Start Me Up

The Presidents’ Day weekend sees the opening of the NASCAR season at Daytona and the NBA's mid-season party in Denver. Daytona marks the start of year two of Nextel's title sponsorship, as well as new liquor sponsors, in what otherwise has been a smooth and quiet start for the racing season. The NBA marks its midseason with mixed ratings success, continuation of CBA discussions and a bevy of marketing support around Sunday's game. Also, as the locales in Denver get ready to host the players and party-goers, the DENVER POST looks at the ever-increasing relationship between the league and hip-hop music and what it means for the game.

Escrito por fraja8 às 12h19
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DORTMUND, Germany (AFP) - Financially-troubled Borussia Dortmund are confident of coming up with the necessary funds to ensure their Westfalen Stadium is ready in time for the 2006 World Cup.

Six-time German champions Dortmund reported a loss of 27.2 million euros (35 million dollars) for the first half of the business year and admitted the club's future was on the line with debts estimated to reach 134.7 million euros (175.3 million dollars) by mid-2006.

The Westfalen Stadium, one of the 12 World Cup venues, needs to implement a costly electronical entrance system and put in more seats within the next 18 months, but the mayor of Dortmund, Gerhard Langemeyer, claimed there was no cause for concern. "I have no doubt that the necessary funds required will be found," Langemeyer told the Westfalische Rundschau.

Dortmund's Westfalen Stadium is the biggest stadium in Germany holding over 80,000 spectators and will host six World Cup games between June 9 and July 9 2006.

But it was not all good news for Dortmund on Saturday with second division club Eintracht Frankfurt considering legal action if Borussia are found guilty of putting forward false figures to obtain a license from the German Football League (DFL) last season.

Frankfurt finished third from bottom of the Bundesliga last season, ensuring their relegation from the top-flight, but could have remained in the Bundesliga if Dortmund had their license revoked.

"If it is confirmed that Dortmund put foward false figures we will look into seeking compensation," said Eintracht chairman Heribert Bruchhagen in Bild daily.

Escrito por fraja8 às 12h12
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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- No one took the wipeout of the NHL season harder than Wayne Gretzky.

Gretzky, one of the game's greatest icons, said Wednesday he was concerned about its future despite assurances from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that the league would be back in business in September -- taken by some to mean bringing in replacement players. hope I'm wrong," Gretzky said. "I hope they are negotiating, but my gut instinct -- and I don't have the answer to this -- is that this could be put on the shelf for a long time."

Gretzky, a managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes, stepped in to help chairman Steve Ellman buy the team and keep it in Arizona.

Now, he worries about the effect on Sun Belt teams.

"Let's be honest -- Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, places like that, people are going to be mad and disappointed and upset, but eventually they'll come back 18,000 strong, and Hockey Night in Canada will still draw the ratings that they have," Gretzky said.

"But that's not our project. Our project now is places like Phoenix and Miami and Los Angeles, where we've been on the back burner, where we've worked so hard for so many years to try to establish a foundation. We've disappointed a lot of fans," added Gretzky.

"From the business point of view, we've probably disappointed a lot of corporate sponsorships, so only time will tell how we're going to win all those people back over."

Gretzky told reporters in the Glendale Arena that he realized the finality of the NHL's stand in a conversation with the commissioner Tuesday night. He also spoke with Bettman before the news conference.

Gretzky and general manager Michael Barnett alluded to the signings of marquee players like Brett Hull, Sean O'Donnell and Mike Ricci in the offseason and said that made it doubly difficult not to play any games. The 2003-04 club went 22-36-18-6, its worst record since the strike-shortened 1994-95 season, despite moving into a new arena in December 2003.

"We can't wait to get a team on the ice," Barnett said. "We have most of that roster signed for next year."

Team president Doug Moss said the $220 million arena, located a few hundred yards north of the Arizona Cardinals' football stadium still under construction, promises a bright future for hockey despite the setback.

The Coyotes have offset losses with dozens of revenue-producing events, including games of the Arizona Sting lacrosse club, prize fights and concerts by Prince, U2 and Usher. Two concerts by Elton John are scheduled in April.

The team lost 35 to 40 employees last summer to layoffs or attrition, but Moss doesn't plan on letting anyone else go and said the arena has about 100 full-time employees left.

Last year, about 82 percent of the team's gross revenues went to player salaries, and the Coyotes lost $35 million.

"When you're not paying those salaries, granted you don't have as much revenue, but you don't have as much expense, so our losses were much less (this year)," Moss said. "So this, unfortunately, will be the best year probably that this team has had in its history, and if that doesn't articulate how sad this situation is, I don't know what else to tell you."

He acknowledged that the Coyotes have dipped into their reserve fund, but stressed they haven't taken out much and said the franchise is financially sound.

"What we put it there for was a rainy day, and unfortunately we've hit that rainy day," Moss said.

The city of Glendale paid $180 million of the arena cost and owns the building.

In what seemed like another economic paradox, city manager Ed Beasley said the lockout also hasn't hurt the city, because planners anticipated a lockout when negotiating their 30-year lease with the Coyotes. The lost year automatically rolls over to the end of the lease, which now will last 31 years.

Beasley was satisfied with the pace of construction of the Westgate City Center, an adjacent commercial project being built by Ellman's construction company. Ground-breaking took place months later than anticipated, but Beasley said that was partly due to the city's desire to get everything right.

"That will open in time to be part of the 2006 [NHL] All-Star Game, the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and the 2008 Super Bowl," Beasley said. "From a business standpoint, the lockout is a bad day for hockey fans, but it also creates open dates and opportunities to show off our venue and bring in some entertainment that we don't often see in this region."

Escrito por fraja8 às 12h03
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A categoria feminina promete ser uma das sensações na 2ª etapa do Rip Curl Grom Search 2005 de surf, que acontece em Búzios, no Rio de Janeiro, nos próximos dias 26 e 27 de fevereiro. O campeonato, que visa revelar novos valores da modalidade em todo o Brasil, é oficializado pela Confederação Brasileira de Surf e aberto a surfistas com até 16 anos.

Os jovens talentos tentam a vitória nas categorias Grommets, Iniciantes, Júnior e Feminina. Entre as meninas, três destaques ocupam a ponta do ranking. A líder é Nathalie Martins, atual campeã brasileira júnior e integrante da seleção nacional no ISA World Júnior. Em 2º lugar está Bruna Schmitz, com Gabriela Teixeira na seqüência.

"Minha meta é garantir o título para poder estar no Mundial, conhecer a Austrália", comenta Nathalie referindo-se ao prêmio oferecido aos campeões do ranking da Mirim e da Feminina: passagens aéreas para a Austrália, para participar do Mundial 2006. "Os campeões terão toda a retaguarda na viagem. E na categoria feminina, a disputa promete ser emocionante", disse o diretor de marketing da Rip Curl no Brasil, Felipe Silveira.

www.surfasu.com.br

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h56
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A 1ª etapa da Copa North de Enduro a Pé acontece em Itatiba, São Paulo, amanhã, dia 20 de fevereiro. A prova acontece no Zôo Parque, onde os participantes poderão estar em contato com a natureza o tempo inteiro.

Mais de 20 postos de controle serão espalhados pelo local e 15 resgates estarão na trilha para auxiliar os competidores. As equipes, estimadas em 170, percorrerão trilhas na mata com obstáculos naturais, como riachos e trechos de lama.
Os competidores serão divididos nas categorias Graduados e Trekkers, que deverão estar equipados com planilha de navegação, bússola e lanternas. A equipe é penalizada caso chegue adiantada ou atrasada ao posto de controle.

"É um esporte de aventura, fácil de praticar e com todas as emoções de uma trilha repleta de desafios. Praticá-lo significa conhecer novos amigos e cultivar o interesse pela própria performance física e intelectual. Ao concluir a prova, cada equipe verifica sua performance e conhece sua pontuação, podendo compará-la com o enduro anterior", falou uma das diretoras de prova, Silvia Andreo.

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h54
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Diretores da NHL, a liga profissional de hóquei no gelo da América do Norte, se reunirão com representantes do sindicato dos jogadores neste sábado. A reunião, em Nova York, é uma nova tentativa de chegar a um acordo coletivo, e ainda pode salvar a temporada 2004-05.

Segundo a imprensa norte-americana, a NHL e o sindicato teriam acordado em princípio um contrato que inclui um teto salarial de US$ 45 milhões (aproximadamente R$ 120 milhões). Nenhuma das partes confirmou nada, a não ser a realização da reunião neste sábado.

A questão do teto salarial é o principal problema para que um acordo seja alcançado. Na última segunda-feira, o sindicato dos jogadores deixou de se opor totalmente à criação do teto, mas não conseguiu chegar a um acordo com a liga sobre qual deveria ser esse valor. Isso levou Gary Bettman, comissário da NHL, a anunciar o cancelamento da temporada na quarta-feira. Se a reunião deste sábado não conseguir salvar a temporada, a NHL se tornará a primeira grande liga profissional na América do Norte a perder uma temporada inteira devido a disputas trabalhistas. >makeFooter('');

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h52
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Harry Kewell is craving the chance to show his value to Liverpool in the Carling Cup final.

Harry Kewell: Comeback trail (MatthewLewis/GettyImages)

The former Leeds winger is poised to emerge from the despair in long-term injury to play in Liverpool's most important sequence of matches this season.

Two months on the sidelines, with Achilles and groin problems, have sharpened Kewell's desire to make an impact on Liverpool's season. He is determined to disprove the speculation coming out of his native Australia that his season may well be over, and that he requires an operation, and disprove it in the best possible way.

Kewell never played in a cup final during his time at Leeds, although he was a mainstay of the side which reached the Champions League semi-finals.

And as such the chance to face Chelsea next Sunday at the Millennium Stadium is made all the more alluring. He could even return in time for Tuesday's Champions League game with Bayer Leverkusen, another opportunity to shoot down the critics who feel Kewell has underachieved at Anfield.

Defiantly, Kewell said: 'I don't really care what people say. I have had a bit of grief from the media about my form, but I just try to ignore it. 'It is is always someone's turn to be brought down a peg, and I guess, recently, it has been mine. People who have a go might think they're getting to me, but they're not. The digs just make me stronger.'

Kewell has felt uneasy spending so much time away from his wife - actress Sheree Murphy - and two young children, who have remained at the family home in Wetherby while he has spent a long time on his own in a rented Liverpool flat.

But he has now bought a house near Manchester and revealed: 'I just missed them all so much. 'Taylor and Ruby were getting a bit confused. They thought that when I wasn't at home, I lived inside the TV, that was the only other place they ever saw me. 'Now I will be at home nearly every night and be able to walk the kids to their pre-schools in the morning. I'll help out at dinner time and give the kids their baths.'

A return of 12 goals in 72 games has been a disappointment, and Kewell has not been able to sustain the high level of performance to which Leeds became accustomed. He is eager to impress new boss Rafael Benitez who repeatedly harks back to the day Kewell terrorised Jaap Stam, and the Spaniard believes that Kewell's return can boost Liverpool's season just at the right moment.

Benitez said: 'He should be able to play against Bayer Leverkusen, and then he would be available for the squad against Chelsea.'

Kewell would just be happy to be involved in Cardiff as Benitez approaches what will also be his first cup final in England, a tough clash with Jose Mourinho's outfit who are still going for four trophies. Chelsea have already beaten Liverpool twice this season and are out of sight of the Anfield men at the top of the Premiership. But Liverpool have been underdogs in two recent cup finals in Cardiff and won them both.

In 2003 they won the league cup by beating favourites Manchester United, and two seasons earlier they came from behind to snatch the FA Cup from Arsenal's grasp thanks to Michael Owen's memorable double. There is no Owen this time, but Fernando Morientes should start, and then there is the Kewell factor.

While Liverpool fans would love to see their captain Steven Gerrard lift a trophy at the expense of the club many feel will be his next destination, they would also relish a demonstration of Kewell's true ability. If there have only been glimpses of his class so far, the platform of a cup final would seem tailor-made for the Australian to make a new start to his Liverpool career.

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h47
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Shevchenko: Staying at San Siro (TonyMarshall/Empics)

The AC Milan and Ukraine striker will return to Old Trafford, scene of his winning spot-kick in the 2003 Champions League final shoot-out, next Wednesday.

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h43
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Owen Hargreaves has hailed the impact of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal as he prepares to face a potentially all-foreign Gunners line-up in the Champions League.

The England midfielder believes Wenger's decision to name no British players in his squad to face Crystal Palace on Monday was a sign of the times, but he insists that to criticise the French manager would be wrong.

With Ashley Cole out through illness and Sol Campbell injured, the Arsenal foreign legion thrashed Palace 5-1.

Both Cole and Campbell would have been automatic choices, if fit, and Hargreaves feels Wenger has received undue criticism.

As a Bayern Munich player, Hargreaves will face the Gunners this Tuesday in the Champions League.

He told The Independent: "I think it is good for the fans to identify with players, to have English players, but football has changed so much. "I think Arsenal have done so well in the past with foreign players. "There are so many teams with foreign players, even ours. We have maybe three Germans who player every week and the rest are foreign."

It remains to be seen whether Campbell and Cole recover in time to face Bayern, but Hargreaves is confident that, even if Wenger again chooses to sideline his remaining British players, the future remains bright for the Gunners.

"I think Wenger would be a fantastic manager to play for, all the players that I know who have played for him are big fans of his," he said. "If you look at the team he has built there it doesn't seem that those players want to leave because of Wenger and I think that speaks for itself. "His players are loyal to him and he protects his players. "He has done that very well in the past and the success he has brought to the team has been remarkable."

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h40
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Apesar de jogar em casa, o Arsenal não conseguiu mais que um empate de 1 a 1 com o Sheffield United, oitavo colocado da segunda divisão inglesa. Com o resultado, os "Gunners" terão que disputar uma segunda partida contra o Sheffield, no estádio do adversário, para definir o classificado para as quartas-de-final da Copa da Inglaterra (FA Cup).

Devido ao cansaço e a alguns desfalques, o técnico Arsène Wenger teve que colocar em campo muitos reservas. E isso se fez sentir na produtividade da equipe, que fez uma partida irregular. O setor mais afetado foi a defesa, que teve sérios problemas nas jogadas aéreas.

O primeiro tempo foi muito equilibrado e tenso. A melhor chance de gol foi criada por Dennis Bergkamp, que mandou um bom chute de fora da área, que saiu raspando o travessão do Sheffield. Aos 36 minutos, um empurra-empurra resultou na expulsão do mesmo Bergkamp. Em seguida, entradas duras se sucederam por parte de ambas as partes.

Na segunda etapa, mesmo com um jogador a menos, o Arsenal começou a dominar a partida. A equipe passou a exercer maior pressão a partir dos 22 minutos, com a entrada em campo de Robert Pires. E foi o francês que abriu o placar para os "Gunners" 12 minutos mais tarde, tocando para as redes em um rebote do goleiro Paddy Kenny.

O Arsenal parecia capaz de segurar a vantagem, com o Sheffield United partido para o ataque de maneira desorganizada. No entanto, aos 44 minutos, Philippe Senderos colocou a mão na bola após um bate-rebate dentro da área, e o juiz marcou pênalti.

Andy Gray bateu com calma, garantindo o empate.

As outras sete partidas das oitavas-de-final da Copa da Inglaterra serão realizadas ainda neste fim de semana. O maior destaque é Everton x Manchester United, que verá o astro Wayne Rooney voltar pela primeira vez ao estádio de seu ex-time. A FA Cup é disputada em jogo único, mas, em caso de empate, uma segunda partida é marcada, com mando de campo invertido.

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h31
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SÃO PAULO (Reuters) - O brasileiro Ricardo Mello foi derrotado pelo espanhol Rafael Nadal por 2 sets a 1 (2-6, 6-2 e 6-4) e está fora do Brasil Open, disputado na Costa do Sauípe, Bahia. Com isso, o torneio terá uma final espanhola, já que Nadal enfrentará seu compatriota Alberto Martín na decisão.

Mello chegou a estar perto da vitória quando abriu uma vantagem em 4-2 no terceiro set. Mas ele permitiu que o espanhol voltasse ao jogo e vencesse a partida em um voleio jogado na rede pelo brasileiro.

Adversário de Nadal na final, marcada para às 21h30 (horário de Brasília) do sábado, Martín alcançou a quarta decisão de sua carreira ao derrotar o australiano Peter Luczak por 2 sets a 0, com 6-2 e 6-3.

"São duas semanas de muita dureza, nas quais fiz boas partidas. Estou muito satisfeito com meu jogo", declarou Martín, de 26 anos, que não conseguiu fazer uma boa pré-temporada em dezembro e, após o Aberto da Austrália, passou dez dias somente treinando em Barcelona.

Depois de três maus resultados nos primeiros torneios do ano, Martín, atual número 61 do ranking de entradas, agora tenta manter sua invencibilidade em finais na carreira, já que levou o título nas três decisões de que participou: Bucareste e Casablanca, em 1999, e Mallorca, em 2001.

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h26
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Vanderlei Luxemburgo, e atacante Ronaldo, em Madri. Luxemburgo acredita que o interesse da mídia pela festa de casamento de Ronaldo está prejudicando a preparação de sua equipe para jogos importantes no Campeonato Espanhol e na Copa dos Campeões

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h24
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O nadador Thiago Pereira, de 19 anos, durante o aquecimento para a disputa da Superfinal da Copa do Mundo de Natação, realizada no Parque Aquático do Minas Tênis Clube, na cidade de Belo Horizonte

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h23
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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Randy Johnson was sitting at his locker after Friday's workout, talking to reporters, when The Boss walked into the clubhouse and met the Big Unit for the first time since adding him to his pinstriped collection of All-Stars.

``Hi, big man,'' George Steinbrenner said.

``How, you doing, Mr. Steinbrenner?'' Johnson responded. ``Glad you're here. Glad you're cleaned up, and glad you're here,'' Steinbrenner said.

Johnson was puzzled.

``I haven't cleaned up. I haven't even taken a shower yet,'' he said.

``I know,'' Steinbrenner, ``but I mean -- ''

Then, the Big Unit realized The Boss meant that Johnson had trimmed most of his facial hair to conform to Steinbrenner's rules.

A few minutes earlier, New York manager Joe Torre pretty much said Johnson will start the season opener against Boston on April 3 at Yankee Stadium, a game that possibly will match the Big Unit against former Arizona teammate Curt Schilling.

``It's not a bad guess,'' Torre said. ``And the reason that I'm not officially saying that is because when we do tell you that, I really want to be in a position to tell the guy who is pitching two, three, four and five at the same time.''

Mike Mussina started last year's season opener, an 8-3 loss to Tampa Bay in Tokyo.

Johnson is 5-2 in 12 opening-day starts, and hasn't been passed over for one since 1997, when he was coming off back surgery and Seattle's Jeff Fassero beat the Yankees' David Cone 4-2 at the Kingdome.

Mussina is 3-3 in seven openers, and two of the other three members of this year's rotation have made opening-day starts. Kevin Brown is 3-3 in seven games and Jaret Wright got a no-decision for Cleveland in 1999.

``Mike Mussina's been opening-day starter before. I would assume that he would be until I was told otherwise because of his stature here,'' Johnson said. ``It's obviously a great honor. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, yet.''

Johnson had spoken with Steinbrenner by telephone after Arizona traded him to New York last month and received what he called a ``nice letter'' from The Boss. But the Big Unit had not spoken with him in person since November 2001, at Bank One Ballpark, after Johnson came out of the bullpen on no day's rest to beat the Yankees in Game 7 of the World Series.

``He said, `Nice job,' `` Johnson remembered.

Steinbrenner has not made many public comments this offseason. Asked about Johnson on Friday, he responded: ``He's just a gamer.''

In his three days at Yankees camp, Johnson has devoted much of his time to interviews. In the past, he's been know to shy away from reporters.

He's just starting to learn about what it's like to be part of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

``I wasn't part of and have never been a part of the whatever you guys want to call it, the Hatfield-McCoys,'' Johnson said. ``As far as the stuff that goes back and forth amongst the players ... you won't see me getting too caught up in that. I make light of it, if you will.''

Johnson said his job with the Yankees was to ``teach and learn.'' Then, he combined ``logo'' and ``slogan'' into a word of his own.

``I'm kind of like the NYPD slogo,'' he said, ``serve and protect.''

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h16
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Javier Lopez pitches as storm clouds cover the first day of spring training for the Rockies at Hi-Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz.,

Colorado Rockies pitcher Chin-hui Tsao, from Taiwan, throws as storm clouds cover the first day of spring training for the Rockies at Hi-Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz

Escrito por fraja8 às 11h12
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A last-minute equaliser from Jérémy Clément saved ten-man Olympique Lyonnais from defeat away to Ligue 1 title rivals AS Monaco FC, and left the French champions eight points clear at the top.

Monaco pressure
Didier Deschamps's Monaco knew that victory alone would haul them back into the championship race and they came out all guns blazing in the first half. Javier Saviola tested visiting goalkeeper Grégory Coupet after just five minutes and Brazilian defender Maicon twice forced the France international into impressive saves as the principality club asserted control.

Essien dismissal
They found it hard to keep up the same level of pressure after the restart, but that soon changed when Lyon's Ghanaian midfield player Mickaël Essien was dismissed for elbowing Mohamed Kallon in the 65th minute. It was the first red card the visitors had received all season and despite dogged defending they eventually cracked, with Monaco's Julien Rodriguez turning in a Maicon corner with six minutes left.

