Miroslav Klose to be special guest at world cup draw

By
His name is synonymous with the World Cup so it is only fitting that former Germany striker Miroslav Klose will bring out the trophy as the draw is made for Russia 2018.
Now retired, the upcoming tournament will be the first that the former Lazio man has missed since 2002, with his record of 16 World Cup goals intact.
"For very obvious reasons, the World Cup holds very special memories for me," Klose told FIFA.com.
"I feel very honoured to somehow still be a part of the World Cup, even after my retirement, and particularly to present to Russia and to the world this trophy that we fought so hard to win in Brazil in 2014."
A total of eight draw assistants are to be drafted in by FIFA for the December 1 ceremony, with the first such confirmed to be 91-year-old Russian football legend Nikita Simonyan.
click here for more

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Real Madrid lose Top Spot to Barca after Las Palmas Draw

By
Image
Ten-man Real Madrid rescued a 3-3 draw at home to Las Palmas on Wednesday thanks to a late double from Cristiano Ronaldo. Goals from Tana, Jonathan Viera and Kevin-Prince Boateng overturned an early opener from Isco and looked set to give the visitors a shock three points, especially after Gareth Bale's red card early in the second half. But Ronaldo struck twice in three minutes in the closing stages to salvage a point for Zinedine Zidane's side that could yet prove important in the LaLiga title race, though it was not enough to take them back above Barcelona, who earlier thrashed Sporting Gijon 6-1.
Read more

See what Unzue said to Neymar

By
Image
There has been a tense atmosphere in the Barcelona dressing room over the last few days, after a training ground bust up between Juan Carlos Unzue and Neymar in which the assistant coach compared the Brazilian's attitude to that of his contemporary, Ronaldinho. The incident apparently occurred after Unzue reproached the player for the way in which he was applying himself in training. "If you continue this way, you'll end up just like Ronaldinho," he said to Neymar, a comment that was clearly not to the liking of a player who can count the former Barcelona No.10 amongst his close friends. Incredibly angry for the rest of the session, the comment, which was probably meant to try and motivate Neymar, looked to have had the opposite effect. The episode further complicates the possibility that Unzue will inherit the squad from Luis Enrique at the end of the season, because Neymar is not the only one who has had a falling out with the Navarrese. Lucho's assistant is ...
Read more

Tottenham Hotspur to battle with top Italian teams for Real Socidedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal

By
Image
Tottenham are poised to join the hunt for Real Socidedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal , according to a report. Italian news outlet  Calcio Mercato  claims that Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan are also keeping track of Oyarzabal, 20, whose stock has risen “significantly” in the past year. The one-time Spain international, who made his debut in March, has been firing on all cylinders in La Liga this season, scoring six goals in eight league appearances – five more than Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Oyarzabal has made the bulk of his appearances on the left wing and even though he missed several weeks with injury, he has still be able to continue showing that he is Sociedad’s goal machine by netting in five of his last six games. It is understood that Tottenham are hoping that the Spaniard will join their side in the future, but to do so they will have to see off interest from Juve and Inter first. Orayzabal looks like a very exciting young talent who co...
Read more

Mignolet: The return of Coutinho, Mane and Lallana will boost Liverpool a lot

By
Image
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet believes the squad have handled the absence of key players Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana well and their impending comeback after the international break provides a chance to kick on. Mane played 77 minutes in Sunday’s 4-1 win over West Ham, his first appearance in a month after a hamstring injury, while Lallana is due to play a behind-closed-doors friendly next week as he steps up his preparation for his first game of the season after a thigh problem. Coutinho has joined up with the Brazil squad, despite an adductor problem forcing him to miss the club’s last three matches, and Mignolet is looking forward to seeing the trio all out on the pitch together again. “I think we’ve been a bit unfortunate with the injuries and the suspensions,” he told liverpoolfc.com. “If you have three of those kind of players injured at the same time then it’s obviously a tough thing to deal with, but at the same time the squad’s stayed calm undern...
Read more

