The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 7 (Week of May 22-May 28, 2018)

Note:

The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.

We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.

I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.

I.  England

On Tuesday, Manuel Pellegrini was confirmed as West Ham United Manager. On the following day, Unai Emery was confirmed as the new Arsenal Manager. By the end of the week, Maurizio Sarri was more or less confirmed as the new Chelsea Maanger (but not yet officially).

On Saturday, Fulham clinched promotion to the Premier League after a play-off with Aston Villa.

The main event of the season was on Saturday, as Liverpool lost to Real Madrid in the CL Final. The match will be remembered for Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius’ two errors as well as Salah’s injury in the first half.

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 27, 2018

(Salah and Sergio Ramos)

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 27, 2018

(Loris Karius’ error against Karim Benzerma)

Diary:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-Chilean Manager Manuel Pellegrini was appointed as West Ham United Manager. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Harry Kane was named as England’s Official Captain during the World Cup. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Arsenal unveiled their new kits for the upcoming season. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Mainz’s Nigerian player Leon Balogun signed for Brighton. (Source Kicker.de Online)

-Garry Rowett was named Manager of the relegated club Stoke City. (Source France Football Online)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Swansea have signed Yan Dhanda from Liverpool. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Spanish Manager Unai Emery was appointed as Arsenal Manager. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Wolverhampton Wanderers took on the buy-option to sign on-loan defender Willy Bolly on permanent basis from Porto. (Source France Football Online)

-Former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger revealed that he had been offered the Real Madrid coaching position as much as three times. He had also been offered to be the England Manager at various points. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Japanese International Takuma Asano, recently signed by Hannover, was loaned by the club to Arsenal. (Source Kicker.de Online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-James Collins and Patrice Evra are to leave West Ham United. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian player Fred has been linked with Manchester United. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Tottenham Manager Mauricio Pocchettino has extended his contract with the club until 2023.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has been linked to Arsenal. (Source Calciomercato.com Online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Bournemouth defender Rhoys Wiggins was forced to retire after a persistent knee injury. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Former St Mirren Manager Jack Ross has been appointed as Manager of Sunderland. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has sent over 300 Liverpool jerseys to his native village, Bambali, in Senegal. (Source France Football Online)

-Watford have signed Ben Wilmot from Stevenage FC. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-Southampton Manager Mark Hughes has extended his contract by three years. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Peterborough United have signed Mark O’Hara from Dundee. (Source BBC Football Online)

- Brighton have signed Romanian striker Florin And one from Deportivo La Coruna. (Source Sky Sports Online)

- Real Madrid’s Isco has been linked to Manchester City. (Source Sky Sports Online via Mundo Deportivo)

-RB Leipzig’s Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg has been linked to Arsenal. (Source Sky Sports Online via SprtExpressen)

- Monaco Vice President Vadim Vasilyev stated that Manchester United are interested to sign defender Djibril Sidibe. (Source Sky Sports Online via SFR Sport)

-Valencia’s Joao Cancelo (on loan at Inter) has been linked to Manchester United. (Source Sky Sports Online via Daily Mirror)

-Frank Lampard has been linked with the Derby County Manager position. (Source Sky Sports Online via Daily Mirror)

-Juventus’ Stephan Lichtsteiner has been linked to Arsenal. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Brazil star Neymar stated that he would like to play for Josip Guardiola at some point in his career. (Source AS.com Online)

-Juventus’ Douglas Costa has been linked to Manchester United. (Source Calciomercato via The Sun)

-Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic has also been linked to Manchester United. (Source vi.nl via Sky Italia)

-Timothy Fosu-Mensah has left Crystal Palace. (Source vi.nl  Online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Lyon’s Nabil Fekir stated that he is ‘not close’ to signing for Liverpool. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius publicly apologized for his two mistakes in the CL Final. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah’s World Cup is in doubt after dislocating his shoulder in the CL Final. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Wales Captain Ashley Williams expressed his frustration at not featuring consistently in the Eveton lineup in the season that just ended. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Chelsea have an agreement with former Napoli Manager Maurizio Sarri if and when Antonio Conte leaves his post. (Source Sky Sports Online via Sky Italia)

-England Manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly furious after Raheem Sterling has turned up late for England duty. (Source Sky Sports Online via The Sun on Sunday)

-Auxerre’s Lamine Fomba has ben linked to newly promoted Fulham. (Source France Football Online)

-Death threats have been made especially online to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius. The Police are said to be investigating. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Burnley defender James Tarkowski has withdrawn from England’s Stand-by List due to a Hernia operation. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp was seen on Social Media in a viral video signing with Liverpool fans . (Source BBC Football Online)

-AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnaumma has been lonked to Liverpool. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been linked to Manchester United.

Monday, May 28, 2018:

-Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Fred (Shakhtar Donestk) and now Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) are being linked to Manchester United. (Source vi.nl Online via Daily Mirror)

-Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is close to signing for Arsenal. (Source Calciomercato Online via BBC)

-Liverpool have signed Monaco’s Brazilian midfielder Fabinho. It was reported that Arsenal had also tried to sign in the late going. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Chelsea owner Roman Abranovich was granted Israeli Citizenship as he was unable to renew his visa to Britain.. (Source Sky Sports Online)

European Matches involving English Teams:

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

Champions League, Final

Real Madrid 3-Liverpool 1 (Karim Benzema 51, Gareth Bale 64, 83 / Sadio Mane 55)

II.  Italy

The main event of the week was Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as Napoli Manager. Many player transfer rumors have circulated since.

The Roberto Mancini era started with a win (2-1) over Saudi Arabia. The recalled striker Mario Balotelli scored the first goal.

