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Football / Arsenal 0 - 0 AC Milan
« on: February 20, 2008, 03:37:33 PM »
Adebayor missed a sitter of an header in Final act of Game 
April 27, 2024, 11:25:33 AM
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Football / Swansea City - Oldham Athletic Match Preview
« on: August 11, 2007, 05:09:20 AM »
Swans start the new season today with an away fixture against Oldham at Boundary Park, kick-off 3.00pm.
Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez has nearly a full squad to choose from. Only Owain Tudur Jones (knee) and Darren Way (shin) are still not fit, while captain Garry Monk (ankle) has returned to training but is not yet match fit. Four players will probably make their league debuts for the Swans in tomorrow's game as I expect keeper Dorus De Vries, midfielder Ferrie Bodde, striker Jason Scotland, and Spanish defender Angel Rangel to start against the Latics. The last time the Swans won at Boundary Park was in 1969!
Oldham reached last year's play-offs and will be without Stefan Stam (hamstring), Kelvin Lomax (groin) and keeper Les Pogliacomi (knee). Lewis Alessandra (broken foot), Michael Pearson (knee) and Neil Wood (cruciate ligaments) are on the Latics injury list. Oldham have signed several players in the close season, two of which have Welsh connections. Michael Ricketts the former Cardiff striker has joined the Latics together with Welsh international Craig Davies.
Speaking to the South Wales Evening Post Martinez talks about our prospects for this season and said that ''There will be some difficult times for every side in what is a very tough division, you can point to teams like Nottingham Forest, who have a great squad, and Millwall, who finished last season on a high and I expect them to do well.
''There are going to be seven or eight teams who are going to be very, very close and that's going to make the top places very difficult to get into.
''It's going to be a question of who can play football like we do at home and then go away to places like Oldham and be effective. That's going to be the key to finishing in the top two - knowing how to play but also how to adapt in different circumstances.''
Martinez is refusing to discount Leeds from the promotion race even though the Elland Road giants had confirmation yesterday that they will start the campaign on -15 points.
''Sometimes, when you have so many problems, it gels everyone together and you fight against the world,'' Martinez said. ''Leeds will not have any of the expectations we have, for example, and a club with so much potential could still be very dangerous.''
Swans probable: De Vries, Rangel. Tate, Lawrence, Painter, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland, Duffy. Subs from: Bussy, Anderson, O'Leary, Craney, Austin.
Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez has nearly a full squad to choose from. Only Owain Tudur Jones (knee) and Darren Way (shin) are still not fit, while captain Garry Monk (ankle) has returned to training but is not yet match fit. Four players will probably make their league debuts for the Swans in tomorrow's game as I expect keeper Dorus De Vries, midfielder Ferrie Bodde, striker Jason Scotland, and Spanish defender Angel Rangel to start against the Latics. The last time the Swans won at Boundary Park was in 1969!
Oldham reached last year's play-offs and will be without Stefan Stam (hamstring), Kelvin Lomax (groin) and keeper Les Pogliacomi (knee). Lewis Alessandra (broken foot), Michael Pearson (knee) and Neil Wood (cruciate ligaments) are on the Latics injury list. Oldham have signed several players in the close season, two of which have Welsh connections. Michael Ricketts the former Cardiff striker has joined the Latics together with Welsh international Craig Davies.
Speaking to the South Wales Evening Post Martinez talks about our prospects for this season and said that ''There will be some difficult times for every side in what is a very tough division, you can point to teams like Nottingham Forest, who have a great squad, and Millwall, who finished last season on a high and I expect them to do well.
''There are going to be seven or eight teams who are going to be very, very close and that's going to make the top places very difficult to get into.
''It's going to be a question of who can play football like we do at home and then go away to places like Oldham and be effective. That's going to be the key to finishing in the top two - knowing how to play but also how to adapt in different circumstances.''
Martinez is refusing to discount Leeds from the promotion race even though the Elland Road giants had confirmation yesterday that they will start the campaign on -15 points.
