Welcome to Sparkle Central, Home of Football

[Annie]

Oh yeah Hellan that was brilliant!!!!!

And tonight...I am off to the Champs League final!!!!! And will hopefully see my darling Andrey live for the first time ever ;D ;D ;D

[maryb]

Enjoy the match ... how's the pitch doing? I could have come over as head groundswoman.

[maratski]

Man. United .......... that's the one !!!

[hellanvodka]

Annie, my admin sister, are you recoverying well from last night's crazy game? I am half dead anyway lol...... 3:45 am Melbourne time start and 8am work my sincere apology to all my patients.... i am mad

Didn't get to see you on TV, but sort my silly uncel and cousins waving Man-U's flag...... goodness...how could?!!!

can't believe Chelsea just Lost oh goodness, never the less was a good watch and hope u had fun......

Here is the min-by-min commentatoring... just in case anyone missed out ;D
;D ;D
The match is under way.
2 Malouda (Chelsea) commits a foul after challenging Hargreaves (Man. United).
2 Essien (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United).
3 Vidi?(Man. United) fouls.
4 Hargreaves (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging A. Cole (Chelsea).
7 Drogba (Chelsea) is flagged for offside.
18 Evra (Man. United) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Essien (Chelsea).
19 Hargreaves (Man. United) takes the corner.
20 Drogba (Chelsea) fouls.
21 Scholes (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Makelele (Chelsea).
21 Makelele (Chelsea) is cautioned by the referee.

22 Scholes (Man. United) is shown a yellow card.

23 Lampard (Chelsea) delivers the corner.
24 Terry (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Brown (Man. United).
26 Makelele (Chelsea) fouls.
26 (1 - 0) Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) scores!
The first effort by either side produces the opening goal as Cristiano Ronaldo continues his remarkable season. Wes Brown has a throw in and works some space with Paul Scholes on the right before floating a cross to the back-post where Ronaldo rises highest to head in his 42nd of the season in all competitions.
28 Ballack (Chelsea) misses the target.
Chelsea register their first attempt on the United goal, though Edwin van der Sar had to be at his best to preserve his side's lead. Didier Drogba heads the ball back across the face of the penalty area where, Rio Ferdinand under pressure from Michael Ballack, heads towards his own goal which Van der Sar does well to beat away.
34 Van der Sar (Man. United) makes a save.
34 Malouda (Chelsea) takes the corner.
35 Tévez (Man. United) has an effort on goal.
Wayne Rooney plays a glorious cross-field pass to Cristiano Ronaldo, who crosses for Carlos Tévez to power in a header which Petr Èech palms away.
35 Èech (Chelsea) makes a save.
35 Carrick (Man. United) has an effort on goal.
The rebound only falls as far as Michael Carrick, whose shot is turned round the post for a corner by Petr Èech.
35 Èech (Chelsea) makes a save.
35 Hargreaves (Man. United) delivers the corner.
36 Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) misses the target.
37 Essien (Chelsea) commits a foul after challenging Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United).
38 A. Cole (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hargreaves (Man. United).
41 Malouda (Chelsea) fouls.
42 Ballack (Chelsea) has a shot blocked.
43 Tévez (Man. United) misses the target.
43 Ferdinand (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Lampard (Chelsea).
43 Ferdinand (Man. United) is booked.

44 Ballack (Chelsea) delivers the free-kick wide.
45 (1 - 1) Lampard (Chelsea) scores!
After a sustained period of United pressure, Chelsea grab an equaliser seconds before the interval. Michael Essien runs unchallenged towards the United goal and fires in a shot which takes two deflections and lands kindly at the feet of Frank Lampard who slots into the net despite the desperate attempts of Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar.
45 Essien (Chelsea) has a shot blocked.
45+2 Ballack (Chelsea) misses the target.
45+2 Carvalho (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United).
45+2 Carvalho (Chelsea) is cautioned by the referee.

The referee blows for half-time.

The second half begins.