Diary:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-UEFA have rejected AC Milan’s Financial Fair Play agreement. Their Financial records will now have to be examined which could disrupt transfer activity. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Juventus have signed Brazilian teenager Lucas Rosa from Palmeiras. (Source Calciomercato Online)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Bologna announced Ajax’s Mitchell Dijks as a new signing. (Source vi.nl Online)

-Carlo Ancelotti was named as the new Manager of Napoli replacing Maurizio Sarri. (Source La Gazzetta Dello Sport online)

-Walter Zenga left his post as Manager of Crotone. (Source La Gazzetta Dello Sport online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Roberto Donadoni was sacked as Manager of Bologna. (Source France Football Online)

- New Napoli Manager Carlo Ancelotti would like to sign Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.  (Source AS.com Online)

-Porto defender Marcano is expected to sign with AS Roma.   (Source Calciomercato.com via Il Tempo)

-Fiorentina’s Croatina midfielder Milan Badelj has been linked to AC Milan.   (Source Calciomercato.com via Tuttosport)

-Former Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta could face a six year prison sentence after being involved with the Italian Mafia in selling arms.  (Source Sky Sports Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Juventus have signed Douglas Costa on permanent basis from Bayern Munich.   (Source Sport Bild online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian has been linked to Juventus. (Source Calciomercato.com Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Benfica’s Talisca has returned after his two-year loan at Besiktas. Allegedly Talisca has told friends that he will join AS Roma. (Source Calciomercato.com online)

-Ciro Immobile has withdrawn from the Italy squad after an injury. (Source Calciomercato.com online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-New Napoli Manager Carlo Ancelotti might sign Renato Sanches from Bayern Munich. (Source Calciomercato Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Zenit St Petersburg’s Argentinean player Leandro Paredes has been linked to Napoli. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-AS Roma is about to sign Croatia and Dinamo Zagreb’s Ante Coric. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Cesare Prandelli has been linked to Udinese to be their future Manager. (Source Calciomercato Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal (formerly of Juventus) has been linked with a return to Juventus ever since the arrival of Leon Goretzka. (Source RTBF Online via Fichajes)

-Marco Tardelli responded to contentions by German newspaper ‘Bild Zeitung’ that deemed offensive the possibility of a mini bot celebration of Tardelli’s 1982 goal vs. West Germany. Tardelli called it ‘foolishness’ and jokingly stated “it seems evident to me that the Germans still fear me, it will mean that I will enter politics….” (Source Tuttosport Online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Sassuolo’s Matteo Politano would like to join Inter. (Source Sky Sports via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Salvatore Sirigu has been linked to Napoli. (Source Calciomercato Online via Tuttosport)

-Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has been linked to Napoli. (Source Calciomercato Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Napoli’s Marek Hamsik stated that he might play in China in the coming weeks. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Atalanta’s Bryan Cristante has reached an agreement with Roma (no official announcements yet). (Source Calciomercato Online via Corriere dello Sport)

-Sampdoria defender Ivan Strincic announced that he would join AC Milan. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Mario Balotelli has been linked to Parma and Olympique Marseille. (Source Calciomercato Online via Corriere dell Sera)

-Roberto Mancini’s first selected Italy squad with assigned shirt numbers: (Source Calciomercato Online)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers : 22-Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), 12-Mattia Perin (Genoa), 1-Salvatore Sirigu (Torino).

Defenders: 19-Leonardo Bonucci (Milan), 5-Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), 4-Domenico Criscito (Zenit San Pietroburgo), 3-Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter), 2-Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), 6-Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), 15-Daniele Rugani (Juventus), 21-Davide Zappacosta (Chelsea), 24-Alessandro Florenzi (Roma)

Midfielders : 26-Daniele Baselli (Torino), 8-Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), 23-Bryan Cristante (Atalanta), 14-Frello Filho Jorge Luiz Jorginho (Napoli), 27-Rolando Mandragora (Crotone), 16- Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma).

Strikers: 9-Mario Balotelli (Nizza), 11-Andrea Belotti (Torino), 18-Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), 25-Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), 10-Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), 17-Matteo Politano (Sassuolo), 20-Simone Verdi (Bologna), 7-Simone Zaza (Valencia).

-Napoli Manager Carlo Ancelottti is reportedly interested in Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele. (Source Calciomercato Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-AC Milan’s Andre Silva will likely leave the club this summer. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Stuttgart’s Holger Badstuber is close to joining Lazio. (Source Calciomercato Online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Monday, May 28, 2018:

-Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Patrico has one more been linked to Napoli. (Source RTBF Online)

-Parma’s Alessandro Lucarelli has announced his retirement following the team’s promotion. (Source RTBF Online)

-AS Roma have officially signed Croatia and Dinamo Zagreb’s Ante Coric. (Source Calciomercato Online)

 -PSV Eindhoven defender Santiago Arias has been linked to Napoli. (Source vi.nl Online)

III.  Spain

Real Madrid were victorious in the CL Final on Saturday and became the first team since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win it three straight times.

Real Madrid Manager Zinedine Zidane entered the History books for being the first Manager to win it three straight times (as well as joining Bob Paisly and Carlo Ancelotti as three time winners).

There was much controversy on social media for Sergio Ramos’ foul that injured Salah (many believed it was intentional). A photo ciculated on social media as well showing Sergio Ramos smiling as Salah was leaving the field injured in tears (to be verified, it might have been photoshopped).

Cristiano Ronaldo, in a post match interview, hinted that he might leave Real Madrid and this kickstarted a whole media speculation on his future.

Many at Madrid, questioned the timing of his announcement.

Two goal hero Gareth Bale may also be on his way out as he clearly stated that he needed more playing time.

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 27, 2018

(Gareth Bale’s strike)

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 27, 2018

(Real Madrid Champions League winners)

Diary:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-Huesca were promoted to the Spanish top flight for the first time in their history. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Spanish National Team Manager Julen Lopetegui has extended his contract by two years until 2020. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike ended his loan with Las Palmas. (Source AS.com)

-Clarence Seedorf left his post as Deportivo La Coruna Manager. (Source vi.nl Online)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Argentinean Manager Antonio Mohamed was appointed as the new Manager of Celta Vigo. (Source France Football Online)

 Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Andres Iniesta has officially signed for Japnese side Visel Kobe. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Angers’ Cameroonian striker Karl Toko Ekambi is on the verge of signing for Villareal. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Valencia have signed Geoffrey Kondogbia on permanent basis from Inter. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Atletico Madrid have unveiled their new home kit for the upcoming season. (Source France Football online)

-Atletico Madrid have officially signed Rodri from Villareal. (Source AS.com Online)

-Atletico Madrid are to ask CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) to reduce the touchline ban for Manager Diego Simeone. (Source AS.com Online)