Champions' resolve
But the champions displayed incredible resolve, and substitute Clément headed in Juninho Pernambucano's free-kick in the game's dying seconds to avoid only their second reverse of the campaign. The result leaves Monaco nine points behind the leaders in third place, although they still have a game in hand. Second-placed LOSC Lille Métropole travel to FC Metz tomorrow.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h46
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O carrasco da seleção brasileira na Copa do Mundo de 1990, na Itália, vai se aposentar. O atacante Claudio Caniggia, de 38 anos, anunciou neste sábado que está pendurando as chuteiras. Ele foi o autor do gol da vitória da Argentina sobre o Brasil nas oitavas-de-final do Mundial de 90.

"A verdade é que depois de sete meses de inatividade, apesar de treinar todos os dias e estar bem fisicamente, decidi parar de jogar. Tive algumas ofertas, mas nenhuma delas me convenceu. Agora tenho que ver onde vou morar", disse Caniggia à Radio del Plata, da Argentina.

O jogador, que fez fama no River Plate e no Boca Juniors, e que atuou por equipes de Itália, Escócia e Portugal, passou os últimos meses tentando ganhar dinheiro no Qatar. E não gostou da experiência.

"Minha última experiência no Qatara foi um aborrecimento. Não me agregou nada profissionalmente, apenas na parte financeira. Mas estive só, sem minha família. Agora estou na Escócia, mas na verdade eu ando bastante por toda a Europa. Vivo em Glasgow porque os meus filhos estão na escola, mas aqui eu morro de frio", disse Caniggia.

O jogador estreou profissionalmente em 1985, no River Plate. Depois, se transferiu para a Itália, onde jogou no Verona, Atalanta e Roma. De volta à Argentina, Caniggia defendeu o Boca Juniors. Já no ocaso da carreira, foi para o Benfica, de Portugal, o Dundee e o Rangers, da Escócia, e finalmente o Qatar Club.

Na seleção argentina, ele disputou 50 partidas e marcou 16 gols, tendo como principais títulos o vice-campeonato mundial em 90 e a Copa América de 91.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h41
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Numa disputa caseira dos 400 m medley, melhor para Thiago Pereira. O melhor brasileiro das Olimpíadas de Atenas superou o compatriota e amigo Lucas Salata e ficou com a medalha de ouro na prova da Copa do Mundo de natação, que está sendo disputada na piscina do Minas Tênis Clube, em Belo Horizonte, neste sábado.

Thiago Pereira fica com o ouro nos 400 m medley da Copa do Mundo de BH

A quarta medalha de ouro de Pereira em Copas do Mundo marcou o nadador do Minas Tênis Clube. "Essa medalha tem um sabor especial porque ganhei aqui em casa", disse o brasileiro.

"Não dava para ouvir muita coisa, eu conseguia ouvir a torcida gritando mais no nado peito, mas mesmo assim eles passaram uma energia legal", completou.

Os dois rivalizaram durante toda a prova, mas Pereira liderou tranqüilo a segunda metade da prova e fechou com o tempo de 4min15s69.

Salata acabou cansando no final e foi superado pelo romeno Rasman Florea, que terminou na segunda colocação. Salata teve que se contentar com o bronze.

"Meu tempo foi pior que em Nova York, mas o importante é que consegui superar os meus adversários e ficar com a medalha de ouro", explicou Pereira ao final da prova. "Estava muito cansado no final da prova, mas não poupei nada, dei tudo o que eu tinha", completou.

A chuva que cai sobre a cidade de Belo Horizonte atrapalhou nem foi notada pelo brasileiro. "Nadar na chuva não tem muito problema, o que atrapalha é o frio enquanto a gente está esperando antes da largada", explicou.

Já Salatta ficou insatisfeito com o resultado na prova. "Não estou muito feliz porque piorei demais o meu tempo, tive uma amidalite e tomei antibióticos, acho que isso afetou um pouco, mas é muito legal ganhar medalha no Brasil".

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h34
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Uncertain future

Bruschi released from hospital after mild stroke

BOSTON (AP) -- The stroke suffered by the New England Patriots' Tedy Bruschi didn't keep him hospitalized for long. The question now is if it will keep him off the playing field.

One of the team's most popular players, the 31-year-old Bruschi was released Friday from Massachusetts General Hospital after spending two days there recovering from a mild stroke that caused numbness, blurred vision and severe headaches.

He waved and smiled but didn't comment to reporters as he stepped into a waiting sports utility vehicle and drove off. Patriots spokesman Stacey James did not respond to questions about whether Bruschi would be able to play pro football again.

Experts say his return will depend on the stroke's cause and severity. A mild stroke isn't necessarily a career-ending event for a professional athlete, but the risk is higher for someone who takes the punishment of an NFL linebacker.

Doctors pointed to Bruschi's quick release from the hospital, along with reports that he was walking and talking normally a day after the stroke, as hopeful signs that he may be able continue his career. Still, his prognosis remains uncertain because all strokes cause some level of brain damage and can raise fears of a recurrence.

"There really is no good stroke," said Dr. Larry Brass, a professor of neurology, epidemiology and public health at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Brian Mullen of the NHL's New York Islanders, who had an unsuccessful comeback attempt two years after suffering a mild stroke in 1993, said the first big hit was on his mind from the moment he stepped on the ice.

"I think the biggest thing you've got to overcome is your own mind," Mullen said. "It definitely gets in your head. You ask yourself, 'Am I doing the right thing for my family?"'

Bruschi, a nine-year veteran, has been a key member of the defense that helped New England win three of the last four Super Bowls. On Sunday, Bruschi played in his first Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

His wife, Heidi, called 911 on Wednesday, saying he was experiencing "blurred vision, numbness on the right side of his body."

An estimated 700,000 people per year in the United States suffer strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. The vast majority result from clots that block the brain's arteries. Another type involves bleeding in or around the brain, sometimes due to ruptured blood vessels.

The hospital and the Patriots have not said what kind of stroke Bruschi suffered.Experts said it could be weeks before doctors pinpoint the stroke's cause, and Bruschi's professional future won't be any clearer until they do.

"Even if the affects of the stroke are mild, and we hope they are, the crucial thing is determining the cause," said Dr. Robert Adams, a spokesman for the American Stroke Association.

The damage from a stroke depends on several factors, including how long before it was treated, what part of the brain the stroke occurs in and the intensity of the rehabilitation.

Brass said Bruschi's apparently quick recovery could be a sign of a specific type of stroke in which the symptoms last less than 24 hours and leave no lasting damage. A traumatic injury to a part of the body can also damage blood vessels and lead to clotting, but that wouldn't be a big risk once the blood vessel healed.

Tests could also reveal a predisposition to blood vessel tears or other factors which would make a return to the field risky, Brass said.

Strokes among people as young as Bruschi are relatively rare, with about 30,000 to 40,000 occurring annually in people ages 18 to 50. A cause is difficult to pinpoint in many of those cases because the possibilities aren't as obvious as they are in older people, who often have cholesterol problems.

"It's like your car breaking down after 5,000 miles," Brass said. "Something's wrong."

Mullen underwent surgery to correct the heart problem that caused his stroke. He said when he first came back, his teammates shied away from hitting him until he insisted they take their whacks. Eventually, he said, he stopped fearing that his body couldn't take the punishment.

He looks back at his difficult decision to retire and wonders if he should have kept trying, he said. But he added that the stroke changed everything.

"As an athlete, up to that point, you feel invincible," Mullen said. "Something like that happens, and it shakes up your whole life."

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h33
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Ningún técnico acudió a la reunión del Barça con el agente y hermano de Ronaldinho

El FC Barcelona le propuso a Roberto de Assís, hermano y agente de Ronaldinho, un contrato indefinido que permitiera al jugador brasileño acabar su carrera en el Barça. Esa propuesta se realizó en una reunión a la que asistieron el presidente Joan Laporta, el vicepresidente Ferran Soriano y el directivo Alejandro Echeverría y que se celebró en casa del presidente, en Sant Cugat. Junto a Roberto de Assís acudió también su hermana Daisy.

No fue la primera vez que se hablaba de este tema, ni será la última. La intención del Barcelona es asegurar a sus cracks una carrera blaugrana hasta que cuelguen las botas. El contrato vendría a ser de alrededor de diez años. A la reunión no se convocó ni a Sandro Rosell, vicepresidente deportivo, ni a Txiki Begiristain, director técnico ni a Frank Rijkaard, entrenador del primer equipo.

La ausencia de Rosell se produce poco después de que el vicepresidente y el presidente se entrevistaran en privado más de seis horas en un restaurante barcelonés para sellar una paz–tregua hasta el próximo mes de junio. Tras la entrevista de ambos, se manifestó que Rosell ejercería sus funciones de vicepresidente deportivo, pero en la reunión con el agente de Ronaldinho para hablar sobre el futuro del crack y ante una propuesta tan importante, no se contó con Sandro Rosell.

Después de la tregua, ésta es la ocasión más notoria en que no se cuenta con Rosell para un tema del ámbito estrictamente deportivo. Hay que tener en cuenta, además, que existe un innegable vínculo entre Sandro Rosell, Ronaldinho y su hermano, al ser el vicepresidente azulgrana el principal autor del fichaje del brasileño por el Barcelona. Rosell, de momento, mantiene su promesa de no hacer declaraciones.

A la reunión tampoco asistió el secretario técnico del FC Barcelona, Txiki Begiristain, ni el entrenador, Frank Rijkaard. Ningún técnico se sentó en la mesa de esa negociación que aspira a blindar a Ronaldinho por los próximos diez años, con la intención de que el brasileño concluya su carrera deportiva en el FC Barcelona

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h28
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20h/PPV - El Barça buscará ante el Mallorca un triunfo que mantenga o amplíe su ventaja sobre el Madrid

Los azulgrana y los blancos abrirán una jornada que debe ser un ejemplo contra la xenofobiaEl Barça se enfrenta hoy al Mallorca de Héctor Cúper con la obligación de no aflojar en su brillante carrera hacia el título de Liga. La intención del equipo azulgrana es mantener o ampliar la renta de cuatro puntos que le separa de un Madrid que juega a la misma hora en el Bernabéu ante todo un 'hueso', el Athletic club. Todo ello en una jornada que debe significar un ejemplo de lucha contra los brotes de racismo que están menudeando en las gradas de los estadios de la Liga.

Los jugadores del Barça, con Samuel Eto'o a la cabeza, han dado durante toda la semana una lección en el combate contra esta lacra que remataron ayer siete de ellos posando para MD con una tarjeta roja que contenía un mensaje claro y directo: “No al racismo”. Seguro que la afición azulgrana consigue que Arango, el mediapunta venezolano del Mallorca, se sienta hoy uno más en el campo pese a que el color de su piel es más oscuro que el del resto de sus compañeros.

Rijkaard también ha alzado su voz contra el racismo, pero ayer se mostró en contra de que los jugadores tomen iniciativas a título individual. El holandés cree que “un futbolistas no debe soportar el peso de todo el mundo sobre sus espaldas”, sino que “deben ser la UEFA y la FIFA los que asuman la responsabilidad”.

Un triunfo psicológico

El Barça-Mallorca se disputará en vísperas del inicio de los octavos de final de la Champions. Y qué mejor sensación para los hombres de Rijkaard que un triunfo contundente para afrontar con plenas garantías la ida del cruce ante el rocoso Chelsea de Jose Mourinho. Seguro que las críticas de Johan Cruyff servirán para que la plantilla azulgrana lo busque con más ahínco. Y si a eso se le une que que el 'pichichi' Eto'o jugará de nuevo ante su ex equipo –no celebrará los goles– y que por primera vez en lo que va de temporada el Barça y su eterno rival, el Madrid, jugarán a la misma hora, lo más normal es que la jornada depare emociones fuertes.

En la lista de convocados que dio ayer Frank Rijkaard no estaba el lesionado Oleguer, con lo que el técnico holandés se verá obligado a retocar su once de gala. Ayer, en la sesión de entrenamiento que realizó el equipo a puerta cerrada, Rijkaard probó a Márquez de central junto a Puyol y a Albertini en la posición de pivote que había dejado vacía el mexicano al retrasarse. Así, el italiano podría debutar como titular.

El sustituto en la convocatoria de Oleguer es Leo Messi, quien regresó el pasado lunes a la disciplina azulgrana una vez cumplida su participación con Argentina en el Campeonato Suramericano Sub-20. Rijkaard justificó su presencia en la lista y la ausencia del defensa Damià aduciendo que “ante el Mallorca habrá que marcar la diferencia en la fase ofensiva y Messi nos puede ayudar en eso”.

Mientras, el conjunto balear (18º) llegó ayer con las ausencias del delantero Romeo, lesionado, y del ex azulgrana Nadal, por decisión de Cúper, quien modificará hoy su esquema habitual y jugará con dos pivotes y un solo punta. El Mallorca lleva tres partidos sin perder pero no es un visitante peligroso: sólo ha ganado dos de sus doce partidos a domicilio

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h26
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Rijkaard no polemizó con Johan LAS FRASES DE RIJKAARD Tenemos que aceptar las críticas porque estamos en un club que atrae mucha atención“ No creo en contratos de 10 o 12 años. Creo más en los de 3 o 4“ El Mallorca está muy cómodo con el 0-0. Necesitamos marcar cuanto antes“

Rijkaard acepta las críticas de Cruyff, considera vital marcar hoy pronto y ve mal atar a Ronaldinho de por vida

Frank Rijkaard analizó ayer los puntos más calientes de la actualidad azulgrana. El técnico holandés aseguró que acepta las críticas de un Cruyff para el que “ha sonado la alarma” e instó al equipo a hacer lo mismo, dejó claro que no ve bien que a Ronaldinho se le haga un contrato de por vida y explicó que la clave para vencer al Mallorca es marcar cuanto antes.

Rijkaard sospecha que “no es Cruyff el que mantiene vivo” el debate desatado por sus críticas, “sino las reacciones de los jugadores a las preguntas que les hacen”. El técnico azulgrana lanzó un mensaje conciliador a sus futbolistas: “Los jugadores han dado su opinión y están en su derecho, pero los protagonistas del fútbol tenemos que aceptar las opiniones, las críticas y los artículos porque estamos en un club que atrae mucha atención y estas cosas no nos tienen que sorprender”. Eso sí, el entrenador culé espera que la reacción de su plantilla sea la de “demostrar que somos un equipo que sigue unido y que siempre trabaja bien para obtener resultados”.

A Rijkaard se le preguntó directamente si compartía las críticas de Cruyff, quien aseguró en 'La Vanguardia' que el equipo puede tirar la Liga porque ya ni hace la presión de principios de temporada ni tiene las líneas tan juntas como entonces. Su respuesta fue diplomática: “Estamos trabajando en el vestuario y lo que quiero comentar con mis jugadores se lo comento pero sin decírselo a todo el mundo”.

El entrenador intentó matar el 'tema Cruyff' asegurando que “yo conozco personalmente a Johan y puedo interpretar lo que quería decir, pero ahora lo importante es seguir trabajando”. El tema no 'murió' porque, evidentemente, se le preguntó cuál era su interpretación. Después de unas risas nerviosas, y tras aclarar que “es sólo lo que yo pienso”, soltó una de las perlas de la rueda de prensa: “Para Johan ha sonado la alarma”.

También habló Rijkaard sobre la posibilidad de que el club le haga a Ronaldinho un contrato vitalicio. Y se 'mojó': “Dejando muy claro que espero que Ronnie esté aquí el mayor número de años posible, diré que yo no creo en los contratos de 10 o 12 años. Creo más en los de 3 o 4 años”. El técnico parecía no conocer los detalles de la reunión en que se trató del nuevo contrato del crack –ver página siguiente– porque dijo que “esto es más un tema que circula que otra cosa, porque creo que no es oficial ya que no he oído que estén negociando verdaderamente”. Habrá que ver cuál es su reacción cuando le informen.

Rijkaard también habló del Mallorca: “Es un equipo muy bueno en la fase defensiva que está muy cómodo con el 0-0. Es un grupo que juega tranquilo. Es el típico partido que sobre el papel hay que ganar pero en el que habrá que trabajar muchísimo. Para superarlos necesitamos marcar cuanto antes y que salga la calidad de alguno de nuestros jugadores”. Por último, avanzó que responderá a las críticas que le dedicó Mourinho“después del Mallorca”

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h24
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Recogió ayer el Balón de Oro africano y hoy lo ofrecerá a una afición que también podrá homenajear a ReizigerA las 11.30 horas de ayer, poco antes del último entrenamiento previo al Barça-Mallorca, un Eto'o nervioso e ilusionado recibía el trofeo al mejor jugador africano del año. El camerunés sonrió abiertamente, se miró el galardón de arriba a abajo y prometió que esta noche lo compartirá con el público barcelonista en el Camp Nou antes del partido.

El delantero azulgrana ya tiene en sus manos el trofeo que anualmente entrega la Confederación Africana de Fútbol, un galardón que conquista por segundo año. Su abogado, José María Mesalles, ha sido el encargado de recogerlo en Durban y traerlo a Barcelona.

El calendario ha deparado que este sábado el Barça reciba precisamente al ex equipo de Eto'o, el Mallorca. El jugador dedicará su trofeo el día en que se encuentre su presente con su pasado: el líder ante el conjunto donde forjó su leyenda de jugador efectivo, vivo y espectacular.

Otro gran barcelonista, Michael Reiziger, acudirá esta noche al Camp Nou para recibir el homenaje del que durante siete temporadas fue su club y el reconocimiento de una afición que no le olvida. Reiziger disputó 173 partidos de Liga con el Barça, desde la campaña 1997-98 hasta la 2003-04. El holandés recibirá una placa, pero está aún por confirmar si bajará al césped del estadio para recibir la ovación del público

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h22
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"Ahora me siento una estrella"

Ginóbili, quien mañana participará del glamoroso Juego de las Estrellas, le confesó a Olé que, por fin, cree que accedió a una elite. "Recién me di cuenta de qué jugadores están al lado mío".

DENVER (ENVIADO ESPECIAL). Yao Ming, un gigante que mide 2.27 metros y sentado casi llega al 1.60 de un chino normal, responde con seriedad oriental las preguntas de los 15 enviados de su país. Imposible rescatar una frase. Con ayuda de un traductor, los periodistas locales también se arriman al pivote de los Rockets, el favorito de la gente en la votación de las estrellas y máximo símbolo de la globalización del básquet. Es la mesa más concurrida del Continental Ballroom en el Westin Tabor Center, el hotel donde todos los jugadores se instalaron a la mañana y al mediodía abrieron con una conferencia grupal la agenda oficial del fin de semana. Nadie zafa.

En la otra punta del salón se encuentra Emanuel Ginóbili, orgullo argentino en el All Star Game y elegido como suplente del Oeste, tras la votación de los técnicos de la conferencia. Kobe Bryant se sienta a su izquierda, a sólo dos metros y rodeado de una multitud. A la derecha asoma Tracy McGrady, con perfil más bajo y menos prensa alrededor. "Recién hace diez minutos, cuando fuimos a una reunión por temas de seguridad, me di cuenta de los jugadores que estaban al lado mío. Esto es un regalo. No me lo esperaba", reconoce Manu en la mesa. Le preguntan varias en español, siguen con un par en italiano, arremeten los estadounidenses y lo filman unos serbios. Después de esos 45 minutos internacionales, fuera del salón, se saca el casete ante los dos únicos enviados argentinos.

—¿Qué fue lo que más te preguntaron en el salón?
—Cómo me siento por participar en el All Star Game... Ya las preguntas que empiezan así son dificilísimas. Al final puse el casete. Los entiendo por el hecho de donde vengo.

—¿Cómo se define todo esto?
—La llamaría una fiesta. Circo no es lo ideal... Un espectáculo bien montado. Organización perfecta. Algo único. Los jugadores entendemos el negocio.

—¿Cuáles son tus recuerdos de chico del All Star Game?
—Me desesperaba cuando llegaba un video con las volcadas. Un fanatismo total. Los triples de Larry Bird y las volcadas de Michael Jordan contra Dominique Wilkins me contagiaron.

—Vos siempre declaraste con perfil bajo. ¿Estar al lado de estos monstruos te hace sentir una estrella?
—Sí, aunque cuesta, se llama All Star Game... Ahora me siento una estrella. Ya en la última temporada notaba mayor respeto. Con esto paso a ser parte de una elite. No es lo mismo ser un gran jugador que una estrella. Estar cerca no es lo mismo que no estar. Cambia tu currículum para siempre. Este fin de semana queda grabado para siempre.

—¿Por qué te eligieron los técnicos?
—Porque juego bien en el mejor equipo. Ayudo a hacerlo el mejor. Creo que Tony (Parker) también contribuye mucho y lidera junto con Tim (Duncan), pero no nos iban a elegir a los dos, aunque por ahí suene injusto. Creo que también se valora que no sea un jugador tradicional.

—¿Adónde va la camiseta?
—Al museo. Como las otras significativas que tuve: la última de los Juegos Olímpicos, la manchada con champagne del título con San Antonio, la de la Euroliga, la del ascenso con Reggio Calabria... Todas son importantes.

—En el partido del 2004, entre los novatos y los de segundo año, no te sentiste cómodo. ¿Cómo lo ves ahora?
—Va a ser diferente. Al menos así se dio en los últimos años. El partido del domingo (mañana) tiene un valor más significativo.

—¿Alguna jugada en mente?
—No. Vengo a jugar. No vengo pensando en hacer una jugada. Tal vez haga menos lujos que en un partido común. En lugar de responsabilidad, creo que se disfruta muchísimo y se absorbe más lo de afuera. A veces estás en una nube... En estos partidos se vive el espectáculo.

—Popovich no te va a retar.
—No me va a cagar a pedos. Igual quiero ganar hasta a la bolita. Pero el ambiente es más tranquilo.

—¿Qué te va a faltar después de esto?
—Nada. Pero quiero más. No tengo dudas. Ganar se siente tan bien. Es algo hermoso sentirse parte de la mejor Selección del mundo, por ejemplo. Esto no era un objetivo. Vino de regalo.

