Soccer Extreme : Here’s some photos sent to us of Allison Stokke from a recent Cal track meet. Amazing calves on that girl:


There’s more photos after the jump. And no, I’m not going to provide any embarrassingly inane commentary to imply that there’s any meaning to these pics other than the admiration of the female form. (sportsbybrooks)

Soccer Extreme : First footballers were told to tuck in their shirts, then to cut out swearing, and now comes their greatest challenge: to stop spitting. While players have carried on spewing obscenities regardless of all official cautions, health officials have warned that failure to stem their streams of saliva will accelerate the spread of swine flu.

The message comes days after revelations of outbreaks of the virus at two Premier League clubs – Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers – and Sam Allardyce's warning that Chelsea could face their own outbreak. "Spitting is disgusting at all times," a spokesperson from the Health Protection Agency said. "It's unhygienic and unhealthy, particularly if you spit close to other people. Footballers, like the rest of us, wouldn't spit indoors so they shouldn't do it on the football pitch.

"If they are spitting near other people it could certainly increase the risk of passing on infections. Certainly, spitting is a nasty habit that should be discouraged – and it should be discouraged by the clubs."

The HPA official suggested that just as youngsters seek to emulate professionals' dribbles, so too may they copy players' sputters. "It's about setting examples for young people who idolise them," said the spokesperson, who added that footballers should follow the same guidelines as other members of the public by washing their hands, covering their mouth when sneezing and disposing of used tissues: "The advice is catch it, bin it, kill it."

Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, said he has no concerns about any potential outbreak of swine flu at Chelsea following their match against Blackburn on Saturday and ahead of their Carling Cup tie against Bolton tomorrow. The Chelsea manager said he swore by a very traditional remedy.

"It is my grandmother's prescription," Ancelotti said. "It's hot milk with red wine. Fantastic. I'm not worried [about swine flu]. My players will shake hands and swap shirts with their opponents as normal, absolutely. The flu is not only on the pitch. It's everywhere. We take all the precautions we need and we think only about playing."

Four Bolton players have so far contracted and recovered from the illness but their manager, Gary Megson, does not believe there is any particular risk in pressing ahead with tomorrow night's tie at Stamford Bridge. That belief appears rooted in opinions at odds with the HPA's warning.

"I've heard varying opinions," Megson said. "I think the one we all need to listen to is that from the medical people, who are saying that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to contract it in that way. They are all OK at the moment but it wouldn't be right to start giving you names." (hattoncity)

Soccer Extreme : If you can't have the man of your dreams, don't fret. It is still possible to have a baby who looks a bit like him.

Women who hanker after David Beckham's manly profile or Russell Crowe's rugged charm can choose a lookalike donor at a sperm bank.



As well as Beckham and Crowe, the California Cryobank claims to have donors who resemble Ben Affleck, Hugh Grant and comedian Ben Stiller.

There are even two said to look like Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, although at just 20, you might think he is a little young for classic fatherhood material.

Donor No 11385 on the sperm bank's list is said to be a dead ringer for David Beckham and is described as a 'blond-haired dreamboat'.

The donor lookalike service features more than 100 celebrities and sports stars. Even those from a bygone age, such as Errol Flynn, are on the books.

The donors are not named or pictured by the Los Angeles-based sperm bank, among the biggest and most popular in the U.S.

Under American law, donors must remain anonymous and prospective parents are not allowed to see the donor at all.

Instead they are given a brief description of the man's height, build and hair and eye colour.


But the Cryobank believes matching the donor to the face of a celebrity will give mothers-to-be a better idea of what their child could grow up to look like.

But who decides which celebrity goes with which donor? This, apparently, is down to the sperm bank staff, who use a decidedly unscientific method.

Centre spokesman Scott Brown said he and other staff simply put pictures of their sperm donors up on a big screen and debate who the person most looks like.

The sperm bank website asks prospective clients: 'Have you ever wondered if your favourite donor looks like anyone famous?

'You know how tall he is and his hair and eye colour, but wouldn't it be great to have an idea of what he really looks like?'

However it also warns that choosing a donor who looks like a Hollywood heart throb doesn't guarantee a child will look exactly the same.

'No celebrity is meant as an exact match for any donor, nor should you assume that your future children will look like any celebrity listed,' the website says.

But the 'celebrity baby bank' process has been criticised by scientists.

'There's something strange about a culture that has stratified rigid types of beauty where everyone looks alike,' said professor Bonnie Steinbeck from the University of Albany in New York.

'Now they're trying to create children through who the actor of the moment is.'

The Cryobank centre said 40 per cent of its clients were infertile couples.

The rest were made up of single women and homosexual couples. (dailymail)

Soccer Extreme : Julio Cesar gift for his wife’s wallet was missing in the stadium. Inter Milan goalkeeper is holding a contest, whoever found and returned, his jersey definitely be a gift.

Cesar’s wife, Susana Werner, come to see action entertain Catania vs Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza, last Saturday. However, Brazilian model and actress has lost her wallet while out of the stadium.

For a great sportsman who played in big clubs such as Cesar, the money might not be a problem. But he still hoped to return the wallet was his wife because there are valuable documents in it.

For the lure, Cesar promising an Inter shirt with his name, plus original signatures.

