John Terry To Miss 3 European Matches With Chelsea

John Terry Has Been Banned 3 European Matches With Chelsea Following The Controversial Red Card against Barcelona In Semis 2nd Leg ( UEFA Champions League ).The England international will miss the Blues' next two European outings, which will be their European Super Cup tie against Atletico Madrid as well as their first group game in European club football’s elite competition.Chelsea have three days in which to lodge an appeal, although that appears unlikely given Terry’s frank apology for the incident after the game."I feel I've let them (team-mates) down, I've apologised and I apologise to the fans," he said after Chelsea had secured their place in the final.He added: "It does look bad on the replay. I raised my knee but hopefully the people out there who know me, know I'm not that kind of player."At the time I was bewildered, but looking at the replay it looks a red card. On a personal note, of course (it hurts I miss the final). But we deserve to be in the Champions League final."I really hope that doesn't take away from this win."Despite Terry’s absence Chelsea secured one of the finest results in their history on their way to claiming their first ever Champions League trophy.A goal down when Terry was handed his marching orders, the Blues fought back to claim a 2-2 draw despite conceding a spot-kick which Lionel Messi missed while the west London side were 2-1 down on the night.Chelsea went on to beat Bayern Munich in the final to secure the trophy and their pace in next year’s competition, knocking Tottenham down into the Europa League in the process.

Sri-Lanka Wins 1st T20 Against Pakistan

A Low Scoring Game Match at Hambantota Came To An End as Sri-Lanka Gained a 37 Runs Victory Over Pakistan.Sri Lanka put on a brilliant bowling and fielding performance to post a comfortable 37-run victory over Pakistan in their opening Twenty20 international on Friday.Pakistan were bowled out for 95, their lowest T20 total against Sri Lanka, after restricting the hosts to 132-7 in Hambantota.Sri Lankan pace men Nuwan Kulasekera, Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga and debutant off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake took two wickets apiece after man-of-the-match Thisara Perera scored a crucial 32 not out.Opener Ahmed Shehzad top-scored for Pakistan with 36 while the extras contributed 19 runs, the second-highest of the innings. Umar Akmal (12) was the other batsman to reach double-figures.Pakistan never recovered after losing two wickets off the first two balls of the innings, with Kulasekera removing skipper Mohammad Hafeez and debutant Shakeel Ansar.The Sri Lankan bowlers were backed by their fielders, with Perera and Kulasekera each taking a superb catch.Left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir earlier grabbed three big wickets as Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka.He jolted the top order when he dismissed skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara in his opening three overs to reduce the hosts to 31-3.Tanvir finished with 3-12 off four tight overs, his best performance in Twenty20 internationals, while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal bagged two wickets for 20 runs.Perera smashed two sixes and as many fours in his 16-ball knock to help his team make 43 runs off the last 22 balls.Lahiru Thirimanne, making his T20 debut, was the other main scorer with a 25-ball 30.Sri Lanka made a poor start after electing to bat, losing four wickets in the opening eight overs with just 39 on the board.Tanvir struck with his third delivery when he had Jayawardene caught by Shoaib Malik in the covers and then had Dilshan caught by Umar Gul at fine-leg in his next over.Sangakkara (19) hit three successive fours off paceman Mohammad Sami before he inside-edged a Tanvir delivery onto his stumps.The second and final Twenty20 match will be played on Sunday.

