"Required to dress differently from the rest, they wear number 1
- the number of an individual, someone alone, the first."
 


























































































 














 
How did you get your start in soccer?

Why did you decide to become a keeper?

How long have you been a keeper?

Do you have a favourite keeper?

What is your most memorable soccer moment?

What is your highest achievement in soccer?

What are the best things about being a keeper?

... and the worst?

What are your ambitions as a keeper?

FIFA Inspectors Visit Camp Nou For World Cup 2018 & 2022 Bid


FIFA officials were impressed by the facilities provided by Barcelona's Camp Nou.

By Subhankar Mondal

Sep 1, 2010 5:30:00 PM

Atletico de Madrid, Sevilla, Copa del Rey, Camp Nou (Goal.com)
Officials from FIFA paid a visit to Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday as part of their inspection process of Spain and Portugal's joint-bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.

Camp Nou is one of the key stadiums as the two Iberian nations attempt to co-host either the 2018 or 2022 edition of the world's single biggest sporting event. A team of six FIFA inspectors headed by Chilean FA president Harold Mayne-Nicholls were in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Barcelona board member Josep Ramon Vidal-Abarca, who is responsible for the stadium, told the club's official website, “They seemed very pleased. They liked the facilities very much and were particularly impressed by the visitors’ changing rooms.

"They also paid special attention to the pitch. Hosting matches in the World Cup finals would be very important for the club as it has a world-wide impact."

Earlier in the week the inspectors also paid a visit to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu. 

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'Matador' Starting Again


Thursday, 09/02/2010 2:18 pm
'Matador' Starting Again
Mohammad Resha Pratama - detiksport Mohammad Resha Pratama - detiksport


AFP/Miguel Riopa AFP / Miguel Riopa
Madrid - Spanyol saat ini berstatus sebagai juara dunia dan eropa. Madrid - Spain currently has status as world and European champion. Maka laga kualifikasi Piala Eropa 2012 akhir pekan ini jadi awal baik bagi 'Skuad Matador' demi mempertahankan sukses tersebut. So Euro 2012 qualifier this weekend so a good start for 'Matador squads' in order to maintain this success.

Sebagai juara bertahan Piala Eropa, Spanyol mengawali kampanyenya di Grup I bersama Republik Ceko, Skotlandia, Lithuania dan Liechtenstein. As the European Cup defending champion, Spain began its campaign in Group I with the Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein. Nama terakhir akan jadi lawan pertama La Furia Roja , Jumat (3/9/2010) malam atau Sabtu dinihari WIB. The last name will be the first opponent La Furia Roja, Friday (09/03/2010) Saturday night or early morning hrs. Dan tiga hari berselang mereka akan melawan Argentina dalam partai persahabatan. And three days later they will be against Argentina in a friendly party.

Usai Piala Dunia lalu, Spanyol sebenarnya sudah tampil melawan Meksiko dan berakhir imbang 1-1. After the last World Cup, Spain has actually been performed against Mexico and end in a draw 1-1. Tapi dua laga di September ini bisa jadi tes awal bagi tim Vicente Del But two games in September, this could be the first test for the team Vicente Del

Bosque, apakah mereka sudah siap tampil dengan menyandang predikat jawara dunia sekaligus eropa. Bosque, whether they were ready to appear with the predicate being a world champion as well as europe.

Hal ini pulalah yang ditegaskan oleh gelandang Spanyol Sergio Busquets yang meminta para rekannya agar tak lupa 'menginjakkan kakinya' di bumi lagi, karena perjuangan ke depannya akan makin berat buat mereka. Because of this reason is confirmed by the Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets who asked his colleagues not to forget to 'set foot' on the earth again, because the struggle in the future will be increasingly hard for them.

"Memenangi titel juara dunia sudah harus usai sekarang. Itu akan tercatat dalam sejarah dan kini kami harus memulainya lagi," tegas Busquets di ESPN. "Win the title of world champion had to be over now. That will go down in history and now we have to start again," asserted Busquets on ESPN.

