European Football Focus

West Ham sign Almunia on loan

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFslFK2WqHM/Toa1n2zopJI/AAAAAAAAELg/MZSAw22AUc0/s1600/Manuel-Almunia-joins-westham-on-loan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFslFK2WqHM/Toa1n2zopJI/AAAAAAAAELg/MZSAw22AUc0/s320/Manuel-Almunia-joins-westham-on-loan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style></style>  <br /><div class="excerpt"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">West Ham have signed veteran stopper Manuel Almunia on a month's loan from Arsenal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">With regular number one Rob Green sidelined for up to six weeks with a knee injury, boss Sam Allardyce has moved quickly to bring in Almunia on an emergency deal.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The 34-year-old has been at Arsenal since 2004 and he will be in the squad for the Hammers' trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Allardyce was happy with his 13th signing, and also sent his gratitude to the Gunners for allowing the move.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">"<i>We've been hot on the phone and secured an excellent signing in the short term,"</i> Allardyce told West Ham TV.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">"It's a big thank you to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal for allowing us to get such a high-class and experienced goalkeeper to come and fill in for Robert for the time being."<o:p></o:p></span></i>

West Ham sign Almunia on loan

West Ham have signed veteran stopper Manuel Almunia on a month's loan from Arsenal. With regular number one Rob Green sidelined for up...

11:39 PM

Manchester City reject Tevez enquiry

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ypFcXy_ChRA/Toa0L5DO6vI/AAAAAAAAELc/3Yzlgf9QdUk/s1600/tevez_hammer%2527s+bid-rejected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ypFcXy_ChRA/Toa0L5DO6vI/AAAAAAAAELc/3Yzlgf9QdUk/s400/tevez_hammer%2527s+bid-rejected.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style></style>  <br /><div class="excerpt"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Manchester City have rejected an enquiry from championship side West Ham to take  their </span></div><div class="excerpt"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">former front man Carlos Tevez on loan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Tevez's future at City is shrouded in doubt following his bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini during the midweek defeat to Bayern Munich.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Argentine star has been suspended for two weeks by City after allegedly refusing to play against Bayern in the Champions League.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">City manager Mancini revealed following the game that the Argentina international had refused to come off the bench during the second half.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Mancini stated Tevez was '<i>finished</i>' at City with the player then denying that he had snubbed the instruction to leave his place on the bench.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A number of clubs have been linked with a move for Tevez in the wake of the confrontation with officials at West Ham sounding out City about a shock loan switch back to East London.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Tevez is a big hero at West Ham, where he spent the 2006-07 season, helping them stay up by scoring the winning goal at Manchester United on the final day of the season.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Players can move from Premier League to Championship clubs outside of the transfer window but City insiders say the approach from the Hammers was turned down.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

Manchester City reject Tevez enquiry

Manchester City have rejected an enquiry from championship side West Ham to take their former front man Carlos Tevez on loan. Tevez'...

11:33 PM

Sahin raring to contribute to Real

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1yUwuYpDjM/ToayYT0bYCI/AAAAAAAAELY/M3QRjgkhiT0/s1600/Nuri+Sahin+recovered+Real+Madrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1yUwuYpDjM/ToayYT0bYCI/AAAAAAAAELY/M3QRjgkhiT0/s400/Nuri+Sahin+recovered+Real+Madrid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style></style>  <br /><div class="excerpt"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Real Madrid new signing Nuri Sahin believes that he has much to offer to the club when he returns from his injury.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Sahin is still waiting to make his competitive debut for the Spanish giants after suffering a knee injury during pre-season training, weeks after joining from Borussia Dortmund.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The 22-year-old was originally due to make a return in early September, but a hinderence further delayed his comeback, which is now likely to be in November.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He told Sky<i>: "Despite being injured I feel really good and I feel I am in the right place and I can be useful here at Madrid, things are progressing and the recovery is going well."<o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Sahin is not sure of the correct day he can make his competitive debut, but highlighted that his desire to wait for a full recovery instead of hashing things over.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He commented<i>: "I cannot say when I will be back, but it is important that I come back stronger and fitter."<o:p></o:p></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Turkey international will be hoping to learn from fellow midfielder Kaka, who has had his share of injuries since joining Los Blancos, but recently made a successful comeback.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Real Madrid travel to Espanyol this weekend hoping to improve on their current fifth position in the La Liga table.<o:p></o:p></span>

