Ribery Is Gone Till September

The injury sustained by French international Franck Ribery in the team's loss to Italy during the final phase of the group stage during Euro 2008 will cost the midfielder to miss the start of the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season.

Ribery tore ligaments above his left ankle and underwent surgery in Munich on Thursday. The operation was described in media reports as having "gone perfectly."

Originally believed to be out for around seven to eight weeks, the midfielder will once again be operated on in approximately six weeks to have metal plates removed.

This step backward means that the recovery time now must be reassessed. Ribery is likely to return to Bundesliga action in September.

After the plate removal, he will be on crutches for four weeks before commencing rehab exercises at Bayern's training ground.

Ribery out until September after his inury at Euro 2008.

Image details: France v Italy - Group C Euro 2008 served by picapp.com

Jussi Jääskeläinen Remains Loyal

Goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen has re-signed with Bolton, the same club he has competed with since 1997. Recently, several Premiership clubs as well as Bundesliga champion FC Bayern Munich were rumoured to be inquiring about the keeper's services.

Jussi Jääskeläinen shares a chat with his fellow countryman after the match.

Image details: Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers served by picapp.com

Euro 2008: Sunday June 8th Schedule

Sunday 6/08

11:50 a.m.- Austria vs. Croatia (Group B) - (ESPN2)

Key Players

Austria - FW Roland Linz, DF Martin Stranzl, and MF René Aufhauser

Croatia - DF Vedran Ćorluka, MF Luka Modrić, and MF Niko Kranjčar

Prediction: Croatia's overall skill too much for the co-hosts. Croatia 3-1.

2:30 p.m.- Germany vs. Poland (Group B) - (ESPN2)

Key Players

Poland - FW Euzebiusz Smolarek, GK Artur Boruc, and MF Mariusz Lewandowski

Germany - GK Jens Lehmann, DF Philipp Lahm, FW Miroslav Klose

Prediction: This should turn out to be one of the best matches in the group stage. Poland 3-2 over Germany in a goal fest.

Two German Goalkeepers Returning to Bundesliga for 2008

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has signed with Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart for the 2008-2009 season. The 38-year-old German is expected to start for his nation in Euro 2008 which begins this weekend. Previously, he played for Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Lehmann signed a one-year contract with Stuttgart.

Also returning home is Germany goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt. The former international player played for S.L. Benfica in Portugal last season. He has signed a two-year contract with Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich.

Image details: Euro 2008 - German National Team Training & Press Conference Day 2 served by picapp.com

Euro 2008: Player Video Tour 2

Soccer City FC continues to showcase several players who will be looked upon to carry their national teams in Austria and Switzerland. Videos via various members at YouTube. Click on the player's name to view their video.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehman (Germany) - "38 year old keeper’s last outing for the national team. Jens has a lot to prove if he wants to continue his club career."

Striker: Miroslav Klose (Germany) - "The former Werder Bremen, now Bayern Munich man will have to show that World Cup form again."

Right Back: Sergio Ramos (Spain) - "As one of the most creative and energetic full backs, his contribution down the right flank will be very important in a team lacking any natural right winger."

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain) - "The current Spanish number one had another consistent season, topping La Liga in both saves made and fewest goals conceded, as well as making UEFA's Team of the Year. Spain's progress in the tournament could come down to how well Casillas does."

Euro 2008 Preview: Germany

By: Phillip Boran
Soccer City FC

Player Spotlights

Goalkeeper: Jens Lehmann - 38 year old keeper’s last outing for the national team. Jens has a lot to prove if he wants to continue his club career.

Left Back: Philipp Lahm - The 24 year old Bayern Munich back will prove to be an offensive threat when the defense least expects it. As long as Lahm doesn’t get tired around the 65’ mark, he should fair well.

Center Midfielder: Michael Ballack – The Chelsea midfielder is showing his age but will prove to dominate the midfield for Germany.

Striker: Miroslav Klose – The former Werder Bremen, now Bayern Munich man will have to show that World Cup form again.

Group B Opponents

Austria – The other co-host to the tournement, should prove to be an easy team for Germany.

