Au Revoir to 'Les Bleus'

World Cup 2006 Runners-up France have bowed out in South Africa after a 2-1 loss to the hosts at the Free State Stadium.

After a poor group stage showing, which produced just one goal for the French national side, the boys in Blue must travel home to a country which will not be welcoming them back with open arms.


It must be said that the French never looked likely to perform well this summer. After scraping through the qualifying stages and 'cheating' their way past the Republic of Ireland, the off-field scuffles, during the World Cup, managed to affect the French performances on a massive scale.

Florent Malouda was dropped for the first game against Uruguay after apparently being 'held back' from French coach Domenech during a team meeting. The French never looked dangerous against the South American side, and ended up lucky to finish with a 0-0 stalemate.

Malouda was back in for the next game against Mexico but the French side looked like a team with no confidence in their manager. They went down 2-0 and looked unlikely, from that stage, to qualify for the second round.

More drama was to come before their final game when Nicolas Anelka was sent home by the France National Team for 'abusive language' aimed at Domenech, the man central to this catastrophe. This led to a strike from the players who refused to train just days before the clash with South Africa. French Captain, Patrice Evra, was also filmed ranting at a French Coach. He was subsequently dropped and lost his captaincy for the final group game.

It is awful to see such talented players fall well below thier potentials however, in Mexico and Uruguay, we have two teams brimming full of quality, progressing to the second round. Also, with England's game against Slovenia tomorrow afternoon, it is time for the country to bring out the flags once more and cheer our boys to victory and a place in the knock-out stages...

Chris Anderson Interview..

Progressing from Burnley FC’s Centre of Excellence, Chris Anderson would be rightfully dubbed as a ‘promising youngster’. He has the talent, desire and determination that helps create a successful professional sportsman.

Chris, who was born in Burnley on October 2 1990, worked his way up the Turf Moor chain and gained a two-year apprenticeship at the age of 16.

A professional contract with his lifelong club, signed at the age of eighteen, was due to his ‘maturing’ and aggressive’ play out on the pitch and I predict that it won’t be too long before his name is on the lips of Claret fans everywhere.

On the way to Turf Moor I can admit to dreading the interview. Would this perhaps be another arrogant youngster, thirsty for fame and no passion for his club? I’m glad to say that I couldn’t have been more wrong.

When asked about the future, all that seemed to be on his mind was representing his home town. “Playing for Burnley would be the dream. My main aims are to work hard and hopefully break into the first team squad.”

Even as a youngster Chris stood out. “My parents said I had a clear knack for football. I was scouted at the age of 8 and was signed up a year later to be on the youth system at Turf Moor.”

He was interestingly given the name ‘Scorer’ at the age of ten when he hit five goals in one match. “There were two other Chris’ in the team and it was just a way of avoiding confusion. The name has stuck with me ever since, even though I don’t score as many goals now. Occasionally the lads change it to ‘Misser’ if I spoon a chance.”

Being basically the same age as Chris I was intrigued to find out how much being a professional footballer altered his life. “I still have the same bunch of mates I had at school and they all understand I can’t go out drinking with them as much anymore,” he said with a grin, “but that’s part of my life now”.

What is your daily routine? “I get up at 9am and head to Turf Moor for breakfast before heading to Gawthorpe for two hours training. Then it’s just back to Turf Moor for lunch. Easy life really.” Cue a cheeky smile. “I have an afternoon sleep, then it’s the computer or PS3 if I don’t have a game or a session at the gym with my mates.” What a life..

Being a professional footballer obviously has it’s perks. The glamour, the money, the pride. “I get paid for doing something I enjoy.“ However, things can turn nasty. Over-intrusive media can be a hassle and being noticed everywhere can’t be too pleasant. “I can still go out anywhere and lead a normal life as I’m not instantly recognisable by people who don’t actually know me. Eventually it could be a pain but I have to make the most of the opportunity I have now and try my utmost to keep my private life, private. Easier said than done,” he says again with the cheeky grin.

As mentioned before, Chris’ main aim is too pull on the claret and blue jersey in front of 20,000 Burnley fans at Turf Moor, but I had found a young man with his head firmly screwed on. “My short term aims are to keep injury free and impress in the reserves. The final aim would be to earn a further extension to my current contract.”

After the recent departure of Icelandic midfielder, Joey Guðjónsson, things are looking promising for Chris. A step down for Burnley to the Championship after a disappointing season in the top flight will be an ideal situation for the management staff to throw our man into the thick of the action.

Then I asked a question that really made him think. I’d heard that Sheffield United were interested in securing his services and wondered whether or not he would prefer first team football away from his beloved club, or if waiting for his chance at Burnley was a better option.

