Who are the all-time top goalscorers in the Premier League? Which Premier League players have scored 100 goals or more? Who has scored the most goals in each Premier League season? And who is the top Premier League scorer this season?

Below we’ve answered all of the above questions – all players in the Premier League 100 club, the golden boot winners from previous Premier League seasons and the goalscoring charts from the most recent (2011/2012) Premier League season.

The top five Premier League goal scorers get their own little write up and a link to video of their goals. Everyone outside of that gets just their name, the clubs they played and scored for (or club, in the case of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Matt LeTissier) and, of course, their total number of Premier League goals.

You can also jump directly to the Premier League Golden Boot winners and Most Premier League goals this season sections.

All Time Premier League Top GoalScorers

	ALAN SHEARER	260 EPL GOALS
	Blackburn (1992-1996), Newcastle (1996-2006)

Alan Shearer, OBE, was born on 13th August 1970. Having started his career at Southampton, he went on to become one of the most prolific scorers of all time with Blackburn and his beloved Newcastle.

Great in the air, predatory from close range and deadly from distance, Shearer was at one time the complete striker. A series of knee injuries robbed him of some pace, but Shearer adapted his game in his later years and continued to find the net.

After the first ten years of the Premier League, Shearer was named as the outstanding player of the decade. He is also listed in the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers.

Shearer played 63 times for England, scoring 30 goals. He captained the side on 34 occasions.

Now working as a pundit on BBC television’s Match of the Day, Shearer had a brief spell as Newcastle United manager in 2008/9, when he took charge for the last eight games but was unable to save the club from relegation.

Alan Shearer GOALS

	ANDY COLE	187 EPL GOALS
	Newcastle (1993-95), Manchester Utd (1995-2001), Blackburn (2001-04), Fulham (2004-05), Man City (2005-06), Portsmouth (2006-07), Birmingham (2007), Sunderland (2007-08)

Andy Cole, or Andrew Cole, as he now prefers to be called was born on 15th October 1971. He began his career with Arsenal, but played just one game before moving to Bristol City. His goal scoring exploits for The Robins caught the attention of Kevin Keegan at Newcastle, who signed the striker in 1993. Cole partnered Peter Beardsley, won the First Division and continued scoring in the Premier League for he following two seasons.

He was sold controversially to Manchester United in 1995, where he went on to achieve huge success. He was the top scorer in Europe for United in the treble winning season of 1998-99, a season in which he and Dwight Yorke contributed 53 goals between them overall. Cole scored the goal that won the Premier League title, and the goal that took them to the Champions League final. He has five Premier League winners medals, one Champions League winners medal and two FA Cup winners medals.

Since leaving United Cole has played at Blackburn, Fulham, Mancheser City, Portsmouth, Birmingham and Sunderland, without quite recapturing his best goal scoring form. Cole finished his career with a loan move to Burnley and a brief spell at Nottingham Forest before retiring in 2008.

Cole was awarded the PFA Young player of the year award in 1994, and played 15 games for Engand, scoring just one goal.

Andy Cole GOALS

	THIERRY HENRY	176 EPL GOALS
	Arsenal (1999-2007), Arsenal (2012)

Thierry Henry was born on 17th August 1977. He moved to Arsenal after a relatively successful career in France and Italy, but was regarded by many as an overrated wide player. Arsene Wenger converted Henry to be a striker and the rest, as they say, is history. Pacy, classy, goalscoring history.

Henry’s goals won the Premier League twice for Arsenal, including the 30 league goals he scored as Arsenal’s famous Invincibles went the entire 2003/4 season unbeaten. Henry was twice awarded the PFA Players Player of the Year award, and also won the Football Writers Player of the Year award on two occasions.

For France, Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances and has World Cup and European Championship winners medals.

Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, where he won La Liga, the Champions League, Copa Del Rey and the Club World Cup. He currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Henry made an emotional loan return to Arsenal in January 2012, playing for 7 weeks and scoring a few crucial goals, including 2 in the league.

Thierry Henry GOALS

	ROBBIE FOWLER	163 EPL GOALS
	Liverpool (1993-2001), Leeds Utd (2001-03), Manchester City (2003-06), Liverpool (2006-07), Blackburn (2008)

Robbie Fowler was born on 9th April 1975. He grew up in Toxteth, a rough area of Liverpool, and went on to become one of the best players ever to represent the Reds. In 1995 and 1996 he was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Renowned for his natural finishing ability, in 1994 Fowler scored three times in 4 minutes, 33 seconds against Arsenal, still the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history. His goal scoring exploits were always matched by the controversy surrounding him. He was particularly criticised when after scoring a goal he pretended to snort the paint from the six yard line, following rumours of a cocaine addiction. Presenting his backside to Graeme Le Saux, rumoured to be gay, was also an episode that Fowler should not be proud of.

Fowler left Liverpool for Leeds United and then Manchester City, but was back at Anfield for one more year in 2006/7. Fowler went on to play for Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers before moving to Australia in 2009, where he played a season for North Queensland Fury before moving to current club Perth Glory.

Fowler played 26 times for England scoring 7 goals.

