Cristiano Ronaldo is everything, but he will not be enough for Portugal to beat Spain, says Steve Archibald

Former Barcelona, Tottenham and Scotland striker Steve Archibald says Portugal's hopes of beating Spain rest on one man, Cristiano Ronaldo, but believes the Real Madrid forward will not be enough for Paulo Bento's side to claim victory in Wednesday's all-Iberian Euro 2012 semi-final in Donetsk.
 Archibald was signed by Spurs from Barcelona in 1984 as a replacement for Diego Maradona and won La Liga for the Catalan club under Terry Venables.
The Glasgow-born forward, who also had a spell at Espanyol later in his career and moved back to Catalunya after hanging up his boots, is backing his adopted country to advance to the final of Euro 2012 - despite Ronaldo.
"Portugal have very good players," he told Goal.com in an exclusive interview. "And of course they have Cristiano Ronaldo who is in a great moment of form.
"But I do not think it will be enough because Spain will have possession of the ball and that will be an important factor. Sergio Ramos plays with Ronaldo at Real Madrid and [Gerard] Pique also knows him well. They know how good he is. "
And despite La Roja's protestations that Portugal are not a one-man team, Archibald believes they are.
"I think Portugal do not have any other [decisive] players. Cristiano Ronaldo is everything, he makes the difference in his national team. Ronaldo is their top player."

Official: Arsenal announce signing Giroud

Arsenal have announced that they have completed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Montpellier for an undisclosed fee.
 The Premier League club had long been linked with a move for the France international, with the transfer now only the subject of the formal processes after the 25-year-old completed a medical and agreed personal terms on Thursday.
Giroud played a key role in Montpellier's Ligue 1 title-winning 2011-12 campaign, scoring 21 goals in 36 appearances, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is over the moon with the striker's arrival at the Emirates Stadium on what is described as a long-term contract.
"We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud," Wenger told the club's official website. "He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.
"We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season.
"He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier's championship-winning side last season. We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt. "
Giroud, whose deal with Arsenal commences on July 1, was equally pleased to have secured a move to the Champions League hopefuls.I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger’s 'touch' at this club. I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I’m very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans."

Juve not giving up on Van Persie

By the end of the week Marot new meeting with the agents of Dutch national team.
 And still the main stumbling block remains the salary.
Van Persie in the City could get about 8 million a year, it seems that Juve can not pay.
But on the other side of RVP and does not want just the City, and is not sure of his future at Arsenal, the reason little chance that this team is fighting for trophies.
However, Wenger is confident that it will remain captain, but the Italians surrendered. They are willing to wait, but honestly it's hard to believe that Arsenal could not keep the captain, if he broke to go, especially since the last year of the contract.

Tottenham want to barter with Real interesting?

As quoted by Arab media, Tottenham wanted Nuri Sahin, Ricardo Carvalho for Luka Modric, with 31 million account with the Madrid club.
 After the departure of Harry Redknapp of Tottenham is almost certain that Luka Modric leave the "Lane".
It is well known that Mourinho has in his Notes Luka Modric, who had excellent games on the EP with a selection of Croatia.

As quoted by Arab media outlets, namely National, Tottenham is ready to sell Modric Real Madrid for 31 million euros to move Ricardo Carvalho and Nuri Sahin on the "White Hart Lane."

Reversal - Flamini extended his contract with Milan

Although there were words that do not count in Milan on Flamini, the Frenchman is still extended cooperation with "Rosoneri".
 Recently there was talk that the Milan is no longer count on Mathieu Flamini.

However, according to a Sky Sport 24 Frenchman has signed a new, one-year, contract with the Milan club.

Mathieu Flamini has remained a free agent after his contract with Milan expired.

Apparently now Flamini signed a contract with Milan for a year, but his salary will be somewhat lower, amounting to 1.6 million euros per year, which will be 2.9 million fewer than the previous one.

Hodgson: We leave with raised heads

England yesterday suffered elimination from Euro 2012, when footballers of Italy stayed calmer in the penalty machine.'Three Lions' had defeated the regular part of the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, and Roy Hodgson says they can be proud of displayed."I went home virtually lost match, so I will leave with raised heads." - Said the England coach. "We eliminated because we can not win on penalties.""I think you guys have done a great job for their country.""We gave out, we worked hard.
"We also had some problems, Scott Parker struggled with Achilles tendon, while Steven Gerrard had cramps.""But despite that, the players did not resign and gave the best of him until the last whistle."Hodgson then talking about the penalty machine."The five who have chosen are good performers on penalties. All these well performed penalties in training. But training can not reproduce the tension and anxiety. ""Unfortunately two missed. Cole struck penalty in the final of the Champions League for Chelsea, while Young has realized a number of penalties for clubs that played. ""Poise and confidence shown by Pirlo when he decided to undermine the ball, it is learned. It's either you or not. "England still will not win over a big football nation in the knock-out stage of a major competition of World Cup 1966, but Hodgson is confident that these players are able to end this bad batch."It is just time.""If this group of players continue in the same style, I'm sure will soon tear them this bad statistics."

Germany without Schweinsteiger in the semifinals?

The performance of midfielder is questionable due to problems with the old injury ...
Player of Bayern Munich said the right ankle is not completely recover for injury to ligaments in February.
, To be honest, I am concerned because of injury. I'm not quite recover and not enough time to rest. Hopefully we'll play two more matches, and I'll have to fight. But after that I will need time to recover'' - said Schweinsteiger.
Schweinsteiger do not train regularly in the German national team camp in Gdansk, not playing at the game against Greece.
, I had a few bad passes that rarely do. Such errors should not make a player like me'' - said the key player in midfield Pancirite.

