After eight years Brazil reclaim the Futsal World on home soil after defeating Spain in the final.

Brazil beat Spain 4-3 in shoot-out to capture Futsal World Cup title

Once again the two best sides in Futsal met in a World Cup Final. Last time they met, it was in 2000 and Spain were victorious. On top of that Spain had eliminated Brazil in the 2004 Futsal World Cup in China.

With the Maracanazinho stadium at its full capacity, samba echoed through as the crowd were obviously behind the home team. Everything was set up for what was being lauded as the best game in Futsal history, ever.

The first half didn’t live up to its billing, with no goals being scored. The first half was a balanced affair with lots of passing and tight marking by both sides. Brazil were edging play, occasionally breaking through the Spanish defence, but nothing made the back of the net.

In the second half Brazil took a more offensive stance. Marquinhos took a corner kick and the ball deflected in off Borja. The crowd went wild with the first goal, all you could hear were the drums and shouts of “Brazil, Brazil, Brazil”.

After a defensive lapse by Brazil’s Gabriel, Torras’ long distance shot went in Tiago’s top right corner, 1 all. Silence now consumed the stadium, apart from a small group of Spaniards that were bravely shouting “A por ellos, E O E” (we can do it).

With just 3 minutes left, Vinicius gave the lead back to Brazil. Lenisio and Marquinhos were stopped by the Spanish goal keeper Luis Amado, but the ball fell to Vinicius who hammered in Brazil’s second.

Using a special feature only allowed in Futsal, Spain replaced their keeper for an outfield player. The player is allowed to save and can go forward and make the team look as if it had five outfield players instead of four, it is a risky tactic but can be very useful, especially with 3 minutes left on the clock in a World Cup Final!

Spain’s gamble soon paid off. Alvaro’s close range strike put both teams on level terms again. The crowd were silent again, instead of samba all that could be heard was praying.

With things levelled the game went to extra time, nothing changed and the title was decided in a penalty shoot out which ended up with Brazil winning 4-3. Misses by both Torras and Marcelo while only Ari failed to convert for the new world champions.

In the battle for third place Italy defeated Russia 2-1 and took home the bronze medal.

Watch the Futsal World Cup Final highlights here

The Premier League has 11 players short-listed for the Ballon d’Or, more than any other league.

The Premier League leads the way in terms of player representation at this years Ballon d’Or with 11 players in the mix. Spain’s La Liga comes a close second with 10 players selected from the condensed list of 30 by France Football Magazine.

Disappointingly, just three England Internationals are selected - Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard - for the Golden Ball Award.

Manchester United and Portugal star Ronaldo is the favourite to win the award which will be announced on the 2nd December 2008.Whilst England have the three nominee’s, Champions of Europe Spain have seven players in the list - Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Sergio Ramos, Marcos Senna,  Iker Casillas and Xavi.

The Serie A players has three players nominated - Kaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon.

List of 30 Nominees:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Togo.
Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Argentine.
Andreï Archavine (Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg), Russia.
Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Germany.
Karim Benzema (Lyon), France.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin), Italy.
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Portugal.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Ivory Coast.
Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelone), Cameroon.
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Spain.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Spain.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), England.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Sweden.
Kaka (Milan AC), Brazil.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea), England.
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone), Argentina.
Pepe (Real Madrid), Portugal.
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), France.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), England.
Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Spain.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Spain.
Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Italy.
Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Netherlands.
Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV puis Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Serbia.
David Villa (Valence CF), Spain.
Xavi (FC Barcelone), Spain.
Youri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscou), Russia.

Newcastle United and Sports Direct Chairman Mike Ashley has bought a significant share in struggling retailer JJB Sports.

Sports Direct head Mike Ashley, has bought a near 5 per cent stake in JJB Sports. The move suggest the possibility of an increasingly close relationship between the two big sports retailers, could be on the books.

JJB have suffered financially recently, so the injection of cash from Ashley is much needed. The cash is said to be used for general working capital purposes and to strengthen JJB’s financial
position.

JJB, who has seen its share price plummet, is headed up by Chris Ronnie, who formerly worked for Ashley at Sports Direct. It was thought that Ashley helped Ronnie fund the purchase of former JJB owner Dave Whelan’s shares.

Meanwhile Mike Ashley is still looking for a buyer for Newcastle United.

Favourites Brazil and Spain will meet in the final of the Futsal World Cup, but they didn’t have it all their own way in the semi’s.

