Soccer Extreme : Claude Makelele’s grit in Chelsea’s midfield and ability to play a quick pass made him the fitting example of the ‘Claude Makelele’ role, whatever that means. It’s even been said that he’s managed to define the holding midfield position as much as Franz Beckenbauer the sweeper role. And he’s now cashing in on the footballer bio.
Makelele may have been adored at Stamford Bridge, but perhaps not so much anymore. Maybe it’s an attempt to sell hardcovers, or perhaps there’s some sort of perceived slight from Chelsea’s brave captain John Terry on the former French international while he played under Jose Mourinho in London. Undoubtedly, it’s an attempt to remain relevant at the end of his career, as any bio indicates.
Whatever the reason, much like Ashley Cole’s revelation that Cesc Fabregas was the main perpetrator in Pizzagate, Makalele’s decided to heap the culpability for Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea on JT’s broad shoulders.
Apparently, Terry was unhappy with Mourinho’s assessment of his performance in the wake of back problems and went to chief executive Peter Kenyon to issue a transfer request. And this is where the word ‘talisman’ comes in. In owner Roman Abramovich’s mind, that was JT and not Mourinho, and the Portuguese was out.
Understandably, this may have simply been the inevitable outcome when two egos as large as Mourinho’s and Abramovich’s inhabit the same club. The notion that Mourinho left Stamford Bridge via ‘mutual consent’ was always hardly believable, but even the outspoken Mourinho had to filter his comments regarding the billionaire owner; he is a Russian oligarch after all.
It’s easy to label this as more celebrity footballer heresy, a tactic to sell books. But it isn’t hard to believe that what Makalele says is true. While Mourinho and Abramovich may have built Chelsea into the contender they are today, they also built a cult of personality around their players. Even Makelele was one, having ‘defined’ his eponymous role, and Frank Lampard and John Terry were the biggest of the heroes.
John Terry has endured a long career at Chelsea. He may only be 28, but his body has endured the abuse that can age a man, due to beginning his first team career early and his selfless attitude on the pitch. He’s the first man for Chelsea to put his body on the line for the good of the side. But at some point the hero worship must get to every player, and I’m sure one of the highest-paid at Chelsea isn’t immune to believing his own hype. Like all top center-halves, his experience will extend his career, but even the best are falliable.
Perhaps it was the end of a whirlwind ride for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Perhaps the itch was already there for the charismatic manager, and the rest of Europe beckoned anyway. But you have to wonder if there was a legacy there for the taking for the Blues and Mourinho. Since his departure, it’s been nothing but heartache for fans and there’s a certain aura surrounding Chelsea, epitomized by their loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.
It’s hard not to see a group of overpaid, overblown egos, from Didier Drogba to Ashley Cole, and yes, perhaps even the selfless captain. Makelele also blames Mourinho for ruining the camaraderie of the dressing room at the Bridge, going to show that despite being a sport of men, it’s a world of little boys, all getting their feelings hurt. Guus Hiddink may have the opportunity to end his time at the club with the satisfaction of a cup win today, but Chelsea remain a pilot-less ship. (epltalk)
Soccer Extreme : The Argentine maestro is not just a hit in the footballing world, but also in the music world, potentially...
Soccer Extreme : The couple will marry July 7, 2009, effectively crushing girls, webcam manufacturers and wagabee hearts worldwide. The pair may have only recently announced their engagement (Pato proposed in front of Sthef’s parents), but Sthef leaves Sao Paolo today to meet up with her future hubby in Milan to hammer out the final wedding day deets. Who the hell can arrange a wedding in less than two months?
Important to note: she hasn’t picked out her wedding gown yet.
Or… has she?
Initial reports suggested an OTT blingalicious wedding with the couple spending $500,000 to entertain 1500 guests. Soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Duck apparently picked Dolce & Gabbana (of AC Milan calendar fame) to design their ensembles. With You! Magazine “exclusively” reports the couple will tie the knot at the Copacabana Palace in Brazil – and pictured Sthef outside the hotel yesterday after meeting with some professional planners.
Sthefy’s mummy dearest, however, threw her hat into the gossip ring yesterday after she confirmed the couple’s speedy nuptials in an interview. She insisted the ceremony (plus the crucial after-party) will occur in Milan – not Brazil – and only close friends and family will be invited.
Either way this sounds like a shot-gun wedding if you ask us.