Sahin raring to contribute to Real

Real Madrid new signing Nuri Sahin believes that he has much to offer to the club when he returns from his injury. Sahin is still waiting ...

11:26 PM

Madrid lose Benzema to injury

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ_5oszKNPM/ToaxAi2Nn_I/AAAAAAAAELU/clyzaCFKlS0/s1600/benzema-injured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ_5oszKNPM/ToaxAi2Nn_I/AAAAAAAAELU/clyzaCFKlS0/s1600/benzema-injured.jpg" /></a></div><br /><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style></style>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Real Madrid will have to play without striker Karim Benzema against Espanyol after the Frenchman picked up an injury.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">According to reports from AS, the striker is suffering from a groin problem sustained in the La Liga giant's 3-0 victory over Ajax in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He was substituted in the game after 74 minutes because of the injury.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As such, it will be doubtful that the ex-Olympique Lyon superstar will play at Cornella-El Prat this weekend, and his absence will be rued by boss Jose Mourinho.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The 23-year-old has been in fine form so far this season, having already scored five goals in nine official appearances for Real Madrid, and also snapping up three assists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>

Madrid lose Benzema to injury

Real Madrid will have to play without striker Karim Benzema against Espanyol after the Frenchman picked up an injury. According to reports...

11:21 PM

German Bundesliga Week 8 Fixtures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cX6gZJ2NNgw/ToavH2N9kmI/AAAAAAAAELQ/zZcxDTLo0-Q/s1600/Bundesliga.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cX6gZJ2NNgw/ToavH2N9kmI/AAAAAAAAELQ/zZcxDTLo0-Q/s320/Bundesliga.png" width="313" /></a></div><br /><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style></style>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday 1<sup>st</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">FC Kaiserslautern<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>VfB Stuttgart<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nurnberg<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Mainz<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Borussia Dortmund<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Augsburg<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bayer Leverkusen<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Wolfsburg<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">TSG Hoffenhaim<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Bayern Munich<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">SC Freiburg<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Borussia M’gladbach<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hertha Berlin<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Cologne<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday 2<sup>nd</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hannover 96<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Werder Bremen<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hamburg<span>  </span>VS<span>  </span>Schalke 04<o:p></o:p></span></div>

German Bundesliga Week 8 Fixtures

Saturday 1 st October FC Kaiserslautern VS VfB Stuttgart Nurnberg VS Mainz Borussia Dortmund VS Augsburg Bayer Leverkusen V...

11:11 PM

Italian Serie A Week 5 Fixtures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bijSPjR22RI/Toatj_pkkrI/AAAAAAAAELM/b9GLfkF9N5E/s1600/serie-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bijSPjR22RI/Toatj_pkkrI/AAAAAAAAELM/b9GLfkF9N5E/s320/serie-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CSYSTEM%7E2%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style></style>  <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday 1<sup>st</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Roma  VS  Atalanta<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inter Milan  VS  Napoli<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday 2<sup>nd</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Novara  VS Catania<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lecce  VS  Cagliari<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Udinese  VS  Bologna<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fiorentina  VS Lazio<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Parma  VS  Genoa<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cesena  VS  Chievo<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Palermo  VS  Siena<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Juventus  VS  AC Milan<o:p></o:p></span></div>

Italian Serie A Week 5 Fixtures

Saturday 1 st October Roma VS Atalanta Inter Milan VS Napoli Sunday 2 nd October Novara VS Catania Lecce VS Cagliari Udinese VS ...

11:05 PM