Tag Archives: arjen

Mark van Bommel announces international retirement

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Van Bommel hands the baton to Holland's next generation after announcing international retirement

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UPDATED:

17:25 GMT, 20 June 2012

Mark van Bommel has retired from international football following Holland's early elimination from Euro 2012, the Dutch football association have confirmed.

The 35-year-old midfielder said it was time to make way for the next generation after the Oranje lost all three group matches at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Last time out: Mark van Bommel (right) won the last of his 79 caps in the 2-1 defeat to Germany

Last time out: Mark van Bommel (right) won the last of his 79 caps in the 2-1 defeat to Germany

'I don't want to retire,' Van Bommel said. 'Maybe there will a moment that the coach needs me in the future and then I will be available but for now it is time for talented young players.'

Van Bommel made his Netherlands debut in 2000 and won 79 caps, playing in two World Cups and one European Championship.

After helping the team reach the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup the midfielder announced that he would not be available for the national side as long Marco van Basten was coach.

The end of an era: Van Bommel and Arjen Robben applaud the fans after Holland's defeat to Portugal

The end of an era: Van Bommel and Arjen Robben applaud the fans after Holland's defeat to Portugal

But after Van Basten stepped down following Euro 2008, Van Bommel returned under new coach Bert van Marwijk – who is also his father-in-law – and played a key role in helping the Dutch reach the 2010 World Cup final.

Van Bommel has joined PSV Eindhoven for next season after a seven-year stint abroad playing for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

Bayern Munich stars looking forward to playing Chelsea at home

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Bayern shoot-out heroes can't wait to face Chelsea on home turf

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UPDATED:

10:10 GMT, 26 April 2012

Bayern Munich's penalty shoot-out heroes Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer are both looking forward to taking on Chelsea on home soil in the Champions League final.

Schweinsteiger scored the decisive penalty which put out Real Madrid in the semi-finals last night and Neuer saved spot-kicks from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo had earlier scored from the penalty spot and added a second before Arjen Robben's penalty levelled the tie on aggregate and took the game into extra time.

Denied: Manuel Neuer foils Cristiano Ronaldo from the spot

Denied: Manuel Neuer foils Cristiano Ronaldo from the spot

Mario Gomez and David Alaba also scored for Bayern in the shoot-out but Philipp Lahm and Toni Kroos saw their efforts saved by Iker Casillas.

After Neuer had saved from Ronaldo and Kaka, Xabi Alonso netted his effort from the spot before Sergio Ramos fired over the bar, leaving Schweinsteiger the unenviable task of stepping up to fire Bayern into the final.

Schweinsteiger told the club website: 'Ever since it was announced that the final would be in Munich, we all had only one target: to get there.

'Now we have one more match at home, and we want to win it. The only thing going through my head was putting the ball in the net.'

Neuer said he thought Bayern had been rewarded for matching Real in both legs of the semi-final, winning the home leg 2-1.

Homeboy: Bastian Schweinsteiger said ever since it was agreed the final would be played in Munich, Bayern have been determined to get there

Homeboy: Bastian Schweinsteiger said ever since it was agreed the final would be played in Munich, Bayern have been determined to get there

He said: 'We've all worked very hard for this. In both games, we were on a par with them at the very least, and at the end of the day, we deserved to win.

'I was determined to save those penalties, although obviously luck plays its part.'

Bayern also take on Borussia Dortmund in the final of the DFB-Pokal and Neuer hopes they can make it a Champions League and domestic cup double.

He added: 'It's great we have two finals ahead of us.'

Graham Poll: Viktor Kassai let the big match pressure get to him

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Kassai let the big match pressure get to him and awarded crazy penalty

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UPDATED:

23:56 GMT, 25 April 2012

Viktor Kassai is a good referee but the pressure of a big game can affect anyone.

I took charge of Bayern v Real in the second leg of the semi-final in 2000 and know how tough it is.

That pressure seemed to affect the Hungarian on Wednesday night as he awarded Madrid a crazy penalty in the sixth minute when a shot hit David Alaba from close range.

Pressure got to him: Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben argue with Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai

Pressure got to him: Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben argue with Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai

Handball must be deliberate, this was not. To compound his error, Kassai showed Alaba a yellow card, meaning he would miss the final.

Fans often say referees who feel they have erred try to make amends. That appeared to be the case on first viewing of Bayern’s penalty award when Mario Gomez threw himself to the ground after a touch from Pepe.

On Tuesday, the assistants helped Cuneyt Cakir impress in Barcelona. Kassai never gave his assistants the chance to help and so made two poor calls.

Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben pulled apart in half-time scrap

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Battle of Bayern! Ribery and Robben come to blows in Champions League scrap

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UPDATED:

19:46 GMT, 19 April 2012

Franck Ribery and former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben had to be dragged apart by shocked team-mates after a furious dressing room bust-up midway through Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

A row that started on the pitch shortly before half-time escalated after the players reached the dressing room, as the pair traded insults and angrily squared up to each other.

According to sources in Munich, Ribery aimed a punch at Robben and caught him under the eye, before team-mates stepped in and pulled them apart.

Flashpoint: Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery argue over a free kick

Flashpoint: Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery argue over a free kick

It is understood both players were hauled before Bayern bosses Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness the following morning and given a dressing down, with Ribery taking most of the blame and being fined for his actions.

Significantly, when asked about the flare-up, there was no denial from a club spokesman, who said: ‘Whatever happens in the locker room stays there. We will not be making any further comment.’

The flashpoint is believed to have stemmed from a heated argument over who should take a free-kick towards the end of the first half. Both players reappeared for the second half, and Bayern went on to win the first leg 2-1. The winners of the tie face Chelsea or Barcelona in the final.

Key man: Ribery has put Bayern ahead early in the Champions League semi

Key man: Ribery has put Bayern ahead early in the Champions League semi

Odds stacked against Marseille but Bayern Munich boss Heynckes refuses to take anything for granted

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Odds stacked against Marseille but Bayern Munich boss Heynckes refuses to take anything for granted

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UPDATED:

18:10 GMT, 27 March 2012

Hopelessly out of form and devoid of key players, Marseille are in the worst possible shape for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

Didier Deschamps's side, who sit a lowly 9th in Ligue 1, recently set a dismal club record with seven straight defeats, scoring a lamentable five goals in eight games.

They face Bayern without suspended keeper Steve Mandanda and the injured Souleymane Diawara and desperately need top scorer Loic Remy to shake off a thigh injury.

Up against it: Marseille

Up against it: Marseille

In sharp contrast, Bayern have been tearing opponents apart, scoring 22 goals in five games thanks to a three-pronged attack of Arjen Robben, Mario Gomez and Franck Ribery.

'Aside from Real Madrid and Barcelona, they're the team that really stands out. We're facing a heavyweight,' Marseille midfielder Alou Diarra said.

'They are the favorites, but we'll give it everything.'

But Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes is taking nothing for granted, saying Marseille, despite their troubles in the league, have proven pedigree in Europe this season.

Urging caution: Heynckes

Urging caution: Heynckes

'We've seen what Marseille can do, they've had some good results,' he said.

'They finished first in their group ahead of (Bundesliga leader Borussia) Dortmund and they beat Inter Milan. We can't take them lightly.'

Robin van Persie: England can succeed at Euro 2012

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Young Lions ready to roar at Euro 2012 despite Dutch defeat, claims Van Persie

Robin van Persie has told England not to get too down after their defeat to Holland and reassured them they can still succeed at Euro 2012.

The Arsenal striker had a quiet game, playing up front for the Dutch in the first half, but Arjen Robben's brilliant double plus a stunning header from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar sealed a 3-2 friendly win at Wembley.

England caretaker boss Stuart Pearce put out a young side missing the likes of John Terry and Wayne Rooney through injury, but the Three Lions nearly secured a draw after Gary Cahill and Ashley Young's late strikes pulled the scores level.

Overshadowed: Gary Cahill outjumps a subdued Robin van Persie at Wembley

Overshadowed: Gary Cahill outjumps a subdued Robin van Persie at Wembley

Robben had the final say almost immediately after Young's superb finish but Van Persie told England to look on the bright side.

The Arsenal striker insists England's young Lions can do well in Poland and Ukraine this summer despite Wednesday night's result.

Young gun: Danny Welbeck started in the absence of Wayne Rooney

Young gun: Danny Welbeck started in the absence of Wayne Rooney

'England are a very good team,' said Van Persie. 'They were a bit younger but they played well and they are a very good side. They have a massive chance of playing well in the Euros.

'Both teams played well. To be fair they scored in the 90th minute, we had one last attack which was a bit lucky in the end and pulled it back.

Touch of class: Ashley Young (right) scored with a brilliant chipped finish

Touch of class: Ashley Young (right) scored with a brilliant chipped finish

'It was a nice win, five goals, a good game of football and everybody is happy.

'It was a very useful [warm-up game]. Everybody showed that, everybody was committed and there were a few good tackles in the game.'

England 2 Holland 3: Goals and highlights from Wembley

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England 2 Holland 3: Watch the goals and highlights from Wembley

Arjen Robben's brilliant double stole the show at Wembley on Stuart Pearce's first night as caretaker boss.

Watch all the goals and highlights from the friendly by clicking the video below.