Brazil 4-2 Russia

Both semi-finals were played in Rio, at the Maracanazinho stadium (little Maracana). First on was Brazil against Russia, both teams had played against each other in the first stage of the competition, and Brazil won the first encounter 7 nil.

Russia were determined not to make things easy for the Brazilians this time, but playing at home, Brazil had a lot to prove and it was the South Americans who set the pace. Within two minutes Brazil created the first goal opportunity but the post saved Russia.

The first goal came two minutes later; Grabriel assisted Schumacher who nailed past the keeper, 1 nil Brazil. Falcao doubled the lead after receiving a pinpoint pass from Vinicius. The same Falcao got the crowd on its feet after executing an overhead kick that almost went in.

After good play from Russia, Pula took the ball to the right and struck, the ball went under the legs of the Brazilian goalkeeper Tiago, 2-1 to Brazil and goal number 16 for Pula. Brazil managed to score another before the break, Vinicius headed in a cross from Ari, 3-1 Brazil.

In the second half it was the Russians who scored first, the goal changing the match. Brazil lost confidence and the Russians were quick to see that and went in search of the equaliser, silence and tension took over the stadium. Relief came for the local supporters with just 2 minutes left on the clock. Gabriel received on the left and fired home the fourth which secured Brazil’s place in the grand final on Sunday. End result Brazil 4-2 Russia.

Italy 2-3 Spain AET

The second semi-final was between Italy and Spain, the game was a replay of the last Futsal World Cup Final, which Spain won 3-2.

This time the Italians were determined not to let the same happen again. With passes and good movement off the ball the Italians was getting close to the first goal, although the Spaniards were looking resolute with an organized defence Spain, waiting for the right moment to strike.

It wasn’t long before that right moment came, after a mistake by the Italians. Daniel collected the ball and hammered in the first for the Spaniards. The goal made Italy adopt a more defensive posture allowing Spain to control the first half.

Italy started the second half the same way they started the first, but this time more effectively and after good individual play by Foglia the Italians levelled the scores.

With neither team managing to score in normal time the game went to extra time, Spain scored first through Fernandao, but with just over a minute left to play Italy equalised through Grana.

With the game looking like it would be decided in a penalty shout out, Foglia scored an own goal, dramatically giving the lead and the place in the final to Spain. The Italians protested that when the ball went in the clock was on 0 but the ref did not go back on his decision. End Result Italy 2-3 Spain.

Watch the Futsal World Cup Semi Final highlights here

Nike has decided to sue Wal-Mart over a dispute on patent.

Nike is alleging alleging the retailer is selling shoes that infringe on Nike’s patented designs.

In its complaint, which was filed this week, Nike says that the Wal-Mart shoes too closely resemble its Nike Shox basketball footwear. The Shox line has a spring-like device in the heel made up of a foam material that enhances durability and spring.

Nike wants the world’s largest retailer to stop selling the shoes and is seeking damages, according to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Wal-Mart has yet to make a public response and is unlikely to do so stating that it does not comment on pending litigation.

Nike does not sell its products in Wal-Mart and has long argued that its brand would be devalued if sold in discount chains.

Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas says he hopes to avoid surgery after breaking his nose in midweek.

Fabregas was injured after he came on to replace Fernando Torres, himself now out for 10 – 15 days with a hamstring injury, in Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

Fabregas bravely decided to stay bon the pitch and helped his side to a 2 – 1 victory, Valencia striker David Villa scoring the winner with what was his 5th goal in 4 qualifying games.

Speaking to Spanish agency EFE, Fabregas said:

There is a fracture but it has not come away from the main partition in the nose.

After the game it was pretty swollen but I hope this will not prevent me from playing.

We will have to see if it continues being okay and that I don’t need an operation.

I don’t even know how it happened really, I started going for goal and I do not know if it was a punch or a knee from a Belgian defender but it was a heavy blow.

Meanwhile, and still with Spain, Uefa have temporarily rescinded the home match Champions League ban on Atletico Madrid.

European football’s governing body had ordered Atletico to play their next two matches away from the Vicente Calderon Stadium after crowd trouble.

That meant next week’s game against Liverpool game would have been held at a neutral venue at least 200 miles from Madrid. Liverpool and their fans were themselves none to happy at this late ruling, particularly as thousands of supporters had already made travel plans.

But the decision has been overturned after Uefa listened to Liverpool’s concerns and a subsequent appeal by Atletico.

Newcastle full-back Habib Beye has already done the unthinkable and uttered the dreaded words “we’re too good to go down.”

