Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is excited to be emulating his heroes as he prepares to make his FIFA World Cup debut.
The Ajax stopper started all three of his country s pre-tournament friendlies, and cannot wait to follow in the footsteps of his idols compatriot Edwin van der Sar and legendary German keeper Oliver Kahn.
When you combine those two (Kahn and Van der Sar), you get the best goalkeeper in the world, Cillessen told Dutch newspaper AD.
As a keeper Van der Sar was, in my eyes, the best. I admired him for his class and Kahn for his attitude and perception.
In character I am more like Edwin, but there is also a bit of Kahn in me, just not as extreme as he was.
Cillessen played just once in the Netherlands World Cup qualifying campaign, but…
Real Madrid playmaker Kaka insists he will not leave the club after a heart-to-heart meeting with coach Jose Mourinho.
The 29-year-old has been linked with a departure from the Spanish capital following two injury-plagued campaigns after his move in 2009 from AC Milan but he said Mourinho had convinced him that he will enjoy a bright future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kaka was reportedly wanted by both his former club, and rivals Inter, but the Brazilian has once again made it clear there he has no intention of leaving.
I always said I wanted to stay and I want to play for Real Madrid and convince, he is quoted as saying by Marca.
My friends have always helped me, the technical staff, the club. I always knew there would be much speculation, but I spoke t…
Belgium boss Marc Wilmots will not attempt to man-mark Gareth Bale out of the game when his side face Wales in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
The Real Madrid forward has netted three times at the finals in France making him his country s top scorer at major tournaments and it was his cross that forced Gareth McAuley s own goal in the last-16 victory over Northern Ireland.
Bale also scored the only goal of the game when these sides met in qualifying last June, with Wales following up a 0-0 away draw with a 1-0 victory in Cardiff that helped propel them into the finals.
But Wilmots, who wants his own players to display some of the ruthlessness which saw them put four past Hungary in the last round, says dealing with Bale is a collective responsibility.
W…
Dijon have been promoted to Ligue 1, clinching a return to the top-flight after a four-year absence.
Relegated in 2012, Dijon sit top of Ligue 2 and their ascension to Ligue 1 was confirmed without Olivier Dall Oglio s men having to kick a ball as fourth-place Le Havre drew 1-1 at relegation-threatened Evian.
That result means Le Havre are 11 points adrift of the league leaders with three games to play although they can still catch Metz, who are eyeing an immediate return to Ligue 1 and occupy the third and final promotion place.
Le Havre s draw also leaves Nancy all but secure of promotion. Pablo Correa s second-placed side now need just a point against Sochaux on Monday to clinch a spot in the top tier next season.
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Brighton and Hove Albion have allowed defender Ezequiel Schelotto to re-join former club Chievo on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Schelotto, who has made 23 appearances since joining Brighton from Sporting CP in 2017, joins the battle against relegation for Serie A s bottom side.
The 29-year-old returns to Italy having played for a range of clubs in Serie A including Inter, Parma and Atalanta.
Ezequiel has found opportunities limited so far this season, but he s continued to train well every day, said Brighton boss Chris Hughton.
We have strong competition in the full-back areas and this move gives him the chance to play regularly in Italy s top division, which is a league he knows well.
We wish him all the very best for the remain…
The jury in the trial of David Duckenfield, the match commander at Hillsborough on the day of the 1989 disaster, has failed to reach a verdict.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will seek a retrial of the 74-year-old retired chief superintended for South Yorkshire Police, who was charged with the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans who died as a result of a crush in the Leppings Lane stand.
Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell was found guilty on Wednesday of a charge relating to health and safety at the ground.
Sue Hemming, director of legal services for the CPS, said in a statement: This trial, which relates to events from almost 30 years ago, has been incredibly complex and, after lengthy deliberations, the jury has found …
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In what could prove to be an enjoyable affair from the Cangzhou Stadium on Tuesday lunchtime, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger will travel to Hebei in midweek.
Starting with the hosts, mounting a second-half comeback away at Qingdao Hainiu over the weekend as they snatched a late 1-1 draw, Cangzhou are desperately seeking some much-needed stability. Marking their return from June’s international break with a lively 2-1 loss at the hands of Qingdao Youth Island while on FA Cup duties last month, Zhao Junzhe’s side have mustered just a single win from any of their previous four domestic appearances across all competitions. Still failing to collect back-to-back Super League victories since opening the 2023 campaign, the former Liaoning co…
The dark horses fell at the penultimate fence.
Wembley Stadium on Wednesday was one step too far for Denmark. From that awful moment when Christian Eriksen collapsed, through two group defeats, a battering of Russia and Wales and Joakim Maehle s magic against the Czech Republic, Kasper Hjulmand s men have captivated fans at Euro 2020 more than any other side.
Against England, the brutal truth of football took over. Denmark were good, but just not good enough. The standout individual performances, the critical moments, the game management – they belonged to the Three Lions.
Fans should commiserate, of course, but they should celebrate, too, for what their team have produced in these past few weeks.
England had been the most resolute of all sides at th…
Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has dismissed the suggestion Pep Guardiola is disinterested as manager of the European champions.
The 41-year-old took charge of Barca s first team in 2008 and has since guided the club to 13 trophies, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.
Guardiola has yet to commit his future to Barca beyond the end of the season, when his contract expires, but Pique believes that the lack of progress regarding the coach s new deal is not related to his views on the job.
I see Guardiola more motivated than in his first year here. That says everything, Pique said during a press conference.
Ever since Pep arrived, the team has not stopped growing. Barca are stronger now than four years ago.
Barca are…
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has been left out of the squad travelling to their training camp in Germany after the club received an official bid for the player.
The PA news agency understands a £40million offer for the Brazil international has been made by Al-Ittihad, one of four Saudi Arabian clubs owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund.
Receipt of a “serious, official” offer prompted discussions within the club which resulted in a decision, taken in consultation with Fabinho, to withdraw the player from the squad which flew out on Saturday.
A 32-man travelling party has been confirmed for our training camp in Germany.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
Captain Jordan Henderson, who has also been the subject of speculation linking him to a r…