Previous News - July 2000

15 July - 31 July 2000

14 JULY 2000

Wiltord To Parma?

Parma are prepared to bid £10 million to sign Bordeaux striker Slyvain
Wiltord. Earlier last week Wiltord's agent claimed a move to Arsenal was a
formality.

King's Cup (Spanish Cup)

From the upcoming season onwards all matches from the quarter-final
stages onwards will be over one leg. The large clubs will not longer receive
byes in early rounds and clubs from the lower divisions drawn against clubs
from the Primera League will get home advantage.

The Italian Federation (FIGC) made similar changes to the Italian Cup two
seasons ago to good effect. The larger clubs have started to take the
competition seriously of course the £5 million prize money does help. Ironically
in England the interest in domestic cup competitions has waned. Last season
there were several suggestions that Cup Winners should be handed a
Champions League place following the Barca V Espanyol debacle in which
Barca pulled out of the Kings Cup because they didn't have 'enough players'.

Edwards To Step Down

Martin Edwards, tight arse chairman of Manchester United, will step down
on Monday. Peter Kenyon will take over. Whether this will see a change in
the clubs miserly wage policy which prevents them from signing the very
best players in Europe remains to be the seen.

Posh Spice & Ginger Spice

"Yesterday evening our director general Ariedo Braida spoke to the Manchester
United manager Alex Ferguson who declared definitively that the player was
not for sale. There is therefore no route to Beckham."
Milan Vice President and Uncle Festa look-alike Adriano Galliani

Man United have also re-iterated that Paul Scholes is not for sale. Inter were
reported to have made a bid of £25 million for the goal scoring hospital pass
merchant.

Seventh Heaven

Carlos Roa, the Argentinean goalkeeper who retired from football due to
religious beliefs that prevented him from playing on Sundays is now back at
Mallorca as the World didn't end on 1 January 2000 or something.

Salva Going Down

La Liga top scorer Salva Ballesta has signed for relegated Atletico Madrid.

BRAZILIAN ROUND UP by Irineu de Carvalho

Those (Junior to Parma) news are consistent with what I hear from Brazil.
Actually he is and has been a Parmalet player since 1995. I do not know his
full name. He is nominally a full-back (that is the number of his jersey) but
at Palmeiras he plays mostly as an actual left-wing. I remember you admired
his game a lot in the Palmeiras-Manchester match, when he managed to shut
Beckham down and yet create several goal opportunities for the Pigs.

Junior must be 27. He played for the Brazilian U21 team in one of the
WC21 some years ago. He was playing for Vitoria when he was signed by
Palmeiras to substitute for Roberto Carlos when RC went to Internazionale,
which he did with great success. Brazilian press has also announced that
Junior will not leave Palmeiras before the end of the year.

By the way, the Brazilian press is almost unanimous about Roberto
Carlos unsuitability for the Selecao. In the last few weeks I read a few
articles suggesting that Junior should be the starter instead of the
overrated bald fag.

Please save my words - if LEANDRO scores less than 30 goals in the
Portuguese League and less than 8 goals in the Champions League during his
first injury free season at Porto, I will stop pretending I know something about
soccer.

VAN GAAL BY gaborzinho

When visiting the Ajax youth training facilities years ago (1985?) Frans
Hoek, who I was working with in youth camps in the US, introduced me to van
Gaal. He was the head coach of Ajax then, two weeks later Ajax would win the
EC final in Vienna. While watching a practice session of 17 year olds, he
was talking about his team. He stated that he knew who will become key
players, not only for Ajax, but for the Netherlands as well. He pointed out
players like Davids, Kanu, the de Boer twins, Kluivert, Seedorf and Van der
Saar. He said that he would not be surprised if 2 weeks later one of the
youngsters will score the winning goal in the EC final, since that is what
they have been preparing for. He analyzed each player's strengthts (of course
they had no weaknesses), such as their adoptability to his system of play
(the de Boers), Davids' ability to possess all the qualities of a modern
midfielder, Overmars' speed, technique and tactical knowledge, Kluivert's
scoring ability, etc. He went into details on how he (and Ajax) selects the
players, how they develop them not just to play football, but how to give
interviews, how to manage their money. His dispassionate delivery and the
way he quoted facts and figures made me feel that I was in a factory, where
nothing is left to chance. And yes, Kluivert, who was 17 at the time, scored
the winning goal in the EC final. He may not be, hell, he is NOT, a likable
person and seems like he does not want to be, but he sure knows his
business. About the only thing I disagree with him on is how he is forcing
his style of play on players. Most, if not all, successful teams adopt to
utilize individual talent, rather than subordinating them to the team. But
he is a more successful coach than I am, so who am I to argue with him.