“I do not expect money back. But in his wallet, there are some important letter mail to us,” said Cesar as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. (football-highlight)

Soccer Extreme : Napoli fought back from two goals down against Milan at San Paolo to register a thrilling draw in Serie A. The substitutes Luca Cigarini and German Denis both struck in injury time to give Walter Mazzarri another timely boost as the new coach of the Vesuviani.

A lightening quick double salvo in the first five minutes had put Milan in the ascendancy; Morgan De Sanctis had only touched the ball to bring it out of his net by the time Alexandre Pato embellished the Rossoneri's lead, which was given to them by Filippo Inzaghi.

The veteran, inside two minutes, was onside to connect with Clarence Seedorf's lobbed through-ball. Napoli misjudged their defensive line and 'Super Pippo' had his first goal in 13 Serie A outings with an unerring left-footed volley.

Inzaghi then flicked on an up-field clearance and Pato gave chase. Again, the offside trap was poor and the young, in-form Brazilian made no mistake in his finish against the team which he claimed his first ever Serie A goal.

The hosts were on the ropes but mounted a challenge as the half progressed. Alessandro Nesta had been forced off with a groin strain by that stage and Marek Hamsik, in particular, looked threatening.

He registered the Vesuviani's first strike on goal, narrowly off target in the 10th minute amid the jeers and cat-calls of the dissatisfied San Paolo crowd.

Ezequiel Lavezzi then laid-off to the Slovakia international but he was well repelled by Dida.

Undeterred, Napoli pressed the northerners into their own half, and the guests could barely break through the midfield ranks patrolled gamely by Walter Gargano and Michele Pazienza.

Thiago Silva misjudged the flight of a Fabio Quagliarella knock down but was relieved to see his colleague Ignazio Abate smother a certain chance for Lavezzi inside the area just after the 20 minute mark.

Leonardo's team continued their attempts to soak up the pressure of the Partenopei, who could not yet conjure the combination to unlock the opposition defense.

The hosts would claim a penalty before the break; Gianluca Zambrotta was accused of wrestling Leandro Rinaudo to the ground inside the area, but the Azzurri were left frustrated.

Nonetheless, Walter Mazzarri's side continued where they left off after the break and should have been back in the tie within a minute of the restart.

A Lavezzi long-range drive was parried into the path of Christian Maggio, who will wonder how he managed to find the splaying figure of Dida rather than the net from only a matter of yards.

The lively Lavezzi then capitalized on an Abate error to fire a volley over before Dida pulled off a remarkable treble save.

Just before the hour, Quagliarella's fine pass permitted a Lavezzi shot from the edge of the area and his effort fell into the path of Gargano. Dida smothered at the Uruguayan's feet before the ball broke back to Quagliarella; he, too, was denied by Dida before a third stop prevented the marauding Hamsik inside the six-yard area.

Milan were well and truly shackled at that stage but managed the occasional break-out.

From one, Inzaghi rolled the ball in off a Pato pass but he was ruled offside; moments later and 'Pippo' fired over with the goal at his mercy, this time it was the subdued Andrea Pirlo with the assist.

As time progressed and the locals made for the exits prematurely, the sting seemed to be taken out of the Napoli ranks, despite the barnstorming finish in store.

They introduced Luca Cigarini, German Denis and Jesus Datolo from reserve; Denis, the forward, prompted an optimistic penalty appeal - one which was followed quickly by another from Lavezzi - which was also ignored.

The hosts did have one vital decision go in their favor towards the dying embers; Abate, once a Napoli player, was issued with a second yellow card following a rash foul on Gargano to place added stress on his manager.

Milan reeled as Napoli continued to knock on the door. A corner on the stroke of 90 minutes was headed only to the edge of the box from where Cigarini lashed home to sweetest of left-footed volleys.

The crowd again found their voice as the Rossoneri wilted; Ninety-three minutes had elapsed by the time Maggio turned a cross into the center; Denis rose highest to plant a late leveler into the net. Napoli remain a tough nut to crack on their own turf while some familiar failings were again exposed int the Milan back-line. (goal)

Soccer Extreme : Liverpool – It has revealed who has a controversial balloon that makes Sunderland beat Liverpool last week. He was Callum Campbell, 16 years youngsters, which because of his action, he got death threats.

In an interview with The Mirror, Campbell admitted that it was his fault to throw the balloon into the field when the game was about to take place. And in the minute 5th, a disaster occurs when ball was kicked by Darren Bent hit the balloon and squeezed into Pepe Reina’s goal.

"That’s me. I’m the one who did it. I was caught by the camera. I’m so sorry. This is the worst dreams," Campbell regret.

Of course Campbell feel really sorry for his actions. As a Liverpudlian, he even made his favorite team lost and his action was watched by millions of eyes in the world.

"I went straight to the park upon arrival at the house and spill all my irritation. Psychologically, I’m sick and it happened before the death threats appeared on the internet the next day," saidCampbell, who had manage to hide in his house for two days after that dead thread.

"I watched it over and over again and I still can not understand how it happened."

However, Campbell thinks that if referee more observant, these goals should be annulled. And although Campbell’s hopes didn’t came true, Mike Jones, the referee is parked because of his negligence.

"But mother said to me if it was not my fault and I’ve to believe now. The referee should not endorse these goals. I hope the true fans understand and forgive me,"Campbell continued hoping.

