Minnows take shot at glory
Champions League returns Best of the Rest
PARIS, June 29, (AFP): Football these days never seems to stop, and the Champions League returns on Tuesday, a mere 24 days after Barcelona’s thrilling final win against Juventus.
The dust has barely settled on Barca’s 3-1 victory in Berlin, secured thanks to second-half goals by Luis Suarez and Neymar, that saw them win the world’s most glamorous international club competition for the fourth time in the last decade.
But the road to the next final at the San Siro in Milan, and the start of the 2015-16 season in Europe, begins on the last day of June in some of the continent’s less glamorous venues.
For the likes of Lincoln of Gibraltar, Andorran title-holders Santa Coloma and Welsh champions The New Saints, reaching the lucrative group stage is a distant dream that will probably never come true.
That would mean winning four twolegged ties over the next two months. Simply winning one tie and reaping the financial rewards that come with it will do.
Lincoln are making their debut in the competition, while Santa Coloma and Folgore of San Marino — who face Pyunik of Armenia — will be trying to win a tie for the first time.
In contrast, The New Saints are comparative European veterans, their dominance of Welsh football allowing them to become regulars on the continental stage in the decade since a 6-0 aggregate defeat to European Cup holders Liverpool in qualifying in 2005.
TNS have been paired with B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands, with the prize on offer a second qualifying round tie against the Hungarian champions, former UEFA Cup finalists Videoton.
“The Faroe Islands was probably the worst place to go in terms of logistics and cost,” manager Craig Harrison, the former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace player, told AFP. There are no private jets for TNS — instead the club have been busy since the draw was made last week sorting out flights to the North Atlantic archipelago via Edinburgh for Wednesday’s first leg.
But while the costs are high, there is plenty of money on offer just for being in the competition.
From this year, clubs in the first qualifying round will receive a guaranteed 450,000 euros (£319,000, $502,000) from UEFA, and winning through to the next round will bring at least 300,000 euros more into the coffers.
“It’s highly lucrative. It’s enough money to cover the wage bill for the whole season,” says Harrison.
“The club relies on the money earned from playing in Europe, and lately we have managed to attract better players.”
Harrison says that TNS, who are based just across the border in the English town of Oswestry, are competing for players with teams from England’s fifth tier and also look to pick up youngsters released by Premier League clubs.
Their advantage is being able to offer a shot at European football, and for Harrison and his squad — who are fulltime — preparations have been geared towards this tie since they completed a domestic treble by winning the Welsh Cup on May 2.
They were back in training by May 26 and now they are looking to win a conti- nental tie for just the second time.
“Coming into the first round, we are the favourites no matter who we play against,” insists Harrison.
“We are good enough to win both matches. It is a huge deal for Welsh football if we can win. It’s only a qualifier but it’s still a Champions League tie.
“Over previous years we have put in good performances. Now we need to turn those performances into results.”
Champions League first qualifying round, first-leg fixtures this week: Ronaldo signs deal: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed a six-year image rights deal with Media Mint, a company owned by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim.
It marked another step into the football world for Lim who bought Spanish La Liga club Valencia last year and is part owner of Salford City along with Manchester United’s “Class of 92”.
He has other soccer-related business interests through his investment companies.
The deal to take over the image rights of Portuguese world player of the year Ronaldo, except those held by Real Madrid, takes Lim into the field of sports marketing.
“Peter has a valuable and extensive business network and I have always admired Peter’s entrepreneurial savvy and his ability to grow businesses,” Ronaldo said in a statement.
“He is also a good friend whom I have known for a while. I believe he will be a good partner and add good value for my brand.” (RTRS)
Neville named assistant coach: Former Manchester United, Everton and England midfielder Phil Neville has
fresher having eased past China 1-0, although they had tougher group matches against Australia, Nigeria and Sweden. The European champions also have the added motivation of matching their men’s World Cup success last year in Brazil.
But Neid, who is stepping down to become the German Football Association’s (DFB) head of scouting for women and girls next year, is also looking to inspire future generations.
“Everyone in Germany would be very happy and proud of us and we would receive a very nice reception of course but being successful helps to promote women’s soccer in the future,” said the 51-year-old.
Neid’s side have scored the most goals in the competition with 20 — ten in their opener against the Ivory Coast — but the US, with Hope Solo in goal, have conceded just one in their opening game against Australia.
Germany’s Celia Sasic is the top scorer with six goals, and they also have former world goalkeeper of the year Nadine Angerer, who proved her reliability in the penalty shootout against France.
Ellis’ Americans are riding high after their win over 1999 finalists China.
“This game was huge going into our semifinal match,” said Carli Lloyd.
“The confidence was slowly building after this game it really, really helped us. Everybody is feeling so good collectively.” It will be the third World Cup meeting between the two superpowers — the Americans won 5-2 in 1991 and 3-2 in 1999, with Germany winning 3-0 in 2003 — and each time the winner went on to take the title.
“I can just tell in them, their chests are high and they’re ready to go and its a really good feeling heading into the semi,” warned Ellis. agreed to become Valencia coach Nuno’s assistant, the La Liga club said on Sunday.
The BBC, for whom Neville has been working as a television pundit, said on their website however that he had told them there was still a way to go for the deal to be finalised.
Neville played for boyhood club United from 1995 to 2005 before switching to Everton and retired at the end of the 2012-13 season. He made 59 appearances for England between 1996 and 2007.
The 38-year-old was an assistant coach at United under both David Moyes, currently in charge at Valencia’s La Liga rivals Real Sociedad, and interim replacement Ryan Giggs. “Valencia CF are pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Neville as assistant manager of the first team, joining the coaching staff headed by Nuno Espirito Santo,” the club said on their website (www.valenciacf.com).
Following last year’s takeover by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim, Valencia are ambitious to return to the top in Spain and Europe after a period of instability marked by financial troubles and disappointment on the pitch. (RTRS)