13 JULY 2000

Berlusconi Promises Major Signing

In response to Lazio's signing of Hernan Crespo Milan President Silvio
Berlusconi has promised the biggest coup of the transfer market. Their
targets are thought to Beckham, Figo and Rivaldo.

Milosevic To Replace Crespo?

Parma are lining up Savo Milosevic as a replacement for Hernan Crespo.

BRAZILIAN ROUND UP by Irineu de Carvalho

Sao Paulo will not sell Edmilson to Arsenal anymore.
PSG will not sell Cesar to Sao Pasulo anymore, but to Rennes.
I do not know which deal was pulled out first. Without Edmilson's money,
Sao Paulo cannot afford Cesar. Without Cesar coming, Sao Paulo does not have
a decent substitute for Edmilson.

Flamengo announced that they found an agreement with Atletico de Madrid on
the fees for Paraguayan defender Carlos Gamarra. They also claim that they
are very close to signing playmaker Djalminha of Spanish champions Deportivo
La Coruna. I only believe it after the fact.

Striker donkey Oseas of Cruzeiro may be packing to Marseille. OM made a
4.5 million dollars offer. Cruzeiro asked for 5. To make things better for
Cruzeiro, they are close to sign forward wizard Edilson of Corinthians in a
loan - the "little devil" wants to leave the Paulista team after being beaten by
hooligans.

12 JULY 2000

Euro 2000 11

Here's the soccer-europe.com Euro 2000 Eleven :

11 JULY 2000

Ferguson Blasts Tight Arse Chairman

"The only way Manchester United can improve the team is by buying the
Zidanes and Figos of this world, who are out of our financial reach. It's difficult
finding players good enough for here at our wage level."

Anelka Transfer - Here We Go Again

"I am still at Real until the new board comes in. I am not going to tell you
that there have been no discussions as I have never hidden the fact that
PSG have always been my club. But I repeat to you nothing, absolutely
nothing has been signed."

10 JULY 2000

Dempsey Threatened

"The night before the FIFA meeting I received a number of calls which
disturbed me, one of them was a threatening call." He was told "If I didn't
vote for Germany I would be in trouble."

12 Killed In World Cup Qualifier

Police fired tear gas into the crowd during Zimbabwe's World Cup qualifier
against South Africa in response to fans throw bottles onto the pitch, after
seeing their side go 2-0 down to South Africa. The tear gas lead to a
stampede in which at least 12 people were killed with many others injured.

Dempsey Resigns

Oceania chief Charles Dempsey has resigned over the 2006 World Cup
scandal. Dempsey's abstention in the final round of voting handed the World
Cup to Germany. Oceania were supposed to support South Africa's bid.

9 JULY 2000

Ferdinand Not For Sale

"I turned down £15 million for him why would I sell him for £10 million?
Rio Ferdinand is not for sale anyway."
West Ham manager Harry Redknapp

Edmilson Will Join Arsenal After All

Edmilson is expected to join Arsenal shortly. We reported this several weeks
ago but removed the transfer having failed to get confirmation. So far I think
we have only removed one-two incorrect transfers excluding transfers that
have broken down due to players failing medicals or failing to agree personal
terms. Our accuracy rate is 99%.

Fall Of The Titanic

DFB Secretary, Horst Schmitd, is contemplating legal action over the hoax
letters sent by German magazine Titanic to members of the FIFA executive
committee. "The limits of satire have been exceeded" he said.