“Well, playing football regularly at a decent standard would be more satisfying than waiting in the wings. Hopefully I can do both a Burnley.”

And for some reason, I had utter belief in him.

Bank Holiday Weekend Review..

What a few days it has been..

Relegations and promotions are confirmed throughout football, United and Chelsea both win to set up a last day battle for the League title, Neil Robertson wins at the Crucible, Rory McIlroy gets back to form at Quail Hollow and the World 20twenty starts in the West Indies.

Scenes of mixed emotions were on show at Hillsborough as Sheffield Wednesday could only manage a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, inevitably sending them crashing out of the Championship to third-tier English football. The famous stadium was awash with tears come the full-time whistle, except of course in the away end. Palace, who had earlier on in the season been deducted 10 points for entering administration, had stayed up by the skin of their teeth. A draw on the last day was enough to keep the London side afloat in the Championship and the joy on their fans faces was held in stark contrast to the despair on the faces of the Wednesday fans.


Goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were enough to earn Chelsea a deserved three points against a lacklustre Liverpool side at Anfield. Chelsea attacked from the off, prompting mistakes from the Liverpool players, and Drogba put the Blues ahead after a brilliant through-ball from Steven Gerrard. Lampard made it two after the break, meaning Man United would have to win at the Stadium of Light to take the Premier League Title to a last-day decider. They did this courtesy of a 1-0 win, with Portugal's Luis Nani grabbing the goal. United will have to hope that Wigan can travel to Stamford Bridge and get a positive result joint with a home win over Stoke at Old Trafford.

Neil Robertson beat Graeme Dott 18-13 to become Australia's first World Snooker Champion. Robertson, who now rises to World Number 2, is the first player, from outside UK and Ireland, to win the championship at the crucible since Canadian Cliff Thorburn in 1980.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy won his first PGA Title at Quail Hollow after shooting a course record 62 round. The 20-year-old is the youngest winner on the tour since Tiger Woods in 1996, after beating second placed Phil Mickelson by four shots. "I'm delighted - I don't think I've ever played a better round in my life," McIlroy said afterwards.

And finally, in cricket, the World 20twenty competition has got off to an entertaining start at its St Lucia, Barbados and Guyana venues. England posted a mammoth score of 191-5 off 20 overs but the rain affected game was won by the West Indies who finished on 60-2 off 5.5 overs due to the Duckworth-Lewis method. This disappointing loss has brought the D/L Method into question as for its suitabilty in the shorter style of cricket.

I've got no problems with it in the 50-over form but I know it's made us very frustrated - it certainly has to be revised for this form of the game." said England captain, Paul Collingwood.

The Stage is Set...

I was at Old Trafford this weekend to see United turn up the heat on title challengers Chelsea with a 3-1 win over Tottenham.

Two well taken penalties from veteran Ryan Giggs and an elegant chip from Nani ensured the Red Devils took all three points and continue to press for the historic fourth title in a row.

The atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams was subdued and nervous for major chunks in the game, with United looking unimpressive and far from creative in the first half.

Evra won a penalty after half-time which Giggs dispatched past Gomes for his first goal from the spot for United in the league and the win looked likely to come easily until Ledley King equalised soon after with a towering header beating Carrick in the air.

Cue Luis Nani to take hold of the game. Macheda slipped the ball through and with Nani's pace there was only one outcome. A beautifully manufactured chip and Old Trafford erupted.

Another late goal for United proving that hard-work pays dividends. Macheda was looking dangerous for United but it was Nani again causing problems with his pace. The protugese winger was hauled down in the area with just a few minutes to go and Giggs stepped up to finish the game. Relief.

70,000 United fans were on their feet showing their appreciation for a performance against a side who had beaten both Arsenal and Chelsea in recent weeks.

Leaving the North stand I could sense the buzz amongst the fans. Could United steal the title right from under Chelsea's nose after seeming to lose it many weeks ago? Football is a beautiful game and anything is possible. Except Liverpool winning the Premier League perhaps..

The Blues emphatic 7-0 win today against Stoke showed that they aren't feeling the nerves that could affect their performance and it's now up to Liverpool to do United a favour and get a result next week at Anfield against the London side. Will it happen, Wont it happen?

Liverpool seem to still be pushing for the fourth spot and Champions League football, however, by beating or drawing on Sunday they could be handing United the title on a Golden plate, which would see the side from Manchester taking their collection of Top flight trophies to one above Liverpool.

With Torres out for the rest of the season, the red side of Manchester will be urging Gerrard and Co. to halt Chelsea in their tracks, however, will the likes of Lucas, N'Gog and Kyriakos be good enough to even compete after a poor season?Football fans across the World will be waiting in anticipation for this Weekend's games and I'm sure the seasoned entertainers will add another twist in the tale...

