Category Archives: SPORTS

Lionel Messi called his pair of free kick goals in the UEFA Super Cup “lucky” as he guided Barcelona to a 5-4, extra-time victory over Sevilla on Tuesday.

Messi placed the ball in the corner in the seventh and 15th minutes to go level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals in all UEFA club competitions with 80.

The game marked the first time in Messi’s illustrious career that he scored twice from free kicks, but the Argentine remained humble after the game.

“I’ve just been lucky enough to score those and I’m very happy the team won and very grateful to everyone for their support and such a warm welcome,” Messi said.

The UEFA Super Cup is Barcelona fourth trophy in 2015 and first in a season that will next see them face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup beginning on Friday.

“The key thing is to win and to win as many trophies as possible,” Messi said. “Winning today was significant because of what the Super Cup represents in terms of starting the season on the right foot, so we’re delighted. All trophies are great.”

Messi’s goals rallied Barcelona back from an early deficit following Ever Banega’s third-minute free kick.

Barcelona later wasted a 4-1 lead in the second half, but Messi insisted his team were superior.

“The match began strangely for us, we were losing but then I thought we were much better and stronger,” Messi said.

“We had the ball for the first hour, we created opportunities and scored but then we relaxed and they pressed harder and scored and that was pretty tough.

“It looked like we were winning hands down but they came back.”

Barcelona’s winning goal followed another Messi free kick, with Pedro pouncing on the rebound.

After the game, the forward called his transfer situation “complicated” with a possible deal to Manchester United near, but Messi said he’d support Pedro no matter his future plans.

“I’m thrilled that Pedro was the one to get the winning goal,” Messi said. “Personally I don’t know what his decision will be but we’re all with him and we’ll back him. We want the best for him given what he’s given the club — he deserves the best.

“I don’t know what he’ll decide but whatever he’ll have our support.”

Javier Mascherano said he believes Pedro must stay with Barcelona for the upcoming season.

“Hopefully he can continue here,” the Barcelona defender said. “He’s one of those players who are made for special occasions like these and still with us for the time being.”

source:espnfc.com

Cristiano Ronaldo playing in Melbourne last month. Photo: AAP Image/Joe Castro.

The Real Madrid star gave his agent a Greek island as a wedding present.

Real Madrid and Portugal football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly presented his agent Jorge Mendes with a phenomenal gift for the football agent’s wedding last weekend – a Greek island.

Mendes, 49, wed his partner Sandra in Porto. Known as a super agent, the wheeler dealer represents the sport’s biggest names like Jose Mourinho, Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Ronaldo, who was his best man at the wedding.

Ronaldo, who is fiercely loyal to Mendes, bought an island in Greece for his long-time confidant, according to Portuguese media source Move Noticias.

Greece has a number of its islands up for sale as a result of its crippling debts and Move Noticias said the reigning Ballon d’Or holder took advantage, with the likely price of the purchase ranging from €3 million ($4.5 million) to €50 million.

About 400 guests attended the Mendes wedding – including the likes of Real Madrid stars Fabio Coentrao and Pepe.

source:Neos Kosmos

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Ο Αρσέν Βενγκέρ καλύπτει το πρόσωπό του με αυτά που βλέπει…

Με το… δεξί μπήκε στο πρωτάθλημα η Λίβεροπουλ, που αν και δυσκολεύτηκε επικράτησε 1-0 εκτός έδρας της Στόουκ Σίτι με το γκολ του Κουτίνιο τέσσερα λεπτά πριν το τέλος του ματς.

Οι δύο ομάδες ήταν φανερά ανέτοιμες, έτσι ο αγώνας είχε ελάχιστες ευκαιρίες στο πρώτο ημίχρονο. Στην επανάληψη, ο ρυθμός ανέβηκε, όμως και πάλι έλειπαν οι προσπάθειες για σκοράρισμα.

Τελικά στο 86ο λεπτό ο Κουτίνιο με ένα εκπληκτικό γκολ έδωσε τη νίκη στους «κόκκινους» που ξεκινούν με ένα σημαντικό «τρίποντο» τη φετινή προσπάθεια τους.

Η Αρσεναλ ονειρεύεται φέτος να επανέλθει μετά από δώδεκα χρόνια στην κορυφή της Premier League, αλλά το ξεκίνημά της στο νέο πρωτάθλημα ήταν εφιαλτικό.