Robbie Fowler GOALS

	LES FERDINAND	149 EPL GOALS
	Queens Park Rangers (1992-95), Newcastle (1995-97), Tottenham (1997-2003), West Ham (2002-03), Leicester (2003-04), Bolton (2004-05)

Les Ferdinand, MBE, was born on 8th December 1966. He began his career scoring goals galore for lower league Hayes, and continued to do so wherever he went. His first big move was to top flight Queens Park Rangers, where he spent eight years banging in goals from 1987 to 1995 before earning a high profile move to Newcastle United. On Tyneside, Ferdinand developed a frightening strike partnership with Alan Shearer.

Like Shearer, Ferdinand was the complete package. Fast, strong, deadly in front of goal, and absolutely unbeatable in the air. After two years at Newcastle he moved on to Tottenham, where he spent six successful years before playing for West Ham, Leicester, Bolton and Reading.

Ferdinand was awarded the PFA players player award in 1996 and scored 5 goals for England gaining 17 caps.

Les Ferdinand GOALS

	MICHAEL OWEN	149 EPL GOALS
	Liverpool (1996-2004), Newcastle (2005-09), Man United (2009-12)

Michael James Owen was born on 14th December, 1979 in Chester, England. He is the son of a former forward of the 1970s, Terry Owen.

Michael Owen began his youth career in Liverpool in 1991. He progressed through the ranks and on his debut with the senior team in 1997, he scored. In his first full season in the English Premier League, he finished the season as the joint top-scorer with 18 goals.

Liverpool won a cup treble of the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and the Football League Cup and Owen was awarded the Ballon d’Or. He went on to score 118 goals for the Reds in the Premier League.

In 2004, Owen moved to Real Madrid and was frequently used as a substitute. The following season, he returned to England to Newcastle United with the highest goals scored to number of minutes played ration in Spain.

He scored another 26 Premier League goals for Newcastle until he was picked up as a back-up striker by Alex Ferguson. To this day, he plays for Manchester United.

Michael Owen GOALS

Rest of the EPL 100 Club

2011-12 Premier League Topscorers

Golden Boot winners

The following table is a list of winners of the Premier League Golden Boot per season, detailing their club, goal tally, actual games played, and their strike rate (goals/games).

Key to symbols:

      ^† – denotes the award was shared that season
      ^C – denotes the club were also League Champions that season
      ^E – denotes the player also won the European Golden Shoe that season
      (x) – denotes multiple winners of the award and their running total
 

 
NOTE #1: Teddy Sheringham scored his first goal of the 1992–93 season as a Nottingham Forest player, while the remainder were scored for Tottenham Hotspur following his transfer in August 1992.
NOTE #2: From the 1995–96 season onwards, the Premier League was reduced from 22 teams to 20, reducing the number of games in a league season from 42 to 38.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The FA have slapped QPR midfielder Joey Barton with a 12-match ban following the temperamental midfielder’s sending off against Manchester City on the last day of the Premier League season. The Loftus Road captain is the latest in a long line of players to feel the wrath of the authorities; here are the top football bans in recent times.

Joey Barton – 12 matches

After being shown a red card for elbowing Carlos Tevez, Barton was found guilty of trying to knee Sergio Aguero and head-butt Vincent Kompany. These additional two charges of violent conduct, added to the dismissal, have resulted in a 12-match ban for the former Newcastle man, and put his career at the London club at risk.

Eric Cantona – nine months

The mercurial French attacker was given a nine-month worldwide ban from the game in 1995 after his famed kung-fu kick on Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons at Selhurst Park. The Manchester United forward was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service after the shocking act.

Paolo Di Canio – 11 matches

Fiery Sheffield Wednesday forward Paolo Di Canio was on the sidelines for 11 matches after pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground in September 1998. After being dismissed in a league fixture against Arsenal, the Italian pushed the official to the deck, and was also handed a £10,000 fine for the act of petulance.

Kevin Keegan and Billy Bremner – 10 matches

Keegan and Bremner were both on the sidelines for 10 matches after coming to blows in the 1974 Charity Shield between Liverpool and Leeds. The pair were involved in a fight on the hour mark of the game, and both dismissed.

David Prutton – ten matches

Southampton man David Prutton was given a ten-match ban for shoving referee Alan Wiley after his dismissal against Arsenal in the Premier League in 2005. The Saints midfielder was also handed out a £6,000 fine.

Paul Davis – nine matches

The Arsenal midfielder was given a nine-match ban for punching Glenn Cockerill in October 1998, breaking the Southampton man’s jaw. Davis was sent off and ordered to pay a £3,000 fine by the FA.

Billy Cook – 12 month ban

The Middlesbrough player was banned for a year in 1915 when he refused to leave the field of play after being sent off against Oldham; the game had to be abandoned with 35 minutes remaining.

Mark Bosnich – Seven months

The Australian goalkeeper was banned for seven months after testing positive for cocaine in 2003. Chelsea terminated his contract after the scandal.

Rio Ferdinand – eight months

The Manchester United defender failed to show up for a drugs test and was duly handed an eight match ban in September 2003.

Luis Suarez – eight matches

The Liverpool forward was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in a Premier League clash between the two in October 2011. After a drawn-out investigation the FA handed down an eight-match ban for the Uruguay international and gave him a £40,000 fine.

Edgar Davids and Jaap Stam – four months

The Juventus midfielder and Lazio defender had their bans for testing positive for banned substance nandrolone reduced from five months to four months in May 2001 and January 2002 respectively.

