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BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel expects Mexican striker Javier Fernandez to have a major impact in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Schmeichel says United has learned from its 2-0 defeat to the Spanish side in the 2009 final and will be much improved in Saturday’s showpiece in London.

Schmeichel, speaking to The Associated Press, compares Fernandez to former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He says the Mexican “is an amazing player with an amazing talent and he must have an amazing mind as well.”

Labels: Fernandez, final, impact, Schmeichel, talks

WEMBLEY, England (AP)—Obafemi Martins scored in 89th minute winner after a blunder by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny, giving Birmingham a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup final for its first trophy since 1963.

Szczesny and Koscielny both went to stop Nikola Zigic’s header in the penalty area and the ball landed at the feet of Martin, who slid it into the net.

“I think it was my second touch,” said Martins, who joined Birmingham on a six-month loan from the Russian club Rubin Kazan last month. “I think this is the easiest goal I’ve ever scored in my career.”

Zigic, at 6-foot-8 the Premier League’s tallest player, had put Birmingham in front with a header in the 28th minute. Robin van Persie of Arsenal evened it 11 minutes later with a volley.

Birmingham won the 1963 League Cup final. Its victory Sunday left Arsenal searching for its first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

Birmingham is battling relegation from the Premier League, two points above the drop zone. Arsenal is second behind Manchester United.

“It’s an achievement when you consider who we were up against,” Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said. “We weren’t given a prayer by the pundits and the bookies but we believed today. It was a titanic performance by the players.”

Arsenal has lost three finals since 2005. That lack of success, manager Arsene Wenger said before the match, had placed “a weight on the team.” Wenger hoped the final would show how far his club has matured, but Arsenal was sluggish and struggled to impose itself.

Labels: Arsenal, beats, Birmingham, final, league

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil is expecting a tough Round of 16 tie against Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League, but the German international is confident the Blancos can overcome the French side.

Oezil has revealed the Merengues are keen to reach the Champions League final, which will be played Wembley Stadium in England.

"We all expect the game to be difficult, but we want to win, and we know we can," the 22-year-old told the club's official website. "I expect us to be successful.

"I have been watching their games and they actually worry me as a team. It’s clear they will make things difficult for us, but we want to defeat them.
"The squad thinks about winning titles, but we have to take things slowly and play one game at a time. We have to eliminate Olympique Lyonnais because we want to reach the Wembley Stadium final."

The German international also spoke about his first Champions League goal against Milan during the group stage.

"It was incredible to score my first Champions League goal," he continued. "I didn't care how nice my goal was because it was my first in the European Cup.

"It is always incredible to score, no matter where you are, but it's even more special when you do so at home before the Bernabeu crowd. The stadium makes me feel fantastically well."

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Labels: champions, final, Goalcom, league, Madrid, Mesut, Oezil, reach

The Brazilian became the only driver to go under the one minute 23 second barrier when he registered a lap of 1:22.625 with less than half an hour to go at Montmelo.

The time sees Massa top the table following the completion of testing, trumping Mercedes' Nico Rosberg, who was unable to better the 1:23.168 he registered on Sunday.

World champion Sebastian Vettel's 1:23.315 lap from Saturday ended up the third quickest time overall, .127 faster than Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber.

Massa's team-mate Fernando Alonso ended as the 10th-quickest, over a second slower with a best time of 1:23.978.

"The outcome of testing up to the end of today has been positive," Massa said. "We really did a lot of kilometres and I think our team actually completed more than anyone else.

"Both myself and Fernando did a real and genuine race simulation and we tried all the types of Pirelli tyre with different fuel levels. Where are we compared to the others? I don’t know and until we are all doing the same things at the same time, in other words at the first race, then we won’t know for certain.

"The Red Bull is definitely very quick and that’s a fact. Today, we did a good lap time and I think we are not off the pace: however, yesterday Rosberg was quick for example and you definitely cannot rule out McLaren and some other teams."

Labels: Eurosport, final, Massa, TESTING, Yahoo

Red Bull's Mark Webber went to lunch at the head of the field on the final day of testing at Barcelona.

The RB7 has looked impressive all week, so it was no surprise when Webber clocked a 1:23.442 to take the top spot ahead of early pacesetter Sebastien Buemi.

