England rally round McClaren

Tuesday, 27 March 2007
England players gave manager Steve McClaren their full backing on Tuesday as they prepared for their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona. Captain John Terry and vice-captain Steven Gerrard both offered strong endorsements of McClaren, who has come under criticism in the press since Saturday's 0-0 Group E draw in Israel.
'Underachieving'"I think the players have to take a lot of responsibility for the manager taking it in the neck," Gerrard said. "It's us who are going out there and underperforming, underachieving if you like. We do feel partly responsible for the criticism he's taking, and it's down to myself and the other boys to stand up and try to take some heat off him and turn these results around.
Belief in McClaren"We definitely believe in him. Definitely. All the players are behind him. He's preparing us right, he's coaching us right. He's telling us the right things. It's us players who are not getting results for him and the fans. This game is all about results and our results haven't been acceptable of late. So we take the criticism on the chin and move on."
'Right man for the job'England are without a win in five internationals and slumped to third in Group E after the stalemate in Tel Aviv. McClaren's side, who have not scored in their last three qualifiers, are three points behind Russia and five adrift of leaders Croatia. "We've underperformed a little in the last few games but as a group we are fully behind the manager," Terry said. "It's not nice what we are hearing, but he is the right man for the job, 100 per cent. Tomorrow is a must-win game and as a bunch we feel we owe it to the manager. We are all in it together. It's us against everybody, and we need to stand up and be counted."
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Spanish legends salute Casillas

Wednesday, 28 March 2007
by Lucas Brownfrom Barcelona
Iker Casillas has won the praise of some of Spain's goalkeeping greats ahead of a match in which he will equal Luis Arconada's tally of 68 international appearances. When the Real Madrid CF custodian appears in the UEFA EURO 2008™ Group F qualifier against Iceland tonight he will become his country's seventh most capped player of all time and his predecessors are full of praise for his achievements.
All-round excellenceStill only 25, Casillas has time on his side although he still has some way to go to catch Andoni Zubizarreta's record of 126 games. "Casillas is an all-round goalkeeper and his greatest virtue is that he keeps improving every year," said Arconada, who represented Spain between 1977 and 1985. "He is calm, has great reflexes and, despite what some people say, is good at coming off his line. He will keep breaking records as long as he doesn't get injured. I think he is a normal, humble person, which also helps."
'Simply great'Zubizarreta played for Spain between 1985 and 1997 and has had first-hand experience of Casillas's talent. "I met Iker when I was at the Spanish Football Federation and trained with him," the FC Barcelona and Valencia CF great said. "I tried to explain to him what this whole business was about, just as Arconada had done with me. Casillas is a very young and excellent player and he will play many more games. I don't consider him a rival for my record. A player like him, who keeps standing above the rest when there is a lot of competition for the jersey, is simply great."
Proud traditionAnother Barça legend, Antonio Ramallets, believes that the current No1 is very similar to Arconada and is continuing a long tradition of exceptional goalkeepers. "Iker Casillas is always reliable, just as Luis Arconada was," Ramallets, a Spanish international of the 1950s, explained. "I think they have similar styles and I wouldn't have known which of the two to choose if they had been contemporaries. Spain has always had good keepers."
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Duo aim to improve on perfection

Duo aim to improve on perfectionWednesday, 28 March 2007
Sweden and Turkey will defend the only 100 per cent records left in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying while Group B leaders Scotland visit Italy in perhaps the pick of Wednesday's games.
Group AUnbeaten after five matches, Finland return to action with a trip to Azerbaijan while group leaders Poland host Armenia. However, the big match will see fourth-placed Serbia look to put Saturday's 2-1 defeat in Kazakhstan behind them as they receive third-placed Portugal.
Group BScotland's credentials as qualifiers face another stiff test as the pacesetters take on Italy in Bari. Ukraine could end the day level with the Scots and France on 12 points if they triumph at home to Lithuania, while Georgia welcome the Faroe Islands.
Group CFresh from a magnificent 4-1 success against Greece in Athens, Turkey aim to make it five wins out of five as Norway are the visiting team in a game played in Frankfurt. European title-holders Greece bid to avoid further embarrassment as they travel to Malta, and Hungary entertain Moldova.
Group DWith frontrunners Germany not in action, the Czech Republic can join them on 13 points with a home win against Cyprus. Republic of Ireland will seek to keep the pressure on the top two with a victory when Slovakia come calling, while Wales play San Marino in Cardiff.
Group EHaving drawn 0-0 on Saturday, Israel and England attempt to launch themselves back into qualifying contention with three points from their home and away matches against Estonia and Andorra respectively. Section leaders Croatia and Russia sit out the action.
Group FSweden's 100 per cent record after four games is under threat as they go to second-placed Northern Ireland. Spain want to continue their return to form by beating Iceland at home, while Liechtenstein target a first qualifying point against travelling Latvia.
Group GThe Netherlands could finish the night in pole position provided they avoid defeat in Slovenia, while Bulgaria and Romania - both three points adrift - will strive to stay in hot pursuit of a finals place and make home advantage count against Albania and Luxembourg respectively.
©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Rabotnicki link up with Milan

