the second successive World Cup for the Ivorians and the Elephants have been consistently one of the top African sides for the past decade. They have a group of players who have been together for some time and for the likes of Drogba- who takes huge pride in playing for the national squad- this is a final chance to make an impact in this tournament.

BET ON TH WORLD CUP – TOP SCORER “GOLDEN BOOT”

Rooney is currently second favourite to be top scorer at 12/1; only the peerless Lionel Messi stands above him. It reflects Rooney’s stellar form this season and England’s status as a team expected to go deep into the knockout rounds.

Drogba is an excellent each way value bet at 40/1. The long odds reflect the fact that the Ivorians have to come through a group that includes Brazil and Portugal. However, Drogba and his team mates are well capable of taking on a Portuguese squad that struggled all through qualifying.
If the Ivory Coast do come through it will probably be thanks to goals from their star man. Judged by his late form for Chelsea, Didier Drogba looks ready to give it everything and he’s likely to take all the free kicks and penalties too.

Wayne Rooney has added to his game this season and England will be set up to allow him to roam as he sees fit. Messi may head the odds but Argentina threaten to be a dysfunctional outfit under Diego Maradona, so the England talisman could follow in the footsteps of Gary Lineker in 1986.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Line: 7
    Message: Too many connections+&source=shareaholic” rel=”nofollow” title=”Tweet This!”>Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Rooney Puts Birth of First Child Before Champion’s League
  2. England going on, Scotland going home
  3. Fabio Capello Tests His Defensive Reserves Against Egypt


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Blackpool Win The £90 Million Match

post thumbnail

blackpool money 300x224 Blackpool Win The £90 Million MatchIan Holloway’s Blackpool side won the final ticket to next season’s Premier League by beating Cardiff City 3-2 at Wembley in yet another pulsating Championship Play Off Final.

The amount riding on this game has been creeping up year by year. When Derby County beat West Bromwich Albion in 2007 the game was called the ‘£90 million match’. Inflation and extra parachute payments have quickly added to the value.

You can bet on this now: Football Today

Like Burnley a year ago, Blackpool have come from an unlikely position to snatch promotion. The club pay some of the lowest wages in the division and have a capacity of only 13,000 at Bloomfield Road. A new stand is required behind one end.

The Tangerine success story has been based on team spirit and fearless attacking style; the 3-2 scoreline was no accident because Holloway has employed an adventurous 4-3-3 all season.

It could have gone badly wrong- Cardiff were twice in front but each time the Welsh club were pegged back before Brett Ormerod put the Seasiders in the lead.

All the goals came before half-time and it was a surprise that the second period remained goalless. Whether Blackpool can get away with their attacking style in the Premiership is another question.

You can bet on this now: Football Today

The town should make a lot of money- more so than most newly promoted clubs- by pushing weekend packages combining a Premiership fixture and an overnight stay.

Holloway is going to be good value for the media and journalists because he couldn’t be boring if he tried. However, he will be aware that there is little sentiment in football. Derby boss Billy Davies was shown the door less than four months into the campaign in 2007/08.

Phil Brown took Hull City up to the top flight for the very first time but he is no longer managing the Tigers, despite keeping them up in their first season.

The word is that Blackpool- like Burnley-won’t be breaking the bank to stay up. At least Holloway can call on Charlie Adam whose purchase from Rangers was so influential. His success will encourage other players to take a chance under Ian Holloway’s idiosyncratic methods.

The Tangerines will struggle for points next season but it is worth remembering that they were a big club in the 1940s and 1950s- Blackpool may be small fish but they will be difficult to beat at home and may yet cause a few more surprises.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Play Off Final Prediction: Can Blackpool Pull Off Cardiff Shock?
  2. Laws Takes Burnley Into Grudge Match At The Reebok Stadium
  3. Europa League Final: Can Fulham Win Or Athletico Win As Tight Match Is Expected


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Inter’s José Mourinho to Real Madrid

post thumbnail

José Mourinho manager Real MadridAlthough it has not been made official yet, it is no secret that José Mourinho will be managing Real Madrid next season in what can only be bad news for Barcelona as Mourinho has developed a taste for victory over the Catalan side.

‘The Special One’ has already issued a harsh warning to los Galacticos by saying that there are no stars in his team and adding that he envisions a deal to be completed after meeting officials in Madrid.