-Jose Luis Gaya has extended his contract with Valencia for five more years. (Source AS.com Online)

-Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales is to leave Real Sociedad . (Source Maisfutebol.com Online)

-According to his agent, two English club shave reportedly offered 150 Million Euros for Real Madrid’s Marcos Asensio (both refused by the club). (Source vi.nl Online )

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Asier Garitano was named as the new Manager of Real Sociedad. (Source France Football online)

-Former Real Sociedad and current Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez has attacked Sociedad President saying Jokin Aperribay had done nothing to persuade him to stay. (Source AS.com Online)

-The Brazilian Arthur of Gremio will join Barcelona after December after the Copa Libertadores. (Source AS.com Online)

-Athletic Bilbao have signed Ander Capa from Eibar. (Source Kicker.de online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-Manolo Jimenez has been appointed as manager of Las Palmas. (Source France Football online)

-Following the CL victory Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that he might leave Real Madrid. He said, “in the next few days I’ll give an answer to the fans…. It WAS beautiful to be at Real Madrid.”. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo suggested given his excellent record in the CL, they should name the competition after him (most likely he was saying it in a joking manner). (Source Sky Sports Online )

-Real Madrid Manager Zinedine Zidane stated that Cristiano Ronaldo should stay at the club. (Source Frace Manager Online)

-Gareth Bale suggested that he might leave Real Madrid as well to play more consistently. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Sergio Ramos has wished Mohamed Salah a speedy recovery for the World Cup. The statement read, “Football sometimes teaches you sweet lesons, sometimes bitter ones. Wea re all teammates and I hope you will have a speedy recovery. Future is waiting for you”. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo said that he did not regret his comments post the CL Final that cast doubt on his future with the club. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Rayo Vallecano has been promoted to the top division. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Former Germnay goalkeeper Oliver Kahn criticized Sergio Ramos’ elbow on Karius’ face during the CL Final, but also stated that Ramos is a player he would have liked in his team because he is a leader. (Source RTBF.be Online)

Monday, May 28, 2018:

-Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, injured during the CL Final, has nevertheless joined the Spanish National Team camp where his fitness will be assessed. (Source France Football Online)

-Sevilla have appointed Pablo Machin (formerly of Girona) as its new Manager. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Athletic Bilbao have signed Romanian defender Cristian Ganea from Vitorul Constanta. (Source MaisFutebol online)

European Matches involving Spanish Teams:

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

Champions League, Final

Real Madrid 3-Liverpool 1 (Karim Benzema 51, Gareth Bale 64, 83 / Sadio Mane 55)

IV.  Germany

The main news of the week was on the Mangerial front as Lucien Favre was appointed as Dortmund Manager.

Diary:

 Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-Swiss Manager Lucien Favre (formerly of OGC Nice) was appointed as the new Manager of Borussia Dortmund. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Fortuna Dusseldorf have signed Diego Contento from Bordeaux. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Augsburg have signed striker Julian Schieber from Hertha Berlin. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Kaiserslautern have signed Hendrick Zuck from Eintracht Braunschweig. (Source Kicker.de online)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Bayer Leverkusen have signed Lukas Hradecky from Eintracht Frankfurt.

 (Source France Football Online)

-Marcel Schmelzer is officially no longer the captain of Dortmund by his own demand. Marco Reus will now become the Official club captain. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Koln have signed Niklas Hauptmann from Dynamo Dresden. (Source Kicker.de online)

-SV Hamburg have signed Christoph Moritz from Kaiserslautern. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Mainz have signed Phillip Mwene from Kaiserslautern. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Freiburg have signed Dominique Heintz from Koln. They have also signed Luca Waldschmidt from SV Hamburg. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Nuremberg have signed Kevin Goden from Koln. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Kaiserslautern have signed midfielder Jan Lohmannsroben from Carl Zeiss Jena. (Source Kicker.de online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Bayern Munich’s Chilean star Arturo Vidal must face a trial after being involved in a fight at a Munich nightclub.  (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport Online)

-Lewis Holtby is to remain at SV Hamburg with a pay cut. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Hoffenheim have signed Dutch defender Joshua Brenet from PSV Eindhoven. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Koln have signed defender Benno Scmitz from Leipzig. (Source Kicker.de online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Abou Diallo of Mainz has been linked to Dortmund.  (Source Sky Sports)

-Fortuna Dusseldorf have offered a professional contract to Georgios Siadas. (Source Sport Bild online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-Nuremberg have signed goalkeeper Christian Mathenia from SV Hamburg. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Werder Bremen have signed Martin Harnik from Hannover. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Pierre-Michel Lasogga has returned to SV Hamburg from his loan at Leeds United. (Source Kicker.de online)

- Germany Manager Joachim Low stated that Manfred Neuer would make the National Team cut ONLY as a starter and not on the bench. In case of his unavailability his is more than comfortable on selecting Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. (Source AS.com online)

 -Atalanta’s Hans Hateboer has been linked with Dortmund. (Source vi.nl  online via La Gazzetta dello Sport)

-Hannover have signed Austrian defemder Kevin Wimmer on loan from Stoke City.  (Source Sky Sports)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Borussia Dortmund have signed Marius Wolf from Eintracht Frankfurt. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has been linked to Dortmund. (Source vi.nl Online)

V.  France

The talking point of the week has been the comntrovery surrounding Adrien Rabiot’s decision to withdraw from France’s reserve stand-by list for the World Cup. Many have criticized him for his actions and Manager Didier Deschamps explained his decision by saying “all he has to do is watch his last three matches for France”.

On Saturday, former Star from the 1958 World Cup squad Roger Piantoni passed away aged 86.

On Sunday, Toulouse retained its place in the top Division after defeating Ajaccio in a play-off.

