IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Up to six Royal Blues players have been the victim of what appears to be a viral infection that has seemingly swept through the entire team ahead of the trip to Augsburg
Apr 19, 2012 10:05:00 AM
By Livio Caferoglu
A significant proportion of the Schalke squad have been struck down by a mystery illness ahead of their Bundesliga clash with Augsburg on Sunday.
Bild reports that as many as six first-team players, including Jefferson Farfan, Lars Unnerstall, Sergio Escudero and Ciprian Marica were all absent during training on Wednesday, as well as Teemu Pukki and Peer Kluge, both of whom only managed to shake off the ailment while in action.
It has been suggested that the infection sweeping through the Royal Blues' squad could be a bout of gastroenteritis, and defender Christoph Metzelder admits the illness has spread throughout the locker room like a plague.
"The accumulation of cases is enormous," the stopper told Bild .
"We still have to play in Augsburg on Sunday, but we must be careful that there are no more stumbles this season.
"The sick are just staying at home, so that no other players get infected.
Kick-off at the SGL Arena on Sunday is scheduled for 15:30CET, as the Gelsenkirchen club hope to extend their grip on third place in the league.
Metzelder: Raul will be greatly missed at Schalke
The German defender says that it will be hard to find a replacement for the striker, but insists that the Spaniard's exit will allow new players to strut their stuff
Xhaka eager to join Monchengladbach
The Swiss youngster reveals that he is nearing a transfer to the Bundesliga club, who are also chasing Bayer Leverkusen forward Eren Derdiyok
Ribery and Robben reportedly involved in dressing room bust-up during Real Madrid clash
The attacking duo allegedly exchanged blows at the half-time interval but coach Jupp Heynckes has refused to comment on the matter
Why Dortmund's dominance is good for Bayern & the Bundesliga
Fans of the Bavarians may regret it now, but BVB's success has spurred their side on & helped the league's reputation. Goal.com investigates the widespread impact of Klopp's team
Klopp: Hoeness will eventually have to acknowledge Dortmund's performances
The successful coach believes that it is only a matter of time before the Bayern supremo will have no other choice but 'to take his hat off' for BVB's success
Hamburg director Frank Arnesen reveals interest in signing 'real team player' Dirk Kuyt
The Netherlands international has lost his starting berth at the Premier League side and could be on his way to the Bundesliga in the summer transfer window
Legendary Schalke duo unhappy with decision to retire Raul's number
Despite having achieved cult status in Gelsenkirchen after joining from Real Madrid in 2010, the Spain striker will be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign
Allofs denies Pizarro agreement with Bayern Munich
The Bremen boss is certain that the Bavarians have yet to wrap things up with the veteran striker, after reports claimed a deal had been struck between club and player
Klopp: Hoeness will eventually have to acknowledge Dortmund's performances
The successful coach believes that it is only a matter of time before the Bayern supremo will have no other choice but 'to take his hat off' for BVB's success
Apr 20, 2012 11:50:00 AM
By Stefan Coerts
Jurgen Klopp has stated that Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness will eventually have to acknowledge Borussia Dortmund's performances.
The Bayern supremo has hit out at Dortmund more than once in the past few months and has downplayed their impressive form.
Nevertheless, Klopp feels that Hoeness has no other option but to admit that BVB are a force to be reckoned with again.
"There are very few things I care less about than the comments of other clubs' representatives about Dortmund," Klopp said to SID.
"However, I believe that Hoeness will have to take off his hat to this team's performances at some point.
"Hoeness is right when he says that we haven't achieved anything in Europe yet. I'll work on this."
Dortmund currently sit top of the Bundesliga table with an eight-point lead over Bayern, with only three league games to go.
Kagawa feels 'sense of completion' after scoring in decisive Borussia Dortmund triumph The Japanese attacker, who missed most of the second-half of last season, was delighted to be on the scoresheet as BVB claimed consecutive Bundesliga titles
Klopp in awe of 'crazy' Dortmund after Bundesliga triumph The BVB trainer admits he has been left speechless by his young team after they pipped Bayern Munich to secure a second straight league title against Monchengladbach
Dortmund retain Bundesliga title after win over Monchengladbach Strikes from Ivan Perisic and Shinji Kagawa against the Foals ensured that Jurgen Klopp's men keep the league trophy at Signal Iduna Park for a second successive season
Bayern go into Real Madrid clash full of confidence, says Heynckes The 66-year-old underlined the importance of the Bavarians' last-gasp winner against Werder, as he begins preparations for his side's crunch clash against Madrid
Greuther Furth promoted to Bundesliga for the first time in their history
The Kleeblatter, who have three German championships to their name, can now look forward to a couple of Bavarian derbies against Bayern Munich next season
Pizarro has not agreed to join Bayern, says Rummenigge
The Peru international was rumoured to be moving to the Allianz Arena, but the club official has now joined Werder Bremen in denying the claims
Borussia Dortmund have retained their Bundesliga crown after Saturday's 2-0 victory over rivals Borussia Monchengladbach.Bayern Munich's last-gasp 2-1 win at Werder Bremen earlier in the day put the onus firmly back on Dortmund, who needed just one win from their last three matches to seal a second straight title.