ROUND UP by Tim Leidecker

Berlusconi Will Interfere

"In the new season I'm gonna be a president who interferes again.
I want our team two play with two forwards and have a clear number
10 in midfield on whom our offensive game has to orientate itself."
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi

Quotes on World Cup 2006 In Germany

"Germany has delivered a first-class bid. This surely is a great merit
of Franz Beckenbauer. We are going to be great hosts."
Chancellor Gerhard Schröder

"We couldn't have expected this. It was very, very close. But you also need a
bit of luck in life. I'm surprised and looking for composure and words. I want
to say thanks to chancellor Gerhard Schröder who has supported us at the
presentation on Wednesday as well as the whole government and the minister
of the interior Otto Schily. The whole country has been looking forward to this
moment. Now we want to prove that Germany can be as good as a host as
people expect us to be.
DFB-vice-president and boss of the WC 2006 bid Franz Beckenbauer

"The decision has been made. I understand the emotions of the English and
the South Africans. But Germany is the winner. I'm glad for my colleague
Egidius Braun who unfortunately couldn't be with us. Franz Beckenbauer was
very important for the German bid."
UEFA president Lennart Johannson

"Thank you, Franz. We especially have to thank him now that Germany gets
to stage the World Cup. The presentation, the personal touch of Franz made
the difference. It is a sign for a fresh start for Football-Germany. Now we have
the chance to present the united Germany frank and friendly to the whole
world. I hope to be able to actively contribute as national team coach. Now a
lot of energy and emotions are set free and a lot of work approaches us. We
can celebrate for one day but then we have to roll up the sleeves !"
Bayer Leverkusen and designated national team coach Christoph Daum

I am still looking for words as well. It is a good feeling to see quality still come
out on top of sentiments. To have the World Cup, perhaps the greatest
sporting event of all in my home country, the Final basically before my front
door is a dream come true for me as well. I'm sure that Germany will stage
an unforgettable World Cup. Welcome to the heart of Europe !

Quote Of The Day

"I don't need a butler, I have a young wife!"
HSV reserve playmaker and professional cripple Thomas Doll

8 JULY 2000

English FA Lookings For Scraps

Having failed miserably in their 2006 World Cup bid the English FA are now
considering a bid to host the second World Club Championship due to be
held in 2001. So far only Spain and Australia have shown interest in hosting
the so not highly prestigious event.

ROUND UP by Tim Leidecker

Trap & Tardelli

Trap stated that "it is a great honor and a lifelong dream of mine to be allowed
to coach the Azzurri to finish my coaching career". He will earn £800,000 over
the next two years where his task will be to lead the team to the World Cup
in Japan/South Korea. After the World Cup 45-year-old Marco Tardelli,
currently in charge of the Italian U-21 team, will take over.

Perez wants to bring in Figo and Zidane

Florentino Perez, building contractor and candidate for the presidency
of Real Madrid, has promised to bring in Euro 2000 stars Luis Figo and
Zinedine Zidane should he win the elections. "Only the best players in
the world should play for Real" he stated.

Allegedly he has already struck a deal with Figo and deposited the £38
million which are necessary to buy the Portuguese star out of his deal
with arch rivals Barcelona at a Swiss bank.

Current president Lorenzo Sanz has stated that "Perez is a liar and if
you (the Real board) elect me, I will give you Juan Verón".
The elections take place July 16th.

Effenberg Rules Out Return

"The topic is off the table. If you want to rebuild the national team
you should select younger players and not bring back a 32-year-old".
Bayern playmaker Stefan Effenberg on a possible un-retirement

Lehnhoff New Team Manager At Leverkusen

Hans-Peter Lehnhoff will fill the team managers role at Leverkusen left
vacant by new national team coach Rudi Völler.

Mpenza For Sale

Schalke 04 manager Rudi Assauer has stated that "there are sometimes
circumstances which change things and that no player is untouchable" which
basically means as much as Tottenham or whoever is interested in him
(Napoli, Newcastle) should perhaps offer a *little more* than £8 million and
they've got a deal.