Just like team-mate Sebastian Vettel on Saturday, Webber set his hot lap on the first attempt of a two-lap, qualifying-style run, with a drop off of nearly one second as the tyres degraded on the second lap.

Pastor Maldonado was third fastest in the Williams ahead of Adrian Sutil in the Force India.

Lotus brought an early end to its test when Jarno Trulli crashed heavily at turn nine. A problem with the car speared him off the track and due to a lack of spares the team decided to pack up and head home.

"Unfortunately the day was cut short due to the accident Jarno suffered this morning at turn nine," chief operating officer Mike Gascoyne said. "It was not his fault - it was caused by a car failure and we were missing a part we needed to put the car back together which meant we had to cut day four short."

Despite the ignominious end, Trulli said he was happy with the car's performance so far.

"It's obviously disappointing to have the test cut short like this but these things happen in motor racing," he said. We started the day well and until the accident happened I had picked up where I left off yesterday - the car has good balance, pace we can build on and has the potential to help us take the fight to the midfield, so I'm leaving here feeling confident about the season ahead and am looking forward to the next test, wherever that will be."

Meanwhile, McLaren appeared to make progress with the reliability of the MP4-26 and Lewis Hamilton racked up an impressive 66 laps in the morning. That tally was only matched by Felipe Massa in the Ferrari, as both concentrated on long runs over headline times.

Renault had problems with its KERS unit, keeping Nick Heidfeld in the garage for much of the morning and restricting him to just 22 laps. It is hoping for more extensive running in the afternoon.

Times

Labels: fastest, final, Morning, Webber

NYON, Switzerland (AP)—The most expensive tickets for the Europa League final cost less than the cheapest tickets generally available for the Champions League final.

UEFA’s Category 1 tickets for the Europa League final in Dublin went on sale Monday for ?135 ($185), with all fans able to buy Category 4 seats for ?50 ($68).

UEFA angered fans in England last week by asking for ?175 ($235) for the cheapest tickets available to neutral fans at Wembley Stadium for the Champions League final. Fans of the two finalists can get some seats for ?95 ($130).

The best seats at Wembley cost ?350 ($480) and all tickets are subject to a ?31 ($40) administration fee, which was singled out for criticism by supporters’ groups.

UEFA did not specify what it would charge to handle applications for tickets to see its second-tier competition final.

Europa League prices are lower than for last year’s final played in Hamburg, Germany, which ranged from ?55-?150 with a ?30 fee.

UEFA said last week it set prices according to market prices in the host city.

Ireland’s debt-ridden economy was bailed out last November and unemployment has tripled in the past three years.

The Europa League final is to be played on May 18 at the 51,000-capacity venue formerly known as Lansdowne Road.

Labels: Europa, final, league, prices

“The cup in England is very important, for us it’s important to try and arrive in the final if it’s possible. This is our target,” he told reporters.

Two goals from Patrick Vieira followed by strikes from Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Micah Richards sealed City’s place in the fifth round where they will face Aston Villa. However manager Mancini admitted his side didn’t perform to the best of their ability in the first half.

“I’m happy, when you play every three days it’s difficult to play very well always 100%. In the first half Notts County played very well.”

Despite City dominating possession in the first half it was County who came closest to opening the scoring early on as they struck the post through Karl Hawley, and then Alan Gow forced Joe Hart into a save down low to his left.

“We had more chances in the first half and didn’t score, but this is football,” he added.

“It’s important when we score we continue to score if it’s possible, and try to win every game.”

City welcomed back Mario Balotelli after his recent spell on the sidelines and Mancini was pleased with his striker’s 60 minute performance before he was substitute. The Italian insisted the striker’s knee was ok despite the occasional limp from the player.

“It was our plan [to bring him off], we said before the game for him only 60 minutes because it’s the first game he started after injury,” he continued.

“We want him to available for the next three months , we want him at 100%.

“Sometimes when he shoots and he scores he doesn’t touch [his knee], when he shoots and he doesn’t score he touches the knee.”

The introduction of Tevez for Balotelli sparked City into life and the Argentine was involved in City’s third and fourth goals, scoring one and creating the other for Dzeko. It was Tevez’s 50th goal for City and his manager was full of praise for the former Manchester United forward.

“He is a fantastic player,” he admitted.

“He scored a goal that changed the match. When we start to play he scored a goal and had an assist, he changed the game.”

