Beckham to help ‘dumped’ Walcott deal with despair

London, June 4(ANI): England footballer David Beckham has offered to help winger Theo Walcott to come to terms with being excluded from Fabio Capello’s 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

Beckham has texted Walcott and told him to keep his chin up. He also plans a more in-depth phone chat over the next 10 days.

The 35-year-old feels a particular affection for Walcott, whom he took under his wing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when he was skipper and Walcott was a star-struck 17-year-old, The Sun reports.

He is especially keen that Walcott realises he can still be a big part of England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and beyond.

Walcott had been a crucial member of Capello’s team for World Cup qualifying rounds, and had enhanced his reputation when he struck a hat-trick against Croatia in 2008.

However, following injuries and a loss of form, Walcott was left out of the final 23, which was announced on Tuesday. (ANI)

Brazil takes top ranking into World Cup; Spain 2nd

Brazil will head to the World Cup as the number one team, according to the latest FIFA rankings.

The five-time world champion retained top spot ahead of European champion Spain in Wednesday’s release of the final monthly rankings before the June 11 World Cup kickoff.

Portugal is third followed by the Netherlands and world champion Italy. Germany is sixth, edging Argentina and England.

France moves up one to No. 9, trading places with Croatia which did not qualify for the World Cup.

The United States at No. 14 heads the three World Cup qualifiers from CONCACAF.

Cameroon at No. 19 is best of the six African World Cup teams, and No. 20 Australia leads Asia’s four qualifiers.

Host South Africa is No. 83, and No. 105 North Korea is the lowest-ranked qualifier.

Brazil top rankings, South Africa jump seven places

Brazil remained top of the latest FIFA rankings on Wednesday while World Cup hosts South Africa jumped seven places after winning two friendly matches.

There were no changes in the top five with Brazil followed by Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy. South Africa moved from 90th to 83rd after wins over Jamaica and Thailand.

The top ten includes one team, Croatia, who did not qualify for the World Cup. The lowest-ranked of the 32 World Cup finalists are North Korea who climbed one place to 105th. (Reporting by Brian Homewood in Berne)

French Open men’s singles first round results

REUTERS – French Open men’s singles first round results from Paris on Sunday (prefix denotes seeding, * new result).

* 5-Robin Soederling (Sweden) beat Laurent Recouderc (France) 6-0 6-2 6-3

11-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) beat Michal Przysiezny (Poland) 6-1 6-0 6-4

Thiemo de Bakker (Netherlands) beat Olivier Patience (France) 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-3

Alejandro Falla (Colombia) beat Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) 6-1 6-2 6-3

10-Marin Cilic (Croatia) beat Ricardo Mello (Brazil) 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-1

(Compiled by Infostrada Sports; Editing by Toby Davis)

Cilic given workout before advancing in Paris

Croatia’s Marin Cilic was given a tougher workout than he expected before beating Brazil’s Ricardo Mello 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-1 in the French Open first round on Sunday.

The 21-year-old 10th seed was in little discomfort as he raced through the first set in 25 minutes in the searing heat of Suzanne Lenglen Court before Mello, who has never won a match at Roland Garros, hit back to take the second.

Cilic, who reached the fourth round last year and has cuttingly pacy groundstrokes from the back of the court, finally ground down the 29-year-old. Mello lashed a forehand wide to hand the Croatian the match after two hours and 26 minutes.

Cilic will face Russian Dmitry Tursunov or Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver for a place in round three.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Wenger backs Campbell to make it to England squad

London, Apr 26 (ANI): Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has backed centre-back Sol Campbell to make a sensational return to the England squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Campbell, 35, won the last of his 73 caps more than two years ago and has never been selected by England coach Fabio Capello.

Yet Campbell, who only returned to Arsenal on a free transfer in January, is in great form and was outstanding against Manchester City in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

Asked whether Campbell could be in the squad for South Africa, Wenger said: “I just see that many centre-backs are injured, so why not? He’s got the experience and it’s up to Capello to decide. He was at the game against Manchester City. Ask him!”

“Of course, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand have an advantage because they are younger. But if they have a problem in numbers, Sol’s always there,” The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

“I do not select the team and I do not say Capello has to take him, I just say you compare him today in the Premier League with the other centre-backs and he doesn’t suffer in the comparison. He has been very, very good,” he said.

“I’m very happy for Sol, excited because everybody was surprised that I signed him and I’m just happy I have done it. I believe it is fantastic to see how well he has come back. When he has his mind on the game he is unbelievable,” the Gunners boss added.

Campbell, who has featured in six major tournaments for England, last played for his country in the Wembley defeat against Croatia which ended hopes of reaching the Euro 2008 finals. (ANI)

Wawrinka wins Casablanca title

Swiss top seed Stanislas Wawrinka won his second career title when he breezed past third seeded Romanian Victor Hanescu 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Casablanca ATP claycourt tournament.