Liverpool's New Manager Confirmed:Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers Has Been Appointed Liverpool's New Manager After Kenny Dalglish was Sacked After Disappointing 8th Place In EPL.Rodgers, who had initially turned down one of the most demanding jobs in the Premier League, replaces Kenny Dalglish after the Scot was sacked in the wake of Liverpool's disappointing eighth place finish last season."He was our first choice and the right choice," Liverpool chairman Tom Werner told a news conference at Anfield.Liverpool's main owner John Henry added in a statement: "We do not expect miracles overnight nor should anyone else. But we firmly believe that the direction the club is heading in will lead to Premier League championships."Swansea had announced on Wednesday that the 39-year-old Rodgers had been offered the Liverpool job subject to compensation being agreed with the Welsh club. That was settled on Thursday evening."I'm blessed to be given this opportunity," Rodgers said."I'm really excited and I can't wait to get started on this incredible project going forward. I promise to dedicate my life to fight for this club and defend the great principles of Liverpool Football Club on and off the field."Rodgers turned down an offer to talk to Liverpool earlier this month and the Merseyside club's American owners then held discussions with Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez.The Northern Irishman said Liverpool, five times champions of Europe in their heyday, had been too good an opportunity to turn down. He said his initial rejection was out of respect for his previous employers.Rodgers guided Swansea to a respectable 11th place finish in the Premier League last season, their first campaign at the highest level since 1983.He led the club to promotion from the Championship (second division) via the playoffs after moving to Swansea in 2010 following spells in charge of Watford and Reading.Liverpool have been searching for a replacement for Dalglish, whose second spell in charge at Anfield ended after their worst league finish for almost 20 years.Dalglish did steer Liverpool to a League Cup triumph and an FA Cup final appearance last season but the club are desperate to get back into the top four and mount a title challenge."Brendan Rodgers's appointment today as manager of Liverpool Football Club is one of the most important steps we will take in building the kind of club on and off the pitch supporters can be excited about." Henry said."Brendan's comprehensive football philosophy is perfectly aligned with those at the club and those soon to join the club. He was the first choice unanimously among them and he had no hesitation at all in embracing exactly what we want to try to build at Liverpool."Once the dominant force in English football, Liverpool have not won the championship since 1990.They finished the 2011-12 campaign 37 points behind champions Manchester City and recorded their fewest wins (14) in a top flight season since 1953-54."The style of football Brendan is associated with is exactly what we want to see at Anfield," Werner added."Aggressive, attacking play; Swansea were a revelation last season with their brand of entertaining football. But it's not just what he has achieved in the last two years that has impressed us."He has dedicated his career to coaching, has studied the game all over Europe and he is the perfect person to take this club forward."

Eden Hazard On his Way to Stamford Bridge

The Belgium Star Eden Hazard Is Rumoured To Go To Chelsea for £78m  As He Has Tweeted In Twitter That '' I will Join The Uefa Champions League Winner ''. Eden Hazard announced on Monday that he is joining Chelsea as Roman Abramovich took another decisive step in his rebuilding of the squad that won the Champions League.Chelsea have beaten off competition from Manchester City - who had been clear favourites to sign the exciting Belgium international but grew frustrated at the negotiations - Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur after becoming the only club who would go close to meeting the forward's demands.City are thought to have walked away from the deal last week with Spurs giving up some time ago. Hazard, currently on international duty and preparing to face England in a friendly this weekend, indicated to Chelsea on Saturday that he was set to accept their offer and yesterday took to the social media site Twitter to announce that he had "made up my mind", adding last night: "I'm signing for the Champions League winner."Chelsea will pay a fee of around euros 40?million (pounds 35.3?million) to Lille, with Hazard having demanded wages of pounds 4.6?million a year net of tax, so around pounds 9?million a year for his new employer. That averages out at pounds 170,000 a week.In addition his agent, John Bico, who has conducted an aggressive auction has made it clear that he wants a fee of pounds 6?million. If all the demands are met and with Hazard expected to agree a five-year deal, it means the overall cost of the signing, fees and contract will amount to around pounds 78 million which, even by Chelsea standards, is a substantial investment.Chelsea hijacked City's deal after receiving a call from Bico on the eve of the Champions League final with the agent telling them that he could persuade Hazard to join them if his demands were met. The 21 year-old can provide some of the width and creativity that Chelsea have lacked although where he fits in remains to be seen as he has suggested he wants to play as a classic 'No?10' - as does Juan Mata.The signing probably ends Chelsea's interest in the Brazil international Lucas Moura, a prime target for previous manager Andre Villas-Boas.Chelsea are without a permanent manager with interim head coach Roberto Di Matteo on holiday and not dealing with transfer targets and negotiations. Instead, technical director Michael Emenalo is working with Abramovich to conduct Chelsea's transfer business, which has so far included signing the German international wide midfielder Marko Marin for pounds 6.5?million from Werder Bremen and releasing Jose Bosingwa and Salomon Kalou, while Didier Drogba, also out of contract, is leaving having agreed a deal with the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.It can be expected that the signing of Hazard will hasten the departure of Florent Malouda, who has a year left on his contract and is considering a number of offers, including a lucrative deal from a Turkish club. Paulo Ferreira has also been told he can leave with Chelsea aiming to sign a new right-back. They have again been offered Ajax defender Gregory Van der Wiel, who was a target of former sporting director Frank Arnesen.Hazard becomes the fourth Belgian in the Chelsea squad but, unlike the other three - Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and goalkeeper Thibault Courtois - he will not be loaned out.Courtois spent a successful season with Atletico Madrid and is set to go back to Spain. It was announced yesterday that first-choice Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, who recently turned 30, had signed a new four-year deal.Hazard has enjoyed a hugely successful season in France, where he was named Ligue 1 player of the year for the second season running after scoring 17 goals in 37 league games.City spent 15 months wooing Hazard, who was their guest at the recent Manchester derby, having also been shown houses in the area that afternoon. It had been claimed that Chelsea tried to sign Hazard in January but their interest is far more recent.Abramovich has already told his aides that he intends to create a young, hungry new team for next season. Chelsea also have a deal in place to sign Hulk from Porto, but that was negotiated by Villas-Boas.Hulk's agent, Teodoro Fonseca, has insisted Chelsea remain interested.Chelsea are also in the market for a top-class striker but matters are complicated by Fernando Torres's continued presence at the club and the claims that he has been guaranteed by Abramovich that he will have more opportunities next season.

