Ahead of the Game: Terry backs Grant to stay
The news in 60 seconds
TERRY BACKS GRANT TO STAY
John Terry, the Chelsea captain, says that Avram Grant’s predicted demise as manager at Stamford Bridge may be premature and finds it "unbelievable" that his position is still being questioned. "I think he (Grant) deserves respect ,” Terry said. “It is the first time in the club's history we have got to a Champions League final - it has never been done by any manager or set of players before and he does deserve it.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3856219.ece
CARRAGHER SAYS LIVERPOOL WILL BOUNCE BACK
Liverpool’s redoubtable centre-half says the Champions League final will be "hard to watch" after last night’s defeat but reckons his side will come back stronger. “There is no doubt about the character and belief in this side, and next season we want to be challenging United, Chelsea and Arsenal," he said hopefully.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3856318.ece
RANIERI GIVES WARNING TO GRANT
Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri wastes no time in putting the boot into Avram Grant, despite the Israeli’s historic achievement in getting the Blues to their first Champions League final. The Italian suggests Grant will face the heave-ho from Roman Abramovich unless his side come up trumps against Manchester United in Moscow. The little tinker (though he may have a point)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3853862.ece
UEFA HOPING FOR FRIENDLY FINAL
Despite gloomy forecasts of chaos at the Moscow final, Uefa are confident that the Euro showpiece will go without a hitch. “We have never had any problems with either of those clubs' fans. We are looking forward to welcoming them in Moscow and sure they will put on a great show,” Uefa mouthpiece William Gaillard said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3855070.ece
READING DUO IN THE DOGHOUSE
Emerson Fae and Ibrahima Sonko have both been suspended for two weeks by manager Steve Coppell for unspecified reasons, meaning that both will be missing for Reading’s increasingly desperate battle against relegation. "As far as I'm concerned it's an internal disciplinary measure and it's been dealt with," the tight-lipped Reading manager said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3854371.ece
EDELMAN DEPARTS ARSENAL
After another trophyless season, Arsenal’s managing director Keith Edelman decides he’s had enough of pretty but unproductive football and heads for the exit door. “Now that we have completed our second season at Emirates, I believe it is the right time to seek pastures new and embark upon fresh challenges," he says.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3853516.ece
LIVE MATCH TRACKER: FIORENTINA V RANGERS
Rangers are hoping to be the next British side to taste Euro glory as they go into their Uefa Cup semi-final second leg all square at 0-0 with Fiorentina. Follow all the action from the Stadio Artemio Franchi from 7.45pm.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/live_match_tracker/
VIDUKA SET FOR LONG SUMMER HOLIDAY
Oft-crocked forward Mark Viduka faces another summer with his feet up. The Aussie, who has played a big role in Newcastle’s revival under Kevin Keegan, needs an operation on his Achilles tendon, meaning he will be absent from his country’s World Cup 2010 qualifying games.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3854809.ece
NO BUYERS FOR TROUBLED OWLS
Sheffield Wednesday's board of directors say they have received no offers to buy the club, despite supposed interest from two consortiums. The Championship club have estimated debts of £27 million and remain in severe danger of slipping into League One.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3855718.ece
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If you've got another couple of minutes
After a season in which Avram Grant has been accused of having little talent as a football coach and being merely Roman Abramovich’s puppet, the genial Israeli has managed something that Jose Mourinho couldn’t - at least at Chelsea – in reaching a Champions League final. But is that down to his ability as a manager? Is Grant a genius or just lucky? You decide.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/so-what-do-you.html
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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALES<<<<<
Ears a funny thing – Gary to play Dumbo – Daily Star
In what could be called a spectacular piece of typecasting, Gary Lineker has been picked to play Dumbo the elephant in a Disney photoshoot by controversial snapper Annie Liebovitz. 1) After Liebovitz’s near naked pictures of 15-year old Miley Cyrus caused outrage and left the Hannah Montana star ‘embarassed’, should Gary be contacting his lawyers already? 2) And will Disney sign up the rest of MOTD team? – with Mark Lawrenson (Eeyore), Alan Hansen (Scrooge McDuck) and Alan Shearer as a piece of driftwood from Pirates of the Caribbean.
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A quickie before you go, sir?