City now have a home tie against Aston Villa in the fifth round and victory in that game will see them at home again against either Everton or Reading in the quarter-finals, but Mancini remains focused on getting past Villa before worrying about potential last eight opponents.

“The next two games are not friendlies,” Mancini insisted.

“It’s important they’re at home but we played before against Aston Villa. Aston Villa’s a good team at the moment and maybe after if we beat them we [will] play Everton. We never win against Everton.”

There were two notable absentees from the City squad with neither Sean Wright-Phillips or Shay Given involved but Mancini explained this was due to injury and nothing else.

“Shay Given has a problem in his shoulder,” he explained.

“The same that he had last year, next week he goes to the doctor in London and maybe he’ll need surgery. Sean Wright Phillips had a problem with his back, I hope he could be ok for Thursday.”

Labels: final, Goalcom, Mancini, Reaching, target

The Belarusian was carried off following a strong challenge by Wednesday defender James O'Connor.

Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "Alex is limping heavily. He will have a scan hopefully over the next 24 hours."

Birmingham face Hleb's former club Arsenal in their first Wembley cup final in 55 years on 27 February.

Hleb has recently been sidelined by an ankle injury and was making his first appearance since January.

"It is his knee," said McLeish. "We don't believe there is any cruciate problems but he got a fair rattle. The guy was very late in the tackle.

"We presume we can get something done on Sunday and we will know after that if there is any damage.

"He is a great player and we still believe he will make an impact for us at some stage this season and, hopefully, he will be OK for the final."

Hleb arrived on loan at St Andrew's from Barcelona on transfer deadline day in August 2010 and has made 20 appearances for McLeish's side.

Labels: Carling, final, Sport

In a repeat of last year's final, Carter started brightly with a 118 before the world number one hit back with breaks of 71 and 76 to lead 2-1.

Carter levelled at 2-2 but then his Scottish opponent turned on the style after the interval, with two quick frames and knocks of 69 and 55.

Higgins powered on in Newport and will now play Mark Selby or Stephen Maguire.

Carter, who last won the title in 2009, struggled after the interval and was unable to stay at the table for any substantial length of time as his opponent took hold of the match.

Higgins now has his sights set on his second major title of the year after marking his return from a six-month ban by winning the UK Championship.

The 35-year-old is competing for the first time since pulling out of the German Masters after his father, also called John, lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

Tomorrow's final will be his fifth at the event, with Higgins looking to add to the titles he won in 2000 and 2010.

Labels: beats, Carter, final, Higgins, reach, Sport, Welsh

By Lawrence Booth
Last updated at 9:21 AM on 18th February 2011

England take on Pakistan today in a warm-up game that feels more like a grudge  match following the acrimonious events of 2010.

The sides have been staying in the same Dhaka hotel during the build-up to the  World Cup, which starts here tomorrow with Bangladesh against India following  last night's colourful opening ceremony, but Stuart Broad admitted the two  teams – who have not met since the summer – have given each other a wide berth.

'We’ve seen them but not spoken to them,’ said the England fast bowler. ‘And it’s not like we've been going out for dinner with them.’

The banned trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer are absent  following their part in the no-ball scandal that wrecked the Lord’s Test.

But  Wahab Riaz – the seamer who clashed with Jonathan Trott before the one-day  international at the same ground – is in Pakistan’s squad.

Broad, whose career-best 169 at Lord’s was all but forgotten amid the controversy, admitted: ‘Obviously it was a tough time for us last year: all  England players will say the same.

'We enjoyed the cricket, but the  off-the-field incidents did damage our wonderful summer of cricket. But you've  got to move on and the World Cup campaign is our sole focus.’

England made an unconvincing start to their tour on Wednesday when they  squeezed out minnows Canada by 16 runs in their opening warm-up match Fatullah,  but Broad’s haul of five for 39 in his first game since tearing stomach muscles  in Adelaide in December was a rare ray of light.

‘It was great to get back on the pitch,’ he said. ‘I was a bit nervous before  the start, but I feel very fresh having not played for a long time and very fit  after all the gym work.’

Labels: daily, England, final, friendly, hardly, Itaposs, Match, Pakistan, warmup

Seventh one-day international, Perth:
Australia 279-7 (50 overs) beat England 222 (44 overs) by 57 runs
Match scorecard

David Hussey (60) added 95 with Adam Voges, who made a career-best unbeaten 80 from 72 balls in Australia's 279-7.