4 million pounds of trophy EP

England internationals will share premium of 4 million pounds if they are European champions

The English Football Association of the players will provide £ 4 million if become champions of the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine. FA in the European Championships earned about 20 million pounds.

Roy Hodgson says this does not exactly interested in:

, Money does not interest me, my goals are medals and not money. I have no idea what the prize for selling the Euro and the money is the last thing me and the players comes to mind. Many would not mean athletic success, I'm in it.''

Wenger: "The agreement with over 90% of the acorn"

As already mentioned a long time, Oliver acorn will almost certainly arrive at the "Emirates".
It was confirmed yesterday and the legendary Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, who sympathized with the French players.

"Acorn has not played much, but it will be 90% Arsenal player next season," said Wenger.
"I think it has great potential and that will fit into our collective game. He was a true team player," Wenger concluded.

Drogba signed for Shanghai Shenhua

Representative of Côte d'Ivoire, Didea Drogba said it signed an agreement for the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in duration of 2.5 years.
 "Great pleasure to inform you that I signed a contract with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua," Drogba said, adding that the agreement is valid until 12/31/2014 and the new club will join in July.
Drogba left his previous club Chelsea, which helped to win the Champions League.
Chinese media have speculated that Drogba will be a weekly salary of 248,000 euros, becoming the highest-paid player in Chinese football.

Hulk: I move to Chelsea

Brazilian footballer is often associated with a move to Chelsea, Hulk no secret that wants move to Stamford Bridge.

"Chelsea is currently European champions and satisfaction of each player is to play there, I am not an exception" - said Hulk to O Jogo.

"I would be happy if such transfer occurred."

25-year-old has a contract with Porto in 2014, so it depends on negotiations between the two clubs.
"I leave in the hands of Porto" - adds Hulk.
"I'm under contract, and I am happy in Porto for four years, here are won."

"This club is in my heart and wear it there no matter what happens this summer or at any other summer."

Mourinho: Portugal is not one of the top three teams at Euro 2012

The Portuguese coach thinks that there are several teams stronger than the Seleccao, and acknowledged that Spain is rightly heavily favored to secure the title.

Portugal is not one of the top three teams at Euro 2012
The Seleccao are currently tied on points with Denmark in second place of Group B following Wednesday's 3-2 victory against the Scandinavians. A victory against Netherlands on Sunday could see Portugal survive the 'Group of Death', but Mourinho believes that there are a number of teams stronger than the Euro 2004 runner-up.

"Portugal do not depend on the other teams, they depend only on themselves," he told reporters at an event in Singapore. "If they do their job against Netherlands, they will be in the quarterfinals.

"I do not think that Portugal are one of the top two or three teams in the competition. But these are small tournaments and we will soon enter the knockout stages.

Hodgson will come up trumps against Ukraine, says Glen Johnson

The fullback insisted that despite only needing a point The Three Lions will go out to win against the co-host, and is relishing the return of Wayne Rooney after his suspension.

The Three Lions will go out to win against the co-host, and is relishing the return of Wayne Rooney after his suspension.The Three Lions defeated Erik Hamren's side in a thrilling match in Kiev, as the recently-appointed boss opted for two up front to combat its opponents' supposed aerial weaknesses. And the fullback believes that the team have been going from strength to strength since the 64-year-old took control.

Johnson told reporters: “Roy [Hodgson] probably came in about four weeks before the tournament started, so it’s not long for any manager to lay down all their laws and how they want to play. But he’s putting his points across relatively quickly and the lads are learning quite quickly.”

Higuain not leave Real Madrid

The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, but has once again stated that he is happy in the Spanish capital.

Higuain reaffirms commitment to Real Madrid
"I'm fine at Real Madrid," Higuain confessed to Fox Sports.

The Argentina international had to play second fiddle to Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu for the majority of last season, and, accordingly, there have been rumours that he could seek a move this summer.
The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in the clinical forward, but the ex-River Plate man has expressed his desire to stay with the Liga champions.

"I am happy in Spain and I want to stay with Madrid to realise my dreams. I have matured a lot since leaving my country five years ago, now I feel like a complete player and an important element for Real Madrid," he said.
The 24-year-old made his move to the Spanish capital from River Plate in January 2007, and has won three Liga titles with the club.

Malafeev: We will not play for a draw against Greece

The goalkeeper, who is filling in for the injured Igor Akinfeev, insists his side will not play negative football as it looks to seal a place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012
To plan to play for a draw means limiting your chances. If you do that, you have the choice of two possible results, you either get yours and draw or you lose.
Dick Advocaat's side need only a point to be sure of its progress while the Greeks must win to stand any chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

Malaga want Robinho

MALAGA are considering a €15 million for Robinho as their interest in the player has been confirmed.


Robinho has had a rather average season at Milan as he couldn’t even replicate his performances from his debut year with the Rossoneri in which he scored 14 league goals, finishing as Milan’s joint top scorer.The 28-year-old was not even close to being Milan’s Top Scorer in the 2011/2012 season, scoring 6 Serie A goals while Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted 28. His future at Milan could be hanging at the balance now.
As reported by il Corriere dello Sport , Spanish side Malaga are interested in signing Robinho and are preparing a €15 million bid for the player who was signed by Milan in 2010 for €18 million. Malaga are also apparently prepared to offer the Brazilian forward a long-term contract worth €6.5 million per season..