Ivan Perisic and Shinji Kagawa both got onto the scoresheet as celebrations broke out at Signal-Iduna-Park.Perisic nodded home in the 23rd minute before Japan international Kagawa wrapped up the scoring with a second. Dortmund will meet Bayern in the DFB Pokal final which would mark the club's first ever cup double if they are to win it.
A second-string Bayern outfit left it late to pick up the three points at Bremen, with Franck Ribery's stoppage-time winner momentarily keeping Bayern's slim title hopes alive. Bremen defender Naldo put the hosts ahead in the 51st minute from a set piece but had the final touch into his own net 15 minutes from time to equalise for Bayern.
Stuttgart's Champions League qualification hopes were all but dashed after a 1-1 draw at Cologne.That played into the hands of Bayer Leverkusen who won 1-0 at Hoffenheim after Andre Schurrle struck 11 minutes from time. Sejad Salihovic spurned Hoffenheim's best chance with a missed penalty in the 86th minute.
Bottom side Kaiserslautern posted their first win in 21 games, 2-1 against Hertha Berlin, after first-half goals from Oliver Kirch and Andrew Wooten.In the other fixture Nuremberg and Hamburg played out a 1-1 draw.
Bayern's Ribery fined €50,000 for punching Robben - report
The attacking duo are believed to have come to blows during the Bavarians' victory over Los Blancos in the Champions League earlier this week and the club has taken measures
Apr 21, 2012 11:34:00 AM
Franck Ribery has allegedly been fined €50,000 for punching Bayern Munich team-mate Arjen Robben in the dressing room during half-time in the 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday night, according to Bild.
The France international is believed to have lashed out at his attacking colleague due to not being allowed to take a free-kick in the 40th minute.
The mark on the Dutch winger's face was evident and the club has acted quickly to punish the perpetrator.
Despite Jupp Heynckes denying the incident had happened, the German newspaper indicate that Ribery has been given the sizable fine as punishment.
Bayern Munich face Werder Bremen at the weekend before the return leg of their semi-final tie with Real Madrid next Wednesday.
Dortmund retain Bundesliga title after win over Monchengladbach
Strikes from Ivan Perisic and Shinji Kagawa against the Foals ensured that Jurgen Klopp's men keep the league trophy at Signal Iduna Park for a second successive season
Apr 21, 2012 7:21:00 PM
Borussia Dortmund have retained their Bundesliga crown after Saturday's 2-0 victory over rivals Borussia Monchengladbach clinched a second straight league success for the club.
There was a chance that the title could have been wrapped up before they had even took to the pitch at Signal Iduna Park, but Bayern Munich's last-gasp 2-1 win against Werder Bremen earlier in the day put the onus firmly back on BVB.
However, the occasion did not get to the Dortmund players, as Ivan Perisic and Shinji Kagawa both got onto the scoresheet to ensure back-to-back league titles for Dortmund for the first time since 1997, and for the third time in their history.
The feat also marks Jurgen Klopp's second consecutive Bundesliga triumph, and will only serve to boost his burgeoning reputation as one of the continent's finest young coaches.
BVB now have two matches remaining until the end of the Bundesliga season, against Kaiserslautern and Freiburg. They will then lock horns with Bayern in the DFB Pokal final, which if won, would mark the side's first-ever league and cup double.
Record-breaking Dortmund seal second consecutive Bundesliga title.
BVB have successfully defended their title, with staggering results.
Stand up for the champions: Resilient Dortmund overcome the odds to seal Bundesliga title
It hasn't been easy for the holders, but Jurgen Klopp has steered his side to a second consecutive championship.
Klopp: Hoeness will eventually have to acknowledge Dortmund's performances
The successful coach believes that it is only a matter of time before the Bayern supremo will have no other choice but 'to take his hat off' for BVB's success
Hoeness : Boo hoo hoo... can't digest it.
If you don't want your humble pie then don't waste it. I tar-pow home ok? Hehehehe
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's leveller kept Schalke on track for a Champions League spot while denying Augsburg's Bundesliga safety in a 1-1 draw.
