Interpellations à Coubertin

Choc après le match perdu par Montpellier à Coubertin : la police attendait certains joueurs dans le cadre de l'affaire des paris truqués. Des interpellations ont eu lieu.

A l'issue de la défaite de Montpellier face au PSG, ce dimanche au stade Pierre de Coubertin, plusieurs joueurs ont été interpellés et conduits par les policiers à Nanterre dans les locaux du service des courses et jeux de la Direction centrale de la police judiciaire. Cinq enquêteurs sont restés pendant plus d'une heure dans le vestiaire de Montpellier après la fin du match. Selon l'AFP, douze personnes, dont huit joueurs, étaient interrogées dimanche par la police à Paris. Parmi les huit joueurs de Montpellier, figurent Nikola Karabatic et son frère Luka. Les autres personnes entendues sont donc six autres joueurs montpelliérains, deux ex-Montpelliérains passés depuis au PSG, un membre du staff de l'équipe de Montpellier et la compagne d'un joueur.

Nikola Karabatic et quatre autres membre de son équipe ont été ensuite emmenés à l'issue du match ayant opposé Montpellier au PSG à la salle Pierre de Coubertin de Paris. Les joueurs en question seraient, après une certaine confusion : Nikola Karabatic, Wissem Hmam, Michaël Robin, Dragan Gajic et Primoz Prost. Le kinésithérapeute de l'équipe, Yann Montiège. Ils devraient y être placés en garde à vue. La compagne de Luka Karabatic avait elle été appréhendée à son domicile dès le matin. Une information confirmée aux joueurs avant le début de cette rencontre contre le PSG. Selon l'AFP, trois autres personnes - des parieurs - ont été interpellées à Montpellier en fin d'après-midi. 

Le procureur de Montpellier s'exprimera lundi

Enfin, France 3 Languedoc-Roussillon indique que la compagne de Nikola Karabatic, cette fois, aurait elle aussi été interpellée. Cette intervention était initialement prévue pour lundi à Montpellier mais les policiers ont semble-t-il décidé d'accélérer le déroulé de l'opération. Pour rappel, huit joueurs du club champion de France sont suspectés d'avoir parié ou d'avoir fait parier leurs proches sur la défaite de leur équipe à Cesson-Sévigné en mai dernier (28-31). 70 000 euros de mises auraient permis de remporter 200 000 euros de gains. Le procureur de la République de Montpellier doit tenir une conférence de presse lundi après-midi. Une information judiciaire, ouverte sur cette affaire depuis le 1er août, vise à la fois des faits de corruption active et passive, mais aussi des faits d'escroquerie et de recel d'escroquerie aux dépens de la Française des Jeux (FDJ).

The All Blacks win THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011 was an achievement that many great All Black sides before could not manage, yet the big goal for the team this year was not to use the tag of World Champions without the appropriate respect, while making sure they lived up to the tag.

Of course the theory of World Cup hangovers is one mused over by all and sundry, but so far the All Blacks have made a complete mockery of the fact that recent World Champions, namely England in 2003 and South Africa in 2007, have had seasons they would rather forget following on from their global success.

New Zealand are unbeaten in eight tests this year, and delivered a performance that had the All Blacks wearing looks of satisfaction that haven't really been in place all of The Investec Rugby Championship, with the side as always their own harshest critics.

McCaw, a firm believer in adding a bit of style to the winning substance, said that the team wanted to live up to their tag, and play as a World Championship team.

"The goal is to put last year behind us but we've got the tag of world champions and we want to play like that," McCaw said.

To secure the Rugby Championship this year was a big goal and it's nice to be able to do that but I think a better performance is what the guys are pretty happy with. McCaw said

It wasn't the final margin, but rather the manner in which everything fell into place for the team which made the skipper, who registered his 99th test win, happy.

"Rather than scoreboard-wise, it was the manner in which we did it was satisfying." McCaw said

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who said his team had plenty of improvememt required coming into this match despite going unbeaten so far in 2012, said that the key to the performance was making sure that their training performances translated onto the test arena.

"We trained all week to do things with purpose, accuracy and execution and by a large we succeeded in doing that"," Hansen said.

Registering the four try bonus point at halftime effectively wrapped up The Investec Rugby Championship for the All Blacks, following on from the Springboks 31-8 victory, meaning that the championships first two 'offensive' bonus points have been awarded.

Maravilla " Chávez es un inepto y no tiene capacidad"

Sergio Maravilla Martínez inauguró su nuevo gimnasio en Madrid donde el argentino se sinceró respecto a sus sentimientos hacia Chávez, sus posibles rivales para mayo y el devenir que tomó su carrera tras vencer al mexicano el pasado 15 de septiembre.

Pregunta: Son obligadas dos cosas. Primero, enhorabuena por el combate y el título

Respuesta: Muchas gracias,

P: Y lo segundo, ¿Cómo estás de la mano y de la rodilla?

R: En la mano apenas tengo una infiltración de corticoides para calmar el dolor. El hueso está en su sitio, se quitó la inflamación casi del todo y está mejor. Sobre la rodilla... el dia 11 de octubre me dicen cuándo es la operación, probablemente en los días inmediatamente posteriores.

«Lo que estamos trayendo a España es un plan para trabajar aquí y triunfar en EEUU»

P: Qué bueno tenerte aquí en España, en 'alta definición'. Muchos desde aquí hemos tenido casi que mendigar por una mala señal en internet para ver tu carrera. ¿Cómo crees que esto, tanto la pelea con Chávez como tu nuevo gimnasio en Madrid le va a ayudar al mundo del boxeo?