To erase these fault, Campbell even dream to be able to play back time to make incident did not happen. And in the end too, Campbell kept asking for an apology from all the Reds fans which were disappointed because of what he had done.

"But how am I supposed to know if it was going to happen? It’s purely for fun and if I could turn back time and do the opposite, throwing the ball into the audience and not tothe field, I’ll do," he explained.

"Just takes a little time actually to get rid of the balloon or kicked out, but none did it. And the balloon began to roll. Really a wrong moment. But I accept that I should not throwing it into the field from the beginning," he said.

"Once again I am very, very sorry for this happens. It’s bad there, if Liverpool lose, but this time is a big disaster," he concluded. (onlinehomesbuy)

Soccer Extreme : Just like a good referee, good ball boys work in the background. They are invisibly pulling the strings. They control the supply of new balls like the OPEC controls the oil – independent from demand. It’s only in desperate moments, when they see it fit to take more drastic actions. Then they step on stage to score a goal, save a goal, start a riot or hit a goalkeeper with an iron bar if necessary.


Most of the time though they are content with having the monopoly on balls. Jens Lehmann, on the other hand, is a goalkeeper, who already claims the monopolies on shoes and headbands. He won’t let the one on balls go without a fight. And so he wasn’t ready to come to terms with his fate in Saturday’s Bundesliga game between Hannover and Stuttgart (1-0).



Stuttgart were – quite predictably this season – trailing a goal and were desperately looking for at least a late equalizer. And so Jens Lehmann took matters in his own hands and rushed to the sideline to get the ball back into action a bit quicker. The ball boy, 14 year old Aron Schulz – as BILD found out, then did what he later described as his job.

"I just did my job. I threw the ball to him and it landed on his head."

That’s one way of looking at it. Jens Lehmann unsurprisingly shared a different viewpoint.

"We make mistakes. We are confronted with other people’s mistakes. The ball boys waste time. You have to live with that in the Bundesliga. I’m angry at the culture of wasting time and cheating."

Sounds good on the one hand. Feels wrong hearing it from Jens Lehmann on the other hand. He then capped off his interview taking an indirect shot at the boy’s parents.

"I have to go now. I have to go home and raise my children properly, so that they behave correctly…"

Where correctly presumably equals: throwing headbands and shoes is OK. Throwing balls is wrong. (theoffside)

Soccer Extreme : Remember when you would fall and hurt yourself when you were little (as opposed to when you were insanely drunk this past weekend) and your mother would try and trick you into thinking your bruise or scrape was instantly healed by “kissing it all better”?

Well, I’m pretty sure that’s what the Fenerbahce physio does for Roberto Carlos (0:30 into the video above) after he took an Abdulkader Keita punch to the head in the 74th minute of Fener’s 3-1 win over Galatasaray on Sunday.

Keita was shown a straight red for the punch, while Roberto Carlos earned a yellow for wrapping himself around Keita’s leg and hanging on like a human vine. (dirtytackle)

Soccer Extreme : Henrik Larsson, the once ageless wonder who’d begun to show plenty of age, has finally decided to hang up his boots with near immediate effect. Three games remain in a rather pedestrian Helsignborgs season and three games remain in Henrik’s footballing career.

Unless he’s summoned back for World Cup 2014 qualifying, of course.

Never really a sad day when a player who is clearly in decline decides to hang up his boots, but a bittersweet one, as Larsson is nearly a universal figure of respect and reverence. Fortunately, the world of sport won’t be without him for long – Henrik’s pulling a Batistuta: from football to floorball for Henrik it’s being said.

This isn’t a new thing for Henrik – he’s been playing for many, many years and has even been a part of the Helsingborgs club floorball team for the last year. What’s floorball you ask? Hockey indoors – floor hockey even.

Henrik hasn’t been quite so explicit with his post-retirement life, but as part of the team already, there’s little question is simply a switch of the primary sport for him.

“I enjoyed my career and want to thank everyone who has supported me in all these years. Now it’s time for something else. I will think over what I would like to do. First I will need time to adjust to to the non-football life.

“What I do know is that I’m 100 per cent about my decision to end my playing career.”

Keeping himself fit with another professional sport, is there any question the next non-Sven gaffer of the Swedish NT will call in 8 months time to ask…just how fit is fit? (theoffside)

Soccer Extreme : Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Manchester United side did not get a fair crack of the whip from referee Andre Marriner against Liverpool.

Nemanja Vidic was sent off for two yellow cards and Ferguson questioned a number of the official's decisions as they slumped to their first defeat in 12 games in all competitions as Liverpool triumphed 2-0 in Sunday's Premier League showdown at Anfield.

Goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog ended Liverpool's run of four successive losses and eased the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez.


While Ferguson thought Liverpool deserved to win, he claimed that Marriner was swayed by the home crowd.

He felt Vidic was unlucky to be red-carded, that home defender Jamie Carragher should have been dismissed and Michael Carrick was denied a penalty.

Ferguson said: "It is very difficult atmosphere here. There was a wounded animal aspect to the game and it was something we did not overcome.

"I think it affected our players and it affected the referee. There were so many controversial things that happened we have to feel aggrieved at some of them.

"The Vidic booking was the worst decision. It is a foul, fine. But the player has played on, he won the second ball and knocked it for a throw in and got booked. It put Nemanja under pressure.