Dean Windass – six matches

The Aberdeen striker was effectively sent off three times in the first-half of a 5-0 defeat to Dundee United in 1997. Windass was dismissed for two bookable offences, abused the referee and ripped out a corner flag in the SPL fixture.

Roy Keane – five weeks

The aggressive Manchester United midfielder was handed a five-week ban in October 2002 for comments made in his autobiography concerning Alfie Inge Haaland. The Irishman was also fined £150,000.

Vinnie Jones – six months

The Wimbledon midfielder and now movie star Jones was handed a six-month ban in November 1992 and fined £20,000 for his comments glorifying football violence.

Ben Thatcher – eight matches

The Manchester City defender was banned for eight matches after a sickening elbow on Portsmouth’s Pedro Mendes. The Portuguese midfielder was knocked out cold and suffered a seizure after Thatcher’s challenge in August 2006.

Joey Barton – 12 matches (again)

Barton was given a 12 match ban, later six of which were suspended, for assaulting Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo in training. Barton was charged with assault, given a four-month suspended jail sentence and fined £25,000.

Kolo Toure – six months

The Manchester City central defender was given a six-month suspension for failing a drugs test in March 2011. The Ivory Coast international later claimed that he has taken one of his wife’s diet pills.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The Samsung Galaxy Note is a powerful smartphone that doubles as a tablet – and when it comes to the London 2012 Olympics, it even has David Beckham using (and composing music with) the device.

The video, which demonstrates the unique features of the Samsung GALAXY Note, showcases Beckham’s incredible soccer skills as he reproduces the melody of Beethoven’s classic ‘Ode to Joy’ by kicking a series of soccer balls against a 15-foot wall of drums. Beckham uses the GALAXY Note’s large screen to plan his sequence of kicks against the drums. Then he uses the S Pen to annotate a photograph and post it on Facebook, capturing his experience and sharing it instantly with all his seventeen million fans.

GALAXY Note introduces a revolutionary new mobile device category. Retaining all the portability of a smartphone, its immersive large screen and advanced pen-input capabilities enable new possibilities for creating, rendering and sharing content with unique self-expression and spontaneity. GALAXY Note continues to win praise from consumers across the globe, recently surpassing 5 million sales in only 5 months since its launch.

Samsung, an Olympics sponsor since 1988, will be demonstrating the latest smartphones including GALAXY Note in the Olympic Village and throughout London for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The GALAXY Note – David Beckham full length video can be viewed on Facebook or Youtube.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Despite leading Chelsea to Champions League glory on Saturday it appears Didier Drogba has played his last game for the club.

France Football magazine has reported that the Ivory Coast star has confirmed he is leaving Stamford Bridge.

The striker has been quoted saying he informed his team-mates of his decision during the club’s open-top bus parade on Monday after leading them to the greatest moment in their history on Saturday night.

“We will no longer be together next season,” the 34-year-old said in quotes attributed to the magazine.

Drogba, who has reportedly already agreed a deal to join Shanghai Shenhua when his Chelsea contract expires this summer, is said to have admitted he struggled to get the words out and burst into tears.

He went on to say: “As I decided to leave, I wanted to tell them straight in the eye. Except that I could not do it. They made me crack.”

“Even though it’s been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club – especially as I did not feel like this.”

“But I could not see myself sitting on the bench to watch others play when the club plans to set up a new team.”

“So that’s it – I am preparing for my leap into the unknown. It’s going to be another adventure.”

Man-of-the-match in Saturday’s historic Champions League final win over Bayern Munich, Drogba has repeatedly avoided questions about his future.

The 34-year-old has been linked with a lucrative move to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhuan, where his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka is player coach.

If he does leave it would mean his very last kick for Chelsea would be the penalty that gave his side victory against Bayern.

For their part, Chelsea have refused to offer the two-year contract Drogba was looking for 

This news coincides with Fernando Torres announcing he’s also considering leaving the London club.

The Spanish International will hold talks with the club about his future after criticising the way he has been treated.

Torres admitted it was one of the biggest disappointments of his career to start on the bench in the Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

Torres told Spanish journalist Guillem Balague:  ”I have been through the worst moments of my career during the season.

“I felt they have treated me in a way I was not expecting.”

The striker, signed from Liverpool for £50m in January 2011, has hit six league goals this season as part of a total of 11 in all competitions.

“It was a huge disappointment when I saw the line-up, perhaps the biggest disappointment in my life. I thought I would play in this game and I couldn’t imagine not doing so.”

Discussing his future, he added: “We’ve had a lot of talks and we’ll talk about my future at the end of the season because the role I’ve had this season is not for me, nor is it the one I expected to play when I came here.

There’s now huge uncertainty regarding the future of Chelsea’s two frontmen. If they were to leave, Daniel Sturridge would become the only established striker left at the club. Surely this means Abramovich intends to invest in a couple of attacking players this summer. Following Chelsea’s European success, the funds will definitely be available to do this.

Despite this, the next big question is: Where next for Drogba? Will he move to Asia for his own economic benefit? Or stay in Europe to challenge Chelsea in next year’s Champions League? There’s no doubt wherever he ends up, he will be playing first team football as a key member of the squad.

Follow me on twitter for football updates and opinions: https://twitter.com/#!/Chrisslinnell

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Chelsea found redemption for the misery of Moscow and ended their long quest to win the Champions League by beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the Allianz Arena.