R: De la mejor manera. Esto sirve de incentivo para muchos chicos de aquí que ya son profesionales, que sepan que se puede llegar. Lo que yo estoy logrando, estos combates, los puede disputar cualquiera de ellos, y les puede servir de motivación, de inspiración. Yo entrené aquí en Madrid, y después me fui a los Estados Unidos a pelear, e hice grandes combates. Va a ser positivo para que algunos chicos hagan su carrera. Hace falta lo que estamos trayendo, un plan para trabajar aquí con la idea fija de triunfar en América.

P: Ese camino tomó Gabri Campillo. ¿Qué le aporta estar allí contigo?

R: Necesita seguir trabajando, nada más, que no pierda la motivación, es fundamental no perder el objetivo. Sé que es difícil intentar superar una derrota como la que tuvo, que no fue una derrota (sufrió un clamoroso robo ante Tavoris Cloud), y eso es difícil. Ahora lo importante es que no sólo Campillo, también Kiko Martínez trabaja con nosotros y ahora va a tener un gran combate en Europa.

«A día de hoy, Mayweather tiene las mismas opciones que Cotto o Chávez. Sólo son opciones»

P: Nos centramos en tu figura: derrotas a Chávez y en minutos hay 50.000 rumores sobre tu siguiente rival. Otra vez Chávez, Cotto, Canelo... se especula incluso con André Ward. ¿Qué va a pesar más ahora que parece que por fin la decisión es tuya?

R: Sinceramente todavía no tengo ninguna idea, he pedido un par de semanas de descanso para disfrutar de este gran triunfo y vamos a ver las posibilidades que vienen ahora. Todo lo que se afirme es inexistente, no tiene peso. Sólo son posibilidades.

P: ¿Incluido Mayweather?

R: Tiene las mismas posibilidades que Cotto o que Chávez, porque aún no dije nada. Seguro que de aquí a un par de semanas va a salir algo bueno.

P: ¿Para mayo?

R: Mi combate próximo será al final de abril o al principio de mayo. Hago dos peleas al año, marzo-abril y septiembre-octubre-noviembre, así que el siguiente será a principios de mayo.

P: Le das buen nombre al boxeo con tus modales educados, tu cercanía... y de repente en la previa con Chávez todo fue una monumental tangana

R: No, no. No llegó a haber insultos, sólo agresividad en mis comentarios... ah, y ninguna mentira, no dije nada que no fuera real, pero a mí me rebasaba la situación. Chávez era el campeón pero yo era el mejor ¿Cómo es posible? Eso le quema los cables a cualquiera. Viene alguien a quitarte tu trabajo, y además es un inepto y no tiene capacidad ¡Y sigue ahí ocupando el sitio! Eso fue lo que me pasó a mí.

«Hablo de Chávez y me enciendo; es una falta de respeto al boxeo, ¿cuál es el ejemplo que él da?»

P: ¿Y después de combatir contra él tienes la misma impresión?

R: Totalmente, le tengo respeto deportivo y a la persona. Pero mira, acaba de dar positivo en un antidopaje... ¡es que si no es una es otra! A ver cómo te lo puedo decir... mete la pata cada rato. No sé en qué quedamos con Chávez, es campeón y da positivo, en los dos combates anteriores tampoco hizo el control, se escapó por detrás, antes de eso ya dio otro...Los campeones tenemos que ser un ejemplo para la gente. Chávez es una falta de respeto para el boxeo profesional y para el deporte. Hay chicos que quieren ser como nosotros y él está por ahí dando positivo. ¿Cuál es el ejemplo que está dando Chávez? ¡Es que hablo de él y me enciendo! Pero tengo razón. La tengo, todos saben que la tengo, todos opinan lo mismo pero nadie se anima a decirlo.

P: Has hablado del Monumental (estadio de River Plate, para pelear allí), ¿Es posible en estos momentos?

R: Por ahora lo único que hice fue anunciar mi deseo. Parece ser que desde la comisión de River dijeron que ellos aceptarían un combate mío allí. Falta que todas las partes que tienen que negociar nos sentemos y lo hagamos, pero mi intención es hacer un combate en Argentina, en el campo de River.

P: Por último, ¿te lanzas a hacer un PXP (libra por libra ordenando de mejor a peor) a tus posibles rivales?

R: Mayweather, es un sueño mío. Cotto, con opciones... de Canelo se habló pero hasta el día del combate. Después, silencio. Como tuve una buena actuación... Pero el nombre se escuchó. También está la opción de un segundo combate con Chávez, pero hay que ver qué pasa con la sanción. Y poco más, mi tendencia es bajar a superwelter por una cuestión natural de mi cuerpo, soy bastante pequeño para el peso medio, así que André Ward no entraría en la lista de posibles... de momento.

Hamilton set to join Mercedes

Schumacher poised to retire with Hamilton believed to be bound for Mercedes; Sergio Perez the favourite to replace Hamilton at McLaren; Announcements expected later today

2012 Confirmation of Hamilton's intentions will bring to an end one of F1's longest-lasting transfer sags and is likely to herald the permanent retirement of Michael Schumacher, the sport's most successful driver, and the appointment of Sergio Perez as Jenson Button's new team-mate at McLaren for the 2013 season.

As tend to be the way of such things, after months of apparent deadlock it appears as if the the saga has suddenly accelerated towards its conclusion in the last twenty-four hours. According to some reports, McLaren themselves only learnt yesterday of Hamilton's decision - a decision which will send shockwaves through the sport.