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 26, 2018

(Andre Rabiot)

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 27, 2018

(Michel Platini)

Photo From: L’Equipe, May 27, 2018

(Roger Piantoni)

Diary:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-France Captain Hugo Lloris along with Captains of Australia (Mile Jedniak) and Denmark (Simon Kjaer) wrote a letter to FIFA asking leniency for Peru’s banned player Paolo Guerrero. (Source BBC Football Online)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Rivaldo stated that Neymar should leave PSG and join Real Madrid or an English club to have any chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Adrien Rabiot, cut from the World Cup squad, declared himself unavailable as a potential reserve. His action was criticized by France Manager Didier Deschamps, saying he had self-excluded himself from the National Team.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Leonardo Jardim will remain as AS Monaco Manager. (Source France Football Online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Following the controversy surrounding Rabiot’s refusal to be a reserve, Frank Ribery has jokingly tweeted to Didier Deschamps that he is ready to be a reservist. (Source Sport BildOnline)

-Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that Bruno Genesio will remain as Olympique Lyonnais Manager. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-David Ginola has accused Didier Deschamps of being responsible form his non-selection for the 1998 World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Denmark National Team Manager Aage Hareide decalred that World Cup rivals France are “nothing special”. He also mocked Paul Pogba for only thinking about his haircuts. (Source France Football Online via Jyllands-Posten)

-Lyon’s Nabil Fekir stated Adrien Rabiot has made an error for his decision to remain non-selectable for the National Team. (Source France Football Online)

-Similarly Atletico Madrid defender Theo Hernadez also believes that Rabiot should not have refused the chance to be on the stand-by list. (Source AS.com Online)

-Michel Platini was exonerated by a Swiss court of any wrongdoing in the corruption case related to FIFA. (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-Former International Roger Piantoni passed away aged 86. (Source L’Equipe Online via L’Est Republicain)

-Sofiane Feghouli and Hatem Ben Arfa have both been linked to Stade Rennais. (Source L’Equipe online via Ouest France)

-Adrien Rabiot has stated that he assumes all the consequences for his actions. He also stated that Didier Deschamps’ decision to cut him had no Sporting logic. (Source RTBF online)

-Aymeric Laporte, who also missed the Final cut, has expressed support for Rabiot. (Source France Football Online)

-Porto’s South Korean player Suk Hyun-jun (on loan at Troyes) has been linked to SCO Angers. (Source France Football Online)

-Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini has been linked to Olympique Marseille, as has OGC Nice’s Italian International Mario Balotelli. (Source France Football Online)

-Manchester City’s Yaya Toure has been linked to Olympique Marseille in case the Fellaini transfer does not materialize. (Source L’Equipe online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Nantes have signed Kader Bamba from Le Mans. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Red Star Belgrade’s French defender Damien Le Tallec has been linked to Montpellier. (Source France Football Online)

- France Manager Didier Deschamps has responded to Rabiot by saying.  “all he has to do is watch his last three matches for France”. He also dismissed Denmark Manager Aage Hareide’s criticism of the French National Team, by saying “the words are bla, bla, bla, it does not count… anyone is free to say what they think…. (Source L’Equipe online)

Monday, May 28, 2018:

-France defeated Republic of Ireland (2-0) in its first preparation friendly for the World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

Ligue 1 Play-off:

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

First Leg:

Ajaccio 0-Toulouse 3 (Max-Alain Gradel 45, Christopher Julien 51, Yaya Sanogo 65)

 Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

Second Leg:

Toulouse 1-Ajaccio 0 (Jimmy Durmaz 88)

VI.  Holland

Diary:

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Russian Manager Leonid Slutskiy was appointed as the new Vitesse Manager. (Source vi.nl online)

-Heracles Almelo have signed the German defender Maximillian Rossmann from SF Lotte. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Sprta Rotterdam have signed Joshua Sanches from SC Heerenveen. (Source vi.nl online)

-De Graafschap have signed Mohamed Hamdouni from Telstar (Source vi.nl online)

-Feyenoord have offered a professional contract to Jaron Vicario. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Denny Landzaat is the new Assistant Manager at Feyenoord replacing Jan Wouters. (Source vi.nl online)

-Fortuna Sittard have signed Lisandro Semedo on permanent basis. (Source vi.nl online)

-Go Ahead Eagles have signed defender Julien Lelieveld from Vitesse. (Source vi.nl online)

-Jack De Gier has been appointed as the new Manager of NEC. (Source vi.nl online)

-RKC Waalwijk have signed Kevin Vermeulen from Excelsior.  (Source vi.nl online)

-De Graafschap have signed Stef Nijland from PEC Zwolle. (Source vi.nl online)

-SC Cambuur have signed Julian Calor from Vitesse. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-PEC Zwolle have signed defender Darryl Lachman from Willem II. (Source vi.nl online)

 Monday, May 28, 2018:

-VVV Venlo have signed defender Damian van Bruggen from PSV Eindhoven om permanent basis. (Source vi.nl online)

-NAC Breda have loaned striker Diego Snepvangers and midfielder Bodi Brusselers to Helmond Sport. (Source vi.nl online)

-Vitesse’s Anil Mercan extended his contract by one year. (Source vi.nl online)

-PEC Zwolle have signed defender Kenneth Paal from PSV Eindhoven. (Source vi.nl online)

VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-St Mirren have signed midfielder James Kellermann from Aldershot Town. (Source BBC Football Online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Hearts have signed Australian defender Ben Garuccio from Adelaide United. (Source BBC Football Online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Billy Stark has been appointed as National Youth Coach (U-19). (Source BBC Football Online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Celtic’s Danish defemder Erik Sviatchenko has ended his loan and returned to FC Midtyjlland. (Source BBC Football Online)

Monday, May 28, 2018:

-Dundee have signed goalkeeper Jack Hamilton from Hearts. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former Aberdeen and Ramgers Glasgow player Neale Cooper passed away after collapsing over the weekend. He was 54 years old. (Source BBC Football Online)

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-Benfica have offered a professional contract to 16-year-old Tomas Lemos Araujo. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Braga have signed Joao Novais from Rio Ave. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Benfica have signed striker Joao Amaral from Setubal and Argentinean defender German Conti from Colon Santa Fe.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Porto Manager Sergio Conceicao has extended his contract by until 2020.  (Source RTBF.be online)

-Braga have extended the contract of Paulinho until 2023. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Guimaraes have signed midfielder Rosier Loreintz from Sochaux.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