In the light of Didier Drogba and Avram Grant’s mildly eccentric celebrations at Stamford Bridge last night, here’s a real rarity. Not only Bernardo Corradi actually scoring a goal for Manchester City but doing a rather curious manoeuvre afterwards that looks like he’s planing a table. Or just measuring the amount shaved off his transfer worth during his time at Eastlands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uEm5OtQBrY
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8
The number of Chelsea players who have played in a Champions League final. Ashley Cole (Arsenal - 2006), Claude Makelele (Real Madrid 2002 ), Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira (both Porto - 2004), Michael Ballack (Bayer Leverkusen - 2002), Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan 2003/5), Juliano Belletti (Barcelona - 2006) and Nicolas Anelka (Real Madrid - 2000).
5
The number of Manchester United players who have played in a Champions League final. Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville (both Manchester United 1999), Edwin Van der Sar (Ajax - 1995/6), Patrice Evra (Monaco 2006), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich - 2001)
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In TheGame
Going to the Champions League final? Baffled by bureaucracy or wound up by red tape? Here’s our useful guide to smoothing your path to Moscow.
http://tinyurl.com/67h99x
So who was your Chelsea hero last night? Didier Drogba, who made a mockery of Rafa Benitez’s pre-match criticism to score twice with exemplary finishes. Or Frank Lampard, who showed cast-iron nerve to tuck away a penalty in the most difficult week of his life. Cast your vote.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/so-who-was-your.html
Lampard’s goal was certainly impressive, but was his penalty the bravest of all time? Compare his with our selection of five more nerveless spot kicks, not all of which were so successful.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/five-more-brave.html
Chelsea’s Fanzine Fanzone editor says he will never doubt Frank Lampard’s integrity again and pays tribute to Liverpool and their fans for their contribution to a magnificent occasion.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/05/thank-you-frank.html
Martin Samuel has the final word on the debate asking which nit-picking rules you would like to see scrapped. He agrees that players should not be booked for taking their shirts off, so long as they keep their shorts on, and calls for the ceremonial beheading of the fourth official. But is he right? Let us know, that’s what Joe Blogg's Soapbox is for.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/04/martin-samuel-4.html
Bill Edgar has posted his daily trivia question: Chelsea and Liverpool have played in extra-time in a Champions League semi-final for two successive seasons. When was the previous time that a semi-final in Europe’s leading club competition went to extra-time?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/05/bill-edgars-thu.html
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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
Scholes nets fresh deal - The Sun
Benitez – I stand by Drog jibe - Daily Mirror
Grant tribute to grieving star - The Daily Telegraph
Rijkaard criticises lack of beauty in United’s victory - The Independent
Benitez left with empty feeling and unclear future - The Guardian
English final ‘a disaster’ - Daily Express
Frank was always going to score - Daily Mail
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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox
Re yesterdays letter calling Paul Scholes the best English footballer of the last 25 years. When did he become better than: Chris Waddle, Glen Hoddle, Stuart Pearce, the Arsenal back four of the George Graham reign, Teddy Sheringham, Gazza, or John Barnes (at club level)?
Matt Corbishley generously adds Steve Bould and Lee Dixon to the pantheon of greatest English footballers of the modern era.
Chelsea fans lend enthusiastic backing to Avram Grant, despite a whole season of demanding his head on a plate.
Grant is neither genius, nor very lucky, he is just a hard worker dedicated to what he knows best. His achievement with the Israel's national team was quite remarkable. His achievement to date with Chelsea ought to serve all his cruel critics a lesson in humility and remorse, not to mention sportsmanship. Rehavia Yakovee
He is not the special one - he is the better one!!!!!!! Ran V
But Shira and Neil from London are rather more circumspect about the Israeli’s success
Grant used to be a very bad manager in Israel, he just had some luck now having the best players in the world who did the job for him. Shira
Well done Chelsea, £578 million to get to the Champions League final. What an amazing achievement. Rest assured the entire nation, and world I suspect, will be supporting Man Utd. Neil, London
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Tomorrow's news today
- Frank Lampard: The emotion of THAT penalty kick
- Moscow visa decision: will the Russians back down
- What does the future hold for Hicks, Benitez and Gerrard?
And expect...
Ian Wright to star as Yorick in Annie Liebovitz’s version of Hamlet.
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