Barcelona have taken a big step in signing Griezmann according to reports

By
Image
Barcelona have reportedly taken a significant step toward acquiring the signature of Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann after it emerged they've reached a "principle of agreement" with their target. French newspaper Le10Sport (h/t Calciomercato.com) reported Griezmann has given the green light to a move to the Camp Nou and could be well on the path to joining the Blaugrana next summer. The same article explained how Griezmann pulled the plug on a switch to Manchester United last summer due to Atletico's transfer ban, and he then extended his contract to raise his release clause to €200 million (£178 million). One would therefore assume that's the figure Los Rojiblancos will hold out for in order to sell Griezmann, despite the fact he's struggled to regain top form this season, as recently illustrated by Sky Sports Statto: United fans will undoubtedly be saddened to hear rumours of any pre-agreement with Barca, which could well mean their purs...
Read more

Tammy Abraham happy with English national team call up

By
Image
Tammy Abraham is delighted following his maiden call-up to the English senior national team for the international friendlies against Brazil and Germany. The 20-year-old who is on loan at Swansea from English Premier League champions Chelsea had been torn between representing England or Nigeria, even though he has represented the former at the youth levels. But his latest invitation by the Three Lions manager ,Gareth Southgate may have put an end to speculations over his international future. “Words can’t describe the feeling, but truly blessed and honoured to be called up to @ English seniors. Thanks for all the messages,” Abraham wrote on his Twitter minutes after the squad list was announced. Southgate also handed another Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek his first invitation, along with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez. Abraham has had a hand in five of Swansea’s seven league goals this season (4 goals, 1 assist), the highest ratio in the Premier League. He has represented Englan...
Read more

Clint Dempsey scores twice to take Seattle Sounders to the final of Conference Cup

By
Image
SEATTLE -- Three thoughts on the Seattle Sounders' 2-0 Western Conference semifinal win against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup Playoffs. There had been speculation prior to kickoff as to whether this could be Clint Dempsey's final match at CenturyLink Field. It is the Sounders' call whether or not to pick up the 34-year-old's team option for 2018 -- and after earning close to $3.9m this season, that decision is going to be agonized over in the front office. Dempsey's arrival in the summer of 2013 was a watershed moment in the modern history of the club, a personification of its long-term ambitions. It would be unfair to label him a bust, or anything close to it. The Texan has netted nearly 50 goals in more than four seasons in Seattle, and he helped deliver the memorable Open Cup/Supporters' Shield double back in 2014. There is a bit of a sense, however, that he hasn't completely lived up to the outsized hype that heralded his arrival. Throu...
Read more

Mourinho worried about the possibility of Fellaini leaving Manchester united

By
Image
Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, has admitted he is worried Marouane Fellaini will leave the club. Fellaini is out of contract at the end of the season and talks over a new deal remain at an impasse. The Belgium international midfielder rejected a new contract offer in September, and while United remain hopeful of persuading the player to stay, he will be free to talk to foreign suitors in January and Mourinho fears he could be tempted to go next summer. Fellaini currently earns about £120,000 a week and is requesting for 170,000. “Yes,” the United manager said when asked if he was worried about Fellaini leaving. Asked what he could do to get Fellaini to stay, Mourinho added: “Nothing. It is a discussion between the player and the board. I’m not involved in contracts, deals. “I respect both. The respect the player because he has the right, he has the right to decide his future. If he has finished his contract he has the right. I respect the boar...
Read more

Abramovich move to settle rift between Conte and David Luiz

By
Image
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is investigating whether there is a growing problem between manager Antonio Conte and the players. The Russian billionaire is increasing his involvement in the day-to-day running of the club following the resignation of technical director Michael Emenalo on Monday. According to Sportsmail, Abramovich visited Chelsea’s Cobham HQ last week, and has already made enquiries over the relationship between Conte and his squad. Having fallen out with Diego Costa last season before selling him in the summer, question marks are being raised over Conte’s relationship with David Luiz. The Brazilian was axed from the squad that beat Manchester United on Sunday. Despite Conte’s insistence that the decision was tactical, it is understood the axe came after Luiz questioned the Italian in training last week. But while Abramovich is not questioning Conte’s handling of the Luiz situation, the latest stand-off has raised concerns of a rift between the manager and...
Read more