Casi de regalo le queda a Allen Iverson la mochila de Manu, que se avivó en la mitad de la nota y mandó a una persona en su búsqueda. El hombre de los 23 tatuajes, con un gorrito de lana arriba del pañuelo y un colgante con forma de encendedor, la tuvo en sus pies un buen rato. Pero no dijo nada cuando la sacaron de ese lugar y se la mandaron al bahiense. Entre estrellas se respetan.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h21
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Luxemburgo podría revolucionar el once ante el Athletic

Ronaldo entró en la convocatoria ante el Athletic, pero en los planes de Luxemburgo está que no juegue de titular. Es más, podría hasta quedarse fuera del banquillo y verlo en la grada. Ayer, viernes, se concentraron veinte jugadores y, por lo tanto, tiene que haber dos descartes. No es descabellado que uno de ellos sea el brasileño.

Luxemburgo, que ha pasado por su peor semana de trabajo, maneja dos partidos. Quiere un once competitivo hoy y, a la vez, está mirando de reojo el encuentro del martes contra la Juventus. El caso de Ronaldo es el más claro. Ayer terminó el entrenamiento, pero lo hizo con molestias. Luxemburgo considera que esta semana no ha trabajado a tope y lo mejor sería reservarle para la Juve. Su sustituto es el inglés, Michael Owen.

La sorpresa en el once puede ser la presencia de Portillo en el lugar de Raúl. El capitán no se entrenó ayer por la muerte de una sobrina. Tampoco lo hizo el martes al estar en el partido pro víctimas del Tsunami en Barcelona. Y el miércoles trabajó a menor ritmo. Raúl tampoco ha tenido una semana productiva en cuanto a entrenamientos y en la cabeza de Luxemburgo está que se ponga a punto para el choque contra la Juventus. Portillo, que sí ha trabajado todos los días, puede jugar.

Podría haber más cambios y la duda está en si Zidane también se quedará en el banquillo. Aunque esta posibilidad la ha contemplado el técnico durante la semana, ayer rectificó y el francés no parece que desaparezca del once. El otro cambio, por obligación, es el de Raúl Bravo por Roberto Carlos. Éste último está sancionado.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h14
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Figo: "Lo mejor sería que no multasen a Ronaldo"

Luis Figo cree que "lo mejor sería que no multasen" a Ronaldo, que esta semana llegó tarde a dos entrenamientos. El futbolista portugués entiende las quejas del técnico del Real Madrid, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, que criticó a sus futbolistas por la mala preparación semanal antes del partido del Athletic, pero restó importancia a los retrasos de Ronaldo.

"Desde el punto de vista del entrenador ha sido una semana distinta por las circunstancias que nos han rodeado, pero sabemos que lo importante es el partido del sábado y no creo que nos afecte porque estamos centrados en el compromiso", dijo. "Lo mejor sería que no multasen a Ronaldo, aunque son cosas entre él y el club. Me gustaría que no pasara nada, sería lo mejor, pero depende del club", agregó.

Figo excusó a Ronaldo por llegar tarde el martes por un retraso en el vuelo procedente de París y el miércoles, con una artritis en el dedo gordo del pie izquierdo. "Nadie quiere llegar tarde y le puede suceder a cualquiera. Ronie no ha querido llegar tarde a ningún entrenamiento, fueron circunstancias que le hicieron retrasarse pero no hay que preocuparse con eso. Es un profesional que nunca ha faltado a entrenamientos y su voluntad no era llegar tarde", concluyó.

"Espero que Cruyff tenga razón"
Por otra parte, Luis Figo secundó la opinión de Johan Cruyff que afirmó que el Barcelona terminará tirando la Liga si prolonga su actual estado de juego, y afirmó que "Cruyff sabe mucho" y que espera "que lleve razón".

"Cruyff sabe mucho, espero que tenga razón pero el futuro dirá si el Barcelona tira la Liga o no", manifestó el centrocampista madridista.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h13
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Capello: "Ficharía ahora mismo a Raúl para la Juve"

Capello y el Madrid vuelven a cruzarse en el camino. Parece que está escrito en el destino. Si contra la Roma se enfrentaron dos veces, ahora toca contra la Juve. “No tiene nada que ver. Ahora es eliminatoria y todo será diferente”. Lo cierto es que el técnico no puede evitar una sonrisa y una mirada de añoranza cuando se le habla de Madrid y del club blanco. “Me acuerdo mucho. Viví muy bien y tengo grandes amigos… ¡cómo me equivoqué!”.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h11
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SEXTA-FEIRA - 18/02 18:00 Futebol no Mundo Raio-X do Futebol Internacional 20:00 Liga Sul-Americana de Clubes de Basquete Ajax X San Jose - Ao Vivo 23:00 Sportscenter Última Edição - Ao Vivo 23:45 Campeonato Italiano de Vôlei Sisley Treviso X Piacenza SÁBADO - 19/02 10:30 Copa da Inglaterra Arsenal X Sheffield - Ao Vivo 12:30 Campeonato Alemão de Futebol Bayern de Munique X Borussia Dortmund - Ao Vivo 14:30 Tênis Internacional Torneio de Roterdã - Semifinal #1 15:30 Copa da Inglaterra Everton X Manchester United - 1º tempo Ao Vivo 17:30 Campeonato Italiano de Futebol Udinese X Inter de Milão - Ao Vivo 19:30 Liga Sul-Americana de Clubes de Basquete B Ajax X Olimpia - Ao Vivo 20:00 Sportscenter - Ao Vivo 20:45 Campeonato Paulista - Série A-2 Araçatuba X Rio Preto - 1º tempo Ao Vivo 23:45 Campeonato Espanhol de Futebol Barcelona X Mallorca 00:30 Liga Sul-Americana de Clubes de Basquete Ajax X Olimpia 02:15 Tênis Internacional Torneio de Roterdã - Semifinal #2 DOMINGO - 20/02 08:45 Campeonato Italiano de Vôlei (R) Sisley Treviso X Piacenza 11:00 Campeonato Italiano de Futebol Siena X Fiorentina - Ao Vivo 13:00 Copa da Inglaterra B Newcastle United X Chelsea - Ao Vivo 15:00 Liga Sul-Americana de Clubes de Basquete Ajax X Gimnasia - Ao Vivo 17:00 Campeonato Espanhol de Futebol Villarreal X At. de Madrid - Ao Vivo 19:00 Copa do Mundo de Hipismo Etapa de Amsterdã 20:00 Sportscenter - Ao Vivo 21:30 Super Ação 22:30 Tênis Internacional Torneio de Roterdã - Final SEXTA-FEIRA - 18/02 23:00 NBA: Denver Nuggets X Cleveland Cavaliers 02:30 Boxe: Laila Ali X Cassandra Geigger (madrugada de sexta para sábado) SÁBADO - 19/02 16:55 Campeonato Espanhol de Futebol Real Madrid X Athletic Bilbao - Ao Vivo 19:00 Campeonato Italiano de Futebol Milan X Cagliari 21:00 Sportscenter Primeiro Plano: Ronaldinho 22:00 Pôquer Torneio dos Campeões DOMINGO - 20/02 12:55 Campeonato Italiano de Futebol Roma X Livorno - Ao Vivo 15:00 Campeonato Holandês de Futebol Ajax X Fc Den Bosch 16:55 Campeonato Espanhol de Futebol Racing Santander X Valencia - Ao Vivo

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h07
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Not 'Melo. Not Kolbe.Not even (gulp!) MJ. No one has ever been better at age 20 than Lebron James , and the NBA All Star Wekend will serve  as the king coronation .

DENVER -- It was once known as an age-old debate in this league. It is now just an old age question.

Remember when we used to ask: Who was better at 21 ... at 23 ... at 25?

Kobe Bryant?

	Besides his eye-popping athleticism, what sets LeBron apart is his court awareness and savvy.

Or Michael Jordan?

Remember that one?

It's actually an easily forgotten question in these LeBron James days. LeBron has succeeded Kobe as the bearer of the Next Jordan burden, and perhaps the greatest tribute to the kid is that you never hear that question any more.

Whenever someone presents King James as the new heir to His Airness, no one dares to suggest that Jordan — who turned 42 on Thursday, incidentally — could compare to James when he was 20.

"LeBron, at 20 ... he's awesome," says Magic Johnson, probably the last 20-year-old to leave us this awestruck.

"When you think about his age and what he has done," adds NBA super fan Spike Lee, "he's a man-child."

Scottie Pippen's conclusive assessment: "No one can say that Michael was better than LeBron at LeBron's age right now."

It doesn't matter to even the biggest names in the game that LeBron James has yet to play a single minute of playoff basketball. Or that he's still so guarded in his interviews that he truly prefers to let us know almost nothing about him.

Almost everyone has seen enough already to know that we've never seen a 20-year-old like this one.

"I think he's doing fine," Jordan deadpanned last week. "I think the thing about LeBron ... he does what's best for LeBron and not what people expect him to do in relationship to what Michael Jordan did."

What he's doing is coming to Denver for All-Star Weekend as a Shaq-sized star attraction in what was supposed to be his buddy Carmelo Anthony's weekend. Shaquille O'Neal aside, no one bigger will be playing Sunday at the Pepsi Center.

It was just a year ago that 'Melo wasn't far behind 'Bron in the darling standings. James would wind up winning Rookie of the Year honors, but Anthony's Nuggets made it to the postseason, convincing many observers that (a) he should be the ROY and (b) Anthony would be the true host of the NBA's midseason showcase.

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h42
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	“	He gets 25 points, seven-plus rebounds and seven assists in the flow of the game. He doesn't force anything ... and that's pretty incredible to be able to do that at 20 years old and still have room for improvement in his game. ”
		— Cavs GM Jim Paxson

Turns out 'Melo didn't come close to earning a reserve spot on the West squad. 'Bron, meanwhile, is combining his size and athleticism with a court savvy beyond his years to a devastating effect. It's starting to look like he has a legit shot someday to live out his personal dream to average a triple-double for a whole season.

So big and sculpted, at 6-foot-8 and 240, James has TNT's Charles Barkley regularly joking that he must be from the Dominican Republic. Which is Barkley's politically incorrect way of suggesting that there's no way LeBron can be only 20.

Yet that's not what wows Jordan.

"The best thing about it is that he's a mature kid," MJ says.

And it's really that maturity, as much as the flashes of Magic and Michael, that makes LeBron such a strong bet to overcome all the Next Jordan negatives. You can be fairly certain hype or pressure won't be his problem, given how James has been dealing with MJ-like scrutiny since he was, oh, about 14.

"He loves being on stage," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas says. "I've never seen anybody as readily acceptable to that kind of thing as he is."

Says Orlando's Grant Hill, who knows as well as anyone what it's like to shoulder Next Jordan pressures: "He just has unbelievable composure for a guy so young, whether he's getting trapped or double-teamed in the post or dealing with the media and all that comes with it off the court."

No less impressive has been James' response to the few strains of adversity he has encountered in his hoops life.

He was chastised often throughout his rookie season about his shaky jumper. The response was spending day after day in a locked-doors gym getting ready for the Olympics with former Cavaliers assistant coach Bob Donewald. The agenda was simple: Just fix it.

"He's obviously got all-world talent, and he knows he's talented, but the level at which he works at [his game] is a class above," Donewald says. "Every shot he takes [in practice], every cut he makes, it's like a championship game to him.

"People talk about his shot being better, but it's just as much that his footwork is better. He didn't have to worry about his feet in high school because he was so good. But he knew he had to clean up his footwork, so that's all he wanted to do last summer."

Well, that's not all. He wanted to win a gold medal playing for Larry Brown, a coach James talked about even before he was drafted. Instead James came away with a bronze and limited minutes off the bench ... and came back to Cleveland knowing that his pal Carlos Boozer was now a member of the Utah Jazz.

Of course, the next time James whines out loud about any of that (or anything else) will be the first.

We know, we know. It all sounds like a too-good-to-be-true package.

	Before LeBron, only Magic showed the same all-around prowess at age 20.

But so far it is. That label fits as James readies for his first All-Star start, having finished ahead of Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd and every other East guard in worldwide fan balloting.

It would seem, at this point, that only two variables can stop the slobbering from peers, pundits and the public.

Injury is one.

The other is a lack of playoff success.

Jordan didn't win a title until his seventh season, and Bryant hasn't won one without Shaq as a sidekick, but there's also no forgetting that LeBron's next playoff game will be his first. Public opinion can change quickly if, say, Cleveland is a first-round loser this spring. So there's still plenty to prove, given that all the compliments and endorsements in King James' universe don't guarantee Jordanesque moments on the big stage.

Not that you'll find anyone to bet against James' winning the multiple rings he'll need to be classified as an all-time great. Not after a season and a half of somehow exceeding expectations that seemed impossible to meet when LeBron started wearing No. 23 for the Cavs.

"His passing ability is like a Magic Johnson, and his athletic ability is like a Jordan," says Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson. "He gets 25 points, seven-plus rebounds and seven assists in the flow of the game. He doesn't force anything ... and that's pretty incredible to be able to do that at 20 years old and still have room for improvement in his game."

Yet Paxson adds: "Michael could be the greatest of all time, and LeBron has a chance to challenge that. But it will be dependant on how many championships LeBron wins, I think, to really determine his greatness as a player."

Says Magic: "I see a little bit of Michael in him, and I see a little bit of me in him. Now he needs to win championships like Michael and I did, and I'm sure one day that will happen."

In Cleveland?

The city that shudders if someone merely whispers the initials M and J together?

"I think the most important thing was Mike's tenacity," Silas says. "He wanted to win — he wanted to destroy his opponent — and LeBron is developing that. And once that comes, there's no stopping him."

Says Jordan: "The comparisons, I don't think they're coming from LeBron. I think he welcomes that, as I did when I was compared with Doctor J, but I think he's just trying to be LeBron."

Sounds like it.

"I'm in control of my destiny," James says. "When I'll be done playing, I don't want people to say, 'Well, he ended up the same way as this person or that player.' I want people to say, 'LeBron James did it his way, and now he's a legend.'"

"In time," Orlando's Hill believes, "...I think people will be saying 'The Next LeBron.'".

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h38
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Frank Rijkaard no aprueba los contratos de larga duración

Frank Rijkaard explicó hoy que no le consta que la directiva se plantee negociar con el brasileño Ronaldinho de Assis para acordar un contrato "de por vida", aunque avanzó que no es partidario de firmar un contrato de este tipo

Rijkaard comentó que "no hay nada oficial" y que le gustaría que Ronaldinho jugase "muchos años" en el Barça. Sin embargo, también aclaró que no es partidario de contratos "de 10 ó 12 años". "No creo en estas cosas, creo más en contratos de tres o cuatro años y luego ir renovando", expuso el entrenador holandés en la rueda de prensa previa al partido de mañana ante el Mallorca.

Sobre la polémica generada por la opinión de Cruyff en su artículo del lunes en La Vanguardia, reiteró que personalmente no le afecta y que entiende "lo que quiere decir", y también que hayan podido molestar a algunos de sus jugadores. Rijkaard comentó que unos se pueden tomar lo que dijo Cruyff como "una motivación" y otros como una "frustración", pero que en el mundo del fútbol hay que "convivir" con las opiniones de periodistas y personas externas al club ya que "forma parte del trabajo". "Para mí, éste es un asunto que ya no existe", sentenció. Además, aclaró que no quiere opinar sobre las advertencias de Cruyff sobre el juego y que las correciones a sus jugadores se quedan en el vestuario: "Nosotros seguimos trabajando y, si quiero comentar alguna cosa a mis jugadores, se lo digo a ellos".

Cuestionado por si se considera clave en la buena trayectoria del Barça, alabó a sus jugadores. "Lo importante son los jugadores y la energía que transmiten. El tesoro del Barça está en el campo", dijo, aludiendo a los jugadores, aunque también citó a "la gente del vestuario que trabaja para que todo funcione".

Pero, sobre todo, lo que quiso destacar Rijkaard es la importancia de centrarse en el partido ante el Mallorca, un equipo "muy bien organizado en defensa y que juega cómodo con el 0-0 en el marcador". "Es un grupo que tiene espíritu de equipo y ganar a un equipo en buena dinámica siempre requiere todo el esfuerzo", advirtió.

Por otra parte, comentó que al Barcelona no le debe afectar el hecho de jugar esta jornada a la misma hora que el Real Madrid ya que en su opinión, jugar antes, a la vez o después, "no es una ventaja porque igualmente hay que cumplir el trabajo".

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h33
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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- The Court of Arbitration for Sport Thursday upheld a two-year suspension on cyclist David Millar for doping offenses, but changed the date the ban started so that it will end six weeks earlier.

Millar was banned by the British Cycling Federation last summer after telling a French judge he had taken the endurance-boosting drug EPO.

"The CAS panel considered that the two-year suspension imposed by the BCF was proportionate to the circumstances of the case," the Lausanne-based court said in a statement.

The ban went into effect on Aug. 6, 2004, but Millar argued it should have begun on June 24 and should last no more than 12 months.

"The panel noted that, from the date of his arrest, David Millar was unable to compete any more and that, in addition, he promptly and voluntarily announced that he was withdrawing from the British team for the Olympic Games in Athens," CAS said in a statement. "As a consequence, the CAS arbitrators decided that the two-year suspension should be calculated to run from 24 June, 2004, as requested by Millar."

Millar did not contest the International Cycling Union's decision to strip him of the 2003 world time-trial title.

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h30
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LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney will relish the hostile atmosphere which awaits him in the FA Cup fifth round clash on Saturday as the teenage striker returns to Goodison Park for the first time since his 27-million-pound move last year.

Everton have drafted in extra security after Toffees fans warned the 19-year-old he faces an ugly reception, even though their team have prospered since his departure.

But the furore surrounding Rooney's re-appearance on Merseyside has not prompted Ferguson to take the youngster out of the firing line, even though Ruud van Nistelrooy is available for the first time in three months.

"Wayne will handle the pressure," said Ferguson."Like any player going back to his former club, he is going to get a bit of stick."That kind of thing happens all the time these days because it is rare for a player to spend all his career at one club."But over the years, Manchester United's relationship with Everton has been outstanding and hopefully that will be the same after tomorrow."

The anticipation of Rooney's return is heightened by the very real possibility he could be the matchwinner for the Cup holders.Last month, he scored the only goal at Anfield when United defeated Liverpool, while last weekend, his was the only Red Devils' name on the scoresheet in a victorious Manchester derby at Eastlands.

Those efforts are part of his present run of six goals in eight appearances, which also includes a late effort in the third round replay at Exeter as well as his two wonder-strikes in the fourth round win over Middlesbrough three weeks ago.

Everton boss David Moyes believes Rooney has become a better player since his move to United."It's hard to deal with good players coming back here, and Wayne is hard to deal with because he is is a very good player," said Moyes."I know Wayne has been improving all the time. His age will be making him better, he has more experience, more confidence as he continues in his career.

"He was an excellent player when he was here, but I am sure he has improved since he left us, that must be obvious."We will treat United with respect, and all their players with respect, because they are a fabulous team with some really good players, Wayne is one of them, and history shows that these players will win trophies."

Everton are chasing Champions League football, having coped sufficiently well this season despite losing Rooney.

"Wayne has gone now, we wish him all the best," said skipper Alan Stubbs."But we are doing well without him. Hopefully, things won't get too carried away because I would like to think that Everton, the players and fans have moved on and Wayne Rooney has moved on. "But when you look back at the transfer now, it was all for the benefit of Everton. But if he plays, he plays."

Moyes has been hit by the suspensions of James Beattie and Tim Cahill, plus injuries to Duncan Ferguson, James McFadden and Leon Osman.

That means on-loan Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta could start his first game, while full-back Tony Hibbert returns from suspension in a squad which could include youngsters Anthony Gerrard and John Vaughan to make up numbers.

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h26
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18/02/05 17:08
Kleberson não chega a um acerto com o Corinthians

Volante e clube não chegam a um acordo nas bases salariais

LANCEPRESS!

O meio-campo Kleberson não chegou a um acordo com o Corinthians após a reunião com o clube na tarde desta sexta-feira. O MSI não aceitou a proposta salarial inicial de Kleberson, cujo valor não foi revelado. Com o Manchester United (ING), clube no qual joga o volante, as negociações também não foram bem sucedidas.

A diretoria corintiana informou que as conversas entre as partes continuarão e que ainda existe a possibilidade de Kleberson defender o Corinthians. Nesta sexta-feira, o clube do Parque São Jorge anunciou a contratação do meio-campo Hugo, que estava no futebol japonês e defendeu o Juventude no Campeonato Brasileiro de 2003.

Em Buenos Aires, o volante da seleção argentina, Mascherano, afirmou que está motivado em jogar pelo Corinthians e o acordo com o MSI deve acontecer. Neste final de semana, o meia Roger (ex-Fluminense) está perto de acertar seu retorno ao futebol brasileiro para defender o Timão.

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h20
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Real Madrid CF coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is looking forward to his first game in the UEFA Champions League against Juventus FC next week.

'Special glamour'
In an exclusive interview to be broadcast on the Champions League magazine programme across Europe this weekend, the Brazilian said: "I want to win every competition I am in, but I understand that the Champions League has a special glamour. Everybody talks about it all season."

Important success
The former Brazil coach, who has won five domestic titles in his native land, has revitalised Madrid's performances since taking over from Mariano García Remón, taking them on a long winning run after an opening victory in a six-minute fragment of a previously abandoned game against Real Sociedad de Fútbol.

Vital penalty
The teams started the six-minute match with the scores level at 1-1 but Madrid won and converted a penalty almost immediately to give their new coach a winning start. "The key to what has happened to us this year is the six minutes remaining of the Real Sociedad match," he said.

