Football Bet of the Day: Ufa to take the spark out of Spartak

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spartak Moscow v Ufa</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Friday 17:00</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Just a single goal in <span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Piura yesterday</span>. Enough for Alianza Lima to spring a surprise, but not enough for our purposes.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spartak Moscow, the self-proclaimed People's Team, are heavy favourites to start the new Premier League season with a win at home to Ufa this evening.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But the game against last season's 12th-placed finishers might not be entirely comfortable viewing for Spartak's new coach, <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dmitri Alenichev</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spartak, who ended up sixth last term, saw nine of their 15 home matches stay <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Under 2.5 Goals</span>. The hosts scored more than twice in only three of those games - one of which was a meaningless last-day bonanza with Amkar Perm.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ufa, meanwhile, kept 10/14 away matches below the goals line. <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Igor Kolyvanov's</span> upstanding Citizens conceded more than twice in only two of those games - both of which were against top-four finishers.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Their own scoring record was hardly electric - they struck 13 times across the 14 matches - and it could be a slow start to the new season tonight.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Under 2.5 Goals @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="21/20" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.04</span> in Spartak Moscow v Ufa</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53_gL1weTsLQ2AHc3aSJj_KW5H61dUXQ3UU0a_imPJIhwMkdwuhT3KNStaXoPq3FknBEo-ONNq8hsodrCrXgQt5fGuG6_vJUsJgd6AEp36Jh7-kJN6-nfFquaSkldeMxE_gM7gVbjyQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53_gL1weTsLQ2AHc3aSJj_KW5H61dUXQ3UU0a_imPJIhwMkdwuhT3KNStaXoPq3FknBEo-ONNq8hsodrCrXgQt5fGuG6_vJUsJgd6AEp36Jh7-kJN6-nfFquaSkldeMxE_gM7gVbjyQ/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Football Bet of the Day: Ufa to take the spark out of Spartak

Spartak Moscow v Ufa Friday 17:00 Just a single goal in  Piura yesterday . Enough for Alianza Lima to spring a surprise, but not enough f...

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Fifa corruption: Swiss extradite first official to US

<div class="story-body__introduction" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A Fifa official detained in a raid in Switzerland has been extradited to the US, Swiss authorities say.</span></div> <div class="story-body__introduction" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The unnamed man was one of seven football officials held on corruption charges in Switzerland on 27 May.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">He was taken to New York by a three-man police escort on Wednesday, the Swiss Justice Department says.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The person was not named, but earlier reports said Cayman Islands official Jeffrey Webb had waived his right to fight the American extradition request.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mr Webb, 50, is the former president of the Central and North American football federation, Concacaf, and is a Fifa vice-president.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">He is accused of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The BBC's sports news correspondent, Richard Conway, says under US federal rules, a charged defendant must be brought before a judge "without unnecessary delay" upon their arrival in the district in which charges are laid.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Since the defendant left Zurich on Wednesday, a court appearance may take place soon.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQRPWviWu88Qn3Fp05A6XFYxZqII9nfn0XMjr3f4We4vf1hLZuB9GiDx3yTe6XC_9YbNpmWB9hj_rxnsiQ3m6sfKL_Zx1HlEBAgBrS3P740Ejt2kVOj9eCLkCWZqpWGe4nKkcEi07JA/s1600/footballnews5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQRPWviWu88Qn3Fp05A6XFYxZqII9nfn0XMjr3f4We4vf1hLZuB9GiDx3yTe6XC_9YbNpmWB9hj_rxnsiQ3m6sfKL_Zx1HlEBAgBrS3P740Ejt2kVOj9eCLkCWZqpWGe4nKkcEi07JA/s400/footballnews5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Fifa corruption: Swiss extradite first official to US

A Fifa official detained in a raid in Switzerland has been extradited to the US, Swiss authorities say. The unnamed man was one of seven...

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NK Rijeka 0 - 3 Aberdeen: Victorious Dons in driving seat