"The most controversial decision was Carragher bringing down Michael Owen. He was clear through.

"The laws of the game were altered to prevent professional fouls of that nature and if Carragher goes off, he is their best player and their captain. It would have been a different game. They would have been under pressure.

"The referee was only four or five yards from it he cannot use a covering defender as an excuse. Michael was clean through. With Michael's pace he is going to get away from him."

Ferguson was also incensed they were not awarded a spot-kick for a Carragher challenge on Michael Carrick.


"He has gone right over the top of the ball, " said the United boss.

"If it is outside of the box it is a free kick and maybe a yellow card.

"But it was inside the box and the referee was only six yards from it. It was another bad decision."

Ferguson did, however, conceded Liverpool were worthy winners.

"Liverpool were the better team and I am not taking anything away from them at all," he said.

"They deserved to win the game as it was a disappointing performance from us. We were not good enough."

Torres opened the scoring in the 65th minute with his ninth goal of the season and Ngog sealed the victory in stoppage time.

United remain two points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the table and Ferguson insists they will recover.

He added: "Part of the challenge is to get over disappointments. Last season we lost at home 4-1 to Liverpool which was a travesty but we went on to win the league." (teamtalk)

Soccer Extreme : Olympique Marseille and Paris St Germain supporters clashed on Sunday after their Ligue 1 game was postponed and the whole PSG team quarantined when three players were diagnosed with H1N1 flu.

Police officers said several people had been injured and one person would undergo leg surgery after being hit by a car. There was no serious damage.

"Police arrested a dozen fans who will appear before a court as quickly as possible," local police chief Philippe Klayman told reporters.

"Small groups of fans wanted to fight each others and we had to react quickly. The French League could have made that decision yesterday so that many PSG fans would have stayed home. We were presented with a fait accompli."

The police had been deployed in numbers because the match, which was scheduled for 2000GMT at the Stade Velodrome, was regarded as a high-risk game.

Police sources said clashes also erupted at the main rail station where PSG supporters were boarding trains to go back to Paris.

Klayman said PSG fans travelling back by bus ransacked motorway services in Peypin, north of Marseille. Three people were detained.

Paris St Germain said their three contaminated players were former France winger Ludovic Giuly, defender and France Under-23 captain Mamadou Sakho and midfielder Jeremy Clement.

The decision was taken "on the formal recommendation of the (national) commission of medical experts", the French Professional League (LFP) said on its website (www.lfp.fr).

The national commission also decided that all PSG players and staff members would be quarantined for the next 72 hours to stop all risk of contagion.

Marseille asked for the game to be played on Wednesday but PSG replied it would not be possible.

"The only available date afterwards would be on Dec. 2 but it is not possible as we also play important games in the Champions League and it would make too many games in a short period of time," Marseille coach Didier Deschamps told reporters.

"In January, four players of ours will play in the Africa Cup of Nations and in February, it would be too late. Playing on Wednesday is a matter of sporting fairness,"

PSG chairman Robin Leproux replied: "Paris will definitely not play on Wednesday."

He said the players would fly from Marseille to Paris later on Sunday and would stay at home for the next three days.

Marseille are fifth on 17 points in Ligue 1 while Paris are 13th on 13 points.

Auxerre climbed to seventh, behind Marseille on goal difference, with a 3-2 victory at home against Lille on Sunday.

Toulouse moved up to 11th thanks to a 2-0 win at second from bottom Lens, who have not won in the league in their last seven games.

Bordeaux lead the table on 22 points after their easy 3-0 win at home against Le Mans on Saturday. Former leaders Olympique Lyon slumped 4-1 at strugglers Nice and stayed on 20 points.

Monaco are second, one point off the pace, after Ligue 1 top scorer Nene netted twice to help them to a 3-1 win at Boulogne. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : Liverpool's poor run of form will count for little when they host arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday (1400 GMT), United manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.

"Derby games are derby games and anyone can win it," Ferguson told reporters. "It has happened so many times and strange things can happen.

"I am not interested in their league form, I am more pleased with the kind of form we are in. We are consistent and consistent is important."

Liverpool's worst run of form for 22 years continued on Tuesday when they lost to Olympique Lyon at home in a Champions League group match.

Previous defeats to Fiorentina, Chelsea and Sunderland have turned the spotlight on manager Rafa Benitez like never before in his six-season tenure.

With Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard unlikely to be fit for the United match, a loss this weekend could prove terminal for Benitez's ambitions on Merseyside.

Manchester City consider themselves United's biggest rivals because of the proximity of the two clubs but Ferguson said United v Liverpool would always be a superior contest.

"Manchester United and Liverpool games, as I have said many times, are massive games," Ferguson said. "That will never change and as far as I am concerned it remains the game."

United lead the Premier League by one point from Chelsea, while Liverpool are seven points behind in eighth place.

Liverpool won 2-1 at Anfield last season before shocking the eventual Premier League champions 4-1 at Old Trafford in a stunning performance.

However, Ferguson said those matches would have no bearing on Sunday's game.

"Different games are shaped differently by the circumstances of those games and you cannot look at last season as a barometer of our form or Liverpool's form," he said. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : German outfit Hamburger SV recorded an impressive 1-0 away victory against Celtic in Thursday's Europa League group stage game and the Hanseaten were keen to thank their fans for their support after the encounter.

