Thursday, July 5, 2012

Messi wins UEFA Best Player in Europe Award

Messi wins UEFA Best Player in

Europe Award

Lionel Messi has been voted the winner of the inaugural UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in Monaco, the FC Barcelona forward finishing ahead of Xavi Hernández and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

history of team of the year of uefa

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2009:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF & Spain); Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea FC & England), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona & Spain), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC & France); Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC/Real Madrid CF & Portugal), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona & Spain), Kaká (AC Milan/Real Madrid CF), Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona & Spain); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimović (FC Internazionale Milano/FC Barcelona & Sweden). Josep Guardiola (FC Barcelona)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2008:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF & Spain); Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF & Spain), John Terry (Chelsea FC & England), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona & Spain), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München & Germany); Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC & Portugal), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona & Spain), Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal FC & Spain), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München & France); Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC & Spain). Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United FC)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2007:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF & Spain); Daniel Alves (Sevilla FC), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan & Italy), John Terry (Chelsea FC & England), Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyonnais/FC Barcelona & France); Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC & Portugal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC & England), Kaká (AC Milan), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan & Netherlands); Zlatan Ibrahimović (FC Internazionale Milano & Sweden), Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC). Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United FC)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2006: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy); Gianluca Zambrotta (FC Barcelona & Italy), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF & Italy), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona & Spain), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München & Germany); Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC & England), Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal FC & Spain), Kaká (AC Milan), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona); Thierry Henry (Arsenal FC & France), Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona). Frank Rijkaard (FC Barcelona)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2005: Petr Čech (Chelsea FC & Czech Republic); Cafu (AC Milan), John Terry (Chelsea FC & England), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona & Spain), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan); Luis García (Liverpool FC & Spain), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC & England), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Pavel Nedvěd (Juventus & Czech Republic); Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona), Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan & Ukraine). José Mourinho (Chelsea FC)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2004:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy); Cafu (AC Milan), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea FC & Portugal), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan & Italy), Ashley Cole (Arsenal FC & England); Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC & Portugal), Maniche (FC Porto & Portugal), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Pavel Nedvěd (Juventus & Czech Republic); Thierry Henry (Arsenal FC & France), Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan & Ukraine). José Mourinho (Chelsea FC)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2003:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy); Paulo Ferreira (FC Porto & Portugal), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan & Italy), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid CF); Luís Figo (Real Madrid CF & Portugal), David Beckham (Real Madrid CF & England), Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid CF & France), Pavel Nedvěd (Juventus & Czech Republic); Thierry Henry (Arsenal FC & France), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United FC & Netherlands). José Mourinho (FC Porto)

uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2002:
Rüstu Reçber (Fenerbahçe SK & Turkey); Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona & Spain), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan & Italy), Cristian Chivu (AFC Ajax & Romania), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid CF); Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan & Netherlands), Michael Ballack (FC Bayern München & Germany), Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid CF & France), Damien Duff (Blackburn Rovers FC & Republic of Ireland); Thierry Henry (Arsenal FC & France), Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF). Senol Günes (Turkey)

uefa.com users' Team of 2001:
Santiago Cañizares (Valencia CF & Spain), Cosmin Contra (Deportivo Alavés & Romania), Sami Hyypiä (Liverpool FC & Finland), Patrik Andersson (FC Barcelona & Sweden), Bixente Lizarazu (FC Bayern München & France); David Beckham (Manchester United FC & England), Patrick Vieira (Arsenal FC & France), Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid CF & France), Kily González (Valencia CF); Thierry Henry (Arsenal FC & France), David Trezeguet (Juventus & France). Gérard Houllier (Liverpool FC)

Thiago Silva stays put at Milan

Thiago Silva stays put at Milan

AC Milan defender Thiago Silva has agreed a new deal until June 2017 as the Brazil centre-back prepares for another UEFA Champions League campaign with the Serie A runners-up.

Thiago Silva is staying at Milan

AC Milan defender Thiago Silva has agreed a new deal running for five years.

A Milan statement confirmed that the club have "extended the player's contract until 30 June 2017". The Brazilian international centre-back, 27, joined from Fluminense FC in January 2009 and was key to earning a Serie A title and a run to last season's UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Having finished second behind Juventus in 2011/12, Milan begin the next UEFA Champions League in the group stage.

Ten Spain players in Team of the Tournament

Spain dominate the UEFA Technical Team's UEFA EURO 2012 Team of the Tournament, with ten players from Vicente del Bosque's winning squad making the final 23-man cut.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Ancelotti rules out Paris Saint-Germain move for Terry

The former Juventus coach dismissed rumours surrounding the Blues defender, but conceded that the club need to strengthen their rearguard if they are to win Ligue 1 next season

Ligue 1 : Carlo Ancelotti (AS Nancy vs Paris SG)

Carlo Ancelotti has denied speculation linking Paris Saint-Germain with a move for Chelsea defender John Terry, but admitted that his side are in the hunt for a centre-back after Thiago Silva elected to stay at AC Milan.

PSG had been heavily linked with the Brazilian defender, but the San Siro club announced on Monday that he has signed a contract extension until 2017.

And Ancelotti, who worked with Terry at Stamford Bridge between 2009 and 2011, ruled out any interest in the Englishman, and also dismissed rumours that Nene is unhappy at the Parc des Princes.