46 Malouda (Chelsea) misses the target.
46 A. Cole (Chelsea) fouls.
47 Malouda (Chelsea) commits a foul after challenging Hargreaves (Man. United).
48 Drogba (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Scholes (Man. United).
49 Ferdinand (Man. United) fouls.
50 J. Cole (Chelsea) commits a foul after challenging Carrick (Man. United).
50 Ballack (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United).
52 Essien (Chelsea) has a shot blocked.
53 Drogba (Chelsea) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
55 Essien (Chelsea) misses the target.
57 Lampard (Chelsea) takes the corner.
57 Drogba (Chelsea) misses the target.
57 Ballack (Chelsea) misses the target.
59 Hargreaves (Man. United) fouls.
60 Lampard (Chelsea) delivers the corner.
61 Hargreaves (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Lampard (Chelsea).
62 Essien (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United).
62 Tévez (Man. United) fouls.
64 Vidi?(Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Drogba (Chelsea).
66 Malouda (Chelsea) has a shot blocked.
66 Lampard (Chelsea) misses the target.
66 Lampard (Chelsea) takes the corner.
66 Terry (Chelsea) misses the target.
67 Malouda (Chelsea) delivers the corner.
70 J. Cole (Chelsea) has a shot blocked.
71 Carrick (Man. United) misses the target.
73 Hargreaves (Man. United) takes the corner.
73 Vidi?(Man. United) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Carvalho (Chelsea).
74 Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) misses the target.
74 Hargreaves (Man. United) delivers the corner.
75 Carvalho (Chelsea) fouls.
78 Drogba (Chelsea) hits the post.
Chelsea come within inches of taking the lead as Didier Drogba curls a shot against Edwin van der Sar's left-hand post. The best chance of the half so far.
79 Tévez (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Ballack (Chelsea).
80 Drogba (Chelsea) misses the target.
82 Tévez (Man. United) misses the target.
83 Ballack (Chelsea) misses the target.
84 J. Cole (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United).
84 Evra (Man. United) fouls.
85 Vidi?(Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Drogba (Chelsea).
85 Drogba (Chelsea) misses the target.
87 Drogba (Chelsea) misses the target.
87 Giggs (in) - Scholes (out) (Man. United)
A historic moment for Ryan Giggs as the winger becomes the record appearance holder for United, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 matches.
87 Visit the UEFA Training Ground and learn the tricks of the trade from some of the world's biggest stars like Kak? Andrea Pirlo and Robinho. Just click on the Training Ground link in the MatchCentre to improve your game.
89 Ballack (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Rooney (Man. United).
The final whistle is blown.
There is nothing to separate the sides at the end of normal time so we will have 30 minutes of extra time, and if necessary, penalty kicks.
The first period of extra time begins.

2 Ex Kalou (in) - Malouda (out) (Chelsea)

3 Ex Tévez (Man. United) fouls.
4 Ex Lampard (Chelsea) hits the crossbar.
Michael Ballack's deft pass, when he seemed set to shoot, finds Frank Lampard who swivels and shoots against the crossbar. It is the second time Chelsea have struck the woodwork.
5 Ex Giggs (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging J. Cole (Chelsea).
8 Ex Lampard (Chelsea) takes the corner.
9 Ex Anelka (in) - J. Cole (out) (Chelsea)

11 Ex Giggs (Man. United) has an effort on goal.
John Terry denies Ryan Giggs what looked a certain goal by heading the winger's shot out for a United corner.
11 Ex Terry (Chelsea) makes a save.
11 Ex Giggs (Man. United) delivers the corner.
11 Ex Ferdinand (Man. United) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Anelka (Chelsea).
11 Ex Nani (in) - Rooney (out) (Man. United)

13 Ex Tévez (Man. United) has an effort on goal.
13 Ex Èech (Chelsea) makes a save.
13 Ex Essien (Chelsea) fouls.
14 Ex Kalou (Chelsea) commits a foul after challenging Vidi?(Man. United).
15 Ex Hargreaves (Man. United) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Ballack (Chelsea).
15+1 Ex Lampard (Chelsea) takes the corner.
15+1 Ex Carvalho (Chelsea) misses the target.
The referee brings the first period of extra time to an end.

The second period of extra time begins.

16 Ex Ballack (Chelsea) has a shot blocked.
17 Ex Drogba (Chelsea) fouls.
18 Ex Evra (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Makelele (Chelsea).
18 Ex Drogba (Chelsea) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Vidi?(Man. United).
19 Ex Drogba (Chelsea) fouls.
20 Ex Kalou (Chelsea) commits a foul after challenging Vidi?(Man. United).
21 Ex Vidi?(Man. United) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Anelka (Chelsea).
21 Ex Vidi?(Man. United) is shown a yellow card.

22 Ex Drogba (Chelsea) delivers the free-kick wide.
24 Ex Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) has a shot blocked.
26 Ex Ballack (Chelsea) is booked.