''Sometimes, when you have so many problems, it gels everyone together and you fight against the world,'' Martinez said. ''Leeds will not have any of the expectations we have, for example, and a club with so much potential could still be very dangerous.''
Swans probable: De Vries, Rangel. Tate, Lawrence, Painter, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland, Duffy. Subs from: Bussy, Anderson, O'Leary, Craney, Austin.
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Football / Swansea City - Levante UD Match Preview
« on: August 04, 2007, 03:12:11 PM »
Tomorrow at the Liberty Stadium the Swans entertain Spanish La Liga side Levante, kick-off at 3.00pm
Levante currently play in La Liga, which is the Spanish Premier Division, after winning promotion from the Spanish Second Division at the end of the 2005-06 season.
The 2006-07 season was the fourth season the club has played in La Liga, and they ended the season in 15th place. The club was originally formed in 1909 as Levante FC, taking their name from Levante, the name used to refer to the eastern coast of Spain.
It will be a good opportunity for the Swans to test themselves against quality Spanish opposition. Speaking to the Evening post Martinez said:
"Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for us to sell ourselves in Spain and in a huge league like La Liga, there are already people talking about Swansea City out there and that's a big thing as far as selling our club goes. It's something we want to continue and I hope our fans come out to show what a big club we are.
"When the fixtures came out and we were away on the opening day of the season, we really wanted to organise a home friendly because we felt they deserved a chance to see the players before we got into the real business.
"We wanted a big opponent so it would be a big day and I think we've managed that."
"We have made some big name signings in Jason (Scotland), Dorus (De Vries) and Ferrie Bodde so like I said there are already people in different countries such as Spain talking about Swansea City,"
Martinez is predicting a stern test for his players against visitors who finished towards the bottom of the Spanish top flight last season.
Levante's two most recognisable names on these shores, former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert and ex-Leeds defender Ian Harte, are both thought unlikely to make the trip as they are currently out of favour.
Former Rangers striker Shota Arveladze is also expected to miss out after getting injured this week, but Martinez is sure there will be plenty of quality on display.
"The coach, Abel Resino, is a big legend in Spanish football who played for Atletico Madrid and the national side and he is someone I admire," he added.
"I talked to him about playing his reserves, but unfortunately he won't agree!
"They have players like Riga Mustapha, a Dutch Under-21 international, Felix Etienn, who is one of the strongest players you'll see in Europe, and Damiano Tommasi, who played for 10 or 12 years with Roma and went to the World Cup with Italy.
"Then there is Alexis, a very good centre-half who has played for a long time in La Liga, promising young players like Nino and Miquel Robuste and Cavallero, an Argentinian who has also been to the World Cup.
"They are a fantastic team who tactically are one of the top 10 in Spain, so it will be a huge lesson on the pitch for us."
Sunday will also give most Swans fans their first opportunity to see Martinez's new summer signings.
Swans probable: De Vries, Rangel. Tate, Lawrence,Painter, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Anderson, Scotland, Duffy.
Subs: Gueret, Bussy, Robinson, O'Leary, Evans, Craney, Collins, Morgan, Allen, Watt, Austin, MacDonald
Levante currently play in La Liga, which is the Spanish Premier Division, after winning promotion from the Spanish Second Division at the end of the 2005-06 season.
The 2006-07 season was the fourth season the club has played in La Liga, and they ended the season in 15th place. The club was originally formed in 1909 as Levante FC, taking their name from Levante, the name used to refer to the eastern coast of Spain.
It will be a good opportunity for the Swans to test themselves against quality Spanish opposition. Speaking to the Evening post Martinez said:
"Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for us to sell ourselves in Spain and in a huge league like La Liga, there are already people talking about Swansea City out there and that's a big thing as far as selling our club goes. It's something we want to continue and I hope our fans come out to show what a big club we are.