Dengan materi tim yang sekarang jelas Liechtenstein bukan lawan sebanding untuk Fernando Torres dkk. With a team that is now a clear matter of Liechtenstein is not comparable opponent for Fernando Torres et al. Apalagi tim asuhan Hans-Peter Zaugg itu sudah tak menang di laga internasional sejak tiga tahun lalu. Moreover, farm team of Hans-Peter Zaugg had not won in an international match since three years ago. Namun Busquets mengingatkan untuk Spanyol belajar dari laga pembuka di Afrika Selatan saat mereka kalah 0-1 dari Swiss. But Busquets reminded to Spain to learn from South Africa's opening match as they defeated the Swiss 0-1.

"Persahabatan melawan Argentina sangat menarik namun pertama yang terpenting adalah laga melawan Liechtenstein. Kami bermain untuk tiga poin dan kami harus memulai dengan baik di kualifikasi Piala Eropa," tegas pemain Barcelona itu. "Friendship against Argentina is very interesting but it is important first game against Liechtenstein. We play for three points and we must start well in the European Cup qualifiers," said the Barcelona player.

"Ketika kami kalah dari Swiss kami tidak buruk dan kami kini bukan yang terbaik atau bahkan berpikir kami tidak terkalahkan. Ketika Anda meraih kesuksesan orang-orang akan menuntut banyak dari Anda," pungkas pesepakbola 22 tahun itu. "When we lost to Switzerland we are not bad and we are now is not the best or even think we're not invincible. When you are successful people will demand a lot from you," concluded the footballer 22 years.

( mrp / key ) (Mrp / key)

Inter Name 2010-11 UEFA Champions League Squad


Inter Name 2010-11 UEFA Champions League Squad

Inter have announced their 31-man list for the Champions League this season.

By Subhankar Mondal

Sep 1, 2010 6:50:00 PM



Reigning European champions Inter have named their 31-man squad list for the group stages of the 2010-11 Champions League.

The list was posted on the club's official website on Wednesday and all of the usual suspects have been included.

As per UEFA rules, the 31-man squad list include four club-trained players, four association-trained players and six 'B List' young players.

A number of Primavera players have been named in the list and among them are goalkeeper Alberto Gallinetta, midfielder Joel Obi and striker Simone Dell'Agnello.

Inter's 2010-11 Champions League Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar, Luca Castellazzi, Paolo Orlandoni, Alberto Gallinetta

Defenders: Ivan Cordoba, Javier Zanetti, Lucio, Maicon, Marco Materazzi, Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu, Davide Santon, Felice Natalino, Cristiano Biraghi, Andrea Romano, Lorenzo Crisetig

Midfielders: Thiago Motta, Wesley Sneijder, Sulley Muntari, MacDonald Mariga, Esteban Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic, Amantino Mancini, Joel Obi, Coutinho, Obiora Nwankwo

Attackers: Samuel Eto'o, Diego Milito, Goran Pandev, Jonathan Biabiany, Simone Dell'Agnello 



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Arsene Wenger names seven 'homegrown' players in Arsenal's 20-man Premier League squad


Arsene Wenger names seven 'homegrown' players in Arsenal's 20-man Premier League squad

Cesc Fabregas amongst 'homegrown' players...

By Harry Veal

1 Sep 2010 22:20:00

Arsene Wenger and Francesc Fabregas - Arsenal (Getty Images)
Arsenal have named seven 'homegrown' players as part of their 20-man squad for the new Premier League quota system.

With the new regulations in place for this season, clubs are allowed a maximum of 17 'non homegrown' players in their squad and a minimum of eight 'homegrown players'.

However, as Arsenal have selected just 20 players, they are permitted to select less homegrown players, with just seven included in Arsene Wenger's squad.