'Positive momentum'
"I insisted it was important to start well, to win and create a positive momentum that way," he said. "I would have been happy with anything except a defeat. It was important to win because it created the feeling that we could beat anybody under any circumstances."

No clues
The truth behind that momentum will be seen as Madrid take on Serie A high fliers Juventus at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday. However, Luxemburgo would not be drawn on his tactics. "I am not going to help [Fabio] Capello to find out how we are going to play," he said. "I prefer not to talk about that."

'I believe in work'
However, what is certain is that Madrid will boast an impressive work ethic. "The positive run in the league is down to a bit of calm in the locker room, maybe a bit of luck," he said, adding: "On second thoughts, I don't believe much in luck - I believe in work. If you work hard, luck comes with it."

Escrito por fraja8 às 16h16
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Confirmado: Hugo se apresenta ao Timão neste sábado

São Paulo (SP) - A parceria Corinthians/MSI fechou a contratação de seu sexto reforço para a temporada 2005. Hugo, meia-atacante de 24 anos, que estava defendendo o Verdy Tokyo, do Japão, assinou contrato de um ano com o time do Parque São Jorge e será apresentado oficialmente neste sábado, após o treino que será realizado no Parque São Jorge.

Responsável pela queda do técnico Geninho do comando do Timão em 2003, após marcar um gol e ser o melhor em campo na goleada de 6 a 1 do Juventude sobre o Alvinegro, em Caxias, Hugo, revelado pelo São Paulo, vem para compor o elenco, já que o nome desejado para o ataque é de seu amigo pessoal, Vágner Love, do CSKA.

O sogro e empresário do jogador Kléberson, Marcos Antônio Silva, esteve reunido com representantes da MSI nesta sexta-feira, mas ainda não houve acordo para que o volante do Manchester United acertasse seu ingresso no Corinthians. Segundo o empresário, o time inglês não aceitou a primeira proposta da MSI, e também não houve acordo salarial entre o jogador e o Timão.

Kléberson tem viagem marcada para retornar à Inglaterra na próxima semana, mas, neste sábado, irá se reunir novamente com os representantes da MSI para tentar acertar seus salários com o Timão. O martelo só não foi batido nesta sexta porque o jogador pediu 40% a mais do que a parceira esperava, mas, segundo fontes, esse empecilho será superado e Kléberson será anunciado como novo jogador alvinegro ainda neste final de semana.

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h57
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Familiar look on bench

Rambis, Shaw added as assistant coaches on Hamblen's staff

Rambis spent three years as Jackson's assistant and Shaw played his final four seasons for Jackson and the Lakers before retiring in 2003. They will start their new jobs with interim coach Frank Hamblen on Monday following the All-Star break.

The hirings were made out of necessity more than anything else. Hamblen inherited a staff of three former Houston Rockets assistants with little knowledge of the triangle offense after taking over for Rudy Tomjanovich on Feb. 2. "We've obviously been moving more toward our overload offense with Frank," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said, "and Frank wanted to add some people who had a little more experience with what we are trying to do."

Since Hamblen spent the five seasons before this one as a Jackson assistant, the coaches he wanted were familiar faces within the organization. Back from a five-game road trip, Hamblen started the difficult task this week of installing the triangle midseason. Should Jackson return to the Lakers for the 2005-06 season, Hamblen, Shaw and Rambis would all likely be members of his staff. Jackson's agent, Brian Musburger, was not available for comment Thursday. "If there is any connection (to Jackson)," Kupchak said, "it is just coincidental."

It will be Shaw's first NBA coaching job, though he is widely regarded as having the makings of a future head coach. Shaw was an assistant on the Lakers' summer league team and has served as a scout the past two seasons.

Kupchak said the addition of Shaw as a long-term member of the Lakers staff "remains to be seen" and that all the coaches will be evaluated this summer. One source said earlier this month that Jackson likely would make a push for Shaw to come work on his staff wherever he ends up next season, be it New York, Los Angeles or elsewhere.

The Lakers also were interested in hiring longtime Jackson assistant Tex Winter, the 82-year-old innovator of the triangle, a source said. But the travel demands in the second half of the season -- playing 19 of 32 games on the road -- nixed that possibility. Another source said Thursday that Jackson remains the frontrunner for the Lakers job. But Jackson won't return this season, his representatives have stated, and Kupchak said Hamblen will serve as interim coach the rest of the way.

Rambis was a vice president in the Lakers' front office this season. He took over for Del Harris as interim coach in 1999 and is a possible candidate for the head coaching job should Jackson fall through. Although he has longstanding ties to the Lakers organization, Rambis is interested in becoming an NBA head coach and could pursue other opportunities this summer.

The Lakers did not mention Thursday the futures of assistants Larry Smith, Mike Wells, Melvin Hunt and Chris Bodaken but at least one of them will have to be reassigned within the organization. Smith, Wells and Hunt all came with Tomjanovich. "It's safe to say some job descriptions are going to change," Kupchak said.

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h53
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Marcos Pereira
Enviado especial do UOL
Na Costa do Sauípe

A volta de Gustavo Kuerten às quadras de tênis já tem data marcada: 4 de abril, quando ocorre o Torneio de Valencia -disputado em quadras de saibro. A revelação foi feita pelo próprio tenista, em entrevista à imprensa na Costa do Sauípe, onde está sendo realizado o Aberto do Brasil.

"Volto às quadras sem expectativa de ranking, sem me cobrar muito", disse o brasileiro, que atuou pela última vez no Aberto dos EUA, em 1º de setembro do ano passado.

Depois do Torneio de Valencia, Guga jogará os três Masters Series realizados em quadras de saibro: Monte Carlo, Roma e Hamburgo -o brasileiro já venceu os três no passado. "Em Valencia e em Monte Carlo, vou procurar avaliar minhas possibilidades. Depois, em Roma e Hamburgo, vou me cobrar mais, porque minha prioridade é chegar bem a Roland Garros", disse Guga, sem falar em conquistar o Grand Slam francês pela quarta vez.

Assim como não mencionou suas chances de título em Roland Garros, Guga preferiu não estipular uma meta de ranking a ser atingida. "Estou há muito tempo afastado, vai ser um tiro no escuro, não dá para saber exatamente como vou estar".

Na entrevista, Guga revelou também que a fase de recuperação física está terminada. Agora, o catarinense vai voltar à quadra, se preocupar com os treinos com a raquete. "Este mês de março vai ser o mais importante porque vou treinar tecnicamente". >makeFooter('');

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h18
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Palmeiras acerta contratação de Candinho

Desta vez não houve reviravolta. A diretoria do Palmeiras agiu rápido e, um dia após receber a negativa de Muricy Ramalho, anunciou o treinador Candinho como novo comandante da equipe alviverde.

Candinho é contratado para ser o substituto do técnico Estevam Soares

O acerto entre o técnico e o clube do Parque Antarctica foi definido em uma reunião na tarde desta sexta-feira. Candinho fechou um acordo para ficar no Verdão até o final deste ano.

Com o treinador, chega o auxiliar Edson Pimenta. Desta maneira, continua no clube alviverde o resto da comissão técnica que acompanhava Estevam Soares.

Sua apresentação oficial está marcada para a manhã deste sábado, quando será realizado o último treino antes do confronto contra o São Paulo, neste domingo. Ainda não está definido se Candinho estará no banco de reservas alviverde já neste clássico.

O acerto com o treinador foi definido um dia após Muricy recusar o convite para o cargo, algo que causou surpresa à diretoria do Verdão, que já dava sua contratação como certa. Após conversa com cartolas do Internacional no início da tarde de quarta-feira, o técnico preferiu ficar em Porto Alegre.

O Palmeiras vem sendo dirigido interinamente por Wilson Coimbra desde a tarde de terça-feira, quando foi anunciada a demissão de Estevam Soares. Ao longo desta semana, foram cogitados ainda os nomes de Geninho (Al-Ahli), Péricles Chamusca (Goiás) e Paulo Campos (ex-Paraná) para comandar a equipe.

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h12
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São Paulo obtém efeito suspensivo para pena de Leão no STJD

da Folha Online

O São Paulo anunciou na tarde desta sexta-feira em seu site oficial que conseguiu no STJD (Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva) um efeito suspensivo para a suspensão de 60 dias imposta ao técnico Emerson Leão pelo TJD da Federação Paulista de Futebol.

Com isso, o treinador poderá comandar o time do banco de reservas no clássico de domingo contra o Palmeiras, pelo Campeonato Paulista.

Na última segunda, Leão foi suspenso por 60 dias por críticas contra a arbitragem. Dois dias depois, o TJD paulista negou pedido de efeito suspensivo feito pelo clube.

Com a decisão do STJD, Leão deverá seguir comandando o time normalmente até que aconteça o julgamento do recurso impetrado pelo São Paulo, no dia 1° de março --o clube pede a absolvição do treinador.

"Estou extremamente feliz com isso [o efeito suspensivo]", disse o advogado do São Paulo, José Carlos Ferreira Alves.

No clássico de domingo, o São Paulo defende a liderança do Campeonato Paulista. O time está com 19 pontos, dois a mais que o Santos. O Palmeiras é oitavo colocado, com dez pontos.

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h11
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Where's my MVP?

Greenwell bitter about losing '88 award to Canseco

In 1988, Mike Greenwell hit .325 with 22 home runs, 119 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- It was in 1988 that Mike Greenwell was runner-up in the American League MVP voting, and now he wants everyone to know why: Jose Canseco, who won the award, cheated.

Canseco's book released this week discussed his steroid use and named other players who he said used the substance that has been banned from baseball. His tainted success, Greenwell said Thursday, deprived other players of recognition and honors.

Greenwell spent his entire career as a Red Sox outfielder from 1985 through 1996 and hit .303. He was a teammate of Canseco for his last two seasons.

"I would have never said a word, but now that Jose's admitted he was using steroids during the time he beat me [for] the MVP, then I have a problem with that because, obviously, I wasn't playing on an even playing field," Greenwell said.

"He reaped a lot of rewards and a lot of benefits for being on an illegal drug and probably took something away from me that I never got to feel. So does it bother me? Absolutely."

He said he doesn't care about having the MVP award given to him but "I just want it acknowledged that as far as I'm concerned, he cheated while he won it."

Greenwell is a volunteer assistant baseball coach at Riverdale High School, just outside Fort Myers. He attended North Fort Myers High School.

On Thursday, reporters surrounded him when he showed up at the Red Sox spring training complex for a television interview.

Greenwell said that "halfway through my career, I considered using steroids." Later, he may have had a chance to get help from Canseco when they were teammates.

"One day he hits a mammoth home run at Fenway Park and I said to him, 'Jose, I'd do anything to have your power. It's unbelievable,"' Greenwell said. "I actually got up and got a drink of Gatorade and sat back down and gave him a minute to think and he said, 'well, why don't you come on down to Miami and I can give you the power.'

"Whether he was serious or not, I don't know, and my comment back to that was, 'I'm too old for that stuff."'

Greenwell said he knew Canseco was talking about steroids even though that word wasn't mentioned.

In 1988, Canseco hit .307 with 42 homers, 124 RBIs and 40 stolen bases for Oakland, which lost the World Series in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Greenwell hit .325 with 22 homers and 119 RBIs.

"Jose is actually a good guy," Greenwell said. "I consider him a friend" but hasn't spoken with him in about two years.

He also said Canseco's book might help address the steroid problem by drawing attention to it.

Two other MVPs also have said they used steroids: Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, who reportedly admitted to using steroids in grand-jury testimony according to sealed documents obtained by the San Francisco Examiner, and Ken Caminiti, who died last Oct. 10.

"There are guys that maybe ended their career too soon because they couldn't compete at the level [of] these guys," Greenwell said.

Maybe guys like himself.

"He's telling on so many people then he should suffer some consequences as well," Greenwell said. Canseco should "know that maybe you did something cheating that you didn't think about, and that's taking an award from me."

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h09
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What about past seasons?

Sheffield has placed in the top 10 in league MVP voting four times previous to 2004. Was he robbed in any of those seasons? Let's see what the statistics say:

This was an MVP-quality season by Sheffield. If he had posted these numbers in the AL, where a lackluster MVP race went to Alex Rodriguez by default, Sheffield would have his precious hardware by now.

The only one with a right to complain here is Bonds. Piazza's teammate with the Mets, Edgardo Alfonzo, who was credited with the second-most Win Shares at 36 and ranked ninth in RCAA with 55, didn't crack the the top 10.

Escrito por fraja8 às 15h07
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Despite playing in the pitcher's paradise of Pro Player Stadium, Sheffield led the NL in OBP and OPS, placed second in home runs and still couldn't muster more votes than a Coors-aided Galarraga or Burks? And the winner was a guy who admitted to cheating the whole time? Yeah, Sheffield has reason to be bitter about this vote.

Sheffield celebrated his release from Milwaukee with his first monster season, but this wouldn't be the first time Mr. Bonds denies him the prize.

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Dirk Nowitzki pulls a rebound away from Amare Stoudemire

NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace (2) goes airborne after colliding with Kevin Harvick (29) and Dave Blaney (07) during a Daytona 500 qualifying race.

Virginia Tech F Coleman Dixon and Duke G Sean Dockery fight for a loose ball.

Villanova's Jason Fraser goes wild after scoring a basket.

Scott Fountain of Hawaii puts his hand through the back wall of the Banzai Pipeline on the first day of the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro.

Felix Gottwald from Austria during the jumping of the nordic combined competition as part of the Nordic World championships.

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The Chelsea board is ambitious and so are the players. I can sense that right now. I feel it is the right time for us to achieve something - Claude Makelele

	"'Oh, oh! This is for us!"

Zaire-born midfield player Claude Makelele is a winner by nature. Schooled at Stade Brestois 29, he won the French title with FC Nantes Atlantique in 1994/95, and following spells at Olympique de Marseille and RC Celta De Vigo, won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid CF in 2001/02.

Continued appetite
However, as he was keen to underline, past glories have not dimmed the 31-year-old's hunger for success. "Every year, I set myself new goals," he told uefa.com. "These goals get bigger and bigger, season by season, as my appetite increases for more success."

	"Everybody is enjoying it"

Four trophies
Having joined Chelsea FC two summers ago, Makelele is chasing four trophies this season - the English title, FA Cup and League Cup, and perhaps most importantly, the UEFA Champions League. For any player, that is a lot of football, but Makelele insists that he cannot get enough.

Football is my passion, my job and my life Claude Makelele

All-encompassing passion
"Football is my passion, my job and my life," said Makelele. "My whole life is dedicated to the game I play. When I am asleep, I dream of football. When I share a meal with friends, I eat football. When I am with my family, with my wife and kids, I am still thinking about football."

Tireless presence
That dedication shows in the way Makelele plays. A tireless presence in the centre of midfield, he has filled the huge gap left by Marcel Desailly's departure from Stamford Bridge, and will be a pivotal player as Chelsea look to overcome the mighty FC Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie.

Ultimate challenge
The competition remains the ultimate challenge for Makelele and one that he admits is getting more competitive. "At one stage, the same four or five teams ended up playing each other in the semi-finals every year," he said. "But recently all the clubs involved have strengthened their squads."

Madrid confidence
It certainly seems a far cry from the time that Makelele took to the field with Madrid to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 2001/02 final, certain that they were unbeatable. He remembered: "As soon as we walked on the Glasgow pitch, Zizou [Zinedine Zidane] and myself looked at each other.

'Pure belief'
"We saw the trophy and half-seriously, half-jokingly, said to each other: 'Oh, oh! This is for us!' It wasn't arrogance that led us to think like that, it was pure belief. There was no other end to the story. That cup belonged to us. We didn't even think for a second that Leverkusen could lift it."

Similar atmosphere
Things may have moved on since then, but Makelele says the atmosphere in José Mourinho's dressing room is similar to the one he experienced at Madrid. "The team is a true unit," he said. "Everybody supports the forwards and everyone shares the defensive duties. That is the way to play football.

'The right time'
"The Chelsea board is ambitious and so are the players," he added. "I can sense that right now. I feel it is the right time for us to achieve something. I can see the potential of my team in the kind of football we play and the motivation that leads us. Everybody is enjoying it."

Maybe more
Does that mean four trophies for Chelsea by June? Makelele did his best to be modest, but had to admit: "Deep inside, yes, I'm convinced we can win a trophy this year. Or maybe more..."

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Sometimes footballers can get a bit childish. Earlier this season Paolo Di Canio squabbled with Simone Inzaghi when S.S. Lazio were awarded a penalty in the game against UC Sampdoria. With Inazghi intent on taking the kick, Di Canio seized the ball from his team-mate and pushed him away and the pair exchanged angry words before Di Canio scored from the penalty spot. Last week FC Internazionale Milano seemed to have found a solution for avoiding such clashes. When the Nerazzurri were awarded a free-kick just outside AS Roma's penalty-box, Sinisa Mihajlovic and Adriano decided who was going to take with a game similar to 'paper, scissors, stone'. Adriano won, took the free-kick but failed to score. Mihajlovic, however, scored both goals in Inter's 2-0 win from free-kicks. "I would probably have scored three if I had been luckier against Adriano," he said. "The truth is that we have many good specialists and I had to argue with Zè Maria before I got the chance to score my second goal." Inter coach Roberto Mancini was less than overawed by his team's schoolyard tactics. "I don't think 'paper, scissors, stone' is the best way to decide who will take a free-kick," he said.

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By Paolo Menicucci

	The goalkeeper helped Parma win the 1994/95 UEFA Cup

In 1995 Luca Bucci was instrumental in Parma FC's UEFA Cup triumph, before losing his place to a then-promising goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, the following season. Now 35, Bucci is back at the Ennio Tardini stadium and in his first appearance since his return, he helped the Italian team to keep a clean sheet in the first leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 32 against VfB Stuttgart.

European air
"For me returning to breathe the air of European competitions is a great honour," said the veteran goalkeeper after the game. "I thank the coach [Pietro Carmignani] for giving me the great opportunity to play in the UEFA Cup again."

	Gianluigi Buffon usurped Bucci's position as Parma's No1

'Brilliant performance'
"He doesn't have to thank me," Carmignani replied with a smile. "I'm the one who has to thank him for his brilliant performance. With his experience he gave calm and confidence to all his younger team-mates. He saved everything he could have saved and I think he was as good as [Stuttgart's Timo] Hildebrand, who also made some brilliant saves. I think the 0-0 was only the consequence of the two goalkeepers' performances."

Shoulder injury
After leaving Parma in 1996, former Italian international Bucci played for AC Perugia, Torino Calcio and Empoli FC, before suffering a serious shoulder injury last year. "I was forced to undergo an operation and many people thought that my career was over," Bucci said.

Recovery programme
Parma, however, signed him on a free transfer during the January transfer window as cover for Sébastien Frey. "I worked very hard to recover," he continued. "In the four or five months that I was without a contract I trained with Parma's youth side. I was working with Carmignani almost every day when he was the reserve team coach, and I'm very proud because I managed to convince him that I deserved a chance."

Back to the bench
Bucci will return to the substitutes' bench on Sunday, as Frey is expected to start Parma's game against fellow relegation strugglers Brescia Calcio, but the veteran goalkeeper has been told that he will be back in goal as his side travel to Stuttgart for the return leg next week.

No favourites
He said: "I think Stuttgart are surely among the best teams in Europe. They have everything a great team need. They are young, they have physical power and technique. We are not favourites to progress, but I have played many games as a favourite in the past, and many times I lost them."

Unpredictable result
"The beauty of football is that you can never be sure of a result," he continued. "They will have to beat us if they want to qualify after the 0-0 draw in the first leg, and I think they know it won't be an easy game for them."

Memorable saves
Watching Bucci between the posts in a UEFA Cup night, many Parma fans have remembered the final against Juventus in 1995. Former Italy international Dino Baggio scored both goals for Parma in their 2-1 aggregate win, but Bucci made a fantastic save from Gianluca Vialli in the first leg, and another from Moreno Torricelli two weeks later.

I feel like only a few days have passed since those games Luca Bucci

Repeat performance
"I feel like only a few days have passed since those games," Bucci explained. "My memories are still so fresh and clear. Now, at 35, I love playing as much as I did when I was younger and repeating a success like that one would be simply fantastic."

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By Christian Châtelet

	Claude Simonet led French football for eleven years

As outgoing French Football Federation (FFF) president Claude Simonet gave way for a new man, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, last weekend, it was the end of an era for French football.

Eleven years
After eleven successful years at the helm, the 74-year-old Simonet oversaw his final FFF general meeting last week before his newly-elected successor took over. As Simonet said himself: "February 1994-February 2005 was an important period in the history of the FFF and football in our country."

	Jean-Pierre Escalettes is the new president of the FFF

Phenomenal successes
Under Simonet, France saw phenomenal successes, winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil before taking the honours at UEFA EURO 2000™ in the low countries. And while the national team could not sustain that momentum in subsequent years, Simonet helped the FFF capitalise on those successes. As he left office, football remains huge in France, with the FFF claiming 2.1m members.

'A lot to do'
"There is still a lot to do - maybe too much," said Simonet, whose eleven-year tenure matched that of former president Fernand Sastre, who led the FFF between 1973 and 1984. Only the organisation's founder Jules Rimet led the organisation for longer.

Administrative nous
Former goalkeeper Simonet, who was capped by France's military team in the 1950s, made his mark as an administrator when he took control of the financial division at FC Nantes Atlantique between 1972 and 1984. The trained civil engineer went on to take on the treasurers role at the FFF in 1992, and took over from Jean Fournet-Fayard as president two years later.

Grim years
Simonet remembered: "French football was not at its best at that time." His first tasks included dealing with the fall-out from a huge match-rigging scandal surrounding at Olympique de Marseille, and the Furiani diaster when the collapse of a stand at Corsican side SC Bastia before a French Cup semi-final claimed 17 lives.