Sebastian Landkamp headed the hosts ahead in the sixth minute before Huntelaar intervened in the 38th minute with his 24th league goal.
For all Schalke's possession Augsburg had far the better chances with Axel Bellinghausen twice going close in the second half.
Schalke stay in third, two points clear of Borussia Monchengladbach, while Augsburg are four points clear of the drop zone with two games to play.
Hannover missed the chance to put pressure on Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League places with a meek 0-0 draw at home to Freiburg.
Hannover edged their visitors for possession but could not make the breakthrough and sit three points behind Leverkusen and five behind Stuttgart.
The point mathematically guarantees Freiburg's Bundesliga safety.
Pizarro denies having agreed terms with Bayern Munich
Recent reports suggested that the attacker is on the verge of joining the Bavarians on a free transfer, but he has insisted that he has yet to make a final decision on his future
Apr 23, 2012 8:05:00 AM
By Stefan Coerts
Werder Bremen attacker Claudio Pizarro has made it clear that he has not reached an agreement with Bayern Munich as he has yet to make a final decision about where his future lies.
A number of reports last week claimed that the 33-year-old had agreed terms with the Champions League hopefuls about a summer move, but the Peruvian striker has stressed that nothing has been decided yet.
"I have not decided yet where I will continue my career. There's no decision for now. I will let people know once I've made a decision on my future," Pizarro was quoted as saying by Bild.
Pizarro previously wore the Bayern Munich jersey from 2001 until 2007, netting 100 goals in 251 official appearances for the Bavarians.
The striker has an expiring contract with Werder, meaning he can leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
From Lahm to Schweinsteiger to Muller: Bayern's youth academy would draw envy even from La Masia The Bundesliga giants will be relying on several youth products from their academy in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid
Ribery: I'm proud of my scar as it gave me strength
The Frenchman suffered a serious head wound in a car accident when he was an infant, but believes that the ridicule he suffered growing up helped 'forge his character'
Eintracht Frankfurt secure promotion to Bundesliga
Armin Veh's side have become the second club to have secure a place in the top tier of German football in 2012-13, following in the footsteps of Greuther Furth
Ballack leaning towards MLS move
The German midfielder admitted he is looking to find pastures new after two years at the BayArena and a spell in the United States is a very strong possibility
Kadlec suffers broken nose after Koln fans' attack
The 27-year-old was roughed up by a group of rival supporters on Saturday, but hopes to play the rest of the season in a mask
Monchengladbach and Basel in talks over Xhaka - report
The Swiss and German clubs are said to be holding discussions over the transfer of the 19-year old in the summer, but there is disagreement as to the player's valuation
The Poland international has supposedly caught the attention of the Champions League semi-finalists, but his current club have ruled out a move in the summer
Apr 25, 2012 11:46:00 AM
By Stefan Coerts
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has told Bayern Munich that striker Robert Lewandowski is going nowhere in the upcoming transfer window.
A number of recent reports suggested that the Bavarians are interested in signing the Poland international, but the trainer has insisted that the forward is not for sale.
"He is unavailable. Who do they think we are? Do Bayern really think they can just come along and ask 'Lewi' whether he wants to come play for them if Mario Gomez can't play for some reason," Klopp stated to Sport Bild.
"That is utter nonsense and can be ruled out."
Lewandowski joined BVB from Lech Poznan in the summer of 2010, and has developed into a key player this term. He has netted 20 times in 32 Bundesliga appearances in 2011-12.
Monchengladbach confirm Dante will sign for Bayern Munich
The Fohlen announced that the Brazilian defender will leave his current club for the Champions League finalists at the end of the term despite their best efforts to hold on to him
Apr 26, 2012 10:11:00 AM
Borussia Monchengladbach have revealed on their official website that Dante will leave the Fohlen to join Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
The 28-year-old had long been linked with a move to the Allianz Arena, and Gladbach have now confirmed that the centre-back will indeed complete his switch at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.
"Although we understand his decision, we are obviously disappointed that he is leaving. We never gave up hope that he would stay here and write history at Gladbach as our top player and a crowd favourite," sporting director Max Eberl commented on the imminent move.
"He'd been with us for three-and-a-half years, which is quite a long period for a foreign player. The fact that he now moves to a bigger club is a result of our good performances this season."
Although Bayern have yet to confirm the capture of Dante or disclose his transfer fee and contract length, the defender expressed his delight at joining one of the world's elite sides.
