22
May

Psychic animals picking Champions League winner

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The animals are at it again. Nelly the Elephant has triumphantly declared that Bayern Munich will defeat Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final. This isn’t Nelly’s first rodeo, she correctly predicted 4 of the 5 Germany matches in the Euro 2012 tournament, and she hopes to get back on track with her Bayern Munich selection.

Some other animals are not as optimistic about Bayern’s chances.

Walter the Orangutan has selected the underdog Dortmund side to come out victorious, though Walter is from a Dortmund zoo so he may be a bit biased. Joining Walter on the Dortmund bandwagon are a pair of otters in Aue Favor Dortmund as well as a tapir in Leipzig zoo.

In England, Nicholas the Llama correctly predicted both an FA Cup and Champions League victory for Chelsea last year.

All of these animals just hope to live up to the legend of Paul the Octopus:

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During the 2010 World Cup, Paul the Octopus correctly predicted all seven of Germany’s matches, as well as correctly choosing Spain to defeat Netherlands in the final.

Paul unfortunately died of natural causes in 2010, but he had become so legendary in his native Germany that a golden statue was erected in his honor.

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19
May

Champions League + Europa League spots sealed

The Barclays Premier League has come to an end and the Champions League positions are set. The Premier League will be sending the same representatives as last year but will be hoping for a much better result as none of them made it through to the Quarterfinals in this year’s competition.

There will be a different look for the Europa League representatives this season.

Tottenham will be returning to the Europa League for the second consecutive season and will be joined by Swansea and a relegated Wigan club.

Swansea has secured their birth thanks to a 5-0 victory over Bradford in the League Cup final. Despite the impending relegation, Wigan will be heading to the Europa League group stage courtesy of a 1-0 defeat of Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

19
May

Thank you fans!

It’s not a good-bye.

Thank you all for watching and for supporting the Premier League all these years on FOX Soccer. It’s been a blast and our pleasure bringing it to you, the fans.

As a reminder, FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, will be our new home for soccer starting August 17. Until then, FOX Soccer has next weekend’s Champions League final on tap, as well as this summer’s Gold Cup and plenty more.

15
May

Blues duel for Edinson Cavani’s signature

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Manchester City isn’t the only club interested in Napoli striker Edinson Cavani - as if we didn’t know! Chelsea has now entered the running for the Uruguay international if it doesn’t land its first-choice target, Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. We’ve got more on this and ome interesting lines on Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain and Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse. Click here for the latest gossip.

14
May

It all comes down to Sunday

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Remaining fixtures (all on Sunday, May 19):

Chelsea vs. Everton
Newcastle vs. Arsenal
Tottenham vs. Sunderland

With the title won and relegation decided, the final day of the Premier League has one battle to focus on: the fight for Champions League spots.

Unless Tottenham win by double digits, Chelsea are in, even if they lose. The real race is between Arsenal and Spurs.

Tottenham have to win, and then need a helping hand from Newcastle. It is possible for the Gunners to secure their spot with a draw as long as Tottenham also lose or draw, but a victory over the Toon would put them into the top four no matter what Spurs do.

12
May

Trecker’s Travels, Day Eight: Jam it up!

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By: Jamie Trecker

LONDON— It was the matchup we all anticipated: Barcelona and Real Madrid in London for the Champions League final. And it did take place – but not at Wembley Stadium.

 This weekend, the 02 Arena here is hosting the Euroleague basketball finals, the latest attempt to bring the game to England’s capital. Major soccer clubs boast basketball teams now – Olympiakos and CSKA Moscow are the other two sides involved in the four-team tournament — and the game’s increasing popularity has meant that England is involved in something of a tug-of-war. The NBA have been holding exhibitions here for several years and talk of a permanent franchise here has grown more serious than speculative.

Basketball has yet to make the inroads in England that it has across Europe. The fact that these games were held at all was treated as a bit of a comic footnote by the sports pack here, and a way to get “Barcelona” and “Real Madrid” into a headline for the web. But 16,000 people didn’t think it was a gag, showing up for the three-game series on a weekend normally given over to the FA Cup.

Read More

5
May

Goals of the Month: April

Take a look at the 10 best goals from across the soccer world for the month of April. From the Champions League to the Premier League to a U-17 Match, these are the best of the best.

Whenever you see a Goal of the Month nominee - tweet it to @FOXSoccer using hashtag #GOMonFOX, and we’ll see if it makes the cut.

4
May

King David wanted by European giant

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David Luiz’s stunning season with Chelsea has not gone unnoticed by Barcelona, so recently humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The Catalans are desperate to find a center-back to replace ageing defender Carles Puyol. Luiz can also play in midfield and scores spectacular long-range goals too. When was the last time Barca scored one of those? Click here for this and more rumors about Edinson Cavani and Robert Lewandowski.

3
May

On the bright side…

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Talk about looking through rose-colored glasses.

After suffering an embarrassing 7-0 aggregate loss in the Champions League semifinals to FC Bayern Munich, Barcelona is looking on the bright side.

One of the top stories on the club’s official website yesterday was headlined: “Barca rule Champions League possession.”

The story starts by noting that Barcelona led the competition in possession and passes this season, which, quite obviously, didn’t translate to the one stat that truly matters: goals.
If you learned one thing this week, let it be this: possession isn’t everything.
 
3
May

C’mon Marco, oldest trick in the book!

Robert Lewandowski tripped Marco Reus on a warm-up lap at Dortmund training camp earlier this season in a classic display of trolling by the Pole. 

With Dortmund’s sights set on the Champions League final against Bayern in a few weeks’ time, Lewandowski will look to trip up the Munich defense next. Dante, Boateng, Lahm: you’ve been warned.