Manchester City buy Jo

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Jo from CSKA Moscow.

At 6ft 3in tall is he the Brazilian answer to Peter Crouch?

His full name is Joao Alves de Assis Silva and the 21-year-old is the first signing by City boss Mark Hughes since his arrival at Eastlands.

Jo helped CSKA win four trophies during a three-year spell in Russia has signed a four-year deal scoring 44 goals in 77 games for CSKA Moscow.

Stumble It!

Gareth Barry moves to Liverpool - once Reds pay up

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Gareth Barry's transfer to Liverpool will remain deadlocked unless the Reds meet the Midlands club's asking price.

Aston Villa have rejected a bid of around £15m for the 27-year-old midfielder and their asking price is thought to be between £18m to £20m

O'Neill told the club website: "We put a valuation on him and Liverpool value him differently at the moment. That's what the stalemate is, nothing else. When somebody says they want to leave there's not much you can do. If they meet our valuation he will go."

He added: "Gareth has pointed out he wants to go and has made his position clear, that has been the case since the beginning of June, when he said he wanted to join Liverpool."

Earlier this week Villa captain Barry was disciplined and ordered not to report for pre-season training for giving an unauthorised interview to a newspaper in which he criticised O'Neill.

In the interview Barry said "There's no going back, it's time for me to move on," and "I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa."

Stumble It!

Deco moves to Chelsea in £8m deal

Luiz Felipe Scolari begins life as Chelsea's manager with the signing of the Barcelona midfielder Deco on a two-year contract.

The Chelsea yesterday completed the purchase of the 30-year-old playmaker who has followed his Portugal manager to west London in an £8m deal which may have an effect on Frank Lampard's future at Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League club had been unsure whether Deco, who was below par in a Barcelona side well adrift of Real Madrid last season, represented value for money but Scolari was obviously persuaded by Deco's good form at Euro 2008.

The midfielder was a key member of Scolari's squad in Austria and Switzerland as Portugal reached the quarter-finals and has long been viewed as the coach's on-pitch lieutenant.

But what now for Frank Lampard? The England midfielder is currently on holiday in Italy but with only a year to run on his contract he has been courted by Chelsea's former manager, Jose Mourinho, who is now at Internazionale.

Deco's arrival appears to threaten Lampard's place in the team.

Stumble It!

Are YOU the Master of Blackjack?

Have you got what it takes to become bet365 Master of Blackjack?

Throughout July UK online Casino operator Bet365 are hosting a £50,000 bet365 Masters of Blackjack tournament where YOU can prove yourself to be a true Champion.

There's eight daily prizes of £3,000 to give away and a fabulous final prize pool of over £26,000.

For as little as £1 a hand you can enter this competition at Bet365's Casino

Stumble It!

bet365 offer bet on "Bridesmaid Ballack"

Bridesmaid Ballack 5/2 To Choke Next Season

bet365 are offering 5/2 that Michael Ballack finishes on the losing side for Chelsea in a cup final next season.

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth "Ballack's trophy cabinet should have more winners medals than it does and his nearly man tag will have been added to after tasting yet more defeat on Sunday night."

Will Ballack Be A Losing Finalist Next Season?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes 5/2
No 2/7

(Ballack must actually feature for Chelsea in a final to count.
Champions League , Carling Cup &/or FA Cup)

Take a look at the odds at bet365 now

Stumble It!

Murray sets up Quarter-final Clash with Nadal

British hopes for a local Wimbledon win are still alive after Scot Andy Murray battled back from the brink of defeat to beat Richard Gasquet in an epic five-set clash on Centre Court.

Murray looked down and out when his French opponent served for the match at 5-4 in the third set but an incredible turn of events saw him claim a magical 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 6-4 triumph late on Monday evening.

The final set was played with the light fading out on court and the patriotic crowd were roaring Murray towards the finish line.

He will now meet second seed Rafael Nadal of Spain in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

RELATED LINKS :
Tennis Betting Previews on the main site
Wimbledon Tennis Live Scores on the Guide
Wimbledon Tennis Live Betting Odds at BookieLabrat.com

Stumble It!

Euro 2008 : Spain beat Germany 1-0 in final

Spain have been crowned European champions for the second time as Fernando Torres's first-half goal in Vienna proved enough to defeat Germany in the final of UEFA EURO 2008.

After a strong start from Germany, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an somewhat uninspiring final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion and it took just one goal - in the 33rd minute, courtesy of Torres's pace, perseverance and an unerring finish - to end their long wait.

Xavi was the architect, playing a pass in behind the Germany defence towards Torres, who outmuscled a hesitant Philipp Lahm and clipped the ball over the diving Jens Lehmann and just inside the far post.

Spain had more openings in the early stages of the second half, Lehmann getting a touch to Xavi's low shot before Ramos nearly flicked in Silva's drive from the resulting corner.

Yet Germany still posed a threat, and at the hour mark substitute Marcell Jansen and Bastian Schweinsteiger combining for Ballack to shoot centimetres wide.

Klose then deflected a Schweinsteiger effort past the post and in response to Germany's renewed menace Spain coach Luis Aragones promptly introduced Xabi Alonso and Santi Cazorla in place of Fabregas and Silva.

The switches reinvigorated Spain instantly, Lehmann making sharp stops from Ramos and Iniesta while Torsten Frings blocked another Iniesta effort on the line.

Spain continued to carve out chances as the match reached its conclusion, Marcos Senna narrowly failing to apply the finishing touch to an unselfish header from substitute Daniel Guiza – but the celebrations really started for Spain at the final whistle.

---

SPAIN (1) 1
Torres 33

beat

GERMANY (0) 0

Stumble It!

Ballack to miss Euro 2008 final? Don't bet on it!

According to UEFA.com Michael Ballack is a doubt for Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Spain.

"Germany could go into Sunday's final against Spain without their captain and inspiration Michael Ballack as the midfielder is receiving treatment for a calf injury" the website says.

"Ballack sat out the team's final training session in Tenero on Friday and was also a notable absentee tonight as the team were put through their paces at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on the eve of the UEFA EURO 2008™ showpiece." it continues.

"The muscles has tightened and we'll have to wait and see how things develop," explained coach Joachim Low. "Our medical people are working around the clock to give him a chance to play."

But do you believe it?

I need to go no further than Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger who has said .. "It's an old Bayern Munich trick!" said the Arsenal manager. "I'm convinced if it's a minor injury he will play - they have very good doctors in Germany!"

Stumble It!

Mad Jens Lehmann on Focus at Bet365

Jens Lehmann has looked far from his best during Euro 2008 and bet365 are betting on the former Arsenal keeper's performance in the final on Sunday.

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth commented "Wednesday's semi final seemed to be about which ageing keeper could make the most ricks and somehow Lehmann finds himself in the final.

It may not be long before he follows Rustu in hanging up his international gloves."

Jens Lehmann Specials - Euro 2008 Final
-------------------------------------------
7/4 .. Keep a clean sheet
13/2 .. Concede goal from penalty
15/2 .. Get Booked
10/1 .. Give away a penalty
16/1 .. Man of the Match
25/1 .. Save a penalty
33/1 .. Get Sent Off

Stumble It!