His 77-minute victory ended a run of five successive final defeats for the world number 23 whose first title also came on clay at the 2006 Croatia Open in Umag.

Victory in Casablanca also marked Wawrinka’s first title as a father, after he and wife, Ilham became parents to daughter, Alexia on February 12.

Ex-Yugoslav leader Tito’s elephant dies

An elephant given as a present to former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito 40 years ago has died suddenly, a Croatian newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi gave Sony to the communist leader in 1970 when the bull elephant was a two-year-old calf, the Jutarnji List daily reported.

Sony, who lived at Croatia’s northern national Brijuni islands park where Mr Tito had a private zoo, died on Friday.

An autopsy is to determine the cause of his death. In the wild, elephants can live up to 70 years.

The islands were once reserved for Mr Tito and his close friends but are now frequented by officials and tourists.

Sony lived there among other exotic animals including Lanka, a cow elephant.

“We were all shocked by his death. We simply cannot believe that he is not here any more,” Vesna Klunic of the national park told the media.

“Now we will take special care of Lanka since it’s not easy for her.”

Mr Tito ruled the former Yugoslav federation, of which Croatia was a part, for 35 years until his death in 1980.

A decade after his death, Yugoslavia broke up in a series of internecine wars.

Slovene Petrol to pay flat dividend, issue new shares

Plans div of 5.9 euros, unchanged from year earlier

Energy

* Plans to increase share capital by up to 50 pct in 5 yrs

LJUBLJANA, April 2 (Reuters) – Slovenia’s largest fuel retailer Petrol (PETG.LJ) said on Friday it plans to pay a flat dividend of 5.9 euros ($7.96) per share for 2009 after returning to profit last year.

Petrol also said it plans to increase its capital by up to 50 percent over the next five years. Both plans have to be confirmed at a shareholders’ meeting on May 6.

Petrol said fresh capital would be used for further development of the firm but gave no details.

In March Petrol reported that it had 2009 group net profit of 10.4 million euros after a loss of 54.8 million in the previous year. [ID:nLDE62M2CF]

Petrol, which operates 433 filling stations in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro, has market capitalisation of 637.6 million euros. ($1=.7414 Euro) (Reporting by Marja Novak, Editing by Hans Peters)

Police hunt for accused war criminal

Federal Police are trying to locate an Australian man wanted in Croatia for alleged war crimes.

A High Court decision yesterday paved the way for the Federal Government to extradite Dragan Vasiljkovic, also known as Daniel Snedden, to Croatia.

He is accused of torturing and murdering civilians and prisoners of war.

A spokeswoman for Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland says Mr Snedden did not attend the High Court ruling and has not notified authorities of any change to his address.

She says a police search is underway to find him.

The Federal Court had earlier allowed Snedden’s appeal against extradition, ruling his political beliefs would mean he would be dealt with unfairly in Croatia.

But the High Court quashed that decision, allowing the Federal Government to now consider whether to extradite him.

Last year a Sydney court heard allegations of repeated rape and abuse at the hands of Snedden, known as Captain Dragan at the time, during the Balkans conflict of 1992.

Snedden sued publishers Nationwide News Limited over a story printed in 2005.

A jury found the story had a number of defamatory meanings, including that he condoned the rape of women.

The Supreme Court judge ruled in favour of the publisher who had argued a truth defence.

‘Captain Dragan’ faces extradition for war crimes trial

The High Court has paved the way for an Australian man to be sent to Croatia to face war crimes allegations.

Australia received a request in 2006 for Dragan Vasiljkovic, also known as Daniel Snedden, to be extradited to Croatia.

The Federal Court allowed Snedden’s appeal against extradition, ruling his political beliefs would mean he would be dealt with unfairly in Croatia.

The High Court has quashed that decision, allowing the Federal Government to now consider whether to extradite Snedden.

Last year, a Sydney court heard allegations of repeated rape and abuse at the hands of Snedden, known as Captain Dragan at the time, who is accused of war crimes during the Balkans conflict of 1992.

Snedden sued publishers Nationwide News Limited over a story printed in 2005.

A jury found the story had a number of defamatory meanings, including that he condoned the rape of women.

The Supreme Court judge ruled in favour of the publisher who had argued a truth defence.

The Department of Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland says Snedden must now be held in custody pending a decision on his extradition by the Minister for Home Affairs.

A spokeswoman for the Attorney-General’s Department says the Australian Federal Police are trying to locate Snedden.

One out of two Brits think England will win 2010 World Cup: Poll

London, Sep. 13 (ANI): One out of two British nationals believe that England can win the 2010 Soccer World Cup, a Sunday Times poll has revealed.

According to the YouGov poll, 49 percent of people believe England’s chances of winning are “excellent” or “good.”

