Blanc puts his Euro 2012 cards on the table...

 

France capped their Euro 2012 preparations with an impressive 4-0 victory over Estonia on Tuesday as Laurent Blanc's side look in good shape for their Group D opener against England next Monday.

Blanc's charges started their European Championship warm-up in unconvincing style as they found themselves two goals behind in their first friendly against Iceland, but second-half strikes from Mathieu Debuchy, Franck Ribery and Adil Rami secured victory and boosted confidence within the French camp.
A tricky tie against Serbia was next up for France, but Les Bleus grabbed a 2-0 victory courtesy of early goals from Ribery and Florent Malouda.

Ribery was on target once more as he got his French side on their way against Estonia before Karim Benzema's double and a late strike from Jeremy Menez sealed Tuesday's convincing win.

With France looking so strong, can they brush aside England, Sweden and Ukraine to top Group D and make a challenge on Spain's Euro 2012 crown?

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Euro 2012 squads arrive in need of an immediate health check

 

Euro 2012 has yet to get underway but various nations are already smarting from injuries and withdrawals.

England are first in the casualty queue as Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and, most recently, Gary Cahill have all been ruled out of the tournament, leaving Roy Hodgson reaching for cover.

Yann M'Vila is a doubt for France's opener against England after suffering from an ankle sprain, while Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has only recently returned to training following a thigh problem.
Elsewhere, Italy defender Andrea Barzagli is a doubt for the tournament due to a calf problem, while Nani is Portugal's biggest injury concern with a knock to his right foot.

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The Reds bid a fond farewell as Kuyt departs for a snip

 

The Brendan Rodgers revolution has begun at Anfield, with Dutchman Dirk Kuyt the first casualty as the new Liverpool boss starts the rebuilding process on Merseyside.

The 31-year-old's move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce was confirmed on Sunday, with the hardworking forward leaving for the cut price of £800,000, owing to a clause in his contract concerning European clubs.

Although the figure is a notably low one, the move does not exactly come as a surprise, with the former Feyenoord man becoming an increasingly peripheral figure during the last campaign as he slipped behind Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy in the pecking order.

However, there is little doubt that Kuyt will be sorely missed at Anfield, as he leaves behind a six-year legacy in which he made 285 appearances, netted 71 goals, and lifted the League Cup in February this year. Time will tell if Rodgers is right to cut him loose.
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Rio has last laugh as England's injury woes mount

 

Roy Hodgson may have secured a second successive 1-0 victory as England boss after Saturday's friendly against Belgium, but the win was not without sacrifice as his squad was hit with further injury concerns ahead of Euro 2012.

Having already seen Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard forced to withdraw from th tournament, Hodgson has now been left to sweat over the fitness of centre-back duo Gary Cahill and John Terry.

With the Three Lions squad thinning in both numbers and experience, Hodgson may rue his decision to leave Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand behind this summer...

Hodgson takes cautious approach after England's injury pile up

 

Following the withdrawals of Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard from the England squad through injury, it appears manager Roy Hodgson may take a cautious approach when Belgium come to entertain on Saturday.

The midfielders were ruled out of the trip to Euro 2012 with a groin and thigh injury respectively, with Phil Jagielka and Jordan Henderson called up as replacements.

With doubts also remaining over the fitness of Scott Parker, rumours that a large order of bubble wrap is heading into Wembley Stadium are currently unfounded.
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What next for Ronaldinho?

 

Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho has quit Brazilian club Flamengo because of a dispute over unpaid wages and image rights.

The Brazil international had long been involved in a tug of war with Fla, with reports suggesting that the 32-year-old has become disillusioned with life at the club after being insulted by Rubro-Negro fans during a match against Internacional.

Ronaldinho claims he is owed millions in salaries, bonuses and image rights, and the Labour Court in Rio de Janeiro has ruled in favour of the player, though the club will undoubtedly appeal against the decision.

After such an illustrious career, where does Ronaldinho's future lie? Will he seek to prolong his playing days or hang up his boots?

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Will Liverpool bronco buck Rodgers?

 

The search appears to be over: Liverpool look set to name Brendan Rodgers as their new manager on Thursday after the Swansea boss was granted permission to speak to the Anfield side.
The former Reading and Watford man will be charged with the task of making the Merseyside club a Champions League force again - something both the legendary Kenny Dalglish and current England boss Roy Hodgson failed to do.

Can Rodgers stay in his seat long enough to return Liverpool to their former glory? Or will the Anfield horse bolt once again?
 

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659 million can't be wrong

 

They were pipped to the Premier League title on the final day in dramatic circumstances, and dumped out of the Champions League at the group stages, but Manchester United are moving on from their trophyless season.
A market research survey yesterday claimed the Old Trafford club has a staggering 659 million fans globally - doubling their numbers from a similar study conducted in 2007.

It is a lofty claim, but if it is to be believed, Sir Alex Ferguson's side will surely be back among the silverware soon enough.
 

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A case of the Blues as Hazard plumps for Chelsea

 

After months of speculation, rumours and toying with Europe's top clubs, Eden Hazard finally put an end to one of the longest running transfer sagas in recent times by announcing he will join Chelsea.

Just a month ago the Belgian wizard had looked certain to move to Manchester from Lille, with both City and United battling it out to secure the 21-year-old's signature.

However, the Blues' dramatic victory in the Champions League final changed Hazard's mind one last time, with the continent's hottest property opting for a move to west London, leaving Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson in a spin...

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France avoid big freeze against Iceland

 

A late turnaround for France on Sunday evening saw Laurent Blanc's side's blushes spared as they saw off Iceland 3-2 on hometurf.

Les Bleus trailed their Scandinavian opponents 2-0 at the break, with both Birkir Bjarnason and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson exposing the wayward Patrice Evra down the visitors' right flank.

Yet, second-half goals from Mathieu Debuchy, Franck Ribery and Adil Rami - the latter two coming in the final 10 minutes of the game - ensured that France stretched their unbeaten run to 19 games...

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