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aberdeen gave themselves a massive Europa League qualifying boost with a stunning 3-0 second round first-leg win over Rijeka at the Stadion Kantrida.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Defender Andrew Considine headed the visitors in front against the run of play in the 38th minute from a Niall McGinn corner.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There was more joy soon after the break when midfielder Peter Pawlett, denied a goal for offside just before the break, headed in a Shay Logan cross.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Substitute Kenny McLean increased the lead further in the 75th minute with a close-range volley to give Derek McInnes's side what should be an unassailable lead ahead of the return game at Pittodrie, an advantage which early in the match had looked unlikely.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Croatian outfit, aiming to reach the group stage of the tournament for the third year running, dominated possession from the first whistle.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Attacker Marin Tomasov should have scored twice in the opening minutes instead of volleying wide from 10 yards with time and space and hitting the post from close range with only Aberdeen keeper Danny Ward to beat.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ward then made decent saves from midfielder Josip Radosevic, striker Bekim Balaj and Brazilian attacker Moises, the latter's effort a glancing header from a Tomasov corner.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Amid all the pressure they had to withstand, the Granite City men showed only flicker of danger.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Defender Ash Taylor's long throw causing panic in the Rijeka defence before keeper Ivan Vargic grabbed it gratefully at the second attempt but it was an indication of weakness and nerves which soon cost the home side dearly.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When McGinn floated a corner over to the back post from the left the Rijeka number one came out unconvincingly and flapped with Considine rising high to bullet the ball into the net to the acclaim of the travelling Dons support.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pawlett then had the ball in the net before the interval with a stooping header from a Jonny Hayes cross but was ruled offside.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, he was not to be denied when another marvellous header, this time from Logan's cross, beat Vargic to stun the home side.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rijeka were further sapped of the zip which had characterised their start to the game and it looked like there were more goals on offer for the visitors as the Croatian side left gaps piling forward.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Midfielders Willo Flood and McLean came on for Pawlett and McGinn respectively and when the former St Mirren player was set up by David Goodwillie he hammered it past the hapless Vargic to surely seal the Dons' place in the next qualifying round.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There was time left for Ward to make saves from Rijeka substitute Roman Bezjak and Anas Sharbini as the Dons worked hard to keep the all-important clean sheet which puts them firmly in the qualification box seat.</span></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4Q1ul2TbFEbRj9TJ1dIhkYePWim5rpaVwJTG29oiW9Gm8C-rgfmBxW5tpU8EAzZ7Z_pMPOPQn_17kMxLRNRaecnUOo0_Yoyi0EtyP953UunH-2x80m1J2347mU2WxJhZbBUaQien5A/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4Q1ul2TbFEbRj9TJ1dIhkYePWim5rpaVwJTG29oiW9Gm8C-rgfmBxW5tpU8EAzZ7Z_pMPOPQn_17kMxLRNRaecnUOo0_Yoyi0EtyP953UunH-2x80m1J2347mU2WxJhZbBUaQien5A/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

NK Rijeka 0 - 3 Aberdeen: Victorious Dons in driving seat

Aberdeen gave themselves a massive Europa League qualifying boost with a stunning 3-0 second round first-leg win over Rijeka at the Stadion...

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McFadden: Too early to celebrate top-four

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It's where he wants the Warriors to finish this season, but coach Andrew McFadden says having broken into the NRL top four doesn't guarantee a result against Sydney Roosters.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Auckland club climbed into the top four for the first time since 2011 following their win over Melbourne Storm at Mt Smart Stadium last weekend.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is the second time this year they have chalked up three straight wins, but they now take on a Roosters side who have already beaten them on home soil this season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Sydneysiders, who are third on the ladder and <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=19&cmpid=20397473&pid=4063&c1i=20397473&c1t=1&c2i=26642174&c2t=2&bet=1&bs=655972965~1/9~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1.11</a> to finish in the top four, have the best defensive record in the competition.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So while McFadden admits his club's current position has had a positive effect on players, the season's far from over yet for the 2011 grand finalists.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"You can come and ask me in round 26 about the table, because that's the only time it really matters," said the coach. "I am not putting too much attention on the table at all.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It doesn't help you win football games; we are just going to focus on what we do week to week the standards that we have. All that other stuff, we have just got to do our best to block it out."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">McFadden added: "There's certainly a very positive feel around training and we are certainly feeling good about our game, but we know that every week we have to turn up."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Playmaker Shaun Johnson is expected to play at Allianz Stadium, despite having left Wednesday's training session early.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">McFadden said it was always part of the club's plan to ease him up after his big effort against the Storm, while captain Simon Mannering was also rested from the session to be kept fresh for the weekend.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Warriors are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=19&cmpid=20436384&pid=4305&c1i=1&c1t=50&c2i=1&c2t=51&bet=1&bs=770649320~47/20~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">3.35</a> to beat the Roosters, who are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=19&cmpid=20436384&pid=4305&c1i=1&c1t=50&c2i=1&c2t=51&bet=1&bs=770649319~1/3~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1.33</a>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI6bNraLOBzw8ob3OBIuP_s9czR61XAe_TlOlx7lsXO99f0Ec5lt1XSar67f52YsttSoWyPtpjjG0bRIfilb3Zlkf4O8yrXykVsVViILAk3Q4AuQKTJztTb4FuUHhjBAc5na4USlCvg/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI6bNraLOBzw8ob3OBIuP_s9czR61XAe_TlOlx7lsXO99f0Ec5lt1XSar67f52YsttSoWyPtpjjG0bRIfilb3Zlkf4O8yrXykVsVViILAk3Q4AuQKTJztTb4FuUHhjBAc5na4USlCvg/s400/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

McFadden: Too early to celebrate top-four

It's where he wants the Warriors to finish this season, but coach Andrew McFadden says having broken into the NRL top four doesn't ...

