Pro Eleven Headline News
Huntelaar: I'm at the best club in the world
Klaas Jan Huntelaar said during his official introduction at Santiago Bernabeu's Director's Box on Thursday he's "very proud of playing for Real Madrid" after honorary president Alfredo Di Stefano gave him jersey no 19.
"Thank you Mr. Di Stefano and thank you Mr. President. I'm very proud of playing for Real Madrid. Many goals. Thank you," 25-year-old Huntelaar said in Spanish; his deal with the Spanish team runs out on June 30, 2013.
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon led the introduction ceremony with Alfredo Di Stefano, and referred to the player's skills and sports achievements; he commented his arrival in the team took place earlier than expected "because of Ruud van Nistelrooy's injury."
"Huntelaar comes up to Real Madrid's espectations, he's a young player but well experienced. I'm glad the most important teams in Europe get interested in him, though we could sign him," Calderon said; later, he welcomed the player in English before taking him to Santiago Bernabeu field for the first time.
Keane quits Sunderland
Roy Keane has resigned as Sunderland manager after two years in charge.
The 37-year-old has been under pressure following a dismal run of form which has seen the Black Cats slip into the Premier League relegation zone, but Sunderland insist Keane resigned because he felt he could not take the club any further.
The former Manchester United captain guided Sunderland to promotion from the Championship in 2007 but they have only won one of their last seven games.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: "I would like to pay thanks to Roy for all his hard work.
"His decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself.
"The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."
Keane is understood to have been locked in talks with the club's hierarchy after weeks of rumours that his time as manager could be drawing to a close and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
He said: "I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland and I would like to wish the club every success in the future."
Keane's assistant Ricky Sbragia has been appointed caretaker manager, with Neil Bailey and Dwight Yorke working as assistants.
Wolfsburg eliminates Portsmouth from UEFA Cup
Zvjezdan Misimovic stole the ball off the feet of Portsmouth and England goalie David James to score the winning goal in Wolfsburg's 3-2 UEFA Cup win Thursday that sent the Germans into the next round and eliminated the English side.
Wolfsburg, AC Milan and Braga, which edged Heerenveen 2-1 on Thursday, secured the top three spots in Group E and berths in the knockout stage.
Hamburg, Aston Villa and Ajax wrapped up the top three spots in Group F, Saint Etienne and Valencia clinched in Group G and CSKA Moscow finished off a perfect run in Group H as nine of the 12 spots in the four groups were decided.
Wolfsburg and Portsmouth combined for four goals in the opening 23 minutes at Volkswagen Arena, ultimately setting up James' mistake and Misimovic's winner.
Edin Dzeko opened the scoring in the third minute for Wolfsburg, but Portsmouth answered with goals three minutes apart from Jermain Defoe (11th minute) and Arnold Mvuemba (14th).
Christian Gentner leveled the match in the 23rd, and Misimovic eventually broke the deadlock in the closing stages. James tried to dribble around Misimovic in the penalty box and the Wolfsburg midfielder stole the ball and slotted into an empty net.
James later denied Misimovic on a penalty kick, but Portsmouth couldn't create an equalizer and lost for the second time in three UEFA Cup matches.
Wason Renteria and Luis Bernardo Aguiar scored as Braga rallied from an early deficit to secure advancement and eliminate Heerenveen. AC Milan didn't play on Thursday but clinched based on the day's results.
In Group F, Vladimir Leitner and Peter Styvar scored in the opening 19 minutes and Zilina held off Aston Villa - even though the English side still advanced - and Ivica Olic and Mladen Petric scored to lead Hamburg to a 2-0 victory over Slavia Prague.
Hamburg, Aston Villa and Ajax - which all have six points - have one match left in group play to determine the final order of the teams.
In Group G, Nikola Zigic scored in the 60th minute to help Valencia tie Club Brugge 1-1 to secure advancement and Mikael Antonsson scored in the 85th minute to help Copenhagen earn a 1-1 draw against Rosenborg, which was eliminated.
St. Etienne, which was idle, also secured a spot in the next stage. Club Brugge and Copenhagen meet on the last day of the stage to decide the last qualifier.
In Group H, Vagner Love scored a hat trick as CSKA Moscow defeated Nancy 4-3 to finish a perfect 4-0 and Deportivo got a second-minute goal from Diego Colotto and held on for a 1-1 draw against Lech Poznan.
Feyenoord, which was idle, was eliminated but Nancy, Deportivo and Lech Poznan are still battling for the final two spots from the group. Sports Network
