FIFA.com - News

International ground-breaker, Barça king

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com recalls the brilliant and bizarre career of Ladislao Kubala, the only man to ever represent three countries who was named the greatest player in the history of Barcelona.

Former Czechoslovakia midfielder Kuna dies

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:12:00 GMT

Ladislav Kuna, a former midfielder who represented Czechoslovakia at Mexico 1970, has passed away at the age of 64.

Eisfeld relishing Rosicky link-up

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:46:00 GMT

Thomas Eisfeld has said that he cannot wait to play alongside Tomas Rosicky after completing his move to Arsenal, describing the Czech midfielder as his "hero".

Cech: We want silverware

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:09:00 GMT

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is hopeful the signing of Gary Cahill and the return of Michael Essien from injury will help boost the club's campaign as he insists they are still vying for silverware.

Cech hoping for new Chelsea deal

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:46:00 GMT

Petr Cech has revealed plans to agree a new contract with Chelsea, but the 29-year-old goalkeeper also explained his desire to undertake a new challenge before the end of his career.

Schalke loan Moravek to Augsburg

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Schalke have agreed to loan midfielder Jan Moravek to Augsburg until the end of the season after the 22-year-old has started just six matches for the Bundesliga club this term.

Magath expects Jiracek to provide boost

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:16:00 GMT

After confirming the signing of Petr Jiracek yesterday, Wolfsburg coahc Felix Magath said he expects the former Vikotoria Plzen midfielder to provide the needed factors to give them a boost in the New Year.

Wolfsburg sign Czech midfielder Jiracek

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:08:00 GMT

Czech Republic midfielder Petr Jiracek has signed a four and a half year deal with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Manchester duo handed tricky tasks

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:32:00 GMT

The draw for the last 32 and the final 16 of the UEFA Europa League was made today, with Manchester City and Manchester United handed difficult ties against FC Porto and Ajax respectively.

Wisla profit as PSG, Fulham exit

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:51:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham have both suffered surprisingly early exits from the UEFA Europa League, while the likes of Lazio, Twente, Wisla Krakow and Stoke City are through to the last 32.

Wolfsburg close in on Jiracek

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:32:00 GMT

Czech Republic midfielder Petr Jiracek successfully underwent a medical today in hopes to complete a transfer move from Viktoria Plzen to Wolfsburg.

Allegri blasts side for lack of concentration

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:17:00 GMT

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says his team's performance in allowing Viktoria Plzen to recover from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw was unsatisfactory.

Trio progress on dramatic night

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:05:00 GMT

A breathtaking evening of UEFA Champions League action saw Chelsea, Marseille and Zenit St Petersburg advance to the Round of 16. FIFA.com recaps all the drama.

Plzen level late with Milan

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:21:00 GMT

Viktoria Plzen ensured a place in the UEFA Europa League with a third-place finish in Group H of the UEFA Champions League, levelling with AC Milan late on to clinch a 2-2 draw.

Big guns reflect on tough draw

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:19:00 GMT

There was a cautious tone amongst the voices of Europe's elite nations, as all were expecting a tough time of it at the UEFA EURO 2012 finals, with many of the favourites being drawn together.

Czechs look to the future

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Czech Republic's successful UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign has also had a positive effect on their FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, moving them up 14 places.

Historic Cypriots lead qualified trio

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:50:00 GMT

An intriguing night of UEFA Champions League action saw Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen and APOEL Nicosia book their places in the last 16, while Porto and Valencia kept themselves in contention.

Plzen leapfrog BATE with first win

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:26:00 GMT

Viktoria Plzen have all but secured third place in Group H with a narrow 1-0 win over BATE Borisov through a first-half Marek Bakos goal in the UEFA Champions League.

Germans close on Dutch, England go fifth

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:01:00 GMT

Spain maintained pole position on the global ladder, while third-placed Germany closed on the Netherlands and England jumped two spots to fifth. Elsewhere, Croatia, Czech Republic and Ecuador make ground.

Plzen up for bottom battle at BATE

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:34:00 GMT

Daniel Kolar has said Plzen are up for their UEFA Champions League battle against BATE Borisov to save their European season, where a win would catapult them into the UEFA Europa League qualification spot.

Cech targets Reds shutout

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:10:00 GMT

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has set his sights on his fourth successive clean sheet against Liverpool, as the Czech Republic international looks to do his bit in closing the gap on league leaders Manchester City.

Goalkeepers who belied their size

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:18:00 GMT

Featuring the likes of Ubaldo Fillol and Jorge Campos, FIFA.com takes a look at the many goalkeepers who have disproved the theory that size matters.

Spain, Netherlands join co-hosts as top seeds

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:37:00 GMT

Spain have been joined by the Netherlands and co-hosts Poland and Ukraine in the top group seeds for the UEFA EURO 2012 finals draw, which is set to take place in Kyiv on 2 December.

Portugal among final four qualifiers

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:05:00 GMT

Portugal overcame stubborn resistance from Bosnia-Herzegovina to join Croatia, Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland as the final four teams to qualify for UEFA EURO 2012. FIFA.com has all the details.