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Sandow's Warrington move blocked

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Parramatta Eels have rejected halfback Chris Sandow's request for an immediate release to join Super League side Warrington.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sandow is likely to join the Wolves for next season, but Eels coach Brad Arthur says he won't be allowed to leave until the end of the NRL campaign.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 26-year-old had wanted to leave so he could sign for Warrington ahead of the Super League transfer cut-off on 25th July.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But Parramatta would reportedly have then been liable to pay out some of the playmaker's four-year contract and Arthur said he didn't want to lose the player while they are chasing a finals spot.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Eels are 12th, but just one win outside the finals spots and are <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5.00</span></span> to finish in the top eight, with Manly Sea Eagles <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4.50</span></span> and Newcastle Knights <span style="border: 0px; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">21.00</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It's hard to release any player at this time of the year," said Arthur. "I have to do what's best for this team and this club and that's keeping our squad intact and moving forward, we can't be affording to pay players to play at other clubs."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Eels coach doesn't expect his decision will affect Sandow's form in Friday's clash against the eighth-placed Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"His attitude is good. He trains well and he's been playing well, he's a competitor and I'm sure that he doesn't want to let his team-mates down and I'm sure he'll have that attitude tomorrow night," said Arthur.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sandow joined Parramatta in 2011 after starting his NRL career with South Sydney, where he won the Dally M rookie of the year award in 2008 and was the inaugural winner of the George Green Medal for indigenous rising star.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Warrington coach Tony Smith, who has signed Newcastle Knights veteran Kurt Gidley for next season, has been chasing Sandow since seeing Richie Myler sign for Catalans Dragons.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmbiV74tSWN3Kcq56XJFLP6HWgm2q_MFdqlCngSGRvkBCmbBB_z9aU6HEcJncCArSMy5w-AmNUWVR6Zc2A-dyvTlW6usrXUnfsa8vcqlB0Tm90i_AqfRQAbvMmJh5QxqP-8sA1Yh9xw/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmbiV74tSWN3Kcq56XJFLP6HWgm2q_MFdqlCngSGRvkBCmbBB_z9aU6HEcJncCArSMy5w-AmNUWVR6Zc2A-dyvTlW6usrXUnfsa8vcqlB0Tm90i_AqfRQAbvMmJh5QxqP-8sA1Yh9xw/s400/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Sandow's Warrington move blocked

Parramatta Eels have rejected halfback Chris Sandow's request for an immediate release to join Super League side Warrington. Sandow i...

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NRL lauds Cameron Smith as icon of the game ahead of 300th game for Melbourne Storm

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cameroon Smith has been lauded as an NRL icon, as the Melbourne skipper prepares to play his 300th match against Penrith on Friday night.</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">When Smith runs out at AAMI Park he will be just the 24th player to achieve the feat and only the 10th to reach the mark having represented only one team.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">And with his latest contract extension running until the end of the 2018 season, the 32-year-old veteran is a good chance of surpassing former Queensland and Australian team-mate Darren Lockyer, who with 355 games holds the record for the most in NRL history and most for one club.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Cameron is an icon of our game, a great leader and a wonderful role model," NRL boss Dave Smith said on Friday.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"As Melbourne, Queensland and Australian captain; as a premiership, State of Origin and World Cup champion; Dally M medallist; Golden Boot winner and RLIF Player of the Year, there is little in the game Cameroon hasn't achieved.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"The NRL is very lucky to have people of Cameron's calibre play rugby league, but his impact goes well beyond the field of play.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"He is an outstanding ambassador who regularly goes above and beyond to help those less advantaged than himself."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Smith will be out to steer the Storm to a vital win, after they suffered defeat in their last four games to put their place in the last eight in jeopardy.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Half-back Cooper Cronk warned on Thursday that Melbourne need to focus on winning rather than getting caught up in the emotion of his long-term team-mate's milestone.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"The best way to celebrate is to go out and do your job," Cronk said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I'll be lacing those boots up as tight as I normally do and going out and doing my job for Cameroon on Friday night."</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOtQmQfHcxy1TlxCos1z5tA-lD2bCrYBVj-ksIVZAZ8OVIUXZMb66JGnNSR1vWOMEEezWZi1IzDo57ZEu-yDWfyj2o0iqZ2GhAObj8ay9dSjrvJATzDxicWHDGYECxGgpafHEF2-ODQ/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOtQmQfHcxy1TlxCos1z5tA-lD2bCrYBVj-ksIVZAZ8OVIUXZMb66JGnNSR1vWOMEEezWZi1IzDo57ZEu-yDWfyj2o0iqZ2GhAObj8ay9dSjrvJATzDxicWHDGYECxGgpafHEF2-ODQ/s400/32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

NRL lauds Cameron Smith as icon of the game ahead of 300th game for Melbourne Storm

Cameroon Smith has been lauded as an NRL icon, as the Melbourne skipper prepares to play his 300th match against Penrith on Friday night. ...