Di Matteo delivered a surprise in his starting line-up, with youngster Ryan Bertrand handed a role on the left flank in front of Cole in an attempt to stifle the threat of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

On a night of gripping tension in Germany, the final went to a shoot-out after Didier Drogba’s late equaliser sent the game into extra-time then penalties, following Thomas Muller’s headed goal.

Petr Cech rescued Chelsea when he saved Arjen Robben’s penalty early in the extra period – then the great talisman Drogba took centre stage again as the drama of spot-kicks was played out at the end where Bayern’s fans watched in anguish.

Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s first penalty but David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were all successful. Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on target for Bayern.

The momentum shifted decisively when Cech denied Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the post to leave Chelsea on the brink and present Drogba with his moment of destiny.

He was calmness personified as he rolled the ball past Neuer to spark scenes of elation among Chelsea’s players, staff and supporters. The tournament that had given them their greatest agony had now delivered their greatest glory.

This was a victory in the mould of Chelsea’s semi-final win against Barcelona, built on resilience, discipline, defensive organisation and nerve at the crucial times and done without the suspended Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles.

Chelsea’s blanket of defensive defiance served them well in the Nou Camp – and acted as a dress rehearsal for a first half spent almost entirely in their territory.

And while Chelsea were organised and resolute, they were also grateful that Bayern striker Gomez’s touch in front of goal deserted him at decisive moments.

Suspended captain John Terry joined the celebrations and lifted the trophy alongside Lampard but it was Drogba who was the hero, running the length of the pitch swirling his shirt above his head in triumph, with owner Roman Abramovich looking on as Chelsea finally claimed the prize he has craved for season upon season.

For Chelsea, there is just one remaining question – will Roberto di Matteo be offered the Chelsea job on a full-time basis? In less than 6 months, the Italian has transformed the London club’s season, giving the Russian owner the Champions League after so many painful failures.

It’s also hard to see how Drogba, now 34 but still able to produce the brilliance that defines big occasions, can be allowed to walk away as his contract reaches its conclusion.

Abramovich will leave the big decisions for another day, but this was a night he and his club have desired since he walked into Stamford Bridge – and ironically achieved with an interim manager he had to appoint after sacking his personal choice, Andre Villas-Boas.

This thrilling night is a historical moment for the London club. Chelsea have now won the biggest prize in European Club football, for the first time in their history. The Champions League will now head to Stamford Bridge.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The 2011/2012 Champions League Final, to be played between Chelsea and Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, 19th May 2012, is going to be a classic.

Both finalists were unfancied going into their respective semi-finals and they overcame unlikely odds to beat Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Bayern came through their two-legged showdown against Madrid with credit and praise for their ability to counter Madrid’s attacking verve and strength, Chelsea’s progress against Barcelona was very much a back to the walls job, and it’s this fantastic performance that has pundits pin the one-off final as more of an equal clash than it would seem on paper.

Indeed, the word out of Bayern is that they’re worried about Chelsea’s remarkable ability to win out of nothing, and while Drogba is playing for Chelsea, anything is possible.

Here’s our in-depth look at the 2012 Champions League final:

THE FINALISTS

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

THE STADIUM

Home to FC Bayern München and TSV 1860 München, the Fußball Arena München will host the 2012 UEFA Champions League final following a decision made by the UEFA Executive Committee in January 2009. The showpiece will take place on Saturday 19 May 2012.

• The Fußball Arena München took less than three years to build from start to finish, and was completed on 30 April 2005. It was conceived following a referendum in October 2001 when 65.8% of Munich’s citizens voted to construct a new arena rather than regenerate the Olympiastadion, venue for the 1972 summer Olympic Games and previous home of Bayern and 1860 München.

• A year to the day after that vote, work commenced on the stadium, including the construction of the unique exterior. The Fußball Arena München’s transparent outer wall is comprised of foil panels which are lit from the inside and can change colour depending on who is playing; red for Bayern, blue for 1860 München and white for Germany.

• The arena opened its doors to competitive football on 5 August 2005 when a full house of 66,000 watched Bayern defeat VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0. In January 2006, city authorities approved a 3,901 increase in capacity which means the stadium can now house 69,901 supporters. Some of these reside in standing terraces which are created for domestic games by converting 10,400 seats in each of the north and south stands.

• Located on Werner-Heisenberg-Allee – named after famous German atomic physicist and 1932 Nobel Prize for Physics winner Werner Heisenberg – the Fußball Arena München played host to the opening game of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Germany’s 4-2 victory against Costa Rica. A further five matches in the tournament were played at the arena, including France’s 1-0 semi-final win against Portugal.

• While some 106 VIP boxes, 400 media seats and 11,000 parking spaces cater for those attending the game, the players make do with two warm-up rooms, a nursery and four changing rooms – one each for Bayern, 1860 München and their respective opponents.

• The Olympiastadion hosted three European Champion Clubs’ Cup finals. Trevor Francis’s strike earned Nottingham Forest FC victory against Malmö FF in 1979 and there was also only one goal in it 24 years later when Olympique de Marseille beat AC Milan to claim the inaugural UEFA Champions League title. In 1997 two Karl-Heinz Riedle efforts set BV Borussia Dortmund on course for a 3-1 win against Juventus.