"Bayern Munich are one of the three or four biggest clubs in the world. I have the chance to play at the highest level there and win titles. Gladbach did their utmost to hold on to me, and I feel sad to leave. However, I'm 28 now and I wanted to make this step," the former Standard Liege star said.
Dante had a contract with Monchengladbach until the summer of 2014, but had a €4.7 million buy-out clause in his agreement with the Borussia-Park outfit.
Raul: Mourinho has been doing a great job at Madrid
The experienced attacker has hailed the coach's influence since arriving at the club and reminded how the team has registered significant improvements under the trainer
Apr 26, 2012 8:30:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Schalke striker Raul is of the opinion that Jose Mourinho has been doing 'a great job' as coach of Real Madrid.
The Portuguese trainer's continuity at the Santiago Bernabeu has been put into doubt after the club were eliminated from the Champions League following Wednesday's defeat to Bayern Munich in a penalty shoot-out.
After the match, Mourinho stated that he wanted to remain at the club, and Raul believes that the coach's impact is beyond questioning.
"Mourinho has been working very well, doing the sort of things that he thinks he has to do," he told reporters in Madrid.
"He is building a very competitive years, in two years it reached the Champions League semi-finals twice after many years in which it could not go this far.
"They have won a Copa del Rey and a lot of things are being done very well.
"I have also had bad experiences with penalties and I keep enjoying this sport.
"Madrid can become Spanish champions on Sunday and the players must find their strength and give an important step towards reaching the title."
The 34-year-old striker also had words of praise for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who is expected to make a decision on his future shortly as his contract expires in June.
"Football needs Guardiola and he will make the best decision," Raul said.
Bayern still keen on signing Howedes but Schalke vow to resist transfer
The Bavarians may have confirmed the addition of Dante on Thursday, but remain interested in the Germany international, however, S04 claim to be uninterested in a sale
Year of the Samurai: Recapping Shinji Kagawa's remarkable season with Borussia Dortmund
In his second Bundesliga campaign, the Samurai Blue star regained his fitness on the way to producing one of the most remarkable seasons ever for a Japanese player in Europe
Kagawa has until the end of the month to decide future with Dortmund
Having waited months for a decision from the Japan international, the Bundesliga champions will move to sell him to another club if an extension is not signed by Monday
Raul: Mourinho has been doing a great job at Madrid
The experienced attacker has hailed the coach's influence since arriving at the club and reminded how the team has registered significant improvements under the trainer
Hitzfeld: Klopp has a high level of technical expertise
The man who led Dortmund to a surprise Champions League triumph in 1997 believes that they are perfectly placed to continue their dominance of the German domestic scene
Olic confirms summer move to Wolfsburg
The Croatia international has made the decision to leave Bayern at the end of the 2011-12 campaign, and will continue his career at the Volkswagen Arena
Monchengladbach confirm Dante will sign for Bayern Munich
The Fohlen announced that the Brazilian defender will leave his current club for the Champions League finalists at the end of the term despite their best efforts to hold on to him
We're competing with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter for Bremen's Wiese, reveals Hoffenheim boss Babbel
The 30-year-old Germany international will be a free agent at the end of the current campaign and has apparently attracted the interest of some of Europe's biggest clubs
Van Bommel: I advised Robben to join Bayern
The experienced midfielder suggested to his compatriot to try out his luck in Munich as he enjoys a good rapport with the former PSV and Chelsea ace
Wiese eyes Hoffenheim move
The Germany international admitted that he is interested in making the switch to the Rhein Neckar Arena, but stressed that nothing had been agreed as yet
Low: Reus and Gotze are more than substitutes for Germany
The young attackers have had limited chances to prove themselves for their country thus far, but according to the trainer, they might soon have their roles increased
Dortmund tell Bayern Lewandowski is not for sale
The Poland international has supposedly caught the attention of the Champions League semi-finalists, but his current club have ruled out a move in the summer
Rummenigge hints at new Bayern contract for Heynckes
The veteran trainer has been a hit this season during his third stint in Bavaria, and the club management would be glad to prolong his stay with the Bundesliga giants
Apr 27, 2012 10:15:00 PM
By Clark Whitney
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hinted that Jupp Heynckes might remain coach of his team beyond his current tenure.
The trainer has had a successful first season in Bavaria, leading his side to the Champions League final. When asked whether the 66-year-old might opt for an early retirement should his side beat Chelsea on May 19, Rummenigge explained that Heynckes is not the type to turn back on his commitment, and that the coach might even sign an extension.
"Jupp is not made that way, he has no such thoughts," Rummenigge told Bild. "Jupp is a special character in this respect. And if he wants, he could stay longer than when his contract expires in 2013."