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Juventus’ Arturo Vidal set to seal £28m move to Bayern Munich

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bayern Munich are set to seal the signing of Arturo Vidal from Juventus after the Italian Champions League finalists received an offer of €40m (£28m) for the Chilean midfielder.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vidal’s agent, Fernando Felicevich, is in Munich finalising the deal for his client, who is ready to sign for the German champions. Juventus initially asked for €45m which Bayern countered with a €30m offer but a compromise now appears to have been reached, with the Bundesliga side set to pay €37m up front, and €3m in add-ons.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vidal, who won the Copa América with Chile this summer, is currently one of the most sought-after players in Europe after playing a huge part in Juventus’s run to the Champions League final in Berlin, which they lost to Barcelona, and their domestic league triumph. Juventus are looking to replace Vidal with one of Schalke’s Julian Draxler, Chelsea’s Juan Cuadrado or Porto’s Alex Sandro.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Vidal, who joined Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011, was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer while Arsenal, who had initially hoped he would join up with fellow Chilean Alexis Sánchez at the Emirates, dropped out of the race to sign him a couple of weeks ago.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bayern are rebuilding their squad after two seasons with Pep Guardiola in which they have won the league comfortably on both occasions but fallen short in the Champions League. The attacking midfielder Douglas Costa has arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk for €35m and Bastian Schweinsteiger was allowed to join Manchester United for a fee of €20m.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There are ongoing concerns over the fitness of Franck Ribéry. The French forward, who missed a large part of last season, has not travelled with the rest of the squad to China and it is uncertain when he will be able to return.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Juventus, meanwhile, have also invested heavily this summer, bringing in Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc0gL0WNCYGwxlOa3kCsYkSiQLowgNyrLsZXayEpOqGfWdUT7ydvMAYqll8XT4umuf0wprNZXFONQ_Gi3MoYJL-lyEK943xBNOTc-fgcjmfYmOcK6J0WLxByuFkARqv9ZfCEeiHBSdA/s1600/juvetus7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc0gL0WNCYGwxlOa3kCsYkSiQLowgNyrLsZXayEpOqGfWdUT7ydvMAYqll8XT4umuf0wprNZXFONQ_Gi3MoYJL-lyEK943xBNOTc-fgcjmfYmOcK6J0WLxByuFkARqv9ZfCEeiHBSdA/s400/juvetus7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Juventus’ Arturo Vidal set to seal £28m move to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are set to seal the signing of Arturo Vidal from Juventus after the Italian Champions League finalists received an offer of €...

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Lionel Messi wins ESPY award for Best International Athlete in 2015

<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barça forward takes home award for second time, beats out Novak Djokovic, Lydia Ko and Cristiano Ronaldo</span></span><br /> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lionel Messi has won yet another award, this time in recognition of his outstanding season with FC Barcelona, adding one more to the long list of accolades given to him on the international stage throughout his career.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The FC Barcelona striker won the 2015 ESPY Award for Best International Athlete — an award which is presented annually by the American sports media giant ESPN and which he previously won in 2012 — at a gala held on Wednesday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the final vote Messi beat out the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, the reigning number one player in the world, the British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, the Korean golfer Lydia Ko, the world's top-ranked woman, and the Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the award last year.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Other previous winners include the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, and the power-hitting Dominican Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Messi finished the 2014/15 season as Barça's top goalscorer, notching 58 goals in leading the team to an unprecedented second Treble in club history.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1dJ-a2Fe8oih8AosDEU_R2brmNo-f8NmNxMfMeyoJ-5P7LDFHIOcaQepIAW9asyuMjeIBuYzyF_R-21m5aVZUdfaZg4-xdtXjOXvqbfc8DqB3E71218g5_4ZA9sdd_FcQpG8xiLsWA/s1600/barca5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1dJ-a2Fe8oih8AosDEU_R2brmNo-f8NmNxMfMeyoJ-5P7LDFHIOcaQepIAW9asyuMjeIBuYzyF_R-21m5aVZUdfaZg4-xdtXjOXvqbfc8DqB3E71218g5_4ZA9sdd_FcQpG8xiLsWA/s400/barca5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Lionel Messi wins ESPY award for Best International Athlete in 2015

Barça forward takes home award for second time, beats out Novak Djokovic, Lydia Ko and Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi has won yet another ...