Mourinho told a Portuguese television station that Jorge Mendes, his agent, has met with Madrid representatives and as a result a deal is almost certain but added that he wants to meet with the representatives from Madrid first so as to get a full understanding of the role.

You can bet on this: Football Today

It is rumoured that Mourinho will join Madrid on a four year deal worth €10 million per season.

“I want to meet people, know exactly what they want from me and the conditions, not the structures, because these I already know, to avoid any doubts when I begin my work. I think all will be consummated.”

“The stars now are Inter, they are the European champions. My message to the players of Real Madrid, if I train them, is that they are not stars, the star is not the coach, the star is the team. If they all accept this like when I was at Porto, Chelsea or Inter, the victories will come.”

Mourinho, who led Inter to glory in the Champions League on Saturday night, said that there are a number of reasons for taking over the role.

“It will be a huge challenge to contest the League against Barcelona. They are a great team and have proved it by almost reaching 100 points. Trying to win the Champions League is an incentive as they have not won it in eight years,” he added.

You can bet on this: Football Today

“It’s an incentive because everyone says it’s a lost cause because my profile doesn’t fit Real Madrid or the club does not have the profile that I think a club must have.”

One thing is for sure though, Madrid will hand Mourinho a massive cheque book and Mourinho will spend it. Expect next season’s La Liga title race to be another fascinating battle between two of Europe’s elite clubs.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Jose Mourinho to Quit? “My only options are Madrid or Inter”
  2. Champions League Final Build Up. Robben Expects Inter to Attack, Inter Expects Mourinho To Go
  3. Inter ’s Mourinho Proves to be the Special One Again


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Inter Milan Win Champions League

post thumbnail

Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan Champions League final 2010 300x215 Inter Milan Win Champions LeagueInter Milan are the new champions of Europe after they finished victorious against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Diego Milito was the hero scoring twice either side of half time.

The Nerazzurri started on offensive, but the danger of FCB was clear when Arjen Robben instigated a counter-attack in the third minute and was swiftly brought down by Walter Samuel.

Bayern looked more comfortable in possession than Inter. Robben continued to pose a threat every time he got the ball but Inter were looking threatening on the counter attack.

You can bet on this: Football Today

With 35 minutes gone, the deadlock was finally broken, Julio Cesar’s long ball was flicked to Sneijder by Milito. Sneijder played it back to the Milito who then raced into the penalty area and held off two players before clipping the ball over Butt into the net to produce a stunning finish.

Bayern continued to search for an equaliser producing some great openings but continually failing to find a way past the excellent Julio Cesar.

Van Buyten could do little in the 70th minute as Inter doubled the lead. Eto’o spotted Milito 30 yards from goal, and the Argentine dashed past the defender before curling his shot past Butt and into the far corner.

As the game entered injury time, Diego Milito was replaced and received a standing ovation from the Inter fans. The match winner expressed his delight after his brace earned his side the biggest trophy in club football.

“It’s a great joy for me. I have never experienced this and I am really happy for Inter,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“The president [Massimo Moratti] deserves this and I am really happy for everyone tonight.

“This is football and I am really happy. I have always fought hard for this and I have always given the maximum.

“We deserve this trophy, the team, the club, the president and everyone. I am very happy. I want to thank Inter, and the president.”?

But, it wasn’t all smiles though as Milito revealed he could be leaving.

“Will I stay? I don’t know. I have important offers,” he concluded.

You can bet on this: Football Today

One person who will now be definitely leaving Inter Milan is boss Jose Mourinho who has concluded that his work at Inter is now done and will become the next manager of Real Madrid.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Champions League Final Build Up. Robben Expects Inter to Attack, Inter Expects Mourinho To Go
  2. Bayern Munich Bag Champions League Final Berth
  3. Inter Milan v Barcelona Champions League Semi Final


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Play Off Final Prediction: Can Blackpool Pull Off Cardiff Shock?

post thumbnail

play off final 300x203 Play Off Final Prediction: Can Blackpool Pull Off Cardiff Shock?The clubs contesting this season’s Championship play-off final reached this stage by contrasting routes; one was in the hunt for promotion all season and nearly always in the top six, while the other slipped in on the final day of the campaign.

You Can Bet on this: Play-off Final: Cardiff v Blackpool

Ian Holloway’s Blackpool are the team that sneaked into the play-off picture at the death. Late momentum counts for a great deal and the Tangerines were able to eliminate Nottingham Forest- generally considered to be the third-best team in the division- in the semi-finals.