-Porto have extended the contract of defender Pedro Justiniano until 2022. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Portugal League’s Disciplinary commission has fined Sporting CP Manager Jorge Jesus 2907 Euros and suspended 11 days after his statemenst in a post match interview during the 24^th Round (Sporting CP 1-Moreirense 0). (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Ricardo Sa Pinto has turned down an approach to be the Manager of Sporting CP since Jorge Jesus is still in place. (Source Walfoot.be online)

 Monday, May 28, 2018:

- Fiorentina’s Portuguese defender Bruno Gaspar has been lin ked to Benfica . (Source RTBF.be online)

-Porto have extended the contract of midfielder Bruno Costa until 2022. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Benfica have extended the contract of teenage defender Goncalo Loureiro until 2023. (Source Maisfutebol online)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-Radja Nainggolan stated that he had been cut from the World Cup squad due to his reputation and that he wants to be “judged on his performances”. (Source AS.com online)

-Ostend’s Aristote Nkaka is underoing a medical at Anderlecht.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

-The transfer of Ostend’s Croatian Antonio Milic to Anderlecht appears imminent. (Source Footnews.be online via Het Nieuwsblad)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Michel Preud’homme was named as the new Manager as well as a Vice-President at Standard Liege. (Source France Football Online)

-Anderlecht President Marc Coucke announced four transfers suring the offical presentation of his policies for the club. The new arrivals are: Antonio Milic,  Knowledge Musona, Luka Adzic, while Kenny Saief has been signed on permanent basis. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Standard Liege Manager Michel Preud’homme has been assured that Standard will sign Mehdi Carcela on permanent basis.  (Source footnews.be Online via Het Laatse Nieuws)

-Wilfiried van Moer stated he does not like the Nationla Team Manager (Roberto Martinez). He referred to Martinez cutting Nainggolan, by saying “to cut a player because he drinks or smokes a cigarette! If such rules existed in our time, no one would have selected Eric Gerets and Jan Ceulemans”.  (Source footnews.be Online via Sport/Foot Magazine)

-Steven Defour has decided to retire from the National Team and concentrate in the last two years of his contract with Burnley. (Source Footnews.be online via Het Nieuwsblad)

-Ghent have signed Stallone Limbombe from Antwerp. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Waasland-Beveren have signed Daan Heymans from Westerlo. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Genk have extended the contract of Leandro Trossard until 2021. (Source Footnews.be online)

-National Team Manager Roberto Martinez has called up U-21 goalkeepers: Jens Teunckens (Club Brugge) and Nordin Jackers (Genk). Teunckens was authorized to go, however, Jackers was refused due to an upcoming club match. Martinez called up Davino Verhulst (Lokeren) instead. (Source France Football online)

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-Stijn Vreven has been appointed as Manager of Beerschot. (Source RTBF.be Online)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

- Antwerp have signed striker Jonathan Bolingi from Standard Liege (on loan at Mouscron). (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Anderlecht have signed Aristote Nkaka from Ostend for the 2019/20 season. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Guillaume Gillet is negotiating with Antwerp for a transfer. (Source Walfoot.be online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

- Ghent have signed 17-year-old goalkeeper Jinte van Kerisbulck from Anderlecht.  (Source RTBF.be Online)

Monday, May 28, 2018:

- Club Brugge is set to sign Dutchman Mats Rits from KV Mechelen. (Source vi.nl Online)

 - Genk will not extend the contract of 37-year-old Captain Thomas Buffel.  (Source RTBF.be Online)

Diary (extra):

Saturday, May 19, 2018:

-Honduras coach Carlos Tabora‘s squad for upcoming friendly vs. South Korea and El Salvador:

Goalkeepers: Donis Escober (Olimpia) y Harold Fonseca (Motagua).

Defenders: Henry Figueroa, Marcelo Pereira y Félix Crisanto (Motagua); Johnny Leverón (Marathón), Ever Alvarado (Olimpia), Carlos Sánchez (Honduras del Progreso) y Brayan Beckeles (Necaxa-MEX).

Midfielders: Alfredo Mejía (Xanti-Greece) Alexander López y Luis Garrido (Alajuelense-CR), Mario Martínez, Jorge Claros, Ivan López y Jhow Benavídes (Real España); Allan Banegas (Marathón) y Walter Martínez (Motagua).

Forwards: Rubilio Castillo (Motagua), Ovidio Lanza (Juticalpa) y Roger Rojas (Alajuelense-CR)

Sunday, May 20, 2018:

-USA coach Dave Sarachan ‘s squad for upcoming friendly vs. Bolivia: (Source USSoccer.com)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 0/0), Bill Hamid (Midtjylland/DEN; 5/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG; 2/0), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest/ENG; 14/1), Matt Miazga (Chelsea/ENG; 5/1), Matthew Olosunde (Manchester United/ENG; 0/0), Erik Palmer-Brown (Manchester City/ENG; 0/0), Antonee Robinson (Everton/ENG; 0/0), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX; 16/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 2/0)
Midfielders: Joe Corona (Club Tijuana/MEX; 20/3), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland/ENG; 3/0), Julian Green (Stuttgart/GER; 8/3), Alejandro Guido (Club Tijuana/MEX; 0/0), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 1/1), Keaton Parks (Benfica/POR; 0/0), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 20/9), Rubio Rubin (Club Tijuana/MEX; 5/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA; 1/0)
Forwards: Andrija Novakovich (Reading/ENG; 1/0), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 0/0)

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

-Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson has been sentenced to two-year community service after admitting to drunk-driving.  (Source BBC Football online)

-Lithuania squad for the Baltic Cup:  (Source LFF.lt online)