The survey also revealed 20 percent nationals think the team’s chances are “poor,” while 12 percent say they are “hopeless.”

The new found confidence reflects the team’s 5-1 victory over Croatia this week, which sealed qualification for next year’s tournament in South Africa.

Times Online quoted England’s Italian manager Fabio Capello as saying that his minimum target is to reach the World Cup final on July 11 in Johannesburg.

And his dream final would be between England and Italy.

England’s success is being attributed to the discipline Capello has imposed on players, which includes limiting the attendance of WAGs. (ANI)

Capello says England can win World Cup

London, Sep 10 (ANI): England coach Fabio Capello after watching his team crush Croatia 5-1 has said that now they can win the World Cup.

“If we can keep everyone fit and play with the spirit we showed against Croatia, then we can be real contenders. We are one of the best teams in the world and can play against all the sides out there,” said England’s boss.

Capello’s Lions made it to South Africa by crushing Slaven Bilic’s side at Wembley on Wednesday, The Sun reports.

“Expectations will be high in South Africa but we have to play to win it because we are England. We have achieved our first target and that is to get to the finals. Now we have time to prepare for the World Cup.

“All the players who have been selected in the squad are very good and I am a very happy man. The first 20 minutes of this game were the best we have played throughout qualification,’ Capello added.

Two goals each from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard plus Wayne Rooney’s ninth goal of the qualifying campaign gave England eight wins from eight games in Group Six.

Croatian boss Bilic admitted that his team was totally outclassed.

He said: “This was not a defeat, it was a humiliation. Not in our worst nightmares were we expecting such a defeat. Based on this performance, England can definitely win the World Cup next year. Definitely!” (ANI)

Ecstatic England footie fans empty pubs after crushing victory over Croatia

London, Sep 10 (ANI): England crushed Croatia 5-1 and stormed into next year’s World Cup finals, leading to wild celebrations among fans and supporters of the team.

The team qualified after making it eight wins out of eight in Group Six at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Two goals each from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard and one from Wayne Rooney avenged their heartbreaking 3-2 defeat by Croatia on a rainy night at Wembley 22 months ago, a result that cost them a place at Euro 2008.

Arsenal striker Eduardo scored a late consolation goal for Croatia.

Elated England fans celebrated at Wembley and in pubs across the land as John Terry’s team qualified for the finals with two games to spare, the first time they have ever achieved that feat.

Supporters waved flags as they filed out of Wembley. Many packed nearby pubs to begin celebrations into the night.

Supporters sang: “5-1, even Croatia scored”-a new version of the mickey-taking chant, “5-1, even Heskey scored”. God Save The Queen also echoed around the North London stadium as the seconds ticked to the final whistle, The Sun reports.

Bookies Ladbrokes immediately installed England as 6-1 third favourites to win the World Cup, behind only Brazil and Spain.

Delighted Capello rated last night’s performance as England’s best under his management.

“I’m happy because the performance was great. We played quick, fast, the movement on the ball, the movement off the ball. The first 20 minutes were fantastic,” he said.

England’s Group 6 victory finally erased the humiliating memory of the home defeat by Croatia in 2007, which cost the Three Lions a place in Euro 2008. (ANI)

Capello thanks Bilic for team talk ahead of Wembley face-off

London, Sep.9 (ANI): England football coach Fabio Capello has offered Croatian counterpart Slaven Bilic a vote of thanks – for doing his team talk for him ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier at the Wembley.

Bilic told Sun Sport that captain John Terry should look at his own club, Chelsea, before accusing Croatia and Arsenal striker Eduardo of being a diver. He also claimed the Three Lions had lost their ‘Englishness’ suggesting they no longer possessed the fighting spirit which used to make them feared.

That was despite the fact Capello’s men thumped Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb last October.

Capello exclaimed: “Thank you, Mr Bilic. No more. It is the best. I have no need to motivate my players after this. He prepared the game. He tried to provoke a reaction. It is fantastic assistance. Thank you. I’m very happy for this because I don’t need to motivate my players for the match. I will simply tell them to remember what Bilic said.” (ANI)

Beckham opens door for Premier League return

London, Sep.8 (ANI): England football star David Beckham will win his 114th England cap tomorrow night if introduced during the World Cup qualifier with Croatia at Wembley, but is looking forward to his short sting with A C Milan and is also open to a Premier League offer to remain at the forefront of Fabio Capello’s plans for South Africa 2010.

“I have got plans. I will finish the MLS season. After that, everybody knows that I’ll be coming back to play somewhere. LA Galaxy know that. If it upsets a few people, I can’t do anything about it,” The Independent quoted Beckham, as saying.

“Milan have made me aware that they want me to go back there and I’m more than happy with that. But I have also had another three or four offers, so when the time is right, I will decide,” he added.

