Check todays hot topics and new pictures Today is: 19 June, 2013
Chelsea have lost their strength and confidence, says Michael Ballack

Chelsea have lost their strength and confidence, says Michael BallackLondon, Nov 25: German footballer Michael Ballack claims that his old club, Chelsea, has lost the mental strength which made it a formidable force in 2005 and 2006.

Ballack’s comment comes after he helped Bayer Leverkusen beat Chelsea 2-1 in Wednesday’s Champions League clash,

“We knew before the game they were in a difficult moment, but it’s only when you play against a team on the pitch that you see what is really happening,” the Daily Mail quoted the 35-year-old midfielder, as saying.

“We could feel it on the pitch every minute, especially at the beginning of the match, that they were not as strong as they normally are. Even when they were 1-0 up, we could sense that they didn’t have the strength mentally they normally have.”

“We felt that on the pitch and even though we were lucky to score in the last minute, we always thought we had a chance of winning,” he added.

Ballack had spent four years at Stamford Bridge and left the club on a free transfer after his contract was not renewed in June 2010. (ANI)


Hulk determined to win over Brazil fans

Hulk determined to win over Brazil fansFortaleza (Brazil), June 19 - Brazil forward Hulk insists he is unaffected by jeers from the stands and has vowed to win over the hearts and minds of Brazilian supporters during the Confederations Cup.  Read more »

Spain retains UEFA Under-21 crown

UEFA-U-21Jerusalem, June 19 : Spain retained the 2013 UEFA U-21 soccer championship beating Italy 4-2 here at the Teddy Stadium.

Spanish captain Thiago Alcantara hit a hat-trick in the first half  Read more »

Sri Lankans will target Indian bowling: Jayasuriya

Sanath-JayasuriyaCardiff, June 19 : Former captain Sanath Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka will target the Indian bowlers during the Champions Trophy semifinal slated for Thursday at the Sophia Gardens here.  Read more »

Champions Tropny semifinals: England put South Africa in to bat

england-vs-south-africaLondon, June 19 : England opted to field against South Africa in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy at the Kennington Oval here Wednesday.  Read more »

Mahindra's Locatelli takes double win at Misano

Andrea-LocatelliMisano (Italy), June 17 : Both Mahindra Racing riders Andrea Locatelli and Michael Rinaldi performed well in Rounds 5 and 6 of the CIV Moto3 which concluded at the Misano World Circuit here.  Read more »

Gill leads APRC field by 12 minutes

Gaurav-GillNoumea (New Caledonia), June 15 : Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneall) took a commanding 12-minute lead for the MRF Tyres Rally team after Day 1 of the Rally of New Caledonia, the second round of the  Read more »