According to The Daily Telegraph, 'Mercedes are waiting for their board in Stuttgart to sign off on the new Concorde Agreement, the commercial pact which binds the teams to the sport, before making an official announcement regarding Hamilton. That announcement should arrive today.'

A concurring Guardian adds that 'Hamilton will sign for Mercedes on a three-year deal worth £15m a year. The irony of that is that it is not significantly more than Hamilton is being paid at the moment. He is coming to the end of a five-year deal that has been repeatedly reported as being worth £75m, or £15m a year, but which in fact is worth about £13m-£14m per annum.'

Hamilton's departure from McLaren - the team with whom he has spent the entirety of his motor-racing career - will stun the paddock and is certain to kick-start the 2013 driver merry-go-round. It would also be one of the most remarkable transfers in the history of the sport given that Mercedes have won just a single grand prix since returning to F1 as a fully-fledged outfit three years ago.

After months of deliberation, however, the lure of a new challenge seems to have proved irresistible to Hamilton.

Santos campeão da Recopa

No ano de seu centenário, o torcedor do Santos ganhou mais um motivo para comemorar na noite desta quinta-feira. Isto porque o Peixe derrotou a Universidad do Chile, por 2 a 0, no Pacaembu, garantindo o título da Recopa Sul-americana, a segunda taça do clube na temporada – a primeira havia sido do Campeonato Paulista. Neymar, que voltou a perder um pênalti, abriu o placar e o zagueiro Bruno Rodrigo garantiu o triunfo sobre La U.

Com o título da Recopa, que reuniu os vencedores da Copa Libertadores da América e da Copa Sul-americana do ano passado, respectivamente, assegurado, o Peixe agora volta a concentrar suas atenções no Campeonato Brasileiro. O time alvinegro visita o Grêmio, no próximo domingo, a partir das 18h30 (horário de Brasília), no Estádio Olímpico.

O jogo –  Empurrado pela torcida que compareceu ao Pacaembu, o Santos começou o jogo assustando o adversário. Logo no primeiro minuto, Neymar arriscou uma finalização da entrada da área para o gol, mas a bola passou do lado direito do gol defendido por Johnny Herrera.

Após o susto no primeiro lance da partida, a Universidad do Chile amenizou a pressão santista, ficando com a posse de bola. Com toque de bola envolvente, La U quase chegou ao gol aos 12, quando Ubilla recebeu um passe em profundidade pela esquerda e cruzou para o meio da área, só que nenhum atacante do time chileno aproveitou para completar a jogada.

Melhor em campo, a Universidad do Chile voltou a oferecer perigo ao Peixe. Aos 21, Ubilla fez fila no ataque, com a bola sobrando para Aránguiz arriscar o chute de longe, mandando a bola por cima do travessão e deixando a torcida alvinegra preocupada.

Porém, a apreensão do torcedor, que não parava de incentivar a equipe um só minuto, passou quando a bola caiu nos pés de Neymar. Aos 27, Léo começou o lance e tocou para Felipe Anderson fintar um marcador, acionando a Joia, na entrada da área. Frio, o camisa 11 tabelou com André antes de bater no canto direito do arqueiro chileno, abrindo o placar para o Santos.

Mais calmo depois do gol, o time santista passou a se soltar mais em campo, dando trabalho para a zaga da La U. Aos 36, Felipe Anderson fez boa jogada individual e bateu firme, mas a bola saiu rente ao gol de Johnny Herrera.

Antes do intervalo, o Peixe teve uma grande chance de ampliar a sua vantagem no Pacaembu. Aos 45, Neymar fintou o zagueiro José Rojas e foi calçado pelo próprio defensor na grande área. O árbitro marcou pênalti e, no minuto seguinte, a Joia não foi feliz na cobrança, pois Johnny Herrera acertou o canto da batida e fez a defesa, no último lance do primeiro tempo.

No duelo de ida, disputado no dia 22 de agosto, em Santiago, Neymar também havia desperdiçado uma penalidade e o jogo havia terminado empatado, em 0 a 0.

Na volta para a etapa complementar, o técnico Jorge Sampaoli sacou o volante Matias Rodríguez para a entrada do atacante Francisco Castro. Além dessa alteração, o treinador da Universidad do Chile trocou um meia por outro: Charles Aránguiz deixou o gramado para a entrada de Guillermo Marino.

Aos seis, em cobrança de escanteio, La U quase chegou ao empate. No entanto, Ubilla não aproveitou o lance e, mesmo na pequena área, cabeceou sobre o gol de Rafael, assustando a torcida santista.

No minuto seguinte, o veterano Léo teve que ser substituído, devido a dores na panturrilha esquerda. Gérson Magrão entrou no seu lugar, passando a ocupar a lateral esquerda.

Mesmo com a pressão do rival, o Santos também ameaçava a meta chilena. E foi desta forma que, aos 15, os alvinegros chegaram ao segundo gol. Felipe Anderson cobrou falta do lado esquerdo e Bruno Rodrigo levou a melhor diante da zaga da Universidad do Chile, marcando o segundo gol do time da Vila Belmiro.

Após o gol, o técnico Muricy Ramalho colocou o volante Éwerthon Páscoa na vaga do lateral Bruno Peres, que era dúvida para a partida, visando reforçar a marcação pelo setor direito. Mais tarde, Patito saiu para a entrada de Miralles. Enquanto isso, Acevedo saiu para dar lugar a Paulo Magalhães, na La U.

Com o jogo praticamente definido, a Universidad do Chile lutou até o fim, chegou a assustar em um chute perigoso de Martínez, aos 40, mas o Peixe sustentou a vantagem até o último apito do árbitro, para a explosão de sua torcida, comemorando a conquista de mais um título.