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Van Gaal fears Di Maria exit

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits he is in the dark as to whether Angel Di Maria will stay at Old Trafford this summer.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Red Devils broke the British transfer record when they signed the Argentina international from Real Madrid 12 months ago, spending £59.7million on the forward.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Di Maria arrived with a big reputation having won the Champions League with Real in 2014, as well as the La Liga title in 2012 and the Portuguese league crown with Benfica in 2010.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, having initially hit the ground running, the 27-year-old failed to recapture his best form in the second half of the season and ended the campaign having scored four times in 32 appearances.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Problems away from the field have been blamed for Di Maria's below-par performances and he has subsequently been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Argentine is currently on his summer holidays after his exertions in the Copa America and Van Gaal is confident he will return to Manchester for training 25th July.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, he is unsure how much longer he will remain with the club beyond that.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"We shall see," Van Gaal said of Di Maria.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"In football, it is a process, as I have said many times before in press conferences. It's not clear in one day.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It's a process for Angel Di Maria, it's a process for Manchester United and we shall see.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"But he is still a member of Manchester United and he has said to me he will come on July 25."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Meanwhile, the Dutch tactician has said he will sell goalkeeper Victor Valdes this summer after leaving him out of the club's pre-season tour of America.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Van Gaal claims he wants to get rid of the Spaniard, who only joined the club in January, after he refused to play for the club's reserves last season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It is a big disappointment. We thought that he would follow our philosophy. It is a pity because we have given him the opportunity to rehabilitate, gave him a contract and then he is fit to play," said Van Gaal.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Having spent big again this summer on the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, United are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=1&cmpid=20424154&chid=26923848&fid=49693084&pid=4063&plbt=75&c1i=172&c1t=1&c2i=26923848&c2t=2&c3i=49693084&c3t=3&bet=1&bs=720150481~5/1~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">6.00</a> to win the Premier League this season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They are also <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=1&cmpid=20424154&chid=27038061&fid=50210331&pid=4063&plbt=50130&c1i=172&c1t=1&c2i=27038061&c2t=2&c3i=50210331&c3t=3&bet=1&bs=749846894~1/4~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1.25</a> to finish in the top four.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0eMuyalDHmvOxRGj2rJ5qnV2KQTeRX3K7RIY1jUUkqoW4EGlypuIWSsNwDL4mVkonU4REPmZ-L3gertpQmjmYtC43l4jqKln2vwOpJcEhDDafIKO1qeUx027PCHb28OVMW3Zr2QMwQ/s1600/mu16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0eMuyalDHmvOxRGj2rJ5qnV2KQTeRX3K7RIY1jUUkqoW4EGlypuIWSsNwDL4mVkonU4REPmZ-L3gertpQmjmYtC43l4jqKln2vwOpJcEhDDafIKO1qeUx027PCHb28OVMW3Zr2QMwQ/s400/mu16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Van Gaal fears Di Maria exit

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admits he is in the dark as to whether Angel Di Maria will stay at Old Trafford this summer. The Re...

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Christian Benteke: Liverpool set to meet £32.5m release clause

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Liverpool are set to meet the £32.5m release clause of Aston Villa's Belgium striker Christian Benteke, triggering a potential transfer.</span></div> <span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 24-year-old scored 12 goals in 12 games at the end of 2014-15 season to help keep Villa in the Premier League. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Now that the Reds have received funds from the £49m sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, they are prepared to meet the asking price. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Benteke still has two years left on his contract at Villa. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">England striker Daniel Sturridge made only 18 appearances for Liverpool last season because of a succession of injuries and is out until September with a hip problem. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to want cover as he seeks to re-establish his team in the Champions League, having finished sixth in the Premier League last season. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chief executive Ian Ayre is with Rodgers and his squad for the second leg of their pre-season tour in Brisbane, Australia, but will still handle negotiations with Villa. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Earlier, Rodgers said that despite the departure of England forward Sterling, 20, Liverpool could still attract top players. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Players are always going to want to come to Liverpool, it's such an iconic club, it's a great club," he said. </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The challenge for us is to get back in amongst the top teams, hopefully that continues to attract players." </span><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Benteke joined Aston Villa from Genk in August 2012 for £7m and has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrdLLcY5M0LelaDgjR0wZZeTy5b04KOHUbwRPdBs2t7hRBbhfLKcAoFLv8e_5UJ_-1q4e-f7w-E2taUh15XSdc4QpJRllgxPUMyfMrrpcJgoaXDZrg53SE3XMt6jknsqc8D8CdHRc9w/s1600/aston+villa+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrdLLcY5M0LelaDgjR0wZZeTy5b04KOHUbwRPdBs2t7hRBbhfLKcAoFLv8e_5UJ_-1q4e-f7w-E2taUh15XSdc4QpJRllgxPUMyfMrrpcJgoaXDZrg53SE3XMt6jknsqc8D8CdHRc9w/s400/aston+villa+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Christian Benteke: Liverpool set to meet £32.5m release clause

Liverpool are set to meet the £32.5m release clause of Aston Villa's Belgium striker Christian Benteke, triggering a potential transfe...