However, the HSV players were refused permission to greet their 2,500 fans, much to the dismay of head coach Bruno Labbadia, who remonstrated with police and stewards, while his players sat down on the corner of the pitch in protest.

"We had 2,500 supporters with us and we were told that we could not go over and celebrate with them," was Labbadia quoted as saying by BBC.

There had been reports of clashes between rival fans outside Celtic Park and, inside, Hamburg fans goaded the home support with banners and songs of the Glasgow club's city rivals Rangers.

"When the players sat down, the police actually told us that we would be reported to UEFA. It showed us disrespect, it's not good - there was a fine touch missing there and I was not too happy about that. I wish to say thank you to the fans - we couldn't do that as we wanted." (goal)

Soccer Extreme : Felix Perez Alvarez, Real Madrid's longest-serving registered fan, has died. He was 99.

Madrid says Alvarez, who died Thursday of natural causes, became a supporter of the football club in 1923 and remained a paying member for the next 86 years.

During that time, Alvarez watched Madrid win 31 league titles and nine European Cups.

Alvarez, known as the team's "No. 1 fan," was well known among fellow supporters and the club rewarded him several times, most recently with a gold insignia in 1992.

Madrid, which would not say if Alvarez had any survivors, will wear a black armband to honour him during its match against Sporting Gijon on Saturday. (yahoo)

Soccer Extreme : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin talked energy and soccer on Thursday with his Italian and Turkish counterparts, whose countries are the top buyers of Russian gas, underscoring strengthened ties among the trio.

"Tayyip, I send you my love and hope that when you start speaking, you will congratulate me on Milan's victory over Real Madrid yesterday," Italy's Silvio Berlusconi told Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, according to a transcript published on the Russian government's website.

In his turn, Putin thanked Erdogan for a goal scored by Turkish midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz that sealed the victory for Russian team Rubin Kazan over Barcelona in the Champions League.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin and Berlusconi also discussed investment projects and met Russian businessmen working with Italian firms.

An Italian source close to Berlusconi told reporters the two prime ministers -- whose personal relationship dates back for years -- had dined on Wednesday night at a residence on the banks of Lake Valdai some 300 km southeast of Saint Petersburg, Putin's hometown.

Speaking to Erdogan on Thursday, Putin said: "Barcelona is a very respected club. In Russia there are many fans who love this team. But this is a sport. Our team Rubin was stronger this time. I repeat once again, thanks to efforts by a Turkish player."

"I congratulate you once more but I will have to work a little bit on the Spanish Prime Minister," quipped Berlusconi.

"He has nothing to be upset about," Putin said.

Russian and Italian media have said Berlusconi came to Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg to take part in postponed celebrations of Putin's 57th birthday on Oct. 7.

Peskov said he was not aware of any birthday celebrations.

Berlusconi said he will buy a Russian-made UAZ off-roader after meeting Vadim Shvetsov, the CEO of carmaker Sollers, mimicking a similar gesture (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : Apparently, the lush and he-of-excellent-pose, Yoann Gourcuff, “doesn’t make money a priority” in his life.

Hang on. We’ve run out of tissues, let us just re-stock.

Ok. So, here’s the story: Yoann’s agent, Didier Poulmaire, told the magazine Quotient de Foot recently that the Bordeaux striker was called upon by Milan to return. To woo him, they took the mega-money angle, offering him mucho euros.

“Milan focused everything on money when they tried to convince him [to return], but Yoann chose to consolidate his performances with Bordeaux. Money is not a priority.”

To further prove his point (and hurt our fantasy lives), Poulmaire said that Yoann also turned down a telly commercial shilling perfume. He was offered €500,000 to become a product ‘ho and declined.

So, we’re dealing with a man that not only refuses to sell out so we can watch him in some product porn type advertisement with (one would hope) zoom shots of abs and lashes, we’re also having to accept that our boy’s value system is, sadly, in balance. (kickette)

Soccer Extreme : Real Madrid striker Raul equalled Gerd Muller's record of 66 goals in the three main European club competitions when he scored against AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Raul matched the German forward's 32-year-old tally when he pounced on a fumble by Milan goalkeeper Dida and slotted into the empty net in the 19th minute of the Group C clash at the Bernabeu on his 126th Champions League appearance.

"Raul's goal showed how sharp he is," Raul's Brazilian teammate Kaka told reporters. "He is always incredible and is a player who has broken all the records."

"He's the first one into work every time and never tires and that's why he continues to be a key part of the team."

The former Spain international, 32, had scooped the ball over Dida from close range in the second half after Kaka's shot but the effort was ruled out for offside.

He was also involved in a scuffle with Milan's former Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho for which he was booked.

The three main European competitions are the European Cup/Champions League, Cup Winners Cup and the UEFA Cup/Fairs Cup.

Club captain Raul, who netted twice in Real's 4-2 La Liga win over Real Valladolid on Saturday, has scored all 66 goals in the Champions League. (fourfourtwo)

Soccer Extreme : The soccer match between top Mexican sides America and Guadalajara on Sunday will be screened in 3D, with broadcasters Televisa claiming on Wednesday it will be the first broadcast of its kind in the world.

"You're going to witness something that will make history," Elias Rodriguez, general manager of Televisa operations, told a news conference.

