Classy Lyon lose to Wolfsburg

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Champions: The Wolfsburg players and staff celebrate winning their first Women's Champion League

This game was played at the Stamford Bridge. 

The Women’s Champions League winner has been crowned and it’s not Lyon who was on the verge of creating history. Lyon was the better side through and through yet they could not manage a win. Appearing in their 4th consecutive final, Les Fenottes put on a show until the final whistle. However, they were not awarded a penalty when Ivonne Hartmann handled in the box, yet on the other end, the decision went the Germans way when a ball was handled in the Lyon area allowing  Martina Muller to strike home the lone goal of the match.

However, I think the ref was bad in this game when it boiled down to decision making. The penalty not given to Lyon should have been awarded when the defender moved her arm to the ball. The one given was not a penalty as Laura Georges only had herself in a bad position. I think the ref got caught up with all the German excitement in town and decided to award the Germans a penalty.

Nevertheless, congrats Wolfsburg.

Highlights from the game:

Merchandise on sale ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Merchandise on sale ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

A general view during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Zsanett Jakabfi of VfL Wolfsburg tackles Camille Abily of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Zsanett Jakabfi of VfL Wolfsburg tackles Camille Abily of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Camille Abily of Olympique Lyonnais is marshalled by Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and Megan Rapinoe of Olympique Lyonnais battle for the ball during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Lena Goessling of VfL Wolfsburg battles with Amandine Henry of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Martina Muller of VfL Wolfsburg battles with Amandine Henry of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Louisa Necib of Olympique Lyonnais controls the ball as Anna Blasse of VfL Wolfsburg closes her down during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Louisa Necib in action for Lyon!

Conny Pohlers of VfL Wolfsburg (R) shields the ball from Louisa Necib of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Conny Pohlers of VfL Wolfsburg (R) shields the ball from Louisa Necib of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Lena Goessling of VfL Wolfsburg (C) battles with Elodie Thomis of Olympique Lyonnais (R) during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Louisa Necib of Olympique Lyonnais competes for the ball with Lena Goessling (R) of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Lena Goessling of VfL Wolfsburg and Camille Abily of Olympique Lyonnais compete for the header during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Manager of Olympique Lyonnais Patrice Lair gestures from the touch-line during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Lyon’s manager, Patrice Lair

Martina Muller (L) of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot with Alexandra Popp (R) of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Martina Muller (L) of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot with Alexandra Popp (R) of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Luisa Wensing of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates the goal by team mate Martina Muller during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Elodie Thomis of Olympique Lyonnais battles with Ivonne Hartmann of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Manager of Vfl Wolfsburg Ralf Kellermann celebrates victory with assistants after the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Laura Georges of Olympique Lyonnais appeals to Referee Teodora Albon after she was penalised for handball in the area during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Martina Muller of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates with her team mates after victory during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

A dejected Laura Georges of Olympique Lyonnais looks on after defeat in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Don’t worry Laura, we have next season to contest again

A dejected Wendie Renard of Olympique Lyonnais looks on after defeat in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Wennie looks rejected

Manager of Vfl Wolfsburg Ralf Kellermann looks on during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Manager of Vfl Wolfsburg Ralf Kellermann

The champions:

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg lifts the trophy after victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

VfL Wolfsburg players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

VfL Wolfsburg players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

VfL Wolfsburg players celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

VfL Wolfsburg players celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

UEFA President Michel Platini presents Captain Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and team-mates celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and team-mates celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg kisses the trophy after victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and her team mates pose with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and her team mates pose with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Nadine Kessler of VfL Wolfsburg and her team mates celebrate with the trophy after victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

(L-R) Navina Omilade, Nadine Kessler, Alisa Vetterlein, Stephanie Bunte and Conny Pohlers of VfL Wolfsburg celebrate with the trophy during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final Match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

VfL Wolfsburg playes celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between VfL Wolfsburg and Olympique Lyonnais at Stamford Bridge on May 23, 2013 in London, England.

Chelsea, City star in 7 goal thriller

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Comeback completed: Micah Richards' goal was City's fourth and the one that decided the result

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech (Blackman 61mins); Azpilicueta (Ferreira 45mins), Ivanovic (Luiz 45mins), Cahill (Ramires 45mins) , Christensen; Mikel; Mata (Oscar 45mins), Benayoun, Loftus-Cheek (Ake 80mins), Cole; Ba (Torres 45mins) Goals: Ba 14, Azpilicueta 45 (pen), Oscar 53

Manchester City  (4-2-3-1): Hart (Wright 45mins); Zabaleta (Maicon 62mins), Kompany (Richards 45mins), Rekik (Boyata 80mins), Clichy; Garcia, Y Toure (Huws 45mins); Rusnak (Milner 62mins) , Tevez, Silva (Nasri 45mins); Aguero (Dzeko 45mins)

Goals: Garcia 63, Dzeko 64, 85, Richards 90

Manchester City played some terrific football last evening as they took on Chelsea in front of 48,263 people at the St Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium. But they had the task of coming from behind to win 4-3 against the recent Europa League champs.

In the 14′ Ba opened the score sheet with a jumping header and in the 45′ Azpilicueta converted a penalty to take the team up 2-0 after Rekik bought down Mata in the box. Chelsea certainly looked on course to cruise through with a win when Oscar delivered the third goal for Chelsea, but Man City struck back and they came back deadly.

Javi Garcia scored in the 63′ and it was quickly followed by a second for the Sky Blues a minute later when James Milner’s cross connected with Dzeko who found the back of the net. Carlos Tevez assisted Dzeko’s second in the 85′ and Huws assisted the last goal which Micah grabbed.

Don’t feel sorry for Chelsea though. They have endued the whippings of Man City all season long. Ask them.

See exciting highlight video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zSjI4bsFnM

From the game:

Head boy: Manchester City's Micah Richards completed a remarkable turnaround against Chelsea Head boy: Manchester City's Micah Richards completed a remarkable turnaround against Chelsea Close encounter: Demba Ba headed Chelsea into a first-half lead Cruising: Chelsea stormed into a three-goal lead

Have no idea what Hart was doing here

Spot on: Cesar Azpilicueta put the Blues 2-0 up from the penalty spot late in the first half ... and the game seemed won when Oscar rounded Richard Wright to make it 3-0 to Chelsea ... and the game seemed won when Oscar rounded Richard Wright to make it 3-0 to Chelsea Battlestations: The game was played in a competitive spirit, with established stars happy to stick the boot in Battlestations: The game was played in a competitive spirit, with established stars happy to stick the boot in Fighting back: Richards congratulates Edin Dzeko, the scorer of City's second and third goals

Ramires #7 of Chelsea is tripped by Gael Clichy #22 of Manchester City wile moving the ball up the pitch during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Oscar #11 of Chelsea scores a goal against Richard Wright #29 of Manchester City during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Yossi Benayoun #30 of Chelsea trips over Albert Rusnak #55 of Manchester City of Manchester City while going for the ball during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Edin Dzeko #10 of Manchester City and Paulo Ferreira #19 of Chelsea fight for control of a loose ball during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Carlos Tevez #32 of Manchester City fights Ruben Loftus-Cheek #33 of Chelsea for the ball during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Albert Rusnak #55 of Manchester City controls the ball against the Chelsea during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

That’s Albert Rusnak in action for City

Sergio Aguero #16 of Manchester City looks to hold Gary Cahill #24 of Chelsea off the ball during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

David Silva #21 of Manchester City controls the ball against the Chelsea during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Carlos Tevez #32 of Manchester City moves the ball up the pitch against the Chelsea during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Pablo Zabaleta #5 of Manchester City controls the ball against the Chelsea during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Fernando Torres #9 of Chelsea shakes hands with Carlos Tevez #32 of Manchester City after playing during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Yaya Toure #42 of Manchester City takes the ball past Andres Christensen #32 of Chelsea during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Carlos Tevez #32 of Manchester City controls the ball against the Chelsea during a friendly match at Busch Stadium on May 23, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Thanks: Players were appreciative of the crowd, and will hope for more of the same in New York Thanks: Players were appreciative of the crowd, and will hope for more of the same in New York

Behind the scenes with Sharon (City’s club photographer):

Chappy relaxes

The Etihad Airways representatives

Aliens Moonchester and Moonbeam enjoyed the game

Monaco splash some money on new signings

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Newly promoted to the Ligue 1, Monaco is going full speed ahead with their spending plans, purchasing João Moutinho and James Rodriguez for €70m. The transfers will go through at the opening of the market and the players will be presented to media when the club choose.

João Moutinho

James Rodriguez

Nice signings.

The next signing shall be their main target, Mr. Rademal Falcao.

Do note: AS Monaco is owned by Dmitry Evgenevich Rybolovlev, he owns the Russian potash fertilizer company Uralkali & has a net worth of $9.1 billion

Stalement in the Bahamas as Spurs and Jamaica end match scoreless

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Jamaica squad: Richard McCallum (Andre Blake 45th), Daniel Gordon,  Alvas Powell, Xavian Virgo, Obrian Woodbine, Damion Williams, Jermaine Hue (Montrose Phinn 71st), Keammar Daley (Jermaine Johnson 66th), Evan Taylor, Darren Mattocks, Jeremie Lynch

Spurs squad: Brad Friedel (Hugo Lloris 45th), Jake Livermore, Steven Caulker, Michael Dawson, Kyle Naughton (Benoit Assou-Ekotto 40th), Kyle Walker, Mousa Dembele (Gareth Bale (60th), Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ryan Mason,  Lewis Holtby, Jermaine Defoe (Emmanuel Adebayor 45th)

 

Spurs played out to a 0-0 draw at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium last night in front of a boisterous crowd (thought the stadium looked empty to me).

The match started dull and lacked in pace and rhythm but came alive in the 7′ when Jermain Defoe was provided with the first opportunity of the game courtesy Michael Dawson but failed to hit the target where it should have hurt (but it did not hurt). In the 39′ Kyle Walker limped off after a strong challenge from Evan Taylor. The match went into half time scoreless and Andre Villas-Boas made some changes in the second half which included bringing on Hugo Lloris. The final 20 minutes was exciting though with chances at both ends. Darren Mattocks rifled a powerful shot on target but Lloris was quick to save at his near post. On the other end Jan Vertonghen was denied by the legs of the wonderful Andre Blake.

Bale, who came on as a 60′ sub, came close to scoring his late specialty from the edge of the box, but Blake could only parry the ball into the path of Steven Caulker who buried the rebound but was ruled offside.

I think the draw was a fair one. Both teams played well and I was impressed with both Blake and Lloris.

Jamaica, here in the Bahamas for a 12-day pre-World Cup camp, will remain here for another match against the Bahamas national team on May 31. Stats fail me at the moment, but I think the last time the two teams met, Jamaica won 6-0 and Luton Shelton had a hat trick, one being a converted penalty.

From the match:

Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, The Bahamas

Familiar faces: Andre Villas-Boas selected a strong Tottenham team

Game changer: Mousa Dembele was replaced by Bale after 61 minutes

Gareth in action against Jamaica

Instant impact: Gareth Bale came on for Tottenham after 61 minutes and came close to scoring the winner

Head over heels: Bale attempts an acrobatic effort for Spurs

Ruled out: Steven Caulker pounced with a late strike, but saw his goal ruled out for offside

Caulker offside

Observing: Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas (centre) looks on from the touchline

Grazie Mancini! Fans thank former City boss

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Well, he thanked us when he pulled out an ad in the Manchester Evening News  and now City fans are returning the favor.

According to the reports:

Manchester City fans will thank former manager Roberto Mancini in the same manner he said goodbye after raising £7,000 to pay for an advert in Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport.

More than 700 fans donated money to the ‘Grazie Mancini Fund’, a week after the departed boss put an advert in the Manchester Evening News. City legend Francis Lee helped to publicize the campaign.

City fans, led by University of Nottingham student Adam Keyworth, 21, plan to donate any money raised over the price of the advert to a local Manchester charity. He started the online campaign and told BBC Sport:

“We raised £5,000 in the first two days and the money has just continued to pour in.

“We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Mancini as the sacking was quite messy so we’re hoping, now we have the money, to put the ad in this weekend.

“I’m told Mancini is aware of the plan. After his advert last week we thought, what better way to say thank you to him?”

Keyworth has thanked those who have donated toward the ad via Twitter:

“Thank you to everyone who has donated, supported or publicized this; it just shows what fans can do when they pull together. Very proud to be a blue at times like these.

“Every single donation has been from everyday City fans and not one from any of our celebrity support.

“Incredibly, as donations continue to pour in, I am in the position to give every penny over the advert fee to a local Manchester charity, so more people benefit from this idea.”

**** Thanking dailymail.com and bbc.co.uk for the reports above.

This is Mancini’s ad:

Thank you: Roberto Mancini took out an advert in the local paper thanking the City fans for their support

It’s a shame the owners of the club don’t have the same degree of class and integrity as the fans. City fans are wonderful!

Announcement: Europa League winners to be awarded spot in Euro elite

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UEFA will announce on Friday that the winners of the Europa League will be awarded a place in the Champions League from 2015.

The move is designed to boost the profile of European football’s second-rate tournament which was won by Chelsea earlier this month.

Winners: Chelsea have already qualified for next season's Champions League after finishing in the top four

EUROPA LEAGUE WINNERS
(* indicates that they had not qualified for the Champions League)

YEAR WINNERS
2013 Chelsea
2012 Atletico Madrid*
2011 Porto
2010 Atletico Madrid*
2009 Shakhtar Donetsk*
2008 Zenit St Petersburg
2007 Sevilla
2006 Sevilla*
2005 CSKA Moscow*
2004 Valencia

Both Chelsea and Benfica were eliminated from the Champions League after they failed to qualify from their respective groups.

The new ruling will mean that England could have five Champions League places from 2015-16 if one of its clubs lifts the Europa League in 2015 and finishes outside the top four.

Wigan, Swansea and Tottenham will be England’s representatives in the Europa League next season.

UEFA meanwhile has ratified a proposal to impose a 10-match European ban for players and officials found guilty of racism. 

Racism by fans will be punished by partial stadium closure for a first offence, with a full stadium closure for a second offence. 

The new sanctions were agreed by UEFA’s executive committee meeting in London but moves to oblige national associations to follow suit have been watered down.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RULE CHANGE

Q: What are the Champions League rule changes?
A: From 2015/16, the Europa League winners and the Champions League winners will both qualify for the following season’s Champions League.

Q: Will the maximum number of clubs from the top nations such as England in the Champions League remain at four clubs?
A: No, there will be a maximum of five clubs but only under special circumstances.

Q: When can a country have five clubs in the Champions League?
A: Only when a club wins the Champions League or Europa League but finishes outside the top four in the domestic league. That happened last season when Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League but took the Champions League spot from Tottenham who finished fourth, because they were European champions.

Q: Will a country be able to have six clubs if both Champions League and Europa League winners come from the same nation and both finish outside of the top four?
A: No – five is the maximum. In that unlikely scenario, the European trophy winners would qualify plus the top three.

Q: If the Champions League or Europa League winners finish inside the top four of their domestic league, will that allow the runners-up to qualify?
A: No, only the winners.

Q: Will the Europa League winners go straight into the group phase of the Champions League?
A: That has still to be confirmed but it appears that will usually be the case.

Q: If the Champions League or Europa League winners also qualify via their domestic league, will that allow the fifth-placed club in the league to take the ‘spare’ qualification place?
A: No, in that scenario there would still only be four clubs qualifying.

SOURCE: dailymail.com