Marca EURO Awards

Spanish daily sports newspaper "Marca" has announced a few
"interesting" awards for Euro 2000 :

Ugliest Player : Jiri Nemec (Czech Republic)
Most Handsome Player : Nuno Gomes (Portugal)
Most Sympathetic Player : Edwin van der Sar (Holland)
Most Unsympathetic Player : Fabien Barthez (France)

Germany Looking For Trainer

Since Rudi Völler does not have a coaching license the DFB is also
looking for a trainer. The search shall be concluded before the end
of the month. As of today the most promising candidates are fellow
World Cup Winners Guido Buchwald and Andy Brehme as well as Bernd
Krauss (ex-Gladbach, Real Sociedad and Dortmund) and Joachim Löw
(ex-Stuttgart, Fenerbahçe and Karlsruhe).

Europe Backs Germany

According to a poll of Ufa Sports 26,5% of all people asked voted
for Germany to stage World Cup 2006. England surprisingly finished
2nd with 22,3% in front of Germany's main rival South Africa which
only received 11,6%.

Quote Of The Day

"Sex before the game ? My lads can handle that as they wish, only during
halftime nothing is allowed."
Former Germany coach Berti Vogts

7 JULY 2000

2006 Votes Scandal

German magazine Titanic claim that they were behind the 'gifts for
votes' scandal that is overshadowing Germanys successful bid to host the
2006 World Cup. The editor, Martin Sonneborn, claimed that eight members
of the FIFA executive committee were faxed letters on Wednesday
promising gifts from the Black Forest (famous for it's food and wine).
Charlie Dempsey, who abstained in the last round of voting which saw
Germany edge out South Africa 12 votes to 11, was one of the members who
received the fax. It's believed Dempsey would have voted for South
Africa and in the result of a tie FIFA President Sepp Blatter would have
the deciding vote and it's not secret he would have voted for South
Africa.

Van Gaal New Dutch National Team Coach

Louis Van Gaal has been name new coach of the Dutch national team.

We Come Bearing Gifts

A letter from the German team that offered gifts (Cluadia Schiffer?!?!?!) in
exchange for votes has been dismissed as fake by the head of England's
World Cup bid, Alex McGivan - "It doesn't look very authentic."

Salas Ruins Deal

Crespo's move to Lazio, with Almeyda and Salas moving to Parma in
exchange, has fell through after Salas refused to join Parma.

Adebola Fails Medical

Birmingham City striker Adebola's move to Las Palmas is almost certain
to be cancelled as he failed a medical.

Wor Kev (Keegan) Quote Of The Day

"In some ways cramp is worse than having a broken leg."

6 JULY 2000

Trapattoni New Italy Coach

As we suggested earlier this week, Giovanni Trapattoni has succeeded Dino
Zoff as coach of Italy.

Figo To Real Madrid

According to the Spanish press Luis Figo has agreed to join Real Madrid if
presidential candidate Florentino Perez is successful in his bid to unseat current
President Lorenzo Sanz.

2006 World Cup Host Is Germany!

Rui Costa and Toldo Staying Put

Francesco Toldo has extended his contract with Fiorentina until 2005 and
Rui Costa until 2004. Both players will earn around £1.6 million per season.
Fiorentina's new coach Fatih Terim has been given a transfer budget of
£50 million.

£20 Million For Anelka

Real Madrid President Lorenzo Sanz has revealed that they have received a bid
of £20 million for Nicholas Anelka. The bid is thought to be from PSG who
ironically lost Anelka to Arsenal on a free transfer several years ago.

Athirson Cleared

Flamengo defender Athirson has been cleared of doping.

SPAIN ROUND UP by Manuel Benet

First, the merengues. Yesterday the national newspaper 'El Mundo' said that
Sanz and Onieva had taken 69 million pesetas (about $0.25 million) from the
club and modify the accounting to hide it. Obviously, Florentino Perez has found
another argument to fight against Sanz.