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Wayne Rooney would consider MLS move after Manchester United

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wayne Rooney says he will consider a move to MLS in the United States once his Manchester United career is over.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard became the latest high-profile Englishmen to move to Major League Soccer this summer when they joined New York City and Los Angeles Galaxy respectively.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Former Reds star David Beckham also moved Stateside in 2007 when he left Real Madrid to play in California with the Galaxy.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Given that he has four years left on his contract at Old Trafford, Rooney is not currently considering where his future lies beyond United.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But when that time comes, the 29-year-old says a move across the Atlantic will be among his considerations.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I'm obviously concentrating on Manchester United," Rooney said in an interview with the Seattle Times during his side's pre-season tour.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"When that time comes, that'll be something I'd think about. (I'll) sit down with my wife and children and decide if it would be right for me."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">United play the first of four tour matches against Club America in Seattle on Saturday (kick-off 4am BST) and then travel to San Jose, where they face San Jose Earthquakes and Barcelona before meeting Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The club's tours of the United States in the last two seasons have enhanced their growing popularity in the country.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Scores of fans - many of them wearing Rooney's name on the backs of their shirts - have gathered outside the team hotel in Bellevue, on the outskirts of Seattle, since the squad arrived on Monday to begin their two-and-a-half week tour.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rooney has been taken aback by the popularity of the club in the country.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"When you're first getting into the first team, it's not something you think about," Rooney said. "You're just trying to break into the team.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The older you get, the more you start to think about it, and realize how big football is. Coming to these tours, you get to see it first hand and realize the passion and how much football can bring people together."</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUskko8jubA-GJ3xttfXFkmpe0FITm3_pKSxZooHcQVltAJyA4NObf9yfR_2GoJv3X0X53oyCskFxBcQMjyVOlGeGwaD2VaPgXpq7ax0ALfrixOPmTf0Fi7asFPpFCfNJ7w4OfK9j2A/s1600/mu15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUskko8jubA-GJ3xttfXFkmpe0FITm3_pKSxZooHcQVltAJyA4NObf9yfR_2GoJv3X0X53oyCskFxBcQMjyVOlGeGwaD2VaPgXpq7ax0ALfrixOPmTf0Fi7asFPpFCfNJ7w4OfK9j2A/s400/mu15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Wayne Rooney would consider MLS move after Manchester United

Wayne Rooney says he will consider a move to MLS in the United States once his Manchester United career is over. Frank Lampard and Steven...

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Arsenal ready whopping £40m swoop to sign Manchester United striker target

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ARSENAL are reportedly readying a £40million swoop to sign Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">According to The Sun, Arsene Wenger is preparing to make the whopping offer for the striker on Monday.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recent reports in Spain suggested that the North London club had already contacted Real Madrid with a firm offer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, The Sun claim discussions will start next week as the Gunners hone in on their second summer signing.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with Benzema, and it seems Wenger is determined to make the move happen.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">New Real manager Rafa Benitez is looking to re-shape his squad this summer, and he is said to be willing to sell Benzema but at the right price.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Spanish giants will be aiming to secure a fee close to the £42.5m Arsenal paid for Mesut Ozil two years ago.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVlaHGGinZGhf42rL5n9UUx3k5Jt0C2i-pzTIJS-JnIHxNOq61-BtO3_y4xJf2_87wDFGo32KIvG7Y9DlTBjhyphenhyphenLpycGICqT_eRfpiqZ95QtjMf5oUNFmdcP3HVKcIB_4JX1DKlyEdkQ/s1600/arsenal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVlaHGGinZGhf42rL5n9UUx3k5Jt0C2i-pzTIJS-JnIHxNOq61-BtO3_y4xJf2_87wDFGo32KIvG7Y9DlTBjhyphenhyphenLpycGICqT_eRfpiqZ95QtjMf5oUNFmdcP3HVKcIB_4JX1DKlyEdkQ/s400/arsenal2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Arsenal ready whopping £40m swoop to sign Manchester United striker target

ARSENAL are reportedly readying a £40million swoop to sign Real Madrid star Karim Benzema. According to The Sun, Arsene Wenger is prepari...