Η Γουέστ Χαμ εκμεταλλεύθηκε δύο λάθη του Πετρ Τσεχ, πέτυχε ισάριθμα γκολ και νίκησε 2-0 μέσα στο «Emirates», στην πρεμιέρα του αγγλικού πρωταθλήματος.

Οι «κανονιέρηδες» από την άλλη δεν αξιοποίησαν τις ευκαιρίες τους και «χάλασαν» τις καλές εντυπώσεις που είχαν δημιουργήσει την περασμένη εβδομάδα, με την κατάκτηση του σούπερ καπ απέναντι στην Τσέλσι.

Σε άλλο σημερινό αγώνα, η Σαουθάμπτον απέσπασε ισοπαλία 2-2 από τη Νιούκαστλ.

Τα αποτελέσματα και οι σκόρερ της 1ης αγωνιστικής του αγγλικού πρωταθλήματος:

Μάντσεστερ Γ.-Τότεναμ 1-0
(22΄αυτ. Γουόκερ)

Μπόρνμουθ-Άστον Βίλα 0-1
(72΄ Ζεστέντ)

Έβερτον-Γουότφορντ 2-2
(76΄ Μπάρκλεϊ, 86΄ Κονέ – 14΄ Λαγιούν, 83΄ Ιγκάλο)

Λέστερ-Σάντερλαντ 4-2
(11΄ Βάρντι, 18΄, 25΄πεν. Μαχρέζ, 66΄ Αλμπριτον – 60΄ Ντεφόου, 71΄ Φλέτσερ)

Νόριτς-Κρίσταλ Πάλας 1-3
(69΄ Ρέντμοντ – 39΄ Ζαχά, 50΄ Ντιλέινι, 90΄ Καμπάιγ)

Τσέλσι-Σουόνσι 2-2
(23΄ Όσκαρ, 30΄αυτ. Φερνάντεζ – 29΄ Αγιού, 55΄πεν. Γκομίς)

Άρσεναλ-Γουέστ Χαμ
(43΄ Κουγιατέ, 57΄ Ζάρατε)

Νιούκαστλ-Σαουθάμπτον 2-2
(42΄ Σισέ, 48΄ Βαϊνάλντουμ – 24΄ Πέλε, 79΄ Λονγκ)

Στόουκ Σίτι-Λίβερπουλ 0-1
(86΄ Κουτίνιο)

Γουέστ Μπρομ-Μάντσεστερ Σίτι 10/8

Η βαθμολογία
Λέστερ 3
Κρίσταλ Πάλας 3
Γουέστ Χαμ 3
Αστον Βίλα 3
Μάντσεστερ Γ. 3
Λίβερπουλ 3
Έβερτον 1
Γουότφορντ 1
Σουόνσι 1
Τσέλσι 1
Νιουκάστλ 1
Σαουθάμπτον 1
Μάντσεστερ Σ. 0
Στόουκ Σίτι 0
Γουέστ Μπρομ 0
Μπόρνμουθ 0
Τότεναμ 0
Σάντερλαντ 0
Νόριτς 0
Άρσεναλ 0

Πηγή:in.gr

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Petr Cech of Arsenal fails to punch clear the ball as Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United heads in the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Petr Cech made a Premier League debut to forget for Arsenal as his errors helped West Ham United to record a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Olympic attack: 17 goals in 3 games…..!!!

Hamilton Olympic continued their blitz in front of goal, scoring another 5 in round 17 of the NPL, giving no chance to Charlestown City from salvaging any points at Lisle Carr Oval.

On a warm and sunny afternoon, Olympic opened proceedings with their captain Mason Campbell after a scramble in front of the Charlestown goal.
Charlestown are playing open offensive football and every time Olympic break they look very menacing.

Just before the 40 minute mark, Simon Mooney makes a darting run on the right and despite narrowing his angle the closer he got to goal, he had no problem tucking it into the net, 2-0!

Just before half time, Charlestown had a golden opportunity to score, when they fired a shot from close range, and with Danny Ireland beaten, Reece Cooper clears off the line!

From the kick off in the 2nd half, Olympic have two narrow misses from the head of Kane Goodchild and the boot of Cody Lucas.