(source: uefa.com)

Munich finals have habit for upsets

The Fußball Arena München will stage its first European Champion Clubs’ Cup final when the UEFA Champions League concludes there on 19 May.

However, the Olympiastadion – which will host the UEFA Women’s Champions League decider on 17 May – staged the men’s showpiece three times, not to mention the 1974 FIFA World Cup and 1988 UEFA European Championship deciders. UEFA.com looks back at the three previous times the biggest fixture in European club football visited Munich.

28 May 1997 Bor. Dortmund 3-1 Juventus

The last European Cup final at the Olympiastadion was a triumph for Germany, but not FC Bayern München. Holders Juve started favourites but just as they had taken the title off AFC Ajax the year before, so Dortmund did to the Turin side what Hamburger SV had in the 1983 final. Karl-Heinz Riedle broke the deadlock just before the half-hour and five minutes later headed Dortmund two up. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero reduced arrears with a 64th-minute back-heel but Dortmund then brought on Lars Ricken. With his first touch he brilliantly chipped Angelo Peruzzi from long range to clinch his club’s first European title.

26 May 1993 Oly. de Marseille 1-0 AC Milan

Four years earlier, the first UEFA Champions League final had been at the Olympiastadion – again there was defeat for the Italian favourites. The all-star Milan team including Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and a host of Italian internationals had already lifted the European Cup in 1989 and 1990. They would do so again in 1994, but on this occasion Marseille got the better of them courtesy of Basile Boli’s goal just before half-time. For the country which had invented the European Cup, it was a first triumph.

30 May 1979 Nott. Forest 1-0 Malmö FF

Two of European football’s less glamorous names had their day in the spotlight in the first Munich final. Injury-hit Malmö, the only ever Swedish finalists, presented a tough test for a Forest side aiming to keep the trophy in England following Liverpool FC’s triumphs in 1977 and 1978. Forest manager Brian Clough was able to give a competition debut to Trevor Francis, the first British player to be signed for £1m, and although he was fielded out on the right wing it was he who headed in John Robertson’s cross just before half-time to clinch the title.

(source: uefa.com)

THE TROPHY

In March 1967, UEFA’s Executive Committee decided, at a meeting in Vienna, to allow Real Madrid CF to keep the original trophy, a silver cup offered by L’Equipe, after the Spanish team’s sixth victory. The Executive Committee then made 10,000 Swiss francs – currently about 6,500 euros – available for a new trophy to be made.

It wasn’t a simple replica of the original cup as UEFA’s General Secretary at that time, Hans Bangerter, decided to create a new design and called in a local specialist in Berne, Jürg Stadelmann. The trophy handed to Liverpool in Istanbul was the fourth version of that design.

“My father Hans and I went along to Herr Bangerter’s office and covered the whole floor with the drawings,” recalled Stadelmann. “He made comments like, ‘The Bulgarians would like the bottom of that. The Spaniards would like that, but the Italians would prefer that and the Germans would go for this bit.’ We put the design together like a jigsaw puzzle. It was a design constituted of many parts yet I like it and I think everyone in football likes it as well.

“I remember that it had to be finished before 28 March,” Stadelmann added, “because I was getting married and taking my wife on a ten-day boat trip to Los Angeles. The trophy took 340 hours to make. I did the finer work, then it was finished off by the engraver, Fred Bänninger. On time, I am glad to say.”

The trophy is 62 centimetres tall and weighs 7.5kg. It may not be an artistic masterpiece, but everybody in football is keen to get their hands on it.

Nowadays, UEFA regulations allow the Cup to become the property of any club which wins the competition five times or three times in a row. That means that, after fifty years, only Real Madrid CF, AFC Ajax, FC Bayern München, AC Milan and Liverpool FC have earned the right to keep an original in their trophy rooms.

Fittingly, as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup reached the 50th anniversary of the first final in Paris in 2006, the second half-century of the competition kicked-off with a brand-new piece of silverware – produced by the same Bertoni workshop in Milan but, unlike its predecessors, with the names of all 50 winning clubs engraved on it.

A total of 45 different pairs of hands have lifted the Champion Clubs’ Cup since the Real Madrid CF skipper, Miguel Muñoz, first laid his hands on Europe’s most coveted prize in 1956. The roll of honour is an awesome list of some of the continent’s all-time greats, many of whom have gone on to make their mark in coaching after hanging up their boots. What’s more, fans who are superstitious about numbers might note that Bobby Charlton was captain No.9 to lift the trophy; Gianni Rivera was No. 10; and Johan Cruyff – just for a change – was No.14! Curiously, the FC Bayern München honorary president, Franz Beckenbauer, is the only captain to have received the cup three times and no one has lifted it in two consecutive seasons since Franco Baresi and his AC Milan team-mates were crowned kings of Europe in 1989 and 1990

(source: uefa.com)

THE BALL

The official match ball for the 2012 UEFA Champions League final – the adidas Finale Munich – has been officially presented at the venue for this season’s showpiece match, the Fußball Arena München.

As the 12th adidas supplied match ball for a UEFA Champions League final, the adidas Finale Munich will be the first “final ball” to be used throughout the UEFA Champions League knockout stages and not just for the final itself.

The ball’s graphics are inspired by the shape of the Fußball Arena München and they enhance its iconic starball logo design, while the blue and acqua tones are strongly influenced by the reflection of modern local architectural materials, which also build the UEFA Champions League Final Munich 2012 brand identity.

