Sunday, June 30, 2013

Spain penalty prowess too much for Italy

Spain booked their place in the Confederations Cup final on Thursday with a penalty shoot-out victory over Italy.

Cesare Prandelli's side battled the world and European champions for 120 minutes but neither side could break the deadlock.

But Spain's superstars proved to be as accurate from the spot as they are with their passes, as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Juan Mata and Sergio Busquets all netted.

Italy matched their opposition for quality every step of the way, until Leonardo Bonucci fired over the bar, leaving Jesus Navas to calmly slot past Gianluigi Buffon to book a final clash with Brazil on Sunday. 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

مقابلة جول مع المدرب الاماراتي مهدي علي


قام الزميل ميشيل نصر الله باجراء مقابلة مع مدرب المنتخب الاماراتي مهدي علي, و اللذي فاز مؤخرا ببطولة كأس الخليج.
و قمت من ناحيتي بتصميم رسم كاريكاتوري للكابتن مهدي ليرفق المقابلة
.

Drawing cartoon process

1. Sketching 
2. Inking
3. Coloring

Casillas reduced to tears by Mourinho

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta was one of many to be glad to see the back of Jose Mourinho when the former Real Madrid coach departed Spain for a return to Chelsea.

But one player much closer to home was even happier for the Special One to exit the Bernabeu this summer.

Iker Casillas lost his place to Diego Lopez after an injury, and found himself sat on the substitute's bench over a difficult period which he admits reduced him to tears.

"I've cried," Casillas told the Fifa website. "I've suffered, I've been unwell, I've had sleepless nights."

With Mourinho gone, however, the Spain international - who is closing in on a Confederations Cup final appearance - believes he is a new man.

He continued: "I have regained happiness. It was not easy but I'm another Iker Casillas now.

"After five months, it takes some time until everything comes back to you, but, luckily, I have had a great deal of help of my team-mates and coach [Vicente del Bosque] and that's important when it comes to having to start over again." 

Ancelotti in the driving seat at Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has been unveiled as Real Madrid head coach on Wednesday after a short and successful spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti replaces Jose Mourinho, who 'damaged' La Liga, according to several figures in Spanish football, including Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Club president Florentino Perez insists Mourinho did not sully the image of the Bernabeu side during his stint in Madrid.

"I always give the example of F1, Ferrari does not always win, but they are the team that everybody knows," Perez said. "In football, that brand is Real Madrid."

But it is now Ancelotti who takes the driving seat. 

Pep steals the show at Bayern Munich unveiling

Pep Guardiola wasted little time in turning on the charm during his first press conference as Bayern Munich head coach on Monday.

The former Barcelona boss spoke fluent German, having spent four hours a day learning the language in preparation for his arrival at the Allianz Arena.

The 42-year-old's transformation into a Bavarian appears to be well under way ahead of the 2013-14 Bundesliga season. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Blanc rides in for PSG talks

Hold your horses! Paris Saint Germain's search for a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti could be over.

Former France boss Laurent Blanc looks set to be the man to occupy the saddle once, as expected, Ancelotti exits the Parc des Prances club and heads for the bright lights of Madrid.

After weeks of speculation it appears the finishing post is finally in sight for those anxious PSG supporters, with Blanc himself confirming that talks would get underway with the Ligue 1 champions on Monday. 

Yabba-dabba-doo! Fred sees Brazil through

Brazil made it three wins out of three at the Confederations Cup on Saturday night, seeing off Italy 4-2 to finish top of Group A.

Having already beaten Japan and Mexico, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men kept their perfect record intact with a victory that should see them avoid Spain in the semi-finals.

Neymar has been the star for the hosts so far and once again got on the scoresheet with a superb free kick after Dante had opening the scoring.

However, it was Fred with a real show of strength who grabbed the headlines, scoring twice in the second half to send the hosts into the last four.