At Camp Nou, things seem to be quiter. All the four candidates have started to
negotiate to form a joint group, in which Bassat would be the president, though
this point isn't clear yet. And strange enough, the idea for this came from
Gaspart. After this, and due to the hate he has to Bassat, Nunyez threatened
with presenting him as another candidate. However, the deadline to do that
was last 3rd july. If finally this happens, Barcelona would speed their
negotiations with players and start the new season. Gaspart has told to have
4 players almost signed, and Bassat promised that Riquelme would play at
Camp Nou if he was the new president. We'll see. Personally, I'd like it. It's not
a better or worse alternative than any other. I'm already dreaming with next
team with Lorenzo Serra Ferrer as coach.

5 JULY 2000

Wiltord To Arsenal

Arsenal's third target is Sylvain Wiltord. According to the players agent the deal
is expected to be completed soon.

Wor Kev (Keegan) Quote Of The Day

"They compare Steve McManaman to Steve Heighway and he's nothing like him
but I can see why, it's because he's a bit different."

ROUND UP by Tim Leidecker

Milan and Inter have bought the San Siro from the city council for the next 30
years at a cost of £150 million. They can make a lot more money at the gate
now and rebuild the area outside the stadium with restaurants and shops as
planned.

Inter is still looking fob off Christian "Dior" Panucci. Milan have offered Luigi Sala
and money in return (D'OH!) but Inter is not satisfied with the deal and would
probably rather have a playmaker in return.

Milan and Inter are also together in the hunt for Portugal and Monaco midfielder
Costinha who had an impressive game against Turkey. Finally Milan are about
to sell defender Oddo to Verona for £2.5 million.

SPAIN ROUND UP by Manuel Benet

Mendieta is rumored to have been offered $3.3 million free tax contract by
Roma, who would pay the 30 million clause he has. The rumour says that
Capello wants him at any price.

Munitis. First Inter, now the rumours put him in Real Madrid. Nothing for sure.

Makelele, from Celta, was rumored to be negotiating with Valencia. Because of
this he refused to attend the first training season of Celta and has created
several problems for himself and his transfer to Valencia.

Salva, the 'pichichi' (max goalscorer of La Liga), is rumored to be negotiating
with Deportivo. This, among with the Munitis transfer, would help Racing
Santander with their economic problems. Nobody knows what will happen with
their sport problems next season if Salva and Munitis leave (what seems likely
to happen).

Alfonso, the Spanish saver, has said openly that he will not play in 2nd division
next season. In my opinion he will likely sign for Real Madrid, if any. Barca or
any other foreigner don't seem to want him. Nothing is known about other
Betis players yet.

Pires, the french player, has started a fight between the two candidates for the
presidency of Real Madrid. Lorenzo Sanz and Onieva (right hand of Sanz)
defended some days ago that the board that manages the club in the period
of elections was suitable to sign players. On the other hand, Florentino Perez,
the other candidate, said that it could be bad for the president that wins the
elections. Probably Pires has gone to Arsenal because of many other reasons,
but that is used as an excuse by Sanz against Florentino Perez (he argues that
Pires didn't come to Real Madrid because of the discussion Florentino Perez
created, what it is probably wrong but addecuate for using in the campaign)

I think that's all for now. I don't know anything about Rivaldo or Figo and I
don't know how the two Spanish giants will manage the signing of players
without a president. In Camp Nou it seems that Lorenzo Ferra Serrer will be
the next coach and that should give him the freedom to sign and make the
next team. In Real Madrid, there's the discussion I mentioned above. It'll be
funny. Or not.

4 JULY 2000

Zoff Quits

Dino Zoff has stepped down as Italy coach which seems a harsh decision
despite the teams much criticised performance against Holland. Giovanni
Trapattoni is the obvious choice to replace Zoff having resigned from Fiorentina
several weeks ago and given his experience.

Euro 2000 Final Quotes

"Everyone said we played badly against the Netherlands and we were lucky to
win. Today we played well and we've lost. Maybe it's best to play badly."
Francesco Totti

"We played our best game here - we were a match for France and at times
even better... but the luck that we had against Holland turned against us
tonight."
Stefano Fiore

Tears are for shedding for worst things than this but this is certainly a big
disappointment."
Stefano Fiore

"We've now won both competitions. Maybe we are better now as we won away
and beat great teams."
Thierry Henry

South Africa In Pole Position For 2006

Brazil have withdrawn their bid to host the 2006 World Cup and will now
support South Africa who in turn will support Brazil in their bid to host the
2010 World Cup.