One player who falls into the nurtured category in Wenger's squad is captain Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder, who was the subject of a long-running transfer saga with Barcelona this summer, qualifies as he has been trained by the club for more than three years before the age of 21.

The quota also allows any player under the age of 21 to be included in matchday squads, meaning that the likes of Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere do not have to be named in the original selection.

Homegrown players
Nicklas Bendtner
Denilson
Johan Djourou
Cesc Fabregas
Vito Mannone
Gael Clichy
Alex Song

Non homegrown players
Manuel Almunia
Andrey Arshavin
Marouane Chamakh
Abou Diaby
Emmanuel Eboue
Lukasz Fabianski
Laurent Koscielny
Samir Nasri
Tomas Rosicky
Bacary Sagna
Robin Van Persie
Thomas Vermaelen
Sebastien Squillaci 



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Top 20 transfers of summer 2010


Goal.com Top 20 transfers of summer 2010

Which players have been the best buys and top movers?

By Ewan Macdonald

1 Sep 2010 08:00:00

Each European transfer window, Goal.com decides on the best acquisitions, in order from 1 to 20, and we encourage you to let us know your thoughts.

We judge based on:
  • The player's overall ability (this being the most important factor)
  • How the player will fit into his new line-up
  • How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
  • The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club are given as approximations and are marked in italics.)
For the reason that players arriving on permanent deals tend to be more adaptable and often more important, there is preference given to full transfers over loans. That is not to say that loans, co-ownerships etc. cannot be included, but players must be extra special to justify a space on such a move.

With all of that explained, it's time to see the list! It was updated at 07:00 BST on Wednesday 1 September - for the last time this summer.

1Last week: 1
David VILLA
Barcelona - Valencia - £33m

One of the blockbuster deals of the summer - and the best of the bunch by a margin. 'El Guaje' will add more firepower to an already explosive Barcelona attack. After his successful World Cup exploits with Spain, he should be the odds on favourite to win the Pichichi.
2
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Javier MASCHERANO
Barcelona - Liverpool - £17.4m

They say good things come to those who wait. Well, Masch had to cool his heels at Anfield for a season longer than he'd have liked, but now he's got his wish. Barcelona missed out on Cesc Fabregas, but in Javier they have a midfielder who may well be the final piece of the puzzle.
3
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Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC
AC Milan - Barcelona - £6.6m (+£20m)

The up-front fee isn't surely known, but the final one is. Ibrahimovic will almost certainly justify his price tag at Milan. He knows how to score in Serie A better than anyone, and despite being labled a Barca flop he is one of the world's best at scoring a match's first goal.
4Last week: 4
Marouane CHAMAKH
Arsenal - Bordeaux - Free

A classic Arsenal value buy that has the potential to be an extremely saavy signing. The ex-Bordeaux striker gives the Gunners a much needed aerial presence up front and could terrorise opposing backlines this season with Robin van Persie.
5
Last Week: 5
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DIEGO
Wolfsburg - Juventus - £12.8m

His sole season at Juventus was ignominious, but his year at Wolfsburg won't be. Diego is one of the Bundesliga's biggest talents - it's a league built for him, and he it.
6
Last Week: 6

Yaya TOURE
Manchester City - Barcelona - £24m

City have flexed their financial muscle this summer and the Ivorian adds more steel to an already industrial strength midfield. Will team up with brother Kolo on the defensive side for the Citizens.
7Last Week: 7 http://u.goal.com/63900/63915_thumb.jpg
ROBINHO
AC Milan - Manchester City - £14.9m

An absolute steal at €18m - well, plus bonuses. Robinho can be seriously discussed as one of the world's great talents. The only sticking points: his attitude, and if he and Ronaldinho can play together if Robinho's not up front - which he won't be. If Milan can get past that, they're onto a winner.
8
Last week: 6

