Tired and emotional: Toon star Cabaye admits Euro 2012 left him knackered...

France midfielder has looked below his best so far this season and admits he's not at full pelt just yet – but expects to cope with 60-game campaign!

Yohan Cabaye has admitted that post-Euro 2012 fatigue has affected his form – but insists Newcastle can cope with a gruelling 60-game season.

The France midfielder says he has not matched last season’s top ­performances after 11 consecutive months of football have left him exhausted.

Cabaye will lead the Toon midfield tonight against Everton before they jet to Madeira to face Maritimo on Thursday night for the first of six Europa League group games.

He said: “This is going to be a long season with more games, but we will be ready for the demands.
“It is true that it was hard straight after the Euros.

“I had four weeks holiday and it is the first time in my career I have had to come back to my club after a big ­international ­competition.

Read more - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/everton-v-newcastle-toon-star-1327436

Euro 2012 stars on way back for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson praises Shinji Kagawa's show in Shanghai

Sir Alex Ferguson is to fast-track Manchester United’s Euro 2012 performers into pre-season duty after hailing Shinji Kagawa’s credentials following the Japanese midfielder’s match-winning display against Shanghai Shenhua.

Kagawa, a £17 million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, capped a standout display against Manchester United’s Chinese opponents on Wednesday by scoring the only goal during the club’s third game of a far-reaching pre-season tour.

United fly back to Manchester on Thursday before facing games against Valerenga, Barcelona and Hannover next month as they continue their build-up to the new season.

Ferguson, who insisted that the club remained in the hunt for additional signings with Robin van Persie and Lucas Moura the leading targets, has seen Kagawa make an instant impact in a United shirt during his appearances on tour.

Read More - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9427686/Euro-2012-stars-on-way-back-for-Manchester-United-as-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-praises-Shinji-Kagawas-show-in-Shanghai.html

London 2012: Stuart Pearce wanted Euro 2012 players

Stuart Pearce says the Olympic Team GB men's football selection process should have been different, claiming "there's players not here who should be".

Pearce's side are in friendly action on Friday against gold medal favourites Brazil, who are expected to feature Neymar and Oscar.
Pearce told BBC Sport he should have been allowed to select under-23 players who took part in Euro 2012.
"We have to take our best to every tournament we possibly can," he said.
Pearce's remarks represent a U-turn after he had originally described the Football Association's decision to rule England's Euro 2012 players out of the Olympics as a "sensible football decision".
Goalkeeper Jack Butland is the only player who travelled with England to Euro 2012 who is in the Olympic squad after receiving special dispensation.
Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were among the under-23 players who featured for England at Euro 2012.

Read More - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18909061

Euro 2012 proves a treat, on and off the pitch

The conclusion of Euro 2012 was marked by Spain's magnificent victory against Italy and a noisy party that was still in full swing as dawn broke behind the vast bowl of Kiev's Olympic Stadium.
And after a tournament that started amid fears of hooliganism and racism, both Ukraine and Poland had every right to celebrate an event that did both countries great credit.
Logistical problems and prohibitive travel prices meant empty seats at many games - including the final that brought Spain's 4-0 masterclass. This was a real shame as every unoccupied yellow and blue seat at that final represented a missed opportunity to witness something special.
This was, however, a wonderfully enjoyable tournament, on and off the pitch. From the searing heat of Donetsk's Donbass Arena, through Warsaw and on to exciting, edgy Kiev for the final, the people of Poland and Ukraine were friendly, welcoming and unfailingly polite and helpful.

Read More - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2012/07/euro_2012_proves_a_treat_on_an.html

Euro 2012: Wayne Rooney owes England a point or three as they search for a place in the quarter finals

For England there are two Euro 2012s. The second with Wayne Rooney, and the first without.

Television cameras can stop obsessing about him in the stands now and start filming him on the pitch, where he returns not as the naughty boy of English football but its “ace in the hole”, to use Roy Hodgson’s phrase.

The threat of rioting in the dressing room will be averted when Hodgson recalls Rooney from his unnecessary disciplinary exile.

Hodgson said last week his players would revolt if their star was made to wait for his place and Rooney now bears a responsibility to repay that support.

Forgiveness and faith stem from the knowledge that he is England's most potent player. The country’s dependence on him points to the relative shallowness of the talent pool Hodgson has had to draw from.

Even their training ground is called the Dry Ponds Stadium. Yet despite the early gloom Hodgson’s men have fought their way to a draw with France and a victory over Sweden. The hard work leading up to this second game in Donetsk has been done by others.

Read more - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9337257/Euro-2012-Wayne-Rooney-owes-England-a-point-or-three-as-they-search-for-a-place-in-the-quarter-finals.html

Double boon for Balotelli as City striker is named in Italy's provisional squad for Euro 2012

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli is the only Premier League representative in Cesare Prandelli's provisional Italy squad for Euro 2012.

The controversial striker is part of a list of 32 names which will be cut to 23 on May 29, less than a fortnight before the tournament in Poland and Ukraine kicks off.