Argentinos Juniors, cradle of the stars. Maradona " Argentinos is my house"

Though it may sound strange to some, especially those who do not keep abreast of the ups and downs of Argentinian football, few clubs have made as much of a contribution to shaping the identity and the success of the country’s number-one sport as Asociacion Atletica Argentinos Juniors.

Los Bichos Colorados, to give them their most commonly used nickname, are not regarded as one of the nation’s so-called Big Five, yet their lasting achievement has been to remain loyal to their footballing philosophy, which has led to them producing some of the most gifted and successful players to have graced the Argentinian game.

Diego Maradona, Juan Roman Riquelme, Claudio Borghi, Fernando Redondo and Esteban Cambiasso are just some of the talents to have emerged from the Argentinos academy. During the course of their history, the club from the modest Buenos Aires suburb of La Paternal have conquered Latin America and given as good as they got against Michel Platini’s Juventus.

In tribute to the club, FIFA.com tells the story of their 107-year existence.

Birth of an institution the origins of Argentinos Juniors can be traced to 1886, when the Chicago Martyrs, a group of trade unionists who died in their fight for better working conditions in the USA, inspired the world with their socialist ideas. In their honour a football club called Los Mártires de Chicago was created thousands of miles away in Argentina. Some 18 years later, that club merged with another by the name of Sol de Victoria to form the Asociacion Atletica y Futbolistica Argentinos Unidos de Villa Crespo.

The new outfit’s lengthy name caused a problem when it came to creating the club’s badge and it was subsequently shortened to Asociacion Atletica Argentinos Juniors. Its founders also quickly came to agreement on the team’s colours, deciding to replace the existing green and white kit with a red and black strip in tribute to the Socialist Party, which had just had its first member of parliament, Alfredo Palacios, elected toArgentina’s National Congress.

The making of alegend Just like every other club in Argentina, Argentinos Juniors had to fight hard to consolidate their place in the national first division. They achieved promotion for the first time in 1921 and stayed in the top flight for the next 16 years, at the end of which the club was immersed in crisis, having been evicted from their stadium and seen membership fall to barely 100.

Their battle to return to the top tier would continue over their next few years until their commitment to cultured football and a stylish passing game bore fruit in 1955. That team, coached by Francisco Fandino, played football that was a joy to behold and became known as El Tifón de Boyacá (“The Typhoon of Boyaca”, the street on which the club’s stadium is located).

The reputation Argentinos acquired made it easier for them to attract talented youngsters to their youth teams, among them one Diego Armando Maradona.

“They gave me a trial but they thought I was lying about my age and made me bring my papers the next day,” said El Diez who, with his sublime left foot, was the figurehead of Los Cebollitas, an Argentinos youth team that went down in history. Famed for crushing opposing sides, they captured the imagination of the fans and the football media, and it came as no surprise when the 15-year-old Maradona made his first division debut in 1976.

“Argentinos Juniors is my home. Every time I hear the name of the stadium I get shivers down my spine.”

Maradona's name graces Argentinos' stadium

Inspired by Pelusa, Argentinos made a name for themselves on the international front and acquired an army of followers. Maradona was the league’s top scorer for four straight seasons and the team, staying loyal to its time-honoured philosophy, finished championship runners-up in 1980.

Curiously, Maradona’s departure to Boca Juniors marked the beginning of the club’s golden age. In 1984 and with Roberto Saporiti at the helm, El Bicho won its first trophy of the professional era, the Metropolitano, as the national league was then known. The inspiration for that triumph was provided by the likes of Claudio Borghi, Sergio Batista and Pedro Pasculli, all of whom would appear alongside Maradona in Argentina’s FIFA World Cup™-winning squad in Mexico two years later.

That landmark win was just the start. The following year, under the tutelage of Jose Yudica, Argentinos enjoyed an unforgettable run of success, winning the league title (by this time known as the Torneo Nacional) and overcoming America de Cali in the Copa Libertadores final, the prelude to their defeat of Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force in the Copa Interamericana a season later. They ended 1985 by playing out one of the most memorable Intercontinental Cup finals of all time with Platini’s Juventus, going down only on penalties.

“If I’d played ten more games like the one against Juventus, I’d have been bigger than Maradona,” Borghi, one of the stars of the side, later said.

Financial problems would surface again in the 1990s, however, forcing the club to relocate to the province of Mendoza and sell some of their most promising rising stars. Having learned the ropes with the club from La Paternal, the likes of Cambiasso and Riquelme moved on to make their maiden first division appearances elsewhere.

The relegations of 1996 and 2002 threatened the very existence of the club, though not for the first time it was rescued by its commitment to nurturing gifted prodigies and the pride of its season-ticket holders. After making their way back into the first division and returning home to re-open their stadium, Argentinos won the 2010 Clausura, with former playing idol Borghi this time in the dugout.

The present Though some ways hort of the heights of the 1980s, Argentinos Juniors are enjoying a relatively comfortable existence in the first division these days. Semi-finalists in the 2008 Copa Sudamericana, El Bicho also appeared in the Copa Libertadores last year. The club now owns its own home, a mini stadium and two complexes where a wide range of other sports are played: Las Malvinas Sports Centre and the Diego Armando Maradona Football Complex.

The stadium Argentinos have changed their home many times over the years, playing their home games at the grounds of Huracan, Atlanta and Deportivo Espanol, the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas of Mendoza and even in Miami for a Super Cup match. It was with great glee, then, that the club’s supporters celebrated the reopening of their home ground on 26 December 2003.