"When the fixtures came out and we were away on the opening day of the season, we really wanted to organise a home friendly because we felt they deserved a chance to see the players before we got into the real business.
"We wanted a big opponent so it would be a big day and I think we've managed that."
"We have made some big name signings in Jason (Scotland), Dorus (De Vries) and Ferrie Bodde so like I said there are already people in different countries such as Spain talking about Swansea City,"
Martinez is predicting a stern test for his players against visitors who finished towards the bottom of the Spanish top flight last season.
Levante's two most recognisable names on these shores, former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert and ex-Leeds defender Ian Harte, are both thought unlikely to make the trip as they are currently out of favour.
Former Rangers striker Shota Arveladze is also expected to miss out after getting injured this week, but Martinez is sure there will be plenty of quality on display.
"The coach, Abel Resino, is a big legend in Spanish football who played for Atletico Madrid and the national side and he is someone I admire," he added.
"I talked to him about playing his reserves, but unfortunately he won't agree!
"They have players like Riga Mustapha, a Dutch Under-21 international, Felix Etienn, who is one of the strongest players you'll see in Europe, and Damiano Tommasi, who played for 10 or 12 years with Roma and went to the World Cup with Italy.
"Then there is Alexis, a very good centre-half who has played for a long time in La Liga, promising young players like Nino and Miquel Robuste and Cavallero, an Argentinian who has also been to the World Cup.
"They are a fantastic team who tactically are one of the top 10 in Spain, so it will be a huge lesson on the pitch for us."
Sunday will also give most Swans fans their first opportunity to see Martinez's new summer signings.
Swans probable: De Vries, Rangel. Tate, Lawrence,Painter, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Anderson, Scotland, Duffy.
Subs: Gueret, Bussy, Robinson, O'Leary, Evans, Craney, Collins, Morgan, Allen, Watt, Austin, MacDonald
4
Football / Scotland Scores First Goal for new Club
« on: July 31, 2007, 04:50:28 PM »
Alphense Boys 2-5 Swansea City
New signings Jason Scotland and Guillem Bauza opened their Swansea accounts in Tuesday night's friendly win over Alphense Boys in Holland.
Scotland and Bauza struck to give the Swans a 2-0 half-time lead, with Bauza grabbing his second from the penalty spot after the break.
Fellow new recruits Matty Collins and Paul Anderson completed the scoring against the amateur Dutch side.
"We've improved with every game on this tour," said manager Roberto Martinez.
"Our tempo was much higher [against Alphense Boys], but that's what pre-season is all about. And to score five goals was obviously a bonus."
Swansea, who have now won twice and lost once on their pre-season tour of Holland, will return home after facing Sparta Rotterdam on Wednesday night.
Regardss: BBCi
Other Swansea T&T international Dennis Lawrence sat out the game by picking up a knock in training.
Gueret, Collins, Austin, Watt, Lezou (Evans 45mins), Anderson, O'Leary, Craney, Allen, Scotland (Morgan 45 mins), Bauza.
New signings Jason Scotland and Guillem Bauza opened their Swansea accounts in Tuesday night's friendly win over Alphense Boys in Holland.
Scotland and Bauza struck to give the Swans a 2-0 half-time lead, with Bauza grabbing his second from the penalty spot after the break.
Fellow new recruits Matty Collins and Paul Anderson completed the scoring against the amateur Dutch side.
"We've improved with every game on this tour," said manager Roberto Martinez.
"Our tempo was much higher [against Alphense Boys], but that's what pre-season is all about. And to score five goals was obviously a bonus."
Swansea, who have now won twice and lost once on their pre-season tour of Holland, will return home after facing Sparta Rotterdam on Wednesday night.
Regardss: BBCi
Other Swansea T&T international Dennis Lawrence sat out the game by picking up a knock in training.
Gueret, Collins, Austin, Watt, Lezou (Evans 45mins), Anderson, O'Leary, Craney, Allen, Scotland (Morgan 45 mins), Bauza.
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