Like Forest, Cardiff City have always been near the top after just missing out on the play-offs last season. Dave Jones’ side were able to prevail over Leicester City in the semi-finals which meant the final will be contested by two clubs who have never been in the Premiership.

Cardiff haven’t been in the top flight since way back in 1962; Blackpool had their last tilt at the big boys in 1970/71 but finished rock bottom, winning just four league games.

You Can Bet on this: Play-off Final: Cardiff v Blackpool

Though Blackpool have a more recent history of top division football it is the Welsh club who have been considered the team more ready for the Premier League. Blackpool are one of the smallest clubs in the Championship in terms of resources and Ian Holloway has got them this far on a relative shoestring.

While the Tangerines have stayed within modest means, Cardiff desperately need the financial boost that reaching the Premier League would provide. The Bluebirds have faced winding-up orders in the High Court on several occasions this season.

Over the 46-game Championship marathon, Cardiff accumulated six more points than Blackpool. Jones’s team were better on the road but Blackpool scored goals for fun at Bloomfield Road.

Cardiff had two double figure scorers (Whittingham and Chopra) to Blackpool’s one (Adam). They also had two players (Whittingham and Bothroyd) on double figures for assists. Adam again was Blackpool’s top man in this area on eight.

Jones has the bigger names to call on but Holloway can point to a formidable team ethos with Charlie Adam proving to be an absolute steal from Rangers for only £500,000.

Blackpool have less to lose from this game as the seaside club were never expected to get this far. If they triumph, it would be an even greater feat than Burnley’s promotion a year ago.

But Cardiff have more players who have experienced big games at a higher level, including six who played in the 2008 FA Cup Final. This should make the difference and see the Welsh club become the 41st side to appear in the Premier League.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Will Liverpool play with Shankly mentality again?
  2. Newcastle United v Cardiff City- A Heavyweight Championship Clash
  3. Champions League Prediction: Chelsea To End Mourinho’s Dream


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

‘Messi’ Barcelona approach for Fabregas: Arsenal to fight it?

post thumbnail

Cesc Fabregas 300x199 Messi Barcelona approach for Fabregas: Arsenal to fight it? Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has publically expressed his desire to fend off Barcelona and keep Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium, saying that the club will fight tooth and nail to keep their captain.

You Can Bet on Football Now – World Cup Odds

Hill-Wood has said that the club are so adamant that Fabregas’ future lies at the North London club that the board have refused to even discuss a fee that would be needed to tempt them to sell.

La Liga champions Barcelona have made no secret of the fact that they want to sign the 23-year-old and they believe that the midfielder’s desire to play for the Catalan outfit will be the deciding factor in any move.

Speculation about Fabregas has been the talk of the back pages in both England and Spain in recent weeks and Hill-Wood has described Barcelona’s tactics of trying to tempt the player via the Spanish media as “a funny way of doing business.”

You Can Bet on Football Now

The Spanish sports media is renowned for creating high-profile transfer speculation among Europe’s elite players, but this is one occasion when they may be justified.

Fabregas has publically acknowledged his desire to return the club he supports and progressed through the youth system as a boy.

Barcelona’s well documented interest in the Spain international could be made official today if they make their predicted initial bid of £30m – a figure that will do little to prise Fabregas away as Arsenal are thought to value their captain at around £50m.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. How Messi won Barcelona back-to-back La Liga titles
  2. Can Messi and Co Turn it Around for Barcelona?
  3. Messi, Ibrahimovic back for Barcelona but Derby Worries Pep Guardiola


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Play Off Final: Can Blackpool Pull Off Cardiff Shock?

post thumbnail

play off final 300x203 Play Off Final: Can Blackpool Pull Off Cardiff Shock?The clubs contesting this season’s Championship play-off final reached this stage by contrasting routes; one was in the hunt for promotion all season and nearly always in the top six, while the other slipped in on the final day of the campaign.

You Can Bet on this: Play-off Final: Cardiff v Blackpool

Ian Holloway’s Blackpool are the team that sneaked into the play-off picture at the death. Late momentum counts for a great deal and the Tangerines were able to eliminate Nottingham Forest- generally considered to be the third-best team in the division- in the semi-finals.