Right, you didn’t ask us. Still, bets for the Pato baby pool are now open!
But if she’s not pregnant, you didn’t read anything from us implying that she may or may not be here. Even though you did. (thespoiler)
Love Forever : Pato and Sthefany
Soccer Extreme : United will visit Indonesia for the first time in more than 30 years during this summer's pre-season tour of Asia.
A side including the likes of Sammy McIlroy and Arthur Albiston played two games in Jakarta, drawing 0-0 with local side PSSI Tamtama in front of 70,000 fans before going down 3-2 to Ajax.
Soccer Extreme : In the build-up to this summer’s tour we’re looking back at United’s previous trips to the Orient, beginning with the team’s last visit to Indonesia…
Danielle, right, was caught up in a catfight with her cousin and ‘best friend’ at a beauty pageant
Soccer Extreme : Lionel Messi was hailed by his coach as the world's best player after he scored Barcelona's second goal in their 2-0 Champions League final victory over Manchester United and ended as the competition's top scorer. The match in Rome had been hyped as a duel between the world's two best players, Argentine Messi and United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was largely ineffective apart from an early flourish and it was Messi who came out on top, scoring his ninth goal of the Champions League campaign and improving his chances of snatching away his rival's FIFA World Player of the Year crown.
"This is the most important win of my life," Messi told reporters. "I am the happiest man alive and I am happy for myself, for my family and for my country."
Barca coach Pep Guardiola said Messi had been superb for the Primera Liga champions all season, helping not only with goals but also with plenty of assists.
"He has done great," he told a news conference. "I think he is the best player and we didn't need to win to know he is the best."
It might have been different if a dipping Ronaldo freekick in the second minute had slipped through the arms of Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes instead of rebounding away from goal.
As well as the freekick, he had a couple of early shots but then drifted out of the match and was booked late on for an unnecessary barge on Barca captain Carles Puyol.He cut a forlorn figure trudging up last to collect his runners-up medal and was loudly whistled by the Barca fans.
"I don't have any problems with anyone and I never will. It was just a game situation," Ronaldo said of the Puyol incident.
"After the first goal things got complicated and we couldn't play our game," he told reporters.
United manager Alex Ferguson said Guardiola's decision to move Messi further back into midfield had made it hard for his side to get back into the game after conceding the opening goal in the 10th minute.
Messi made 51 passes on the night with a success rate of 84 percent, while Ronaldo made 31 and completed 68 percent.
"Messi moving into midfield made it difficult to get the ball back off them," he told a news conference.
"It was a disappointing performance and some individuals will feel that themselves."
Soccer Extreme : The pursuit of immortality in the Eternal City proved a painful one for Manchester United last night. Their every human weakness was exposed in a lesson, given by this brilliant Barcelona side, that was brutal in its execution.
There are so many images that will live long in the memories of those who witnessed this annihilation in the Olympic Stadium.
It was extraordinary to see these proud men of Manchester slumped in their seats in the dug-out, almost horizontal in some cases, and completely at a loss as to what to do next. They had been blocked at every turn; not so much outwitted as completely outclassed.
Four times Ferguson changed his formation and four times Barcelona made the necessary adjustments that enabled them to maintain control. He tried 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 again before throwing the lot, the kitchen sink included, at the Catalans with a 4-2-4 line-up that underlined the sense of desperation.
For Wayne Rooney, in particular, it became a frustrating night, his role changing on at least three occasions. Ferguson has resorted to such measures in the past. But never this early and never when just one goal - scored by Samuel Eto'o - still divided the teams.
Going nowhere: Ji-Sung Park battles with Sylvinho, Sergi Busquets andthe majestic Xavi
This, however, was the situation in which Ferguson found himself last night. First he was forced to deploy Carlos Tevez at the restart and then, in the 65th minute, sent on Dimitar Berbatov alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Three 30million strikers and the best player in the world.
That they did so little to trouble a Barcelona defence supposedly wrecked by injuries and suspensions will disappoint Ferguson. So, too, will the manner of a performance that, in the end, fell way below the expectations of this allconquering United team.
There was always a chance United might surrender the trophy they won so spectacularly 12 months ago - but not this meekly. Ferguson had to abandon Plan A as well as Plans B and C because Ryan Giggs, Anderson and Michael Carrick were no match for the superlative Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the centre of midfield and because United never really recovered from that early Eto'o goal. This was a night when United needed Roy Keane, not a 35-year-old Giggs.