Magnificent side
However, things were to improve as a France side schooled at the FFF's magnificent Clairefontaine training centre sparkled on home soil to take the World Cup in 1998 with a 3-0 win against Brazil. Simonet remembered the day well, saying: "12 July 1998 is my fondest memory."

Family concerns
Simonet decided to step down from the presidency in order to care for his sick wife. His replacement, 69-year-old Escalettes, was elected by the FFF general assembly with barely a word of dissent on Saturday. Having polled 92.56 per cent of the vote, the former head of the French amateur leagues will be in charge for the next four years, and his presidency is expected to mark a change in direction from Simonet's days.

'New era'
"A new era begins," he said, as he accepted his mandate. The new president is intent on improving the efficiency of the FFF. "My first plan is to install a modern general council," he added. "Let the members be proud to belong to it. It must be a place to debate on all football issues.

Amateur roots
"I don't deny that my roots are in amateur football," added the Béziers-born former English teacher, who played amateur football, before becoming a coach and a club director at CA Ribérac in the 1960s. "But I will be the president of the whole of French football - professionals as well as amateurs."

Diplomatic skills
His diplomatic skills saw Escalettes put in charge of the FFF amateur division when it was set up in 1995, and he also became vice-chairman of UEFA's Youth and Amateur Committee. They may come in useful as he takes the baton from Simonet. Certainly, he has quite an act to follow.

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By Mark Bennett

	Leverkusen outpaced Roma, Madrid and Dynamo to win Group B

So far Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been impressive in this season's UEFA Champions League. The 2002 finalists won Group B despite having been paired against Real Madrid CF, AS Roma and FC Dynamo Kyiv. However, as they prepare to face Liverpool FC in the last 16, a bigger challenge may be in store.

Previous experience
Having played a European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final at Anfield during his time as a player with FC Bayern München, Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler knows what his players can expect in the first leg in England, but as he told uefa.com, his side have no reason to be afraid of any side in the competition.

uefa.com: The results in the Champions League suggest that Leverkusen will go into the tie against Liverpool as favourites. Is that the way you see it?

	The Anfield tunnel has a reputation of intimidating visitors

Klaus Augenthaler: No, definitely not. Liverpool are still one of the biggest clubs in Europe. But we could have had worse luck with the draw because there are some huge matches in the last 16. None the less when you have won a group with Madrid, Rome and Kiev you have every right to have an eye on the next round.

uefa.com: What can you tell us about Liverpool's strengths and weaknesses?

Augenthaler: I played at Anfield during my career and I can tell you that it isn't easy. Liverpool are extremely hard to beat on their own turf and we will have to be at our very best. One look at their squad shows how good they really are.

uefa.com: But Leverkusen have been outstanding at home too this season. Is it an advantage playing the return leg at the BayArena?

Augenthaler: I consider it to be a small advantage. The big difference between the group stage and the knockout round is that you can afford to have a bad game during the group stage. Now everything is on the line in two games.

uefa.com: Liverpool signed striker in Fernando Morientes during the winter. Are you relieved that he will not be able to play against Leverkusen?

Augenthaler: Liverpool certainly knew what they were doing when they signed Morientes because he is a world-class striker. And yes I am happy that he won't be able to play against us.

uefa.com: You already mentioned a trip to Anfield during your playing career. What memories do you have of the match?

The atmosphere in English stadiums is always fantastic - the tight tunnel leading to the pitch is enough to send shivers down your spine Klaus Augenthaler

Augenthaler: It was great. The atmosphere in English stadiums is always fantastic - the tight tunnel leading to the pitch is enough to send shivers down your spine and the Liverpool players always try to psyche each other up and intimidate the opposition. All in all it was an outstanding experience. It was a semi-final, we came away with a goalless draw and I had a good game. Sadly we were knocked out of the competition after a 1-1 draw in the return leg.

uefa.com: Leverkusen have not won a major trophy in 12 years. How important would a title be for the development of the club?

Augenthaler: It would be extremely important. The thing that bothers me, is the talk of Bayer being happy with finishing second after missing out on numerous occasions in the past. We have got a lot to learn in that respect and we must learn that lesson quickly. We can't go out there and say that we want to build a side that can challenge for titles in two or three years. We have already got a squad that can win things this year.

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By Marco Keller

	Servette started the season with an all-star squad

As it turned out, there was no happy ending. Having initially been declared bankrupt by a Swiss commercial court on Friday 4 February with debts of €6.42m, Geneva's top club, Servette FC, had hoped that a late bid from Syrian investors might yet save them.

Financial guarantees
However, despite having received guarantees from the club's players that they would waive their rights to unpaid wages from the previous regime, the investors left the club high and dry on Wednesday 16 February. The Swiss Premier League season will now resume with just nine teams this weekend.

	The Stade de Genève will be a venue at EURO 2008™

Closed down
"The people of Geneva knew that it was almost inevitable but it still is a major shock," said Laurent Ducret, head of the football department at Geneva-based news agency Sportinformation. Certainly, the loss of the 17-time Swiss champions who were never relegated in 115 years will take some getting used to.

Turbulent period
Having competed in seven European Champion Clubs' Cups, six UEFA Cup Winners' Cups and 14 UEFA Cups, 'Les Grenats' had been through a turbulent period under the ownership of one-time football agent Marc Roger, who invested in the club after the withdrawal of sponsors Canal+ had left them close to bankruptcy.

Financial problems
When Frenchman Roger arrived in February 2004, the club were already in financial difficulty, having been able to secure their licence for the 2003/04 season only after selling young defender Philippe Senderos to Premiership giants Arsenal FC.

Big dreams
Not lacking in confidence, Roger promised to pay off the club's €2.8m debts with the help of former Real Madrid CF president Lorenzo Sanz, and also pledged to fashion Servette into a side that could challenge FC Basel 1893's dominance in Switzerland.

Signing blizzard
To that end, he signed no fewer than 21 players in the summer, with the likes of Christian Karembeu and Viorel Moldovan being lured to Geneva by generous salaries. However, without the time to gel as a team, Servette struggled and exited the UEFA Cup before the group stage with a defeat by Ferencvárosi TC.

Pitch battles
Things were little better in the league. Having started the season with minus three points due to financial irregularities, coach Marco Schällibaum struggled to make progress and was subsequently dismissed and replaced, with little improvement in results, by Adrian Ursea.

Fine stadium
Off the pitch, Roger proved unable to meet the club's financial commitments, despite having the exploitation rights to the club's magnificent home stadium, the Stade de Genève, which will be one of the centre-piece venues when Switzerland and Austria co-host UEFA EURO 2008™.

Karembeu's faith
Even as the courts were snapping at his heels, Roger continued to try and attract new investors. He even convinced some of his players that the situation was not impossible. "I firmly believe the club will be saved," said club captain Karembeu recently.

Unpopular figure
However, he saw the writing on the wall and joined SC Bastia and confidence in Roger's abilities hardly improved after Swiss newspapers reported that he had abandoned his home in Rolle having not paid rent for three months. "A lot of people would not like to see him coming to Geneva for his holidays right now," explained Ducret.

French speakers
Servette, will live on in one form as their under-21 team still have a licence to play in Switzerland's top amateur division, but it has been a bad few years for French-speaking Swiss clubs. Lausanne-Sports went to the wall in the last few years. With Servette's demise, Neuchâtel Xamax FC are now the only top-flight side from the Romandie region.

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Wayne Rooney returns to Everton FC as a Manchester United FC player for the first time as the spotlight in England turns from the Premiership to the FA Cup.

Hostile reception
The teenage striker is guaranteed a hostile reception as his former Goodison Park home stages the tie of the fifth round on Saturday evening. Rooney swapped Merseyside for Manchester last summer in a €29m move that caused much upset in his native city.

Ferguson's options
However, it is uncertain whether Sir Alex Ferguson will field Roooney who has been pivotal to United's impressive Premiership form in recent months. Ruud van Nistelrooij, Alan Smith and Louis Saha may all finally be available for selection after recovering from injuries, and with United's UEFA Champions League match against AC Milan looming next week, Ferguson could juggle his pack.

Injuries and suspensions
Everton, by contrast, are struggling with injuries and suspensions, which might help to take the heat out of the occasion. Nevertheless, they ran Chelsea FC close with ten men for most of last week's league game and should offer stern resistance against opponents they defeated last in the 1995 cup final.

Intriguing contest
The side currently leading United in the title race, Chelsea FC, travel to Newcastle United FC on Sunday in another intriguing contest. The Londoners remain on course to win four trophies but with captain John Terry suspended and Arjen Robben injured, St James' Park will be a tough place to visit. Newcastle have the added incentive of wanting to lift the cup (they are without a domestic honour since 1955) in skipper Alan Shearer's farewell campaign.

Lancashire hotpot
The last-16 excitement should not end there. On Saturday lunchtime, Arsenal FC entertain Sheffield United FC in a repeat of their 2003 semi-final. Twenty-four hours later another first division (or Championship) team will bid for glory when Burnley FC, third-round conquerors of Liverpool FC, take on local rivals Blackburn Rovers FC in what will be a fiercely contested Lancashire derby.

David v Goliath
Bolton Wanderers FC, another northwest club, face Fulham FC in an all-Premiership affair on Saturday, when Charlton Athletic FC and Southampton FC play host to lower-league opposition in Leicester City FC and Brentford FC respectively. Sunday's other match offers a repeat of the 1991 final as improving Tottenham Hotspur FC welcome former European champions Nottingham Forest FC, now struggling in the first division.

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By Paolo Menicucci

	Roberto Mancini: "We still believe we can win the title"

Juventus FC's duel with AC Milan at the top of Serie A will continue on Saturday when the Turin side visit FC Messina Peloro and the Rossoneri host Cagliari Calcio.

Splendid ties
Milan remain two points behind Juventus in the table but both teams may have their minds on other matters this weekend as they look ahead to their return to UEFA Champions League action. Milan take on Manchester United FC next week while Juventus have an equally tough task at Real Madrid CF.

Attacking intent
After two consecutive defeats, Juventus got back on track with a 2-1 win against Udinese Calcio last Sunday. Fabio Capello employed a 3-4-3 formation with Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack, but may not be so bold at Messina, who have lost only twice at home all season. Pavel Nedved is close to a comeback for Juventus after a month out with a knee problem. "We will all be very happy to have him back," said Brazilian midfielder Emerson.

Important matches
Milan needed an own goal to win at Reggina Calcio last Sunday and badly missed the creative input of Andrea Pirlo. The playmaker has since recovered from his knee injury, and coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to rest Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Kaká as he prepares for the United game on Wednesday and next Sunday's derby against FC Internazionale Milano.

Saturday game
The Nerazzurri, third in Serie A, also play on Saturday as they warm up for their Champions League trip to European champions FC Porto. Inter remain unbeaten in all competitions this season but are eleven points behind leaders Juventus ahead of their visit to fourth-placed Udinese Calcio. "Eleven points is a lot but we still believe we can win the title," said coach Roberto Mancini.

European pretensions
On Sunday UC Sampdoria and US Città di Palermo test their European ambitions when they entertain Reggina and US Lecce respectively, while seventh-placed AS Roma welcome AS Livorno Calcio without the suspended Antonio Cassano. UEFA Cup contenders Parma FC take on fellow strugglers Brescia Calcio, while ACF Fiorentina are at AC Siena for a Tuscan derby. Finally, Bologna FC go to bottom

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FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o welcomes his former club RCD Mallorca to Camp Nou this weekend, while closest rivals Real Madrid CF are at home to Athletic Club Bilbao.

Eto'o honoured
Eto'o, who was named CAF African Player of the Year on Tuesday, has seen Mallorca's fortunes dip since his departure last summer. The islanders are languishing in 18th place and have won just twice in 2005. Coach Héctor Cúper, however, insisted his side were undaunted by the prospect of meeting the league leaders.

'No fear'
"In football, there is no place for the word 'fear'. I want to see maximum effort from my players on Saturday because we're facing the No1 candidate for the title," he said. Oleguer Presas, who is recovering from a hip injury, will not figure for Barcelona.

Madrid meeting
Just four points behind Barcelona, second-placed Madrid welcome Athletic for what looks certain to be a fiercely contested match in the capital. Madrid midfield player Santiago Solari said: "They are playing really well and can count on several quality players- some of whom have graduated from the lower categories but the base of the team is the same." Ronaldo is nursing an injured toe and remains doubtful while Roberto Carlos is suspended.

Sevilla praised
Another player sidelined by suspension is Aitor Ocio who misses high-flying Sevilla FC's trip to Real Sociedad de Fútbol. Valeri Karpin paid tribute to Sunday's visitors, saying: "Sevilla play football how it should be played. I would be delighted if we could always play like they do - that is what we go out on to the pitch for, to win."

Chasing pack
Fourth-placed Valencia CF, three points behind Sevilla on 38, visit Real Racing Club Santander, while Real Betis Balompié, one place further back on goal difference, host an RC Deportivo La Coruña side who welcome back Mauro Silva, Fran González and César Martín. Centre-back Fabricio Coloccini is doubtful, however, with a throat infection.

Battaglia banned
RCD Espanyol, also on 38 points, must beat struggling southerners Málaga CF to remain in a European qualifying space. Seventh-placed Villarreal CF meet eighth-placed Club Atlético de Madrid at the Madrigal, with Sebastián Battaglia serving a one-match ban for the hosts.

Remaining clashes
Rounding off the weekend's action, Getafe CD play CA Osasuna, Levante UD meet Real Zaragoza and relegation battlers Albacete Balompié and CD Numancia face off at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

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Two former UEFA Champions League winners will come head to head in the Bundesliga on Saturday when FC Bayern München welcome BV Borussia Dortmund to the Olympiastadion.

Historic win
The ground was the scene of Dortmund's greatest success, a 3-1 win against Juventus FC in the Champions League final in 1997. The club have experienced lean times since and a similar result at the Bundesliga leaders this weekend would represent something of a surprise.

'Critical financial situation'
Dortmund have been rocked by the news this week that they are in a "critical financial situation," according to their board and could be facing bankruptcy. None the less, coach Bert van Marwijk is hoping his team - who sit eleventh in the standings - can concentrate on the game. "We can't change what's happening off the field," he said. "We should concentrate on the match and build on our recent results."

'Under pressure'
Bayern coach Felix Magath is unlikely to be in a charitable mood as his team look to bounce back from last weekend's disappointing 3-1 defeat by DSC Arminia Bielefeld. "We put ourselves under pressure by losing in Bielefeld and I want my players to bounce back against Dortmund," said Magath, whose side are level on points with FC Schalke 04.

Bremen lurking
The Arminia defeat allowed third-placed Werder Bremen to close the gap to the leaders and the reigning champions will travel to Hannover 96 on Saturday looking to capitalise on any further slip. "We are four points behind Bayern and Schalke at the moment and every win keeps the pressure on the other teams," said coach Thomas Schaaf.

Wolfsburg hungry for win
In the day's other games, Bayer 04 Leverkusen travel to 1. FC Nürnberg, Hamburger SV host 1. FC Kaiserslautern while VfL Wolfsburg will be seeking their first win of 2005 against the bottom side, FC Hansa Rostock. VfL Bochum 1848 face fellow strugglers SC Freiburg and Mainz will look to stay above the relegation zone with a win against Arminia.

Hertha form
On Sunday, UEFA Cup contenders FC Schalke 04 and VfB Stuttgart will be in action. Schalke will hope to maintain the pressure on Bayern by taking three points at VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. Stuttgart, meanwhile, face a tough task against Hertha BSC Berlin, who are unbeaten in their last eleven games.

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Fourth-placed AS Monaco FC can pull themselves right back into Ligue 1 contention tonight if they overcome leaders Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade Louis II, while second-placed LOSC Lille Métropole travel to FC Metz on Sunday.

European contenders
Despite defending France's honour in the UEFA Champions League next week, Monaco and Lyon will both be focused on one of the biggest encounters of the domestic season. Victory for Didier Deschamps' men would bring them within six points of the champions with a game in hand, whereas defeat would leave them stranded 12 points back and out of the title hunt. "It's like a final for us," said Monaco's midfield player Lucas Bernardi.

Turning point
"This is the turning point of the season," added captain Julien Rodriguez. "It's huge." The principality club are without Ernesto Chevantón and Diego Pérez, but will take comfort from having triumphed in this fixture for the last three years, including a 3-0 win last term. "We need to ignore those painful memories," said Lyon forward Sidney Govou. "We're much stronger now."

Juninho back
Paul Le Guen's visitors welcome back Juninho Pernambucano from suspension, while club captain Claudio Caçapa could return after four months out with a knee injury. Goalkeeper Grégory Coupet insists they will not be settling for a draw. "The aim is to knock one of our rivals out the title race. It's going to be a great game,” he said.

Lille mission
Lille, who trail Lyon by seven points, travel to Metz hoping to end a run of three consecutive league draws. Fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls AJ Auxerre and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard also return to action on Sunday, with fifth-placed Auxerre travelling to the bottom club, FC Istres, and Sochaux visiting AS Saint-Etienne.

Bastia test
Third-placed Olympique de Marseille - who are eight points off the summit - journey to SC Bastia on Saturday. "We need to come home with three points to stay with the leaders," said Marseille's former Bastia player Laurent Batllès. Saturday will also see new Paris Saint-Germain FC coach Laurent Fournier face his first Ligue 1 test, away to RC Strasbourg, where PSG have won five of the last seven encounters.

Other fixtures
In the day's other games, Toulouse FC host FC Girondins de Bordeaux, SM Caen welcome AC Ajaccio, FC Nantes Atlantique are away to Lens and Stade Rennais FC play OGC Nice.

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AFC Ajax will be without midfield player Steven Pienaar for up to four weeks after he damaged ligaments in his left knee during Wednesday’s 1-0 home win against AJ Auxerre in the UEFA Cup.

Misses return leg
The South African international was replaced by Antony Obodai just before half-time after twisting his knee, and he will definitely miss the return leg of the Round of 32 tie at the Abbé Deschamps stadium next week.

Others missing
Coach Ronald Koeman, who is already missing two other midfield players in Wesley Sneijder and Tomáš Galásek, feared the worse about Pienaar immediately after the match. "I do not want to sound pessimistic, but I think we will have to miss him for a few weeks," he said.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h39
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Nikolaos Karageorgiou has been appointed the new coach of PAOK FC after the club parted company with Rolf Fringer.

Third coach
Karageorgiou, a former PAOK player, has been given a contract until the end of the season with the option of an extension until June 2006. The 42-year-old, whose appointment was confirmed last night, beccomes the club's third coach this season after replacing Fringer who had himself taken the reins from Angelos Anastassiadis in late September.

Sixth in league
Fringer departed on Wednesday evening, leaving PAOK in sixth place in the league, level on 25 points with fifth-placed Egaleo FC. "The players have had three changes of coach so far this season and that is not good for their work on the pitch. We don't have much time ahead of us. We must work hard to succeed and to see the smiles back on our fans' faces," said Karageorgiou.

Success at Xanthi
Karageorgiou enjoyed a successful spell with PAOK during his playing days, when he also played for Panathinaikos FC as well as making 16 appearances for the Greece national side. His only previous coaching job was with Xanthi FC from 2000 until the summer of 2004. In the 2001/02 season he led Xanthi to sixth place, earning them a UEFA Cup place for the first time in their history.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h38
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ETO'O Yo no soy Laporta para decidirlo, ¿pero quién no va a querer ver a 'Ronnie' toda la vida en el Barcelona?” MÁRQUEZ ¿Toda una vida en el Barça? Ojalá se haga realidad porque sería muy bueno para el equipo tener siempre a Ronaldinho” XAVI Sería una buena noticia tenerlo aquí toda la vida. Además de ser un futbolista único, es alegre, honrado y trabajador” PUYOL Es un privilegio poder jugar a su lado. En el Barça deben estar los mejores del mundo y él ahora es el mejor, sin duda” SYLVINHO Está muy comprometido con la ciudad y con el club. Es el extranjero referencia para todos los nuevos” Noticias relacionadas Ronaldinho: "Me quedaría aquí toda la vida" 03:00 h.  Al brasileño le “encantaría” tener un contrato indefinido con el club azulgrana

El vestuario celebró la noticia adelantada por MD y confía en que Ronaldinho y el club azulgrana lleguen a un acuerdo de futuro en breve“Yo no soy Laporta para decidirlo, ¿pero quién no va a querer ver a 'Ronnie' toda la vida en el Barça?”. Samuel Eto'o abre los ojos como platos cuando habla de la posibilidad de que Ronaldinho vista la camiseta blaugrana de por vida con un contrato indefinido, una noticia de Mundo Deportivo muy comentada ayer en el vestuario blaugrana. La interrogación retórica del delantero camerunés no necesita respuesta, evidentemente, parece más una invitación al presidente a acelerar las negociaciones. Eto'o y sus compañeros saben que entre el Barça y Ronaldinho se ha establecido en sólo dos temporadas una conexión mágica que no debe romperse nunca.

Y los que mejor conocen la casa, los capitanes Carles Puyol y Xavi Hernández, entienden como nadie que el club y el crack brasileño piensen en alargar su idilio eternamente. El defensa, cuando conoció la posibilidad de que se le haga un contrato de por vida al '10' del Barça, se mostró entusiasmado. “Para todos los que compartimos vestuario con él es un privilegio poder jugar a su lado”, aseguró el de La Pobla de Segur. 'Puyi' es consciente de que la recuperación futbolística del club azulgrana, que lleva ya cinco temporadas de sequía, pasa por contar con jugadores del nivel de Ronaldinho. “Yo siempre he dicho que el Barça debe ser uno de los mejores equipos del mundo y para serlo debe contar siempre con los mejores jugadores del mundo. Y Ronaldinho ahora es el mejor, sin duda”, añadió.