Kolkata Knight Riders wins maiden IPL 5 Title

Kolkata Knight Riders Celebrating.

Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed the defending champions to grab their maiden IPL title in a nail biting finish on Sunday night.Riding high on Manvinder Bisla's 89 off 48 balls. The visitors acheived 191 runs target with five wickets and two balls to go.Earlier, while chasing 191 runs total, Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a big blow in the last ball of the first over when they lost their skipper Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir was bowled out by Ben Hilfenhaus at the score of two runs. After Gambhir's early departure, Manvinder Bisla took control of the chase and slammed 'quick' fifty off just 27 balls to resurrect KKR's chase. Bisla slammed three sixes and five boundaries to reach this milestone.Experienced Jacques Kallis and Bisla knitted precious partnership for KKR in sttering the team to a comfortable position in chase. Both of them built huge 136 runs partnership to steer out Kolkata to a commanding position in the game before Bisla was caught out after scoring 89 runs off just 48 balls. Bisla slammed five sixes and eight boundaries in his stupendous knock.However on the other hand Kallis was holding the fort; he went on to hit fifty in forty balls.KKR still in need of 39 runs when Bravo striked to scalp Laxmi Ratan Shukla at the score of three runs. He was soon followed by Pathan at the score of one run.With Kallis and Hasan on crease, Kolkata needed twenty runs in last two overs. The visitors suffered another blow in the penultimate over when Kallis was caught out at the score of 69 runs with KKR still 16 runs short of the target. But Shakib al Hasan and Manoj Tiwary steered Kolkata to their maiden IPL title.First it was Murali Vijay and then Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey who lead Chennai's attack against the visiting side in the 'grand finale' of the circketing extravagenza on Sunday night here. Murali Vijay (42 off 32), Raina (73 off 38) and David Hussey (54 off 43) powered Chennai Super Kings to 190 runs total against Kolkata Knight Riders.After electing to bat first, Chennai Super Kings started off strongly in their quest for third consecutive IPL title. Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey slammed KKR bowlers to collect quick runs across the ground. Chennai's first fifty came in just thirty five balls.Murali and Hussey added eighty seven runs for the first wicket before Vijay was dismmissed after a fantastic catch by Shakib Al Hasan. With one six and four boundaries, Vijay added 42 runs off 32 deliveries.Despite Murali Vijay's departure,  Michael Hussey continued to rain runs from the another end.  Hussey took 38 deliveries to slam fifty runs.Suresh Raina, who came in to bat at number two after Murali's departure, took control of the situation and continued the momentum to slam quick fifty of just 27 balls.Hussey was dismissed by Kallis after stupendous 54 off 43 balls in the eighteenth over.While attempting a big shot, Suresh Raina was caught out in the last over at boundary line. He was dismissed by Hasan after a superb 73 off just 38 balls.Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained unbeaten at the score of fourteen runs. 

Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to win Copa Del Rey Final

Messi  Celebrating after winning Copa Del Ray Title.