"We're talking about three dimensions...we're taking this new step forward in football," said Javier Alarcon, editor of Televisa Deportes (Sport).

The Clausura championship match at the Azteca (2130 GMT) will be screened in cinemas in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : Liverpool have sold out of the £10 "Beach Set" that diverted the team's title prospects at Sunderland and will search Manchester United supporters for any offending items, including beach balls, before Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield.


The club's online store has experienced a rush on the "Beach Set" package following Darren Bent's winning goal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, when his shot struck a Liverpool-crested beach ball and ricocheted beyond goalkeeper José Reina. United supporters are suspected of being behind the increased demand for Liverpool beach products, with a "tribute" to Bent's goal planned but risk having them confiscated at the turnstiles on Sunday. "It will be the normal search policy," said a Liverpool spokesperson.


Rafael Benítez, who refused to use Bent's goal as an excuse for Liverpool's fourth league defeat of the season, has no intention of asking for the Sunderland match to be replayed. Precedent exists for replaying matches when a referee has erred over a goal but the Liverpool manager said: "A lot of people are saying this but we will not be asking for a replay." (guardian)

Soccer Extreme : Inter Milan's Serbia midfielder Dejan Stankovic said he had a feeling Genoa goalkeeper Marco Amelia would give him a helping hand before scoring a stunning goal from the halfway line.

On the stroke of half-time in Saturday's Serie A tie, Italy goalkeeper Amelia came out of his area to the right hand side to launch the ball upfield.

But he scuffed his kick and hooked the ball to Stankovic, out on the right hand side, just inside the Genoa half, and the Serbia captain stretched out a leg, caught the ball on the volley and somehow directed it back into the goal after one bounce as Amelia chased hopelessly to try to get back into position.

And when asked about his wonder goal, Stankivic said he had a feeling Amelia would give him the ball.

"I went out to the right knowing the goalkeeper had messed up his clearance and then I just believed," he said.

The goal mirrored the match as everything Inter touched turned to gold while Genoa were at sixes and sevens.

"We were almost perfect. In the first half we created many chances and scored three," added Stankovic.

"After the break we tried not to use up too much energy so we would last to the end of the game but we still scored.

"Winning 5-0 on Genoa's pitch is not a small thing but it's especially significant as we earned this result without having many scares in defence.

"We managed to do well even without important players such as (Diego) Milito, Thiago Motta and (Samuel) Eto'o."

This win leaves Inter in good health ahead of the visit of Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday as they top Serie A by two points.

For Stankovic it continues his own personal hot streak having captained Serbia to World Cup qualification a week ago in a 5-0 home defeat of sorry Romania. (wsn)


Stankovic’s midfield volley goal

Soccer Extreme : The two protagonists may not have been on show, but some Birmingham supporters ensured Eduardo was given a disgraceful reminder of the day that Martin Taylor broke his leg.

Whether Theo Walcott heard the travelling fans singing 'There's only one Martin Taylor' as he lay in a crumpled heap following a full-blooded challenge by Liam Ridgewell is unknown.

The same goes for Eduardo, who was in the Emirates stands courtesy of a thigh strain and therefore unable to complete what may have constituted the final mental phase of his recovery from that shocking injury.

But Arsene Wenger certainly heard the chant, and the Arsenal manager was rightly incensed that some saw fit to taunt Eduardo and a clearly distressed Walcott, who looks likely to miss tomorrow's Champions League encounter at AZ Alkmaar.

'That's frankly atrocious,' fumed Wenger. 'They will not be remembered for the quality of their taste with those kinds of remarks. I didn't say a word, I just thought, "That's low".

'Eduardo was here. I don't know how he felt about the chants. I just put that in the ranks of stupidity. You want to forget about it and not talk too much about it because there's not a lot to say. People like that, one starts to say something stupid, everybody follows, even intelligent people. People lose their identity together, and their sense of responsibility.'

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish claimed not to have heard the chant, but added: 'We don't condone that kind of thing.'

McLeish did, however, defend Ridgewell's right to make the challenge which, after a brief return to action, ultimately forced Walcott out of his first start this season with suspected knee ligament damage.

'It was a hard, committed tackle,' said McLeish. 'It was like watching Stuart Pearce again, committed to getting the ball before the forward. The problem sometimes is in the follow through.

'But what do you do? You'll end up not making a tackle at all. I'm sure the Arsenal boys have made tackles like that in the past.' Wenger felt Ridgewell had gone over the top, trying to impress a manager who had asked for more grit, but even the Frenchman conceded there is room for a meaty challenge.

'I felt the tackle was a little bit from the side, but it looked at full pace,' he said. 'I don't want to go too overboard because one of the beauties of the English game is total commitment.

'We have to cut out what is really dangerous but we have to keep the basics, the commitment that makes the league more attractive than any other league.'

One of the reasons Carson Yeung has chosen to get involved at Birmingham, perhaps. Another is surely the hope that his team may come close to playing the football Arsenal are capable of.

It will take a lot more than a £40million January spending spree to do that. But Arsenal did not have things entirely their own way despite going two up inside 18 minutes thanks to another exquisite finish from Robin van Persie and a powerful side-foot from Abou Diaby.

Lee Bowyer's 38th-minute reply after Vito Mannone had fumbled under pressure from former Arsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson saw Birmingham go in at the break with some hope. And spirited play from the visitors meant Arsenal were only home and dry when Walcott's replacement, Andrey Arshavin, finished off a swift counterattack with a well-placed shot six minutes from time.

McLeish's job is to ensure Birmingham still look an attractive enough proposition to entice high quality players in January now that he is working off his 'wouldn't it be great' list of transfer targets.

McLeish admits his 'wouldn't it be brilliant' list is still a long way off, however. And skipper Lee Carsley, while optimistic about the future, also sounded a note of caution. 'I don't suppose we are going to attract the kind of players that Man City are attracting, but we are in a different kind of market,' he conceded.

'But we're not going to be gazumped by the likes of Stoke like we have been in the past. These are positive times.' Arsenal prove that you don't have to spend a fortune to play at the top end, but after four seasons without a trophy the time has come for Wenger's frugal masterplan to bear fruit.

Curiously, the arrival of rich owners like Yeung could play into Arsenal's hands, with Aston Villa and Sunderland showing it is possible to take points off the established top four sides.

'What is interesting is that it is much tighter than everybody predicted before the season,' said Wenger. 'We still need to improve at the back but we are consistent and we look strong.' (dailymail)

Soccer Extreme : Seems to me that the Middle East is the future of football. Man City’s new Abu Dhabi based owners now making some very sensible noises – less about buying C-Ron and more about faith in Mark Hughes and long term investment in the youth academy – which is good news for everyone concerned (including Man City if you ask me).

And over in Doha, Qatar this incredible new stadium is being built for the Al-Ahli team to play in (not to be confused with the Egyptian Al-Ahli). Designed by MZ & Partners, it’s called “The Wall”, and will apparently be the world’s first underground stadium: open-air but air-conditioned. Welcome to the future kids.

• Qatar World Cup 2022 : Beautiful Stadium Designs

I don’t know much about architecture, but I have a friend who does and they tell me that form should follow function. Because it gets damn hot in Doha, stadiums need to be built cool. And where’s cooler than underground? The only aboveground feature is the upper part of the main stand, which is why the stadium has already been nicknamed “The Laptop”.

Actually that looks like it’s from inside a corporate box. If you ever manage to actually see the inside of a corporate box in Qatar for realsies then congratulations: you are extremely wealthy.

Apparently the stadium will open in 2010 and seat just 11,000, which makes Qatar’s possible 2018 World Cup bid a bit of a longshot (unless it’s possible to expand, which I’ll bet it is).

But I’m still oddly excited by this, if only because I’m completely sick of seeing English Premier League stadiums that all look more or less identical. Same design, different colour paint. If Middle Eastern money is the future of the Premier League, then maybe we’ll eventually see some of this innovative design come to England. (theoffside)

Soccer Extreme : During his time at Tottenham Hotspur ‘balloon’ was just one of the kinder insults the White Hart Lane supporters used to hurl at Darren Bent.

Pilloried by Harry Redknapp for a missed header against Portsmouth last season – the Spurs manager claimed his wife Sandra would have scored the chance – the England striker knew his days in north London were numbered in the summer and made haste his exit as quick as he could.

Bent’s eight goals and excellent start to the season have vindicated his decision to leave Tottenham and he remains a live outsider to travel to the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

The fact that his latest goal came via a deflection of a stray balloon, thrown from the Liverpool end, will mean little to the lethal striker. The balloon will grab all the headlines, Bent will just be content with another goal to his tally in an increasingly productive campaign.

Steve Bruce’s decision to gamble £10m on Bent is looking mightily judicious, too, even though he admitted that he had been told the goal should have been disallowed and a drop ball awarded, but while a little hot and bothered about the suggestion that it might have been chalked off he was not allowing that to spoil his night.

“Listen, I thought it was a deflection off a player. I have to say when I have just seen it there, if anybody knew that rule – that it is supposed to be a drop ball – then you are a saddo. They have got it on telly with the guy who threw it on and it’s got Liverpool crests all over it. What a shame.”

Rafael Benitez, Bruce’s opposite number was phlegmatic when asked about the incident.

“It’s a very technical question. It could be a goal, it’s difficult to say. In this case, it has to be a goal. These things can happen in a lot of games. It was a bad situation for us – it was in the middle [of the goal] and it was very influential. But we didn’t play well, that is the main thing for me.”

There was, however, plenty of bluster when Bruce, who lost Kenwyne Jones and Lee Cattermole to injury during the game, became embroiled in a furious touchline debate with Benitez after the Spaniard complained about the length of time for which Jones was treated on the pitch.

However, Bruce had calmed down by the time he conducted his post-match press conference.

He said: “It was handbags. It’s all over, it’s done. You do things in the heat of the moment which, when you look back at it, you think, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have done that’, but there you go.”

Benitez gave his point of view, and suggested Bruce had inflamed the situation.

The Liverpool manager said: “I didn’t have any argument with him [Bruce]. I was just asking for time because three or four times they were on the ground – in 10 minutes, three or four times, the game was stopped.

“I was talking with the fourth official and he [Bruce] was coming and he wanted to argue with me.

“I was surprised because I was talking with the fourth official about the time.”

The pivotal moment in the match came when Bent met Andy Reid’s fifth-minute cross and fired towards goal.

