sports news
Talking a good game
16th June 2008
TALKING A GOOD GAME
Fiery Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari has been confirmed as the next Chelsea manager and will take over at Stamford Bridge on July 1. The English media will be bracing themselves for some brilliant soundbites:
"Jesus said we should turn the other cheek. Unfortunately Figo is not Jesus Christ."
Scolari after Porugal captain Figo headbutted Holland's Mark Van Bommel at the last World Cup.
"This is war, and I have to kill and not be killed."
His analysis of top level football.
"If someone talks about my private life, for example, I'll give them a good punching. I'm not interested in suing. I like to sort things out my own way."
The Brazilian will not suffer fools easily.
BIG PHIL - A NEW ERA FOR CHELSEA
Roman Abramovich has made no secret of his desire to see Chelsea play entertaining football after watching the previous few seasons under the pragmatic but cautious approaches of Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant. Deco, David Villa and Kaka are all rumoured to be transfer targets of Scolari as the Brazilian attempts to bring his more creative brand of football to Chelsea.
Big Phil - as he is known to his mates - has a great track record. He has managed an abundance of clubs throughout the years but is probably most famous for his recent achievements with Portugal and Brazil. He lead an unfancied Brazil to a World Cup triumph in 2002. Two years later he took Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 only to lose to Greece. In 2006 he almost tasted World Cup success again after taking Portugal to the semi-finals.
However Scolari has a fiery temper and has been involved in no shortage of controversy in the past. He has punched journalists and was involved in an infamous row with the Brazilian media after refusing to pick Romario for the 2002 World Cup. Last year he slapped Serbian player Ivica Dragutinovic after he had squared up to a Portugal player. It looks like there will be no shortage of entertainment at Stamford Bridge next season.
GROUP OF DEATH LIVES UP TO EXPECTATIONS
Who would have thought the World Cup holders Italy and the runners-up France would be needing Romania to drop points in their final match to even stand a chance of qualifying? Holland conquered the 'Group of Death' after crushing France 4-1 and Italy 3-0 and will deservedly field a weakened side when they face Romania in their final group match. The Romanians have impressed and they may have enough in their tank to produce one final shock and defeat Holland to put Italy and France out of the competition.
The French will be hugely disappointed after their opening two games and Italy's campaign would have been over had it not been for the heroics of Gianluigi Buffon against Romania. Both sides will be out to prove their worth when they face each other this week after a hugely embarrassing start to the campaign.
MURRAY DOUBT FOR WIMBLEDON?
Tennis fans eager for Wimbledon to start will be sweating over the fitness of Andy Murray after the Scot was forced to withdraw from his quarter-final with Andy Roddick in the Artois Championships because of a thumb injury. The fiery Scot is Britain's best hope for years and the tournament wouldn't be the same without the usual dose of 'Murray Mania'.
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