Jiracek stamps Czech EURO ticket

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:33:00 GMT

Petr Jiracek scored the only goal of the night as the Czech Republic sealed their berth to UEFA EURO 2012 with a 1-0 victory over Montenegro on Tuesday.

Cech: It's the ideal result

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:10:00 GMT

Petr Cech has expressed his delight at Czech Republic’s 2-0 win at home to Montenegro, and discussed the visitors’ inability to convert their chances in Prague and the second leg of their play-off in Podgorica.

Triumphant trio poised to progress

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:53:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland, Croatia and the Czech Republic all took giant strides towards qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012, but Portugal were left with plenty of work to do after a stalemate in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Czechs best Montenegro in EURO play-off

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:26:00 GMT

Czech Republic beat Montenegro 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs on Friday with second-half goals from winger Vaclav Pilar and Tomas Sivok.

Pekhart following in heroes' footsteps

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:25:00 GMT

A new Czech Republic generation is out to prove its credentials in the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs against Montenegro on Friday evening. FIFA.com spoke exclusively to striker Tomas Pekhart.

Cech fit to face Montenegro

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:51:00 GMT

Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech has been cleared to play in the national team's UEFA EURO 2012 play-off against Montenegro despite having a broken nose.

Grygera facing six months out

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:04:00 GMT

Czech defender Zdenek Grygera is set to spend the next six months on the sidelines after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

Eight pursue play-off progress

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:45:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs which has served up a handful of intriguing fixtures, including a grudge match between Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and new faces Montenegro against Czech Republic.

Pekovic: We can hold our own

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:51:00 GMT

Montenegro are poised for the most important matches in their short footballing history as they prepare to take on Czech Republic in a play-off to reach UEFA EURO 2012. FIFA.com spoke exclusively to veteran Milorad Pekovic.

Messi magic sees Barça past Plzen

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:13:00 GMT

Holders Barcelona sealed their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League after breezing past 10-man Czech champions Viktoria Plzen 4-0.

Six out of seven for hosts Brazil

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:06:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the recent Grand Prix de Futsal, which Brazil won after seeing off a stern challenge from Russia in the final to lift their sixth trophy in seven attempts.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:29:00 GMT

This week's run-down of the upcoming birthdays across planet football includes Pele, turning 71, Wayne Rooney in the aftermath of the of Manchester derby and Robert Pires still looking to continue his career at 38.

Udinese, Schalke stun as Fulham falter

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:31:00 GMT

Udinese scored two last-gasp goals to defeat Atletico Madrid, while Schalke ran out 5-0 winners over Steaua Bucharest, and ten-man Fulham lost 1-0 to Wisla Krakow in the UEFA Europa League.

Europe's big guns celebrate wins

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League action as Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and AC Milan all collected wins to move within touching distance of the Round of 16.

Misfiring Barça still stroll to Plzen win

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:53:00 GMT

Barcelona had to settle for just two goals despite battering Plzen in a predictably one-sided UEFA Champions League clash at the Nou Camp tonight.

Jankulovski injures ligament again

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:18:00 GMT

Former AC Milan defender Marek Jankulovski has suffered a knee ligament injury for the second time this year, his new club Banik Ostrava revealed today.

Play-offs pitch Ireland against Estonia

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:10:00 GMT

The UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs draw was made today, with Republic of Ireland to face Estonia, Turkey handed a tie with Croatia, Czech Republic paired with Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina going up against Portugal.

The flawless, troubled and triumphant

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:01:00 GMT

With 240 matches played among nine qualifying groups, FIFA.com reviews the most memorable moments from the 13-month-long qualifying campaign for next summer's UEFA EURO 2012.

Czechs, Ireland among seeded sides

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:22:00 GMT

UEFA announced today that Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal and Republic of Ireland will be the four seeded teams in tomorrow's draw for the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs.

Czechs convince to book play-off place

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:11:00 GMT

Ten-man Czech Republic sealed a convincing 4-1 win over Lithuania to secure second place in Group I and a UEFA EURO 2012 play-off berth, while Spain helped the victors by defeating Scotland.

Del Bosque hails 'dominant' midfield

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Vicente Del Bosque was full of praise for his side's performance in their 2-0 win in the Czech Republic, calling the Spanish midfield 'dominant' and singling out David Silva and Juan Mata for particular kudos.

England join EURO elite

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:38:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews an exciting night of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying action that saw England secure their place at next year’s finals, and Montenegro and Sweden confirm play-off berths.

Greece, Belgium push for qualification

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Greece moved into pole position in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification Group F after beating fellow contenders Croatia 2-0, while Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1 to move into second in Group A at Turkey's expense.

Spanish steamroller continues

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:54:00 GMT

Spain's march towards a 100 per cent record in UEFA EURO 2012 Group I continued as they dispatched with a ten-man Czech Republic 2-0 courtesy of first-half Mata and Xabi Alonso goals.

All to play for in EURO deciders

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:47:00 GMT

With ten places still up for grabs at the UEFA EURO 2012 finals, the final two rounds of qualifying action present several key matches, specifically for England and France, who are each on the verge of clinching qualification.

Straka crosses bitter Prague divide

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:55:00 GMT

Slavia Prague have named Frantisek Straka as their new coach despite the 53-year-old's long association with bitter rivals Sparta Prague as both a player and manager.