Barca bundle: Messi is congratulated by his team-mates
Goals do indeed change games but that sucker punch of a 10thminute strike changed everything, with Barcelona suddenly dominating in a manner that had seemed beyond them in that opening spell.
United, employing the formation that proved so effective in the semifinal against Arsenal, started impressively. They were here to become the first team successfully to defend the European Cup in the modern Champions League format and, boy, how they seemed to want it. But the goal hit them like a hammer blow, knocking them back on the heels and shattering their confidence.
It came from nothing as Barcelona mounted their first attack. A super pass from Iniesta and suddenly Eto'o, positioned last night on the right with Messi in the centre, accelerated off the flank and past Nemanja Vidic before maintaining enough composure to absorb the challenge of Michael Carrick and beat Edwin van der Sar at his near post.
Clinical finish: Eto'o (second right) gives Barcelona an early lead
Ferguson had, of course, been here before - not against Barcelona but in Barcelona, when Bayern Munich struck the opening goal of that remarkable final 10 years ago. But this was new territory for the class of 2009, having landed the first blow against Chelsea in Moscow last year.
Having had most of the ball in those early exchanges, United now found themselves chasing it as Xavi and Iniesta did exactly what Ferguson feared they would do. Their passing made United's heads spin, just as they had made England's heads spin when they met Spain in Seville in February.
Ronaldo had started brightly enough in his role as centre forward, forcing Victor Valdes to make his only real save of the night with a viciously struck free-kick.
Out of sorts: Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick sum up the mood after Messi's goal
But too many of the Portuguese winger's colleagues were struggling to make an impression. Rooney was quiet on the left; Ji-Sung Park ineffective on the right.
Anderson, at 21, was the second youngest player on the pitch last night and, my, how he looked it. Ryan Giggs, conversely, appeared to feel age against the younger, sharper Spaniards.
United arrived here on the back of a 25-game unbeaten run in the Champions League but this was fast becoming a harsh reminder of their last defeat, the 2007 semi-final loss to an AC Milan side who also dominated the English champions. In the intense Italian heat, Barca simply did not let United breathe.
They pressed hard when they did not have the ball and ran hard when they did.
What a difference a year makes: Cristiano Ronaldo cuts a frustrated figure in Rome
The decision to send on Tevez for Anderson at the start of the second half was bold but necessary. Ferguson had to make a change and that was the obvious one.
Would Tevez make the crucial difference in what was likely to be his last appearance for United? Would the reshuffle enable Ronaldo to make the crucial breakthrough in what could also prove to be his farewell encounter?
United were better after the break, even if Barca still posed the greater threat. Thierry Henry forced a fine save from Van der Sar and Xavi sent a free-kick crashing against a post.
Another gamble by Ferguson followed. Off went Park and on went Berbatov and the now-or-never 4-2-4 formation.
The result? A wonderful ball from Xavi and a similarly brilliant header from the shortest bloke on the pitch. Messi is fantastic, but Rio Ferdinand will wince at the sight of Messi winning that particular aerial battle. That was it for United. Game over. Nothing more to give and credit to Barcelona for becoming the first Spanish side to win a European and domestic treble.
Credit to Pep Guardiola, too, for lifting the European Cup in his first season as a manager and joining that elite group who have won club football's greatest trophy as a coach as well as a player. On a night when Rome was ready to build a 21st-century pantheon in Ferguson's honour, the laurels went to Barcelona. (dailymail)
Soccer Extreme : This is it. The ultimate contest. A final fit for the Colosseum. A gran clasico of a Champions League clash between the two most exciting teams in Europe. A gladiatorial encounter between the two most dazzling players on the planet. Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi. Manchester United versus Barcelona.
If the 32nd comes in this ancient city tonight, here endeth the debate. No more arguments about Busby, Paisley, Shankly and Clough and no further comparisons with Sacchi, Kovacs, Hitzfeld and Michels. No disrespect to great men who have graced this great game, who in some cases have actually changed the way the game is played, but Ferguson would stand alone.
Not just because of a third European Cup that would match Liverpool's Bob Paisley, but because of everything else he has achieved. The success at Aberdeen and then 11 Premier League titles in 17 years. The way he has somehow transcended the four decades he has been in management. This is his 50th year in professional football - incredible in itself.