The prospect of Beckham being back in the Premier League, even if he will have turned 35 by that point, is an appealing one, especially as for all his platitudes for LA Galaxy, a section of the club’s support have turned against him.

By then he could have become the first England player to have appeared at four World Cup finals. (ANI)

Fascist rocker whips up racist football fans in Croatia

London, Sep.8 (ANI): Croatian football chiefs are using a sick fascist hatemonger to whip up a vile racist frenzy among fans ahead of the national team’s match against England at the Wembley stadium on Wednesday.

A Sun investigation today reveals the Croatian FA is behind a cynical campaign encouraging thugs – who will be at Wembley for tomorrow’s match against England – to worship the right-wing nut spreading hatred and Sieg Heil chants on the terraces.

Shocking songs by fascist rocker Marko Perkovic that glorify genocide and Hitler’s death camps are played at Croatia’s home matches. nd his sick slogans are chanted by thousands of fans.

Croatian fans love Perkovic, nicknamed Thompson after the machinegun he used in the Balkans war.

They are notorious for wearing the uniform of the Nazis’ puppet Ustashe regime that ran Croatia during World War II.

The songs are blasted out to crank up intimidation levels inside Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium. It instantly provokes a fascist fervour as fans – who once formed a human swastika on the terraces – launch into the Sieg Heil salutes popular at Thompson’s concerts. (ANI)

Cilic hopes to defeat Murray in US Open fourth round

New York, Sep.8 (ANI): US Open 16th seed Marin Cilic has said that he hopes to defeat Britain’s Andy Murray in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows today.

The six feet six inch Croat hopes to avenge his defeat at the French Open this year before heading to a Manhattan bar tomorrow to watch his country face England in the crunch World Cup qualifier.

Cilic, who has lost all three of his clashes with Murray, said: “Hopefully on Wednesday I will still be around to watch England against Croatia. I like to follow Tottenham in the Premier League – they have a few Croatian players now. I like Niko Kranjcar and also Luka Modric. It is a blow Modric is injured but hopefully we can still win. But first I must concentrate on my match against Andy. He always comes up with some unbelievable shots.”

“Andy has been dealing with the pressure pretty well this season and the end of last year. I will try to be as focused as I can from the beginning of the match and try to start well. It is obviously harder if you are behind,” The Sun quoted him, as saying. (ANI)

Capello warns England Lions against being complacent against Croats

London, Sep.6 (ANI): Coach Fabio Capello has warned his England players that they need to be at their best against Croatia on Wednesday night – and also for the rest of the season.

The Daily Express quoted Capello as saying: “We have improved a lot since Croatia won at Wembley to prevent England going to the European Championships. Our confidence is higher. But I have also seen Croatia since we won 4-1 in Zagreb a year ago and they are in good form again.”

“It is important for the players to play well this season, but the most important thing is the spirit within the group. Marcello Lippi, after winning the World Cup for Italy, said he didn’t have all the best players in Italy in his squad, but chose who was right for the group as a whole. That is very important. It’s not always the best players who play in the World Cup. And it’s also about form at the time,” he added.

Capello said: “My philosophy is that I have to choose the best players, then create a spirit of the team. And it’s impossible to name a World Cup squad now – there are a lot of things to take into account. The first thing is that we have to get there!” (ANI)

Terry goads Croatia about Eduardo being a diver ahead of WC qualifier

London, Sep 5 (ANI): England captain John Terry has increased the pressure before the World Cup qualifier against Croatia by insisting that their Arsenal striker Eduardo is a diver.

Terry leads his men out to face Slovenia today in a friendly at Wembley but it is very much a warm-up for the main event, The Sun reports.

Eduardo, 26, is expected to lead the visitors’ attack having been centre stage for his tumble against Celtic, which resulted in a two-match ban from UEFA.

Terry said: “I think the Eduardo one was a dive. We can all see that and it’s disappointing to see because Arsenal is a quality side and I don’t think they want to be portrayed like that.”

Terry believes diving has to be stamped out of the game, but that English players are too saintly for their own good and don’t get so many free-kicks because they try to remain upright when challenged.

“Diving is something the England lads don’t do. Sometimes we’re too honest. Even in the Premier League, we see the English lads get a bit of contact and try to stay on their feet and score from the chance. The foreign mentality coming in is any little clip, you go tumbling over because of the speed of the game nowadays,” he added.

Terry revealed that he and fellow members of the defenders’ union are well aware who the culprits are in the game.

“Yeah, you know who they are. It’s not all the foreigners so it’s unfair to single them out but from our mentality and the way we’ve grown up it’s not something we’ve ever been into.

“When Chelsea first came into the UEFA Cup and the Champions League, we had to adapt because in the last minute of games we were giving away silly fouls that weren’t.

“When you see the opponents’ team-sheet you know who you’ve got to be careful with but there’s nobody in this England squad like that,” Terry said. (ANI)