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Bartel happy to bounce back for Cats

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jimmy Bartel hopes to keep lending his experience to Geelong next year, but says he's also excited by the rise of the club's crop of youngsters.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The triple premiership player returned from injury to play his 275th game for the Cats last weekend against North Melbourne.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He showed he has lost none of his ability by collecting 41 disposals, and says he was delighted to be back in action.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I really discovered that extra bit of passion to get back out there," said the 31-year-old, who won the Brownlow Medal in 2007. "I was just itching to get back out on the field."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bartel hopes to stay with the Cats for next year, and expects to be given an answer soon by the club.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">His time on the sidelines, which included an appearance in the VFL, gave him an insight into the youngsters who are pushing for senior selection at Geelong.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"There is a huge amount of potential there and the guys are really hungry to make their own imprint," he said. "I'm certainly excited more in the character of the sort of blokes we've got coming through, but obviously they have got some great ability as well."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Cats have seen Dean Gore, Jarrad Jansen, Jake Kolodjashnij, Nakia Cockatoo and Michael Luxford develop this year. A group of young players including midfielder Darcy Lang have also become permanent members of the senior team.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lang's form has earned him a new two-year deal, tying him to the Cats until the end of the 2017 season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 19-year-old has featured in all 13 of Geelong's games this year, averaging 14 disposals per match and kicking eight goals.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He said: "Obviously I've still got a lot to work on, but just stringing games together and getting that continuity in the ones is something that I've been striving for. I just want to keep getting better."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Geelong are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=36&cmpid=20400975&pid=4412&c1i=20400975&c1t=19&c2i=1882870&c2t=19&bet=1&bs=770658399~29/50~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1.58</a> to win Saturday's clash with Western Bulldogs, who are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=36&cmpid=20400975&pid=4412&c1i=20400975&c1t=19&c2i=1882870&c2t=19&bet=1&bs=770658401~7/5~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2.40</a>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jUfoV4FYBg6U6kwE64s2hDmqI-QARBg_Q7auP9GupSyM2SY0l_8sAfX3zDufgmAWTzaKIkmOzUyn0319pi2holP283Pi_rYfdefVsMoDFCRj-Ll-mFuiKFekoHgDxCtZyPM8soqZkA/s1600/67.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jUfoV4FYBg6U6kwE64s2hDmqI-QARBg_Q7auP9GupSyM2SY0l_8sAfX3zDufgmAWTzaKIkmOzUyn0319pi2holP283Pi_rYfdefVsMoDFCRj-Ll-mFuiKFekoHgDxCtZyPM8soqZkA/s400/67.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Bartel happy to bounce back for Cats

Jimmy Bartel hopes to keep lending his experience to Geelong next year, but says he's also excited by the rise of the club's crop o...

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Skipper toasts mature Wines

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak has endorsed the leadership qualities of midfielder Ollie Wines ahead of Sunday's Showdown against Adelaide.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wines has returned from injury to recapture his best form, as well as continuing to show he is a potential captain-in-waiting.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Boak, who is only 26, doesn't plan on handing over the role any time soon, but says he's seen maturity from Wines for a long time.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A dislocated wrist ended Wines' run of 52 consecutive games for the Power, putting him on the sidelines for four weeks after round 3.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He was best afield in the win over Collingwood last week, with 34 disposals and nine clearances opposed to Magpies star Scott Pendlebury.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"He certainly has the qualities of a quality leader," Boak said of his 20-year-old team-mate. "He is just very humble, really hard working and really driven to succeed; he's always shown those leadership qualities and last week he took another step forward.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"His desperation and willingness to get us over the line really stood out. It was great to see from a young man and he really stood out as a leader."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wines was named in the club's leadership group for the first time earlier this year, but Boak said he had seen potential in him from the time he arrived as the No.7 draft pick in 2012.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It's not only what you see out on the field on game day but just the quality sort of person he is," added the skipper. "Hopefully he can keep improving and one day take that (captaincy) spot."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Port are set to be without playmaking half-back Jasper Pittard against the Crows - where they are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=36&cmpid=20400975&pid=4412&c1i=20400975&c1t=19&c2i=1882876&c2t=19&bet=1&bs=770658491~31/50~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1.62</a> to win the game, with Adelaide <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=36&cmpid=20400975&pid=4412&c1i=20400975&c1t=19&c2i=1882876&c2t=19&bet=1&bs=770658493~13/10~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2.30</a> - after he suffered an ankle injury at training on Tuesday.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Full back Alipate Carlile has been ruled out with hip and back soreness.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytAm7WT20GuDiphXj-Al3ddsEp3nZlzNW2AbxOYwiXWKFZvotednPdGGvkyPSHphekcqcxFTygzFNd27iXbHs4CVgXmTwZ1LkDJxkDVImFtj-P8wwXqs-hyixfE2b_l4vubgiVudD5g/s1600/68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytAm7WT20GuDiphXj-Al3ddsEp3nZlzNW2AbxOYwiXWKFZvotednPdGGvkyPSHphekcqcxFTygzFNd27iXbHs4CVgXmTwZ1LkDJxkDVImFtj-P8wwXqs-hyixfE2b_l4vubgiVudD5g/s400/68.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Skipper toasts mature Wines

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak has endorsed the leadership qualities of midfielder Ollie Wines ahead of Sunday's Showdown against Ad...