Xavi, como todos los que llevan al Barça en el corazón, también se ilusiona con la visión de un Ronaldinho deleitando siempre en el Camp Nou. “Sería una buena noticia tenerlo aquí toda la vida. Son cosas que debe decidir el club, pero no me sorprendería que se hiciera porque Ronaldinho, además de ser un futbolista único, es alegre, honrado y trabajador”, señaló el centrocampista de Terrassa.

Sus compatriotas Belletti y Sylvinho no sólo valoran la calidad futbolística de Ronaldinho, sino también la humana. 'Ronnie' les hizo de anfitrión y consejero en sus primeros días en el club y en Barcelona, algo por lo que siempre le estarán agradecidos.

“Es el mejor del mundo y está muy comprometido con la ciudad y con el club. Es el extranjero referencia para todos los que llegamos nuevos. Él enseña a los fichajes el camino a seguir. Es muy joven y habría que preguntarle a él y no a mí de lo que piensa de un contrato indefinido, pero entiendo que se hable de ello por lo que representa el jugador”, explicó Sylvinho, mientras que a Belletti se le escapaba una exclamación: “¿Toda la vida? ¡Uf, qué bueno! Seguro que la afición barcelonista va a disfrutar mucho con él”.

El mexicano Rafa Márquez tampoco ocultó su deseo de ver a Ronaldinho en el Camp Nou muchos años más: “¡Ojalá se haga realidad, sería muy bueno para el Barça!”.

Ronaldinho es un líder natural porque reúne calidad, profesionalidad y honradez. Sus compañeros saben valorarlo

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h24
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Ya congregó en Shanghai a 1.400.000 chinos en un 'chat' y ahora 'Beijing 2008' quiere patrocinar la camisetaPor el gancho que tiene Ronaldinho en Asia y especialmente en China, la presencia del Gaúcho en el Barça es una de las claves para que el FC Barcelona haya recibido una oferta de 'Beijing 2008' para patrocinar la camiseta del primer equipo. La propuesta, que se suma a las del operador de apuestas 'betandwin' y de Hitachi (empresa japonesa de tecnología y servicios), está cifrada en 18 millones de euros; de aceptarla, el club azulgrana se colocaría segundo en el ránking europeo por detrás de la Juve y primero en la relación correspondiente a la Liga española, superando al Real Madrid. La 'vecchia signora' ingresa 18,5 millones de euros de dos sponsors (Sky Sport y Tamoil) y los blancos, catorce de Siemens.

Contactos desde diciembre

Los contactos entre los responsables de los próximos Juegos Olímpicos de verano y el Barcelona se iniciaron en diciembre pasado, a raíz de una reunión del 'G-14' que el presidente Joan Laporta aprovechó para escuchar un primer esbozo de la idea. Las negociaciones, en que también ha tenido mucho que ver el directivo responsable de las relaciones internacionales Xavier Faus, fructiferaron durante la reciente 'escapada' de Laporta a China para una 'cumbre' y ahora la Junta tiene la palabra.

El peso económico de la propuesta de 'Beijing 2008' es irrefutable, pero cabe tener en cuenta otros aspectos, como la connivencia con Nike, que equipa al Barça y es uno de los más importantes patrocinadores corporativos, o la novedad que supondría hacer publicidad de un evento no futbolístico. Cabe recordar que el presidente Joan Laporta recalcó en Asamblea que, en caso de que el club decidiera poner un sponsor en la camiseta del equipo de fútbol por primera vez en la historia, éste estaría en línea con los valores y la esencia del club.

Fuentes del propio FC Barcelona han reiterado a MD que China es el mercado del futuro para la 'marca Barça'; existe el convencimiento de que dentro de 10 ó 15 años será el más importante del mundo, de ahí que se busque una fórmula para abrir ya en 2005 una vía estratégica, que podría acabar derivando en la creación de una franquicia en el país de la 'Gran Muralla'. Se trata sólo de una idea, que, sin embargo, podría cristalizar independientemente de que se acabe aceptando la oferta de 'Beijing 2008' o no.

Pasión desbordada

A la espera de que el Barcelona adopte una decisión, en China la 'Ronadinhomanía' sigue en pleno auge. Cabe recordar que en verano pasado el crack brasileño ya desató la locura en Shanghai, escala del 'On Asia Tour' 2004. El Gaúcho participó en un 'chat' organizado por el servidor www.sina.com y que congregó en la red a 1.400.000 de internautas.

Tal fue el poder de convocatoria de 'Ronnie' que el sistema llegó a colgarse en numerosas ocasiones. Sólo Michael Jordan ha llegado a reunir a más incondicionales en Internet (2 millones), lo que deja constancia de la pasión que despierta el '10' azulgrana en tierras chinas, circunstancia que supone una extraordinaria fuente de ingresos, convencionales y atípicos, para un Barcelona necesitado de este tipo de expansión

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h22
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El club y Roberto de Assis, hermano y mánager del jugador azulgrana, diseñan el futuro del crack brasileño

La fórmula de utilizar a varios sponsors para blindar a las estrellas ya la practican algunos clubs italianosRoberto de Assis, hermano y mánager de Ronaldinho, explica que “Ronaldinho quiere seguir en el Barça de por vida”. El representante del jugador tiene claro que “el Barça es el mejor club para cumplir nuestros objetivos dentro del fútbol; ganar títulos y conseguir reconocimientos a nivel individual”. Roberto no oculta que Ronaldinho ya está disfrutando de la grandeza del Barça. Sin haber ganado ni un solo título en 2004 y gracias a su rendimiento en el club azulgrana, el brasileño logró el FIFA World Player, galardón que distingue al mejor futbolista del mundo. La vida de Ronaldinho en Barcelona es “sencillamente perfecta”. No hay otra ciudad en Europa comparable a Barcelona y que dé tantas posibilidades a un jugador del nivel del crack. El partido para recoger fondos para las víctimas del tsunami fue otra muestra de cariño de la afición barcelonesa hacia Ronaldinho, el jugador que ha devuelto la autoestima a la afición azulgrana.

Para que nada afecte a la continuidad de Ronaldinho, el club y su representante están ideando un plan para ligar el futuro del jugador a la entidad azulgrana “de por vida”. La fórmula, adelantada en exclusiva por Mundo Deportivo, permitiría ligar la continuidad del jugador autofinanciándose con sponsors vinculados al club y al propio Ronaldinho. Ambos se han puesto a trabajar para pactar un sueño.

La idea no es nueva. En Italia algunos clubs utilizan esta fórmula para blindar a sus cracks. Es el caso, por ejemplo, del Inter de Milán. Massimo Moratti ya consiguió financiar la ficha de Ronaldo como nerazzurro con la colaboración de dos sponsors, Nike y Pirelli. El club se garantizaba un extra global importantísimo si contaba con la presencia de Ronaldo. Precisamente esa cláusula fue la que encareció el traspaso de Ronaldo al Madrid hace dos años.

'No' al Chelsea

Por otro lado, las declaraciones de Txiki Begiristain en las que desvelaba que posiblemente el Chelsea del magnate ruso, Roman Abramovich, insistiese en el mercado de verano en llevarse al crack no han afectado en ningún momento al jugador brasileño. Roberto de Assis tiene claro que Ronaldinho responderá con un rotundo “no” a una oferta del club de la Premier. Así que aunque quisiera el Chelsea pagar su cláusula de rescisión –que asciende a 150 millones de euros–, el crack brasileño seguirá en el Barça.

Después de esas sorprendentes declaraciones de Txiki Begiristain, el último rumor procedente de un entorno blaugrana es que el club estaría planeando el traspaso del crack brasileño en el 2006, justo después del Mundial que se disputará en Alemania. Difícil entender algo así cuando precisamente Ronaldinho será uno de los grandes protagonistas de la cita mundialista –de hecho, ya se habla del Brasil de Ronaldinho– y por tanto, el Barça podrá beneficiarse como pocos de la explosión mediática del crack

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h21
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Al brasileño le “encantaría” tener un contrato indefinido con el club azulgranaAterrizó en el Camp Nou, en julio de 2003, como uno de los futbolistas más prometedores del mundo y tras su primer año completo en el Barça recibió el trofeo al mejor jugador del planeta. Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, Ronaldinho, necesita ser feliz para poder exhibir toda su fantasía y ahora él lo es. Y mucho.

Por esta razón, su hermano y representante Roberto empezó a negociar hace quince días con la directiva que preside Joan Laporta la posibilidad de firmar un contrato indefinido, como adelantó ayer Mundo Deportivo. 'Ronnie' reconoció ayer, en su comparecencia semanal ante la prensa, que ahora no se ve con otra camiseta que no sea la azulgrana. “Me quedaría aquí toda la vida”, aseguró el crack brasileño.

Tras el entrenamiento matinal, Ronaldinho se convirtió en el principal protagonista para los medios de comunicación, que esperaban su presencia para preguntarle por la noticia publicada por MD. Como siempre, salió el último del vestuario. Y, también como siempre, atendió con su exquisita amabilidad a los periodistas. “Yo estoy contentísimo aquí y por esto mi hermano habló con el club de mi futuro. Ésta es mi casa y espero que lo sea durante muchos años más”, comentó Ronaldinho, que no quiere ni oír hablar del Chelsea o del Inter, los equipos más interesados en llevárselo. “Cada día que pasa me encuentro más a gusto en el Barça. Por eso me encantaría retirarme aquí. No creo que haya en el mundo otro lugar en el que pueda ser más feliz y por esto no pienso en otra cosa que no sea el Barça”, señaló Ronaldinho, que no quiso profundizar más en este asunto. Todo el mundo hablaba ayer de su futuro y del esperado duelo europeo frente al Chelsea y él sabe que el encuentro frente al Mallorca puede ser decisivo de cara a las aspiraciones del conjunto azulgrana de conquistar la Liga cinco temporadas después.

Tres puntos vitales

“Ahora sólo debemos pensar en el Mallorca. Si queremos ganar la Liga hay que ganar al Mallorca”, remarcó el '10' azulgrana, que espera un encuentro muy complicado ante los de Héctor Cúper, como ya lo fueron los anteriores en el Camp Nou frente a equipos que se cerraron como el Valencia, el Levante, la Real Sociedad o el Atlético de Madrid. “Contra equipos defensivos lo que tenemos que hacer es jugar abiertos y rápido. Y con paciencia, porque los goles, si jugamos bien, ya llegarán”, indicó.

Pese a que algunos jugadores, como Puyol, Deco, Giuly o él mismo, arrastran diversas molestias físicas, 'Ronnie' descarta descansar mañana: “Todos tenemos que jugar todos los partidos, porque tan importante es el encuentro del Mallorca como el del Chelsea. Además, ya estamos acostumbrados a esta secuencia de partidos sábado-miércoles-sábado. No pasa nada”.

La respuesta a Cruyff, mañana

Ronaldinho admitió que el césped del Camp Nou ha mejorado respecto al encuentro ante el Atlético. “Ahora el balón corre mucho mejor que ese día”, dijo el brasileño, quien preguntado por el artículo de Cruyff en La Vanguardia, respondió: “Nosotros respetamos las opiniones de todos. Vamos a responder con victorias”

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h19
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Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to the Manchester United squad for the first time in three months on Saturday as the Red Devils look to secure a place in the last eight of the FA Cup. After returning to training on Tuesday, Van Nistelrooy has suffered no reaction to the Achilles problem which has ruled him out since the November win over West Brom.

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Wenger: Drawing on reserves. (BenRadford/GettyImages)

Sol Campbell is again ruled out with an ankle injury which is also expected to keep him out of the Champions League tie at Bayern Munich next Tuesday. Ashley Cole, meanwhile, is still out with flu, making him doubtful for the trip to Germany, while Justin Hoyte missed last Monday's 5-1 win against Crystal Palace through injury.

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hit back at Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o ahead of next week's Champions League tie - insisting Frank Rijkaard's managerial achievements cannot be compared to his own.

Mourinho: Better than Rijkaard? (NealSimpson/GettyImages)

Cameroon striker Eto'o had turned up the heat ahead of the last-16 first-leg tie by insisting the Spanish giants would prevail due to their greater attacking power. Eto'o added: 'Mourinho may have had a lot of success in the past with teams at home and in Europe. 'But I think that Rijkaard knows more about football than the Chelsea boss and how to treat his players properly.'

Mourinho responded: 'Frank Rijkaard's history as a player can't be compared with my history as his is fantastic and mine is zero. 'As a manager though, my history cannot be compared to his. He has zero titles and I have a lot of them.'

Indeed, while Rijkaard is something of a managerial novice, despite his side leading the Primera Liga by four points from Real Madrid, Mourinho is looking to defend 'his' Champions League trophy. The Chelsea boss, who did a treble in 2003 with Porto - picking up the domestic league, Portuguese cup and UEFA Cup - won the league again last season as well as the Champions League.

Mourinho, a former assistant coach at Barcelona, added: 'First of all, I have to defend what is mine and the Champions League is mine at the moment. 'I'm the last manager to have won it so it's my competition. I have to fight for Chelsea and for myself, to defend my cup until the last moment. 'Maybe it's because I won the Champions League that I had a big turn in my life and I could come to a big football country like England. 'So the Champions League means a lot to me, it's something unforgettable and something that I want to repeat.'

Mourinho, 42, added: 'I'm still very young as a manager. I think that I have 15 more years to work in football so I hope to have the taste again.'

The Chelsea boss nevertheless conceded his side are one of eight teams who could win the Champions League this season, although he discounted Porto. 'I don't think it's fair when people say that Chelsea are favourites as I don't think it's true,' he insisted. 'In four of the last 16 matches, there are eight great teams and all of them can win the Champions League - Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus. 'One will win and the other seven won't succeed but that is the reality of football - you can lose against big teams.'

The Blues lead the Premiership by nine points and have already reached the Carling Cup final. Their most immediate priority however is the FA Cup, in which they face Newcastle in the fifth round at St James' Park this weekend. They will face a team determined to derail their quadruple bid in order to salvage something their own disappointing campaign.

The Magpies have struggled for consistency in the Barclays Premiership but still retain hope of ending the season on a high with some cup success. 'We are at Newcastle United, it's a big, big club and we haven't won anything for a long time,' said assistant manager Alan Murray. 'We are working very hard to make sure we change that. 'We have got two opportunities still, the UEFA Cup, which is very important, and the FA Cup.'

Newcastle are hoping to have Nicky Butt and Kieron Dyer back after the pair missed the UEFA Cup trip to Heerenveen last night with an ankle injury and a viral infection respectively. Dyer should have recovered and Butt too may be available after just missing out. 'He wasn't far away,' said Murray. 'He didn't quite have enough training in him to make sure he could go, but hopefully he's done some work back home and he'll make a full recovery.'

Premiership Blackburn are bracing themselves for a hostile atmosphere when they make the short journey to East Lancashire rivals Burnley. Veteran defender Craig Short scored in Blackburn's 5-0 win when the sides met four years ago and is aware of just how intimidating their clash with the Coca-Cola Championship side could be. 'You don't get many hostile atmospheres these days, and hardly ever in the Premiership,' the 36-year-old told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 'Years ago we used to get it all the time at places like Leeds, the old Den and one or two other grounds but it doesn't happen much nowadays.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h11
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NBA.com is spending the weekend in Denver for All-Star 2005! As part of the festivities around town, we'll provide you with behind-the-scenes coverage with the NBA.com All-Star Blog, your home for complete coverage from All-Star Weekend.

Escrito por fraja8 às 10h07
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CUENCA (ENVIADO ESPECIAL). ¿Ganó un punto? ¿Perdió dos? Empatar en el primer partido de la Copa, de visitante, ante un clima adverso y con el fantasma de la altura, no es un resultado como para desmerecer. Sin embargo, la sensación final fue que Boca pudo haberse traído una victoria. Si el Chelo hubiese estado más fino para el arco o si Baiano le hubiera pegado unos centímetros más adentro su tiro libre, este debut en la Libertadores habría provocado con una gran sonrisa. Pero esto es largo y la actuación del equipo del Chino Benítez fue digna.

De entrada, el problema no fue la altura (esta ciudad se encuentra a 2.500 metros sobre el nivel del mar) sino el fervor con el que salió a jugar el Deportivo Cuenca. Boca se encontró con un equipo que, empujado por su extasiado público, fue una tromba. Bueno, en realidad, tanto desenfreno duró muy poco. Pero al equipo del Chino le costó hacer pie. Con decir que tardó exactamente cuatro minutos y 20 segundos para pasar por primera vez la mitad de la cancha. Asediado y presionado en su propio campo, Boca fue pura imprecisión y desorden.

De a poco, a medida que cesaba la presión rival, Boca fue asomando la cabeza. Y comenzó a hacerse dueño de la bocha, condición fundamental para poder convertirse en protagonista. Cagna y el Guly se cerraban más de la cuenta y formaban una especie de imaginario triple cinco junto con Cascini como para montar un piquete en el círculo central. Asentado en el medio, era cuestión, entonces, de aprovechar las subidas continuas de Baiano por la derecha (una solitaria entrada del brasileño casi termina en gol) y las diagonales por ambas bandas de Palacio y Delgado, quienes se turnaban para retroceder y armar una sociedad creativa con un Vargas que jugó decididamente como enganche.

"Jueguen, jueguen", era el grito-pedido del Chino Benítez desde el banco. Y el mensaje no sólo contenía una pequeña dosis de lirismo sino mucho orden y cuidado por el destino de la pelota. En pocos minutos, Boca se transformó en un equipo corto y con mucha movilidad y dinámica. Claro, con los rapiditos Delgado y Palacio era el que estaba más cerca de concretar lo que insinuaba.

Pero el Cuenca no se resignó y apostó al golpe por golpe. Atrás se mostraba frágil pero arriba apostaba a los remates desde fuera del área de Lastra y de Quiñonez y a la velocidad de Héctor González, el venezolano que jugó en Olimpo y Argentinos. Claro, todo se diluía cuando la pelota se acercaba al área. El principal déficit del equipo dirigido por el Turco Asad fue la falta de profundidad. De hecho, no pudo generar ningún mano a mano con el Pato. Y la más clara fue un tiro libre de Quiñonez que, luego de rozar en Vargas, provocó la estirada de Abbondanzieri.

El primer tiempo dejó la sensación de que Boca podía haberse ido ganador al vestuario. Quizá, le faltó animarse un poco más. Apretar un poco más arriba. Y la segunda parte arrancó igual, más allá de algunos ollazos iniciales del Cuenca. El toque seguro en el medio, la circulación de pelota de Vargas y la amenaza de gol de la dupla ofensiva hacían de Boca el equipo con mayores chances de quedarse con el triunfo. Y así fue hasta el final. Boca podía definirlo en cualquier ataque y sufría en algún que otro centro del Cuenca. Una proporción de 3 X 1. Delgado desperdició dos chances claritas y Bombón Baiano hizo temblar el palo izquierdo de un seguro Klimowicz. Habrá revancha.

Escrito por fraja8 às 09h57
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Omar Sivori, the former Juventus FC forward and 1961 European Footballer of the Year, died last night in Argentina at the age of 69.

Juventus pomp
Born in San Nicolas, Argentina, Sivori won three domestic titles with CA River Plate before joining Juventus in 1957 for a fee of 160m Lira (about €80,000). An inside-left, he played for eight season with Juventus, scoring 171 goals in 257 games. Nicknamed 'El Cabezón' ('Headstrong') he formed a fantastic attacking partnership with Welsh striker John Charles, who died last year.

Title successes
Sivori won the Italian title three times with Juventus, in 1958, 1960 and 1961 as well as a hat-trick of Coppa Italia triumphs in 1959, 1960 and 1965. He was also Serie A's top scorer in 1959/60 with 28 goals. In 1961 he won the Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year and the following year scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Real Madrid CF as Juventus became the first Italian team to win at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

Dual citizenship
Thanks to having dual Argentinian and Italian citizenship, Sivori was able to play international football for both countries. He made 18 appearances for Argentina before moving to Europe, and went on to play nine times for Italy, scoring eight goals and playing in the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile for the Azzurri.

Napoli coda
In 1965 he moved to SSC Napoli, where he played until retiring in 1969. After hanging up his boots, he returned to Argentina to coach River Plate and the national team before becoming a full-time scout for Juventus in South America. "He was like an older brother for me," said Juventus vice-president Roberto Bettega. "He was my idol when I was a kid and then we became close friends. He was one of the best players in the history of football." Sivori had been suffering from cancer.

Escrito por fraja8 às 09h55
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EL TÉCNICO SE MOSTRÓ MOLESTO POR LA FALTA DE CONCENTRACIÓN
Luxemburgo: "Hay que pensar sólo en el Athletic"

El técnico del Real Madrid, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, compareció en rueda de prensa y se mostró bastante enfadado por los acontecimientos extradeportivos que han copado la actualidad del equipo blanco en la última semana. "No me gusta lo que ha pasado esta semana, hay que pensar sólo en fútbol", dijo refiriéndose a la recinete boda de Ronaldo, "el partido del Athletic es un choque muy complicado".

"Los jugadores han de conquistar su puesto jugando y no hablando", dijo el brasileño. Respecto a la polémica con Ronaldo, Luxemburgo aseguró que "eso es un problema del club, y no mío. El club ha tomado la decisión que tenía que tomar. Ha hecho lo que tenía que hacer. El jugador no cumplió con lo que debía cumplir. No me gustó preparar esta semana así porque se habló muy poco de fútbol", declaró un muy enfadado.

El técnico del Real Madrid, en un tono muy serio y con ganas de zanjar el tema, dejó claro que la multa no es un tema que le compete pero aseguró que ha sido una semana complicada para preparar los enfrentamientos contra el Athletic Club y la Juventus.