"We are looking for a central defender. The club is in contact with some players, but not John Terry," the former Milan boss declared at a press conference.

"Nene didn't ask to leave the club," he continued.

After finishing runners up to Montpellier last season, Ancelotti has set his sights on going one better this time around.

"Last year, we ranked second. This year, we clearly want to be champions," he continued.

"There's also the Champions League, which will be as important as Ligue 1. But I think it will be easier to win the league," he continued.

Ancelotti also welcomed the signing of Ezequiel Lavezzi, who joined the French capital club on a four-year deal from Napoli on Monday.

"Lavezzi is an experienced player; he has played four seasons in Italy. He is really motivated and made a good impression during our last meeting. He can bring quality and competition to the team," he added.

And Ancelotti was quizzed over PSG winger Jeremy Menez, who will face a France Football Federation disciplinary body over his behaviour while representing the national team at Euro 2012.

"I do not know what Menez did within the French team, but I think that his appearance before the commission if justified," Ancelotti said.

"I do not know who will coach [France], but Didier Deschamps would be a good choice," he continued.

"Whatever happens, France has my support," he concluded.

Torres, Casillas & Xavi amongst record-breakers for Spain

A multitude of international landmarks go tumbling after La Roja's emphatic victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final

Getty Images

Spain’s 4-0 triumph over Italy in the Euro 2012 final has seen them shatter a host of individual and team international records.
La Roja’s four-goal victory is the largest ever in a European Championship or World Cup final, while they also become the first side to win three international tournaments in a row.

Balotelli in heated argument with Buffon after Euro 2012 final defeat - report

The controversial forward reportedly blamed the Azzurri's Juventus players for the loss against Spain, and was quickly told off by his team captain in the dressing room

Mario Balotelli was engaged in a heated argument with Gianluigi Buffon in the wake of Italy's 4-0 defeat by Spain in Sunday's Euro 2012 final, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

The Manchester City attacker stormed off the pitch and headed straight for the dressing room immediately after the final whistle was blown, but returned to the field shortly after for the award ceremony.

Nevertheless, he struggled to contain his disappointment when the Italy camp returned to the changing room after the prizes were handed out, and reportedly blamed the Juventus contingent for the Azzurri's heavy loss in the showpiece decider against La Roja.

Buffon took offence to Balotelli's outburst and the Italy captain told off his young team-mate in front of the entire squad.

The squabble between both players allegedly went on for about 10 minutes, before order was restored.

Sixty of the best boosts EURO charity

Published: Wednesday 20 June 2012, 9.19CET

The goals are flying in at UEFA EURO 2012 and that is helping tournament charity, the Centre for Access to Football in Europe, and its projects on behalf of disabled fans.

Fans in the stadiums and in front of their TV screens have been hailing the goals as they continue to fly in at UEFA EURO 2012 – and the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), the official tournament charity – have more reason than most to cheer with joy as the ball hits the net.

UEFA is donating €3,000 to CAFE for each goal scored at the tournament. The now concluded group stage has seen no less than 60 goals in 24 games – which means that European football’s governing body has so far donated €180,000, happy in the knowledge that it is contributing to giving improved access and facilities for disabled football fans.

As part of the Respect programme at UEFA EURO 2012, UEFA is working with CAFE to manage separate Respect Inclusion initiatives, and football followers and other benefactors are being encouraged to donate money for upcoming schemes.

CAFE was set up via UEFA's CHF 1m charity cheque in 2009 to promote and ensure equal access across the region covered by UEFA's member national associations. It provides support, guidance and advice to partners and stakeholders, which include UEFA, national associations, leagues and clubs, disabled fans and disabled supporter groups.

Joyce Cook, CAFE's managing director, is delighted with Europe's sharpshooters as the knockout stage comes around. "It's been an amazing tournament for us so far, and especially as the official EURO 2012 tournament charity," she said. "I'm surprised that the whole of Europe can't hear our cheers every time a goal is scored, as UEFA is donating €3,000 per goal – so we're all hoping for the highest scoring tournament ever.

"People really do care about inclusion and improving access for disabled fans, and that's encouraging to know," she added. "We're already making a difference with the UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion project – the social and access changes we've been able to influence so far in Poland and Ukraine have been ground-breaking – but we still have so much more to do! Please do show your solidarity for disabled fans by donating via our website. Every donation counts – a huge thank you from all of us."

The work on improving access to sports facilities for disabled people will extend beyond the tournament. CAFE will continue its activities with local partners in Poland and Ukraine, leaving a long-lasting legacy in the host countries. In particular, funds raised will be invested in the maintenance of audio-descriptive commentary during matches for blind and partially sighted football supporters in the co-host nations.

Donations are welcomed for the following reasons:

€5 will buy a headset so that a blind supporter can receive special audio-described commentary at a live event

€50 will provide 150 access and disability awareness information leaflets for sports clubs

€200 will help disabled people to set up a local disabled fans group – empowering disabled people to work with their clubs to improve access

€500 will train a local volunteer to deliver specialised audio-descriptive commentary to blind fans

€1,500 will provide the audio-descriptive commentary equipment for a sports club

€5,000 will provide accessible transport to local disabled fans on match days for a whole season

Donate via http://euro2012.cafefootball.eu/ orhttp://www.cafefootball.eu/