Croatia – They spoiled England’s chances to qualify for this competition, and should prove to be not as powerful as they were in the qualification stages.

Poland – Should prove to challenge for 2nd spot in this group, and maybe even surprise Germany.

Form Question

Will the 3 from Bayern Munich - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, and Lukas Podolski, relive their 2006 World Cup form?

Tactical Question

What if Michael Ballack goes down with an injury or proves to be in bad form?

Prediction

I see them getting out of the group stages with little problem. The ability to get to the semi-finals is there, just a matter of following through.

Bundesliga Wrap-Up Matchday 33

By: Phillip Boran
Soccer City FC

VfL Wolfsburg 4-0 VfB Stuttgart

Big win for the Wolves as they beat last season’s Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart who were brought down to 10 men in the 18th minute when Fernando Meira was sent off. Former Bayern boss Felix Magath keeps pushing for the 5th place spot to enter the club in Europe for the first time in Wolfsburg’s existance. The captain Marcelinho opened up the scoring sheet in the 16th minute, followed by a 22nd minute goal by the young Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko. As the 2nd half opened up, Wolfsburg did not let up as they scored in the 55th (Ricardo Costa) and 75th (Ashkan Dejagah). This win places Wolfsburg in 6th place, tied on points with Hamburg SV and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, with Wolfsburg lacking 4 goals in goal difference behind Hamburg.

FC Bayern Munich 3-2 MSV Duisburg

No surprise in the winner here as Bayern show that they have won the Bundesliga comfortably as they take this win with ease. Ottl (3rd), Podolski (18th, 20th) Tararache (48th), and Daun (54th) were the scorers of this relegation fight.

Hansa Rostock 1-2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer get an important win as their 10 men side send Rostock back down. Rolfes (40th) and Castro (58th) score from the penalty spot. Rostock tried to fight back to stay in the Bundesliga but only managed to find one goal by Addy Waku Menga (67th) which was not enough to stay up.

Hertha BSC 1-0 FC Nurnberg

Mid-table Hertha snag the win late in the match as Nurnberg drop some very important points while they sit in the relegation zone, only 2 points away from Arminia Bielfeld. Raffael (74th) was the match’s only goal scorer as he might have sealed Nurnberg’s fate for next season.

FC Energie Cottbus 2-0 Hamburg SV

Energie claim another season in the Bundesliga as they grab the upset against HSV. With this loss for Hamburg, they have now made it a 3 team race for the 2 UEFA Cup spots still up for grabs. They dropped some vital points that could of sealed their place in Europe next season. Goals by Rivic (29th) and Sorensen (83rd) help keep Energie in the Bundesliga.

Karlsruhe SC 1-3 VfL Bochum

This mid-table match showed that Karlsruhe’s beginning season form has disappeared as they drop points to lower placed Bochum. Bochum ran out of the gate in the 2nd half as Azaouagh (45th), Dabrowski (48th), and Sestak (50th) grab the goals while Karlsruhe tried to push for a come-back but proved too late as squad captain Eggimann (88th) scored.

Arminia Bielfeld 2-2 Borussia Dortmund

Bielfeld will be kicking themselves as they should have sealed their fates for next season in the Bundesliga as Marx (24th pen) and Wichiniarek (34th) put Bielfeld in the lead twice but former Bielfeld man Delron Buckley (28th) and one Alexander Frei free-kick went off Rowan Fernandez’ face (83rd). Dortmund will be without Robert Kovac next match as he was sent off.

Werder Bremen 6-1 Hannover 96

Bremen dominate and hold 2nd place in the Bundesliga as they went on a scoring spree against rivals Hannover. Almeida (14th), Naldo (27th), Borowski (73rd), Klasnic (80th), Rosenberg (82th), and Hunt (87th) on the score sheet for Bremen while Hannover’s only goal came off a Tim Wiese rebound from a penalty taken by Hustzi (90th). With this loss, Hannover are now out of the qualification for the Intertoto Cup spot.

FC Shalke 04 1-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Shalke take the win as defender Krstajic (65th) takes the lone goal off of a Rakitic corner. Shalke have already qualified for the Champions League last week; it is now a fight for 2nd place between Werder Bremen and Shalke 04.