Ten minutes later, Kane Goodchild spreads the ball wide to Simon Mooney who sends in a perfectly weighted cross to Ben Koina, who in turn, brings it down and places it wide of the Charlestown keeper and into an empty net! With 3-0 up, Charlestown coming forward, Olympic looking very hungry during counter attacks and Kane Goodchild supreme in the air, you just had the feeling more goals would follow.

This is exactly what happened 10 minutes later when a well taken free kick by Simon Mooney from the right into a packed Charlestown box, found the head of Kane Goodchild who in turn had no problem making it 4-0!

Charlestown continue to go forward and Olympic continue to look very dangerous with every counter- attack. On one occasion when the home side made it inside the Olympic penalty area, a scramble ensured and the score was reduced to 4-1!

Seconds before the referee blew the final whistle Simon Mooney passed to Ben Koina who in turn crossed to Reece Cooper who was sprinting into the penalty box from the left and who connected with the ball to make the final score 5-1 for Olympic.

A vintaged Olympic display and an Olympic attack which has bagged 17 goals in three games!

NPL ROUND 17 RESULTS:
Newcastle Jets Youth – Edgeworth 4-4
Maitland – Lambton Jaffas 1-2
Charlestown City – Hamilton Olympic 1-5
Weston Workers – Broadmeadow Magic 0-1
South Cardiff – Adamstown Rosebud 1-3

TABLE:
1 Edgeworth 37                                                                                                                        2 Hamilton Olympic 36                                                                                                        3 Lambton Jaffas 34                                                                                                             4 Weston Workers                                                                                                                5 Broadmeadow Magic 29
6 Adamstown Rosebud 25
7 Newcastle Jets Youth 14
8 Charlestown City 13
9 Maitland 12
10 South Cardiff 9

NPL ROUND 18
Adamstown – Newcastle Jets Youth
Lambton Jaffas – South Cardiff
Hamilton Olympic – Maitland
Broadmeadow Magic – Charlestown City
Edgeworth – Weston Workers

NPL RESULTS:
U22s Charlestown City – Hamilton Olympic 0-1
U19s Charlestown City – Hamilton Olympic 2-1
U17s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 7-0
U15s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 2-0
U14s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 2-2
U13s Hamilton Olympic – Maitland 3-1

JUNIOR RESULTS FOR SATURDAY 09/08/2015:
U13s Olympic – South Cardiff 0-3
U12s Olympic – Warners Bay 2-2
U11s Olympic – New Lambton 1-0
U10s Olympic – Nelson Bay 4-0
U9s Olympic Blue – Kotara South 4-1
U9s Olympic White – Hamilton Azzuri 10-0
U8s Olympic – Kotara 16-0
U8s Olympic – Kotara 20-0
U7s Olympic – Fletcher 6-9
U7s Olympic – result not supplied
U6s Olympic – Kotara 10-1
U6s Olympic – result not supplied

U9s Olympic Blue winger George Tsamouras watches the match with First Grade injured winger Pat Brown.

Source: Tom Tsamouras

Η ανανέωση της συνεργασίας του Ζοζέ Μουρίνιο με την Τσέλσι δεν έφερε… γούρι στους Λονδρέζους.

Στο τελευταίο ματς του Σαββάτου για την 1η αγωνιστική της Premier League οι πρωταθλητές Αγγλίας παραχώρησαν ισοπαλία στην Σουόνσι στο «Στάμφορντ Μπριτζ», με σκορ 2-2.

Η αποβολή του Κουρτουά στο 55΄ (αυστηρή η κόκκινη κάρτα που δέχτηκε για μαρκάρισμα στον Γκομίς) έφερε το γκολ της ισοφάρισης για τους «κύκνους», παρ΄όλα αυτά οι «μπλε» απέφυγαν την ήττα χάρις στις επεμβάσεις του αντικαταστάτη του Βέλγου γκολκίπερ, Μπέκοβιτς.

Ένα αυτογκόλ έκρινε την εναρκτήρια αναμέτρηση, μεταξύ της Μάντσεστερ Γιουνάιτεντ και της Τότεναμ στο «Ολντ Τράφορντ».