Tonight he is again chasing history, the chance for United to become the first club to successfully defend the European Cup in its modern Champions League format and the chance to win an unprecedented quadruple. After the Treble in 1999 he said it would never again be done but tonight, he can prove himself wrong.
Odd one out: Wayne Rooney and and Ryan Giggs are set to start but Carlos Tevez may have to settle for a place on the bench
For Guardiola, immortality is also within reach. No Spanish club have won a European and domestic treble and only five men have lifted the European Cup as a player and as a coach.
Last night Ferguson said he hoped his experience would count. 'I think you're better having it rather than not having it,' he said before reminding his audience of United's penchant for being the first.
But it is not going to be easy when the Catalans possess so much class - Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield, Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry in attack. For Henry this really is it, the last chance, quite possibly, for the former Arsenal captain to lift a trophy that has eluded his best efforts.
According to Arsene Wenger, his manager at Arsenal, Barcelona would lack the physical power to win the Barclays Premier League, and there is evidence to support that view. There is the fact that United became the third English team in four seasons to eliminate Barca from the Champions League when they beat them in last season's semi-final, as well as the difficulties Guardiola's side experienced in scoring against a defensively determined Chelsea in their semi-final earlier this month.
But they have pace, poise and a style of passing so precise even Ferguson admits it can send the head spinning. They dominate possession and then they pounce. Assassins with artistic flair. In United, however, Ferguson has assembled the complete team, as fierce as Barcelona in attack but more balanced and a good deal more solid.
You never lose it: He may be 67 but Alex Ferguson shows off his juggling skills during training in Rome
There is a reason why they have followed one domestic and European double with another season of success. They have balance as well as ability and ambition in abundance. They are brilliant at the back, masterful in midfield and hugely accomplished in attack.
Having Rio Ferdinand fit and available is enormously important. This is a night when United will need the world's best centre-half.
It is how Ferguson organises his attack that could yet prove decisive, though. Does he try to exploit the suspension of Eric Abidal, Barca's left-back, and deploy Ronaldo on the right? Or is he more concerned about stopping Messi and so select Ronaldo in the centre and ask Wayne Rooney to do the running on the left?
Ferguson will confirm his plans today but his players believe he will field the same team that beat Arsenal this month, with Ryan Giggs replacing the suspended Darren Fletcher and Ronaldo up front. By then, Ferguson also hopes to have something in mind for a rousing pre-match speech.
'I'm hoping something will come to me when it normally does . . . about three in the morning,' he said. 'I'm hoping something will come from the deep chambers of my tiny little brain. At the moment, nothing is coming out.'
At the moment that not so tiny brain is working overtime, trying to anticipate Guardiola's choice of left back. Will it be 35-year-old Sylvinho or a midfielder, Seydou Keita, who has never performed the role before?
United's spirit seemed to be good, judging by the mood of Ferdinand and Ronaldo as they sat to Ferguson's right at the Olympic Stadium last night. Ronaldo shared a few jokes with his inquisitors, while Ferdinand spoke simply of a desire to win.
'Where it leaves us as a team in history is for other people to decide,' he said.
The result will determine that, even if Ferguson already refers to them, quite rightly, as 'a special team'. It is going to take something special to win the dream final that for some will see dreams realised and for others shattered. This is it. (dailymail)
Soccer Extreme : Rome authorities have agreed to enforce a partial ban on the sale of alcohol in areas around the Stadio Olimpico and on the city's metro system ahead of the Champions League final.
Fans pose near the UEFA Champions League trophy in front of the Colosseum in Rome
Manchester United supporters unfurl their banner in Rome ahead of tomorrow's game
Soccer Extreme : Anyone else in denial about Paolo Maldini’s retirement? It’s not like we haven’t seen it coming or anything. But… we’re just not ready. It’s too soon.
Please don’t try to bring facts or figures to the equation. Yes, he played for AC Milan for 24 years. We’re also well aware that he was born in the early 1900s.
But some things in life make you feel secure. Satellite television. Owning sixteen times the amount of shoes you might ever need. A milky cup of tea. Paolo Maldini and his well-aged leather running around on the pitch. We need these things to survive.
Paolo made his 900th appearance for AC Milan last week against Udinese. He did an expected lap of honour at his last San Siro game this weekend (a 3-2 loss to Roma), where he was cheered and jeered after the game (WTF?) but even Roma took a moment to show their respect for this living legend’s contribution to the game. (kickette)
We’ll miss you Paolo!