Originally founded in 1940 and boasting a capacity of over 20,000, the stadium was renamed the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona. “Argentinos Juniors is my home. Every time I hear the name of the stadium I get shivers down my spine,” said Maradona in the film Bichos Criollos, which documents the history of the club and has just opened in a number of cinemas.

Niki Lauda " Alonso will be champion this season"

This season may be one of the most unpredictable - and exciting - in years, but three-time world champion Niki Lauda is never short of an opinion, so we thought we’d ask him to supply a few predictions on how 2012 will pan out. In typically forthright fashion, the Austrian assesses the strongest contenders for the title and gauges the likely outcome of this year’s ‘silly season’ driver line-up rumours…

Q: Niki, we’re enjoying one of the most exciting championships ever. Which of the contenders most epitomises your ideal of a champion?
Niki Lauda: Fernando Alonso - because he is making all the right moves. He is fast and he is getting the car over the finish line. He is aggressive when needed. He is Mr Right, right now.

Q: Which former great would you compare him too?
NL: That’s impossible. Every great driver is perfect for his time.

Q: When you were racing, what attributes did you need as a driver? And what ones do you need nowadays?
NL: They are the same. The requirements you need to become world champion never change. The package that you represent has to work now, just as it had to work back then. The commercial aspects have probably changed, but that in itself has nothing to do with the on-track performance. 

Q: But there are drivers who have a huge economic value even though they may not be the fastest on the track. Is that a recent development?
NL: If you want to be champion you have to do it on the track. It’s true there are years when the commercial aspects can prevail, but it has nothing to do with the title fight. The parameters in terms of that have never changed. 

Q: There are seven drivers who believe they could still win the title. Do you believe all seven are still contenders?
NL: Yes and no. Theoretically and mathematically yes. But the big question is whether Alonso will stop racing. (laughs) If so, then the others might get into a position where they can catch up. But why should he stop? I say that he will carry on racing the way he has done so far and then the list of those who count themselves still in the running is dramatically reduced. 

Q: What would Ferrari be without Alonso?
NL: Not as good. It is always the combination of driver and team that makes success.

Q: But isn’t it more to do with the driver? In the case of Ferrari and Alonso, there are differing opinions on the extent to which the car has been improved?
NL: It is always a combination of both sides. The team has to understand what is wrong with the car and the driver has to do the right thing. And then you can compensate for a poor start to the season. 

Q: If Alonso is your leading driver, how do the others line up behind him?
NL: The usual suspects: Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen.

Q: Raikkonen is third in the standings, even though he hasn’t yet won a race this year. Is it possible to have a win-less champion?
NL: Why not? The fascinating thing with Kimi is that he came back and didn’t need any warm-up time. It’s as if he had never been away. Fantastic.

Q: You were also a comeback kid and you won your third race after your return. In those circumstances, is there a worry you might have lost ‘it’?
NL: It depends. Kimi came back as if he hadn’t been away for two years. He was fighting immediately at the top. You cannot ask for more.

Q: Does that speak volumes about Raikkonen or about his peers?
NL: About Kimi. He’s the one who makes it happen. 

Q: Who would be your ideal world champion this season?
NL: Fernando Alonso. He will score the most points. He will be champion if he carries on like he has done up until now. Why should he change?

Q: And who will finish just behind him?
NL: No idea. I am no soothsayer.

Q: So let’s look at the ‘silly season’ and guess who is going where? Let’s start with Ferrari...
NL: No change. That is what I say today. Without knowing what I am talking about! (laughs) 

Q: Will Raikkonen stay with Lotus?
NL: Yes. Why should he change teams?

Q: What about Hamilton?
NL: Hamilton will stay with McLaren. 

Q: Mercedes?
NL: I have no idea what they are up to.

Q: What about Sergio Perez and Ferrari?
NL: I don’t see it. Perez would be a risk. Massa is predictable and Alonso likes him, so I say that such a switch is not going to happen.

Q: So you don’t see any of the much-talked about switches actually happening?
NL: I don’t see any mouth-watering switch being made.

Sabotaje en una Liga cada vez más "Triste"

Hace unos minutos que se ha confirmado oficialmente que el Rayo-Real Madrid se jugará, si no hay otro lamentable incidente de por medio, en unas 19 horas. Hasta hace un rato, los portavoces de la propia LFP transmitían mensajes y horarios diferentes. Un sainete vergonzoso. Eso sí, para sentir vergüenza, propia o ajena, es necesario tener un criterio, exigencia y respeto por tu trabajo e imagen. Cada vez dudo más que en este país muchas personas relevantes, de esas que deberían ser referencia, estén comprometidos con su trabajo y no puedan dormir sabiendo que están destrozando algo importante para muchas personas.

Uno pensaba que estaría aquí explicando las razones por las cuales José Mourinho apostó, como era lógico, por alinear a Ramos de titular tras castigarle días antes en el partido más importante del año. No voy a hablar de Varane, que en el estadio me pareció algo nervioso en su debut en partido oficial en la 12-13, porque lo pida Mourinho. Y es que, considero que la prensa debe elaborar sus informaciones lejos de los intereses de un entrenador, presidente, deportista o entidad. Por muy poderosa que sea.

