Aragones signs two-year contract with Fenerbahce

July 7, 2008

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Spanish coach Luis Aragones on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce.

"I am here both with my brain and heart to work for Fenerbahce," the 69-year-old, who led champions Spain in Euro 2008, told a news conference through an interpreter.

"I know I have come to a good and strong team. I can tell you that I am very happy," he added.

Fenerbahce had first announced a two-year pre-contract with Aragones on June 25, but the coach — then still at the helm of Spain on the eve of their Euro 2008 semi-final against Russia — had denied the deal.

Approaching his 70th birthday, Aragones became the oldest coach to win the European title when Spain beat Germany 1-0, clinching their second title after the first in 1964.

Back in the dark days of Spain’s early qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 Aragones had tendered his resignation after back-to-back defeats to Northern Ireland and Sweden.

A former Spanish international, he coached several major Spanish clubs before becoming the national boss in 2004.

At Fenerbahce he will replace Brazilian Zico, who joined the club on a two-year contract in July 2006, leading them to the league and Turkish Supercup titles during their centenary year in 2007.

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Written by admin · Filed Under Managers, Turkcell Süper Lig

Spain striker David Villa has been ruled out of Sunday’s Euro 2008 final against Germany

June 28, 2008

Villa, 26, injured a thigh muscle in Thursday’s semi-final win over Russia.

Spain had been hoping the forward would be able to play some part in the final in Vienna, but he was finally ruled out following a hospital scan on Friday.

"Valencia striker David Villa, the top scorer at Euro 2008, is definitely out of Sunday’s final," said a statement.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who replaced Villa in the semi-final, could come into the team for the final.

Tests revealed Villa has a small tear to the muscle in the back of his right thigh.

The much-coveted Valencia striker said immediately after the semi-final he would not be fit and had resigned himself to watching the game from the stands.

"I’m a little sad that I won’t be there to take part but it’s better that a team-mate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," he said.

"Now I have to enjoy the show from outside. To play on Sunday would be a lottery.

"I would do it even if I had to play on one leg but this is a team - there are other players who will do better 100% than one who is injured.

"At the start I was really upset because I knew it was going to be very difficult to play in the final if we got there.

"I just want to enjoy Sunday and celebrate winning the European Championship with everyone else. This is an achievement for the whole squad and we want to take the glory on Sunday."

Spain coach Luis Aragones believes bringing in Fabregas could help his side compete against a strong German midfield.

"I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad," he said.

"It’s better for numbers and pressure (to have an extra midfielder) and that is how Xavi scored his goal. The point is to make them feel free."

Fabregas is raring to go if called upon and said: "I am here when the manager needs me.

"It is good, we came here to win the tournament and we got to the final, which I think is the most difficult thing.

"In the final anything can happen, a lot of things can influence the game."

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Written by admin · Filed Under Euro 2008, Players

I´ve lost one major final, I don´t want to lose another: Cesc

June 27, 2008

VIENNA (AFP) - Spain’s Cesc Fabregas says that he has no intention of letting Sunday’s Euro 2008 final against Germany slip through his hands.

Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas (L) celebrates with defender teammate Sergio Ramos after the team´s third goal during the Euro 2008 championships semi-final football match Russia vs. Spain on June 26 at Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria.

The Arsenal midfielder, who set up Spain’s last two goals in Thursday’s 3-0 semi-final win over Russia, knows all too well what it’s like to fall at the final hurdle having lost out to Barcelona with the Gunners in the 2006 Champions League final.

And after the Russian rout which set Spain up for a tilt at their first major honour in 44 years he insisted: "Listen I know what it’s like to lose a major final, I don’t want to lose another one."

Coach Luis Aragones has preferred to start Xavi in midfield throughout this Euro with Fabregas coming on as a super sub late on in the game.

But here at the Ernst Happel stadium Fabregas got called up sooner than expected when striker David Villa had to come off injured in the 34th minute.

Fabregas, who scored the winning penalty in the spot kick shoot out over Italy in the quarters, made what many regarded as a match winning contribution.

After Xavi had set Spain on their way the 21-year-old Fabregas was at the heart of goals from Daniel Guiza and David Silva.

Asked if this was the best game of his life he shrugged: "Maybe, but I’ll have to watch it on video again to have a better opinion.

"I don’t think I changed the game though when I came on, I just played the way I could."

He said converting the penalty that secured Spain’s 4-2 victory over Italy in the last eight had been crucially important to him and the team.

"It was a defining moment, one of the most important of my life. Everything went well, it could have gone wrong."