Like Forest, Cardiff City have always been near the top after just missing out on the play-offs last season. Dave Jones’ side were able to prevail over Leicester City in the semi-finals which meant the final will be contested by two clubs who have never been in the Premiership.

Cardiff haven’t been in the top flight since way back in 1962; Blackpool had their last tilt at the big boys in 1970/71 but finished rock bottom, winning just four league games.

You Can Bet on this: Play-off Final: Cardiff v Blackpool

Though Blackpool have a more recent history of top division football it is the Welsh club who have been considered the team more ready for the Premier League. Blackpool are one of the smallest clubs in the Championship in terms of resources and Ian Holloway has got them this far on a relative shoestring.

While the Tangerines have stayed within modest means, Cardiff desperately need the financial boost that reaching the Premier League would provide. The Bluebirds have faced winding-up orders in the High Court on several occasions this season.

Over the 46-game Championship marathon, Cardiff accumulated six more points than Blackpool. Jones’s team were better on the road but Blackpool scored goals for fun at Bloomfield Road.

Cardiff had two double figure scorers (Whittingham and Chopra) to Blackpool’s one (Adam). They also had two players (Whittingham and Bothroyd) on double figures for assists. Adam again was Blackpool’s top man in this area on eight.

Jones has the bigger names to call on but Holloway can point to a formidable team ethos with Charlie Adam proving to be an absolute steal from Rangers for only £500,000.

Blackpool have less to lose from this game as the seaside club were never expected to get this far. If they triumph, it would be an even greater feat than Burnley’s promotion a year ago.

But Cardiff have more players who have experienced big games at a higher level, including six who played in the 2008 FA Cup Final. This should make the difference and see the Welsh club become the 41st side to appear in the Premier League.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Newcastle United v Cardiff City- A Heavyweight Championship Clash
  2. Will Liverpool play with Shankly mentality again?
  3. Champion’s League Final is sure to live up to expectations.


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

Inter vs Bayern Betting Odds – Champions League Preview

post thumbnail

champions league madrid Inter vs Bayern Betting Odds   Champions League PreviewInter Milan take on Bayern Munich on Saturday night in a crunch match that could decide the future of Inter boss Jose Mourinho.

There are three ways of looking at the impact of an Inter win on Mourinho’s future; he stays to do it all again; he leaves for a new challenge having won the treble; or Real Madrid make an offer that he can’t refuse.

You can bet on this outcome:  Who will win Inter or Bayern?

A combination of the last two options is the most likely outcome for Mourinho, who looks set to move to Madrid following Saturday’s Champions League final.

Mourinho to Leave?

The speculation about Mourinho’s future could give Bayern Munich the upper hand in the game-focus stakes.

Inter Milan players will go into the match knowing that it could be their manager’s last game in charge, which could prove an unwelcome distraction.

On the other hand, it could give the Inter players that added incentive to play hard and persuade their manager to stay.

One thing’s for sure, Mourinho’s teams never buckle under pressure or seem affected by any controversies overshadowing their matches.

You can bet on this outcome:  Can either site score win by more than 2.5 goals?

The Portuguese manager has proved in Portugal, England and Italy so far that there is method to his portrayed madness – and there is no reason why it shouldn’t continue on Saturday.

Man for man, it’s widely accepted that Inter have the better team on paper. However, both teams go into the final as champions of their respective domestic leagues and will look to carry on that form in the final.

Bayern Munich v Inter Milan – €100 refund

Our finalists have dominated domestically this season and securing the treble is only 90 minutes away. Tensions are high as we anticipate who will emerge victorious and be crowned the best in Europe at the Bernabeu!

Three Of A Kind

To celebrate a historic treble being won, if any team scores three goals we will refund all losing bets on the Goalscorer market up to €100.

Remember, every bet made on the Champions League final and any other sporting event will count towards the Gadget Giveaway promotion. Click here to find out what every point earned is worth on the Gadget Giveaway leader board.

  • Share this on del.icio.us
  • Digg this!
  • Share this on Reddit
  • Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
  • Post this to MySpace
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Tweet This!
  • Add this to Google Bookmarks

Related posts:

  1. Champions League Final Build Up. Robben Expects Inter to Attack, Inter Expects Mourinho To Go
  2. Bayern Munich Bag Champions League Final Berth
  3. Inter Milan v Barcelona Champions League Semi Final


ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.