Ronaldo entra en la convocatoria, pero no será titular
Ronaldo entró en la convocatoria para el partido contra el Athletic del próximo sábado al contar con el alta médica tras su lesión. Tras su unión de votos con su novia Daniela Ciccareli el pasado lunes, el delantero brasileño del Real Madrid sufrió una artritis en el dedo gordo del pie izquierdo y sólo completó un entrenamiento, tras no ejercitarse ni martes ni miércoles.

Pese a entrar en la convocatoria, Vanderlei Luxemburgo alineará a Michael Owen como titular contra el conjunto rojiblanco, por lo que Ronaldo tiene todas las papeletas para ser suplente y reservarse para el encuentro del martes de Liga de Campeones contra el Juventus.

Marca descubre los métodos de trabajo de Luxemburgo
‘El Campeón’ es un libro que recoge la filosofía y técnicas de trabajo de Vanderlei Luxemburgo, el entrenador que logró la ‘triple corona’ con el Cruzeiro en 2003. Ganar en Brasil tres títulos en una temporada es más que un éxito y este hecho sirvió al periodista, Ingo Ostrovsky (brasileño de padre ruso), para profundizar en el conocimiento privado (charlas con los jugadores, motivación, mensajes, arengas, reprimendas, tácticas...) del actual técnico del Real Madrid.

Varios jugadores madridistas tuvieron acceso a este libro y confirmaron, punto por punto, que los métodos que utilizó Luxemburgo para ser el mejor entrenador de su país y llegar a dirigir a la selección de Brasil son los mismos que ahora aplica al Real Madrid. De esta forma se puede empezar a explicar el resurgir de este equipo que ha ganado los últimos siete partidos de Liga y ha conseguido acercarse al Barcelona y pelear por la Liga. “En las charlas antes de los partidos, en el hotel, se le ve con rabia, gesticulando mucho, motivándonos... Su mensaje es directo. Nos dice que somos los mejores y que vamos a ganar porque hemos trabajado para eso. Que somos un equipo y que hay que trabajar para el grupo con solidaridad. Nos dice también que le gustaría estar en nuestra piel y poder hacer disfrutar a la afición. Por eso tenemos que jugar con coraje, motivación, concentración, ilusionados... También que nos olvidemos de lo que haga el Barcelona y salgamos a demostrar que somos mejores. Su charla es distinta a la de otros técnicos. Grita, pero suena bien. Es un gran motivador”, comentaron algunos jugadores.

Gracias a este libro, que será traducido en breve a nuestro idioma, pudimos conocer más a Luxemburgo. Nos puso sobre la pista y los jugadores del Real Madrid confirman lo publicado.

Escrito por fraja8 às 09h53
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O goleiro da seleção francesa e do Olympique, Fabien Barthez, que cuspiu no árbitro do amistoso entre seu time e o Wydad, no sábado passado em Casablanca, sofreu uma "sanção interna", informou nesta quinta-feira um porta-voz do time de Marselha.

"O gesto de Fabien Barthez é indesculpável e o punimos (...) Ele já pediu desculpas a Marrocos, assim como eu mesmo e o clube, e também ao árbitro da partida", assinalou Pape Diouf, presidente do Olympique, que não deu detalhes da sanção imposta ao goleiro.

O juiz Abdellah El Achirima enviou à Federação Marroquina de Futebol um relatório sobre o que lhe aconteceu. "Fiquei surpreso com o aparecimento de Barthez, que havia sido substituído. Entrou em campo, veio em minha direção, e, enquanto me insultava, cuspiu no meu roso", declarou El Achirima.

A partida foi suspensa aos 80 minutos, quando o Olympique perdia por 2 a 1, por causa do jogo violento, que desencadeou uma briga generalizada.

Escrito por fraja8 às 09h50
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Second-half goals by Alan Shearer and Lee Bowyer gave ten-man Newcastle United FC a UEFA Cup Round of 32 first-leg win at a spirited SC Heerenveen.

	Alan Shearer celebrates scoring Newcastle's equaliser

Tactical switch
The impressive Klaas Jan Huntelaar had given the hosts a deserved lead at the break, but Newcastle were revived by a second-half tactical switch and held on to win despite Bowyer's late dismissal.

Duo ill
Both sides were without players through illness, Arek Radomski for the hosts and Kieron Dyer for Newcastle, although Jermaine Jenas did shrug off similar flu symptoms to start for the English team. Newcastle settled the quicker but Heerenveen got to grips with the visitors' front three of Shearer, Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi and began to attack themselves.

First chance
Ugur Yildirim, Mika Väyrynen and Daniel Berg Hestad provided dangerous crosses towards Arnold Bruggink and Huntelaar. Despite both sides showing plenty of attacking spirit, however, it was 20 minutes before the first chance, Yildirim's shot charged down by Jenas after Hestad's cross.

Huntelaar strikes
Newcastle responded through Céléstine Babayaro’s determined left-flank run, but on 24 minutes they went behind. Titus Bramble failed to deal with an upfield pass and Bruggink pulled it back for Huntelaar. The striker, a constant threat during the early stages, twisted and fired hard and high past Shay Given.

Relentless attacks
Huntelaar had the chance to double his tally just two minutes later, but headed straight at Given from another Yildirim cross. Newcastle continued to look stretched as they tried to contend with Heerenveen's relentless attacks, while at the other end their early promise had all but dried up.

Hosts tire
After the break it was still Huntelaar who looked most lively, with Bramble twice having to tend to the young striker as he bore down on goal. But gradually the hosts' threat diminished, and Newcastle glimpsed their chance.

Decisive change
Newcastle's fortunes seemed to swing on the 62nd-minute introduction of Laurent Robert, just as the increasingly frustrated away fans had been demanding from the stands. With the departure of Ameobi, Newcastle reverted to 4-4-2 with Kluivert up front alongside Shearer. And on 67 minutes Kluivert played his partner in on goal, only to see Said Bakkati make an amazing block.

Newcastle turnaround
But two minutes later the same pair combined and from an identical position Shearer made no mistake, driving past Brian Vanderbussche from 15 metres. Heerenveen responded by refreshing their attack, bringing on Georgios Samaras and Victor Sikora for the tired Bruggink and Huntelaar. But they had barely had chance to warm up when they went behind on 82 minutes, the busy Bowyer deftly flicking in Stephen Carr's cross.

Bowyer off
Bowyer's joy was short-lived, however, as he was shown a second yellow card for deliberate handball deep in midfield. It was the second sending-off of the season for Bowyer, for whom tonight marked a return from another European suspension. But Newcastle played out a win which puts them in the driving seat ahead of next week's second leg.

Escrito por fraja8 às 20h13
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POR JOSÉ FÉLIX DÍAZ

Emerson se ha convertido en el imprescindible de la Juve de Capello. Pudo ser galáctico, el Real Madrid le rechazó en un principio y luego quiso ficharle. Pero cuando acudió a su encuentro, el agente del brasileño ya se había comprometido con el equipo italiano.

Real Madrid-Juve, ¿una pena que sea en octavos de final?
Es una pena porque lo normal es que fuera una semifinal o una final. Va a ser una gran eliminatoria, con dos partidos que van a ser de lo mejor que se pueda ver. Para nosotros van a ser dos partidos muy complicados, aunque creo que el Real Madrid tampoco estará muy contento del resultado del sorteo.

A la Juve se le resiste la Champions. En Italia domina pero en Europa falla.
El objetivo principal de esta temporada para la Juve es la Champions. En estos partidos ante el Real Madrid tenemos que demostrar que podemos ganar la Champions y demostrar que somos un equipo muy fuerte.

Para usted enfrentarse al Real Madrid va a ser muy especial porque se va a encontrar con muchos amigos como Samuel, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo…Es cierto. Todos son grandes jugadores y tanto ellos como yo queremos ganar. En el terreno de juego no nos conoceremos. Luego, cuando terminen los partidos, volveremos a ser amigos y hablaremos de nuestras vidas.

Con Samuel coincidió cuatro años en la Roma, ¿habla con él?
No, no hablo con él. De todos ellos con el que tengo más contacto es con Roberto Carlos. Es mi amigo y hablamos a menudo. Con Ronaldo apenas hablo.

¿Y qué le ha dicho Roberto Carlos del duelo con la Juve?
Me ha dicho que el Real Madrid está muy concentrado en la Liga porque quiere alcanzar al Barcelona y está consiguiendo remontar. Lo que está haciendo tiene mérito.

Y en el banquillo, Luxemburgo al que usted también conoce.
Muy bien. A él le gusta que el equipo este unido, muy junto sobre el terreno de juego. Le gusta trabajar mucho. Con él el Real Madrid ha cambiado, es otro. Ahora vuelve a ganar. El Real Madrid es más Real Madrid con Luxemburgo.

¿Ha coincidido con Luxemburgo?
Con Brasil, con la selección. Jugué con él en la Copa América y él fue quien me colocó de mediocentro. Es un buen entrenador y me gustó trabajar con él.

El pasado verano Real Madrid y Juve se ‘pegaron’ por usted y ganó el equipo italiano, ¿no?
Sí, si así fue (ríe). No paso nada. Di mi palabra a la Juve y yo soy hombre de palabra. Antes de ser un jugador soy una persona y para mí lo más importante es la palabra. Di mi palabra a la Juve y el Real Madrid llegó después, un poco tarde. Real Madrid y Juve son dos grandes equipos, pero la Juve llegó primero.

¿Se arrepiente de su decisión con el paso del tiempo?
No, estoy bien en la Juve. No creo que haya mucha diferencia entre jugar en la Juve y el Real Madrid porque las dos tienen un nivel muy parecido.

¿Tiene miedo al Real Madrid? ¿Qué destacaría del equipo madridista?
Miedo no, pero Zidane es tremendo cuando está en forma; Ronaldo marca la diferencia. El Real Madrid marca las diferencias porque en dos minutos sus jugadores pueden ganar un partido, cambiar el juego con dos acciones; Figo está en gran forma… todos son buenos jugadores.

Entonces, ¿se queda con el conjunto de la Juve y los jugadores del Real Madrid?
Sí. Nosotros trabajamos todos juntos, como un equipo. El Real Madrid tiene talento, calidad.

La Juve va hacia abajo y el Madrid remonta y ha logrado que la balanza se equilibre ¿no?
Perder dos partidos puede suceder a cualquier equipo, Juve, Milan todos pueden perder. Lo que no podemos permitir son más fallos. Ahora es cuando tenemos que estar unido. En el fútbol no de puede vencer siempre. No es normal que un equipo grande pierda dos partidos seguidos pero tenemos que ser fuertes.

Usted ya se ha enfrentado en dos ocasiones al Real Madrid jugando con la Roma...
Jugar contra el Real Madrid en el Bernabéu es especial. El jugador ve ese estadio y se motiva. El clima que hay en ese estadio es muy positiva para el jugador. Los partidos en el Bernabéu son diferentes para cualquier jugador. El que no juega bien ahí es que no sabe jugar al fútbol. El Madrid ataca y te deja jugar. En Roma, en los dos partidos, no vimos la pelota, pero en el Bernabéu fue distinto. Ahora uno seguirá con vida y el otro no.

¿Qué decidirá la eliminatoria?
No perder la concentración ni un solo minuto. Será una eliminatoria muy igualada y se irá fuera el que pierda la concentración.

¿El que gane esta eliminatoria es el favorito para la Champions?
Ambos equipos están acostumbrados a estar en semifinales y finales. El que gane lo va a tener más fácil porque elimina a un rival muy complicado. El que gane va a ser uno de los favoritos. Bayern, Arsenal, Milan…

¿Son Juve y Real Madrid los dos mejores de Europa?
Somos dos equipos que estamos jugando bien. Milan, Arsenal…

¿Favorito?
No hay favorito porque son dos de los mejores de Europa y puede pasar cualquier cosa.

Dicen que Robinho jugará en el Real Madrid.
Sí. Es bueno, pero muy joven. El otro día en Hong Kong jugó muy bien con Brasil. Era su primer partido como titular y lo ha hecho muy bien. Es muy rápido y hábil. Esperemos que en poco tiempo sea un gran jugador.

¿No le veo muy convencido de su éxito en Europa?
Es un poco pequeño. Todavía tiene que crecer, que ensanchar más, coger peso y fuerza. Físicamente todavía es pequeño para el juego en Europa, pero es hábil. En Europa impera la fuerza y si no la tienes lo pasas mal. Hombre en España quizás sea más fácil porque gusta más el toque del balón, la habilida

Escrito por fraja8 às 20h09
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Florentino Pérez, presidente del Real Madrid, afirmó en la presentación de su biografía que no piensa abandonar la presidencia antes de la finalización de su mandato y elevó a Emilio Butragueño como el mejor de sus sucesores. "No pienso irme y estoy seguro de que Emilio Butragueño sería y será un buen presidente del Real Madrid", manifestó Florentino Pérez.

El presidente del Real Madrid pidió al socio que en el futuro apueste como él, por Butragueño, "una continuidad natural". "No pienso irme ahora, el día que me vaya el club debe tener una continuidad natural. Una institución tan importante para el mundo no puede tener un futuro incierto. No podemos olvidar que al Real Madrid lo hizo grande Bernabéu tras dedicar toda su vida al club, como jugador y posteriormente como presidente. Es un legado que hay que preservar como nuestro gran tesoro", explicó.

Su primera biografía
Florentino Pérez relató cómo nunca hasta la fecha había autorizado una biografía suya y desveló que Gaspar Rosety ha escrito la primera, que como definió el propio autor, "es una biografía no autorizada pero tampoco prohibida".

"Me da vergüenza verme en la portada del libro, uno tiene cierto pudor. Durante años he dicho que no a quien ha querido escribir de mí. A Gaspar le dije lo mismo pero ya era tarde, tenía firmado un contrato. Lo ha hecho en contra de mi voluntad pero con cariño", dijo.

"Más que por 25 años de mi vida empresarial, soy conocido por presidir el Real Madrid, donde vine para aportar la profesionalización y modernización, con el 'modelo Bernabéu', el modelo deportivo-económico, único viable en un club en el que los propietarios son los socios. Me considero un forofo del fútbol con el privilegio de dirigir el mejor equipo del mundo", concluyó.

Escrito por fraja8 às 20h04
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El delantero del Real Madrid Ronaldo inició el entrenamiento con el resto de sus compañeros, pero abandonó la sesión antes de tiempo con ligeras molestias. El brasileño estuvo en el césped de la Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas durante 52 minutos.

Sin embargo, el '9' se marchó antes de tiempo con ligeras molestias en el dedo gordo del pie izquierdo debido a una artritis, lo que le imposibilitó entrenarse los dos últimos días pero que en principio no le impedirá jugar contra el Athletic el sábado en el Santiago Bernabéu.

El que se marchó rápidamente de la Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas nada más terminar el entrenamiento fue Michel Salgado, puesto que su mujer daba a luz a su segundo hijo en una clínica madrileña. Será el primer niño de la pareja, puesto que ya tienen un niña.

Tiros a puerta
En el entrenamiento, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, técnico del conjunto blanco, puso especial hincapié en los lanzamientos a portería, ya que durante más de una hora sus jugadores estuvieron bombardeando a los tres porteros.

Todos los jugadores del primer equipo, a excepción de Jonathan Woodgate, se ejercitaron sin problemas, después que ayer tanto Raúl González como David Beckham acabaran tocados la sesión. Por tanto, y salvo problemas de última hora, Luxemburgo podrá contar con todo el equipo el sábado a excepción de Roberto Carlos, sancionado.

Escrito por fraja8 às 20h03
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Ricardo Mello alcançou pela primeira vez as semifinais do Aberto do Brasil. Com uma virada no primeiro set e arrasador na segunda série, ele se classificou com vitória sobre o espanhol Santiago Ventura por 2 sets a 0, com parciais de 7-5 e 6-1.

Com esse resultado, Mello, que se tornou nesta semana o brasileiro mais bem colocado no ranking mundial, na posição de número 56, supera as campanhas de 2001 e de 2003, quando chegou às quartas-de-final.A vitória também leva Mello à melhor campanha em quadra de saibro. O brasileiro, que está atrás de seu segundo título de nível ATP, tinha como melhor resultado as quartas-de-final do Torneio de Houston de 2003.

Em busca de vaga na decisão, Mello terá pela frente mais um especialista em quadra de saibro. Ele enfrenta o vencedor do confronto entre o espanhol Rafael Nadal e o argentino Agustín Calleri, atual vice-campeão, que jogam ainda nesta quinta. >makeFooter('');

Escrito por fraja8 às 20h02
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CINEMA/"GARRINCHA"

Cinebiografia é ilustração pobre do livro de Ruy Castro

JOSÉ GERALDO COUTO
COLUNISTA DA FOLHA

Com infinitos matizes possíveis, há duas maneiras básicas de encarar a cinebiografia de uma personalidade real: ou se opta por uma reconstituição naturalista, à americana, como faz "Cazuza", de Sandra Werneck, ou se parte para a estilização, apresentando o personagem como signo a ser decifrado, como faz Julio Bressane em "O Mandarim".
O primeiro problema de "Garrincha - Estrela Solitária" talvez seja o de não ter definido claramente a sua proposta. O resultado é um drama biográfico exangue, que nada acrescenta ao conhecimento e à mitologia do personagem real.
A intenção naturalista é visível, por exemplo, na maquiagem que esticou impiedosamente o belo rosto de Taís Araújo para torná-la, supostamente, parecida com a cantora Elza Soares.
Esse ingênuo mimetismo é contrariado pela tendência à teatralidade da "mise-en-scène": predominância de closes e planos médios, diálogos artificiais (sobretudo quando extraídos diretamente do livro "Estrela Solitária", de Ruy Castro), agravados muitas vezes pela dicção algo solene de alguns atores.
A narrativa tem uma estrutura interessante, mas esquemática: no dia em que será homenageado por uma escola de samba, desfilando num carro alegórico, Garrincha (André Gonçalves) relembra momentos importantes de sua vida, em flashbacks narrados em primeira pessoa.

Previsibilidade
Da juventude em Pau Grande à ruína causada pelo alcoolismo, passando pela glória nos campos e pelas aventuras amorosas, tudo é exibido como uma ilustração melodramática e previsível do livro de Ruy Castro.
A redundância impera. Quando o jovem craque chega ao Rio para fazer um teste no Botafogo, por exemplo, são apresentadas várias imagens de cartão-postal da cidade, com a supérflua legenda "Rio de Janeiro".
Agentes da ditadura militar que invadem a casa de Elza Soares são sádicos que literalmente esmagam passarinhos com as mãos e exibem os dentes podres em risadas sarcásticas.

Personagens mais ou menos célebres dizem as falas que deles se espera. O técnico Gentil Cardoso, em sua primeira aparição, diz: "Quem se desloca recebe, quem pede tem preferência". O jornalista Sandro Moreyra, ao longo do filme: "Tem coisas que só acontecem no Botafogo".
A falta de jogo de cintura do roteiro chega a surpreender, pois dele participaram grandes conhecedores da fala popular, como Aldir Blanc e João Máximo.
Mas o mais grave de tudo é a incapacidade do ator André Gonçalves, talvez por culpa do roteiro e da direção, de construir um Mané Garrincha crível. Em alguns momentos, o craque fala como um sábio cético, em outros, como um malandro à beira da cafajestice, em outros ainda, como um simples estúpido.
O longa-metragem só ganha vida quando entram as imagens do Garrincha verdadeiro em campo, ou quando a verdadeira Elza canta a linda "Bambino", já sob os créditos finais.

Garrincha - Estrela Solitária
 
Direção: Milton Alencar Jr.
Produção: Brasil/Chile, 2003
Com: André Gonçalves, Taís Araújo, Henrique Pires
Quando: a partir de amanhã nos cinemas de São Paulo

Escrito por fraja8 às 19h34
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Swing Kings

The perfect golf swing is smooth and powerful, yet economical and effortless. Of the active players, Ernie Els fits the bill.

Escrito por fraja8 às 19h29
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The best swings of all time on the PGA TourWelcome to the debut of The Front Nine. Each week, we'll focus on a specific golf topic and offer up a list of the nine best (or worst, as the case may be).

When judging golf swings, it's very subjective. In fact, it's damn tough. One of the factors used when compiling this list was whether a swing would pass the test of time 20 years from when the golfer last played. I also rewarded aesthetically pleasing swings. With that in mind, don't expect to see John Daly or Jim Furyk. (Note: This list doesn't include LPGA Tour players. I'll go sit next to Hootie Johnson now.)

A. Redington/Getty Images 1.Sam Snead There isn't a golfer around who wouldn't like to come back in his or her next life with Snead's serene swing, one of golf's most admired. Phil Mickelson calls it "aesthetically pleasing." Snead rarely practiced, feeling there was no need to tinker. "I figured early that the best swing was a one-piece swing that let you get rid of all the hitches, the things that throw you off," Snead told GolfSwings. When watching video of Snead's fluid and powerful swing, it's easy to see why Slammin' Sammy holds so many records. The most amazing record: 358 Top 10s. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images 2.Ernie Els Each time Els swing a club, it's like he just woke up from a long nap. Els' swing looks effortless, almost lazy. He's a big guy (6-foot-3, 210), which makes it's hard to imagine any swing looking easy. Yet Els pulls it off, practically hiding its awesome power -- hence the nickname "The Big Easy." Els keeps a perfect stance while maintaining a great rhythm throughout his swing. Gary Player paid Els the ultimate compliment, comparing Els' swing to that of Snead's. Augusta Chronicle file photo 3. Bobby Jones Jones never took a formal golf lesson, yet his swing is a work of art. At age 7, Jones copied the compact swing of Steward Maiden. While combining power, accuracy and touch, Jones' swing was very specific. Those swing characteristics remain the ultimate standard today. If Jones was playing today, his swing would hold the test of time and he would dominate. With his amazingly glassy, smooth swing, you'd think Jones spent countless hours on the range. But that was hardly the case. Jones set aside just three months each year for golf. Mark Dadswell/Getty Images 4.Adam Scott Is it bad to be like Tiger? Scott admits he tried to imitate Tiger's swing when he was younger. Since Scott's coach is Butch Harmon (Tiger's old coach), some people also felt Harmon was trying to make a Tiger clone. But Scott had his own swing before he enrolled at UNLV and before he met Harmon. Scott is the new-breed golfer: young, athletic, huge shoulder turn and classic swing. Watch Scott hit a few balls and you'll be amazed with his perfect posture and how he can swing so hard without tensing up. His swing is like a symphony -- all pieces working together to create a beautiful product. Scott Halleran/Getty Images 5.Ben Hogan For my money, Hogan is the best ball striker and shot maker ever. His silky, smooth swing isn't too shabby either. Many golf instructors say Hogan's swing is the best. It was Hogan who figured out the swing-plane concept and mastered it -- to the tune of 63 Tour victories and nine majors. Hogan felt if any golfer was going to play well, the player would need a swing that would be repeatable, allowing the swing to develop over time.