England's reply began with both openers out for ducks in the first two overs.

Michael Yardy fired an unbeaten 60, his highest ODI score, and Matt Prior made 39 playing as a middle order batsman, but England were all out in 44 overs.

It was a wretched end to a tour that had so many highlights for England and they briefly head home before embarking on a World Cup campaign in the sub-continent about which they may now feel less confident.

The 100th day of the trip down under was almost more notable for who was off the field rather than on it.

England had six players ruled out by injury, while Australia had nine on the sidelines, six through injury and three rested.

The tourists began promisingly enough and when Australia chose to bat in typically cloudless azure blue Perth skies, the well-travelled new ball pair James Anderson and Liam Plunkett captured a wicket apiece in the opening nine overs.

Plunkett, drafted in from the Lions tour of the Caribbean for only his second ODI since July 2007, dismissed Tim Paine lbw after a lengthy review and Anderson, who had two return visits home during the tour, had Callum Ferguson expertly taken by Andrew Strauss at solitary wide slip.

Brad Haddin, dropped by Yardy at second slip off Anderson in the first over, caused more dismay for the Lancastrian seamer when he launched the first ball of the bowling powerplay down the ground for six.

Yardy atoned when the wicketkeeper tried to hit another maximum and was unfortunate that England had put their tallest fielder on the long-on boundary.

Steven Finn was at full stretch and cleverly parried the ball up as his momentum took him towards the rope, then calmly walked back into the field of play and completed the catch.

When Yardy took a smart return catch to dismiss Cameron White, who made a strangely pedestrian 24 from 47 balls in his first match as ODI captain, Australia were meandering at 103-4 in the 26th over.

But it was a far from immaculate display in the field from England, not helped by a stiff easterly breeze, with three extra overs given away in wides, although Australia were guilty of the same offence.

Several half-chances were also spurned, and after Luke Wright failed to cling on to Hussey's drive off his own bowling when he had made only four, the fifth-wicket partnership revived the innings.

Hussey was quick to seize on anything short, pulling Yardy into the stand for six and quickly recording his sixth ODI fifty, with 31-year-old Perth local Voges an excellent, quietly efficient foil in only his 15th international.

Plunkett returned to bowl the 40th over and struck with his first ball when Hussey got a leading edge.

Anderson took two more wickets, one courtesy of a stunning catch by Prior in his unfamiliar fielding role on the boundary for the first time in an ODI since 2006, and finished with 3-48.

Whether England conceded more than they should have done seemed irrelevant when the captain departed second ball and the other leading batsmen followed with alarming alacrity.

Strauss will count himself unfortunate that Shaun Tait bowled seven wides on both sides of the wicket in his opening three overs but produced a devastating delivery to him that swung late at 92mph and cannoned into the off-stump.

Wicketkeeper Steven Davies, unceremoniously discarded after making 42 in the first match of the series and then left out of the World Cup squad, returned to the top of the order but failed to grasp his opportunity when an ill-advised pull at Doug Bollinger skied straight up off the top edge.

Jonathan Trott had played numerous innings of defiance throughout the tour but even his powers of concentration appeared to wane as he cut to slip, while Kevin Pietersen played another frustrating knock, with three boundaries in his 26 before a tame sliced drive to backward point.

The concern was not the required rate but the fall of wickets, Ian Bell the fifth man to go, steering a late cut straight to third man.

Prior, who had come back into the one-day team to open, was deployed at number six to compensate for the loss of the injured Eoin Morgan, who remains a doubt for the World Cup with a fractured finger.

He briefly played with some style before driving to short extra cover to end a useful stand of 55 in 11 overs with the ever-resourceful Yardy.

Wright blazed a breezy 24 and Plunkett wielded a six in his 20 but Tait returned to claim two wickets in an over.

There was still time for Yardy to record his second ODI fifty and launch Bollinger over mid-wicket for six but England succumbed to the same emphatic series margin as in the one-day games that followed their 2009 Ashes home series victory.

Losing six out of seven matches is unlikely to be part of some elaborate World Cup strategy and much needs to be addressed before England's first warm-up match against Canada in Fatullah on 16 February.

Labels: Australia, England, final, International, oneday, thrash