Rafael van der Vaart has joined La Liga newcomers Real Betis. The 32-year-old, who has won 109 caps for the Netherlands, has signed a three-year deal and moves on a free transfer from Hamburg. “Betis is a great club and I am happy to come to the best league in the world,” he said. “I have had two poor years at Hamburg but I still believe I am a good player. I was talking to the coach (Pepe Mel) and we want to win the league.”
Fellaini twins, Maroune (Man United midfielder) and Mansour are currently holidaying in Miami. Can you tell which of them is the United player?
Bayern Munich have added Sven Ulreich to their stockpile of keepers. The 26-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, had played for Stuttgart for his whole career. Manuel Neuer is Bayern Munich’s first choice, while ex-Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina was his back-up last season. Tom Starke, 34, is also at the Allianz Arena. “I was looking for a new challenge after many years with Stuttgart. FC Bayern is exactly the right place for me to be,” said Ulreich.
Lotto Cycling Cup organisers have apologised after the winners of a women’s race in Belgium were flanked by models wearing bikinis. A picture of the podium was posted on Twitter after Wiggle-Honda’s Jolien d’Hoore won the Antwerp to Nijlen stage of the Flanders Diamond Tour. Dutch racing cyclist and journalist Marijn de Vries described the scene as “an utter disgrace”. Lotto Cycling Cup organisers added they were not responsible. In a series of tweets, they said plans had been made by local organisers and they found the podium “inappropriate”.
AC Milan have sacked coach Filippo Inzaghi after just a year in charge. Inzaghi, 41, replaced former Milan team-mate Clarence Seedorf – who only lasted five months – as manager last June. Milan finished in 10th place in Serie A in 2014-15.
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is unsure about his international future after he was stripped of the captaincy for their match against Liberia. He was only told on the day of the 2017 African Cup of Nations tie that he would not wear the armband for Sunday’s 2-1 win. The 31-year-old scored the winner but says he is unsure if he will play against Djibouti in September. “For now, I don’t know – I’ll be here and I’ll talk with the coach,” he said. “I need to know whether he really needs me in the team or not. “I have been the captain for seven or eight years and then one morning I’m told I won’t be the captain – that means that we can go to Djibouti and he will put me in the stands.
Wednesday 17 June 2015:
Brazil vs Senegal 5am
Serbia vs Mali 8:30am
Good luck to Senegal and Mali as they fly the African flag.
Monday 15 June 2015:
Thailand 0 – 4 Germany
Cote d’Ivoire 1 – 3 Norway
China 2 – 2 New Zealand
Netherlands 1 – 1 Canada