Simon KJAER
Wolfsburg - Palermo - £11.6m

Wolfsburg pulled one the coups of the summer by luring the defensive stalwart to the Bundesliga. The German outfit beat such heavyweights as Manchester United, Liverpool and AC Milan to the punch to land the highly-rated Danish defender.
9
Last week: 9

Mario BALOTELLI
Manchester City - Inter - £24.8m

Undoubtedly the most protracted summer transfer soap opera that actually went through. After weeks of negotiations, Man City and inter agreed on his transfer fee long after 'Super Mario' had reached personal terms with his new club. Finally, his much awaited reunion with former mentor Roberto Mancini is realised.
10
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Mesut OEZIL

Real Madrid - Werder Bremen - £12.4m

One of Germanys' 2010 World Cup star could've left Werder for free this time next year, but Real Madrid were in no mood to wrangle with their rivals across Europe. The move was completed in a space of four days, and it was a visit to Florentino Perez's chalet which closed the deal. 
11
Last week: 5

Ricardo CARVALHO
Real Madrid- Chelsea - £6.7m

Not the modest transfer you'd normally associate with Real Madrid, or Chelsea for that matter. But the 32-year-old centre-back will be seen as one of the more vital signings for Los Blancos this summer as he gives the team invaluable experience and security in defence.
12
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Yoann GOURCUFF
Lyon - Bordeaux - £18m

His time at Bordeaux was mightily impressive: even if he tailed off slightly last season there is no doubting Gourcuff's natural talent. That's why Lyon have dropped so much money on him, and that's why they're almost certain to have made a wise investment.
13
Last week: 8

Milos KRASIC
Juventus - CSKA Moscow - £12.4m

Like many transfers involving Juventus this summer, the Krasic deal went on and off countless times over the past few months. The talented Serbian winger/attacking midfielder only ever wanted to join the Old Lady, but CSKA and Juve haggled for months until both could agree on a tranfer fee.
14
Last week: 9

David SILVA
Manchester City - Valencia - £25m

The uber-talented winger takes his trickery to Manchester after seven years in Spain. Did not play a major role in la Furia Roja's triumph in South Africa but will hope to justify his lofty price-tag by helping City qualify for the Champions League.
15
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Nicolas BURDISSO
Roma - Inter -£6.7m

As risk-free as it comes. He was one of Roma's best players last season and will now join the capital club on a permanent basis. The Argentine defender is strong and versatile. What's not to like?
16
Last week: 10

Loic REMY
Marseille - Nice- £12.4m

One of the most sought after young strikers in Europe over the summer was widely expected to be heading to the Premier League. But the 23-year-old decided to stay in Ligue 1 after being seduced by reigning French champions Marseille. Not even a slight heart problem during his medical could scupper the move.
17
Last week: 11

RAMIRES
Chelsea - Benfica - £18.2m

The Brazilian midfielder's move to Stamford Bridge was one of many on-again-off-again transfer sagas this summer. After a hard-fought haggle with Benfica, the Blues finally got their man on a four-year contract to replenish a midfield that has seen Deco and Michael Ballack depart.
18
Last week: 12

Stephen IRELAND
Aston Villa - Manchester City - £8m

The Irish midfielder was involved in the convoluted player-plus-cash James Milner transfer saga which saw the two players exchange clubs. Many would argue that with Milner costing Man City £22m, and Ireland valued at just under £8m, it was Aston Villa who got the better end of the bargain.
19
Last week: 16

Carlos EDUARDO
Rubin Kazan - Hoffenheim - £16.5m

Russian clubs continue to show their spending and pulling power as Rubin Kazan splashed out a reported £16.5 million to sign the promising and under-rated Brazilian attacking midfielder from Hoffenheim.
20
Last week: 19

Aleksandr KOLAROV
Manchester City - Lazio - £15.9m

The Serb will be keen to show off his rocket of a left foot for the Citizens. His marauding runs into opposition territory will sorely be missed by Lazio fans but will be a thing to behold for the City faithful at Eastlands.
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