Prandelli has also included five uncapped players - Mattia Destro, Emanuele Giaccherini, Ezequiel Schelotto, Marco Verratti and Angelo Ogbonna - the latter two of whom ply their trade in the second division.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/euro2012/article-2143902/Euro-2012-Mario-Balotelli-named-Italy-squad.html#ixzz1upzqwdHO

UEFA and Orange launch UEFA EURO 2012 app

With less than two months to go before the start of the UEFA European Championship, UEFA and Orange have teamed up to unveil the Official UEFA EURO 2012 mobile app.

With less than two months to go before the start of the UEFA European Championship, UEFA and Orange have teamed up to unveil the Official UEFA EURO 2012 mobile app – the definitive source of information on Europe's top national team football tournament.
Available on eight mobile platforms including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Bada and Java, the free app provides up-to-date news on the teams and tournament, live text commentaries, video interviews, premium paid-for highlights, statistics and personalised push notifications allowing fans to get the latest news on their favourite teams. For the first time, from a EURO app, fans will be able to share tournament news and updates with friends and family via Facebook and Twitter.

Read more - http://www.uefa.com/uefa/events/marketing/news/newsid=1783669.html

UEFA doesn't want Euro 2012 fans to be turned off by cost, scarcity of Ukraine hotels

Travelling fans should not let the scarcity and cost of hotel rooms in Ukraine put them off attending matches at the Euro 2012 finals, leading UEFA official David Taylor said on March 6.

Taylor, UEFA's former general secretary and now the head of its marketing company, praised the enormous strides taken by co-hosts Poland and Ukraine in preparing for the first major soccer championship to take place in eastern Europe, and stressed to fans there were alternatives to avoid being ripped off in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters at Warsaw's impressive new national stadium where the Championship opens in exactly three months on June 8 when Poland face Greece, Taylor said: "There are issues with Ukrainian hotels - the main ones being the high prices being charged for one, two and three star hotels.


Read more: http://www.kyivpost.com/news/euro2012/general/detail/123966/#ixzz1ozNWW810

Hoddle backs Redknapp for Euro 2012

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle believes the Football Association will want Harry Redknapp in place for Euro 2012 rather than plump for a stop-gap appointment.
The Spurs boss remains the overwhelming favourite for the national team position, although there are suggestions a temporary boss could be in charge at Euro 2012. Stuart Pearce would be a logical short-term solution, while some have called for the temporary reappointment of a former England boss like Terry Venables or Hoddle.
The latter does not think such a scenario is likely, and said: "I think Harry will take the job and I think whoever takes the job should take it into the Euros. Whether they want to appoint a manager like myself, who has done it before and has it on a shorter term scenario, and is experienced - there aren't many around - I don't think that is going to happen."
Hoddle added: "It would be a foreign way of looking at it. I am sure that is something other countries would look at sometimes. Whether we would be prepared to look at that, I don't think that will happen.
"I think they will go for Harry and I think he will become manager at the end of the season and take the team to the Euros."

Read More - http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5ijCbKQlQ-w6cSmNmnZmrXm914NuQ?docId=N0951441331106763834A

Last chance to book your tickets for EURO

The countdown is on for supporters of the 16 participating national teams at UEFA EURO 2012 as ticket sales to these fans will finish at midnight CET on Friday 2 March.
The clock is ticking for fans wanting to follow their teams at UEFA EURO 2012 ahead of the close of ticket sales for participating national associations at midnight CET on Friday 2 March.

Sales for fans of participating associations
A specific ticket allocation has been reserved for supporters of the 16 participating teams, with tickets being sold exclusively on UEFA.com based on the nationality and/or country of residence of the applicant. Lotteries will determine which applicants receive tickets, and whether your application was made now or when sales began on 12 December 2011, you will have an equal chance of booking your place in Poland-Ukraine.

Read more - http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=1755785.html

UEFA EURO 2012 finals lineup complete

The finals lineup for UEFA EURO 2012 has been settled after Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal came through their respective play-off ties on Tuesday.

The finals lineup for UEFA EURO 2012 has been confirmed after the play-offs concluded on Tuesday.
Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal all completed aggregate victories to book their tickets for Poland and Ukraine. They join the ten teams that reached next summer's tournament from the qualifying group stage, and the two co-hosts.
The 16 teams that will compete for the Henri Delaunay Cup are:
Poland (co-hosts)
Ukraine (co-hosts)
Spain (holders)
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Greece
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Republic of Ireland
Russia
Sweden
UEFA will confirm the seedings for the finals draw on Wednesday. The draw takes place in Kyiv on 2 December. The tournament runs between 6 June and 1 July 2012.

Article source - http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/newsid=1716342.html

Gerrard would be "perfect" England captain, says Rooney

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has put aside club rivalry by stating that Liverpool's Steven Gerrard would be the best man to lead England at Euro 2012.

Euro 2012

England are without a permanent coach or captain after John Terry was stripped of the armband by the Football Association pending a racial abuse trial and manager Fabio Capello quit in protest.

"For everyone asking, I would love to be England captain. But that's up to new manager to decide. Gerrard is perfect choice for me," Rooney wrote on his Twitter feed.