Soccer Extreme : Lionel Messi will be pioneering a brand new set of boots during the Champions League final on Wednesday.
Messi will be the first player to wear these boots in an official game. The next occasion will be on June 6, when a host of international players affiliated to Adidas will be parading them in their respective World Cup qualifying matches.
Soccer Extreme : These were the shocking images after model Danielle Lloyd was allegedly attacked by two women in a nightclub brawl early on Bank Holiday Monday.
The 25-year-old is shown lying sprawled on the pavement outside, shoeless and bloodied.
Female friends gathered round her are also flecked with blood. Miss Lloyd, who had smiled happily for photographers as she arrived at the Crystal nightclub in central London, is said to have been thrown on to a table of drinks.
Bloodied: Danielle Lloyd on the pavement outside the nightclub after being attacked
It is the second time in a month that the reality television star has been assaulted on a night out.
A spokesman for Miss Lloyd, who is dating Spurs footballer Jamie O'Hara, said she was having emergency surgery to a serious injury to her leg.
'Danielle sustained a serious wound to her back which required stitches upon arrival at hospital,' the spokesman said. 'The injury to her leg is more serious.'
Danielle's face is covered in blood as she is helped by friends after the incident
He added: 'Danielle had been socialising with six friends, including her boyfriend Jamie O'Hara, when the unprovoked attack occurred at around 2.30am. Danielle was thrown on to a table of drinks by two females.
'An ambulance was called and Mr O'Hara awaited its arrival outside before travelling with Miss Lloyd to the hospital.'
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that two women had been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and bailed until a date in July.
At the beginning of the month Miss Lloyd, who has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, said she suffered a cut lip in a bar fracas with friends of O'Hara's ex-girlfriend, Sade Metcalfe.
Miss Lloyd claimed one of the group hit her in the face as she turned to leave Funkymojoe bar in South Woodford, North-East London.
At the time police confirmed officers were investigating reports of an assault at the venue.
Miss Lloyd shot to fame when she was stripped of her Miss Great Britain title in 2006 after it was revealed she was having a relationship with one of the judges, footballer Teddy Sheringham, at the time of the final.
Since dating Sheringham, she has been linked to a string of other footballers including Marcus Bent, who played for Charlton Athletic at the time, and Spurs striker Jermain Defoe.
Lloyd was invited to join the cast of Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.
While in the house she became embroiled in a racism row which saw her being accused of bullying Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty along with Jade Goody and former pop star Jo O'Meara.
Danielle with boyfriend Jamie O'Hara hours before the attack. She was rushed to hospital with wounds to her back and leg after allegedly being thrown on to a table of drinks by two women at a nightclub in London
At the age of 16, Lloyd began modelling, frequently entering competitions in and around Liverpool.
Upon finishing school, she decided to pursue a dual career in modelling and as a beautician specializing in massage. She is a qualified nail technician.
Just as she was beginning her modelling career, Lloyd was brutally attacked by her boyfriend of the time.
She was dragged from her moving car after an argument with him, suffering severe bruising to her body and losing most of her hair. Lloyd spoke out to raise awareness of domestic abuse. (dailymail)
The incident happened at Crystal nightclub in central London
Soccer Extreme : France players will have their names written in Braille on their jerseys next month to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, the French inventor of a system used by the blind for reading and writing. Coach Raymond Domenech said Monday the jerseys will be worn for the exhibition game against Nigeria on June 2 in Saint-Etienne.
Braille was born in 1809 and blinded at age 3. His system has been adapted to almost every known language.
The French team’s initiative is in partnership with the French federation for the blind. Some of the jerseys will be sold at auction. (AP)
Braille Chart (Letters and Numbers)
Soccer Extreme : Fabulous! Another trashy autobiography is about to hit the shelves, this time penned by supposedly disgraced Celebrity Big Brother housemate, Danielle lloyd.
This is the first time for the Volkswagen-backed "Wolves" to become the champions of Bundesliga. Defending champions Bayern Munich edged Stuttgart 2-1 on the day, ending up as runners-up, while the latter finished third in the Bundesliga table.
Bielefeld, Karlsruhe were relegated.
Wolfsburg turned over Werder Bremen 5-1 for their 16th home victory in 17 games to crown an unforgettable season with the Bundesliga title.