26 Ex Drogba (Chelsea) is dismissed.

26 Ex Tévez (Man. United) is cautioned by the referee.

28 Ex Essien (Chelsea) fouls.
28 Ex Essien (Chelsea) is shown a yellow card.

28 Ex Evra (Man. United) commits a foul after challenging Terry (Chelsea).
30 Ex Giggs (Man. United) is flagged for offside.
30+1 Ex Nani (Man. United) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on A. Cole (Chelsea).
30+4 Ex Tévez (Man. United) misses the target.
30+4 Ex Belletti (in) - Makelele (out) (Chelsea)

30+5 Ex Anderson (in) - Brown (out) (Man. United)

The referee ends the second period of extra time.

The penalty shoot-out is set to begin.
Tévez (Man. United) scores from the penalty spot.

Ballack (Chelsea) scores from the penalty spot.

Carrick (Man. United) scores from the penalty spot.

Belletti (Chelsea) scores from the penalty spot.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) missed the penalty saved by the goalkeeper.
Lampard (Chelsea) scores from the penalty spot.

Hargreaves (Man. United) scores from the penalty spot.

A. Cole (Chelsea) scores from the penalty spot.

Nani (Man. United) scores from the penalty spot.

Terry (Chelsea) hits the post from the penalty spot.

Anderson (Man. United) scores from the penalty spot.

Kalou (Chelsea) scores from the penalty spot.

Giggs (Man. United) scores from the penalty spot.

Anelka (Chelsea) missed the penalty saved by the goalkeeper.

The penalties are over.
United have won their third European Champion Clubs' Cup, and the second of Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure. The final was the ninth to be settled by penalties.

[hellanvodka]

United tops Chelsea in PKs to win Champions League
Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs scored in the seventh round of penalty kicks and Edwin van der Sar made his only save on Chelsea's next attempt for a 6-5 shootout victory in a historic all-English Champions League final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored United's goal during the 1-1 match, was the only United player to miss his penalty kick but was let off the hook when Chelsea captain John Terry slipped in the pouring rain and missed the clinching shot.

After Terry's miss, United's Anderson and Giggs converted their shots and Van der Sar made his only save on Nicolas Anelka's attempt.

Manchester United, which edged Chelsea to win the Premier League, captured its third Champions League title. United also won in 1968 and 1999.

Chelsea, which forced overtime on Frank Lampard's goal in the 45th minute, has never won the Champions League.

The Blues' first title within reach after Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti, Lampard and Ashley Cole converted four straight penalties - and Ronaldo missed - to give Terry the chance to score the winning penalty.

But the captain's plant foot slipped out from under him just before he kicked the ball and it sailed wide right - Van der Sar dove toward the other post.

It was a fitting ending for Chelsea, which hit the post late in regulation and the crossbar in overtime.

Carlos Tevez, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and Luis Nani scored United's first four PKs. Salomon Kalou converted in the sixth round of penalties for Chelsea before Giggs scored and Van der Sar made his lone save.

After a sluggish opening 25 minutes, Ronaldo changed the pace of the match in the 26th when he scored on the first shot by either side.

United veteran Paul Scholes, who had blood on his face after a collision with Chelsea's Claude Makelele, and Wes Brown made three quick passes off a throw- in to set up a cross from Brown that led to the goal.

Brown crossed to an open Ronaldo, who jumped to head the ball just inside the left post. Ronaldo's first-ever goal against Chelsea was also his 42nd of the season.

Chelsea missed a chance to tie the game off the restart when Ballack shot high but he followed with a better chance in the 34th minute.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba set up the chance with a short header from the right side of the area. United's Rio Ferdinand was in position to clear, but Ballack knocked him out of the way to head the ball on goal and force Van der Sar to make his best save of regulation.

Chelsea goalie Petr Cech matched Van der Sar with two great saves less than a minute later on shots from United's Tevez and Carrick.

Tevez's chance was off a cross from Ronaldo, but his diving header from just a few yards out was knocked down by Cech. Terry got a small touch on the ball to clear it to the top of the area but Carrick found the loose ball and Cech made another save.

United wasted another chance to grab a two-goal lead in the 43rd minute when a cross by Wayne Rooney sneaked by Chelsea's Michael Essien but Tevez was unable to get a touch on the ball to knock it into an open net.

Terry earned a free kick just outside the area in the 44th minute but Ballack couldn't get the ball to dip over the wall and it sailed well high.

Chelsea took advantage of its last chance of the opening half to tie the score on Lampard's goal. Essien took a shot that deflected twice and went to Lampard inside the area.

Lampard slipped the ball between Van der Sar and Ferdinand, who were closing in from opposite directions and both just missed deflecting the shot.