Rooney, who cannot play in the first two Euro 2012 group games against France and Sweden because of suspension, is seen by pundits as an unlikely pick for captain with Gerrard the bookmakers' favourite for the role whoever takes over as coach.

Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce is in temporary charge for this month's friendly against Netherlands with Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp tipped by Rooney and the media to be approached about becoming the fulltime coach before or after Euro 2012.

FA chairman David Bernstein is determined not to rush an appointment and said age was no barrier to 64-year-old Redknapp.

Read More - http://football.uk.reuters.com/leagues/euro2012/news/2012/02/12/414213A4-5569-11E1-BBB2-C4F37F33923B.php

Fabio Capello risks undermining England's preparations for Euro 2012

The Italian's public disapproval of the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy could make or break the end of his tenure.

The tensions at the very top of the English game have been laid bare. Fabio Capello is due back at his desk on Monday, though any hopes the Italian may have had in keeping his visit brief before heading for Merseyside to scrutinise Steven Gerrard's form and fitness may have been dashed by the few succinct words he afforded Rai 1 on Sunday night. David Bernstein, the Football Association's chairman, will be seeking a meeting.

By publicly voicing his disapproval at his employers' decision to remove John Terry from the captaincy, a move taken out of his hands, Capello has risked critically undermining England's preparations for the summer's European Championships in a manner potentially far more serious than his ill-advised commercial online venture the "Capello Index" ever did back in 2010.

The Italian was known to be frustrated at seeing his favoured leader deposed while Terry awaits trial for a racially aggravated public order offence allegedly made in an altercation with the Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last October. Terry has strenuously denied wrongdoing.

Read more - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/06/fabio-capello-england-euro-2012?newsfeed=true

Poland wants Euro 2012 to showcase its success

WARSAW: Poland hopes Euro 2012 will attract about a million tourists and showcase its economic success and political stability at a time when a debt crisis has engulfed most of the European continent, said Sports Minister Joanna Mucha.

Poland and Ukraine will co-host the European soccer games in June and July and Warsaw has pegged an ambitious infrastructure building programme - the largest since the country overthrew communism in 1989 - to the tournament.

"The championship is a fantastic opportunity to build up our image, as abroad it is often still far from true. We expect around a million soccer fans and tourists to visit Poland during the games," Mucha said in an interview authorised for release on Tuesday.

Read More - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/euro-2012/Poland-wants-Euro-2012-to-showcase-its-success/articleshow/11699596.cms

UEFA's Platini wishes Russia victory at Euro 2012

UEFA boss Michel Platini and FIFA head Sepp Blatter have arrived in St Petersburg to take part in the opening of the CIS Cup, and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Russian Football Union.
­“First of all, I wish a happy birthday to the RFU,” Platini said. “Secondly, I wish you a successful performance and a Russian victory at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. Thirdly, I wish Zenit and CSKA a successful performance in the playoffs of the Champions League.”

Read More - http://rt.com/sport/football/platini-blatter-putin-euro2012-223/

Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair targets Euro 2012 spot with England

SWANSEA CITY winger Scott Sinclair has set his sights on a place in Fabio Capello’s Euro 2012 squad.
Capello watched Sinclair star as Swansea ran Arsenal ragged at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday and is known to be an admirer of the 22-year-old after his performances for England Under-21s last season.
Sinclair was not one of the four Swansea players contacted by the Football Association about playing for Team GB at this summer’s Olympics in London.
It’s a decision he believes has opened the door for him to force his way into the England squad for the European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Swansea’s front trio of Sinclair, Danny Graham and Nathan Dyer have all been touted as possible England internationals since the 3-2 defeat of Arsenal and Sinclair believes an impressive campaign could see his Euro 2012 dream come true.


Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2012/01/18/swansea-city-winger-scott-sinclair-targets-euro-2012-spot-with-england-91466-30143577/#ixzz1jzpQGp83

Torres could miss Euro2012 - Del Bosque

Madrid - Spain striker Fernando Torres could miss selection for next year's European championship if he does not get more playing time with Premier League club Chelsea, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has said.

In an interview with the Spanish sports daily As on Friday, the former Real Madrid coach said Torres's poor club form was a worry.

“There are five months until the European championship during which everything could turn around but if the situation does not change it will be hard for him,” Del Bosque said.

The 27-year-old striker, who scored the goal against Germany in 2008 that won the Spanish their second European title, has netted just five times in 23 games since his January move to London from Liverpool and seven of his 12 Chelsea appearances this season have been as a substitute.

“Fernando deserves respect for his record and he has our confidence but if he is not playing, there are certain things that are obvious,” Del Bosque added.

“If he plays and he is on form he'll go to the Euros. He has contributed to the successes and he has room for manoeuvre.”

Torres's form has become more of an issue for the world champions since the nation's all-time top scorer David Villa broke his leg playing for Barcelona this month.

Villa should return in time for the tournament in Ukraine and Poland but Del Bosque has other options for the forward line, including Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente, who is currently out injured, and Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo.

Article source - http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/torres-could-miss-euro2012-del-bosque-1.1206577?showComments=true