History now beckons for Spain who have fallen at the quarter-final stage of the World Cup or Euro three times in recent years, with their sole major honour the European championships of 1964.

"History is waiting for us, hopefully! We’ll have to try to play our best game of the tournament (against Germany)," said Fabregas.

"The Germans are very experienced and very competitive but if we play like we did tonight we have a good chance."

He’ll be coming up against an old adversary from the Premier League in Germany’s Chelsea captain Michael Ballack.

"Ballack’s doing an amazing job for Germany and for me he is one of the players of the tournament."

One key to Spain’s run of success which has seen it brush aside the Russians twice, Greece, Sweden and Italy, is their mental fortitude, a point underlined by Fabregas.

"We forged this team spirit in qualifying. There’s always this doubt in Spain. We’ve got through the semi-final and now the final but no one was expecting us to be where we are now.

"We’ve displayed great mental strength, that’s the key."

After this latest starring role Fabregas, who scored his first international goal in the opening 4-1 win over Russia, could quite understandably expect to be named in the starting XI against the Germans back here at the Ernst Happel stadium on Sunday.

But he said: "If the boss says I can play that’s better for me, but I just want to help my team."

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Written by admin · Filed Under Euro 2008, Players

Torres relishing Italian job

June 22, 2008

Spain striker Fernando Torres believes Italy will be favourites heading into their quarter-final clash on Sunday.

Despite Luis Aragones’ side breezing into the last eight having taken maximum points from their Group D outings, they remain wary of an Azzurri outfit who are yet to find their feet at Euro 2008.

Roberto Donadoni’s men were on the brink of elimination heading into their last outing against France, but a 2-0 victory, coupled with Holland’s win over Romania by the same scoreline, ensured that the world champions remain on course for an international double.

And having been paired with the Italians, Torres admits that they must be ready to give their all in Vienna this weekend.

Titles

“Spain is playing great and stylish football,” said the Liverpool striker.

“But Italy has kept faith with its style for years. Even if they are not that showy they are the favourites.

“But we are not afraid of them or their record.

“Italy are the current world champions and that’s not an accident. Titles do not just get won for no reason. You can maybe win once through a bit of luck but not as often as Italy have so you have to respect this team.

“Their history makes them favourites. They did not have a great opening phase but the same thing happened at the World Cup (in 2006) and they ended up winning it.”

Convinced

A David Villa goal handed Spain a 1-0 friendly victory over Italy in March, a result which Torres believes should ensure that the Spanish squad have no fear heading into their latest meeting.

“We beat them in a friendly but now we have the chance to show what we are made of in an official competition We are convinced we can beat them,” he said

“This coming match is very important for us and for the nation.

“It’s important for the history of the Spanish squad and we are well aware of our capabilities. We can beat anyone.”

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Written by admin · Filed Under Euro 2008

2008-06-22 - Spain v Italy

June 22, 2008

Euro 2008 2008-06-22 - Spain v Italy Sports Betting Preview by Gooner
Spain vs Italy UEFA Euro 2008 - Quarter-Final Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna Sunday 22nd June 2008 - KO 19:45 The final quarter-final at UEFA EURO 2008 brings together two former winners in Spain and Italy, both of them bidding to add to their one and only success on the European stage. For Spain it is an opportunity to make the last four for the first time since 1984 while Italy are bidding for their second semi-final in three EURO tournaments. SPAIN Spanish fans would have been disappointed to see the final results from Group C meant that they had to face the Italians, as for all the Spanish bravado and boasting about their team, the Azzurri are the one European side that Spain worry about at competitive games. (see h2h below). Spain are in good form, that is clear, as they are on a runk of nine straight international wins and seven competitive match wins. Victory will see them break their record for longest winning streak which stands at nine - and last time that streak was ended by .. Italy. WEIRD FACT : Spain have been knocked out of major tournaments on three occasions on 22nd June, all three occasions after a penalty shoot-out. Spain went out against Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, England at Euro 96 and South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. ITALY Italy have not been very impressive at all during group play, heavily beaten by the Dutch 0-3, and then only claiming a 1-1 draw with Romania thanks to a penalty save by Gigi Buffon which gave the Azzurri a lifeline. It was a better performance against France winning 2-0, albeit a very disappoint France, but once again Luca Toni looked less than lethal, and it was a pair of goals from a free-kick and the penalty spot that won the game. The loss of midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo will affect Italy’s shape here, although it must be said that neither player has been living up to his reputation so far. A GOOD OMEN? : The last two reigning world champions from Europe went on to the final of the next European Championship. After winning the World Cup in 1990 Germany finished runners-up in 1992 and 1998 World Cup Champions France also won Euro 2000. HEAD TO HEAD Spain and Italy have played each other on 27 previous occasions. Spain have won eight, Italy nine and there have been 10 draws. In competitive matches, Spain have been less successful winning just one out of nine. Italy have won five times and there have been three draws. Spain though have not lost to Italy in their last four encounters since a 2-1 defeat in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals, managing two wins and two draws in 4 friendly encounters. The most recent fixture came in Elche in March 2008, when Villa’s goal with 12 minutes remaining secured a 1-0 win for Spain. TEAM NEWS Spain coach Luis Aragones still says that he has not decided on his line-up yet but he is likely to stick to his first-choice side after having fielded his reserves in the 2-1 win over Greece. Aragones gave a strong indication to what his preferred starting line-up is when Spain trained on Friday - playing the XI in the first two games against the rest of the squad on Friday. Italy midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo are both suspended for this match after picking up two bookings. Alberto Aquilani and Massimo Ambrosini will probably come in while Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta may also start. THE VERDICT The form line suggest Spain should win this match, while history, omens and that wobbly Spanish record suggest that Italy could provide some sort of upset. Italy do have the belief about them to win this game, but considering what I’ve seen on the pitch so far, I feel that the 2.60 price on Spain to win is a price not to be turned down. The Pick : Spain 2-1 Italy PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE : Spain 42% - Draw 30% - Italy 28% FIXED ODDS BETTING : I’ll go with SPAIN to finally get over their Italian hoodoo in competitive games. This is their best chance of doing it.

