Football fixtures

Please note: Fixtures are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made.

Monday, 29 June 2009

European Under-21 Championship

Germany U21 v England U21, F, 19:45

International Match

Mexico v Guatemala, 1:00

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Tuesday, 30 June 2009

UEFA Champions League Qualifying

Hibernians v Mogren, R1, L1, 17:30

UE Sant Julia OFF Tre Fiori, R1, L1,

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Wednesday, 01 July 2009

UEFA Champions League Qualifying

Tre Fiori v UE Sant Julia, R1, L1, 19:30

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Thursday, 02 July 2009

Europa League qualifying

Anorthosis Famagusta v UN 97 Kaerjeng, R1, L1, 18:00

Banants Yerevan v Siroki Brijeg, R1, L1, 16:00

Buducnost Podgorica v Polonia Warsaw, R1, L1, 19:30

CS Grevenmacher v FK Vetra, R1, L1, 18:00

Dinamo Minsk v Renova, R1, L1, 17:00

FC Dinaburg v Nomme Kalju, R1, L1, 16:00

FC Lahti v Dinamo Tirana, R1, L1, 16:30

FC Spartak Trnava v Inter Baku, R1, L1, 18:00

FC Zimbru v Okzhetpes, R1, L1, 17:00

FK Vetra OFF CS Grevenmacher, R1, L1,

Fram Reykjavik v The New Saints FC, R1, L1, 19:00

Helsingborgs IF v Mika Ashtarak, R1, L1, 19:45

Lisburn Distillery v FC Zestafoni, R1, L1, 19:45

MTZ-RIPO OFF Sutjeska, R1, L1,

Motherwell v Llanelli, R1, L1, 20:05

NK Slaven Koprivnica v Birkirkara, R1, L1, 18:00

NSI Runavik v Rosenborg, R1, L1, 19:00

Olimpi Rustavi v B36 Torshavn, R1, L1, 14:30

Randers FC v Linfield, R1, L1, 18:00

Rosenborg OFF NSI Runavik, R1, L1,

Rudar Velenje OFF Trans Narva, R1, L1,

Simurg v Bnei Yehuda, R1, L1, 16:00

Siroki Brijeg OFF Banants Yerevan, R1, L1,

Sligo v Vllaznia Shkoder, R1, L1, 19:00

Sutjeska v MTZ-RIPO, R1, L1, 16:30

Szombathely v Irtysh, R1, L1, 18:00

The New Saints FC OFF Fram Reykjavik, R1, L1,

Trans Narva v Rudar Velenje, R1, L1, 17:00

Valletta v Keflavik, R1, L1, 16:30

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Friday, 03 July 2009

League of Ireland Premier Division

Dundalk v Derry City, 19:45

Galway Utd v Cork, 19:45

Friendly Match

Bishops Cleeve v Cheltenham, 19:30

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Saturday, 04 July 2009

Friendly Match

Alton Town v Aldershot, 15:00

Gretna v Workington, 14:00

Huntly v Ross County, 15:00

Vale Of Leithen v Annan Athletic, 14:30

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Sunday, 05 July 2009

League of Ireland Premier Division

Sligo v Drogheda Utd, 19:45

Friendly Match

Gala Fairydean v Annan Athletic, 14:30

Newcastle Town v Crewe, 15:00

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BREAKING GOSSIP

1931 BST: BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce says that ahead of the the Confederations Cup semi-final between Brazil and South Africa in Johannesburg, there have been rumours that Manchester City have bid 15m Euros and Elano for Brazil's Inter Milan defender Maicon.

1905 BST: Valencia striker David Villa rules out a move to the Barclays Premier League, telling Spanish TV channel Cuatro that he will only play in La Liga next season.

1555 BST: Cesc Fabregas issues a statement on the Arsenal website denying he is any way dissatisfied at the Emirates. "Let me make myself absolutely crystal clear - I am wholeheartedly committed to Arsenal, and my future lies with this great club."

1530 BST: AC Milan say teenage Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato is staying at the club and will sign a new contract despite a "monster offer from England". (Press Association)

1445 BST: Jermaine Pennant's agent says he is considering moving abroad when his contract at Liverpool expires soon. (Sky Sports)

1240 BST: AC Milan have confirmed they would be interested in Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor if they fail to sign their number one target, Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko. (Press Association)

1207 BST: Stoke are in talks with West Ham about signing striker Dean Ashton. (Sky Sports News)

1205 BST: Matthew Le Tissier remains confident his Pinnacle Group's takeover of Southampton will go ahead despite their unhappiness at the Football League's 10-point penalty for going into administration last season.

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FIFA team in Brazil to study 2014 World Cup bid

Rio De Janeiro: A FIFA inspection team arrived in Brazil on Thursday for a look at the country's bid to host the 2014 World Cup.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement that the FIFA officials would visit five candidate cities - Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Porto Alegre - during their nine-day trip.

The other 13 candidate cities would make their presentations in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil is the only country bidding to host the event, which is due to be staged in South America under FIFA's rotation system.

However, FIFA have said that Brazil, which staged the 1950 event, is not guaranteed to host the tournament.

The event could go elsewhere if the bid is not up to scratch.

Brazilians are divided over whether the country, plagued by poverty, unemployment and social problems, should host the tournament.

Critics also wonder whether Brazil will be able to bring its dilapidated stadiums and creaking transport infrastructure up to the standards demanded FIFA.

FIFA's decision will be made on October 30.

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Brazil beat US in the Confederations Cup final

Johannesburg : The final match between US and Brazil at the Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Sunday saw Brazil getting a taste of the American pie just nine minutes into the game. A perfect cross from Jonathan Spector and Clint Dempsey nudged the ball into the net.

Before Brazil could even gather their thoughts about them came the second assault.

Charlie Davies and Landon Donovan combined to make a mockery of a careless Brazilian defence. Beckham's MLS teammate Donovan deftly found the back of the net in the 26th minute.

An embarrassed Brazil came out with vengeance in the second half.

Brazil stepped up the pace and only a minute later, Luis Fabiano gave Brazilians something to cheer about.

A fantastic swivel to score the first to put his team on the score sheet.

The momentum was with the yellow jerseys and the night belonged to Fabiano.

He found the net a second time. The equaliser came in the 73rd minute.

There was no stopping Brazil now. The winning goal seemed like mere a formality.

Lucio gladly completed the honours heading in a beauty to get the crowd on their feet.

The American dream had come to an end as the yellow jerseys once again left a stamp of their supremacy.

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WIMBLEDON 2009: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova: You Brits have it too easy

British tennis players are soft and spoiled, according to Wimbledon legend Martina Navratilova, and that is the main reason for the country's shortage of top talent.

Apart from the obvious exception of Andy Murray, who left home as a teenager to learn his craft in Barcelona, too many have coaching and facilities presented to them on a plate without enduring the hardships that make champions.

Home truths: Anne Keothavong was one of nine British entrants in the singles draw at Wimbledon to fall at the first hurdle

 

'We have the same problem in the United States,' said Navratilova. 'And it might have something to do with the fact that have it too easy.'

She compared the British players' situation with her own upbringing in Prague, where she would travel across the city by public transport to snatch some valuable practice.

'I used to catch a train and a tram and then walk for half a mile with all my tennis gear and school books just to hit for one hour,' said Navratilova. 'And then it would take me another hour to get home.

'I think the kids have become a little soft. It's the case in the United States and it's the case here. It's just too easy for them. Some of the other countries have far less but the players are more eager and it's paying off for them.'

Only one player other than Murray of Britain's 11 entrants in the main singles draws lasted beyond the first round, in the equal worst performance at Wimbledon in the open era since 1968, and Elena Baltacha was then heavily beaten in the second round.

The worst performer was probably Alex Bogdanovic, who lost in the first round for the eighth successive time after receiving his eighth wild card.

In that time he has 'won' almost �100,000 in prize money. While Murray has shown the way, his success has not been the product of a British system.

A hard act to follow: Martina Navratilova says British players are pampered and too soft

'You only have one top player and he was brought up outside the UK,' said Navratilova, an ambassador for HSBC and nine-time ladies' singles winner.

'This country is not producing the quantity or quality of players that it should be producing. Andy is a talent and he just happens to be Scottish. But I don't think the Lawn Tennis Association helped his development. He was at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona. They should have an academy like that here that would produce players equipped to do well on the circuit.'

The £40million National Tennis Centre at Roehampton was built to fill the gap in facilities for up-and-coming players but, since its opening in 2006, it has yet to yield the desired results of giving Murray some company in the world's top 100, although there have been some notable improvements on the women's side.

The LTA are able to fund players' coaching and travel because they receive much of the profits of Wimbledon each year, as well as sponsorship and public money.

When Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the Government money could be cut if British failures continued, LTA chief executive Roger Draper rang him to demand an explanation.

Draper is angry because he believes Sutcliffe is misleading the public over what Government funding his body receives, which comes from Sport England and relates to the numbers of people playing the game at grass roots level, not elite players such as those at Wimbledon.

LTA director of communications, Bruce Philipps, confirmed there had been dialogue with the Government. 'We don't receive performance funding from the Government. We were a little confused, so Roger Draper and the Minister have spoken,' he said.

'My understanding is that the Minister made it clear that he was expressing his disappointment with Wimbledon's results, but then we are all disappointed. Sport England have told us they are very happy with what we are doing and it is a great partnership.'

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