Tengo que esperar unas horas para saber si, como decía Alkorta, una bronca en la caseta de Sevilla ayudará al Madrid a espabilar, como sucedió al Real Madrid con aquella famosa de Lleida. Todo porque hubo un sabotaje a la imagen de la Liga. Sucedió en Vallecas, pero pudo haberse producido en otro cualquier lugar. No fue cuestión de estadio humilde, porque el equipo que visitaba el barrio madrileño fue el hazmerreír en Europa hace años cuando unos descerebrados tiraron una portería abajo. ¿Por cierto, cómo se corta un cable sin quedar carbonizado? Parece cosa de CSI.

La imagen del sabotaje sufrido en los armarios de transformadores del Estadio de Vallecas. pic.twitter.com/zsG5wT88

La imagen que transmite la Liga es lamentable. Lo hace el mismo día que dos grandes ingleses se miden en un partido espectacular, en el que ambas aficiones se respetan en el homenaje a unas víctimas. Aquí quizá hay más nivel, porque tenemos unos jugadores espectaculares ya que España es envidiada por la calidad de sus futbolistas, pero situaciones así, el estado económico de las entidades o el constante sainete de horarios dicen muy poco a favor de nuestra capacidad organizativa. Si las cosas se hacen bien, es justo mencionarlo. Si se hacen mal, también.

Lo que no soporto es menospreciar el trabajo ajeno… solo por eso, por no ser propio. Es muy de este siglo mirarnos al ombligo. Pensar que lo nuestro es lo mejor, y el resto no es bueno. En los últimos años se ha convertido en moda la negación del trabajo ajeno en el periodismo. Si es bueno, no se cita. Y en el caso de hacerlo, sólo para menospreciarlo. En todos estos años, aprendí que si algo era tan relevante para concederle importancia en mi medio, lo primero era citar y luego buscar la manera de continuar esa historia brillante que otro compañero destapó hasta el punto de centrar mi atención. Ahora se lleva despreciar a otros compañeros y su trabajo. Cuando todo el mundo se esfuerza en un bien común, el colectivo se hace más fuerte. Intentar hacer la guerra cada uno por cuenta debilita al grupo.

Eso mismo pasó en el Mundial de ciclismo. Valverde se llevó un bronce, pero la sensación (al igual que pasara en los Juegos Olímpicos) fue que España perdió mucho más que una medalla de otro metal. No voy a entrar en repartir culpas. Me quedo con la pena de no ver corriendo otro año a Óscar Freire con un maillot arcoiris. Un ciclista extraordinario, peor valorado por sus paisanos que lejos de nuestras fronteras.

Por desgracia, eso también parece ir ligado al ADN del país. Quizá deberíamos reflexionar y pensar en lo que estamos haciendo. Es más fácil decir que ‘este circo está montado así’ que esforzarse por remediarlo. Mejor quejarse, pensar en teorías conspiratorias y poner paños calientes, que luchar por cambiarlo. Sí se puede cambiar. Y hacerlo en poco tiempo. En eso sí le doy la razón a Guardiola. “ Hace muchos años era impensable que España ganara un Mundial y que ganara dos Eurocopas seguidas”. Querer es poder. Y ahora se necesita querer. Con urgencia además.

Gilbert on top of the world

Philippe Gilbert has been crowned World Road Race Champion after a late break for glory proved successful in Limburg.

The Belgian rider came home four seconds ahead of Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen after the 261km race was blown apart on the final climb of the Cauberg.

The course was ideal for Gilbert, and his team-mates kept him well protected over the early kilometres as a large breakaway group built a lead of over five minutes.

But the field was back together as the action neared its conclusion, despite an effort from Britain's Ian Stannard and American rider Andrew Talansky.

Gilbert moved alongside Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) on the final slopes and his dig built a lead that would prove too much for the others to bridge.

The 30 year old had time to celebrate before crossing the line to emulate legendary compatriot Eddy Merckx, who also won a world championship on Dutch soil back in 1967.

Boasson Hagen beat Spaniard Alejandro Valverde in the sprint for second, with the remnants of the leading group coming home just behind, among them Jonathan Tiernan-Locke who proved best of the British team in 19th place.

Tiernan-Locke and Stannard were the only British riders left in the lead group with Mark Cavendish abandoning the race more than 100km from the end, with Bradley Wiggins, Alex Dowsett and Chris Froome also climbing off their bikes.

La bronca de Mourinho y sus jugadores en el vestuario del Sánchez Pizjuán, al descubierto

José Mourinho destapó la Caja de Pandora en la rueda de prensa después de perder ante el Sevilla. Lo hizo llamando la atención a la opinión de pública de que no tenía un vestuario profesional y solidario. Sin embargo, mientras él hablaba, sus hombres también lo hacían, a viva voz, en los vestuarios del club nervionense. Directivos que bajaron a felicitar a los suyos, integrantes de la plantilla sevillista y operarios del club vivieron 'in situ' comentarios que traspasaron las paredes. Para algunos fue sorpresa lo que se escuchó, pero otros ya sabían de qué iba la historia.

Mourinho: «No sois capaces de dar la cara por mí"

Nada más volver del césped, con los jugadores madridistas cabizbajos, Mourinho lanzó su primera 'bomba': «Yo voy a ir a rueda de prensa. No voy a enviar a nadie. Ya que vosotros no sois capaces de dar la cara por mí en el campo, me defenderé yo solo". Aquellas simples frases hicieron que los capitanes tomaran el mando una vez se marchó el técnico. En los ocho minutos que transcurrieron desde que el portugués pegó un portazo, dio su rueda de prensa y volvió, Casillas, Sergio Ramos y otros compañeros decidieron hablar.