Wednesday, 28 March 2007
by Igor Panevskifrom Skopje
FK Rabotnicki have pulled off a major coup in F.Y.R. Macedonia, with AC Milan's youth department coaches set to work with the club in July.
Milan visitMilan's public relations manager Danielle Massaro was in the Macedonian capital, Skopje, this week to promote his side's programme, which will see the Italian club's youth coaches work with 300 Rabotnicki youngsters between 16 and 20 July this year.
Kostovski proud"After a year of negotiations we are bringing one of the biggest names in football to our country," said Rabotnicki vice-president Kosta Kostovski. "It's a great chance for young Macedonian talents to work with coaches from one of the greatest teams in Europe."
Ongoing relationshipKostovski is now hoping the cooperation between the two clubs will carry on. "It's one step towards improving our work with the youth categories," he said. "We hope that this cooperation between Rabotnicki and Milan will continue after the camp is over."
San Siro prospectsMassaro agreed: "Why, in the future should some talented player from [F.Y.R] Macedonia not come in Italy to play for Milan, the same way as Goran Pandev plays for S.S. Lazio? If Rabotnicki win the title this season, we could meet up in the UEFA Champions League next season."
Pandev examplePandev's success story is certainly one that will inspire Macedonian youngsters. The 23-year-old started his career in the Prva Liga in the 2000/01 season with FK Belasica GC, before being signed by Milan's neighbours FC Internazionale Milano.
Burgeoning careerEventually moving on to Lazio in 2004 after failing to make a first-team appearance for Inter, he has blossomed in Rome, scoring 21 Serie A goals in his last two seasons and becoming increasingly dangerous for the national team, with eleven goals in 31 appearances.
Tomorrow's starsMassaro was well aware that the Pandevs of tomorrow could well be among the trainees at the Milan camp. "I'm proud that I came to Skopje and I hope some of young players who will participate in this camp will be the stars of Macedonian football and the national team one day."
Montenegrin firstElswehere, F.Y.R. Macedonia's Under-21 side made a small bit of history as they provided Montenegro's first opposition at that level. Mirsad Jonuz's side beat the Montenegrins 1-0 in Skopje, with Zoran Zlatkovski of Bulgarian side PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936 scoring the only goal.
©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Portugal sweat on Ronaldo fitness

Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Manchester United FC winger Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt for Portugal's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Serbia after straining his left ankle in training on Tuesday.
Fitness testThe 22-year-old limped out of the session in Belgrade and will face a fitness test tomorrow to ascertain whether he will be available for the match at the FK Crvena Zvezda stadium. His absence would be a real blow to a Portugal side who are beginning to hit their stride following a slow start to their Group A campaign.
Ronaldo doubleRonaldo scored twice in Saturday's 4-0 win against Belgium in Lisbon as Luiz Felipe Scolari's team climbed to third in the section, three points behind Poland but with a game in hand. Serbia are level on points with Portugal, but behind on goal difference, and will be looking to make amends for a 2-1 loss in Kazakhstan at the weekend.
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Greece out to repair wounded pride

Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Their pride wounded by Saturday's 4-1 home defeat by Turkey, European champions Greece will look to redeem themselves with victory against Malta on Wednesday.
'No excuse'Greece begin as overwhelming favourites despite their confidence taking a battering at the weekend with their first loss in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying. Turkey top Group C with 12 points from four matches, Greece have nine, with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Norway and Malta still in contention. "This is the time to stand up and be strong," said midfielder Stylianos Giannakopoulos. "There is no excuse for conceding four goals and we must now win in Malta and get our campaign back on track."
Rehhagel changesDefender Traianos Dellas has warned critics not to write the team off yet. "We will win in Malta - we must stay united and we will qualify," he said. Striker Ioannis Amanatidis and right-back Giourkas Seitaridis are both out so coach Otto Rehhagel could shuffle his pack, with in-form Theofanis Gekas, Loukas Vintra and Vassilios Torosidis all likely starters in Ta' Qali.
Malta hopefulMalta might not harbour hopes of challenging for a place in Austria and Switzerland but their haul of four points from four games should elicit a degree of wariness from the Greeks. Under the meticulous guidance of Czech coach Dušan Fitzel, Malta appear to be making strides, following up a 2-1 home victory over Hungary last October with Saturday's 1-1 draw in Moldova. Fitzel said: "Turkey, Greece and Norway are the top teams in the group. It's never easy for a small nation like Malta to compete but every game starts at 0-0 and anything can happen."
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Taylor takes top UEFA role

Tuesday, 27 March 2007
David Taylor, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), will take up the role of UEFA General Secretary - head of the UEFA administration - on 1 June. The UEFA Executive Committee was officially informed of the appointment at its meeting in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday.
Since 1999Mr Taylor has held the post of SFA chief executive since August 1999. Born in Forfar in 1954, he was educated at Dundee High School before graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in law. He qualified as a solicitor and practised until 1985, during which time he added to his legal qualifications with an MSc in Economics and an MBA.
Senior positionsHe then joined the Scottish Development Agency (now Scottish Enterprise) in 1985 and occupied a succession of senior positions before being named the first director of Scottish Trade International, a body set up to promote Scottish business overseas.
Fervent football interestThe 53-year-old has always had a fervent interest in football and is a long-standing member of the Scotland Supporters Club, having watched his country at five FIFA World Cups since the 1960s. He played football at junior and amateur levels, his best moment being a West of Scotland Amateur Cup win, and is also a qualified SFA coach.
European finalsOne of the highlights of Mr Taylor's tenure at the SFA was the UEFA Champions League final of 2002, when Zinédine Zidane inspired Real Madrid CF to their ninth trophy success against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Hampden Park, Glasgow - an occasion that led to the national stadium being selected as host venue for this year's UEFA Cup final.
Respected memberMr Taylor has been a respected member of UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body since 2002. "David Taylor is an accomplished and respected leader, and UEFA has recognised this in asking him to head up their organisation," SFA president John McBeth said. The post of General Secretary will replace that of Chief Executive within the UEFA administration. Gianni Infantino, currently UEFA Chief Executive ad interim, will become Deputy General Secretary under Mr Taylor.
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Norway turn to teenager Skjelbred

Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Norway coach Åge Hareide will have to do without Vålerenga IF midfielder Christian Grindheim for Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2008™ Group C qualifier against Turkey in Frankfurt. The 23-year-old has been struck down by illness and Hareide has replaced him with Rosenborg BK's 19-year-old Per Ciljan Skjelbred.
Ukraine have recalled FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk goalkeeper Maxym Startsev for their Group B home game against Lithuania following 18 months in the international wilderness. The 27-year-old, who missed out on Ukraine's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad after undergoing groin surgery, is the third keeper in Oleh Blokhin's selection alongside Olexandr Shovkovskiy and Andriy Pyatov.
Spain are determined to build on their weekend win against Denmark when they welcome Iceland to Mallorca on Wednesday night in qualifying Group F. "We are all confident that on a personal level we can give more," midfielder David Albelda said, following Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Danes. Defender Carles Puyol, who missed that match through suspension, added: "This team has quality and some great players, so we have to work harder and pick up results."
Luxembourg forward Aurelien Joachim will miss the Group G trip to Romania after succumbing to an ankle injury. The 20-year-old, who plays for TSV Alemannia Aachen's reserve team, was a starter in Luxembourg's first three qualifiers but requires surgery, having already been sidelined for the weekend's 2-1 defeat by Belarus.
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