Cassano sees himself in Balotelli

Mario Balotelli may be the current enigmatic poster boy of Italian football, but before the pig-owning, camouflage car-driving AC Milan striker, there was Antonio Cassano.

The 31-year-old's numerous spats with management and senior figures at clubs including Roma, Real Madrid, Sampdoria and AC Milan are well known.

Now at Parma following a single season with Inter, Cassano understands why comparisons might be drawn between him and Balotelli.

"Mario is a great guy," he was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.

"He reminds me a bit of myself when I was 20 years old."

Thursday, October 17, 2013 11:15

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Dzeko and the dragons to the mondial

Bosnia and Herzegovina finally qualified to the Brazilian mondial, with the big effort from stars like Dzeko, Pjanic, Spahic and others.

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Roy The Redeemer leads England to Rio

England were finally able to celebrate on Tuesday night after a 2-0 victory over Poland booked a place at the 2014 World Cup.

Knowing Ukraine were likely to thrash Group H minnows San Marino, Roy Hodgson's side had to win at Wembley Stadium in order to top the table and avoid a potentially tricky play-off tie.

And the Three Lions were sent on their way just before half time by a Wayne Rooney header, before captain Steven Gerrard secured a vital three points in the closing stages.

Hodgson and his charges have come in for criticism throughout his spell in charge, with the former Fulham and Liverpool manager once comically mocked up as the Christ The Redeemer statue prior to the Euro 2012 clash with France, such was the nation's bleak view of England's chances of progression.

But few could knock Hodgson after two exhilarating victories wrapped up an ultimately unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013 11:00

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Final obstacle for World Cup hopefuls

Just one more game stands between a number of teams and qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

England can secure their place at next year's competition with a victory over Poland, with anything less meaning Roy Hodgson's side will be relying on San Marino to shock Ukraine to avoid a play-off tie.

Spain, meanwhile, need a single point against Azerbaijan to complete their road to Rio, with France likely to have to settle for second place.

Russia are also likely to finish top of their group at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, while Honduras and Mexico are still playing for automatic qualification in the Concacaf zone.

In South America, Ecuador and Chile clash with both teams requiring a point to qualify, and Uruguay will be relying on either side to lose, while still needing to beat Argentina, who are already bound for Brazil.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 10:15

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Illustrations for Better Work

Here are illustrations I made for Better Work/Jordan, promoting a social center for the expats to practice their activities.

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Bendt out of shape - Wenger struggled to flog Danish flop

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner came close to moving to Crystal Palace in the summer and probably would be turning out for Ian Holloway's side had he not turned up for a medical out of shape.

The Denmark international spent last season on loan at Juventus and appeared to be on his way out of Arsene Wenger's squad this summer until a move to the Eagles broke down.

All's well that ends well though - Bendtner's back amongst the goals for Denmark - netting twice in their 2-2 draw with Italy and may well be afforded chances in the first team given the paucity of options at Wenger's disposal.

If he shapes up...

Monday, October 14, 2013 12:50

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جائزة مؤسسة الحسين للسرطان

لقد كنت سعيدا بتكريمي من  مؤسسة الحسين للسرطان بجائزة أفضل رسمة ثابتة عن موضوع سرطان الثدي و اللذي تم برعاية سمو   الاميرة غيداء طلال رئيسة هيئة أمناء المؤسسة و بحضور سمو الاميرة دينا مرعد مدير عام المؤسسة ضمن جائزة البرنامج الاردني لسرطان الثدي لعام 2013 في عمان الأردن.

 الخبر كان ايضا على صحيفة الرأي

الرسمة

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Ronaldo haunted by France failure

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is not looking forward to facing France, should both sides fail to book an automatic spot at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Portugal’s hopes of finishing top of Group F took a huge dent after a 1-1 draw with Israel on Friday, leaving them three points behind leaders Russia and looking destined for a play-off place.

France, meanwhile, are in a similar position in Group I, meaning a play-off date between the two sides is a distinct possibility.

The last time the two sides met France won 1-0 to book a spot in the 2006 World Cup final, and Ronaldo admits he is a worried man: "Hopefully, we'll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn't like to face is France.”

Sunday, October 13, 2013 11:56

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Dutch Master Van Persie overtakes class of legends

Netherlands destroyed Hungary 8-1 in Amsterdam on Friday evening in one of the Oranje's more impressive displays.

Louis van Gaal's side had already qualified for World Cup 2014 but put on a show in front of expectant fans in the Amsterdam ArenA, led by Robin van Persie.

The Manchester United striker has steadily climbed the goalscoring ranks for his country, but finally overtook Patrick Kluivert at the top of the list after he netted a stellar hat-trick against Hungary.

Van Persie celebrated his 40th strike by running to Kluivert - now assistant coach to Van Gaal - before repeating the act of emotion as he went one better than the former Ajax and Barcelona hitman with his third goal on the night.

Saturday, October 12, 2013 11:52

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Redknapp poison piles pressure on Roy

Harry Redknapp was spurned by the Football Association last year as the rulers of the domestic game appointed Roy Hodgson as manager of England.

Unsurprisingly, Redknapp did not walk quietly into the sunset, shrugging his shoulders and muttering "ah well, that's life". No, no, Redknapp has instead revealed all in his upcoming autobiograhpy - a raucous tale of backstabbing, contradictions and half-truths that has drawn pressure on Hodgson.

England face Montenegro on Friday night at Wembley before another home showdown, this time against Ukraine next week. Two wins will guarantee qualification for World Cup 2014 and ease the pressure on Hodgson - but with Redknapp waiting in the wings, perhaps it'd be more fun to watch this story play out a little more.

Friday, October 11, 2013 12:38

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