Goalkeepers:
Ernestas Šetkus (Haifos „Hapoel“, Izraelis)
Džiugas Bartkus (Vilniaus „Žalgiris“)
Tomas Švedkauskas („Trakai“)
Ignas Plūkas („Trakai“)
Defenders:
Algis Jankauskas (Marijampolės „Sūduva“)
Rolandas Baravykas (Vilniaus „Žalgiris”)
Valdemar Borovskij („Trakai”)
Egidijus Vaitkūnas („Minsk“, Baltarusija)
Edvinas Girdvainis (Tomsko „Tom“, Rusija)
Markas Beneta („Kauno Žalgiris“)
Tomas Mikuckis (Tomsko „Tom“, Rusija)
Justinas Januševskij („Trakai“)
Midfielders:
Arvydas Novikovas (Balstogės „Jagiellonia“, Lenkija)
Vykintas Slivka (Edinburgo „Hibernian“, Škotija)
Ovidijus Verbickas (FK „Sūduva“)
Mantas Kuklys (Taldykorgano „Žetysu“, Kazachstanas)
Artūras Žulpa (Kostanajaus „Tobol“, Kazachstanas)
Povilas Leimonas (Marijampolės „Sūduva“)
Justas Lasickas (Belgrado „Zemun“, Serbija)
Simonas Paulius („Kauno Žalgiris“)
Gratas Sirgėdas („Kauno Žalgiris“)
Simonas Urbys („Palanga“)
Forwards:
Fedor Černych (Maskvos „Dinamo“, Rusija)
Karolis Laukžemis (Marijampolės „Sūduva“)

Darvydas Šernas (Kfar Sabos „Hapoel“, Izraelis)

-Slovakia squad selected for friendly vs. Holland (May 31^st)

Full squad:

Goalkepers: Martin Dúbravka (Newcastle United), Michal Šulla (Slovan Bratislava), Marek Rodák (Rotherham United)

Defenders: Peter Pekarík (Hertha Berlín), Boris Sekulič (Slovan Bratislava), Milan Škriniar (Inter Miláno), Tomáš Hubočan (Trabzonspor), Norbert Gyömbér (FC Bari 1908), Lukáš Štetina (Sparta Praha), Ľubomír Šatka (DAC Dunajská Streda), Róbert Mazáň (Celta Vigo)

Midfielders:  Stanislav Lobotka (Celta Vigo), Patrik Hrošovský (Viktoria Plzeň), Ján Greguš (FC Kodaň), Erik Sabo (Beitar Jeruzalem), Marek Hamšík (SSC Neapol), Juraj Kucka (Trabzonspor), Róbert Mak (PAOK Solún), Albert Rusnák (Real Salt Lake City), Ondrej Duda (Hertha Berlín)

Strikers: Erik Pačinda (DAC Dunajská Streda), Michal Ďuriš (Anorthosis Famagusta), Adam Nemec (Dinamo Bukurešť)      

Náhradníci:

Goalkepers: Martin Polaček (FK Mladá Boleslav)

Defenders: Lukáš Pauschek (FK Mladá Boleslav), Martin Valjent (Ternano Calcio), Tomáš Huk (DAC Dunajská Streda), Matúš Čonka (Spartak Trnava)

Midfielders:  Jaroslav Mihalík (MŠK Žilina), Filip Kiss (Ettifaq FC), Róbert Pich (Slask Vroclav), Nikolas Špalek (Brescia Calcio), Matúš Bero (Trabzonspor)

Strikers: Adam Zreľák (1. FC Norimberg), Samuel Mráz (MŠK Žilina)

Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

-Micheal O’Neill has called up Shayne Lavery amd Jordan Thompson into the Northern Ireland squad as Cameron McGeehan and Ollie Norwood withdrew. (Source BBC Football online)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Carson (Motherwell), Hazard (Celtic - loan Falkirk), Peacock-Farrell (Leeds).

Defenders: Cathcart (Watford), J. Evans (West Brom), Hodson (Rangers), Hughes (Hearts), McAuley (West Brom), McCullough (Doncaster), McLaughlin (Millwall).

Midfielders: Dallas (Leeds), C. Evans (Blackburn), Ferguson (Millwall), Lavery (Everton), McNair (Sunderland), Thompson (Unattached), Saville (Millwall), Whyte (Crusaders).

Forwards: Boyce (Burton), Magennis (Charlton), McCartan (Bradford), Smyth (QPR).

-Goalkeeper Sergio Romero withdrew from Argentina’s World Cup squad after a knee injury. (Source France Football online)

-Lee Keun-ho has withdrawn from South Korea’s World Cup squad after tearing ligaments in his right knee . (Source AS.com Online)

-Diego Maradona expressed his support for Peru’s suspended player Paolo Guerrero. (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, May 24, 2018:

-Vahid Halilhodzic has opened a lawsuit against the Japanese Federation for ‘illegally’ sacking him as National Team Manager.  (Source France Football Online)

-Xavi has extended his contract by two years at Al Sadd (Qatar).  (Source Sport Bild Online )

-Colombian striker Radamel Falcao was convicted of tax evasion by the Spanish tax authorities (from his time at Atletico Madrid). His 16-month prison sentence was converted to 96,000 Euros fine.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Mexico’s Nestor Araujo will miss the World Cup due to a knee injury.  (Source Fox Soccer Online)

-Former Brazilian star Ronaldinho was in the news as he is awaiting legal permissin to marry his two girlfriends.  (Source l’Equipe Online)

-Serbia Manager Mladen Krstajic’s provisional 27-man World Cup Finals squad. (Source RTBF online)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Partizan Belgrade), Predrag Rajkovic (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Marko Dmitrovic (Eibar), Aleksandar Jovanovic (Aarhus)

Defenders: Aleksandar Kolarov (AS Roma), Branislav Ivanovic (Zenit Saint-Petersbourg), Dusko Tosic (Guangzhou R&F), Antonio Rukavina (Villarreal), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Brême), Milan Rodic (Étoile Rouge de Belgrade), Uros Spajic (Krasnodar), Matija Nastasic (Schalke 04), Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Nemanja Matic (Manchester United), Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Marko Grujic (Liverpool), Adem Ljajic (Torino), Dusan Tadic (Southampton), Mijat Gacinovic (Eintracht Francfort), Filip Kostic (Hambourg SV), Andrija Zivkovic (Benfica), Nemanja Radonjic (Étoile Rouge de Belgrade), Nemanja Maksimovic (Valence)

Forwards: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle United), Aleksandar Prijovic (PAOK Salonique), Luka Jovic (Benfica)

-Martin O’Neill has called up four uncapped players for their upcoming Internationals.

The players are: goalkeeper Shane Supple (Bohemians), goalkeeper Conor O'Malley (Peterborough), midfielder Shaun Williams (millwall) and striker Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers).