Arsenal

"Since I've been in English football it's been fantastic for me so I'll have to
stay."
Arsenal midfielder Patrick Viera

"We are hoping to add one more before the start of the season".
Arsene Wenger speaking about new signings Edu and Pires. The 'one more' is
thought to be Sao Paulo striker Franca.

Desailly Extends Contract

Desailly has signed an extension to his contract at Chelsea tying him to the club
until 2004.

Milan Clubs After Nakata

Milan and Inter are linked with Roma's Japanese playmaker Hidetoshi Nakata.

ROUND UP by Tim Leidecker

EURO 2000 Wrap-Up

Most goals : Holland (13)

Least goals : Denmark (0)

First goal : Bart Goor, Belgium against Sweden

Fastest goal : Paul Scholes England V Portugal, 167 seconds

Highest Scoring Game : Yugoslavia V Spain (3-4), Holland V Yugoslavia (6-1)

Own Goal : Yugoslavia's Govedarica against Holland

Most bookings : Portugal and Holland (13)

Least Bookings : Sweden, Mjällby

Shortest Performance : Yugoslavia's Mateja Kezman was sent off after only 37
seconds on the pitch against
Norway - should be very hard to top in the future.

Highest poession was enjoyed by Germany who had the ball an average 58%
of the game. Finalist Italy had 40%.

All-Star-Team

Selected by the UEFA experts :

Goal: Toldo (ITA), Barthez (FRA)
Defense : Blanc, Desailly (FRA), Cannavaro, Nesta (ITA), F de Boer (HOL)
Midfield : Vieira, Zidane (FRA), Figo (POR), Guardiola (ESP), Davids (HOL)
Attack : Henry (FRA), Kluivert (HOL), Nuno Gomes (POR), Raúl (ESP)

No Milosevic ? He is joint topscorer after all.

Ronaldo Homesick

"I don't want to return straight to Europe after my injury has healed. For me
the time has come to think about my family. Perhaps I will very soon return to
the Seleçao (national team) and wear the colors of Flamengo."
Ronaldo in an interview with Brazil's biggest daily newspaper 'O Globo'

The plan is only to have The Phenomenon on loan for a season or so.
Flamengo will sign a sponsorship deal with Nike during the next days and
a superstar name like Ronaldo, a Flamengo fan since his childhood days,
would surely help to sell a jersey or two.

Scots Plan Bid For Euro 2008

After Russia as well as the Scandinavian joint bid of Sweden, Denmark,
Norway and Finland has already expressed their interest in having the EURO
in their
country(s), the "Highlander" have announced a planned application as well.
The precondition for them to make the bid will be England's failed bid for World
Cup 2006 though (so basically the boss of the Scottish FA, David Taylor, can
already send their candidacy to UEFA as England is hopeless).

No Robby Carlos in Olympics

Real Madrid have somehow managed to convince Brazilian national team coach
Wanderley Luxemburgo to omit left back Roberto Carlos from the Seleçao's
selection for Sidney 2000 because at the same time the club has important
Champions League games.

SPAIN ROUND UP by Manuel Benet

Hi...

No news this week. Only politics. At Real Madrid, Lorenzo Sanz and Florentino
Perez had already started to fight, and on the Barca side, Gaspart seems to be
the strongest candidate, despite Stoichkov giving his support to Bassat.

Well, just a couple. Not too much activity lately.

Makelele is rumored to go to Valencia from Celta, though the latter is asking for
the whole clause (3000 million pesetas) if Valencia wants him.

Munitis' agent is rumored to meet Inter Milano this week or next week in order
to sign the player of la Real Sociedad. Like I said, that performance against
Thuram earned him a better team & contract. If not Inter,vany other team will
get it.