Ο Κάιλ Γουόκερ στο 22΄, στην προσπάθειά του να απομακρύνει τη μπάλα, την έστειλε στα δίχτυα του Βορμ και αυτό ήταν αρκετό για την ομάδα του Λουίς Φαν Γκάαλ να πάρει τη νίκη με 1-0, παρά τις ευκαιρίες που είχαν στο φινάλε οι φιλοξενούμενοι για να ισοφαρίσουν.

Τον πρώτο της βαθμό πήρε η «νεοφώτιστη» Γουότφορντ απέναντι στην Έβερτον, με τον Χοσέ Χολέμπας στην ενδεκάδα της σε όλο το 90λεπτο.

Η ομάδα του Κίκε Φλόρες προηγήθηκε δύο φορές στο «Γκούντισον Παρκ», ωστόσο, οι γηπεδούχοι κατάφεραν ισάριθμες να ισοφαρίσουν κι έτσι το ματς τελείωσε ισόπαλο 2-2.

Με το… δεξί μπήκε στο πρωτάθλημα και η Λέστερ του Κλαούντιο Ρανιέρι, επικρατώντας με 4-2 της Σάντερλαντ, ενώ σπουδαίο «διπλό» πέτυχε η Κρίσταλ Πάλας στην έδρα της Νόριτς.

Τα αποτελέσματα και οι σκόρερ της 1ης αγωνιστικής του αγγλικού πρωταθλήματος:

Μάντσεστερ Γ.-Τότεναμ 1-0
(22΄αυτ. Γουόκερ)

Μπόρνμουθ-Άστον Βίλα 0-1
(72΄ Ζεστέντ)

Έβερτον-Γουότφορντ 2-2
(76΄ Μπάρκλεϊ, 86΄ Κονέ – 14΄ Λαγιούν, 83΄ Ιγκάλο)

Λέστερ-Σάντερλαντ 4-2
(11΄ Βάρντι, 18΄,25΄πεν. Μαχρέζ, 66΄ Αλμπριτον – 60΄ Ντεφόου, 71΄ Φλέτσερ)

Νόριτς-Κρίσταλ Πάλας 1-3
(69΄ Ρέντμοντ – 39΄ Ζαχά, 50΄ Ντιλέινι, 90΄ Καμπάιγ)

Τσέλσι-Σουόνσι 2-2
(23΄ Όσκαρ, 30άυτ. Φερνάντεζ – 29΄ Αγιού, 55΄πεν. Γκομίς)

Άρσεναλ-Γουέστ Χαμ 9/8
Νιούκαστλ-Σαουθάμπτον 9/8
Στόουκ Σίτι-Λίβερπουλ 9/8
Γουέστ Μπρομ-Μάντσεστερ Σίτι 10/8

Η βαθμολογία
Λέστερ 3 (1αγ.)
Κρίσταλ Πάλας 3 (1αγ.)
Αστον Βίλα 3 (1αγ.)
Μάντσεστερ Γ. 3 (1αγ.)
Έβερτον 1 (1αγ.)
Γουότφορντ 1 (1αγ.)
Σουόνσι 1 (1αγ.)
Τσέλσι 1 (1αγ.)
Άρσεναλ 0
Λίβερπουλ 0
Μάντσεστερ Σ. 0
Νιουκάστλ 0
Σαουθάμπτον 0
Στόουκ Σίτι 0
Γουέστ Μπρομ 0
Γουέστ Χαμ 0
Μπόρνμουθ 0
Τότεναμ 0 (1αγ.)
Σάντερλαντ 0 (1αγ.)
Νόριτς 0 (1αγ.)

Πηγή:in.gr

An own goal from Kyle Walker ensured Manchester United opened the Barclays Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Spurs right-back stabbed into the back of his own net midway through the first half after a new-look United side had made a shaky start. David De Gea watched on as Sergio Romero made his debut in the United goal, with Louis van Gaal stating that the Spain goalkeeper is not in the right frame of mind.

Romero, the new signing, produced an assured display, making a couple of late saves as Spurs were unable to build on an encouraging start in which Christian Eriksen came close to opening the scoring.

Van Gaal may have seen room for improvement as he aims to turn United into title contenders this season, but will be more than happy with three points after losing at home to Swansea City on the opening day last year.