-Bolivia coach Cesar Farias’ squad for upcoming friendly vs. USA: (Source USSoccer.com)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Carlos Lampe (Huachipato/CHI; 21/0), Guillermo Vizcarra (Hapoel Ra’anana/ISR; 1/0)
Defenders: Carlos Añez (Oriente Petrolero; 0/0), Oscar Baldomar (Universitario de Sucre; 0/0), Cristian Coimbra (Blooming; 4/0), Luis Haquim (Oriente Petrolero; 2/0), Gustavo Olguin (Oriente Petrolero; 0/0), Jesus Sagredo (Blooming; 0/0), Jose Sagredo (Blooming; 7/0)
Midfielders: Danny Bejarano (Panteolikos FC/GRE; 17/0), Rodrigo Borda (Universitario de Sucre; 0/0), Leandro Maygua (Universitario de Sucre; 4/0), Sergio Moruno (Aurora; 0/0), Edson Perez (Nacional Potosi; 0/0), Miguel Quiroga (Nacional Potosi; 0/0), Juan Ribera (Oriente Petrolero; 0/0), Rodrigo Rodriguez (Oriente Petrolero; 0/0), Luis Jose Vargas (Blooming; 3/1)
Forwards: Bruno Miranda (DC United/USA; 5/0), Hector Ronaldo Sanchez (Oriente Petrolero; 1/0), Leonardo Vaca (Blooming; 0/0) Rodrigo Vargas (Karpaty FC/UKR; 3/0) 

-Estonia squad for the Baltic Cup: (Source Jalgpall.ee online)

Goalkeepers:

22 Andreas Vaikla (19.02.1997) – Kristiansund BK (NOR) 3/0
1 Matvei Igonen** (02.10.1996) – Lillestrøm SK 1/0
12 Sergei Lepmets (05.04.1987) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 0/0

Defenders:

5 Dmitri Kruglov (24.05.1984) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 111/4
19 Gert Kams (25.05.1985) – Tallinna FC Flora 48/2
18 Karol Mets (16.05.1993) – NAC Breda (NED) 46/0
21 Nikita Baranov (19.08.1992) – Kristiansund BK (NOR) 26/0
3 Artur Pikk (05.03.1993) – MFK Ružomberok (SVK) 25/1
31 Joonas Tamm (02.02.1992) – Sarpsborg 08 (NOR) 19/3
33 Karl Mööl (04.03.1992) – HB Køge (DEN) 9/0
17 Markus Jürgenson (09.09.1987) – Tallinna FCI Levadia 9/0
2 Madis Vihmann (05.10.1995) – Tallinna FC Flora 7/0
13 Trevor Elhi (11.04.1993) – Nõmme Kalju FC 6/0

Midfielders/Forwards:

6 Aleksandr Dmitrijev (18.02.1982) – Tallinna FC Flora 106/0
14 Konstantin Vassiljev (16.08.1984) – Piast Gliwice (POL) 101/23
7 Sander Puri (07.05.1988) – Waterford FC (IRL) 69/4
10 Sergei Zenjov (20.04.1989) – KS Cracovia (POL) 66/13
8 Henri Anier* (17.12.1990) – FC Lahti (FIN) 50/11
16 Ilja Antonov (05.12.1992) – NK Rudar Velenje (SVN) 40/2
11 Henrik Ojamaa (20.05.1991) – HNK Gorica (CRO) 27/0
4 Mattias Käit (29.06.1998) – Fulham FC (ENG) 14/4
20 Artjom Dmitrijev* (14.11.1988) – FC Lahti (FIN) 10/0
9 Brent Lepistu (26.03.1993) – Kristiansund BK (NOR) 9/0
26 Marek Kaljumäe (18.02.1991) – PS Kemi (FIN) 2/0

Friday, May 25, 2018:

-The Uruguay National Team have pledged their support for Peru’s suspended player Paolo Guerrero. Uruguay Captain Diego Godin and Luis Suarez tweeted their support for the player. (Source AS.com online)

-Greece’s friendly vs. Iran set on June 2^nd has been cancelled. The match was due to take polace in Istanbul, Turkey. (Source Sport Bild online)

-There have been pre-orders of over three million for Nigeria’s new jersey to be used at the World Cup. (Source Ail Posticipo online)

-Oldham’s Ryan McLaughlin has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad as George Saville had to withdraw. (Source BBC Football online)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Carson (Motherwell), Hazard (Celtic - loan Falkirk), Peacock-Farrell (Leeds).

Defenders: Cathcart (Watford), J. Evans (West Brom), Hodson (Rangers), Hughes (Hearts), McAuley (West Brom), McCullough (Doncaster), McLaughlin (Millwall), McLaughlin (Oldham).

Midfielders: Dallas (Leeds), C. Evans (Blackburn), Ferguson (Millwall), Lavery (Everton), McNair (Sunderland), Thompson (Unattached), Whyte (Crusaders).

Forwards: Boyce (Burton), Magennis (Charlton), McCartan (Bradford), Smyth (QPR).

-Brentford’s Alan Judge has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad as Eugen O’Kane had to withdraw. (Source BBC Football online)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Conor O'Malley (Peterborough), Shane Supple (Bohemians)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), John Egan (Brentford), Shane Duffy (Brighton), Kevin Long (Burnley), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn), Declan Rice (West Ham), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Derrick Williams (Blackburn), Greg Cunningham (Preston)

Midfielders: Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), David Meyler (Hull), Alan Browne, Daryl Horgan (both Preston), Shaun Williams (Millwall), James McClean (West Brom), Daryl Horgan (Preston)

Forwards: Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers).

May 25

-Hungary Manager Georges Leekens’ squad, Friendly vs. Belarus (June 6^th).