On the selection side, people is quite dissapointed with Camacho, the coach
that only a month ago seemed like the saver of the national election. But not
only with Camacho. Players like Salgado, Raul or Aranzabal are the center of the
critics. Summarizing :

Camacho didn't have clear what was his block, nor the players that he wanted
to play. From match to match there were excessive changes, and players that
were suppossed to play for his experience and quality, unexpectedly didn't play.
For example, Sergi, that didn't play until the match against Yugo, and even after
his quite good performance, didn't play against France. He's critized also for not
trusting Molina after the Norway match. To change him after that error was not
fair, more when Canizares was not at the level that everybody expected.

Molina : Nothing to say, basically. He made a great error that cost Spain the first
match, but that was not reason enough to quit him from the national team in
the other matches.

Canizares : Was not at the level that he was supposed to be. Goals like Zidane's
free kick was unstoppable but there were many others where he was not good.

Salgado, Aranzabal : Players that were not at the level that it was suppossed.
Have shown not to be at the level of a European Championship.

Mendieta, Helguera, Paco, Abelardo, Hierro, Munitis : All of them superb.
Mendieta was probably the best Spanish player. Helguera was one of the
revelations, among with Paco. Both were solid in their respective positions.
Abelardo, accostumed to this kind of tournaments, was solid. A special note for
Hierro, that didn't played all the tournament because his problems with his
knees. However, he was absolutely superb when he played and not like many
people rumored after knowing that Camacho selected him. Munitis, although
didn't play all the tournament, was very solid and one of the revelations of the
Spanish team.

Raul : A note apart for this one. Although he's not the only one to blame, he
shares most of it. Not for missing the pk, but for not being there when he was
needed. He was suppossed to be the star of the team and he passed invisible
all the tournament.

Alfonso, Urzaiz, Guardiola, Etxeberria : Not too much to say. They were at the
required level, not below, but not above. A special mention to Guardiola, who,
despite his problems of form, maintained a solid position in the midfield during
all the tournament.

This is basically what has been said - and seen - of Spain in this tournament.
Camacho is not the saviour everybody thought he was and Spain is not the
world beater everybody thought it was. France was a superior team and although
is the actual World Champion and Euro Champion their tactical position in the
field and speed was very superior to Spain. However, not everything is bad.
Finally Spain seemed able to support the pressure of the 1st group and there
are players like Paco, Helguera, Munitis or Mendieta that can give the Spain
supporters the hope to wait until next World Cup. And, as Raul said, he's in
debt with the national team. Let's hope he pays in the final of the next World
Cup 2002. To dream is free.

BRAZILIAN ROUND UP by Irineu de Carvalho

(1) Palmeiras' coach Scolari assumes the blame for Palmeiras defeat at the
Libertadores and Toyota Cup finals against resp. Manchester United and Boca
Juniors. The Pigs' management offered him the possibility of signing Romario.
He chose not to risk having the Carioca striker. On both games Palmeiras fell
short of victory for lack of a top striker that could convert the wealth of goal
scoring opportunities generated by Alex and Co. into goals.

(2) PENA, hard-working but mediocre forward, from Palmeiras to Espanyol, for
4 million dollars. One year ago, coach Scolari discovered PENA at Rio Branco,
a small team that plays the Paulista League, after having played in Switzerland
and Turkey (?). He was signed for almost nothing just to complete Palmeiras'
roster but his great workrate marveled Mr. Scolari, who preferred him over
Asprilla almost everytime he could choose between them.

3 JULY 2000

Banned

Portuguese players involved in the clash with the referee and officials during
Wednesday's semi-final defeat against France have been hit hard. Abel Xavier
has been suspended for nine months, Nuno Gomes for eight months and Paulo
Bento for six months from Champions League, UEFA Cup and International
matches. The Portuguese FA have also been fined £70,000. The bans

"Officials were pushed and harassed by Portuguese players, suffering bruises."
UEFA Spokesperson

Quote Of The Day

"Zidane does some extraordinary things, it's true but you have to put everything
in context, what Zidane does with a ball, Maradona could do with an orange."
Michel Platini

ROUND UP by Tim Leidecker

New Coaches For Germany

Current Bayer Leverkusen coach Christoph Daum has signed a 3 year contract
with the DFB (German FA) starting in June 2001.