The adidas Finale Munich makes its debut tonight when the UEFA Champions League resumes with two of the eight round of 16 ties – the first leg matches between Olympique Lyonnais and APOEL FC, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Barcelona.

The UEFA Champions League final takes place in the Bavarian city on Saturday 19 May.

(source: uefa.com)

THE AMBASSADOR

Having lifted the European Champion Clubs’ Cup for FC Bayern München, scored in Germany’s victorious FIFA World Cup final in Munich and been brought up just 50km away there are few people better placed than Paul Breitner to act as ambassador for the 2012 UEFA Champions League final at the Fußball Arena Munchen on 19 May.

The former Real Madrid CF midfielder saw it all in a glittering 13-year player career, but the return of club football’s biggest game to Munich for a fourth time, and first at the new stadium, is a source of great pride for the 60-year-old. “The Champions League final next year in May is the highlight of the whole season, for the city of Munich and for Bayern,” he told UEFA.com. “”The people of Munich, including me, think we have the most beautiful city in the world”.”

As well as being a tourist attraction, Munich is also a footballing hotbed and the Fußball Arena Munchen, which opened in 2005 and houses almost 70,000 spectators for Bundesliga matches, is home to both TSV 1860 München and Bayern, Germany’s most successful club. And it was with the three-time European champions that Breitner first made his name in some 41 years ago.

“In 1970, it was a time of evolutionary change at Bayern Munich. Uli Hoeness, the current club president, and I arrived at the right time to grow into the team, to learn from Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. We went through a development phase which led us, after our fourth season, to play in our first European Cup final, winning against Atlético Madrid in a replay after drawing the first match.”

That victory came in May 1974, two years after Breitner had helped West Germany win the UEFA European Championship, and two months before he lifted the World Cup. He would go on to become one of his country’s most successful footballers, winning five Bundesliga titles with Bayern and two Spanish championships with Madrid. In 1982 he became only the third player after Brazilians Vavá and Pelé to score in two World Cup finals (an elite club since joined by Zinédine Zidane).

(source: uefa.com)

THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

The Fußball Arena München will host the 2012 UEFA Champions League final and the 116-page official matchday programme is the perfect souvenir.

Packed with insight into the season’s most high-profile fixture, the programme features exclusive interviews with the two coaches as well as profiling the players who will perform on the ultimate stage on Saturday 19 May.

The matchday magazine also follows the two teams on the road to the Bavarian capital, and goes behind the scenes at each finalist club. The programme celebrates the great and good who have held the UEFA Champions League Trophy in triumph, including the heroes of the past Munich finals Trevor Francis, Basile Boli and Lars Ricken, while guiding readers through the culture – footballing and otherwise – of the host city and speaks to final ambassador Paul Breitner, among many features.

You may purchase the programme for £8.25 at the Official Online Store of the UEFA Champions League.

(source: uefa.com)

FACTS & FIGURES – THE FINAL

The following statistics were taken from the UEFA Champions League Statistics Handbook.
 

Finals: 19
Wins: 14
Draws: 5
Goals: 49
Average: 2.58
Extra-time: 5
Penalty shoot-outs: 5
Different results: 9
Most common outcome: 2-1 (4 times)
Both sides scoring: 10
One side scoring: 8
No goals: 1
Total time in minutes: 1860
Minutes per goal: 38
Red cards: 2

RESULTS SUMMARY

BIGGEST WINS

BIGGEST LEAD AT HALF-TIME

HIGHEST MATCH AGGREGATE

FINALS DECIDED BY A PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

MOST GOALS BY A PLAYER

TWO:

SCORING IN TWO DIFFERENT FINALS

RAÚL González (Real Madrid CF) in 2000 [1 goal], 2002 [1 goal]
Samuel ETO’O (FC Barcelona) in 2006 [1 goal], 2009 [1 goal]
Lionel MESSI (FC Barcelona) in 2009 [1 goal], 2011 [1 goal]

CLUBS FROM THE SAME NATION PLAYING IN THE FINAL

SAME CLUBS MEETING IN CHAMPION CLUBS’ CUP/UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINALS

Note: Real Madrid CF and Stade de Reims both played each other in the 1956 and 1959 Champion Clubs’ Cup final whilst AC Milan and SL Benfica met in 1963 and 1990

SUMMARY OF NATIONS PLAYING IN THE FINAL

THE VENUES (15)

Note: The old Wembley Stadium in London hosted five Champion Clubs’ Cup finals: 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978 and 1992 whilst the Heysel Stadion in Brussels staged the same number of games in 1958, 1966, 1974 (final and replay) and 1985.

Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion was the venue for 4 finals in 1964, 1987, 1990 and 1995

PLAYERS WHO HAVE MISSED FINALS DUE TO SUSPENSION

Alessandro COSTACURTA & Franco BARESI (AC Milan) v FC Barcelona 1994
Michael REIZIGER (AFC Ajax) v Juventus 1996
Roy KEANE & Paul SCHOLES (Manchester United FC) v FC Bayern München 1999
Amedeo CARBONI (Valencia CF) v Real Madrid CF 2000
ZE ROBERTO (Bayer Leverkusen) v Real Madrid CF 2002
Pavel NEDVED (Juventus) v AC Milan 2003
Eric ABIDAL & DANIEL ALVES (FC Barcelona) v Manchester United FC 2009
Darren FLETCHER (Manchester United FC) v FC Barcelona 2009
Franck RIBÉRY (FC Bayern München) v FC Internazionale Milano 2010
THIAGO MOTTA (FC Internazionale Milano) v FC Bayern München 2010
José PINTO (FC Barcelona) v Manchester United FC 2011

RED CARDS IN THE FINAL

RECORD OF THE TITLE HOLDER THE FOLLOWING SEASON

THE CLUBS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

SIX FINALS:
AC Milan (1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007)

FOUR FINALS:
FC Barcelona (1994, 2006, 2009, 2011), Juventus (1996, 1997, 1998, 2003), Manchester United FC (1999, 2008, 2009, 2011)

THREE FINALS:
Real Madrid CF (1998, 2000, 2002), FC Bayern München (1999, 2001, 2010)

TWO FINALS:
AFC Ajax (1995, 1996), Valencia CF (2000, 2001), Liverpool FC (2005, 2007)

ONE FINAL:
Olympique de Marseille (1993), BV Borussia Dortmund (1997), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2002), FC Porto (2004), AS Monaco FC (2004), Arsenal FC (2006), Chelsea FC (2008), FC Internazionale Milano (2010)

WINNERS OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLE

THREE TITLES:
AC Milan (1994, 2003, 2007), Real Madrid CF (1998, 2000, 2002), FC Barcelona (2006, 2009, 2011)

TWO TITLES:
Manchester United FC (1999, 2008)

ONE TITLE:
Olympique de Marseille (1993), AFC Ajax (1995), Juventus (1996), BV Borussia Dortmund (1997), FC Bayern München (2001), FC Porto (2004), Liverpool FC (2005), FC Internazionale Milano (2010)

RUNNERS-UP IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

THREE FINALS:
Juventus (1997, 1998, 2003), AC Milan (1993, 1995, 2005)

TWO FINALS:
FC Bayern München (1999, 2010), Valencia CF (2000, 2001), Manchester United FC (2009, 2011)

ONE FINAL:
FC Barcelona (1994), AFC Ajax (1996), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2002), AS Monaco FC (2004), Arsenal FC (2006), Liverpool FC (2007), Chelsea FC (2008), Manchester United FC (2009)

MOST SUCCESSFUL NATIONS IN THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

SIX TITLES:
SPAIN (1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2011)

FIVE TITLES:
ITALY (1994, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2010)

THREE TITLES:
ENGLAND (1999, 2005, 2008)

TWO TITLES:
GERMANY (1997, 2001)

ONE TITLE:
FRANCE (1993), NETHERLANDS (1995), PORTUGAL (2004)
 
 

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

To celebrate the 2012 UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and CHelsea FC, UEFA sponsor Mastercard has conducted research into football fan behavior and unearthed some very interesting statistics on team following, spend and the increasing globalisation of football brands.

Football fans in Europe are collectively spending a staggering €35bn each season supporting clubs from foreign countries. Whether it’s funding their overseas match attendance and PayTV subscriptions or buying merchandise, Fans Without Borders notch up a combined spend per season that would fund the construction of 100 Fußball Arenas München (Allianz Arena to you and me), or buy 372 Cristiano Ronaldos or even 562 Fernando Torres’.

The results show one quarter of Europe’s football faithful (41 million) are classed as Fans Without Borders, with FC Barcelona the most popular foreign team (29%), followed by Real Madrid CF (10%) and Manchester United FC (8%).

How They Spend It

Fans Without Borders ring up €35bn worth of spending each season and here’s how:

• One fifth of the total spend, or €7.5bn, is on Pay TV.
• Merchandising (club-branded goods) earns 13% of our far-away follower’s money.
• Actual match attendance consumes 10% of Fans Without Borders’ spending, with an additional €2.5bn allocated to food, drink and other goods purchased when there.
• 6% of spend is given over to visiting a pub or sports-bar to take in a game on the big screen, and subscription to a club’s own TV channel takes 5%.
• One in four fans attends home matches abroad. Accommodation and travel relating to match attendance, or visits to their favourite stadia, cost Fans Without Borders €8.75bn each year – one quarter of the total spend.
• The impact on tourism is positive; one third of all Fans Without Borders have booked a trip for the sole purpose of watching a match or visiting a stadium. One fifth intentionally combine match attendance with a short city break, or integrate the game into a regular holiday.
• In total, cities hosting Fans Without Borders at live matches, benefit by around €4.5bn per season.

Categories of Fans

The report suggests that Fans Without Borders have been categorised into three groups:

Lead Photo Credit: Hassan Rai.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Nike Football “My Time is Now” campaign features a global roster of the world’s best players, and celebrates the hunger and impatience of young players ready to tear up the rule book to make their mark in football’s elite ranks.

The film will also be on TV on May 19th during the European Club Final features many of the elite players who will battle it out in Poland and Ukraine, and later this summer, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Andres Iniesta, Wesley Sneijder, Franck Ribery, Mario Götze, Mesut Özil, Yann M’Vila, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck. Special guest appearances are made by Pep Guardiola, Lauren Blanc and basketball superstar LeBron James.