Phillip Boran will cover the Bundesliga, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, and will give updates on the Czech Gambrinus League for Soccer City FC.

Euro 2008 Preview: Do You Have Your Nation's Gear?

With the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship set to begin on June 7th, it is not too late to stock up on your nation's favorite gear. Check out all the latest from Soccer City FC's affiliates.

Austria: Co-hosts and debut appearance in the UEFA European Football Championship
Key Players: Forward Roland Linz (S.C. Braga), Forward Erwin "Jimmy" Hoffer (Rapid Vienna), and Defender Emanuel Pogatetz (Middlesbrough FC)



Switzerland: Co-hosts appeared in the 1996 and 2004 tournaments
Key Players: Midfielder Gelson Fernandes (Manchester City FC), Forward Alexander Frei (Borussia Dortmund), and Defender Philippe Senderos (Arsenal FC)



Poland: Group A Qualifying Winner and debut appearance in the torunament
Key Players: Goalkeeper Artur Boruc (Celtic FC), Forward Euzebiusz Smolarek (Racing de Santander), and Midfielder Jacek Krzynówek (VfL Wolfsburg)



Portugal: Group A Runner-up appeared in the 1984, 1996, 2000, and 2004 tournaments
Key Players: Midfielder/Forward Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Forward Nuno Gomes (S.L. Benfica), and Midfielder Deco (Barcelona)



Italy: Group B Winner appeared in the 1968, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2000, and 2004 tournaments
Key Players: Forward Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso (A.C. Milan) and Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)



France: Group B Runner-up appeared in 1960, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004
Key Players: Defender William Gallas (Arsenal FC), Midfielder Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), and Forward Thierry Henry (Barcelona)



Greece: Group C Winner appeared in 1980 and 2004 (Euro 2004 Champions)
Key Players: Midfielder Kostas Katsouranis (S.L. Benfica), Forward Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), and Giourkas Seitaridis (Atlético Madrid)



Turkey: Group C Runner-up appeared in 1996 and 2000 tournaments
Key Players: Forward Nihat Kahveci (Villarreal CF), Midfielder Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough FC), and Defender Servet Çetin (Galatasaray S.K.)



Czech Republic: Group D Winner appeared in 1960, 1976, 1980, 1996, 2000, and 2004
Key Players: Forward Milan Baroš (Portsmouth FC), Midfielder Jan Polák (R.S.C. Anderlecht), and Defender Marek Jankulovski (A.C. Milan)



Germany: Group D Runner-up appeared in 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004
Key Players: Defender Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Forward Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), and Forward Kevin Kurányi (FC Schalke 04)



Croatia: Group E Winners appeared 1996 and 2004 tournaments
Key Players: Midfielder Niko Kranjčar (Portsmouth FC), Forward Ivica Olić (Hamburger SV), and Defender Dario Šimić (A.C. Milan)



Russia: Group E Runner-up appeared in 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004
Key Players: Midfielder Marat Izmaylov (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Forward Dmitri Sychev (FC Lokomotiv Moscow), and Defender Aleksei Berezutskiy (CSKA Moscow)



Spain: Group F Winner appeared in 1964, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, and 2004
Key Players: Forward Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Midfielder Xavi (Barcelona), and Defender Carles Puyol (Barcelona)



Sweden: Group F Runnder-up appeared in 1992, 2000, and 2004
Key Players: Forwad Zlatan Ibrahimović (Inter Milan), Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson (Manchester City FC), and Defender Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa FC)



Romania: Group G Winner appeared in 1984, 1996, and 2000
Key Players: Forward Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina), Defender Cristian Chivu (Inter Milan), and Forward Ciprian Marica (VfB Stuttgart)



Nehterlands: Group G Runner-up appeared in 1976, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004
Key Players: Forward Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Midfielder Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), and Midfielder Clarence Seedorf (A.C. Milan)

The Weekend XI: February 16-17

Below is the newest edition of the Weekend XI. The big news is that Jimmy Hoffer has been found and added to this week's team. Also, we highlighted two players from Barnsley's shock victory over Liverpool. Enjoy.

• The Weekend XI: February 16-17