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Swans urged to match 'brutal' Hawthorn

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sydney have to match Hawthorn at their own physical game to stop the reigning premiers from leapfrogging them on the ladder, says co-captain Kieren Jack.</span></strong></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Hawks are in ominous form, with six victories in a row including last weekend's 72-point thrashing of ladder leaders Fremantle.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But Sydney know they have the ability to beat Alastair Clarkson's side, having done so in round 8 when they got home by four points.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Swans have failed to sparkle since the bye, losing to Richmond and winning close games against Port Adelaide and Brisbane.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Midfielder Jack said Hawthorn would come out to play on the edge and it was down to Sydney to match that at ANZ Stadium, where they are <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=36&cmpid=20400975&pid=4412&c1i=20400975&c1t=19&c2i=1882873&c2t=19&bet=1&bs=770658447~29/20~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2.45</a> to win, with the Hawks <a href="http://www.bet365.com/home/default.asp?deeplink=true&cid=36&cmpid=20400975&pid=4412&c1i=20400975&c1t=19&c2i=1882873&c2t=19&bet=1&bs=770658450~14/25~0" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #06855f; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1.56</a>.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"They're a brutally good side and if you're not prepared to match them you'll get found out," he added. "We need to bring a really fierce brand of footy, with high pressure, and if we do that we'll be a big chance."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 2012 premiership player takes encouragement out of their win over the Hawks, when they had gone into the game under the spotlight in the wake of their disappointing 63-point Grand Final defeat last year.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"There was a lot of pressure and build up to that game, so to beat them was pleasing, and a confidence builder, but it's got very little say of what goes on this week," he said. "We're getting our mindset around bringing a level that can match Hawthorn - it's a huge challenge for our group."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The teams have each won two of their last four meetings, though the Hawks have the edge 8-4 in clashes since 2011.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwIfPAv5jIooj03e7LcsqvJmcSwP7SuVNcTu6tYag4O-l7wrUcwI1bfdv9WCQsWhS39IlOaO4WtYQju-8lRwVv_CwmNggUmieI7IAa2FF8YFqRskUlzMpOd_Kdy6Ei30SWdlaaZH4BQ/s1600/69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwIfPAv5jIooj03e7LcsqvJmcSwP7SuVNcTu6tYag4O-l7wrUcwI1bfdv9WCQsWhS39IlOaO4WtYQju-8lRwVv_CwmNggUmieI7IAa2FF8YFqRskUlzMpOd_Kdy6Ei30SWdlaaZH4BQ/s400/69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.125rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.1875rem; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Swans urged to match 'brutal' Hawthorn

Sydney have to match Hawthorn at their own physical game to stop the reigning premiers from leapfrogging them on the ladder, says co-captai...

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Cronulla captain Paul Gallen expected to announce contract with Sharks for 2016, according to reports

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paul Gallen is expected in the coming days to announce his re-signing with Cronulla for the 2016 NRL season.</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The club is hoping to announce a new contract for the New South Wales and Sharks skipper ahead of Cronulla's clash with Canberra on Saturday.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Nine Network reported that Gallen had agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension for the 2016 season and was waiting to formalise the deal.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Gallen's management has been locked in negotiations with the club for most of the season and he has maintained a desire end his NRL career as a one-club player.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">After finishing up with the Sharks, he is expected to take up a lucrative deal in the English Super League for 2017.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Things have been on the cusp here of getting done for the past couple of months, but (we) just haven't gotten around to it," Gallen said on Triple M last week.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Gallen turns 34 next month and the club is wary of the toll representative duties are taking on his ageing body.<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />He has spent most of the season on the sidelines with glute and rib injuries.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">It is believed a sticking point has been the club's wish for him to give up his NSW and Australian jumpers to concentrate on club football.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The club has bought astutely for next season, with halves James Maloney and Chad Townsend bound for the Shire in 2016.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Sharks' appear to have a premiership window and a chance to win their first title since their inception in 1967.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1P2bQGqjBsJOD-RO7oFQsZuCZ3HOUHeym_ZZpoNz_o-Tm_-s2RkI85sH5cZ23FDVrKFqUX3ODK3av_HTOfcVTvPZxxNOh4XD6LMDw4_CW1OmTbkuphf255_vOKHcb5-uND27897nE1A/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1P2bQGqjBsJOD-RO7oFQsZuCZ3HOUHeym_ZZpoNz_o-Tm_-s2RkI85sH5cZ23FDVrKFqUX3ODK3av_HTOfcVTvPZxxNOh4XD6LMDw4_CW1OmTbkuphf255_vOKHcb5-uND27897nE1A/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen expected to announce contract with Sharks for 2016, according to reports

Paul Gallen is expected in the coming days to announce his re-signing with Cronulla for the 2016 NRL season. The club is hoping to announc...

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