Final warm-ups for Euro 2012 trio World Soccer Shop

Ukraine meet Turkey in a Euro 2012 warm-up match in Ingolstadt on Tuesday, France host Estonia in Le Mans and Sweden face Serbia in Stockholm.

Shevchenko: Gearing up for Euro 2012

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko believes the national team can go all the way to the final of Euro 2012 as they prepare for their last game before the tournament kicks off.

The 35-year-old has 107 international caps and is arguably the most well-known Ukrainian footballer of all time.

The final of the European Championships will be held at Kiev's Olympic Stadium on July 1, and Shevchenko reckons Oleh Blokhin's side can get there.

"If we show our quality and have a bit of luck, we can reach the final," he said. "I understand that will be extremely difficult, but you only get one chance to make history."

The former AC Milan and Chelsea forward revealed the thought of participating in a major European competition on home soil has kept him playing for longer than he expected - even if he now knows his own limitations.

He said: "For the last five years, I've hardly thought about anything but the European Championships that will be held in my country. It's fair to say this has extended my career. It's my dream.

"I need more time for rehabilitation. That's natural. If I'm not completely fit, I don't want to play and let down the fans. I want to do what's best for the side."

Turkey v Ukraine kicks off at 7pm BST at the Audi Sportpark in Ingolstadt.

France face Estonia in their final match before they open their tournament against England next Monday, but former Les Bleus star Christophe Dugarry believes manager and former team-mate Laurent Blanc has his work cut out to achieve success in Poland and Ukraine.

"Today picking the France team is still very complicated," the Euro 2000 winner told L'Equipe. "When you see who is absent, the players who had an average season and those few who have had a good season and are 100% mentally and physically - if there are 10, that is the maximum.

"Laurent Blanc, is a coach, not a magician - he does what he can."

Kick-off at the MMArena in Le Mans is at 8pm BST.

Meanwhile, France's Group D opponents Sweden host Serbia in their final warm-up game and head coach Erik Hamren has claimed a number of his squad are struggling with fatigue.

"Swedish football should stop and think if what they are doing is the right thing," he said.

"And if this is the way you want to run things, then you are giving your players very little chance to win. This, for me as national-team coach, is unacceptable."

Sweden's national league runs between March and November and therefore will take a break for the duration of the Championships.

Their talismanic captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has claimed winning the tournament would eclipse anything he achieves with club side AC Milan.

He said: "For me, perhaps, winning the European Championship would be of more value than all the titles I have won to date."

"Winning with one's own country is special. It is an honour to play for one's national team. It would be fantastic to win with this shirt and then return home to celebrate with the fans."

Kick-off at the Rasunda Stadium is at 6pm BST.

Elsewhere, Austria host Romania and Kazakhstan travel to Armenia.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17758/final_warm_ups_for_euro_2012_trio

Nani looks to prove fitness

Portugal winger Nani is hopeful of being fit for his nation’s opening Euro 2012 match against Germany.

Nani suffered a foot injury in Portugal’s 3-1 defeat to Turkey in an international friendly on Saturday.

“Yes, it was a scare. It was a very dangerous challenge, I was in a lot of pain, I still am a bit, but I think I will recover well in the next few days,” he told reporters.

“We will see when I return to Portugal’s camp. It may have caused a small strain. I believe I can play against Germany.”

The Manchester United midfielder has five days in which to continue his recovery before facing the Germans.

Group B also includes Denmark and Netherlands.

Nani has netted 13 times in 54 games for Portugal since making his debut six years ago as a teenager.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/nani-looks-to-prove-fitness/95845/

Sahin can make Real impact

Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin has indicated that he is determined to prove his credentials with the La Liga champions.

The Turkey international, who signed for Madrid last off-season for an undisclosed fee, struggled for fitness and form in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, making just 10 official appearances for the club.

A loan spell has been suggested as a possibility for Sahin, but the former Borussia Dortmund ace has guaranteed that he wants to prove himself with the Spanish title-holders.

“Unfortunately, this was not a very good season for me, because of the injuries that I sustained,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“But to have success at Real Madrid is not easy at all, especially in your first year. But I am convinced that next season will be my season.

“The physical problems blocked me, and this happened for several months, including in the pre-season. But I feel just fine now and I do not have any problem.

“I hope that I will win many titles with Madrid, who are a great club. Life has given me many good things, but my dream is to win the Champions League with this club.

“If I manage to do it, I will be the luckiest man in the world.”

Sahin has been a bit-part player under Jose Mourinho so far, but the Turkish midfielder had nothing but praise for the Portuguese coach.

“He is very demanding,” Sahin said.

“He demands the most out of every player, but we understand this.

“On the other hand, he has no problem to praise a player when they do what he asked for.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/sahin-can-make-real-impact/95546/

Emre signs with Atletico

Atletico Madrid have signed veteran midfielder Emre on a free transfer from Fenerbahce.

The Turkey international has agreed to a two-year contract with the La Liga club and news of his imminent arrival at the Vicente Calderon was enthusiastically greeted by compatriot Arda Turan.

“He has everything to succeed at Atletico,” the 25-year-old winger told the club’s official website.

“He has shown that he has the personality to control big teams and his experience can help a lot in key games.

“For me, he’s like my brother and I have learned a lot from him.”

Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Caminero also believes that Emre will prove a valuable addition to Diego Simeone’s squad.

“His experience should bring further strength to our team, which is one of the youngest in the league,” the former Spain international said.

Emre, who has been capped 80 times by his country, was reportedly keen to leave Turkey after finding himself at the centre of a racism controversy last month following a clash with Trabzonspor’s Didier Zokora.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/emre-signs-with-atletico/95461/