«¡Somos el Madrid, hostias!», proclamó Casillas

Primero fue el portero quien quiso quitar hierro a las palabras del entrenador, intentando serenar el ambiente dando ánimos. «Venga chavales, qué nos pasa», dijo con tono conciliador. Continuó pidiendo «un poco más» a sus compañeros para finalizar con una arenga final: «¡Somos el Madrid, hostias!». No encontraron eco sus palabras, hasta que Higuaín decidió dar un paso al frente: «Todos sabemos lo que nos pasa, que nos falta el aire. No podemos respirar».

Higuaín: «Todos sabemos lo que nos pasa, nos falta aire»

El argentino provocó la reacción súbita de Sergio Ramos, quien se encontraba lejos de sus dos compañeros, con los 'fisios', pero no pudo contenerse. Con gritos que sorprendieron hasta en el vestuario local, el sevillano dijo lo que muchos, entre ellos Mourinho, callaban. «Lo que hay que hacer es tener más intensidad. Se juega como se entrena», aseveró el defensa con un tono que ascendía a medida que continuaba.

Sergio Ramos: «Xabi corre por cuatro de vosotros, que no hacéis nada»

El camero es uno de los que más ha criticado en privado la pretemporada del Real Madrid. Allá en Los Ángeles, Ramos considera que hicieron «de todo, menos lo que había que hacer», que era prepararse. Tras acabar el encuentro en la capital hispalense admitió a un amigo que la mayoría estaban «fritos» físicamente. Aquello se lo recordó a Higuaín, pero señalando a otros muchos. «Lo que no puede ser es que gente como Xabi (Alonso) no pueda con su cuerpo porque tenga que correr y jugar por cuatro de vosotros, que no hacéis nada».

Cuando dijo estas palabras llegó 'Mou' y logró sofocar el incendio que él mismo había provocado. «Ya hablaremos el miércoles, tras la 'Champions'», zanjó el tema. El madridista solo quería que los suyos se concentraran en ganarle al Manchester City. No dijo nada de lo que había hablado hace escasos segundos ante la prensa, pero sí avisó de que todo no iba a acabar ahí y que habría que decirse «muchas cosas a la cara».

Cristiano, indiferente

Tras la tempestad llegó la calma. Ya no hubo gritos, aunque sí conversaciones más templadas, que nadie escuchó fuera de las cuatro paredes del vestuario visitante. Decidieron quién hablaría con los periodistas y algunos, como Marcelo, se ofreció voluntario.

Al mismo tiempo que se producía la tregua, se establecía otra cuestión inquietante: el silencio de Cristiano Ronaldo. Calló en toda la bronca de Sergio Ramos, no dio ánimos acompañando a Casillas y tampoco decidió hablar. Ni triste, ni alegre, simplemente indiferente. Porque ese es el motivo del abatimiento de la estrella merengue. No es el líder, ni para lo bueno ni para lo malo.

Eso es lo que piensan los españoles del Real Madrid, quienes cada día tienen más claro que Cristiano quiso ocupar el puesto de altavoz de los suyos, pero no le han dejado. No es él quien da ánimos en los momentos malos, ni arenga con el espíritu madridista, ni tampoco señala a aquellos que no van en el mismo rumbo. Se siente perdido.

Para terminar una noche negra, Aitor Karanka tuvo que llamar la atención a Higuaín y Benzema antes de que se fueran camino del autobús. Ambos salían por los pasillos del Sánchez Pizjuán riendo, como si nada hubiera pasado. «Cada uno por separado, en silencio y callados», les obligó el segundo de a bordo, «o bien se cebará con nosotros todo el mundo», matizó. Así lo hicieron. Por su parte, Cristiano los miró, suspiró y decidió refugiarse en sí mismo.

Sahin: Youth tournaments are priceless

There can be few Turkish players with better first-hand knowledge of the advantages of playing internationally at youth level than Nuri Sahin. The 24-year-old midfielder has already made 32 senior appearances for his country, having shone as a youngster in different European and global tournaments. To many he is a model footballer, who has come through the ranks and since become an idol to younger generations.

2005 was an unforgettable year for the affable playmaker. First he led Turkey to UEFA European U-17 Championship glory in Italy, where he was also voted player of the tournament. He followed that up by playing a leading role in his country’s top-four finish at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru. There he was awarded both the adidas Silver Boot for finishing as second highest scorer and the adidas Bronze Ball as third-best player. All of a sudden, Nuri Sahin was a household world.

Sahin, born and raised in Germany, subsequently experienced a swift upturn in his career trajectory. He became the youngest ever player to appear in the Bundesliga after making his debut with Borussia Dortmund later that year. A first senior cap for Turkey soon followed, against Germany of all teams. Shortly after coming on as a substitute he put Turkey 2-0 up and today he remains both the national team’s youngest ever player and scorer.

When a short loan spell at Feyenoord ended, Sahin returned to Dortmund and was the attacking fulcrum of the championship-winning 2011 side, earning the additional honour of being voted Bundesliga player of the season. However, his ensuing eye-catching move to Real Madrid was overshadowed by injuries. With first team appearances at a premium in Spain, Sahin moved to Liverpool on loan for the current season.

The next couple of years hold two tournaments of particular interest to the midfielder. To begin with, he will be closely following the action in his homeland when the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 gets under way, where memories of his own participation in youth competitions are sure to come flooding back. Then comes the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, a tournament Sahin is determined to participate in, as he revealed to FIFA.com in an exclusive interview.

