Check todays hot topics and new pictures Today is: 28 May, 2012
Capdevila wants Spain to qualify for quarters "as soon as possible"

Capdevila wants Spain to qualify for quarters "as soon as possible"Neustift, Austria  - Spain left-back Joan Capdevila stressed Thursday that the team wants to get to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 "as soon as possible," hopefully when it plays Sweden Saturday in Innsbruck.

The defender said Sweden is "the most difficult rival" for Spain in Group D, where they already beat Russia 4-1 and are also set to play defending champion Greece.

"The good thing was to start well, because the first game is crucial. We have done that and we have scored many goals against a team that was difficult. If we win Saturday we will have qualified, and we want to get to the quarterfinals as soon as possible," Capdevila said.

"We know Sweden is a tough rival, with very powerful strikers, but I am sure they will fear us a little, forces will be even," the Villarreal defender said.

Spain already played Sweden in the qualifying round for the tournament. The Swedes won in Stockholm and Spain won in Madrid.

Betis defender Juanito said it would be "logical" for coach Luis Aragones to select the same team Saturday that he used against Russia.

"When a team is working, it is normal to repeat the team, or almost. The rest of us are expectant and ready to seize the opportunity," he said.

Striker Sergio Garcia, also on the bench against Russia, agreed.

"(Aragones) will repeat the team because colleagues did well and you change few things when everything goes well," he noted.

Spain players also referred to Fernando Torres9 apparent anger at being taken off the pitch on Tuesday.

"It is not that important, it is normal that he gets angry. But he should keep it for himself and not make gestures for everyone to see," Juanito said.

Torres was substituted by Cesc Fabregas in the 54th minute against Russia, following a good first-half performance. Game superstar David Villa ran to hug him when he scored his third goal of the night, noting that Torres looked "sad."

A day later Aragones made it clear that he would speak to the Liverpool striker about his behaviour.

"I understand that he gets angry, but only one day, that9s all," Aragones said.

Sergio Garcia denied that the incident was worth a great deal of attention.

"We are all very close, all of us. There was nothing, these things happen. No one is angry. We all like to play all the time," he said. (dpa)


Lazio captain arrested amid probe into match fixing

Lazio captain arrested amid probe into match fixingRome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal.  Read more »

Man City’s Kompany hopes to ‘cap season’ with Wembley win

Man City’s Kompany hopes to ‘cap season’ with Wembley winLondon, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad.  Read more »

Cricket was just by chance, says now `cage fighter`Adam Hollioake

Cricket was just by chance, says now `cage fighter`Adam HollioakeLondon, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession.  Read more »

T20 has damaged cricket: Pak cricketer Wasti

 T20 has damaged cricket: Pak cricketer WastiIslamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen.  Read more »

Australia''s world motorcycling champion Stoner to retire

  Australia''s world motorcycling champion Stoner to retireSydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the  Read more »

Veer Patel upstages Aravind in National Supercross

Veer Patel upstages Aravind in National SupercrossPune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.  Read more »