Former striker ace Rudi Völler has been appointed interim coach for the next
10 months. Since Völler does not have a coaching license a national team coach
is to be appointed later this week.

Additionally a "task force" supporting the national team has been installed which
includes all Bundesliga managers and is headed by Bayern Munich vice president
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Juve Linked to Athitson, Rehmer

Juventus is currently looking at Hertha BSC fullback Marko Rehmer and Flamengo
doping sinner Athirson to improve their aging backline.

Scholl to Real?

After their move for Marseille's French World Cup Winner Robert Pires seems
to have hit a snag Real Madrid are turning their interest to FC Bayern's Mehmet
Scholl. The Champions League Winner is willing to spend around £5 million for
the little dribbler.

Dalglish Sacked

Scottish vice-champion Celtic has sacked sports director Kenny Dalglish. The
former Scottish record international was given the boot one month after the
dismissal of coach John Barnes.

Pele's views on EURO 2000

"That was the most offensive EURO in years and played on a high technical level.
It reminds me of the one in 1984. The negative surprise is the elimination of
Spain which has have to had psychological reasons. The stars have been Figo,
Davids and Raúl as well. The superstar is Zidane though, he has that certain
something and is even stronger than 1998."

2 JULY 2000

Viera To Leave Arsenal?

Arsenal have made a £15 million bid for Deportivo's Brazilian defensive
midfielder, Flavio Conceicao. Fuelling speculation that Arsenal's Patrick Viera
may be set to join Juventus.

Kiko Signs New Contract

Professional cripple, Kiko, has signed a new four year contract with Atletico
Madrid.

1 JULY 2000

Parma Sign Alex

Parma have finally signed Palmeiras playmaker Alex, after two years of trying,
for £10 million.

Conte - Hagi Tried To Break My Leg

"His (Hagi) foul was premeditated. He intended to hurt me. I have no doubt
the foul was meant to break my leg."
Antonio Conte

Makaay Out For Two Months

Deportivo striker Roy Makaay will be out for up to two months with an ankle
ligament injury, picked up in training for Holland during Euro 2000.

Toldo - Dutch Would Never Have Scored

"The script for this match was written before kickoff. They could have played for
an entire day taking shots at our goal and they would never have scored.
Penalties are psychological things, wars between you and the attacker.
Psychologically you have to try to unsettle your opponent. That's why Stam
missed. My first save was the best. That was the turning point."
Italy Goalkeeper Francesco Toldo

ROUND UP by Tim Leidecker

"I'm stepping down [as coach] because we didn't make it. I put the measuring
stick up very high and now I have to bear the consequences."
Frank Rijkaard

Portugal's Humberto Coelho resigned as well. He was quoted "that was the end
of two years of hard work" after Portugal's unlucky loss against France in the Semi-final.

Senol Günes, a former Turkey international 'keeper has been appointed as coach
of the Turkish national team. He has signed a contract until 2004 and replaces
Mustafa Denizli, now in charge of Fenerbahçe.

Elber Puts His Foot In It

FC Bayern and Brazil striker Giovane Élber broke his right middle foot in a training
session and will be out for a month. Élber has been plagued with a torn ACL and
several minor injuries since joining the Munich club from Stuttgart 3 years ago.

Emerson Saga Continues

Bayer Leverkusen's Brazilian World Class midfielder was quoted saying "It would
be an honor for me to play for Real [Madrid] next season" concerning the
£22 million the Champions League winner have offered for him. About the
projected move to Roma he said "I don't know what's up with them. I haven't
heard from them for quite some time."

Even though Emerson has signed a (pre-?) contract with Roma which runs for
5 years and guarantees him a royal salary he isn't especially excited about the
fact that Roma missed out on the UEFA Champions League, the biggest stage
in European club football, and therefore the trophy he wants to win most.

Nedved	Veira	Totti	Mendieta
(Czech Rep)	(France)	(Italy)	(Spain)

Lizarazu	Cannavaro	Nesta	Thuram
(France)	(Italy)	(Italy)	(France)

Nedved	Zidane	Davids	Figo
(Czech Rep)	(France)	(Holland)	(Portugal)