News Round Up: May 8th

Rafa hails Bolo

Rafa Benitez has heaped praise on Bolo Zenden following his part in the semi final victories – and also for his professional attitude off the pitch. Rafa said:

“It’s not easy when you talk about Bolo because some people don’t know how good he is, as a professional and as a player. His mentality is very competitive, he is always a fantastic teammate.

“One manager that he had said he was the glue because he is always between the players and trying to keep them together. The young players, the new players, the English players, the Spanish players, because he talks a lot of languages.

“I think that is a very good definition. He is a fantastic teammate, fantastic professional and a good player.”

Of the player’s future Benitez said:

“I was talking with him last week because he is finishing his contract, and the first thing he said to me was, ‘I want to win the final.’ That is the only thing that is important now but I will try to be honest with him. I think he is a very good professional but you need to analyse everything”.

Champions League Final Ticket Selling Details

Liverpool have announced ticket selling arrangements for their 17,000 allocation for the final in Athens. Click here to read at .tv.

Brown charged for Xabi butt

Fulham‘s Michael Brown has rightly been charged with violent conduct following his blatant headbutt of Xabi Alonso in the 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage. He faces a three match ban which will carry over to next season. Rafa Benitez said on Saturday “It was clear and everybody saw it. If the officials had seen it then it could have changed the game. Big money has been spent in the electronics system for the four officials yet nobody could see anything.”

Gonzalez on quest to make history

Winger Mark Gonzalez is hoping to become the first Chilean to play in the Champions League final later this month, and despite being an unused sub against Chelsea described it as his best moment in football “To reach this final is like winning a championship. I have no doubt this is the happiest moment of my career.”

Reina wins man of the match vote

2,453 of you voted in the poll for your man of the match against Chelsea. Pepe Reina took first with 40% of the votes, Mascherano was second with 27%. Thanks for voting.

The new vote is for your player for the season 2006-07. Vote NOW!

And, yesterday’s news…

Tom Hicks is taking all his family to Athens; Steve Finnan says everybody is already thinking about Athens and the competition for places is strong; Jerzy Dudek says he has 40,000 goodbyes to say on Sunday at Anfield; Pepe Reina still loves Liverpool despite being burgled; Benitez says Harry Kewell has a change of playing in the final, and Rick Parry says we are still striving for a title push.



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[Holidays Abroad Website]