Euro 2008

2008-06-22 - Spain v Italy

Sports Betting Preview by Gooner

Spain vs Italy
UEFA Euro 2008 - Quarter-Final
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Sunday 22nd June 2008 - KO 19:45
The final quarter-final at UEFA EURO 2008 brings together two former winners in Spain and Italy, both of them bidding to add to their one and only success on the European stage.

For Spain it is an opportunity to make the last four for the first time since 1984 while Italy are bidding for their second semi-final in three EURO tournaments.

SPAIN

Spanish fans would have been disappointed to see the final results from Group C meant that they had to face the Italians, as for all the Spanish bravado and boasting about their team, the Azzurri are the one European side that Spain worry about at competitive games. (see h2h below).

Spain are in good form, that is clear, as they are on a runk of nine straight international wins and seven competitive match wins.

Victory will see them break their record for longest winning streak which stands at nine - and last time that streak was ended by .. Italy.

WEIRD FACT :
Spain have been knocked out of major tournaments on three occasions on 22nd June, all three occasions after a penalty shoot-out. Spain went out against Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, England at Euro 96 and South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

ITALY

Italy have not been very impressive at all during group play, heavily beaten by the Dutch 0-3, and then only claiming a 1-1 draw with Romania thanks to a penalty save by Gigi Buffon which gave the Azzurri a lifeline.

It was a better performance against France winning 2-0, albeit a very disappoint France, but once again Luca Toni looked less than lethal, and it was a pair of goals from a free-kick and the penalty spot that won the game.

The loss of midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo will affect Italy’s shape here, although it must be said that neither player has been living up to his reputation so far.

A GOOD OMEN? :
The last two reigning world champions from Europe went on to the final of the next European Championship.

After winning the World Cup in 1990 Germany finished runners-up in 1992 and 1998 World Cup Champions France also won Euro 2000.

HEAD TO HEAD

Spain and Italy have played each other on 27 previous occasions. Spain have won eight, Italy nine and there have been 10 draws.

In competitive matches, Spain have been less successful winning just one out of nine. Italy have won five times and there have been three draws.

Spain though have not lost to Italy in their last four encounters since a 2-1 defeat in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals, managing two wins and two draws in 4 friendly encounters.

The most recent fixture came in Elche in March 2008, when Villa’s goal with 12 minutes remaining secured a 1-0 win for Spain.

TEAM NEWS

Spain coach Luis Aragones still says that he has not decided on his line-up yet but he is likely to stick to his first-choice side after having fielded his reserves in the 2-1 win over Greece.

Aragones gave a strong indication to what his preferred starting line-up is when Spain trained on Friday - playing the XI in the first two games against the rest of the squad on Friday.

Italy midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo are both suspended for this match after picking up two bookings.

Alberto Aquilani and Massimo Ambrosini will probably come in while Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta may also start.

THE VERDICT

The form line suggest Spain should win this match, while history, omens and that wobbly Spanish record suggest that Italy could provide some sort of upset.

Italy do have the belief about them to win this game, but considering what I’ve seen on the pitch so far, I feel that the 2.60 price on Spain to win is a price not to be turned down.