Chelsea was more dangerous to open the second half and had two chances to pull in front 10 minutes into the half. Essien fired high on an open shot from just outside the area in the 55th minute and Ballack shot wide on a long effort in the 57th.

United started to gain more possession midway through the half and two corners set up its best scoring chances in the second. The Premier League champions failed to get a shot off on either corner, though.

Drogba was quiet for much of the match, but he started to come to life in the 78th minute when he came within inches of putting Chelsea in front. Drogba hit the outside of the right post on a shot that was out of reach of a diving Van der Sar.

Giggs entered in the 87th minute, replacing the bloody Scholes, to break Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record for appearances with United with 759.

Ronaldo set up one final chance for United in stoppage time but his cross went over Rooney's head and rolled out of bounds before Giggs could to get to the ball at the far post.

Chelsea hit the frame again early in overtime when Lampard came about an inch away from scoring his second goal. Chelsea moved the ball well on the left and Ballack passed on a shot from the top of the area to set up Lampard's chance.

Lampard turned to shoot with his left foot and, although the shot beat Van der Sar, it hit off the bottom of the crossbar and bounced out in the 94th minute.

Giggs nearly added to his historic night in the 100th minute when he was close to scoring the game winner. Off a short pass from Patrice Evra, Giggs fired on goal with Cech out of position but Terry headed the ball wide.

Tevez followed with another golden chance for United on a blast from the left side in 102nd minute that ended up right in the in the chest of Cech.

Anelka, a substitute, set up Chelsea's best chance in double overtime with a long run that resulted in a foul and free kick from 26 yards. Drogba blasted the shot just wide of the right post in the 112th minute.

Drogba was ejected minutes later after a scrum involving nearly every player. He lightly slapped the face of United's Nemanja Vidic to earn the red card - and Chelsea lost one of its best penalty kick takers with just minutes left. Ballack and Tevez also received yellow cards during the melee.

United wasn't couldn't take advantage of the extra man over the final minutes and the match went to the memorable shootout.

[Annie]

Brilliant brilliant final!!!! Despite the loss it was an unforgettable experience. I am sorry I didn't get to see Sheva play but on the whole it was truly magnificent football. Congratulations to all Man United fans!!!!

I slept for 2 and a half hours last night and I feel like I am going to fall asleep at my desk LOL.

[sabz]

i am still so happy they won!!

but surprise surprise, Grant has been sacked after 8 months of his 4 year contract. But here is what the lovable Jose Mourinho had to say about it:
"Chelsea almost won the Carling Cup, almost won the Champions League, and almost won the Premier League. Almost is nothing. After two titles per season for the last three years there were zero titles this season. In my philosophy that means a really bad season. Maybe in the philosophy of a loser this was a great season, which I respect." you gotta love it! ;D

[happy]

I liked to see Abramowitch in his seat....he was sitting there so nervous...hahahaha!
Ballack was crying.....uuuuhhhhh!
And YES :STRIKE: Ronaldo don´t make the eleven meter goal....hahahahaha!!!

[safin4eva]

Pfft!! I love how 'almost' isnt enough for Mourinho...
hahaha!! I saw Abramovich too, yes he looked very nervous, especially during Penalty Shootout!!
Chelsea deserved to win, they started to play really good football in the 2nd half, its a shame it had to end in penalty shootout, obviously for terry and ballack it was the worst way to end the game!! so close!!!
I love how Ronaldo missed too!! ;D ;D ;D
What an idiot, its justice for trying oh-so-hard to put Cech off.... he was really annoyed at himself, I dont blame him, he looked stupid! ;D

[sabz]

Mourinho Ponders Chelsea Raid - this should be interesting!

Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out plundering his old club to boost his Inter Milan squad.

Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard have already been linked with a move to Inter now that Mourinho has been installed as their new boss.

Lampard is understood to be in discussions with Chelsea about a new long-term extension to his current deal which expires next year.

The England midfielder is believed to want to stay at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea will have to improve his wages if they are to keep him.

Mourinho, who was officially unveiled as Inter's new boss at their training ground on Tuesday, declined to say whether he was interested in signing any of his former players at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, there was no hiding his esteem for the players he had at the Blues and Mourinho admitted he would be willing to buy - if Chelsea are willing to sell.

"I think it is normal as a consequence of the relationship with my players," he said.

"Almost all of them want to work with me again in the future and the same goes for me.

"I have a great relationship with almost all of my players and it is normal that these rumours spread.

