Midfielder Ragnar Klavan hopes Estonia can mark their historic first meeting with England with the first goal of their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign.
Klavan determined
Steve McClaren's side come to Tallinn on Wednesday seeking to clamber back into contention for one of the top spots in Group E. Estonia, meanwhile, are yet to pick up a point in qualifying and have failed to score in their first six games. However, their performance merited more than a 1-0 home defeat against Croatia on Saturday, and influential midfielder Klavan is hoping they can get a more tangible reward against England. "I hope we can play our own game, but we are definitely going to fight and try and score our first goal," he said.
Beckham excitement
The local press have been buzzing over David Beckham's imminent arrival in Tallinn and the possibility of his wife, Victoria, watching the game at the A Le Coq Arena. The players, however, are unconcerned. "He is a human being like anybody else," said left-back Dmitri Kruglov who will probably line up against the Real Madrid CF star on his flank. Klavan conceded with a smile: "Beckham's arrival might trigger some additional interest in the match among Estonian girls." ...More

AZ Alkmaar's Georgian forward Shota Arveladze has announced his international retirement ahead of the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Lithuania and France.
Star man
The 34-year-old, whose former clubs include AFC Ajax and Rangers FC, has scored 16 goals in 63 appearances for his country, including five strikes in Group B to help Georgia take six points from as many games. Despite that success, Arveladze says injuries have taken their toll and he reached his decision after the 2-1 defeat in Scotland in March, when he was again on target.
'Can't take any more'
"I said to our coach Klaus Toppmöller, after the match in Glasgow, that I was going to quit the team because of various injury problems. I can't take them any more," said Arveladze, who is nevertheless likely to give Georgia fans one last chance to see him in national colours. "I would like to play one more match at home in Tbilisi in front of our supporters," he added. ...More

Having scored two goals in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC, AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has been recalled to the Italy squad for the first time since October ahead of the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying games against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania.
Strikers rewarded
The 33-year-old Inzaghi has scored 22 goals in 53 games for the Azzurri but has not played for his country since the 2-0 win against Ukraine on 7 October. Coach Roberto Donadoni has also rewarded strikers Cristiano Lucarelli and Tommaso Rocchi, who scored 20 and 16 Serie A goals for AS Livorno Calcio and S.S. Lazio respectively this season, with call-ups while 25-year-old defender Alessandro Gamberini, whose ACF Fiorentina side had the best defensive record in Serie A, is the only uncapped player in the squad. Italy are fourth in Group B with ten points from five games, two points behind France, Ukraine and Scotland, and play the Faroes in Torshavn on 2 June before travelling to Kaunas to take on Lithuania four days later.
Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati (Torino FC), Marco Amelia (AS Livorno Calcio), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus). ...More

Paolo Maldini branded AC Milan "the best club in the world over the past 20 years" after yet another assured display from the veteran captain inspired the Rossoneri to their seventh European Champion Clubs' Cup.
'Amazing emotions'
Goals from Filippo Inzaghi in each half sealed a 2-1 win over Liverpool FC in Athens, as Milan gained revenge for defeat by the same opposition two years ago. For Maldini, who has now won the competition five times, the result confirms Milan's standing at the summit of the global game. "This club has provided me with a lot of amazing emotions and this is another example," he told uefa.com. "We've been the best team in Italy, Europe and in the world over the past 20 years. And the cycle hasn't ended yet. We've got something different [to other clubs]. For some time now we've had this special mentality. Sometimes we have unsuccessful seasons but we always bounce back the next year, even when people dismiss our chances."
Euphoric scenes
As his 22nd campaign as a Milan player drew to a close amid euphoric scenes in the OACA Spyro Louis Stadium, the 38-year-old took a moment to reflect on his remarkable career. "This is the ultimate achievement for a player, so to have enjoyed this feeling so many times is wonderful," he said. "When I lifted the trophy I thought about all the sacrifices I've made over the years and about the people who are close to me and who have supported me during the difficult moments." ...More

In 1994, when Athens last hosted the UEFA Champions League final, only the presence of the fans on the streets on the way to the stadium suggested there was something going on.
Huge party
In 1983, when Hamburger SV and Juventus met in Athens for the most prestigious trophy in continental football, only those with a ticket for the match showed up. Now it has become such a huge party it feels like the latter stages of a UEFA European Championship or FIFA World Cup. Everybody gets the chance to participate in their own way, even those who are not among the lucky few to have a ticket for the event itself.
Blue is the colour
NET, the Greek television station broadcasting the match, has played its part, proudly displaying the blue Athens 2007 final logo on the top right corner of the screen during every programme. On the news yesterday it sat nicely on the head of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis as the reporter discussed his trip to Sydney. Naturally the Greek media has been stepping up its coverage as the match approaches. Every Sunday newspaper had a supplement devoted to the final. Radio stations have been playing the UEFA Champions League anthem over and over, just in case you needed reminding that Liverpool FC and AC Milan were in town. ...More

Sevilla FC midfielder Enzo Maresca hailed his side's fighting spirit and the "immense" performance of goalkeeper Andrés Palop after the Andalusian club retained the UEFA Cup with a 3-1 penalty shoot-out victory against RCD Espanyol, following a 2-2 draw at Hampden Park.
'Incredible' achievement
Maresca scored two late goals in the 4-0 victory against Middlesbrough FC a year ago but was replaced by Jesús Navas at half-time in Glasgow and had to watch nervously from the sidelines as Juande Ramos's side finally prevailed after 120 minutes and spot-kicks, with Palop saving three of Espanyol's four penalties. "Of course I feel very good because we've won this cup again," he said. "To win it two seasons on the bounce is incredible."
Familiar foes
Chances came thick and fast at both ends in a gripping contest, and Maresca believes overcoming a fellow Primera División side makes Sevilla's achievement all the more noteworthy. "It was difficult but the important thing is the result," he said. "Being a Spanish team, Espanyol obviously knew us very well and that made it very hard for us. They played better after they scored their first but we kept on fighting and that made the difference. When they scored in extra time I was worried. Thankfully we had Palop in goal and he has been immense for us." ...More