Not content with dominating the senior game for the last seven years, tonight Spain’s youngsters go in search of back-to-back European Under-21 Championship titles as they face Italy in Jerusalem. Coach Julen Lopetegui has called on his talented Spain side to be “one united team” after playing their way to final in the free flowing tika-taka style we now come to expect from a Spanish outfit of any age group.

Man United: Out: Sir Alex Ferguson In: David Moyes Manchester United fans worldwide were shocked when their Gowan godfather stepped down at the end of the season and many instantly linked his decision with the availability of a certain Special One. As it turned out it was a certain Scottish One that took charge. A manager who knows the division, has done his time through the English leagues and has

This summer may be quiet in terms of competitive football, but away from the field it’s set to be one of the most tumultuous off-seasons ever. The biggest shock, perhaps the catalyst, came two weeks ago when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement from football. For many the only things certain in life were death, taxes and Sir Alex Ferguson being at United. The eulogies have been written and Fergie’s

It can be argued that the BREAKING NEWS headlines of the last two weeks have eclipsed what has been a rather mediocre season compared to the excitement we’re used to witnessing in the Premier League. Looking back there have been some classic encounters: Man City 2 v 3 Man Utd, Tottenham 2 v 4 Chelsea and Arsenal 5 v 2 Tottenham all stand out. But with United effectively having the

Benfica may be managed by Jorge Jesus, but tonight’s Europa League final provides an opportunity for Chelsea’s redemption. The 2012/13 season has seen Chelsea skulking from scandal to scandal like a tabloid celebrity. There hasn’t been a stable managerial reign at the club since Ancelotti’s departure in 2011. Paradoxically, success has been almost constant. Roberto Di Matteo secured the clubs first Champions League victory, which still led to his hasty

Parked at opposite ends of the table, Arsenal and Wigan are linked through their (almost annual) last ditch attempts to resurrect their seasons. As the two now go toe to toe in this penultimate fixture, the result will either lead to Champions League glory for the Gunners and Championship despair for the Latics, or pave the way for Wigan’s miraculous Premier League survival, sending Arsenal to the Europa League. For

The second instalment of the Championship Play-offs begins tonight as Crystal Palace host Brighton at Selhurst Park. The first semi-final between Leicester and Watford was looking like a clichéd game of two halves, but that was before David Nugent climbed to head home his first goal in 17 games and give the Foxes a slender 1-0 advantage going in to the second leg. Tonight brings an unorthodox rivalry. Palace and

The closest we get to a ‘post season’ or Super Bowl format in England is the Championship play-offs; the prize of a place in the Premier League and an increase in revenue of around £60m for the winner makes it the most valuable game in football. Last year’s winners West Ham and before them Swansea have both gone on to establish themselves in the Premier League, Swansea’s dramatic rise culminating

With the shock news of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement this morning, the importance of the London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham has been completely overshadowed. However, as Nick Hornby eloquently put in Fever Pitch, unlike life, football comes round again and again. There’s always another season. You lose the Cup final in May, well there’s the third round to look forward to in January. And so the show must go

If you had told Chelsea fans at the start of the 2012/13 campaign that their only chance of winning silverware come May would be the Europa League, most would have laughed in your face. Chelsea started the season with seven trophies to play for following their European and FA cup double, but Chelsea’s season has been shrouded in turmoil following various on and off field mishaps. A competition that didn’t