Weekend Overview..

As the curtain comes down on a memorable weekend for sport, I take a look back at some of the action.

'El Clasico' brought together two of the World's best club sides, Barcelona and Real Madrid, at the magnificent Bernabeu stadium. Goals from Lionel Messi, who continued his impressive scoring record, and Pedro helped ensure Barcelona took three points back to the Nou Camp and the Catalan side now hold the edge in the Spanish title race.

Also, in football, Portsmouth and Chelsea are into the FA Cup Final after winning their respective semi-finals at Wembley. Chelsea disposed of Aston Villa on saturday with three goals late in the game and Portsmouth left it even later against Spurs, scoring twice in extra time to set up an interesting final which will see the Premier League's top club play already relegated Pompy.


In golf, Phil Mickelson claimed his third green jacket after triumphing at the Masters in Augusta. Mickelson finished on 16 Under Par after four rounds with two eagles on day three helping him push towards the title. The return of Tiger Woods was another major talking point which added to the splendour of the Masters, with the World Number One finishing in joint fourth place. Mid-way leader Lee Westwood, of England, finished second. This was his highest placed finish in a major golfing tournament and he is confident that a major prize will be his with a determined attitude in the future.

Finally, Tony Mccoy raced to Grand National victory with horse 'Don't Push It' on his fifteenth attempt at winning the famous steeplechase at Aintree. The pair were 10-1 joint favourites and pipped Black Apalachi to the post by five lengths. Don't Push it jumped with Black Apalachi at the last hurdle but pulled away to give trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner JP McManus their first wins.

Photos By: BBC Sport

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Two headed goals, either side of half time, were enough to give the home side the three points on a mild evening at Borussia Park.

Marco Reus put Gladbach ahead after just six minutes before Dante sealed the tie early in the second half.

48,500 fans created an electric atmosphere before and throughout the game showing a German passion for football similar to that shown at every other game of the season.

Heading to the 'Fanhaus' two hours before kick-off for a pre-match drink, you could feel the atmosphere brewing as the German fans washed down Bratwurst sausage with copious amounts of beer. It was going to be a memorable night..

You could sense the Gladbach faithful were confident of a win against a side ten points ahead of them in the table, and thankfully for them, the Frankfurt side failed to turn up.

Goalkeeper, Logan Bailly, was hardly troubled all game as the away side failed to capitalise on any of their possession. I was sat behind a Frankfurt fan who didn't seem at all bothered about the result but was more interested in finding out which English team we all supported. In fact, this is a general theme i have found with German fans who seem more interested in the atmosphere than the game itself.

At just 25 Euros you can't go wrong with top tier German football. Borussia Park is a magnificent stadium and the atmosphere created is something special.

British football is, no doubt, at a higher standard than that of German at this level, except perhaps Bayern Munich, however, that is no reason for the crazy prices that English fans have to pay to see their home team week in, week out.
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I would definately recommend a visit to Borussia Park or in fact any Bundesliga stadium purely for the experience, the atmosphere, the food and of course, the beer.

Heartbreak for Red Devils...

Wayne Rooney's appearance on the teamsheet gave Old Trafford a massive boost and obviously the players as United raced to a three nil lead against German giants, Bayern.

However, Olic's cheeky goal before half-time and Rafael's silly red card left United with an uphill battle to contain the side from Munich and Arjen Robben's beautifully struck volley sent the Reds crashing out of Europe at the Quarter Finals stage.

Old Trafford was stunned to silence and, with ten men, United never looked capable of the goal that would send them through to face Lyon in the semi-final, especially with Berbatov still looking like a lost puppy in the red shirt.

The loss has left United fans shocked after two successive Champions League final appearances and, with a three goal lead before the half time whistle, the defeat hurts that little bit more with dreams of the Bernabeau already emerging...

To add insult to injury, Wayne Rooney looked to have left the pitch with a recurrence of the ankle problem that lead to him leaving Germany last week on crutches. Wayne will be instrumental for the end of season run-in if United still believe they can beat Chelsea to the title.

Positives, however, can be taken from this early exit. No more midweek games will leave a fresher squad for weekend Premier League matches, starting away at Blackburn on Sunday. Also, Rafael will learn from his mistake and should grow into a more experienced player, learning from his childish error that resulted in the red card.

Squad morale will be low at the moment but if anyone can rally the troops to go on to win a record breaking number of titles, it's Sir Alex. A win away at Ewood Park this weekend could spark the revival that will see a fresher more confident team heading to Eastlands to face an in form Manchester City side.

The future addition of 21-year-old Javier Hernandez to the squad helps give United great ambition for the coming years as the young Mexican striker looks to prosper in his footballing career. Exciting times for United...