Barcelona have collected a record 26th Copa Del Rey Title,defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the Vicente Calderon as Pep Guardiola's illustrious era came to a close.The Blaugrana were ahead after three minutes thanks to Pedro's opportunistic finish following a corner. Lionel Messi, and a second from Pedro, put Guardiola's side three up inside the opening half hour to all but confirm the 14th trophy of a phenomenal tenure. In a repeat of the 2009 final the opening goal came inside three minutes as Barcelona started at a breathtaking tempo.Messi gave Athletic a early warning as he was able to run at the opposition defence before putting his shot narrowly wide, before Adriano crossed for Pedro whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. The Catalans opted to swing the delivery in, and it reaped rewards when the ball fell to Pedro who reacted first to open the scoring.The Basques looked to retain possession in the hope of building a sustained period of pressure on Jose Pinto's goal, but despite the keepers nervous clearances Athletic never truly threatened.Barca continued to exploit the openness of Athletic's defence as Messi cut inside from the right before bending a goal-bound effort toward the top corner. But for Gorka Iraizoz's flying save, Marcelo Bielsa's side would have fallen further behind.The Argentine, however, was not to be denied a second time. Messi latched onto Andres Iniesta's perfectly weighted through ball, taking it into his path with the outside of his left foot before lifting it into the roof of the net with his right.And Barca extended their lead when Pedro curled a precise finish into the far corner, following Xavi's delicate lay off five minutes later.The third goal appeared to awaken Athletic Bilbao as they threatened immediately after the restart with Markel Susaeta forcing Pinto into a smart save.However, Bielsa's side could have conceded a fourth when Messi managed to evade the attentions of Fernando Amorebieta latching onto a long ball, the wily Argentine attempted a lob from inside the area but it lacked the sufficient height to beat Iraizoz.Fernando Llorente, who had cut a lonesome figure in the attacking third for Athletic, was finally offered some support as the Basques found their passing rhythm. Iker Munian slid a pass through to Athletic's talismanic striker who turned expertly beyond Gerard Pique before, with a clear sight of goal, falling to ground only to see his claims for a penalty waved away by the referee.Bielsa made two changes at the break in the hope of overturning the three goal deficit in the second half, the Argentine coach introducing Inigo Perez and Ander Herrera.The changes had an immediate impact on the game as the Basque began to prevent Barca from dominating possession and territory, and were even afforded the first chance of the second half. Substitute Herrera slid an inviting through ball to Ibai Gomez but his attempted lob over an onrushing Pinto dropped beyond the target.As the second half progressed the Catalans appeared to be content with their three goal lead as Athletic's chances were limited to set pieces.With the contest seemingly over Guardiola's side appeared to be content with their three-goal lead as Athletic failed to create an opening. In fact Barca continued to look the more likely as they broke away, with Pedro denied a hat-trick thanks to a last-ditch tackle.Messi then embarked on a typically magical run, evading the challenges of four Athletic defenders, only to be denied a second goal by Iraizoz's outstretched boot.Despite the substitution, Athletic were gifted a golden chance to register a goal when Jon Aurtenetxe was left unmarked at the far post only to direct his header wide of the target from point blank range.Xavi, one of the players to symbolise Barca as a club, was then given a resounding exit by Guardiola as the Catalan's looked to stroll to a comfortable finish.The win, a 14th trophy for Guardiola in four years, cemented his place as the most successful Barcelona coach as he brings his legacy to a close, leaving the reigns to Tito Vilanova.

Krakow Zoo's Elephant to Predict Euro 2012

Krakow Zoo's Elephant Citta To predict Euro 2012 Tournament As He also Predicted Chelsea To win Final Of Uefa Champions League.The South African 2010 World Cup had Paul the Octopus to predict the scores, But this Time Meet Citta.The 33 year-old Citta, Krakow Zoo’s largest inhabitant, will now be applying her wisdom in predicting the results of the forthcoming Euro 2012 football tournament, which begins in Poland and Ukraine on 8 June.“Elephants have great intuition and I am confident that Citta will correctly indicate the favourite,” said zoo director Jozef Skotnicki during a press conference on Monday.Citta beat off competition from two other Krakow Zoo residents, a parrot and a donkey, by correctly predicting that Chelsea would win the European Champions League final in Munich last weekend.As Euro 2012 draws near, Citta will be offered fruit emblazoned with the flags of competing teams, and her instinctive choices will have bookmakers on tenterhooks.

Community Shield: Chelsea Vs Man City : Uefa Super Cup:Chelsea Vs Athletico Madrid: