Posts in the UEFA Category at Soccer with Chris

UEFA Europa League – Group Stage Draw

The UEFA Europa League group stage draw threw up several intriguing match-ups with 2010 winners Club Atlético de Madrid taking on Udinese Calcio and Stade Rennais FC in Group I, and Tottenham Hotspur FC meeting FC Rubin Kazan and surprise package Shamrock Rovers FC in Group A.
Draw which took place in Monaco, split 48 teams into 12 groups with other highlights including the pairing of Paris Saint-Germain FC and Athletic Club, and 2011 runners-up SC Braga facing Club Brugge KV, English second-tier club Birmingham City FC and NK Maribor.

UEFA Champions League – Group Stage DRAW

Holders FC Barcelona will meet AC Milan, FC BATE Borisov and FC Viktoria Plzeň in the UEFA Champions League group stage following the draw in Monaco. The top seeds in Group H, Josep Guardiola’s side are looking to become the first team to win the competition in successive seasons since Milan in 1989 and 1990, while FC Bayern München are targeting a place in the final at their home stadium, the Fußball Arena München, on Saturday 19 May 2012. If they are to reach the knockout phase, they must finish in the top two in Group A, which also features Villarreal CF, Manchester City FC and SSC Napoli.

USMNT – JÜRGEN KLINSMANN Named Head Coach of U.S. Men’s National Team – Ales Gut, Ales Prima

CHICAGO (July 29, 2011) — U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati named Jürgen Klinsmann as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team today, making him the 35th coach in the history of the program.
“We are excited to have Jürgen as the head coach of our Men’s National Team,” said Gulati. “He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program. Jürgen has had success in many different areas of the game and we look forward to the leadership he will provide on and off the field.”

Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United and England Star – gives his views of the 2011 U.S. Tour via Twitter – VIDEO

Manchester United and England centre half, Rio Ferdinand, has been keeping his twitter followers, of which he has a staggering 1.3 million, updated throughout the clubs summer tour of the US, and had some very positive things to say about both the MLS scene and US football fans in general.
Ferdinand has embraced the modern methods of communicating with fans, and posts light hearted tweets frequently on many diverse subjects – from what he is listening to on his iPod to how good he and Wayne Rooney are at table tennis!

EPL – Chelsea FC Summer UPDATE and Coach Andre Villas-Boas – VIDEO Interview

Chelsea have spent the summer not looking for players, but looking for a new manager. In Andre Villas-Boas, the Blues have appointed the hottest prospect in European football and may, at last, have found a long term coach. Chelsea suffered a significant blow on the first day of pre-season training when Michael Essien broke down with an injury. The Ghana international has had knee problems in the past and a brief statement on the club’s official website confirms that the injury is again a knee problem.

UEFA Europa League 2011/2012 edition 1st Round Complete and 2nd Scheduled

The 2011/12 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round is completed, and second qualifying round all ties already set and scheduled.
Fulham FC’s progress to the second qualifying round and a meeting with Crusaders FC was serene enough, but in Kazakhstan there was real cause for celebration as the opening UEFA Europa League ties concluded.

EPL – England U21 defender Phil Jones joins Manchester United from Blackburn Rovers – VIDEO

Manchester United FC have confirmed the signing of England Under-21 defender Phil Jones on a five-year contract from Blackburn Rovers FC.
The 19-year-old, currently at the UEFA European U21 Championship in Denmark, is joining the English titleholders in a reported €18.7m deal. A United statement read: “Manchester United is delighted to announce it has signed an agreement with Blackburn Rovers for the transfer of Phil Jones. The player passed a medical in Manchester last week and has agreed a five-year contract. The deal will be completed once the player returns from international duty.”

President Joseph S. Blatter extends welcome to 61st FIFA Congress

The Opening Ceremony for the 61st FIFA Congress took place at the Hallenstadion in Zurich today with speeches from high-profile figures from the worlds of politics and sport. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter was the first to speak from the podium and said: “We live in a world where a lot of changes are taking place and we live in a world of troubles. Troubles which are being caused by natural disasters: in Haiti, in Chile, in Pakistan, in Australia, in New Zealand and Japan.

UEFA Champions League – The numbers behind FC Barcelona’s triumph

Barcelona produced one of their greatest performances to beat Manchester United 3-1 and win the UEFA Champions League at Wembley last night. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated much of the match and although Wayne Rooney’s goal gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s side some hope at 1-1, strikes from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa ensured Barça earned a deserved victory. FIFA.com examines some of the fascinating statistics behind their triumph.

UEFA Champions League – “Grande Barca” is SIMPLY THE BEST – FC Barcelona vs Manchesters United 3-1 the Final on Wembley – VIDEO highlights

Forward Lionel Messi hailed an “incredible” performance by FC Barcelona after Josep Guardiola’s men lit up Wembley en route to claiming their fourth European crown with 3-1 victory against Manchester United FC. VIDEO

UEFA Europa League – FC Porto vs. Braga 1-0, Falcao Goal decided The First Ever All-Portuguese UEFA Final

UEFA Europa League –
FC Porto will face very familiar to them rival SC Braga in the UEFA Europa League Final – 2010/2011 edition.
The final will be the first ever all-Portuguese affair, will be played at 20.45CET on 18 May at Dublin Arena in the Republic of Ireland.

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