FIFA.com: In nine months the football world will turn its attention to Turkey...
Nuri Sahin: [laughs] Yes, definitely. We’re hosting the U-20 World Cup and I can tell you already that everyone is full of drive and anticipation preparing for it. It’s a great opportunity for Turkey to prove it can organise a big tournament. Football plays a huge role in everyday life in Turkey, maybe the biggest role. Not a day goes by when football isn’t mentioned. We’re so passionate. I’m really looking forward to it and I know that my compatriots will enjoy the tournament a lot.

You know the answer to this better than most people: how important is it for a young player to take part in a major international tournament?
It’s priceless, especially for their development. These kind of tournaments are the first step into professional football. You appear on television for the first time and you return home full of confidence because you’ve tested yourself against the best. I have wonderful memories of the U-17 World Cup in Peru in 2005. For me it was the perfect introduction and I had a lot of fun. The tournament made the next steps easier for me and was a big help in making me a better player.

“Football plays a huge role in everyday life in Turkey, maybe the biggest role.”

Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin

In your opinion, what is the Turkish U-20 team capable of achieving on home turf at next year’s tournament?
I have to say, I don’t know the team that well, but generally Turkish sides tend to go far once they’ve qualified for the finals. That’s why I’m convinced that the guys will make an impact. They’ll be well prepared and will go into each game with the whole country behind them. With those conditions in place, winning the title is well within the realm of possibilities.

Where do you think Turkish football currently stands compared to the world’s top teams?
Unfortunately the senior side wasn’t involved at the last two big tournaments, the 2010 World Cup and EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. That was a huge step backwards, especially when you consider that Turkey finished third at the 2002 World Cup and got to the semi-finals of EURO 2008. But it’s something we just have to accept and now we must look forward to the future optimistically.

Where does that optimism come from?
We have a new coach, we’re taking his playing philosophy on board and we’ll return to our former strength. But there’s one thing we can’t forget: there are no small teams in international football anymore. There are three or four sides at the top but it’s very close after that. That affects us too.

“We (Turkey) have a new coach, we’re taking his playing philosophy on board and we’ll return to our former strength.”

Nuri Sahin

What has been the biggest change under the new national team coach Abdullah Avci?
I think we’re all benefitting from him. He knows almost the entire team as he worked with several players in the youth sides. There’s no-one else in the whole country who knows the players as well as he does. For example, he coached me at U-17 level. The advantage is that he is aware of every player’s strengths and weaknesses.

Looking ahead to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, what can you achieve there?
Our first objective is of course qualification, no doubt about it. We’ve started fairly well and are confident going into the games. After losing 2-0 in the Netherlands we beat Estonia 3-0 at home. But we can’t afford to make the mistake of underestimating our opponents.

What are your personal aims for the next couple of years?
First of all, I’ll give everything to have a successful season at Liverpool and to play as many games as possible. Recently I’ve experienced how quickly an injury can set you back. And of course, I want to be in the starting eleven for Turkey. That’s my main aim and I think I’m close to achieving it.

To go to Brazil as a starter in the Turkish side?
That’s my goal and I’m confident I’ll be on the pitch in Brazil as long as I stay healthy. That’s what I’ll be focusing on.

fifa.com

Laudrup: Laud and proud

Football legend Michael Laudrup has begun life in charge of Swansea in positive fashion - guiding the Welsh club to fifth place after four games in charge.

With Brendan Rodgers taking the Liverpool job and seen as a tough act to follow, former Denmark international Laudrup has breezed seamlessly into the role and taken seven points from his first four games at the helm.

Considered one of the greatest players to have played the game, Laudrup enjoyed a stellar playing career that included stints with Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Ajax.

But despite the who's-who of European giants on his CV, Laudrup is keen to learn about Swansea's history and feels privileged to be part of the set up at Swansea City Stadium.

He told Revista: "The past is something that is very important to every club - the story and where the club has come from. You have to try to understand that when you come.

"This is a new country for me, it's a new culture - a new football culture as well. Whenever I get to a new country, I always try to understand what has happened before.

"I was really looking forward to coming here. There are packed stadiums away and at home and that's something that I've missed in Spain. I was managing Getafe and Mallorca and the stadiums were only half full.

"The first time I walked in was very special - a full stadium and they received me fantastically. We also won 3-0 so what more can I ask for?

"Overall, they picked me because they know my philosophy is more or less the same as the one that the club has had for the last few seasons with Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.

"Every manager has small things and I changed some of the things because the second season at the highest level is always the most difficult. The first season is difficult but the second, even more so because we're not a surprise any more.

"We are not newcomers anymore so we have to put something on top and I think we are working on that. We know that there will be bad days, bad weeks and maybe even a bad month but nobody can take away what we already achieved."

Capture

Swansea fans have been particularly taken by Michu - one of Laudrup's first signings over the summer.

The 26-year-old was a hit at Rayo Vallecano last term and notched 15 goals in La Liga, yet cost the Swans just £2m in what may prove to be one the shrewdest pieces of Premier League business this year.

Michu was quickly to work on the goalscoring front - notching three goals in his opening two games from the club to capture the fans' imagination and ensure a solid start for Laudrup's reign.

Laudrup said of Michu: "Nobody could know that he was going to score three goals in the first two games. Things are not that well in Spain because of the economy so we got a lot of quality for reasonable money.

"What would a British player cost if they had scored 15 goals for a small club in the Premier League? Probably four or five times that amount. That's the difference between foreign players and domestic players - domestic players are always much more expensive.

"In the normal football world in Spain, a player like Michu - after what he did last season - would go to Atletico Madrid, Sevilla or Malaga for a certain amount of money but it shows how things are unfortunate there.

"I'm happy that he's here but also sad on behalf of Spanish football because there's so many problems there. It's hard times."