Rummenigge also confirmed that 10 days after an altercation between the two, there is no bad blood between Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
"The issue is completely settled. Both were key players for our success in Madrid on Wednesday," he said.
"The incident was of course not OK," he continued. "But my theory is that this explosion was a spark that provided a boost. Although I know that had we lost, we would be speaking differently today."
Ribery is reported to have struck Robben's face after a dispute over a free kick during the first leg of Bayern's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. The pair publicly made up during last Saturday's win against Werder Bremen.
Bastian Schweinsteiger models the new FC Bayern Munich away kit
FC Bayern Munich will show off their away kit for the forthcoming 2012/13 season at home to VfB Stuttgart on Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET).
The new shirt combines the traditional white used in their away outfits with a luminous infrared trim. The club motto "Mia san mia" (meaning 'We are who we are') is embroidered in the collar.
Schalke and Borussia Moenchengladbach both face winnable Bundesliga outings as they fight for the final automatic Champions League place.Third-placed Schalke host a Hertha Berlin side desperate for a win in their bid to avoid relegation, while Moenchengladbach, who are two points adrift in fourth, meet lowly Augsburg on Saturday.
Schalke central defender Joel Matip said he believed his side could secure the spot, and was glad their fate was in their own hands."The most important thing is that if we win both remaining matches then nobody can take third place away," he said."Hertha will fight for every centimetre to get the maximum out for them.
We have to hold against that and I believe we have the quality to get all three points."Sami Hyypia's Bayer Leverkusen sit sixth ahead of their meeting against Hannover, who are just three points adrift.Hannover will be looking to Mohammed Abdellaoue (11 league goals this season) to find form late in the campaign having failed to net in his last seven outings.
Bayern Munich, fresh from their Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid, are likely to rest several stars in their meeting with Stuttgart. Jupp Heynckes' team are certain to finish second in the league, while Stuttgart will be out to secure a European place. Looking to finish the season on a high, champions Borussia Dortmund visit the relegated Kaiserslautern.
Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp will be hoping star striker Robert Lewandowski (20 league goals), who he wants to keep at the club, can continue what has been a stellar campaign.In other matches, Mainz and Hamburg meet, while Cologne, who occupy the relegation playoff spot, will be desperate for a win at Freiburg. Mid-table sides Hoffenheim and Nuremberg do battle, while Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen clash at Volkswagen Arena.
Bundesliga wrap: Schalke earn Champions League berth
29 April 2012
Schalke sealed an automatic Champions League place in the Bundesliga on Saturday as champions Borussia Dortmund impressed again. A brace from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar saw Schalke secure third spot with a 4-0 thrashing of relegation battlers Hertha Berlin in Gelsenkirchen.
Borussia Moenchengladbach's chances of finishing third were ended after they were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Augsburg, but they are guaranteed a spot in the Champions League qualifying stages. Schalke took the lead just after the half-hour at Veltins-Arena through Dutchman Huntelaar, but were forced to wait until the final 20 minutes to seal the win.
Lewis Holtby doubled their lead on 73 minutes, with Raul and Huntelaar netting in the final six minutes.Dortmund tied a Bundesliga record for points in a season as they earned a 5-2 win at Kaiserslautern.The win, which came largely thanks to a Lucas Barrios hat-trick, lifted the champions' tally to 78 points, equalling Bayern Munich's record from 1998/99.
Brazilian defender Felipe Santana gave the hosts a 16th-minute lead with an own goal, but a header and a tap-in from Barrios put Dortmund ahead, with Mario Gotze adding another before half-time.Pierre de Wit pulled a goal back for Kaiserslautern with a looping header over Australian goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, but Dortmund again took control with Barrios completing his treble and Ivan Perisic curling in a fifth.
Champions League finalists Bayern Munich continued their fine form, beating Stuttgart 2-0 thanks to goals from Mario Gomez and Thomas Mueller.Bayer Leverkusen secured a Europa League place after Stefan Kiessling's 75th-minute goal saw them to a 1-0 win at home to Hannover.
Cologne will finish no higher than the relegation playoff spot after slumping to a 4-1 loss at Freiburg.Mensur Mujdza, Karim Guede, Daniel Caligiuri and Sebastian Freis were on the scoresheet for the winners, while Lukas Podolski briefly equalised just after the break for Cologne.
Patrick Helmes' late brace helped Wolfsburg to a 3-1 win at home to Werder Bremen.Hamburg and Mainz played out a 0-0 draw at the Imtech Arena, while Nuremberg overcame Hoffenheim 3-2.