Romero, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay made their Barclays Premier League debuts for United, while Bastian Schweinsteiger was among the substitutes. Michel Vorm started in goal for Spurs, with Hugo Lloris on the bench, and Ben Davies got the nod at left-back in the absence of Danny Rose (thigh). Toby Alderweireld was the only new recruit in Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Romero could have been picking the ball out of the back of the net just four minutes into his United bow, when Harry Kane and Eriksen linked brilliantly to open up the home side’s defence. Kane picked out Eriksen’s run into the penalty area with a clever chip and the Denmark midfielder headed in front of him before lifting a deft lob over Romero, but on to the roof of the net.

Romero was forced to race out once again soon after to save an effort from Walker when the right-back surged forward as Spurs made an impressive start.

Walker had the ball in the back of the net 22 minutes in, but it was at the wrong end to gift United the lead out of the blue.

Nabil Bentaleb’s loose pass was intercepted for United to break. Ashley Young passed to an unmarked Wayne Rooney in the area, and as the United captain prepared to shoot, Walker nipped in but could only poke the ball beyond Vorm.

Schweinsteiger was given a tremendous ovation when he replaced Michael Carrick on the hour following an uneventful start to the second half.

Young, who this week signed a new contract, came close to doubling United’s lead when the ball arrived at the winger’s feet at the back post but Vorm got down to smother his shot.

The agile Romero twice kept out shots from Eriksen in the closing stages and also palmed away a Kane header as Spurs applied late pressure, but were unable to salvage a point.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: “It’s always difficult because first time play at Old Trafford and people are very supporting. I said in advance for example to Memphis he doesn’t have to play with too much eagerness or passion.

“I said that also counts for whole team. It’s always the first time you play at Old Trafford is always difficult.

“I like the performance, especially Darmian, he played a good match with and without the ball. Romero kept the zero, he did it wonderful with saving the ball.

“He is only one week with us, this is a process, you have to wait for it.”

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino: “I’m frustrated and disappointed, but very happy with the performance. I think the first 20 minutes we dominated the game, we created chances and you can see that after our mistake we conceded the goal.

“In the second half we played the same way and dominated the game Manchester United, at Old Trafford, only shot once on target. This is good for us, we created more chances and I think we deserved more than to lose 1-0.

“I’m not surprised because we always try to dominate games, this is our style, our philosophy.”

source:premierleague.com

Ανακοινώθηκε και επίσημα την Πέμπτη από τη Μπενφίκα η απόκτηση του Κώστα Μήτρογλου.

Ο διεθνής Έλληνας επιθετικός υπέγραψε συμβόλαιο για ένα χρόνο με τους πρωταθλητές Πορτογαλίας, οι οποίοι τον απέκτησαν με τη μορφή δανεισμού από τη Φούλαμ.

Σύμφωνα με την ανακοίνωση των «αετών», η συμφωνία με τον αγγλικό σύλλογο περιλαμβάνει και οψιόν αγοράς του 27χρονου σέντερ φορ, χωρίς να διευκρινίζεται το ποσό που θα πρέπει να καταβάλουν αν θέλουν να τον αποκτήσουν με «μόνιμη» μεταγραφή.

Πηγή:in.gr

Atromitos and PAOK will on Friday afternoon join Panathinaikos in the draw for the Europa League play-offs, as they saw off their third-qualifying-round opponents on Thursday with relative ease.

In a game dominated by a 50-minute stoppage due to a power failure early in the second half, Atromitos beat AIK Solna 1-0 in Athens to advance on a 4-1 aggregate score.

Brazilian star Marcelinho, the hero of the first-leg victory of Atromitos in Sweden with a 3-1 score, capitalized on a defensive error by AIK and after a great solo effort he slid the ball home on the 67th minute for 1-0.

PAOK snatched a 1-1 draw at Spartak Trnava in Slovakia and reached the play-offs courtesy of its 1-0 win at home last week.

The Thessaloniki team missed some good chances to open the score, and the hosts punished the Greeks with a penalty converted on the 35th minute by Erik Sabo.

The Greeks responded in the third minute of the second half as some great footwork and a pinpoint cross by Nikos Korovesis from the left found Dimitris Constantinidis at the edge of the six-yard box and he equalized from close range.

PAOK played the last 24 minutes of the game with 10 men due to a straight red card shown to Yiannis Skondras.

source:ekathimerini.com