Some of Croatia famous football players were recently filming a commercial for MAXtv. The theme of the commercial was “retro” and I bet that you have never seen them like this before….

Eduardo Da Silva

Eduardo Da Silva

Niko Kranjcar

Niko Kranjcar

Luka Modric

Luka Modric

Stipe Pletikosa

Stipe Pletikosa

Ivan Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic

Josip Simunic

Josip Simunic

If David Beckham fail to recover from his minor injury, muscle strain, he picked up against Genoa last night, we may see Ronaldinho in starting XI once again.

The England midfielder continues to impress for AC Milan after scoring a beautiful goal last night against Genoa. He was substituted in the 71st minute, and I am sure he impressed both the fans and Fabio Capello, who was watching the game.

According to AC Milan coach, Carlo Ancelotti, the injury does not seem serious but there is a possibility for him to miss the Lazio visit. If that would happened, I am sure that Ronaldinho would take his place.

We will know more details in a day or two. In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful freekick from David Beckham that will hunt Genoa keeper for a while…

Even though I never believed in the latest rumors surrounding Messi´s future (going to Real Madrid), he has once again assured everyone that he has no intention of going anywhere…

According to Messi, he is very happy at Barcelona. Why wouldnt he be? They love him, and are playing wonderful football, if not the best, at the moment.

This is what Messi said to Barca TV after 4-1 win over Numancia:

“I do not know where all these rumours start, but I have never wanted to leave this club. If I ever leave, it will be because they do not want me, not because I want to leave.

Sorry Inter fans..looks like this amazing player will stay in Barca for a long long long time…

Croatia forward Ivica Olic will play for Bayern Munich next season.

He has been in an outstanding form this season for Hamburg and I am sure they will miss him. I have not seen so many players running as much as he does during a game.

His contract with Hamburg expires at the end of the season and Olic will join Bayern on a three-year deal starting July 1.

He will make 4.5 million euro per year, 1.5 million more than Hamburg offered him for a contract renewal.

Ivica Olic

Newcastle striker Michael Owen is still thinking about whether to sign a new contract or not at Newcastle. However it all seems very obvious he is stalling on a new deal only to be free agent next summer. The injury struck player seems to be wanting out of St. James´ Park and is heading south.

Potential clubs include former club Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Liverpool would seem the ideal club for the Kop and Michael Owen himself (having his family in the area still). Chelsea would like to sign a striker in January and having the buying power they could snap Owen in January already for a smaller fee. That move would certainly irritate other interested clubs waiting for Owen to see out his contract until next summer. However, Frank Lampard has stated that although Owen is a great player he thinks Chelsea have got enough strikers at the club already.

Manchester City and Arsenal need an experienced player but the question is would Owen choose another club instead of Liverpool? We believe Owen will choose Liverpool, knowing he could well be third or even fourth in the pecking order at Anfield. A move to Merseyside would feel like home to him and the Liverpool physios are famous for treating players in an exceptional way.

The conclusion is that Newcastle have finally understood that Michael Owen is not going to sign a new deal and he will sign for a club in the south. Our shot is Liverpool. Only time will tell though…

Now that group stage of Champions league is behind us and we have some great matches to look forward in the first knockout round in the end of February, here are some great goals from group stage for you to enjoy once again.

The draw for the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League is finished. First knockout round will be played 24/25 February and 10/11 March. Here are the teams that will compete against each other.

Chelsea - Juventus
Villareal - Panathinaikos
Sporting - Bayern
Atletico - Porto
Lyon - Barcelona
Real Madrid - Liverpool
Arsenal - Roma
Inter - Manchester United

Here are the teams who made it from Group Stage:

Roma
Chelsea
Panathinaikos
Internazionale
Barcelona
Sporting CP
Liverpool
Atletico Madrid
Manchester United

Villarreal
Bayern
Lyon
Juventus
Real Madrid
Porto
Arsenal

Group stage of this great tournament is over and we now know teams who are qualified for knockout stage. Here are the results of this week champions league games.

Roma - Bordeaux 2-0
Chelsea - Cluj 2-1
W Bremen - Inter 2-1
Panathinaik - Anorthosis 1-0
Barcelona - Sjachtar 2-3
Basel - Sporting 0-1
Marseille - Atl Madrid 0-0
PSV - Liverpool 1-3
Celtic - Villarreal 2-0
Man United - Aalborg 2-2
Lyon - Bayern 2-3
Ste Bukares - Fiorentina 0-1
Dynamo Kiev - Fenerbahce 1-0
Porto - Arsenal 2-0
R Madrid - Zenit 3-0
Juventus - Bate 0-0

These teams have made it to the last 16:

Group A
Nothing decided yet although Chelsea should win against Cluj in the last game and be joined by Roma who should beat Bordeaux.

Group B
Inter are through and will be joined by Panathinaikos or Anorthosis (they play each other in the last game)

Group C
Barcelona are through and so should Sporting if they dont lose to Basel as Barcelona crash at home to Sjachtar.

Group D
Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are through to the last 16.

Group E
Man Utd and Villareal shared the points last time, which meant they are both through

Group F
Lyon and Bayern Munich are expectedly through

Group G
Arsenal (trouble in the league) and Porto are through

Group H
Giants Real Madrid and Juventus are of course through.

Our list so far
1. Inter
2. Barcelona
3. Liverpool
4. Atletico Madrid
5. Villareal
6. Man Utd
7. Lyon
8. Bayern Munich
9. Arsenal
10. Porto
11. Real Madrid
12. Juventus
———–
13. Chelsea?
14. Roma?
15. Sporting?
16. Panathinaikos?

Now this would make the last 16 really symbolize the best teams in Europe.
Although Milan and Valencia are missed due to a weak 2007/2008 domestic season…