Reina looked to have it covered, until the ball hit the beach ball, and to the goalkeeper’s horror, span past him and into the net.

Liverpool protested, but while they could consider themselves unfortunate, there was little doubt Sunderland deserved to win.

On another day, Bent might have claimed at least a hat trick after repeatedly finding space and time inside the box, and it was mainly thanks to Reina and the woodwork that he did not.

By contrast, Liverpool, without the injured Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, offered little as an attacking force until deep into seven minutes of added time when Craig Gordon had to make an excellent double save from Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog and now sit eighth in the table.

Benitez said: “It’s bad, but crucial? It depends on the next games.” (heraldscotland)

Soccer Extreme : Wayne Rooney may have tasted defeat against Barcelona first hand in Rome in the Champions League final, but he has no qualms about choosing to play as them on his favourite computer game.

The Manchester United striker is a regular online player of EA Sport's FIFA series and has been promoting the 2010 version that was released this month around the world.

While preferring to play as himself in the familiar red of Manchester United then he will try his hand at playing with Lionel Messi and company as Barcelona.

“I mainly play as United,"

“Only when I play online, a lot of the time the other person will also want to play as United and they’re really stubborn and won’t change.”

“I don’t want to play United v United so I’ll always change, and Barcelona’s always a good alternative.” (goal)

Soccer Extreme : Ten-man Ghana triumphed at the Under-20 World Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Brazil.

Ghana, who had Daniel Addo sent off, produced a fabulous defensive display to deny the South Americans.

The final finished 0-0 after extra-time and Brazil were made to pay when Alex Teixeira's weak effort was saved in sudden death.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu scored the winner as Ghana became the first African team to win the tournament.

Both sides had missed two penalties out of the first five to add to the tension in the stadium by sending the game to sudden death.

Ghana were fired up after suffering a huge setback eight minutes before half-time.

Caught up the field as Brazil sprinted clear, Addo made a desperate tackle on the halfway line.

It was clearly a foul, but Addo was not the last defender and the challenge did not deserve a straight red card.

But he was sent-off and Agyemang-Badu dropped back into defence to replace him, depriving Ghana of a vital source of attacking possession.

Nevertheless, the Black Satellites went on to have their best and most incisive period of possession, but were unable to break the deadlock by half-time.

The game opened up in the second half, with Brazil taking advantage of their numerical superiority to create a series of chances for Teixeira and Alan Kardec, who was especially wasteful.

Brazil became more frustrated by their failure to score and started raining shots in from distance with no effect.

And although Ghana also fashioned opportunities, especially through Dominic Adiyiah and Dede Ayew, the 90 minutes finished goalless.

Video : Ghana vs Brazil (4-3) Penalty Final U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009



Ghana pressed early in extra-time but Brazil were denied a fabulous opportunity to take the lead by a point-blank save by Daniel Agyei.

Teixeira's break down the left should have resulted in a goal but Kardec fluffed again and the follow up shot was well blocked by Agyei.

Ghana had a succession of corners at the end of the first extra period with Brazil's defence looking shaky, but they could not secure the breakthrough and the game remained goalless and very tense.

Both sets of players were now very tired and more balls were going astray than were finding the right man.

Ghana had certainly not settled on penalties, with Agyemang-Badu creating one good chance right at the end.

But after 120 minutes the two most prolific goalscoring sides in this tournament could not be separated and spot-kicks decided the outcome.

A magnificent competition for the Black Satellites was capped by a deserving victory.(bbc)

Soccer Extreme : Argentina coach Diego Maradona could be banned for several matches and fined for an obscenity-filled outburst at a news conference after Wednesday's World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay.

"We're now opening a disciplinary case against the Argentine coach and now it's up to the relevant party in FIFA -- the FIFA disciplinary committee -- to enforce it," a FIFA spokesman said on Friday.

He added that FIFA president Sepp Blatter, speaking in Cairo at the World Youth Cup, had announced the governing body's intention to open a disciplinary case against Maradona.

According to article 58 of FIFA's disciplinary code, the sanction could be for a minimum of five matches, prohibit Maradona stadium access for the duration of the suspension and include a fine of at least 20,000 Swiss francs ($19,720).

Maradona, relieved at Argentina's last-gasp qualification for the 2010 finals after a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday, used bad language when he hit out at critics who had questioned his coaching ability amid poor team performances.

His comments were broadcast live on several television stations.

Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona told the C5N cable TV channel: "On Tuesday we'll discuss this at the executive committee's meeting and see what we do."

Maradona has been heavily criticised for defeats against Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Paraguay that took twice world champions Argentina to the brink of failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

He has called up more than 70 players for 13 matches -- eight qualifiers and five friendlies -- since he took charge a year ago, and been questioned for his team selections.

Argentina got back on track with a dramatic 2-1 win over Peru on Saturday when Martin Palermo, a surprise selection at the age of 35 and having not played for Argentina for 10 years, scored a last-gasp winner.

Maradona celebrated the victory in typically emotional style by hugging members of his coaching staff and players, having earlier dived in delight across the rain-sodden turf of the River Plate stadium in Buenos Aires after the winning goal.

His equally emotive celebration at the end of the Uruguay match, which sent Argentina to the finals in South Africa, took a bad turn in the media conference with Maradona's foul language in answer to some questions from Argentine reporters. (reuters)