"But it depends on whether Chelsea want to sell - there has got to be a relation between what one club wants and what another club wants to do.

"The president knows what I would like, but I am not discussing names with the press."

While Mourinho insists that Inter's squad, which has won three consecutive league titles, does not require major surgery, he accepts that he is in the market for two or three new players.

"I read many things in the papers about Inter needing 60 players," Mourinho said.

"This is not true. I only want 21 players and three goalkeepers. I think the team is good, and I don't need to make revolutionary changes. We think we need two or three players to be more competitive.

"I want to have the possibility to change the philosophy of play. When I read I don't like someone and I want to buy all European players, it's not true.

"I like this group. I like the players and I have big faith in this group. Inter don't want to be the king of the market, but we want to improve two or three players".

Meanwhile, Chelsea's search for a new coach following the sacking of Avram Grant is now focusing around Blackburn boss Mark Hughes and another foreign contender.

Hughes has already been given permission to talk to Manchester City about the possibility of replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson at Eastlands but Chelsea are understood to have added their former player to a two-man wish list.

Influential Chelsea figures met on Monday to discuss the appointment of a new boss and a decision is understood to be imminent - with Hughes and former Inter coach Roberto Mancini regarded as the two favourites.

Mancini has yet to be approached by Chelsea but the London club have increased the pace of their search in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits that managerial changes are difficult to deal with for all players. Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea last September and Grant followed him out of the door at the end of the season despite leading the Blues to their first Champions League final and pushing Manchester United to the wire in the Barclays Premier League.

"When you change a manager, there is always the atmosphere that you never know what is going to happen because there is a new man coming in, he has got other ideas so some people might play, some might not - so it is always difficult to deal with," admits Cech.

"Everyone has to deal with this individually and as a group. Everyone needs to be together and try to move on and to focus on football, which is not easy to do.

"At a club as Chelsea is, you need to impress a manager every day. If you do not perform well in the training sessions or you don't work hard to show your manager you are ready for the game, you are at the same risk as when a new manager comes in."

[Annie]

So it's EURO TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

4 matches have been completed in 2 groups over the weekend and here are the first Euro 2008 results:

Switzerland - Czech Republic 0:1
Portugal - Turkey 2:0
Croatia - Austria 1:0
Germany - Poland 2:0

Tonight we have the "group of death" starting the competition

France - Romania
Italy - Holland ;D

FORZA AZZURI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[happy]

Hi Annie!!!
What happened with Luca? Mmmh, I think it wasn´t the day for the italian team yesterday!!!
But the dutch team was playing awesome and absolutely great!! They had no fear to play against the winner of the world mastership 2006!!!
It was a fantastic fight what the dutch players were doing yesterday!!!! I am in football fever!!!
Wooohooooo!

Congrats Frensje and Anne to the dutch win!!!! I am german, but I also love the dutchies!!!!!
Sorry for Luca and the rest of the italian team!!! They will come back, I am sure!!!

[Annie]

I am so pissed at Donadoni that I don't even want to talk about it. Anything a coach could do wrong yesterday, he did...I hope he gets chucked out of that team after Euro, I could never stand the guy... And as for Luca - the guy could never score goals unless the ball was delivered to him by his partners and there was no Klose or Ribery yesterday so the ball never got to him

Well done Dutchies!!!! Absolutely brilliant football!!!!!

France-Romania put me to sleep, it was so boring....

France-Romania 0:0
Holland-Italy 3:0

[hellanvodka]

Jun 10, 2008 9:46:18 GMT 3 Annie said:

I Holland-Italy 3:0

That's shocking!!!!
hehe
even i don't usually check out footballer, but i found this block is worth to have a look, as least he doesn't hurt my eyes lol
2nd German who i don't mind to paue& Zoom my TV after J¨¹rgen Klinsmann (the blonde version 20 yrs ago)

I think i'll be supporting German this yr ;D

I am Russian and we are not big football country, but everyone said Guus Hidink can do the magic lol....
but nevertheless, i found we actually have 1 good looking player
§²§à§Þ§Ñ§ß §¡§Õ§Ñ§Þ§à§Ó (Roman Adamov),i dont mind to chase Roman's face on the grasslol....

Is that true, good looking Russians don't play football? where are the handsome dudes.... Bring some eye candy

[happy]

Good looking football players?
Mmmh....yeah thats not easy to find! Hahah!
But the italian, spanish and portugese footballers are looking great ( some)!!!
I also think that Barnetta from the swiss team and Alex Frei is good looking!
And Clemens Fritz from germany!!