A sell-out 30,000 crowd applauded team captain Josuee when he raised aloft the championship plate after the match, before the team headed off to Wolfsburg city hall, where the celebrations were set to continue.
Wolves wasted no time in ensuring they would not trip up at the final hurdle. With only six minutes played, Zvjezdan Misimovic pounced on a loose ball from Werder's Petri Pasanen to put the home side in front.
 |
| VfL Wolfsburg's Grafite celebrates after scoring against Borussia Dortmund during their German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Wolfsburg May, 12 2009. |
After quarter of an hour Grafite made it 2-0, extending his lead at the top of the scoring chart in the process with his 27th goal of the campaign. Eleven minutes later, an own goal from Sebastian Proedl effectively made the result, and the championship, safe for the Wolves.
Bremen playmaker Diego, making his last league appearance for the Green-Whites, pulled one back in the 31st minute.
Nine minutes into the second half however Grafite restored the three-goal cushion, before his strike partner Edin Dzeko put the icing on the cake with number five in the 74th minute. All of which means Dzeko and Grafite set a new one-season scoring record for the Bundesliga with 54 goals between them. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
The Stadio Olimpico in Rome has been notorious for violence every time an English side has gone there to play. Manchester United fans encountered trouble there last year when they played Roma in the Champions League. Arsenal fans also ran into problems earlier this season.
The U.S. was drawn into Group B of the tournament, along with Costa Rica and Bahamas. Group A consists of defending champion and host Mexico, El Salvador and Canada. The U.S. will kick off the tournament against Bahamas at 5 p.m. CT on Wednesday, June 17, and will close out the group at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19, against Costa Rica. The semifinals, along with the match for fifth place, will be held on Saturday, June 20, and the two finalists will face off on Sunday, June 21.
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Groups
| Group A | Group B |
| Mexico | USA |
| El Salvador | Costa Rica |
| Canada | Bahamas |
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Schedule
| Round | Date | Match | Time | Location |
| Group B | June 17 | USA vs. Bahamas | 5 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Group A | June 17 | Mexico vs. Canada | 6:15 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Group B | June 18 | Costa Rica vs. Bahamas | 5 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Group A | June 18 | El Salvador vs. Canada | 6:15 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Group B | June 19 | USA vs. Costa Rica | 5 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Group A | June 19 | Mexico vs. El Salvador | 6:15 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Fifth Place | June 20 | Third Place A vs. Third Place B | 3 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Semifinal | June 20 | First Place B vs. Second Place A | 4:15 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Semifinal | June 20 | First Place A vs. Second Place B | 5:30 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Third Place | June 21 | Loser SF1 vs. Loser SF 2 | 4:15 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Chamionship | June 21 | Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2 | 5:30 p.m. CT | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
Beach Soccer: It's quite a spectacle
Dressed in a trendy jumpsuit, stacked platform sandals and wearing her flowing locks loose, Elen, 34, looked youthful, and not at all stressed about her recent split.
It was the latest night out for Elen as she embraced her new single status despite her previous moan that she was 'too old' to meet another man.
Youthful: A radiant looking Elen Rives enjoyed a night out at bar Tini with a female friend in London last night
Now, she appears to have bagged herself a new man, and the former WAG - who previously kept a low profile during her seven years with Lampard - has taken to enjoying nights out in London with her girlfriends.
And last night she appeared to be a woman moving on with her life, and looked all the better for it.
Her appearance comes days after her new romance with 21-year-old lower league footballer Lawrie Wilson who plays for non-league Stevenage FC.
The two shared a night of passion in a London hotel, and were photographed leaving separately in the morning.
Moving on: Elen left the bar with girlfriend who guided her to her waiting car
She only knew he was seeing the WAG when she saw the pictures in the newspaper.
Elen and Chelsea player Frank, who have two children, Luna, 3, and Isla, 23 months, parted ways after seven years together.
Earlier this month she reportedly told a newspaper that she would struggle to find a new man because she was ‘old.'
'Everyone says I'm the strong one, but I'm not coping. I'm 34 and old now, what am I supposed to do? It's too late for me,’ she was quoted as telling The Mirror.
Lampard has bought her and the children a £3million home around the corner from the former family home.
Meanwhile Lampard is rumoured to be dating Saskia Boxford, 23, the daughter of a wealthy financier.Last night the Chelsea midfielder was named the club's player of the year for a record third time. (dailymail)