The 32-year-old is convinced the Magpies will stay up but I’m not so sure.The former Marseille defender said:

We can still have a respectable season. We won’t go down. We have too much quality.

There are still 31 games left to play and a lot of points and pride at stake.

I remember this time last year we made a good start and we were doing well, but after that it turned bad so it shows how it can change.

We made a good start against Manchester United and Bolton.

But it becomes harder because of what has happened.

It’s not even November yet and the Senegal man has the R word on his mind and after the Magpies’ recent displays he has ever right to be worried.  It’s an all too common cliche in football, but one which might well come back to haunt the Toon Army come May.

The North-East club have endured a dreadful start to the current campaign, slipping to third from bottom in the Premier League table and seeing Kevin Keegan resign along the way.

Ahead of Monday’s tussle with Manchester City the Geordies are football odds of 5.5 for the dreaded drop.They are in desperate need of a lift and some Premier League points, but if you take a look at the St James’ Park squad it looks weak.

Barring Michael Owen, who is injured again, the Geordies are an ordinary team. Frontmen Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins are, when fit, a handful, but in midfield and defence Joe Kinnear’s men are a shambles.

It’s difficult to try and select a Toon defender who would make it into any average top-flight side. And the midfield is just as unconvincing with Nicky Butt and Damien Duff past their best.

Joey Barton is plagued by off-the-field problems, Jonas Gutierrez is injured - leaving youngsters Danny Guthrie and Charles N’Zogbia to lead by example.

It’s a sorry state of affairs on Tyneside and the bold Beye might just be proved wrong.

By Phil Tomlinson

When England last launched their away shirt, Umbro failed miserably. Now Nike are at the helm, England expects!

The new England shirt is not due out until early next year but the promotional photo shoot took place last week whilst the England squad were together.

Nike, who bought Umbro for £285 million last year, will be hoping they can influence a better job for the release, which is ’scheduled’ for next Spring. Scheduled being the operative word, as Umbro made a complete hash of the last launch of an England shirt.

The Last Launch Fiasco

For the launch of the last England away shirt last February, Umbro set a date, sent the marketing material out, then delayed the launch, adding a ‘reveal’ date in between. Hardly what you would expect for the England national team.

Then JJB Sports, one of the major resellers of England shirts, announced that they would be reducing the size of their usual order, citing a poor design as the reason.

The badly handled campaign affected sales of what is the jewel in the crown of the Umbro brand.

This summer, when sales are at a high, Umbro’s competency at managing shirt launches was brought further into question when Everton saw their club shirt launch delayed. Industry reports suggested the quality of manufacture was in question, whilst Umbro placed the blame with logistics.

So now Umbro has the American sports giant Nike behind them, perhaps England’s next launch in Spring ‘09 will prove to be a smoother process.

David Moyes is to remain as manager of Everton for another 5 years.

Despite a difficult start to the season for the Merseyside club (they’re currently  15th in the Premier League and out of the Uefa Cup) the Scot ended speculation about his future by signing a new deal that will keep him at Goodison park until 2013.

The deal was agreed despite Everton owner Bill Kenwright recently revealing that he’d be willing to sell the club to a buyer with the kind of spending power to match the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Speaking to the club’s web site, Moyes said:

The big thing for me is that I am at Everton, as far as I am concerned, for another five years.

The job is to make us better than we have been.

I am really excited and really pleased. I am pleased for everybody - I’m pleased for myself and my family who were desperate to get it signed and secured and it is always what I wanted to do.

With all the group games complete, we now know all four teams that will fight for a place in the grand Futsal World Cup final on Sunday.

Playing in Group E hosts Brazil defeated Ukraine 5-3 to finish first in the group. This was Brazil’s 7th consecutive victory in the competition.

In a direct clash for the second place in Group E, Iran and Italy battled till the last minute to see who would go through the semi-finals.

An electrifying game form start to finish, Iran were in front on two occasions. But when the Asians thought they had it in the bag, Bertoni spoiled Iran’s party with a late equaliser with just 50 seconds left on the clock. The draw wasn’t good for the Iranians but good enough for Italy, who finished second in the group and will play Spain in the semis.

Spain confirmed why they were favourites and defeated Paraguay by 4 goals to 1, finishing first in Group F. Highlights to yet another Brazilian born player Fernandao, who scored a hat trick for Spain.

Playing for the final place in the semi’s Argentina and Russia drew 2 each. The South Americans had to win to advance but failed to get past Russia, the Russians were able to resist the pressure applied by Argentina and will face Brazil in the semi-finals.

