No image available
/ 2 November 2006
The final series of the traditional autumn Tests in the northern hemisphere prior to next year’s Rugby World Cup begin this weekend with the All Blacks once again in pole position. However, having choked twice in a row in the semifinals and not having won since the inaugural 1987 tournament, their rivals will be looking for any chinks in their formidable armour.
No image available
/ 1 November 2006
Côte d’Ivoire international strikers Didier Drogba and Arouna Kone both scored crucial goals for their teams Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday in their respective Champions League clashes. Drogba, who has been a player transformed this season in contrast to record signing Andriy Shevchenko, struck in stoppage time.
No image available
/ 18 October 2006
French duo Lyon and Lille rattled in the goals in Tuesday’s Champions League action as the former enjoyed a 3-0 cruise over hapless Dynamo Kiev and Lille gave themselves a great chance of progressing to the knockout stage with a 3-1 victory over AEK Athens.
No image available
/ 17 October 2006
European giants Barcelona and Inter Milan go into battle on Wednesday looking to boost what has been a disappointing start to their Champions League campaigns.
Barcelona travel to Chelsea for what promises to be another epic battle between the two sides after two bruising encounters in successive seasons.
No image available
/ 12 October 2006
Footballing giant England’s so-called brave new world under Steve McClaren came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday as they were outplayed by Croatia, going down to a 2-0 defeat in their Euro 2008 qualifier. The only consolation for England fans bitter at the manner of their World Cup quarterfinal exit to Portugal was that the Portuguese were the other surprise losers on the night.
No image available
/ 14 September 2006
English Premiership giants Arsenal and Manchester United enjoyed a successful night in their first group matches of the Champions League this season on Wednesday. Arsenal, last season’s beaten finalists, got a much needed morale-boosting victory ahead of Sunday’s clash with United, beating German outfit Hamburg 2-1 away.
No image available
/ 13 September 2006
Spanish duo, titleholders Barcelona, and Valencia swept to victory in their opening Champions League salvoes on Tuesday. Barca blew away Levski Sofia 5-0 in a torrential downpour while Valencia recorded an impressive 4-2 away victory at Olympiakos with the rejuvenated Fernando Morientes scoring a hat-trick.
![]()
Switzerland and France rounded off the last 16 in the World Cup finals in Germany on Friday as they recorded 2-0 victories over South Korea and Togo respectively. The Swiss will play Ukraine, while the French face a tough battle with in-form Spain for a place in the last eight.
![]()
Spain joined the happy band of qualifiers for the second round of the World Cup on Monday but were made to work hard for their 3-1 victory over 2004 African Nations Cup champions Tunisia. It was a tough day at the office for Africa as the joy of Ghana’s win over the Czech Republic evaporated as Switzerland beat Togo 2-0.
Arsenal progressed serenely into the Champions League semifinals for the first time in their history on Wednesday with a thoroughly professional performance against Italian giants Juventus. The Gunners drew 0-0 — winning 2-0 on aggregate — against a less-than-inspired Juventus outfit, whose appalling disciplinary record in the quarterfinal saw a third player sent off in Pavel Nedved.