My Time Is Now

As the action unfolds, viewers can experience content in a unique interactive way through hidden tunnels designed to share athlete insights about their hunger to succeed and inspire young athletes to be better footballers.

We first join a France v Holland match that is suddenly interrupted by wave after wave of young players, who invade the pitch, ready to show they have the skills and hunger to take on the world’s best. Defined by their impatience and distinctive black and white uniform, they reflect the players Nike is looking for through “The Chance” which is a global talent search for young players to prove themselves on an elite stage and take their game to the next level.

As the young players take their chance they are joined by football’s new generation and iconic stars as the game heats up. Neymar dazzles with his blinding skills and faints, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta, complete in corporate suits from a stuffy boardroom meeting, join the play on pitch. Even Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to pull on the distinctive black and white uniform sported by the young players, but he’s out of luck as the last remaining jersey is a small size. He wears it anyway, ready to join the game.

Also unveiled in the campaign is the Nike Clash Collection of boots worn by elite players for the biggest moments on pitch and clash of rivalries and games this summer. Nike’s Mercurial Vapor VIII, CTR360 Maestri II, T90 Laser IV and Tiempo Legend IV boots will feature performance innovation and color clash design of traditional white with a bold second color signifying each boots style to stand out on pitch.

Nike has a history of great football advertisements, and on first viewing this is set to be another Nike classic.

Image 1 of 10

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Chelsea and Bayern Munich go head-to-head in this season’s Champions League final on Saturday at the Allianz Arena, in what should be a mouth-watering clash. The Germans are favourites due to playing at home, however the Blues have upset Barcelona and are in great form in Europe. With two-evenly-matched sides taking centre stage it is sure to be a great Champions League final; here are five betting tips worth looking into.

Ladbrokes are offering a £50 free bet for all new customers registering for the service; all you have to do is enter the FB50 promo code and make a bet!

Chelsea to win the trophy

Roberto Di Matteo’s men have a double incentive to win the trophy this year, as a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League sees them ready to miss out on Europe’s top tournament next season if they lose on Saturday. The Stamford Bridge club are looking to make amends for losing at the last stage in 2008, and have conquered adversity this season on the continent. Back the Blues to win the trophy at 7/4.

Full-time Score 2-2

Finals are usually cagey affairs and in plenty of instances in the recent memory extra time and penalties has been needed to decide a winner. There is every chance that this game could go down to the wire, and may not be decided in 90 minutes. Add to this that both sides are missing key defenders due to suspension and there could be goals in this one. Back a 2-2 draw at full time at odds of 16/1.

Drogba to score first

Didier Drogba is potentially playing his last game for the west London side, as his contract runs out in the summer and negotiations have not yet been fruitful. The Ivory Coast international is sure to lead the line for the Blues, and has scored important goals this term, especially in the FA Cup final against Liverpool and Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Pick the African forward to score first at odds of 8/1.

Chelsea to be winning on the 75 minute mark

Bayern are a stubborn opponent, and at times this season have won fixtures or points by scoring a late goal. A classic example of this is Mario Gomez’s winner against Real Madrid in the semi-final first leg, and at home the German side will be motivated to play to the final whistle. Back Chelsea to be winning at the 75 minute mark however at odds of 3/1.

Chelsea to score first and last

The Blues may well need a couple of goals to win the trophy, or one goal and dedicated defending could be enough to claim glory. Chelsea too have the heart to come back from a deficit, and have scored the first goal in every knockout round of the tournament this year. If you think Chelsea will score first and last, odds of 5/1 look favourable.

So what are you waiting for? With the Champions League the last club game before Euro 2012, look to Ladbrokes for the latest and betting odds ahead of Saturday’s crunch fixture.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

If the incredible drama of the Premier League has made you wonder how you are going to cope without football until August fear not football fans – Euro 2012 is just around the corner, and of course, there are plenty of Euro 2012 odds to study, as punters across Europe decide on which team to back, or who will pick up the golden boot.

A four week feast of top-class competition awaits, with the best players in the world, including Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, amongst others, set to lock horns. Fans, players punters and television pundits all contribute to the excitement as bookmakers offer Euro 2012 free bets to pick up. It’s at tournaments like this that great players become legends and exciting youngsters have the platform to catapult themselves onto the world stage.

A couple of players to watch out for in the youth department are Mezut Ozil of Germany, who has progressed into a top player since joining Real Madrid last season and young Spanish midfielder Juan Mata.

He has been the shining light in a Chelsea side that has reached the Champions League Final and is a perfect fit for the style of play that the reigning champions Spain suffocate their rivals with. Look out for his partnership with Fernando Llorente – it could take the tournament by storm.

It is Spain that head the betting markets going into the tournament, as bookmakers across the board have Vicente Del Bosque’s as the side to beat. They won the last European Championships in 2008 before going on to rubber-stamp their authority at international level with a brilliant World Cup success in South Africa.

Their intricate, unique passing style make them a joy to watch at times and it will be immensely exciting to see whether they can continue their incredible form in international tournaments. The likes a of the vibrant German side, expertly managed by Jochim Low, and World Cup finalists Netherlands, will be looking to hijack the Spaniards campaign.

And sides such as two time European Champions France and the unpredictable England will also feel they have enough quality in their locker to land, what is shaping up to be, one of the most intriguing major international tournaments for a long time.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride – it’s going to be an excitable one.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News