Ballack ready to arrive in style
German captain Michael Ballack, the 'nearly man' of football with two World Cup semi-final appearances and two Champions League final defeats to his name, is confident he can shed the tag and become a winner if Germany beat Turkey tonight to advance to the final of Euro 2008. "At the age of 31, Ballack is showing his maturity. His compatriots feel that he has grown as a person since he left Bayern Munich for Chelsea in the summer of 2006," writes David Hytner in the Guardian. "The impression that he gave, on the eve of tonight's semi-final here with Turkey, was one of a man at ease with himself, relaxed and brimming with conviction. The past does not hurt him." (Guardian)
"I don't look back, it is not my style. I have to tell you that I am quiet and relaxed about everything. We all hope that we will get to the final and win the trophy" Michael Ballack is quietly confident ahead of tonight's semi-final
Guv’nor Ince lays down the law
Paul Ince took charge at Blackburn Rovers yesterday and immediately told the Ewood Park wantaway stars Roque Santa Cruz and David Bentley that their staying or leaving the club was his decision. Santa Cruz, who scored 23 goals last season, has been wooed by Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Ince's old club, and the Guv'nor was unequivocal in his reaction to his former boss, saying "if [Ferguson] comes on asking about Santa Cruz, though, I'll just tell him he's not having him." Ince will have to fund his own purchases this summer as Rovers have been put up for sale by the trustees of Jack Walker's estate, which means the club will no longer be funded by the late Walker's largesse. (Times, Guardian)
McClaren seeks to resurrect career
Steve McClaren, the fromer England coach, was unveiled as manager of Dutch side FC Twente and revealed that fellow national side coach Sir Bobby Robson had urged him to take the job to broaden his football horizons. The 47-year-old, sacked after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, had been in the running for the Blackburn job that Paul Ince took at the weekend. "While McClaren's appointment has been greeted with hostility in some quarters, club president Joop Munsterman reminded fans that it is McClaren's record at club level - namely taking Middlesbrough to the Uefa Cup final in 2006 - that qualifies him for the post," writes Sandy Macaskill in the Daily Telegraph. "McLaren will be given no grace period to settle in: he already has a task on his hands to retain Orlando Engelaar, one of the club's key players, who is expected to sign for German club Schalke this week." (Daily Telegraph)
Real to unveil Ronaldo on July 7
Real Madrid will officially unveil Cristiano Ronaldo on July 7, having paid a world-record £70m for the 23-year-old Portuguese winger, according to press reports... Arsenal are interested in another of Spain's Euro 2008 stars, Real Mallorca striker Daniel Guiza. The £12m-target would serve as a replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor should the Togolese international leave... Andrei Arshavin has got the Nou Camp faithful salivating by declaring that Barcelona would be the dream move for him. The Russian striker, who would cost in excess of £10m, has been the revelation of Euro 2008... Rafa Benitez has turned down a £9m bid from Portsmouth for out-of-favour striker Peter Crouch. Pompey boss Harry Redknapp won't pay the £10m that Liverpool want for Crouch and may look elsewhere for a striker...
Transfer Talk: all the comings and goings of the close season 
Murray eases past the magician
So far so good, as Andy Murray brushed aside the potentially challenging threat of French veteran Fabrice Santoro in straight sets in the first round of Wimbledon yesterday. The young Scot polished off the unpredictable 35-year-old 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 and only rarely lost his poise in the face of Santoro's bottomless bag of slice, spin and other tricks. "As it was, Santoro was bumped out of the Centre Court magic circle by a composed and a controlled performance from Murray, who has hopes of becoming the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to lift a golden Challenge Cup at the All England Club," writes Mark Hodgkinson in the Daily Telegraph. (Daily Telegraph)
"It was a really good first match. It was tough to play against him, as he's so unpredictable. I thought I did everything well, and it was a fun match" Andy Murray enjoying his tennis shocker!
Young Brits lay down markers
The cupboard is not bare, then. After Elena Baltacha's first day victory, two more young Britons qualified for the second round yesterday, and a third laid down a serious marker for the future. Chris Eaton shocked many by beating Serbian Boris Pashanski in straight sets - the 20-year-old qualifier, who is ranked 661st in the world, beating a man 551 places up the ladder from him. Anne Keothavong did for American Vania King 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with Venus Williams. Williams herself had been made to earn her first round victory against British No 5 Naomi Cavaday, who took Williams to a first set tie break before subsiding 6-1 in the second set. (Guardian, Metro)
Transfer talk: The latest football transfer news and transfer rumours 