Full squad:

Goalkeepers:

Dibusz Dénes (Ferencváros)
Gulácsi Péter (RB Leipzig)
Kovácsik Ádám (Videoton FC)

Defenders:

Botka Endre (Ferencváros)
Fiola Attila (Videoton FC)
Guzmics Richárd (Csenpien)
Hegedűs János (PAFC)
Kádár Tamás (Dinamo Kijev)
Korcsmár Zsolt (Midtjylland)
Lovrencsics Gergő (Ferencváros)
Predrag Bosnjak (Haladás)
Szabó János (Paksi FC)
Vinícius Paulo (Videoton FC)

Midfielders:

Elek Ákos (Kajrat Almati)
Gazdag Dániel (Bp. Honvéd)
Kleinheisler László (Asztana FK)
Nagy Ádám (Bologna FC 1909)
Nagy Dominik (Ferencváros)
Pátkai Máté (Videoton FC)
Szoboszlai Dominik (FC Red Bull Salzburg)
Vadócz Krisztián (Kitchee SC)
Varga József (Videoton FC)

Strikers:

Böde Dániel (Ferencváros)
Dzsudzsák Balázs (al-Vahda)
Eppel Márton (Budapest Honvéd)
Sallai Roland (APOEL)
Szalai Ádám (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
Varga Kevin (DVSC)
Varga Roland (Ferencváros)

Saturday, May 26, 2018:

- Admir Mehmedi has withdrawn from the Switzerland World Cup squad due to injury. (Source Sport Bild Online)

Sunday, May 27, 2018:

-Ryan Giggs has called Gareth Bale as the greatest Welsh player that he has seen. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Monday, May 28, 2018:

-Australia have recalled Hibernian striker Jamie Maclaren after an injury to Tomi Juric. (Source France Football Online)

-Injured Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah expressed confidence in beng fit in time for the World Cup. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Argentina star Lionel Messi stated that Argentina are not favorites for the World Cup, he also expressed his desire to one day play for Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina. (Source France Football Online)

-Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner might miss the World Cup after suffering a muscle injury. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Former Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has joined Colombia’s technical staff for the World Cup. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Serbia’s 27-man Provisional squad for the World Cup. (Source France Football online)

Full squad:

Goalkeepers:

Vladimir Stojkovic (Partizan)

Pedrag Rajkovic (Maccabi Tel-Aviv/ISR)

Marko Dmitrovic (Eibar/SP)

Aleksandar Jovanovic (AGF/DEN).

Defenders:

Aleksandar Kolarov (AS Roma/ITA)

Antonio Rukavina (Villarreal/SP)

Milan Rodic (Etoile Rouge de Belgrade)

Branislav Ivanovic (Zénith/RUS)

Uros Spajic (Krasnodar/RUS)

Milos Veljkovic (Werder Brême/GER)

Dusko Tosic (Guangzhou RF/CHN)

Matija Nastasic (Schalke 04/GER)

Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina/ITA).

Milieux

Nemanja Matic (Manchester United/ENG)

Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace/ENG)

Marko Grujic (Liverpool/ENG)

Nemanja Maksimovic (Valence/SP)

Dusan Tadic (Southampton/ENG)

Andrija Zivkovic (Benfica/POR)

Mijat Gacinovic (Francfort/GER)

Filip Kostic (Hambourg/GER)

Nemanja Radonjic (Etoile Rouge de Belgrade)

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio/ITA)

Adem Ljajic (Torino/ITA).

Attaquants

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Newcastle/ENG)

Aleksandar Prijovic (PAOK/GRE)

Luka Jovic (Francfort/GER)

-Timothy Weah, son of George, was one of the USA’s scorers in their win over Bolivia (3-0) in his International debut. (Source BBC Football Online)

May 28, 2018

-Moldova Manager Alexandru Spiridon’s squad for friendly vs. Armenia (Juen 4)

Goalkeepers: Nicolae Calancea (CSU Craiova, România), Alexei Koșelev (CSMS Iași, România), Stanislav Namașco (FK Decic, Muntenegru)

Defenders: Alexandru Epureanu (Istanbul BB, Turcia), Oleg Reabciuk (Porto, Portugalia), Igor Armaș (Anji, Rusia), Veaceslav Posmac, Petru Racu (ambii, Sheriff Tiraspol), Ion Jardan (Zimbru Chișinău), Dinu Graur (Milsami Orhei)

Midfielders: Alexandru Gațcan (Rostov, Rusia), Artur Ionița (Cagliari, Italia), Cătălin Carp (Ufa, Rusia), Eugen Cebotaru (Sibir, Rusia), Alexandru Dedov (Zire, Azerbaidjan), Eugeniu Cociuc (Sabail, Azerbaidjan), Andrei Cojocari, Alexandru Antoniuc, Sergiu Platica (toți, Milsami Orhei), Alexandr Pașcenco (Dinamo-Auto Tiraspol)

Strikers: Radu Gînsari (Hapoel Haifa, Israel), Virgiliu Postolachi (PSG, Franța), Alexandru Boiciuc (Vejle, Danemarca), Vitalie Damașcan (Sheriff Tiraspol)

Club friendlies:

Tuesday, May 22, 2018:

Los Angeles FC (USA) 1-Borussia Dortmund (Germany) 1 (Aaron Kovar 77 / Maximilian Philipp 87)

Wedneday, May 23, 2018:

Athletic Bilbao (Spain) 4-Santutxu (Spain) 0 (Sabin Merino 11, 55, 78 Artiz Aduriz 44)

Cagliari (Italy) 2-Olbia (Italy) 1 (Niccolo Giannetti 6, Marco Sau 13 / Andrea Vallocchia 49)

International friendlies:

Monday, May 28, 2018:

South Korea 2 –Honduras 0 (Heung-Min Son 61, Seon-Min Moon 73)

Kenya 1-Equatorial Guinea 0 (Pistone Mutamba 73)

Botswana 2-Angola 1 (??)

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-Montenegro 0

Nigeria 1-DR Congo 1 (William Troost-Ekong 15 / Issam Mpeko 78)

Mauritius 1-Malawi 0 (??)

Turkey 2-Iran 1 (Cenk Tosun 6, 50 / Ashkan Dejagah 90 pen)

Italy 2-Saudi Arabia 1 (Mario Balotelli 21, Andrea Belotti 68 / Yahya Al Shehri 72)

Portugal 2-Tunisia 2 (Andre Silva 22, Joao Mario 34 / Anice Badri 39, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef 64 )

France 2-Republic of Ireland 0 (Olivier Giroud 40, Nabil Fekir 44)

USA 3-Bolivia 0 (Walker Zimmerman 37, Joshua Sargent 52, Timothy Weah 59)

Mexico 0-Wales 0