Semi-Finals

16/10 - Russia x Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
16/10 - Spain V Italy (Rio de Janeiro)

Check the highlights here

Footy Boots visitors think Fabio Capello is the right man for England.

As Fabio Capello prepares England for their clash at Belarus, he will without doubt feel more at ease knowing that Footy Boots readers have backed him as the right man for the job as England Manager.

The poll conducted here on Footy Boots had the following results:

Is Fabio Capello the right man for England?

* Yes - 62%

* No - 38%

Poll run on Footy Boots during October 2008.

The results indicate that Footy Boots fans are no doubt impressed with Capello leading England to three wins out of three in their qualifying group for the World Cup 2010. And, should England get a win away to Belarus on Wednesday evening, it will be the first time an England team have ever won their opening four games of a World Cup qualifying group.

The confidence in Capello will be a breath of fresh air to the FA after they made the mistake in giving the job to Steve McClaren last time around.

England will be missing two of their most experienced defenders for their next World Cup qualifying game after both John Terry and Ashley Cole were ruled out of the midweek clash away to Belarus.

Terry missed Saturday’s win over Kazakhstan with a bank injury from which he’s failed to recover while his Chelsea team mate has picked up a hamstring problem.

Coach Fabio Capello said:

It’s disappointing to lose two very experienced players in John Terry and Ashley Cole for the game in Belarus.

Unfortunately they have no chance of playing, so it is best they return to Chelsea.

It’s thought that Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand will continue as skipper in Terry’s absence and that Wayne Bridge will replace Cole. But after a shaky display at Wembley, Matthew Upson’s place in the back four is less than certain.

Other options include Everton’s Joleon Lescott at centre back and Gareth Barry moving from midfield to left back.

The coach of Kazakhstan, Bernd Storck has blamed his players new football boots for their 5 – 1 loss to England at Wembley on Saturday.

A group of Kazak players went to a Sports Direct store in London Colney in the days before the game and almost all bought new boots, strangely, all in size 8.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, a Sports Direct saleswoman said:

I jokingly asked if they didn’t have boots for the game already.

But one said they weren’t as good as those in the shop. It was all a bit weird - they tried on different pairs but in the end they all bought exactly the same ones.

Even more strange is they were all size eight. And when they said they’d wear them at Wembley, I thought it was hilarious.

As well as buying boots at a price of £49.99, it’s understood the players also purchased a number of replica England kits.

However, speaking after his sides defeat, Storck said that his players had struggled in their new footwear and that he himself had to go out the day before the game to buy replacement studs as they are almost impossible to find in Kazakhstan.

Each team played twice this weekend and things are more or less decided, with favourites Brazil and Spain safely through to the semi-finals.

The weekend marked the beginning of the second stage in the Futsal World Cup. The eight squads were divided in two groups of four, Group E and Group F. They will play against each other and again the top two teams will go through to the semi-finals.

On Saturday in Group E, Brazil defeated Iran by just 1-0, in what the hardest game the Brazilians have had so far. The Iranian goalkeeper Nazari featured prominently and performed some amazing saves. For the first time in this Futsal World Cup, Brazil were booed by the crowd and showed some deficiency in attack.

In the other match in Group E Italy defeated the Ukraine by 4 goals to nil. Both teams started the match with a defensive formation and all the goals were scored in the second half.

Playing in Group F also on Saturday, Argentina and Paraguay drew 3-3 in the South American Derby.

The other Group F match was between Spain and Russia, the world champions won 5-2, but it wasn’t always easy for the Spaniards. At one stage they were 2-1 down, but managed to regain control of the match and grab the three points.

Yesterday was another great day at the Futsal World cup, with matches that are becoming world class derbies in Futsal.

First it was Brazil against Italy, in what was a very tense match, in the break a fight between Forte from Italy and Betao from Brazil resulted in a red card for both players. In the end Brazil won 3 nil.

The revelation of the tournament Iran, defeated the Ukraine 5-4 after been 2 nil down with 8 minutes played in the first half. The Iranians made an astonishing comeback and held on to the victory.

In the Hispanic Derby, Spain defeated Argentina 2-1. The victory secured Spain a place in the semi-finals, while Argentina will play Russia to decide who will advance to the Semi’s.

The last match of the weekend was between Russia and Paraguay. A huge mistake by the referee gave the victory to Russia, literally in the last seconds of the match. Paraguay still have a remote chance of advancing to the semi-finals, but they need to beat Spain and hope for a draw between Russia and Argentina.

Watch the highlights here