Escrito por fraja8 às 19h28
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Striker Didier Drogba is unlikely to recover from a thigh injury in time to play in Chelsea FC's UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against FC Barcelona on Wednesday, manager José Mourinho said today.

'Little chance'
"Drogba is definitely out for [the FA Cup tie against Newcastle United FC on] Sunday and there is little chance for Wednesday," Mourinho said after the English side's training session today. Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is expected to take Drogba's place in the side.

Robben out
Ivory Coast striker Drogba, who has scored three Champions League goals this season, has not played since being substituted during Chelsea's FA Cup fourth-round victory against Birmingham City FC on 30 January. Mourinho will also be without injured Dutch winger Arjen Robben for Wednesday's first leg at the Camp Nou.

Escrito por fraja8 às 19h25
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Italian UEFA Cup contenders Parma FC have signed veteran midfielder Renato Olive on a free transfer.

Free agent
Olive, 33, had been without a club since cancelling his contract with Napoli Soccer 2004 last summer. "After 16 years in the game, it was tough to live without a club these last six months," he said, having signed a contract until the summer. "I have trained alone in this period but I think I'm in good physical condition." During his Serie A career, Olive has also played for US Lecce, AC Perugia and Bologna FC, scoring 13 goals in 171 games.

No Europe
Parma face VfB Stuttgart in the return leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie next week but Olive will be ineligible as he was not included in their squad list by 1 February. However, he will be available for Parma's fight against relegation with the club currently 18th in Italy's top flight.

Escrito por fraja8 às 19h24
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	Gabriel Milito of Zaragoza (left) heads clear from Márcio Nobre

Real Zaragoza will return to Spain confident of claiming a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup next Thursday after a late goal from defender Alvaro defeated Fenerbahçe SK in Istanbul.

Alvaro winner
The Turkish league leaders seized the initiative against Zaragoza as they looked to build on the strong finish to their UEFA Champions League campaign. But the Spanish side defended stoutly and their fluent passing game turned the momentum in their favour before Alvaro struck with 18 minutes to play.

Nobre fit
Fenerbahçe coach Christoph Daum brought in defensive midfield player Selçuk Sahin to fill the gap created by Marco Aurélio's suspension, while in attack Nicolas Anelka started alongside the fit-again Márcio Nobre, with Alex tucked in just behind to add support. Zaragoza coach Víctor Muñoz opted for a 4-5-1 formation, with David Villa as the lone striker as the Spanish side looked to attack on the break.

Fenerbahçe drive
Defence, however, was Zaragoza's initial priority and they were fortunate not to fall behind on five minutes when an unmarked Fábio Luciano headed Selçuk Sahin's high cross wide when well placed. Fenerbahçe, confidence buoyed by their 3-0 defeat of Manchester United FC in December, failed to build on this promising start, however, and too often wasted possession became the springboard for Zaragoza counterattacks and the home side's goal began to come under threat.

Alvaro chance
David Generelo shot first for Zaragoza on 29 minutes, but his effort from distance drifted well wide, then three minutes later Alvaro missed with a powerful header after connecting with Luciano Galletti's cross.

Anelka presses
The Fenerbahçe midfield was struggling to keep Anelka and Nobre involved, and increasingly the front pair were forced to come deep to collect the ball. Nine minutes before half-time Anelka finally found a clear sight of goal, but two shots in quick succession were blocked as the Zaragoza defence held firm.

Alvaro goal
Daum replaced the aggressive Serkan Balci with Mehmet Yozgatli after the break, but Fenerbahçe still could not make an impression on a Zaragoza side now displaying an exemplary team ethic as they calmly passed the ball around and retained possession. Zaragoza's reward came from a well-worked free-kick on 72 minutes. An unmarked Galletti was given the time to pick out Sávio Bortolini, and though the striker missed his chance, Alvaro was on hand to apply a simple finish.

Alex miss
Zaragoza retreated after the goal, but the Turkish side could not force an equaliser, Alex summing up a disappointing night when he fired their best chance high and wide with six minutes remaining.

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h31
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PFC CSKA Moskva gave themselves every chance of reaching the UEFA Cup last 16 with an impressive 2-0 victory against SL Benfica.

	Vassili Berezoutski is congratulated after scoring CSKA's first

Vigorous spirits
The Russian team scored in both halves courtesy of goals from defender Vassili Berezoutski and Brazilian striker Vágner Love to put themselves in a promising position ahead of the away tie at the Estádio da Luz next Thursday. Benfica enjoyed the majority of the possession in a first half in which they were unfortunate not to score but were thoroughly outplayed in the second as CSKA emerged from the break in vigorous spirits.

Love chance
Benfica, third in the Portuguese SuperLiga, began the match positively and looked anything but the away side as they circulated the ball elegantly in the opening stages. Nevertheless, it was CSKA - in their first competitive game of 2005 - who fashioned the first chance when Vágner Love almost took advantage of a mistake in the visiting defence only to lose his footing and stumble over the ball as he went to shoot.

Berezoutski opener
Despite beginning the game on the defensive, CSKA went ahead in the eleventh minute. Vassili Berezoutski managed to get his boot on the end of Daniel Carvalho's looping free-kick into the box which angled its way past a succession of Benfica defenders and looked as if it would have gone in even if the tall stopper had not provided a final touch to ensure it did.

Visiting domination
From that point on, however, the visitors dominated, enjoying long spells on the ball which only broke down when the move encroached on the host area. Yet the CSKA rearguard held firm, defending well and carefully following Benfica's triumvarate of forwards - Simão Sabrosa, Geovanni and Nuno Gomes - as they dropped deep to collect.

Audacious efforts
In the final minutes of the opening period Simão, Petit and Nuno Assis all took turns to try to level the score with audacious efforts from distance while CSKA’s only attempt of note during this period fell to Rolan Gusev, who also drilled wayward from long range.

Words of warning
The Russian side, eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after two losses to Chelsea FC and one against FC Porto, emerged for the second half in determined mood. Within seconds of the restart, Carvalho jinked down the flank and fizzed in a dangerous cross which was headed away by the smallest of margins. Elvir Rahimic then pounced on a loose ball and hit a thundering strike on the half-volley which was charged down.

Fine goal
The greater ambition soon paid dividends and CSKA collected their second goal in the 61st minute just as Benfica were threatening to gain a foothold. Midfield player Rahimic nudged a ball into the path of Love, who controlled the assist to aplomb and slammed a right-foot shot into the corner past the despairing dive of goalkeeper Quim.

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h27
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Diego Armando Maradona desmintió hoy en Colombia que haya evaluado la posibilidad de someterse a una intervención quirúrgica para reducir su estómago, mediante un by pass gástrico, a raíz de su crónico problema de obesidad.

Diego Armando Maradona, que desde hace nueve días se encuentra en Cartagena de Indias, habló brevemente con periodistas colombianos y reafirmó los dichos formulados ayer por el médico Francisco Holguín, director de la Clínica Medihelp Services, , donde se habría programado la mencionada práxis médica.Aunque en círculos cercanos al ex capitán de la Selección se insiste en que será operado este domingo, Maradona, de 44 años, se asomó a la vereda del Edificio Bahía, de la playa de Bocagrande, caminó lento, y, tras firmar autógrafos, accedió a hablar con los cronistas.

Vestido con una remera celeste y una bermuda azul, el Diez aseveró: "Vine a Cartagena a descansar. Es una ciudad muy bonita. No me voy a hacer ninguna operación. Estoy aquí porque respeto a la gente y el trabajo de la prensa, pero no voy a responder más preguntas".Maradona, quien siempre confesó su adicción a la cocaína, presenta actualmente un peso aproximado de 120 kilogramos. A ello se suma su hipertensión y dos episodios pulmonares, en 2000 y 2004, que comprometieron su función cardíaca.

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h21
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Salas llegó a la práctica 25 minutos después de su inicio. ¿Habrá castigo? Para nada: metió dos goles y hasta podría ir al banco este domingo...

A partir de las 9, los jugadores de River empiezan a salir del vestuario cambiaditos, listos para iniciar el entrenamiento de la mañana en Ezeiza. Astrada y sus colaboradores esperan hace rato con el silbato colgado al cuello y las carpetas en la mano. La práctica arranca. Pero falta alguien. Hay uno menos en el plantel, un ausente notorio. No está Marcelo Salas. Otra vez el Matador...

Recién a las 9.25 el Audi negro atraviesa el portón rojo del predio lindero a la autopista Ricchieri. Entra rápido. El chileno se baja a las corridas, se mete en el vestuario y en un par de minutos, al mejor estilo superhéroe de cómics, ya está con los botines y los cortos puestos en la cancha. No hay aplausos de sus compañeros para dejarlo en evidencia, como suelen hacer en algunos países de Europa. No tendrá que pagar multa, como sucedía en la época de Manuel Pellegrini. Tampoco Astrada lo mandó a casa, como decidió con Maxi López y Costanzo cuando se retrasaron. Incluso, al rubio le costó quedarse afuera de la lista inicial de la Libertadores del 2004. Pero Salas no recibe castigo. Quizá algún reto puertas adentro. Nada visible, ningún tirón de orejas que traspase la puerta del vestuario. En los dos turnos de ayer nadie se refirió a este tema ni se explicaron los motivos del retraso. Todos lo cuidan. Demasiado. Aunque llegue tarde, se siente seguro...

Esta historia ya no sorprende. Tal vez, ni siquiera el cuerpo técnico ni los dirigentes se alerten por una irresponsabilidad de Salas. No hace falta retroceder tanto en el archivo para encontrar una situación similar. El sábado 5 de febrero, el Matador viajó a Chile porque estaba convocado para jugar el amistoso ante Ecuador (se jugó el miércoles) y el lunes quedó desafectado por la lesión que arrastraba desde el superclásico del 30 de enero (un hematoma arriba del tobillo izquierdo, por un golpe de Rodrigo Palacio). Pero el delantero no regresó a Buenos Aires para acelerar la recuperación: se quedó en su país para "apoyar al equipo", según explicó. Recién retomó los entrenamientos el jueves pasado. Claro, tampoco recibió un apercibimiento... Volvió a trabajar con tranquilidad, como ya lo había hecho en otros de sus tantos viajes a Chile con el regreso demorado.

Es evidente que Salas no recibe el mismo trato que la mayoría de sus compañeros. Si Maxi López llegó tarde y no fue incluido en la lista inicial de la Copa, si Costanzo se durmió y fue "bajado" del plantel que al día siguiente viajaba a Paraguay (a jugar ante Libertad por la primera fase de la Copa), ¿por qué no se toman medidas similares con el Matador? Hay dos razones: 1) En el club creen que castigarlo sería sumarle otra piedra a un regreso ya cargado de tropezones, tratan de protegerlo para que no se caiga psicológicamente y recupere la confianza en sí mismo; 2) Más allá de la afinidad que lo une al Matador (ojo, a Costanzo también, por ejemplo), Astrada tiene debilidad por el juego del chileno.

Y claro, cuando toca la pelota en alguna práctica, Salas justifica por qué tiene tanta banca. Ayer, luego del retraso, el Matador pisó el césped de Ezeiza calladito y se puso a trotar solo, mientras el resto del grupo realizaba un trabajo físico bajo las órdenes del Profe Gabriel Macaya. Unos minutos después, el chileno se acopló a sus compañeros para empezar a pagar, con la pelota, una parte de sus deudas. En total jugó 40 minutos. No fue una práctica formal de fútbol sino una serie de ejercicios tácticos. El primero se pareció bastante a un partido: 11 contra 11 a un toque. El Jefe armó dos equipos mezcladitos (sin diferenciar titulares de suplentes), Salas compartió la delantera con la Gata Fernández y tras una linda pared con el delantero felino se lució al definir de vaselina ante Saccone. Ahí sí se escucharon los aplausos. Para felicitarlo, claro... Después, el DT dividió al grupo en cuatro y trabajó sólo en un cuarto de cancha, en ataque y defensa: allí el chileno la metió de nuevo, esta vez con un zurdazo cruzado frente a Poroto Lux. Además de sus toques de calidad, se mostró bien físicamente y no acusó el parate de 18 días sin fútbol. ¿Estará en condiciones para jugar contra Banfield? Marcelo se siente bien y se muere de ganas. Es más, si esta tarde responde bien en la práctica de fútbol, podría ganarse al menos un lugar en el banco para el domingo. Sí, aunque suene raro, en lugar de un castigo, Salas recibe un premio. El premio de jugar...

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h16
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Atlanta Falcons Defensive End

Age: 28

College: Virginia

Home town: Trenton, NJ

Player Info: 2005 Pro Bowl Selection; Kearney ranked fourth in the NFL with 13 sacks, a career high; tallied 7 sacks in the first four weeks; hasn't misssed a game in six seasons.

		ARTIST		SONG
1.		The Police		King of Pain
2.		David Gray		As I'm Leaving
3.		Jay-Z		Takeover
4.		Led Zeppelin		Tangerine
5.		George Strait		Cowboys Like Us
6.		Sting		Valparaiso
7.		Van Morrison		And It Stoned Me
8.		Pearl Jam		Man of the Hour
9.		Drivin' N' Cryin'		Let's Go Dancing
10.		James Taylor		Sweet Baby James

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h14
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Kobe Bryant strikes an odd pose during the Lakers-Jazz game.

North Carolina F Rashad McCants is helpless as he slips on the wet floor.

Basketball fan Andrae Anglin sums up the state of the NHL during the Bulls-Raptors game.

Elliott Sadler is all business as he practices for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Daytona 500.

New Nets F Clifford Robinson beats out two Sacramento Kings players for a rebound.

Wang Hao watches the ball after a serve during the table tennis men's singles match at the World Tops' Table Tennis Festival.

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h11
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Após conversa com direção do Inter, técnico decide ficar no Sul; Palmeiras volta a sondar outros candidatos.

SÃO PAULO - A busca da diretoria do Palmeiras por um novo técnico para assumir o comando do clube voltou ao zero. Muricy Ramalho, que já estava em negociações muito avançadas para ir para o Parque Antarctica, preferiu ficar no Internacional e recusou o convite alviverde.

O treinador, que já vinha, por meio de seu procurador, conversando com a cúpula do Verdão desde o início da semana, decidiu permanecer em Porto Alegre após conversa com a diretoria do time gaúcho. Oficialmente, o Inter diz que sequer precisou aumentar o salário de Muricy.
A decisão coincide com a postura que o técnico que vem adotando em sua carreira. No início do ano, o treinador chegou a recusar um convite do Santos por causa do mesmo Inter. Em 2002, o próprio Colorado tentou contratar Muricy quando comandava o Figueirense. Novamente, a resposta fora um não.

A postura, no entanto, é distinta da apresentada na noite da última quarta-feira. Após a vitória do Inter sobre o Chapadão por 2 x 0, o treinador deu uma entrevista em tom de despedida e evitou dizer se permaneceria na equipe.

Com a negativa do treinador do Colorado, a cúpula do Verdão volta a procurar outros nomes. Entre os candidatos, seguem com força os nomes de Geninho (Al-Ahli) e de Péricles Chamusca (Goiás).
Os dois já se mostraram abertos a conversar sobre o assunto, mas ressaltam não terem recebido um contato oficial. Um possível problema reside no fato de que ambos assumiram compromissos com suas equipes no início deste ano.
Geninho chegou até a ganhar adiantado boa parte dos salários que tem a receber. Além disso, o clube árabe se mostra satisfeito com o seu trabalho. Resta saber quanto o Palmeiras está disposto a desembolsar.

Neste cenário, outro "candidato" comentado nos bastidores do Parque Antarctica é Paulo Campos. Até o momento, o treinador, que pediu demissão do Paraná Clube na última terça-feira, nega um contato oficial da diretoria alviverde.Campos já esteve no clube do Parque Antarctica em 2002, quando dirigia o Palmeiras-B. Na ocasião, comandou um elenco formado por, entre outros, Diego Souza, Correa, Alceu, Glauber e Vágner Love (o único dos quatro que não está mais no Verdão).

Com a volta à indefinição, crescem as chances de Wilson Coimbra seguir no comando do time principal no clássico contra o São Paulo, no domingo. O treinador, que dirige a equipe B, já estará no banco de reservas do Parque Antarctica na noite desta quinta-feira, no jogo contra o Mogi Mirim.

Escrito por fraja8 às 17h04
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Su hermano y mánager Roberto de Assis plantea un contrato indefinido

El plan prevé que un grupo de cinco empresas financie la operación . Aparte del Chelsea, que puede volver a la carga, el Inter no descarta ir a por él.Ronaldinho Gaúcho quiere retirarse en el Barça y su entorno está trabajando en un plan para financiar un contrato indefinido sin que las arcas barcelonistas tengan que asumir un gran aumento de su coste por temporada. Roberto de Assis, hermano, amigo y representante del jugador azulgrana, se desplazó hace quince días a Barcelona para analizar esta posibilidad con la directiva del club barcelonista.

Se trata de un plan para blindar de modo indefinido la continuidad en el club azulgrana del considerado mejor jugador del mundo en 2004 por la FIFA. Desde el club barcelonista se ha insinuado recientemente, a través de unas declaraciones de Txiki Begiristain, el temor de que el Chelsea de Roman Abramovich vuelva a plantearse fichar a Ronaldinho, como sucedió el pasado verano, aunque no pasó de un tanteo.

Igualmente, en algunos sectores se especula con la opción de traspasar al brasileño tras el próximo Mundial, un momento que se presume idóneo: el rendimiento del 'Gaúcho' puede encontrarse entonces en su cúspide. La cláusula de rescisión del brasileño, en cambio, va perdiendo valor cada temporada. Hasta el próximo mes de junio es de 150 millones, pero en la temporada del fin de su contrato, en 2008, será de 80. Tras el Mundial de Alemania, el fichaje de Ronaldinho costaría 100 millones.

El brasileño es, cada temporada que pasa, un poco menos caro para el club que quiera hacerse con su fichaje. Aunque las cifras serán estratosféricas aun en el último año de su actual contrato, Ronaldinho tiene el suficiente valor tanto futbolístico como comercial como para que algunos de los grandes clubs europeos, aparte del Chelsea, se planteen su fichaje.

El interés de Moratti

Es el caso, por ejemplo, del Inter de Milán. En su último Consejo de Administración Massimo Moratti, accionista mayoritario del club 'neroazzurro', planteó la posibilidad de que la joya del club interista, el delantero brasileño Adriano, salga al mercado y, llegado el caso, qué jugador considerarían más interesante para hacer una inversión. El Consejo fue unánime al considerar a Ronaldinho el único futbolista por el que valdría la pena pagar una fuerte suma porque acabaría saliendo rentable, económica y deportivamente.

Precisamante por ahí van los planes de Roberto de Assis, el agente de Ronaldinho. Su intención es responder 'no' a todo club que se acerque a Ronaldinho con la idea de ficharlo. El plan para blindar su futuro barcelonista es reunir un grupo de cinco patrocinadores de gran nivel (Nike estaría siempre presente, y a la firma norteamericana le interesa que el brasileño siga en el Barça) que financien el contrato vitalicio de Ronaldinho en el club azulgrana sin que la economía del club se resienta.

Ronaldinho y su hermano (que a partir de septiembre fijará su residencia en Barcelona, y con él su hijo Diego, por quien Ronaldinho siente auténtica debilidad) tienen muy claro que su único deseo es que el brasileño siga en el Barça. Ronaldinho piensa que, si ha sido declarado mejor jugador de 2004 sin ganar ningún título, siendo campeón tendrá más al alcance su sueño de ganar tres veces el Balón de Oro antes de retirarse. Cree que, por muy grandes que sean los clubs que le pretenden, en ningún otro sitio estará como en el Barça, al que está muy agradecido porque se siente convencido de que ha sido el mejor escaparate que ha tenido su fútbol.

La fórmula de encontrar un grupo de empresas que financien el contrato de un jugador no es nueva. Lo intentó Josep Lluís Núñez con Ronaldo en 1997, para evitar su marcha al Inter. Unas imágenes de Ronaldo en el sambódromo del Carnaval de Río hicieron que una de las marcas se replanteasen la idea, puesto que el planteamiento es vincular la imagen del Barça y del jugador a las entidades que conformen el grupo. La 'fiesta' de Ronaldo espantó a una de las empresas y, cuando Núñez logró que TV3 se implicase, los agentes de Ronaldo ya habían atado el acuerdo con el Inter.

Ronaldinho y su agente no quieren que la historia se repita. Tampoco vinculan su continuidad a la de Sandro Rosell. Ronaldinho quiere retirarse en el Barça

Escrito por fraja8 às 08h44
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